Six months after Albania’s accession , the Council of Europe verifies Albania’s commitments. Political parties meet with the Council of Europe delegation: Lord Finsberg, member of the Political Committee, and Columberg, Chair of the Legal Committee. The delegation of Council of Europe rapporteurs arrived yesterday at midday at Rinas Airport for a three-day fact-finding visit to Albania, during which they will examine the fulfilment of the commitments undertaken by Albania as part of its admission to the Council of Europe. “We have come to monitor the commitments undertaken by Albania since it became a member of the Council of Europe, at the request of Secretary General Mr Daniel Tarchys,” said Lord Finsberg, a member of the Council of Europe’s Political Committee. Asked whether they thought Albania had fulfilled its commitments, he replied, “I will answer this question after the mission is completed, during which we will meet representatives of political parties, government officials, human rights organizations, and the President of the Republic, Mr Sali Berisha.” Albania secured accession to the Council of Europe on 29 June, thereby becoming the 36th member state of the pan-European organization, founded in 1949 to safeguard the values of democracy and human rights. “This is my fifth time here, and I am pleased to have had the opportunity to come to Albania again. Albania has made progress in the process of democratization, in the economy, and in improving living conditions,” said Mr Columberg, a Swiss member of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, known as one of those who took the toughest stance on Albania’s accession to the Council of Europe. The delegation began meetings with political party leaders yesterday afternoon. The Council of Europe delegation met with representatives of the Socialist Party: Namik Dokle, Kastriot Islami, Ethem Ruka, and Jorgji Kote. Today there will be a meeting with representatives of the press and media, followed by meetings with the Speaker of Parliament, Pjetër Arbnori, and the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha. political-?… of the …is. … political …ic and … of the dictatorship … draft- … in a bloc. … acquittal- A work …edish with …s of Europe … constitutional … in Kush- … years old, with …exchange … the right to …day and mo- … to appro- … date 30 … another that … justice. He … commission … control … that will … elections … according to the law … entirely … as deputy chair- …hol by … is adopted by … member from … member from … member from … function- … attacks that … of the court … register … elections. The … the court … is completely … after sh- … dominated enti Ber- the right provisions of and ma- the parties are presented under the conditions of examined by candidates- … of it. without pre- of the opposition …mented …icans the deputies … speech, a CO- R PLU- … will …ction of said these … lines of … we call … yours in … special at the confe- … which, if elec- … election and DOKLE Parliamen- of the PSSH Albanian Albania …tures of the Council of Europe Members of the EC Delegation, Columburg and Lord Finsberg

Fireworks—“Dice games” 6 injured in the Capital alone 100 tonnes of fireworks have been cleared through customs at the Tirana customs office Page 5

Korçë 5 car accidents Page 5 Why does Nënshkodra flood?… Page 7

On pages 8–9 With the Merited Artist Andon Qesari

Members of the EC Delegation, Columburg and Lord Finsberg

The position of the Socialist Party and an interview with representatives of the Democratic Alliance Party, the Social Democratic Party, the Union for Human Rights,

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On Friday, January 5, 1996, at 11:00 a.m., a meeting of the General Governing Council of the Socialist Women's Forum of Albania will be held at the Headquarters of the General Governing Committee of the Socialist Party.