Yesterday, the West called on Albania’s political forces to engage seriously in the local elections and the adoption of the constitution. European Union Commissioner Hans Van den Broek reaffirmed Europe’s firm commitment to supporting Albania, while reminding opposition parties that the irresponsible boycott of elections must not be repeated in the local elections. Expressing confidence that the October local elections would be free and fair, the senior EU official stressed that they would be a strong test of Europe’s future relations with Albania. Mr. Van den Broek’s statements, not coincidentally, fully match the official position of the Albanian government and the Democratic Party on the political situation created after the May 26 elections. The Democratic Party attaches great importance to local government elections, just as it does to the constitution. While stimulating and successfully conducting political dialogue on the arrangements for the October elections, it has never set aside the still-unresolved issue of the constitution. The European Union’s position on the political situation in Albania is a severe blow to the café politicians, who have been complaining for two months about the scandalous defeat they suffered in the May 26 elections. Van den Broek said clearly, but tactfully, that Albania has no reason to dwell on the May 26 elections, despite the irregularities, which the Democratic Party has also acknowledged. But the EU commissioner presented the West’s criticism of Albania’s recent parliamentary elections in a balanced way, directed at both the government and the opposition. Mr. Van den Broek said there was criticism of irregularities, as well as of the opposition’s arbitrary withdrawal from the elections. His diplomatic wording [...] His diplomatic language can readily be interpreted as saying that the main responsibility for what happened in the May 26 elections in fact lies with the left-wing opposition, which created the circumstances through its withdrawal, leading to the consequences that followed. The Democratic Party has described the West’s recommendations as valuable, and clear evidence of this was the rerun of elections in 17 areas where more serious irregularities had been observed. It has accepted dialogue and is ready to cooperate so that nothing unpleasant is repeated, even though the real culprits in all this are those who are loudly portraying themselves as political victims. Meanwhile, the left-wing opposition is deepening its unforgivable political sin by still failing to reflect after its inevitable defeat—a defeat made even worse by its own irresponsibility. The EU commissioner’s call to participate in the elections is the last chance offered to them to remain in this country’s politics. It is understood that this is a call for them to listen to Çeka, Imami or Gjinushi, who—I do not believe—will be heard by Çeka, Imami or Gjinushi, who boycotted the elections out of fear of the final discrediting that the frightening percentages would bring them, because now they no longer even hope for some ridiculous percentage, or for a small handout. In any case, it is the last serious appeal to the Socialist Party, which, if it cannot win over Europe with its lies about stolen votes, should at least show that it deserves to represent that part of the electorate that voted for it on May 26. Europe once again demonstrated the importance it attaches to serious political cooperation and acceptable elections, given the situation artificially created in Albania by the opposition’s boycott. This is the last chance given to the Socialists and other left-wing parties. Because no one in Albania or in the West can forgive them for their irresponsibility a second time. In a democracy, the presence of the opposition is vital, but the opposition must understand its obligations. The opposition’s withdrawal from the vote-counting process in the parliamentary elections led to irregularities, but deprived the opposition of its right to protest properly. In addition to the institutions, [it must] take part in the local elections. Only in this way can the obligation to the people, who seek progress, be fulfilled. PAGE 3

Press conference by Mr. Hans Van Den Broek, EU Commissioner for Foreign Policy

Official European Union report on its mutual relations with Albania The European Union has published a report on its relations with Albania, Radio Deutsche Welle reports. The report notes that the bilateral trade and cooperation agreement, signed back in December 1992, was followed once again by a joint declaration on the beginning of bilateral political dialogue. “Albania is clearly pursuing a pro-Western foreign policy and wishes to strengthen its ties with the European Union,” the report states. Since July of last year, Albania has been accepted as a full member of the Council of [...] political relations between united Europe and Albania, the report points out that, for economic reasons, it was not possible to sign a classic association agreement with Albania, while the European Commission is working on signing a sui generis agreement with Albania. The European Union’s assistance to Albania has been extremely generous. Per capita, this assistance has been the highest of that offered by the European Union to other Eastern European countries. For the period 1991–1995, this assistance exceeded half a billion dollars. The largest part of it [...] bilateral policy. states. Since July of last year, Albania has been admitted as a full-rights member of the Council of Europe. It actively participates in NATO’s Partnership for Peace program and is also hosting the meeting being held in Tirana on March 31 and April 1 of this year among the defense ministers of the United States of America, Italy, Turkey, Bulgaria and Macedonia, as well as on security in the region. As for relations with Albania, assistance has been extremely weak. dollars. Most of it was devoted to the sectors of agriculture, infrastructure and improving the balance of payments. The European Union is also now Albania’s largest trading partner. Almost 80% of Albania’s trade is conducted with the member countries of the united Europe, the report states.

The old clan and the platform for returning to power • “Let us open Nano’s correspondence as soon as possible” — Rexhina, Islami, Broka, Bufi, Lleshi and Kumbaro, the deputy chairmen and other members of the leadership, decided at Tuesday’s meeting, to divert the party membership’s attention from our defeats PAGE 3

SP — the “ad interim” party of egoism PAGE 3

Kaloshi was born in internment in 1956 in Grabjan, Lushnjë, where he completed his secondary education while interned. Persecuted by Enver Hoxha’s regime, he worked as a laborer. In 1990, he was one of the principal organizers of the democratic processes in Lushnjë and one of the initiators of the formation of the Democratic Party branch in this district. After democracy prevailed, he initially worked as director of the Personnel Directorate in the financial police administration and, from 1995, as Director of the General Administration of Prisons, with the rank of colonel. That year he completed his studies at the Faculty of Law and the Military College. PAGE 2

The US Senate approved the bill supporting NATO enlargement. It was approved by 81 votes in favor and 16 against, a few days after a similar initiative was approved by the House of Representatives. An addition to the bill states that the United States will support the possible NATO membership of Albania, as well as that of several other countries. PAGE 4

Spahia comments following Mr. Van den Broek’s visit to Albania PAGE 3

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