In the history of our people there are many notable dates and events. Each one passes on its values to the generations. 5 May, the Day of the Martyrs of the Nation, is one such date. Our entire people—men and women, young people, Enver’s Pioneers, military personnel and veterans—bow with deep respect before those who laid down their lives on the altar of the nation, and honor with gratitude their glorious deeds, in a spirit of dedication to preserving the victories achieved intact. For centuries the Albanian people have fought for freedom and independence, for knowledge and culture, for justice and equality, and for social progress. Our great Renaissance figures gave their lives for such lofty ideals; the distinguished figures who proclaimed independence fought for these ideals with both rifle and knowledge. The Party raised these wonderful traditions to a higher level during the years of the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War, which constitutes the greatest and most glorious epic in Albania’s history. The Albanian people, united as one fist in the National Liberation Front, with the Party and Enver Hoxha—the legendary leader, commander and commissar—at the forefront, waged the war and won it. They have every right to be proud of the contribution they made to the victory in the Anti-Fascist War of the peoples, whose 45th anniversary is being commemorated this year. Small in number, but with an unbending patriotic and revolutionary spirit, our people were among the first to resist the fascist hordes. For six years they fought relentlessly against the greatest and most powerful enemies, ranking among the most active members of the anti-fascist coalition. The blood our people shed and the sacrifices they made in this war, Comrade Ramiz Alia has said, will never be forgotten by our people. Our wounds still hurt. But we are proud, because it was these sacrifices that secured for our people freedom and independence, the happy life we enjoy today, and the honored name Albania has in the world. It is a joy for the people to see themselves masters of their own destiny, free and independent, working and creating, raising their country ever higher along the path they have chosen themselves. The determination and confidence to follow the socialist road, and to defend freedom, independence and sovereignty, have their roots in the blood of the martyrs of the nation from every era. The bearers and guarantors of these lofty patriotic and revolutionary ideals are our younger generation, formed with the finest virtues of our people, educated and skilled, and possessing boundless love for the homeland and socialism. The historical past and the present, the National Liberation War, the people’s revolution and the building of socialism, partisan heroism and the heroism of labor in our own days are inseparable. They represent a single endeavor, both in the ideals that inspired them and in the methods by which they were carried out. Therefore, honoring the martyrs is part of our people’s character; it is reflected in their everyday activity, in the country’s achievements and in its secure future. The blood of the martyrs lies at the foundation of all our development and progress. It underpins today’s processes of democratizing the life of the country, further increasing the role of the masses, and all the prospects opened up by the 10th Plenum of the Party’s Central Committee. The greatest tribute to the martyrs’ deeds is everyone’s efforts and militancy in carrying out the tasks set by the construction and development of socialist society. Experience has taught our people always to remain united, on their feet and vigilant, ready to defend the homeland’s freedom and independence from any enemy. This is the testament of those who fell. The people keep their martyrs in their daily roll call, as cherished fellow fighters. They will remain so for all time. They began their lives for the future of the country, and this future is secure in the hands of the people. May the memory of the martyrs of the nation live forever! GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF ALBANIA

[The visible text begins in the narrow column to the right of the photograph.] He warmly greets them and firmly shakes the villagers’ hands. He was accompanied by the first secretary of the District Party Committee, Manxhar Binaj, and the chairman of the District People’s Council Executive Committee, Flamur Çani. A girl gives Comrade Ramiz two red roses from her own garden; other children follow her example, while he, delighted, affectionately strokes the children’s hair. Mihase Bime, an elderly woman and heroine mother, throws her arms around his neck. “You have made us very, very happy, Comrade Ramiz.” Addressing everyone present, Comrade Ramiz Alia says: “When I set out from Tirana and went to Korçë and another district, and thought of coming to Gjirokastër, I said to myself: if I don’t go to Kardhiq, it won’t do. I have been to Gjirokastër before, but I hadn’t come to you; as the saying goes, the dessert is saved for last.” “Thank you for coming; we had missed you,” the villagers say. “I would like to hear how things are going and what your concerns are, what you think about our Party’s policy and the decisions of the recent plenums.” Alush Nikolla, chairman of the Golem cooperative, speaks about its achievements, especially in livestock farming, from which they obtain 70 percent of their total income. This agricultural enterprise has around 10,000 head of small livestock and a flock of 13 lekë per workday. “I’ve been told you also grow tomatoes,” Comrade Ramiz says to him. [The bottom column, cut off by the edge of the image:] The roads and paths connecting Golemi, Fushë-Bardhë, Mashkullorë, Plesat, Prongji, Zhulat and other villages with Kardhiq [the intervening text is unclear] early in the morning … they hurried to reach Kardhiq as soon as possible to meet Comrade Ramiz Alia. A large, green clearing is filled to capacity. The great wish … that he had come to Gjirokastër, had come true. Everyone there, men and women, veterans, young people and children, applauded and cheered loudly when Comrade Ramiz Alia arrived. The longing of the people of Kardhiq to see the leader among them, especially the night before, when they heard that he had come to Gjirokastër, had been fulfilled. Everyone there, men and women, veterans, young people and families, clapped and cheered loudly when Comrade Ramiz Alia arrived. Everyone stretches out their hands to greet him and offer the heartfelt welcome, “May your feet bring you blessings.” Comrade Ramiz Alia— (Photo: ATSH)

On the eve of the People’s Assembly session The reviews by the standing committees have been completed At yesterday’s meeting in Tirana of the Legal Committee, preparations were completed for the upcoming session of the People’s Assembly. At the meeting, deputies debated and discussed in a spirit of cooperation the draft laws on amendments to the Criminal Code and the Criminal and Civil Procedure Codes, and on the establishment of the Ministry of Justice, the Bar, etc. In response to questions, explanations were provided by the minister, the Secretary General of the Council of Ministers, Enver Halili, the Chairman of the General Investigation Directorate, Qemal Lamaj, and the Prosecutor General, Rrapi Mino. The deputies said that at meetings with employees of their work collectives and with voters, support for these changes had been expressed, but observations, suggestions and proposals had also been made, which they presented at the meeting. The chairwoman of the committee, deputy for the district of Dibër, Dashuri Gjunxhi, emphasized that the changes in these draft laws, in keeping with the ideas of the 9th and 10th plenums of the Party’s Central Committee and the guidance of Comrade Ramiz Alia, express the deepening of socialist democracy, the improvement of our socialist legislation, and the establishment of a fairer balance between protecting the interests of the state and society and those of the citizen. Speaking about the proposed changes, deputy for the district of Vlorë, Aranit Çela, said that these draft laws should give wider consideration to the struggle to prevent criminal acts and to the social harm caused by them, etc. Deputy for the district of Fier, Zylftar Ramizi, discussed several amendments to the Criminal Code, which reflect the further strengthening of our socialist legal order. The chairman of the institute for rehabilitation and conditional early release, deputy for the district of Lushnjë, Mirka Papa, said, is connected with our society’s concern for the individual. Deputy for the district of Korçë, Flori Bucu-ku, and deputy for the district of Gramsh, Haki Ajazi, offered views on changing the name of the social courts, in line with their function, and on placing them under the authority of the Democratic Front organizations, etc. The deputies also discussed suggestions and proposals submitted by the other committees of the People’s Assembly concerning draft laws in the field of justice, and agreed that additions and more precise wording should be made to some articles. (Continued on page 2)

On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Nazi extermination camp at Mauthausen, where dozens of Albanian communists and patriots also lost their lives. The delegation is headed by Comrade Gjon Gorishti. (ATSH)

— From Comrade Ramiz Alia’s speech at the meeting with the people of Kardhiq — Comrade Ramiz greeted the participants on behalf of the Party’s Central Committee. He recalled the outstanding patriotic and freedom-loving traditions of this area, and the struggles and sacrifices of all the people of Labëria and Kurvelesh for the cause of the Homeland. He particularly emphasized their contribution during the National Liberation War. After praising the achievements of the area and of the entire district of Gjirokastër in socialist construction and agricultural development, Comrade Ramiz spoke at greater length about several issues concerning the further advancement of livestock farming. This entire region, he said, has been transformed into an area for intensifying small-livestock farming. What Myzeqe is for wheat and other field crops, this area is for livestock farming. All of Gjirokastër is known as a livestock-breeding district. Here, 110 liters of milk are obtained per goat and 55 per sheep. In livestock products per capita, it ranks third nationally. But when compared with the available potential, the way is open to make better use of it and achieve higher yields. At present, Comrade Ramiz continued, cooperative livestock farming is expected to increase output rapidly. Intensification remains the main path to fulfilling the plan’s targets. This process is being made easier because, as villagers take animals into their household yards in return for payment, considerable feed resources are freed up. The situation in livestock farming, Comrade Ramiz went on to say, is satisfactory. The livestock came through the winter without losses, in better condition than in previous years. For now, no particular problem with feed is emerging; natural conditions have been favorable. But we must think ahead, so as not to face difficulties in feeding the animals. With the transfer of animals from the small flocks to the cooperative members’ yards, the number of head in the cooperative herds and flocks will fall by about one-third, he further emphasized, [the text here is garbled: “fieri në tërësi”] of the land available to it. Meanwhile, the area of land available for livestock farming will remain more or less the same (from 120,000 hectares, it will fall to 110,000 hectares). This means that more favorable conditions are being created for its development. These conditions must be exploited to the utmost, and production above plan must be directed to the market and the urban population. Today, livestock production accounts for around 28–32 percent of the cooperatives’ total income. This share must not decline, regardless of the breakup of the small flocks. This is a basic objective, a fundamental task that is not open to debate. To achieve it, production in the cooperative herds must be intensified. Otherwise, imbalances could arise in the agricultural economy, making cooperation between its branches more difficult as well. The plan’s targets will determine the course. The barns and other buildings constructed for livestock farming may also be left unused, Comrade Ramiz pointed out. The investments made in them must not be wasted. First and foremost, these facilities should be used for livestock farming, while also reorganizing the cooperative herds so that the animals are brought as close as possible to the village and its people. The time has come for positive qualitative changes in all livestock-farming indicators. Conditions are in place for this branch to develop more rapidly as a priority sector. At present, the number of cows kept in household yards and those belonging to the cooperative is nearly equal. High yields are needed—at least over 2,000–2,500 liters per head—in order to improve supplies in both the countryside and the city. Speaking further, Comrade Ramiz emphasized the strength of the people’s unity around the Party as the fundamental factor behind the social and political stability prevailing in our country. In every situation, he said, the internal factor is decisive and determining. The decisions of the 10th Plenum are important precisely because they have helped strengthen these factors. The 10th Plenum, Comrade Ramiz said, nevertheless brought and reinforced [the source text is garbled here: “tërësisht, specialist dhe shkrimtarët”], calling on specialists and writers to do more useful work for society on their respective fronts. All the people’s capacities must be put to work and translated into action to advance socialist construction along the Party’s path, the path chosen by the people through their own will. This is the path of strengthening the Homeland’s freedom and independence, the path of the all-round flourishing of our beloved Albania. In the struggle toward these aims, the social values, patriotism and militancy of every communist and citizen are expressed. Socialist construction, Comrade Ramiz continued, needs measures that give every sector of social life room to breathe, and actions that increase the effectiveness of work and stimulate workers’ initiative by harmonizing their interests with those of the collective and the state. The new economic mechanism, which will soon begin to be implemented, represents the essential lever that unleashes the energy of the masses and the all-round advancement of the economy and culture. The decisions adopted at the 10th Plenum continue the tradition of our Party, which, “has never been rigid, but has acted with sound dialectical logic, responding with the necessary positions to all the situations it has passed through.” At this meeting, Comrade Ramiz also spoke about the situation in the world and the positions of the Party and the state regarding various current developments. The foreign policy pursued by our country, he emphasized, has served and continues to serve to strengthen Albania’s international standing, enhance its freedom and independence, and safeguard the sovereignty of the people. This policy, Comrade Ramiz continued, aims to create the most favorable conditions for the people to strive for the prosperity of the homeland and their own well-being. Comrade Ramiz also spoke about the grave situation in the world [and?] the decisions of the 10th Plenum on foreign affairs. These decisions, he said, have increased the interest of the community of peoples in Albania and strengthened its engagement and activity in international developments. Our positions, Comrade Ramiz pointed out, respond to the changes that have taken place globally, and especially to the changes in the attitudes of others toward Albania.

(Photo: ATSH)

48th year of publication Saturday, 5 May 1990 No. 107 (13 051) Price: 30 qindarka