Responding to a question asked by telephone by a listener from Tirana, Mrs. Hillari Klinton praised the progress Albania has made in recent years and said she hopes to visit Albania one day. She hoped that they would have the opportunity to visit Albania one day. It is a country that has fascinated many people because it was so closed off and under very strict control for many years, whereas now it has reunited with the family of democratic countries and is striving for a better future. The question for the First Lady of the White House was asked by listener Lajla Përnaska, representative of the foundation for the protection of women and children, who wanted to know whether Mrs. Klinton had any project for Albanian women as well. Mrs. Klinton expressed her pleasure that there is a foundation for women and children in Albania, and that the First Lady of Albania is committed to these issues. Mrs. Klinton is known as an active figure in the USA on issues concerning women and children and is the author of a recently published book in which these issues are discussed extensively. “When I visit Albania, you and others will have the opportunity to tell me about the results democracy has brought, not only for women, but also for men in your country,” Mrs. Klinton said. The interview with Mrs. Klinton was conducted as part of the program “Conversation with America,” broadcast in English, in which listeners from various countries around the world ask questions directly by telephone and speak with the studio.

Statement by the Association of Journalists of Albania The Association of Journalists of Albania, deeply concerned by recent developments in the Albanian press, namely the bankruptcy of the newspaper Koha Jonë because of its debt to the “Demokracia” printing house and the unblocking of the situation through the immediate intervention of the Soros Foundation in Tirana, declares to the public that: The Association of Journalists of Albania, the country’s largest journalists’ organization, received with regret the news of the bankruptcy of the newspaper “Koha Jonë.” The Association of Journalists of Albania considers the dispute between the two publishers of the newspaper “Koha Jonë” over the uncontrolled expenses of the newspaper’s former director, Lesi, to be an internal matter. The Association of Journalists of Albania welcomed the newspaper “Koha Jonë” returning to circulation, but the manner and means by which the Soros Foundation in Tirana contributed to unblocking this newspaper’s debt of nearly $200,000 have raised serious concerns, not only among the publishers of private and party newspapers, but also about the future of the free press in Albania and the consolidation of the fourth estate. As an important event in the life of democratic governance, every available means should be activated to ensure that such events are successfully completed. The position of the PSD, a party that did not attend the roundtable of political parties at the Presidency, seems unnatural. Their continued boycott does not make them any more social-democratic than they are, and they may likewise be left completely in the shadows, since this time their natural ally, the Socialist Party, took part in this roundtable and presented its options on the issue. The struggle that the PSD and PAD began yesterday against the PS puts these two parties at risk of being left without electoral districts, which means they will also be left without winners. Meanwhile, it should not be forgotten that both parties will need not only electoral districts but also candidates to whom they will have to entrust socialist-quality candidates, because it is clear that neither party can find 4,000 candidates for local government. Four thousand is, of course, out of the question, since even the Socialist Party would find that difficult; but not even four hundred—and even the figure of forty is questionable. As for the PAD, so far it has only four secure candidates, two of whom are Ceka and Imami. Despite this, Albanian politics has the means to balance out the shortcomings of some left-wing parties, which from time to time forget that they need support and are not capable of doing more than producing joint newspapers. Their absence from the debate on local elections reflects unprofessional political views and a lack of responsibility for the future of their parties. The local elections cannot be considered far off. There are only three months left in which the best candidates must be vetted. The Democratic Party needs local government in which it will dominate, just as it does in central government. This relationship will be a good regulator of communication between central government and the grassroots. The press release issued yesterday by the Soros Foundation clarifies to some extent what assistance has been provided to private and independent newspapers, but leaves entirely unexplained the haste in considering, at the board meeting of July 15, a request also made on July 15 (!!!), and in unblocking the debt immediately the next day, July 16. The well-known principle on which the Soros Foundation operates is grants, not debt or interest-free loans. Soros’s haste in Tirana to save the newspaper from bankruptcy would be justified if the same had been done in other cases when other private newspapers went bankrupt. The full involvement of an American diplomat in Soros’s haste to pay off a newspaper’s debts calls into question the account given in Soros’s press release of how the money was transferred. In the context of the competition just beginning to take shape among private newspapers, Soros’s first $200,000 for the newspaper “Koha Jonë” is a direct threat to freedom of speech in Albania. The lightning-fast transfer of $200,000 raises serious questions not only about Soros’s purpose—“the modern restructuring of the newspaper and its transformation into a genuine democratic institution of free speech”—but also about this foundation’s working principles and status in Albania. It is faulty logic to declare that the aim is to turn a newspaper into an institution. Just as monopolizing the press market does not serve press freedom, gifts, debts, or loans do not lead to press independence either. In the face of this dangerous experiment, with potentially fatal consequences for the Albanian press, the Association of Journalists of Albania appeals to all Albanian newspapers to defend themselves by using every democratic means at their disposal to raise awareness among domestic and international public opinion and avert the dangerous situation that has arisen. For the Association of Journalists of Albania Chairman YLLI RAKIPI During the cordial discussion, which allowed an in-depth exchange of views on the main international issues of mutual interest, Minister Tritan Shehu, after emphasizing Albania’s sincere desire to integrate into Europe and Western security institutions, expressed the appreciation of the President of the Republic and the Albanian Government for the intensive cooperation relations between Italy and Albania, wishing for their further development, and while defending self-determination by establishing ... [text cut off/unclear] The Minister ... of Albania, ... Andreat(a), while congratulating Albania on its efforts, extended his best wishes for the work of the new government and confirmed Italian interest in developing relations in the defense sector, identifying appropriate initiatives both multilaterally and bilaterally. Minister Andreat(a) also underlined that he would soon have an opportunity to establish prospects for and renew bilateral relations during the forthcoming meeting with Albania’s Minister of Defense, Safet Zhulali, to whom he sent warm greetings through Minister Shehu, recalling their most recent meeting in Brussels.

The local elections to be held toward the end of October this year will be conducted in accordance with all international standards. Their democratic conduct is another expression of the affirmation of the civil values of the Albanian state, as well as of the political parties taking part in these elections. The roundtable held two days ago at the Presidency is a good sign that these elections will be organized in accordance with the converging demands of all the political parties that manage to be represented in these local elections. The Presidency of the state is not absent in this case, just as it has not been absent from other elections. The responsibility of state bodies is an essential element of free and fair elections. If the state is fully aware of its role during an election campaign, this readiness must also be supported by the political parties that will compete. The importance of local elections must not be overshadowed by parliamentary elections, especially when it is known that local government is an important element in the functioning of the entire state chain, as well as under the application of modern laws that ensure this government’s further independence. every available means should be activated to ensure that they are held and concluded successfully. only electoral districts but also candidates whom they will have to entrust with socialist quality, of communication between central government and the grassroots.

Meeting between Mr. Tritan Shehu and the Italian Minister of Defense Italy’s Minister of Defense and member of parliament Benjamino Andreata, as announced in a statement by the Italian Ministry of Defense, met yesterday afternoon at the Barakini Palace (the ministry’s headquarters) with Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, member of parliament Tritan Shehu, who is currently visiting Italy. views on the main issues, bilateral cooperation in the field of defense was a particularly significant aspect of relations. In this context, Minister Andreata, congratulating Albania on the efforts it has made, defense sector, identifying appropriate initiatives both at the multilateral level and at the

The Embassy’s position on an article in the daily newspaper “Koha Jonë” dated 18 July 1996 Regarding the article entitled: Embassy: “Whoever discovers soldiers’ remains gets 2,000 marks.” The Embassy provides the following clarification. On 14 April 1994, an agreement on the discovery and burial of German soldiers who fell during the war in Albania was signed between the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Government of the Republic of Albania. The agreement entered into force on 7 January 1995. Under the agreement, a cemetery for German soldiers is to be built in Albania, where their remains found throughout the territory of Albania will be laid to rest. In this regard, the German Embassy received a response from the Ministry of Construction and Tourism of the Republic of Albania, which issued an order in March 1996 to all local administrations asking them to provide assistance in searching for and locating the remains of soldiers who fell in various places throughout the territory of Albania. The process of locating graves in Albania has not yet been completed. It is not true that the Embassy promised a specific reward to anyone who managed to find the remains of German soldiers. The information published in the newspaper “Koha Jonë” was made public without the Embassy’s approval. Press Officer GERALD WOLF

The Democratic Party Council meets tomorrow The PD Organizational Secretary, Prof. Ylli Vejsiu, comments on this occasion for PD The Democratic Party Council meets tomorrow Maximum commitment to high-quality elections The PD Organizational Secretary, Prof. Ylli Vejsiu, comments on this occasion for PD PAGE 3

Where are the crow(s)-os perched on “Koha Jonë” headed? PAGE 3

Ceka and Imami return from the USA PAGE 3

Poli Q. against dialogue and the parties’ roundtable - The leaders of the PQ once again provoke crises of division within the ranks of the opposition’s largest party, in order to strengthen their positions by joining with the section closest to it. PAGE 3

Speech by Mr. Tritan Shehu delivered at the congress of the Italian Christian Democratic Union PAGE 2 The Vatican supports the path chosen by the Albanians