The meeting of the DP National Council was held A meeting of the National Council of the DP was held A forum for in-depth and transparent analysis and reflection Genc Pollo elected Secretary-General of the DPA Resolution of the National Council of the Democratic Party of Albania The National Council, meeting on 13 April 1997 in Tirana: Responsibly examined the situation that has arisen in the country and focused at length on analyzing the factors that caused, encouraged and tolerated the communist rebellion in February and March 1997. The Democratic Party, its leadership forums and its representatives in the governance of the country bear responsibility for the situation that has arisen. It considers that the negative role … these areas. a) expresses its confidence that, when faced with the choice between construction and development, represented by the Democratic Party and its allies, and burning and destruction, caused by the sons of Enver Hoxha, the Albanian people will undoubtedly choose the former; b) advocates an alliance with the Albanian right and with all forces interested in preventing the return of communism to Albania. c) Appreciates the positions of … The speech of President Berisha, delivered at the National Council of the DP: democracy and European integration carry history and the future on their shoulders. … the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, the Governments of the European Union, the USA, etc., and other international bodies that have expressed support for the legitimate institutions of the Albanian state, condemned the rebellion, called for the disarmament and dissolution of the rebel committees, and called for respect for and restoration of central and local authority wherever it has been violated. d) considers the efforts of some former Democratic Party officeholders to exploit the current situation for their own interests, which are linked to their responsibilities in governing the state and their dishonest relationship with the Democratic Party, and rejects their statement; e) expresses its conviction that the Democratic Party, as the largest political force in the country, will play its role as a centre-right party, affiliated with the European Democratic Union (EDB) and the European Union of Christian Democrats (EUCD), and will succeed in the forthcoming parliamentary elections; it is committed to the adoption of a Western constitution and emphasizes that the DP is prepared to make the necessary compromises.

At yesterday’s meeting of the DPA National Council, together with its group of deputies, the previous Executive Committee of the DPA was put to a vote of confidence. Mr. Besnik Gjongjecaj, former Secretary-General of the DPA, submitted his resignation, while Messrs. B. Kopliku, D. Shehi and D. Vrioni did not receive the confidence of the DPA National Council to remain members of the Executive Committee. The new members of the DPA Executive Committee who won the Council’s confidence are: 1. Genc Pollo 2. Jemin Gjana 3. Hasan Halili 4. Halit Shamata. By secret ballot, the DPA National Council elected Mr. Genc Pollo Secretary-General of the DPA, Mr. Abdyl Xhaja Organizational Secretary, Mr. Vili Minarolli Secretary for Public Relations, and Mr. Leonard Demi Secretary for International Relations. At the meeting of the DPA National Council, nine members of the DPA National Council—Messrs. D. Shehi, D. Vrioni, T. Dosti, L. Toto, A. Serreqi, M. Konomi, A. Nati, G. Rruli and B. Kopliku—submitted a declaration which, after being put to a vote, Safet Zhulari is suspended from the DP, chaired yesterday, 13 April 1997. In future issues we will acquaint you with the discussions by Pjetër Arbnori, Engjëll Hysenbegasi, Dashamir Shehi, Vasil Nreçka, Alfred Hysenbegasi, Besnik Çonjecaj, S. Berisha, Tomor Mulaçi, Sami Meta, Besnik Gjonecaj, Jemini Gjana, Arinda Ymeri, Maksim Komiteti, etc.

…

To make a complete and accurate analysis of the events that have taken place in Albania over the past month is not at all easy today—in fact, it is impossible. The country is currently still in a state of chaos, with continued violence which, although it has taken on somewhat different outward forms, remains essentially the same. The wave of terror and pressure on the DP and Democrats continues; several southern cities remain isolated and dominated by illegal committees. On the other hand, the DP structures continue to be apathetic and lack the necessary initiative, while in some places they have become nonexistent. In these circumstances, when even the information from our institutions—some of which are not functioning—or from DP branches is very superficial, it is undoubtedly impossible to reach final conclusions. A considerable amount of time, analyses and facts will be needed before we can form a complete picture of the causes of recent events. In this context, as was also said at the meeting of the leadership, this is only the beginning of our analysis, which will extend over a period of time. Its aim is not merely to analyze, but increasingly to improve the situation, activate all DP structures, revive them and undertake the difficult tasks they must perform during this extremely difficult period for the country, formulate medium-term programs not only for recovery but also for development, and make it possible to enter the coming elections under the most favorable conditions possible. What happened can, in a few words, be called a Marxist-style coup d’état; this is not being said as propaganda. This is now perfectly clear. It is also clear that left-wing extremists were involved, in cooperation with the local mafia, throughout this process, alongside the paralysis or involvement of certain institutions that should, in any case, be able to deal with such situations. It is now clear that this conspiracy was set up to violently overthrow the constitutional order by exploiting discontent caused by the bankruptcy or state suspension of several pyramid firms. There was also evidently paralysis and inaction on the part of most DP branches and the DP in general.

The Chairman of the DPA, Mr. Tritan Shehu, invoking Article 30 of the DPA statute, according to which “The Chairman of the DPA has the right to suspend from party office the chair of a branch, a member of the National Council and members of a branch’s Executive Committee,” suspended Mr. Safet Zhulali from the DPA National Council.

President Berisha and Prime Minister Prodi, expressing their appreciation for this successful visit, committed themselves to further consolidating the friendship and cooperation between our two peoples and countries . President Berisha received the Prime Minister of Italy, Romano Prodi The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, received the Prime Minister of Italy, Mr. Romano Prodi, on Sunday, 13 April, the Press and Information Office of the President reports. “I wish to express my heartfelt welcome to you,” President Berisha told Prime Minister Prodi, “for your great interest and for the valuable assistance and solidarity that friendly Italy is showing the Albanian people in this difficult period, and to assure you that Albanians will always value this as an expression of sincere friendship between our two peoples and countries.” Prime Minister Prodi thanked President Berisha for the welcome and assured him that Italy, having assumed command of the Multinational Force operation, is fully committed to its success and responsible for carrying out this operation in cooperation with the Government and the legitimate Albanian institutions. He suggested to President Berisha the creation of a joint group of experts, Continued on page 6

Today, 15.04.1997, at 11:00, at the Palace of Congresses, the Chairman of the DPA, Mr. Tritan Shehu, will hold a press conference.