The lessons of the tragic years of isolation under the communist and socialist regime have not been forgotten, and Albanians will not want to turn back the clock: Jan Peterson, chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Norway, expressed this conviction in a congratulatory message to the Albanian Democratic Party. In his message to the chairman of the ADP, Tritan Shehu, Mr. Peterson praised the truly impressive achievements Albania has made under the leadership of the DP and President Berisha in overthrowing the socialist dictatorship—achievements among the most extensive in Europe. On behalf of his party, he expressed his satisfaction that democracy in Albania is now consolidated and that Albania is step by step taking its rightful place in the international community. The chairman of the Norwegian Social Democrats called the results achieved in the economic field admirable and said they were an inspiration to other countries of Eastern Europe and to Europe in general. “I would like to send my very best wishes for another successful election to President Berisha and the ADP,” the Norwegian Social Democratic leader concluded his message, expressing his desire for continued cooperation in the future.

President Berisha in Berat, Lushnje, Elbasan and Librazhd Berat Residents from every neighborhood of the city of Berat—more than 10,000 people—gathered on Tuesday afternoon at the Tomor football stadium to welcome the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha. Also present at the meeting, organized by the local branch of the DP, were [the text is unclear]. Enthusiasm and continuous cheering marked President Berisha’s meeting in the city of Lushnje. Tens of thousands of people from Lushnje cheered for the Democratic Party’s victory on 26 May. After thanking Lushnje for [its support], President Berisha [spoke] about the country’s steady progress toward the year 2000. Amid fervent enthusiasm, President Berisha took the floor. Greeting those present and thanking them for the exceptionally warm welcome, President Sali Berisha said that Berat, the city of culture and ancient tradition, would once again know how to contribute to democracy. Today, you and Albania face the alternative put forward by the DP and that of the Red Front. Berisha described the DP’s alternative as hope, progress and the country’s assured prosperity on its path toward the year 2000, while the other alternative, he said, seeks to control the state sector. Speaking about Berat’s prospects, Berisha stressed that the Democratic Party would work to connect this wonderful city, a major center of Albanian culture, with the sea by establishing air links, new roads and other shorter routes. In this connection, he mentioned expanding the airport for civilian use as well, and connecting the city by road in the direction of the bridges. He then presented the DP’s parliamentary candidates for Berat: Deputy Prime Minister Dylber Vrioni, a promoter of economic reforms and chief negotiator on the foreign debt, a Democrat and a big-hearted man; Agron Musaraj, a committed Democrat and Minister of the Interior, whose work has helped restore public order; Kozeta Menkulasi, a capable and devoted Democratic woman; and Kreshnik Pasti and Miko Haxhistasa, talented teachers and people with broad scientific and political vision. The presentation of the candidates was met with strong approval from those present. Afterwards, the audience was treated to the festive concert “Vision 2000,” featuring the country’s finest artists. thanking Lushnje for its vote, which has always supported democracy, President Berisha presented the prospects opening up for the city with a DP victory. Berisha expressed his conviction that Lushnje would also vote for people against the Red Front, against isolation, against the past, and for a better future. Elbasan, too, magnificently sealed the DP’s victory yesterday afternoon at a public rally held in the city’s stadium. More than forty thousand people filled the stands and the green field as never before, waiting for President Berisha’s warm electoral message. “The four years that have passed were, for you and for all of us, four years of the ‘normality of democracy,’” Dr. Berisha emphasized in his speech. “Today, after four years, we all have as evidence of this ‘school’ the freedoms we have built, the property of Albanians, the friendships we have forged, Albania integrated toward the West, Albania on its way to Europe.” Further on, speaking about the road traveled during these years of democracy, the President said that they had made mistakes but had the merit of correcting them too. Elbasan has a very important place in the DP’s program for the next four years. With the creation of an industrial park and a free zone in this region, not only will those who [unclear] benefit from the creation of the so-called industry with medieval technology by the most brutal communist dictatorship, but Elbasan and the entire region will also gain a guarantee of progress, escaping once and for all the soot and smoke of socialism’s crude megalomania and envisioning a modern industry with a more contemporary Western outlook. This is guaranteed by the concrete cooperation we have established with a reputable Western company. Dr. Berisha went on to guarantee full integration into Europe with a DP victory on 26 May, calling not only on Democrats but also on Elbasan’s socialists who believe in the values of social democracy, rather than Marx’s principles, to vote for the DP, because in this way they protect their freedoms and their property. Also present at this rally, where President Berisha’s speech reached not only the stadium but all of Elbasan, were the chairman of the DP, Mr. Tritan Shehu, Prime Minister Peksi, and Mr. Azem Hajdari, who also offered greetings. Those present then watched the “Vision 2000” concert, organized by the FRPD, featuring some of the best-known voices in new Albanian music. Yesterday President Berisha also met with residents of Prenjas. At the rally held in the town square, Dr. Berisha stressed that, under the DP’s program, the town would achieve much greater progress over the next four years. Five hundred thousand tons of ferronickel are awaiting export to Canada and the USA, under an agreement with the firms of the country’s most reputable company. He promised them investment in telephone services, water supply, energy and sewerage, as well as a threefold increase in the number of students. He also promised seasonal emigration as a priority. Residents of Hotolisht and Dorez, in the district of Librazhd, also met with Dr. Berisha. At their meetings he promised subsidies for seeds and chemical fertilizers, irrigation, infrastructure and seasonal emigration. Dr. Berisha then stopped in Librazhd, where thousands of people who had filled the town square greeted with applause the President’s message about the assured victory on 26 May. The DP’s program, Berisha emphasized, guarantees prosperity, employment and integration. Speaking about the alternative represented by the “Red Front,” Dr. Berisha said that Europe cannot accept a party led by a former minister of the secret police of one of the harshest dictatorships Europe has known. In 1991 they celebrated with the blood of young people from Shkodra, showing that they are terrorists and know no way to hold on to victories other than through bloodshed. “The German Social Democrats wish the DP victory,” Berisha said; “the Norwegian Social Democrats state in their telegram that a socialist victory means isolation; the Greek socialists sign a government employment agreement just days before the DP’s victory.” He promised telephone connections with a prefix, credit for the food industry, infrastructure renewal, water supply, etc. “Seventy percent of villages will be exempt from taxes,” Berisha told them, assuring them that their freedom of movement would remain a constant priority of the DP’s program. FATMIR TERZIU NDREKE GJINI

Berat

European Social Democrats congratulate the Democratic Party on its victory, while the SP has been left completely isolated with

Thatcher writes to Berisha and Shehu

European Social Democrats congratulate the Democratic Party on its victory, while the SP has been left completely isolated with Elbasan

Thatcher writes to Berisha and Shehu Margaret Thatcher brought her support for a PDSH victory to the PDSH headquarters yesterday morning, from the chancery offices of the House of Lords in London. Mrs Thatcher, who led Britain as prime minister for 17 consecutive years, states in her message that “Albania has made very great progress since the end of communist oppression, and it is very important and vital that democratic forces and free enterprise prevail after the elections of 26 May.” In the message Thatcher sent to Prof. Dr. Tritan Shehu, she wishes “Success and Victory, PDSH” and conveys her best wishes to President Berisha. This is Mrs Thatcher’s latest statement of support for the PDSH; she has also supported it in another way. The distinguished Englishwoman helped prepare the PDSH campaign for the 26 May elections by sending a team of specialists, paid for by the “THATCHER” Foundation, which worked for a period of three weeks with PDSH branches in the districts. ARTA SAKJA

LIBRARY [?] Announcements On Friday, 24 May 1996, at 19:00, a festive rally-concert will be held in Skenderbej Square: “Everyone Wins with Us,” marking the close of the Albanian Democratic Party’s election campaign. The event will feature some of the best-known artists and singers of Albanian music, as well as foreign performers from Italy.

The strategy of threats, the PS campaign strategy The red terrorists will face a harsh response Page 3