Letter by Personal Representative Franz Vranitzky to the Albanian Prime Minister

VIENNA, 22 May 1997 - This letter was sent by the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office for Albania, former Austrian Chancellor, Dr. Franz Vranitzky, to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Bashkim Fino, this evening.

DR. FRANZ VRANITZKYVienna, 22 May 1997 Dear Prime Minister,

I was delighted to receive the good news late last night (May 21) that all parties have come to a final political settlement on the electoral process. I was pleased to be able to pass on the information about the positive outcome of your long negotiations to the leadership of OSCE this morning, as well as to the Permanent Council of the OSCE. We all warmly welcome the results of your leadership, as well as the compromises taken by all parties.

As you know, I addressed the Permanent Council of the OSCE today. Based on discussions with election experts, I told the Participating States that the international community can offer support and advice in the preparation and implementation of the election process, guaranteeing in this way the implementation of the OSCE mandate. We can carry out intensive observations of the pre-election process and voting, and assist with all means available in post election activities. Among delegations there was widespread support for the line taken by me in urging the parties to work together towards the elections. OSCE Delegations unanimously supported providing assistance, advice and intensive monitoring of the electoral process.

I also stressed, as did many of the delegations, that the final responsibility to carry out the election rests with Albania. The Permanent Council requested the Albanian authorities to ensure the necessary organisational basis for the elections. The Permanent Council, finally, stated that the OSCE involvement in Albania would have to be reconsidered in case these basic conditions were not provided throughout the electoral process. I am conscious of the difficulties which must be overcome to ensure that elections are held successfully. We stand ready to work with you and your Government to create the conditions for elections which genuinely represent the popular will of the Albanian people.

Although time is short, all OSCE states will do their utmost to carry out their responsibilities. I am informed that the Council of Europe is considering how they may assist in the electoral process. Delegates to the conference on Albania to be held in Rome on 26 May will now be able to move ahead with concrete and definite plans for the further efforts of the international community to provide economic and financial assistance. In this context the international community is expecting the Albanian authorities to cooperate fully, in particular to provide a secure environment. I am confident that your Government and the Albanian authorities will do their part to ensure that the Albanian people are assured of the best election possible.

As for myself, I remain committed to working with OSCE and its Participating States, as well as with other international organizations, to support the aspirations of your government and the people of Albania to re-establish, through the democratic process, popular confidence in political institutions. I am convinced that proper elections will contribute substantially to the recovery of the economic and social stability of Albania.

H.E.Bashkim FINOPrime Ministerof the Republic of Albania