Yesterday, the President of the Republic of Albania, Ramiz Alia, received at his residence, in separate meetings, representatives of the country’s political parties. Yesterday, the President of the Republic of Albania, Ramiz Alia, received at his residence, in separate meetings, representatives of the country’s political parties: the Party of Labour, the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, the Ecological Party and the Social Democratic Party. President Ramiz Alia spoke with them and gathered their views concerning possible candidates for the new Chairman of the Council of Ministers. At these meetings, the representatives of the country’s political parties congratulated the President of the Republic, Ramiz Alia, on his position as Head of State and, for their part, assured him that, through a shared commitment, they would make every effort to strengthen the Rule of Law. The President of the Republic, Ramiz Alia, expressed satisfaction with the normal progress of the work so far at the 12th Session of the People’s Assembly, praised the efforts made in a spirit of cooperation to approve the constitutional law, and stressed that it is in the nation’s interest for deputies, in this spirit of debate and understanding, to resolve all the important issues on the agenda of the People’s Assembly. (ATSH)

The President of the Republic of Albania, Ramiz Alia, received yesterday at his residence the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Fatos Nano, who, pursuant to Law No. 7491, dated 29.4.1991, “On the Main Constitutional Provisions”, Article 28, paragraph 6 of the same law, submitted his resignation as Chairman of the Council of Ministers, a post he has held until now. Yesterday, the President of the Republic of Albania, Ramiz Alia, received at his residence the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Fatos Nano, who, pursuant to Law No. 7491, dated 29.4.1991, “On the Main Constitutional Provisions”, Article 28, paragraph 6 of the same law, submitted his resignation as Chairman of the Council of Ministers, a post he has held until now. For his part, the President of the Republic of Albania, Ramiz Alia, accepted the resignation of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Fatos Nano, but requested that the Government continue to perform its functions until a new Government is appointed. (ATSH)

At work in the instrument factory in Korçë. (Photo: N. Xhufka)

Between two sessions of the People’s Assembly Today the People’s Assembly resumes its work and, it seems, the procedure for electing the new government will get under way. We were not accustomed to such long parliamentary meetings, but the political impression suggests that we must submit to a very serious concern: building the entire state structure without the slightest display of formalism, as a basis for creating a fully democratic society. Meanwhile, we have just celebrated 1 May, the international workers’ solidarity holiday, which, among other things, was also a day for reflection by the working class and other sections of the population on the work and struggle needed to achieve a better life. This year’s 1 May was a day of reconciliation and social calm, when people, regardless of party affiliation, showed unity, social warmth, dialogue and cooperation, as if to leave behind the spirit of confrontation, displays of excess and everything that has troubled us during the days that have passed and the first half of spring now behind us. But will social calm, this essential condition for people to get down to work—the very thing to which they devoted themselves even on the great holiday of the working class—be ensured in the days ahead? Will the pressing economic problems that have accumulated be put on the path to resolution? Will the Rule of Law, the fruit of the first pluralist parliament, begin to function with all its mechanisms, so that every cell of the economy has not only a readiness to work? Will agreements on loans and aid from abroad begin to bear fruit? Finally, will the competent authorities issue the long-awaited decision on the adjustment of wages and prices? These many questions cannot be answered easily. But one thing is certain: the better the state functions, the more quickly the Assembly demonstrates its reforming capacity, and the more capable the Government that is elected, the more secure social calm will be. We emphasize this because forces have recently appeared on the stage of our life which say ultimatively: if this or that demand is not met, we will call for strikes! The effects of strikes are well known: they paralyse economic life, bring passions to the fore and upset established political and social balances. And when? When the country’s economy is in need, when party passions are already doing us considerable harm, when our balances are very fragile. Someone may think that you are putting yourselves in the role of “strike-makers” and, consequently, that we are standing apart from the interests of the working class and others. Never! We are—and will remain—so committed that every just demand to improve people’s lives should indeed be fulfilled, but at the right time, with patience and tolerance, just as we oppose exploiting the grave economic situation for party interests. There are people and forces who think: let us put the economic situation right, and social calm will come of its own accord. We do not wish to excuse either the slowness of state bodies or the bureaucracy that has harmed us so much. But it is clear that no one expects the economic situation to be fixed at the wave of a magic wand; no one can think that the market can be filled in a day and enterprises supplied with all the raw materials and materials they need; no foreigner will invest without the necessary guarantees for the funds they put in. Therefore, the situation dictates: enough of the 80 percent, which is our debt to the state treasury and thus, indirectly, to our own pockets; enough calls for strikes; enough discussions that politicize everything; enough of the bogeyman of scenarios from various Eastern countries that supposedly must be implemented here point by point as well. Pluralism in Albania has taken a historic step. Implementing economic reform requires the thought and sweat of everyone.

A look beyond the two indicators — KOLONJË — A look beyond the two indicators — KOLONJË — The fifth month of the year has just begun, and the planning and statistics offices have still not fully processed the employment data. Nevertheless, some facts have become clear. “These facts are indisputable,” says Sokol Selinica, head of the planning sector at the executive committee of the district KP. “Overall, for the entire four-month period, the district has fulfilled the industrial gross production plan and the plan for the production of mountain products for sale. This is evidence of concern to avoid breaking the chain of achievements month after month since January, and evidence of an effort to mobilize in the face of an apparent ‘slackening of work’.” But let us look at some further details. In achieving these two indicators at district level, the greatest credit undoubtedly goes to the workers of the collection and processing enterprises in Ersekë and Leskovik. Both enterprises of this type have exceeded the plan. These two enterprises have also exceeded their export targets, especially in the processing of medicinal plants. The workers of the wood-processing enterprise, the communal services enterprise serving the public, and the commercial trading enterprise have also met their production targets, including the target for commodity turnover. These are the figures we have come to call optimistic. But they are not the only ones. The construction enterprise continues. (Continued on page 2)

— LIBRAZHD — The working class of the Librazhd district came to 1 May with a strong record of success. As always, the miners are in the lead: the collective of the iron-nickel mine, that of the chrome mine, the mine construction site in Përrojnas, and others, substantially exceeded their four-month targets. So did the other enterprises, such as the food-processing, collection and processing, forestry and communal housing enterprises, etc. A feature of this period was the overfulfilment of targets for goods sold, with positive effects on the increase in net income and profits; workers received one or two additional monthly wages, which made them more committed to their work, improving quality, strengthening discipline and a sense of economy, etc. Another characteristic was the substantial overfulfilment of export targets by all enterprises, and the aim is to achieve the five-month export objectives by 10 May. The mines alone supplied an additional 4 million 500 thousand lekë worth of products for export. But the miners do not hold back from criticism either, since their partners are hindering production and failing to meet their contractual obligations. Thousands of tons of iron-nickel ore continue to lie at the mines’ deposits and on the railway sidings. Even after work resumed at the metallurgical combine, the removal alone… (Continued on page 2)

— DURRËS — By making use of every opportunity and reserve, many enterprises in the district are making good progress in meeting their plan targets. For example, there have been achievements during this period at the cotton mill in Rrogozhinë, where the enterprises have fulfilled [the plan]. There has been good growth at the plastics enterprise. Although it depends heavily on imported raw materials and supplies, targets have been met during this period. With greater discipline and determination, the URT collective ensured that the four-month targets were completed with positive results. The NPV, the salt and coastal-products enterprise, NPN Shijak, and enterprises in industry, trade, communal services, etc., also recorded good results on 1 May. GJORG SOTIRI

I am the chief of the financial police… on paper» I was appointed by the Ministry of Finance as chief of the financial police for the district of Vlorë. But where was the Executive Committee of the KP supposed to find a chief who would recognize me as such? I went to work with them on staffing and other matters concerning this police force, while the officials told me to my face: “From what I’ve heard, they don’t have any police officers…” Someone else had earlier told me something about my role. But in the end they were forced to recognize me. In any case, now I am like a “commander without soldiers.” A staff of six was appointed by one person only after three months had passed since the relevant decree and decision! Therefore, I can say plainly that the district Executive Committee of the KP still does not properly value this duty. And it is not only a question of staffing. The Government’s decision assigns the Ministry of Finance the task of drafting the internal regulations for the financial police and, in cooperation with the executive committees of the district KPs, providing its bodies with premises, equipment, communications facilities and the necessary vehicles. We have had the regulations for a few days now. But, besides lacking the prescribed number of people, we also lack everything else provided for in the decision. We have not even got a building, let alone any dedicated premises. So, this is our situation. And it has nothing to do with a lack of means, since the conditions needed to provide us with suitable facilities are there. YLLI LOCI Chief of the financial police, Vlorë

A repeated request, because it is justified For years, the residents of Ljugaj in Tropojë have been asking for a bus to be put on the Bajram Curri–Ljugajsh line via [the route]. Jamondurrë–Ljugajt is a justified request from the residents of the three villages included in this area. Thus, all areas of the district are connected by passenger transport; some other areas have also been linked to Tirana, as on the Bajram Curri–Sopot line, which has a bus several times a day, as well as the bus routes to Tropojë, Rragam, Kam and Zogaj. There would be no harm in having a bus on the Sopot or Rragam route go down to the centre of Ljugaj, which is only 4 km away. Let this be an impetus for resolving this pressing request. NDUË ZIQI Tropojë

— GRAMSH — This year’s 1 May was a special one for the workers. This time, they came to their holiday amid the work of a pluralist People’s Assembly, which is striving to establish the Rule of Law, the best expression of the interests of working people as well. The workers in Gramsh had much to be pleased about, thanks to the sweat they had put in on various fronts of production, also on this 1 May. The enterprises of this district, through their long-standing efforts, closed the four-month period with good results. For this period, they achieved 104 percent of the plan for total industrial production and goods sold, 101 percent for total industrial production, 138 percent for exports, etc. Alongside the other enterprises, such as those for collection, food and artistic production, etc., there were also some that lagged behind, such as the construction enterprise, the goods transport depot, the repair and services enterprise, etc. PIRRO VERUSHTI

— From the President of the Italian Republic Francesco Kosiga and Prime Minister Xhulio Andreoti — MR. PRESIDENT, On the occasion of Your re-election to the office of President of the Republic by the People’s Assembly of Albania, I have the particular pleasure of expressing to You, on behalf of the Italian people and in my own name, my very best congratulations and wishes for the successful fulfilment of Your high office, with the hope that Albania will soon be able to complete the process of democratic reforms already begun, within the framework of growing cooperation with European institutions and increasingly fruitful bilateral relations between our two countries. At the same time, I wish to convey to Your Excellency my most sincere wishes for Your personal well-being. FRANCESCO KOSIGA MR. PRESIDENT, I learned with particular pleasure of Your re-election by the Albanian People’s Assembly to the office of President of the Republic. On behalf of the Italian Government and in my own name, I offer You my very best congratulations and warmest wishes for the successful fulfilment of Your new mandate. I hope that during this mandate You will be able to continue actively along the path of democratic reforms already undertaken, which will certainly encourage Albania’s rapprochement with European institutions, as well as the development of friendly and trade relations with their countries. I take this opportunity to convey my very best wishes for Your personal well-being. XHULIO ANDREOTI Rome, 2 May 1991 — From Jaser Arafati — To His Excellency, Brother Ramiz Alia, President of the Republic of Albania On the occasion of Your re-election to the office of President of the Republic of Albania, on behalf of the Palestinian people, the Palestine Liberation Organization and myself, I have the pleasure of addressing to Your Excellency, and through You to Your esteemed Government and the friendly Albanian people, my warmest and most heartfelt congratulations and my best and most sincere wishes. Your re-election to the office of President of the Republic of Albania is evidence of the clear position and great esteem You enjoy and receive from its representatives and Your people, as their representative and witness to the interest in Your re-election as President of the Republic of Albania and in Your people, for the people of Palestine and their commitment. I take this opportunity to congratulate Your Excellency personally for Your work and for Your previous support for our people in their struggle to liberate the sacred homeland of our Palestinian people, and for the people’s independence, freedom, rights and self-determination, and for the establishment of a just and lasting peace. (Continued on page 4)