After Comrade Ramiz Alia’s speech at the National Activ of the Party, the people also became acquainted with the electoral program discussed and approved by this Activ, with which the Party is presenting itself to the people during the current election campaign for deputies to the People’s Assembly. This is another document that contains not only great aims for important transformations in the political and socioeconomic fields, but also further outlines of ways to achieve them as effectively as possible, in the shortest possible time and, above all, entirely and solely by democratic means. This—and only this—is the path the people want. That is why they wholeheartedly welcome the initiator and implementer of democratic reforms—their Party of Labour—and the visionary of these processes, Comrade Ramiz Alia. This support and backing constitute a popular mandate for these developments, which must proceed without stopping and without any turning back, but also with prudence and calm. We enter this new year amid difficult economic circumstances, complex political developments, and, along the way, several unusual and troubling events in public order. These cannot help but cause upheaval. Nevertheless, we say with great joy and loudly that Comrade Ramiz’s speech at the Party Activ and, together with it, this program (which cannot be viewed separately) open up such prospects that everyone can gain confidence and conviction about the right path—the most useful and reasonable one to follow today and in the future, safely and with dignity. This is no place for lengthy commentary, since our people have both of the documents mentioned in their hands. They speak clearly and plainly, with passion about the developments we have undertaken, and with calm and self-restraint. The Party’s new program inspires enthusiasm not through outward glitter or the effectiveness it embodies. A great deal of work has gone into each of its many political and economic objectives; ideas have been debated, the pulse of people at the grassroots and of different population groups has been taken, and the weaknesses that burden the country, both today and in the future, have been weighed. Therefore, we can say that this program is not merely an ordinary electoral platform, but much more: the natural result of an entire practical democratizing process and a transition to a further new phase. In practice, these developments are proving useful, and today they constitute the most acceptable and secure alternative for achieving major goals. The Party is presenting the people with numerous objectives. In the fields of domestic policy, initiatives and the further deepening of democratizing processes stand out. These are not words, phrases, or slogans, but concrete activity. The partial improvements to legislation made last year were followed by the draft of the new Constitution, another Party initiative that opens the way to further democratic developments and to a more advanced system of law, in keeping with the new times and the realities of Europe. Strengthening the rule of law will separate state activity from party activity, including state activity of every kind. In calling for these changes to the system of state organization, the Party itself strongly emphasizes the need to reform itself—from the courage to be self-critical about everything that has not been done well, to the will and perseverance to make improvements, and even the need to reorganize its forums and apparatus. This is a condition for new developments and broader progress in every field. In every paragraph of it, each objective is thought through in depth, as is what can be done under the conditions of an enterprise and a cooperative, a scientific institution and an educational institution. Only then can they be properly advocated—with force and competence, with passion and argument. Routine work of the kind we have often encountered must be categorically rejected: the notion that everything can be adequately covered by a reading and a few general approving remarks from people. The time for such displays of solidarity is over. More than ever today, a Communist proves himself free of titles, a good cooperative member and intellectual, decent and honest—certainly these things matter, but above all he is a fighter for the line and program of his own Party. Then this line takes root among the people and becomes a great mobilizing force. Today is a time of great responsibilities. (Continued on page 2) of faith that among others is the most reasonable way to move forward is no place for clever comments, since our people have the two documents we passion about the developments we have undertaken, but also calmly and with restraint, with faith in the path we have chosen, but without embellishment or euphoria. This is the language the Party has chosen with its people, because only this language convinces and mobilizes; this language inspires confidence and gets the masses on their feet to carry it out without hesitation. The Party of Labor’s program for the election campaign and for the entire coming legislature is very broad in scope and particularly distinctive in the wealth and variety of its solutions. This demonstrates not only the Party’s degree of emancipation in breaking many taboos, not only a new stage in its political and ideological awareness and cultural preparation, but above all the vitality of our system, its adaptability to new economic structures that advance development and society. The year we have just completed was very intensive. The current year, which has just begun, will be the same. Time will pass; months and years will go by, but these democratizing processes undertaken by our Party and supported by the entire people will take their place in our history as major political and social developments. Part of them is the new Constitution that has been presented to the people, so that it may be theirs; together with it, this discussion, and together with it, this current and forward-looking program. The introduction The Party’s organs and organizations, all the communists, now have this new program in their hands. It is their duty to make it their own deeply, state institutions from party institutions, whatever they may be. In calling for this change in the need to reform itself, beginning with self-criticism for everything that has not been done well, with the will and determination to make improvements, and extending to the need to reorganize its forums and apparatuses, as well as its constant readiness to establish an honest dialogue and proper relations with every other political force. At the heart of the economic objectives is, as always, concern for people and their well-being, by creating the opportunities and conditions for the material and spiritual needs of the people to be met. The struggle to overcome the difficult economic situation more quickly will require major commitments from the communists and the masses, accompanied by the implementation of a radical economic reform aimed at the comprehensive development of economic initiative. The steps being taken in international relations are important contributions to processes of world development, especially European development, and strongly advocate the democratization of these relations and collective security, for large countries as well as small ones. All these measures form a unity toward which the Party of Labor is guiding its people, along a path it has begun of its own free will, but on which much work is needed to achieve these high objectives. not only of the reform to move forward today and in the future safely and with dignity. make it their own deeply, Through this program, it also sets other goals; these are not merely the interests of the Party, but the interests of the people, of whom the communists themselves are a part. It is their duty to understand these ideas deeply, seek explanations and explain them to others, be the first to put them into practice themselves, and demand that everyone do so. In today’s conditions, there are forces that will try to find fault with the Party’s program, cast doubts on it, and so on. This is understandable. But they cannot hinder our work. Our work must be offensive and persuasive, aimed at winning people’s hearts. Only in this way can the ill-wishers of our path be left standing with their mouths agape, because this clear program of our Party of Labor, in every one of its objectives, inspires new energy and confidence. But we must not allow any of these tendentious voices to create an atmosphere of distrust among our people. The best response is clear, accurate explanations grounded in life, without flights of fancy or empty slogans, with our feet on the ground; it is the honest work, the sweat of our communists, cadres and workers, intellectuals and ordinary employees, to overcome the difficulties of the day in work and production, improve the situation, and oppose anyone who obstructs progress. Only this builds confidence and strengthens the guarantees that the fine aims of the Party of Labor will as soon as possible become new realities. And the people wholeheartedly give their vote for the best of their sons and daughters, for those communists whom the Party presents as its candidates in the forthcoming elections to the People’s Assembly.

— Impressions gathered yesterday in several districts of the country about the PPSH electoral program — A fuller outline ELBASAN These are the first impressions and reflections we have gathered from various people after they became acquainted with the Party of Labour’s program for the election campaign and the entire coming legislature. Although these opinions were given quickly, after a first reading, they clearly reveal optimism as well as support for this program. “One after another, within a few days, two important documents: the new draft Constitution and the Party’s program. This fact alone is enough to understand the dynamism of the processes shaping the development of our society and its aspiration for progress,” Agron Tato, director of the “Aleksandër Xhuvani” Higher Pedagogical Institute in Elbasan, tells us. “Once again,” he continues, “the Party of Labour is taking on the historic responsibility of leading the country toward progress and prosperity. In my opinion, it has been and remains the most progressive force, closely connected with the people, whose aspirations for freedom, democracy, justice, and progress it has made its own. That is why the people have confidence that it will successfully carry out this mission in the new circumstances as well.” At the wood-processing combine, we speak with engineer Gëzim Demiri, who says: “I do not belong to any political party, but I support and back the program of the Party of Labour, and I will fight with conviction for its implementation. Why do I say this? In the program I clearly see an image of the future; it deeply reflects the new developments within us and around us. Above all, this program is the most democratic and advanced created to date, and as it is implemented in practice it will be further enriched and improved. Every citizen is given the means to secure their rights by law, as well as the duties they have. The program also dispels a certain insecurity and lack of direction among a category of people, economically and in other respects.” At the food-industry mechanical plant, Communist Lena Simani says: “I am the Party secretary at the plant. I work as a mechanic. As soon as I read the program, I felt proud of my Party once again. There is much that could be said about the program. I will emphasize just one point: the humane dimensions it gives prominence to. I mean the attention paid to social assistance and strengthening the family, easing women’s work and caring for children and the elderly, shortening the weekly working hours, and so on. I express my hope and confidence that, in support of this program, the votes will also go to the PPSH candidates.” SEJDIN CEKANI

Yesterday, in Shkodër too, the PPSH program for the election campaign and the entire coming legislature was at the center of conversations. SHKODER Yesterday, in Shkodër too, the PPSH was at the center of conversations. A group of comrades were discussing passionately: the PPSH program includes everything that concerns our lives, the progress of the country, and the development of the economy through new reforms. Meanwhile, Hysë Zaja, a Communist since 1941, joins the conversation. He has lived every part of this half-century intensely. He speaks briefly. At the heart of what he says is a sense of relief: the Party will stand by the people and the homeland, as it did during the difficult years of the war, when they had been abandoned by everyone. Ramazan Kazi, an instructor at the BP Council, keeps the discussion going when he says that every person—from the villager who once stood at a point of trying to destroy it. The peasant of Kusi knows what he has suffered to get bread. He has not forgotten his hardships for a handful of salt and an oka of corn. That is why the legend of misery cannot be repeated. That is why the peasant needs the cooperative, needs his plot of land, and needs all forms of ownership in order to advance through competition and in harmony,” he says. (Continued on page 2)

— The Party of Labour’s program is very clear. DURRËS — “The Party of Labour’s program is very clear, truly historic,” says Aleko Dhimgjini, director of the NTU in Durrës. “In every line I read and feel the country’s further progress, and progress alone. It is very important that this progress will take place in a new democratic climate, initiated and deepened by the Party of Labour and personally by Comrade Ramiz Alia. In the program I see a better future for my children, for myself, for my comrades and friends, for all the people and the country. That is why I support it wholeheartedly.” “It has been a little over a year since the Party of Labour and Comrade Ramiz began taking historic democratizing measures, which are continually being deepened,” says veteran Communist Bajram Thermia. “Six plenums, from the 8th through the 13th, speak clearly to this. I read what the draft Constitution contains and see in it a profound democratic spirit for the good of the people and the country, and I see this same spirit throughout the Party of Labour’s Program. Wishes… I wanted to stress that, in addition to the support I give it, I say that duties lie ahead for us…” (Continued on page 2)

KUKËS As soon as the newspaper «Zëri i popullit» arrived in the city of Kukës, people eagerly read every paragraph of the PPSH We also found veteran Communist Avdi Hallaci with the newspaper in his hands. He is now retired, but was among the first cadres involved in the effort says. ... understood how this mission multiplies among the communists. The major goals of the PPSH legislature. We also found veteran communist Avdi Hallaci with a among the first cadres of the first cooperative in the Kukës district. While agreeing with the encouragement of cooperatives’ initiative, he is against any restriction [?] They read every paragraph of its pages with particular interest, even a pinch of salt and an oke of corn. Therefore, the legends of misery cannot be repeated. That is why the farmer needs the cooperative, needs the household plot too, competition and in harmony, he says. The day’s conversations have focused precisely on this program. (Continued on page 2)

— TIRANË — During these winter holiday days for the children of the capital, various activities are being organized for their education, relaxation, and cultural development. Every day, hundreds of young pioneers and pioneers gather at the Enver Pioneer Palace, taking part in cultural, artistic, sporting, and other activities. Yesterday, a sports competition opened for pupils in grades 5 and 6 of eight-year schools, who are competing in volleyball, football, basketball, athletics, and other events. Members of the extracurricular groups have also organized several activities, such as a literary and artistic afternoon with the most talented creators, meetings and discussions with… (Continued on page 3)

At the port of Durrës (Photo A. Dhimitri - ATSH) At the port of Durrës (Photo A. Dhimitri - ATSH)

A GAME WITH FIGURES “Nacht und Nebel,” the Germans used to say. And everyone knows that “darkness and fog” are opposed to culture, to progress, and especially to democracy. In recent days, certain information circles have been trying to spread darkness and fog around Albanian realities. A strange inflation of figures has begun; they are inflated and distorted, and you cannot find them written down the next morning. All sorts of spokespeople from Albania are interviewed as champions of truth, while they lie left and right. Of course, we have no intention of teaching these self-appointed observers their trade. But one thing strikes us: the game with figures. The Democratic Party held a rally in Elbasan. Albanian journalists quoted by «Reuters» say that 6,000 people attended. Sweden’s leading newspaper «Dagens Nyheter», through its correspondent who was there, writes that no more than 5,000 people were at the rally. But someone multiplies this figure eightfold and makes it 40,000. Add bran, add water! The same goes for the rally in Korçë. Different people who were there put the number of participants at 3,000–4,000. TANJUG raised the figure to 10,000. Meanwhile, «Voice of America», in a “contest of accuracy” with the Yugoslav news agency, says with a “shrill whistle” that 35,000 to 40,000 people were supposedly at the Korçë rally. For the sake of “such accuracy,” the «Reuters» agency counted up all the figures it heard. Indeed, quoting one of the spokespeople, it said: “It is difficult to estimate how many people there are, because you need experience for these things!” If their own experience is not enough, they could at least have borrowed TANJUG’s(!). And the game with figures goes on. This time, indeed, with a “subject” especially favored by the Western information media: political prisoners. A “person familiar with the matter,” speaking through «Voice of America», expresses his “personal” opinion that there are 1,000 of them. Others say thousands. It is like the old Chinese tale that says you only need to have the number one; it does not matter how many zeros you add after it. The more, the higher the fee! In this whole game with figures, one little expression catches our attention. Everyone quoted says, “in my personal opinion.” “A matter of personal opinion”—about an issue where nothing is required except the facts or the real figures? For this kind of information game, every serious body turns to official data, which can also be found in Albania. All it takes is respect for the truth. But according to “personal opinions,” all sorts of gems can be invented. We heard one such gem about our newspaper from a European colleague, who wrote that the circulation of «Zëri i popullit» in 1991 would be 75 percent and that it would be published in 25,000 copies. Our professional duty compels us to inform our colleague that «Zëri i popullit» has a circulation of 103,800 copies and that demand for it continues unabated. And speaking of which: “Nil admirari,” Horace used to say. Indeed, there is no reason to be surprised by what we hear from the anti-Albanian orchestra, where so many are trying to become first violin. BORJAN BORA