. Yesterday, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, pursuant to Article 29 of Law No. 7556, dated 4.02.1992, as amended by Law No. 8055, dated 1.02.1996, “On the elections to the Assembly of the Republic of Albania,” and on the proposal of the Council of Ministers, issued a decree designating the districts for the forthcoming elections to the People's Assembly.

. Today at 12:00, at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, the chairman of the PDSH, Mr. Tritan Shehu, will hold a press conference concerning the conclusion of the Third National Congress of the Albanian Democratic Party.

. Yesterday, the Democratic Party successfully concluded its Third Congress. Its assessment of the achievements of four years of governing, as well as its alternatives for the next four years, demonstrated the modernity of this party and its ability to address the country's development problems and implement economic reform. All the proceedings of the Congress presented the Democratic Party as a party that responds swiftly to the rapid developments Albania is experiencing today, and, moreover, to the irregularities accompanying these developments. The Party's Third Congress elected its new chairman and a new National Council, fully capable of upholding and implementing the most ambitious political and economic programme for Albania. The representatives of the DP branches in the districts, through their discussions, brought forward their organizational experience as well as their confidence that a party connected with the country's development has paved the way for governing. The new National Council, elected by secret ballot, clearly defines the Democratic Party's future direction. Its composition is highly ambitious and reflects the new reality of the Democratic Party within Albania's changed reality. No other party in Albania has such an intellectual and technical capacity, for which making a choice would be very difficult, with candidates often evenly matched. This demonstrates the Democratic Party's great ability to attract people, as well as its very broad reach. At the same time, it is evidence of its deeply democratic character as a highly trusted party through which representatives of all levels and social groups see their options for a modern and prosperous Albania represented. The presence of the new and the Democratic Party's capacity for renewal ... the Democratic Party's capacity for renewal attests to its energy in carrying out democratic changes in Albania, as well as to its relevance to the period in which it also has the good fortune to lead. At long last, Albania has managed to establish, within its political spectrum, a party of European stature, with all the qualities of a political force ready to meet every challenge facing the country. It was this party that undertook the boldest reform in the poorest country. It was this party that developed political and economic projects for Albania which, no more than four years ago, were considered far beyond the country's reach. It is also this party's duty to see through to completion the changes it initiated. Its mandate for this comes from the results achieved by democratic governance in political and economic reforms, institutional reform, the armed forces, education, social life, etc. The Third Congress of the Democratic Party convened when the party had around 130,000 members from all social strata and professions and from all regions. It now stands as the country's most institutionalized party, with around 3,200 sections, or 39 branches, spread throughout all the country's districts. Its activities are organized not only on a party basis, but also support and remain close to the views of thousands upon thousands of its sympathizers throughout the country. More than half of the new National Council is made up of younger, more vigorous members; its composition has also changed, bringing in new and capable people from the party's grassroots to build a party that can compete amid the rapid changes now taking place in Albania. Party renewal is a phenomenon that can be easily achieved only in the field of great accomplishments, such as those of the DP, and only when a party is able to represent the most forward-looking alternatives for a country.

... higher education in Rome. He was later imprisoned and interned as an anti-fascist. Tritan Shehu completed his medical studies in 1975 with excellent results. He organized and led Albania's first national anesthesia and resuscitation service, turning it into a university and postgraduate school. He earned the title of doctor-professor. He has participated in many national symposia and published articles, monographs and textbooks. He speaks French, English and Italian. He has been among the Democratic Party's close activists since its founding. He was active with the Tirana branch and later ... was elected a member of the National Council and the DP leadership. He served as a deputy for Tirana and Lushnjë in the legislatures of 1991 and 1992. From April 1992 to December 1993, he was entrusted with the position of Minister of Health. Since December 1993, he has served as Secretary-General of the Democratic Party. He is married and has two children. Tritan Shehu was born on April 24, 1949, in Tirana. He comes from a family with a long intellectual tradition. His father, originally from Gjirokastra, graduated in Lyon, France; he worked as a teacher in Korçë and was an active participant in the antifascist war. He was imprisoned and interned by the fascists. After the war, he was persecuted for his liberal ideas. His mother comes from an old patriotic family. She completed her studies in On page 2: Interview with the Chairman of the Albanian Democratic Party, Tritan Shehu

The Third National Congress of the Albanian Democratic Party concludes its proceedings The Second National Congress of the PD concluded its proceedings with speeches. After Mr. Tomorr Doshi, who chaired the session, Mr. Minush Mati spoke on behalf of the Mandate Verification Commission and reported to the congress that 639 of the 644 elected delegates were present. Fourteen were absent for various reasons. The first speech was given by Mr. Dashamir Shehi, who focused on how the achievements of the reform were being promoted and, in particular, on the plan for future infrastructure development in our country. Selaudin Bektashi, representative of the Forum of Anticommunist Intellectuals, while Mr. Tomor Aliko on behalf of the THIRD NATIONAL CONGRESS

Tritan Shehu was born on April 24, 1949, in Tirana.

Third National Congress. page 2

YEAR VI OF PUBLICATION No. 82 (1226) Saturday, 6 April 1996 Number of pages: 8 PRICE: 10 LEK 1,000 Italian lire 200 drachmas

1. Sali Berisha 2. Aleksandër Meksi 3. Dylber Vrioni 4. Pjetër Arbnori 5. Marjeta Pron[j]ari 6. Maksim Konomi 7. Ylli Vejsiu 8. Zana Panariti 9. Dashamir Shehi 10. Ali Spahia 11. Flutura Hasko 12. Alfred Serreqi 13. Genc Pollo 14. Ejvis Grezda 15. Edi Paloka 16. Antoneta Dede 17. Margarita Qirko 18. Engjëll Dakli 19. Hasan Halili 20. Natasha Shehu 21. Afrim Krasniqi 22. Elisabeta Semini 23. Maksim Cikuli 34. Safet Zhulali 35. Iva Zajmi 36. Kolec Topalli 37. Liri Deliu 38. Elvira Daberdaku 39. Tomorr Dosti 40. Kleri Kasimati 41. Besnik Gjongecaj 42. Azem Hajdari 43. Liri Dakolli 44. Agron Musaraj 45. Engjëll Hysenbegasi 46. Dorela Te[z]ho 47. Jemin Gjana 48. Leka Toto 49. Ingrid Demi 50. Lazër Stani 51. Minush Mati 52. Roza Pati 53. Njazi Kosovar[a]sti 54. Alush Shima 55. Halit Shamata 56. Luan Skuqi 57. Genc Ruli 58. Suzana Turku 59. Blerim Çela 60. Bujar Nepravshta 61. Agim Perllaku 62. Iliaz Vrioni 63. Shaban Memia 64. Rexhep Uka 65. Luigj Gjoka. The heads of the PD branches in the districts are also members of the National Council.

1. Sadedin Balla 2. Nesti Kiri 3. Rushen Golemi 4. Gëzim Zile 5. Kristo Rodi 6. Beqir Meta 7. Arsen Proko 8. Bahri Hoxha 9. Myfit Lamani

Resolution of the Third National Congress of the PD The Democratic Party commits itself to achieving the following objectives over the next four years: It will work toward a worthy constitution, complete and improve the legislation, but, above all, ensure its rigorous enforcement. It will strengthen, improve and equip the Law Enforcement Forces, and will crack down harshly on the perpetrators and roots of criminality. Full security for everyone—that is our motto. In local government, it will increase autonomy and decentralization and, in the next local elections, elect people who are more capable and more dedicated. A major priority of the Democratic Party will be consolidating and modernizing state institutions, bringing the state closer to the citizen, and improving the service it provides; to this end, we will simplify procedures and engage more capable and more honest people. Increasing individual well-being and achieving rapid economic growth are our major national objectives for the coming years.