Who will replace Ramiz Alia as First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party of Labour? This is a question being asked these days not only by members of the Party of Labour and its supporters, but also by people in the opposition, foreign journalists, and others. Naturally, the answer will be given by the Congress, where, as stated in the Draft Statute of the Party of Labour, the Plenum of the Central Committee is expected to elect, by secret ballot and with alternative candidates, the Political Bureau, the Secretariat and the First Secretary of the Party’s Central Committee. So one could easily say: the Congress has arrived, and everything will become clear. There, then, it will also be decided who will be First Secretary of the Party’s Central Committee. According to this logic, I too should not hurry to write on this subject this time. But, in truth, there are several reasons that prompt me to do so. What are they? As soon as Ramiz Alia was elected by Parliament to the post of President of the Republic of Albania, there were (and still are) members of the Party of Labour, as well as its supporters, who said: “Now the Party of Labour is done for... because—Does this mean someone just like the person being replaced?... Like Ramiz Alia before, and so on, and so forth.” These opinions seem to contain both sentiment and a little confusion. But sentimentality is one thing, and mature political judgment, arising from genuine love for the Party of Labour and its leader, is another. The latter, of course, must be taken seriously, because they are indeed the first condition for the reform and renewal of this party. However, perhaps I would not be going too far if I said that such questions and statements contain a measure of extremism and also smack of a personality cult. These phenomena further fuel the so-called crisis of confidence that has affected the consciences of some Party members. There can be not the slightest doubt that Ramiz Alia, as leader of the Party of Labour and until now its number one, has done a great deal to renew this party as the initiator and implementer of reforming ideas. It would be a major undertaking to try to list them in one article, or even two, three or more. At the same time, deifying him would be uncultured and pointless. His contribution to strengthening the PPSH is considerable and indisputable. But, on the other hand, I would also count among his contributions the new political climate taking shape ever more strongly in Albania, a climate in which myths about officials and leaders being “eternal” in a post are being overturned. It is in Albania’s interest that, in this climate, people increasingly prove capable of bringing down a pedestal of cult and authority. Thus, integrated into this new political climate, I believe we should also understand the fact that, prompted by developments among the people and the Party, Ramiz Alia accepted his candidacy for President, while at the 17th Plenum he expressed his conviction that Party members and supporters would understand this correctly and intensify their efforts to strengthen unity. Anyone who believes that “Now the PPSH is done for,” whether a member or a supporter, is doing nothing but keeping myths and cults alive. These myths may be kept alive by the conservative who will not accept any kind of change, whether in the Party’s structure and mentality or in Albanian relations; but they may also be kept alive by certain pseudo-reformers who, although they talk left and right about reforming the Party, in reality have their minds elsewhere. Or, to put it plainly, they are concerned with how to enrich themselves. Many of them make an alibi for their own comfortable political position when they “prophesy” about the so-called “impossibility of replacement...” rather than out of concern for the concrete issue. The Party of Labour has the chance to prove through its actions that it is against cults. From its ranks, a First Secretary can—and, it is believed, will—emerge who will earn the respect of PPSH members and supporters. This will be not only to the honour of, and a sign of vitality in, its efforts at reform, but also a genuine challenge to the ill-wishers of the PPSH, as well as a good lesson for sceptical conservatives or pseudo-reformers who have used, and are expected to use, this fact as a pretext to divide the Party. SAMI MILLOSHI

On the measures to be taken concerning the resolution of requests by persons who have been sentenced and interned Taking into account the requirements for strengthening the rule-of-law state; in order to ensure respect for human rights and achieve social justice; and to create the conditions for correcting any errors that may have been made; Pursuant to points 1 and 19 of Article 28 of Law No. 7491, dated 29.4.1991, “On the Main Constitutional Provisions,” it is hereby decided as follows: 1. A commission shall be established under the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania to attend to the placement in employment, housing and other administrative requests of individuals and families affected by the repealed decree “On Internment and Expulsion as an Administrative Measure,” as well as of persons convicted of political offences who have been released from prison through pardon or upon completion of their sentences. This commission shall also study other problems arising from the elimination of the consequences of the implementation of the aforementioned decree. 2. Various state or social bodies, as well as interested persons who have information and evidence concerning the lack of basis for criminal court judgments, shall submit them to the President of the Supreme Court, the Prosecutor General or the Minister of Justice. Under the law, they have the right to file a request for the protection of legality, seeking acquittal by the courts of those who were unjustly convicted. The Supreme Court shall inform public opinion from time to time about this activity. This decision enters into force on 15 May 1991. PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC RAMIZ ALIA Tirana, 8. 5. 1991.

At the port of Durrës. (Photo: N. Xhufka)

Yesterday afternoon, the President of the Republic of Albania, Ramiz Alia, received a group of businesspeople from Saudi Arabia, led by Sheikh Hassan Enany. During the reception, which was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, President Ramiz Alia expressed to the guest from Saudi Arabia his desire to further strengthen the ties between our two peoples, which are rooted in the traditional and historic friendship between the Albanian people and the Arab peoples. The conversation covered the considerable opportunities for developing exchanges and relations in the fields of the economy, trade and other areas, as well as the readiness to put these opportunities into practice as soon as possible. The goodwill desire to establish diplomatic relations between Albania and Saudi Arabia was also emphasized. The Deputy Minister of Trade and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries, Kostandin Hoxha, was also present at the reception. (ATSH)

Yesterday, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Dr. Kastrjot Islami, received the chairman of the Council of Europe Commission “Democracy through Law,” Prof. Antonio La Pergola. At the meeting, he briefed the distinguished Italian figure on the functioning of the first pluralist parliament and on the content of the new law “On the Main Constitutional Provisions,” the fundamental act on which all the activities of our state are based, among other matters. Dr. Kastrjot Islami emphasized the need for close cooperation between Albania and the Council of Europe Commission “Democracy through Law,” for access to specialized legal expertise, especially in drafting the new Constitution, for exchanges of specialists, and for organizing seminars on specific topics, etc. He also expressed the wish that Albania become an associate member of this Commission. Prof. La Pergola praised the steps taken in Albania in the context of democratization processes and in every sphere of life, and expressed his own readiness, as well as that of the Commission he heads, to respond positively to the requests of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly. (Continued on page 4)

At the invitation of the Minister of Justice, Dashamir Kore, the chairman of the Council of Europe Commission “Democracy through Law” and member of the European Parliament, Prof. Antonio La Pergola, arrived in our country yesterday. At Rinas Airport he was welcomed by the Minister of Justice, Dashamir Kore, Foreign Ministry department director Petraq Pojani, and others. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Italian Republic in Tirana, Torquato Cardilli, was also present. Yesterday, the chairman of the Council of Europe Commission “Democracy through Law,” Prof. Antonio La Pergola, was received in separate meetings by the Minister of Justice, Dashamir Kore, and the President of the Supreme Court, Kleanthi Koçi. At these meetings, he was briefed on the changes that have been made and are currently being made to Albanian legislation; the work undertaken to draft and adopt new legal acts aimed at consolidating the rule-of-law state, establishing pluralist democracy and respecting human rights in accordance with contemporary international standards; and the various measures taken in this regard. The need for cooperation with the relevant European bodies, and especially with the Council of Europe Commission “Democracy through Law,” was emphasized during these meetings. (ATSH)

Yesterday morning, the Director General of the Albanian State Bank, Niko Gjyzhari, received the second mission of the International Monetary Fund, headed by Prof. Mario Blejer. After welcoming the mission, he expressed confidence that the IMF’s second mission would further encourage efforts to bring Albania into the International Monetary Fund. Our Government, he noted, has also undertaken to see Albania’s participation in this important international monetary and financial organization through to completion. We are working intensively toward this end. We have clarified many issues concerning the Economic Reform we are implementing, on which we very much need your views as well. I requested this meeting with you, Niko Gjyzhari emphasized, in order to discuss together several matters of interest, such as the economic situation we are going through and financial issues concerning the normalization of relations with banks, and to exchange views on the implementation of the Economic Reform, etc. He also stressed that the economic programme of the Albanian Government, which will be presented to the People’s Assembly, would give high priority to improving the situation in the country, as well as to relations with states and international organizations. For his part, Prof. Mario Blejer thanked them for the warm welcome and said: “I want to tell you how far we have got and what things we want to do with you. The purpose of the IMF’s second mission,” he emphasized, “is to complete the process of Albania’s membership in the International Monetary Fund. To do this, we must complete the documentation concerning the structure of the economy and obtain all the information needed to calculate the membership quota. To achieve this,” Prof. Blejer noted, “we are asking for your help. In March, when we were in Albania, we worked on collecting the ma-

On 9 January, an embassy of the Republic of Albania in the USA, Raman Beru i prit? Embassy of the USA? Ambassador Robert Berg, Special Adviser to the US Deputy Secretary of State, Lorenc I. Eagleberger. During the meeting, satisfaction was expressed with the discussions on restoring relations between the USA and Albania, and with the desire to make these strong relations concrete quickly.

On 9 January, an embassy of the Republic of Albania in the USA... On 9 January, an embassy of the Republic of Albania in the USA, Raman Beru i prit? Embassy of the USA? Ambassador Robert Berg, Special Adviser to the US Deputy Secretary of State, Lorenc I. Eagleberger. During the meeting, satisfaction was expressed with the discussions on restoring relations between the USA and Albania, and with the desire to make these strong relations concrete quickly. After being briefed on the current political and economic situation in Albania, Ambassador Robert Berg praised the stabilizing role Albania could play in the current regional situation. (ATSH) (Continued on page 4)

Recently we have been experiencing something tragic. Thousands of Albanian citizens have left the country for Italy, Greece and elsewhere, by legal and illegal means. It is painful for their families, painful for Albania, painful for all of us who wish to see our country become like the rest of Europe. Alongside this wound, which has yet to heal, new ones are opening. Today another strange phenomenon is occurring: flour from small bakeries is flowing out. Especially? those, if they were thrown away, tomorrow with bread... From information received and contacts with citizens in the border districts, we learn that livestock is being stolen in these areas from cooperatives and agricultural enterprises, as well as from residents of nearby villages. Other people are being robbed too. As if nothing were wrong, in some cases quite openly, herds of livestock, cows and even calves are driven across the border. They sell them privately wherever they can. They have certainly made a profit, considering the prices abroad and here. This is happening for the reason that it is as if there are no economic managers, as if there are no guards or no border line, let alone law-enforcement bodies and customs officers. And still, there are rules in the world (for exporting goods from one country to another), indeed very strict ones. Cooperatives, as mentioned in the recent decision, are entities in their own right, and direct trade abroad may also be carried out. But cross-border trade too is governed by rules and laws that must be observed. What is happening today is not cross-border trade by individual legal or natural persons, but smuggling. For it is not only livestock that is leaving, but also other agricultural products that we currently import from abroad. We are importing potatoes and onions, as well as meat. Why is this happening? It is happening because the prices of some domestic products are higher than the prices we have here. Adjusting these prices without delay is one factor that can limit this “exodus” of agricultural products. But that is not all: every state has strict border and customs laws and regulations, licences, law-enforcement forces and guards, and more. Unless these are strengthened, the actions now being observed—which may only be at their very beginning—cannot be prevented. All the relevant authorities are called upon to take swift measures to stop this economic “haemorrhage,” which has become deeply troubling. SELIM HOXHA

Addressed to the President of the Republic, Ramiz Alia On behalf of the Democratic League of Kosovo and in my own name, we congratulate you on your election as President of the Republic of Albania, wishing that Albania may become a democratic republic, strong in democracy, and that the Albanian people, free, may advance through democratic processes. We believe that the democratic processes in Albania, which have had and continue to have your support and that of other democratic forces, will develop and deepen further. I take this opportunity to express our satisfaction with the resolution of the People’s Assembly of the Republic of Albania on Kosovo, and to wish for cooperation and comprehensive unity among all Albanians. Dr. IBRAHIM RUGOVA Prishtina, 7 May 1991 His Excellency Mr Ramiz Alia President of the Republic of Albania Tirana On the occasion of Your Excellency’s election as President of the Republic of Albania, I wish to congratulate you on this event and express my hope that the friendly relations and good neighbourliness between our two countries will continue to grow stronger in the future. MAUNO KOIVISTO President of the Republic of Finland Dear Mr Ramiz, I am convinced that the friendly relations already existing between our two countries will continue to grow stronger in the future. MAUNO KOIVISTO President of the Republic of Finland