At yesterday’s sessions of the People’s Assembly, discussions continued on finding a new political solution for the country. Deputies generally expressed their concern, and that of the people they represent, about the deeply worrying political, economic and social situation, which continues to worsen day by day because of strikes, unemployment, and the loss of calm and confidence. They expressed their views on the paths and ways to emerge from this very difficult situation and open up prospects. As on the previous day, some argued for the creation of a coalition government, including representatives of all political forces, inside and outside parliament. Other deputies, on the contrary, argued that the only way out of the crisis was to create a pluralist government to stabilize life in the country, which would govern until new parliamentary elections. It is positive that today there were many points of convergence between deputies of the Party of Labour and the opposition concerning this new political solution. At the final session, which opened at 22:25, the chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Kastriot Islami, said that, in response to the concern to find a political solution, the presidiums of the political parties had agreed on a joint formulation. He suggested that deputies pursue their discussions of this item on the agenda in greater depth. He then read the following announcement by the presidiums of the political parties: “Following preliminary discussions, the political parties agreed in principle to establish a government to stabilize the country, with the participation and support of all forces, until new elections. The political parties are continuing discussions to define the program, composition and timetable.” The Assembly will resume its work on Monday at 17:00. (ATSH)

After watching several sessions of the Assembly on TV, Public opinion as a whole is extraordinarily alert today, as never before. The calm and normal course of our lives have been disrupted. Hunger strikes have become a tragic fact. Spontaneous rallies have followed one after another near the hunger strikers. For hours, people sit with their eyes fixed on the screen, waiting for the deadlock to be broken. There is my neighbor, his eyes swollen from lack of sleep, going down at the crack of dawn in the hope of getting a bottle of milk for his son. But he, like others, has more than just his little boy’s words to worry about. “Good heavens, can’t we make an appeal to these deputies of ours? Some of them are still doing nothing but defending their parties’ viewpoints. Apparently, it’s difficult for them to put their parties aside temporarily and think only about Albania. It’s high time they showed the wisdom of the people in parliament instead of displaying their temperament and partisan fanaticism through false eloquence.” People, then, are waiting for a new political solution and for the state to function. First and foremost, this requires a contribution from every deputy, regardless of their views and position. “I can’t understand the silence of some of the deputies from Elbasan,” says English teacher Ingrid Deja. “I don’t hear them speak at all. Even when they have occasionally taken the floor, they have not only failed to recommend a solution, but have not expressed a single weighty opinion. For the most part, they have simply repeated what others said. It seems to me they have not really tried to learn the views of their constituents. So what contribution are they making to finding the most suitable formula for a new political solution, one that will satisfy the wishes of all people and all political forces, inside and outside parliament?” The present moment is truly delicate, and carries great historical responsibility. The first pluralist parliament has indeed been given a heavy burden. The people expect a great deal from it. Meanwhile, if you listen carefully to the people, you, newly elected deputies, will hear that although the political solution is delicate, the people nevertheless have their own view. Value and respect it, not through partisan passions, but as Albanians. The people want stability and calm to be secured. They need the economic decline to be halted, not deepened; the rule of law to prevail, not spontaneity; and social peace, calm and brotherhood to be guaranteed, not merely preached. The road to democracy that we have finally embarked upon has its own rules; therefore, the solution adopted must be the most suitable and peaceful one. At a moment such as this, the people expect more than partisan opinions. There is no way to avoid this alternative. With generosity and realism, nothing is insoluble. We believe the deputies will bear this in mind, in the name of both the near and distant future.

The chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Kastriot Islami, deputy Azem Hajdari and PR chairman Sabri Godo went yesterday to the Valias mine, where the miners of Valias have barricaded themselves in, awaiting the fulfillment of their demands. Islami, deputy Azem Hajdari and PR chairman Sabri Godo went yesterday to the Valias mine, where the miners of Valias have barricaded themselves in, awaiting the fulfillment of their demands. “I have come to meet you as brothers, as Albanians,” Kastriot Islami told the miners. He went on to emphasize: “I am speaking openly: the situation is difficult. You want your conditions to improve. We work with concern and live with your hardships, and we will fight to resolve them in parliament. As for your demands, the economic ones will be examined and we will convey them all to the prime minister, while regarding the others, which relate to the work of the Assembly, I will do my part to clarify them as soon and as well as possible. They will take time, but they will certainly be set on the path to resolution.” A constructive conversation took place among them, aimed at breaking the deadlock in the grave situation that had arisen. (According to ATSH)

The President of the Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, sent this congratulatory telegram to the president The President of the Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, sent the following congratulatory telegram to the President of the Italian Republic, Françesko Kosiga: Mr. President, The anniversary of your national holiday gives me the pleasant opportunity, on behalf of the Albanian people and in my own name, to send you my warmest greetings and, through you, my best wishes to the friendly Italian people. I am convinced that the friendly relations between our two peoples and cooperation between our two countries will continue to advance in their mutual interest and in the interest of peace and cooperation in Europe. On this occasion, I wish to express to Your Excellency my best wishes for your personal happiness and to the friendly Italian people for progress and prosperity. (ATSH)

of the Italian Republic (1946–1991), the Faculty of History and Philology of the University of Tirana organized a jubilee scientific session in the conference hall of the National Historical Museum in the capital. The participants included lecturers from the University of Tirana, research workers from the Academy of Sciences, and guests from various institutions, ministries and other bodies. The rector of the University of Tirana, Prof. Dr. Ilia Konomi, and the vice-chairman of the Academy of Sciences, Prof. Hekuran Mara, also took part. Also present was the cultural attaché of the Italian Embassy in Tirana, Dr. Nikolla Firmani. The opening address was delivered by the dean of the Faculty of History and Philology, Doctor of Sciences Paskal Milo. Several papers were then presented: by docent Adem Mezini, “The Republic of Albania—a victory for the democratic forces of Italian society”; by Candidate of Sciences Agron Cani, “Republican trends in the Italian Risorgimento”; “Traces of Albanian-Italian relations and cooperation during our National Renaissance, the mid-19th century,” by Prof. Dr. Gazmend Shpuza; by docent Thanas Leci, “Some features of the Italian people’s Resistance movement against the Nazi occupation, September 1943–April 1945”; by docent Nasho Gjocali, “Aspects of Albanian-Italian cooperation in the Anti-Fascist War”; and by Candidate of Sciences Petrit Nathall, “The popularity and role of Italy in the European Economic Community.” Those present were also greeted and thanked for organizing the scientific session by Nikolla Firmani. At the conclusion of the proceedings, Dr. Paskal Milo emphasized that the scientific session was a small testament to the great feeling of friendship that the Albanian people cherish for the Italian people, and to their respect for its national history and culture. (ATSH)

— PUKË — Our people love work. They travel from the district’s various and distant villages—from Mërturi, Bujoni, Qeleza, Gjegjani and Korthpula—to the copper mines in Munellë and elsewhere, to drilling rigs high in the mountains, and to the forests, where they work with chainsaws. They spare neither effort nor sweat in order to give more to the homeland and to an economy that is deteriorating more and more. It is painful to ask these people about their work duties and hear them answer: “We are not working normally, but it is not our fault.” Sometimes, as before, the treatment of workers in the canteens becomes an obstacle; transport vehicles do not travel on the roads beyond the district boundaries. At the construction enterprise, workers report for work every day, but now there is no cement there because the railway station at Mjeda has been paralyzed. Kujtim Njeri, head of the workshop at this enterprise, says with concern, “But we have sent several vehicles to the cement factory in Fushë-Krujë; I don’t know” THE SITUATION REMAINS PARALYZED — SHKODËR — The day before yesterday, the situation in the city of Shkodër remained tense. Work continued to be suspended almost everywhere, except in vital sectors connected with supplying the people. In the morning, several hundred trade unionists held spontaneous protest demonstrations in the city streets, calling for the government’s resignation, the creation of a government of national unity, and the fulfillment of all the demands set out in their petitions. The demonstrators also stopped in front of the building of the district’s independent trade unions, where a hunger strike has been under way for several days. There, the demonstrators were addressed by the chairman of the district’s independent trade unions, Ferdinand Temali, who is taking part in the hunger strike. He urged them to remain calm and to seek their rights democratically, without violence or excesses, while standing united with one another. He emphasized that the strikers would remain united to the end and continue to demand that their requests be implemented. In conversations we had with trade unionists—[text breaks off]—of the People’s Assembly, who, in their view, should pay greater attention to the current and urgent problems of the day and not engage in party fragmentation or endless, fruitless discussions. We expect parliament to play a strong role in breaking the deadlock, especially in finding a new political solution within the deadline requested by the deputies themselves. In general, the demonstrations are taking place peacefully, without excesses or damage, except for an occasional specific call by various demonstrators directed at national figures, or ultimatum-like calls. Yesterday, the situation in the city of Shkodër was calmer. There were no demonstrations or other gatherings. Dozens and dozens of other trade unionists remain near the building of the district’s independent trade union federation, where the hunger strike has continued for several days. Their demand is that the points submitted to the government be fulfilled, but they are now also concerned with finding a political solution to the situation as soon as possible. At the construction enterprise, workers show up for work every day, but there is no more cement there now Neziri, the workshop supervisor at this enterprise, says: “With concern, we have sent some vehicles to the cement factory in Fushë-Krujë, but I don’t know when they will return.” There has really been no pressure not to work, but it amounts to the same thing when you show up at work only to receive 80 percent of your pay. What have you given the economy? Nothing. How long can this go on? There is debate in Parliament, but no decisions are being made—not even to return the newspaper to the people, let alone do anything for the economy. At the Tuc mine and the Kçira mine, the miners stopped work for just one day as a sign of solidarity with the strikers. On the other days, they have been at work. We spoke with some of them. Llësh Prendi, a supervisor, tells us: “We were without work for 4–5 days because of a lack of equipment, and a solution was found only after the administration was moved out of the way. We support meeting the economic demands, all of them, but without turning them into political events. We say this because we cannot find a solution by looking on while doing no work.” Here Kel Kola interjects: “We have our jobs—why should we leave them? We have problems at home, and these cannot be solved without working.” You can truly see the sacrifice of (Continued on page 2)

The Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Fatos Nano, sent the following congratulatory telegram to the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, Xhulio Andreoti: Dear Mr. Prime Minister, It gives me particular pleasure, on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the founding of the Italian Republic, to send you my warmest greetings. The further and uninterrupted deepening of democratic processes in Albania, to which the Albanian Government is fully committed, will create the conditions and contribute to strengthening and improving cooperation between our two friendly countries and peoples, as well as to strengthening security and peace in the region. Wishing you personal well-being, please accept, Dear Mr. Prime Minister, the assurances of my highest consideration. (ATSH)

Continuing his official visit to the Republic of Hungary, yesterday the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, Muhamet Kapllani, met with Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Géza Jeszenski, with whom he held talks on the further development of bilateral relations, issues concerning the situation in the Balkans and Central Europe, and the processes of European integration. The Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs described this visit as a historic moment in relations between the two countries, because Albania (Continued on page 4)

Visit to Croatia by Muhamet Kapllani Albania, Muhamet Kapllani, concluded his visit to Hungary. Yesterday, he also departed for an official visit to Croatia at the invitation of the Republic of Croatia of the SFR of Yugoslavia. He was accompanied to the Hungarian-Yugoslav border by Hungary’s ambassador in Tirana, Ferenc Poka. (ATA)

- GRAMSH - In Gramsh, no workers’ collective has gone on strike, although they all support the demands of their colleagues in other districts. To resolve their demands, they have found a common language with the managers of enterprises and institutions. What motives have led these workers to show solidarity with the strikers’ demands, but not to go on strike? First, the country’s difficult economic situation. They are certain that the demands will not be met by paralyzing the economy, but by striving to increase production and, at the same time, by appealing to the administrations’ reason. Second, without every worker’s labor, an enterprise has no strength to speak, let alone have a voice in Parliament. This is the reasoning that has guided work in Gramsh for some time, and the results have been positive. Thus, after the first month, exports reached 115 percent, while total industrial production increased by 95 percent. Some enterprises have exceeded all their targets, such as the municipal collection and processing enterprise, the land-reclamation enterprise, the NPA, etc. Nevertheless, the above results are not what is required. The reason is that during May the impact of the general strike was felt here too. There are serious shortages of technical materials and supplies, such as fuel, spare parts, etc. Also, as a result of the general strike, work at the freight vehicle depot has been paralyzed. The workers of this district are convinced that they are not working for party interests, but for their own interests. They are sending this message to all their fellow collectives in other districts of the country.

RALLIES IN THE DISTRICTS In support of the Albanian people of Kosovo The political parties in the district of Tropoja organized a historic rally the day before yesterday afternoon in the town of Bajram Curri in support of the Albanian people of Kosovo; In the address delivered on the occasion by the poet Hamit Aliaj, as well as in those by representatives of the Party of Labour, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, full solidarity was expressed with the just demands of the martyred Albanian people of Kosovo for freedom, democracy and full equality with the other peoples of Yugoslavia, and the oppression and genocide perpetrated against them by the Serbian government were condemned with deep indignation. Ç- (Continued on page 2)

- Yesterday afternoon, the Party of Labour Committee of the district of Vlora organized a rally in Flag Square with members and supporters of the party, concerning the current political, economic and social situations facing our country. The address on the occasion was delivered by the secretary of the district Party of Labour Committee, Agron Gjipali, who, among other things, (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday, at around 10:30, workers, miners, students, young men and women, etc., gathered in Skënderbej Square in Tirana from different directions. The rally organized here by the Union of Independent Albanian Trade Unions was also attended by representatives of trade union collectives from the Tirana coal basin and from districts across the country. Those present were called on to show solidarity with the country’s striking miners and to fight by democratic means to achieve their goal. Various slogans were chanted during the rally. The public order forces maintained order and calm. At 12:30, the participants dispersed peacefully. (ATA)