— From the letters and telegrams sent to Comrade Ramiz Alia — We follow the economic and political situation in our country every day. We are deeply indignant when we see and hear about vandalism, demonstrations and strikes, things we are not accustomed to. We welcomed the letter from the workers of the Mirditë district about the character of Comrade Enver Hoxha. Our hearts rejoiced and swelled with pride when we heard your speech at the meeting with the people of Vlora and at the plenum of the Party in the Fier district. These were like a flash of lightning in the middle of a dark night, illuminating the land and exposing the faces of the dark forces and the opposition. By deceiving a group of people, they want to seize power in bloodshed. Let them know well that we won power with blood and will defend it with blood if necessary. We all have photographs of Comrade Enver Hoxha in our homes, and we will not take them down even if a decree orders it. They may demand that his name be removed from the university, but do they think about how they will remove it from the people’s songs? We have unshakable confidence in you, Comrade Ramiz, an outstanding leader who has been tested in difficult situations, and believe that, at the head of the Party of Labour of Albania and the Albanian state, you will successfully overcome these situations, because the whole people are with you. We have not slackened our work; on the contrary, with the communists at the forefront, we have set to work to overcome the consequences of last year’s drought and the difficulties of winter. We assure you, Comrade Ramiz, that we will fully accomplish the tasks for 1991. All our votes will go to the candidates of the Party of Labour of Albania. Like several other collectives, we request: 1. We call on the students’ parents to persuade them through dialogue to give up the strikes and resume their studies. 2. The television program should include more material on Enver Hoxha’s activities, especially your speech at the memorable rally. 3. The publication of your collected works in serial form should begin urgently. 4. The government should not be changed before March 31, 1991. May you live as long as the mountains, Comrade Ramiz, for the good of the people and the Albanian nation. HARDHI AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISE COLLECTIVE, ELBASAN * * * We, the activists of the Democratic Front organization in the village of Guri i Bardhë-Shkallë, fully support the process of democratizing every aspect of life in the country, since we are certain that these measures are for the good of the people and the Homeland. The hooligan acts of destructive forces outrage us and fill us with hatred. Therefore, we demand that the law be applied mercilessly against them. We do not support the students’ demand to remove Enver Hoxha’s name from the University of Tirana, since this is not a matter that belongs to them alone: Enver Hoxha and the University of Tirana belong to all the Albanian people. No one has the right to smear the bright image of the legendary leader of the war and of labor, the founder of the new Albania, Comrade Enver Hoxha. We dissociate ourselves from the views recently expressed in propaganda organs by the son of our village, Abdi Baleta. As always, united, we will strengthen the cooperative so that we can meet the requirements of the People’s Assembly, and of Labour. Hysen Bajraktari, Osman Bata, Fatmir Laçi, Lavdrim Baleta, Sali Lasku, Hysen Hysa, Mustafa Vaka, Hatie Çaka, Hajrie Laci, Sabie Çeku, Njazi Kaceli, Ismail Kurti, Shaqir Hysa, Petrit Muça, Shefki Meta, Hamza Rexhepi, Vjollca Dezhgiu, Avdi Bajraktari, Sali Shurdhi, Hysen Doda, Beqir Çupi, Gani Duka, Ramazan Kamberi. GURI I BARDHË, MAT. * * * We were informed by Radio and Television about the hunger strike by students of the University of Tirana, and we are deeply worried. We demand that no concession be made regarding the name of Enver Hoxha. Any concession will have unprecedented consequences for the Albanian nation. We demand that the name of Enver [text cut off at the bottom edge]

entire Albanian people decide on the name of Enver Hoxha; we demand that the name of the University of Tirana not be changed. Changing the name of Enver Hoxha is a grave betrayal of the interests of the people and the homeland; therefore, you and the entire Party must defend it resolutely. We have great confidence in you. The whole youth and people of the Gjirokastër district march alongside you. We greet you and support you. PLENUM OF THE YOUTH OF THE GJIROKASTËR DISTRICT.

At its meeting today, the of Albania was informed about and discussed the events surrounding the hunger strike staged by some of the students of the University of Tirana «Enver Hoxha». It notes that the Government, with a strong sense of responsibility and great understanding, has made every effort, even under the extremely difficult economic and financial conditions facing the country, to meet a good number of the demands that were justified. No generation of students graduating from the University has had living and study conditions such as those enjoyed by the present generation. As a result of the democratic transformations undertaken by our Party, conditions now exist at the University for creating a truly creative atmosphere and for the broad and effective participation of students in the academic and scientific administration of the University. The University itself, and all higher education, have now been democratized and will be further democratized. In this process, students’ words, voices and opinions must be heard attentively and respected. But democracy, too, has its rules and limits. There is always a danger that it may be abused and turn into anarchy and disorder, especially in the early stages of party, political and ideological pluralism. The of Albania, fully endorsing the Council of Ministers’ statement of February 16, 1991, calls on the students of the entire University of Tirana not to turn matters into conflicts and not to adopt as their own certain demands that do not belong to the student, academic or professional spheres, etc., but rather to the sphere of political struggle between parties. calls on the students to abandon unjustified political demands and the improper means of pursuing them. It expresses the hope that the students will not allow their strike to become more extreme and solutions more difficult, but will resume normal student life, beginning above all with their studies. calls on all political and social forces to consider this matter seriously and make every effort to prevent tensions from escalating. It appeals to public opinion throughout the country, asking it, with the wisdom that has characterized the Albanian people in difficult moments, to appeal to the students, their student daughters, to judge with reason and calm. OF ALBANIA Tirana, 19.2.1991

TIRANA, February 19. — Last night, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Comrade Ramiz Alia, received leaders of the Democratic and Republican Parties and spoke with them about the demonstrations by students of the University of Tirana and their demands. After listening attentively to the views and arguments they presented, Comrade Ramiz Alia asked them, both jointly and individually as parties, taking as their starting point the paramount interests of the homeland and the future of the youth, as well as the vital need to preserve order and the law and ensure a calm situation, to exert all their influence so that the best, most reasonable and fairest solutions could be found to this critical and delicate problem. (ATA)

PARIS, February 19. — Talks were held between the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation and the delegation of the Commission of the European Community. During the talks, modalities for establishing diplomatic relations between were discussed, as well as the forms of cooperation to be established between them in the country [source text unclear]. (Continued on page 4)

In recent days, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Katerina Lalumier, replied to our country’s official request to establish cooperation ties with the Council of Europe. In her reply, she informed Albania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Reis Malile, that the Council of Europe had received the Albanian request with great interest and was ready to establish contacts and cooperation with our country, beginning with links at the level of senior officials between the Council of Europe and Albania. (ATA)

Recently, the Directorate of Emigration was established within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which, in implementation of our state’s foreign policy, will deal with the problems of Albanian emigrants living outside the Homeland. Previously, this ministry also had a special department responsible for the old economic emigration living in various countries. Now, when a considerable number of citizens holding Albanian passports have settled abroad, it was deemed necessary to establish the aforementioned directorate. This directorate, in close cooperation with other institutions in the country and with our diplomatic missions abroad, will work to ensure that Albanians, wherever they are, always feel the care of their country and its ties with them, so that they may draw closer and cooperate in strengthening national unity and advancing Albania in every respect. The directorate will work to ensure that, in accordance with the legislation of the countries where they live and with international law, Albanians who have left the country receive full legal protection and support. It will work to facilitate communication between Albanians living abroad and Albania, the organization of cultural and artistic activities, the exchange of specialists in various fields, the opportunity to attend school in the Albanian language, etc. (ATSH)

723 students and lecturers from various faculties of the University of Tirana «Enver Hoxha», the Higher Institute of Arts, the Higher Agricultural Institute in Kamëz, students attending classes by correspondence, as well as others from the higher pedagogical institutes in Shkodër and Elbasan, are continuing their hunger strike on the premises of the «Studenti» Palace of Culture, in the «Studenti» district, in support of their demands, which have not been accepted. The day before yesterday, the Minister of Education, Skënder Gjinushi, and the Minister of Construction, Ismail Ahmeti, held a dialogue with members of the Organizing Commission of the Student Movement about a possible alternative. Although the hunger strike is continuing in poor hygienic conditions, the students’ health is, so far, generally good. Over the course of 24 hours, a team of 15 doctors and hospital, central polyclinic and district clinic staff in the capital has been on duty to care for them. The first night passed peacefully and without incident. So far, there have been 4 cases of students feeling unwell. A female student on hunger strike who is hospitalized is in good health after receiving treatment. The doctors working here said that some students have begun to show possible signs of caloric-energy deficiency, headaches and faintness. Yesterday, the student strikers sent telegrams to the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, as well as to the Secretary-General of the UN, Havjer Perez De Kuelar, in New York. (ATSH)

In the finishing department of the glass factory in Korçë. (Photo: L. Lika - ATSH) In the finishing department of the glass factory in Korçë. (Photo: L. Lika - ATSH)

OF THE 15TH PLENUM OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE PARTY OF LABOUR OF ALBANIA The 15th Plenum of the Central Committee of the Party of Labour of Albania, which convened on 19.2.1991 under the direction of the First Secretary of the Party’s Central Committee, Comrade Ramiz Alia, to analyze the current political situation in the country, noted: The times we are living through reflect a historic turning point. Albania has definitively entered the path of pluralist democracy, the path of modern and civilized development. Parties have emerged with which the Party of Labour of Albania will maintain a dialogue in the interests of the country, social progress, freedom and independence. The Party of Labour, which took the initiative for this transformation, has done everything to ensure that it is carried out in Albania without pain. But in the struggle for democratization we are also encountering forces characterized by an extremist spirit, which endanger public peace and order, and the lives and property of citizens. 1. For half a century we have lived free and sovereign in our country. Power here has been and is the power of the people, an expression of their will. The question is unequivocal: Should we preserve or weaken Albania? The answer is to preserve and develop it. Should we overcome the difficulties or add to them? The answer is to overcome them. Should we further develop the current process of democracy or suffocate it before it has even begun? The answer is to develop it continuously and resolutely, without excesses. The Party of Labour of Albania feels keenly its responsibility before the people and the country. Therefore, it calls on all political entities, whether opposition or not, on patriots and honest people of the country, to contribute in good faith to preserving and strengthening political and economic stability, security, and normal working and living conditions for citizens. 2. We are not responding to the state of economic emergency with extraordinary organization. This is not being done as it should be, either at the center or at the grassroots, by the state authorities or economic bodies, both where real difficulties exist and where they do not. The Party’s economic program for the election campaign and the next legislature contains all the promises and basic principles for ensuring that our economy moves forward securely and at a rapid pace. Therefore, alongside promoting this program, concrete commitment to its practical implementation is required. 3. This is the time when the voice must be raised with all our strength [text cut off at the bottom edge]. [Center column:] telegrams addressed to the Party’s Central Committee, full of concern. This appeal is addressed to all of us. Therefore, all of us must stand up. Communists, inspired by the teachings of Comrade Enver Hoxha, by the highest patriotic and moral virtues, by honesty and steadfastness in every situation, must find new strength within themselves and among the people, from whose ranks they have emerged, to face any situation, however delicate and critical it may be. 4. The election campaign for the People’s Assembly and victory in it constitute the most intensive political period; they are the test of the people’s trust in the Party of Labour of Albania. This major political undertaking, decisive for the future of people’s power, requires every communist and every Party basic organization to mobilize actively among the masses, working with workers, cooperative members, young people and intellectuals, so that everyone lives in the atmosphere of the elections, to strengthen unity and democratize and reinforce people’s power. 5. The Party of Labour of Albania has always been innovative. It has not only assessed situations realistically and with foresight, but has also initiated profound processes of renewal and reform within itself and throughout society; it has initiated a new Constitution, fights for a political system and a state governed by law under conditions of pluralism, and advocates and insists on sincere, constructive and democratic dialogue and debate among all forces, etc. All these and other democratizing measures can be undertaken only by a party that lives in its time, understands reality and confronts it. This renewal process will deepen first and foremost within the Party’s own ranks. The Party of Labour of Albania embarked on this process some time ago, considering it both natural and necessary; it will deepen these processes further at its forthcoming congress. Therefore, today greater commitment, greater sacrifice, greater compassion and courage are needed; ties with the masses are needed—in the workplace, at school, in the family, wherever people work and live. expresses its full conviction that the communists, as always, by setting the example themselves, will know how to mobilize and lead the working masses in these situations, which are both complicated and decisive for the fate of the Homeland. [Text continues below the edge of the image.]