Press conference by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tritan Shehu “We too are concerned about the May 26 elections. These elections were marred by irregularities. There is no greater infringement than the Communists’ boycott of these elections. The State Department is undoubtedly concerned about this, because boycotting the elections and the voting commissions three hours before the votes are counted undoubtedly compromises the elections. No democratic force anywhere in the world could fail to be concerned, and we too are concerned.” PAGE

Berisha and Shehu in Shijak

The Socialists are urging Albanians to vote for them, claiming that all the problems people face will be solved only through socialist methods, such as welfare assistance, creating jobs by lowering market prices, or de-privatizing all privatized assets. The Socialists have not forgotten to remind Albanian citizens that they will be very attentive to all the problems and concerns that may arise in this big world: their program even includes protection against AIDS and other diseases known for their spread, whether through local socialist or democratic programs. The widespread rejection by the people, as well as the direct economic and social terms used by the Socialists, have not spared these failed political elements the symptoms of their pursuit of power, even by irrational methods. The scientist Mejdani will not forget to use the laws of solid-body physics in his discussions to arrive at political conclusions about Socialist victories. In an election campaign, one may overuse vocabulary to a certain extent, but never to the point of mocking one’s electorate by telling them things that do not represent their typical aspirations. It is not known exactly how many PS supporters may suffer from this disease, but there are certainly not so many as to compel PS leaders to declare that they will eradicate this disease wherever the Socialists are.

Berisha said that the Democrats’ victory on October 20 would be a decisive step following the historic victory of May 26 and would consolidate democracy in Albania.

President Berisha received Ms. Michaela Ge... GEIGER: “We are pleased with the level of friendship and cooperation in the military field, which best reflects the cooperation between our two countries in all areas. The “Mati” exercise is a symbol of this friendship and cooperation between the two peoples ... We admire you and value you for everything you have achieved on the path of reform, and we assure you that you have our support for your efforts as well.” The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, received the Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Defence, Ms Michaela Geiger. “I am pleased by your visit to Albania and, on this occasion, I warmly convey my greetings to Chancellor Kohl and the Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Volker Rühe.” “‘Mati’ is an important chapter in the cooperative relations that today link our two countries and our peoples,” President Berisha told Ms Mikaela Geiger, at yesterday’s meeting at the Presidency. “This is also support and encouragement for Albania on its path towards integration into NATO and the European Union. Alongside cooperation in all other fields, the important cooperation with Germany in the military field has been very important to us in reforming the Albanian army,” President Berisha said, “and I can say with pleasure that it is high-quality cooperation concerning military education, the Partnership for Peace and many other aspects of this field.” After conveying to President Berisha the warm greetings of Defence Minister Ruhe, Parliamentary Secretary Geiger said: our two countries in all fields. ‘Mati’ is a beautiful symbol of friendship and cooperation between our two peoples. We admire and appreciate reform, and assure you that you have our support in your efforts.”

Press conference by Mr. Klaus Jurgen Hedrich will eradicate this disease wherever the Socialists gather. The crisis of a party and its extreme lack of alternatives, as in the case of the PS, opens up endless avenues for misunderstanding with the electorate and with the problems that may concern it. The same is true of the declaration by the candidate in a tank top for the Tirana municipality, who says that he will turn all of Tirana’s kiosks into supermarkets, even though he has stated that there are 8,000 of them in Tirana. The whole of Albania—and naturally its capital—does not need that many supermarkets. Perhaps Tirana is not facing any shortages in the market or any lack of places where goods can be sold. The citizens of Tirana are left to consider that, besides all their other troubles, they must also decide how to get rid of the PS candidate for mayor as quickly and decisively as possible. The Socialists’ carelessness in using electoral jargon in their pre-election statements suggests either that they are preparing to boycott again or that they have lost touch with the problems of Albanians—which, of course, are not the problems of the few Socialists who lead the PS. Their absence from Parliament may seem brief, but in politics even one day of absence is very costly. With only two weeks remaining before the local elections, there is very little time for the Socialists to rid themselves at least of the “old men’s complex.” Militants or uncouth people have threatened TV journalists with knives, because—I do not know to what extent—[?] they are close to them. The absurdity is that, for the most part, they think it is necessary to decide by vote how close to power the Socialists may remain, when their only connection to today’s Albanian society is their physical presence within it, and nothing more. Socialist systems have failed. We would regret it if the opposition leader in Albania boycotted the local elections. Whoever boycotts these elections will lead and complain about the result of the elections,” declared German politician Hedrich. PAGE 2

Yesterday, the Democrats set out for Shijak for a grand election-campaign rally. election-campaign rally. The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, and the chairman of the DP, Tritan Shehu, were welcomed yesterday by thousands of residents of Shijak, many kilometres from the town. A procession of vehicles bearing DP flags accompanied President Berisha and DP chairman Shehu to Shijak for their meeting with the electorate. “On October 20 we will confirm democracy’s greatest victory in Albania,” President Berisha stressed in his greeting to the thousands of residents who had filled the town’s main square. Berisha said that Shijak was one of the DP’s strongest bastions and expressed his conviction that, as on previous occasions, Shijak would vote for the DP. “The Democrats’ victory on October 20,” Berisha said, “will 26 and will consolidate democracy in Albania.” “The DP’s victory on October 20 will be a great achievement on the road to democracy and the year 2000, on the road to Europe, prosperity and well-being.” President Berisha said that the October 20 vote represented our great commitment and dedication to the values of democracy, the achievements made together over the past four years, and the fulfilment of the hopes of all Albanians. Berisha described the Democrats’ victory on May 26 as a break with the past and said he was convinced that the DP’s victory on October 20 would confirm democracy’s greatest victory in Albania. “Albania will vote for DP candidates in the October 20 elections, and by voting for the DP it will vote for its future,” Berisha stressed. Explaining the DP’s platform, Berisha said that it focused on resolving the main issues that concern individuals in Albania today and addressing fundamental problems inherited from the past. “Our platform,” Berisha stressed, “is based on improving welfare, education, urbanization, and the comprehensive development of Shijak and all Albania.” Berisha sees the October 20 elections as a demonstration of the democratic culture of Albanians, intended to convince anyone skeptical who has doubted its existence. Addressing Shijak’s Socialist electorate, he urged them, convinced of the genuine alternative of European social democracy, to abandon those who did not deign to count the votes on May 26. President Berisha identified transforming Shijak into one of the country’s major centres of development and creating local government for the people of Shijak that would be close to them in solving their problems as DP objectives for the next four years. With a Democratic victory in Shijak on October 20, Berisha promised solutions to infrastructure problems, tourism, water and electricity supplies, attracting investment in the food industry, and strong government support to carry out the promised projects. President Berisha invited Shijak voters to vote for the DP candidates and its candidate for mayor, Mehmet Rakipi. For DP chairman Shehu, a vote for the DP is a vote for the best program and alternative for development and free enterprise. “Our victory is a challenge to darkness; it is democracy’s victory over the past,” Shehu stressed. The DP leader expressed his conviction that on October 20 the people of Shijak would vote for the DP and its candidates. “You will vote for those who are closest to you,” Shehu said, “for dedicated people who will know how to improve local government considerably.” The DP chairman said Albanians would say “No” on October 20 to the alternatives of the far left, which is seeking to come to power by undemocratic methods and intends to use the strategy of a boycott. The Democrats’ [rally?] concluded in the typical style of the DP’s recent election campaigns, with shows featuring the country’s best artists and artists from beyond its borders. BLEDI KASMI Berisha said that the Democrats’ victory on October 20 would be a decisive step following the historic victory of May 26 and would consolidate democracy in Albania. Yesterday, the Democrats set out for Shijak for a grand election-campaign rally ... [the] main concerns of individuals in Albania today and the resolution of the fundamental problems inherited from the past, as well as strong support from the government to carry out the promised projects.

Peace's victory over the aggressor The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, sent a congratulatory telegram to the President of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegoviç, on the occasion of the victory over the aggressor of the joint Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in which, among other things, he wrote: “The beginning of the presidency you head and of the Federation’s parliament is a victory of peace over the aggressor, of hope, of the future and of the finest tradition of coexistence among the peoples of Bosnia, which nationalism with a barbarian sought to put an end to. The sacrifices and martyrdom of a quarter of a million innocent people, with thousands more [wording unclear] for the peoples of the Balkans, for respect, understanding and cooperation with one another.”

Mass polio vaccination begins -A mass polio vaccination campaign will begin on Monday in Albania following the arrival at the port of Durrës of 3.4 million vaccine doses, UNICEF announced yesterday in Geneva.

The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, received the Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Defence, Ms Michaela Geiger.

Brojka meets voters in zone 46 Meeting between Brojka and voters in electoral zone 46 Tirana: PD is confident of victory