— By GJIN JAKU, member of the Party of Labour at NB Lezhë Pluralism has now embarked on its own path, where reason, feeling, and national purpose must prevail above all among the political parties. Under no circumstances should it be a fight for votes! The Party of Labour, having been the initiator of this, made way for other political forces to debate, and did well. It is renewing itself. The Party of Labour’s first renewal came with its progressive programme, the most vital and credible programme for the entire people. But people have become divided into different political convictions and beliefs. There is nothing wrong with this; on the contrary, it expresses democracy in thought and action. But has there been some kind of fracture in the unity among the people of Lezhë? To say no would be to lie. The truth is that cracks appeared here and there, but the members of the Party of Labour worked and continue to work to close them, with one aim: above all, we are people of Lezhë, and only then supporters and speakers for various parties or associations! But how should we understand this unity? By making concessions to one another for the sake of avoiding political confrontation? This, too, must not happen, since political struggle—that is, pluralism—is above all a struggle of minds and viewpoints, that is, ideological convictions; but the one and common cause that unites us is the people, the nation. The minds involved must be cultivated, not dominated by selfishness and malice toward one another for the sake of power. But shouldn’t the political parties in Lezhë themselves, such as the PP, the PD, the PR, which has just been established in our district, etc., reach a common consensus on a few important matters? For example, on fostering a certain enthusiasm for work, for conscientiousness, for mutual understanding. What would the people of Lezhë gain if their parties quarrelled and devoured one another?! What would the little child and the young person gain from seeing adults, members of different parties, quarrelling?! Another issue is unity within the ranks of the Party of Labour itself regarding the problems we are going through. As the driving force behind these developments (not the destruction that took place in some cities), the Party of Labour has unquestionably deserved credit for moving toward Europe. But shouldn’t the Party itself work with its forces, its members, and its supporters to achieve this unity? Of course. There are also members of the Party of Labour who still do not know how to find their bearings in today’s pluralism. We must work with them separately, face to face, explain things to them so that they become clear, and can then explain them clearly to others. Today, more than ever, unity is needed. There are different ways to achieve it, but above all there must be sincerity between the parties. The people will judge them all. They have an exact “scale” for every party.

As four years ago, teacher Shpresa Elezi, who teaches French, began her first day as a teacher at the combined secondary school of Shënkoll. I remember it as if it were today, when she entered the school administration office looking somewhat changed. Deep in her eyes, it was not difficult to read her love and thirst to pass on lasting knowledge to her pupils. And indeed, our expectations were not mistaken. Although a young woman, through her own efforts, without complaining to anyone, she set up the new classroom and won the affection of the pupils and their parents. This was only natural, since this language had been neglected. Her love of the foreign language and of the mother tongue stood out in the lessons she taught, as did her skill in weaving the connections between them, her teaching of grammatical categories, her differentiated work with struggling pupils, her effective use and combination of traditional and active methods, and her warm communication. This is the key to teacher Shpresa’s achievements. One significant fact is enough: A few weeks ago one of her colleagues went abroad as a visitor. Who would cover the 15 foreign-language lessons she taught? The education section was in a quandary: where could they find someone? And the pupils were in fifth and sixth grade, just beginning to learn French. Then teacher Shpresa stepped forward and said: “I’ll teach these lessons.” She taught 30 hours a week! She never complained. Although she has worked for only a few years, she makes the daily journey from Ishull Lezha to Shënkoll, which is no small thing! She has been decorated for her work with the title “Distinguished Teacher,” as she was a year ago on the eve of 7 March. One teacher said: “Well, so she gets decorated, when … (continued on page 4)

Gjyl Brahimi belongs to electoral constituency number 131 (Zadrimë). His candour as a communist makes one write without literary figures of speech. He was born in Mabë, in Zadrimë. In his work he has always remained an honourable and respected man, never puffed up like some officials who, once they reach the city, forget where they came from. Not Gjyl. He has the wisdom and simplicity of a man from Zadrimë, as well as the integrity and good sense of a townsman. But wouldn’t it be of interest to our readers to give him a sort of biography? After completing his studies with very good results, Gjyl Brahimi initially worked as a financial economist at the Ministry of Finance in Tirana. Later, as life would have it, he worked at the Dajç agricultural cooperative. His passionate work and his most essential trait—his refusal to compromise in the performance of his duties—led him to become head of the inspection and audit section at the district Executive Committee. He then became deputy chairman of the district Executive Committee. He is chairman of the district People’s Council (an unpaid position) and, at the same time, secretary of the district Party of Labour Committee. When he was introduced as a candidate for deputy in constituency number 131 in January, the residents of the area welcomed him. They highlighted his virtues as a militant communist. Once again: Gjyl Brahimi is distinguished as a principled and honest person. Injustice and deceit, practised by quite a few officials, are alien to him. But what does he promise the residents of the area where he has been nominated as a candidate? Fair, accurate, sincere elections, without empty electoral promises. He is in favour of renewing all the work of the Party of Labour.

When we ask how many operations he may have performed during this 16-year period in Lezhë, the tireless surgeon replies: around 5,000. Knowing this doctor’s devotion to the sick, one cannot help wishing that behind this figure one could see all those cooperative members and workers, young men and women, and children who, thanks to the work of his hands—or those of his colleagues and the other hospital staff—smile at life and happily return to the ranks of workers, builders, joyful people, and family life. Among the hundreds and hundreds of cases, being called out in the middle of the night just after taking off his coat, only for the telephone to ring, is an ordinary part of a surgeon’s life. We cannot help noting his professional competence, the speed and precision of his decisions, and then the long moments spent battling death and illness. But how did Naim come to Lezhë? In 1966 he graduated in general medicine. He was then assigned to Tirana as a surgeon and, at the same time, as a lecturer at the University. At that time, he took the initiative to go to smaller districts, in this case Ersekë. After four years, he came to Lezhë. As a surgeon. Everyone here knows him, as we mentioned above. Why did he choose the village as his constituency as a candidate for deputy, rather than the city of Lezhë? Naim explains: “I love the countryside. My BP comrades asked me to put my name forward in the city of Lezhë, but I refused. I asked for Zadrimë. If I win, I will do some good things for this area.” Trusting his words, just as they trust his hands and his mind as a compassionate surgeon, the residents of the area accepted him as a candidate for deputy in constituency number 131.

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