OSCE final report on the parliamentary elections in Albania, 29 June - 6 July 1997 An overwhelming number of monitoring reports indicate that the voting procedure has, most of the time, been conducted in a proper manner. Voters were generally able to vote without fear or intimidation OSCE Special Coordinator for the parliamentary elections in Albania, Kerstin Lundin

In the North: PS 14, PD 12 In the North: PS 14, PD 12 Page 3

Shkodër: Ali Spahia out of the new parliament The votes in favor of PS candidate Lekë Çukaj were more than enough; attempts to unfairly push him out did not succeed Page 5

OLLEBRAJ WRITES TO DINI! Olbrajt: “The US will encourage Italy’s engagement in Albania...” OLLEBRAJT WRITES TO DINI! Italy’s important role in the elections in Albania Olbrajt: “The US will encourage Italy’s engagement in Albania to ensure a positive and constructive process for the country and its people...” Above: the Italian foreign minister, Lamberto Dini, and the US secretary of state, Madlen Olbrajt, have been actively involved in the conduct of the Albanian elections goes from a conversation with compelling force, while she sees that all this coldness was controlling a thirsty force that wanted to free them and move life forward, not turn it back into miserable anarchy. From the outset she was convinced that the elections of 29 June would be free and that Albania was clearly taking a decisive step toward the future. She pointed out that on 29 June the citizens gave an example of responsible behavior and expressed their will through the free vote. She stressed that this was the beginning of a new process and that the international community would continue to support the stabilization of the country. In her talks with the Italian and American authorities, the need to ensure a constructive political process in Albania and to avoid a return to chaos was discussed. [Continues on page 2]

The Albanian delegation at the Madrid summit ALBANIAN DELEGATION IN MADRID Fino meets with Prodi The Italian prime minister will be in Albania immediately after the new government is formed. Prodi declares: He is coming, the era of guests and of the word of bodies and of cooperation of the economically strengthened. Albania has now entered a new phase of its development, where the country and the past must make way for the beginning of construction, cooperation, surrender, relinquishment, and the new government to rebuild the country. Today marks the official start of the meetings of the head of our government Ilir Meta[?] Fino with his Italian counterpart Romano Prodi in the framework of the Madrid Summit. The former republican[?] Fino is making use of his trip to attend the inauguration ceremony and to meet high-ranking NATO personalities, including Secretary General Javier Solana, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and US President Bill Clinton. In the talks held, the Albanian prime minister informed Mr. Prodi of the concern of the Albanian government and political forces for broad international support for the stabilization of the country. The Italian prime minister expressed readiness to provide concrete assistance and said that Italy would continue to stand by Albania on the new road toward building democratic institutions. The Italian prime minister will be in Albania immediately after the new government is formed.