The general strike was called off and people are returning to work For 26 consecutive days, Albania experienced a general strike that paralyzed economic life. Just how much 26 days without work means for Albania’s ruined economy—perhaps millions and millions of lek in losses—but just as much was gained during these days. The severe economic and political crisis, the extremely difficult situation of the working masses, and above all the crisis of confidence that had engulfed everyone, led to a widespread halt in work in almost all districts of the country. The workers no longer trusted the one-party government; they no longer trusted the party in power, which for 46 years had brought very little joy to their social and family lives. The cup was now full and could not bear another drop. The workers had demands. Their 17 demands could be summed up in one: to work and live like human beings. But Mr. Nano’s government (a twin of the previous governments) was completely incapable of meeting these demands, and so its resignation was welcomed and greeted with joy by all democratic and progressive forces in the country. The new political solution, which brought about the formation of a pluralist government of national stability, opened «the door» to the country’s recovery and progress. But above all, it restored people’s faith. All political forces are now in power; their cooperation will bring not only the unity of the people, but also the country’s political and economic stability. It was precisely in the service of this unity and the nationwide situation that the general strike was called off and work resumed. On the part of the workers, this was a gesture that was as humane as it was tolerant and noble. At the same time, they insist that they will not give up the struggle to meet their legitimate demands. The agreement reached between the prime minister, the political parties and the independent trade unions was a great victory. Prime Minister Ylli Bufi undertook to include in the new government’s program wage increases, beginning with 25 percent from 15 July 1991 and continuing on a graduated basis, as well as a legal resolution of the Shkodër issue. Likewise, five days after the new government is announced, a meeting will be held with BSPSH, where the methods and deadlines for resolving the 17 demands submitted, as well as the specific demands of the enterprises, will be determined. Thus, yesterday work resumed throughout all the districts of the country, with the exception of Shkodër, the railway stations and some other enterprises. Tirana and the other cities are regaining their vitality. Let this return to work be an important step toward national stability. MEHILL TANUSHI

On 10 June 1991, at 19:00, Dr. Sali Berisha received a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development at the headquarters of the Democratic Party. The European Bank delegation consisted of Sylvia Jay, head of the political office; Andre Neuberg, head of the Legal Council; Erwin Neirop, Legal Adviser; and Joshua Charap, economist. [The text then contains the fragment: “Commission of the city of Tirana.”] After introductions and the customary greetings, Ms. Sylvia Jay spoke first about the request made by the Albanian government to become a member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Dr. Sali Berisha gave a brief overview of developments in Parliament on the basis of human rights and the principles of Helsinki. Ms. Sylvia Jay and Mr. Andre Neuberg highly valued Mr. Berisha’s statements and views and expressed their readiness to help Albania’s admission to the European Bank, which had discussed Sali Berisha gave a brief overview of recent democratic developments in Albania, emphasizing the adoption of the package of laws on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. At the end, both sides expressed their satisfaction with the meeting. It has now become evident that the renewal of the Party of Labour will take place only after it has definitively broken with the past. This also brings [continues outside the frame]. … [text cut off at the top] … adhered to the conclusion of «mistakes and achievements». His position at this congress is connected with the role history has assigned him as President: to democratize the country while at the same time preserving social balance. In this context, the careful formulations deserve to be welcomed, just as he is expected to help isolate the conservatives as a weak faction within this party or in another organization. 11 June 1991

OBSERVER AT THE 10th CONGRESS OF THE PPSH - SELF-CRITICISM OF THE PAST IS INCOMPLETE WITHOUT DENOUNCING THE DICTATOR AND THE CRIMES COMMITTED DURING THE DICTATORSHIP. - CONTINUATION OF THE PARTY’S «PURGE» POLICY. - WHEN THE FREE OPINION OF A DELEGATE SPEAKING FROM THE ROSTRUM IS NOT RESPECTED, THERE IS NO DEMOCRACY. As the Labour Party’s own leaders defined it, their 10th Congress truly offers a historic opportunity to break with the past and create a Socialist Party along European lines. But during the first two days of proceedings, on 10 and 11 June, it does not appear that this opportunity is being properly seized. Judging from the report delivered by Mr. Xhelil Gjoni and from the recent plenary meetings, it can be said that there are forces within this party that genuinely want to renew it. According to the analysis being made, there are other forces within the Party as well. Mr. Gjoni said that some party members do not want changes, another group favors deep reform and distancing itself from past mistakes, and yet others seek a break with the ideological and philosophical legacy. Under these circumstances, the process of renewal is not as easy as it seems, since it is necessary to put people with differing views on the same issue into one sack, even though that issue—dictatorship—is bound to divide them. This objective difficulty, in one way or another, also dictated the report’s evasive formulations. It must be said that the report as a whole was permeated by a spirit of self-criticism. An analysis of the mistaken policies that led to the intensification of the class struggle, the centralization of power, etc., and of the fetishization of the principle of relying on our own forces and dozens of other notorious principles, considered in their historical context, occupied an important place. Nevertheless, the historical facts and analyses presented there were arranged in such a way as to arrive at the conclusion often repeated lately: mistakes were made, but there were also achievements. The same analysis and conclusion were reached regarding Enver Hoxha’s role. The observations and considerations concerning people’s merit to be taken into account — [text continues beyond the frame] At the congress rostrum on its second day, many delegates took the floor, some of whom, such as Dritëro Agolli and Qamil Buxheli, tried to provide a more transparent analysis of the past. In the context of a process to democratize the party itself, it is only logical that its members should be heard with equal regard for their free opinions. Respecting this condition is the alpha of democracy. But the way the proceedings were handled during Mr. Agolli’s speech showed the opposite. Interrupting his speech with individual shouts and collective ovations is far from democratic norms. That was not enough: after he had barely finished speaking, a delegate who had not introduced himself stood up and, without asking for the floor or being given it by anyone, went up to the rostrum and began to object, just as at the counter-rallies held in Tropojë and other districts. Mr. Halil Lala, who was chairing the session, tried to stop the anonymous delegate from speaking but did not succeed. It seems there are conservative and extremist forces within this party that cannot be controlled even at the congress. The evening session on the first day of the congress was held behind closed doors. According to rumors—which, as always in such cases, have taken the place of official news—those present discussed and argued until 2:00 a.m. As emerged from the article published in «Zëri i Popullit» and from the comments of speakers who took the floor the next day, the leaders who had abused their positions for personal privileges were identified there. The result: nine former senior party officials were expelled from the party, and eight others were removed from its Central Committee. This tally is not «very sensational». People of this kind were also expelled at other PPSH congresses. In fact, worse happened: some were interned, imprisoned or executed by firing squad. At that same session, Mr. Ramiz Alia also spoke. While making a realistic criticism and self-criticism of the past, he nevertheless careful formulations deserve to be welcomed ...

On Sunday, 9 June 1991, a major religious ceremony was held at the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Tirana, presided over by Father Artur Liolin. Father Dionis Schutte, Father Ago Petri, Archdeacon Sotir Kanxheri and Subdeacon William Poist took part in the service. According to the announcement made earlier about this service and its participants, including the honored guests from St. George’s Church in Boston, a very large number of worshippers had gathered at the church as early as 7 in the morning. Representatives of religious sects, diplomatic missions, the Committee for Relations with the Outside World, various political parties, etc., had been invited to attend. Before the service began, the theologian Mr. Dhimitër Beduli greeted Father Artur Liolin and his companions on behalf of Tirana’s Orthodox faithful. After him, Father Artur Liolin greeted Albania’s Orthodox faithful and the entire Albanian people on behalf of the Albanians in America and the Orthodox Archdiocese in Boston. Among other things, he said: «You, dear brothers and sisters, are offering us your hand, while we should be kissing your feet for your faith in God, which you have kept burning in your hearts through great sacrifices for 24 years, and which you have nurtured as well». After this, representatives of the religious sects welcomed Father Artur Liolin’s arrival in his homeland. On behalf of the Islamic Community, Dr. Shefqet Ndroqi offered greetings; on behalf of the Bektashi sect, Mr. Ibrahim Hasnaj; on behalf of the Halveti sect, Mr. Muharrem Shehu; and on behalf of the Religious Commission of the Democratic Party, Mr. Galip Kallaixhi. The service then began, accompanied by the choir, which had been prepared and was directed with such skill and talent by the well-known conductor Leno Koço. After the service, Father Artur Liolin personally distributed nafore (pieces of blessed bread) to the worshippers. The deeply moving words Father Artur Liolin spoke after the service—that «this day, for me and the colleagues accompanying me, is the most beautiful, happiest and most joyful day of our lives»—brought great joy to all those present. Also, on Saturday, 8 June 1991, Father Artur Liolin and his colleagues held baptism services at the same church, bringing joy that day to around 200 people—not only families with small children, but also young men and women. In addition, during these days Father Artur Liolin and the people accompanying him were to preside over other religious ceremonies in Durrës, Berat, Korçë and other cities of our country.

Reflection Enver’s merits were applauded at length by the 10th Congress of the PPSH, while the section of the report discussing Ramiz Alia’s accelerating role in the country’s democratization process was met with silence, thus creating a striking contrast in the delegates’ attitudes toward the Party’s two leaders. After the observers, this small detail too speaks against the PPSH’s renewal drive. Through its delegates at the Congress, it displayed nostalgia for the symbol of the fallen dictatorship, Enver Hoxha, and dissatisfaction with Ramiz Alia, who as recently as yesterday had been praised by the PPSH itself as a reformer and standard-bearer of democracy. And indeed: if this Party allows itself to proclaim that it is the standard-bearer of democracy, as it has also written on the street banners, then whom does it have as its symbol? The members of the Political Bureau it expelled from the Party, or the dead Enver? O tempora! Wonders arise when madness triumphs. PETRIT GJONI

The President of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Ramiz Alia, pursuant to the third paragraph of Article 33 of Law No. 7491, dated 29 April 1991, «On the Main Constitutional Provisions», on the basis of the proposal of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Ylli Bufi, by Decree No. 4, dated 11 June 1991, decided to appoint the Government for the stability of the country with the following composition: 1. Chairman of the Council of Ministers — Ylli Bufi 2. Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Economy — Gramoz Pashko 3. Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Deputy Prime Minister — [name unclear in print] 4. Minister of Foreign Affairs — Muhamet Kapllani 5. Minister of Defence — Perikli Teta 6. Minister of Public Order — Bajram Yzeiri 7. Minister of Justice — Shefqet Muçi 8. Minister of Finance — Genci Ruli 9. Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy — Drini Mezini 10. Minister of Industry — Jordan Misja 11. Minister of Food — Vilson Ahmeti 12. Minister of Agriculture — Nexhmedin Dumani 13. Minister of Economic Relations with Foreign Countries — Fatos Nano 14. Minister of Internal Trade and Tourism — Agim Mero 15. Minister of Construction — Emin Mysliu 16. Minister of Transport — Fatos Bitincka 17. Minister of Education — Mago Lakrori 18. Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports — Preç Zogaj 19. Minister of Health — Sabit Broka 20. Chairman of the State Control Commission — Alfred Karamuço 21. Chairman of the Committee for Science and Technology — Petrit Skënde 22. State Secretary for the Economy — Leontiev Çuçi 23. State Secretary for Agriculture — Resmi Osmani 24. State Secretary for Education — Paskal Milo (ATSH)

On Friday at 4 p.m., a meeting between residents of Zone 218 and MPs Franko Krrogi, Azem Hajdari and Ylli Vesiu was held at the «Partizani» school in the capital. MP F. Krrogi spoke about the activities and the situation of the Democratic Party’s parliamentary group in the People’s Assembly. Mr. Azem Hajdari, greeting those attending the meeting, emphasized that the new political solution was an important factor in the country’s political and economic stabilization, in securing aid and loans from abroad, and in guaranteeing social peace. «RD» correspondent The Tirana branch of the Democratic Party has recently been active in the countryside. New sections have been established, for example, in the villages of Mazrek, Kus, Picar, Yrshek, Gërdec, Tapizë, etc. In total, we have 70 sections in the countryside, compared with 30 before the 31 March elections. In connection with this [unclear in the original: “of the reserves”] of the Democratic Party in these villages, as well as in other villages with older sections, such as Domje, Bregu i Lumit, Kodër-Kamëz, Kashar, Kamëz, Valias, etc., Democratic Party activists such as Mr. D. Shehi, P. Rama, Gj. Borova and S. Trocki have visited and held interesting discussions about the Democratic Party’s program and the issues of the situation, and have answered many questions from those attending. The villagers have expressed great dissatisfaction with the decision of F. Nano’s government regarding the division of the countryside, and with the draft decision on wages and prices. On this occasion, the sections were organized, with the best people elected to lead them. The lack of transport has meant that such meetings have not been held in all the villages around Tirana. It is planned to do so as soon as possible, especially in the mountain villages such as Shëngjergji, Kllojkë, Vrap, etc. PËRPARIM RAMA Member of the Democratic Party’s Rural Commission