Alois Mok, chairman of the European Democratic Union Regarding the situation created in Albania following the collapse of fraudulent investment firms, in which thousands of citizens lost their savings, the Chairman of the European Democratic Union and Member of the Austrian Parliament, Alois Mok, Austria’s former Foreign Minister, made a statement in Vienna before journalists and said, in essence: - We must understand the anger of people in Albania who lost their savings in fraudulent pyramid schemes. The Albanian opposition should not hold the Democratic Government responsible for this loss. President Berisha’s Democratic Party should demand the resignation of those responsible for this scandal. If people were not adequately warned about these unserious practices, under no circumstances can the issue be raised of the Albanian Democratic Party being implicated in these scandals. No one can doubt the integrity of the Albanian Democratic Party. Regarding people’s protests against the Albanian government, the Chairman of the European Democratic Union and former Austrian Foreign Minister Dr. Alois Mok stated: “When I see that, on the other side, stand the persecutors of the former communist regime, then I am convinced and have complete confidence about which side I should stand on. I stand with my friends in the Albanian Democratic Party.”

Berisha nominated by the National Council of the Democratic Party for a second presidential term Address by the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, to the National Council of the Democratic Party I also want to thank those who abstained and, through their position, demonstrated the diversity of the Democratic Party, which must remain one of its unchanging principles. On this occasion, I wish to assure you that I will work with great dedication and commitment to consolidate democracy, further deepen the market economy in Albania, and restore stability in the country. I am very determined to work tirelessly, together with all of you, for the integration of the country into Europe. I believe these should be the Democratic Party’s most important objectives. Immediately, we are facing—and I am aware that I am being nominated for President during—a period of difficulties. On the other hand, however, I am fully convinced of the great potential Albania has today, as does the Democratic Party and the state institutions, to overcome these difficulties, and for the state, the law and the market economy once again to function in the interests of all Albanians. To overcome the difficulties, we have chosen a combination—or, I could say, an approach—of adopting all concrete measures that are compatible with a democratic society and with the rule of law. Alongside these, dialogue with all political forces and individuals and groups is another very important course of action. The DP acknowledges its mistake before the electorate and offers dialogue to political forces and citizens; precisely this loyal attitude towards the rules of democracy was rewarded with strong support from the European Union. Throughout this period, you have witnessed the Democratic Party engage in extensive dialogue with the Albanian electorate. It went to the electorate, to sincere voters, acknowledging its mistake and its responsibility and presenting a series of concrete measures—the best alternative presented to date for overcoming these difficulties. We have offered, and continue to offer, dialogue to the political forces. We have offered, and continue to offer, dialogue to citizens. In all cases, we must be transparent, and we will be transparent. I believe it is precisely these loyal attitudes towards the rules and laws of democracy that have brought us strong support from the European Union and friendly countries. Once again, I want to emphasize that the declaration by the 15 foreign ministers on Albania represents very great and powerful support for the Democratic Party and for the other parties that are connected and … [continues on page 3] The National Council of the Democratic Party, at its meeting yesterday morning at the Palace of Congresses, selected the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, as its candidate for the new presidential term. Of the 90 members of the DP National Council, following a secret ballot, Mr. Berisha’s candidacy won with 85 votes in favor, none against and 5 abstentions. “In the discussions, it was said that President Berisha is the person with the greatest reputation, someone who has been and remains capable of further developing democracy, the economy and institutions in Albania, as well as Albania’s integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures,” said DP chairman Tritan Shehu after the National Council meeting. The candidate for the new presidential term was selected by secret ballot, although under the rules there was no need for such a ballot, since the normal procedure of an open vote could have been followed; however, there were also opinions, including that of President Berisha, in favor of a secret ballot. For Shehu, this result was “a recognition of Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha’s contribution from the very beginnings of the Albanian democratic movement, throughout this period in building democratic institutions and a democratic state, and of his contribution during Albania’s most difficult moments, starting in 1991 and continuing thereafter.” In response to a journalist’s question about a second candidate from the DP or other parties, Shehu said: “The 1992 election was also held with one candidate. There is no requirement to put forward an alternative candidate. Under Albanian law, only one candidacy is sufficient; it is put to a vote, and if it receives the required number of votes, that candidate wins.” Nine people out of the 14 … took part in the DP National Council vote (Sp?); they are not members of the DP National Council, and [the source text is unclear here] a rapid public government … with the participation of left-wing forces, also criticized by Berisha and the DP. Of these nine, according to their own statements, four voted in favor of the new candidacy proposed by the party leadership, while the other five abstained. Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, 52, was elected head of the Albanian state by Parliament on 9 April 1992, and his term expires on 9 March 1997. Under the constitutional agreements, the president may be elected consecutively for two five-year terms. - The state, the law and the market economy must once again function in the interests of all Albanians - We denounce every unlawful position and demand. I have invited, and will invite again, the students of Vlore to come. I do not invite anyone to my office on conditions, and I do not accept conditions. I do not issue ultimatums to anyone, and I do not accept ultimatums. - I am convinced that together we will overcome all the difficulties and carry out our program with dignity—a program that is the best for Albania, for Albanian democracy and for its future

A few dozen students gathered in front of the University’s central building are far too few to change the democratic character of Albanian students. Neither can a bearded Eurosocialist leader do it, nor the cameras with “independent Soros” supervision. The Eurosocialist manipulation that began with the first years of secondary school and continued with the Vlore residents studying in Tirana is a grave sin precisely against the people of Vlore, for whom the socialists have so far cooked up accusations upon accusations, portraying them as uncivilized people, people who can easily be sacrificed and easily used. The socialists, who wanted great suffering in Albania, achieved it. The collapse of the pyramid schemes is a moment when the socialists were able to make their move. These people and politicians can only make themselves known at moments when suffering can be twinned with political exploitation. The manipulation is so extensive that yesterday, among the few students standing there as loyal followers of what is called the Student Council, there were some who did not know why they were there. Some students took a statement from the council from the journalist present so they could learn about the protest demands—a statement that describes the protest’s demands, a statement that describes the protest’s demands, a statement that describes the demands of the protest as …; indeed, even the council leaders themselves were unclear about what happens in such cases, so much so that they asked for reporters from a foreign radio station in Tirana. The attempt to bring students into the protest, too, is the latest element in what the left, the reds and the state security tried to do in the country. The DP’s compassion for the reds and the evils, as well as its support for students and their demands, is well known and demonstrated by its governing activities. President Berisha has also met exclusively with students in recent days, thereby expressing the respect and appreciation that the moderate classes of Albania have for students’ opinions and the need to debate with this part of the country’s intellect. He also expressed opposition to the tendency to use them for political purposes or to compensate for a shortcoming or inability of the party through the extremism of the student minority supporting the DP. The game started with students by the Eurosocialists and certain other left-wing figures is inadvisable even by the most optimistic standards. Yesterday, representatives of the Independent Student Union of Tirana warned that they would hold an alternative strike if a hunger strike took place among Tirana students organized by the Student Council. The number of Tirana students is an ultimatum, with a purpose, from those who signed an ultimatum that is much greater than the number Ilir Meta has managed to gather with his other supporters. In every case, arithmetic will weigh to the left. The democrats’ morality is different. It is aspirational, not divisive. It is trustworthy, not exploitative. Albanian democrats do not wish their confrontational stance towards the socialists to create negative moments in the lives of young Albanians. So far, the socialists have played the cards of sacrifice. Even the most naive can see that the socialists are out in the streets, have set fires and have used violence. It is clear to everyone, too, that the socialists are the people least able to heal the pain of those who have lost their money. S.N.