COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA RECEIVED THE GROUP OF AMERICAN SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN Yesterday afternoon, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Comrade Ramiz Alia, received at the headquarters of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly the group of American Senators and Congressmen led by Senator Denis De Konsini, Chairman of the Helsinki Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, and held a warm and friendly conversation with them. President Ramiz Alia briefed the American guests on the processes of democratizing life in Albania in all fields. He told Mr. De Konsini that this process had advanced very rapidly in Albania, but naturally with care and measured steps. Important achievements have been made since the last meeting with the American Senator in August of last year. “Now, we can say,” Comrade Ramiz stressed, “that everything in Albania conforms to international standards, and I think the conditions have been met for Albania to become a full member of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe.” Your arrival at this moment, Comrade Ramiz told Mr. De Konsini, is very important. Albania is now in a new situation: a pluralist system has been established, and new steps have been taken in legislation, the economy, human rights, etc. Comrade Ramiz then briefed the American guests on the election campaign, which is proceeding calmly and will be conducted under equal, democratic, secret and free conditions, in which the people will freely express their will and elect the people they wish. Speaking about the restoration of diplomatic relations between Albania and the USA, Comrade Ramiz Alia said: “I view these relations optimistically, and both sides will work to make up for the period of interruption as quickly as possible, finding rapid, informal ways of doing so in every field. The Albanian community in America, which is patriotic toward Albania and an honest citizen of America, has contributed and will also contribute in this regard. There are no unresolved problems between our countries,” President Ramiz Alia said. “We are interested in attracting American capital to Albania and Albanian capital to America.” For his part, American Senator De Konsini, after expressing gratitude for the invitation to attend the elections in Albania, praised the processes of democratization in Albania and the achievements made in various fields. “I am pleased,” Mr. De Konsini said, “that you are the initiator of these changes. At the meeting we had together in August of last year, you committed yourself to major changes, and now I can see them taking shape. You are making the right decisions in every field.” “Under your leadership,” the American Senator continued, “we see monumental changes, and this has earned you my deep respect. You are a true reformer of your country, and you are doing everything good in the service of your people. Human rights,” Mr. De Konsini continued, “are bearing fruit in every field. We have full confidence that after the elections Albania will be a worthy partner in the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe.” Regarding American-Albanian relations, Mr. De Konsini said that they were ready to work together and would have many areas of common interest. Foreign Minister Muhamet Kapllani was also present at the reception. (ATSH) Let us put all our efforts into ensuring that these elections conclude successfully for the Party’s candidates, that they are held normally, in complete order and calm, and that the people’s wishes and will are freely and fully democratically expressed in them. RAMIZ ALIA

- A reply to the newspaper «RD» - We have read your “Very Secret” letter, in which you addressed us as “The Dishonest ‘ZP’.” Naturally, we should have responded to your thanks with thanks, but something prevents us from doing so. First, we do not know what you mean by the word “dishonesty.” If by this word you mean people who have spent their whole lives working deceitfully, people who snatch one flag today and another tomorrow, people who have never written what they thought, careerists and swindlers, then we tell you that you are very late to the scene. It is true that years ago we had such people in our ranks, but in time they left our newspaper and are now to be found in the offices of the newspaper «RD». The people have long described such intellectuals as “flag merchants.” You representatives of the «RD» press did not bother to write a single line when Milivoje Maksic, Yugoslavia’s deputy foreign minister, declared quite casually (and, according to him, quite naturally): “Albania must bear in mind that the routes to Europe pass through Yugoslavia and Serbia.” It seems he took on a heavy task, but whose task did you intend to carry out when you kept silent? It is neither right nor Albanian to drive wedges into the correct positions taken by the Party of Labour and «Zëri i Popullit» in support of the legitimate rights of our Kosovar brothers. Apparently, you have mastered very well the style of «Borba» and «Politika» that you mention. We recognize that style in you by now. Will you try speaking this way to the patriotic villagers of the Kukës highlands? By playing out the scenarios of the Serbian schemers in Belgrade, whether intentionally or not, you are seeking to hand over parts of Albanian territory to the Cyrillic peoples. In Kukës and throughout Albania, they will remember this. The columns of «Zëri i Popullit» have always been open to every honest person, to true intellectuals, and to the concerns and lives of the people. It will always continue along this path, and this is the best service one can render to democracy. THE EDITORS OF «ZËRI I POPULLIT»

Yesterday afternoon, at the press center in the capital, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the People’s Republic of Albania, Comrade Fatos Nano, held a press conference for journalists from our press organizations, ATSH and RTV, and representatives of newspapers, agencies, radio and television stations from abroad who are in our country. Yesterday afternoon, at the press center in the capital, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the People’s Republic of Albania, Comrade Fatos Nano, held a press conference for journalists from our press organizations, ATSH and RTV, representatives of newspapers, agencies, radio and television stations from abroad who are in our country. Representatives of foreign embassies accredited in our country were also present. At the beginning, Prime Minister Fatos Nano expressed his pleasure at meeting representatives of the domestic and foreign press at such a historic moment for Albania. He then answered various questions from journalists about the current situation in our country and its relations with other countries. In answer to the question of how he saw a way out of the difficult economic situation, Prime Minister Fatos Nano pointed out that the new situation of political pluralism in Albania had unfortunately been accompanied by people leaving production and their daily work. If the political parties’ call for people to engage in work were heeded, he emphasized, we would have different results in the economy. Everyone is aware that there is no serious shortage of income, but rather a shortage of consumer goods on the market in which that income can be spent. This is a difficult alternative that our working government has taken on. Naturally, in facing the current situation, we have also taken into account—as every government in every country in the world does—the assistance available through economic cooperation with other states. We hope this difficult situation will improve. Explaining the main aspects of the economic reform, he em- phasized that gradual privatization, controlled by the rule of law, would constitute a basic direction for solving many economic problems. The package of privatization laws has now been completed. In implementing it, we aim to ensure that the future owners of shares are, first and foremost, the direct producers. In response to questions about whether various countries had imposed or would impose political conditions on future cooperation with Albania, Fatos Nano said that no foreign government had imposed such conditions on us. In general, he added, these governments had informed us that what mattered to them was the creation of a pluralist parliament and the guarantee of free elections on 31 March. Their economic cooperation would not depend on which party was in power. Asked how the Albanian government viewed the possibility of leading the country toward the European community, he replied that Albania would move toward Europe by reforming itself. The process of integration into the civilized world, he said, would be gradual and would therefore take time. We will make every effort to bring this about as quickly as possible. In this regard, our aim is to preserve the balances that exist in our country. In response to a question from Israeli journalists about the possibility of establishing diplomatic relations with Israel, the Prime Minister replied, among other things, that we would like to, and would work to, build bridges of friendship and cooperation with all countries that respect the Albanian people. Fatos Nano went on to stress that the elections of 31 March were the first multiparty elections. We see no obstacle to their being held successfully. The main thing is that after these elections Albania should have (Continued on page 2)

As part of the activities related to the 31 March election campaign, the Party of Labour Committee, in cooperation with the leadership of the district scientific association of Mat, organized an expanded meeting with intellectuals in one of the halls of the district Party of Labour Committee to explain the Albanian Party of Labour’s electoral program in the economic and social fields. The meeting was opened by Qerim Ribaj, First Secretary of the district Party of Labour Committee. The Albanian Party of Labour representative, doc. Seladin Kucaj, spoke at length about several issues in the economic program, which is a realistic program aimed at overcoming the grave state of the economy, sta- (Continued on page 2)

The night before last, the Italian ferry «Espreso Venezia» arrived at the seaport of Durrës, bringing 374 people who had left at the beginning of this month. Among them were 16 children aged 10–12, young people, families with small children, etc. They came from Durrës as well as Lezha, Shkodra, Kavaja, etc. During the journey, the children were accompanied by staff from the Italian Red Cross, and at the seaport they were welcomed by the chairman of the Durrës Red Cross, doctor Ali Sula. The health of the children and the other arrivals was good. The district authorities, in cooperation with the port administration, had taken all the necessary measures to transport them by buses and trains to their home localities. The number of people who have returned from Italy by ship and ferry during this month has reached about 4,000. The Italian ferry «Espreso venezia» left the seaport of Durrës last night. (ATSF)

Yesterday morning, Foreign Minister Muhamet Kapllani received a delegation of the US National Republican Institute for International Affairs, consisting of the Institute’s Vice President, Robert H. Henderson, and former Congressman Xhonit Lancaster, ua. Yesterday morning, Foreign Minister Muhamet Kapllani received a consisting of the Institute’s Vice President, Robert H. Henderson, and former Congressman Xhonit Lancaster, ua. Both are currently ambassadors in our country to observe the 31 March elections. During the meeting, which took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, views were exchanged on issues, and views were exchanged on the democratization process in Alban- (Continued on page 4)

Yesterday in Tirana, an agreement was signed between the General Directorate of Oil and Gas and the firms «Deminex» (Germany) and OEMV (Austria) for the exploration and development of oil in the offshore block in the Durrës area. The agreement provides for geological and seismic surveys, the drilling of wells, and the preparation for production of deposits that may (Continued on page 4)

Yesterday, in «Nazmi Rushiti» Square in the town of Peshkopi, the Labor Party Committee of the district of Dibër organized a major electoral rally. Attending were residents of Peshkopi, young men and women, socialist labor heroes, veterans, and others. The rally was opened by Osman Murati, First Secretary of the Labor Party Committee of the district. Comrade Xhelil Gjoni then took the floor and conveyed the warmest greetings to the people of the district of Dibër from the beloved leader, Comrade Ramiz Alia, who, as you know, he said, three years ago at the magnificent rally held in your town to commemorate the national liberation war holiday, expressed his boundless love and deepest respect for the patriotic, wise, hardworking, and brave people of Dibër. In every historical era, the people of Dibër have remained faithful to the national cause through their most distinguished sons, such as Iliaz Pash Dibra with the League of Prizren; Vehbi Agolli and Nikollë Kacorri at the national assembly of Vlora; Elez Isufi and Haki Stërmilli, Said Najdeni, Ramiz Varrica, Haxhi Lleshi, Nazmi Rushi, Gjok Doçi, Hibe Paliquki, and hundreds of other martyrs of the war and labor, whose names are engraved in golden letters in the history of the Albanian nation. I recalled these things today because the people of Dibër have always stood by the nation, with wisdom, bravery, and their rifles. Today, this wisdom is demonstrated by voting on 31 March: going to vote with the culture, calm, and order that characterize us; voting for the best representatives of this people, who will secure our children’s future, fulfill the people’s aspirations, and fight to safeguard the freedom and independence of the homeland. Comrade Xhelil Gjoni then explained the program of the Labor Party of Albania, highlighting the place occupied by the national question in the party’s program, the importance given to the advancement of the country and the improvement of working people’s welfare, and the development of spiritual and cultural values. Speaking about the foreign policy of the Labor Party, he emphasized that the Party has sought to preserve the independence and freedom of the homeland, so that our people may be among friends with the peoples of states, on the basis of reciprocal interests in the Balkans, Europe, and the world. It has joined all progressive processes in the world that bring peace and security. The policy of good neighborliness in the Balkans has been and remains unchanged. The Labor Party’s line has ensured that our state’s position on the question of Kosovo and all Albanians in Yugoslavia is in keeping with the national aspirations and legitimate, rightful demands of the entire Albanian people and our brothers across the border. The political thinking of the Labor Party, he further emphasized, is accompanied by a new conception of the rule of law, the freedom to practice religion, and the legal recognition of citizens’ rights and freedoms in accordance with international standards. After speaking about the changes and renewal processes in the Party, Comrade Xhelil Gjoni said that the Labor Party now has a new character in both content and structure. It is capable of leading and bringing the democratization processes to completion, of getting the country out of its difficult economic situation as soon as possible, and of building an advanced, democratic, and modern social order. Representatives of the youth, the working class, the intelligentsia, and the cooperative members of this district also spoke at the rally: Baftjar Rush, Rakip Lleshi, Xhelil Çibaku, Bardhyl Smelli, and Sabri Lasku. (ATSH)

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Education announces that the continuation of classes at higher education institutions, the opening of dormitories and the Student Canteen Center, as well as the voting scheduled for 31 March 1971 at the Student City Centers, will take place in full accordance with the previous announcements issued by the Ministry of Education. All rumors circulating in some districts about students gathering prematurely in Tirana are also refuted and dismissed. The Ministry of Education calls on all students, parents, and the entire Albanian public to distance themselves from and not fall prey to rumors. SPOKESPERSON FOR THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

The Ministry of Transport announces the aid voluntarily granted by the Republic of Turkey and the measures being taken by this ministry to transport the goods. To transport the aid from Turkey, Transhqip has chartered foreign ships in response to the regular requests of Agjroeksport. Specifically, the ship «Moll» has been secured and is loading 2,500 tons of flour in Istanbul. The ship «Hossa», which is to load 5,000 tons of flour, has arrived at the port— (Continued on page 2)