Every hour, every day, the closer 31 March, election day, draws, the more questions arise that demand answers. They must be answered without delay, without leaving any shadow of hesitation. Otherwise, people, including members of the PPSH, ask: Whom should I vote for? This question is being asked now, even though some time has passed since the PPSH announced its candidates for deputies. Let us not forget that many events have taken place between the day they were announced and today. A Presidential Council and a new government have now been established. The state’s diplomatic activity is entering a new period of dynamism. There is something «new» every day. The opposition parties, too, are continuously active. At rallies, on platforms, in party newspapers and elsewhere, politicians, ideas and activities that are more or less unfamiliar are appearing. They come from different classes, but unfortunately they are absent from the lists of candidates for deputies announced by the Party of Labour of Albania. It is understandable that people now take their votes away from some candidates, saying: «Whom should I not vote for?» «I have my vote for the PPSH, but not for that candidate who is prejudiced against us.» Can it be said that members of the Party of Labour and its activists must work shoulder to shoulder to persuade people not to equate parties with particular individuals? This appeal is both comical and stale. The people have raised and educated wonderful sons and daughters who love Albania with all their hearts, who have ambitions and aspirations and think clearly; they have given no small proof of themselves in the lives and work they lead, and enjoy the people’s admiration and respect for their character as people and citizens, as intellectuals or cadres, as worthy, steadfast fighters for the defence of the people’s interests. The people’s best sons and daughters today belong to «the masses», whether in an institution, an enterprise or a cooperative. Even if some officials do not know them, they are doing scientific work in these fields. The people want truth; they do not want cowards and bureaucrats. The people want courageous and wise representatives, not chair-warmers who rack their brains over how to seize undeserved privileges for themselves, their families or their relatives. The seats in the People’s Assembly belong to the people, not to the heirs of certain families, or to those from the so-called nomenklatura, who imagine that they are doing great work when in reality they are merely shuffling files to uncover candidates. The people want a deputy who is not the voice of some other thing, but, if he is to be anything, a courageous instrument for the glory and heroism of the past. They want a deputy who truly knows how to work for the youth and every citizen, not one who buries his head like an ostrich when he sees thousands of Albanians flee, without violating any law. The people and the members of the Party of Labour themselves have a name for this kind of representation. Through their unwillingness or inability, these representatives have harmed the people and the Party; therefore, the people, with their legitimate right as masters of this country, tell them: Albania’s future needs new people in the People’s Assembly! It wants those who will take responsibility for implementing the electoral programme of the Party of Labour! And there are thousands of such people among the people, among the Party, so it is not difficult to find 250 of them. Faced with this situation and this reality, it is surely only the people themselves who can express their views on each candidate directly. Whoever wishes may draw up the list, but it is the people alone, the voters alone, who will sign it. It is absolutely essential that the lists correspond to the people’s wishes. Throughout its existence, the Party of Labour of Albania has distanced itself from and fought against negative phenomena. But, as time is showing, the results of this struggle have not been adequate, because of formalism, routine, euphoria, megalomania, and so on. Sentimentality towards individuals has often prevailed, even when they have been raised above the vital interests of the people and Albania. Honors, appointments and positions are not a crown to be claimed. They belong to the people. They belong only and truly to the people. Only the people have the right to distribute them, asking nothing except that their sacred interests and those of MOTHER ALBANIA be served. If the people are more powerful, let us hear their voice more clearly today. Either today or never. The people are infallible, because they can never play electoral or demagogic games against their own wishes and their own blood, against the peace and security of their lives, against Albania’s freedom and independence. Anyone else can make a mistake. The people never do. May the will of the people be done, as they turn their eyes to the architect and supreme leader of democracy in Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia!

Yesterday, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Comrade Ramiz Alia, received the delegation of the International Helsinki Federation. He welcomed the guests and expressed his pleasure at meeting the members of this delegation, which is visiting Albania for the first time. Those taking part in the meeting asked about the current situation in Albania. On this occasion, Comrade Ramiz Alia noted, among other things, that the present moment must be viewed in close connection with the path our country has travelled over these 45 years and with the profound effort it has made to overcome its legacy from the past. Under these conditions of backwardness, Comrade Ramiz stressed, the concern guiding the Albanian government was to raise the people’s material and cultural standard and improve their health. Life has proved the value of this priority. Whereas in 1945, 80 per cent of the population was illiterate, secondary education is now open and compulsory for everyone. Whereas in 1945 the population’s average life expectancy was under 40, it is now 71–72; thus, over these decades, the Albanian state has fulfilled the people’s fundamental rights: the right to live better, to be educated and to acquire greater culture. This is where we began our struggle for human rights. Continuing the discussion, Comrade Ramiz Alia, speaking about the process of democratising life that Albania is now undergoing, said that this is a logical process, arising from the development of society and of our own society, which will continue to advance through qualitative transformations in agriculture and industry, in science and legislation, and in social and political life. Every part of our current development programme, Comrade Ramiz went on, includes the task of working to move from a more centralised economy to a market economy. He said he was interested in hearing how, amid the changes in Albania, the transition from a centralised economy to a market economy would be carried out. Speaking about human rights in Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia noted, among other things, that at the present stage all the economic, material and cultural conditions have been created for these rights to be guaranteed at a higher level, with the aim of meeting internationally recognised standards. «I agree with you that the issue of human rights is a comprehensive one,» said the head of the delegation, Bjorn Elmquist. «One should not look only at what are known as individual rights, but also at freedoms and economic and social equality. It is more important to have the means to live than to enjoy the right to criticise.» Speaking about freedom of thought and expression, he added that he was entirely in agreement with the analysis of the difficulties Albania faces in moving to a market economy and of the patience that, as you said, must be shown at this stage. Comrade Ramiz Alia also spoke about the radical changes made to Albanian legislation and the fundamentally democratic content of the Draft Constitution, and so on. He emphasised that these documents are consistent with the principal international charters concerning the protection of human rights. Later, speaking about the path towards achieving political pluralism in Albania, he said that democracy requires respect and tolerance, culture and, above all, the dynamic development of economic and social relations. We are working to ensure that pluralism strengthens national unity. This has also been the centuries-old outlook of our people. Comrade Ramiz Alia then answered the delegation members’ questions about citizens’ illegal departures for Italy. He said that this phenomenon was connected with the current economic difficulties Albania is experiencing, but also with a mistaken notion that has taken hold among some people: that now that pluralism has been established, Europe will support us while we do not work. On the other hand, various domestic and foreign forces are trying to exploit the economic difficulties for destabilising purposes, in order to discredit our state. What is needed now is for us to work and increase production, so that we can also import by increasing exports. We want to firmly instil in everyone the conviction that Europe will help us progress, but first and foremost we must work ourselves. The delegation members also asked about the release of political prisoners. Comrade Ramiz Alia explained to them that the review of criminal legislation is already well advanced. At every meeting, the Presidium of the People’s Assembly has issued decrees pardoning political prisoners. Soon, he said, the Presidium would consider pardon requests from the remaining political prisoners as well. Comrade Ramiz Alia also answered the delegation members’ questions about the activities of the human-rights forum recently established in Albania. The meeting took place in a friendly and understanding atmosphere.

— GRAMSH — At meetings held in the Gramsh district by the Party of Labour committee, particular attention was given to the countryside and especially to collectivisation. Explaining the Party of Labour’s programme, which has been renewed to meet the demands of the times, it was clarified that strengthening the rule of law is now fundamental to making our future a democratic one. The meetings stressed that seeking to break away from Europe does not mean denying our glorious history, and especially the achievements made during the years of popular power. Importance was also given to strengthening unity and solidarity under difficult conditions, and so on. Meetings and discussions devoted mainly to this issue were also organised in Gramsh, Kushovë, Bregas, Stapar, Lunjë, Tunë, etc. Those involved included elected members of the Party of Labour committees, staff of the district Party of Labour committee, intellectuals and veterans, who explained and argued that the PPSH programme sets out the current and long-standing … [text repeats and is truncated in the original] — SKRAPAR — In recent days, in the town of Çorovodë, the Skrapar district Party of Labour Committee organised a meeting with members and employees, secretaries of basic organisations, cadres and specialists from various sectors to explain the PPSH electoral programme. The PPSH representative Zydi Pepa, Chairman of the State Control Commission, spoke at length on agrarian issues, which have been and remain at the centre of the PPSH’s attention. As for ownership of the land, it is an inheritance from the Party of Labour as a national asset that must not be bought or sold, but used more rationally. To this end, both equipment and other means would be used; compensation would also be paid when land is occupied for construction and investment projects, or when it is leased for use by foreign capital. Gaqo Simaku, an employee in the PPSH Central Committee apparatus, spoke about the issues involved in renewing the PPSH and the directions and scope of this renewal in terms of content, method, structure, etc. Participants asked various questions about the electoral programme, to which the representatives … (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday afternoon, the solo exhibition of Vangjel Gjikondi, a film painter at the «Shqipëria e Re» Film Studio, opened at the National Art Gallery in Tirana. It presents around 150 works, mainly landscapes, portraits, etc., in oil technique, depicting nature transformed in the cities and various regions of the country, the rich world of women, and so on. The sculptor Vasiliev Nini delivered the opening remarks. The ribbon was cut by Petro Kokuѕhta, secretary of the League of Writers and Artists. Painters, sculptors, young men and young women then visited the exhibition, the second by this young artist. (ATSH)

At the initiative of the Council of Ministers, a government group was sent to Durrës yesterday to help implement the Council of Ministers’ latest decisions. The group is headed by the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Aleksandër ... [?]. In the announcements he made to the Directorate of Press and Information attached to the Council of Ministers, it is stated that, regarding the defence forces ...

— Interview with the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Comrade Aleks Luari, by editor Thoma Gëlli — — Luarasi — As all our public knows, nearly 15,000 Albanians have left for Italy on scheduled ships from various ports in the country. This is a very serious problem, so we would like you to tell us what measures the Albanian Government has taken in response. The public has been kept informed of the measures the Council of Ministers is taking to normalise the situation. Attention has been focused especially on the Port of Durrës, the country’s principal port and the point through which most of our imports and exports pass. A government commission made up of ministers, deputy ministers and specialists from various ministries has been established to normalise the situation in Durrës. The Government has made contact and issued appropriate directives to the executive committees of the district people’s councils as well. — Specifically, what actions is the Government focusing on? — The first is to normalise the port’s operations in Durrës as soon as possible, so that the ships loaded with cargo can return and be unloaded. We stress that some of them are carrying foodstuffs much needed today, such as sugar, wheat, etc. It is also necessary not to prevent other ships carrying foodstuffs and raw materials for the economy from arriving. For security reasons, it has been declared that the Port of Durrës is a military zone. A second direction of our work is to remove the people staying near the port, from the ships undergoing repairs at the Shipyard, and from the ship «Partizani», which is in the port. At the same time, measures are being taken to prevent further gatherings. — In various circles and in the press, the Government is criticised for failing to prevent this from happening. What explanation would you give? — It is clear that the recent events in the ports of Durrës, Vlorë and Shëngjin, as well as the gatherings of people outside foreign embassies, have flagrantly violated the laws of our state, which protect national security, state property, the inviolability of embassies, and so on. This is entirely unacceptable at a time when all the country’s political parties, without exception, support strengthening the rule of law. In these grave circumstances, the forces responsible for maintaining order have faced extraordinary difficulties and provocations. But the immediate question is: why did the law-enforcement authorities not stop these illegal actions? Anyone who has followed the events understands that they were unable to stop them, first and foremost because of the enormous efforts they made and because they were guided by the idea of avoiding bloodshed. For, although these people include the young and the old, the tired and the hungry, women and children, they are our people, they are Albanians. More than anything else, all the political parties and mass organisations could help by doing practical work with the people. — Italian television is reporting on the tragic conditions of the Albanian refugees. The public is concerned. — Their concern is understandable, and it is a concern shared by the Albanian Government. The embassy in Rome has been instructed to go immediately to the Italian ports where the refugees are, to address, in cooperation with the Italian authorities, the problems concerning their treatment and to ease their difficult living conditions as much as possible. — What is the position of the Italian Government? — As has certainly also been reported by TVP, the Italian side has declared that it will return to Albania the economic migrants who went there irregularly and without organisation. Can you tell us what is being done about organised economic emigration? This is a citizens’ right and is also among the human rights recognised in international legal instruments. However, this right must be exercised in an organised manner and by agreement with countries that may need workers. To achieve this, the Government has taken a number of measures, which could have been implemented more quickly and effectively. Major efforts are being made through diplomatic channels to find jobs. I emphasise that we have encountered great difficulties here, since it seems the Italian Government is concerned about the situation of the Albanian refugees who are there.