Meeting of the PSSH National General Council: The debate focused on strengthening the party organization and building an administration based on meritocracy “Those who understand us should fight and work with us. Those who do not understand us may insult us, but they will be left behind” Changes to the PSSH leadership: Pandeli Majko, Secretary-General; Musa Ulqini, Secretary for Public Relations; Petro Koçi, Secretary for Organization and Coordination New members of the Presidium: Bashkim Fino, Arben Malaj, Luan M. Rama, Ilir Meta, Ilir Zela Read the PS Chairman’s speech at yesterday’s National General Council meeting on pages 2–3

At the center of yesterday’s National General Council meeting was the mass mobilization of all party members to take the lead in addressing the situation and justify the trust the people placed in them in the landslide vote of June 29. In this context, the Chairman of the Socialist Party, Fatos Nano, in his speech gave an overall assessment of the political situation in the country, emphasizing the need for the party to take on the major responsibilities it now has as a party in power, governing in coalition with other parties. Fatos Nano called the government’s program a Bible, the basis on which the party must act. The work begins first by breaking down this program so as to make it clear and understandable to people. Strengthening the party organization, a necessity of the times It was no coincidence that the meeting focused primarily on issues of strengthening the party organization, as required by the new situation. On behalf of the party Presidium, Fatos Nano [text continues beyond the edge of the image] proposed that Pandeli Majko be elected Secretary-General of the party, filling the vacancy left by Rexhep Meidani’s election to the post of President of the Republic, and that six more members be added to the party Presidium, increasing its membership from 15 to 21. Nano explained the need to expand the party Presidium by citing the necessity of strengthening the role of the party’s executive leadership now that a large part of it is in government, and of ensuring continuity in contacts between elected party bodies and the executive branch. Moreover, the increase in the party’s membership, both now and going forward, calls for an expansion of the party’s political executive. The party chairman stressed that, in strengthening the party Presidium, account had also been taken of the experience of other socialist and social-democratic parties that had moved from opposition to government, such as the Democratic Party of the Left in Italy, PASOK in Greece, etc. Within this framework, the need to reconceive and increase the role of the Departments operating alongside the party Presidium was also strongly emphasized, so that they could assume their true role as executive political offices. The organic functioning of the party under the new conditions requ[?] that its representatives entrusted with duties [?] not think of and see themselves as [?] extended and contacts with institution[?] ... between th[?] their leading [unclear] and the party forums. By consensus, the National General Council elected [?]li Majko as the party’s Secretary-General and elected Bashkim Fino to the Presidium in place of Rexhep Meidani. The meeting also accepted and [?] reiterated Namik Dokle’s request to be relieved of his position as Secretary for Organization and Coordination. Dokle justified his request on the grounds that he also holds the post of Deputy Speaker of the People’s Assembly, and that the Secretary for Organization and Coordination must remain in constant contact both with the party’s grassroots and with its forums. Petro Koçi, MP and chairman of the PS in Fier, was elected to the position vacated by Dokle. The National General Council elected Musa Ulqini, MP and chairman of the PS in the city of Tirana, as Secretary for Public Relations. By secret ballot and with alternative candidates, the National General Council also elected Luan Rama, Ilir

The Minister of Defense ordered the bombing by fighter aircraft of the Mifol BRIDGE in Vlora. The Chief of the General Staff of the Army, Sheme Kosova, and the President’s Adviser, Adem Çopani, were also aware of everything. What about Berisha? Page 9

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PSSH Chairman Fatos Nano and Secretary-General Pandeli Majko (Photos: A. Rama) PSSH Chairman Fatos Nano and Secretary-General Pandeli Majko (Photos: A. Rama)