At this moment, when political pluralism is taking shape, it is significant that comrade Ramiz Alia, as chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, took the initiative to convene a meeting of representatives of the parties and political-social organizations, which resulted in an agreement that has made a major contribution to the realization of the democratic process. The appeal addressed to the entire Albanian people is truly an example of tolerance and free exchange of opinions, of constructive debate rather than destructive and denigrating debate, and of a realistic assessment of situations—things for which members of the Party of Labour are fighting and working. But things cannot be accomplished by appeals alone; they are only the beginning. As comrade Ramiz Alia emphasized in his televised appeal to the people, the economy is today at the epicenter of many problems. Slowness in recognizing and resolving them is accompanied by great political acuteness and numerous social problems. The developments in these first days of January, the interruptions of work or its slackening, must be properly assessed by every political force and grouping, and confronted realistically in order to find the best possible solutions. The recovery of the economy is everyone’s greatest concern today—and commitment to it is essential. The balance of the times will show you how responsible you are to your nation and your homeland. More than ever before, it is essential to stop dreaming about foreign aid, thinking that others will bring us prosperity without our working and sweating hard ourselves. It is in the tradition of communists to seek to improve the situation through work, through a great deal of work on every front where they are present. If we seek to understand our mistakes better, we must use difficulties and obstacles to improve the situation, to build rather than destroy, to avoid repeating such mistakes, and not to hinder work. The Party of Labour, devoting all its forces to implementing the program announced on the eve of the election campaign, demands this of every one of its members: not to disorient people, but to encourage them to work and produce. For it is through work that we draw closer to Europe; without it, and with speeches alone, we distance ourselves further from it. Today, more than ever, the true qualities of communists stand out: courage and bravery in overcoming extraordinary situations, wisdom and foresight in finding solutions to problems, and close ties with people in order to encourage and mobilize them. A true communist is one who does not bow his head, who is ready to sacrifice for the Party line and to implement its program. What are the economic and state authorities doing in these circumstances? Where is their initiative in solving economic problems, stopping further decline and pursuing rapid growth? The economy must reveal its cards and show what place you have earned as a manager and employee; its pace must call for work and responsibility, for honesty in tackling the problems that have arisen and must be resolved quickly. We appeal to workers and citizens to improve their productivity so they can secure greater incomes, but we appeal even more to those who manage the economy at every level. The relevant economic and state bodies must act and get moving, not add more rust to the old machinery that was left idle until yesterday. Everyone must get moving and be present where the serious economic problem has arisen. The national interest demands this, as does responsibility toward your people, who want a better life and do not want what they have achieved to be taken away. Without understanding, there can be no solution. Understanding the situation is today the first duty of every employee of the economic and state apparatus, from a government member to a brigade leader and timekeeper. To solve economic problems properly, rather than mechanically, the economic and state authorities must be accurately informed about the situation. The people must be properly informed about concerns and problems. They should be told, for example, that even the food supplies secured with foreign currency—which must be paid for within the year with export earnings—are not available in Tirana’s shops because of incompetence in organizing work at certain levels of local administration and the economy. The executive committees of the district people’s councils and the administrations of enterprises must understand that they are in circumstances that demand a shake-up of the apparatus and of every employee. Much depends on them, too: on how effectively we put the people’s great creative energies to work to overcome the difficulties. “Let us wait and see” means abandoning everyone to the economic situation. If political forces must engage in dialogue about solutions, state and economic bodies in enterprises, districts, and up to the government are responsible to the people for implementing the solutions they identify and propose, so as to overcome the extraordinary situation that has arisen as quickly as possible. This requires extraordinary work from everyone, first and foremost from communists. it is made after... are evaluated for... priest, while... with the lesson is... open sky... the field of sh... Kosovar farmers day by day... who, while... in Albanian... by the author... himself after... and control... his epin... serve... theirs and... None... is visited by... left over... of the sisters... more... times by... may... more... with... of... worked and... with... It is in the tradition of the are. In doing so, they seek to identify shortcomings and mis... else, without working and sweating a great deal with... state institutions need to take initiative themselves, to get moving and not add more rust to the old gears that had been left idle until yesterday. Everyone is required to get moving, to seek joint Albanian-Greek liknaten; of expanding friendly relations, peace and security in the Balkans and Europe.

How much we need optimism at this time, when so many people are confused. Being optimistic does not mean that you are an adventurer, or a Don Quixote. Did you notice what happened with the miners of Valias? After four sad days, four days of anxiety, tension, silence, and uncertainty, the workers said: “By February 22 we will make up the entire coal deficit.” We said, from the heart and aloud, “There is maturity, there is optimism.” Of course, we need no pledges made for publicity—we have had enough of those from certain bureaucratic administrators—but in this case it was the miners’ spirit that spoke. It gives us not merely assurance of black coal, but assurance of a generous, humane heart. History has shown this: in dramatic moments, in moments of upheaval, great energies awaken and people perform unparalleled acts of heroism. When, at last, we heard on television what we had “been waiting for,” what we had hoped for, we heard the driving force of democracy, the man toward whom an entire people has turned its eyes, ears, and heart: we heard comrade Ramiz Alia. Every word was wisdom, every piece of advice reassurance. But I would single out the words: “I hope that the country will overcome the difficulties we face, because I have faith in your wisdom, your determination, your great creative energies. Above all, I have faith in the fervent patriotism of our people, who have always placed the supreme interests of the homeland above everything else.” This means that bus drivers may be right to issue an “ultimatum” and “attack” bureaucracy, but volunteers are also right to go to school. If an administrator, a manager, is obstructing you, dismiss him—but do not “dismiss” your sense of justice by inflicting an injustice on citizens. This means that you, shepherds of Vrina, may be right to demand living conditions and wages, but you are wrong to leave the livestock, sheep, and lambs at the mercy of fate during this cold winter, which is hard on them and on you. This means that you, representatives of Bulqizë, are within your rights to come to Tirana so your voices may be heard and your demands resolved; but the country is just as entitled to ask for further sacrifices from everyone and, above all, to demand that today, more than ever, we put the supreme interests of the homeland first. Those interests require chrome and increased exports, so that through them we can import more goods and all the things the people need—including you. This means... “We may have a great deal to say, but we have even more to do. We may face many difficulties because of mistakes made, including our own, but we need even more optimism and love of country. If we act in this way, we will surely overcome this situation; surely we will find optimism for work and for the future.” AVDUL DULE

AGRON DHIMA, candidate of sciences, director of the Metallurgical Design Institute, Elbasan: The message that comrade Ramiz Alia addressed to the people is the fruit of the understanding reached among the various political and social parties and organizations. It is another stone in the edifice of democracy. At the same time, it is a guarantee that when the supreme interests and fate of the homeland are put to the test, the various political and social forces can unite to produce the much-desired result: the continuous growth of the people’s material and spiritual wealth. But this noble aim will become reality only through our honest, wise, and productive work. AHMET OSJA, deputy director of the Maize and Rice Institute, Shkodër: At this moment, as we receive comrade Ramiz Alia’s appeal, every Albanian is confronted with what is most precious: the interests of the nation and the homeland. The best response is, first of all, for everyone to work without limit and give the maximum of their abilities. There are few people in this country who have not invested themselves in this idea throughout their working lives. Is it in the interest of our people to destroy what we have all invested in the homeland? On the contrary, we should aim to invest even more in the economy through our commitment to the homeland, to increase production and its efficiency, by means of the new paths that have opened and are opening during this great process of democratization—especially given the circumstances of our small country, which is blessed with opportunities and reserves that have remained untapped until now. NAXHI MAMANI, secretary of the Executive Committee of the District People’s Council, Gjirokastër: We continue to experience the effects of a tense situation in the south of the country as well. Our citizens, Greek-minority members and Albanians, are abandoning their homeland by crossing the border illegally; among individuals and groups there is a slackening and abandonment of work; a state of mind that breeds rumors persists, along with a tendency for everyone to want to pose as diplomats and politicians. I think the parties and political organizations should work to put an end to the climate of idle talk and help raise society’s morale, while the organs of government and the economy, together with all employees, party members and non-members alike, should commit themselves and show society that we are the true and sole masters of our homeland. Halting the economic decline is a task of equal importance. Enterprises connected with foreign countries, such as NPV, the artistic enterprise, and the construction enterprise, are performing their duties better. We are trying to establish relations with foreign firms at the leather-and-shoe factory, the metalworks, NPA, and elsewhere. You must be more enterprising and concrete in domestic business dealings with districts and sister enterprises as well. As an economist, I believe that changes and reform measures can be discussed only when material goods and production increase. Everything depends on them. Therefore, let us build and devote ourselves to work; let every employee’s energy and every specialist’s thought be focused on it. Let us direct dialogue and discussion toward improving work, rather than toward criticism and demands that are misplaced. I think this is also the best response to the appeal that comrade Ramiz Alia addressed to us all. EDMOND BOGDANI, head of the “Bashkimi” printing house: I listened attentively to the speech that comrade Ramiz Alia addressed to the Albanian people. The response to it is immediate for everyone, including me: a call to action—a cause for concern! And this call must not lose any of the qualities I attribute to a person of our own: the honesty of an Albanian, working for oneself and for society, facing difficulties and disruptions squarely and overcoming them as quickly as possible through the sweat of our brow.

— In conversation with Kujtim Neza, director of the chrome mine in Kam, Tropojë. — The situation we are going through is visible to everyone. Each of us individually, and all of us together, have it in our hands to stabilize the situation. I see the mobilization of the workers and the engineering and technical staff at our mine, and I feel that each of them understands that their work can help stabilize the situation. In the Zogaj sector, targets are being exceeded. These days I am pleased with the pace of progress, and the monthly chrome production plan is assured. As for the [kur-arcin?], given the agreement we reached with the parkun for transport, I think the targets will also be met. I am convinced that the difficulties faced by the miners of Kam are no less than those in Valias or anywhere else. But our miners are manly, and today, when the country’s difficulties are exceptional, their mobilization is exceptional too. When the homeland is in difficulty, everyone “lends it a hand” by working even harder, even in more difficult conditions. This is no time to complain. We, as managers in enterprises or districts and at the national level, have it in our hands to encourage people to work by opening up prospects for both immediate interests and the future. For example, we see that goods are in short supply in the market. If we are given the opportunity to establish trade relations abroad, the chrome we extract will enable us to secure goods to fill the market. A well-stocked market encourages people to buy. That, in turn, encourages people to come and encourages work. If we, as the district of Tropojë, sell more chrome, we will stabilize the market and encourage work. HALIL BUÇPAPAJ

At the Council of Ministers At its meeting today, the Council of Ministers reviewed developments in the Persian Gulf region and the international complications connected with them, as well as several issues concerning our state’s relations with other states. The government heard a briefing from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Reis Malile, on the situation that has arisen in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East following the start in recent days of military operations against Iraq by the multinational force authorized by the UN. The position of the Albanian Government has been and remains to condemn Iraq’s aggression and occupation of Kuwait, to demand the withdrawal of Iraqi troops from Kuwait, and to seek a solution to overcome the crisis in the region through negotiations. The continuation and escalation of the conflict would have very serious consequences worldwide. The Council of Ministers drew attention to the fact that the situation cannot fail to affect our country. It particularly affects the worsening price trends for raw materials such as oil, metals, and food products that we import, which will require additional foreign-currency resources. It also creates difficulties for the normal implementation of economic cooperation agreements with the states of this region. Under these circumstances, everyone is required to show mobilization and a particular sense of responsibility in finding new reserves to mitigate the impact of the Gulf crisis on our economy. It was also requested that, to ensure the population’s normal food supplies and the proper management of the necessary reserves that have been created, the trade authorities and the financial inspectorate take special measures to regulate their distribution throughout the country and prevent disruptive actions by speculators and market profiteers. The meeting also heard the results of Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis’s visit to our country. The Council of Ministers assessed the visit as successful and as contributing to the further development of relations between the two countries in political, economic, and other areas of common interest. As stated in the joint Albanian-Greek communiqué, the positive outcome of the talks showed that Albania and Greece are determined to strengthen bilateral cooperation for the benefit of expanding friendly relations and promoting peace and security in the Balkans and Europe. The Council of Ministers was also informed about the forthcoming visit to the People’s Republic of China by an Albanian delegation headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Reis Malile, at the invitation of the Chinese foreign minister. It noted that relations between our country and China are developing along friendly lines and that the purpose of this visit is to advance cooperation in all fields. Particular emphasis was placed on the possibilities for further development of economic cooperation and bilateral exchanges. The government also set tasks for the further efforts needed to expand relations with European states on a bilateral basis, as well as within the framework of the CSCE processes and integration on the continent. (ATSH)

On January 18, 1991, the Presidium of the General Council of the Democratic Front of Albania met under the chairmanship of its chairman, comrade Adil Çarçani. It discussed the political and economic situation that has arisen in the country. The Presidium assessed the situation as grave and posing serious risks to the democratic processes, the unity of the nation, and the fate of the homeland. The present period of major political, economic, social, and cultural transformations requires everyone’s commitment to work, wisdom, and tolerance, so as not to allow tensions and conflicts that lead to destabilization. fully supports the agreement reached among representatives of the political and social parties and organizations, specifically its points, and has confidence that all its members, through work and wisdom, will express their sense of responsibility by implementing this agreement and placing the supreme interests of the homeland above all else. The Presidium also heard a briefing on the progress of the election campaign for deputies to the People’s Assembly. While assessing as good the work carried out so far by the Front’s organizations at the grassroots and in the districts, it focused on the tasks that lie ahead before the March 31 vote. All the work of the Democratic Front will aim to ensure that the entire people, united in their ranks, take part in this vote and cast their ballots for the most devoted candidates. (ATSH)

You talk to different people, and they all speak of democracy being deepened by the PPSH, the initiator of these processes. Intellectuals, farmers at the foot of Munellë and Krab, miners, and geologists alike agree with pluralism of opinion and of parties. But it is regrettable that some people are harassing the people “in the name of democracy.” A group of more than 100 people, mostly young, confront and stop buses on the Pukë, Bajram Curri, and Kukës routes at Mjedë. They stop the buses, demand the drivers, “Take down that slogan and that photograph,” ask, “Which party are you with?”, threaten them to raise two fingers, and throw stones at the buses, breaking windows and endangering the passengers, innocent travelers. This group acts in this way at Mjedë, and later another group does the same in Fushë-Krujë to a car from Pukë. People are frightened by this illegal “democracy.” Pregnant women, small children, and others are terrified. People on the buses do not dare even to speak. The following day they do not dare take even a short journey elsewhere—neither those who witnessed these terrifying events nor their relatives, with whom they have spoken about them. I set out to take care of some business in another town; perhaps I have a funeral to attend or a happy occasion, or I want to meet someone on state business. Then people of this supposedly peaceful place confront me on the road, smash my bus window, and put my life and my children’s lives in danger. What is going on? Who is inciting them, and whom do such actions serve?! No, this is not democracy. I, an honest and innocent person, do not come to your car or your home; I do not search you or tell you not to carry this or that photograph, or this or that slogan. None of the programs presented so far by the various parties advocates terror and vandalism. Civilized Europe will not accept us into its fold with actions like these, let alone our own people, who will never approve of them. So is it not time for all the parties to distance themselves publicly from these actions, as the Party of Labour has done? Under no circumstances should people’s feelings of fear be stirred up. The buses and cars—everything these people destroy—belong to all of us. And the people rightly demand that the law be enforced against them, so that they may have the peace needed to establish genuine democracy. But why are the bodies responsible for maintaining public order and enforcing the law standing by and looking on?! GJOVALIN MEMAJ

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