— MESSAGE FROM THE FIRST SECRETARY OF THE PARTY’S CENTRAL COMMITTEE, COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA, ADDRESSED TO THE PEOPLE YESTERDAY VIA RADIO AND TELEVISION — Dear brothers and sisters, dear members of the Party of Labour, I have received hundreds and hundreds of letters and telegrams from you during these sad days that we are living through. In them I have found your legitimate anger over the barbaric act of bringing down the monuments to Enver Hoxha. I understand the deep concern this act of vandalism has aroused everywhere. For my part, I wish to stress once again that Enver Hoxha is a historical personality of profound importance to the people, and that history is not judged through manipulated biases. A bust can be removed, but the figure of Enver Hoxha cannot be overthrown, because it embodies the biography of the people, the history of the new Albania. The Party of Labour and the Albanian people are proud to have had a leader like Comrade Enver. I also wish to assure you that addressing the sad circumstances in which these acts of vandalism were carried out and their causes will be the first task tomorrow morning, in order to resolve this matter and restore order. Enver Hoxha’s monument stands in a place of honour and will remain there. But we must not respond to vandalism in the same way; we must respond with the organized strength of the people. We must not answer action with action. Therefore, I call on you to exercise restraint, to consider deeply and with national responsibility any action that might be taken, and to have confidence that the right choice will be made at the most appropriate time and moment. There are many proposals in your letters and telegrams. In particular, I call on the communists and all honest people of this country not to fall into the traps of certain grave plots being laid to divide the Party of Labour, to discredit its leadership, and to sabotage the noble work and struggle of the communists in the service of the homeland and its progress. Brothers and sisters, We have all entered the democratic transformations together, with full willingness and determination. Up to this moment we have done everything to avoid bloodshed. Do we have the strength to proceed peacefully along this path? Can we prevent fratricide? I believe we can. Nevertheless, everyone must be clear and aware that our road, especially under the conditions of the fierce struggle being waged against us from abroad and at home, cannot be traversed easily, without traumas and blows. Someone brought to Albania the weapons that were fired last night against our People’s Army and the forces maintaining order in Tirana, and someone planned to use them. You, dear comrades, who write to me, ask me questions, offer me help and support, and express your indignation at everything that has happened in recent days, are patriots, honest citizens, devoted communists, determined fighters for the cause of Albania. You are the true democrats. I would like to come to all of you and explain fully the events and developments of today. But what I need from you now is help in restoring order and security, isolating the vandal and terrorist elements, and returning the life of the people to normal. We will not leave Albania at the mercy of fate, at the mercy of actions in the street. We will not allow Albania to become a victim of the political games of various oppositions or of the designs of external enemies. The fate of our beloved homeland, as everywhere, must remain in the hands of the people themselves. I believe in the clear judgment of our people to overcome wisely and resolutely the critical moments we are going through. I am convinced that the members of our glorious Party will correctly understand the events and, as always, actively support the Party and the Government in overcoming the dangers threatening people’s power, the life of the people, and the future of the free Albanian state.

The times we are living through are difficult. Albania has definitively entered the path of pluralist democracy, the path of modern and civilized development, but the events of recent days have greatly worsened the situation. The Party of Labour was the one that committed itself to this transformation. But not everything developed as expected. Events accelerated precipitously. Many projects of the PPSH were struck by various political forces, opposition or destructive, domestic or foreign. Even in its own affairs, various bodies, in the districts and at the centre, demonstrated commitment. They lacked the ability to foresee events. This left the PPSH facing many surprises and difficulties, even the gravest act of all: the removal of Enver Hoxha’s statue. In these circumstances the PPSH feels its responsibility to the people and the country deeply. Therefore, once again, it calls on all political entities, whether opposition or not, peace-loving people and honest citizens of the country to contribute willingly to preserving and strengthening political and economic stability, security, and normal working and living conditions for citizens. The people need calm, not to be driven into a cataclysmic, catastrophic state, as envisaged in illegal schemes. As Comrade Ramiz Alia’s message emphasizes, our people can avert catastrophe and prevent Albania from becoming a victim of the political games of various oppositions or the designs of external enemies. How can the democratic processes already begun be taken further? These processes have spread to every field, from top to bottom. The emergence of new political forces on the Albanian scene has had a considerable impact on the Party’s work. This new political factor necessarily affects people, particularly through promises and political ideas, commitments and appeals, suggesting that Albania’s prosperity will flow from the pockets of the world, provided we simply wait with our mouths open. Albania needs work; interruptions to work, demands unfounded in economic realities, indiscipline and vandalism have brought our weakened economy to exhaustion. It needs to preserve and renew order and political stability, as well as public order. These things have also caused spiritual turmoil among the people. They are experiencing trauma, dilemmas, doubts and a loss of balance. Hundreds of rumours are taken as truths, and truths as rumours. At last, we have reached what no one would have wished for: blood was shed in Tirana. What should be done in these circumstances? Everyone says it: calm is needed, unity is needed, work is needed. But how do we achieve these things? How difficult it is to say a wise word in such grave circumstances! Yet it must be found and it must be said. And it must be said first and foremost by members of the PPSH, wherever they are and whatever their position. Today, more than ever, our Party needs to be defended against the attacks coming at it from all sides. Today, more than ever, it needs the collective thinking of all its members: mature, strategic and tactical thinking, thinking that anticipates events and sets out strategic aims and tactical actions, so that a unified political line can be opposed. What, for example, does the PD press mean when it “praises” President Ramiz Alia?! We quote: «We will proclaim the President a hero for not ordering the beginning of the bloodshed». Fine. But there is one thing that cannot be forgotten. The President is the leader of the Party of Labour, its First Secretary of the Central Committee, and his action is not a personal act, but an act that follows the human logic of the PPSH, the realistic logic of events. Therefore, communists must not fall into the trap of division, and they will not. They will not, because their consciences may be troubled, but their convictions are not. Albanian communists cannot and will not fall prey to the next provocation, when the six-column headline «Albania today needs unity!» publishes a photograph of the fall of Enver Hoxha’s monument, seeking to exploit its own enthusiasm to trample ruthlessly on the people’s feelings. (The provocative Homer, in a single moment, holds up the bloodied head of Hector, not that of his own Achilles, when he dragged Hector along.) Humanity had already, half a century ago, separated itself from the barbarity that burned books and culture. And so every Albanian intellectual, however modest an intellectual he may be, will feel a pang of shame when he remembers that he did something, however little, to prolong this national catastrophe of his. In these circumstances, more than ever, the Party is required to be at the forefront of the work. It must regain its trust and prestige as soon as possible, because today we are already conscious that we are on the eve of what comes after tomorrow. This trust can certainly be won through measured action, cool-headedness and wisdom. The events are truly shocking. Today we are living through some of the most difficult days in the history of the nation, the history of the people, and the history of the Party itself. Only a consolidated moral force can save the country’s future; otherwise, we will be answerable before history and before the people. The events are shocking, but we must not lose courage; our resolve must not be clouded. We must preserve our composure and clear sight. The time has come for the Party’s voice to be raised with all its strength, and for its weight and authority to be felt. In this political struggle, the opponents of our Party want to strike it in order to seize political power. They have mobilized against our programme. They exploit, magnify and inflate every mistake of ours, past or present. At every opportunity they try to belittle and disparage the Party and the communists, and deny their merits. Therefore, Party organizations, especially in these circumstances, must react quickly and not remain passive or wait! Therefore, now more than ever, the militant spirit of every communist must be raised! No Albanian should say, «What can I do?» We have much to do, individually and all together. At work and at home, in the street and in the office, in the village and in the city, with comrades and with children. No one should say, «Someone else will do it». What was to be seen and understood has been seen and understood. Now only action remains. Are you at the forefront of the work on your own front? Are you the first to engage in dialogue with people, to persuade them, to ease their differences and emotional traumas, to clear up misunderstandings? Are you playing your role within your family, working with everyone close to you so they can understand and hold fast to the truths of life? Any extreme would be condemnable for the Party’s image and its future. There are timid communists, communists who have lost faith, communists who weep because their spirits have been broken. This feeling is entirely human! But let us not cloud our eyes with tears! Let us overcome the present with cool-headedness and wisdom. Let us look to tomorrow with calm and confidence. People need to hear the Party’s voice; communists must not stay away from them. Wherever there are concerns, they must be there. Where a strike is being attempted, where a task is not being carried out, where there is anxiety or conflict. Where bloodshed is at risk, organization is absolutely essential. The Party committees in Tirana and the districts must organize this. They must turn to the honest people of the country. Does the word of intellectuals carry weight? Yes, it carries great weight. There are many professors, writers and scientists who do not want the youth to be manipulated by political forces. These are precisely the people who must be mobilized to work with students, pupils and young people. This is exactly why greater initiative is required from all Party members. Today, more than ever, the conscience, convictions and actions of every communist must heed this call: Let us preserve, defend and save our beloved homeland from the dangers threatening it.

Yesterday, on 23 February 1991, the new Council of Ministers met and discussed the current political and economic situation in the country and the urgent measures that all state and economic bodies, at both central and local levels, must take in implementation of the tasks set by the Presidential Council. In view of the economic difficulties the country is undergoing, the government decided that administrative expenditures by state and economic bodies should be substantially reduced; investments, primarily non-productive ones, should be cut; and the foreign-currency administrative expenditures of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (by substantially reducing embassy staff), the Ministry of Foreign Trade, and other ministries should be reduced. The Council of Ministers also instructed the ministries to intensify these measures further so as to offset the shortfall in state budget revenues and free up funds and material resources to improve the supply of the market, accelerate housing construction, etc. The Council of Ministers established organizational measures for ministries, executive committees of district people’s councils and enterprise administrations, to establish order and discipline at work everywhere, which are essential in the current situation, and to make use of every opportunity to overcome the difficulties facing the economy. It assigned tasks to the Ministry of Trade and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries, as well as to the State Bank of Albania for Foreign Relations, to ensure the delivery of imported goods against the credits granted. The government also reviewed the tense public-order situation that has arisen in recent days. It charged the bodies responsible for maintaining order and enforcing the law with taking legal measures to eliminate terrorist acts that have endangered the lives and safety of citizens. The government called on the entire population, political parties and social organizations to make a real contribution to stabilizing the political situation in the country, which is so necessary to guarantee the freedom and independence of the homeland, deepen the process of democratizing life in the country, and ensure the normal conduct of the elections.

The women’s assembly of the Tirana district, in an appeal, emphasizes among other things that the interests of the nation are at risk. Let us rise to our feet as one united force in defence of national freedom and independence. Let us all unite, with devotion and restraint, and with a mother’s love and care, persuade our sons, husbands and brothers to withdraw from the large crowds and not allow blood to be shed on this soil, so that not a drop of blood is shed among those who have fought for the freedom and independence of this country, for independence and love of the homeland. Let us not fall prey to malicious forces which, by placing us and our children in the forefront, seek to achieve their dark aims by force and prevent the forces of order from stabilizing the situation and restoring peace to our families. We demand that the laws be applied in this matter, in the interest of the nation. More than ever today, the appeal concludes, the voice of the homeland calls to us, the voice of Shtova, of Tringa, Nora, Margarita, Bula, Shkurte, Cuka, and of all the sons and daughters of the district, to lead Albania towards Europe through work and dignity, wisdom and culture, and to establish true democracy in our dear homeland.

— Rallies in the districts — — GRAMSH The streets of the city of Gramsh have rarely seen as many people as today, 23 February. From early in the morning, they streamed out for hours in groups, carrying portraits and photographs of Enver Hoxha in their hands and chanting slogans such as «Albania-Enver, we are ready at any time». Nevertheless, the honour of speaking went to Xhemil Dyrmishi, chairman of the district association of volunteer activists «Enver Hoxha». He expressed the deep grief of the people of Gramsh over the events that had taken place. Many other speakers then took the floor. The district’s young people called for the resignation of the First Secretary of the (Continued on page 2)

Information received indicates that rumours have spread claiming that a large group of people from various regions has set off in the direction of Tirana, Kavajë and some other town. The Directorate of Press and Information states that such reports are entirely unfounded and are intended to provoke a further rise in tension in the country. The Government has taken measures to prevent any action of this kind that would endanger the lives and peace of citizens. It also refutes The Directorate of Press and Information attached to the Council of Ministers refutes the tendentious reports claiming that the local authorities in the districts have been instructed to register the [unclear] who supposedly will march to Tirana. Directorate of Press and Information attached to the Council of Ministers

TO COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA CHAIRMAN OF THE PRESIDIUM OF THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY TIRANA Dear Comrade Ramiz, Since 7 April 1939, our feelings have never been more deeply insulted. Our pride has never been lower than on the black day of 20 February 1991. Enver Hoxha is the symbol of the blood of the 28,000 martyrs, the symbol of the new Albanian state, the symbol of non-submission and of the preservation of national pride for more than 40 years. How could anyone bear to see his statue dragged through the streets of Tirana, those same streets which the people carpeted with flowers for Enver Hoxha as a liberator in November 1944? Along those streets we cheered him with all our hearts; along them an entire people accompanied him to the grave, with tears in their eyes and sorrow in their hearts. The desecration of his statues, the smearing of mud on his immortal work and the state is an affront to the dignity of the people, who followed him faithfully and, together with him, wrote the history of the new Albania; he gave our people so much light, culture and development, things that centuries had not given them, and brought them with dignity to the door of Europe. Dear Comrade Ramiz, Since 7 April 1939, our feelings have never been more deeply insulted. Our pride has never been lower than on the black day of 20 February 1991. Enver Hoxha is the symbol of the blood of the 28,000 martyrs, the symbol of the new Albanian state, the symbol of non-submission and of the preservation of national pride for more than 40 years. How could anyone bear to see his statue dragged through the streets of Tirana, those same streets which the people carpeted with flowers for Enver Hoxha as a liberator in November 1944? Along those streets we cheered him with all our hearts; along them an entire people accompanied him to the grave, with tears in their eyes and sorrow in their hearts. The desecration of his statues, the smearing of mud on his immortal work and the state is an affront to the dignity of the people, who followed him faithfully and, together with him, wrote the history of the new Albania; he gave our people so much light, culture and development, things that centuries had not given them, and brought them with dignity to the door of Europe. We are ready to carry out the will of the people and uphold the laws that have been established; no one has the right to change them except the people themselves. We are ready to maintain order and tranquillity throughout our country. We are all ready to defend their rights and aspirations, to protect the blood of the martyrs and the testament of our forefathers. At this difficult moment for the fate of the nation, we call on you and, through you, all progressive forces to act courageously and without delay in the cause of democracy, allowing no one to impose the wishes of individuals or groups upon us in the name of democracy. We stand ready for a free, democratic Albania and to do more [unclear]. FROM 1,060 WORKERS OF THE CITY OF BAJRAM CURRI 21.2.1991