President Berisha in Belsh, Shalës, Cërrik, Shtërmen, Gjergjan, Bradashesh, Pajovë, Peqin, Rrogozhinë and Manëz Autumn of falling leaves in the PS When one of the PS’s leading figures held an electoral meeting with the same people in an area no larger than twenty square metres—in other words, in one of the PS branch offices in this district—it became clear that this time the electoral candidacy was much weaker than ever before. The other socialists inside that office that day had certainly understood this perfectly well too. If the meeting were to be held again, the number of participants would be even lower. The great decline had taken place before the local-election campaign began. It had already been determined during the parliamentary-election campaign. The 20 October elections were merely an opportunity to reinforce this process, which starts with the departure of the electorate, the members and ordinary people, and then those higher up, until the party is reduced to two or three leadership groups—otherwise known as the clans remaining from a political party that has been carbonized. Ordinary socialists feel en masse the necessity of breaking away from this party. An election campaign is a very effective occasion to express this, when there is a need to assess the forces supporting a party. All the policies pursued by the DP have served people’s interests, and this is precisely why. The alternatives it has put forward have been perfectly absorbed by people, and each of them has felt the need to bring these alternatives into the open by supporting a party that can be a political party. The socialists’ choice is precisely because of the rejection of the Democratic and Socialist alternatives. The victory of the Democratic alternative, the DP’s alternative, is undoubtedly felt in this contest against the Socialist alternatives, the clan-based system of ... This is also the party’s path to destruction. Clan-based politics is the final stage in the political destruction and disintegration of the PS and all its organizational components. The boycott of the 26 May elections was the clearest sign of the socialists’ great destructiveness. Everything that may happen later is only the consequence of the historical need for this party’s destruction. The socialists find themselves in this unclear campaign, just as they themselves are chosen to win the electoral battle or to ... The turmoil within the party has caused them to ... in this campaign. Thus Sheshi, the ... faction of the socialists of this city ... wants to vote for the Socialist candidate for mayor. Only in order to vote for the anti-... clan will they vote for him. This is the way this party organizes its election campaign, or the way it meets its electoral death.

Belsh: The democratic front is the locomotive driving Albania towards Europe In Belsh-Qendër, President of the Republic Sali Berisha, speaking on Sunday morning before residents gathered in the square of the newly renovated general secondary school, said: “On 26 May and 16 June, you stood up with dignity for yourselves, for Belsh and for Albania, at every moment when the Albanian Stalinists committed the most shameful act, breaking away from the votes and declarations they had made for clan interests. I call on the socialists of Belsh,” Berisha said, “and the socialists of all Durrës and of all Albania to join the Democratic Party on 20 October, because 20 October is a test of great patriotism, of our ...; it is a test of understanding. United in our vote,” Berisha underlined, “we are united in understanding, outlook and purpose.” Interrupted several times by the crowd’s enthusiasm, Berisha affirmed that the events and people connected with the Democratic Party on 26 May have not been forgotten, and that we will work together with all supporters of the Democratic Party in local government to improve your well-being, which is linked to improvements in infrastructure, clothing, water supply and education. Introducing the candidates for mayor, the finance economist Xhevahir Halili, Berisha expressed his confidence that he would dedicate himself to prosperity, order, tranquillity and urban development, with the sole aim of making the municipality of Belsh a thriving municipality. Having recently been declared a municipality by a Council of Ministers decision, Belsh has been promised, among other things, the implementation over the coming year of a programme to develop economic activity and housing conditions. “Today, join us, because we will never betray their vote. We take their vote as a message of trust and appreciation, and of openness towards us and Albania. What matters to you is that, in these remaining days, we turn them into a dialogue and develop democratic culture to counter the Stalinist boycott.” Those present applauded the introduction of the candidate for commune head, the physician Kamber Balla, for whom Berisha had the highest praise, promising the residents of Shalës that their future head, Mr Kamber Balla, would always be close to their hardships and problems. Berisha stressed that today every community has its best intellectuals, its most capable and dedicated people. It is not that we did not have them before, but they are now among the objectives of the DP’s growth and its high-quality programme, whose essence lies in the great achievements of these four years. Your candidate is one such person. With our support and his dedication, Shalës over the next four years will be Shalës of ... and free property. Cërrik: The candidacy of a woman, a mother and a sister embodies the DP’s programme Greeting Cërrik, a supporter of the DP and among its founders, as well as of the free vote on 26 May, Berisha stressed: “I am here with particular pleasure and pride when I see your commitment and devotion to continuing along the road of democracy without stopping. Today I am here to introduce the DP candidate for mayor, Ms Mishelina Xhelo. Mrs Mishelina,” the President said, “embodies the finest qualities of the Albanian woman, mother and daughter. I assure you that in your mayor you will have a devoted, worthy and honest person who will address your hardships and problems. You will have a lady who, with her dedication, will work among you and alongside you.” This clearly demonstrates the values of the Albanian family, and I admire ... Mr Metni for ... President Berisha assured Cërrik that it would receive support. Mishelina, as well as ... and infrastructure and social problems, etc. Cërrik will receive strong support from the Government and Parliament in resolving the problems troubling the voters of this city. He invited all Cërrik residents to vote for Mayor Mishelina. The candidate for mayor, Mishelina Xhelo, promised that Cërrik in the year 2000 would have a ... appearance ...

President Berisha received the new Ambassador of Turkey to Albania, Mr Okçun Yesterday the President of the Republic, Mr Sali Berisha, received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkey to the Republic of Albania, Mr Ahmet Okçun, who presented his credentials. At the meeting, the President emphasized the friendship between our two peoples and the excellent relations that exist between Albania and Turkey in all fields. The President noted their rapid development over recent years and the results of political, economic, military and other cooperation with Turkey. Ambassador Okçun considered his appointment to Albania a privilege, praised the major changes Albania is making, and noted the many opportunities for expanding cooperation between the two countries and peoples, as well as for Turkish investment in Albania. “Your country,” he said, “is a suitable gateway to Europe.” Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Arian Starova was also present at the ceremony. The Ambassador was accompanied by diplomats from the Turkish Embassy in Tirana.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prof. Dr Tritan Shehu presented the high distinction “Torchbearer of Democracy,” awarded by President of the Republic Sali Berisha, to 37 miners from Bërgova who, during the hunger strike of May–June 1991, contributed to the fall of the Nano government. Citing their “performance of the sublime act of a hunger strike and their contribution to the overthrow of the dictatorial regime,” President Berisha decorated them with the high distinction. According to the participants, they spent 8 days in the galleries of Bërgova, in extremely low temperatures and at 98% ... . Valter Maleli, one of the former strike leaders, said that it had been granted ... after many efforts, and expressed his appreciation for 28 May 1991 ... he was in one of the Alarup galleries, trying to get out of there on 8 June ... the strike had achieved its goal. Deputy Prime Minister Shehu, conveying President Berisha’s message, said in his speech that courage, wisdom and a great ideal had been needed to accomplish their deed, at a time when Albania was on the brink of catastrophe and no one knew what the events would bring. Shehu thanked the miners who sided with democracy in its early days. OUR CORRESPONDENT

The Democratic Party aims to further develop autonomy and Local Democracy PAGE 3

A spectacular return after a flawless operation PAGE 5 … the municipality, together with four precious icons and other relics of exceptional value.

Successful meetings of DP chairman Shehu in Pogradec and Korçë Democrats are paving the road to victory CDU representative Shvarc supports the DP PAGE 2

From yesterday’s government meeting PAGE 2

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