Press release On 5.4.1997, the Presidency of the Albanian Democratic Party met and analyzed the political situation in the country. The DPSh discussed the platform and the steps being taken to resolve the political crisis in the country and assessed that the national reconciliation government headed by Mr. Bashkim Fino has the primary duty of restoring order and public peace in the country. The DPSh Presidency also praised the commitment of the National Reconciliation Government in this direction and emphasized the need for cooperation among all political forces in order to bring the country out of this situation. The DPSh Presidency also discussed the process of early political elections and assessed that the participation of all political forces in these elections is a necessary condition for their legitimacy. It reiterated its position that the elections must be held in a calm climate, with the participation of all political subjects and with broad international monitoring. The DPSh Presidency pointed out that extremist forces are seeking to sabotage the democratic process and hinder the restoration of constitutional order. It called on all citizens to remain calm and not fall victim to provocations. The DPSh Presidency expressed its determination to continue efforts to restore order and legality, as well as to contribute to a political solution to the crisis through dialogue and democratic elections.

The invited participants were representatives of the Right Forum, PSD, PBDNJ, PR, PAD, PDK, as well as independent representatives. On 9 April, 12:00: Political forces invited again by President Berisha To the press and information offices at the Presidency The invited participants were representatives of the Right Forum, PSD, PBDNJ, PR, PAD, PDK, as well as independent representatives, in order to hold a consultative meeting to define a common platform for solving the crisis in the country. The President's invitation stated that the meeting would be held on Wednesday, 9 April, at 12:00, at the Presidency.

Tuesday 08.04.97, Lulëzim Basha, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, presented the following statement to the public opinion: The Democratic Party has been, is, and will remain open and ready to involve other political forces and various groupings of Albanian society in the governance and administration of the country. Political forces should not follow the path of confrontation, but that of compromise and cooperation. This has been and remains the policy of the Democratic Party. Since its founding in December 1990, the Democratic Party has sought to involve all intellectual and human potential in the democratic transformation of Albania. In this spirit, it has drawn various political forces close to itself and has had their representatives in the governments it formed. Thus, even in the cabinet formed on 11 March 1997, a number of ministers coming from other political forces or representing certain segments of Albanian society have become part of the government cabinet. As a political force that led the democratic processes in the country, the Democratic Party has never considered power to be its monopoly. On the contrary, it has regarded it as a tool in the service of reforms, the market economy, free institutions, and public order. The Democratic Party is aware that resolving the political and institutional crisis in the country requires dialogue, understanding, and the broadest possible political participation. For this reason, it has supported and continues to support the creation of a broadly based government and the holding of free and fair elections. Within this framework, the Democratic Party calls on all political forces to abandon the language of hate and to contribute to stabilizing the situation and restoring democratic normality in Albania.

Adoption of a final constitution helps the process of national reconciliation Albania is facing a difficult political, economic, and social situation. Resolving this situation requires stable institutions and clear rules of the game for all political forces. The Democratic Party has expressed its readiness to discuss and approve a final constitution, which would serve as the basis for strengthening the rule of law and pluralist democracy. The adoption of the constitution is considered an important step toward national reconciliation and the creation of a new political climate in the country. True national reconciliation cannot be built on violence and chaos, but on consensus, law, and respect for institutions. Page 3

The Albanian Democratic Party does not become prey to either the left or the right extreme. The Albanian Democratic Party brings together people from different political and social backgrounds, but who have embraced the ideals of pluralist democracy and European integration. It has not been, and will not be, a closed force, but a modern center-right party, open to cooperation and reforms. In its policy, it has followed the European model of democratic development, market economy, and respect for freedoms and human rights. Page 3

Interview with the Minister of Education and Sports, Mr. Luan Skuqi The value of the damage in pre-university education is about 400 million dollars Page 2

Albania has followed developments in New York with attention and with a clear platform Page 4

On Sunday, 13.04.1997, at 11:00 a.m. in the meeting hall of the Palace of Congresses, the National Council of the DPSh will hold a meeting to analyze the situation in the country and the measures that need to be taken.