President Berisha continued his election campaign in the southeast of the country the day before yesterday A new border crossing point at Qafë Thanë will be opened with Macedonia. Together with the road, electricity and other elements will make that district part of the group, won’t it? or elements that will make this district open to all Albania [?] The new Tuçanëve border crossing point at Qafë Thanë will soon be opened; visas will be liberalized and with this Albania will be ready for the new school of Albanian migrants in Koryça municipality. The leaders of the Albanian Red Front, in the intoxication of a clear alliance, as if they were elements that will open, no? so that the elements before, demanded that Albania be dismembered. Another stop on the President’s tour in the Korçë district was the village of Bulgarec. Amid an indescribable enthusiasm and joy from the villagers who were welcoming him for the first time, President Berisha held a meeting with them. The paving of the road will change the face of this village and, beyond that, the entire Vloçisht area, President Berisha said after inspecting the works. The value of property will increase and people will be employed faster. These public investments have been made possible by the increase in the budget because after 4 years of work by the administration, this money is no longer in the pockets of customs officials. This is the saving of civil servants and it is being returned to the people. This government belongs to the people and cares for the people, not for itself, he declared. Later, at a rally in the center of the village amid cheers and applause, President Berisha gave an assessment of the latest developments in the country. We are facing the problems of transition. The difficulties of the first reforms have been overcome. The promises of four years ago have been fulfilled. Today, you are noticing the great changes. 22,000 km of roads have been built with completion of materials and 2,000 km of asphalt. 45 district hospitals have been reconstructed. We are facing problems, but these are problems of growth and development. Albania today looks completely different from four years ago. The villagers are receiving their own loans to support agriculture and entrepreneurship. Soon in Pogradec, Korçë, Librazhd and Gramsh, strong shops for buying and selling agricultural products will open. After 31 May, all European governments will respect Albania’s request for free markets. From President Berisha’s meetings in southern Albania

President Berisha stopped since Tuesday evening, impatient to sign and head to Pogradec The bodies of 11 people have been recovered Pogradec reports through his aides that he is going to the city center. After a few moments we learned the sad news of a serious accident at Qafë Plloçë, where 14 people were injured and 7 died. At that moment the woman was alive. 20 bodies are recovered after the accident. Qafë Plloçë in fog. The morning in Pogradec yesterday was covered with a black veil. His car went a few hundred meters to the village of Çërravë. Above all the election campaign, President Berisha felt the moral and political need to go to Pogradec. The first reports were about the horror of the collision in the weight of the event. Berçen, Spitena, Buno, Çorod and Damo, Kriza Molla. 6 injured were sent for assistance to Tirana. Doctors reported that the condition of 14 people remained serious. The accident occurred at around 10:05 in the morning when the Korçë - Pogradec line bus collided with a truck and slid over the ravine. Large police forces, fire service personnel and residents of the area arrived immediately at the scene. The rescue of the survivors lasted for hours, while the recovery of the bodies continued until evening. The President stayed in Pogradec for a long time and took an interest in the condition of the injured. He met with the families of the victims and expressed his condolences. The bodies of 11 people are recovered

The Central Election Commission decides: The Central Election Commission held a special meeting yesterday at midday in the presence of several foreign television cameras. At the center of this meeting was the discussion and examination of the Socialist Party’s request to remove candidate Sali Berisha from the PDSH’s proportional multi-member list. The request was submitted for the second time before the Central Election Commission, but it refused to do so. At the last meeting held by this commission, President Berisha’s candidacy was legally upheld. Yesterday’s decision was taken with 5 votes against and 2 in favor of removing the candidacy. The representative of the Socialist Party, Spartak Braho, stated yesterday that he considered the above action unconstitutional and therefore opposed it. Also, a representative of the Union for Democracy and the PS requested that the review deadline be postponed, citing among the reasons the need to consult foreign experts. With the support of foreign observers, the CEC decided to continue hearing the case. After discussing for about two hours, the Commission concluded that Mr Berisha’s candidacy does not conflict with the Constitution or the law. With this decision, President Berisha is now free to continue his election campaign. The decision was received with interest by various parties and by the public opinion. Page 3

Soon in the Greek parliament, the draft law on seasonal employment Pangallos: “This will regularize the status of hundreds of thousands of Albanian workers” Relations between the two countries have seen a highly positive dynamic in recent days. The agreement reached last weekend between Prime Minister Meksi and his Greek counterpart, Simitis, on allowing a large number of Albanian seasonal workers into Greece has produced very good reactions in the country. The Greek press has commented extensively on this decision, describing it as one of the most encouraging news items for the fate of Albanian emigrants who live and work in the neighboring country. Statements by the Greek government spokesman, Reppas, that the issue will be included in a special draft law to be presented in the coming days in the parliament of the neighboring country, have increased the optimism of Albanian opposition bodies, which seek to present this decision as the effect of their diplomatic démarches. In fact, the issue of seasonal migration has continuously been the subject of bilateral talks since the early 1990s. The head of Greek diplomacy, Pangallos, said yesterday that the decision to legalize a category of Albanian seasonal workers is an important element of regional cooperation and that he hopes it will contribute to social stability. “The draft law will be presented soon in parliament and we are convinced that it will be approved,” he declared. Page 3

On behalf of EDU, its chairman Alois Mock writes to the PD chairman The European Democratic Union (EDU) expressed its strong support for the election campaign and the figures of the PDSH, wishing them victory in the elections of 26 May. In this regard, the chairman of this organization, Alois Mock, sent a message to the chairman of the PDSH, Aleksandër Meksi, which among other things says: “... Allow me to send you my best greetings on the occasion of the election campaign for the 26 May elections. I assure you that our members in various European countries will be with you in spirit, but we will also bring to Albania many senior representatives of our parties with the aim of supporting your efforts for victory. With your successful work in the service of democracy, you have done much for your country and this has been widely recognized both in Europe and beyond. Your government experience has served as an example to others. I am convinced that the 26 May elections will be fair and that the campaign will take place in conditions of free competition. The European Democratic Union will actively support the representatives of our parties who will be present in Albania. I wish you and your party full success.” This message also says that the EDU looks with pleasure to the prospect of further cooperation with the PDSH and that it will encourage its members to maintain close contacts with it. In the coming months, a high-level forum with the participation of many EDU leaders will be held in Tirana. This conference, together with the PDSH national tour for the restoration of order and economic revival, will contribute to the further consolidation of the position of the Albanian democrats. Page 3

Today is a day of national mourning ARTICLE 2 All state institutions throughout the territory of the Republic of Albania shall lower the national flag to half-mast, meaning that the state and national flag shall be combined with a black ribbon, in accordance with the relevant instructions. ARTICLE 3 The Council of Ministers and local authorities are tasked with implementing this decree. This decree enters into force immediately. President of the Republic SALI BERISHA Dated 8 May 1996, No. 481, Tirana In order to express the profound nationwide sorrow for the loss of 20 lives and the injury of 142 others in the serious accident that occurred on 7 May 1996 on the Vlorë - Fier highway, I declare a day of national mourning: I decree: ARTICLE 1 9 May 1996 is declared a day of national mourning.