Excerpts from letters from the people to the editorial office — The proof of trust Everyone knows as clearly as the shining sun why the Party of Labour won the election. It won because it has always told the truth, and therefore the people hold in their hearts its long record of trust. The activity of the Party of Labour is bound up with everyone’s life, with the transformations of the country in every field, on the hills and in the highlands. We are both astonished and indignant at the slanders and fabrications we hear from the opposition about the elections of 31 March. The opposition says there was manipulation, that the elections were not free, and so on. The opposition cannot cast a shadow over what the people themselves did, what they themselves signed, what they saw with their own eyes, what representatives from all over the world observed, and what foreign journalists and parliamentarians testified to. In these slanders we see once again the very factor that has strengthened trust in the Party of Labour; that is why the slanders against it cannot take hold. With the untruths the opposition spreads, it will never win the people over; as time passes, it will only be regarded more and more as a foreign body. All the women in my work unit I consider democrats Only a few days have passed since 31 March, since that day which truly deserves to be called a memorable one. As a citizen, as a resident of the “Guerilasi” neighbourhood of the city of Korçë, without any imposition, I freely voted for the person I myself judged worthy of representing us in the People’s Assembly. We began work with the feeling that the elections had been free. These days in April there has not been a single absence or disruption at our work unit; on the contrary, my colleagues have been concerned with fulfilling their duties. That is why all the women in my work unit, regardless of whether they belong to the Party of Labour, the Democratic Party, etc., or to no party at all, because of this shared concern for work, I would call democrats without exception. That is how I understand democracy: not through resentments, but by rolling up our sleeves and with a sense of unity, as in one family. Whoever makes some other demand cannot call themselves a democrat. That is why it seems unbelievable to me, indeed unpatriotic, to abandon work even for one hour. As before, so from now on, our work unit will continue to fulfil its duties. How I wish that in television programmes and throughout the press, without exception, we could learn more about successes, economic solutions and improvements for the benefit of the people. MIRE HYSENLEKA MIRE SOKOLI HAXHI SYLECI MURAT SHYQYRUKA MEHMET SIPENDI ISA FERIZI Tropojë, Bajram Curri. We have bound our lives to it Around 78 per cent of the people of Tepelenë cast their votes for the candidates of the Party of Labour. Among them are we who are writing you this letter. We do not wish to publicize the victories, since they are already clear, but to reply once again to the gentlemen of the PD as to why we in Tepelenë voted for the PPSH. Each of us has a life of our own, but the history of the Party of Labour is our shared life and activity over these five decades. Its policy has always been to fulfil the people’s wishes. It has never pursued an armchair policy. Tepelenë, with its 99 houses, could never have become a beautiful town except [text continues outside the frame]. We affirm our ties with the Party of Labour, but our families too have seen, and continue to see, education, sound morality, peace and security in life in this political force. The gentlemen of the PD call us ignorant and backward. Of course, that is what people say when they do not sit down among the people, with the mother and father who gave birth to them. They will certainly call us ignorant, because the cards have been burned in the hands of the opposition’s armchair-eaters. At the end of this letter we also wanted to put this question to the gentlemen of the PD: If we had given them our votes, would they, I wonder, call us ignorant and backward? [The signatory’s name is cut off at the bottom: ?] backward and ignorant?

Work at the Port of Durrës (Photo: G. Xhengo) From one district to another PSYCHOLOGICAL PRESSURE CONTINUES Overcome by election fever and uncontrolled passions, opposition figures once again exercised power in the district of Gramsh, both before and after voting day, 31 March, carrying out irregular actions and applying psychological pressure in various forms. At a meeting organized in the village of Skënderbegas to explain the electoral programme, Çoniku, chairman of the Democratic Party branch for the district of Vlorë, said: [continues outside the frame] “If communism does not keep its word after six months, we will hang them from the electricity pylons.” Meanwhile, in the village of Tunjë, after the elections, a PD supporter, Petrit Llaha, addressed the chairman of the united village people’s council: “You’ve been in charge long enough; now it’s our turn.” These actions have increased people’s insecurity, hindered work and further deepened the divisions between districts and between the countryside and the city. The people want calm. So, enough of this kind of pressure. …one hour’s work. As up to now and in the future, our department will continue… In the 31 March elections, irregular acts were carried out, involving psychological pressure in various forms. The Vlora, Çoniku, at a meeting organized with members and supporters in the village of Skëndërbegas to explain the electoral program, said: we will hang them from the electricity pylons». …of the March 31 elections, irregular actions were carried out, involving psychological pressure in various forms. And what is worse, there is nothing beautiful in “the fairest land.” Gloomy thoughts, and an entire newspaper that calls itself “democratic,” gloomy and black. Please tell us: “What does the democracy you propagate and provoke consist of? In an issue of your newspaper, we wrote about the miners, about work…

Yesterday the Special Commission to examine amendments and additions to the Constitution met, under the direction of its chairman, Comrade Ramiz Alia. The Commission, after reviewing the comments and suggestions made by people from all sections of the population, institutions, organizations and associations, as well as those published in the press, made the corresponding changes to the draft Constitution published on 30.12.1990. All of this was discussed at length in the Commission, and it was decided that the revised draft would be given to the deputies of the new People’s Assembly. At the same time, in order to inform the entire public about the changes made, this draft will be published in the press on Wednesday, 10.4.1991. (ATSH)

“When the PD loses its case, the RD gets angry” Take a look at the “outspoken” RD, which champions democracy, and you will immediately sense what the PD’s writers and leaders are after. They sow and sow, but only gloom. Don’t try to find it between the lines. To tell the truth, “the deeper you go, the darker it gets.” Right from the headline, the “Fatalism” of a certain prophet like Skënder Shkupi unfolds; he appears there and vanishes again like a character in a fairy tale. “The Death Defeat” by Vladimir Zoto, who, instead of rejoicing in the pluralist parliament as a historic victory, takes a stroll through cemeteries. “Time Suspended,” by Vera Isaku, who, with excessive feminine delicacy, insults “Zëri i popullit”; “7 April” by… which, it seems, is some dream of the PD leaders. I do not intend to go on any longer, either about the headlines in issue number 27 of RD or about the disinformation and sickening commentary of some authors. According to these politicians, there is nothing good in Albania. And, what is worse, there is nothing beautiful in this fairest of lands. Why? Figuratively speaking, we would put it this way: “It seems your hammer has broken, as you keep clenching and hammering away, and now you have nothing to do but hit it with your own head.” We have often extended a colleague’s hand to you, because we want together to move our homeland forward through our different work, not with slander and darkened criticism, but with criticism that is always fair, and with the commitment of responsible citizens who know how to respect public opinion for the good of the nation. Do not forget that not only “Zëri i popullit” but also “Zëri i Rinisë,” “Bashkimi” and “Republika” have called for us to return to work, while you refuse to understand this extremely urgent duty. [continues outside the frame] We want to reiterate the same thing in this commentary. Of course, the opposition is the opposition, but it should not be an opposition that, after acknowledging defeat, wails and spreads gloom... And this happens at a time when you release white doves. So why do you blacken the newsprint so much! -

We want to express our heartfelt words to the Party of Labour, which won the overwhelming majority of seats in parliament in the 31 March elections. Was this a coincidence? No. This victory has deep roots. They go back to 49 years ago, when the Party was founded. Over these decades the Party of Labour has done no little for the people, and the people will never forget it. The people know—and the Party of Labour knows too—that more could and should have been done, but even this little that [text unclear]... storms have descended upon them. Above all, however, the Party of Labour never allowed the most sacred thing to be touched—the freedom and sovereignty of the homeland. The people do not forget what Comrade Ramiz Alia and the Party of Labour have done over these past five years. These are the first steps toward democracy, but they are historic steps that will continue irreversibly and at a faster pace. In the Party of Labour’s new electoral programme, the people saw their future and trusted this serious, measured, wise and modern programme. They trusted it, as they have always trusted that this party has no interests other than those of the people. And in the elections of 31 March, they made their voice heard. These first pluralist elections could not have been freer or more democratic. We saw this with our own eyes; dozens of observers, journalists and prominent figures from across Europe and the world affirmed it. …itself, has always been to fulfil what the people have ‘wanted. It has never pursued a politics of office-seeking. Tepelena, town, especially if this Party had not existed. We who are writing are now elderly, and naturally it is easier for us to explain… …did not allow the most sacred things—the freedom and sovereignty of the homeland—to be touched. the Party of Labour have done over the at a faster pace. In the new electoral program of the Party of Labour, wise, and modern program. They trusted it as they have…

I am not a politician, nor do I belong to any political party; I am simply the son of a region that voted for the PPSH in all 19 constituencies; I thank you, people, for knowing how to find your way across the whole country and not being deceived by the empty promises of newly formed parties. You gave your vote to the best of your sons, in whom you saw the future, happiness, prosperity, a table laden with food and a full hearth. They may say that the reactionaries won, that the conservatives and the ignorant won. They may even threaten you, you who come down from the heights with your produce and today... [part of the column is partly illegible] ... Again, and the vote…? …To whom will I give my vote on 7 April 1991? I gave it, and will give it, to the PPSH and Ramiz Alia.

The elections of 31 March showed that the Albanian people are capable of going to multiparty elections calmly, with dignity, wisely, and without concern. We saw this with our own eyes and put it into practice. We must all live in the new atmosphere that has been created in our country; we must all be measured and tolerant, and put grievances behind us. Those belonged to yesterday, whereas today the Homeland must be united, for peace… [damaged text] … So, I ask you, comrades in the editorial office, to maintain balance and be good brothers, to serve Albania and democracy. This is what the Homeland demands, this is what we who have fought for freedom, independence, and the brotherhood of the entire nation demand. …responsible and repairer B, in the «11 janari» department of NPV, Korçë

The first pluralist elections of 31 March brought about a complicated situation in Korçë. PD members, on quite a few occasions, are stirring up a spirit of quarrels and resentment, especially between the town and the countryside. Extremists have been heard shouting slogans: “In two weeks the PPSH will be overthrown,” “we’ll take power by force,” “only ignorant villagers voted for the communists,” and so on. With these slogans, these people are doing nothing but trying to sow a destructive spirit. PD SUPPORTERS DEMAND EVIDENCE. Several times, members of the Democratic Party commission in Gjirokastër have been left speechless by claims made by many people. After discussing matters at meetings or in conversations, saying whatever they wished or whatever suited them, they later went on to assert the opposite of what they had said before. Nevertheless, the people remember well what is unjustly said about their sons. At the village of «Andon Peci», at a meeting held by the Democratic Party and attended by the chairman of its Gjirokastër branch, Xhelil Beqiri, participants declared during their speeches and calls today: «The communists and pensioners»; after the elections, they will be looking for a rope and a cleaver». Robert Asqeri, a member of the Democratic Party commission (a doctor) and its principal activist, told the People’s Hero Jorgo Suljoti, whom he confronted after the elections: «You’ll be in power for three more months, and we’ll do to you what they did in Bulgaria». At that time, we rightly ask the question: how long will these kinds of threats against the people continue? Correspondent of «Zëri i Popullit»

Vlora 244 Kostandin Meqin noxna rr Vlora 245 Sabit Laze Brokaj PP Vlora 246 Pellumb Hysni Kapo PP Vlora 247 Filip Nasha Tako PP Vlora 248 Llazar Thoma Gjindali PP Vlora 249 Halil Shene Hasko PP [the document contains many signatures and handwritten names; most names are illegible] Yesterday’s issue of the newspaper «Rilindja Demokratike» made an insinuation concerning the final communiqué of the Central Election Commission. To acquaint readers with the truth, we are publishing a facsimile of the minutes on the conclusion of the 31 March elections, where its unanimity is clearly evident. The document was also signed by Aleksandër Meksi, representative of the Democratic Party on the Central Election Commission, as well as Dhimitër Anagnosti, a member of this commission who was elected a PD deputy. (Their signatures are boxed.) None of the commission members had any objections to the accuracy and fairness of the final election result. If it does not even trust its own representatives, then whom does the PD trust?! Correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

…ana for a resolution…? [text partially cut off] … Ta and … BA and … of the…? … of Si… [most of the text along the left edge is cut off and illegible]

ON CONVENING THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY FOR THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 12TH LEGISLATURE Pursuant to Article 77 of the Constitution: THE PRESIDIUM OF THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY OF THE PEOPLE’S SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA DECIDED: To convene the People’s Assembly for the 1st session of the 12th Legislature on 15 April 1991, Monday, at 17:00. This decree enters into force immediately. Tirana, 6.4.1991 Decree No. 7 489 FOR REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA Secretary SIHAT TOZAJ Chairman RAMIZ ALIA

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