The Central Election Commission announces the final result of the Referendum Final result: 66.74 percent, compared with 33.26 percent of votes in favor of the Monarchy

ALBANIA IN A NEW PERSPECTIVE The vote of June 29 is also an assessment of how the socialists understand, and how faithfully they adhere to, the spirit of national reconciliation and the obligations that derive from it. The parties in government, together with the PSD and PAD, open also to others: a clever, Western-style move that reassured the international institutions as well, in favor of an executive institutionalization of national reconciliation, in a logical continuation, as a real mechanism that will bring Albanians closer together and create a suitable climate for cooperation and joint governance among the progressive opposition parties; one that ensures real support among the electorate and also offers persuasive capacity in taking on governing responsibilities. Albania is now viewed by the international community as a subject facing new, very important tests on the road to democratic recovery. Page 5

The Central Election Commission’s final announcement is awaited so that the convening of the new Parliament can be decreed President Berisha will decree this week the convocation of the new Parliament resulting from the June 29 elections. A single meeting yesterday evening between outgoing President Berisha and Bashkim Fino, Prime Minister of the Government of National Reconciliation, was enough to confirm this. But yesterday the President said nothing about resigning soon. Prime Minister Fino said yesterday that President Berisha had requested the meeting and that it lasted no more than an hour, Fino said. President Berisha completed his first term in February of this year. He was re-elected by the Parliament that emerged from the rigged May 26 elections, under conditions in which a state of emergency had been declared in Albania. His election was strongly contested by hundreds of thousands of protesters throughout Albania, from North to South. His election provoked the immense anger of Albanians, who held him responsible for the loss of their savings in fraudulent pyramid schemes. The harshest chant against him was linked precisely to the loss of money in the pyramid schemes: “Hey Sali, you thief, where have you put our money!” Meanwhile, President Berisha is the next “president in succession” after Ramiz Alia, a former communist in Albania. The convening of the new Parliament, as well as President Berisha’s departure from the post of Head of State, are two constitutional actions long awaited by Albanians. They will bring the transition to an end and enable the transfer of power following the popular verdict of June 29, 1997. Meanwhile, these two actions will pave the way for the creation of the new Coalition Government of the Center and Center-Left, offering hope of overcoming Albania’s grave situation. Korresp. | “Zëri i popullit” grave situation. Correspondent | “Zëri i popullit”

Viktor Klima, Chancellor of Austria The electoral success of the left-wing coalition, and in particular of your party, is a sign of the Albanian people’s confidence in it Deputy Chairwoman of the Socialist Party of Hungary The elections clearly express a strong will for change Ion Iliesku, Chairman of the PSD of Romania Every success in your new mission Page 2

Deputy Minister Bare: Fight Crime Citizens, please understand us and help us restore order Page 4