Shehu comments on PASOK’s victory I am convinced that Simitis will be someone who will contribute to further strengthening Albanian-Greek relations, just as he did during the previous term. I am convinced that our relations will progress even better; we are optimistic because we have many shared interests, which are undoubtedly connected not only with the ties between our two countries, but also with stability in the region. PAGE 2

The DP launched its electoral campaign for the local elections With a large public concert on the hills by Tirana’s artificial lake, attended by thousands of residents of the capital, the Democratic Party launched the day before yesterday its electoral campaign for the local government elections on 20 October, under the slogan: Let us win together—well-being, security, better governance. Conceived as a popular festival for everyone, today’s activities were planned in two time periods. The first phase of the celebration, which began in the early morning hours, included a series of sporting, cultural and artistic activities, trade fairs, and canoeing on the artificial lake. PAGE 2 BERISHA: The Democratic Party enters this contest confident of victory, as Albania’s Western-oriented political locomotive. It is the force for consolidating and strengthening democracy; it is the force for Albania’s integration into Europe; it is the sure force for the country’s stability; it has proved that it deserves the trust of the Albanians. The Democratic Party offers Albanian voters the best alternative and modern local governance, in keeping with all the principles of European local government. It is determined to decentralize local government and to devise a form of governance that serves the individual and places at its centre the concerns, hardships and interests of the local community.

Your Vision 2000, a Democratic Albania President Berisha addressed the IV FRPD Congress A vision for the future of youth and the country -Young people express their enthusiasm for the DP’s victory on 20 October -President Berisha addresses the IV FRPD Congress -Mr Afrim Krasniqi re-elected FRPD chairman After an enthusiastic day full of music, art and political debates about a better future for young people and the country, the IV FRPD Congress concluded last night. It held its proceedings at the International Centre of Culture in Tirana. The congress of young Albanian Democrats reviewed the FRPD’s activities over the past two years and considered the report presented by chairman Krasniqi. It once again confirmed that this forum would be an important force in the political and social emancipation of the country. The Congress also adopted a resolution expressing its support for the DP’s victory in the 20 October elections, and enthusiastically declaring its commitment to a better life in the DP and through this election. The Congress was also greeted by President of the Republic Berisha, DP chairman Sali Berisha and other guests from Albania and abroad, as well as representatives of organizations affiliated with the FRPD. They responded to messages from Europe and expressed their support for the country’s young people and their commitment to the country’s future. Your Vision 2000, a Democratic Albania The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, addressing the fourth FRDSH Congress, called it “a landmark event for Albanian youth.” “I think,” Berisha said, “that the strength behind what you have accomplished this year lies in your faith. More than any other generation, you have sealed Albania’s destiny, the destiny of the Albanian nation. You have shown that you are a great generation and a great cohort. Your love for Albania at this moment has been the finest elixir for healing its wounds.” Berisha described the love of Albanian youth for their country as the most “sincere.” “You are a great generation,” Berisha stressed, “because you believe in freedom with courage, wisdom, generosity and your finest virtues.” Referring to the role of young people in overthrowing the dictatorship, the President of the Republic said: “Only a few years ago, you fought in the streets of Albania, in the squares and everywhere, against one of Europe’s most brutal dictatorships. You triumphed over it. Your faith in freedom brought Albania and the Albanians together; it has made the history of freedom and youth inseparable. You have had, and still have, great faith in democracy. After the dictatorship was overthrown, Albanian youth were above all subjected to a genuine ideological assault by the defeated authorities. Using their own means and exploiting the difficulties, they did everything to disillusion you, while you, with enthusiasm, dedication, patriotism, sincerity and wisdom, set about building democracy. The Albania you found in poverty and great misery, you transformed in these four years into the country with the fastest economic growth.” Another great belief of yours, Berisha said, was Europe. By believing in Europe, you showed that you are a youth of great convictions, and you above all determined once again Albania’s return to where it was born, to its place among the nations of the West. Through your work, your courage, your wisdom and your knowledge, you work and contribute every day to Albania’s integration into Europe. Your Vision 2000 is Albania in Europe. In the spring of this year, you presented your vision, Vision 2000. With this vision, you sealed Albania’s future. You understood that atavistic, regressive forces sought to preserve and revive Albania’s incidental communist ties to the East. Your Vision 2000 is Albania in the West; your Vision 2000 is Albania in democracy. On 26 May, a quarter of a million young Albanians signed for democracy. I assure you that everyone who comes after you will sign as you did—with their free vote, for democracy.” “Albania lost a great deal of time,” Berisha continued, “but it is now moving very rapidly and consolidating democracy. The driving force and decisive factor in all this is, first and foremost, your knowledge, wisdom and dedication, and then those of the Albanians as a whole. For this very reason, we are determined to work actively together with you, continually expanding the opportunities, scope and possibilities for you to develop your knowledge. Albania is still a poor country today, but it invests a great deal in a minimum [unclear] for all the other sectors, because it believes in your knowledge and energy.” Speaking about the democratic government’s plans for the future, Berisha stressed that “today and in the future, the democratic government will continually work to give [young people] an ever greater role.” “We,” Berisha said, “will work together with you to create increasingly favourable conditions for your growing role in the country’s development. In this regard, there is no doubt that your education and schooling, at home and abroad, remain among our main priorities. I am very pleased to confirm that this year we have increased the number of students by 25 percent, and by the year 2000 this number will double, moving towards a threefold and fourfold increase in the years to come.” Berisha described youth employment as “one of the greatest priorities for the future.” “We see your employment,” he said, “above all in terms of creating employment opportunities and expanding the scope for free initiative, because this initiative will not only create jobs for you, but also for the generations to come. We are determined to consolidate democratic institutions together, with your ever-greater involvement in these institutions.” Address by PDSH chairman Tritan Shehu Our victory, Albania’s victory Speech by FRPD chairman Afrim Krasniqi Our Vision 2000—Modern Albania Greetings from DEMYC (Youth of the European Community) to the 4th FRPD Congress FRPD—a dynamic force in building the new Europe PAGE 3

Mr Brojka explained that he was resigning from his ministerial post because the Democratic Party had nominated him as its candidate for mayor of the city of Tirana. PAGE 2

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe accepts the credentials of the Albanian delegation Yesterday, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe unanimously accepted the credentials of the new parliamentary delegation to the organization. Albania thus continues to hold its place with dignity in the great European family. European parliamentarians once again praised Albania’s major steps towards establishing a sound democracy and the successful development of wide-ranging reforms to create a free economy in accordance with European standards. The report by the Council of Europe parliamentary delegation, which assessed the situation after the general elections and preparations for the local elections, was considered following the parliamentary elections. The Parliamentary Assembly expressed confidence in Albania’s progress and approved the Albanian parliamentarians’ participation in the Assembly as part of the country’s path to democracy. Socialist members Haack and Ruffy welcomed Albania’s program, which, they said, guarantees rapid economic development and the creation of greater prosperity for Albanians. In their report, the representatives of the Council of Europe delegation praised the readiness of the Albanian authorities to improve the electoral law in order to create the necessary conditions for free and fair elections. Euro-parliamentarian Ruffy, on behalf of the Council of Europe’s Political Committee, condemned the left-wing parties’ boycott of the electoral process as “a means that is effectively incapable of implementing a particular strategy.” Albanian socialists, he said, should enter parliament as soon as possible and join the Albanian delegation to the Council of Europe. Ruffy said that Albania was at an advanced stage of preparedness and cooperation with the Albanian authorities. “It is not possible to …” Kolumburg stated that the report by the Albanian representative in Albania …” Albania should give priority to policies that encourage participation in the local elections, as a joint contribution to the development of democracy in Albania. ARTUR KOP?