On Sunday, alongside the communiqué on the meeting of the 17th Plenum of the Central Committee, the Draft Program of the Albanian Party of Labour was published in «Zëri i popullit». This document, which had been distributed within the Party several days earlier as part of preparations for the 10th Congress, is being published to meet a request from the wider public, which is interested in the path the Party of Labour has embarked upon and the profound democratic changes it is undertaking. For any program, even a quite ordinary one, some questions are entirely natural, indeed elementary: What does this program represent? What is it based on and what does it bring? Who prepared it, and what value does it have? And so on. This is all the more true of a draft such as the present program of a party like the PPSH, with its own path, its efforts and achievements, its experience but also its mistakes, its demands for survival and an equal readiness to be new and respond to the developments of the times and to situations as they arise. So, what does this new program represent, the draft of which we all have in our hands? Most visibly, it brings a further escalation of all the changes the Party itself has prepared and undertaken in recent years, both in its own activities and in the other fields covered by the platform it puts forward and defends. It is also a further advance on the program the Party presented during the campaign for elections to the People’s Assembly. As is known, this electoral platform received general approval not only within the Party but also among the broad masses of working people, across different social groups and age groups; it was therefore supported, as was confirmed in the March 31 elections. Thus, in a sense, this program is not entirely new, that is, unexpected. It is not a «clean slate». It has been taking shape for some time, at least since the 8th Plenum of the CC, which opened the way for many developments and comprehensive changes that gave impetus to the most positive democratic processes. In this intensive activity, the Party of Labour had the leading role until yesterday, as the country’s only political party, while today it is the most authoritative political force, fighting for democracy by democratic means itself. This program, then, was brought forth by the times we are living through, by developments inside and outside the country, in the East and West, in Europe and around the world. It was not prepared in offices or in just a few days, but over a long period, something that led to their separation from the people and undermined the Party’s prestige, through violations of human rights and sectarian attitudes in the name of the class struggle». The same can be said of the determination our Party has to break away from dogmatism and subjectivism, which have their source especially in those models of economic and social order adopted under our conditions, and in influences over time from various countries of the East. The renewal of the Party has in fact already begun, since it is inseparable from all these changes taking place in the country’s social and political life, and from changes in mentality and psychology. But this program takes that process further through the breadth of the fields it covers, from ideological and political matters to economic and social ones, as well as foreign policy. In this context, major tasks undoubtedly arise for the Party’s bodies and organizations and for all its members, since renewal will extend much further—not only in breadth, but especially in depth, and without one-sidedness. First and foremost, therefore, great dedication and a high level of awareness are needed, so that everyone gives their utmost in the effort to further strengthen our Party in the substance of its activities and in the quality of its ranks. This has been and remains a wish and demand of the people, and the time has come to implement it consistently, without hesitation—now or never. Good programs come to life when they are implemented. This is our main front. And there is an enormous amount for us to do. It is entirely possible to secure the serious commitment of the Party’s membership to the major problems facing the country, because only then will the bureaucracy and bureaucrats truly be cleared out, the corrupt and corruption be cast aside wherever they persist, the crisis be overcome and stability restored, and the shaken confidence of part of the people regained. It is clear to everyone that the renewal of the Party is threatened by many opponents, both inside and outside it. It is threatened by opposition propaganda, which openly and deliberately speaks of the impossibility of renewal; it is impeded by conservatism, from which we have not yet broken free; it is also hampered by some shadows of doubt among other strata and categories of the Party, which remain active. But above all, this vital process is threatened by that outdated method we encounter every day and which will intensify, however it appears and whoever displays it. How often we are encountering a kind of apathy in [?] ... to present a ... for ... the green light for many developments; for comprehensive changes that gave impetus to the most positive democratizing processes. In this intensive activity, the Party of Labour has a role and activity like yesterday, as the only political party in the country, for democracy only through democratic means. Thus, this program was brought about by the times we are living through, by developments at home and abroad, in the East and West, in Europe and a few days, but in the course of real life and to respond to what the people want: faster developments, the overthrow of the old bureaucracy and privileged officials, the sluggishness of the apparatuses, and the freedom for people’s initiative, words, and work. In preparing this democratic climate, the Party of Labour has an indisputable merit, which nothing can tarnish, no matter how much nihilistic hysteria is stirred up around it. Comrade Ramiz Alia has his own honored place in this contribution, as the initiator and most zealous implementer of these developments, the leader of the direction of the Party of Labour. This deeply reformed draft program, as well as the Party’s Draft Statute, which is now being discussed and commented on, is also his direct contribution. Programs have value when they respond to their time and are sincere in what they say. Of course, the future will be the surest test. But confidence begins to take shape when one analyzes the past, recognizes what was good, while also taking a deeply critical stance toward shortcomings and mistakes, and identifies their causes and responsibility. In this program, the Party of Labour states clearly and forcefully that it is determined to break definitively with everything that was wrong in the past: with the restriction of democracy in economic and social life and within the Party; with the merging of party and state power; with the administrative, command-style methods that fostered and encouraged bureaucratism in the apparatuses and among people in power, privileges, and the promotion to positions of responsibility of incapable people who did not enjoy trust. ... to turn many opponents against it, both within and outside it. It is threatened by openly expressed opposition propaganda, deliberately directed against the stability of renewal; it is hampered it is also hampered by lingering Party that are that outdated method which punishes us day after day and which must be forcibly uprooted, however it appears and whoever practices it. How often we are punished by apathetic play-acting in Party organizations and their district apparatuses. How can it be that people still wait for everything, for what the Central Committee or the district will say? What is this vertical structure that they cannot dismantle, with its mechanical transmission of directives and instructions? How can this abandonment of mass organizations, especially the youth, be explained, on the assumption that they are entities in their own right? The lack of cooperation with them, and of treating them as equals, isolates the Party. Today is a different time. Today there is not just one party, but the Party. Each seeks to be the standard-bearer, but given the circumstances the country is going through, the time at which they were formed, and especially their orientations, not all can fulfill this role. But our Party is the party of the majority, the one that will form the government. Nevertheless, the Party, not only at the center but everywhere in the districts and at the grassroots, “will no longer be a partner of state bodies. On the contrary, it will be a strong opponent of theirs in defending people’s interests, in accordance with state laws and against every injustice, arbitrary action, etc., standing up even more forcefully than the opposition. This is how the masses support us, and this is how the Party will be invigorated and renewed. The draft program we have before us is open to comments from everyone. Every opinion and comment will be most welcome, so that it can be improved further and, as such, lead the way into the times to come with clear thinking and complete conviction about the great turning points we are marking.

(ATSH) The day before yesterday, May 5, Martyrs’ Day, our people remembered with deep honor and respect their sons and daughters who gave their blood on the altar of the nation for the liberation of the homeland. At 10:00, at the National Martyrs’ Cemetery in the capital, the President of the Republic of Albania, Ramiz Alia, went to pay his respects. An honor guard was drawn up in front of the «Mother Albania» monument. As the brass band played funeral marches, President Ramiz Alia laid a wreath beside the «Mother Albania» monument bearing the inscription «Glory to the Martyrs». Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly by the vice-chairmen of the Presidium, Aleksandër Meksi and Lush Përpali, and on behalf of the Council of Ministers by its chairman, Fatos Nano, and deputy chairman, Shkëlqim Cani. A wreath was laid on behalf of the People’s Council and the Executive Committee of the Tirana district. Also present at the ceremony were the chairman of the PP parliamentary group, Ismail Lleshi, and the chairman of the PD parliamentary group, Neritan Ceka. President Ramiz Alia and the other senior dignitaries stood in silence before the «Mother Albania» monument as the National Anthem played. The honor guard then marched ceremonially past the President of the Republic. President Ramiz Alia also met there with residents of the capital who had come to pay their respects.

- SHKODËR - Paying tribute to the sons and daughters who gave their lives on the altar of the country’s freedom, independence and progress, workers from workplaces and production centers, members and relatives of martyrs’ families, veterans, members and relatives of martyrs’ families, and young people from the city of Shkodër went the day before yesterday morning to the district’s martyrs’ cemetery to pay their respects. They laid flowers there. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the People’s Council and the Executive Committee of the district People’s Council. Representatives of political parties and social organizations visited the families of martyrs and heroes. - GJIROKASTËR - To honor the memory of the immortal lives and deeds of the sons and daughters who gave their lives for the liberation of the country, workers from workplaces and production centers, deputies and councilors, from the city of Gjirokastër went the day before yesterday to the district’s martyrs’ cemetery, where they paid their respects and laid bouquets of flowers. and heroes. - FIER - The residents of the city of Fier and [?] - KORÇË - The people of the Korçë district paid deep respect the day before yesterday to the memory and deeds of those who fell for the liberation of the country. On this occasion, a memorial ceremony was held at the district martyrs’ cemetery on the «Partizanu» Hills. Tributes were paid here and wreaths were laid on behalf of the People’s Council ...

To honor the memory of those who fell, leaders of the CC of the Party of Labour, the Democratic Party, the OMONIA organization, the Republican Party, the Agrarian Party, the Ecological Party, the Social Democratic Party, the National Unity Party, the National Committee of Veterans of the Albanian People’s War, the General Council of the FDSH, the Union of Independent Trade Unions, the Trade Union Federations of Workers, the Albanian Islamic Community, the patriotic political association «Çamëria» and other social organizations paid their respects and laid wreaths and bouquets of flowers beside the «Mother Albania» monument. political association «Çamëria» and other social organizations. (ATSH)

The residents of the city of Fier and the surrounding villages, deputies and councilors, members and relatives of martyrs’ families, veterans, young people, school pupils, etc., went yesterday afternoon to the district martyrs’ cemetery, where they paid their respects and laid bouquets of flowers on the graves of the sons and daughters who gave their lives for the liberation of the country. The residents of the city of Fier and the surrounding villages, deputies and councilors, members and relatives of martyrs’ families, veterans, young people, school pupils, etc., went yesterday afternoon to the district of flowers on the graves the liberation of the country. Wreaths were laid beside the obelisk on behalf of the People’s Council mazë e vendosën tufa me lule. - KORÇË - The people of the Korçë district paid profound district martyrs’ cemetery on the «Partizani» the district People’s Council, as well as bouquets of flowers by representatives of political parties, other social organizations of the district, etc. Also the day before yesterday, representatives of government bodies, political parties and social organizations paid vi- (Continued on page 3)

On the occasion of May 5, Martyrs’ Day, the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Republic of Albania laid a wreath at the «Mother Albania» monument and paid its respects at the National Martyrs’ Cemetery. The head of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kostaç Çifligu, was present at the ceremony. (ATSH)

At the invitation of the Foreign Policy Committee of the Romanian Parliament, a delegation of the People's Assembly of the Republic of Albania set off for Bucharest. It will take part in a meeting of representatives of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of the Balkan States, to be held in Bucharest on May 7–9, 1991. The delegation is headed by deputy Xhelil Gjoni and consists of deputies Prof. Dr. Lufter Xhuveli and Petrika Minga. (ATSH)

Yesterday, the second mission of the International Monetary Fund arrived in our country, headed by Prof. Mario Blejer. Yesterday, our country, headed by Prof. Mario Blejer. At Rinas Airport, the mission was received by Deputy Minister of Finance Anastas Angjeli and Deputy General Director of the Albanian State Bank Kamer Myftari. The mission will stay in Albania for about 10 days and will meet with all central ministries and institutions regarding the latest developments in our country. It will also present a summary report on the progress of the work it has carried out so far concerning the economic situation in Albania over a multi-year period. Meetings will be held in particular with specialists from the Ministry of Justice regarding the legislative changes recently made in our country. (ATSH)

Yesterday, at 10:00, the People's Assembly continued its work with discussions on the material presented by the Special Parliamentary Commission concerning the progress of the investigations into the events in Shkodër on April 1–2, 1991. The chairman of the Special Parliamentary Commission, deputy Agli Alushani, responding to several deputies’ request to review the materials of the investigative group, said that this was not in the interests of the case, since the investigation had not yet been completed. The discussions then began. Around 40 deputies took the floor. As on the previous days, what the discussions had in common was the People's Assembly’s serious commitment to help speed up the investigation and see it through to the end. Speaking about the importance of resolving the Shkodër issue, it was stressed that this would inspire confidence and trust among citizens and would be a political guarantee that the dark forces that committed the crime would be clipped of their wings. Many deputies called on the new Government to be formed to promptly prepare a law on the depoliticization of state bodies; to restructure and reform the entire apparatus of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, separating the police and public-order forces from State Security; to give the rapid-intervention units a very clear legal status, etc. At the afternoon session, which opened at 17:30, since there were no further speakers, the chairman of the Council of Ministers, deputy Fatos Nano, took the floor and expressed the Government’s commitment (Continued on page 3)

Addressed to the President of the Republic, Ramiz Alia His Excellency Mr. Ramiz Alia, President of the Republic of Albania On the occasion of your election as President of the Republic of Albania, I send you, in the name of the Greek people and in my own name, my warmest congratulations and my best wishes for the progress and prosperity of the Albanian people. I am convinced that the friendly relations between our two countries will be further strengthened in the interest of both sides. KONSTANTIN KARAMANLIS President of the Republic of Greece the Republic of Albania, I offer my warmest congratulations on your successful election and my wishes for the country’s further development along the path of democracy and progress. I am convinced that relations between our two countries will continue to develop in the interests of the Bulgarian and Albanian peoples, and of cooperation and peace in the Balkans and the world. ZHELE ZHELEV Chairman of the Republic of Bulgaria