Prime Minister Meksi meets with trade unionists PAGE 2 Prime Minister Meksi meets with trade unionists Transparency and understanding Kalaja congratulated the government, and Prime Minister Meksi in particular, on carrying out the reforms and on the care shown toward the miners PAGE 2

Memorandum from a group of Socialist Party leaders Draft resolution 1. To convene the Extraordinary Congress of the PSSH during February 1997, in accordance with paragraph 7, point 7.2, of the PSSH Statute. 2. Agenda: a. Political report on the topic: “Overcoming the current crisis in the PSSH and avoiding it becoming a strong, constructive opposition” b. Discussions c. Amendments to the program d. Amendments to the statute e. Election of the governing bodies of the PSSH f. Approval of the Congress resolutions 3. To direct the activities of the PSSH until the Extraordinary Congress, a 17-member Preparatory Commission shall be elected by secret ballot by the PSSH General Governing Committee. 4. All district conferences shall be held during January to elect delegates in accordance with the statute. 5. All other actions relating to the organization of the Extraordinary Congress shall be carried out on the basis of the statutory rules. This memorandum is to be made known to all members of the PSSH. Yesterday’s meeting of the Socialist Party’s General Governing Committee was convened following a memorandum drafted by 20 people. The memorandum calls for an Extraordinary Congress to be held during February 1997 and for a change in the leadership of the Socialist Party, the election of its new governing bodies, and amendments to its program and statute. It also sets out a plan for preparing the Congress, to be organized through district conferences held during January, and calls for the immediate resignation of the Socialist Party leadership, to be replaced by a 17-member Preparatory Commission. The memorandum was read by Socialist Party (PS) Governing Committee member Erion Braçe and was subsequently supported during the discussions by members of the PS leadership as well. On page 3, you will read the full text of the Memorandum.

as well. Building and vehicles in front of it.

Small parties participating in the elections The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, waived the financial obligations of political parties participating in the elections by Decree No. 1675, dated 24.12.1996. Under the laws “On the Election of Members of the People’s Assembly” and “On Elections to Local Government Bodies,” the Government allocated funds from the state budget to political parties for this year’s election campaigns. Furthermore, under these laws, specifically Articles 58 and 49, political parties that did not obtain more than 3 percent of the votes across all electoral zones in which they ran for parliament and more than 1% of the votes for the district council are required to repay the funded amounts to the state budget. To consolidate the spectrum of political pluralism in Albania and to facilitate the activities of political parties that were unable to reach the aforementioned percentages, the President of the Republic decreed the waiver of these parties’ financial obligations.

Cosmic visitors arrive in Albania Two fiery objects in the form of a blazing comet moved in a zigzag trajectory for around 10 minutes above the surface of the sea PAGE 2

Peace and love reign among us SHKODËR: President Berisha sent his wishes to the Catholic faithful on the occasion of Christmas The Albanian clergy: a testament to faith in God and the nation TIRANA - The Orthodox and Catholic faithful of Tirana joyfully celebrated Christmas, eagerly awaiting the birth of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. The message of Christ, emphasized at the ceremonies organized for the occasion by His Excellency, the Archbishop of the Diocese of Tirana-Durrës, Monsignor Rrok Mirdita, and Archbishop Anastas Janullatos, comes today as more than a message of courage: a message of hope, a message of renewal, for all the monks of life, a support for all those people who lost faith, to be reborn and become optimistic about life. On the occasion of Christmas, the day before yesterday, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, visited the Archdiocese of Shkodër. Monsignor Frano Illia, welcoming the President, expressed his particular pleasure at this much-awaited visit on such a significant day for the Catholic faithful. President Berisha, on this occasion wishing all Albanian Catholic faithful well, said that they came to this day with a great sense of pride, not only for their valuable contribution to the history of civilization, but also for their resistance and great sacrifices in defending the values of this era, up to the fall of our civilization. Berisha said that the sacrifices, suffering and martyrdom of the Albanian clergy and, in particular, the Catholic clergy, are also a great contribution and testimony to their unwavering faith in God and the nation. He expressed the support and backing of the Albanian state, highlighting the great contribution of Albanian clergy to the emergence of national values after the democratic processes. He said that great progress had been made in the development of the country over the past four years, to which the clergy had also made a major contribution. Archbishop Frano Illia said that Albanians are celebrating Christmas this year better than any other year, thanks to the great achievements of democracy over these past years. We, he emphasized, are working to spread religion in Albania, where it was trampled underfoot by the communist system for 50 years. SHKODËR—Hundreds of Muslim believers went to the homes of Catholics to wish them a Merry Christmas. This is the day when, across the face of this culturally rich city, among all its residents, the sacred thought resonates that the religion of the Albanian is Albanianism. PRISHTINË—Christmas in Kosovo was celebrated peacefully, with greetings exchanged in homes, with the ritual of the generous Yule log, and in all Catholic churches with Masses commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ and cultural and artistic programs. The Albanian Catholic churches at the seat of the Diocese of Kosovo in Prizren, in Prishtinë, Gjakovë, Ferizaj and everywhere in Kosovo, as well as their courtyards and the squares in front of them, were last night full of Albanians, Catholic believers and people of other faiths, celebrating and exchanging greetings together. On Christmas Day, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, visited the home of Cardinal Mikel Koliqi, where he presented him, on behalf of [the state], with the High Order “Honor of the Nation,” awarded several days earlier. Speaking about the figure of the first Albanian Cardinal, Berisha said that he had done much for Shkodër, for Albania and Albanians, and through his overall contribution had become a living example of the noblest, purest, most steadfast and most fervent resistance in his faith in what is right. With his work, Berisha said, he has honored every Albanian believer. He described Koliqi as one of the most distinguished figures of the Albanian nation. The relatives of Cardinal Koliqi, who has been confined for sixteen years in the Presid… [unclear] residence, thanked President Berisha for the personal interest he had shown in Cardinal Koliqi. Afterward, Berisha presented the relatives with the High Order “Honor of the Nation,” with the following citation: “Mikel Koliqi is the first Cardinal, the leader of the Albanian Catholic Church, a living martyr of the Albanian nation and of Christianity as a whole, who, through his half-century of suffering and sacrifices in the prisons of the dictatorship, embodies resistance and faith in humanity, with divine and national values, honoring before God and humanity his family, the clergy, the nation, Albania and our homeland.” President Berisha at the home of Cardinal Koliqi

PAGE 2 The approval of the new legislative package on crime and corruption also marked an advance by the Democratic Party in carrying out its program. After 50 years of prolonged isolation, Albanian society confronted several phenomena that had not been so familiar or widespread in an isolated society. With its program, which was decisively endorsed by the Albanian electorate in the last two elections, the Democratic Party aims not only for rapid growth of the Albanian economy, but also for a secure life for Albanian citizens. The DP’s members of parliament are convinced that its program can be implemented, that the representatives’ strength will make it possible, and that they will do everything to ensure the law guarantees citizens’ lives. The new legislative package, passed in parliament in recent days, considerably narrows the scope created by the old law between the minimum and maximum sentences, making clear to people who embark on a life of crime that they will receive the punishment they deserve. In many cases, the wide sentencing ranges in the old law had caused problems in issuing different verdicts for people who had committed serious crimes. The imposition of unequal sentences undermined people’s equality before the law. The new amendments made in this legislative package were described by numerous members of parliament as the beginning of the fight against corruption and crime. These changes were welcomed by Albanian society as a whole. Today, the heads of the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office and the Court of Cassation gave their opinions to the RD newspaper.

Please be advised that the date of the press conference of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tritan Shehu, has been changed. We confirm that Mr. Tritan Shehu’s press conference will take place on Saturday, 28 December, at 11:00, at the Palace of Congresses.

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