President Berisha received Mr. Xhef ri Pat[?] The day before yesterday, Mr. Xhef ri Pat[?], Deputy Leader of the British Conservative Party and Chairman of the Britain-Albania Association, arrived in our country for a visit. President Berisha met with him, and they discussed the most important matters between our two countries and their prospects. President Berisha thanked Mr. Xhef ri Pat[?] for his outstanding contribution to the achievement of democracy in Albania and its development and consolidation, and for the interest he showed in arranging the opening of the “Edit Durham” exhibition in London and bringing it to Tirana. During the meeting, President Berisha also briefed his English guest on the progress of reforms in Albania. The Deputy Leader of the British Conservative Party expressed his appreciation for Albania’s impressive progress, as well as his determination to contribute actively to cooperation and friendship between our two countries. President Berisha hosted a dinner for his English guest.

The SP leadership seeks to spread responsibility for the expected defeat The new leadership of the Socialist Party appears to have managed yesterday, at a meeting of the General Steering Committee, to spread responsibility for the coming defeat in the 20 October elections. The disoriented Socialists did not dare address the many problems that have gripped the leadership team emerging from a congress that took significant steps backward in renewing and reforming the left wing of Albanian politics. None of those present attempted to criticize the amateurism and incompetence leading the Socialist Party in its latest electoral race, which comes immediately after the crushing defeat of 26 May, when the Socialists managed to win only 10 of the 140 available seats in Parliament. All, convinced that they are entering a race already lost from the start, preferred to listen attentively to the lessons of Secretary General Rexhep Mejdani, who repeatedly urged them to carefully document the scale of this defeat. PAGE 3

The SP’s propaganda and socialist leaders have begun calling on their electorate to carry out [their aims] during the election campaign. Understanding this reality when you are also in the SP, during a sensitive electoral period, amounts more or less to declaring your uncertainty about being elected in this kind of political contest. In this case, the Socialists’ “achievement” is simply a promise to forgive the socialist leaders who stayed in Tirana, who have merely changed course and led their people toward defeat. The leading Socialists, who also make up the party’s new leadership, have spoken openly about the possibility of defeat. This is the realistic view coming from the socialist leadership. But as for how this sounds when repeated by other Socialists, it is clear that such a refrain is entirely unnatural for any political party that has claimed to be an electoral party. The grassroots realists will once again have to put up with the same leaders, even after their party suffers a substantial electoral defeat, and will likewise remain on the same old political training grounds, even though their political mentors lead them from one defeat to another. The leadership’s interpretation of the grassroots’ “achievement”—as the socialist electorate’s conviction to judge ideas originating from the SP leadership clans—ensures that the party leaders keep their seats even after the defeat of 20 May. If the defeat of 26 May was partly covered up by reforming the party, the next defeat will be left exposed, or left to the fate of socialist grassroots realism. The Socialists now think there is nothing more to reform within their ranks. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party has implemented almost all the Council of Europe’s recommendations on the law and local elections. What reason could serve as an excuse for why the Socialists also lost this contest for local power? For them, there is no hopeful reason to be found outside the socialist ranks. So they must find a way to save themselves within their own ranks. In this case, by taking advantage of ordinary Socialists. Nevertheless, there is no sign that their “achievement” will be of such a scale that the race can be cited as evidence of a defeat for the Socialists’ left-wing allies. The purpose of the 26 May vote made it clear that their “achievement” under the socialist leadership—which amounts to their tolerating the irresponsible political permissiveness they practice—was not implemented on a large scale. Thus, some socialist commission members did not leave the polling station, while in the days that followed many Socialists abandoned their party. The withdrawal became widespread, which is a warning of tremors within a political formation. For several days, the Socialists have been preparing intensively to get their constituency used to the atmosphere of defeat. Unlike on previous occasions, they do not even intend to tire them out with the idea of a grand campaign, or even remind them of what[?] as below.

At the UN General Assembly PAGE 2

Yesterday, the new National Council of the FRPD met under the direction of its Chairman, Afrim Krasniqi. The National Council of the Youth Forum convenes “Fight for every vote” – “Every young person to the polls” The new FRPD leadership is elected The new National Council of the FRPD met yesterday, chaired by its Chairman, Afrim Krasniqi. In his opening remarks, Chairman Krasniqi congratulated the new members of the Council on their election and promised fruitful cooperation during the two-year term. Describing the elections of 20 October as very important for the Democratic Party and the Forum, Krasniqi called for the maximum commitment of all FRPD structures to fulfil the obligations set by the FRPD’s Fourth National Congress. These will be the slogans underpinning all local electoral activity by FRPD branches and their activities. “Our goal,” it was emphasized at the meeting, “is not only the active participation of all young people in all structures in the electoral process, but also their work with their families to secure a unanimous vote, as on 26 May, for progress and the candidates of the PDSH.” The need to continue work on youth activities was highlighted, returning once again to “Vision 2000” in a more modern and youth-oriented form. Other youth activities will also continue, with the aim of engaging young people and channeling their diverse interests into their electoral involvement. Each FRPD branch will organize meetings between candidates for Mayor and Commune Head and young activists and supporters. Next, the National Council nominated and elected by secret ballot the new leadership of the PDSH Youth Forum, consisting of 24 members, namely: 1. Agim Paliaku 2. Ilirian Peco 3. Nora Prozhmi 4. Lorenc Ligori 5. Flamur Shkoza 6. Besnik Lulaj 7. Kolin Gjoja 8. Bislim Ahmetaj 9. Klodian Pajuni 10. Myslim Murri 11. Ilva Zajmi 12. Gjergji Dako 13. Ardi Haci 14. Dritan Nasi 15. Ada Hyso 16. Dritan Osmani 17. Agim Ymeri 18. Ejvis Grezda 19. Gent Strazimiri 20. Bledar Islami 21. Sonila Tomorri 22. Altin Qoshja 23. Erald Bakalli 24. Shpend Jeshnica All members of the leadership are university graduates; 8 of them are continuing their higher education. At its first meeting, the FRPD leadership elected Mr. Agim Parr[?]kalli as Secretary General, Ms. Nora Prozhmi as Secretary for International Relations, and Mr. Ilirian Peco as Organizational Secretary. KLOTILDA FERHAT

Xhorxh Kasidakis, official responsible for the Partnership for Peace for the Balkan countries, says Xhorxh Kasidakis, official responsible for the Partnership for Peace for the Balkan countries, told Radio Deutsche Welle: “It seems that Albania is one of the first countries to have passed the initial stage of the Partnership for Peace and advanced to individual dialogue for this organization, and this is largely thanks to the Albanian leadership itself. The member states of the North Atlantic Alliance will mobilize to move forward the first countries that will begin talks on NATO membership. “Albania is making great strides toward active participation in NATO’s Partnership for Peace program. It is becoming increasingly involved and interested in intensive individual dialogue within our organization, and we hope that in 1997 it will have the chance to play an even more significant role in this alliance. “It has not yet been determined who will join first or when the talks will begin. However, it is known that they will start after the meeting of the heads of state of the member countries in the summer of next year. In the first round of talks, the number of countries invited will be very small[?]. Membership will be granted with political criteria foremost in mind; that is, countries with consolidated democracies and those that have become increasingly integrated into the Partnership for Peace program will be included. Good-neighborly relations, as well as each country’s ability to meet the duties and responsibilities arising from such membership, are also important criteria for future membership in this organization. “I truly see no major reason that could prevent Albania from potentially joining NATO. The only problem, as I said, is that NATO enlargement will take place in small groups. It is not possible to include 27 countries all at once in one group. Among the first countries to join as the Alliance expands, I do not know[?] whether Albania will be in the first group of countries to join in the Alliance’s enlargement. So I can say that Albania has many points in its favor.”

Interview Lord Finsberg gave to Radio Deutsche Welle — What are your impressions of the political situation in Albania following your most recent visit there? — My impressions were favorable. We had very useful discussions with several sections of Albanian political life—with the President, the Socialists, the party and others. The ministers and I were saying that I came with a genuine desire for you to make every effort to ensure that the 2 October elections are free and fair and to ... PAGE 3

The spokesperson for the Permanent Central Election Commission refutes today’s article in the newspaper Shqiptare entitled “The Berisha Commission on the Campaign Trail.” According to the article, opposition party representatives, including the SP, PSD and PAU, opposed the majority. It should be stated that this is inaccurate, since the representative of the Agrarian Party, Mr. Fatmir Xhamallari, voted in favor of the loss. Yesterday, the Permanent Central Election Commission responded to the SP’s complaint. In this response, by a vote of 6 to 1, the commission deemed the participation of senior state officials—the President and the Prime Minister—in the election campaign constitutional.