From President Berisha’s meetings at the Krans Montana Forum Tax policy Dr. The Central Election Commission has definitively announced the results of the elections of 26 May and 16 June held in Albania. The 115 parliamentary mandates confirming the result of the first-round vote, by a clear margin over the partial voting of last year for the next assembly, as well as the 7 mandates won in the 16 June vote, once again reaffirmed the victory of the Democratic Party and its allies in Albania. On this occasion, the President of the Republic of Albania, Sali Berisha, sent congratulatory telegrams to a number of leaders of friendly countries and international organizations, thanking them for the valuable and comprehensive assistance they have given our country and the Albanian people in the process of democratic transition. In the telegram sent to U.S. President Bill Clinton, President Berisha states that Albania and the Albanian people highly value the help and support of the United States of America for the democratic and economic reforms in the country. President Berisha emphasizes that the success of the reforms undertaken in the country, the creation of democratic institutions, the preservation of stability and public order, as well as the organization of free and pluralist elections, have also been made possible thanks to continuous American assistance. In the telegram sent to Austrian Chancellor Franz Vranitzky, President Berisha thanks him for the continued support that Austria has given Albania in the process of economic reforms and European integration. In the message addressed to the President of Italy, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, the Albanian President underscores Italy’s positive role as an important partner of Albania. He values Italy’s assistance in the fields of the economy, public order, and strengthening democratic institutions. In the telegram sent to the President of Turkey, Suleyman Demirel, President Berisha expresses gratitude for the help and support that Turkey has given our country during the transition period. The President of the Republic has also sent messages of thanks to representatives of the European Union, the Council of Europe, and other international organizations. These messages stress that Albania remains determined to continue on the path of democratic reforms, market economy, and integration into Euro-Atlantic structures.

Communiqué of the Central Election Commission 914,218 votes - 55.53% 122 deputies Page 2

Today the PDSH delegation headed by Dr. Tritan Shehu departs for Strasbourg . Invited by the Political Committee of the CoE. As part of the same delegation is also the deputy chairman of the PDSH, Mr. Hajdar Beqja, page 2

Futuro Conti, current chair of the OSCE To find the truth, foreign voices seek to know and get to know Albania up close To find the truth, foreign voices seek to know Albania up close and to understand the values and developments in the democratization and reform processes. This has been brought into sharper focus than ever in recent days during the event held at the Krans Montana Forum, which was attended by high-level political and administrative personalities from 60 countries around the world. He had the opportunity to hold meetings with Swiss Foreign Minister Flavio Cotti, current chair of the OSCE, with Austrian Chancellor Franz Vranitzky, with the Vice-President of the European Commission Manuel Marin, with the President of the Council of Europe Daniel Tarschys, and with representatives of the European Parliament and other international organizations. These meetings discussed at length the progress of reforms in Albania, the role of international factors, and the need for the opposition not to obstruct democratic processes. According to Conti, Albania’s problem does not lie in a lack of institutions, but in the boycott the opposition is carrying out against institutions that emerged from the elections. Page 2

Interview with the chairman of the Democratic Party, Tritan Shehu, given to BBC radio Page 2

Interview with Mr. Ali Spahia, manager of DPSSH and member of the Albanian parliamentary delegation to the CoE Assembly Page 3

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“Where was the clump hidden under the conspirator? In the PS” inaccuracies struck A voice in a voice and whisper so much to reform and the leadership of the PS denounce that reform is cleaned only by the opposition “Were seen in the noise and whisper! they have cleaned up the leadership of the PS; the government of the PS, the inaccuracies struck “Where was the clump hidden under the conspirator? in the PS changes” suddenly position Page 3