Minister Shehu in the USA Minister Shehu said that with the latest parliamentary elections, the Albanian people put an end to communism in Albania forever. The minister noted that our relations with the United States of America are very good and that both sides are committed to strengthening them PAGE 3

Let us win together The Presidency responds to the Socialist Party’s complaint concerning the implementation by the Minister of Finance of the legal provision on state funding for political parties’ electoral campaigns. The elections of 20 October are yet another reaffirmation by Albanians of a shared victory. Just as they won on 26 May, once again there is the opportunity and the conditions, as well as the vision for Albania’s future and development, to bring about a democratic outcome in the local elections. A democratic outcome means that the Democratic Party and its candidates win at every level of the contest, so that the local authorities can enjoy four years of prosperity and well-being. The DP’s local programs are filled with people’s interests. Their interests are so tangible in these programs that implementing them is essential. They are not ideological interests like those offered by the Socialists and any other left-wing party, nor are they mere campaign propaganda. Over the past four years, the Democratic Party’s local administration has shown its representatives’ commitment to achieving a successful transition with as few losses as possible. Likewise, anyone can examine the differences between Socialist-led municipalities and communes and those led by Democrats. Where the Socialists have governed, what has been achieved is not people’s interests or economic reform, but corruption and ... Regarding the complaint addressed by the Socialist Party to the President of the Republic, we note that Article 49 of Law No. 7573, dated 16.06.1996, “On elections to local government bodies,” as amended by Law No. 8151, dated 12.09.1996, “On amendments to bodies,’” which sets out how the state finances political parties’ electoral campaigns for elections to local bodies, has adopted a mechanism for distributing budget funds in two stages and on the basis of two measurable and verifiable criteria. At the stage of preparing and conducting the electoral campaign, political parties receive a sum. This electoral contest is being held for the first time, and the parties do not receive funding under paragraph 3 of Article 49, which states: “The Council of Ministers shall allocate a sum of money as an advance to parties that, in the last local government elections, won more than 1% of the votes for the district council. If, even after the elections, the state does not cover at least part of these parties’ electoral expenses, this would run counter to the essence of this article, which, while enshrining the right to receive state funds, also enshrines the principle of equality among electoral subjects and respect for their political strength—principles affirmed in legislation and political tradition. In proportion to the percentage of votes won in elections to the district council. Political parties that fail to win 2% of the votes for the district council nationwide do not benefit from this rule.” On the one hand, this solution recognizes political parties that have campaigned successfully and achieved strong results, and have therefore made effective use of advance funds; on the other hand, it protects the state treasury from possible misuse of these funds. The adoption of this criterion is undoubtedly fully consistent with the objectives and expectations of all political parties participating in the elections, which are giving this electoral campaign the seriousness and importance it deserves. In view of the foregoing … the election of in two stages and on the basis of measurable and verifiable criteria. At the stage of setting and conducting the election campaign, political parties receive an amount set by the Council of Ministers and distributed to them on the basis of the results achieved in the most recent elections for district councils. All parties that received in those elections receive a share of this amount. Setting this low percentage makes funding available to a broad range of electoral subjects and provides real assistance in meeting their election expenses. This rule was established in accordance with the agreement reached at the meeting that the President of the Republic held with the political parties, and best meets the need for state funding of the election campaigns of parties that took part in the most recent local government elections. On the other hand, these elections are also contested by parties that enter the elections for district councils. All parties that received For this reason, the relevant article establishes the rule for distributing the funds that the Government allocates to political parties, based on the results they achieved in elections for district councils. The distribution of funds allocated as an advance is also made on this basis, as stipulated in the final sentence of paragraph 3 of this article, which states: “After the elections have concluded, when political parties that have received sums fail to meet the conditions of the preceding paragraph, they are required to return the sums given to them in advance or the excess portions of those sums.” This fulfills the requirements of paragraph 2 of Article 49, which states: “The amount allocated from the state budget to political parties participating in local government elections shall be given to those parties…” On the basis of this criterion, the full percentage was set in line in the elections, which are treating this election campaign with the seriousness and importance it deserves. In light of the above provision, the conclusion is that the actions of the Government, and specifically of the Minister of Finance, in implementing Article 49 of the law “On the Election of Local Government Bodies” are fully consistent with the relevant law, with the spirit and principles set out in this article, and with the agreement reached with the political parties. Taking into consideration the opinion presented in this complaint by the Socialist Party, notwithstanding its inaccurate interpretation of the legal provisions and the strategy for whose purposes it was drawn up, the President of the Republic, with complete confidence in the legal and institutional channels that guarantee the protection of the legitimate rights of electoral subjects, once again expresses the unwavering will of the Albanian state to guarantee free and democratic elections.

The Speaker of the People’s Assembly, Arbnori, received the EC delegation led by Karl Aren... The Speaker of the People’s Assembly, Arbnori, received the EC delegation led by Karl Aren You have made major changes ARENC: “I am not here as an inspector, but to help the local elections be held, as you say, freely, fairly and democratically.” PAGE 2

- The Albanian delegation that took part in the EDU’s latest meeting returns

The Albanian delegation that took part in the EDU’s latest meeting returns On 27 and 28 September, the meeting of Committee No. 5 of the European Democratic Union (EDU) was held in Seville, Spain. Delegations from the centre-right parties of France, England, Austria, Spain, Germany, Turkey, Finland, Norway, Albania and the Czech Republic took part. The meeting focused on domestic issues in the countries, organizing the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking, etc., as well as international coordination of the actions of centre-right parties to solve these problems. Albania was represented by Mr Ylli Vçevsi, Organizational Secretary of the DPA, and Mr Fatos Beja, Secretary General of the DP parliamentary group. The participation of parliamentarians from the above-mentioned countries and from the European Parliament was particularly notable. Our delegation held separate meetings with representatives of the participating parties, during which it highlighted the measures being taken in Albania to ensure the best possible organization of the 20 October elections and the DP’s preparations to win them. At these meetings, the Democratic Party’s victory in the 26 May elections was once again recognized, and readiness to observe the local elections was expressed.

Interview with Mr AFRIM KRASNIQI, chairman of the FRPD PAGE 3

Interview with Mr. Engjëll Dakli, candidate for Mayor of Elbasan PAGE 3

For the PS, October 20 is not the date of the local elections but the date of new elections within the party … the commitment of this party’s representatives to achieving a transition that is as successful and as painless as possible must have been observed. Likewise, anyone can examine the differences between socialist administration in municipalities or towns and the administration of the is not people’s interests and economic reform, but corruption and plundering, and a total loss of people’s trust in their forms of local misgovernment. There have been many cases in which state oversight has been brought in following serious scandals involving the work of socialist local officials. Indeed, higher state institutions responsible for local government have often issued orders for dismissals and suspensions, and even declarations that socialist officials should be taken to court. Some mayors have been removed from office, while others have been warned, or sections of socialist local government have been taken to court. This once again shows the regressive character of the Socialist Party’s local representatives and their personal gain at the expense of other people’s interests or of the country’s economic reform itself. Other people’s interests or the country’s economic reform itself. Other people is a new way for Albanians. Choosing the Democratic Party’s alternatives is an expression of their commitment to the development of democracy in Albania, as well as their participation in the continuation of this democracy. No Albanian should go to the ballot box without a personal balance sheet in mind. What does he gain from the socialists’ program, and what does he gain from the democratic program? A comparison of the two will quickly and certainly produce a result in favor of democracy. The benefit is the freedom to realize all his abilities, and at the same time the inspiration to advance every possibility available to the individual in every field. No one other than the Democratic Party’s program can fulfill this desire of all Albanians. It should be clear to everyone that the DP’s local program is a program that extends from the interests of the individual to the interests of the country. Such a program carries the assurance of a life assurance of well-being in governance, the assurance of achievement through democratic reform, and the assurance of prosperity.

— He is expected to hold important talks with President Berisha, Prime Minister Meksi and Minister of Defence Zhulali Zlatko Matesa was born on June 17, 1949, in Zagreb. He graduated in law from the University of Zagreb, while he completed his postgraduate studies in management at Henley - the management College in Great Britain. In 1978 he worked at the municipal court in Zagreb; from 1978 to ’90 he worked at “INA TRADE” as an assistant in the legal department. From 1980 to ’82 he was manager of this department. From 1982 to 1985 he was director of the Legal Department and the Personnel Department. From 1985 to ’89 he was director of the joint administrative service; during these years the author was a member of the management board, and its vice-president from 1989 to ’90. From 1990 to ’92 he was general manager of “INA TRADE”. During 1992–’93, Zlatko Matesa was Director of the Agency for Restructuring and Development. In April 1993 he was appointed Minister without Portfolio. In September 1995 he was appointed Minister of Economy. In November 1995 he was appointed Prime Minister of Croatia. He is a member of the Croatian Democratic Union Party. He is married and has two children. According to sources within the Prime Minister’s Office, the Croatian prime minister is expected to hold important meetings today with the Albanian prime minister, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi, and the Speaker of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori. Tomorrow, Mr. Matesa is expected to meet with the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, as well as the Minister of Defence, Safet Zhulali. As reported, the many meetings that the Croatian prime minister will hold with senior state and government officials of our country will discuss the possibility of further cooperation between the two countries. During his two-day stay in our country, the Croatian prime minister has also been scheduled for discussions concerning Albanian history and culture.

This morning at 10:00, at the Palace of Congresses (press conference hall), the Secretary General of the DPA, Mr Besnik Çobaniqecaj, will hold a press conference on the completion of the first phase of the local campaign, “Presentation of candidates for mayors,” as well as on the preparation of new DP candidates for local government positions.