- PSD, PBDNJ, PS speak to “Zëri i Popullit” - The alternative draft constitution is an expression of the Albanian opposition’s political will and seriousness - Interview with PS parliamentary group chairman Namik Dokle, given to our journalist Ardian Myslimi - Question: Today the press published the alternative draft Constitution, drawn up by four parliamentary parties. You represented the Socialist Party in this political initiative. In your view, what factors prompted such an initiative? Answer: I think the number-one factor behind all the work done by the four opposition parties represented in Parliament, namely PS, PSD, PAD and PBDNJ, is their desire and political will to give Albania a Constitution. There has been much discussion and much speculation about this issue, but people have become accustomed to judging parties not by their words, but by their actions. This shows that these forces believe Albania should have a Constitution, but one that guarantees Albania as a Parliamentary Republic, with a strong executive, an effective parliament, a President who maintains the balance and represents the unity of the people, clear independence for the judicial bodies, guarantees for human freedoms and rights, and a clearer perspective for resolving the national question. This is the substance of the draft constitution that the four opposition parties presented to the public today. In fact, a draft has been presented that is based on the country’s constitutional system, draws on the experience of the Parliamentary Republics of the EU, and respects the suggestions, observations and objections expressed in the people’s vote on 6 November. We were compelled to do this because we did not find political understanding from the Party (Continued on page 2)

Interview with the chairman of the PS Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr Ilir Meta, given to journalist Lulëzim Çota How does the Socialist Party assess the visit to Tirana by the president of the Federal Republic of Germany, Prof. Dr. Roman Herzog? We regard the visit to our country Dr. Roman Herzog, as very important and welcome. It marks the further development of friendly relations between our two countries. President Herzog’s visit is a show of support for the progress of democratic processes, an appeal to guarantee democracy and to consolidate and respect its institutions. As the representative of a state that co-founded European and transatlantic structures, he expresses solidarity in supporting Albania’s integration into these structures, which presupposes (Continued on page 3)

- Dr. Servet Pëllumbi, deputy chairman of the PSSH: The Socialist Party seeks Albania’s full integration into Europe and friendly relations with all countries outside Europe. - Dr. Servet Pëllumbi, deputy chairman of the PSSH: The Socialist Party seeks Albania’s full integration into Europe and friendly relations with all countries outside Europe. Yesterday afternoon at 5 p.m., in one of the premises of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, President Herzog met and spoke with the leaders of the parliamentary parties, namely the deputy chairman of the Socialist Party, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi; the chairman of the PD, Eduard Selami; the chairman of the PSD, Skënder Gjinushi; the chairman of the Democratic Alliance Party, Neritan Ceka; the chairman of the Republican Party, Sabri Godo; Vasil Melo of the PBDNJ; and the chairman of the PDD, Petrit Kalakastrup. (Continued on page 3)

Yesterday morning, Roman Herzog, began a two-day official visit, the first in the history of relations between the two countries. He was received at Rinas Airport by President Sali Berisha, Prime Minister Meksi, the chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Pjetër Arbnori, other government members, MPs, etc. After the protocol ceremony, the delegation set off for Ulhet for the meeting between the two presidents, Berisha and Herzog. Also at the presidential residence, the “Joint Declaration” was signed by Albanian Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi and German Deputy Foreign Minister Kastrup. According to statements by the German ambassador in Tirana, Mr Voelers, immediately after the signing, the declaration would enter into force immediately for the German side. According to him, the German declaration would enter into force immediately. According to him (Continued on page 3)

- Paskal Milo, deputy chairman of the PSD of Albania - The draft Constitution—an alternative drawn up as a new effort by four opposition political parties to put this major problem facing Albania during the transition period back on the agenda and resolve it. Publication of this draft is an expression of the goodwill and constructive positions of the political parties that took part in its discussion and approval. It is a vivid example of tolerance, democratic dialogue and consensus in relations among political forces when it comes to issues of such importance and general interest. The draft was published because the people need to become familiar with it directly and in good time, intellectuals need to study it, and it can serve as the basis for the broadest possible discussion. It was also sent directly to the parliamentary political parties and parliamentarians, with an appeal to join this project and contribute to its further improvement through their observations and suggestions. We are inclined and ready to cooperate; we welcome comments, because our initiative stems from the fact that Albania needs a Constitution, which belongs to everyone and not to one or four parties, to the majority or the minority. The alternative draft Constitution will be sent to the Presidium of the People’s Assembly as a legislative initiative by all the deputies of the four opposition political parties, so that it may be submitted to the parliamentary Commission on the Constitution, which is tasked by the Constitutional Provisions, Article 44, with dealing with its approval. The initiative of the four political parties is not directed against any other political force, nor does it aim to destabilize the country and lead it to early elections. The PD’s fear is unjustified. If there is a desire to make the Constitution not for oneself but for Albania, there is no reason to be afraid.

- Vasil Melo, chairman of the PBDNJ - The future outcome will depend on the reaction of the main political forces in the immediate future, and on the position the PD will take. In the best-case scenario, if the PD values this project and considers it suitable for reaching consensus around it, even with observations and suggestions from its members that would not alter the essence of the main chapters, then we can say that all together we have a Constitution. In that case, all the main parliamentary parties would ask the Assembly to establish a consensus body which, after examining it, would return it to Parliament for discussion and approval. In this case, we believe approval would be certain. The chapters of this project would also be put to a referendum and voted on by a considerable percentage of the electorate. This would be the best approach for Albanian politics, and every citizen would feel represented in this Constitution. I would wholeheartedly wish for this understanding to be achieved because, as a party, we have called for this cooperation, this spirit of compromise and tolerance, to exist among all political forces. The right course would be for a group of deputies—the deputies of the four parties that took part in drafting it—to submit this project to the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, requesting that it be referred to Parliament for discussion. In that case, approval of the Constitution would also depend on the position of the other deputies, in the hope that some of them who support the PD, and believe the Constitution should go through Parliament, will [continue] with this project. In any event, the routes we envisage for taking this draft Constitution through Parliament will always be legal. Meanwhile, publication of this document has another value as well: it will be able to draw on the views of intellectuals and all citizens, which may also lead to its further improvement. I would like to emphasize, however, that the four parties PS, PBDNJ, PSD and PAD, which are in opposition in Parliament, are the parties that have the majority among the electorate on the Constitution issue, because in the referendum of 6 November the people gave them a vote of confidence and approval for their positions on this issue. Through their objections, whether procedural or concerning the Constitution’s content, the people gave legitimacy and the right to draw up an alternative draft constitution.

The most unbelievable thing happened last night at the German President’s meeting with representatives of the parliamentary parties. Shortly after the meeting had begun, Ylli Vejsiu entered the room, even though he had not been invited, to express the Democratic Party’s official position, as he insists, despite the German ambassador’s politeness in explaining to Mr. Vejsiu that it had been agreed in advance that only the party leaders would attend the meeting. As for the Democratic Party, its official position is represented by Eduart Selami. Nevertheless, Ylli Vejsiu insisted, according to the saying, “There is no fortress the communists cannot take.” And Eduart Selami understood everything. On March 5, precisely on the day of Stalin’s death, he will find himself face to face with Sallian Stalinism.

After about a month’s work, yesterday four opposition parties, PAD, PBDNJ, PSD and PS, made public an alternative draft Constitution of the Republic of Albania. This act aims to unblock the country’s constitutional life. People have the opportunity to see in it the seriousness of these opposition political forces in their effort to give Albania a Constitution as soon as possible. The parties that took part in drafting this project occupied different positions across the country’s political spectrum. Drawing on progressive Albanian constitutional thought, the constitutions of several European Community countries, and without neglecting the draft rejected on 6 November, they succeeded in producing a high-quality proposal because the guiding principle of their work was Consensus. The lesson we draw from this is that if work is done to open the way to dialogue, understanding and consensus, first of all in parliament—the only body that can give Albania a constitution—its approval can be unblocked very soon. The project presented is nothing other than an alternative, based on open and entirely legitimate work. Therefore, the accusations made since the work began by the commission of respected jurists to draw up this alternative draft should be left behind. That is how we can show that we are all interested in choosing the best, most complete and most modern one from among several projects. The political parties that took the initiative to draft this project have shown political will inspired by tolerance and acceptance of reasoned alternative views on every issue discussed. In this project, nothing is regarded as taboo and nothing is considered perfect. On the contrary, the four parties that took the initiative to draft it consider consultation on every article and paragraph essential, as well as the views, observations and suggestions of every citizen, specialist and intellectual. Thus, every valid observation, suggestion and objection is welcome and valued if its starting point is the pursuit of consensus, so that the people may be given their decision—the new Constitution. The drafting of the constitutional project by the Albanian opposition is a political act that is as useful as it is intelligent, measured and loyal, and also timely. This project also provides an unequivocal answer to the question of whether these political forces are interested in giving Albania a Constitution as soon as possible. Their message on this occasion is: when it comes to the fundamental law of the state, the contribution and goodwill of everyone are needed, along with a broad spirit of consensus among the parliamentary parties: both the opposition parties and the PD and PB forces, as well as the so-called political forces of the country, so as to clear the way for the swift approval of Albania’s new democratic Constitution.

Mr. President, distinguished members of the Albanian Parliament. It is a great honor for me, and I am deeply moved by the opportunity to speak before you. Thank you, Mr. President, for the very friendly words you said about me in your greeting. It is a fact worth mentioning that I am the third representative of the German state to have the honor of speaking in this high institution since your elections on March 22, 1992. After the long years of silence between our two countries, this is a sign that openness toward democracy also allows the open expression of sympathy between our two countries, as well as the intensification of our relations, something we have been striving for. In the years of dictatorship, which took hold between our peoples, brought mistrust, and caused hostile conspiracies everywhere, this could not even be imagined. With your election, with this parlia-

The Press Spokesperson of the PS is authorized to declare that the list of the PS “shadow government” published yesterday in the newspaper “Koha Jonë” has no basis in truth. No PS forum has drawn up lists for a “shadow government,” and under no circumstances has this issue been discussed with PAD, PSN, PA, or the other parties. We regret that the prestigious newspaper “Koha Jonë” is making, or falling prey to, speculations that are not in keeping with its recognized values. The PS does not work in the shadows, but pursues an open and realistic policy. PS Press Spokesperson

even be imagined. With your election, with this parlia- (Continued on page 4)