Intensive DP preparations for the local elections Page 3

—Declares U.S. Congressman Eliot Engel— Page 2

The SP leadership opposes ruling from prison The Center Pole is targeting the SP The major split in the Socialist Party has increased the Center Pole’s agitation. After attempting a coup within the alliance in June, precisely two days before the by-elections, the Center Pole members have focused on the SP’s political movements in order to secure as much ground as possible within the socialists. The endless criticism the Center Pole directs at the socialists over the start of talks between it and the Democratic Party also serves this purpose. Leaders of the Pole’s two parties declared in their press that the socialists’ initiative to talk with the Democratic Party without the presence of the Pole’s members was a betrayal by the socialist leaders of their cause of completely boycotting initiatives originating from the Democratic Party headquarters. The Center Pole members fear any move that could lead to possible cooperation between the DP and SP in connection with the local elections. If this were to happen, they would find themselves alone, with only their offices, since they have no electorate; meanwhile, they still need the socialists to hold the local elections. The SP’s isolation from the political initiatives undertaken by the DP would benefit the Pole, because that way they would also secure the position of a party that the SP itself needs in order to carry out its initiatives in unison, even if only partially. The pre-election situation in which Albania now finds itself, and the alliances that may emerge because of these elections, have not dimmed the predatory Pole’s watch for its victim. In the recent developments affecting the Socialist Party, the socialists’ leadership has come under attack from Nano and his people, who move through the corridors of headquarters. Yesterday, it seemed to have overshadowed Nano’s reformist theories. Whereas in his motion Nano sought to remain alone at the head of the SP, excluding the leadership from running the party, the leadership warned him that he risked not being elected. After the leadership restricted the party chairman’s mandate to no more than two consecutive terms, Nano risks becoming an ordinary socialist behind bars. Page 3 after that, they have none, while they still need the Socialists to get through the local elections. The Socialist Party’s isolation from the political moves made by the Democratic Party would benefit Poli, since this would also secure for them the place of a partner that the Socialist Party unison and in part. The pre-election situation Albania is now in, have not dulled Poli’s instinct as a predator waiting for its victim. Immediately after Nano’s first motion, the PSD chairman stated at a party leadership meeting that his party should target the Socialist electorate. In other words, the split in the Socialist Party represents an opportunity for his party, which could awaken to new prospects and an electorate flowing over from the Socialist Party because of the major debates that have arisen there. The alliance partners, too, have adopted a watchful stance toward developments in the Socialist Party. Poli’s two parties seem ready to secure the necessary ammunition to destroy the Socialist Party in their own way. All the declarations of friendship with the Socialist Party made by the politicians are made solely because of the political advantage they gain when the Socialist Party is at their side. Their initiatives to hold round tables, where declarations are produced bearing the signatures of all Tirana’s phantom parties, are intended only to neutralize a round table involving major parties such as the Democratic Party and the Socialist Party. In a case like that, they would be like fish stranded on dry land. The hypocrisy of the politicians in exploiting friendship has now become evident. The Socialists are now under intense scrutiny—not to be a leading partner on the Albanian left, but to serve as a supplier across the entire spectrum in which this political party is positioned. Nevertheless, two possibilities for the Socialist Party’s future still remain up in the air. One is its destruction and the dispersal of Socialists among other parties as circumstances allow, or the creation of a new party whose name would reflect the idea of a party of progress; the other is that pressure from Nano and his group within the Socialist Party would bring about a change and sponsor the party’s leadership by other leaders of left-wing political parties. So far, Çeka has emerged as a contender, but their number may grow as the divide between the two camps in the Socialist Party widens.

The Center Pole threatens to boycott the local elections

The Austrian Diplomatic Press in a special publication on Albania In its special issue for the months of June and July–August 1996, the Austrian Diplomatic Press publishes a special collection on Albania, prepared by its editor-in-chief, Dr. Eduard Knapp. The special publication on Albania opens with an interview with Albania’s Ambassador to Austria, Mr. Albert Alicaj. It then provides extensive information on Austria’s decisive role in the formation of the first Albanian state, mentioning and underscoring the strong support given to Albania by the then Austro-Hungarian Empire, in opposition to the interests of the Slavs and Greeks in partitioning Albania. Turning its focus to Albania’s economic situation, the Austrian Diplomatic Press clearly outlines the achievements of economic reform, its positive indicators, “FAR” and “TACIS,” cooperation with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, as well as the Albanian Government’s clear strategy for… Relations between Austria and Albania are considered excellent; particular mention is made of the high points of the visits to Tirana by the President of Austria, Dr. Thomas Klestil; the President of the Austrian Parliament, Dr. Heinz Fischer; and Austria’s Foreign Minister and Vice-Chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel. A comprehensive picture is also given of Austrian investment in Albania and of projects for the future. Attention is also drawn to the overview of the Albanian state’s foreign policy and its priorities, described with considerable care, giving the special publication on Albania particular value for its analytical treatment of the issues. The Austrian Diplomatic Press describes criticism of the 26 May elections in Albania as unsubstantiated, publishing reports by Austrian parliamentarians Dr. Kapral and Christos Ealtadorus, Director of Foreign Relations of Greece’s New Democracy Party, who… Turning the for overcoming the major difficulties inherited from the past. Special attention is also given to the extensive privatization undertaken by the Government in cooperation with the World Bank, which has proved successful. Current relations between The Austrian Diplomatic Press describes the criticism of the May 26 elections in Albania as unfounded, publishing reports by Austrian Parliament Deputy Greece’s New Democracy Party, who consider the elections to have been conducted entirely regularly. The special edition of the Austrian Diplomatic Press on Albania has been very well received in diplomatic circles in the Austrian capital, Vienna, and beyond.

The Center Pole threatens to boycott the local elections an expression of profound defeat The two parties making up the Center Pole have no significant history of local representation to make them think that different versions of electoral commissions would have an impact on improving their representation. PAD has never taken part in local elections, although it had the opportunity to be represented in July 1992. The Social Democratic Party, too, won only a small percentage in the elections four years ago, consistently staying below 4 percent. It should be emphasized that in the 1994 by-elections, the Social Democratic Party did not exceed 2 percent. Page 3

—According to Ramadan Ceroi, deputy minister of the Macedonian Ministry of Defense, the representation of Albanians among senior officers up to the rank of colonel is 3.4%. The figure for non-commissioned officers is 5.13 5, reports Radio Voice of America. Page 2

Protest by the Independent National Forum of Intellectuals denouncing the crimes of the Enverist dictatorship Through this protest, we do not wish to influence the normal actions of the justice authorities. But we cannot regard the actions of the legal authorities as normal when major changes are made and sentencing decisions are handed down by the various levels of our courts. Page 2

Yesterday, on 06.08.1996, at 00:46 local time, the seismological network of Albania recorded an earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale, with an intensity of VI on the MSK-64 scale at the epicenter. The preliminary epicenter of this earthquake was located 200 km southeast of Tirana, in Greek territory. The earthquake was felt strongly (V on the MSK-64 scale) in Leskovik, where people, startled by the quake, came out of their homes. There have been no reports of damage.

The Commune Chairman, the Finance Officer and the cashier are pilfering the coffers—and more besides Page 3