16 political parties at the table on local government problems Reforming the PS - against the Euro-socialists Reforming the PS - against the Euro-socialists What became known at the first meeting of the country’s opposition and governing parties with leaders of the Council of Europe’s advisory mission for Albania, Alain, writes in a statement to “RD” the deputy chairman of the PDSH and chairman of the PDSH parliamentary group in the People’s Assembly, Ylli Vejsiu, will be the conduct of round-table talks on local government reform. The first meeting held yesterday in Tirana did not have the character of presenting the draft or the remarks that the Council of Europe experts will make to improve the project, but, according to Mr. Vejsiu, at this initial meeting it was decided that the parties would express their views on issues related to local government, electoral, parliamentary, etc. The essence of these issues will be discussed at the round table with the participation of 16 political parties. “The round table, - says Mr. Vejsiu, - is organized on the initiative of the Council of Europe as an institution whose aim is to promote political dialogue and assistance to democratizing states.” When asked by “RD” when these meetings might begin and who the participants would be, Mr. Vejsiu said that nothing has yet been decided in this regard and that participation will depend on the wishes of each party. Commenting on the fact that so far the number of these round tables has still not been determined, the deputy chairman of the PDSH and chairman of its parliamentary group said that only one of the experts has come to Tirana and not all of them, which has prevented an exact date from being fixed. According to Mr. Vejsiu, the 16 political parties such as the PS and PSD are expressing their willingness to take part in this round table. When asked whether other parties such as PBDNJ or PBK will also be invited and, if they appear at the table, whether they will accept the legitimacy of these parties, Vejsiu says that this could happen insofar as these parties would also have an interest in reforming local government and the country’s electoral framework. “That would depend on the number of parties and their demands,” said Mr. Vejsiu. Explaining further that the development of this inter-party dialogue on these problems aims to achieve several processes such as the finalization of a reform of the electoral framework, its codification in line with democracy, legality and tradition, the creation of a new strategy for local administration for the implementation of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, the democratization of public administration institutions and the reform of the PS, making the Euro-socialist element break away from it and, in extreme cases, fostering cooperation and reconciliation between institutional and radical politics. Asked whether Mr. Vejsiu thinks that PS reform will happen as a result of pressure from the Council of Europe or from the presence of Euro-socialists in Albania, he said that these processes have no connection with this political dialogue. “The exclusion of the opposition from the talks, the weakening of the socialists’ convictions, etc. arise as a result of the logic of banal opposition. Thus, the values of the Euro-socialists cannot fail to influence the PS,” Vejsiu says. The observation of the lack of stability at the head of this party, which according to various sources seems to be eroding it, goes in the same direction as the tendency to reform the PS and the progress of democracy in Albania. Page 2

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President Berisha in the Austrian newspaper “Die Presse” The Albanian President, Sali Berisha, has made public the official position of the Albanian state regarding developments in Kosovo. In an interview published yesterday by the Austrian liberal-conservative daily “Die Presse”, Berisha emphasizes that Kosovo Albanians, who are an absolute majority, are being deliberately discriminated against. He says that the Serbs’ stance of turning Kosovo into the “largest Serbian region” is an absurd attempt to create a Serbian “mini-state” in the Balkans. Berisha adds that this policy is in line with Belgrade’s aggressive stance and anti-Albanian racism. “We are ready to give all our support to the Kosovars. Albania does not recognize the Serbian government in Kosovo. We consider it an instrument of ethnic cleansing,” he declared. Berisha calls on the international community to recognize the Albanian people in Kosovo as a nation facing racist oppression and violations of its rights. In the interview, Berisha also returns to the issue of Kosovo’s independence, declaring that such a thing would undoubtedly be best for the Albanians. He adds that as long as he is President, no Albanian will accept the partition of Kosovo or the taking of any part of its territory. According to the head of the Albanian state, the Serbs may try to cause an exodus of Albanians out of Kosovo. “We will make every sacrifice to prevent this,” said the Albanian President as quoted by “Die Presse”. In its article, the Austrian newspaper writes that Kosovo is “a powder keg” on the edge of Europe, because old conflicts can mix with new tensions and lead to a new war. Against this backdrop, President Berisha has called for the Albanians in Kosovo “to unite for a long time around the policy pursued by Rugova and his peaceful way of achieving autonomy,” writes “Die Presse” in the article published yesterday under the title “Whoever wants to divide Kosovo is playing with fire”. At the end of its article, the Austrian daily writes that the Albanian President has assured that no Albanian refugee from Kosovo will be forcibly sent from Albania to the Bosnian war.

The political leaders gathered at the meeting coordinated by the Center for the Study of Policies and the “Soros” Foundation, organized with the mediation of representatives of EU countries and new democracies, decided, today and in the future, to give life to the initiative for the creation of the National Committee of Albanians, a forum which is open to Albanians, wherever they may be. The aim of this committee is to coordinate efforts for a common political, strategic and diplomatic position for the solution of Albanian national issues. This committee will serve as a bridge and an opportunity for all Albanian political forces, civil society organizations, intellectuals, cultural and scientific centers, representatives of state bodies, etc. The participants of the meeting value with satisfaction that this forum has been initiated by the free and democratic will of all political forces in Kosovo, Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYR), Montenegro and the diaspora. The participants declare their belief that, by supporting in the future all efforts for the peaceful and democratic resolution of the Albanian national question in accordance with the right to self-determination, they are convinced that any other solution is harmful to the fate of Albanians. The participants call on government institutions to contribute to the formation of democracy in Albania. Page 2

After a letter from America “Gramoz has appeared in America although born into a Greek-American family. He speaks Albanian, but usually rather poorly. He has made a name for himself as an economic analyst. But now he is appearing as a leader of the Albanian (nationalist) separatist campaign...” Page 3

PS conference at Mid’ite “Our bridge because we did not work well!?!, withdrawals especially in scientific professions, he recalls the clash with the Berisha government. “Although socialists, we must work like SHIK... These things, for a while, the stars say that the small offices will penetrate where they stole from us arivë shkrivi...” Page 3

PS conference in Vlorë DOKLE: Do not compare us with the Czechoslovak party, which no one knows DOKLE: Do not compare us with the Czechoslovak party, which no one knows Page 3

PS conference in Skrapar Two days of meetings for the election of the 16th chairman of the PS under the monitoring of the Secretary General without a final signature without... Page 3

Writes statements about the latest developments in the PS I think, comrade, that the PS can neither act like a side of the PPSH nor like its informers, whoever they may be and especially these young people who are guided and indoctrinated. These things that have been done and the ideals of social democrats are desperate for a mandate? and they do not give the floor to the young, and they do not put the fathers to work. Nano and company did the same and left it entirely to itself. Saimir does not change the place of the voter and perhaps does not change it... Page 3

actress in Greece’s biggest TV serial “Lampsi”