YESTERDAY IN THE PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY Yesterday morning, the First Session of the 12th Legislature of the People's Assembly resumed its work. The President of the Republic of Albania, Ramiz Alia, was also present. At this session, consideration turned to the third item on the agenda: «Appointment of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, formation of the new Government». The Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly, Kastriot Islami, announced in this regard that the Presidium of the People's Assembly had received a letter from the President of the Republic of Albania, Ramiz Alia, who stated that, having accepted the resignation of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers and consulted representatives of parliamentary groups and political parties, pursuant to Article 28, point 6, of Law No. 7491, dated 29.4.1991, «On the Main Constitutional Provisions», he had decided to appoint Fatos Nano as Chairman of the Council of Ministers, to form the new Government. Consideration of the material from the special parliamentary commission on the events in Shkodër was postponed, at the commission's request, to another session. Much discussion took place concerning the establishment of the commission that would be responsible for drafting the draft constitution. This commission was tasked with drafting and preparing the draft constitution for discussion by December 1991; discussing it, receiving comments, and submitting it to the People's Assembly for consideration by March 1992. Groups of Albanian specialists from various fields will be attached to the commission. The commission will also consult groups of specialists, foreign legal experts, and specialized institutes abroad. The Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly said it was envisaged that 31 people would serve on this parliamentary commission: 16 from the PP, 9 from the PD, 1 from OMONIA, and one representative each from the other political parties not represented in the Assembly. Deputy Neritan Ceka proposed that the Republican Party be represented on this commission by two members, a proposal supported by most of those who spoke. Deputy Sali Berisha said that representatives of the Independent Trade Union Confederation should also be on the commission—which, he said, should be called constitutional—as well as lawyers and specialists who were not deputies, since, he said, there were qualified forces outside parliament who could contribute to drafting the constitution. Deputy Namik Dokle supported broader discussion in the commission, saying that both trade-union organizations—the BSP and the workers' trade-union federations—as well as other social organizations should be represented. Deputy Pjetër Arbnori, meanwhile, expressed the view that religious communities should also be represented. Most speakers were of the opinion that the commission should be constitutional, that all political forces should be represented there, and that the views of the broad mass of voters should be drawn upon more fully. In conclusion, it was agreed that during the recess the presidiums of the parliamentary groups would discuss the matter once more and reach a joint conclusion on the commission's name and composition. At the same session, the deputies approved the composition of the commission for drafting the Rules of Procedure of the People's Assembly. After the recess, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly announced that the parliamentary groups had agreed on the structure of the Constitutional Commission. It would include 10 specialists, 10 representatives from the PP, 7 from the PD, 1 from OMONIA, 2 from the Republican Party, and one representative each from the Ecological Party, the Agrarian Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the Party of National Unity, as well as from the BSP and the Workers' Trade Union Federations. This structure was approved by the deputies. Then the chairman of the Special Parliamentary Commission took the floor to ...

INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, RAMIZ ALIA: — Given to the editors-in-chief of the newspapers «Zëri i Popullit», Namik Dokle, and «Rilindja Demokratike», Errok Çupi — INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, RAMIZ ALIA: «I am confident that we can open a new page in the country's development» — Given to the editors-in-chief of the newspapers «Zëri i Popullit», Namik Dokle, and «Rilindja Demokratike», Errok Çupi — ... great opportunities for development for the good of the homeland. Contacts with the outside world will also help the country's development in the future and encourage various sectors of our life. I think we must give impetus to creative initiative in every direction, encouraging all forms of ownership: state, collective, and private. We need to make the best possible use of people's minds and give them the opportunity to act freely. When I speak of the process of democratizing life in the country, first and foremost we must think of the unfettered development of creative initiative in every field. I am convinced that we have such great creative strength everywhere: among workers, peasants, and the technical and creative intelligentsia. From this point of view, I am optimistic; despite the difficult situation we are experiencing now, I am optimistic that, within a much shorter time, good prospects will open up for economic development and the people's well-being. — Mr. President, what changes do you see in your new office as President of the Republic compared with your former position as Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly? — The difference is that when I was Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly, I was elected by an assembly at a time when we had a single party. Now, having been elected President of the Republic, I was chosen for this important office by a pluralist parliament. That is the first difference. The second difference is that, as Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly, responsibility was collective; it belonged to the entire Presidium. Now responsibility is entirely individual; that is, I am personally accountable to the People's Assembly and to the people. This, of course, is something entirely new, an essential change. Third: By ... — Mr. President. You have just been elected to this important office by the People's Assembly, by the first pluralist Albanian parliament. This has been reported as an important event throughout Albanian public opinion, at home and abroad. If the press feels it its duty to convey a message to this public through your first interview ... — How can these situations be overcome as quickly as possible and in a way that benefits the people in the near term? — I think we have the means to emerge from these difficulties. I would mention two reasons. First, I think our people are a hardworking people; our people love work, and they ... What is your opinion of the current political, economic, and social situation the country is going through? — Before speaking about the situation, I would like to single out two things. First, I want to thank all our people, the working masses of the country, and the political forces for entrusting me with this highly responsible task for the nation. Second, I would like to explain how it happened that the two newspapers of two parties that are in opposition to each other should conduct an interview together. It was a very happy coincidence. While the representative of one newspaper was waiting for me in my office, at the same moment, the representative of the other newspaper called me, also to interview me. I am glad that you agreed to make this a joint interview. As for the economic, social, and political situation: I said in my speech to the People's Assembly that it is difficult, in the sense that there are many economic, political, and social difficulties. And today, before all our people, but also before all political forces, the need for close cooperation to shoulder the work is at issue. The people want calm; the country needs economic development, because it is truly bad that things are not moving forward. Above all, the spring crops are not giving us cause for optimism; on the contrary, they are doing very badly compared with other years. It is bad that plans are also not being met in other sectors, for many reasons. Such an economic situation cannot but create social problems and cannot but leave its mark on political life. Therefore, in this situation, the general mobilization of forces is essential, particularly close cooperation among all political forces, for the good of the people and the progress of the country. Even today, in the meetings I held with representatives of parliamentary groups and political parties, I said that the necessary cooperation among the political forces could, if possible, even take the form of a government coalition. Naturally, it is for them to judge and decide on this. — near term? — people are hardworking; our people love work, and they lack neither the desire nor the will to overcome these situations. On the other hand, our country is not poor. It has considerable natural resources. We absolutely need a clear outlook for economic development and the implementation of reforms that will stimulate increased production, develop various sectors of the economy, and expand people's employment opportunities. To achieve this, we absolutely need cooperation with the outside world, in order to attract foreign investors to put our resources into economic use. But I emphasize once again: attracting foreign investors requires political stability. Without political stability, it is difficult for foreigners to invest here. Therefore, achieving this stability, overcoming these difficulties, and setting the country on the path of development depend on us, our work, and our joint efforts. Our country also has an advantage: it is a small country, and usually in a small country both good and bad become apparent immediately. But what matters most is that we are a small country, but we are not a country with debts. By debts I do not mean 100 million or 200 million dollars arising from trade deficits, but billions of dollars borrowed as loans, as others have. If we had debts, foreign investment would be made more difficult, because foreign capital does not come if a country is drowning in debt. — How do you see Albania's future after these developments? — I believe everyone should envision a much better future than the present; otherwise, why do we work? I personally have confidence in the living forces of our country, beginning with the youth, the intelligentsia, the workers and peasants, and all the country's forces. I am confident that we can overcome the current difficulties and open a new page in the development of our country. All the economic reforms carried out in our country, as well as new reforms that may follow them, should open up new prospects and will surely create a good future. essential change. Third: As Chairman of the Presidium, I simultaneously also performed the duties of First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party of Labour. Now, under the constitutional law that was approved, I must perform only the duties of President. And in fact, starting today, I will perform the duties of President, relinquishing every leadership position in the Party. This too is another fundamental change. I will try, in this office entrusted to me, to remain faithful to the people, the homeland, freedom, and independence, and to the oath I took before the People's Assembly. — Finally, what advice do you give our two newspapers? — Naturally, the newspapers belong to two different parties, and, in my capacity as President, I cannot give them any advice concerning the parties' programmes and aims. As a citizen, I would wish our newspapers, both “Zëri i Popullit” and “Rilindja Demokratike”, to serve national unity; to help the country's democratic development; and to help public opinion understand the situation and mobilize people to shoulder the work of developing the country. Of course, each newspaper retains the right to criticize, and each retains its own character, often expressing views that conflict with those of the other, but in disagreement, not in enmity. For there is a fundamental difference between disagreement and hostility. It is best for every action—not only by newspapers, but by every political party—to converge on the country's development and on strengthening the unity of the entire people. We are a small country and need close cooperation. My best wish for your newspapers would be precisely that they contribute to this, each in its own way, each from its own standpoint, but always with the principal aim of advancing and developing the country along the path on which our democratic process has embarked. On this occasion, I thank you both for this interview and wish you success in your work. Thank you. (Continued on page 2) Afterwards, you were able to meet with representatives of the two newspapers, who interviewed you. Could you tell us a little more about this conversation? — It was a brief conversation, naturally. I was accompanied by my colleagues, and this was an effort, in the took before the People's Assembly. — Finally, what advice do you give our two newspapers? — work. Thank you. (Photo: ATSH)

— Mr. President. You have just been elected to this important office by the People's Assembly, by the first pluralist Albanian parliament. This has been reported as an important event throughout Albanian public opinion, at home and abroad. If the press feels it its duty to convey a message to this public through your first interview

[Part of the article cut off at the top edge:] ...nit that will be responsible for drafting ... qualified forces that can con... public, as well as and the Special Parliamentary Commission for following the progress of investigations into the events in Shkodër of 1–2 April 1991, deputy Alj Lulashani, took the floor and presented the commission's conclusions and proposed measures. He then answered several dozen questions that deputies had addressed to the commission. He went on to read a letter that the Presidium of the People's Assembly had received from a police district in Tirana concerning this event. PD deputies protested against the reading of letters sent to the Presidium of the People's Assembly. Following these protests, Islami, suspended the session's proceedings, after having repeatedly called attention to deputies' failure to comply with the ru- (Continued on page 2) (Photo: ATSH) Further to its announcement of 25.4.1991, in accordance with the task assigned by Parliament and in response to questions and concerns raised by numerous deputies, collectives, and other people throughout the country, the Special Parliamentary Commission presents some conclusions and proposals regarding the events in Shkodër. Under the difficult circumstances of an unjustified lack of cooperation from people who witnessed the events in Shkodër, the investigative teams continue their investigative work, which is now also being supplemented by criminal prosecution proceedings against four people. Mean- while, the weapons seized and used in the incident are undergoing ballistic examination. Nevertheless, on the basis of an overall assessment of the information available so far, the Commission believes that the incident was carried out by a ... 50 quintals of meat, 40 quintals of butter, 160,000 eggs, 30 quintals of beans, 100 quintals of potatoes; it was decided that the microsurgery ward would be completed by the end of May with the necessary equipment and that an ambulance for the distri... would be provided. Press and Information Directorate attached to the Council of Ministers

As reported, workers at the chromite mines in Batër and Krrastë in the district of Mat are on strike, demanding better working conditions, improvements to their working conditions, and better living arrangements. The strike committee has met with representatives of the Council of Ministers, the General Directorate of Mines, and representatives of the Ministry of Industry, but so far no understanding has been reached. To learn about the measures taken by the relevant departments and the strikers' demands, the contacted the Ministry of Industry and representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Social Support. These discussions indicate that ... ... that the leaders of the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, including Minister Drini Mezini, have spoken several times with the strike committee. At these meetings, the miners' economic demands were generally considered justified, and concrete ways of resolving them were discussed. The director of the Workers' Supply Enterprises at the Ministry of Internal Trade has also met with the strike committee. As a result of these meetings, the number of buses available to these mines was increased to 11; deadlines were set for addressing other demands, such as accelerating construction of the water supply system; efforts were made to make up the supply shortfall at the Krrastë workers' supply enterprise by sending there 30 quintals of beans, and would be provided. According to the director of the Krrastë mining enterprise, yesterday work resumed on the first shift in several sections of the enterprise, such as Thekë and Maja e Krrastës. Representatives of the relevant ministries are continuing their contacts with the striking workers in order to end the strike, which has harmed the economy through the failure to meet chromite production targets for export.