Wishing success to the Second Congress of the Socialist Party of Albania 18 delegations from the Socialist and Social Democratic Parties of Europe are expected to attend the Congress Wishing success to the Second Congress of the Socialist Party of Albania The socialist alternative—the most popular 18 delegations from the Socialist and Social Democratic Parties of Europe are expected to attend the Congress

Congresses in the life of a political party are the high points, because they set the main markers on its path toward achieving the goals it has set itself. The Second Congress of the Socialist Party, which convenes today in Tirana, is a significant event for the party and for the life of the entire country. It will define the new political role of the Socialist Party at this stage in the development of democracy, and its tasks in winning the next parliamentary elections as a force seeking, through the free vote of the people, to take over the reins of government, and to provide a [?] perspective for a Western European-style social democratic party, capable of building real prospects. SOCIALIST PARTY OF ALBANIA 1991 …ists: How will we govern for the next four years, when every chance suggests that the people will entrust us with power through their free vote. This major objective determines the entire programme of the Congress proceedings. It is therefore not intended to be a euphoric parade of successes, nor to become a place where people are lulled[?] with bombastic slogans, but to be—as befits it—a productive working assembly on our party’s tasks in administering the future government, with all the responsibilities that follow It will define the the development of democracy, its tasks in entering the of the people, to take the reins of government, and to give a new, entirely democratic character—based on the principles of the rule of law—to the whole Albanian transition. The Second Congress of the Socialist Party, this high-level forum, will show that it is a political force with a clear social democratic programme of the Western European type, capable of building real and fully achievable prospects, and ready to govern the country. These are the reasons why the proceedings of this congress, which will take place in two stages, now and after the parliamentary elections, have as their motto the civic concern of the social- [the visible portion continues] The Socialists come to their second congress with the support of an electorate whose numbers have grown because of the confidence it has placed, and continues to place, in the alternative (Continued on page 4)

Other guests from European left-wing parties will also arrive today Read on page 4

Stefanopulos, received PS Deputy Chairman Servet Pëllumbi, PS Parliamentary Group Chairman Namik Dokle, and MPs Ermelinda Meksi and Anastas Angjeli at a special meeting. Greece’s Foreign Minister Pangalos also attended the meeting.

[Visible text beside the photograph:] A tone of success, not ... a place where people are lulled by all the responsibilities that follow from this obligation.

Deputy Party Chairman Dr Servet Pëllumbi received Magdalen Hoff, First Vice-President of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament and a member of the Executive Leadership of Germany’s SPD Yesterday evening, the deputy chairmen of the Socialist Party of Albania, Servet Pëllumbi and Ilir Meta, the Secretary General Gramoz Ruçi, and presidium member Arta Dade received Ms Magdalen Hoff, First Vice-President of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament and a member of the Executive Leadership of Germany’s SPD, and Mr Rob De Vater, a representative of the Labour Party of the Netherlands. The guests were interested in the political and economic situation in Albania on the eve of the election campaign, and in democratic processes in Albania. At the outset, Dr Pëllumbi gave a general overview of the party’s situation and the overall state of affairs one day before the Second Congress of the Socialist Party, which is awaited with particular interest not only by its members but also by the entire Albanian electorate ahead of the elections. (Continued on page 4) Yesterday at the Palace of Brigades, the president of Greece, Stefanopulos, received at a special meeting the Socialist Party deputy chairman Servet Pëllumbi, the chairman of the Socialist Party parliamentary group Namik Dokle, and MPs Erm elinda Meksi and Anastas Angjeli. The Greek Foreign Minister Pangalos also attended the meeting. “I am very pleased to meet leaders of the Socialist Party,” President Stefanopulos stated, “and I wish once again to repeat my statement before the Albanian Parliament that ‘Greece improves its relations with Albania irrespective of the governments and irrespective of the parties that form those governments. We hope that all the parties in Albania will have the same attitude toward Greece. My country,” President Stefanopulos continued, “respects the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, makes no distinction between political views, and cooperates with states in the interests of their peoples.’” “For the Socialist Party too,” deputy chairman Servet Pëllumbi said, “your visit to Albania is of particular significance—I would say historic significance—because it will contribute to shaping relations between our two peoples and countries. We greatly value your messages in Parliament and in all the meetings we have held, and we assure you that these relations will develop further in the near future. We greatly value friendship with the Greek people, thank the Greek state for the assistance it gives Albania, and regard Greece as one of the main gateways for our country’s integration into Euro-Atlantic structures.” Later in the conversation, Socialist Party deputy chairman Servet Pëllumbi spoke about the approaching election campaign, the laws concerning this campaign, and the Socialist Party’s programme and objectives. The meeting took place in a very warm and cordial atmosphere. After the meeting, President Stefanopulos made a statement to the press in which he spoke highly of his meeting with the Socialist Party representatives. Socialist Party Press Office Scene from the meeting