Alexander Meksi
(Palace of Brigades December 11, 1990)
Memorie.al/ Ramiz Alia enters the hall applauded where the meeting was scheduled, accompanied by the Minister of Education Skënder Gjinushi and the first secretary of the Albanian Working Youth Union Lisen Bashkurti. Alia first meets with some of the participants in this meeting, and then gives a speech announcing the decisions taken by the Plenum of the Central Committee of the Party regarding the latest developments in the country.
Ramiz Alia: How are you? Now let me start a little, you will listen to me once and then look to talk to you. That I wanted to inform you before today there was a meeting of the Plenum of the Central Committee of the Party and therefore I wanted to inform you what the Plenum of the Central Committee has decided.
The Plenum of the Central Committee reviewed the current situation and recommended appropriate measures to improve it. Regarding the above decided:
First In June 91 to convene the 10th ordinary congress of the Party
The second On December 26 of this year, i.e. after two weeks, the National Activist of the Party to gather in Tirana to determine the electoral platform of the Party and to approve the list of its candidates for deputies in the People’s Assembly.
The third The Plenum dismissed the members of the Politburo, comrades Muho Asllani, Simon Stefani, Lenka Çuko, Foto Çami, Hajredin Çeliku, and comrades Qirjako Mihali and Pirro Kondi from the position of candidate of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Party.
Fourth It was recommended to the Chairman of the Council of Ministers that in accordance with the current situation to propose to the Presidium of the People’s Assembly the necessary changes in the Government.
Fifth The Plenum expressed the opinion that it is in the interest of further democratization of the life of the country and pluralism to create independent political organizations in accordance with the laws in force.
The hall applauds long.
Now I want to say a few more words. That was the decision. Let me tell you some now. I personally and the entire leadership have followed your every step during these days. From the very beginning I have spoken for dialogue, for talks, for discussions with you. Even on Saturday I did not refuse, but on the contrary, at half past one, after midnight, I met with a delegation of yours. The next day I received Mimoza in the office, and we talked at length with each other.
I invited you all to calm down, so that your concerns and demands, just, can be resolved only in the way of normal democratic discussion. Even now that I am meeting with you, I am of the same opinion, that everything, I emphasize everything calmly, with understanding, in the interest of the homeland and of all the people. In any case, the way must be cut for the intervention of malicious or provocative elements, who do not want the best for the people, the youth, the development of the country, the freedom of the homeland or the true democratization of the people and our homeland. The path to democratization is not a boulevard. This must be borne in mind by all adults and young people. Culture is needed, tolerance is needed, and order and patience are needed. Democracy accepts neither conditions, nor impositions, nor obligations. That is why I have not set any conditions for you, nor have I imposed or forced you. It demands dialogue, it seeks argument, it seeks logic, in the general interest, it demands respect for the fellow, respect for the right. Democracy requires norms of etiquette and ethics. Failure to follow these rules of the game opens the way to anarchy, which is dangerously harmful to everyone. This should be borne in mind by all our people, especially when it comes to pluralism, whether for pluralism of thought or for organizational pluralism, what is called party pluralism. Everyone here, every honest citizen of our country, must have in the foreground the interests of the homeland, the interests of the people. You may have remarks about the past or the present. You may have opinions on one issue or another, on socialism or on the party, but everything must be put on the scales of the fate of the homeland, its freedom and its independence. Let them not forget that for Albania there is always the danger of freedom and independence. You know and follow political situations. Do not take them as jokes. That is why we need unity, we need to walk together, and we need to work side by side. I express my unwavering faith and full conviction to our youth, to all our youth, even to the student youth, in the first place, which is the wisest, most cultured part, which is a great asset of our people. . I express my conviction to the working class, to all our people, that the struggle for democratization undertaken by the party we will carry forward without stopping. The process of democratization requires the contribution of everyone, big and small, workers, peasants, students, but nothing is done in one day. Furthermore our traditions must be taken into account. Towards Europe we have to go, but we have to go with our cultural wealth. Let’s not forget, we have to go with our tradition, we have to go with our originality and not as a bad copy of others. That is why we must all work carefully, we must measure the steps we take, we must be careful, without stopping at all in our path that we have started, which is the path of the interests of the homeland, of socialism, of our people These churches I told you so at the beginning. Now I would love to hear if you have you and what you have to tell me.
***
Arben Demeti: I have a question.
Ramiz Alia: Order. Who are you?
Arben Demeti: My name is Arben Demeti, I am an assistant lecturer in electrical engineering and I am a communist.
Ramiz Alia: Well go on, it does not matter. It matters to me who you are.
Arben Demeti: Why did the Plenum take these measures that you recommended to us, where it supported, in more detail, especially the release of some members of the Politburo?
Ramiz Alia: Yes. The Plenum of the Central Committee discussed, firstly that we are ahead of the elections to be held, secondly, what happened to the students is definitely a concern for the party, that it was necessary to look at this situation understands or not, because situations can develop in different ways, do you understand that? There are always two paths, in every phenomenon.
Arben Demeti: Or more
Ramiz Alia: Less, there are two. The others are eliminated, two remain, positive currents negative currents (laughs), since you are of electricity. Therefore in this matter, he understands, the Central Committee discussed, understands, and of course, deemed it necessary to gather the National Assets of the Party, on the issue of the platform for the elections because the party will come up with its own candidates and must have an electoral platform. For the party congress, too, they had to be done according to norms and rules. As for the release of these comrades of the Politburo, their release is related, understands, even with the past, with flaws, weaknesses at work in their past, understands, is generally related to the current situation. There have been remarks; we have had remarks, from the party, from the youth, and from the masses. They said, why do they remain in the bureau, for example Muho Asllani was removed from here, for example he was fired by the secretary of Durrës, but remained in the Political Bureau, or as far as I know, comrade Simon Stefani was removed from the interior minister remained in the Bureau Politics. Now we reviewed once again these understands, as they say the word understands, wall does not play, man plays, ë.
Arben Imami: The last point, the last decision, what has to do with political pluralism. Can you explain something clearer and longer, i.e. what does the party mean by that?
Ramiz Alia: Now, we understand political pluralism based on this decision that in addition to the subjects named in the Law on Elections, other subjects may also appear which of course must respect the legal norms that exist. Other subjects can be, you want to be an independent subject for example, even student youth can be an independent subject you understand, if you want within the Youth Union Organization, or if you do not want outside the Organization of Youth. So as an independent political entity. This is.
Arben Imami: What currently prevents our party from proposing the formation of new parties to the People’s Assembly?
Ramiz Alia: That does not stop him.
Skënder Gjinushi: The Constitution allows it.
Arben Imami: The Constitution does not allow it from a point of view, which is said to be the constitutional law which you yourself proposed to be repealed in the future.
Ramiz Alia: Which law?
Arben Imami: The law on the leadership and leading role of the Party alone. As long as we do not have the sole leadership role of the Party, or hopefully do not have it. As long as we do not have a law, as far as I know, that our knowledge is limited
Ramiz Alia: She is too. Your knowledge is also missing.
Arben Imami: We generally lack information. So we do not have a law where it explicitly means prohibited…
Ramiz Alia: No. There is no law that explicitly states that a political party is prohibited.
Arben Imami: Then for what reason it is hindered, I do not mean the hindered, but it is not the opinion of the Labor Party, that besides it other parties could also give their contribution, that would work and fight with the views of for their homeland, for Albania.
Ramiz Alia: Look at this issue, the point of view of our party in the first place has started and always starts from the tradition of our country, in the sense that above all, we look at the issue of unity of the people. We must not forget, he realizes, that we are a small country. We must not forget you understand, you are all young, you understand, but our people have fought, fought hard. (Interference from the hall: he fought hard)
Intervention from the hall: Continues to fight
Ramiz Alia: Yes, yes, he fought hard. He has shed a lot of blood. I, who am a little older and not a little bit but much more than you, that I am your father, understands me, but 28 thousand martyrs is 3 percent of the population of Albania. Let us not forget that 1 million was Albania. In the construction of the country, he understands, the flattened place was for the swamps of Albania to reach Lushnja. The Albanian lived for 38 years, not far away but in 1945, that was the average age, now he is 72 years old. So in all these circumstances, you see, our people won precisely because they were united. Grounds of saboteurs were sent against our country. How did you live these?
Arben Imami: We know.
Ramiz Alia: You have read them. It’s different to read. You are an artist, an actor. When you play them you try to get into the role and so, whenever you have a part you try to get into the role. Make colossal efforts, study, get into the role, etc., etc. You probably get into that role, you know, after you get to know each other well, you understand, but an objective reality is that you realize that a very big war has been waged. For us in certain historical conditions one of the factors we have won has been this great unity of our people around an ideal, around a goal. This ideal, this goal was represented by the Party, was represented by all social organizations. Understands Tani, I do not want to mention that our ideal, this ideal of national unity, understands, has been the promoter of Albania’s movement forward. Now we are emphasizing, you understand, the issue of democratization of the country. In the democratization of the country the issue of pluralism is a fundamental issue. In what sense? In the sense of the democracy of thought, of the free expression of the thought of the people. The free expression of the opinion of the people, we think understands, that in our conditions, in the Albanian reality, understands, that we have all these different types of organizations, understands, is not hindered, that the free opinion of the people is expressed in the most forms different. Certainly it would not make sense to democratize if we say understand that this thought understands has been expressed excellence. Now on the contrary we are saying that more is needed. You have heard me several times that I have raised my mouths to open. Wow, you mean?
Room: Yes, yes
Ramiz Alia: You have it in mind! No speech was kept shut. The speeches I delivered were to open my mouth. I’m talking about what I’ve said and my mouth needs to be opened. Now the mouths must be opened, but let us not forget that it must be in the interest of the people, in the interest of the homeland, in the interest of freedom, its independence. We must be very careful about this.
Reaction from the hall: Without a doubt
Ramiz Alia: Well, well, I’m convinced that without a doubt, but keep in mind that he understands there are also doubtful. There are other opinions, it is logical to have other opinions as well. Now, in the decision of the Plenum of the Central Committee today, of course the Party does not give orders for this work, expressed the opinion understands that in these conditions can help further democratize the country and the introduction of special organizations, understands, pluralistic in our system.
Blendi Gonxhe: D.m.th there is no borders?
Ramiz Alia: I cannot say, I do not say any boundaries, I say, while speaking pluralistic organization it means everything, everything means. Now this issue, of course there are laws, because if you ask a party to present a fascist program under the law is not allowed. There are several points in the Law.
Tefalin Malshyti: We have come here to meet you as President and not as Secretary of the Party; because in our Letter we request a meeting with President Ramiz Alia and as President we talk to you. These are the decisions of the Party, the decisions of the plenum. They are very accurate, very fair and there is no doubt about that. However, as you yourself said, that this is a decision and it is not known when the law will be promulgated and this is known to be in the hands of the People’s Assembly and not the Party. Therefore we should discuss in this plan, and not in the party plan. So we have to discuss in the presidential plan how to say, state, and for these to become decisions, these points, in a word we have to clarify this.
Ramiz Alia: Do you know the Constitution?
Tefalin Malshyti: The Constitution as much as we have read in words
Ramiz Alia: Have you read Article 54 of the Constitution? It allows.
Tefalin Malshyti: No, I did not read it
Ramiz Alia: Well, that means you are not in the current. Who read Article 54 of the Constitution?
Zef Brozi: Comrade Ramiz, I have read it. I am a lawyer.
Ramiz Alia: You are a lawyer, have you read it?
Zef Brozi: Article 54 of the Constitution states that the state supports the citizens (Ramiz Alia intervenes several times), that I am not saying it literally, they are allowed to create (Ramiz Alia intervenes: sht .citizens are allowed to create associations, organizations political, cultural, social, scientific, etc., etc.) associations, political, cultural, social, scientific, etc., etc., which continue for their purpose, etc., etc., and the prohibition is this: “they are not allowed to establish associations and parties with fascist, anti-democratic, belligerent, racist, etc. character. »
Ramiz Alia: Did you understand that?
Zef Brozi: I interpreting this article…
Ramiz Alia: I also interpret this article. I think that this Decision of the Central Committee does not need any other interpretation; it is just that article of the Constitution.
Zef Brozi: The law allows it
Ramiz Alia: Second, the Electoral Law which you must have read says that political entities are the Albanian Labor Party, Trade Unions, these are divided, and other associations recognized by law.
Shinasi Rama: Electoral subjects…
Ramiz Alia: Electoral subjects…
Shinasi Rama: … electoral…
….. These are not parties in the sense of a political institute…
…… The question of pluralism as posed by these comrades here….
Ramiz Alia: No, how is it laid by you … leave the others
Shinasi Rama: The issue of pluralism is a bit flawed.
Ramiz Alia: How is it?
Shinasi Rama: You said that for a reason we should follow the good traditions of the people. I want to remind you that there has always been pluralism in the most crucial moments in the history of our people. If you want, I am bringing you an example from antiquity, but I am stopping at the Assembly of Lezha since the time of Skanderbeg. He was the most accurate and the first sanctioned pluralism of the Albanian nobles. If I go further back, let’s walk for good….. you may laugh, but these are what I’re saying are arguments.
Ramiz Alia: You are not laughing. I listen with great attention and respect to every young person who understands speaks expresses his thoughts, even when these are wrong. I’m used to talking to all kinds of people. Both those who are right and those who are wrong. And I have a lot of patience and I will listen to you to the end. You started with the princes in the time of Skanderbeg, who had no party at that time, but did not spoil work, go on.
Shinasi Rama: See pluralism does not start in the party. Pluralism begins with the right to think differently.
Ramiz Alia: Very right.
Shinasi Rama: So they were princes or peasants, they were people and they had their opinions. So we are not talking about parties, but about pluralism. If we go back to the League of Prizren 1878 we will see that there was also a pluralism of opinions, with a common goal, the liberation of Albania, its autonomy, if you prefer the accuracy of the terms. Also, if we go back to the time of Ismail Qemali in that government we created, the pluralism of thoughts and ideas was so urgently preserved, because the prime minister was Monsignor Kaçorri, the deputy prime minister was Monsignor Kacorri and at the same time the deputy prime minister was Aqif Pasha Elbasan and Mullai the Great. Pluralism in Albania continues with a wonderful tradition, which we can read in all the recordings of the parliament, in the Speeches of the Parliament. The speeches of the Albanian Parliament. This is a very bright period, at least for democracy in our country, it is such a period when a Libohova man like Avni Rustemi, gets up and puts his candidacy in the prefecture of Kosovo and an Ekrem Bey Libohova is forced to remain without a seat for MP and goes and places him in the woman’s manor. So ignorant or ignorant people.
Ramiz Alia: Who is ignorant? Not ignorant do not tell people.
Shinasi Rama: One minute please,
Ramiz Alia: Do not tell ignorant people.
Shinasi Rama: I do not want to make insinuations; I am talking, because I am a bit hoarse. I tell you, one thing is for sure, our people were 80 percent illiterate. The word illiterate and the word ignorant, i.e. ignorant. So if we look at it in the sense of ignorance we will say that this cultural ignorance, so-called cultural, our people lacked. To continue with the pluralism of the popular party and the oping in the time of Fan Noli. As you are aware, as I am, that in a bank there happened to sit a satrap like Zogu and a democrat like Fan Noli. However correctness has been correct to some extent. So there was pluralism. We will not mention the previous cases, the special requirements. To continue manej us. It was said that in the period of Ahmet Zogu there was no pluralism. This is true and it is the period of the great satrap, despot, and the man who led our country into the blackest misery. We are all aware of this. However, driven by his personal needs, in 1936, under the banner of neo-Albanianism, a so-called youth party was formed, which opposed the old. So in the sign of a negative pluralism that was the servant of a king, pluralism appeared this time in Albania. During the National Liberation War it was done by the party leadership and we are all aware of that. But as far as I know, as far as I know at least, the newspaper noted at least, that for a long period of time the party has been illegal, because the one who has led the struggle of our people for a period of time has been the Front. You were a general at that time, you are a general … you were the youngest general…
Ramiz Alia: Lieutenant Colonel. He has never been a general. Do not confuse me.
Shinasi Rama: Leave that job because I read the documents. You were a colonel
Ramiz Alia: I was a lieutenant colonel, a lieutenant colonel
Shinasi Rama: You were a colonel and I saw it without writing. I’m telling you, Colonel. Commissar of the 7th Division.
Ramiz Alia: Now you will tell me what I was. I was under the colonel
Shinasi Rama: Now let’s continue with pluralism.
Ramiz Alia: Go on.
Shinasi Rama: So the tradition of pluralism in Albania is a tradition, which was never prey until 1946. Why it was not prey and what were the consequences of the prey? I agree with you, you expressed it and formulated it very correctly. In the early ’20s and’ 30s, the party put its chest to work and did the impossible, and it is.
Hall intervenes: The people, even the people.
Ramiz Alia: Si?
Shinasi Rama: One minute, I’m talking; the party put his chest…
Ramiz Alia: You are fine.
Shinasi Rama: The party put its chest but the people gave life to the party and the party gave at the same time, what you say that the party is the brain and mind of the people, but apparently, with this news we are coming out differently. Let’s not make insinuations; I do not intend to speak like that… I want to say this…
Ramiz Alia: What you are saying, good boy, is exactly insinuation. This should not be done, this should not be done. With some coming out here, it was not like that. Is that so?
Shinasi Rama: Do not cling to my words.
A debate between them with words being exchanged….
Ramiz Alia: No, no, no. A minute. It is no coincidence that I was the first to explain to you that democracy requires patience, tolerance and courtesy. I am trying to respect politeness, tolerance, patience. Although? Because I value the opinion of others, even when I disagree I still value it. Speak my Mimoz is not it? We also talked together… (Intervention from the hall)… That’s why I say that it should be like that, to be honest; you better say the opinion you have. I told you I heard all sorts of things. I have a personal, political experience, that is, from a very young age. Understands even a tiny bit I could have been
..Arben Imami: Undoubtedly you have this
Ramiz Alia: I have more experience, but I do not say to impose my opinion please, I say…
Voice from the hall: We understand this, and we love you (exchanges of words …)
Ramiz Alia: Very well then I am glad that you have respect and love me. Thank you very much/Memorie.al
Long applause
The next issue follows
