It is a particularly striking case that the democratic transformations taking place in our country on this scale have the Party of Labour as their initiator and their progressive continuation. These transformations did not begin two or three months ago, but years ago. It is important and essential to bear this truth in mind, not only to oppose those who exclude the communities from these processes, but especially to make clear the reasons why our Party embarked on this path. At its 9th Congress, the Party expressed concern about certain imbalances in the economy, excessive centralization, bureaucracy in our apparatuses, and, above all, the attribution of the status of principle to certain postulates and rules that were not principles at all. Since then we have witnessed an intense political life and a series of upheavals in economic practices, legislation, and so on. We are witnessing extensive work to democratize the life of Party bodies and organizations, demands to overcome every remnant of their closed way of working and their relations with the masses, and to increase their opposition, etc. It was the Party that proposed profound constitutional changes, even calling for the removal of its leading role in the state and the establishment of a genuine rule-of-law state according to the most advanced standards. It was this Party that directed and demanded the drafting of a new law for elections to the People's Assembly, one that guarantees free pluralist elections according to the most advanced concepts. Many such changes and developments have taken place. They do not happen in two or three months, with the declaration of political pluralism, in which the Party of Labour has its own merit—not simply because it accepted pluralism, but above all because it prepared the way for these major transformations in political and social life. The facts are therefore plain to see. So far, all these fundamental changes have not been brought about by pressure from political forces, either inside or outside the country, but rather have been dictated by internal and external conditions, by the need to adapt the economy, and by the changes and restructuring in Europe, in both the East and the West. But these democratic developments are accompanied at every step by clashes, misunderstandings, and undesirable events, some of them serious. They have been and are being discussed every day. Who is responsible for them, who is to blame? Is democracy to blame? No, certainly not. Democracy is a beautiful thing; it is sacred. The Party of Labour and its members have fought and worked for it throughout their lives, even when they were the sole political party. And they cannot be different today. On the contrary, if until now they have been democrats once over, today they are twice over. Then who incites and organizes riots, vandalism? Who spreads rumors? Who gets thousands of people worked up until they attack ports and seize ships? They cannot find any clear reason: these things are incited neither by the Party of Labour nor by the communists. This is new, and ordinary people understand it. Someone else says these evils come from pluralism. This view is held even by some communists. We would wish it were otherwise, but it is a reality we must face. Today the difficulties are greater than ever, incomparably greater. We face an opposition that attacks the Party of Labour's past and present. Its weapons are deliberate distortions, slander and rumors, and hysterical anti-communist appeals. This struggle, like every struggle, has its own strategy: to attack the 46 years of socialism, to attack the work of the Party of Labour from the national liberation war to the present, to divide the Party and separate it from the people, and, if possible, liquidate it. Further afield, the opposition's aim is to cooperate with every kind of reaction, provided it is against this movement. The attacks on the Party of Labour, on the figure of Enver Hoxha, and even the most disgraceful acts of vandalism have been a psychological blow to communists. But these are entirely surmountable and can be withstood. No one should regret being caught in this storm. The Party of Labour and the Albanian communists have an entire history that no one can darken, a life full of devotion and sacrifice for the sake of the homeland. This enables us to stand openly before anyone, before present and future generations; it raises our morale and strengthens our fighting spirit, so that we may continue to be an authoritative force enjoying the trust of the masses. The Party of Labour's current election program is broad and unequivocal. However, this does not mean that it should not be explained by the most knowledgeable people in districts, enterprises, and cooperatives—by economists, agronomists, teachers, and engineers—who should explain the paths ahead, the prospects opening up, the objectives, and also the problems that arise. There are ample opportunities for this. The Party's basic organizations can use them without hesitation in every direction, so that the Party's new thinking is put into practice. What is most important is that it be clear and complete, detailed and convincing. Then the people will know even better how to choose what is best, and will confidently give their votes to the candidates of the Party of Labour, the true initiating force and standard-bearer of democracy and democratization.

The Party of Labour committee in the district of Dibra organized a meeting in one of the committee's halls to explain the electoral program of the Party of Labour of Albania. Those attending included members of the council of elders, secretaries of Party bureaus and basic organizations in economic enterprises and agricultural cooperatives, managers and specialists from various fields, etc. At the meeting, Xhelil Gjoni, secretary of the Central Committee of the Party of Labour of Albania, spoke about, among other things, the renewal of the Party of Labour of Albania, as a necessity arising from developments in democratization. He set out the need for the Party to make efforts in all its constituent areas: reducing and restructuring the apparatuses of the Party of Labour committees; more carefully accepting young men and women, especially from among the intelligentsia, and giving the grassroots greater authority over admissions; increasing the role of elected representatives and all communists; and improving working methods and contacts with the masses, so that the Party of Labour of Albania may be a fighting unit leading contemporary new developments. Explaining the economic program of the Party of Labour of Albania, he also emphasized the need for a more differentiated policy based on new data, all the indicators, and the prospects of the country's economy. In this regard he mentioned the main areas that should also receive support in long-term plans. (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Fatos Nano, received Stefano de Mistura, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General; Sergio Vieira De Mello, Director of External Relations at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; and Mirza Hussein Khan, Head of the Southeast Europe Section at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. During the meeting, which took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, Prime Minister Fatos Nano expressed the Albanian government's thanks for the dispatch by the UN Secretariat of the group headed by Mr. de Mistura, as well as its thanks and appreciation for the good work and contribution of the UN mission in Albania and for its constructive cooperation with the relevant Albanian authorities. Deputy Foreign Minister Sokrat Plaka also attended the reception. (ATSH)

From March 11 to 14, 1991, a delegation sent by the UN Secretary-General visited Albania, meeting with the Albanian government. The delegation consisted of Mr. Stefano de Mistura, representative of the Secretary-General; Mr. Sergio Vieira De Mello, Director of External Relations at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; and Mr. Hussein Khan, Head of the Southeast Europe Section at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The delegation held talks with senior Albanian authorities, including the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania, Fatos Nano; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Muhamet Kapllani; the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Vehbi Proda; and officials from this and other ministries. It also had the opportunity to meet a number of Albanian citizens. The Albanian side gave a brief overview of the country's current internal situation and of the measures taken for the further and irreversible democratization of all aspects of society and life in Albania. The United Nations delegation took note with satisfaction of the information provided on these matters and will convey it to the Secretary-General. The Albanian side announced that a number of foreign parliamentary, governmental, and nongovernmental delegations had been invited to observe the elections of March 31, 1991, and that a considerable number of foreign journalists would also attend. At the request of the Albanian authorities, the UN Secretary-General agreed to make available a service of technical advisers for the organization of democratic elections. The two sides discussed matters relating to the recent departure of Albanian citizens to neighboring states. The Albanian side pointed out that the causes of these departures were the economic difficulties Albania is currently experiencing, as well as false illusions about the possibility of finding shelter and work abroad through irregular channels. The Albanian side expressed concern about the unlawful nature of these departures and emphasized how easily Albanian citizens can currently obtain passports and exit visas from the competent authorities. These irregular departures have caused disorder within the country and undesirable consequences for neighboring countries. The Albanian authorities have taken measures to stop such irregular departures. They hope that all Albanian citizens wishing to leave the country will respect the rules and procedures in force, and that other states will facilitate the issuing of visas and the entry of Albanian citizens into their territories, in the spirit of the Helsinki agreements. The Albanian side informed the UN delegation that the competent authorities, guided by fundamental humanitarian principles and taking into account the economic difficulties and extraordinary circumstances that had caused the irregular departures of Albanian citizens, had exempted every Albanian citizen who had returned to the country from criminal liability for their departure. Those people have not been, and are not currently subject to, any punitive or discriminatory measures because of their irregular departure. They enjoy the same rights as all other citizens. Members of the UN delegation met a number of people who had been repatriated aboard the ship “Tirana”; they stated that they had resumed normal lives. The Albanian government has established a Directorate of Emigration within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to look after all citizens who have emigrated and to facilitate their contacts with Albania. The government has also made démarches to 13 states, proposing temporary employment for Albanian citizens, but has not yet received any positive response. The UN delegation noted the Albanian government's great concern over these irregular departures. It will convey to the UN Secretary-General and the United Nations Commission for Refugees the Albanian government's wish to intervene with states, intergovernmental institutions, and other organizations, with the aim of actively supporting Albania in its current process of political, economic, and social reforms and responding to the country's urgent humanitarian, economic, and financial needs. The delegation left our country yesterday.

Yesterday, Comrade Ramiz Alia, Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania, received Don Hozé Valdes, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Spain to the People's Socialist Republic of Albania, who presented his credentials. The credential-presentation ceremony was attended by Sihat Tozaj, secretary of the Presidium of the People's Assembly; Sokrat Plaka, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Bashkim Dino, director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and others. The ambassador was accompanied by diplomats from the Spanish Embassy in the People's Socialist Republic of Albania. (ATSH)

Yesterday, Comrade Shane Korbeci, Minister of Trade and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania, was received by Dr. Erich Riedel, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany. They discussed the development of economic and trade relations between the two countries. (ATSH)

Which program is better, and representatives of which party the people will elect on March 31, will be decided by the people. And everyone is campaigning over this. But “victory” in agricultural work cannot wait until March 31. Planting and tending crops cannot wait. “We won't get reinforcements from Europe to plant the spring crops,” said a cooperative member from Miqan in Dangëllia. Quite the contrary. We have heard many complaints from market gardeners, tobacco specialists, and others. We do not lack experience, specialists, or the necessary manpower to sow on time, carry out spring planting, and tend the crops in season. At present, delays are harming production. Sunflower planting should have been completed, whereas in this sector around 25 acres and 50 ha more [text unclear]. The conditions should reasonably be in place for the six economic units, while implementation is lagging behind. All of this is causing delays in production. As for delays in the electoral programs, let the peasants choose for themselves; they will surely know how to choose. But whichever option is adopted, the first requirement is to sow the crops on time and tend those that have already been planted, in order to ensure production. In agriculture, lost time cannot be recovered. The time lost by peasants and workers has already passed, while making it up lies ahead. How is work progressing here at 50 percent, when everything achieved amounts to only 50 percent? Meanwhile, work in the greenhouses has begun. The work done so far with the tobacco growers is unacceptable: only 50 percent of the tobacco seedlings have been prepared. For this, half has now been prepared and one third [text unclear]. This situation, together with the planned tobacco-growing areas and the expected yield, will also affect tobacco production, which is linked both to obtaining export supplies and to the export plan, and therefore to income. March is decisive for agricultural work. PERPARIM MUSTAFAJ

… SAYS BRIGADIER NDUE PËRGJONI IN LEKUNDË, MIRDITË. Where does the responsibility of the Party of Labour's program alternatives lie in relation to those of the other parties? What are property relations and remuneration expected to be like tomorrow? And what does this program look like when viewed from the perspective of the future?… These were just some of the concerns voiced through the many questions raised at the meeting with peasants held to explain the Party of Labour's program. Everyone is interested in hearing what new solutions are being proposed for the future. And so the discussion went on at length. “It's not that we don't trust the Party of Labour; we know it and it knows us,” said Ndue Doda, “but now, under the pluralist system, all kinds of programs are being served up to us, and we want the one that gives us the ‘geography’ of things—the reality, the conditions and the possibilities that can be turned into reality—not for one person or another in an office to dictate what is written on a scrap of paper.” “These days, comrades from the bureau, at the Party committee plenum, specialists and cadres,” Party committee secretary Pjetër Marku tells us, “are organizing presentations of the electoral program in different areas of the district. For example, such activities were organized these days in Bardhaj, Trangë, and Xhuxhë in the Selitë area, in Fan, Arras in Kacinar, and elsewhere. Meanwhile, today cadres and specialists are attending a presentation of the economic program of the Party of Labour of Albania by Abdyl Backa, secretary of the Party of Labour of Albania committee, with many people taking part and many questions and issues being raised.” “Let us talk, but also work; that is how the program is best explained,” says Ndue Përgjohni, a brigadier in Lekundë. “The foundations of tomorrow are being laid today, and we must strive every day to make that a reality, through creative management and effective use of economic incentives.” This brigadier knows how to bring people together on the common production front. It is encouraging that in many collectives people are showing greater commitment to work. «Zëri i popullit» volunteer correspondent

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Education learned from the Presidium of the Central Election Commission that the electoral districts near the dormitories of higher education institutions have been instructed to register all students living in dormitories. Dormitory students who have also registered at polling stations near their families [unclear wording] should, through the relevant popular councils, the education sections of the district executive committees, and by March 23, 1991, [unclear text] complete by March 25, 1991, the registration of students who wish to vote near their families in the districts. The administrations and directorates of higher education institutions should ensure that these lists are immediately forwarded to the relevant people's councils to carry out the legal verifications. After March 25, 1991, any registration on the electoral lists, including for students living in dormitories, will be carried out upon presentation of a certificate of voting eligibility. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

Workers and specialists at the artisan-products enterprise in Berat completed the first-half-of-March tasks ahead of schedule. For the entire period, the target for additional goods production was exceeded by 191 thousand lekë, while industrial production exceeded its target by 15 thousand lekë. So far, more than 25n hectares of land have been plowed in the district of Kukës, to be planted with crops—

Accounts concerning the development of Albania-Germany economic relations. (ATSH) From the beginning of the year through March 10, egg production in the district of Kolonjë exceeded its target by 40 thousand eggs. Every day 5,075 eggs are produced, compared with the planned daily figure of 4,205.