Last night, a magnificent rally in “Skënderbej” Square October 20 calls on us, the Democrats of Tirana and all Albanian voters, to confirm once again with our free vote our Western affiliation, our democratic ideals, our determination to integrate Albania into Europe I invite you, citizens of Tirana and all of Albania, to call on the Albanian socialists, those whose votes were disdained and scorned by the Enverists, to join us. Good things become many times better when shared. CONCERT: PD ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN 18-10-96 6 PM “SKËNDERBEU” SQUARE

Message from President Berisha On October 20, the electorate will choose the best alternative and candidates for the local government of Albania for the next four years. October 20 is a notable event in the history of Albanian democracy. Free elections are the crowning event in the renewal and development of democracy. For us Albanians, these elections are even more important. On May 26, with our free vote, we divided history. Unlike in other times in Europe, the former communists voted in a nationwide plebiscite for our Western affiliation, for freedom and rights won, for Western friendship. Thus May 26 will remain a historic day, not because a particular political force won the elections, but because in these elections the Western alternative for Albania and the Albanians won—the alternative of consolidating the rule of law and integrating the country into Europe. On October 20, we will once again confirm most resolutely—we will determine—our commitment to consolidate democracy, to continually respect and deepen democracy, to respect and honor our friends in Europe and everywhere in the world, to value the boycott as the best weapon of Albanian democracy, to value everything that, in a plebiscitary, cultured and powerful manner, [unclear] participate in the elections and, with our free vote, [unclear] our future. Dear voters! On October 20, Albania’s democracy [unclear]. Dear voters! On October 20, with our free vote, we will elect our leaders ... [?]

[The local authorities will address] matters concerning our citizens, such as the supply of water and electricity, healthcare, education, employment, housing, environmental issues, public order and peace. So, we will indeed elect a small but very important parliament. Its members will deal directly with solving citizens’ most important problems and implementing and guaranteeing the law. The PD is entering these elections renewed, with the best candidates for local government and, consequently, for the country’s future. Brothers and sisters, on May 26 we voted more freely and more honorably, more consciously than ever in our history. On May 26, the “Red Front” imposed a red boycott of the vote count, a disgraceful act without precedent in the entire history of European democracy. They boycotted the counting of the votes to evade responsibility for the PS leadership’s distant defeat, and also to make their accusation that the votes were not properly counted seem credible. By this act, they showed Albania and Europe that they want to dismantle and undermine the democratic system. Nevertheless, they are an inseparable part of Albanian society and Albanian democracy. I invite all of you to regard October 20 as an even greater opportunity to hold an exemplary vote, with responsibility toward those being elected, for the good of freedom and its values, democracy, our dignity and future, and Albania’s dignity. On October 20, we Albanian voters will choose among many party alternatives. I invite all of you to vote for the best alternative, the PD alternative, and I also urge you not to forget that, above and beyond all these alternatives, there is another sublime alternative for us: the alternative of Albania, which calls on us to vote freely and calmly, and to fully respect one another’s votes. Long live Albania, may God bless it and its free voters.

Interview with the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Shamata, given to Radio Deutsche Welle

A. Fagu as A. Sejdia —140 thousand dollars is the sum that Agim Fagu and his partner in the tile trade, I.G., took from citizens; the sum has not been returned. —I.G. went into hiding, taking responsibility for the whole sum and hoping that A. Fagu would resolve the problem by being elected mayor. PAGE 4

Albania will always have the blue color of freedom, of dreams directed toward the West PAGE 2