– The Steering Committee of the Socialist Party of Albania met – Yesterday in Tirana, under the leadership of chairman Fatos Nano, a meeting of the Steering Committee of the Socialist Party of Albania was held. The agenda included discussion of the planning and organization of the electoral campaign for the election of deputies to the People's Assembly. In his opening remarks, comrade Fatos Nano said that the electoral campaign is an important political undertaking requiring the full commitment of all the forces of the Socialist Party, in order to make our program's alternatives clear to the masses, so that we go into the elections to win. In this election, he said, we will go forward as a left-wing force competing against the extreme right-wing forces. We will present ourselves as a party that defends the interests of the people and the nation against revanchists, anar- [?] and k-f of the enemy [?] inside and outside the country. Then the Party's deputy chairman, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi, spoke about the main tasks the party must tackle during the election campaign. We, he said, will go into the elections with the objective of winning, and we will win. He went on to discuss the grave political, economic and social situation in which these elections are taking place, noting our Party's advantages and disadvantages during this period, as well as the fundamental differences between last year's electoral campaign and the present one. He focused specifically on several aspects of the work of party bodies, from the center to the grassroots, and on the importance of propaganda and counterpropaganda during the election campaign. Deputies, monitoring the voting process, etc. It is necessary for the Party's most prominent members to be actively involved in this work. Party Presidium member Gramoz Ruçi spoke about the work done so far in drawing up the lists of candidates for deputy, as well as several organizational issues related to this matter. The next item on the agenda was an extensive discussion of the Party's draft electoral program, presented by its Presidium and the product of broad consultation with specialists and the wider population in town and country. The speakers gave a positive assessment of the draft program's main directions and made comments and suggestions on specific aspects of it. The discussions focused mainly on rural issues. It was stressed that the position of the Socialist Party of Albania on the countryside must in every respect fully support the Law on Land adopted by the People's Assembly. This position should be guided by the slogan: «The land belongs to the person who works it». The Law on Land has so far been welcomed by about 70 percent of the peasantry; the speakers therefore stressed that the SP must fight and not allow any political force to make changes to it. The Socialist Party must ask the local authorities to provide as soon as possible the new title deeds to the peasants who have received land. [Continued text in the right-hand column] ... the people of Albania and certain anti-Albanian forces do not want stability in Albania. If Europe is convinced that Albania is calm and stable, that the law is being enforced and that there is a return to [?] work, then it will help Albania and support the implementation of economic reform, which is the only way out of the crisis. There is no need for anything to be changed in the SP's political positions on any issue, but realities must be faced as they are, without excessive academic discussion. If there is a concern today among the Greek minority living in Albania, we declare that we will fight to ensure that members of the minority enjoy all the rights enjoyed by Albanian citizens. The Socialist Party is open to putting forward members of the minority as candidates for deputy. The Socialist Party, Fatos Nano stressed, will work wisely and bravely so that, as before, we contribute to strengthening the institutionalization of democratic processes in the country. The message of all our work during the electoral campaign is and must be: Let us convince the world that Albanians are genuinely committed; let us convince the world that adventures and destabilizing excesses have ended in Albania, and that prospects are opening up for people to truly enjoy the fruits of democracy. If all this is achieved—and the Socialist Party is striving to achieve it—then everything will go well. All the members of the Steering Committee of the SPA expressed the conviction shared by the broad mass of members and supporters that the Socialist Party is entering the electoral campaign with an unshakable belief that its alternatives will be widely embraced by the country's peasants, intellectuals and workers.

Regarding the announcement given on the television news magazine on 11 February 1992 about the meeting of Prof. Dr. Rexhep Qosja with Prof. Dr. [text missing in source: “Partisë Socialiste të Shqipërisë”] , we consider it appropriate to clarify that the inaccuracy in the report lay in the fact that the assessments and opinions expressed were not rendered word for word. This was because the meeting ended at 19:55 and the news item was sent immediately to Television for broadcast. We also clarify for the public that the wording of the report in no way diminishes the importance, candor, free exchange of views, mutual regard, or warm and appreciative spirit in which the conversation took place, not from a party-political standpoint, between Fatos Nano, Servet Pëllumbi and Dr. Agolli, on the one hand, and the distinguished academic Prof. Dr. Rexhep Qosja and the other well-known figures from Kosovo accompanying him, on the other. [Upper central column partly cut off and damaged] ... and the Party's disadvantages ... during this period, as well as the differences ... emphasized by the speakers ... the SP must fight and not allow ... changes to be made by any political force. peasants who have received land. During the electoral campaign it must be made clear, it was stressed in the discussions, that the Socialist Party's Program is a realistic program, with its feet on the ground, which does not promise people things that cannot be achieved. The masses must be made aware that the transition to a market economy will be difficult and will require sacrifices. In this context, the Socialist Party offers, through its program, the most acceptable alternatives for our country. In order to further refine the draft electoral program, the meeting ... [Upper right-hand columns, partly cut off] ... has so far been welcomed by ... that the SP must fight and not allow ... changes to be made by any political force. peasants who have received land. The Party's Steering Committees, it was stressed in the discussions, require a great deal of attention. The committees must work with an even greater sense of responsibility to follow, step by step, the fulfillment of every task from today until the time of voting. The campaign must be conducted with dynamic propaganda, but it must also be realistic, and nothing should be done outside economic logic or beyond the real possibilities of Albanian reality. Unrealistic promises are of use to no one and nobody wants them. All our work during the electoral campaign should aim to respect people's feelings and the will of the people. It should, Fatos Nano stressed, address the key problems that concern people today and speak to them transparently, because only arm... the Socialist Party is entering the electoral campaign with the unshakable belief that its alternatives will be embraced by all the unprivileged strata of society and that the new elections will be successfully crowned in favor of the Albanian socialists. This conviction was also expressed by the guests from the Eurosocialist Youth Forum, who put forward the view that the composition of the Socialist Party's next parliamentary group should reflect, in the most worthy manner, the Party's intellectual level and potential. Correspondent of «Zëri i Popullit»

Relying on the fundamental constitutional provisions, I have issued a decree calling new parliamentary elections and setting 22 March 1992 as the date on which they will be held. The decree also announces the termination of the current parliament's activity and its dissolution. The postponement of the election date beyond 1 March, as initially envisaged, was necessitated by delays in preparing the necessary legal conditions, such as the adoption of the new electoral law, the formation of the Central Election Commission and the division of the country into electoral zones—steps which, under the law, had to be completed at least 35 days before the elections. The political process leading to the anticipated elections is already well known; it was set in motion with the signing last year of the agreement concerning the formation of the Government of Stability. This was a decision by the majority parties, following the current government crisis, which also made it necessary to extend the time available for holding new elections. The decree I signed ... [text cut off/damaged] Holding the elections ahead of schedule gradually became a necessity under the new political conditions that emerged in Albania. Internal changes have taken place ... since the autumn elections. New parties have emerged and become organized. Political democracy has been institutionalized, and economic and administrative reform have been framed in law. Freedom of conscience, speech, expression, belief and organization, as well as freedom of movement and communication, can now be said to be successfully realized. The new elections must secure political stability, but they must also ensure its continuity and the continuation of economic reform. Ending the crisis and bringing the economy into a normal working routine are only the beginning of a turning point awaited by everyone, on the basis of which trust and hope can be reborn, morale renewed and the future faced without fear. The people want calm and social peace, work and order, law and order. It is already clear that elections cannot immediately resolve all the problems that concern the people. But the most important thing is to have confidence and hope that Albania has a future, that reason will triumph over passions, that reason will triumph over passions, that the new Albanian democracy will move forward irreversibly, and that the Albanian people know how to govern themselves in a civilized manner. All this makes the elections of 22 March the most important political event of this year, a historic experience for the parties and for the people themselves. They are a call for wisdom, fair competition between alternatives, sound reasoning and balanced judgment. I believe that the parties participating in the elections will make the electoral campaign a school of political democracy, where the people's participation in voting is guaranteed and free, equal and fair elections are ensured. I also believe that the political parties will set aside the psychological and moral reservations that might prevent them from accepting the election results, whatever they may be. These results will be the verdict of the people. No one can override them or doubt them. In announcing the date of the new elections, I wish to remind the state authorities of the need to make every effort to provide the necessary administrative, material and technical conditions so that the elections are fair, votes are freely cast, and conditions are provided for representatives of international socialized institutions and the information media, who are expected to observe this event, to be present throughout all stages of the electoral campaign. I assure the people that, in full compliance with constitutional law concerning the commencement and proper conduct of state affairs, I will work to ensure that all state institutions are on the people's side and contribute to equality under the law in full.

- Comrade Fatos Nano’s meeting with Ms. Huda Kraske and Ms. Jane Loos, representatives of the World Bank. Yesterday, the chairman of the Socialist Party, Fatos Nano, received Ms. Huda Kraske and Ms. Jane Loos, representatives of the World Bank, at the headquarters of the Steering Committee. Yesterday, the chairman of the Socialist Party, Fatos Nano, received World Bank, at the headquarters of the Steering Committee. After informing his guests about the political, economic and social situation in Albania, Fatos Nano spoke about the work being done to advance economic reform, address the problems arising on the road to a market economy, and the Socialist Party’s position and well-known stance that the transition period—and economic reform in general—should be accompanied by social assistance. He then discussed the work undertaken to privatize the economy, the principal key to institutionalizing the market economy. Fatos Nano stressed that progress in this direction should not be slowed, but that care must also be taken not to worsen workers’ economic circumstances. Naturally, this requires a general climate in which the processes we have begun are properly understood: the market economy has its own laws, which must be respected; it requires order and has its own legal institutions, fiscal system, etc. All of these must be achieved first and foremost by activating the resources the country has, so that people can get started. Fatos Nano stressed that Albania’s admission to the World Bank in recent months naturally opens up new and tangible prospects for advancing economic reform. We have appreciated, and continue to appreciate, the contribution of the World Bank’s leaders and specialists. Fatos Nano asked the World Bank representatives to act more quickly and come forward with concrete projects in response to the difficult economic situation facing the country, in order to help overcome it. For their part, Huda Kraske and Jane Loos stressed: “We have met with you on other occasions as well, including when you held government positions. The World Bank’s leaders have also considered meetings with you particularly fruitful, as you are experts with a broad vision of the economy.” They went on to say that they considered the economic situation difficult. “We ask you to ensure that Albania has clear aid projects and programs, whether from the World Bank or the IMF. The political situations you have experienced in the country have delayed you somewhat, and political stability is naturally the first prerequisite for assistance as well. We came here in December with some specific commitments to provide assistance, but that period has passed and we should not let those commitments go unfulfilled. “The World Bank has decided to help Albania as soon as possible, naturally after determining where the greatest needs are. We will provide direct financial assistance, and we will also help finance three projects, two in the social sector and one in agriculture. We have planned other projects for infrastructure as well, and over the coming days we will also examine where the priority needs lie, working closely with the relevant government bodies. Specialized groups will soon come to Albania to provide professional assistance. We are confident that you, as experts, will help advance and support the programs of the World Bank and the IMF. We regard your country’s situation as a hardship it is going through; the transition to a market economy must take place without social pain. In this context, we will work to ensure that assistance reaches Albania first and foremost from European and international organizations in the form of raw materials, so that people can get to work, since a system that has paid workers without their working up to now is unacceptable and unsustainable.” After thanking the World Bank for this concrete commitment to help Albania, Fatos Nano also informed them about the preparations being announced for the new election campaign and the Socialist Party of Albania’s well-known position that elections must truly be free and democratic, and that the people must vote of their own free will for those they believe will genuinely serve democracy and the advancement of reform. The meeting was also attended by Bashkim Zeneli, the Socialist Party’s secretary for foreign relations.

Because it is the largest and best-organized party in the country. Because it defends the vital interests of workers, peasants, intellectuals, young people and civil servants, and these are the majority of the population. Because Albanian intelligence is still among us, and our mind is ours. Because the finest Albanian youth has been gathered in the Albanian Eurosocialist Youth Forum. Because Albanian socialists bow with respect before the blood, sweat and sacrifices of the veterans of the National Liberation War and of 50 years of work. Because, to our great good fortune, we stand on the side of the most honest people of Albania. Because our program is the fairest, the most scientific. Because we are superior to every other political force in our abilities and in the resources we command to establish order, calm and social peace, the dictatorship of democratic law, «The Rule of Law». Because we seek social justice realistically, not the restoration of the Albanian «Bourbons»; honest business, not illegal profiteering. Because we ask Europe and the USA, Canada, China and Japan not for aid as paupers, but for honest partnership in the interests of all. Because the democratic socialist ideal accords with human nature itself, with the virtues of our race. Because we know how to be tolerant, to extend a hand in reconciliation and cooperation, but we also know how to clench that hand into a fist when someone has decided to bite us. Because the victory of the socialist forces brings us closer to the countries around us, and the «Socialist Corridor» Italy-Albania-Greece will have a powerful effect on Albania's economic and democratic development. WE WILL WIN Because the opposition facing us is the weakest, least prestigious and least qualified opposition in Europe. Because truth triumphs over lies, reason over resentment and base instincts. Let us prepare for victory, comrades, brothers and sisters!

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