- The Chairman of the Council of Ministers and the ministers are sworn in before the President of the Republic, Ramiz Alia - The day before yesterday, after receiving the vote of confidence in the People's Assembly and taking up their duties, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Fatos Nano, and the ministers were sworn in before the President of the Republic of Albania, Ramiz Alia, at his residence. At the swearing-in ceremony, the President of the Republic, Ramiz Alia, wished them all success and good work in the government's task before a pluralist parliament, so that they might acquit themselves honorably before the people, and expressed his full confidence in the effectiveness of this government. The President of the Republic, Ramiz Alia, wished them all success and good work in the government's task before a pluralist parliament, so that they might acquit themselves honorably before the people, and expressed his full confidence in the effectiveness of this government. Also present at the solemn ceremony was the Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly, Kastriot Islami. (ATSH) (Photo: ATSH)

PPSH conferences in the districts Complete renewal The entire plenary committee and bureau of the Party committee of the Pogradec district were renewed with new members. The main criterion was personal proximity. Two new secretaries were elected. At the conference, the report followed the line of a working group; however, the practice used to organize previous conferences—the creation and operation of so-called discussion working groups—had been abandoned. By now, it is clear what «benefit» these working groups, editorial groups, revision groups and even groups drafting the discussions have provided: uniformity, general phrases behind which real concerns disappeared. Today everyone is urged to speak openly about what they feel, to speak openly about how they judge the present and future of the Party and its work, to stigmatize bureaucracy and bureaucrats, to help clarify ideas, and to cultivate this new terrain of party pluralism. That is why, when at the conference of the Party of Labour of the Pogradec district someone, in the old style, was still talking about the Party’s burden and responsibility in this or that enterprise, about the Party’s responsibility down to the lack of fairness in allocating apartments, or about shortages of eggs, milk in the market, etc., delegates and guests rightly asked: still looking at things this way? Has it still not been understood that the Party of Labour is separate from the state and, consequently, from responsibility for today’s current economic phenomena in enterprises, cooperatives and more broadly? Although such discussions had not passed through the conference discussion editorial group’s filter, they still leaned toward old concepts. Let us call these the last traces of tradition. In other discussions, Petrov Pliti clarified the scope of the Party’s work: the terrain of political struggle for the minds and hearts of the masses, which is its necessity, so that they naturally gather around members of the Party of Labour and realize their aspirations for democracy by fighting for its program. “Now or never,” said this speaker; he insisted on renewing the Party with outstanding people. He also called this the Party’s first task of the day. The concern raised by the recent title was also addressed in the discussion by Dashamir Kafaralli, who dealt with the problem of the intelligentsia and the Party of Labour, then and now. Indeed, is the Party not at odds with the intelligentsia, by leaving part of it outside its ranks? What about today? The Party needs to have among its members more of the most prominent, closest, most honest intellectuals, those enjoying the greatest authority among the people, rather than [unclear]. Valentina Pashaj, Guri Adem, Kastriot Spiro—... also spoke about current aspects of the Party’s work (unclear text). The conference was the first gathering of the Party of Labour in the Pogradec district under conditions of the establishment of pluralism. Both organizationally, in the composition of the plenary committee, and in its approach to the issues, it demonstrated the new requirements and positioning of the Party’s work today and in the future. The conference elected Tajar Kolecin as first secretary of the Party committee for the district. KOSTAQ DUKA

- TIRANA - Every day, ideas and timely contributions arrive at the district Party Committee, necessary for renewing and repositioning our Party in the circumstances that have arisen. “Remove the general expressions,” “Define more precisely the ideological foundations of our Party,” “What does this or that term mean...?” The many questions are everywhere accompanied by suggestions and proposals concerning the program’s introduction, a separate chapter, the name of the Party and its members. “The draft program is overloaded; it should be simplified by setting out concrete guidelines for strengthening employment and addressing other problems raised by people at the grassroots. The researchers do not know the Party. Starting from the actual conditions and the concerns of ordinary members at the grassroots, the program, too, needs to be more concrete,” writes a Party organization in Region 4. The variety of opinions being put forward shows that every Party member is going through this program line by line, offering their opinion with the sincere desire to contribute, as much as they can, to a process that has only just begun. One of these activists, Nuri Kërxhaliu, in District 18, said in his discussion that the base organization had examined the Party’s draft program; he called for it to pre-empt insinuations that might be made about the PPSH’s position on the Kosovo issue, recommending that this Party, as it had done before and should continue to do, reaffirm, within the framework of the CSCE documents, the struggle it would wage to correct the historical injustices inflicted on the people. (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday morning, the President of the Republic of Albania, Ramiz Alia, received at his residence the chairman of the Party for Democratic Prosperity of Macedonia, Nevzat Halili, and its delegation, which is in our country on a short visit. President Ramiz Alia welcomed the guests and praised the effective work of the PPD of Macedonia in rapidly establishing itself in political life with broad popular support. He expressed his thanks to the chairman of this party for the friendly and fraternal positions it has maintained toward Albanians in Macedonia, as well as regarding recent developments in Albania. This, he said, is concrete assistance along the democratic path. After thanking his hosts for the warm welcome he had received everywhere in Albania, the chairman of the PPD of Macedonia briefed the President on the situation in Yugoslavia and beyond. “Our region,” President Ramiz Alia continued, “is going through extremely dangerous moments. By this,” he went on, “I mean especially the situation in Yugoslavia, which is being described as highly dangerous not only by European politicians but also by its own citizens. Civil war is on the verge of breaking out. Weapons and troops are being sought. Such a situation seriously threatens peace and stability in the Balkans and across the entire continent. Those most threatened of all are the Albanians, first and foremost those across the border, in a large part of the country. “We are following with concern this situation, which concerns the fate of Yugoslavia but could potentially affect its neighbors as well. What is required of us in this matter is to remain vigilant and not be caught unprepared by emergencies that may arise. Aware of these dangers, we in the Republic of Albania have taken the necessary measures; we have held exercises and placed [forces] on alert. We are working to ensure that everyone remains calm and that, as a country and as a people, we are prepared for whatever direction events in Yugoslavia may take. “Today, more than anything, our country needs unity; Albania needs work. The spread of passivity in these circumstances seriously damages national interests. “In the times we are going through,” President Ramiz Alia stressed, “Albanians in Kosovo and in other areas of Yugoslavia must unite to protect themselves from usurpation and provocations, which have never been absent and could cost the entire Albanian people dearly, including those on this side of the border.” Nevzat Halili and the other members of the delegation said that the description of the situation in Yugoslavia corresponded to the painful reality prevailing there. “Our party,” he continued, “is fighting for national freedom, because without it no civil freedom exists. That is why, in our activity, we have attached great importance to the national question. The situation of Albanians in Macedonia differs very little from that of Albanians in other parts of Yugoslavia, since a uniform policy is applied to them, stemming from the same source. We have raised our voices against the flagrant violation of the human rights of Albanians wherever they live in Yugoslavia. “The PPD of Macedonia,” its chairman said, “congratulates the President of the Republic of Albania on his election to this high office.” “We,” he continued, “are interested in developments in Albania proceeding peacefully, and the fact that our issue is at this stage is a guarantee of this.” The meeting took place in a fraternal atmosphere. (ATSH)

At the invitation of the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Mr. Zhak Atali, an Albanian delegation headed by Fatos Nano, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania, left for London yesterday afternoon. The delegation also includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, Muhamet Kapanlli. The Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Shkëlqim Cani; the Minister of Economy, Leontiev Cuçi; the Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Shane Korbeci; the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sokrat Plaka; and other comrades came to Rinasi airport to see the delegation off. Yesterday, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Fatos Nano, was received by the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Zhak Atali. They held an open and friendly discussion, during which the Albanian Prime Minister spoke about the program of the new government, which had just received a vote of confidence. Prime Minister Nano briefed him on the far-reaching political, economic and legislative reform processes under way within the framework of pluralist democracy. For his part, Zhak Atali, after praising the Albanian reform process, highlighted the importance of joint efforts toward Albania’s membership in the EBRD. They also discussed common issues and the specific challenges facing the countries of Eastern Europe in implementing reforms, as well as the role the EBRD could play in this regard. Zhak Atali stressed his commitment to [unclear] so that Albania could take advantage during this period of an EBRD mission to examine at close hand the issues surrounding Albania’s membership and cooperation with this international financial institution. After the meeting, which was also attended by Foreign Minister Muhamet Kapanlli, Zhak Atali expressed a wish to [unclear] the Albanian delegation at the headquarters of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; the meeting took place in a friendly atmosphere. (ATSH)

Yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, Muhamet Kapanlli, who is in London accompanying Prime Minister Fatos Nano on his visit to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), met at the Foreign Office with the Minister of State for Commonwealth Affairs, Daglas Hog— Yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, Muhamet Kapanlli, who is in London accompanying Prime Minister Fatos Nano on his visit to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), met at the Foreign Office with the Minister of State for Commonwealth Affairs, Daglas Hog. During the meeting, which was also attended by Under-Secretary of State Ueston and Assistant [to the Secretary] Majkell Tait, they discussed the current stage of the normalization of relations between the two countries. Both sides agreed that this process had now reached its final stage. The parties committed themselves to a swift response concerning the announcement of the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the conclusion of talks on the disputed issues. (ATSH)

During the meeting in [unclear], the Albanian parliamentary delegation, which had taken part in the meeting of the foreign affairs committees of the parliaments of the Balkan states in Bucharest and was headed by deputy Xhelil Gjoni, was received in Sofia by the Chairman of Bulgaria’s Grand National Assembly, academician Nikolai Todorov. Academician Todorov noted that this meeting was a landmark event in the history of relations between our two parliaments and expressed [his wish for] sincere goodwill between our two countries and brother peoples. He stressed that they were following the proceedings of the Albanian parliament with interest. For his part, the head of the Albanian delegation, after expressing his particular pleasure at the meeting, spoke, among other things, about the ancient traditions of friendship between our two peoples, the work of our People's Assembly, certain aspects of further democratization in Albania, and the benefits of exchanging visits between the parliamentary delegations of the two countries. Academician Todorov warmly thanked them for the invitation extended to him on behalf of the People's Assembly of the Republic of Albania to visit Albania. On this occasion, he asked that his best wishes be conveyed to the Chairman of the People's Assembly, Kastriot Islami, on his election to this high office. Also present at the meeting was the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to Bulgaria, Bashkim Rama. (ATSH)

Yesterday, the Council of Ministers held a working meeting with the group charged with preparing the draft price and wage reform, which is led by the Ministry of Economy. The meeting discussed at length the issues presented in the relevant study on wages, as part of the implementation of economic reform. Preliminary discussion was held on the scale of wage increases for employees, the possibility of covering the planned additional expenditure in the budget with goods, etc. The study will be submitted for consideration at the open meeting of the Council of Ministers, to be held on 15 May 1991, to which representatives of trade unions and political parties have been invited. (ATSH)

The day before yesterday, in the remote area of Shëngjergj in the district of Tirana, the 48th anniversary of the founding of the Shëngjergj partisan detachment was commemorated. On this occasion, cooperative members from all the villages of the region, veterans, members and relatives of the families of the fallen, young men and women, etc., gathered at Shkrep Kisha. Wreaths were laid at the memorial commemorating this event on behalf of the district People's Council and the Executive Committee of the People's Council of Region No. 4, the People's Council of the united village of Shëngjergj, the former partisans of this detachment, and the families. Veteran Feti Pema spoke on behalf of the former partisans of the detachment. (According to ATSH)

Addressed to President Ramiz Alia To His Excellency Mr. Ramiz Alia, President of the Republic of Albania, TIRANA Please accept my sincere congratulations on the occasion of your election to the post of President of the Republic of Albania. Expressing my confidence that the friendly relations between Mongolia and Albania will develop and grow stronger still, I wish you well and success in your work. PUNSALLMAGIN OÇERBAT President of the Mongolian People's Republic