- Comrade Ramiz Alia addresses the people on television - Dear comrades, Dear comrades and friends, I am addressing you this evening at a time when the country is facing extremely serious events and developments, on which its fate today and in the future depends. Concern and anxiety have grown from day to day not only among our people, but also among Albania's comrades and friends around the world. This is the result of the serious worsening of the situation in the country, the actions of destructive forces and violence, and the paralysis of normal life in the southern cities. A great shock has also been caused by the wave of youth departures, which is taking on new dimensions every day. To this tense political situation and the departures to foreign missions there has recently been added the unprecedented mass quitting from enterprises by the workers and technicians of the “Hysen Çino” railway secondary school in Durrës. This was immediately followed by similar events in Kavajë, which culminated in gatherings of people, with condemnable calls and actions. The severity of the situation is also being accompanied by an increase in negative phenomena, with robberies and destruction in citizens' homes, with the terrorizing of entire cities. Let us not forget that the consequences of the disruption of life in the country are becoming more serious day by day. The stoppage of work in several factories and enterprises, and also the weakening of work everywhere due to insecurity and occupation, together with the evident irresponsibility of some cadres in leadership, are dealing a heavy blow to our economy, which for years we have been trying with so much effort and sacrifice to strengthen and stabilize. We all understand how serious the consequences for the country would be if pointless strikes and demonstrations were to continue, if strict measures were not taken in time to strengthen order and calm, if the people and work were not returned to normal. Let us reassess this situation with sincerity and responsibility and each of us decide, in the place that belongs to us, what must be done to get out of it. We are all interested in not allowing the situation to deteriorate further and reach uncontrollable proportions. In such situations, we are not allowed to remain spectators, and even less to behave irresponsibly toward what is happening. As citizens of this country, as communists and patriots, as people linked to the Homeland, to the family, and to the present and future of Albania, we must all be active and take on the responsibility that is ours. This is a duty to the homeland. Precisely for this reason I am setting out in the simplest way what must be done today to help overcome the serious situation. In the briefest form, the problem is as follows: we must make every effort to ease tensions, to open the way to a political solution of the situation, and to restore order and calm throughout the country. (Continues on page 6)

The Council of Ministers examined yesterday draft decrees that will be submitted to the Presidium of the People’s Assembly concerning the powers of several bodies... The Council of Ministers examined yesterday draft decrees that will be submitted to the Presidium of the People’s Assembly concerning the powers of some state bodies to prohibit unconstitutional actions, the activity of the lawyer, and the role of the notary in civil and criminal proceedings. The draft decrees aim to increase the powers of certain bodies so that they can act decisively against violations of the constitutional order and actions that harm the interests of the state and of citizens. The role of the lawyer and the notary in protecting citizens’ rights and strengthening legal order is also emphasized.

Like all the workers here, we do this not only with words, but also through our attitude toward work and duty. In the production units and in services, workers and specialists say that only by restoring calm and strengthening discipline can the economic situation improve. They stress that greater responsibility is needed at every link in production and in administration, so that losses and unnecessary interruptions can be avoided.

Last night in Tregs[?]tis the work in the enterprise and the management arrangements in the statistics were analyzed. N. Xhiku[?]. Last night in Tregs[?]tis the work in the enterprise and the management arrangements in the statistics were analyzed. (Photo: N. Xhiku[?])

I do not know exactly, but I have known him for many years. In his daily work he has shown dedication and love for the profession. That he has acted on important issues of the collective and the neighborhood. His way of communicating with people and his ability to win the respect of others have led many to value him. He remains a simple man and fair in judgment.

The opinion of an old worker In the daily tension of recent days, the voice of the ordinary worker is heard as the voice of reason. He says that the country needs calm, a return to work, and respect for the law. In his view, without production there can be no well-being and no one should play with the fate of the country. He recalls that the worker loves order, fears disorder, and knows well the price of bread earned with sweat. In this sense, he calls on everyone to return to their workplaces and contribute to overcoming the difficulties. (Continues on page 4)

Through forces designated from neighboring countries, efforts are being made to distort the Albanian reality and exert political pressure on our country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns the irresponsible positions and underlines that developments in Albania are an internal matter of the Albanian people. (Continues on page 2)

On examining the date of the elections to the People’s Assembly Pursuant to articles 66 and 77, paragraph 6 of Law no. 7423, dated 13.11.1990, “On the elections to the People’s Assembly,” the Presidium of the People’s Assembly decided: Article 1. The elections of deputies to the People’s Assembly shall be held on 10 February 1991. Article 2. Under the circumstances created, the voting day shall be considered a day off. Article 3. This decree enters into force immediately. PRESIDIUM OF THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY OF THE SOCIALIST PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA DECIDED No. 11931 Tirana, 17.1.1991