A fax from Brussels: in Albania the opposition’s chances have been restricted by law Declaration of the Party of European Socialists on Albania 1. The Presidium of the PSE (SPE) analysed the political situation in Albania and firmly states that the upcoming parliamentary elections in Albania will be held on the basis of being universal, equal and free, as provided for by the Albanian constitutional provisions. Any restriction of the active and passive right to stand in elections with the aim of limiting the opposition’s chances is firmly rejected by the PSE. It asks its member parties to closely monitor further developments in Albania. 2. The parliamentary group of the PSE in the European Parliament and the socialist group in the Council of Europe will seek to ensure that special attention is paid to developments in Albania. 3. The Party of European Socialists will consider the possibility of sending a delegation to Albania to see the situation in the country.

Our note President Berisha cannot go more than a week without organizing some anti-socialist “spectacle”, and for this he does not hesitate to use every opportunity. Thus, in recent days we saw him in Shkodër, where he took the opportunity to attack the Socialist Party, the largest opposition party; then he was at a ceremony where he also did not spare these attitudes, while yesterday he used the Women’s Assembly, an arm of the Democratic Party, to launch another forceful attack against the socialists. Berisha is so engaged in this campaign and the socialists have gained so much immunity from it that it is hardly worth paying much attention to this phobia. What compels us to say a few words in response to Mr. Berisha’s latest speech is his desperate attempt to portray the Socialist Party as an anti-Western force, as if the PS had launched a campaign against prominent figures, institutions, and major Western forms, as if the PS aimed to hinder the country’s integration into Europe and discourage foreign investment, describing this imaginary campaign of the PS as if it were contrary not only to democratic interests but also to the national interests of Albania. These are dreams with open eyes, may whoever proclaims them be forgiven. That is how the honoured President acted when he wanted to justify Albania’s position three years behind the gates of the Council of Europe, but without success. The same was done with another accusation of an “anti-American campaign” by the PS, again inspired by this source. Socialists, in order to take their place in the political life of Albania, have neither taken nor will take lessons from Berisha. They, with a deeply- (continued on page 3)

Page 2 Labour Britain Interview with Tony Blair Leader of the British Labour Party

Today: Bulgaria Albania Today: Bulgaria Albania We will give our maximum in Sofia Page 14

- According to the Government’s draft and the Law of Parliament: “The increase in the budget deficit of 2.6 billion lek should go: 1 billion lek to wage increases and 1.6 billion lek - Government reserve for financing...” - According to the PS Alternative: “Of the 2.6 billion lek: either 2 billion should go to wage increases (20 per cent) and 0.6 billion to investments and not reserve, or, at the very least - the 1.6 billion should be allocated to investments in the economy and especially to the flooded areas”. Read on page 4