Interview with comrade Shkëlqim Cani, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the RPSSH, given to our journalist Luan M. Rama after the conclusion of his visit to the Republic of Turkey. — Comrade Shkëlqim, you have just returned from a working visit to the Republic of Turkey at the head of an Albanian government delegation. It would be of interest to our newspaper’s readers, and to the wider public, if you could tell us something about the purpose of this visit. It is encouraging that relations between our peoples and governments have recently reached new levels. Following comrade Ramiz Alia’s meeting with the Turkish president, Mr Ozal, at the 45th session of the UN in New York, a new stage has opened in Albanian-Turkish relations. It was precisely to respond to this spirit and further promote economic relations, without in any way underestimating those in other areas of mutual interest, that we went to Turkey, where we found a very friendly and favourable climate towards Albania. — A central place in your visit was taken by your meeting with the President of the Republic of Turkey, Mr Turgut Ozal. What can you tell us about this meeting? — That is right. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Ozal, with whom we held a very sincere and friendly conversation lasting more than an hour. I delivered to him a message of greetings from comrade Ramiz Alia, about whom the Turkish President spoke in the warmest terms. Mr Ozal showed great interest in the progress of the democratization process in every sphere of the country’s life, in changes to legislation, in the opposition parties and in the election campaign; he highly praised the great and irreplaceable role comrade Ramiz Alia is playing in the successful conduct of this process. After briefing him on all these issues, we also discussed the economic difficulties our country is facing. Our side requested an increase in the credit of 30 million dollars granted to us some time ago and pressed for the opening of credit facilities and the completion of the necessary procedures so that the import of goods could begin within March. The Turkish President also promised humanitarian assistance for the Albanian people, including food products such as flour, sugar and oil, as well as a quantity of medicines. The quantity of flour alone is expected to reach about 30,000 tons, estimated at approximately 5 million dollars. Another issue on which our side insisted was that of economic migrants. The Turkish President expressed his goodwill and desire to help in this regard. ‘We will try to create opportunities for them,’ he said, ‘to find employment, and for this purpose we will also approach the governments of some Arab countries to create employment opportunities.’ Another way to address the available labour force is for Turkey to bring orders from clients for work to be carried out here in Albania. It is important to emphasize that all this will be done in full accordance with the legislation in force in both our countries. Within the framework of multilateral cooperation and making use of our country’s relations with other countries, the Turkish state will draw on its standing in the Arab world so that the solidarity that exists between the Albanian people and the Arab peoples does not remain merely on the moral plane, but is also given concrete expression in economic relations or broader ties. — From what you have told us, it is clear that Mr Turgut Ozal has expressed a willingness to help our country. But I would like to ask you: did you encounter any difficulties or notice any reservations on the Turkish side regarding assistance to Albania because you represent ‘the Communist Government’? — No, we encountered no such prejudice there. The Turkish President sincerely stated: ‘We consider the Albanian people our brothers, and we will help our brother with all our heart.’ He also expressed his confidence that Albania would overcome its difficulties and would know how to integrate very quickly into the currents of pan-European processes. One thing, however, must be understood in general: irrespective of the friendly assistance and credits that may be given to us, these are secondary. Our own work is decisive. The results we achieve in every field of productive activity, and the many reserves at our disposal that must be put to work, are what will determine matters.

Yesterday afternoon, in one of the halls of the Labour Party Committee of the Tiranë district, the PPSH held a press conference with local and foreign journalists and press and cultural attachés from several diplomatic missions accredited in Tiranë, about its electoral programme in the fields of education, culture and health. Employees of educational, health and cultural institutions also took part. The conference was opened by Muharrem Xhafa, head of the propaganda sector of the Central Committee of the PPSH. The PPSH representatives, Prof. Hamit Beqja, Minister of Health Dr. Sabit Brokaj, and PPSH Central Committee candidate Moikom Zeqo, Chairman of the Committee for Culture and the Arts, responding to the questions, said that they were building a truly democratic culture with outstanding values, increasingly national, popular, democratic and progressive, recognized not only at home but also abroad. Moikom Zeqo stressed that the PPSH’s electoral programme for culture, literature and the arts embodies a new concept that makes their vision more national and democratic and will bring a diversity of forms and works of higher quality; it will give new impetus to Albanian cultural creativity, not only in the RPSSH but throughout all the regions where it develops. Dr. Sabit Brokaj, answering questions from those present, stressed that the main objectives ... Foreign embassies in Tiranë, PPSH Central Committee secretary Spiro Dede said, among other things: This is a painful, shocking influx, with destabilizing consequences for the country, for relations with our neighbours, and for peace and tranquillity in the country and the region. He rejected the insinuations and accusations circulated, especially by some foreign press outlets, that these departures had supposedly been encouraged by the Albanian authorities, and firmly distanced himself from them. The PPSH and the Albanian state, he said, have no interest in turmoil, in the exodus hysteria, in centres of tension or in any kind of destabilization. On the contrary, he underlined, the Party of Labour and Albania need young people; they need everyone’s commitment to work and to all political and social activity; they need a calm and fully democratic atmosphere in order to proceed with dignity, ... and responsibility towards the free and pluralist elections of 31 March. He also informed those present about the immediate measures undertaken by PPSH bodies at the centre and in the districts to stop this painful influx, with its grave consequences for the nation. and employees of educational, health and cultural institutions as well. PPSH representatives, Prof. Hamit. Begja, Minister of Health Dr. Sabit Brokaj, and candidate member of the Central Committee of the PPSH Moham Zego. The Chairman of the Committee for Culture and Arts, answering questions from those present, stressed, among other things, that the PPSH’s electoral programme aims to develop popular, contemporary education, a national democratic culture and a healthcare system serving the broad masses of the people. Prof. Hamit Begja emphasised that, in its struggle for progress and democracy, the PPSH places the further development of popular education and the qualitative improvement and modernisation of schools at the centre of its attention. In its electoral programme, the PPSH aims to raise the school to new contemporary levels, making it our country’s [??] with the world, the severing of relations with other states. This situation is fraught with very dangerous consequences for the fate of our country. A direct threat has arisen to every state [??] and consequently to the sovereignty and freedom of the people. This is the clearest sign that every honest and patriotic Albanian must assess, with the interests of Albania as the primary concern in their mind. To cut the threads of this scenario, to ensure the population the peace it needs, to maintain normal supplies and, above all, to resolutely defend the highest national interests at any cost, under these circumstances, the Council of Ministers DECIDED: 1. The Port of Durrës is to be declared a military zone. This entails its control and administration by the people’s defence forces, in coordination with the government and transport authorities, regulating and coordinating with discipline our country’s [??] every state [??] the Council of Ministers

In implementation of the task set by the Presidential Council and following an extensive exchange of views with it, the Council of Ministers reviewed on 7 March the situation that had arisen in the ports of Durrës, Vlorë and Shëngjin, where foreign ships have been seized and Albanians have left by unlawful means, taking vessels and every kind of Albanian and foreign watercraft to Italy, despite efforts by the authorities and law-enforcement forces to stabilize the situation. Such a situation particularly endangers intergovernmental relations with Italy and serves no one’s interests except those of forces seeking to destabilize the Balkans and Europe. The situation in the port of Durrës is very worrying. In practice, work unloading food supplies, so urgently needed to supply the people, has stopped there. No export-import activity is taking place. Since Albanian and foreign vessels have been seized, there are now no watercraft in the port. The Council of Ministers assessed with due gravity that, as a result of the serious events in these ports, at the border crossings with Greece and Yugoslavia, and of gatherings of people in the city of Tiranë seeking to enter foreign embassies and leave Albania, an extraordinary situation has arisen. The uncontrolled actions of masses of thousands of people are part of a broad scenario, previously implemented in other countries and organized by internal and external forces in an attempt not only to liquidate Albania and the Albanian nation, but to set the entire Balkans ablaze, which would have grave consequences for all of Europe. Domestically, this scenario seeks to paralyze our economy, which is already in a grave state; increase political tensions; block the normal activity of state authorities in the districts and at the centre; and provoke the law-enforcement bodies in order to cause confrontations and bloodshed. In practice, this entire scenario aims to block the whole process of democratization in Albania and halt the holding of the elections of 31 March, for which both the Government and all political forces have committed themselves. Hostile internal and external forces are trying to interrupt communication ...

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport announces that the ferry due to arrive from Italy in Durrës on 8 March 1991 will not depart for Albania, according to a notification from the Italian side. As for train services, the spokesperson informs citizens that measures have been taken to ensure that passenger travel to and from their workplaces and homes proceeds as normally as possible. to take measures to ensure that the movement of travellers and their return to their work and homes proceeds as normally as possible. (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday, the ATSH correspondent learned that the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania has invited observer delegations to take part in the 31 March elections for deputies to the People’s Assembly. The invitations have been extended to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the European Parliament of the European Community. Yesterday, the ATSH correspondent learned that the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania has invited observer delegations to take part in the 31 March elections for deputies to the People’s Assembly. The invitations have been extended to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the European Parliament of the European Community, the national parliaments of Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Austria, England, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Soviet Union, Luxembourg, Greece, Hungary and Czechoslovakia, as well as the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe of the American Congress. (ATSH)

Yesterday a delegation of the International Helsinki Federation arrived in our country, headed by ... Representatives of the national Helsinki committees from Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the USA and Yugoslavia.

Yesterday morning, the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the People’s Council of the Tirana district, Comrade Llambi Gegprifti, received the great benefactor Mother Teresa. At the meeting, they discussed meeting all her needs and ensuring the best possible fulfilment of her charitable mission in the capital, according to a notice from the Directorate of Childhood and Health. Katështi has raised the matter of the Oncology Institute being cured. And that Kuplina Mazreku paid, even when her children were hospitalised for months and years. (ATSH) She sent her children to school and has never paid any money for teachers, classrooms or dormitories. She herself attended night school, courses and lengthy specialisations of every kind, and made her way along the road. Where is the justice in this? It is from life, as told in Tropojë, with peace, six houses, and the authorities have built vocational schools there. As you say, it does not ...

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs announces that attempts by groups of people to force their way into foreign embassies in Tirana continued until late on 6 March 1991. The security forces took measures to stop them, but those adults began throwing stones and other hard objects. The police again called on them to leave peacefully, because the report that the embassies were opening was false and their actions would cause damage and consequences. The groups of people ignored repeated calls to disperse by the security forces; on the contrary, they intensified their attacks. At the entrance to and exit from «Konferenca e Pezës» Street, near the State Bank and at «21 Dhjetori», they began throwing stones at the windows of commercial premises and shops, and attacking and wrecking vehicles, thereby causing considerable material damage. At the same time, they threw explosives at the security forces, which returned fire from 3–4 directions; as a result, one police officer was wounded. In the exchange of fire, one citizen was killed at the scene and 7 others were wounded. A number of citizens and members of the security forces were also wounded by various means. The police escorted dozens of people to police stations, 24 of whom were detained for acts of vandalism. The security forces have taken comprehensive measures, in fulfilment of our country’s obligations as a party to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 18 April 1961, to prevent the violation of or damage to the premises of diplomatic missions, as well as the disturbance of their peace or the infringement of their dignity.

Our people are deeply concerned. At a time when every effort is being made to ensure the normal development of democratic processes and to proceed peacefully to the elections of 31 March, serious events are taking place in the country, with consequences for everyone, for economic and social life, for peace and security, for stability and democracy. Destructive actions and vandalism in several cities, the abandonment of work by thousands of ordinary people and production administrators—all of this may serve many things, but it certainly does not serve the people, does not serve the progress of the economy, and does not serve the freedom and independence of the homeland. These major concerns have been compounded in recent days by events in Vlorë, Durrës, Tiranë, Shkodër and Lezhë. Thousands of people of different ages, especially young people, seized the ships they found in the ports, vessels belonging to foreigners, many of which were carrying food for the people, and headed west. Despite the measures taken by the state authorities regarding emigration and the statements by foreign diplomats that there are no jobs where they are going and that this is not the way to find a solution, mass gatherings took place near the embassies. This national tragedy wounds every honest Albanian to the heart: parents for their children, sisters for their brothers, friends for friends, neighbours for neighbours. These events are in nobody’s interest. It is clear to everyone that these actions are part of a scenario prepared by external and internal forces to strike at people’s power, damage its prestige, undermine the confidence it enjoys among our people, and sabotage our country’s friendship and cooperation with the peoples of Europe. Therefore, the Party of Labour of Albania has called on the state authorities to take urgent action within the country to stabilize the situation and, internationally, to establish the most effective contacts with the world and international organizations in order to avert this grave situation. The situation can and must be overcome as soon as possible. The Central Committee of the PPSH calls on the people, honest citizens, communists, workers and peasants, intellectuals, veterans and young people to join together to stop this great evil. The homeland’s youth are leaving. Many of these people, influenced by a mood of impatience, are seeking life’s opportunities by abandoning the country in a completely illegal manner. But the instigators and organizers of this abandonment do not have empty tables and are not unemployed. Through these actions they aim to shake the people’s order at a particularly delicate political moment; they aim to create uncontrolled situations in order to cause even greater damage and even more serious disasters. In this situation, the Party’s basic organizations and the communists must take the lead, especially in Tiranë, Durrës, Vlorë, Shkodër, Lezhë, etc. Today, more than ever, their valuable voice is needed. Today, more than ever, we must work with people, persuade our comrades, persuade our family members and our neighbours that this is not the way to save Albania, this is not the road to democracy, and this is not how we move towards Europe. The difficulties affect all the people, and we must all shoulder the burden; we must all rise and work. How can we again sit idle without sowing, when the market is empty? When the state is facing financial difficulties, is it right not to produce chrome, copper and oil? The situation in which work has come to a standstill is unforgivable. Whom are the Party committees waiting for, whom are the basic organizations waiting for, whom are the communists waiting for? Given the responsibility they bear for the country’s destiny, it is up to them to set an example and demand accountability wherever they are—in the fields, in the mines, in the administration, in executive committees, in departments and in government. They themselves must first shake off their lethargy in order to rouse others as well. The Central Committee of the PPSH appeals to the patriotic conscience of the entire people; it calls on our youth to rise courageously above the economic and spiritual crisis we are experiencing, to place the interests of the homeland and the nation above everything else, and to face the difficult situations that have arisen. Whoever loves Albania, let them show it today. The Central Committee of the PPSH is fully convinced that our people, as always in such difficult situations, will know how to overcome this one too, strengthening their unity for the sake of freedom, independence and national sovereignty. CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE PPSH Tiranë, 7. 3. 1991