The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the RPSSH, Comrade Ramiz Alia, yesterday received at the headquarters of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly the president of the Italian company «ITALTREIT», Rafaelo Fellah, who delivered to him a friendly message from the Prime Minister of the Italian Republic, Xhulio Andreoti. This message expresses the interest with which the Italian side is following the process of transformations taking place in Albania, aimed at establishing a pluralist and democratic system. The reforms being carried out by the Albanian government, the message says, are taking place at a delicate moment in international relations. They contribute to strengthening these transformations, which are based on an increasing commitment to tolerance and mutual cooperation, toward rapprochement between countries with different systems. Comrade Ramiz Alia asked Mr. Rafaelo Fellah to convey to Mr. Xhulio Andreoti his thanks for this friendly message. The president of the Italian company spoke to the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Comrade Ramiz Alia, about his company’s economic cooperation projects in Albania, which he described as profitable for both countries. Comrade Ramiz Alia valued this cooperation not only from an economic standpoint, but also as a way and means of strengthening friendship and bringing our two neighboring countries closer together. Rafaelo Fellah also presented Comrade Ramiz Alia with a collection of books written by the Italian Prime Minister, Xhulio Andreoti, donated by the author, who is a well-known journalist and distinguished politician. Also present at the reception were the director of the Institute for the Study of International Relations, Prof. Sofokli Lazri, and Albania’s ambassador to Italy, Dashnor Dervishi. (ATSH)

. We came with the conviction and belief that we are all interested in proposing and electing, to the people’s highest body, the people’s finest sons and daughters, the most ... (Continued on page 2)

- LIBRAZHD - The workers of the livestock sector of Tokez of the Librazhd State Farm, who are part of electoral district No. 133, greeted with applause the proposal by the Party of Labour to have Zenel Hysa, first secretary of the district Party committee, serve as a deputy in the People’s Assembly. “We know him; he is one of our own, and we have complete confidence that he will represent us with dignity,” said voters Ymer Çota, Shefqet Qoshku, Nazif Kurti and many others who spoke. “Our words are words from the heart for our sons,” said the distinguished milker Nazife Koçi. “In Comrade Zenel we see a straightforward communicator who is devoted to the people’s cause, and that is why we give him our vote with all our hearts.” In this same district, voters approved the other candidacy presented by the Democratic Front, that of Xhelil Zika, chairman of the mountain cooperative of Lunik. The speakers said that he is a specialist and cadre whose word carries weight, because Xhelil’s work and role have contributed to this economy’s good achievements in recent years; his candidacy was therefore approved unanimously. The residents of the mining town of Përrenjas, who are part of electoral district 137, greeted with applause the joint candidacy of the Party of PB for the highest body of power: engineer Hamit Çota, director of the iron-nickel mine, Hero of Socialist Labour, to represent them. “He grew up together with the mine. He also became a communist here,” said voters Adif Malaj, Fejzulla Sullollari, Shaban Sadushi, etc. This mine was the first to begin the new economic mechanism and set an example throughout the district. Iron-nickel production increased by 200 thousand tons at the end of last year compared with 1986, and targets were exceeded by 14 million lek in processing. Voters promised that in the 10 February elections they would exceed the targets for iron-nickel, chrome and exports. In this same district, voters approved the women’s organization’s candidacy of Zhuli(a)te Nakon, chairwoman of the people’s council of the town of Përrenjas, and the youth’s candidacy of the young engineer Nevruz Hyskja. XHEVDET ALMETA

- VLORE - It may be that, during the current period, not all those proposed as candidates for deputy to the People’s Assembly have been among the people there. But it is essential that each of them become familiar not only with what people say about him personally, but also with their general observations. This is important and valuable for the work of those who will win the people’s vote. For example, there is a concern that arises in almost all electoral districts. And it concerns not only those deputies to date who live in another district or area. What exactly is the criticism? That a deputy should not appear just once, during the campaign—as has happened with quite a few of them—and then be forgotten, name and face alike. A decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly announcing one of its sessions is published. But the deputy, many voters have said, does not show up. What views, what observations, what problems and suggestions did he take to that session? Economic, educational, cultural, service and other issues are analyzed. What specific matters does the deputy bring to these discussions? Where and how does he learn the voters’ opinions? Afterwards, he is informed only in general terms, not about specific matters. Some achievements have been listed, taken from statistical offices, and then it has been said, “there are also some shortcomings, which the government and economic bodies are working to eliminate.” But wha-

- SHKODER - We are two residents of the «Naim Gjylbegu» neighborhood, block No. 2, in the city of Shkodër. In these turbulent days of ...

- Interview with the president of the «Rukert» Company and the heads of the state banks of Germany and Austria, given to Albanian Television - - Mr. Cel, you are president of the «Rukert» company and have just concluded an agreement with our country. We would like to hear from you about this agreement. - First, I would like to say that it is an honor for me and my company that the Albanian government—and above all the president of the state, Alia; Prime Minister Çarçani; and Minister Farudin Hoxha—have offered us the opportunity to take part in the development and modernization of this country. I would like to express my thanks to the Albanian government, first and foremost to the president of the Albanian state, Ramiz Alia; Prime Minister Adil Çarçani; the Minister of Cooperation with Foreign Countries, Farudin Hoxha; and the other ministers. - Could you mention some of the planned contracts and projects? - We have undertaken the development of tourism and hotels; then we have an assignment to expand Tirana airport and build hydroelectric power plants; we have undertaken telecommunications throughout Albania. Furthermore, we have undertaken to develop the beverage industry and the textile industry. I think these are some of the assignments we have received. Let me check the contract. Yes! We have undertaken to expand the oil extraction and production industry, as well as the copper industry. - Do you see any problems, including technical ones, in implementing these important contracts? - I do not see any problem here, provided that both sides—that is, Albania and us, the entrepreneurs, together with the banks—find an acceptable consensus. In Vienna, we have a responsibility to do business in Eastern Europe as well. That is why I am very pleased today to have had the opportunity to visit Albania, a country about which there has been very little information in Western Europe and Germany. From the standpoint of banking business, this is very interesting: Albania is a country known for its natural resources, but it needs considerable development, especially in terms of infrastructure. And we have come here today to form an idea of the matters I have just mentioned—to examine the business opportunities in this country, as well as the opportunities we can offer your country for development. We are pleased to find here favorable conditions, based on agreements, which lead us to believe that something can be built here and that something can be achieved in terms of opportunities. - Briefly, what is your bank’s financial activity? - Our bank belongs to the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s largest state in terms of population. We are a universal bank operating in all sectors of the banking business. I would like to emphasize that we also have structural responsibilities: that is, we finance industries and develop areas that are not as developed as others. At the same time, our bank is very active internationally. We have branches all over the world, and we have also established and built a very dense European network, in almost all the capitals of the Common Market countries. Our bank takes a long-term approach; that is, we finance long-term projects, not only at home but also abroad. I can also mention cooperation with the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg, with the EG Bank, whose main purpose is ... (Continued on page 2) for telecommunications throughout Albania. Furthermore, we have undertaken this commitment; we also need a certain amount of time. — Do you see any problems, including technical ones, in carrying out this important contract? — parties—that is, Albania and us, the contractors—together with the banks, find a consensus that is acceptable and workable for both sides. — Mr. Klaus, you are the head of one of the three largest German banks. How do you view your bank’s cooperation with our country? — I am here today as a representative of Westdeutsch Landesbank, specifically as the director of WDB in Vienna. Westdeutsche Landesbank is a large bank, one of the largest institutions of its kind in Europe, and we, its subsidiary ... We have undertaken this, and we also need a certain amount of time. - this important contract? - I don't see any problems here, provided that both parties—that is, Albania and us, the entrepreneurs—together feasible for both parties. - cooperation with our country? - its kind in Europe, and we, the subsidiary ... for telecommunications throughout Albania. Furthermore, amount of time. - this important contract? - is, Albania and us, the entrepreneurs—together feasible for both parties. - cooperation with our country? - its kind in Europe, and we, the subsidiary ...

We are two residents of the “Naim Gjylbegu” neighborhood, block no. 2, in the city of Shkodër. [headline cut off at the upper edge] - SHKODËR - no. 2, in the city of Shkodër. During these vigorous days in the process of democratizing life in the country, initiated by the Party of Labor of Albania and Comrade Ramiz Alia, optimistic about a future we all want, together with the residents of our block we wrote at the meeting where candidates for deputies to the People’s Assembly were to be announced. We went best sons and daughters of the people, the most worthy representatives of the ... (Continued on page 2)

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 Evgeni Ivanoviç Osadçuk, Deputy Minister of the Soviet Union’s Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, who heads the Soviet trade and economic delegation. Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade Kostandin Hoxha also attended the reception. Comrade Adil Çarçani held warm and friendly talks with the delegation. He welcomed the normalization of relations between Albania and the Soviet Union, relations rooted in shared traditions, and expressed the Albanian people’s feelings of friendship toward the Soviet people. He expressed his satisfaction at the signing of the long-term agreement on trade, economic and technical cooperation, and the protocol on trade and economic cooperation for 1991 between our two countries. Comrade Adil Çarçani spoke about the opportunities for further expanding political, economic, cultural and other relations, and exchanged views especially on several issues concerning the modernization of technology in various branches of the economy, and investments that could be made with joint capital or with cre... (Continued on page 4)

Yesterday, Reis Malile, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, received Evgeni Ivanoviç Osadçuk, Deputy Minister of Foreign Economic Relations of the Soviet Union. During the meeting, which took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, the feelings of friendship existing between our two peoples were emphasized. Reis Malile expressed to him our country’s desire and readiness to develop and give concrete form to relations between Albania and the USSR in the political, economic and trade, technical and scientific, cultural, and other fields. He also spoke about the process of further democratizing life in our country, as well as certain aspects of foreign policy. (Continued on page 4)

As part of his visit to the Republic of Hungary, Fatos Nano, Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, was received and held talks in separate meetings with the Republic of Hungary’s Minister without Portfolio responsible for international relations, Dr. Ferenc Madl; Finance Minister Mihaly Kupa; Imre Szokao, Deputy State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Lajos Berenyi, Deputy State Secretary for international economic cooperation relations; As part of his visit to the Republic of Hungary, Fatos Nano, Secretary-General of Albania, was received and held talks in separate meetings with the Republic of Hungary’s Minister without Portfolio responsible for international relations, Dr. Ferenc Madl; Finance Minister Mihaly Kupa; Imre Szokao, Deputy State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Lajos Berenyi, Deputy State Secretary for international economic cooperation relations; and Gyergy Suranyi, President of the Hungarian National Bank. At these meetings, views were exchanged on the state and further development of bilateral relations, as well as on progress in economic reforms, in close connection with the new situation created in the region and the processes of European integration as a whole. During the talks, senior state officials of the Republic of Hungary spoke positively of the ... (Continued on page 4)

The Government spokesperson announced that the Council of Ministers had decided in principle to approve the Albanian State Bank’s membership in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB). In accordance with the above decision, the Albanian State Bank submitted its official application for membership to the IMF and the WB. Both of these international financial institutions operate within the framework of the UN. The IMF’s primary task is consultation and cooperation among member countries on international currency issues. The WB, meanwhile, is the long-term lending institution for the reconstruction and economic development of member countries. Normally, the spokesperson noted, after the official application is submitted, the approval process by the IMF, and subsequently by the WB, takes 1.5 to 2 years. But there are cases, such as Bulgaria or Czechoslovakia, when approval takes only 9–10 months. (ATSH)

In understanding with the miners Yesterday was the second day that work did not take place at the Valias mine. Work stopped because of numerous unresolved problems that had accumulated over time. The workers chose a group of representatives to present their demands to the enterprise’s management, which was not empowered to resolve most of them. Therefore, yesterday, starting at 6 in the morning ... (Continued on page 2)

Konstantin Micotaqis is Prime Minister of the Greek Republic and leader of the New Democracy Party. He was born in Kania (Crete) in 1918. He studied law and economics at the University of Athens. In 1940–1941, as a young officer, he fought on the Greek-Bulgarian border in battles aimed at stopping Hitler’s army from advancing south into Greece. After the Nazi occupation of Greece, he returned to his native island of Crete, where he took an active part in organizing and leading the local resistance against the German occupying forces. Immediately after the war, Micotaqis began his political activity. He republished the Kania newspaper “Krikis,” which continues to be published. Konstantin Micotaqis has had a long career in Greek politics. He was first elected in 1946, at the age of 28, as a member of parliament for Kania, and later in 1950, 1951, 1952, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1977, 1981 and 1989. In 1951 he served as Undersecretary of State for Finance and later as acting Minister of Transport and Public Works. In 1963–1964 he served as Minister of Finance and in 1965 as Minister for Economic Coordination. In 1967, when the junta overthrew the government and established a dictatorship, Micotaqis was arrested and then quickly released, but placed under house arrest. He left the country and lived in exile for five and a half years. After the fall of the junta in 1974, Micotaqis returned to Greece. In 1977, he founded the Neoliberal Party and was elected deputy for Kania. In 1978, he joined the New Democracy Party. From 1978 to 1980 he served as Minister of Economic Coordination, and from 1980 to 1981 as Minister of Foreign Affairs. From October 1981 to August 1984 he was parliamentary spokesperson for the New Democracy Party and a member of the party’s Political Bureau. On September 1, 1984, he was elected leader of the New Democracy Party. Konstantin Micotaqis holds many Greek and foreign decorations. He was sworn in as Prime Minister of Greece on April 11, 1990, after his party won the April 8 elections with 46.88 percent of the vote, securing 150 seats in the 300-seat parliament.