Speech by President Berisha at the enlarged National Council of the Democratic Party The government must ensure, through a special commission, the punishment of the instigators and all participants in the uprising of the communist vanguard against our freedom, property and democracy. This year will also be the year in which private property will be enshrined in a series of laws, clearly defining landowners as those from whom it is taken without their consent in the name of the public interest, owners of forests, pastures and meadows, owners of land with private constructions, and unequivocally defining property rights over movable and immovable assets. Dear friends and comrades, We have the new democratic state that has been built in these years, and the reformers — the reformers are us. First of all, we are the ones who safeguarded the victory and did not allow it to turn into defeat. In September 1991, 17 percent more voters came to vote than in March. This was because the majority of those voting for the first time came to vote. They were aged 22-29. Secondly, we are the reformers because we agreed that, in the conditions in which we found ourselves, we had to carry out rapid and powerful reforms, difficult and painful reforms. So today, for the entire infrastructure of socialism built over 46 years, for the lost wealth of hundreds of billions of dollars stolen from Albanian citizens, these servile supporters of the dictatorship came and smeared those who had been the real and main opponents of the system. Thirdly, we have built the independent state with legislative, executive and judicial powers, separate and independent from one another and mutually controlling. We gave and are giving our extraordinary contribution to the stabilization and strengthening of its institutions and to the creation of a climate of state institutionalization. Several successes of recent years in health care deserve to be highlighted here, where we wanted to reform it, and where the power of the districts has entered a new period in which even administrative divisions into districts and the law on local government are changing. Financial and monetary stability, especially in 1996, was indisputable and clear. As for public order, given the fact that we are facing a new wave of crime and anti-state activity, we have managed to stop very dangerous steps of degeneration. We completed the privatization of small and medium-sized enterprises, privatized more than 86 percent of the land, 50 percent of small enterprises, and in 1997 we will continue decisively with the privatization of large enterprises. Economic growth has been continuous and among the highest in Europe. Fourthly, this year 1997, as the pre-election year for the general elections, is a year that will be of decisive importance for us, for reform and for Albania’s European integration. Europe must rise up against the Albanian and Italian mafia. In contrast to these developments that our country has recorded, a broad campaign of slander and disinformation, orchestrated by the old and new opposition but also sponsored by foreign circles, has been conducted against Albania. In particular, a fierce battle has been waged in the European press against our country. As for the issue of the financial pyramids, they have existed since 1994, and we have followed them closely. The slanderers should know that in Albania there has been no pyramid company that enjoyed the status granted to other firms. There has been an incomplete legal gap which is now being filled. Let us make it clear that the state structure is following the issue closely and the Ministry of Finance has repeatedly requested full documentation and balance sheets. Final decisions will be taken precisely on the basis of these documents. Individual responsibility for investments remains with the citizens, but the state will protect the interests of the public by law. Now that we are entering 1997, we must be more determined than ever to face the challenges ahead. Victory in the 1997 elections would be the victory of reforms and of our Western orientation. Pages 3 and 4 Pressing will unquestionably be… The opposition is blocked, it has excluded itself.

Speech by Mr. Tritan Shehu, Chairman of the PDSH Page 2

Speech by Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi

Commentary by the PD 1. At least in principle and initially, once and for all, the full autonomy of local government should be uprooted, regarding the aspects of decision-making, revenue generation, and projected expenditure of its projects. 2. The country’s tax levy should be based on laws on revenues and taxes and on compliance within the country, in accordance with the provisions of the state budget. 3. Its administration! Year after year it should cope with the privatization of enterprises and begin the privatization of its administrations through mechanisms: banking, energy, mining and telecommunications. 4. This human and educational wealth, thanks to a 50% increase in the state’s wealth, should think in favor of those damaged by the pyramid schemes and reorganize all its centers and their study plans. 5. To reorganize the program for increasing the salaries of teachers and doctors, theirs, in accordance with the norms of the states. 6. To re-seize bank wealth accounts in order to study the consequences and determine broad measures to organize the work of businesses that will enjoy foreign rights for those hit by this phenomenon. 7. To propose to parliament that 9 May be declared Mother’s Day.

Call to occupy the squares is unconstitutional In order to organize political rallies and local gatherings, as well as to trumpet violent protests, parties or organizations are required to notify at least 6 days in advance. Sali “the socialist arena”. “operating field” active. Page 4

Speech by Albert Brojka, mayor of Tirana “The legal reform of territorial administration, with the appropriate inclusion of enterprises for the improvement of local government in the governance of local government, in such a way as to ensure a comprehensive improvement of services in local government and support the growth of local consumption in line with the growth of local management capacities, more focused on the need to protect it and place it under fiscal and maneuverable control.” Page 4

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