- Comrade Ramiz Alia attends - of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, the Council of Ministers and the Executive Committee of the People’s Council of the Tirana district organized a solemn meeting last night at 18:00 at the Palace of Congresses. State and Party dignitaries, workers from work and production centers, veterans, deputies and councilors, young men and women were present. Those present applauded as the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Comrade Ramiz Alia, entered the hall. The meeting was opened by Llambi Gegprifti, Chairman of district. The National Anthem was then performed. The commemorative address was delivered by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Comrade Adil Çarçani. An artistic concert was given for the participants. (Photo: ATSH) … A second rally, entirely spontaneous and unplanned, began there, with people whose hearts were full of ardor, wholeheartedly cheering for the Party of Labour and Ramiz Alia, to whom they have bound their lives and whose love they will not let anyone violate—a love that has stood great tests. One citizen or another wishes to speak, but each is powerless to raise their voice above that wave of enthusiasm in support of the Party of Labour. It is a remarkable sight, never before witnessed in this city bearing the name of the People’s Hero, the son of heroic Kosovo, Bajram Curri. Let us be allowed to say that, as we write these lines, we do not know whether we can express the heartfelt support of the people of Tropojë, with their hearts and hands, for all the good and beautiful things we have created under the Party’s leadership, now that we are confronting ideas and viewpoints, as well as other political forces, that seek to deny this glorious past. While loudspeakers in the square in front of the «Dardania» Palace of Culture carried the voices of speakers from the Democratic Party to a small group of people, the mayor was overwhelmed by the popular outpouring in support of the Party of Labour. Officials carried children on their shoulders. Enver Hoxha’s photograph rose above the crowd. What happened today has never happened before in the city of Bajram Curri. This city has grown like a giant… Supporters of both parties are brothers. Albanian blood flows in their veins, and each has this blood from this land and this soil. Is there anything more beautiful than joining forces for the great purpose of advancing the homeland and making it prosperous, with all our energy, feelings and noble efforts? This is what I think as I watch these scenes, which we have never encountered in our city. Our city is not accustomed to divisions such as today’s, so I say with all my heart: may my city, which knows how to respect people, progress and the homeland, and openly say what is in its heart about what it likes and dislikes, always remain united and happy. Dialogue conducted wisely and calmly is culture and the best way to weigh everyone’s political viewpoints. These are also my thoughts as I attentively watch that group of citizens who broke away from the crowd and entered one of the halls of the district Party Committee. Everyone present is asking that a telegram be sent from the people of Bajram Curri and all of Tropojë to Comrade Ramiz Alia, expressing their heartfelt love for the Party of Labour and for their beloved leader. In a sense, the people of Bajram Curri voted today. They told the Party of Labour: «We are with you for as long as life lasts!» HALIL BUÇPAPAJ Bajram Curri, 10 January 1991

TO COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA First Secretary of the Central Committee of the PLA TIRANA : This afternoon, in the city of Bajram Curri, the Democratic Party organized a rally in its own manner. A limited number of citizens attended this rally, among them a group of supporters brought in from elsewhere. Hundreds of city residents watched the rally from a distance. When the rally’s organizers began slandering the figure of Enver Hoxha, the PLA, and the victories we have achieved during the years of people’s power, most of the rally’s participants, offended, spontaneously headed for the square in front of the district Party Committee, shouting «Party-Enver, we are ready at any time», «Long live Comrade Ramiz Alia», «Long live true democracy». At that moment, thousands of residents, including women and children, poured into the city streets and joined the people. As never before, boundless enthusiasm and solidarity for the PLA and for the victories achieved burst forth. Singing «Long live Enver Hoxha», the mass of residents demonstrated for the PLA in the city streets for about two hours. The people’s pure tears of joy became the clearest reflection of the feelings and lofty ideals that bind the people of Malësia e Gjakovës to the PLA and to you, dear Comrade Ramiz. and we will never surrender it. Our voice, our oath, will be with the Party for life; we will be its loyal soldiers for life here in these proud mountains. The wish of our hearts for it is: «May it live as long as this land, for the good of the Homeland and the Albanian nation». FROM THE SPONTANEOUS RALLY OF THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF BAJRAM CURRI 10.1.1991

YESTERDAY IN TROPOJË - By telegraph from our correspondent - What happened today in the city of Bajram Curri is an event worth writing about. A rally organized by the Democratic Party had just begun. While one of the organizers was speaking, a citizen approached the microphone and shouted: «Long live the Party of Labour!», «Long live Comrade Ramiz Alia!». Applause erupted as people moved en masse from the square in front of the Palace of Culture toward the square in front of the district Party Committee. have bound ... ...the district with one breath and one heart, with love for the Party of Labour. That is why anyone who tries to slander its work is viewed with contempt, like someone who curses their mother. It is a people of tender feelings who will not allow even bureaucracy dressed in democratic garb to violate their deep love for the Party of Labour and their own sons and daughters; they will not allow the sacred words «freedom» and «democracy» to be debased. forces for the great purpose of ...

Comrades, sisters and brothers, Comrades, sisters and brothers, Today, the entire Albanian people are celebrating the 45th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic. This is one of the greatest events in its history, crowning the struggles for freedom and independence, social justice and democracy, for which generations of this land had dreamed and shed their blood. Our Republic was born as the result of the heroic Anti-Fascist National Liberation War of our people under the leadership of the Albanian Communist Party (today the Party of Labour), headed by Comrade Enver Hoxha, its leader and Commander-in-Chief of the National Liberation Army. Its foundations have been cemented with the blood of 28,000 martyrs, and with the countless privations and sacrifices of an entire people. The period that gave birth to the People’s Republic was a glorious one, and that is why we commemorate it today with respect. We celebrate this day filled with thoughts about the past, present and future of the Albanian people. By choosing a republican form of government, Albania demonstrated its ancient and highly respected inclination toward democratic self-government. Our Republic was born in a difficult time, but neither the wounds suffered in the war, still bleeding, nor the heavy tasks awaiting them clouded the vision of the sons and daughters of this people. If, in the almost half-century-long history of the free Albanian state, we were to seek a period most analogous to, and offering lessons for, the present time, it would be precisely the period when the Republic was born. It was a period of one of the most intense political lives, as we have today. It was a time when the Albanian state was passing through an important legislative phase, as we are experiencing today, with the improvement of the legislation in force and the strengthening of the rule-of-law state. The patriotism, maturity and enthusiasm with which the entire people engaged in the battles to build a new, free and independent life cannot be forgotten. These virtues are just as necessary to demonstrate in their full force today. Albania embarked on its path of development in conditions of deep backwardness and, emerging from the war, with a semi-feudal economic and social structure, 85 percent of the population illiterate, and life expectancy shortened by poverty and numerous epidemic diseases. Over 45 years—a relatively short period in the life of a nation—socialist Albania, under the leadership of the Party of Labour and through the people’s toil, with many sacrifices and privations, has created a stable economic structure and an advanced education and culture for all the people, in which ten-year schooling has become compulsory. During this period, a series of genuine economic and social equalities were secured for the working masses as a whole; the freedom and independence of the homeland and the unity of the people were preserved and further consolidated. That unity has been the fundamental factor behind the victories achieved and constitutes a guarantee for its development and progress, keeping pace with the civilized nations of Europe. We are witnesses to the determined struggle taking place throughout the country to strengthen the Republic politically, economically and legally. Today, as we recall its beginnings, we encourage ourselves to undertake new initiatives for the benefit of the people and the progress of the homeland. We are working to broaden the participation of the masses in political life and in the governance of the country, especially through direct participation and organized participation through parties, enriching the experience recently acquired in the field of political pluralism. Our great task is also to further develop the democratic spirit, political values and those positive developments that characterize our beginnings, and that inspire citizens to move forward through new democratic processes to revitalize every aspect of society’s life. We now have the experience and political maturity needed to bring everything under the control of the law, under the authority of justice. The rule-of-law state will ensure the necessary independence for the actions of citizens, enterprises and institutions, and all political, social and economic entities. On this basis, a civilized democracy will develop, guaranteeing the integrity of individuals and communities, organizations and associations, as an essential condition for safeguarding the integrity, identity and independence of Albania itself. The rule-of-law state we are building is based on the general principles of justice and takes account of our country’s particular circumstances. Civil liberties are numerous and inseparable from civic duties. Human rights are cultivated and elevated to contemporary levels only in (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday afternoon, at the «Dajti» Hotel in Tirana, a protocol was signed between the Government of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania and the Government of the Republic of Turkey on economic and trade matters. Members of both delegations attended the signing ceremony. The protocol was signed by the head of the Albanian delegation, Fardin Hoxha, Minister attached to the Council of Ministers’ Presidium and Chairman of the Committee for Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries, and by the head of the Turkish delegation, Minister of State Işhin Çelebi. The protocol notes, among other things, that at meetings held in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and traditional friendship, the Albanian side provided comprehensive information about new economic developments in the country. Both sides, emphasizing the importance of a concrete review of certain objectives for trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, expressed their desire and determination to develop and deepen these relations on the basis of mutual benefit. At the conclusion of the talks, it was noted that trade relations between the two countries have been growing in recent years, but their volume does not correspond to the actual potential of the economies of the two countries; it was therefore agreed that (Continued on page 4)

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Finland, Harri Holker, received Albania’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sokrat Plaka. At the meeting, Prime Minister Holker expressed his pleasure and desire to further develop friendly relations between Finland and Albania, and emphasized his high regard for the meeting and conversation he had with President Ramiz Alia in New York during the 45th session of the UN General Assembly. After informing the Finnish Prime Minister about the democratization processes in all areas of life in our country and the Albanian government’s desire to further develop bilateral cooperation, Deputy Minister Sokrat Plaka handed him a friendly message from the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Adil Çarçani. Prime Minister Holker expressed his pleasure at the message and the invitation (Continued on page 4)

Yesterday, the president of the German company «Rukert», headquartered in Munich, Mr. Valter Cel, arrived in our country. A group of executives from state banks in Germany and Austria arrived with him. They were welcomed at the airport by Fardin Hoxha, President Valter Cel stated that (Continued on page 4)