Rome – Sant'Egidio: Pact among Albanian political parties on the eve of the elections

Today in Rome, at the headquarters of the Catholic Community of Sant'Egidio, in the presence of its highest-ranking representatives, the Minister of Defense of the Italian Republic, Beniamino Andreatta, as well as a large number of ambassadors accredited in Rome and representatives of the Italian and international media, a ceremony was held for the signing of a joint declaration by several political parties of Albania concerning the elections of 29 June 1997 and the responsible governance of the country thereafter. During the ceremony, those present were welcomed by the President of the Community of Sant'Egidio, Andrea Rikardi, the Chairman of the PSSH, Fatos Nano, the Chair- Chairman of the PDSH, Tritan Shehu, and the Chairman of the PSDSH, Skender Gjinushi. On behalf of the coalition of Albanian socialists and social democrats, the respective chairmen, Fatos Nano and Skender Gjinushi, signed, while on behalf of the “Union for Democracy” coalition, only the Chairman of the PD, Tritan Shehu, attended and signed. The “United Albanian Right” grouping was represented by the Chairman of the PR, Sabri Godo, the Chairman of the PDD, Petrit Kalakulla, and the deputy chairman of Balli Kombëtar, Hysen Selfo, who have not yet signed this document. During the events at Sant'Egidio, the Chairman of the PSSH, Fatos Nano, held separate and detailed talks with Italian Minister of Defense Benjamino Andreatta and with the President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Republic, Luciano Violante; he also met with a number of foreign ambassadors accredited in Rome and gave a series of interviews to the media. At these meetings, the authorities of the Government and Parliament of the Italian Republic reaffirmed their full support for resolving the crisis and holding fair elections in Albania on 29 June, as well as making new, serious commitments to cooperate in all fields with the Government and Parliament of the Republic of Albania on the country's institutional and economic reconstruction and its integration into Europe. The ceremony and the meetings of the Chairman of the PSSH, Fatos Nano, took place in a very warm, friendly, open and constructive atmosphere. Press Office of the PSSH Tirana, 23/06, 1997

We, representatives of Albania's political parties, faced with the grave situation in the country and with the date of the 29 June 1997 elections drawing very near, hereby sign the following: 1. We consider that the commitments undertaken and the measures still to be taken by the Government of National Reconciliation, by the Electoral Commissions at all levels, as well as by the OSCE and the International Community throughout the country (in every electoral zone), together constitute the conditions for a complete electoral process (that is, a fair and unimpeded one) on 29 June 1997. 2. We continue to commit ourselves to ensuring that our parties conduct, even at this final stage, an election campaign in keeping with the standards of proper political dialogue, in order to avoid any kind of violence that would obstruct freedom of movement and the expression of political ideas. 3. Overcoming the severe crisis through which Al- Albania is passing, as well as laying the foundation for an ongoing, long-term process of democratic development and the consolidation of a stable democracy, depends on holding the elections of 29 June 1997 freely and fairly. Only under these conditions will the election results, which must be confirmed by the International Community, be beyond dispute and accepted not only by our political parties but, above all, by the Albanian people throughout the country's territory. 4. We commit ourselves to ensuring the governance of the country, aware that the country's welfare and development are the absolute fundamental priority of the programs and political orientation (conscience) of every party. In this regard, the grave situation in which the country finds itself calls for the contribution of all parties within the framework of political cooperation reached through mutual understanding. Therefore, we recognize the priority of a genuine coalition Government, in which the party holding the majority is supported by other parties that are deeply committed to the country's institutional and economic reconstruction. The opposition shall be entitled, among other things, to hold posts carrying institutional responsibility, such as chairing a substantial number of Parliamentary Committees, one of the Deputy Speakers of Parliament, chairing the State Audit Commission, etc. FATOS NANO signed TRITAN SHEHU signed SKENDER GJINUSHI signed Rome, 23 June 1997

Enthusiastic rallies of the progressive opposition in Pogradec, Korçë, Kolonjë Pages 4–5

(REUTERS)

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