The circumstances we are going through are difficult, and so is the economy, as well as the political and social fields. We all feel this every day where we work, in social settings and even at home. But merely observing this is not enough. The matter is different. It is in our hands, only in our hands—in the hands of the communists and other workers, in the hands of leaders at every level, in the hands of all of us. But can these difficult circumstances be eased, changed—in other words, overcome? Yes. It is possible. We say this, and must say it unequivocally, without the slightest hesitation. Everyone has a way forward in their own work. One key factor, on which the progress of many other matters and the future depend, is the activity of the Party and its communists. This activity calls for major reforms, changes and renewal—in other words, its revitalization. But what does it mean to renew, how is it to be done in practice, and why is it necessary? To renew means not to work today as we did yesterday. We often repeat this phrase. We do so for very strong reasons, given the highly unusual circumstances before us. For nearly 50 years, the people have had their Party at the helm. And it remains at the helm. This is especially because of its authority and the interests it represents—interests that have been and remain those of the people, of their freedom and independence. It is for these great interests that the Party and the communists must lead. Otherwise, they would incur an unpayable debt to the people. Not to work as we have until now means to be more committed than ever. Everyone has a concrete job to do, from a member of the Central Committee to the most ordinary communist. Not to work as yesterday means that you, secretary of a Party committee, must not fall asleep on the Party’s work. Not to doze in front of the office, not to complain that communists have been violated here or there and merely count the difficulties and shortages. Instead, you must be out day and night with your staff, wherever the people are: in the heat and galleries of the mine, at the lathe and in the fields, in the canteen with them and in their dormitories, walking around the villages; talking with them, clearly explaining the truth, the circumstances, the difficulties, the accounts of what is happening and the ways to overcome them. This is Party work, building membership. Not sleeping over a few reports that come to you while you sleep. The past year did not end well. In many enterprises, this year too has begun badly, with shortages. What is most worrying is that shortages also affect things for which there are no import problems. If chromium is not mined, there will be no exports or ferrochrome. If coal is not mined, the power stations will not operate, and thousands of workers in other enterprises will be unable to work. This is well known. People say interest in work is declining, that people have become more headstrong. But who better than a communist, an experienced activist or a well-trained cadre can bring these “headstrong” people back down to earth? Who better than they can calm those who are impatient and want changes within a day, a week or a month? They—and above all they—can make it clear that without turning back to work, without rolling up our sleeves, there can be no changes or improvements. People want what is good and seek it. No honest person wants disorder, chaos or instability. But this cannot be achieved unless it is explained clearly and forcefully that without producing, one cannot receive; without selling, one cannot do anything; and without increasing production, there can be no improvement of any kind. Anyone who says otherwise is lying. No one gives things away; there is no surplus money to throw around. These matters need explaining, but you must also be the first to set an example through your work. The communists can do this, and they will, because they are the people who help you when things become difficult. Today we are in new political circumstances. It was the Party itself, its leadership, through the decisions of several consecutive plenums, that paved the way for the introduction of political pluralism. It recognized the benefits of pluralism, but has also addressed its dangers and reservations. The point is not to let these draw us into confusion and darkness. That is why clear thinking and genuine communist commitment are needed, without wavering, to defend all its causes; to defend and implement the program announced by the Party of Labour for the current period and the entire legislative term; to discuss and support the new Constitution that has been drafted; and, finally, to vote for the candidates the Party has put forward for the People’s Assembly. The people say “No” to acts of vandalism, but they must not be enticed by hysterical outbursts or allegations that lead to anarchy rather than the achievement of greater democracy. Our press and its communiqués have a mission: to explain the truth, defend it and fight for it. The people support them. Any wavering or retreat does not serve the country’s life; it is weakness that brings it down. At this time, studies will also have to be carried out and practices changed, including those concerning relations between the Party and the organs of state power and the economy, and between the Party and other political and social entities, under the conditions of a state governed by the rule of law. These provide genuine security. Yes. The question is immediate renewal, which cannot wait until studies and debates have been completed. Party organizations and communists must take the situation into their own hands, mobilize the masses for work, hold idle administrations accountable, and do other such things. Finally, in these difficult circumstances, one small advantage is present. The people support the Party of Labour and trust it. Some people oppose it, but they are not the voice of the people; they are not the real voice of the masses. This support does not mean that the people are so conditioned that they applaud without conviction. The main point is that the people support—and cannot help supporting—the democratizing processes the Party is undertaking and its program for resolving the country’s problems. No other force can currently offer a more convincing program; no other force can ensure security and stability as it can; no other force can inspire such confidence in the future. This is favourable ground that makes the work of Party organizations fruitful when it is persistent and passionate, clear and intelligent. Without passion and persistence, there can be no reforms or renewal of any kind.

Presentation of candidates for the People’s Assembly has begun The public assesses and proposes the best TIRANA “The meeting went well. The candidates presented were all credible to us.” This is what a group of people told us as they left the meeting to present the candidacies of Prof. Hamit Beqja, Ylli Zaloshnja and Pirro Beggarfi for members of parliament. This answer might seem to belong to another time, several years ago, when we held meetings merely as a formality, presented the candidates, and the campaign began and ended without competition. The process of deepening democracy in the life of the country brought changes to the electoral law, and old ways of thinking and practices are changing as well. But this does not mean that candidates who enjoy full authority among the people, as in electoral zone 213, should not be approved with the respect the public has for its own personalities. Meanwhile, candidates have been presented in other electoral zones too, and they are being discussed differently. In electoral zone No. 205, which represents the residents of neighbourhood No. 2, the candidacies of former minister Leonard Mano and director Ylli Pepo were presented. Their activities, abilities, duties performed and currently held, and the authority they have established among the people as intellectuals who emerged from their midst were also presented. The residents of this zone added their own views and knowledge of the candidates, and their assessments; alongside these, however, they also proposed as candidates Fatmir Zanaj, a candidate of political and legal sciences, and Ylli Ferze and Abdyl Dositi, residents of the neighbourhood who are well known and respected by its residents as worthy candidates for parliament. Thus, this was an assessment not only of the candidates, but also of the organizations that had proposed them, which had not properly taken into account that candidates must first know the people’s concerns and concrete problems. This also means that the people know how to respond at this stage—and that is precisely its purpose. Taking this as the starting point for the broad public debate on candidacies for parliament, we— (Continued on page 2)

KORÇË When you hear the brief biography of each candidate for parliament presented by the electoral organizations that have put themselves forward, one fact stands out, a clear claim they make: those presented are sons of the people. This is said of the Party of Labour’s candidate, and likewise of those from the trade unions, the youth and the Democratic Front. At a time of major democratic developments, this is a demand of great significance and cannot be used as a propaganda slogan. Seen in this light, the statement did not sound like a formality when, in electoral zone 105 in the town of Maliq, the Party of Labour presented Bajram Kolaneci as its candidate for parliament before the residents. He is a member of the Party’s Central Committee and chairman of the State Planning Commission. This son of the village of Kolanec in Gora was well known for his work. Everyone in the area knew his reputation as a capable economist, ordinary workers as well as specialists in his field. In this way, Safet Habibi, director of the enterprise, also earned the people’s respect ... (Continued on page 2)

SHKODËR In the village of Reç, and later in Qafëgradë too, people gathered immediately as soon as they were told that candidates for the People’s Assembly would be announced. People’s interest in this moment in the election campaign is natural. They will get to know those who will represent them in the highest organ of state power, through whom they will exercise the power of the people. This is all the more so now, when various organizations are putting forward different candidates. Two candidacies were presented. The district Party organization put forward Shagri Vukaj, a well-known specialist, as its candidate, also on behalf of the Democratic Front. The women’s organization proposed the talented agronomist Hasije Çela as its candidate. Both are sons and daughters of the area where they are being proposed, and through their work they have earned an honourable reputation. “We know Shagri as we know all the sons of the village; he truly is one of us,” said an elderly speaker. “We know him from his work, but also from the family he belongs to. Whenever it has been necessary to defend the homeland, his grandparents, family and clan have been among those who stood up, even giving their lives. During the war against the foreign occupiers, all of Reç became a shelter for the partisans, and the family of Bejto Fisalia (the candidate’s father) was among the very first. How could you not trust people like that? “People want to know who you are, what you stand for, what you have done in your life.” This was also the case in electoral zone 190, where these two candidates were proposed. As capable specialists, Shaqir Vukaj and Hasije Çela are known to be closely connected with their work and with the people; they immediately inspire trust and respect. That is why people like them were welcomed by the residents of the zone as possible representatives. The residents therefore unanimously approved both candidacies for the People’s Assembly. BEDRI ISLAMI

A State Commission was established to conduct a comprehensive study of issues concerning prices and wages. It is chaired by Bujar Kolenaci, chairman of the State Planning Commission. The purpose of this study is to make further improvements to the system of prices and wages, in line with the implementation of the new economic mechanism in our country. Once the study is complete, the Council of Ministers will adopt the relevant decisions. (ATSH)

As part of the relations of friendship and cooperation between Albania and Turkey, a Turkish government economic delegation arrived in our country yesterday, headed by Minister of State Ishin Çelebi. The purpose of the visit by the Turkish minister and the delegation he leads is to determine and arrange a visit to our country by the President of the Republic of Turkey, Turgut Ozal, who is [wording unclear in source] Ramiz Alia. The President of Albania, Ramiz Alia. As has been reported, the presidents of Albania and Turkey met in New York during the proceedings of the 45th session of the UN General Assembly. At Rinas Airport, the delegation was welcomed by Farudin Hoxha, minister attached to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and chairman of the Committee for Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries; Altin Ylli, deputy minister of Foreign Trade; Guadar Toto, directors in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and other officials from various ministries. The delegation was also welcomed by Nesip Kaçi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania to the Republic of Turkey, and Teoman Surenkok, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkey in Tirana. The Turkish delegation consists of a large number of officials and ... (Continued on page 4)

Yesterday, the Turkish government delegation headed by Minister of State Ishin Çelebi was received at the headquarters of the Council of Ministers by Farudin Hoxha, minister attached to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and chairman of the Committee for Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries. During the meeting, Farudin Hoxha welcomed the Turkish guest and expressed his confidence that the talks to be held in Tirana would be fruitful and valuable for the further, comprehensive development of cooperation in areas of mutual interest, to the benefit of strengthening the traditional and fraternal friendship between our two peoples, as well as relations between Albania and Turkey. The Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Taton Nano, was also present at the meeting. In honour of Turkish Minister of State Ishin Çelebi, Farudin Hoxha, minister attached to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and chairman of the Committee for Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries, hosted a dinner last night at the “Dajt” hotel. It took place in a warm, friendly atmosphere. (ATSH)

At the invitation of Finland’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Sokrat Plaka, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, departed for an official visit to Helsinki. During this visit, the Albanian Deputy Foreign Minister will meet and hold talks with his counterpart, Ake Vihtol, as well as with other prominent figures of the country, on the further development of friendly relations between Albania and Finland. (Continued on page 4)

Yesterday, Minister of Justice Enver Hali summoned representatives of the organizing group of the Ecological Party to the Ministry of Justice, following their request for approval of the Ecological Party in accordance with Decree No. 7442 of the President of the People’s Assembly, dated 17.12.1990. After reviewing the program and other documents, which comply with the Constitution of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania and the decrees of the President of the People’s Assembly, he communicated his order approving the request to authorize the formation of the Ecological Party, as well as its registration in the relevant register and the deposit of its documents in the archives of this ministry. A copy of this order, which takes effect immediately, was delivered to the organizing group for the formation of the Ecological Party. (ATSH)

A question of the day. A question asked on the street. A family question, and here and there an official one: friends ask friends, brothers ask brothers, superiors ask subordinates and vice versa. They say that a woman with a well-developed sense of humour asked her husband: “Do they first try living like this, and then get to know me?” “This direct question—who are you with?”—as far as one can tell from the words themselves, is nothing bad. Everyone is free to choose, according to their convictions, the party that fulfils their ideals. And these days this truth is becoming very clear. Many people are joining the Democratic Party. Many others, who perhaps until yesterday had maintained a visibly indifferent position, at this very moment, when many people are being put to the test, willingly and with conviction are seeking to join the Party of Labour. Hundreds have been accepted as communists. Their choice at this moment truly demonstrates increased loyalty. So there is nothing wrong with the question. The problem lies in its malicious insinuations. “Who are you with? With the Party of Labour? So you’re not a democrat, then...” This is said by people who have no respect for democracy. Among them are even some on the left, including people who are honest, sincere and committed communists: “Oh, so you’re a democrat...” Yes, I am a democrat. I have been one and will remain one. And the more democratic I am, the more of a communist I am! Democracy—that is, the power of the people—has been and remains the communists’ strongest aspiration. The distinguished patriots of our National Renaissance were massacred for the power of the people. Twenty-eight thousand martyrs gave their lives for the power of the people. Countless sacrifices have been made for the power of the people in every era. The power of the people is, indeed, democracy itself. The rapid developments and qualitative changes of recent times, especially after the 8th Plenum of the Party’s Central Committee, represent a continuing deepening of democracy itself. When we say that our Party initiated democratization—all its plenums in 1990 were devoted to this issue—it is absurd to accuse us of not truly fighting for democracy. And it is a genuine struggle for democracy. This is precisely why our Party of Labour accepts other parties on the political scene without prejudice. Anyone who thinks and fights for the freedom, independence and progress of the country and for the well-being of all can engage in dialogue with the Party of Labour. This was also emphasized by the Party’s National Activist Meeting held in Tirana. It is another matter when those who hide behind the course of democratization conceal sinister aims, seek revenge and vengeance, and want to vent resentment over this or that “injustice.” No injustice can be corrected by committing a second injustice. Nothing democratic can come from anti-democratic resentment, no matter where it comes from. It would oppress people even for unexpressed thoughts, through insults and actions that have no trace of democracy and are fundamentally opposed to it. NAMIK DOKLE