Interview with Ms. Albina Karamitaro, Democratic Party MP Page 2

Even President Berisha’s fiercest opponent is many times freer and more politically independent than the heads of this American press institution The fiercest opponent of President Berisha is many times freer and more politically independent than the heads of this American press institution [newspaper image] ZËRI I POPULLIT Newspaper of the Socialist Party “Today Albania is a country in which hundreds of private magazines and newspapers are published, and dozens of foreign radio and TV programs are rebroadcast throughout its territory. It is a member of the Council of Europe, has signed and fully respects the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and, in accordance with this convention, applies European standards of freedom of thought and expression, freedom of the press and information, freedom of religion, and all other freedoms. These facts have been recognized and appreciated not only by Albanians and all those who have come to know Albania over these four years, but also by European democratic institutions, such as the Council of Europe, in a series of reports, including their latest reports of January 1997, etc. These facts are also well known to the foreign media and journalists, particularly the ‘Voice of America’; their information, commentaries, and even disinformation and slanders have been rebroadcast without censorship for these years on the airwaves of Albanian state radio, and disseminated through repeaters and frequencies made available by the Albanian government at symbolic prices, for this radio as well as many others such as the BBC, Deutsche Welle, Vatican Radio, etc., etc. The statement by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists is less an attack against President Berisha than a desperate and immoral assault on the freedoms of Albanians. This statement seeks to trample these freedoms in a Council of Europe member country, Albania, where even press institution, who serve up politically motivated conclusions that, more than anything else, demonstrate and expose their political dependence and manipulation. This merely brings to mind the McCarthy era, when the predecessor of this institution accused the ‘New York Times’ of having 120 enemies of the United States employed in its Sunday section alone, at a time when the newspaper’s entire staff numbered no more than 100. For Albanians, it also brings to mind a certain Shulman, an associate of the heads of the Institute for the Protection of Journalists, who, from the platforms of PP congresses, called on the United States to follow Albania’s example”—the statement by the spokesperson for the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, says.

Rhein: We fully support your right to restore constitutional and public order President Berisha received the European Commission’s envoys, Mr. Rhein and Von Herdolf, accompanied by the ambassador, E. Germano [text cut off] both Albanian and international public opinion regarding this serious violation of the 9 March Agreement and the dangerous consequences of this violation. Today I must confirm to you, President Berisha emphasized, that the PS, by applying Lenin’s dictate for power, has blocked the country’s political life. For his part, he has come to its side in government in order to resign if the Socialist version of the electoral law is not accepted. At this meeting, President Berisha expressed his gratitude to the EU and its member states, as well as the European Commission, for the aid and support they have given and continue to give Albania. He asked the European Commission for EU assistance in ensuring transparency regarding the pyramid schemes, because people have been told, for political purposes, that the Government took their money, which is absurd. Therefore, opposition and international oversight are needed to clarify everything in this regard. Regarding the general elections, President Berisha stressed that these elections are essential to overcoming the difficulties. “I believe,” he said, “that they should be held as soon as possible and within the timeframe set out in the March 9 Agreement. There is only one major obstacle to setting the election date and beginning the electoral process, and that obstacle is the armed wing of the PS in several southern districts. This armed wing of the party that leads the Government of National Reconciliation,” President Berisha stressed, “has imposed a medieval blockade on several southern districts, including the government, by robbing, assaulting and terrorizing innocent citizens, and by allowing no political activity by right-wing political forces, only by the PS and its offspring; by preventing the distribution of the right-wing press, while allowing only ZP and its publications. “No Albanian can accept entering the electoral process with these committees present in these districts. No international institution will accept an electoral process in the presence of medieval rebel committees which, after killing, robbing, looting, breaking into banks and supermarkets, raping and taking innocent citizens hostage, are keeping the people of these towns under terror. “On March 9, before signing the Reconciliation Agreement, the PS and its allies pledged to dissolve the committees within three days. But they did the opposite and, on March 28, signed a new agreement in which they openly sided with the rebel groups and asked the government they lead to treat them as a party to its activities. I warned of to you,” President Berisha stressed, “that, by implementing Lenin’s two tactics for seizing power, the PS has paralyzed all politics in the country. On the one hand, it has ordered its faction in the government is not accepted, and on the other hand, the government has not only taken no measures to govern in these districts, but in some recent statements by socialist representatives in the government there is a tendency to legitimize these committees, which the government itself previously did not recognize and which the Council of Europe has deemed illegal. The dangerous ultimatums concerning the electoral legal system, which openly contradict the March 9 Agreement, are simply an alibi to protect the committees, their existence and their activities. To block, through 4–5 medieval committees, the political elections agreed upon with the EU and the OSCE, at a time when inflation is rising every month and every Albanian is becoming poorer because of these committees and their support, is not only an irresponsible act, but a genuine sin against every Albanian family.” Mr. Rjein, after pointing out that Albania has made great progress over the past 4–5 years, praised President Berisha’s right analysis regarding the elections and his stance in favor of holding them soon. “We,” he said, “fully agree that elections must be held as soon as possible. order, and that is the government’s duty.”

International Relations Secretary Leonard Demi held a meeting with Mr. Rheim and other representatives of the European Union at the DP headquarters. The discussion focused, as stated, on the current political situation in the country and preparations for the elections. Mr. Shehu expressed the PD’s determination to respect the 9 March agreement in all its points, stressing the need for all political forces to make a serious effort to uphold it. Mr. Shehu emphasized that the Prime Minister’s latest position is at odds in several respects with the 9 March agreement, which makes it the government’s principal task to govern the country in its current situation, open all cities to all political forces, and not keep the committees alive. This is the main task that must be undertaken, Mr. Shehu emphasized, not an attempt to completely block the country’s political life ahead of the elections; either option, proportional or even its majoritarian version, is democratic. It is our duty to choose the option that ensures a stable government for Albania, and that is the majoritarian law. The interlocutors agreed with Mr. Shehu that the electoral law is democratic whether it is the proportional or majoritarian version, provided that free elections, freedom of movement for people, and free activity for political forces throughout the country are guaranteed. Present: PDSH Chairman Mr. Shehu and Secretary for International Relations Leonard Demi

A comprehensive analysis, understanding, and full support for the political line of the PD and President Berisha were the subjects of discussions at meetings held in the two group sections of Region No. 2 in Shkodra and in Bushat. Members of the Democratic Party leadership, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, Jemin Gjanami, the district state secretary Bajram Kela, and the area’s MPs took part in this meeting. You will find a more detailed account of these meetings in the next issue.

The people of Vlora lose on penalties Page 2

Regarding the article in “The New York Times” “Albania’s strongman fights again” is the title of the abridged report by “The New York Times” correspondent in Albania, Jane Perlez, published in yesterday’s issue of the newspaper. Hats off to Jane for the striking headline and the accurate observation that President Berisha has indeed been made powerful by the civic courage to defend stoically the democratic rights of a people and the existence of a national feeling. But they are not mistaken when they say that Berisha is fighting for his own survival. For the sake of professionalism and accurate reporting, you should have emphasized that Berisha was elected president by the free vote of the Albanian people. You should have learned that the general elections of May 26 were accepted as fair and legitimate, and that the Albanian Parliament resulting from them was recognized as lawful by the Council of Europe, the EU, etc. The elections of October 20, 1996, too, were judged regular and fair. Throughout these 6–7 years of profound democratic transformations in Albania, Berisha has not fought for his own survival, nor is he doing so now, but for the survival of a nation and an independent European state. Yesterday’s article on page two of “The New York Times” contains some inaccuracies. For example, the author has not been informed that Mr. Fino was appointed prime minister by President Berisha, and not by the free vote of the people, as she writes. Fino did not become prime minister as a result of an electoral victory by a coalition party, but simply as a result of the March 9 agreement signed by Berisha. While, following the denunciations of [?], Fino has the right to look into General Shehu, there is a major inaccuracy. The Shehu case, under Albanian legislation, falls directly within the competence of the President of the Republic. The “The New York Times” correspondent, having information… Page 3

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DECL… [?] Leka Jane An “Open Albania” for Albanians cannot be built with people like the President …and the wounds and pain… [?] Berisha—the evil of … [?] that destroyed Shqip… [?] …and they say there is no freedom of the press in Albania!