Yesterday, 18 March 1991, the Council of Ministers met. At the meeting, the Government was extensively briefed by the heads of the task forces set up under the Council of Ministers on the measures taken to improve the population’s supply of goods. The Council of Ministers stressed that, as priority objectives for the ministries under the present circumstances, urgent measures must be taken to halt the decline in production rates in the various branches and sectors of the economy, bring the market under full control and prevent profiteering, accelerate and intensify efforts to reduce administrative expenses, and improve the situation in transport. Having reviewed the current situation and near-term prospects for supplying the population with bread, flour and its by-products, oil, rice, milk and its by-products, soap, etc., the Council of Ministers found that, despite commendable efforts, some ministries—such as those responsible for mines and energy, food, agriculture and domestic trade—are not yet sufficiently concerned with producing, distributing and properly managing certain goods. Meanwhile, it instructed the Ministry of Finance to speed up the organization of the Financial Police and establish it in every district. The Government instructed that, alongside the Financial Police, general inspections should also be carried out by the people’s police and auditors of economic enterprises in order to stabilize the distribution of goods on the market and block the way to profiteers who have set their sights on— (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday afternoon, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Fatos Nano, received at the Prime Minister’s office the Ambassador of the Italian Republic to the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Torquato Kardili. Yesterday afternoon, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Fatos Nano, received at the Prime Minister’s office the Ambassador of the Italian Republic to the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Torquato Kardili, at the latter’s request. During the warm and friendly conversation held on this occasion, the Italian ambassador expressed his satisfaction with the commendable work of Italian and Albanian officials, which is contributing to the strengthening of bilateral relations. He conveyed the friendly sentiments of the Italian Government and its Chairman, Xhulio Andreoti, toward the Albanian Government. Prime Minister Fatos Nano expressed satisfaction with the level of the wide-ranging relations between the two countries, describing the present moment as the opening of a new chapter in Albanian-Italian relations. He asked the ambassador to convey to the Italian authorities the Albanian Government’s desire for high-level meetings to continue, both in Italy and in Albania. Torquato Kardili handed Prime Minister Fatos Nano a message from the Italian Prime Minister, Xhulio Andreoti, the text of which is as follows: «Dear Prime Minister! I greatly appreciated your letter of 9 March, and understood from it that your Government and the Albanian people feel strong friendship toward Italy. As for me, first of all I wish to thank you for receiving, despite your very busy schedule, the deputy— (Continued on page 4)

Yesterday afternoon, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Fatos Nano, received at the Prime Minister’s office the working mission of the International Monetary Fund, headed by its chief, Prof. Mario Blejer, which has come to our country to cooperate with the financial and banking authorities, as Nano, received at the Prime Minister’s office the working mission of the International Monetary Fund, headed by the mission’s chief, Prof. Mario Blejer. The mission has come to our country to cooperate with the financial and banking authorities, as well as with ministries and other economic bodies, on Albania’s accession to the IMF and other international financial organizations. Prime Minister Fatos Nano expressed to the members of the International Monetary Fund working mission his pleasure at meeting them that day and thanked them for their work and efforts during their stay in our country to speed up the process of Albania’s entry into the IMF. He then spoke about recent developments in our country. (Continued on page 4)

On 18 March 1991, UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Kuelar received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Muhamet Kapllani, in his office at United Nations headquarters in New York. He was accompanied by the UN Chief of Protocol, Ali Teimur. [The Secretary-General] said that he was following with great interest the developments in Albania under the leadership of President Ramiz Alia and wished the Albanian people and Government success during this important period of transition, when, alongside significant positive developments in Europe, there are difficulties and problems in certain countries, such as those of Eastern Europe. Regarding Albania and the United States, he expressed his conviction that this event would contribute to the comprehensive development of relations and to strengthening Albania’s international position. He stressed that under current international conditions, in the context of the CSCE process, other regional cooperation initiatives and—

— LIBRAZHD — Few people outside Librazhd know Refik Disha—perhaps a ministry official or two, and that is all. But here is what the people say about him. Here is what the people say about him. Here are some notes made on 8 January of this year, when possible candidates for parliament in the People’s Assembly were being discussed. Naturally, all three had been selected, but we will focus on the Party of Labour candidate because now that he has been published in Sunday’s Zëri i popullit, I feel I owe the people of Çermenikë this article. «He is our son, and on occasions like this, when it comes to our son, we can only speak well of him. From a family of hard work and honour, only good sons can come,» said Ali Kolgjini then. «This is democracy. Anyone who knows even a little about Çermenikë e Zezë has said, even on this occasion, that they understand its progress,» said Sabri Alija. Of course, in Flog they know Refik Disha well as director of the chrome mine in Përrenjas, but to complete his portrait, let me go back a little further in time. It was the beginning of the 1960s, and I was working at the sawmills in Bizë. Though still young, he was working then to earn a little money, because for a time he had made a habit of continuing his higher education. By the end of the 1960s, in the industrial area of Përrenjas, he quickly became one of the well-known engineers, rising to chief engineer and head of the mine-construction site. There, among the mine builders, he became a communist. In the Përrenjas mines you will find both Refik’s practical solutions and valuable projects for exploiting the mineral deposits. Often in our articles we say (Continued on page 2)

- DURRËS - Surely, when Pëllumb Dema, chairman of the Manzë Agricultural Cooperative, left the cooperative, people said: “How fortunate we were to have him as chairman.” 1. Surely, when Pëllumb Dema, chairman of the Manzë Agricultural Cooperative, left the cooperative, people said: “How fortunate we were to have him as chairman. He should have stayed here.” And indeed, thousands of people said this. They were right. Thanks to their hard work, but also to Pëllumb’s passionate leadership, the level of the Manzë Agricultural Cooperative began to rise, and it regained the good name it had once had. Pëllumbi then went to Lalëz, where he was elected chairman. This cooperative, the most remote in that area, was underdeveloped and had many problems, but Pëllumbi did not complain that he had been treated unfairly. As a communist, a cadre, and a patriot, he was conscientious in carrying out every duty. I have met people from Manzë who say: “Indeed, in

- ELBASAN - The presentation in the press of a candidate for deputy to the People’s Assembly is not merely an occasion to answer questions. Moreover, it is an opportunity to… [part unreadable/cut off] … and why they embody distinctive values for themselves and for society. Here, before me, is the list of PPSH candidates for deputy in the electoral districts of Elbasan. Through my daily work, I have come to know many of them quite well, for… [continuation cut off] … to have coffee with them, assess their appearance and education, as well as many other qualities. Nevertheless, I want to single out the one I perhaps know less personally than the others: the candidate of sciences, mathematics lecturer and director of LPP “A. Xhuvani,” Agron Tato, candidate for deputy. (Continued on page 2)

Today, the humanitarian aid granted to our country by the Italian Government began to arrive. The Council of Ministers, through its ministries and other bodies, has taken measures to ensure the prompt and fair distribution of the food products and medicines that will arrive. All food and medicines sent by the Italian side as part of this aid will be given free of charge. The costs of loading and unloading, transport to consumers, and other expenses will be covered by the state. Priority in the use of these goods will be given to nurseries, kindergartens, infant homes, hospitals, homes for the elderly (old-age homes), and children’s homes. Once these institutions’ needs have been met, the remaining consignments will be distributed to the public free of charge. On the Government’s instructions, a citizens’ commission has been set up, comprising representatives of various sections of the population and specialists, to monitor compliance with these criteria and the distribution of aid. A meeting was also held at the Ministry of Domestic Trade with representatives of the political parties, who were informed of and agreed to the established criteria and the creation of this commission. The first consignment of aid arrives today. According to information from the Italian side, it contains cooking oil, canned chicken and peas, fruit juices, ma- (Continued on page 2)

The night before last and yesterday, several Albanian transport ships and motor fishing boats arrived at the seaport of Durrës. They had left for Italy two weeks earlier with refugees aboard. They were allowed to return by the Italian authorities following talks with the delegation of the Executive Committee of the KP of the Durrës district. Quite a few of these ships had not yet been unloaded or were not technically ready when they departed for Italy. The ship “Liria,” for example, had around 1,000 tons of soap and plastic sheeting for covering greenhouses. The ship “Sazani” had in its holds half of the consignment of baskets for export that it was to deliver to the port of Ravenna in Italy. The ships “Butrinti,” “Bashkova” and “Ismet Zhuraku” were carrying hundreds of tons of chemicals, raw materials for industry, agricultural machinery, equipment and other items… (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday, in the lecture hall of the Palace of Culture in Tirana, the Minister of Education, Doctor Kastriot Islami, held a meeting with teachers and school directors and with the orga- … [text cut off] …nizations of education in the Tirana district. In his speech, he addressed several issues concerning the current poli- (Continued on page 2)

Although the public has been clearly informed that the rumors circulating about ferries arriving in Durrës to take everyone who wishes to go abroad are completely false, on March 18, 1991, various groups of people nevertheless headed for Durrës. Although the public has been clearly informed that the rumors circulating about ferries arriving in Durrës to take everyone who wishes to go abroad are completely false, on March 18, 1991, various groups of people nevertheless headed for Durrës, ignoring the information provided. These unjustified and illogical actions are creating serious difficulties for the law-enforcement forces and the Army in the port of Durrës, because they hinder them from carrying out their duties. We inform citizens that the law-enforcement forces and the Army have taken measures to respond with all available means to any action that may be undertaken and that interferes with the performance of their duties.

At the invitation of the Albanian Red Cross, a delegation of the Italian League for the Preservation of the Arbëresh Minority, headed by its chairman, Mario Brunetti, is visiting Tirana. The delegation was received by the chairman of the Albanian Red Cross, Dr. Ciril Pistoll. Talks were held between the two delegations on establishing and developing relations between the Albanian Red Cross and The delegation of this league brought the Albanian Red Cross 17 tons of food products and medicines as aid for the Albanian population. (ATSH)

Comrades, brothers and sisters, men and women voters, workers throughout the country! the country! We have entered the most decisive moment of the campaign for the free, pluralist and democratic elections of 31 March. On this historic day, the people will decide their own future by their free will and in a wholly democratic manner: how they will build their future, how and by whom they will be governed, and whom they will authorize to make laws and take decisions in their name. Feeling keenly the responsibility of this moment, the Party of Labour considers it necessary to address this appeal to the workers and peasants, women, intellectuals and young people, and all voters. In calling on you to «Vote for the candidates of the PPSH!», we appeal to all voters to vote for the Party that was born and stood by the country at the most difficult moments of its existence; for the Party that, with Enver Hoxha at its head, led the people in the struggle against the Nazi-fascist occupiers, brought Albania freedom and independence, and together with the people defended and guaranteed them as the most sacred achievements. Therefore, the vote in your hands is a powerful appeal to your political conscience. It is the call of the martyrs and of those who fought for a free, democratic and popular Albania; it is the call of those who stoically endured every sacrifice to save the homeland from the wounds of destruction and backwardness. It is the call of the builders of great works and of the participants in national campaigns. It is the call of all those who transformed the country and who, amid the present situation and the need to overcome decline without delay, call for comprehensive economic and moral renewal, the restoration of calm and security in everyday life, and the strengthening of social equality, human freedoms and citizens’ rights to the level of international standards. The Party of Labour is a major political force, equipped with broad and varied experience spanning 50 years, with great authority among the people and international recognition and prestige. These are further guarantees that the PPSH is capable of ensuring the development and radical transformation of every aspect of the country’s life, while safeguarding past achievements and adapting to today’s reality. We call on the people to give their votes to the candidates put forward by the Party: its most devoted sons and daughters, people of work, learning and sacrifice, tested for their moral and political values and qualities, serious and determined, who dedicate everything to Albania’s development and progress, the people’s well-being, freedom and democracy. We are approaching a historic moment that will determine the most important political decision for the next legislature. Let us appreciate this moment in all its significance. Let every citizen express through their vote the responsibility they feel toward their homeland. Your votes for the PPSH candidates are a decision to follow a secure path, to guarantee lasting social peace, to build a society of socialist ideals and aspirations, and to achieve rising economic prosperity, Americans… [the upper part of the column is cut off and partly illegible] … since they fought for a free, democratic and popular Albania, this to heal the homeland of of the builders of great works and all those who transformed the country and aspire to a sovereign Albania, equal within the community of peoples. The Party of Labour of Albania, guided by socialist ideals, while rightly assessing the past and relying on the victories achieved, aims to build a just democratic society, strengthen the popular character of power, and establish modern state governance. The electoral program of the Party of Labour of Albania offers the people rapid stabilization…