We want to say something In the attitude that day by day the foreign press and propaganda are taking toward our country, especially in recent days, they are paying particular attention to Albania. Whenever our people buy the foreign press and open it to read it, they see, alongside the name of their country, many different articles and pieces. There have been, and still are, quite a few among them who, in a reproachful tone and with an openly anti-Albanian stance, have launched a harsh attack and insult against our country, Albanian socialism, the political and ideological line of our Party of Labour, and our socialist order. What is distinctive is that some of these people start from and dwell on a few facts and phenomena, greatly exaggerated, in order to blacken an entire people, to deny its work and effort, and to cast mud on the undeniable achievements of socialist Albania. It is no coincidence that these voices, as well as some others, have rushed with rage especially at moments when our country is calmly and firmly facing known difficulties and obstacles, which did not arise today and are not the product of any “upheaval” concocted from outside. In these circumstances and in this propagandistic atmosphere, it is natural for people to ask: why all this noise? whom does it serve? Why do they try to portray Albania as isolated, closed, and without perspective? The answer is not difficult. It is tied to the very fact that Albania has gone and continues to go its own way, head held high, without submitting to anyone, without selling its freedom and independence for favors and concessions. This is precisely what disturbs certain circles, which would like to see our country bow before pressure, open to influences that run counter to socialism and national interests. For us, there is nothing more precious than the freedom, independence, and sovereignty of the homeland. These were won with blood, with struggle, with countless sacrifices, and are preserved with vigilance and dedication. Our people know this truth well. In history it has proved that it knows how to stand firm, how to face storms, how to defend its victories. That is why no one should entertain illusions that Albania can be shaken from its path or become prey to the political games of others. We are free and independent, and that is how we want to be and how we will always remain. This is our unshakable determination, which springs from our history, our struggle, our socialist ideals, and the deep consciousness of our people. Whoever knows Albania and Albanians understands that this is not a phrase, but a conviction deeply rooted in the national conscience. (Continued on page 2)

— DITËX — Dri, a Reuters reporter, writes to an Albanian personality that otherwise he is unable to carry out the scheduled interview. The envoy of London TV continues his efforts to meet the personality, but from the latter he also receives the reply that the conversation is difficult to hold under the conditions he is demanding. He says he came to Albania on assignment to prepare a report, but, according to him, he is not being given the opportunity to see and hear everything he wants. In our circles these demands are viewed with amazement, because not everything can be done according to the wishes of a foreign journalist, especially when he shows haste and lack of respect for the rules. He makes a noise of the world about everything so as to make as much fuss as possible, although the truth is that London TV finds it calm, not in the news, foreign, but in the eyes of the people of this country. There are those who think that one only needs to knock hard and the doors will open by themselves. But things are not done that way here. The rules are respected, the country is respected, the institutions are respected. (Continued on page 2)

Whenever world public opinion has turned its attention to developments in Eastern Europe, comparisons and speculations about Albania have appeared in the press. Some of them have been made with open malice, others out of ignorance of our reality. But there are also those who, wearing the mantle of analysts, try to draw ready-made conclusions and prescriptions for our country. The history of this people and this country should have taught them that Albania is not a country that moves according to the whims of others. Anyone who approaches our events with a clear eye understands that this is not a matter of improvisation, but of a path consciously chosen. For all its strengths and difficulties, this path is linked to national freedom and independence, to socialism, and to the will of the people. Those who do not want to draw lessons from history find it easy to repeat their old mistakes. Instead of fostering understanding, they sow doubt; instead of seeing the truths, they follow prejudices. But the truth remains: Albania is not building its present and future under the pressure of others. (Continued on page 2)

ECHOES FOR COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA’S SPEECH

On 17 October, in Bucharest, the protocol for the exchange of goods and the 1990 payments between the PRPSH and the Socialist Republic of Romania was signed. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania will pay a visit to Turkey At the invitation of the Turkish government, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PRPSH will make an official visit to Turkey. The visit of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania to Iraq has been postponed for agenda reasons on both sides. The second secretary of the Communist Party of Orindo has left our country The second secretary of the Communist Party of Orindo, who stayed several days in our country, left yesterday. The body of the Albanian pilot killed in Angola is escorted home with military honors Yesterday at Rinas Airport, the ceremony for escorting the body of the Albanian pilot killed in Angola with military honors was held. (ATSH)

Our Albania moves forward, firmly on the socialist road. The foundations of the state are that it is a free and independent country, a country with a solid internal situation, where the people are the masters of their own destiny.

(photo montage by Niko Xhuka)