5 parties in the cabinet SP - The President and the Prime Minister SDP - The Speaker of Parliament Fatos Nano, chairman of the SPSh: In the distribution of posts, the Socialists will not abuse the scale of their election victory Fatos Nano, chairman of the SPSh: In the distribution of posts, the Socialists will not abuse the scale of their election victory "Thus, there would be no more division, neither through purges nor through differentiation from the point of view of affiliation or political sympathies, for removals or political appointments on behalf of others" "Certainly, philosophy, political concept and commitment at all levels of the new powers, the powers of the legislature, the executive, and the regions and civil and democratic units unite us. Without a clear solution, let us find the level of agreement on standard positions in the composition of the government, for a country completely indistinguishable from the country [?], and to give the weight of the country and the free country of citizens and forces in a new parliament". The Socialist leader Fatos Nano and the Social Democrat Skënder Gjinushi appeared at a joint press conference where they announced the structure and basic composition of the left-wing coalition government. Under the agreement reached between the allies, the SP is to have the posts of president and prime minister, while the SDP is to receive the post of Speaker of Parliament. According to it, the two large parties will have the main share of the ministries, but other allied parties will also be included in the cabinet. At the conference it was emphasized that the new government will be based on a common program and that representation in it will respect the electoral weight of each political force. Nano underlined that the Socialists will not abuse the scale of their election victory and that the distribution of posts will be carried out in a spirit of understanding and cooperation. "There will be no monopolistic control of the government, nor of a single party, but rather a responsible sharing and a necessary cooperation to restore order, the state, and citizens’ trust," Nano said. Next, the names of the ministers are expected to be made public and the agreements among the coalition parties formalized. The Socialist leader Fatos Nano and the Social Democrat Skënder Gjinushi with an electoral pre-election rally each (photo: A. Kirma)

EDITORIAL Coexistence as an expression of democracy The 29 June election assembly produced a plebiscitary victory for the left-wing alliance and its forces; this confidence came as a result of the country’s dissatisfaction with right-wing governance. Now the task before Albanians is to create such political conditions that democratic norms become the foundation of the new order. The formation of a coalition government may have some impact on the normal course of political processes, and for this reason it is being followed closely by both our public opinion and the international one. In recent days, many versions have circulated regarding the names of the members of the new cabinet. Fatos Nano, chairman of the SPSh, after being mandated for a second time by President Meidani to form the government cabinet, presented the composition of the government to journalists. After these elections we are moving into a new political phase. Until yesterday the right was trying to rediscover the possibility of implementing its own concepts, but these proved ineffective and harmful. This period requires politics not to be reduced to rhetoric, but to rest on rational cooperation and a climate of compromise. The same political reality calls for a new balance of forces and a correction of their behavior in relation to the law and the institutions. Albania is moving from a severe crisis into a phase of consolidation, and therefore the new government must bear a high moral and political responsibility. In this context, coexistence is seen as a necessary formula for creating stability and moving toward democratic normality. It is not a compromise of principles, but a way to manage pluralism in the public interest. In these circumstances the country needs peace, the restoration of state authority, and respect for democratic rules. Coexistence as an expression of democracy thus remains a test of the political maturity of all actors.

Fatos Nano, chairman of the SPSh: In the distribution of posts, the Socialists will not abuse the scale of their election victory "Certainly, philosophy, political concept and commitment at all levels of the new powers, the powers of the legislature, the executive, and the regions and civil and democratic units unite us. Without a clear solution, let us find the level of agreement on standard positions in the composition of the government, for a country completely indistinguishable from the country [?]" "For the information of the new ins[?]titutions of a civil and modern state, the creation of a rule-of-law state, of a guaranteed legislature, the point is standard positions of government in Albania, standard positions for the process of governing Albania, of a completely civilized country, thus at a time when it is carried out freely by citizens and forces in parliament". European. P[?]a that everything be done clearly and competitively on the part of a state that secures everything with the public interest and with good governance. Page 2

Prime Minister Fino after returning from Madrid On his part, President Clinton noted with interest, warmly shaking hands, and expressing his satisfaction with the successful completion of the elections. He confirmed to me the full support of the USA for Albania’s progress on the democratic road Page 3

Statement of the Foreign Department of the SPSh on police violence against Albanian citizens in Tetovo and Gostivar Statement of the Foreign Department of the SPSh on police violence against Albanians in Tetovo and Gostivar Police terror does not solve conflicts As the main governing force, the SPSh, which won the popular mandate in the 29 June elections, has and will implement the popular way of resolving conflicts through political processes and dialogue, and not through police or military force. The emphasis of foreign policy and the defense of the rights of Albanians took on a special framework in the program of our party, and we fully respect the principles of the UN, the Council of Europe, and the documents on human rights signed in the region and beyond. Page 3

Vice-President of the European Parliament sends greetings to the chairman of the SPSh Dear Mr. Chairman, dear Fatos Nano, I wish to congratulate you on the success of the Socialist Party in the parliamentary elections. This victory was expected and you deserved it. By ignoring your puritanism, there is certainly a need for better political and economic achievements. We wish the Albanian people and the turnout all the best, MADOLENI HOFF Vice-President of the European Parliament Brussels, 9.07.1997