President Berisha received Austria’s Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister, Mr. Shusel He thanked Mr. Shusel for this very important visit, which comes as a message of friendship between our two countries, and conveyed his wishes to President Klestil, Chancellor Vranicki, the institutions and Austrian taxpayers for their generous assistance and the spirit they have shown toward Albania, as well as Albania’s determination to expand this cooperation in every field. President Berisha made a special request to Mr. Shusel: that the Austrian government support the company that will take over the Banja Hydropower Plant, whose completion is of great importance to us. He also told the Austrian Vice Chancellor that the election campaign is one of the most worthwhile ever held in our country, and that we have [fu ar?] distinctions from all institutions and countries, from the center-left to the right. President Berisha then told Vice Chancellor Shusel that the State Security Law was intended to close the files. It is a humane law, one intended to put an end to the State Security service’s harassment of ordinary people. Around 1,000 files have been opened; many more could be opened, just as many others could, but they will be closed for the good of ordinary people. Mr. Shusel, for his part, after wishing the President success in the May 26 elections, said that Austria very much wants this path, already embarked upon, to continue, and expressed confidence that the friendship and cooperation between our two countries would develop without interruption. He assured the President that the Austrian government would support the companies involved in the Banja Hydropower Plant and would expand cooperation in every field. A special place in the meeting was given to discussion of the region, especially the situation in Kosovo. President Berisha stressed that making Serbia’s integration into the International Community conditional on the Kosovo issue, and establishing dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade in the presence of a third party, are essential. Mr. Shusel fully agreed, saying that Austria and the European Union are very concerned about the situation in Kosovo and that there can be no talk of the Federation’s integration without resolving the Kosovo problem.

From the meetings of PDSH Chairman Prof. Dr. Tritan Shehu with residents of Kavaja Yesterday, Mr. Tritan Shehu’s first meeting of the day was with the people of the village of Bago in the Kavaja district. Hundreds upon hundreds of villagers had gathered in the courtyard of the village secondary school to meet their parliamentary candidate, Prof. Dr. Tritan Shehu. After enthusiastic calls and loud cheers for democracy, Mr. Shehu spoke. Among other things, he said that Kavaja had always been at the forefront of aspirations for freedom and democracy. After highlighting the Democratic Party’s future objectives, he also analyzed the extreme left of Albanian politics. “The Socialist Party,” he said, “is a…” What will the Democratic Party do for the Albanian countryside and for Albania as a whole in the coming years? The PDSH Chairman, Mr. Tritan Shehu, assured those present that a future democratic government would invest much more in rural infrastructure and provide much better credit to improve agricultural mechanization, while processing lines for agricultural products would be set up as close as possible to the farmers who produce them. Expressing his conviction that the Red Front would never be able to enter Kavaja, PDSH Chairman Mr. Tritan Shehu told the residents of Haxhaj village that this Front was no longer a political force, but a bunch of ... Albanian. Later, after speaking about the achievements and priorities of the Democratic Party’s program, Mr. Shehu said that during the Democratic Party’s next term in government, funds for public housing would increase significantly. Mr. Shehu also promised the people of Kavaja that a new hospital and a new sports palace would soon be built there, and that the Palace of Culture, whose construction has begun, would be completed. At these meetings, speaking about those who represent the extreme-left politics in Albania, he said: “While Socialist leaders go and meet with the most extreme anti-Albanian foundations, they impose total censorship in their press—and anti-communism, Kavaja and the market economy,” Mr. Shehu said in his speech, “are concepts that cannot be separated from one another.” He described Kavaja as a symbol of the beginning of the democratic movement, which was the first to trample the dictatorship and inspire all of Albania. After briefly reviewing the investments made in this city, Mr. Shehu mentioned that the state had invested 464 million new lekë in Kavaja alone, in the areas undergoing change. “Be convinced that this is only the beginning,” Mr. Shehu said. “Albania and Kavaja are rebuilding their foundations. Only for the village irrigation system,” Mr. Shehu continued Expressing his conviction that the Red Front would never manage residents of Hajdaraj but a group of desperate people who were trying at any cost to defend the ruins of the dictatorship. Kavaja, Mr. Shehu continued, has benefited from considerable investment in recent years, both from the state budget and from German credit, and soon the Austrian project will give investment in Kavaja a powerful boost. Mr. Shehu then held several meetings with residents of the city’s neighborhoods 3 and 6, as well as 4 and 5. In the city too, PDSH Chairman Tritan Shehu was welcomed with great appreciation and enthusiasm. Hundreds and hundreds of citizens had gathered to listen to and meet their candidate for parliament. In his speech, Mr. Shehu asked his constituents to understand that during this campaign he would not be able to come and meet them often, because his work and duty required him to be in many cities and villages across Albania. But, he said, I will make up for this immediately after the campaign ends, when I will always be by your side, sharing your concerns and joys and representing you honorably in Albania’s highest parliament. Speaking about those who represent the extreme left in Albania, he also extremist anti-Albanian foundations, they impose a complete censorship in the press on the official visit and the very positive results of Albania’s foreign minister in the USA. They do not even find space in other newspapers to write a single word about Mr. Serreqi’s meetings with Mr. Kristofer. By this act, then, they demonstrate the anti-Western spirit of their politics.” Yesterday afternoon, PDSH Chairman Tritan Shehu held a large meeting with tens of thousands of residents of the city of Kavaja, who completely filled the stadium’s stands and sports field. On this occasion, the people of Kavaja were also treated to the excellent “Vizion 2000” program, organized by FRPD, featuring performances by well-known Albanian artists. Mr. Shehu’s speech at this magnificent gathering was received with powerful applause and ovations. Flags, flowers and fireworks created the magical backdrop to this unforgettable evening for the citizens of Kavaja, who had gathered to demonstrate their support for democracy and their candidate. “Kavaja and democracy, Kavaja and … the Palace of Culture will be completed; its construction has begun. In Kavaja alone, 464 million new lek have been invested in various fields. Be assured that this is only the beginning,” said Mr. Shehu. “Albania and Kavaja are rebuilding their foundations. For the village irrigation system alone, as Mr. Shehu went on to say, 125 million lek have been invested. Kavaja’s free farmer will receive much broader support and assistance over the next four years.” Mr. Tritan Shehu also assured those present that tourism would be one of the strongest branches of this city’s economy. It would provide strong support not only for agriculture but also for industry, processing all agricultural products. Mr. Shehu also added that we would not invest a single penny in industrial sectors that could damage the environment and thus undoubtedly impoverish the land and the population. “The time for such ideas is over once and for all,” declared PDSH Chairman Mr. Tritan Shehu. “The environment and people cannot be separated from one another. They serve one another.” After his speech, those present, numbering more than 20,000, enjoyed the large “Vizion 2000” festival concert and enthusiastically applauded the singers’ messages in support of democracy, in which they declared that the DP was guaranteed to win the May 26 elections. NDREKË GJINI (photograph with no visible caption)

Austrian People’s Party Chairman Schussel meets the chairman of the Albanian Democratic Party The Schussel–Shehu meeting lasted about 45 minutes and took place yesterday afternoon at the PDSH headquarters, in the presence of Austrian People’s Party Parliamentary Group Chairman Andreas Khol, PDSH Deputy Chairman Mr. Spahia, and Organizational Secretary Mr. Vejsiu. At the start of the meeting, Schussel expressed his pleasure at the opportunity he had been given to support the PDSH during this campaign period in Albania. Shehu thanked the Austrian guests for the message sent a few days ago to the Democratic Party by the honorary chairman of their party, who is also Chairman of the European Democratic Union, and presented them with an overview of the current electoral situation in Albania. “We are conducting a Western-style campaign,” said the PDSH chairman, “in which we have combined the spectacle element with concrete work with the already connected Albanian individual.” The Austrian guests were given more specific information about the ways in which the PDSH is organizing small-scale contact and large meetings in stadiums, spectacles attended by more than 30,000 people. Shehu also acquainted the guests with the intellectual level of the candidates put forward by the PDSH and the development of its clear political orientation. In her greeting, the Minister for Europe and Support from Austria and our party and the Austrian government the path of Albania toward Europe. “I think this is a very important step, because Albania has completely changed its old economy toward a Western orientation.” Asked by a journalist what Austria’s reaction would be if left-wing forces won in Albania, Chairman Schussel replied: “I do not expect the left to win; I am a Christian Democrat and sincerely hope that my friends in Albania will win. I think they have done an excellent job. Trust is the most precious capital in democracy, and the Albanian people should have confidence in my friends in the Democratic Party.” ARTA SAKJA The Austrian friends were given a more concrete account of how the PDSH is organizing small-scale outreach 30,000 people. Shehu also acquainted his by the PDSH and compared it with that of the candidates put forward by the extreme left. Schussel called what the PS presents as true democracy dangerous, describing it as proletarian democracy. The chairman of the Parliamentary Group, Knole, called the slogan anti-European. Referring to the state has invested 464 million new lek in various fields in Kavaja alone. Shehu. The President—his history; I will remember it later with sorrow. The fundamental change Albania has made toward Western Europe is very important. This is a direct indication of the … primarily in the election campaign in Albania, and it is very interesting how people are reacting very positively to the improvement in the economic situation, which is very impressive. The figures on economic growth in Albania and the decline in unemployment are impressive. We think this is a very good start. And very important. This is a direct indication of the … start. And very important. This is a direct indication of the (photograph with no visible caption)

President Berisha has a very good reputation in Europe “Whoever forgets his history will remember it later with pain.” The Austrian Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schussel, at the conclusion of his official visit to Tirana, appeared before journalists together with his Albanian counterpart, Mr. Serreqi. The Vice Chancellor and Austrian Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schussel, at the conclusion of his official visit to Tirana, appeared before journalists together with his Albanian counterpart, Mr. Serreqi. The heads of diplomacy of the two countries said that relations at the political level have achieved excellent results. After Germany, Austria is positioning itself as Albania’s advocate on the international stage. According to Mr. Schussel, the changes in Albania are impressive. Everywhere in Tirana, construction is under way, showing that the market economy is gaining strength. Rogner, the most important Austrian investor in Albania, has guaranteed that every shilling earned here will be reinvested here. Mr. Schussel praised the improvements made by the Democratic Government, whose achievements are easily discernible. On the other hand, both sides described Kosovo as a first-rate problem, whose solution can be achieved only by peaceful means. Mr. Schussel and Serreqi clearly demonstrated that Austria and Albania will always be political partners and w Continued on page 3 The enthusiastic and strong voices for democracy were followed by Mr. Shehu, who said, among other things, that Kavaja has democracy. After highlighting the Democratic Party’s future goals, PS,” he said, “is a political force with neither programs nor people who can be trusted to create a moderate political profile. This political force,” Mr. Shehu said, “has sunk into its political extremism, clinging like a drowning person to its own hair, to the very people who destroyed and dehumanized this country. The best evidence of this is that spies from the former communist secret police remain at the head of this party, as well as their attempt, he added, to put around 100 of these spies in the next parliament.” Mr. Shehu promised the farmers of this area that the drinking-water issue would be resolved very soon, and that investments would be made in village infrastructure. Mr. Shehu’s speech was quickly interrupted by powerful calls and cheers in support of him and the DP. The next meeting of DP Chairman Mr. Tritan Shehu was with the residents of Hajdaraj village. Here too, hundreds and hundreds of villagers had gathered, holding flags, placards and flowers, to welcome their candidate for parliament. In his speech to the residents of this village, after speaking about Albania’s achievements over the past four years, Mr. Shehu promised that we would build a much better future with the necessary investments.

Last night in Shijak According to information received late last night by the newsroom, Servet Përllumbi set off for Shijak yesterday. Around 400 people from Shijak who had heard about it confronted the PS deputy chairman, protesting his presence in Shijak and chanting in support of the PD. According to the information received, someone fired a gun from a Volvo accompanying Përllumbi, wounding a citizen of Shijak. The cars then left hurriedly. That was all the information we received in the late evening hours. RD CORRESPONDENT

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