Center and right-wing leaders ready to cooperate Shehu, Godo, Bushati, Miço, Laço and Selfo closer to one another Page 3 Center and right-wing leaders ready to cooperate “Let us unite for democracy” Shehu, Godo, Bushati, Miço, Laço and Selfo closer to one another Page 3

President Berisha decreed the election date

The dismantling of the values created by democracy, promised by socialist leader Fatos Nano, is not simply an electoral counterbalance to the reforms carried out in Albania in specific areas, but a program of opposition to these reforms as a whole. As such, the dismantling mechanism encompasses economic, political, institutional and other reforms, inflicting great damage on Albania through a series of questions that will arise about Albania’s continued representation as a country with pronounced tendencies toward integration into Europe, or as a country ultimately victimized by former communist conservative forces. The dilemma placed before Albanians during the days of the first phase of the Socialist Congress concerns the entire sphere of changes made in Albania toward democracy. The provocation coming from the Socialists is a search for the future of Albanians as a whole, if we bear in mind that changing the course of domestic reform affects how others behave toward us. The crematorium of the reforms carried out in Albania, prepared by the Socialists, restores the old position of the Albanian communists at a time when the results of democracy in the country are being assessed. Socialist dismantling, set against democratic integration, pits two forms already experienced by the Albanian state and the Albanian economy against each other. The first is a repetition of Marxist methods of governing the country, while the other brings together the best experiences of developed countries. The first was established in Albania over five decades; the second has brought Albania, in just four years, results in integration, well-being and prosperity that Albanians could not have imagined. The Socialists’ declaration is their final declaration. If the dismantling of democracy wins, Albania has lost; if integration into capitalist markets wins, democracy and the people have won. If the Socialists lose, they will have lost forever, along with their ideology. Thus, the dimension of dismantling is expressed not only in methods of governing the country or in some peripheral assessments of reform. It endangers all the country’s achievements in the political sphere just as much as in the economic sphere. The victory of former communists in some Eastern countries is neither a real nor an analytical basis for a victory by the Albanian Socialists. The history of the communists of the East differs from one country to another. Therefore, the statement by Haveli[t?] in an interview, if it was reported as “ZP” conveyed it, has no reason to cross the borders of Czechia and be appropriated by the Albanian communists as though it had been said about them too. The former communists there have not declared the dismantling of the values created under Havel’s leadership, values that Albania too has achieved to the greatest extent possible under democratic governance. Portraying May 26 as a dilemma is the final act of the dictatorial psychology of the Albanian communists. May 26 was not intended to be a debate between Albania’s past and future, but a decision about its future, represented by the democratic forces in Albania and certainly not by the siren calls from the Socialists’ headquarters in Tirana. Dismantling is the question mark hanging over Albania’s integration. The Socialists have decided to present themselves precisely through this mechanism. The uncertainty of Albanians who are still undecided will be easier to put to rest.

Verification of candidates’ backgrounds within the time limit set by law Commission chair Hajri Mezini told the BBC Verification of candidates’ backgrounds within the time limit set by law The commission will rule on the first request within two days Commission chair Hajri Mezini told the BBC Political parties in Albania are awaiting the findings of the state commission responsible for checking the backgrounds of candidates for the next Albanian parliament. The chair of the state commission for verifying the backgrounds of candidates for the next Albanian parliament, Mr. Hajri Mezini, told the BBC yesterday that the commission’s seven members are working intensively in accordance with the law and on the basis of requests received from various parties. Mr. Mezini gave no specific information about the number of candidacies submitted or the political entities that had filed requests. He said that within two days the commission would rule for the first time on the first request. “We want to deliver the findings as quickly as possible, but the work depends greatly on archival sources.” According to the information available, the largest opposition party (the Socialist Party) has submitted two lists, with a total of 307 candidates for parliament, while 35 candidates have so far been submitted by the center bloc. For the background checks, the commission has distributed special forms for candidates to fill in. Under the 15-day period provided for by the relevant law, the commission must issue its first responses by the end of this week. Under the law, after the commission’s response, any candidate who has objections may appeal to the Court of Cassation within one week; the Court must then issue its ruling within a further 15 days. Thus, the final fate of every aspiring member of the next Albanian parliament will be decided within 37 days.

Tirana welcomes Simić’s positions

Exclusive interview with the President of the European Democratic Union, Mr. Alois Mock Page 3

Tirana welcomes Simitis’s statements Greece reaffirms its position on deepening cooperation with Albania. Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, speaking about relations with Albania at a press conference in Washington after his meeting with President Clinton, emphasized that the respective Greek and Albanian ministries are working to resolve the issue of the status of Albanian emigrants in Greece. At this press conference, Mr. Simitis emphasized his government’s desire for good relations with Tirana. He said that, specifically, this means joint ventures, more investment and assistance for modernizing infrastructure, etc. In response to a question from the “Voice of America” correspondent, Greek Prime Minister Simitis said, regarding the status of Albanian emigrants in Greece, that the Ministry of Labour had drafted this law and would present it to Parliament for approval. Thus, with the approval of this law, Albanian emigrants in Greece will be legalized. Regarding these statements by Prime Minister Simitis, sources from the Albanian Presidency state that they support the spirit of these statements and confirm their willingness to implement the issues agreed upon during Greek President Stefanopullos’s visit to Tirana.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs refutes ZP Regarding the articles published in the newspaper “Zëri i Popullit” dated 10 April 1996 under the headline “Freedom of the press is controlled by the police,” we wish to clarify to the public that: in the case where it is alleged that the police blocked the newspaper being distributed in the village being distributed on the road to Uji, the Fier traffic police merely enforced the traffic rules, and the incident in fact occurred as follows. At around 06:40 on 09.04.96, the traffic police patrol on the Fier–Lushnje route, after noticing that a vehicle of the “Pip Dukan” type with license plate TR 2082 Z was travelling at an abnormal speed, signaled for it to stop. But the driver did not stop for the police, and under these circumstances the police pursued the vehicle and stopped it after signaling a second time for it to pull over. The driver refused to submit to a police check and refused to provide the documents. At that point, the driver and the people in the car insulted and defied the officer and the on-duty police officer with abusive language. Faced with this situation, the police patrol escorted the individuals, together with the vehicle, to the Fier Police Commissariat. The Fier traffic police officers then explained to the driver and the people in the vehicle that they had seriously violated the traffic rules and insulted the dignity of a police officer. After the individuals were released, in accordance with Albania’s traffic regulations the vehicle was impounded for 5 days. All these actions, carried out in accordance with the rules, were taken by the police without knowing that the vehicle was transporting copies of the newspaper “ZP”. In its customary continuation of explanations and fabrications, “ZP” fills its pages with stories whose sole purpose is to insult the police, which in all its actions has observed the laws in force, including those concerning freedom of the press. Likewise, regarding the incident that “ZP” has claimed took place in Laç involving its correspondent, we clarify that at the time when this “ZP” journalist claims the incident occurred, none of the police officers mentioned in the article was present. Not only do these three police officers know nothing about this event, but they were also astonished by the imagination of journalist Zeneli. There is not a single complaint concerning this “incident,” or anything similar to it, at the Police Commissariat, the Prosecutor’s Office or the Kurbin District Court.

Yesterday, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, on the basis of his constitutional powers and due to the expiration of the mandate of the People’s Assembly, declared its dissolution and decreed the date for elections to the People’s Assembly. Under decree no. 1464, dated 10.04.1996, the next elections to the People’s Assembly will be held on Sunday, May 26, 1996. Also yesterday, the President of the Republic decreed the composition of the Central Electoral Commission as follows: 1. Edmir Kapidani, proposed by the Council of Ministers, Chair. 2. Nestor Tereska, proposed by the Council of Ministers, Deputy Chair. 3. Kreshnik Spahiu, proposed by the Council of Ministers, Secretary. 4. Vladimir Kristo, proposed by the Democratic Party, Member. 5. Gudar Beqiraj, proposed by the Democratic Party, Member. 6. Urim Bujari, proposed by the Democratic Party, Member. 7. Ilir Rusmali, proposed by the Democratic Party, Member. 8. Genc Bektashi, proposed by the Democratic Party, Member. 9. Kristo Rodi, proposed by the Democratic Party, Member. 10. Bashkim Caka, proposed by the Socialist Party, Member. Union for Human Rights, Member. 14. Llukan Puka, proposed by the Social Democratic Party, Member. 15. Arjan Madhi, proposed by the Republican Party, Member. 16. Xhevdet Libohova, proposed by the National Front Party, Member. 17. Marenglen Gjonaj, proposed by the Christian Democratic Party, Member. Furthermore, under Article 35 of the law on elections to the People’s Assembly, political parties that do not have representatives on the Central Electoral Commission have the right to send observers to the Commission.