TO COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA FIRST SECRETARY OF THE CC OF THE ALBANIAN PARTY OF LABOUR Dear Comrade Ramiz, The collective of the «Kurbenesh» copper mine met today, 23 January 1991. We analyzed our work and determined the tasks facing us in the current political situation in order to overcome the difficulties we face. At this moment, as we write to you, we feel our responsibility to be at the forefront of the work to carry out the economic plan. Conscious that only through work can prosperity grow and the democratic process deepen, we are working to fulfil the plan’s tasks. We began this year fully mobilized. We have no absences caused by work stoppages and not a single minute of production interruption for any reason. Anyone who tries to increase prosperity or deepen democracy through breaches of discipline and production stoppages is opposing democratization and the unity of our people. We are grateful to you for the recognition you gave to the hard work of the miners and other underground workers. Therefore, we promise that we will go to the 31 March elections for deputies to the People’s Assembly in sound unity; we will produce 1,000 tons of copper ore and 50 m3 of mining works above the plan, and our votes will go to the best sons and daughters of the people. We condemn with all our strength every tendency to deny the achievements of the past 46 years, the distinguished figure of the Albanian people, Comrade Enver Hoxha, as well as every breach of work and production discipline that harms the political and economic interests of our people and our country, and its future. May you live as long as our mountains, Comrade Ramiz, for the good of our heroic people. From the collective of the Kurbenesh copper mine, Mirditë 25.1.1991

IN BRIEF The collective of the military supply enterprise in Sarandë, during these January days, fulfilled the monthly plan for the product sold [?] During these January days, among the collectives in Kolonjë that achieved their targets for production of goods sold was also the collection and processing enterprise in the town of Ersekë. Gross industrial production reached 107 percent. Employees of the water and land reclamation enterprise in the Përmet district are working on the reservoirs at Bërzanaj and Alipostivë and at the pumping station in Këlcyrë. When these facilities are put into operation, the district’s irrigation capacity will increase by a further 1,300 ha. In the Fier district, the collective of the artistic products enterprise also met its targets for the period in goods sold and other indicators. Productivity averaged 101 percent. Responsiveness to demanding tasks - MIRDITË - These days, in several enterprise collectives, the steadily growing improvement in people’s attitude to work is striking. You would be hard put to find the metallurgists of Rubik idle. There, by the furnaces and converters, you meet workers from the third enterprise. Each is devoted to their own work front. No absences from work. They do not hide their joy at the two additional shifts [?] and the positive indicators achieved as a result of experimenting with the new system of economic management. In these months they have also fulfilled their export targets, as well as several other indicators. They have just one concern: the supply of raw materials, which has been inadequate from some sources (the quality from Perat has declined, while from Palaj the quantity has fallen). At the NNM mine construction site, the main tasks were met: shaft advancement reached 130 percent, and fulfilment of work norms 110 percent. The fact that there have been only 3 absences in 25 days speaks for itself.

In this period of unprecedented democratic transformations, the people and the country need stability. Nothing will be valued more than that in these days of economic hardship and tension that we are going through. Nothing is more precious than security for today and tomorrow. Our people welcomed and fully committed themselves to the profound and comprehensive democratic processes undertaken with foresight and courage by the Party of Labour and Comrade Ramiz Alia. They are therefore conscious and genuinely interested in advancing them along a sound and truly democratic path. What is this path? First and foremost, work, and work itself. The logic is simple and clear to anyone who wishes to understand it. There is no democracy without an economy, and no economy without work. The “right” being discussed so much is not determined simply by goodwill and good wishes, but by how much one produces and how much one can distribute. We must stress this because at this moment, at some opposition rallies and in the pages of its newspaper, people are talking and calling for other expressions and forms of democracy, while leaving aside the “democracy” whose roots lie in our work and sweat. It is heartening that over the last two or three days the workers themselves have called off the strikes and returned to the work fronts. But this alone is not enough for our political and economic stability. What is needed is that the country’s economic situation be put right as soon as possible. Everywhere, people need to feel an atmosphere of intensified work, which has a significant impact on production charts and rates. Stability must mean that wherever the material resources exist, plans are not only fulfilled but exceeded; where raw materials are lacking, people must struggle, think hard and use every opportunity to produce as much as possible. Let us turn enterprises and cooperatives into genuine centres of work and productive thought, not centres of meetings and empty talk about democracy. Meanwhile, district and ministerial administrations must not sit idle in the face of shortages of raw materials at their enterprises. The clearest reflection of economic stability is the market. Turmoil, slackness at work, bureaucracy, and, along with them, the slogans and constant alarms, have turned these days of stabilization into days of destabilization in this sector vital to the people. This is also evident in the long queues and shortages of goods that cause people concern. In this way, the real difficulties of the economy weigh more heavily and irresponsibly on the market. The people are familiar with the Government’s views and measures for supplying them with essential goods. But it would be unforgivable to think that we should import everything. Are we really going to wait for cabbage and leeks, spinach and onions—which are often missing from shop windows—to arrive from abroad, bought with foreign currency? Is this how we will try to secure those products of the light and food industries for which we have production lines, factories, the combine and our own raw materials? Co-operation [?]. This would be fatal idleness, the destruction of the economy and the stability of life; this would be madness masquerading as democracy. More than anything else, the people are troubled these days by certain hostile, reprehensible and ugly acts that create tension and insecurity. The fire and extensive damage caused at the motor-tractor combine, the widespread smashing of train windows on railway lines, attempted thefts, disturbances in border areas and even smaller incidents in villages, on intercity routes and elsewhere—our people do not want these things; on the contrary, they hate and strongly condemn them. The people are conscious and forgive much of what they feel is lacking for the time being, but they do not forgive, nor have any reason to forgive, such ugly acts that go against the people’s traditions and culture and violate their peace, security, property and the sacred fruits of their labour. It is therefore the demand of all the people that the law-enforcement bodies confront and act energetically against ill-wishers and wrongdoers. All right-minded public opinion must stand by and support these bodies. An extraordinary situation can be overcome through the extraordinary work of everyone. It calls on us to be on our feet, together, wherever we work and live, with clear minds, courage and devotion, with a spirit of great sacrifice and optimism. Only in this way, through an uncompromising struggle against complacency, bureaucracy, etc., can the difficulties be overcome and stability secured.

FIRST SECRETARY OF THE CC OF THE ALBANIAN PARTY OF LABOUR TIRANA Dear Comrade Ramiz, The collective of the 35/10 kilowatt Baterë electrical substation, discussing your message to the people about the difficult economic situation the country is going through, expressed its full solidarity and unanimously decided: 1. Regardless of the difficult working and living conditions and the rugged mountainous terrain in which we work, we will work with a strong patriotic sense of responsibility, applying ourselves to our tasks more than ever, in order to increase our readiness to supply industrial and municipal consumers with electricity without interruption. 2. We will work in the spirit of an action campaign, so that in a very short time we can excavate and transform 1,500 m3 of rock with our own strength, in order to seek a more civilized way of life and a completely normal life, regardless of our geographical location compared with others. 3. We will not be distracted by the question of wage increases, but will leave it for consideration by the government commission established for this purpose. At the same time, we call not only on our colleagues in the energy system but on all workers’ collectives in the country to get down to work. In the period leading up to the elections to the People’s Assembly, let us exceed the targets for the period by setting ourselves major objectives; in complete, unbreakable unity with one another, let us make a radical turn in the country’s economy. 4. The workers of our collective, born in the new era of the Party, have demonstrated their commitment and will cast their votes unhesitatingly for the Party and for you, dear Comrade Ramiz. May we have you with us for many years and a long life, dear Comrade Ramiz. The collective of the 35/10 kilowatt electrical substation, Baterë 25.1.1991

At its meeting yesterday, the Council of Ministers reviewed the situation in the country’s economy. The meeting emphasized that the situation that had arisen was serious from both an economic and a foreign-currency standpoint. To address this situation, the Council of Ministers decided that by 15 February work should be done to restore discipline at enterprises that have had no problems obtaining raw materials. Meanwhile, it ordered the ministries to monitor enforcement of the requirement to pay 80 percent of wages at enterprises where work is halted because raw materials have not been supplied. 15 February was set as the deadline for stabilizing the supply of necessary foodstuffs to the people: vegetables, milk, eggs, sugar, rice, fats, flour, pasta, etc., as well as firewood, while eliminating irregularities observed in the work of the domestic trade, foreign trade and agricultural authorities. The Council of Ministers also reviewed several draft decrees or other decisions. The draft decree “On certain amendments to the Labour Code of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania” provisionally grants broader powers to the head of an enterprise or institution to strengthen work discipline. Under this draft decree, only the court, and no longer the trade union organization, will have the right to decide on a possible dismissal of an employee against whom the head has taken an administrative measure. (ATSH)

The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, sent the following congratulatory telegram to the Governor-General of Australia, Bill Hayden: “On the occasion of your national holiday, on behalf of the Albanian people and in my own name, I send you my sincere greetings and best wishes for the prosperity of your prosperous country.” I hope that friendly relations between Albania and Australia will develop further for the benefit of both our peoples. (ATSH)

The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, sent the following congratulatory telegram to the President of the Republic of India, Ramaswamy Venkataraman: “The anniversary of India’s national holiday gives me the opportunity, on behalf of the Albanian people and in my own name, to send you and, through you, the Indian people warm greetings and my best wishes for their well-being and the prosperity of their country.” (ATSH)

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the death of the distinguished patriot and People’s Hero, Isa Boletini, the People’s Museum, in cooperation with the «Jordan Misja» general secondary school in the city of Shkodër, organized a commemorative event. Veterans, young men and women, researchers, intellectuals, etc. took part. During the event, a literary and musical montage was presented, and speeches were given about the life and work of the people’s leader and organizer of the movements for liberation and national unity, People’s Hero Isa Boletini. Songs were also sung, poems recited, and slides showing the hero’s life were presented. (ATSH)

- KORÇË - Yesterday, in «Demonstrata e Bujkëve» Square in the city of Korçë, the district Youth Committee organized a rally in support of Comrade Ramiz Alia’s message to the people. Young men and women from workplaces and production units, institutions, schools, etc. took part. The keynote speech was delivered by Lulëzim Hoxha, First Secretary of the district Youth Committee, who stressed, among other things, that the majority of Albanian youth fully supported the democratic reform undertaken by Comrade Ramiz Alia, his message to the people, and the postponement of the elections. They welcome and abide by the agreement reached among representatives of political parties and social organizations not to strike until 1 May. Speaking at the rally, Lisen Bashku(r)ti, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the BRPSH, said, among other things, that the Youth Union is an independent electoral subject and aims to have deputies in the next Assembly who will present and defend the specific interests of young people. In the difficult circumstances we are going through, the Youth Union calls on young workers, farmers, pupils, students and intellectuals to be measured and to distinguish themselves through work, knowledge and culture; to be wary of any provocations by extremist political forces. Without the unity of the younger generation, without its zeal for work and knowledge, he stressed, the situation cannot be stabilized and the Homeland cannot advance. Also speaking at the rally were the veteran electoral intellectual [?], and young men and women from all political parties and of various beliefs [?]. This serves to strengthen the unity, progress and prosperity of the Homeland, Mr. Hoxha stressed. One party and politicians [?] to carry out tasks for the good of the country. The miner Agim Boba, composer Përparim Tomçini, cooperative farmer Aime Titini, etc., also spoke at the rally. On behalf of their colleagues, they stressed that they would be at the forefront of the work and contribute to advancing the processes of democratizing life in the country. A telegram addressed to the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Comrade Ramiz Alia, was sent from the rally. - PESHKOPI - In support of Comrade Ramiz Alia’s message to the people, yesterday afternoon the Youth Committee of the Dibër district organized a rally in the square in front of the «Ko-...» hotel. With everyone from Peshkopi [?]. Young men and women from workplaces and production units, agricultural cooperatives, schools, military units, etc. took part. The keynote speech was delivered by Rufi Jusi, First Secretary of the district Youth Committee, who stressed, among other things, that the youth strongly support the democratic reform undertaken by Comrade Ramiz Alia and his message to our people. Inheriting the finest qualities of this people, it will make itself felt in European civilization, just as it has shown greater dedication to work, knowledge and culture [?]. In her speech, Moza Jazo, Secretary of the Central Committee of the BRPSH, after noting the proper conduct of the youth of these districts in the new economic and political situation our country is going through, stressed that the BRPSH, as an independent subject [?] - BURREL - Yesterday afternoon, the Youth Committee of the Mat district organized a solidarity rally in the main square of the town of Burrel in support of the democratic reform undertaken by Comrade Ramiz Alia and his message to the people. Young men and women from economic enterprises, agricultural cooperatives, institutions, schools, etc. took part. In the keynote speech, the First Secretary of the district Youth Committee, Gëzim Llukani, emphasized, among other things, that Albanian youth support and back the reforms achieved... [?] (Continued on page 3)