The European advice to the Socialist Party, delivered in Tirana by the two Council of Europe commissioners, Finsberg and Kolumberg, placed the party before the dilemma of being pro-European or anti-European. This is the first time the Socialist Party has been institutionally invited to make a lawful decision about the future of its communications with Europe. It has also been placed under conditions for engaging with Albanian democracy in the most moderate way possible. The Council of Europe not only suggests that the Socialist Party take its seats in Parliament, but also gives its final assessment of the party’s unconstitutional position. If the Socialist MPs do not fill the empty seats in Parliament, their stance will be judged as a lack of willingness to further the aspirations of democracy in Albania—or, as the important Council of Europe commissioners put it, as a stance against democracy in Albania. The first assessment from the Albanian left of the Socialists’ approach to Albanian politics, as viewed by the Council of Europe, came from PSD leader Gjinushi, who did not hesitate to call Europe late in its obsessions. Gjinushi made this joke after making hundreds and hundreds of statements about a modern, democratic Europe that wants democracy in Albania and not dictatorship, and so on, and so forth. Gjinushi’s social-democratic ideal goes no further than his fight against the Democratic Party. Without that fight, the political activity of not only Gjinushi but also Ceka and the entire far left—which has functioned until now as an alternative to reform in Albania—would grind to a halt and become nonexistent. Thus, his reproach to Europe for being late is also part of his fight against the Democratic Party and its obsessions, which permanently align with those of democratic Europe. Regardless of the positions taken by small left-wing political groups or Socialist leaders, an additional factor has now entered Albanian politics and enriched it: the Council of Europe’s request that Parliament also be filled by nine more Socialist MPs. Until now, the Socialists had portrayed their absence from Parliament as consistent with European positions concerning objections to the 26 May elections. That component of Socialist—or indeed broader left-wing—propaganda has now been completely burned away. The fact that this discussion was initiated not only by the one-sided suggestions of the DP but also by Europe shifts the right entirely to the right. More or less, this suggestion also brings down the curtain on a much-discussed chapter: the 26 May elections. For the Socialists, this is an opportunity to reap the benefits of their campaign as quickly as possible; for the Democrats, it is a European endorsement of their suggestions, which have always fallen within the green spectrum of the West. Meanwhile, the boycott method is devalued as a political tool deliberately adopted as an alternative by certain Albanian political parties, and politicians in general return to moderate methods, such as discussions in Parliament or ordinary round-table talks. Retraction In an article published on 29.08.1996, the Qendra newspaper “Poli” made a low and entirely false allegation about the IRI Conference, citing me personally as having made several completely unfounded statements, which I categorically reject. Although it is in keeping with this newspaper’s nature to slander, I express my deepest indignation that the extreme-left press continues to display such a primitive trait as lying. I also believe that a party can win elections not because it chairs the election commissions, but because it enjoys the broad and unreserved support of a large electorate—an electorate politically oriented toward the center, with national aspirations, something Poli i Qendrës entirely lacks. MIRUSH MALI Finsberg: If the opposition does not take its seats in Parliament, it denies democracy If the Socialists do not go to Parliament, they are against democracy. This was Europe’s assessment of the Socialists’ attitude toward Albania’s democratic institutions and, likewise, of their slanderous attempt to come to power through machinations. This was made clear yesterday in a statement to the press by Lord Finsberg. During their stay in Albania, the two Council of Europe commissioners clarified Europe’s assessment of Albanian politics and of the soundness of the Democratic Party’s political actions. The DP’s assessment—that the SP’s participation in Parliament would be an action most beneficial to the SP itself—is fully consistent with Europe’s assessment of this issue. The Socialists must now choose between their congress and Europe. If the former offers them left-wing demagoguery, according to which victory must always be revolutionary, Europe offers them modern methods of political action. Naturally, it is not so easy for the Socialists to choose between the boycott and the logic of the West. Assessing the role of the opposition in a democracy and referring to the Albanian opposition’s refusal to participate in Parliament, Lord Finsberg stressed in his statement that the opposition has a duty to oppose the government from within the parliament to which it was elected, no matter how much it disputes the result. If they do not take their seats, they are in fact denying democracy. In his statement, the senior European parliamentarian also addressed the majority, which bears a great responsibility to conduct itself in such a way as to ensure that the opposition is treated properly. His press statement goes on to say that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has called for a round table so that Albania’s political parties can discuss all their problems, including the Constitution and the electoral mechanisms, he emphasized in the statement. Lord Finsberg concludes that if this round table cannot be convened, those responsible for this act will carry a heavy burden.

Finsberg: If the opposition does not take its seats in Parliament, it denies democracy

President Berisha received Ambassador Ferrari Yesterday, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, received Ambassador Ferrari. President Berisha expressed his gratitude for the support and assistance Italy, as a friendly country, has given Albania. He stressed that the major and far-reaching changes that have taken place over the past four years are the result of Albanians making use of the potential of freedom and of international solidarity, which has been of extraordinary importance to Albania and in which Italy is among the leading countries. President Berisha expressed Albania’s determination to deepen its friendship and cooperation with Italy and to intensify its efforts to integrate Albania into Europe. [He briefed Ambassador Ferrari on all political developments and the dialogue among the political forces, and expressed the government’s determination to guarantee free and fair local elections on 20 October. Ambassador Ferrari assured President Berisha that Italy would continue actively to help Albania on its path toward consolidating the rule of law and the market economy. Italy is deeply interested in Albania’s integration into Europe, values its friendship with Albania, and expresses its full willingness to contribute to the progress of reforms and the consolidation of democracy in the country. President Berisha asked Also, President Berisha praised the warm welcome given to Albania by the Italian state at the highest levels of the Italian state integration into Europe, just as it of democracy in the country. President Berisha asked Ambassador Ferrari to convey his warm greetings to President Scalfaro, Prime Minister Prodi and Foreign Minister Dini, and expressed his wish that they visit Albania. The meeting was open and friendly.

The Socialists abandon the congress resolution and the chairman’s recommendations Page 3 - In the document submitted to Lord Finsberg and the delegation of Council of Europe rapporteurs he heads, the Socialists abandon the advance setting of deadlines that would govern the resolution of other political problems following the local elections.

The 3-day IRI Conference concluded. XHAFERRI: The consensus will be respected Page 3

FRPD Congress: September 23, 1996 Page 3

Statement by Mr. Besnik Gjongecaj, Secretary General of the PDSH The main topics that should form the subject of this dialogue are the electoral process and its improvement, the necessary amendments to the law on local elections, to the law on the establishment and functioning of local government, as well as other topics related to local elections.

Prishtina–Belgrade talks begin P. 2

The Ministry of the Interior refutes “Gazeta Shqiptare” Regarding the article published in “Gazeta Shqiptare” on August 29, 1996, entitled “Assassination Attempt on Commissioner ‘Katani’,” the Ministry of the Interior clarifies that: No assassination attempt was made against Pëllumb Korfuzit, head of the Police Commissariat of the Krujë district. The team of experts from the Ministry of the Interior, on the basis of information that shots had been fired at Pëllumb Korfuzit’s car, carried out the necessary checks, which established that: The police car has no damage and no bullet marks. At the scene where the “assassination attempt” was allegedly carried out, and nearby, not a single shell casing from the so-called ‘shooting in the dark’ was found. No testimony has confirmed what “Gazeta Shqiptare” wrote about this “assassination attempt.” Accuracy in providing information would serve to enhance the prestige of the journalist and of the newspaper itself.

Albanian iconography vandalized Page 3

Statement by the Albanian Muslim Community on the incident at the church of Voskopoje[s] We learned with deep indignation of the vile incident committed at the church of Voskopojsë in the prefecture of Korçë. Such acts are in flagrant contradiction with the principles of our Islamic faith and with Albanian traditions. The Muslim Community of Albania denounces and strongly condemns this anti-religious and anti-national act.

Statement by the government spokesperson Having taken note of the claims made by the Socialist Party and submitted to the AD HOC committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, according to which the government is behind schedule in preparing for the local elections, the government spokesperson states: 1. The date of the local elections was set more than three months in advance—that is, with ample notice, as requested by the SP. 2. The Central Election Commission was appointed well ahead of the maximum deadline, following the relevant consultations. 3. The government’s preparations began at the appointed time. Everything is proceeding normally in preparation for the elections. The government pledges to ensure that the conditions provided for by law for these elections are met to the greatest possible extent.