Yesterday morning, the Presidium of the People’s Assembly convened under the direction of its Chairman, Comrade Ramiz Alia. At this meeting, the Presidium reviewed and approved several important decrees. First, it approved the decree “On the establishment of banks with the participation of foreign capital and the opening of branches or representative offices of foreign banks in the People’s Republic of Albania.” Among other things, this decree will help ensure a faster circulation of foreign-currency funds by banking institutions, as well as an increase in these funds. After discussion and making the relevant corrections, the members of the Presidium approved the decree “On the use of firearms by the forces guarding the border, maintaining public order, and armed military and civilian guards.” This decree is intended to regulate the use of firearms by these forces through legal provisions. The Presidium also made several amendments to the decree “On the protection of the environment from pollution” and decided to establish the Committee for Environmental Protection. Continuing its meeting, the Presidium reviewed proposals for pardons of sentences and obligations submitted by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Among those pardoned were 202 people convicted of agitation and propaganda against the state and attempted escape abroad. With this, the number of people convicted of political crimes who have been pardoned by decrees of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly No. 7391, dated 12.6.1990; No. 7 402, dated 31.7.1990; No. 7 412, dated 8.9.1990, etc., reaches 393 people. The Presidium of the People’s Assembly instructed the relevant state bodies to study and submit for its next meeting the question of pardoning all other people convicted of political crimes, agitation and propaganda, and escape. (ATSH)

A conversation with comrades BESNIK RADA, secretary of the Party Committee of Tirana’s Region 4, RAMADAN PASMAÇIU, miner at Valias, Hero of Socialist Labor, and SHKËLQIM SHKËNDERI, engineer and candidate of sciences. — The PPSH program for the coming elections, for the entire next legislature, is an important document. What does it represent for the work that the basic organizations of communists must undertake? Besnik Rada: The Party’s program for the election campaign is a document that once again reflects our Party’s determination to continue without stopping along the path of democratizing all aspects of the country’s life, in keeping with the European and global currents of this process. It is not merely an ordinary electoral platform. Together with the draft Constitution, it opens up horizons and defines the paths that must be followed to begin democratization. In this sense, I think we need to change our methods of work—both as an organization and its forums, and as basic organizations and communists. The new conditions cannot be met with old practices. And we must put this into practice ourselves. For example, the program states that the Party will undertake a thorough reorganization at every link and every level in order to free itself from large, heavily staffed apparatuses. This means taking concrete action to eliminate bureaucracy within the Party itself. The people’s confidence will grow; they will value our work, not our words. The program assigns us major tasks. As is known, new political forces have now emerged. We are in favor of dialogue, but is it enough just to mention the term? We will encounter things that were unknown to us until yesterday. Yesterday’s methods were for yesterday; today, something else must come to the fore. I would say the same about putting the aims of economic reforms into practice. The Party’s basic organizations will face new challenges. Responsibility is growing. But can the work wait until we have been trained? What should be done, and how should we proceed? It seems to me that in this matter we must be as concrete as possible—and, above all, as quick as possible. The program sets short- and long-term tasks, but as communists there is no reason for us to divide the Party’s work into “stages.” Situations call for action. We need agility, especially agility in devoting ourselves to work involving people, the population, and improving their well-being. Only in this way will their confidence grow. On this matter, I have in mind self-sacrifice, which is and must be a defining quality of us communists. The program demands this, and, in my view, it cannot be achieved through half-hearted efforts. — “More than ever, Party members are called upon to make a maximum contribution, work effectively, and take a militant stand on the tasks at hand,” the Program states. As a communist and an intellectual, how do you understand this? Shkëlqim Shkënderi: For me, this program is meaningful. The situation will not wait. This is all the more true for us intellectuals, who, in my opinion, can and must bear a heavier burden on our shoulders. I can say that the rather difficult economic situation calls for thought, action, and economic reasoning. I have heard, and continue to hear, people say, “We are backward.” Unfortunately, I have heard and continue to hear this from communists and intellectuals. Certainly, it is pitiful to lag behind other nations. But is it… (Continued on page 2)

— Rally in Fier — The Party Committee of the Fier district organized a solidarity rally yesterday in the city’s “Fitorja” square, expressing support for Comrade Ramiz Alia’s very important speech at the PPSH National Activists’ Meeting, as well as for its program for the election campaign and the coming legislature. The rally was attended by workers from workplaces and production units, residents of nearby villages, communists, intellectuals, military veterans, young men and women, and others. In her remarks, the first secretary of the district Party Committee, Lenka Cuko, emphasized, among other things, that the patriotic and hard-working people of the Fier district fully support Comrade Ramiz Alia’s speech and the Party of Labor’s program for the election campaign and the coming legislature. These historically important documents constitute a notable event in the life of the Party and the country as a whole. They embody the people’s aspirations and offer realistic, carefully considered solutions for democratizing every cell of our society, improving the masses’ well-being, and ensuring the country’s unstoppable progress. She further pointed out that the paths and solutions offered by the Party of Labor have mobilized the working masses in our district to implement the new economic mechanism and shape the economy, and to go into the February 10 elections closely united with the Party of Labor, led by Comrade Ramiz Alia, and cast their votes for its candidates. At the rally, speeches were made by Hero of Socialist Labor Andon Bukuroshi, an assembly fitter at the Industrial Construction Enterprise; People’s Teacher Kristaq Shtëmbar; Koço Kokedhima, first secretary of the district Youth Committee; Maku Ponja, head of the district branch of the League of Writers and Artists; physician Teuta Mone; Hasan Bakia, an engineer at the Geological Institute of Petroleum; military officer Besnik Bega; veteran Xhevit Duro; and others. They expressed their solidarity with in which they see once again the continuity of the path toward deepening democratization, undertaken and led by this wise and far-sighted leadership to safeguard the homeland’s freedom and independence and improve the people’s well-being. A telegram was sent from the rally to Comrade Ramiz Alia, First Secretary of the Party’s Central Committee. (ATSH)

Our interview — A conversation with Gligor Daci, director of Albtransport — — As has also been reported in the press, Albtransport has launched a new activity: the operation of the Air Traffic Control Center (QKTA). Could you tell us more about this? — Until now, our enterprise’s activity has been based on airport services for passengers and…

… that democratic processes will make our country more prosperous, the people’s lives happier, and Albania free and independent. … that democratic processes will future will be better. This requires effort and sweat, thought and discipline. Happiness is not a package that others will give us. We will achieve it with our own hands. SAMI KAPLLANI “Pavarësia” neighborhood, residence 287, Vlorë The Party’s Ideals Are Ours I am from a remote village in Tropojë, Shëngjergji! This year I completed my higher education at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, in the mathematics department. As soon as I was accepted into the ranks of the PPSH, I decided to write to you about my joy. I regard this moment as one of the most important in my life, as recognition of the efforts I have made throughout my school years and, at the same time, as an obligation…

… for democratic processes, to make our country more prosperous, the people’s lives happier, and Albania free and independent. My membership in the Party is both recognition of the efforts I have made throughout all my school years and an obligation. I am prepared to make sacrifices for this, having come to understand it through what I have seen and experienced, with my own eyes and hands. In my birthplace, deep in the mountains, my heart is warmed by what I see: new two-story houses and people hurrying to work, the new school where the sons and daughters of this area study, the hospital, the shops and the road for motor vehicles, and the many people who come down from the ship and climb up to those heights. I am not saying that everything has been achieved. The people here have even greater strength and potential, just as I acknowledge that mistakes have been made on some occasions—but mistakes can be corrected. This year alone, when deer were raised by cooperative families, dozens of quintals of meat were secured. I see my membership in the Party of Labour as the fulfilment of a wish. I want to fight with all my strength for its ideals. Those ideals are also the ideals of our people. LUAN ISMAILI Secretary of the Youth Committee of the Tropojë District

But this is not the only enterprise. The art-products enterprise is also “waiting” to see what the specialists of “Artekspor-ti” will bring. Meanwhile, several other enterprises that work with ordered materials continue to wait for Albkop to clarify their plans and contracts. The implementation of the new economic mechanism cannot tolerate these delays. From the outset, they create obstacles and have a considerable effect on the progress of production. The mentality of work summed up as “work first, then we’ll clarify the tasks,” which was practiced fairly often in the early days of … … construction, Shën only harm. And the longer such a mentality is allowed to persist, the more its consequences multiply. But even this does not give the full picture. In the district of Shkodër there are several other enterprises waiting for their plans to be clarified and contracts to be concluded. The grain-collection enterprise and the bread and pasta production enterprise also continue to remain “on hold” for new plans. This is because the relevant ministry has still not allocated the material and technical supply plans for these enterprises. Such practices of dragging out problems must be brought to an end. Correspondent of “Zëri i popullit”. — As has also been reported in the press, Albtransporti has begun a new activity: operating the Air Traffic Control Centre (QTKA). What more can you tell us about this? — Until now, our enterprise’s activities have been based on providing airport services to passengers and foreign civil aircraft. Alongside this activity, as a result of several years of intensive work by our enterprises and central bodies, and in close coordination with the international civil aviation organizations ICAO, JAT, EUROCONTROL and the aeronautical organizations of Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, etc., it has become possible to begin providing air traffic control services along the routes and in the airspace of our country. These services make things easier for transport aircraft passing from the northeastern European region to southwestern Europe. Annual traffic along this route averages around 10 percent, which in 1991 means approximately 800 flights a day. The routes and charges for foreign civil aircraft passing through our airspace have been published. A procedure has also been carried out (Continued on page 2)

These days, Apostolis Papeslioti, political director of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visited our country. He held talks and exchanged views at our country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning the programme for the forthcoming visit to Albania by the prime minister of the Republic of Greece, K. Micotaqis. As reported in our press, the prime minister of Greece will pay an official and friendly visit to Albania on 13–14 January. During this visit, discussions are expected to cover matters concerning Albanian-Greek relations in the political, economic, cultural and other fields. Issues of Balkan cooperation, positive European processes and other international matters will also be discussed. (ATSH)

Yesterday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Reis Malile received Predrag Pjaniç, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, in connection with the forthcoming presentation of his credentials to Comrade Ramiz Alia, Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania. (ATSH)

Yesterday, false reports spread in Shkodër that the Albanian-Yugoslav border would be opened for passage without passports or visas. We met with the border authorities at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and learned that this was malicious misinformation. The ATSH correspondent also made inquiries at the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was informed that the Yugoslav ambassador, Predrag Pjaniç, who was received by the director general at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bashkim Dino, stated that Albanian citizens may travel to Yugoslavia on a visit only with a valid passport and a visa from the Yugoslav embassy. Despite the well-known regulations, several groups of misinformed people attempted to force their way toward the border. They used hard objects such as stones and bricks, etc., against the forces maintaining public order, and also [?] firearms. The law-enforcement forces responded. Four citizens were injured. (ATSH)

The veteran chef Qazim Lika, in the town of Bajram Curri, has returned to his trade, but now as a private entrepreneur. The restaurant he has opened attracts many customers. This is evidence of a high standard in cooking and service. (Photo: G. Xhengo)

Prompted by the everyday conversations taking place in all our settings, I have been moved to write these few lines to “Zëri i popullit”.

“I’m worried,” she replies.

I will give my vote only to the PPSH Based on the everyday conversations taking place in all our settings, I have been prompted to write these few lines to “Zëri i popullit.” The process of our country’s political and economic development is now a very pressing issue. This process is being consi-|song, “We were reborn, comrades, when the Party was born.” The Party has always been the initiator and leader of democratic processes, to make our country more prosperous, the people’s lives happier, and Albania free and independent. We have not achieved everything. We have much to do. I have unwavering faith that the future will be good. For this | great determination for even greater efforts. I express myself this way because the highlanders have pledged their word to the Party of Labor since the years of the War. And a highlander’s pledged word sustains him. My respect for the Party is in my blood, and nobody injected it into me with a needle. It was born and grew with the stories of my forebears, and entered me through what I have seen and touched, through the eyes of those close to me and through their hands. Prompted by have been moved process of the issue. The Party of Labour of Albania, with Comrade Ramiz Alia at its head, is addressing this process with a wisdom unmatched by anyone else. The Party brought freedom, then led the country’s complete social and economic transformation, and today it is leading the country toward the highest democratic achievements. That is why, in various conversations, when people ask, “Who will you vote for?”, I answer without hesitation: “For the Party of Labour, because it embodies freedom, democracy and development.” SABRI LASKU salesperson at NTUS 2, Tirana Always off to a good start I have been active in the ranks of the PPSH for over 46 years. Even if I lived another 1,000 years, I would devote all my strength to serving in its ranks, because, as … says

A complaint about foreign trade enterprises A few days ago, we met with Meritë Xhahysa, director of the leather-goods enterprise in Shkodër. We asked her about clarifying the plans and concluding contracts. — I am concerned-|leather-goods enterprise remains waiting. Nobody knew how to… about concluding contracts and clarifying the plans. But this problem is not confined to this enterprise. At the artistic products enterprise as well… this year, and in quite a few enterprises, it causes nothing but harm. And the longer you leave such an opportunity unused, the more its consequences grow. But even so, the picture is still incomplete. In the district of Shko- “I’m worried,” she replies. “We have been waiting for several days. Two specialists from the art-export organization have been abroad for several days to conclude contracts for our enterprise. We still don’t know what they will bring back. They don’t know our capabilities all that well either. Now January has begun, and with it the efforts to achieve high productivity through the implementation of the new economic mechanism. We remembered the conversation above. We inquired about the plans that were expected. They had still not arrived. At the … enterprise … of zukthe products in Shkodër, Meritë Xhahysa. We asked her about the clarification of the plans and the conclusion of contracts. days. Two specialists from Artexport our enterprise. We still don’t know what the specialists from ‘Artekspor-ti’ will bring back. tasks and duties,’