«More united than ever with the Party, we look to our own hands to move forward» Dozens of letters and telegrams have arrived, and continue to arrive, for the First Secretary of the Party’s CC, comrade Ramiz Alia, and the Central Committee of the Party, from workers’ collectives and cooperative farmers throughout the country. They are telegrams and letters from Front, Youth and women’s organizations, from military personnel, intellectuals and pensioners. Their messages express deep indignation against all those seeking to disrupt the peaceful life of our country, and stress that everyone has risen to their feet, ready to defend the Homeland, freedom and national independence, and the path of democracy. They express readiness to move work forward and a strong desire to strengthen national unity around the Party, with comrade Ramiz Alia at its head. Among other things, the workers’ collective of the «Dinamo» factory in Tirana writes: «The enemies’ aims of ruining the joyful atmosphere of our lives amid the country’s uninterrupted process of democratization will never be achieved. We are more united than ever with the Party, with You at its head, comrade Ramiz, ready to overcome every difficulty and obstacle that lies ahead. We do not expect progress from foreigners or parasites, but from our own hands, from our own sweat». Among other things, the letter sent by the employees of the Institute of Nuclear Physics says: With all our being, we assure you, dear comrade Ramiz, that we not only stand in solidarity with You and the Party, but understand this solidarity as our active and unwavering civic commitment to implement at all costs the decisions of the recent Plenums of the Party’s CC. For us, workers in science and intellectuals, as sons and daughters of socialist Albania and its people, it is an indisputable axiom that only work—genuine, tireless and creative work—will further increase the well-being of the patriotic citizen. The actions of these elements are an open attempt to obstruct the process of democratization, create chaos, and tarnish the name of Albania and its right to be free and sovereign. These attempts will fail. We are with You, with the Party. Our promise to work tirelessly is the least the country and the times demand of us. We promise you that we will remain alert, that we will fight to advance the country’s development program and, if need be, will make the supreme sacrifice to safeguard Albania’s honor and the victories of our people. The actions of external and internal enemies are an organized attack against the people’s power, the Party and the Homeland, reads, among other things, the letter from the «Hysni Kapo» unit in Fier. With unshakable faith in the Party’s line and leadership, united around it and the Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces, comrade Ramiz Alia, we will remain constantly on our feet and ready to defend, even with our blood, the victories achieved and the freedom and independence of our beloved Homeland. We neither have nor will have any manifestation of that mentality which misunderstands democracy. Our aim is to raise people’s well-being through honest work, through the sweat of our brow, by implementing the Party’s decisions. The hostile actions fill us with indignation, but do not unsettle our minds or convictions. On the contrary, they increase our vigilance in defending the victories achieved. Eighty-four women activists of the Women’s Organization in the town of Burrel write that they are concerned about the actions of certain hooligans in the capital and, as mothers, promise that, as always, they will raise their children to love the great motherland, the Homeland. We are in complete agreement with the views You express, dear comrade Ramiz, on the further democratization of the country, its uninterrupted development, and the defense at all costs of the freedom and independence of our beloved Homeland, write the pensioners of Block 4, Neighborhood 1, District No. 1 of Tirana, in their telegram. We condemn the activity of those unpatriotic and irresponsible elements who shamelessly deny their Homeland and place themselves at the service of those who, at this time, are seeing it honored and more developed than ever before. Despite the difficulties and shortages, we have never placed them above the progress we have achieved, the freedom and independence of the country, or its prospects for secure development. We will strengthen our unity and ensure that all the diabolical plans of internal and external enemies whose aim is to overthrow the people’s power fail. We have weathered many storms and downpours during these 46 years since liberation, and have always emerged victorious. Now, too, we will strike a crushing blow against the enemies of our people and our Homeland. United as always around the Party, with You at its head, comrade Ramiz, together with our own forces, those of our children and of all the people, we will always be ready and vigilant in defense of the sacred ideals of our people and our beloved Homeland. Letters and telegrams expressing such sentiments have also reached the Party’s Central Committee and from many other workers’ collectives, including the Electromedical Factory and the Trade Transport Enterprise in Tirana; the Peshkopi freight depot collective; many military units; the «Partizani» factory collective in Tirana; the «29 Nëntori» agricultural enterprise in Lushnjë; a group of workers from Vërri-Arnë in Kukës; the cooperative farmers of Gorë; and the people of the neighborhood ...more. With unshakable confidence in the Party’s leadership and line, tightly rallied alert the freedom and independence of our dear homeland. The young people of Kruftë in Lushnjë state in their telegram: We wish you to know, dear Comrade Ramiz, that among our youth there is an unwavering commitment and readiness to defend at all costs the freedom and independence of our dear homeland, write in their telegram the pensioners of Block 4 of Neighborhood 1, Region No. 1 of Tirana. We condemn the activity of those unpatriotic and dishonest elements who vilely deny their homeland and put themselves at the service of foreigners for their petty interests. We have shed our blood and sweat for the freedom and independence of our homeland, to bring it ... [text unclear] ... the Trade Transport Directorate in Tirana, the collective of the Peshkopi freight depot, numerous military units, the collective of the “Partizani” factory group of workers from Verria-Arnë in Kukës, the members of the Gore cooperative, the people of the “18 Tetori” neighborhood in Gjirokastër, the organization of the Democratic Front of the “22nd Assault Brigade” neighborhood in Durrës, and many others.

Mehmet Elezi, publicist: The peoples of Europe, too, with whom, as fellow inhabitants of the same continent, we wish to live in peace and cooperate, have honored first and foremost their own sons, those who loved their Homeland, their nation, above all else. In the history of the French Revolution, for example, Marat’s response has become proverbial when he was advised to leave France—not to put on one more shirt, but to save his head from the certain guillotine: «Well, I can leave, he said, but can I take my Homeland in the soles of my shoes?» It therefore remains incomprehensible and somewhat suspicious that certain circles who declare themselves in favor of democracy and cooperation with other countries, in practice do not foster ties with the true representatives of the Albanian people—the workers and peasants, intellectuals and people of standing—as happens everywhere in the world, but instead support the least cultured, marginalized people, without standing or ideals. For it is a fact that behind the fences in embassy courtyards there is not a single distinguished person or public figure. Reason can hardly accept that this attitude is in any way consistent with the well-known democratic aspirations and traditions of the European peoples themselves. Not one of these peoples would throw stones at the Albanian people, so devoted and determined on the path of uninterrupted, peaceful progress and democratization. «I am well when Albania is well,» Isa Boletini once said. We, the Albanian people, our intellectuals and the younger generation, have the blood of the nation’s martyrs running through our veins. We could have no other blood or spirit. We are inspired by a single alternative: to defend at all costs and enrich our national and socialist values, freedom and independence, the peace of children and the elderly, today and tomorrow. In life, a person can make mistakes, perhaps even commit faults, and be judged harshly, but these can still be remedied. The only irreparable curse is the one that comes from a Mother’s heart, from the heart of the nation. Beyond love for it, there can be no democratic ideal of any kind. Diana Çuli, writer: The 11th Plenum of the Party Central Committee and Comrade Ramiz Alia’s speech urge writers to find other points of support for a writer with a national character. No writer can be understood or called a writer without this character in their work. Such a writer is doomed from the moment they imagine they can do without it. The great writers of the world and our best writers, past and present, are what they are precisely because their work is woven into the boundless fabric of their people’s life, to which they have devoted themselves forever, once they have understood that this is the path they themselves must take. This has been understood and encountered by the old writers not as a euphoric notion, never as an abstract notion or an official commitment, but as a historically conscious and active commitment to the history, problems, and future of the country. Robert Koli, economist: Those who love life, family, homeland, and society, to which they owe so much, see development and happiness and seek them in their own land, among their people, among their comrades and friends, among their families and all their loved ones. Our economy may indeed lack contemporary levels of technology and the advanced capabilities required by the world economy, especially that of developed countries. This is natural and understandable if we consider the path we have followed and the great obstacles we have had to overcome. Nevertheless, these difficulties and shortcomings have never led us, nor do they lead us, to lose our composure and courage to find the right solutions and move forward. We have mineral resources that few countries in Europe possess; we have a landscape in which abundance and rare natural beauty are harmoniously combined. Above all, we have strong people, ready for every kind of work. The new system of management based on self-accounting brings it to life and emancipates it further, fostering creative work, productivity, economy, and quality in its own operations. Prof. dr. Rexhep Mejdani Wherever I have worked, given presentations, or published, at home and abroad, I have felt the intellectual responsibility of an Albanian toward my country, its culture, and its science. I have always been inspired by the familiar call to every Albanian: Albania’s honor is the honor of each individual. The honor of our work is the honor of the country, of the people who educated and raised us and left us with such levels of national consciousness that we can face every challenge of our time with knowledge, effort, and pride. Comrade Ramiz Alia’s speech at the 11th Plenum of the Central Committee of the Party of Labour of Albania fills me with renewed inspiration to work with full commitment and wholehearted, legitimate love in the service of my country, my freedom-loving people, and the rapid emancipation of our socialist society. On this occasion, I call on all intellectuals in education and science to tackle energetically, with a national Party spirit and a strong sense of Albanian identity, all the duties entrusted to us, with great commitment, selflessness, and a spirit of sacrifice, for the good of the Homeland and our society, for the good of all the Albanian people and our families.

— TIRANA — On the occasion of the July 10 holiday, the 47th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Army, in the afternoon the Ministry of People’s Defense organized a festive gathering at the Central Army House in Tirana. Military personnel, cadres from units across the country, and veterans took part. Here, the 11th Plenum of the Party’s CC gave it new value and broadened the horizons of its work, so that these assets might acquire far greater qualitative value. With them we will build more factories and plants, open more jobs, and increase wages and bonuses more quickly. All this, as up to now, will be accomplished through our own efforts and sweat, without distancing ourselves—in fact, by further strengthening our ties in all fields with other countries where our interests are shared. (Continued on page 3)

TIRANA, 9 July. - The correspondent of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency learned that today a group of Albanian citizens who were in the Czechoslovak Embassy left for Prague with valid documents. Their departure took place in accordance with the Decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Republic of Albania on exempting from criminal prosecution Albanian citizens who were then in foreign diplomatic missions in Tirana and providing them with passports if they so requested.

Diana Çuli, writer:

Robert Koli, economist:

Prof. dr. Rexhep Mejdani

The progress of the country and the safeguarding of the people’s freedom today require that we all stand on our feet and remain alert. RAMIZ ALIA

On several changes to the composition of the Council of Ministers In accordance with Article 78 of the Constitution, On the proposal of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers; THE PRESIDIUM OF THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY OF THE PEOPLE’S SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA HEREBY DECIDES: 1. — Hekuran Isai is appointed Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Internal Affairs. 2. — Simon Stefani is relieved of his duties as Internal Affairs, and is appointed Chairman of the State Control Commission. 3. — Manus Myftiu is relieved of his duties as Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Chairman of the State Control Commission, upon his retirement. 4. — Prokop Murra is relieved of his post as Minister of People’s Defense, upon his retirement. 5. — Kiço Mustaqi is appointed Minister of People’s Defense. 6. — Vito Kapo is relieved of her post as Minister of Light Industry, upon her retirement. 7. — Bashkim Sykaj is appointed Minister of Light Industry. 8. — Jovan Bardhi is relieved of his post as Minister of Food Industry, upon his retirement. 9. — Ylli Bufi is appointed Minister of Food Industry. 10. — Xhemal Tafaj is relieved of his post as Minister of Municipal Economy, as he is transferring to another position. 11. — Osman Murati is relieved of his post as Minister of Internal Trade, as he is transferring to another position. 12. — Pajtim Ajazi is appointed Minister of Internal Trade. This decree shall enter into force immediately. Tirana, July 8, 1990 Decree No.: 7398 FOR REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA SECRETARY CHAIRMAN S I H A T TOZAJ RAMIZ ALIA DECREE On an amendment to the Labour Code of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania

On an amendment to the Labour Code of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania In accordance with Article 78 of the Constitution, On the proposal of the Council of Ministers; SECRETARY SIHAT TOZAJ CHAIRMAN of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania proposal Article 1 The second paragraph of Article 53 of is amended as follows: «When an interruption occurs through no fault of the worker and the administration of the enterprise, institution or social organization does not provide the worker with another job, the worker shall receive 80 percent of their wage for the period of interruption, while the administrative, engineering-technical and economic management personnel responsible for causing the interruption of work or for failing to provide another job shall receive half their wage.» Article 2 1990 Decree No.: 7399 FOR THE PRESIDENT ALBANIA SECRETARY SIHAT TOZAJ CHAIRMAN RAMIZ ALIA

No. 227, dated July 9, 1990 ON THE PAYMENT OF WORKERS ACCORDING TO THE CATEGORY OF THE PROCESS AND THE WORKPLACE The Council of Ministers HEREBY DECIDES: 1. - Workers shall be paid 2. - Point 1 of Council of Ministers Decision No. 40, dated May 24, 1978, and the second paragraph of letter «a» of point 2 of Council of Ministers Decision No. 169, dated December 14, 1972, «On certain labor and wage issues», are repealed. This decision shall enter into force immediately. CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ADIL ÇARÇANI