For two days in a row, for hours at a time, I listened to the people’s embrace, at the meeting with comrade Rami[z?] Alia. They came from all over the country. They came with a heavy burden of sorrow in their hearts. Sorrow over everything, with the feeling of Sisyphus: we pushed it and carried it, never knowing the end, so that we might be freed of it. Strikes, rallies and counter-rallies, replies and counter-replies. Repression and provocations. Above all, the toppling of Enver Hoxha’s monuments. Then the inner stirring of the sea, its outbursts and surges. All the political forces, those who love the people and those who do not; all the politicians, those who are sincere with them and those who deceive them; all the rogues, those who tribune with the oligarchs and saw their crust soaked by the salty spray of the people-sea. Thank you, people! The people speak. Not one gives their name. No one is a well-known politician. I come from Tepelena, I bring greetings from Devoll, comrade Ramiz, from Skrapar. I am a veteran from Skodra. A word came to me from the women of Gjirokastra. I bring you a wise saying from Tropoja. I am a mathematics teacher and also a member of a minority. I am the son of a miner... And how many others like them. And yet none of them says their name. The great anonymous voice of the people is speaking. Their words, a feeling in their blood, the courage of their spirit and their turmoil, their dilemmas and their calm. These and other things were heard, and at one point there was also talk of the «boycott of the elections». The scrutiny began, through a pair of glasses. It was a matter of suspicion, of what our hearts felt. It also went beyond the outlook, because what people said shaped our thinking; they spoke openly and brought the people’s voice... Let us judge things with time, with warm hearts and clean hands. Thank you, people! In this time of upheaval, we must not take our eyes off the people, must not take our eyes off the people; the eye sees. We love the Party, but everyone understands: how and why did this happen? We love Enver Hoxha: who brought him down? We have our flag: when will we take it up? Let us raise it tomorrow, someone calls out. But that great people, the one that raises monuments on the land and in its heart, understands the true meaning. «For them, there is no more room to stand». And only the people, who stand and who are standing, can do that. The Party of the people must emerge from these events with only a few scratches. The people themselves, as vast as the sea, must cross over and flow into the people’s heart, for the good of the Party. The people gave free rein to their love and unleashed their hatred. Everyone saw that Enver Hoxha still has his place; the people told us: no bloodshed. The people alone offered a broad response on behalf of Enver, without monuments or anything. «May Enver find his own day!» And so, I, the people’s response, say thank you, people! Thank you, because even when you speak of the PPSH’s mistakes, you speak as if of your own daughter. You point them out so she will not make them again. You point them out so she will not be placed between two burdens again, so that she will not be crushed by division, so that she will not be left without the shade of the great human list. You were very angry, but perhaps with yourself. With whom should I be angry? With my sons? And for what, and where to? The best things you have had: love of freedom, honesty, patriotism, diligence, and the name communist. Shame on those who have forgotten or will forget this. And how can we avoid this call without mentioning a few human fragments? «Enver Hoxha’s memory, the Party in hand, ...» «May Enver Hoxha unite us even after death.» «The people are in trouble, wondering how to help you, comrade Ramiz...» «Those who want to live for Enver Hoxha, vote for the Party of Labour...» «There are many people who ate from socialism with a big spoon and now want to eat from “democracy” too.» Let them not imagine that the people do not see and do not know them. The good is remembered by the emigrant... «The PPSH has made mistakes, but it has never made them to harm its own people.» «The more the PD loses, the more nervous the RD becomes.» «We are the majority. [Rakim?], we will never leave you in the lurch.» «Doesn’t it hurt when you love someone?» «Keep away from the slanderers...» «We wanted to meet on a joyful day, but surely that day will come to us too.» I do not want to stray from this account, but there are so many of them. A whole sea. Look at yourselves. They do not stop. Little by little, with pain and pride, they are raising the days of the nation. They make some politicians look utterly ridiculous: one after another, from the same podium, at the same meeting, they declare: «We will make Albania the most democratic country in Europe.» And immediately after him, another says: «We do not accept any referendum on Enver Hoxha.» A symbiosis of democratic and antidemocratic declarations. Politicians, do not worry about which party is in opposition. Reforms and democratization are made only by the people. They have put the name of democracy on their lips, as though it were their own, but it is only a name. Thank you, people!

In recent days, commissioned by the Presidential Council, the Government reviewed the country’s grave economic situation and the difficulties in fulfilling the tasks for the first two months of this year, and determined a number of measures to overcome the difficulties. An accountable analysis of the situation showed that the decline in economic and financial indicators continued during this period, markedly across all sectors of the economy. The pronounced shortcomings in many branches of industry, particularly light industry, in fulfilling transport and agricultural tasks, and especially in exports, are further worsening the economic situation and creating additional difficulties in securing raw materials to continue work and supply the people. The Council of Ministers assessed that the situation had also been affected by shortcomings in supplying raw materials to some enterprises, branches and sectors of the economy, connected with the deepening of the country’s foreign-currency balance deficits. However, in its view, the low level of production cannot be explained in this way for most enterprises. It is primarily a consequence of the breakdown of labour discipline and the insufficient commitment of managers and other specialists, as well as of the failure to establish the necessary rules for the functioning of production, distribution and transport, and the failure to fulfil contractual obligations between enterprises and others. Following its analyses and separate meetings, the Government drew the attention of managers and the executive committees of the people’s councils in the districts to the need to establish strict order and discipline at work by implementing specific organizational measures to define and monitor daily work in every sector. It called on their managers and those of the enterprises to get as close as possible to workers and cooperative members, and to take every possible measure to resolve problems, with the aim of curbing any further decline in production and income and creating additional resources to improve the situation. This vital requirement is connected with preventing serious consequences for the people’s standard of living, which could not be avoided unless there is an immediate change in work and in the service and production sectors. To this end, after translating the tasks assigned by the Presidential Council into specific duties for each branch and sector, the Government adopted a series of measures as a special work programme for all levels of state and economic bodies. This programme contains highly specific objectives for each ministry and the necessary arrangements for monitoring and implementing them. On this occasion, it called on all workers to assess the situation prudently and assume the responsibilities incumbent upon them in carrying out their duties. The Council of Ministers has accepted its own responsibilities for this purpose. Considering the supply of the people to be the most important task of its work, it is making maximum efforts to meet market needs for the most essential goods from domestic production and imports, such as bread, oil, sugar, rice, flour and its by-products, soap, etc. To secure food supplies, almost all the foreign currency earned from our exports is being used, and imports of other goods needed by the country are continuing, financed by credits obtained from foreign states, companies and banks. The Government decided to suspend exports of food products such as canned fish and vegetables, jams and compotes, dried vegetables, etc., with the exception of those food products whose export is tied to imports and other products of greater importance to food supplies. It ordered the ministries to act swiftly to process and distribute the thousands of tonnes of goods that have arrived at the port of Durrës and to release industrial-goods reserves onto the market. It requested that all structures be fully engaged for this purpose. (Continued on page 2)

The ATSH correspondent contacted the Government spokesperson to obtain information about the steps it has taken to meet the requests of many Albanian citizens concerning economic emigration. The spokesperson made the following statement on this occasion. As one of the measures to reduce the number of people without work and in response to citizens’ requests, the Council of Ministers is now working to create conditions for Albanian citizens to find employment in other countries. In accordance with its instructions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through diplomatic channels and contacts with official delegations, has begun exploring the possibility of such an undertaking. It has contacted a number of countries in Europe and beyond, and is examining the possibilities for Albanian citizens to work abroad through agreements or intergovernmental contracts. The contacts to date have not yet produced concrete results. Our side’s requests have encountered the difficulties European countries face in securing jobs for their own available workforce (in the context of unemployment), as well as those caused by events involving migrants from the East, a matter also emphasized at the Ministerial Conference on the movement of persons from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, held in Vienna on 24–25 January 1991. The spokesperson added that contacts for this purpose, both with the states already approached and with other states, are continuing and will be expanded. The Employment and Emigration Committee, which is expected to be established soon as a government institution, will also assist in this regard. These issues will continue to receive priority attention in the political and business contacts currently under way and those to be held in the near future. All our diplomatic missions abroad have received specific instructions on this matter. (ATSH)

The truth and the RD of March 2, 1991 oblige us to clarify matters for the people, and in particular for the members and supporters of the Democratic Party. We are sincerely concerned about the events of recent days in the «Bajram Curri» district. We regret, and feel morally responsible for, only one thing: we should have done everything possible, together with the other forces responsible for maintaining order, to ensure that our people and our country—whether those in the police or those who had separated from the local residents and the armed men who were among them—were protected. The «Chronicle of a frustrated rebellion» published in the RD is a deception, disinformation and incitement to further unrest. And this is being done when we all want and are working for calm, order and work. The anonymous chronicler of the event was either not there at all, or, for malicious purposes, enjoys distorting and amplifying the event, which caused these things and their consequences. It is claimed that on February 21, at the Ministry of People’s Defence, the idea was raised of placing the statue of Enver Hoxha that is at our school in Skënderbej Square. We do not know where the RD got this information. We responsibly clarify for public opinion that we received no such instruction from higher authorities, nor did such a thing ever occur to us. This position was expressed at all the meetings we held, including those with representatives of the Democratic Party and of the events. The RD report is true and accurate in stating that meetings were held at the school with students and instructors. These are usual for us, because commanders and staff always—and especially now, in a democratic situation—discuss, decide and carry everything out together with the students, taking their opinions into account first. The representatives of the Democratic Party acted in the same way when the crowds gathered in front of our school. Naturally, nothing could have been more necessary when the students insistently asked the command to protect the school premises, and not to ... the public square and the area around «Chronicle...». «I never read this chronicle...» Such a thing came to mind. The RD «Chronicle...» goes on to write about spontaneous leaders, about ultimatums allegedly addressed to the president, about a leadership commission that supposedly took the reins from the commanders and armed the students, about various slogans and calls, and about a «blond Sam-pist» who brought out not one, but submachine guns hidden underneath. (Continued on page 2)

The President of the Republic of Turkey, Ozal, received in Istanbul the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Shkëlqim Cani, who had travelled to Turkey on a working visit. Shkëlqim Cani handed the President of the Republic of Turkey, Turgut Ozal, a personal message from Ramiz Alia, Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania. The President of Turkey, Turgut Ozal, emphasized Turkey’s readiness to further deepen its cooperative relations with Albania. The Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Shkëlqim Cani, assured the President of Turkey, Turgut Ozal, of the Albanian people’s friendly and fraternal feelings toward the Turkish people and their desire to further develop relations with friendly Turkey. (ATSH)

Yesterday, a press conference was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended by journalists from the state press, political parties and social organizations. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sazan Bejo, briefed the press on several of our country’s state activities with the world in the coming period, including the visit that began yesterday to our country by a delegation of the UN General Assembly led by the President of the Assembly’s 45th session, Guido de Marko; the visit of Mother Teresa and the opening of a charitable institution in Tirana; the visit of the Italian parliamentary delegation led by Pikoli; that of the International Helsinki Federation led by the organization’s chairman, Bjorn Ekquist; and a delegation from the International Monetary Fund. He also informed journalists about the issues to be addressed by the relevant bodies in connection with these delegations. The spokesperson also informed those present about our country’s diplomatic activity concerning the employment of Albanian citizens in other countries. It is said that on February 21, at the Ministry of People’s Defence, the idea was raised of placing the statue of Enver Hoxha that is at our school in Skënderbej Square. We do not know where the RD got this information. We responsibly clarify for public opinion that we received no such instruction from higher authorities, nor did such a thing ever occur to us. This position was expressed at all the meetings we held, including those with representatives of the Democratic Party and of the events. (Continued on page 4)

At Rinas airport to welcome him were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Muhamet Kapllani, the Minister of Education, Kastriot Islami, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc. Also present were heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Tirana. (ATSH)

Mother Teresa arrived in our country with 4 sisters... Mother Teresa arrived in our country with 4 sisters. They are to open the Institute of Charity in Tirana. At Rinas, she was received by Jor- go Mëllica, secretary of the Albanian Committee for Cultural Relations with the Outside World; Katerina Tabolli, director of «Mother and Child» at the Ministry of Health; and Silvia Martri, secretary-general of the Albanian Red Cross Association. (ATSH)

One hundred years have passed since the birth of People’s Painter Vangjush Mio, one of Albania’s distinguished artists, whose creative work, and especially his landscapes, holds a deserved place in the finest collection of our visual arts. On the occasion of this anniversary, a commemorative meeting was held in the hall of the Writers’ and Artists’ Union in the capital, attended by painters and sculptors, writers, and employees of cultural and artistic institutions. Also present were the chairman of the Writers’ and Artists’ Union, Dritëro Agolli; the Minister of Education, Kastriot Islami; the chairman of the Committee for Culture and the Arts, Moikom Zeqo; and other officials. In the commemorative speech delivered by the director of the National Gallery of Figurative Arts, Ksenofon Dilo, as well as in the recollections and impressions of other painters, acquaintances, writers and (Continued on page 3)

The ATSH correspondent made inquiries with the visa section of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and learned that all foreign citizens wishing to come to the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, whether for work or for private purposes, will be issued visas at the embassies of the PSR of Albania accredited abroad, and not at the border-crossing control points in Albania. (ATSH)

Yesterday, a meeting was held in the hall of the Labour Party Committee of the Durrës district to discuss the PPSH electoral programme in the economic and social fields. Members of the plenums of this committee, secretaries of the committees and bureaux of the Labour Party in cooperatives and enterprises, production managers, economists, various specialists, etc., took part. At the meeting, Abdyl Baka, secretary of the Central Committee of the PPSH, spoke. He pointed out that this programme had been drafted with consideration for developments to date, the lessons the PPSH had drawn from these developments, the current situation and the requirements for economic development in a changing context. He said that, by setting out the structural changes it seeks, the programme would bring about a democratic economy with a social orientation, in which everyone would be valued on the basis of their work and contribution, recognizing a market economy combined with an active role for the state and broad social dimensions. In conclusion, he emphasized that the economic reform and the system to be implemented on its basis contain priorities that support the economy and society, well-being and integration with the world, and that the socialist city and its people should advance; our work must be the greatest possible mobilization of the physical, mental and spiritual energies of our people. (ATSH)