The speech of President Berisha at the III Congress of the Democratic Party

At yesterday’s meeting of the leadership of the Democratic parliamentary group, it was decided that the National Council of the Democratic Party should meet yesterday. At this meeting, according to official sources, the place of Hysen Selfo, who was elected by free vote as an independent deputy, is taken by democratic activist Shaban Memia from Tirana. The National Council has decided to postpone its own meeting to another date because of the electoral campaign. According to the spokesman of the Democratic parliamentary group, Ferdinand Xhaferri, yesterday’s meeting of the leadership of the Democratic parliamentary group also discussed the activities of the PD branches during this campaign.

On 8 April in Tirana The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Ms. Leni Fischer, will pay a visit to Albania on 8 April. This was announced yesterday at a press conference by the director of the President’s cabinet, Ylli Vejsiu. Ms. Fischer will come to our country at the invitation of the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha. This will be the second time that Ms. Fischer visits Albania.

On 8 April in Tirana[?] On 8 April in Tirana The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Leni Fischer, is coming The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Ms. Leni Fischer, will pay a visit to Albania on 8 April. This was announced yesterday at a press conference by the director of the President’s cabinet, Ylli Vejsiu. Ms. Fischer will come to our country at the invitation of the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha. This will be the second time that Ms. Fischer visits Albania.

It is no coincidence that the government preferred the president over the prime minister by more than 60% of the deputies[?]. This most populated area, with the largest number of workers in the government of the republic in 1996, delivered the deepest and most beautiful victory on 4 June. Likewise, the deepest, undisputed and almost absolute victory of the Democratic Party in the 1992 elections was precisely in this district. According to the report of the local economic secretary to the members of this organization, while the country’s fourth economic center was proclaimed an industrial base for large-scale development, the following things were happening. Every month 6,000 tons of oil and 5,000 tons of chrome were being extracted, which the two main enterprises and the city’s mines were bringing into the pockets of a handful of mafia bosses. Dozens of workshops and factories were being shut down, while hundreds of families were going into the streets to earn their bread. More than 12–16 hours of grueling work, ridiculous pay and no kind of technical safety. That was the sad picture of the economy four years earlier.

The alternative of the PD, of the future and of the alternative[?] The PD managed to emerge victorious as a leading political force in Albania through the conviction and awareness of citizens that it would build a just and free society, with a market economy and a state governed by law. The PD enjoyed the active support of the people and the clear support of the majority in the elections of 22 March 1992. Economic difficulties, the shortcomings of the inherited government and the pressure of the past meant that in the first efforts to build a democratic state and a market economy there were also obstacles. But in these four years, under the leadership of President Berisha, our country has made a historic turn. P.2

The Democratic Party is moving from words to deeds. By lowering taxes, encouraging investment, guaranteeing private property and free initiative, it has created the conditions for a healthy economy. Albania has entered the path of sustainable development, and its citizens are already feeling the first benefits of the reforms. But this path still requires work, responsibility and trust.

It is among the most striking features of Albanian sections[?]. Such was how Professor Alfred Serreqi defined the III Congress of the Democratic Party a few days ago in his speech. The principles and objectives of this section are the continual[?] support of political independence and integrity guaranteed by the constitution and laws of the country. At the same time, the overwhelming majority of the country’s urban population has viewed Italian and European politics as an important factor for economic stability and the integration of Albania.

Kryetari nga punimet e djeshme të Kuvendit të tretë kombëtar të PDSH-së Kuvendi i bashkimit të “demokrative shqiptare”

III NATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE PD

- We will spread full economic tyranny to the other districts of the country. - Within two years we will reshape the banks, combines, railways, and telecommunications. - We will establish an entire system of private banks. - In the future we will give the stock exchange at home. - We must increase the development and consolidation of small business. - We will ... the transformation and fully respect large business. - And almost for growth and we fully respect large business. It should be accompanied by a life of flashes.