Today at 17:30 in “Skënderbej” Square At the concert: stars of light music Manjola Nallbani, Mira Konçi, Gili, Aleksandër Gjoka, Luan Zhegu, Ledina Çela, Elton Deda, Elita 5, Redon Makashi, Aurela Gaçe, Ritfolk, Agron Berisha, Mihrije Braha.

President Berisha addresses messages to the electorate and political forces Berisha invited all political forces, their voters, their candidates and commissioners to mobilize and commit all their potential to a transparent electoral process, to an exemplary electoral process, so that we may prove to ourselves, to Europe and to the whole world that our dignity lies in the free vote, that our dignity lies in our freedoms, and that on October 20 we will defend the free vote, vote freely and vote for the dignity of Albania. President Berisha chose Vlora yesterday, one of the centers of the Albanian movement, to send his messages about free elections and democracy. He called for an exemplary electoral process on October 20, addressing the Albanian electorate and political forces. The President appealed to voters, especially the 250,000 young people voting for the first time, to take part in voting to elect local-government bodies, so that they could make their important contribution to democratic processes. The free vote of all Albanians, Berisha said before thousands upon thousands of people from Vlora and Fier, will preserve the democratic dignity being built in Albania. Berisha: Let us turn October 20 into a celebration of Albanian democracy Yesterday, President Berisha called on the Albanian electorate to take part in the local elections on October 20 and conveyed messages of tolerance in local elections and democracy. Berisha urged those gathered to unite around the values of democracy. Speaking to volunteers in Flag Square, which he described as the square of freedom and the nation, a square belonging to all Albanians who cannot vote, he spoke of our democratic culture, of hospitality toward one another, and of deep respect for the free vote and its values. “I call on all voters to rise, on October 20, to the height of our civic and patriotic responsibility, to all take part in voting and choose the best and most honest candidates, and to vote for the best alternative. I particularly urge young Albanians—around one hundred thousand of whom will vote for local-government officials for the first time—to take part in voting, because with their free vote they will give powerful support to Albanian democracy, give it a major push forward, and strongly support Albania.” President Berisha invited all political forces, their voters, vote freely and vote for the dignity of Albania. “Unlike the peoples of many other former communist countries,” Berisha continued, “we voted once and for all for our future, for our country’s place in Europe.” For President Berisha, a political boycott is the right of every political force, but boycotting the counting of votes is trampling on the vote, the trust, the ideal and the hope of those who, for four years, have waited and welcomed others with generosity, well-being and respect. It is an act that is not only immoral, but also unprecedented in the entire history of civilized Europe. President Berisha then called on the Vlora electorate to live up to the ideals Albanians have built here in this square, beneath this flag, and to rise to the level of our future. Introducing the Democratic Party’s candidate for mayor, Mr. Gëzim Zilja, Berisha assured those present that he would have the support of the government, parliament and the DP in all efforts to resolve the city’s problems as well as and as efficiently as possible. “Together, we must transform Vlora into one of Albania’s strongest centers for tourism development, business and education, with infrastructure, urban planning, telecommunications, and water and electricity supplies fully meeting your needs.” At yesterday’s rally, the DP chairman, Tritan Shehu, also spoke. Among other things, he noted that DP candidates at every level of local government, with the strong support of the democratic electorate, would know how to develop Vlora, give it the place it deserves and raise it to the levels required of Vlora in the 2000s.

Yesterday, President Berisha expressed his gratitude to the thousands upon thousands of citizens of Fier attending an election rally for the support this city has given the DP’s platform over the past four years, remaining the cradle of Albanian democracy. Berisha chose Fier, one of the cities where the nationwide movement for freedom and democracy was born, to call on the Albanian electorate to vote calmly and freely on October 20, in keeping with the high ideals of democracy. “Let us choose the best platform and candidates to govern us,” Berisha added. President Berisha called on all Albanian political forces, and all Albanians, to turn October 20 into democracy’s great celebration, a powerful demonstration of our democratic culture, tolerance and mutual understanding. “Let us make the October 20 elections,” he continued, “exemplary elections marked by transparency and Albanian civic culture.” Introducing the DP candidate for mayor of the city of Fier, Berisha said that Agron Mile, who comes from one of the most distinguished Albanian families, would represent your city and the DP in local government with dignity. Berisha assured citizens that the future Democratic mayor of the Municipality of Fier would have his strong support, as well as that of the government and parliament, in resolving citizens’ problems. Berisha promised that Fier would become one of the country’s most important development centers, a major investment center, a major market center, and a major center for production and tourism. With your free vote, the DP aims to urbanize Fier, resolve all problems relating to a reliable supply of drinking water and electricity, and sewerage; improve the quality of education and healthcare; help with employment and housing; enforce the law; and strengthen public order and security, so that the lives, property and activities of citizens are as safe as possible. On May 26, President Berisha said, Albanians made history by turning away from communism and voted for Albania’s rapid integration into the West. On this historic day, Berisha emphasized. Continued on page 3

Interview with Albert Brojka, candidate for mayor of Tirana Tirana 2000 free people, free initiative, a modern city PAGE 4

FIER; Photo: A DHIMËR

Berisha invited all political forces, their voters, their candidates and commissioners to mobilize and commit all their potential to a transparent electoral process, to an exemplary electoral process, so that we may prove to ourselves, to Europe and to the whole world that our dignity lies in the free vote, that our dignity lies in our freedoms, and that on October 20 we will defend the free vote, vote freely and vote for the dignity of Albania.

Meetings of DP chairman Mr. Tritan Shehu in seven municipalities of Fier Albanians cannot vote for gangs of criminals The DP will promote credit lines for the development of small-scale industry in rural areas PAGE 2