— Greeting from comrade Ramiz Alia addressed to the people on the occasion of New Year — Comrades, brothers and sisters, dear ones, heartfelt wishes and Happy New Year! Comrades, brothers and sisters, dear ones, heartfelt wishes and Happy New Year! We are once again turning to the memories of the year we have just seen off. Our people know that in 1990, as in every year, both good and bad were intertwined. In the political field, above all, the year that has passed left behind events of great national importance and acceleration. The year 1990 marked the beginning of putting into life the decisions of the 9th Party Congress, mobilizing all our forces to respond to the needs of the time and the country. To the eyes of the world and of our nation, 2 July will remain unforgettable, the day of the proclamation of the Constitutional Declaration of Kosovo’s independence, which was rightly called “its charter of freedom.” This year also marked other serious and difficult events, such as those at the embassies. But even in this field, we can say that we have taken and are taking steps toward a proper solution, one that serves the interests of the country and the people. The past year was of special importance in the economic and social sphere as well. This year we undertook many measures to put the economic mechanism into better operation, to give greater weight to the role of work and material incentives, and to bring our economy closer to the demands of the times. Unfortunately, the desired results in production, and especially in living standards, were not achieved. The difficulties in supplying the population with some essential items became even more apparent. The difficulties were felt particularly in the families of workers, cooperative members, pensioners, and the intelligentsia with limited incomes. The everyday life of our people this year was harder than in other years. The Albanian people, while working for true democracy and the overall improvement of life, have always wanted peaceful and stable development. Just as in the past, even now they want stability, order, and calm. The people’s wise sayings “the water sleeps, the enemy does not” and “beware of the false friend” are valid today as well. The influence of foreign propaganda, the stirring up of dissatisfaction, and the use of our difficulties by circles that do not wish us well are phenomena we have seen and felt. Nevertheless, our people have shown themselves mature, patient, and determined to move forward. The February and March 1991 elections[?], which will be held in a more open democratic climate, will be a test of our civic maturity. Albania will move forward toward democratization, but not by endangering order, calm, and national independence. No one should forget that without a strong economy, without a functioning government, without discipline in work and in life, there can be neither true freedom nor well-being. Dear comrades, When we take stock of the year gone by, it is not difficult to understand how great the strain has been on our entire people. But equally clear is the path we must follow: to work harder, to save, to strengthen responsibility, to fight waste, and to increase production. Only in this way can we overcome today’s difficulties and build a better future. At this beginning of the year, I wholeheartedly wish every Albanian family health, prosperity, peace, and joy. I wish our youth to grow up with love for the homeland, with culture and knowledge, with the will for honest work. I wish the workers, peasants, soldiers, intellectuals, women and men of Albania to give their best for the country. Let us enter the New Year with confidence, courage, and determination. Let us move forward with confidence in the future! (ATSH photo)