The meeting of the National Council of the PD was held Genc Pollo elected Secretary-General of the PDSH

Later, in the statement to the Council of the Coordination Committee of the Vlora branch, the chairman, Mr. Avdyl Pustina, praised the membership of Mr. Bashkim Kopliku, the presentation of afezarat, and it was voted with 11 votes in favor, 1 against, 1 abstention. The Secretary-General of the PDSH Mr. Eduard Selami thanks the work at the head of the party, the comrades of the secretary and without replying to the all-red and anti-democratic deeds in the achievements of the country. The PDSH appoints Mr. Tritan Shehu. By unanimous vote, Mr. Tritan Shehu is elected Secretary-General of the PDSH. Instead of the cover, in its leadership are placed these names: 1. Genc Pollo 2. Neritan Ceka 3. Jozefina Topalli 4. Ylli Vejsiu 5. Ali Spahia 6. Arben Imami 7. Blerim Çela 8. Valter Shnella [?] 9. Bujar [illegible] 10. Sabit Brokaj [?] 11. Aleksandër Meksi

The National Council, in these areas, meeting on 13 April 1997 Resolution of the National Council of the Democratic Party of Albania The National Council, in these areas, meeting on 13 April 1997 Albania today is in an "abyss". The destructive scheme of Albania's ruin and liberation can be imagined only through overthrow by tritil. In the harshest period of the celebratory period with the spread of paramilitaries and economic and political crime. Albanian society has lost its points of orientation, the administration has disintegrated, order has been struck, and all constitutional and legal institutions have fallen. Parliament, the government of the country and the President of the Republic have lost the credibility of all Albanians. The only way to stop the catastrophe, AIDS, etc. has awakened the Albanian pressure. The country itself and its administration toward the civilized democratic world. The democrats of progressive forces resemble in the Albanian right and for the clear difference of restoring legality, for the return of constitutional order and the consolidation there of the deep respect for freedoms and democratic structures. In these conditions created through paramilitarism and Albanian anarchy, the National Council of the PDSH declares: 1. The PDSH and the coalition with its allies will continue efforts for a peaceful and democratic solution to the deep crisis in the country and will support all efforts for a solution through national reconciliation, calm and democratic progress. 2. The PDSH expresses its readiness for cooperation with the political forces in the Assembly of Albania, for a government of shared responsibility in the implementation of the law, punishing every act of violence and crime. 3. In order to create the structures of a functional administration, the respect for law and order throughout the country, the PDSH calls for the involvement of the multinational mission, the help of the police and state structures for the return to normal life. 4. The National Council of the PDSH calls on all members and supporters to remain united in defense of democratic values and to oppose any provocation. Continues on page 2

The PD has on its shoulders the history and future of democracy and integration into Europe President Berisha’s speech, delivered to the National Council The PD has on its shoulders the history and the future of democracy and integration into Europe Ladies and gentlemen, together with dozens and hundreds of thousands of citizens of Albania, today we will make our move and in this parade, as, in two weeks and a day, in every corner of Albania we have had three great victories. The first victory is that of survival against a real coup and such a terrifying one, every citizen of this country. The Maoist, proletarian-cultural Albanian coup against the first pluralist culture, against Albanian citizens who sought to decide their destinies by peaceful means, failed to turn into a triumph because of the heroic resistance of hundreds and thousands of democrats and citizens. We defended to continue the path in pluralism and did not allow the victory of a pseudo-cultural Albanian revolution in the most ugly and anti-national forms in the history of this country. We did not allow this unprecedented destruction. The resistance of every citizen, even of he who paid with his life, is an invaluable value of freedom and national honor. The mobilization to continue the same path in the most difficult days will serve the future of Albanian pluralism and will remain a cornerstone in the history of this country. I have faith that the parliament and the government in the days to come will be able to respond with calm, determination and maturity to the challenges that will arise for the country. This is an inevitable duty. Today the democrats have the duty to pull Albania out of the abyss. Albanian citizens must gain confidence in the institutions. This requires responsibility, clarity and honesty. Democrats have a great historical burden on them. Continues on page 2

Destruction of the PD — the final goal of the communist rebellion The destruction of the PD has been not only the main goal of the communist rebellion, but also one of its main objectives. This rebellion has not been a popular revolt, but a carefully calculated coup led by the old communists with their ideological allies in order to regain lost power. In this strategy, the Democratic Party was the main obstacle, because it represented pluralism, Western orientation and rejection of the totalitarian model. For this reason, the blow against the PD was delivered in several directions: through physical violence against members and leaders, through the burning of offices, through the destruction of the free press and through the creation of a climate of psychological terror. The aim was to dismantle its structures and frighten its supporters, so as to open the way for the return of the old forces. If Albania were to lose the PD, it would also lose the chance for a democratic opposition and for a modern political balance. Therefore, its defense is not only a party matter, but also a national interest. Continues on page 2

President Berisha received the Prime Minister of Italy, Romano Prodi President Berisha received the Prime Minister of Italy, Romano Prodi Completion of some talks between the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, while receiving the Italian Prime Minister, Romano Prodi, interested in the government, in cooperation with the international community, to enable and consolidate the implementation of the agreement and cooperation between our two peoples and countries. The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, receiving the Prime Minister of Italy, Mr. Romano Prodi, interested in cooperation between our two peoples and countries

Today, on 15.04.1997, at 11:00 in the premises of the Palace of Congresses the Chairman of the PDSH, Mr. Tritan Shehu, will give a press conference.

Dear collaborators and friends of our newspaper. The postponement of the temporary suspension of the newspaper Rilindja Demokratike creates a situation of great force for the democratization of our society. For these reasons we turn to all our collaborators and colleagues, asking you to help in every way the financial and technical support of the editorial office in order to continue publishing. Every contribution will be a valuable help to the free press. Continues on page 6