Interview with the Chairman of the PDSH, Mr. Tritan Shehu The Assembly of Democratic Youth Interview with the Chairman of the PDSH, Mr. Tritan Shehu Let us win together The Assembly of Democratic Youth When Democratic Youth gather in an Assembly, all Albanians follow this meeting with a special feeling and emotion. And this is natural, because it was precisely these young people who, with their courage and bravery, opened a new era for Albania and the Albanians: the era of freedom, the era of democracy. It was the Albanian youth of December ’90 who first struck a blow against the most brutal dictatorial regime humanity has ever experienced, the communist regime that killed, imprisoned, exiled[?] and persecuted the Albanian people for nearly 50 years. That is why Albanians are, and will forever remain, grateful to this generation, which achieved this triumph over the communist inferno. The youth were the nucleus of the entire progressive movement which, just a few days later, filled the ranks of the PDSH, which very quickly became the party of hope for all Albanians. The Democratic Party was born as a party of youth, as a party of progress and human freedoms, and it remained so. The Democratic Youth, organized in the FRPD, left brilliant marks throughout the country’s democratization processes. You find them everywhere, throughout the structures of the state and Albanian politics. With their vision, momentum, energy and courage, they ... bring new, broader dimensions to the life and activity of all Albanian society. It was the Democratic Youth who filled the streets and squares at protest rallies to bring down communist governments, from the Çarçani government through to Nano 1 and Nano 2. It was the Democratic Youth who, with their commitment and courage, won the hearts of hundreds of thousands of Albanians, who on March 22, 1992, through their free vote, achieved the final triumph over the communist dictatorship. Young people filled the ranks of the PD because they saw in its program and alternative the realization of their hopes, dreams and desires. And it was this political force that truly fulfilled the aspirations of this generation. It was the PD government that guaranteed and brought about the presence of a very large number of young people throughout the structures of politics and the state, and that guaranteed and brought about greater freedom, care, education and recreation. That is why all Albanians follow the Assembly of Democratic Youth with a special feeling. And this is entirely natural, since their life stories have become part of the life story of each of us, of all Albanians. These are the young people who today, through their lives and work, are creating a new dimension, a new vision for the approaching century. You find them in Parliament, in Government, in university rectorates and academies, in the Army and on stage; you find them leading some of the most important departments, working with passion and commitment. You find them represented in local government, competing with distinction. Tomorrow they will come forward to set out the 2000 vision for Albania, with the fervent desire that their work and dedication will bring our future closer. The future is with us, because the youth are with us. With Anna Valle, Miss Italia 1995 I have come to win It seems to me that combining the best alternative with the best candidate is, and will be, the key to our complete victory in these elections.

“We cannot ...” By Roman Hercog[?] Coexistence with the file[?] “We cannot ... place the idea of human rights at the founda[?] of our general state system and at the same time leave unpunished the individuals who have trampled them underfoot.” PAGE 9

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Besnik Gjongecaj, met with the Italian Minister of Education, Mr. Berlinquer, as well as with members of parliament and Members of the European Parliament

OSCE welcomes measures to punish the boycott Ambassador Glover declares that the Socialists are a liability to democracy The Albanian Stalinists received yet another shocking warning the day before yesterday. No one in the world will stand by them; no one in the world will support them in their self-destructive adventure to destabilize democracy, undermine democracy and the future in a country which, after long suffering under Europe’s darkest and most criminal dictatorship, has entered and is successfully advancing along the path of democracy, the path of progress, the path of civilization. Through Ambassador Glover, who was in Albania a few days ago, Europe has prepared a report that gives particular attention to the boycott of the electoral process in Albania by far-left political forces and expresses concern about the responsibility all electoral subjects must assume for the electoral process. In her report, Glover writes: “The delegation was also pleased to learn that the issue of accountability for the electoral process was raised in discussions at the round table organized by the President, and that this was supported by sanctions for members of the commission, as well as for any other person vested with official responsibility, who failed to discharge their responsibilities.” The ambassador’s support for the legal punishment of the Stalinist boycott, and her statement that “a boycott of elections and political institutions can only serve to undermine democratic processes,” constitute damning evidence against the Stalinist strategy pursued by Albanian extremists to undermine democracy in the country. This heavy blow dealt by Europe to the leaders of the far left and those who organized the May 26 boycott shows Albanians that the far-left extremists’ adventure to destabilize and undermine democracy is doomed to fail, and that Europe fully supports the Democratic Party, the Government and those political forces determined to work for Albania’s European future. A. D.

Mr. Berlinquer, as well as with Italian left-wing legitimacy of the May 26 elections is not in question Mr. Berlinquer expressed his satisfaction with developments in Albania and confirmed that integrating higher education with scientific research fully complies with the most advanced standards; he also expressed his desire and willingness to meet our requests, which he considered reasonable, and whose fulfillment would help further develop higher education and scientific research in Albania. PAGE 3 The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Besnik Gjongecaj, met with the Italian Minister of Education, Mr. Berlinquer, as well as with members of parliament and Members of the European Parliament.

Statement by the government spokesperson

A grand artistic concert, messages of life and victory from PD Today in Tirana’s Grand Park We welcome you at 11:00 in the capital’s Grand Park On the occasion of the launch of the election campaign for the October 20 elections, the Tirana branch of the Democratic Party invites the citizens of Tirana on Sunday, September 22, to the grand celebration that will be organized on the lake hills, with a varied program. Activities From 10:00 to 11:00, various areas of the lake hills will host programs featuring artists from the arts schools, the variety theatre, the circus, and the folk ensemble, as well as sporting activities, canoeing on the lake, and trade fairs. At 11:00, a grand artistic concert at the Summer Amphitheatre on the lake hills, with the country’s and diaspora’s best-known artists and performers: Ir[?] Lihobova, Gili, Ledina Çela, Luan Zhegu, Grupi TNT from Kosovo, R[?] Rifolk, Bujar Qamili, Elton Dede, Redon Makashi, Enxhi Nini, Vasil Vangjeli, Met Bega, Xhevair Zeneli, Pranvera Veizi, etc.

CULTURAL OVERVIEW P. 5–8 “KOHA JONE” full of speculation and slander Lies and speculation about polio PAGE 2

PDSH announces candidates for the local elections of October 20 PAGE 2 Candidates for the Tirana District Council