IN ELECTORAL ZONE NO. 218 OF THE TIRANA DISTRICT Yesterday afternoon, hundreds of residents of the neighborhoods «The First Founding», «The Battle of Albana» and «The Congress of Manastir» in district number 3 of the capital, which are part of electoral zone number 218 of the Tirana district, gathered at the Opera and Ballet Theatre to put forward candidates for deputy to the highest organ of state power, the People’s Assembly. War and labor veterans, military workers, young men and women, etc. came here. Among them were residents of the neighborhood where the House Museum of the Founding of the Communist Party of Albania (today the PPSH) is located. The meeting was opened by Taras Begeja, chairman of the Democratic Front of the neighborhood «The Battle of Albana». Then the floor was taken by the secretary of the Central Committee of the PPSH and first secretary of the District Party Committee, Comrade Xhelil Gjoni, who, on behalf of the Party of Labour of Albania, put forward as a candidate for deputy in this electoral zone the First Secretary of the Party’s Central Committee and Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Comrade Ramiz Alia. He said, among other things, that this was an ardent wish and a request expressed by you yourselves, residents of this zone, because Comrade Ramiz has also been your deputy up to now and has represented you worthily in the highest organ of people’s power. You, like all Albania, know Comrade Ramiz, his character and his work in the service of the people and the Party. Then he spoke about the character of Comrade Ramiz Alia and his activity in carrying out the great transformations that, in less than half a century, turned Albania from a country with a semi-feudal socioeconomic situation into a country that has embarked on the path of economic and cultural development and progress. He and the Party of Labour that leads it deserve credit as the ideators and ardent fighters for deepening the historic initiatives for the uninterrupted democratization of the country’s life, strengthening and modernizing the economy, and raising the wellbeing of all working people. He, like the Party he leads, has never placed anything above the interests of the people. Comrade Ramiz, he said, is the author and inspiration behind the draft new Constitution of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania. He is the planner and initiator of the profound economic reform undertaken recently, which will help overcome the difficult economic situation in a short time, ensure more rational use of national wealth, large-scale reconstruction and modernization of equipment and technology, implement the food program by increasing the quantity and quality of consumer goods, and promote cooperation ... ... of this area, because Comrade Ramiz ... has also been your deputy up to the present day ... and has represented you with dignity in the highest body of people's power. You know him, as does all Albania: of Ramiz Alia and his activity during the years of the National Liberation War and up to the present day as the beloved and insightful leader of the Party, the state and all our people. After pointing out Comrade Ramiz’s activity as a leader of youth and partisan combat formations from an early age, the speaker emphasized that after liberation he stood alongside Comrade Enver Hoxha in the front ranks of the leadership in rebuilding the country and constructing the new socialist society. Comrade Ramiz has played an important role in carrying out the ... workers’ ... . above the interests of the people, freedom, independence, sovereignty and the progress of the homeland. Further on, he highlighted the valuable contribution Comrade Ramiz Alia has made and continues to make to strengthening the unity of the people and the rule-of-law state, and to safeguarding human rights and duties in accordance with the European standards of our time, while always being a determined opponent of bureaucratism and incompetence, which stifle the revolutionary will of the masses and prevent the use of all the opportunities that exist in ... the food programme, broadening economic, production and financial cooperation with foreign partners, while also encouraging their investment in our country. He also dwelt on Comrade Ramiz Alia’s direct contribution to shaping our country’s foreign policy, stressing that, in accordance with his instructions, work is under way to transform our country into an active participant in ensuring European security and cooperation. Continuing the correct position adopted (Photo: ATSH)

Yesterday afternoon, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Adil Çarçani, received at the seat of the Council of Ministers the Turkish government economic delegation, headed by Minister of State Ishin Çelebi. Those attending the reception included Farudin Hoxha, minister attached to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and chairman of the Committee for Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries; Fatos Nano, Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers; and Muhamet Kapllani, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Also present were Nesip Kaçi, Albania’s ambassador in Ankara, and Teoman Surenok, Turkey’s ambassador in Tirana. Comrade Adil Çarçani held a warm and cordial conversation with the guest from Turkey. After pointing to the close traditional friendship linking our two peoples and countries, and their shared traditions and customs, he emphasized that increased political contacts and visits by senior figures attest to the desire of both governments to further strengthen friendship and expand cooperation in various areas of mutual interest. Albanian-Turkish friendly relations are also a contribution to peace and stability in the Balkan region. The Albanian people, he said, follow Turkey’s progress with attention. In recent years Turkey has enjoyed stability and all-round development, and the Albanian people sincerely rejoice in this. Continuing, while speaking about the situation in Albania, Comrade Adil Çarçani pointed to the process of democratization and the reforms undertaken in the political, economic, sociocultural and other fields, which are connected with both domestic and international conditions. These reforms create favorable conditions and provide further impetus to economic and financial relations between the two countries. He also spoke about the work being done to establish the rule of law on a sound footing and improve legislation, by adopting special decrees concerning foreign investment in Albania, obtaining loans, and securing foreign capital. Comrade Adil Çarçani expressed the Albanian government’s desire to expand economic cooperation between the two countries, as well as its conviction that this visit by the Turkish government economic delegation would contribute in this direction. He then discussed several aspects of the foreign policy of the Albanian state, which aims to safeguard the freedom, independence and sovereignty of our people. For his part, Turkish Minister of State Ishin Çelebi, after thanking his hosts for the warm reception, said, among other things, that they had come to Albania in the wake of the conversation between President Ramiz Alia and President Turgut Ozal at their meeting in New York, and of the successful visit that you, Mr. Prime Minister, made to our country. Turkey, he said, attaches particular importance to its relations with Albania. He praised the democratization process under way in our country and expressed the conviction that, during this visit and in the future, concrete results would be achieved that would further strengthen the friendship between our two peoples and countries—a friendship with deep roots in history. (ATSH)

Yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Reis Malile, received the Turkish Minister of State, Ishin Çelebi, who heads the Turkish government delegation. During the meeting, which took place in a warm and cordial atmosphere, Reis Malile and Ishin Çelebi praised the traditional and friendly relations between the two countries and underlined their readiness to expand cooperation between Albania and Turkey. They expressed a shared desire to increase political contacts and raise their level, for the benefit of strengthening friendship and giving concrete form to all-round cooperation in various fields, particularly the economic sphere. It was also noted that friendly relations between our two countries are an important factor contributing to the cause of peace and stability in the Balkans. A spirit of trust, understanding and constructive dialogue in the Balkans will advance the regional process and integrate it increasingly into European processes. Other issues concerning the current international situation were also discussed at the meeting. Those present at the meeting included Turkey’s ambassador to Albania, Teoman Surenok, and Albania’s ambassador to Turkey, Nesip Kaçi. Also yesterday, Ishin Çeleb, met with the Minister of Foreign Trade, Shane Korbeci. During the meeting, views were exchanged on further expanding trade relations between the two countries and increasing the range of goods for export and import, and the shared desire to give concrete form to economic cooperation was underlined. (ATSH)

Yesterday morning, the Turkish government economic delegation, headed by Minister of State Ishin Çelebi, paid its respects at the Cemetery of the Martyrs of the Nation and at the grave of Comrade Enver Hoxha. Yesterday morning, Ishin Çelebi, paid its respects at the Cemetery of the Martyrs of the Nation and at the grave of Comrade Enver Hoxha. Turkish Minister of State Ishin Çelebi laid a wreath beside the «Mother Albania» Monument and a bunch of flowers on the grave of the leader of the Albanian people, Enver Hoxha. At the ceremony, the delegation was accompanied by Zyber Sinani, secretary of the Executive Committee of the District People’s Council; Bajram Mana, commander of the Tirana Garrison; and Ymer Çeliku, head of the Protocol Department at the Ministry of Foreign Trade. Also present were Nesip Kaçi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania to Ankara, and Teoman Surenok, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkey to Tirana. (ATSH)

- The candidate does not have to be a resident of the area where he is proposed. For four years, the previous deputies held no meetings with their constituents. Should all electoral subjects present their candidates at the same time? - ELBASAN Meetings to announce candidates for deputy to the People’s Assembly also began with residents of the New Neighborhood and the «8 Nëntori» and «Vullnetari» neighborhoods of the city of Elbasan, included in electoral zone No. 46. Pertef Zhegu, an engineer and director at Plant 12 of the iron-nickel combine, was announced as the PPSH candidate for this zone. Voters who spoke emphasized that the proposed candidate, wherever he has worked, has distinguished himself as a capable specialist, has been close to the workers and has defended their interests. «For more than a year, Plant 12 has been one of the district’s leading enterprises, after many years of failing to meet its targets,» said voter Vangjel Rula. He added that Pertef is fair and persistent in seeing things through to the end. Other voters, such as Ilo Ballta, Kostandin Hyka, Vait Sulku, Ibrahim Gjoshi, etc., emphasized that the candidate had provided ample proof of his abilities in previous years and continued to do so now; therefore, they were convinced he would represent them worthily in the People’s Assembly. Voters Jani Kamani, Dhimitër Toni, Fatime Ferozi and Kujtim Sa... also expressed their views. (Continued on page 2)

- In Poliçan, Skrapar - The Skrapar District Party Committee organized a solidarity rally in the central square of the town of Poliçan, supporting Comrade Ramiz Alia’s speech at the National Activists’ Meeting of the PPSH and the new program for the election campaign and the entire next legislature. Workers from workplaces and production centers, residents of nearby villages, veterans, communists, military personnel, young men and women, etc. took part. In his address, Elmaz Puto, first secretary of the District Party Committee, emphasized, among other things, that the brave, freedom-loving and hardworking people of the Skrapar district, who have always placed the interests of the Homeland above everything, have linked their fa...th to the Party of Labour. Comrade Ramiz Alia’s programmatic speech at the National Activists’ Meeting of the Party and its program for the election campaign won the people’s hearts and increased their confidence in the Party, enabling them to continue along the path of democratizing the country’s life, a path it has undertaken under the Party’s wise and far-sighted leadership. He also spoke about mobilizing the district’s workers to implement the measures adopted by the Party of Labour to strengthen the economy and successfully implement the new economic mechanism, as well as their determination to go into the February 10 vote with new achievements and cast their votes for the candidates of the Party of Labour. At the rally, speeches were made by veteran Qani Sa...ja, the town’s Trade Union chairman Lilo Kapllani, mass-organization activists Sali Thana, Turfan Nuhu and Margarita Shatro, teacher Pasho Çela, etc. They expressed their solidarity with Comrade Ramiz Alia’s speech and the Party of Labour’s election campaign program, emphasizing that they see in the Party’s past and present course the path to preserving freedom and independence and ensuring the country’s uninterrupted development. They also promised that, united with the Party of Labour, they would continue to support the process it has undertaken to democratize economic and social life. A telegram was sent from the rally to the Central Committee of the Party and Comrade Ramiz Alia. (ATSH)

Yesterday afternoon, at the headquarters received a delegation of the Democratic Party consisting of the chairman of the party’s founding commission, Azem Hajdari, as well as Sali Berisha, Gramoz Pashko, Afrim Imami, Aleksandër Meksi and Genc Pollo. During the meeting, they discussed the forthcoming elections to the People's Assembly. The representatives of the Democratic Party presented to the Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly their familiar demands concerning the new elections before their postponement. Comrade Ramiz Alia explained to them the political and economic situation in the country, which makes an electoral consultation with the people, as soon as possible and conducted freely and openly, increasingly urgent each day. In the present circumstances, he said, narrow party interests should not be considered, but rather the higher interests of the people and the nation, which will be placed in great danger if the state’s legislative and executive bodies, which must emerge from the new elections, do not receive an immediate vote of confidence from the people. The new People's Assembly must be, Comrade Ramiz Alia concluded, an assembly of the people’s direct representatives, an expression of their free political will, and not an arena divided up among political parties. The task of the parties is to help the people exercise their genuine power and govern themselves. He called on the Democratic Party representatives present to reflect more carefully on the situation in the country and to contribute as much as they could, in a democratic and patriotic spirit, to improving it. (ATSH) [handwritten note: 2 P. 09.01.91]

The Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, yesterday received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the People's Socialist Republic of Albania, Predrag Pjanic, who presented his credentials. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Reis Malile, the Secretary of the Presidium of the People's Assembly, Sihat Tozaj, the director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bashkim Dino, and others attended the ceremony for the presentation of credentials. The ambassador was accompanied by diplomats from the Embassy of the SFR of Yugoslavia in Tirana. (ATSH)

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sazan Bejo, announced yesterday that, at the invitation of the Foreign Minister of the PR of China, Qian Qi Chen, the Foreign Minister of the PSR of Albania, Reis Malile, will visit China on January 22. He said that recently relations between Albania and China have developed positively and amicably, and expressed his conviction that the Albanian Foreign Minister’s visit would help further strengthen them in various fields of mutual interest. (ATSH)

The Union of Journalists of Albania organized a press conference yesterday with Kosovar journalists who are in Tirana. Those attending included officials and journalists from the foreign-affairs departments of the central press organizations, ATSH and RTV. Kosovar journalists Ibrahim Kelmendi and Naime Beqiri spoke about the difficult situation facing mass media in Kosovo as a result of the repression by the Greater Serbs against the people of Kosovo and the closure of its press, as well as the coverage of the Kosovo issue in the international press. They also answered the many questions asked by those attending the meeting. The conference, held in a fraternal spirit, exchanged views on how to ensure the broadest possible coverage of events in Kosovo in our press. (ATSH)

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(Photo: ATSH)

Yesterday morning, talks began in one of the halls of Hotel «Dajti» in the capital between the Albanian government economic delegation, headed by with Foreign Countries, and Ishin Çelebi. The Albanian side was represented in the talks by heads of specialist... (Continued on page 4)