At last, the long-awaited session of the People’s Assembly took place. It was the session for proposing and approving the President of the Republic of Albania. For days, people everywhere had been living with the pressing question: Who would be president? A truly historic moment. The difficult circumstances we are going through made the election of the president all the more solemn and important. Would the highest office of the Albanian state be filled by a person who truly personifies the unity of the Albanian people? With this sense of responsibility, the deputies began the regular session of the People’s Assembly yesterday at 9:00 a.m. The formula for the President’s oath, drafted by a special commission on the basis of proposals made by the deputies the previous day, was approved here. It was also decided to establish a special commission to draft the Constitution. The number, composition, and duties of this commission will be determined by the Presidium of the People’s Assembly together with the three parliamentary groups. The Assembly then moved to the second item on the agenda: Election of the Head of State. Deputy Xhelil Gjoni of the PP took the floor on this matter and, on behalf of 30 members of parliament, presented a nomination for the office of President of the Republic. Speaking for the deputies proposing the candidate, he said: “It is an honor and a pleasure, on their behalf, to invite parliament to elect Comrade Ramiz Alia to this position of historic responsibility.” Comrade Ramiz Alia, Deputy Xhelil Gjoni pointed out, is a perso- “We still need such a figure,” he said, “who is a guarantee of social peace and calm, a hope for emerging from the grave situation, and a hope for the unity of the people.” In conclusion, he invited the deputies to approve the nomination presented, unanimously. Then Deputy Ahmet Kamberi of the PP took the floor and, on behalf of 30 deputies, proposed Deputy Namik Dokle as a candidate for President of the Republic of Albania. The group of deputies from the PD did not put forward any candidate for the office of president. Kastriot Islami, Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, read the statements of the two candidates put forward, who agreed to the proposal that they be elected President of the Republic of Albania. Discussions followed and lasted about four hours. Yesterday, listeners and viewers heard the full content of the deputies’ discussions on the candidacies for the next President of the Republic of Albania via radio and television. Everyone has formed their own opinion of the contributions made by deputies from the Democratic Party and the Party of Labour. Given the figure Comrade Ramiz Alia represents today, it was natural for the discussions by 22 deputies of the Party of Labour and 23 deputies of the Democratic Party to focus on his personality. And that is indeed what happened. The deputies of the Party of Labour, expressing their wish— —[?] expressed the view that Ramiz Alia does honor to this country. In some speeches by PD deputies, unlike on other occasions, we heard language that is unbecoming of a deputy’s office and has nothing in common with freedom of speech and pluralism of opinion. We do not say this because many of them criticized and reproached Ramiz Alia; such a thing is natural from the opposition, all the more so because Ramiz Alia is also the leading figure of the Party of Labour. For example, we believe that all those who followed yesterday’s session on radio and television cannot approve of the language used in their speeches by some Democratic Party deputies. They have the right to say what they think, but regardless of political position, one must show respect—if not for the truth, then at least for the most basic standards of courtesy and decency—when discussing such an important figure as the President of the Republic. Nevertheless, the people will judge better than anyone—including better than we can in these columns—how the deputies of the Party of Labour and the Democratic Party conducted their discussions. At around 1:00 p.m., the discussions of the candidates for President came to an end. A seven-member group was set up to supervise and organize the secret ballot, with OMONIA deputy Panajot Barka as its chair. The voting immediately began— (Photo: ATSH)

We have a long road ahead of us. On this road, we are united by the aspirations of the people, by the desire to make Albania a country where an advanced economy and culture, democratic life, and the rule of law move forward in step.

(Photo: ATSH) COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA’S SPEECH Mr. Chairman, Honorable deputies; members of the diplomatic corps, Dear friends and guests. The People’s Assembly has entrusted me with a task of very great responsibility before the people and the homeland, before the Constitution and the state. I thank you for this. Your confidence obliges me, guided at all times by the sacred interests of the people, to devote all my energies to this sublime task, to place at the service of the homeland everything of value that I may possess, and to sacrifice even my life if the need arises for its welfare and prosperity. I assure you that I will never lack the will, readiness, or determination to carry out this work successfully. In doing so, I hope always to have your constructive assistance, and the support and solidarity of the people. The first session of this legislature of the People’s Assembly reflects the new pluralist democratic climate created in the country after the March 31 elections. It is laying foundations and resolving—and will continue to resolve—issues of vital importance to the future of our country and our state. The people rightly hope that the parliamentary acts adopted by this Assembly will establish order and bring about the functioning of a civilized political life; ease hardships and inspire an optimistic spirit about the future; bring about profound economic restructuring and a comprehensive reform of all the country’s domestic and foreign activities. I, too, am full of hope that the People’s Assembly, as the practice of these past days has demonstrated, will become a model forum for the functioning of political pluralism, the free expression of opinion, democratic ethics, and the tolerance characteristic of cultured people. The homeland needs everyone’s intellect, work, and contribution. Let us bring our strengths together in its service, debate freely for its benefit, make decisions that express its will, and save our very last reserves of energy to make the people’s lives as good as possible. Albania needs a pluralist parliament. Today it needs an integrated pluralist parliament, where its fundamental interests converge and popular democracy is consolidated. The interests of the homeland demand this. law move forward in step. Let us work together in a constructive spirit, respecting one another’s opinions and independence, so that there may be no disappointments along the road we are following. We need sound will, a spirit of understanding, and unity to accomplish the tasks before us. No political force and no state body can solve them alone. I speak of the future that awaits us without the slightest illusion about the difficult moment we are going through, both economically and politically. We are all aware of this. But we have the means—and it is our duty—not to let this situation continue any longer. We have a hardworking and proud people, who are not accustomed to living off the sweat of others, but have always led an honest life. We have people of intellect and learning who can foresee the course of events and help the authorities guide the country along the best path. We have a People’s Assembly with a broad social base, and we have a constitutional law, which you approved yesterday, that guarantees the foundations of a state governed by law, the protection of human rights, and the achievement of social justice. We have an entire people who are determined and eager to participate directly in governing the country and advancing it. Our times offer broader opportunities for political-social and economic-financial cooperation with the world. These factors are a great advantage in overcoming the economic crisis and lack of confidence, renewing society in every respect, revitalizing its inner driving force, and invigorating state activity at every level. By subordinating our political and ideological concepts to the interests of the people, united we can return to normal life and embark on a phase of deeper transformations that will make Albania a prosperous country, rich in material and moral values. Albania has sought, and will continue to seek, the closest possible cooperation with the world. It will pursue an open foreign policy. We are ready to accept the friendship of anyone who sincerely wishes our people well and is interested in cooperating with us. Albania’s foreign policy will have no prejudices and no positions inconsistent with the trend toward democratizing international relations. At this solemn moment, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the Albanian people—to the workers, peasants, intelligentsia, women, young people, and veterans—whose confidence, support, and constant warmth have given and continue to give me the strength to work tirelessly for our great cause: preserving the freedom and independence of the homeland and advancing it in every respect. Long live the Albanian people! [Fragment at the top of the right-hand column, continued from the previous part of the article:] …[?] presented the nomination for the office of President of the Republic. After reading the deputies’ names, Xhelil Gjoni pointed out, is the most outstanding political figure in our country. He enjoys undisputed popularity at home and is widely recognized internationally. We have all had the opportunity to see his wisdom, maturity, composure, and democratic spirit in resolving the delicate and highly complicated situations we have experienced—qualities so essential in a leader, in a head of state. He went on to emphasize Ramiz Alia’s role in recent developments, which has been historically important in preventing social traumas and upheavals, often unavoidable in periods of transition, and in realizing our democracy, to use the expression of … Preç Zogaj, a deputy of the Democratic Party, offered an objective, distinctive, and interesting assessment of Ramiz Alia’s personality. He expressed the wish that Albania move toward further democratization of social relations and state policy. The deputies of the Party of Labour, expressing their strong desire for his election, argued that Comrade Ramiz Alia must be elected President of the Republic of Albania. The view of the PPSH deputies, as of thousands upon thousands of Albanians, was that the only person who could be entrusted with the presidency in the circumstances we are going through was Ramiz Alia himself, who also personifies the unity of the overwhelming majority of the Albanian people. social relations and state policy. the overwhelming majority of the Albanian people. At around 1:00 p.m., the discussions on secret ballot began immediately. This period, which lasted almost three hours, and especially the moment when the votes began to be counted in the presence of the commission, stirred deep emotions among those present. Would Ramiz Alia, a figure so respected and beloved by our people, win the presidency? The question was asked, but confidence did not waver. At last, the solemn moment arrived. After opening the ballot box and counting the votes one by one, the chairman of the voting commission announced that 245 deputies, or 98 percent of the members of the People’s Assembly, had voted. The ballots found valid numbered … (Continued on page 2)

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