In mid-January, for the first time, a comprehensive discussion began in the bodies of the League of Communists, in all socio-political and self-managing circles, about the current situation and the prospects for socialism, about the development of socialist and democratic social relations, in connection with the statement of the Central Committee of the LCY and the initiative to undertake political reform in our country. These discussions are open, critical in nature, with polemical tones and various disagreements, but also with efforts to find exit solutions that would open the way to overall development. In this sense, the current discussion constitutes an important political and social process. Party comrades, men and women alike, are thinking and speaking openly. There is a demand to get out of the difficult economic and social situation, out of the crisis of trust and morality, and to create conditions for more creative and more responsible action. This is an objective need of our time. The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Kosovo, Azem Vllasi, in a conversation with the editors and journalists of "Rilindja", said that a serious, broad and necessary discussion is taking place on all the key issues of our development. "Nothing should remain taboo. Only through open debate, political courage and creative work can a path be opened for the new," he stressed. He underlined that political reform is not a one-time act, but a complex and long-term process that requires great responsibility, programmatic clarity and broad mobilization of progressive forces. Within this framework, the role of the League of Communists and of other socio-political organizations remains important, but that role must be affirmed differently, in line with the demands of the time. The discussion also includes questions of Kosovo’s constitutional position, relations within the federation, economic reform, the democratization of public life and the responsibility of all factors for overcoming the crisis. What is expected from this discussion is not only criticism of the past, but above all the formulation of concrete solutions for the future. (Photo: ATSH)

— Comrade Ramiz Alia received the official parliamentary delegation of the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil — Photo: ATSH

— The main insult from the center and the gangs must be stopped by force — Police OCP rules everywhere — PRISTINA, 21 February. — The renewed campaign against Albanians in Kosovo is continuing with all its brutality. That center, under the pretext of differentiation, after the demonstrations and the revolt of the Albanians, has mobilized numerous police and military forces. In many parts of Kosovo, extraordinary measures have been introduced, while the cities and largest centers are under strict police control. According to reports from the field, the situation is extremely tense. Numerous arrests, searches, beatings and mistreatment of citizens have been carried out. The Albanian population is being subjected to heavy political and police pressure. In Pristina, Mitrovica, Prizren, Gjakova, Ferizaj and other cities, large police reinforcements, checkpoints and armed patrols can be seen. In these circumstances, a curfew has also been declared, restricting the free movement of citizens and making daily life even more difficult. Such actions cannot bring calm, but only deepen dissatisfaction and injustice. (ATSH)

— Interview with the Minister of Internal Affairs, comrade Simon Stefani, given to our newspaper's editor — Question: Some people have called the decree on the mass pardon of 28 November an amnesty measure. From a theoretical and legal point of view, is that so? Answer: No, on the eve of the day marking the approval of the 45th anniversary of the liberation of the homeland from the fascist and Nazi occupiers and the establishment of people’s power, the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the RPSSH, on the basis of article 76 of the Constitution, issued decree no. 7431 on amnesty. By this decree, persons who had committed certain criminal offenses were also amnestied, but not all categories. For this reason, one cannot speak of a general amnesty, but of a specific measure of pardon and relief. Question: Can you explain to us what crime looks like in our country and what trends it has shown recently? Answer: From year to year, crime in our country has been decreasing. This is the result of the strengthening of socialist order, the educational work of the organizations, and the vigilance of the law-enforcement bodies. Nevertheless, there are still harmful phenomena that require an unceasing struggle. The Internal Affairs bodies bear a special responsibility for preventing criminal acts and safeguarding the socialist order. Question: We have received several questions in the editorial office regarding recidivists. How does this problem appear in our country? Answer: Recidivism has been decreasing. This is connected with the education of convicts, preventive measures and social control. Naturally, we still have such cases, but their number is limited and measures are taken against them according to the law. (According to ATSH)

(According to ATSH)

A TYPICAL SCENE IN THE HEROIC LIFE OF KOSOVO