President Berisha decreed the date of the elections The decree of President of the Republic Sali Berisha, on the basis of constitutional powers, to set the date of the new people’s assembly, announced the postponement of the decree date from 14 June to 26 May 1996. The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, on the basis of constitutional powers, to appoint the date of the new People’s Assembly, announced its dissolution and decreed the setting of 26 May 1996. On the basis of articles 74/1 and 46/4/c of the Constitution of the Republic of Albania and article 8 of the law “On elections for the People’s Assembly of the Republic of Albania”, the President of the Republic decreed: The People’s Assembly will be held on Sunday, 26 May 1996. On that Sunday, the President of the Republic decreed the convening of the newly elected Assembly. The President of the Republic also decreed the following for the election commission: 1. Jenert Kapidani, proposed by the Miners’ Union, Chairman. 2. Sulejman Delishta, proposed by the Miners’ Union, 27-year-old. 3. Ymeri Shpati, proposed by the Miners’ Union, Secretary. 4. Vladimiri Naho, proposed by the Democratic Party, Member. 5. Gudar Beqiraj, proposed by the Democratic Party, Member. 6. Naim Bujari, proposed by the Democratic Party, Member. 7. Ilir Ushtani, proposed by the Democratic Party, Member. 8. Omer Kleshi, proposed by the Democratic Party, Member. 9. Lulzim Çaka, proposed by the Socialist Party, Member. 10. Bashkim Leka, proposed by the Socialist Party, Member. 11. Ylli Bufi, proposed by the Socialist Party, Member. 12. Safet Bufi, proposed by the Socialist Party, Member. 13. Rustem Uko, proposed by the Socialist Party, Delegate at Large, Member. 14. Lutfi Puja, proposed by the Social Democratic Party, Member. 15. Astrit Madhi, proposed by the Republican Party, Member. 16. Arian Litohori, proposed by the National Unity Party, Member. 17. Marenglen Gjonaj, proposed by the Christian Democratic Party, Member. Also, on the basis of article 45 of the law “On elections for the People’s Assembly”, political parties and election districts will register the names of 115 candidates in the People’s Assembly. The President of the Republic ensures and guarantees that a good day for democracy and Albania will take place. Page 3

Leaders of the center and the right wing ready for cooperation Shehu, Godo, Bushati, Miço, Laço and Seriti are others Page 3

The specter of the dictatorship years has dominated the panorama of Albanian socialist ideas, with a strong tendency to impose, by force and violence, similarities with later Bolshevism. Albanian socialists of this tendency have tried to create the impression that the “left” has been rooted since early times in Albanian soil, but historical data speak of something else. In the Albanian national movement this political current has been very limited and has always come as an external influence. Only after the Second World War, with the installation of the communist regime, did this tendency become dominant. In this sense, its political legacy remains linked more to totalitarianism than to the democratic tradition. From this point of view, today’s socialist rhetoric about pluralism and democracy remains doubtful, as long as there is no clear distancing from the past. On the contrary, one often notices a nostalgia for the period of the former regime and a tendency to relativize its crimes. This behavior makes it difficult to create a credible social-democratic alternative in Albania. Albanian society needs modern parties, with Western culture and a real respect for individual freedom and political competition. Page 3

Verification of the candidate’s background, biographical presentation within the time frame established by law According to the information released last night by the commission for the control of the background of senior officials, it is learned that within two days it will express itself regarding the background of candidate Hajri Muzi. In the documentation submitted by the candidate, the commission will verify the consistency of the biographical data with the criteria established by law. If a discrepancy is found, the matter will be forwarded to the relevant instances. Page 3

Turan welcomes Simitis’ positions Greece reconfirms its position on restoring cooperation with Albania. Greece reconfirms its position on restoring cooperation with Albania The Foreign Minister of Macedonia [?] Zejti, on Tuesday in Athens, resumed his talks with his Greek counterpart, Karolos Papulias, and declared that it is necessary for relations between the two countries to develop in the spirit of regional cooperation. He said that the issue of Albanian emigrants in Greece is on the way to being resolved and that concrete steps are expected in the coming days. According to diplomatic sources, the Greek government is considering new forms of work permits for Albanian citizens staying in Greece. This would bring significant relief for a large number of emigrants. Page 3

European Christian Democrat Alois Mock Page 3

To the Minister of the Interior answered 22-year-olds in Lukas Zite [?] the complaints published in the newspaper “Liria” according to reports of 10 April 1996 regarding the non-payment of taxes by some private enterprises, as well as suspicions raised about police personnel interfering in administrative checks. Regarding these concerns, the Public Order Police clarified that its structures act only on the basis of the law and that the control of economic activities is carried out by the competent bodies. It was also stated that any claim of overstepping authority will be investigated. Page 3

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