About a month has passed since the holding of the conference of the XIV Plenum of the General Council of the Democratic Front of Albania. During this time, our country has breathed more calmly and securely, while social opinion has been swept up in a new political and moral mobilization in the face of the complicated developments of the time. The discussion of our mass organization, its irreplaceable role in strengthening the moral-political unity of our people, was widely spoken about at that conference and in the meetings that followed. The Democratic Front remains, as always, the common tribune where the voices of the working class, the cooperative peasantry, the people's intelligentsia, the youth and women come together. In today's conditions, when external enemies and remnants of foreign ideologies try to undermine the foundations of socialism in Albania, the Front organization takes on even greater importance. It is a school of patriotic education, revolutionary vigilance and broad participation of the people in the affairs of the country. At the center of its work must be the unification of all honest people around the Party of Labor of Albania and the people's power, the strengthening of faith in the Marxist-Leninist line and in the ideals of socialism. This requires not only words, but also convincing everyday work, personal example, and struggle against bureaucracy, formalism and every manifestation of liberalism. The Front must listen more closely to people's troubles, accurately reflect the demands and opinions of the masses, but at the same time firmly unmask the hostile and deranged elements that try to poison our social atmosphere. An organization of great unity cannot be deaf to the voice of the people, nor soft toward its enemies. The life of our country has proven that whenever the people have gathered closely around the Party, no one has been able to defeat it. This historical truth takes on special meaning today. Therefore the Front, as a broad social and political organization, must always be at the forefront of duty, in defense of the socialist homeland, the constitutional order and the peace of citizens. From this point of view, the recent conference and its resonance at the base have given a useful impulse. What is now required is better implementation of decisions, more vitality in work, closer ties with people and greater determination in facing challenges. In this way, the Front will truly be the organization of great unity.

toward the hostile and anti-national actions of the exponents of the embassy crisis Ordinary honest people, workers, cooperative members, students, pupils, soldiers and pensioners, employees of institutions and social organizations, young men and women, express deep indignation at the shameful events of the past few days and firmly condemn the vile anti-national acts of those who have placed themselves in the service of the enemies of the homeland. In discussions held in work collectives and various organizations, it is stressed that the illegal entry into foreign missions, the violation of the law and of the norms of socialist coexistence constitute a blow against the constitutional order of the country and the interests of the people. The conviction is expressed that our wise and patriotic people, tempered in wars and sacrifices, will know how to give the deserving answer to the provocateurs and their instigators. Social opinion is also echoed by anger at foreign propaganda that tries to distort Albanian reality and present open hostile acts as "humanitarian shelter." In discussions it is pointed out that no one can play with the fate of our country, with its independence and sovereignty. Workers in many enterprises and institutions express that they will increase revolutionary vigilance, strengthen discipline at work, and remain closely linked to the Party and the people's power. They strongly condemn wavering positions and any attempt to create confusion in public opinion. In cities and villages, in meetings and gatherings, it has been emphasized that the People's Socialist Republic of Albania has known and knows how to defend the law, order and peace, as well as the legitimate rights of its citizens. Any violation of the law will receive the deserved punishment. Citizens express the determination to guard fanatically the victories of socialism, national independence and the dignity of the country, leaving no opening to external and internal enemies to harm socialist Albania.

Yesterday the rural population of our state, the cooperative workers, artisans and village intellectuals, strongly expressed their condemnation of the shameful acts of the past few days. In the meetings held, many speakers pointed out that no one has the right to touch the country's order and national dignity. It was emphasized that foreign propaganda, which seeks to present these acts as innocent, cannot deceive our people. The Albanian people know well the aims of their enemies and will remain united around the Party and the people's power. In the villages, the need to strengthen order, vigilance and the education of the younger generation in the spirit of patriotism and work was discussed. The participants condemned every attempt to spread panic, to stir confusion or to call the victories of socialism into question. Many speakers expressed their confidence that our country will overcome this test with dignity as it has overcome other trials in the past.

In the reactions of the past few days, various citizens have spoken in direct language against those who abandon the norms of our socialist life and place themselves in the service of hostile centers. Harsh but sincere expressions have been heard in meetings, at work and in the street. "They've lost their heads" - said a worker, referring to those who think that freedom lies in breaking the law, in fleeing or in seeking shelter at foreign missions. According to him, these people understand nothing of the life of the people or of the sacrifices that have been made to build this country. Other speakers pointed out that the person who loves the homeland does not shame it. He defends it, strengthens it and works for it. Any other path is the wrong path. Therefore they called for calm, maturity and unity. In these discussions it was emphasized that Albanian youth, educated in the ideals of socialism, cannot be deceived by the fairy tales of the bourgeois-revisionist world or by the promises of foreign agencies.

(Continued on page 2) — one said to some of the people from the block next to my house, while watching those who endlessly comment on events. According to him, those who throw fuel on the fire of gossip and spread words that only increase insecurity cannot be called honest. He said that the majority of people work honestly and want peace for their families, while a handful of dissatisfied and confused people try to create a distorted picture of reality. In such conversations it became clear that the ordinary citizen wants order, peace and respect for the law.

KASTRIOT KERUA How exhausting it is to follow the unfolding of such a drama! Those were extremely heavy hours. Confused people, incited by foreign propaganda and disoriented by false illusions, entered foreign missions, violating the law and endangering public peace. But our country is not without a master. Our socialist state has its own laws, its own dignity and its responsibility before the people. Whoever violates these laws must answer for it. And they will answer. There can be no mercy for those who put foreign interests above the national interest. The people do not forgive actions that shame the country. The law does not forgive either. It acts with justice and with determination. If anyone thought that Albania could be brought to its knees by intrigues, pressure or foreign interference, they are gravely mistaken. Our history, written with blood, sacrifice and pride, shows this. Therefore today more than ever, clarity, resilience and faith in our strength are required. That is the proper response to anyone who hopes to see Albania divided or weak.

(Continued on page 2) Many residents of block no. 5 in the Capital gave their views on the recent events. Their voice was clear: no one has the right to violate order, damage the country's image and create concern among people. Pensioners, workers, mothers and young people condemned the acts of entering embassies and stressed that the problem is not solved by escape and adventure, but by work, dedication and civic behavior. They stated that they are all against these acts and that they will not allow a minority to become the spokesman for the honest majority of the people.

On the occasion of the national holiday, Comrade Ramiz Alia sent a congratulatory telegram to the President of the Republic of Venezuela, Carlos Andres Perez. The telegram conveys the best wishes for the Venezuelan people and the desire for the further development of friendly relations between the two countries. (Afsh)

The Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Venezuela, among other things, emphasized the importance of developing relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. On 4 July, Comrade Ramiz Alia received Mr. Carlos Andres Perez in a meeting. Below: At the airport, seeing off the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Venezuela, Juan Jose Torres. (Photo: J. Xhuvani)