Yesterday in the People’s Assembly — FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS — Yesterday at 10:00, the People’s Assembly resumed its work after a “break” of 7 days. During this period the deputies became better acquainted with and exchanged constructive views on the new draft Constitution. Several meetings were also held between the parliamentary groups of the PPSH and PD. Discussion of the state’s fundamental document—the Constitution—was placed on the agenda. Until 14:00, the deputies held discussions. The explanation that action should be taken as quickly as possible, but with greater competence and reason, was heard in almost all the discussions by PPSH deputies. In his remarks, PPSH deputy Lufter Xhuveli emphasized the need to unblock the state’s activity. Below, deputy Lufter Xhuveli expressed his view on something else. There is no doubt that the draft presented is one of the highest-quality ones, according to the most advanced standards of European democratic states, he said. Such is, for example, the chapter dealing with human freedoms and rights. Labour Party deputy Leon-[??] Çuçi called for the new draft Constitution to be approved in principle. He argued that this was necessary in order to begin putting it into effect. This does not mean taking hasty steps, something PD deputies Abdi Baleta and Bardhyl Reso, among others, rightly insisted on; but nor do people agree with making a great deal of noise about nothing. The fact that speakers from both parliamentary groups tried to find common ground was positive. Labour Party deputy Xhelil Gjoni voiced his concern that the mechanism of a vote should not be used for fundamental issues. Naturally, the new draft has its limitations and should be discussed, but it is necessary to resolve the question of the head of state, unblock state activity, further develop foreign relations, etc. The announcement with which the afternoon session began at 18:00—that the parliamentary groups had agreed to approve those chapters and articles of the Draft Constitution that would open the way to unblocking state activity—was good news, but also a factor that should help make the subsequent working sessions more productive. From the outset, the PD deputies disagreed with the consensus reached after 14:00 between representatives of the parliamentary groups, and therefore also with the position of their own party’s parliamentary group. As a result, the session was suspended and there was a break until 21:30, while the parliamentary delegations discussed how to reach a consensus on what to do. the chapter dealing with human freedoms and rights. Further progress was to be made toward approving the draft Constitution. We think this action by the PD deputies makes no sense, given that the PPSH deputies accepted the alternative put forward by the PD itself through its parliamentary representative. Meanwhile, it should be stressed that when the Assembly’s work was suspended, a consensus had been reached that after one week the draft Constitution would be approved in principle and, if necessary, the voting mechanism would also be used. Although the PPSH deputies abandoned approval of the draft Constitution in principle and accepted the proposal of the PD parliamentary representative, the PD deputies delayed the continuation of the Assembly’s work by refusing to accept even this consensus. The question is: whom does this serve? The people, who are waiting for the state to begin functioning as soon as possible. The new elections have set us the principal task of placing at the head of the Party organizations people with as much education as possible. We have considerable weaknesses in this respect, but Party organizations at the grassroots are being organized… [unclear] … During the last two months, more than 50 new [organizations?] have been established, mainly from among the intelligentsia. KQÇO” … the People’s Assembly after a … better acquainted with the new draft Constitution and exchanged constructive views on it. Constitution—was placed on the agenda. By 14:00, when the Assembly’s work was suspended until it resumed at 18:00, around 20 speeches had been made. Considering the diversity of views expressed by PPSH and PD deputies who took the floor, it must be said that two opinions, or rather two positions, clearly emerged. The first concerns increasing efforts to unblock, as soon as possible, the activity and functioning of the rule-of-law state through the approval of a modern fundamental legal act, and giving it effect; the second, in the name of the need to study and avoid rushing the drafting of the Constitution, postpones this goal indefinitely. For example, PD deputy Vagjel Stamo said in his speech that the People’s Assembly should remain in session for a full year, working on drafting new laws for the rule-of-law state, and that new elections should be held after that! We would not be wrong to express the opinion of many, many citizens in saying that such a thing would cause great harm to Albanian society and the state in the difficult circumstances they are going through. The people rightly expect this Assembly to deliberate with the utmost responsibility and approve the Constitution as soon as possible, elect the President and the new Government, and set the country on the path of development of the rule-of-law state. It is abundantly clear that today the state faces very great difficulties in functioning, which harms not only economic stabilization but also social stability. Look at what is happening in many cities. The law is being violated left and right, and no one is held accountable. The economy, which has been on the rails of a market economy, requires effective, swift measures and not endless delays, as could happen if the Assembly continues its work for weeks on end… [The article continues in the following columns:] PPSH deputy Lufter Xhuveli emphasized the need to unblock state activity. Below, deputy Lufter Xhuveli expressed his view on the general discussion of the Draft Constitution and approval in principle of the version presented. The Assembly should commit, he said, to ensuring that every legislative measure undertaken after the Draft Constitution is approved in principle is preceded by discussion and approval of the relevant constitutional article, the article that would open the way to passing laws. He presented another option, which would come from joint meetings, consisting of presenting and approving several key principles that would open the way to the normal functioning of the state, the election of the president and the formation of the government. This deputy urged his colleagues to feel deeply their great civic duty toward the people when discussing the draft Constitution. The PD deputy who spoke next, Genc Ruli, rejected the request for approval of the draft Constitution in principle and made a proposal that was received with interest by all the deputies and had common ground with the second option proposed by deputy Lufter Xhuveli: in order not to block the work of state bodies, an inter-parliamentary commission should draft a package of laws setting out several essential principles; state activity would begin on the basis of this legislative package, that is, the President and the new Government would be elected. He also proposed establishing a multiparty commission to draft a new constitution. In his speech, Labour Party deputy Namik Dokle emphasized the urgent need to begin the functioning of the rule-of-law state. He then focused on the draft Constitution document submitted for discussion and approval and on the progress of the pluralist parliament’s work. He pointed out the Albanian government delegation said that he once again emphasized the importance the Albanian government attaches to these relations and international relations. Labour Party deputy Leontev in principle. He argued that this was necessary so that measures in the economic sphere could begin to be implemented as soon as possible. He pointed out that the sections dealing with the economy in the draft Constitution open the way to new processes for integrating our economy into the currents of European economic development. PPSH deputy Fehmi Avdia, in his speech, made clear the … major [change?] in the new draft Constitution, in the section dealing with the separation of powers. In their speeches, PD deputies Arben Imami and Berlim Çela made many criticisms of the new draft Constitution. Agim Mero did likewise, saying that a package of laws should be approved to clear the way for state activity. The second morning session began with a speech by PD deputy Pjetër Arbnori. Labour Party deputy Shkëlqim Cani spoke next. “The economy demands that the procedure be speeded up,” he said. He then explained why: it is at a standstill, in a state of complete crisis. Labour Party deputy Shone Korbeci also discussed these ideas. It is essential that foreign firms be brought in and begin operating. Yet economic ties with foreign countries are somewhat restricted, somewhat blocked. In this sense, we must note that quite a few speakers in yesterday morning’s sessions viewed these issues from the standpoint of “the ruling party should take responsibility.” But in this particular case, the people have no money. … In the final session, the deputies interrupted their discussion of the Draft Constitution, agreeing with the proposal of three representatives of the parliamentary groups that the report prepared on the events in Shkodër be presented. The deputies requested the information from the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Order. Nevertheless, deputy Ajli Alushani [raised?] this issue. The deputies’ questions, suggestions and proposals will help ensure that the final report on this matter is presented as soon as possible. The Assembly will continue its work today at 11:00 and will begin with discussion of the main constitutional provisions. (Photo: ATSH)

— PUKE — In the office of Ndue Rexhepi, secretary of the district Labour Party committee, a debate is under way about a study conducted by a working group from the apparatus on setting up the Party’s basic organizations. The proposal is for them to be organized on a territorial basis, mainly in the countryside: every village, regardless of its size, should have a basic organization. Here, communists who live in the village but work in state enterprises can also take part in Party life. The study has been completed, down to listing the names of the communists for each basic organization. But how many will there be across the district? The answer: of the 154 organizations, about 102 are expected to remain. Other forms of organizational structure are also being debated. For example, there are the repair and services enterprise (in the NRSH, the municipal housing enterprise), but it is thought that they should have one Party organization because they share common problems. The same applies to the Party organization of the secondary school and that of the city’s cultural sector, etc. There is more debate about enterprises. Some believe that organizations should be formed within enterprises, regardless of what others do; the Labour Party organization has matters to deal with in its own sphere and will follow the program to be approved by the 10th Congress of the PPSH. Although there was extensive debate in the apparatus, at the meeting of the Labour Party committee’s plenum, at seminars in the local areas, and at the recent meetings with delegates, there were not many objections to the study; it is considered implementable. But what remains to be done, given that the meetings are still not being held? Meetings with the communists who will participate in the meetings of the basic organizations under the new structure have been held. The instructors of the Labour Party committee apparatus and the delegates are at the grassroots; only the meetings for the new elections remain. The first meeting was held by the Labour Party organization of the health sector in the town of Pukë. Thus, the election campaign is entering an important phase. We can meet again to discuss the draft statute and the new program. The renewal of the basic organizations, in organizational terms and through individuals, must not be delayed; it is also a priority for the life of the Party.

— According to a conversation with Gjergji Milo, secretary of the Kolonjë district Party committee. — As part of the election campaign, more than one improvement has also been made to the district Party bureau. In support of these changes, the Labour Party apparatus has also been renewed. It has currently been reduced by 60 percent, and the plan is to have a much smaller, more efficient apparatus with no more than 9 employees, all with higher education. As for the Party’s organization, the general view is that it should be arranged on both a territorial and a production basis. We have established Party organizations in almost every village. We still have 5 villages without their own organization, and we are working to establish one in each within this year through new admissions. Organizing the Party in the town is somewhat more complicated. The number of basic organizations across the district, currently 131, is expected to…

The campaign for the election of deputies to the People’s Assembly, among other things, showed us what negative things we have, what we need to strengthen, and what we should cast off as alien; it also showed that we need to speak more concretely about the work of the Party. During the election campaign, we saw that efforts to strengthen the Party’s basic organizations, and especially their leadership, need to be stepped up in the villages of Erme...nijt, Kishtës, Tunjes and Bulçarit, where there has been more apathy and a lack of commitment to the situation, as well as weak political work with people. The new elections have set us the main task of putting people with as much education as possible at the head of the Party organizations, because in this structure we have quite a few weaknesses… the Party’s grassroots structures are being organized organically in the villages… the latter are newly created organizations. The issue is… in the city… a part… the organizations… those in the city, where there will be… communists who work in the internal affairs bodies, in the judiciary, in mass organizations, etc.

— VLORE — The current elections in the Labour Party are aimed particularly at clarifying and better assimilating its program, and committing to its implementation. How can these aims be achieved more effectively? The district Party committee’s bureau discussed this concern in recent days. First, it considered the organizational structure of the Party in the district. Among other things, a study was approved, with the necessary comments and suggestions, for an organization suited to the current situation. On this basis, the number of Party organizations will also be reduced by more than 50 percent. Care was taken in grading the existing basic organizations. Attention was also drawn to the full implementation of democracy in the election process, both in discussions of candidates and in voting, etc. Everything should… contribute to strengthening debate, naturally on an informed and constructive basis. … the election of members to head the Party organizations, members with… culture and ability to understand and properly manage the new processes… The district Party bodies were also discussed… with valuable [proposals?], which will… and be further refined; a proposal was made to the plenum concerning the size of the… and its composition, as well as the… of the Party in the district. The opinions generally… stemmed from the idea and concern that the election campaign should focus more on discussion of the program and the Party’s draft statute, in order to lay, in every… a sound basis for the process of its… Correspondent of “The People’s Voice”

Xhulio Andreoti once again confirms his desire to make his friendly visit to Albania soon Yesterday morning, Italy’s Prime Minister, Xhulio Andreoti, received Aleks Luarasi, Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers of the People’s Republic of Albania. At the meeting, they discussed recent developments in Albania, relations between our two countries, and the situation in the Balkans and Europe. It is reported that Mr Aleks Luarasi briefed the Italian prime minister on the ongoing processes of democratization in Albania, the elections that had been held, and the progress of the pluralist parliament’s work. He highlighted the many responsibilities of the Albanian government in overcoming the economic difficulties facing our country and in achieving the broadest possible cooperation among the country’s political forces to establish the political stability so necessary at the present stage. Assessing political developments and relations between Italy and Albania, the head of the Albanian government delegation said that … once again the importance the Albanian government attaches to these relations, as well as the role they play in the framework of our country’s international relations. Regarding cooperation in Europe, he spoke on this occasion about the results of exchanges between senior political figures of our two countries, which have given new impetus to expanding areas of cooperation between Italy and Albania, and expressed the Albanian side’s wish that this positive experience gained be raised to the level of… (Continued on page 4)