[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 92 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            ALBANIA TAKES A GIANT STEP BACKWARD IN DEMOCRACY

                                 ______


                        HON. JOHN EDWARD PORTER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 20, 1996

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, on May 26 the world watched as Albania, 
Europe's poorest country, which for decades has suffered under a 
fanatical strain of communism, held its first elections since the 
Democratic Party defeated the former Communist Party. But what we saw 
did not even remotely resemble the makings of democracy. The elections 
were riddled with fraud, coercion, and other violations before, during, 
and after the voting. To put it simply, these elections were neither 
free nor fair. According to a June 6 article in the Washington Post 
these elections were the most flawed elections held in Eastern Europe 
since 1989.
  Mr. Speaker, when compared to the authoritarian ways of its brutal 
past, Albanians have made commendable strides in both economic and 
social reform. But lingering human rights problems and the inability to 
develop certain democratic institutions raise very serious questions 
regarding Albania's future.
  These recent elections, which are the culmination of an emerging 
pattern of authoritarian tendencies, should stand as a loud, clear 
signal to the world that Albania has strayed from the course of 
democracy. Albania's failure to embrace democracy threatens the 
stability of the entire Balkan region.
  As a champion of democracy throughout the world, the U.S. Government 
must not, and cannot, ignore the fact that this election was neither 
free nor fair. It is incumbent upon us to speak out against oppression 
and subversion of democratic institutions in the struggling countries 
which are attempting to build them. We must hold accountable those who 
perpetrate election abuses, or democracy will never take root in 
Albania.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in working to increase 
security in the Balkan region by urging the Albanian Government to hold 
elections which are free, fair, and subject to international 
monitoring. The Albanian people deserve the opportunity to exercise 
their new democratic ideals, and they deserve our full support.

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