Only five days remain until March 31. Thus, only five days separate the candidates from the voter who will go to the ballot box and cast a vote for the candidate they want and for the political force of which they are a supporter or member. Five days of intensive propaganda work, of active engagement with people—in stairwells, apartment blocks, neighborhoods, wherever people work and socialize. What a short time, packed with activity, before March 31! We have been experiencing this year’s election campaign for some time. During this month, there has been a flood of correspondence to “Zëri i Popullit.” The drawers of our desks are crammed with letters, articles, opinions, and replies to the opposition press. It is impossible to put everything in the newspaper. We have set some of it aside. But at least the bulk of it has value for us. Now one can think more calmly: how bad it would be to engage with every insult and slander, every attack and fabrication. That would mean entering the other side’s field and falling into its trap. But this self-restraint is by no means a matter of chance. Above all, it is a quality of the Party of Labour. Its first purpose has not been to talk about something else, but to explain things to its people. In this way it has guided its life and carried its burden. The Party of Labour entered the campaign with its own program. It is what it is: clear, convincing, and promising without bombast. Comments and explanations have been made in the districts. More will follow. Solutions are being made concrete every day. One can make quite a few criticisms of the Party’s organizational work this month. There has also been confusion, uneven quality, and slowness. These are known facts. It is not easy to cope with entirely new conditions and a political struggle we have never experienced. Every criticism of what we have said may be accepted, but one value remains unimpeachable: the propriety shown in this election campaign. What is good is good; it cannot be denied, and members of the Party of Labour have no reason not to say so loudly. Nor are shortcomings and mistakes being concealed. We reflect on them and will build on them; we will stand firm and do more. Promises have their place. They are the foundation of the future. But no exaggerations, and no promises of things that seem plentiful but are hard to deliver. Better to be restrained and sure than to be unserious. Can that be appreciated? This month the Party of Labour has confronted vandalism and destructive forces. Things have happened that make one’s ears ring. You may be right. But these are realities that have already weighed on our hearts. We all know the scale they reached and the determination with which they were confronted. By whom? By the Party of Labour, with Ramiz Alia. Can this truth be set aside, when it will undoubtedly be recorded in history? There you have the new, major values this political force is displaying. We do not want to continue with superlatives about the Party of Labour. Our point was simply its electoral propriety, which is nothing more or less than an admirable indication of democratic culture. But is this quality to be found in its opposition? No. It has chosen another path: boundless insults, lies presented as truth, extravagant promises, and dishonest psychological pressure. By this path it seeks to win votes. That is its business. But what about the person whose vote it is seeking? Throughout these days we have noticed and encountered dozens and hundreds of people with illusions, completely misled, intoxicated by the noise and the loud cries of its own rhetoric. We have met people who have taken as true the empty promises thrown out at meetings and rallies. Someone casually claims that the PD is the party that will give people land and houses; someone else says the PD will distribute a thousand dollars to everyone, backed by London gold. Another says the PD has a blank cheque from America, from which you can take as much as you want. Gramoz Pashko declared this “blank cheque” business in a bar, and Arben Imami spoke about it to voters in his constituency in Tirana. Who knows who else. According to this game, we are now so rich that all America’s wealth can be transferred to us with the cheque they have handed over. My God, from now on it will not be us but America asking us for help! Let us look at it another way: suppose this cheque is in the PD’s pocket (although nobody has seen it). Could public opinion accept that democratic America would risk its reputation in these waters with a force that has not yet been officially recognized? Is that a small matter? That is what they say! Elementary logic makes the distinction simple: it separates the truth from stale lies. Surely every voter can make that distinction. One only needs to be sensible. Nevertheless, we are encountering people confused by these deceptions. That is precisely why deceptions are used: to cloud what is clear and lure the undecided. The Democratic Party has shown what it is. The people see it with their own eyes and feel it every day. However hard it has tried, it cannot hide its true face. At present it is the most suspect political force. I know, this way of putting it may seem intolerant, because we are not used to speaking this way and have tried to restrain excessive passions. But the truth is the truth, and one must not water it down. How many things have we remained silent about during these three months and more of the opposition’s existence! Were we afraid? No, we did not want to speak. Other things will still remain unsaid. I cannot say everything. Look: the most suspect forces have gathered within and around the opposition—people morally crippled, former prisoners, others privileged by this system. Among their ranks are leaders on the organizing committee and district committees, candidates for deputies, and so on. Finally, there are many others warped in their culture and civic education. We do not deny that the party also has good, mature, and cultured people, prudent people with intellectual ambitions who love democracy and are devoted to progress. But these are the “mingjet” of the PD, and we have not heard them in its press. We hope they will be heard tomorrow. We hope it will distance itself from the lumpen elements and soon gain what it has not yet gained: a good name. Then the people will be reassured. Only then will such forces deserve the people’s trust. Just five days. A very short time for a great task. Nevertheless, much can be done. Every moment is precious for bringing to people a genuine concern for the country’s fate. Every moment is precious for reviving everywhere that indisputable truth: that today, under present conditions, the only political force that would guarantee genuine freedom and democracy is the Party of Labour, with comrade Ramiz Alia. Every electoral deception is a serious assault on democracy. People, beware of the assailants of democracy!

They call it the Party of Labour for a reason: it works — TEPELENË — The meeting held on Sunday at the Party of Labour Committee in Tepelenë, attended also by officials from other institutions in the district, was prompted by communists, cadres, and our workers becoming acquainted with comrade Ramiz Alia’s speech at the Party’s national meeting. “Up to now, the work has progressed responsibly and well,” said M. Hamed, secretary of the District Party Committee, at the meeting. “That is why, during the time remaining before election day, we must work to make up for the backlog wherever it is apparent.” With the elections so close, the remaining week is naturally packed with work. But responsibilities have been divided. Specific people have been assigned to prepare and mobilize people for meetings and rallies, and to handle the other tasks that arise in these areas. The rest—the worker and cooperative farmer, the cadre and specialist—should carry on with the work in their assigned sectors. That is the view in Tepelenë, and therefore the entire district, its working class and cooperative peasantry, have declared the remaining days “A Week of Increased Work.” Here are some figures. In the period of two months and 20 days, the increase in the district’s commodity production exceeded 90 percent of the target, with 8 of the 14 economic enterprises surpassing it. These include NPD, NRSHK, the Food Enterprise, NGD, the Forestry Enterprise, the town housing enterprise, and others. The situation in agriculture is good. Seasonal work, such as spring planting and the nitrification and disinfection of soil, has been carried out well and on schedule in every agricultural economy. Nevertheless, the following have stood out among the others: Qesarat, Dragot, Dukaj, Salarisë, Sllacë, Nivica, and so on. Voters in these sectors have also worked hard, especially in livestock farming, to ensure the survival of the young in every herd and to maintain the established level of milk production. Such results show that work has continued in Tepelenë, but this does not mean there is no room to intensify work and increase production, especially at the coal mine in Memaliaj and the construction enterprise, among others. Our miners have also achieved results through their work. That is why they call it the Party of Labour, the party to which we will give our vote on March 31. FETI ZENELI

— TIRANA — I will begin this correspondence with an anecdote. One of our distinguished artists, Adelina Mazreku, had been meeting with voters. As soon as that meeting ended, we hurried to the other side of the capital, to Neighborhood 10, where another Party of Labour candidate, the writer Zija Çela, was meeting with voters. The meeting was coming to an end. The great interest made the hall seem very small. The voters left, but some of them—several intellectuals and young people—stayed seated in the hall with the candidate among them and began a second conversation. Someone called for more replies in the press, so that “Zëri i popullit” would respond to insulting articles and slander. Others disagreed, because it is not in the nature of Albanians to lower themselves to the level of slander. Many details came up in the conversation, but here I would like to single out what one voter recounted. He was originally from Shkrapar. He was talking about the opposition’s promises. As he said, the Democratic Party candidate had gone to Malind in Skrapar. He had promised the villagers, up on the mountain, a highway, an urban bus service, a secondary school, and other things. “Can you do all these things you’re talking about by March 31?” one of the villagers had asked. “That’s impossible,” the candidate had replied. The villagers had then asked him at least to bring the machinery, cement, and materials to the banks of the Osum by that date. Again the candidate had shrugged: “That can be done,” he had said. “Well, forgive us, but that would be difficult for you; we haven’t tried you yet, we don’t—

— KUKËS — This is the essence of the discussions held by voters in electoral constituency 126 of the Has region at meetings with Pjetër Musa, the PPSH candidate for deputy to the People’s Assembly. Mature discussions among the people, unanimous solidarity with the PPSH program and its candidacy, and constructive observations on advancing the development of democracy and every aspect of the country’s economic and social life. In the village of Gjinaj, the director of the eight-year school, Sami Morina, veteran Demë Jeminaj, and others rejected the electoral demagoguery that seeks to deny everything from the past. In Gjinaj only two houses had been burned, while the other houses could also catch fire because of the search for two strategic things.

Yesterday morning, the chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, comrade Ramiz Alia, received at his home the well-known German publicist and journalist, Viktor Majer, and held a warm and friendly conversation with him. “I have always appreciated your closeness as a journalist and political analyst; I have followed your views with interest and seen in them political commitment and professional realism,” said comrade Ramiz. “I greatly value your understanding and affection for Albania.” Comrade Ramiz Alia then acquainted his German guest with the process of further democratizing life in every field, emphasizing that these processes are a natural path in our historical development, a dynamic process that the Party of Labour of Albania has pursued continuously and that will be deepened ever further in the future, in the interests of the people and for the good of the country. Comrade Ramiz also informed Mr. Majer about the work being carried out as part of the election campaign and about the free and democratic elections to be held on March 31. Mr. Majer thanked chairman Ramiz Alia for the warm welcome, the comprehensive explanations he had given him, and the clear account of the historical past and the current period we are going through. “I wholeheartedly wish you,” Mr. Majer said, “to continue along this path and to advance the democratic processes in Albania. This is a very interesting period in Albania, and I value your role as president, your struggle for democratic culture, tolerance, morality and, [unclear], and your efforts for the good of the Albanian people,” said the well-known German publicist and journalist, Viktor Majer. (ATSH)

During the day today, groups of people gathered in the city of Durrës and attempted to force their way into the territory of the seaport, influenced by the false report that a foreign ferry would take them away from the country. The groups of people, dispersed several times by the forces responsible for maintaining order, attacked them with stones and other hard objects. In the ensuing response, 12 police officers and 16 other civilians were slightly injured. Material damage was also caused when two cars and several shop windows were broken with stones. After this, calm was restored in the city. 25.3.1991 Announcement The Ministry of Transport announces that the next ferry will not arrive from Italy on 29.3.1991, as had been scheduled. Humanitarian aid goods will be collected using our own vehicles. (ATSH)

Yesterday afternoon, in the hall of the Variety Theatre in the capital, member of the Presidential Council and chairman of the Central Election Commission Prof. Dr. Rexhep Mejdani held a conversation with residents of the city of Tirana, specialists, journalists, etc., in which he spoke about how the March 31 elections were being organized. The essence of the democratization process in every sphere of political and social life is represented by the March 31 elections, the first pluralist elections in our country. He dwelt on the conception of the new People’s Assembly, particularly its composition, which should include people of outstanding qualities and virtues, modesty, ability, sincerity, loyalty, and, above all, pride in the Albanian name. Prof. Dr. Rexhep Mejdani also spoke about the problems involved in the future development of our country’s economy, giving priority to light and food industries, closely linked with increased agricultural yields. These, he stressed, will also make the development of other branches of the economy possible, but in this process...

Yesterday afternoon, at the press center in Tirana, Foreign Minister Muhamet Kapllani spoke about the basic guidelines of Albania’s foreign policy by answering questions from Albanian and foreign journalists. In response to questions from journalists from “Zëri i Popullit,” the Albanian Telegraphic Agency, Albanian Television, Albanian Radio and Television, “Roj-ter” [as printed], “The New York Times,” Spanish television, Turkish television, and others, the Albanian foreign minister pointed out that the vision of the Albanian state’s foreign policy cannot be understood without its strong Balkan, Mediterranean, and European dimensions, which converge in current European processes in the positive spirit of the CSCE, in which the United States and Canada also participate, of course. In this positive spirit, Albania will continue to build new international relations with countries and other regions of the world. Albania supports the new concept of European security, outside the spirit of confrontation and blocs, which is based on comprehensive cooperation and security for all. Asked how the results of the March 31 elections were expected to turn out, Muhamet Kapllani replied that one thing was certain, clear, and desired by everyone: these free elections should produce a pluralist parliament that will ensure the continuation of the democratic process and ... (Continued on page 4)

Yesterday, chairman of the Council of Ministers comrade Fatos Nano received Imre Szokal, deputy head of Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and held a warm and friendly conversation with him. After they exchanged greetings, Prime Minister comrade Fatos Nano appreciated the contri- (Continued on page 4) Minister of Foreign Affairs Muhamet Kapllani received a group of State Department officials Yesterday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Muhamet Kapllani received a group of State Department officials headed by David Surte, who, as he stated, are in the country as part of their responsibilities for opening the American Embassy in Tira- During the meeting, which took place in a friendly atmosphere, they discussed the importance of re-establishing diplomatic relations between Albania and the USA and matters relating to their further development. (ATSH) Yesterday afternoon, at the press center in Tirana, Foreign Minister Muhamet Kapllani spoke about the basic guidelines of Albania’s foreign policy by answering questions from Albanian and foreign journalists. In response to questions from journalists from “Zëri i Popullit,” the Albanian Telegraphic Agency, Albanian Television, Albanian Radio and Television, etc., the Albanian foreign minister pointed out that the vision of the Albanian state’s foreign policy cannot be understood without its strong Balkan, Mediterranean, and European dimensions, which converge in current European processes in the positive spirit of the CSCE, in which the United States and Canada also participate, of course. In this positive spirit, Albania will continue to build new international relations with countries and other regions of the world. Albania supports the new concept of European security, outside the spirit of confrontation and blocs, which is based on comprehensive cooperation and security for all. Asked how the results of the March 31 elections were expected to turn out, Muhamet Kapllani replied that one thing was certain, clear, and desired by everyone: these free elections should produce a pluralist parliament that will ensure the continuation of the democratic process and ... (Continued on page 4)

... Strengthen ties with the masses, work face to face with people, and persuade them to vote for the Party’s candidates. RAMIZ ALIA

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