1. Art and Diseño

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WORKERS OF ALL COUNTRIES, UNITE!
ENVER HOXHA
SELECTED WORKS
PUBLISHED BY DECISION OF THE CENTRAL
COMMITTEE OF THE PARTY OF
LABOUR OF ALBANIA
ENVER
HOXHA
THE INSTITUTE
OF MARXIST-LENINIST
STUDIES
AT THE CC OF THE PLA
ENVER HOXHA
VOLUME
VI
IULY 1980 - DECEMBER 1984
«8
NËNTORI» PUBLISHING
T I R A N A 1987
HOUSE
FOREWORD
The 6th volume of Comrade Enver Hoxha's Selected
Works, the last of the series in foreign languages, includes
materials of the period 1980-1984.
The conversations, contributions to discussion, speeches,
and notes, part of which are already available for the
reader in foreign languages, are extracted from the volumes of Collected Works, the Diary, the volumes «Reports
and Speeches» and thematic publications. This volume
also includes articles and selections from Comrade
Enver Hoxha's books of memoirs, which were published
in this period, «The Khrushchevites», «When the Party
Was Born», «The Anglo-American Threat to Albania»,
«The Titoites», and «Laying the Foundations of the New
Albania».
Through the materials of this volume the reader
acquaints himself with the work and efforts of the Albanian
people for the advance of the country further on the road
of socialism, with the consistent revolutionary struggle of
the Party of Labour of Albania in defence of the Homeland
and the victories of the people's state power. These questions, together with those of the development of science,
education and culture, are treated in the context of the
struggle against the ideological, political and economic
pressure of imperialism, social-imperialism and revisionisms
of all hues.
The selections from memoirs deal with the efforts for
the mobilization of the Albanian people in the struggle for
VIII
FOREWORD
the liberation of the country and the establishment of the
people's state power, the struggle waged by the PLA
against outside interference in the internal affairs of Albania and the subversive secret activity of foreign enemies
against socialism in Albania, as well as questions of the
struggle against modern revisionism, etc. The excerpts from
the book, «When the Party Was Born», which is published
for the first time for the foreign reader, describes the
experience of the struggle of the Albanian communists for
the formation of the Communist Party of Albania.
Some materials of this volume reflect the intensive
work of the PLA and Comrade Enver Hoxha in drafting a
five-year plan based entirely on our own forces and internal
possibilities, without aid and credits from abroad. Here the
reader will find theoretical generalizations and practical
solutions to many current problems of the economic and
social development of the country and the summing up of
a comprehensive theoretical and practical work about problems of the perspective development of the economy on the
road of socialism.
This volume highlights Comrade Enver Hoxha's economic thinking on questions of the development of the economy, such as the development of industry, the intensification of agriculture, the gradual transformation of property
of the group into the property of the whole people, and the
further improvement of the socialist relations of production. Also, it deals with questions connected closely with the
psychology of people, with the communist education of
the working people and the strengthening of their socialist consciousness. Some of the materials explain the relationship between the general interest and the personal
interest, between the development of the city and the
advance of the rural area, between understanding and applying the laws ruling production and distribution, the
circulation of goods and currency in socialism, and the role
FOREWORD
IX
which work, discipline at work and active creativeness of
the masses play in the process of the building of socialism.
Likewise, they stress the importance of the historical conditions of the country and the proper assimilation of the
Marxist-Leninist theory, deal with the relationship between
this science and other sciences, the connection between science and technique, the views of bourgeois theoreticians
on this question, etc.
This volume contains profound Marxist-Leninist analyses of the current world development. In its pages it
reflects the stand of the PLA towards capital questions
confronting the peoples and the Marxist-Leninist, revolutionary and liberation movements today. Having a profound
knowledge of the political developments in the world and
interpreting them on the basis of the teachings of MarxismLeninism, Comrade Enver Hoxha reaches revolutionary conclusions, points out the major contradictions eroding the
capitalist system from within, analyses the many-sided
crises afflicting this system, and widens the scope of the
struggle of the proletariat and the peoples. The writings
of this volume specially expose the expansionist and hegemonic policy of the superpowers, the United States of
America and the Soviet Union.
Important questions dealt with in this volume are the
struggle of the peoples, the genuine Marxist-Leninist forces
and the revolutionary proletariat against capitalism and
imperialism, the stand to be maintained towards imperialist
war, towards chauvinism and national oppression in the
capitalist and revisionist countries, as well as the elements
determining the creation of the objective and subjective
conditions and factors for the outbreak of the revolution
and national liberation wars, as a constituent part of it, and
the class which should emerge in the lead and guide them.
Attention is devoted to the study, mastering and creative
application of Marxism-Leninism, the creation of alliances
X
FOREWORD
in favour of the revolution, the work Marxist-Leninists
must carry out with the masses, among the unemployed,
the youth, and the ranks of the bourgeois army.
Emphasis is laid on the work the Marxist-Leninist
party must carry out among the working class to help it to
find the road towards the revolution and not to allow itself
to be split and manipulated, to avoid playing the game of
reaction and reformism. Of great value are the conclusions
about how to exploit the national moment in various
countries and to expose the diversionist and mystifying
methods of the bourgeoisie to lead the youth into the impasse of terrorism and to alienate the masses from the revolution by identifying terrorist acts with the true revolutionary activity.
Comrade Enver Hoxha opposes the various anti-scientific and reactionary theories which try to prove that
socialism can be built under the guidance of any ideology —
reformist, opportunist, or even fascist. He argues how the
revolution can be carried out and the exploiting classes
liquidated, how the independence and the victories achieved
can be defended and further strengthened and true socialism, without debts and credits, be built with success, on
the basis of the Marxist-Leninist doctrine.
Relying strongly on the fundamental principles of
Marxism-Leninism, Comrade Enver Hoxha analyses and
argues with convincing facts the basis of the successes in
Albania, explains where the strength of the policy pursued
by the PLA and the Albanian socialist state lies. He exposes
the aim of hostile slogans and propaganda about the socalled self-isolation of Albania and points out clearly the
strategy of the capitalist, imperialist and social-imperialist
states towards it.
The materials of this volume, like those of the previous
volumes of Selected Works, reflect the experience of the
PLA in the struggle for the construction of socialism in
FOREWORD
XI
Albania and the defence of the common cause of the proletariat and the peoples. They reveal clearly the defence of
the principles of Marxism-Leninism and their profound
understanding and creative implementation by the PLA on
the basis of the concrete conditions of Albania.
THE GREAT WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
IS INTENSIFYING
July 1, 1980
T h e g r e a t w o r l d e c o n o m i c c r i s i s w h i c h has a s t r a n g l e h o l d especially on the t w o imperialist superpowers, the
U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a a n d t h e S o v i e t U n i o n , a s w e l l
as on the industrialized countries, J a p a n , F e d e r a l G e r m a n y ,
F r a n c e , B r i t a i n , C a n a d a , Italy, a n d others l i k e M a o i s t C h i n a ,
T i t o i t e Y u g o s l a v i a , the m e m b e r c o u n t r i e s o f the C o m e c o n ,
etc., is g e t t i n g d e e p e r a n d deeper e v e r y d a y . It is f r a u g h t
w i t h g r a v e consequences f o r a l l the states d e p e n d e n t o n
international capital.
T h i s m a j o r e c o n o m i c crisis is a crisis of overproduction,
of the industrial boom* but, at the same time, it has caused
a profound crisis in production. In fact, in all t h e c a p i t a l i s t a n d r e v i s i o n i s t c o u n t r i e s i t has l e d t o i n c r e a s e d
u n e m p l o y m e n t , i n f l a t i o n , p r i c e rises, etc. T h i s m e a n s that,
a t present, p r o d u c t i o n has f a l l e n a n d t h e s t r u g g l e has
b e g u n t o c l e a r stocks o f goods. H o w e v e r t h e c a p i t a l i s t
b o u r g e o i s i e does n o t c l e a r these stocks of goods by r e d u c i n g prices, b u t b y t u r n i n g the w o r k e r s out o n t h e streets,
t h a t is, b y s l o w i n g d o w n p r o d u c t i o n . So, since c a p i t a l i s t
i n d u s t r y n o l o n g e r f u n c t i o n s a t its f o r m e r l e v e l o f p r o d u c t i v i t y , the c r i s i s o f r a w m a t e r i a l s emerges. T h i s crisis,
l i k e w i s e , i s v e r y g r a v e a n d i s a c c o m p a n i e d w i t h t h e colossal
_______________________________________
* E n g l i s h in the o r i g i n a l .
2
ENVER HOXHA
inter-imperialist struggle for markets. T h i s struggle, somet i m e s open a n d s o m e t i m e s s u b v e r s i v e , i s a c c o m p a n i e d w i t h
a n increase i n m i l i t a r y budgets a n d s o p h i s t i c a t e d c o n ventional and nuclear weapons to levels incomparably
higher than ever before.
The United States of America, the Soviet Union,
China and other imperialist powers have become the most
frenzied inciters of a new imperialist world war. Their
hegemonic policy, their eagerness to preserve the existing
imperialist status quo on the one hand, and to redivide
the spheres of influence on the other hand, have deepened
and aggravated the contradictions among the great powers themselves and between them and their partners in
crime, in their exploitation of other peoples, and so have
created new conflicts.
T h e economic, p o l i t i c a l a n d m i l i t a r y r e l a t i o n s i n t h e
various imperialist and revisionist groupings have been
s h a k e n . T h e m e m b e r s o f these g r o u p i n g s a r e s t r i v i n g t o
cause, t o f i n d a n d t o e x p l o i t v a r i o u s s p l i t s a n d i n t h i s w a y
t o f o r m u l a t e excuses f o r r e f u s i n g t o a d h e r e t o c o m m i t ments, treaties a n d agreements, w h i c h e x i s t a m o n g t h e m .
At present the struggle of the peoples who are oppressed and exploited by world capital in crisis has assumed proportions and a variety of forms never seen before.
This is precisely the true source of the great economic
crisis w h i c h h a s e n g u l f e d t h e c a p i t a l i s t a n d r e v i s i o n i s t
w o r l d . O n the surface, i t seems a s i f t h e a r m e d c o n f l i c t s ,
the c o n f l i c t s i n t h e f i e l d o f e c o n o m i c - f i n a n c i a l r e l a t i o n s ,
the great e n e r g y c r i s i s a n d s o o n are o n l y b e t w e e n c a p i t a l ist states, b u t i n fact t h e o r i g i n o f these c o n f l i c t s i s m o r e
deep-seated a n d i s e r o d i n g t h e b o u r g e o i s c a p i t a l i s t state
w h i c h i s s t r i v i n g t o d e f e n d itself, t o s t a y a l i v e , t o h e a l its
n u m e r o u s w o u n d s , etc. The force which is eroding the
beourgeois capitalist state is the struggle in all forms and
at all levels that the peoples are waging all over the world.
DEEPENING OP THE WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
3
I n one w a y o r a n o t h e r , h e r e w i t h g r e a t e r t h e r e w i t h lesser
i n t e n s i t y , t h e w o r k i n g class a n d a l l t h e e x p l o i t e d are
a w a r e o f a n d f i g h t i n g against a l l f o r m s o f t h e c a p i t a l i s t
regime, either local or international, w h i c h is exploiting,
impoverishing and oppressing them economically and
m o r a l l y . H e n c e , t h e r e i s great d i s c o n t e n t a n d r e v o l t a m o n g
the peoples o f t h e w o r l d .
In almost all the capitalist countries today strikes
i n v o l v i n g m i l l i o n s o f p e o p l e a r e t a k i n g place, t h e r e are
f i e r c e clashes w i t h the forces o f l a w a n d order, t h e r e are
a r m e d r e v o l t s , b u t also m i l i t a r y putsches, acts o f t e r r o r ism and anarchism organized by the r u l i n g bourgeois cap i t a l i s t g o v e r n m e n t s , t h e r e is a colossal a m o u n t of s m u g gling and theft organized on a national and international
scale, t h e r e i s a n u n l i m i t e d a n d m o n s t r o u s d e v e l o p m e n t
of political, m o r a l and physical corruption. Thus the w a y
is being prepared for fascism to come to power.
Today we are living in the period of the decay of
capitalism, of the weakening, disintegration and bankruptcy of this system, this degenerate society. T h e r e is no w a y
o u t o f t h i s chaos, t h i s f i l t h , o t h e r t h a n t h e r e v o l u t i o n , t h e
s u r g i c a l r e m o v a l o f t h e r o t t e n tissue, t h e s e i z u r e o f state
p o w e r b y t h e w o r k i n g class, w h i c h has t h e m i s s i o n t o
establish the dictatorship of the proletariat. W h a t L e n i n
s a i d a b o u t t h i s process i s b e i n g c o n f i r m e d a n d i t w i l l
c e r t a i n l y t a k e place.
A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m w i t h its chief, P r e s i d e n t C a r t e r ,
i s f a c i n g m a j o r d i f f i c u l t i e s i n its p o l i c y , i n t h e e c o n o m y ,
i n its a l l i a n c e s a n d colonies. A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m does
n o t k n o w w h i c h w a y t o t u r n , h o w t o cope w i t h t h e d a n gers w h i c h are t h r e a t e n i n g i t a n d i n c r e a s i n g d a y b y d a y .
T h u s i t f i n d s i t s e l f seized i n a n i r o n g r i p f r o m w h i c h i t
i s t r y i n g t o free itself b y a p p l y i n g a n i n s a n e p o l i c y o f
i n t i m i d a t i o n , b l a c k m a i l , e c o n o m i c a n d p o l i t i c a l pressure,
open m i l i t a r y i n t e r v e n t i o n a n d s u b v e r s i v e a c t i v i t i e s , etc.
4
ENVER HOXHA
I n r e g a r d t o c u r r e n t events i t m u s t b e s a i d t h a t t h e
struggle o f t h e I r a n i a n people d u r i n g these last t w o o r
t h r e e y e a r s against the S h a h a n d t h e U n i t e d States o f
A m e r i c a i s a h e a v y b l o w t o A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m . The
crisis of Iran is the crisis of the United States of America.
B e f o r e this t h e peoples o f t h e w o r l d w e r e a c q u a i n t e d w i t h
the b a r b a r o u s p o l i c y o f the U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a a n d
its savage m e t h o d s o f d o m i n a t i o n a n d p l u n d e r , b u t i n I r a n
they saw them still more clearly. T h e tool of the A m e r i c a n
imperialists in Iran was the S h a h and his clique, m u r d e r ers of the people. F o r decades on end, t h e e x t e r n a l r o b b e r s
in alliance w i t h the internal robbers, the murderers and
b l o o d - s u c k e r s o f the I r a n i a n people, the S h a h ' s g o v e r n m e n t
and administration under the direction of Washington,
through the A m e r i c a n embassy in Teheran, made the l a w
i n I r a n i n f u l l a c c o r d w i t h one a n o t h e r .
I n the e n d , h o w e v e r , t h e I r a n i a n people rose i n r e v o l u t i o n , s w e p t t h e S h a h f r o m t h e face o f t h e e a r t h w i t h
the i r o n b r o o m a n d c a p t u r e d a n d i m p r i s o n e d a l l t h e spies
of the A m e r i c a n embassy w h o operated under the cloak
o f d i p l o m a t s . F o r m o r e t h a n n i n e m o n t h s n o w , t h e soc a l l e d d i p l o m a t s o f a great p o w e r w h i c h m a k e s t h e l a w
in t h e w o r l d h a v e b e e n in p r i s o n . O tempora! O mores!
T h i s c o u l d n o t h a p p e n i n e a l i e r t i m e s , b u t i t has h a p p e n e d
n o w a n d i t i s h a p p e n i n g also t o others besides t h e A m e r icans, i n other c o u n t r i e s .
T h e U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a s u f f e r e d a m a j o r p o l i t i c a l defeat, w h i c h i t i s u n a b l e t o r e p a i r e i t h e r t h r o u g h
diplomatic channels and economic blackmail, or through
military intervention, as it attempted to do and failed
w i t h its a i r c o m m a n d o s i n A p r i l a t T a b a s . I n I r a n t h e
U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a lost one o f its m o s t i m p o r t a n t
sources of o i l a n d e n e r g y a n d colossal p r o f i t s . It lost t h e
c o n f i d e n c e o f its A r a b «allies» o f t h e P e r s i a n G u l f , the
American-Egyptian-Israeli agreement reached at C a m p
DEEPENING OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
5
D a v i d w a s s h a k e n , zizanies* a n d o p e n a n d u n d e r g r o u n d
disagreements w i t h its N A T O p a r t n e r s e m e r g e d .
I n these s i t u a t i o n s t h e S o v i e t U n i o n w h e t s its teeth
and bites. I t o c c u p i e d A f g h a n i s t a n a n d i s d r i v i n g wedges
into N A T O , etc. A t t h e s a m e t i m e t h e c o n t r a d i c t i o n s bet w e e n the S o v i e t U n i o n a n d t h e U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a
are b e i n g d e e p e n e d . O u t w a r d l y t h e W a r s a w T r e a t y seems
« m o n o l i t h i c » , w h i l e c r a c k s are s h o w i n g u p w i t h i n N A T O ,
«United Europe» and the E u r o p e a n C o m m o n M a r k e t . The
cracks are j u s t a s great w i t h i n C o m e c o n a n d t h e W a r s a w
T r e a t y , b u t t h e r e t h e S o v i e t a r m y has a s t r a n g l e h o l d o n
the «allies» o f t h e S o v i e t U n i o n , w h i l e t h e U n i t e d States
o f A m e r i c a i s l o s i n g its f o r m e r i n f l u e n c e o v e r its «allies»,
especially o v e r F r a n c e a n d F e d e r a l G e r m a n y . «Mete, M e t e ,
e v e r y m a n f o r h i m s e l f , » o u r p e o p l e say. W h e n i t w i n s ,
the U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a w a n t s t o b e t h e f i r s t
t o t a k e t h e l i o n ' s s h a r e o f the p r o f i t s , w h i l e w h e n i t loses
it w a n t s t h e «allies» to p a y f o r the losses, t h a t is, to s h a r e
its m i s f o r t u n e s a n d defeats.
B u t the l a w of the jungle operates; the capitalist w i l l
see y o u h a n g e d , b u t w i l l n o t c o m e t o y o u r a i d .
The France of De Gaulle and d'Estaign is in N A T O
a n d i s n o t i n N A T O . I t r e m o v e d t h e N A T O bases, t h a t is,
the A m e r i c a n bases, f r o m F r e n c h s o i l , s t r e n g t h e n e d its
army independently, built the atomic and hydrogen bomb
a n d n o w r e c e n t l y t h e n e u t r o n b o m b , too, a n d does not
submit to the A m e r i c a n dictate on this question. The
c u r r e n t F r e n c h p o l i c y proceeds f r o m the p o s i t i o n «better
to prepare to defend myself first than w a i t for the U n i t e d
States o f A m e r i c a t o d e f e n d m e l a t e i n the day.» T h i s
constitutes a b r e a c h b e t w e e n F r a n c e a n d t h e U n i t e d
States o f A m e r i c a . I n r e c e n t m o n t h s t h e U n i t e d States o f
A m e r i c a a n d C a r t e r h a v e done t h e i r u t m o s t t o e n s u r e t h a t
____________________________________
* Quarrels
(French
in the
original).
6
ENVER HOXHA
France and Federal G e r m a n y , especially, are united w i t h
t h e m i n a l l t h e i r actions against I r a n .
Paris and B o n n condemned in principle the holding
o f t h e A m e r i c a n d i p l o m a t s a s hostages b y the I r a n i a n s ,
b u t t h e y d i d n o t agree w i t h t h e e c o n o m i c s a n c t i o n s p r o posed b y the U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a against I r a n ,
hence, t h e y left i t i n t h e l u r c h . T h i s i s a n o t h e r b r e a c h
b e t w e e n the U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a a n d F r a n c e a n d
Federal G e r m a n y . T h e U n i t e d States of A m e r i c a condemned
the occupation of A f g h a n i s t a n by the Soviet U n i o n . C h i n a a n d N A T O also c o n d e m n e d t h i s o c c u p a t i o n . W e c o n d e m n e d it, too, b u t n o t f r o m t h e i r p o s i t i o n s a n d a i m s .
T o m o r r o w they w i l l come to terms w i t h the Soviets over
this q u e s t i o n , w h i l e w e w i l l n e v e r d o s u c h a t h i n g .
A s a s a n c t i o n against t h e S o v i e t U n i o n o v e r t h e quest i o n of A f g h a n i s t a n , P r e s i d e n t C a r t e r d e c l a r e d a b o y c o t t
o f t h e O l y m p i c games, w h i c h are t o b e h e l d these d a y s
in Moscow, and demanded that a l l the others boycott
t h e m , too, b u t a m a j o r i t y of states, i n c l u d i n g F r a n c e a n d
e v e n I t a l y w h i c h sent a n a l l e g e d l y u n o f f i c i a l t e a m p i
athletes t o M o s c o w , left h i m i n t h e l u r c h once a g a i n .
France went even further. Completely ignoring the
U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a , P r e s i d e n t G i s c a r d d ' E s t a i g n
met Brezhnev in W a r s a w . G i s c a r d made official visits to
s e v e r a l c o u n t r i e s o f the M i d d l e E a s t w h e r e , i n p u b l i c
speeches, h e e x p r e s s e d d o u b t s a b o u t t h e A m e r i c a n - E g y p t i a n - I s r a e l i C a m p D a v i d c o m p r o m i s e a n d p r e s e n t e d some
flabby alternative formulations about the rights of the
P a l e s t i n i a n people. T h i s i s a n o t h e r b r e a c h b e t w e e n t h e
U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a a n d F r a n c e .
E v e n after these defeats C a r t e r p r o p o s e d t h a t t h e
U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a s h o u l d d e p l o y some n e w « P e r s h ing-2» a n d « C r u i s e » n u c l e a r m i s s i l e s i n E u r o p e f o r t h e
«defence» o f E u r o p e a n N A T O p a r t n e r s .
This proposal w h i c h Carter tried to impose was
DEEPENING OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
7
rejected b o t h b y G i s c a r d a n d b y t h e G e r m a n C h a n c e l l o r
Schmidt. W h y ? A p p a r e n t l y f r o m fear that if the U n i t e d
States o f A m e r i c a d e p l o y s i t s n e w m i s s i l e s i n E u r o p e ,
the S o v i e t U n i o n w i l l m a t c h t h i s b y d e p l o y i n g its n e w
«SS-20» n u c l e a r m i s s i l e s i n t h e c o u n t r i e s o f t h e W a r s a w
T r e a t y . F o r t h i s r e a s o n S c h m i d t i s t o g o t o M o s c o w soon
and it is said that he w i l l demand f r o m the Soviets
a m o r a t o r i u m for three years on the question of the
deployment of new missiles in Europe. Carter was angry
and wrote to Schmidt telling h i m not to go to Moscow
t o discuss t h e q u e s t i o n o f t h e d e p l o y m e n t o f n e w m i s siles. B u t S c h m i d t w a s u n m o v e d a n d r e s p o n d e d n e g a tively to Carter's letter. Indeed, in regard to this letter
Schmidt made the following declaration to the A m e r i c a n
n e w s p a p e r Washington Post: « F o r 20 y e a r s it has b e e n
my custom to express my opinions w i t h o u t asking leave
of a n y b o d y else», t h a t is, I h a v e no i n t e n t i o n of a s k i n g
l e a v e o f C a r t e r n o w . T h i s w h o l e issue speaks o f « u n i t y »
between France and Federal G e r m a n y and of rifts bet w e e n t h e m a n d t h e U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a .
« U n i t e d E u r o p e » i s n o l o n g e r u n i t e d i n itself. T h e
q u a r r e l s , r i v a l r i e s , a n d o p p o s i n g i n t e r e s t s o f e a c h state
of this so-called European C o m m u n i t y are increasing to
the e x t e n t t h a t its v e r y e x i s t e n c e i s i n j e o p a r d y . B r i t a i n ,
t h e m o s t f a i t h f u l a l l y o f t h e U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a ,
is refusing to pay the quota allocated by the European
C o m m o n Market. Naturally neither B o n n nor Paris like
t h i s . F r a n c e agrees t h a t G r e e c e s h o u l d b e r e a d m i t t e d t o
the m i l i t a r y structures of N A T O and become a m e m b e r
o f t h e E u r o p e a n C o m m o n M a r k e t , b u t i t i s against t h e
admission of Spain and Portugal. Giscard knows that the
a d m i s s i o n o f t h e I b e r i a n states t o t h e W e s t e r n f o l d w i l l
b r i n g d i f f i c u l t i e s f o r t h e sale o f F r e n c h a g r i c u l t u r a l p r o ducts. O n t h e o t h e r h a n d t h e I b e r i a n P e n i n s u l a w h i c h , i n
r e a l i t y , i s a n A m e r i c a n m i l i t a r y base, i f a d m i t t e d t o t h e
ENVER HOXHA
8
N A T O , becomes a n e w a l l y o f t h e U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a i n E u r o p e , o n t h e side o f B r i t a i n .
The contradictions between the U n i t e d States of
A m e r i c a a n d the i n d u s t r i a l i z e d E u r o p e a n states w e r e u n f u r l e d i n the m e e t i n g o f t h e heads o f state a n d g o v e r n m e n t o f the m a i n i n d u s t r i a l i z e d c o u n t r i e s o f t h e w o r l d
w h i c h w a s h e l d a t t h e e n d o f J u n e i n V e n i c e . I n the
middle of the meeting, w h i c h was held in a monastery in
an island of the L a g o o n of Venice, a «small d i p l o m a t i c
m e t e o r i t e » f o r G i s c a r d a n d some o t h e r s a r r i v e d f r o m
Moscow. Moscow announced that it was w i t h d r a w i n g a
d i v i s i o n o f s o l d i e r s a n d 100 t a n k s f r o m A f g h a n i s t a n , l e a v i n g there 10 other divisions, if not more. Thus M o s c o w
tossed a p e b b l e i n t o t h e s t a g n a n t p o o l , b u t t h e r i p p l e i t
caused soon d i e d a w a y . I t w a s a d i p l o m a t i c m a n o e u v r e ,
but short-lived. Cossiga asked M o s c o w to w i t h d r a w the
r e m a i n d e r o f i t s t r o o p s f r o m A f g h a n i s t a n , too, b u t i t
u n c o v e r e d its b a t t e r i e s a n d s h o w e d its t e e t h , r e p l y i n g t h a t
far f r o m w i t h d r a w i n g more troops f r o m Afghanistan, it
m i g h t , if n e e d be, send o t h e r t r o o p s t h e r e .
Soviet social-imperialism is m o u n t i n g arrogant attacks
o n t h e e n e m y c a m p w h i c h f i n d s itself i n d i f f i c u l t i e s . T h e
S o v i e t l e a d e r s i n t e n d t o use G i s c a r d a n d S c h m i d t f o r
this purpose, but to w h a t extent a n d f o r h o w long, this
r e m a i n s t o b e seen. I t i s t r u e t h a t the S o v i e t s w o r d i s l o n g
b u t t h e others, too, are k e e p i n g t h e i r daggers d r a w n . I n
this great cauldron which is boiling, in this big fire which
is burning world capitalism, the national liberation struggles, the objective and subjective factors are increasing,
mounting, expanding in quantity and rising in quality.
The peoples of the world are moving. I r r e s p e c t i v e of t h e
manipulations of the various ideologies in the service of
capital, the w o r l d proletariat is f i g h t i n g and leading the
class struggle.
V i e w i n g the
situation
as
a
whole
with
a
Marxist-
DEEPENING OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
9
L e n i n i s t eye, i t c a n b e seen t h a t t h e c l a s s s t r u g g l e i s b e i n g
waged in every corner of the w o r l d in classical and n o n classical f o r m s . E v e r y w h e r e the peoples are e x t r e m e l y
anxious and w o r r i e d . T h e i r discontent and anger at the
oppressive forces, w h e t h e r n a t i o n a l o r f o r e i g n , a r e i n c r e a s i n g , m o u n t i n g , t a k i n g s p e c i f i c m a t e r i a l shape. R e g a r d l e s s
o f w h o i s l e a d i n g t h e n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n a r m e d struggles
o f the peoples, t h e b l o o d o f t h e peoples f i g h t i n g f o r t h e i r
freedom a n d independence reflects their hatred and w r a t h
against l o c a l a n d f o r e i g n c a p i t a l i s t o p p r e s s i o n , a n d i n t h e
course o f these s t r u g g l e s t h e peoples d i s t i n g u i s h t h e a n t i popular stands of i n d i v i d u a l s or groups, a n d f o r m alliances
w i t h the m o s t p r o g r e s s i v e a n d m o s t r e v o l u t i o n a r y forces.
In every movement, in every demonstration or strike, in
every public, political or economic manifestation, it is
i m p o s s i b l e n o t t o p r o t e s t a g a i n s t t h e d e s t r u c t i v e effects
o f t h e g r a v e crises a n d n o t t o p u t t h e f i n g e r o n t h e persons
responsible for the exploitation a n d oppression of the peoples, t h e f o r c e s w h i c h w a n t t h e d e s t r u c t i o n o f m a n k i n d .
I n t h e c a p i t a l i s t a n d r e v i s i o n i s t c o u n t r i e s w i t h one
pseudo-communist party, w i t h two or more pseudo-democratic p a r t i e s , d e s p i t e t h e e f f o r t s o f these p a r t i e s t o l a y
the b l a m e o n e a c h other, a n d d e s p i t e t h e b o u r g e o i s states,
s e p a r a t e l y o r i n g r o u p s , t r y i n g t o p u t t h e b l a m e o n one
another, n o t h i n g i s c h a n g i n g ; t h e o p p r e s s i o n o f t h e p e o ples c o n t i n u e s , b u t t h e i r a n g e r a n d r e v o l t c o n t i n u e t o
mount as w e l l . This anger and revolt are h i t t i n g the
capitalist a n d revisionist bourgeoisie in various f o r m s and
w i t h different intensities.
The peoples see that predatory imperialist war is
threatening them. They understand who is preparing this
war, who pays the cost of it and who profits from this
war. T w o p h e n o m e n a s t a n d out i n t h i s s i t u a t i o n : t h e r e a r e
some w h o a r e s t i l l a f r a i d o f i m p e r i a l i s t w a r , t h e r e are
others w h o f i g h t a g a i n s t it. I n t h e f i n a l a n a l y s i s , h o w e v e r ,
10
ENVER HOXHA
i n v a r i o u s f o r m s , t h e peoples a r e j o i n i n g i n t h e s t r u g g l e
o f a c t i v e resistance, i n t h e i n i t i a l stages o f t h e n a t i o n a l
liberation war, in sabotaging and stopping the imperialist
w a r a n d , i n t h e e n d , are h u r l i n g t h e m s e l v e s i n t o r e v o l u tion. The movements of opposition w h i c h are t a k i n g place
in the w o r l d must not be judged f r o m the standpoint of
bourgeois governments a n d their parties w h i c h t r y to
m a n i p u l a t e t h e peoples; it is n e c e s s a r y to see t h e essence
o f t h e p r o b l e m , t h e resistance a n d t h e f u n d a m e n t a l d i r e c t i o n o f t h e peoples' p o l i t i c a l o r e c o n o m i c d e m a n d s , w h i c h
force the capitalist bourgeois leaderships either to take
d r a c o n i a n r e p r e s s i v e m e a s u r e s a g a i n s t these m o v e m e n t s ,
or in order to restabilize their already shaken situation, to
s h i f t s o m e t i m e s i n one, s o m e t i m e s i n a n o t h e r d i r e c t i o n a n d
r e l y o n one o r t h e o t h e r s u p e r p o w e r .
The Marxist-Leninists must master historical materiali s m a n d a p p l y i t i n p r a c t i c e . T h e y m u s t see t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e w o r l d a n d t h e changes o c c u r r i n g i n i t f r o m
the a n g l e o f M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m . H e w h o u p h o l d s t h e
occupation of A f g h a n i s t a n by the Soviet social-imperialists a n d considers it a j u s t a n d necessary a c t i o n c a n n o t
be considered a M a r x i s t , he is an a n t i - M a r x i s t . Those
s e l f - s t y l e d M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t s w h o t r y t o «argue» t h a t t h e
A f g h a n people a n d t h e e l e m e n t s o f t h e m i d d l e a n d e v e n
o f the t o p b o u r g e o i s i e w h o f i g h t against t h e S o v i e t o c c u p i ers s h o u l d n o t be d e s c r i b e d as p a t r i o t s c a n n o t be c a l l e d
M a r x i s t s , t h e y are a n t i - M a r x i s t s . H e w h o t h i n k s a n d acts
i n t h i s w a y has u n d e r s t o o d n o t h i n g o f t h e t e a c h i n g s o f
M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m o n alliances, o n n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n f r o n t s
a n d struggles. L i k e w i s e t h e t h o u g h t s a n d actions o f some
« c o m m u n i s t » c o m r a d e s a b r o a d w h o f a i l t o see t h e a n t i i m p e r i a l i s t aspects o f t h e s t r u g g l e o f t h e A r a b peoples, t h e
I r a n i a n people a n d t h e M o s l e m w o r l d c a n n o t b e c a l l e d
M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t thoughts and actions. To underestimate
these a n t i - i m p e r i a l i s t m o m e n t s , t o f a i l t o m a k e t h e m o s t
DEEPENING OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
11
o f t h e m a n d d i s p l a y « o r t h o d o x y » b y d e m a n d i n g t h a t these
peoples i n r e v o l u t i o n a b a n d o n b e l i e f i n t h e i r r e l i g i o n , a n d
the customs a n d h a b i t s w h i c h d e r i v e f r o m i t a l m o s t a t once,
shows a t least M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t i d e o l o g i c a l i m m a t u r i t y .
A s t h e e v e n t s i n I r a n p r o v e , t h e masses o f t h e p e o p l e
p l a y a n i m p o r t a n t a n d d e c i s i v e r o l e i n c a r r y i n g out t h e
revolution. It was they w h o placed themselves in the
forefront of the fight, overthrew the feudal m o n a r c h y of
the P a h l e v i s a n d d e a l t p o w e r f u l b l o w s a t i m p e r i a l i s m .
H o w e v e r we cannot say that they h a v e t r i u m p h e d and
their struggle can be carried f o r w a r d w i t h the b l i n d
mediaeval fanaticism of the Ayatollahs. The communists
m u s t s u p p o r t a n d h e l p t h e r e v o l u t i o n a r y masses a n d t h e
p r o g r e s s i v e f o r c e s i n t h e i r s t r u g g l e . T h e s t r u g g l e t h e y are
w a g i n g a t p r e s e n t creates c o n d i t i o n s f o r t h e c o m m u n i s t s
t o g o a m o n g t h e masses, t o w o r k f o r t h e i r c o r r e c t e d u c a tion, to deepen their o w n M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t ideological
w o r l d outlook, to rely on the revolutionary people and
o n t h e w o r k i n g class, i n t h e f i r s t place, a n d t o b e able t o
m a k e use o f e v e r y s i t u a t i o n f a v o u r a b l e f o r t h e r e v o l u t i o n .
T h i s i s h o w t h e process o f t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e
s t r u g g l e o f t h e peoples m u s t b e u n d e r s t o o d a n d f o l l o w e d .
It is a grave error to confound a n d i d e n t i f y the sentim e n t s o f t h e peoples, w h a t e v e r t h e y are, w i t h those o f
the b o u r g e o i s c a p i t a l i s t g r o u p s i n p o w e r i n a p a r t i c u l a r
country. T h e people of Egypt, for example, cannot and
must not be identified w i t h Sadat and his clique, w h o
u n t i l yesterday were in the service of the Soviets a n d have
placed themselves in the service of the A m e r i c a n s t o d a y . . .
The M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t communists must be able to
m a k e correct analyses, to determine the proper strategy
a n d tactics, t o f o r m a l l i a n c e s i n f a v o u r o f t h e r e v o l u t i o n ,
t o u n d e r t a k e c o r r e c t r e v o l u t i o n a r y actions a n d n o t a d v e n t u r e s a n d see a l l these f r o m t h e s t a n d p o i n t o f t h e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t t h e o r y , because o n l y i n t h i s w a y c a n one
12
ENVER HOXHA
s e r v e t h e l i b e r a t i o n o f t h e peoples f r o m c a p i t a l i s m a n d
make revolution.
N a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n w a r s are j u s t w a r s . T h e y b r e a k
out w h e n the o b j e c t i v e a n d s u b j e c t i v e f a c t o r s e x i s t a n d
have matured. The Marxist-Leninists themselves must
h e l p i n t h e c r e a t i o n o f these f a c t o r s . T h e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t s
m u s t n e v e r sit i d l e a n d n o t t a k e p a r t i n t h e j u s t w a r s ,
e i t h e r a s parties, o r a s g r o u p s w h e n t h e y a r e n o t y e t
o r g a n i z e d a s parties, o r a s i n d i v i d u a l f i g h t e r s . T h e y m u s t
n e v e r s t a n d aloof f r o m t h e masses w h o a r e f i g h t i n g f o r
social and national liberation, but w h i l e f i g h t i n g in their
midst, they must c o n f i r m their communist convictions,
o r g a n i z e t h e m s e l v e s a n d place the w o r k i n g class i n t h e
l e a d e r s h i p . E v e n w h e n t h e y are n o t o r g a n i z e d , t h e y m u s t
e m e r g e i n t h e v a n g u a r d o f t h e masses t h r o u g h t h e i r
struggle and sacrifices, so that the n a t i o n a l liberation w a r
a d v a n c e s t o w a r d s its m i n i m a l objectives, a n d t h e n goes
o n t o its u l t i m a t e o b j e c t i v e s .
The creation of conditions for the outbreak of national liberation wars does not depend on the will of one
or the other personality. It is the objective and subjective situations that cause the outbreak of the national
liberation wars which are a high level form of the class
struggle. T h a t class w h i c h emerges i n t h e f o r e f r o n t a n d
leads t h e n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n w a r i s t h e most p r o g r e s s i v e ,
t h e d e c i s i v e f a c t o r . T h e w o r k i n g class i s t h e m o s t p r o g r e s sive of t h e p r o g r e s s i v e classes. It m u s t a s s u m e t h e l e a d e r s h i p o f t h e l i b e r a t i o n w a r . I f a t t h e outset o f t h e w a r i t
has n o t e n s u r e d its l e a d i n g p o s i t i o n , i t m u s t s t a n d i n t h e
f o r e f r o n t o f t h e f i g h t i n g a n d s a c r i f i c e s , because o n l y i n
this w a y can it take over the political and m i l i t a r y leadership, ensure the f u l f i l m e n t of the objectives of the n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n w a r a n d r e a l i z e i t s o w n desires.
In the situation developing in the w o r l d today, the
M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t parties, t h e w o r k i n g class a n d its p o s s i b l e
DEEPENING OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
13
allies, t h e b r o a d s t r a t a o f t h e p e a s a n t r y a n d t h e p r o g r e s s i v e
i n t e l l i g e n t s i a , m u s t n o t o n l y see c l e a r l y t h e d a n g e r of a
n e w i m p e r i a l i s t w o r l d w a r , b u t also o r g a n i z e t h e m s e l v e s
a n d assert t h e i r w i l l i n a t h o u s a n d f o r m s , i n o r d e r t o stop
this destructive war, to expose the demagogy and falsity
of the «democratic» slogans of enslaving capital a n d to
free themselves f r o m the restrictive chains of the various
p s e u d o - d e m o c r a t i c a n d p s e u d o - p o p u l a r p a r t i e s set u p b y
the b o u r g e o i s i e .
At a l l times it is necessary to study carefully, on the
basis o f t h e p r i n c i p l e s o f M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m , e v e r y s i t u a tion that is created in each country a n d in the r a n k s of
each people, t o d r a w c o n c l u s i o n s a n d c o m e o u t w i t h r e v o l u t i o n a r y p r o g r e s s i v e j o i n t actions. N o t h i n g m u s t escape
t h e r e v o l u t i o n a r y e y e o f those w h o f i g h t f o r t h e g r e a t
cause o f t h e i r o w n p e o p l e a n d a l l peoples. T h e M a r x i s t Leninists must utilize every development of the situation.
This is a struggle w h i c h must be w a g e d every day, because i n t h i s w a y t h e great a v a l a n c h e o f t h e r e v o l u t i o n
w i l l s w e e p a w a y t h e e n e m i e s o f t h e peoples, a n d b r i n g
f r e e d o m , progress, a n d socialist s o c i e t y a n d e v e n t u a l l y
c o m m u n i s t society.
T h e r e f o r e , i n t h i s great e c o n o m i c c r i s i s o f w o r l d c a p i t a l i s m t h e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t c o m m u n i s t s , w h e r e v e r t h e y are i n
the w o r l d , m u s t c l e a r l y d e f i n e t h e i r l i n e a n d s t a n d s a n d k n o w
h o w t o a p p l y t h i s l i n e i n p r a c t i c e . I n these h i g h l y c o m p l i c a t e d s i t u a t i o n s i n w h i c h t h e r e a r e clashes o f t h e i n t e r e s t s o f
classes w h i c h are n o t s e p a r a t e d b y c l e a r c u t d i v i s i o n s , b u t
are i n t e r l i n k e d a n d i n t e r d e p e n d e n t , o n l y a g e n u i n e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t c o m m u n i s t p a r t y c a n see c l e a r l y w h e r e t h e
a d v a n t a g e s a n d w h e r e t h e d i s a d v a n t a g e s l i e , d i s t i n g u i s h enemies f r o m friends, k n o w w i t h w h o m t o unite, against w h o m
a n d h o w t h e y m u s t f i g h t a n d c a r r y t h i s w a r f o r w a r d , etc.
«The Superpowers»
THE WORK OF THE PARTY SHOULD BE UNDERSTOOD
AS A SCIENCE AND APPLIED SCIENTIFICALLY
From the talk with the members of the Bureau of the
Party Committee and some cadres of the district of Korça
July 18, 1980
I am h a p p y to meet y o u c o m r a d e s , r e s p o n s i b l e cadres of
t h e P a r t y a n d state here, i n K o r ç a . T h i s m e e t i n g g i v e s m e
the opportunity to acquaint myself w i t h the w o r k and life
of the P a r t y and y o u r w o r k in the district and to exchange
some o p i n i o n s . Y o u c o m r a d e s o f t h e base h a v e g r e a t
experience in work, therefore I w o u l d l i k e y o u to help
me w i t h your valuable opinions and experience. W i t h o u t
t h e a i d o f t h e base t h e l e a d e r s h i p w i l l b e left l i k e a f i s h
out of w a t e r , as t h e s a y i n g goes, a n d I s a y t h i s n o t o u t
of m o d e s t y , b u t because it is a r e a l i t y . T h e r e f o r e , do
not t h i n k I h a v e c o m e t o t h i s m e e t i n g t o g i v e y o u a d v i c e
or special instructions. No. I t h i n k that the m u t u a l exchange
of opinions is v e r y important, and w h i l e acquainting ourselves w i t h t h e w o r k o f t h e P a r t y a n d t h e state i n y o u r
d i s t r i c t , together w e s h a l l m a k e some g e n e r a l i z a t i o n s a n d
r e a c h some c o n c l u s i o n s t o c a r r y t h e w o r k f u r t h e r a h e a d .
T h a t is, w e s h o u l d assist one a n o t h e r . F o r m e i t i s i m p o r tant to acquaint myself concretely w i t h some k e y problems
of first-rate importance for the development of industry
a n d a g r i c u l t u r e a n d science a n d c u l t u r e g e n e r a l l y , h e r e
PARTY WORK IS SCIENCE
15
i n K o r ç a , because a l l t h e a c t i v i t y a n d t h e w o r k o f t h e
P a r t y a n d state i n t h e d i s t r i c t i s r e f l e c t e d p r e c i s e l y i n
those sectors.
After the first secretary of the Party Committee of
the district of Korça informed Comrade Enver Hoxha
about the sound moral-political situation of the people
in the district of Korça, about the mobilization of the
working class and the cooperativist peasantry in the
struggle to fulfil the state plan, the work being done
for the education of communists and workers, the fulfilment of tasks in defence works and military training,
and about the increase of the ranks of the Party with
new blood, Comrade Enver Hoxha took the floor
again:
I n g e n e r a l , I , too, a g r e e w i t h t h e a n a l y s i s o f t h e p r o b lems w h i c h the first secretary of the P a r t y C o m m i t t e e of
the d i s t r i c t p r e s e n t e d , a n d I t h i n k t h a t h e dealt c l e a r l y
w i t h those p r o b l e m s w h i c h a r e c o n c e r n i n g t h e P a r t y i n
the d i s t r i c t a n d i n t h e w h o l e c o u n t r y . H i s o u t l i n e g a v e m e
an accurate general idea f r o m w h i c h I assume that y o u
here i n K o r ç a see t h e p r o b l e m s c l e a r l y , n o t o n l y f r o m
the t h e o r e t i c a l s t a n d - p o i n t , b u t also i n r e g a r d t o p u t t i n g
the d i r e c t i v e s o f t h e P a r t y i n t o p r a c t i c e . T h e l e a d e r s h i p
o f the P a r t y k n o w s y o u r s i t u a t i o n , b u t f r o m t h e o u t l i n e
that w a s p r e s e n t e d I h a v e g a i n e d f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n
that the leading activity of the P a r t y here in the district
has y i e l d e d s a t i s f a c t o r y r e s u l t s w h i c h are t a n g i b l e a n d
w h i c h c a n b e seen i n t h e p r o g r e s s i v e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e
economy, i n t h e i m p r o v e d w e l l - b e i n g o f t h e p e o p l e a n d
in the enhanced moral-political and educational level of
the b r o a d w o r k i n g masses o f t o w n a n d c o u n t r y s i d e , o f t h e
w o r k i n g class, t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t s a n d t h e people's i n t e l ligentsia.
16
ENVER HOXHA
O f course, j u s t a s y o u c o m r a d e s e c r e t a r y s a i d , h o w e v e r m u c h progress w e m a k e , t h e r e s t i l l r e m a i n s m u c h t o
b e done. B e a r i n g i n m i n d t h e p r e s e n t stage o f t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f o u r c o u n t r y , t h a t is, t h e h i g h stage o f t h e c o n s t r u c tion of socialism, as w e l l as the international situation, our
P a r t y a n d its l e v e r s a r e f a c e d w i t h t h e t a s k o f p a s s i n g , o n
t h e basis o f these a c h i e v e m e n t s , f r o m t h i s stage t o a n o t h e r
e v e n h i g h e r , m o r e p e r f e c t e d stage o f t h e w o r k , o f o r g a n i z ation and ideo-political and cultural uplift, in order to give
the development and strengthening of the economy and
t h e w h o l e o f o u r socialist society a m u c h g r e a t e r i m p e t u s
t h a n i n t h e past.
As y o u k n o w , as a result of this concern of the P a r t y ,
t h e o b j e c t i v e o f t h e recent m e e t i n g o f t h e P l e n u m o f t h e
Central Committee of the P a r t y (1) was the further developm e n t o f science a n d t e c h n i q u e a n d s c i e n t i f i c - r e s e a r c h w o r k
in our country. At this exceptionally important P l e n u m
w h i c h is, y o u m i g h t say, t h e p r e l u d e t o t h e c o m i n g C o n gress o f o u r P a r t y , w h i c h w i l l b e h e l d n e x t y e a r , the C e n t r a l
C o m m i t t e e o f t h e P a r t y b a s e d i t s e l f o n those o r i e n t a t i o n s
w h i c h w e m u s t c a r r y out a n d w h i c h I m e n t i o n e d e a r l i e r :
t h e t r a n s i t i o n f r o m t h e p r e s e n t stage t o a h i g h e r , m o r e
a d v a n c e d stage, a n d i n t h e shortest t i m e p o s s i b l e .
I b e l i e v e y o u are p r e p a r i n g t o e x a m i n e a n d discuss
the materials of the P l e n u m of the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e of
the P a r t y in the proper w a y . T h i s is not a simple matter
t h a t c a n b e passed o v e r s u p e r f i c i a l l y a n d easily, w i t h o u t
going into it thoroughly, but on the contrary, here we
have to do w i t h a v e r y i m p o r t a n t problem. F o r this reason,
i t i s necessary t o d e l v e t h o r o u g h l y i n t o t h o s e m a t e r i a l s ,
because, a s w e p o i n t e d o u t a t t h e P l e n u m , a l l o f u s m u s t
_________________________________
1 T h e 8th P l e n u m of the C e n t r a l Committee of the P L A
w h i c h held its
proceedings
from
24-25
June
1980 (See
E n v e r H o x h a , Selected Works, v o l . 5, «8 N ë n t o r i » P u b l i s h i n g
House, T i r a n a 1985, p. 1006, E n g . ed.).
PARTY WORK IS SCIENCE
17
analyse the existing situation thoroughly, l o o k i n g at it
f r o m a l l angles, a n d t h e n c a r e f u l l y c a l c u l a t e t h e 6tep
forward that we must take.
Science and technical-scientific progress should not be
c o n s i d e r e d a n a i m i n t h e m s e l v e s . T h e y are n o t s o f o r o u r
P a r t y a n d state. H e r e w e a r e n o t t a l k i n g a b o u t p u r e science,
science f o r t h e s a k e o f science. N o , w e a r e t a l k i n g a b o u t
a n a d v a n c e d science w h i c h m u s t f i n d c o n c r e t e a p p l i c a t i o n
and y i e l d r e s u l t s i n t h e c o n d i t i o n s o f o u r c o u n t r y . B e i n g
Marxist-Leninists, we are not permitted to overreach
ourselves, b u t m u s t c a r e f u l l y m e a s u r e t h e steps f o r w a r d w e
take, b e a r i n g w e l l i n m i n d o u r r e a l p o s s i b i l i t i e s .
W o r l d science h a s m a d e c o n s i d e r a b l e a d v a n c e i n
m a n y d i r e c t i o n s , i m p o r t a n t n e w d i s c o v e r i e s h a v e been
made in every field, f r o m atomic energy to cybernetics, and
likewise, m a j o r discoveries have been made in agriculture,
i n m e d i c i n e , etc., etc. N a t u r a l l y , p a r a l l e l w i t h these d i s coveries, t h e r e s p e c t i v e t e c h n i q u e s h a v e b e e n d e v e l o p e d
e v e r y w h e r e i n o r d e r t o p u t s u c h a d v a n c e d science i n t o p r a c tice. W e , too, a r e a d v a n c i n g t o w a r d s s u c h d e v e l o p m e n t ,
but, o f course, i n c o n f o r m i t y w i t h o u r p o s s i b i l i t i e s a n d
forces. T h i s does n o t i n a n y w a y m e a n t h a t o u r s c i e n t i f i c
workers should not further develop their knowledge; they
m u s t g o a h e a d i n step w i t h t h e m a j o r d i s c o v e r i e s o f t h e
time a n d m a k e persistent and tireless efforts to master the
n e w k n o w l e d g e a n d d i s c o v e r i e s i n e v e r y f i e l d o f science.
I t i s i m p o r t a n t t o b e a r i n m i n d t h e fact t h a t b y t h o r o u g h l y
and e x t e n s i v e l y a s s i m i l a t i n g t h e n e w d e v e l o p m e n t s o f
w o r l d science, o u r w o r k e r s o f v a r i o u s f i e l d s o f science w i l l
be able to apply them f r o m time to time, in rational
ways, in the conditions of o u r country. T h i s u n d o u b t e d l y
w i l l give a great impulse to our economic, scientific and
ideological development and w i l l enable our country, w i t h i n
a shorter time, to achieve great results for w h i c h others
needed m o r e t i m e .
18
ENVER HOXHA
W e are n o t against p o s i t i v e s c i e n t i f i c r e s u l t s a c h i e v e d
b y others. T h e m a s t e r i n g a n d d e v e l o p m e n t o f science h a v e
nothing to do w i t h whether this or that l a w or something
else w a s d i s c o v e r e d b y s u c h a n d s u c h a c h e m i s t o r p h y s i c i s t .
Irrespective that they w e r e bourgeois professors, N i e l s
B o h r and Enrico F e r m i , w h o w o r k e d in the atomic field,
w i t h the discoveries they made themselves, a n d m a n y
other f a m o u s scientists l i k e t h e C u r i e s , w h o m a d e t h e
first discoveries in the f i e l d of radioactivity, contributed
valuable knowledge to the whole of m a n k i n d . We must
m a s t e r t h i s k n o w l e d g e a n d use i t t o t h e b e n e f i t o f t h e
people. I n t h e c a p i t a l i s t - r e v i s i o n i s t c o u n t r i e s , science a n d
technical-scientific development have been monopolized by
the c a p i t a l i s t s a n d r e v i s i o n i s t s , w h o use i t n o t i n t h e
interests o f society a n d m a n k i n d , b u t i n o r d e r t o e x p l o i t
t h e masses, t o d o m i n a t e a n d e n s l a v e peoples.
The reason that we gave this direction to the proceedings o f t h e recent P l e n u m o f t h e C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e o f
the P a r t y is that in this w a y we w a n t to shake up the
P a r t y a n d a l l t h e state organs, a n d t h e o r g a n s o f t h e
economy and culture, and free t h e m of m a n y remnants of
self-satisfaction and routine, liberalism and bureaucracy,
we w a n t to tell the P a r t y that we w i l l proceed on paths
a l r e a d y opened, b u t w i t h e v e n g r e a t e r s t r e n g t h , e n e r g y
a n d c l a r i t y , t h a t w e s h a l l p l a c e science a n d t e c h n i c a l
progress m o r e e f f e c t i v e l y i n t h e s e r v i c e o f t h e d e v e l o p ment of the economy, the education of the n e w m a n and
the s t r e n g t h e n i n g of the d e f e n c e of o u r c o u n t r y .
I n o r d e r t o a c h i e v e successes i n these f i e l d s , h o w e v e r ,
t h e w o r k of t h e P a r t y m u s t be c o n c e i v e d as a science a n d
applied scientifically. The comrade secretary did w e l l to
devote a m a j o r p a r t o f h i s o u t l i n e t o t h e w o r k o f t h e
P a r t y , f i r s t o f a l l . I t i s science t o k n o w h o w t o w o r k t o
m a s t e r t h e l i n e o f t h e P a r t y ; l i k e w i s e , i t i s science t o
k n o w h o w t o a p p l y it. T h e c o m m u n i s t s w o r k a m o n g t h e
PARTY WORK IS SCIENCE
19
people at large in industry, in agriculture, in education,
in culture, in the army, and so on, in other words, in all
sectors o f l i f e . T h e r e f o r e , w e m u s t u n d e r s t a n d t h a t t h e
w o r k o f t h e P a r t y i s t h a t s p i r i t u a l f o r c e w h i c h raises t h e
consciousness of t h e c o m m u n i s t to s u c h a scale t h a t he
c a r r i e s out t h e t a s k w h i c h i s e n t r u s t e d t o h i m p r o p e r l y .
I t i s t h e d u t y o f t h e c o m m u n i s t t o c a r r y t h e socialist
revolution continuously f o r w a r d , to ensure that the w e l l being of the people is raised to an ever higher level, in
order to have healthy people developed f r o m every standpoint. A l l this p a r t y w o r k must be understood and guided
by the M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t ideology, by dialectical and historical m a t e r i a l i s m , w h i l e bearing w e l l i n m i n d the concrete
historical conditions of our country, h o w we have advanced,
how we have made the transition f r o m an old feudalb o u r g e o i s s o c i e t y t o a socialist society, a n d h o w , i n t h e
future, we w i l l advance to communism.
O b v i o u s l y , w e m u s t a l l w o r k w i t h m u l t i p l i e d forces s o
that our development w i l l m a k e still greater strides
f o r w a r d . T h e r e f o r e , I stress, the w o r k o f t h e P a r t y m u s t
be u n d e r s t o o d , e s p e c i a l l y by its a p p a r a t u s e s , as a s c i e n t i f i c
activity, and not as routine, bureaucratic w o r k .
Let us take, for example, the problem of admissions
to the P a r t y . We say that the proportions must be preserved, that there should be such and such percentage
of w o m e n and girls, w o r k e r s and cooperativists in the
P a r t y , t h a t t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f t h e P a r t y t o a l l sectors
must be kept in m i n d , and so on. As y o u said, comrade
secretary, i n t h e c o u n t r y s i d e t h e r e are b a s i c o r g a n i z a t i o n s
of the P a r t y in almost all brigades. This is a v e r y i m p o r t a n t a c h i e v e m e n t . So, w e see t h a t i n these d i r e c t i o n s w o r k
is being done and is proceeding according to instructions,
b u t h e r e t h e q u e s t i o n m u s t b e a s k e d : h o w are these
problems understood?
Basing myself on the experience of the w h o l e Party, I
20
ENVER HOXHA
t h i n k that there is a somewhat bureaucratic and schematic
u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f these k e y p r o b l e m s o f t h e P a r t y . W h e n
we admit w o m e n and girls to the Party, we do not do
this simply in order to say: «Look, there are w o m e n and
g i r l s i n o u r P a r t y , » b u t because t h e y c o n s t i t u t e h a l f o f o u r
society a n d because t h e y h a v e r a i s e d t h e i r a l l - r o u n d l e v e l
to s u c h a stage t h a t t h e y d e s e r v e to be m e m b e r s of t h e
P a r t y . T h e correct a n d s c i e n t i f i c u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e
p r o b l e m lies i n t h i s . O r , w h e n w e s a y t h a t t h e o v e r w h e l m i n g m a j o r i t y , t h e greatest p e r c e n t a g e o f m e m b e r s
o f t h e P a r t y , o u g h t t o consist o f w o r k e r s , ( 2 ) t h i s m e a n s t h a t
t h e w o r k i n g class leads. A n d i t i s i n d i s p u t a b l e t h a t w e
must apply this principle. B u t the problem is that it must
be understood scientifically. We must admit workers to
t h e P a r t y n o t j u s t because t h e y are w o r k e r s , b u t because
t h e y are w o r t h y of i t . I s a y t h i s because t h e r e is a c a t e g o r y
o f w o r k e r s w h o are c a l l e d w o r k e r s , b u t w h o l e a v e m u c h
to be desired in their w o r k and behaviour. Therefore,
w h e n w e are d i s c u s s i n g a d m i t t i n g a w o r k e r t o t h e P a r t y ,
w e m u s t e x a m i n e h i s a t t i t u d e w i t h g r e a t care, m u s t e x a m i n e
h o w he w o r k s to apply the directives and orientations of the
P a r t y a b o u t p r o d u c t i v i t y a n d costs o f p r o d u c t i o n , a b o u t
d i s c i p l i n e , etc., etc., a n d see w h e t h e r h e r e a l l y w o r k s i n
such a w a y as to become an example for all.
H e n c e , a k e y p r o b l e m s u c h as t h a t of a d m i s s i o n s to t h e
P a r t y , f o r e x a m p l e , m u s t n o t b e seen o n l y o n t h e basis o f
c e r t a i n f i g u r e s . O f course, w e m u s t k e e p t h e percentages
i n m i n d , because t h e C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e o f t h e P a r t y h a s
l a i d t h e m d o w n , a n d f r o m y e a r t o y e a r c o r r e c t i o n s are
m a d e a n d a d v i c e a n d concrete i n s t r u c t i o n s a r e g i v e n i n
connection w i t h them. To be brief, w h a t I am getting at is
that both in the apparatuses of the P a r t y and in life the
__________________________________
2 In 1986 w o r k e r communists made
the membership o f the P L A .
up 39.2 per cent of
PARTY WORK IS SCIENCE
21
w o r k o f t h e P a r t y m u s t b e c o n s i d e r e d one o f t h e most
a d v a n c e d sciences. W e see t h e s c i e n t i f i c c o n c l u s i o n s based
o n the t e a c h i n g s o f M a r x , E n g e l s , L e n i n a n d S t a l i n a p p l i e d
i n practice, m a t e r i a l i z e d i n t h e s o l u t i o n o f t h i s o r t h a t
p r o b l e m b y o u r p e o p l e ; i n those cases w h e n s o m e o n e p u t s
the cart b e f o r e t h e horse, t h a t is, w h e n s o m e o n e i s n o t
a d v a n c i n g o n t h e r o a d o f t h e P a r t y , w e say t o h i m : « S t o p ! »
A l l these q u e s t i o n s , seen w i t h a s c i e n t i f i c e y e b y t h e
P a r t y , p l a y a n i m p o r t a n t , e v e n d e c i s i v e r o l e f o r t h e successful a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e w h o l e p r o g r a m o f t h e P a r t y i n
a l l sectors o f l i f e . T h i s i s a p r o g r a m g u i d e d a n d i n s p i r e d
b y a r e v o l u t i o n a r y science, b y t h e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t
ideology.
T h e problems w h i c h the 8th P l e n u m of the CC of the
P a r t y d e a l t w i t h a n d t h e t a s k s w h i c h i t set i n g e n e r a l
outline w i l l become even m o r e concrete at the c o m i n g
congress o f t h e P a r t y . B u t I r e c o m m e n d t o y o u a n d a d v i s e
you, w h a t I pointed out a little earlier, that in the w o r k
w h i c h y o u are doing and w i l l do for the detailed e x a m i n a t i o n o f t h e m a t e r i a l s o f t h i s P l e n u m , y o u s h o u l d engage
i n t h o r o u g h - g o i n g r e v o l u t i o n a r y debate, a n d n o t get b o g ged d o w n i n f o r m a l d i s c u s s i o n . I n t h e m e e t i n g s w h i c h y o u
w i l l h o l d y o u w i l l d e l i v e r r e p o r t s , a n d I a m n o t against
this, b u t t h e y m u s t n o t b e r e p o r t s f o r t h e s a k e o f r e p o r t s .
T h e p u r p o s e o f t h e r e p o r t s a n d discussions a t these
meetings m u s t b e t o g i v e c o n c r e t e assistance t o t h e p r o gress o f t h e w o r k . W h e n a p e r s o n s t a n d s u p t o discuss
these m a j o r p r o b l e m s o f science, w h i c h w i l l c a r r y o u r c o u n t r y f o r w a r d , h e o u g h t t o h a v e some set o b j e c t i v e s . F o r
example, the t u r n e r m a y have m a n y concrete things to
say a b o u t h i s j o b , a b o u t h o w t h i s o r t h a t t o o l s h o u l d b e
made; he m a y not indulge in «flights of philosophy», but
m a y speak s i m p l y a b o u t h i s l a t h e a n d g i v e o p i n i o n s a b o u t
it. A n d t h e t u r n e r i s able t o p r e s e n t a n d b a c k u p these
o p i n i o n s b e t t e r t h a n , say, t h e s e c r e t a r y o f t h e p a r t y
22
ENVER HOXHA
committee of the district. A f t e r presenting the situation,
t h e t u r n e r m a y s a y : «If w e w a n t t o a d v a n c e , c o m r a d e s ,
w e o u g h t t o get t h e best o u t o f t h i s l a t h e , o u g h t t o d o t h i s
a n d that, because t h e w a y w e are w o r k i n g n o w , w i t h t h i s
d i s c i p l i n e n o t a t t h e p r o p e r l e v e l , a n d w i t h t h i s obsolete
t e c h n o l o g y , f o r e x a m p l e , w e can't g o ahead.» H e m i g h t say,
« I propose t h a t w e s h o u l d a p p l y a n o t h e r t e c h n o l o g i c a l p r o cess w h i c h w o u l d b e m o r e s u i t a b l e f o r o u r p o s s i b i l i t i e s :
t h e l a t h e i s m o d e r n , b u t let u s m o d e r n i z e i t f u r t h e r . I p r o pose t o t h e g o v e r n m e n t t h a t w e s h o u l d h a v e some s p e c i a l
l a t h e s h e r e i n o u r factory.»
A l l the opinions and proposals about the p r o b l e m that
i s b e i n g a n a l y s e d s h o u l d b e stated c o u r a g e o u s l y . T h e n w e
w i l l t a k e t h e m a n d s t u d y t h e m c a r e f u l l y , w i l l see h o w
f a r w e c a n g o a n d t h e n decide h o w m u c h w e c a n do. I n t h e
e n d w e s h a l l s a y : W e accept t h i s p r o p o s a l , b u t n o t t h e
other, because w e d o n ' t h a v e t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s f o r t h e
time being, w h i l e t o m o r r o w the possibilities m i g h t be
c r e a t e d f o r u s t o accept it. T h i s m e a n s t h a t w e d o n o t
reject a p r o p o s a l out of h a n d .
A s I said, r e p o r t s w i l l b e d e l i v e r e d , b u t w e are c o n v i n c e d t h a t a l l t h e c o m r a d e s (not o n l y those w h o speak,
b u t a l l t h e others) h a v e p l e n t y o f g o o d ideas i n t h e i r
heads. T h e n , w h a t h i n d e r s t h e m f r o m e x p r e s s i n g t h e i r
ideas, f r o m p o u r i n g t h e m o u t a s y o u m i g h t say, l i k e those
s t r e a m s w h i c h p o u r w a t e r i n t o t h e r i v e r s , j u s t a s t h e y see
t h i n g s ? T h e y s h o u l d e x p r e s s t h e i r ideas because t h e good
o f t h e P a r t y a n d o u r socialist d e v e l o p m e n t r e q u i r e i t o n a l l
questions, s u c h as those of i n d u s t r y , a g r i c u l t u r e , e d u c a t i o n ,
defence, etc. I n a l l these sectors, a s y o u k n o w a n d p r o b a b l y
t h e r e i s n o n e e d f o r m e t o t e l l y o u , t h e r e are m a n y places
w h e r e we must m a k e improvements, strengthen the organi z a t i o n f u r t h e r a n d m a k e q u a l i t a t i v e changes. A n d t h i s
i s w h e r e t h e s t r e n g t h o f o u r P a r t y lies. E v e r y o n e , e v e r y
communist, wherever he works, first of all, must thoroughly
PARTY WORK IS SCIENCE
23
master his profession and t r u l y regard it as a weapon to
put the l i f e - g i v i n g directives of the P a r t y into practice.
C o m m u n i s t s are able not only to talk, to give advice, but,
first of all, to accomplish things, to organize, to propose
a n d t o check u p . T h e P a r t y has s p o k e n a b o u t a l l t h e s e
p r o b l e m s , b u t n o w its o r d e r s a n d d i r e c t i v e s m u s t b e p u t
i n t o p r a c t i c e s t i l l better.
But, comrades, the application of party directives and
the u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f p r o b l e m s m u s t b e m e a s u r e d b y t h e
results. Y o u m a y b e a g o o d , honest c o m r a d e a n d m a y e v e n
have a fine record, y o u m a y have taken part in the w a r
(and n o one denies t h e c o n t r i b u t i o n w h i c h y o u h a v e m a d e ,
and y o u r ardent desire is to go on c o n t r i b u t i n g to the
Homeland and y o u ought to continue to do so to the
end o f y o u r l i f e ) , b u t w i t h t h e passage o f t i m e (this i s a
biological question), although y o u m a y have m e n t a l
s t r e n g t h , y o u r p h y s i c a l s t r e n g t h does n o t p e r m i t y o u t o d o
the w o r k o f a y o u n g e r p e r s o n w h o i s a b l e t o a c c o m p l i s h
the t a s k s m o r e q u i c k l y a n d better.
O u r P a r t y h a s w o r k e d i n s u c h a w a y t h a t i t has n o w
created a l a r g e n u m b e r o f cadres. B e s i d e s t h e m , t h e b r o a d
masses o f w o r k i n g people, t h e w o r k e r s a n d c o o p e r a t i v i s t s ,
h a v e also r a i s e d t h e i r l e v e l . H e n c e , those g e t t i n g o n i n y e a r s
should open the w a y to such people prepared by the P a r t y ,
should open vistas of w o r k , management and organization
to them and trust them w i t h responsibility for various
questions. I n short, w e m u s t m a k e s u r e t h a t t h e n e w
g e n e r a t i o n c o n t i n u o u s l y regenerates t h e i m m o r t a l w o r k o f
the P a r t y i n p o s i t i v e w a y s .
N o w , a f t e r 35-36 y e a r s o f f r e e socialist l i f e , w e c a n n o t
say t h a t w e d o n o t h a v e e x p e r i e n c e i n o u r w o r k . T h e r e s u l t s
a c h i e v e d i n a l l sectors s h o w t h a t w e a r e o n t h e u p a n d u p
e v e r y w h e r e . N e v e r t h e l e s s , i n some d i r e c t i o n s w e h a v e n o t
f u l f i l l e d t h e p l a n s w e h a v e set. S o m e o n e m a y a s k : « H a v e
w e d r a f t e d these p l a n s w e l l , o r h a v e t h e y b e e n a b i t
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ENVER HOXHA
exaggerated, a n d have the failures to f u l f i l them, in some
cases c o m e a b o u t because t h e y h a v e n o t b e e n f u l l y s t u d i e d ? »
I cannot s a y t h a t t h e r e has a l w a y s b e e n p e r f e c t i o n i n t h e
d r a f t i n g o f these p l a n s . N o , p l a n s c a n n e v e r b e perfect,
indeed, there m a y even be shortcomings in t h e m . But, genera l l y s p e a k i n g , the f i v e - y e a r p l a n s w h i c h w e h a v e d r a f t e d
h a v e a l w a y s been based o n science, t h e r e f o r e t h e y h a v e b e e n
s c i e n t i f i c . A n d yet w e a r e conscious t h a t w e a r e f a r f r o m
t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f science i n e v e r y sector i n t h e c a r r y i n g
out of the plans. Therefore, we must w o r k harder in this
d i r e c t i o n . I n d r a f t i n g p l a n s w e m u s t a l w a y s base o u r s e l v e s
o n science a n d w i t h c a r e f u l c o n s i d e r a t i o n also r e l y o n
advanced experience.
W e see, a n d t h i s i s e n c o u r a g i n g , t h a t i n t h e a g r i c u l t u r a l cooperatives a n d factories there are groups, b r i gades a n d i n d i v i d u a l s w h o h a v e n o t o n l y f u l f i l l e d , b u t h a v e
also o v e r f u l f i l l e d t h e p l a n s w h i c h w e h a v e set. H e r e I d o
not wish to d w e l l on h o w they have overfulfilled the
targets, because y o u c e r t a i n l y k n o w t h i s . W e t h e l e a d e r s h i p
k n o w t h e results, w h i l e y o u see c o n c r e t e l y h o w t h o s e
b r i g a d e s i n t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s a n d those d e p a r t m e n t s a n d
w o r k e r s i n the factories w o r k , w i t h w h a t w i l l , w i t h w h a t
discipline and clear m i n d s they w o r k , w i t h w h a t political
c l a r i t y t h e y see t h e targets o f t h e p l a n , h o w t h e y decide
and w h a t efforts they m a k e to accomplish the tasks w i t h o u t
f a i l . A n d , i n fact, t h e y d o o v e r f u l f i l t h e targets. B u t w h y ?
In order to gain the limelight, or to f u r t h e r their personal
interests? N o , these are n o t t h e reasons. T h e r e a l i t y i t s e l f
m a k e s t h i s q u i t e clear. I n a b r i g a d e w h i c h m a n a g e s t o t a k e
45 q u i n t a l s of w h e a t , or 80 or 90 q u i n t a l s of m a i z e p e r
hectare, t h e p a y f o r t h e w o r k d a y i s t h e s a m e f o r a l l t h e
c o o p e r a t i v i s t s , i t i s t h e same, also, a s t h e p a y f o r t h e
members of another brigade of the same economy, w h i c h
t a k e s 25 or 29 q u i n t a l s of g r a i n p e r h e c t a r e . H e n c e , it
t u r n s out t h a t i t i s t h e g e n e r a l i n t e r e s t o f society w h i c h
PARTY WORK IS SCIENCE
25
i n s p i r e s these g r o u p s o f people, these a d v a n c e d i n d i v i d u a l s
to achieve h i g h results at w o r k .
Therefore, we must regard the example of the advanced
as a great m o v e m e n t , n o t j u s t to a c c o m p l i s h t h e e c o n o m i c
plans ( a n d t h i s , of course, is basic), b u t also as a p o l i t i c a l
a n d i d e o l o g i c a l p r o b l e m , a s a n e w p l a t f o r m w h i c h has t h e
u p p e r h a n d o f t h e r e m n a n t s o f t h e past. I n a n a d v a n c e d
b r i g a d e t h e r e m a y b e m e m b e r s w h o h a v e some h a n g o v e r s
w h i c h they express, f o r example, w i t h i n the f a m i l y or even
i n society. N a t u r a l l y , t h e y s h o u l d b e c o r r e c t e d s o t h a t a l l
a d v a n c e i n e v e r y d i r e c t i o n . W h e n y o u see t h a t a m o n g t h e
w o r k i n g masses t h e r e i s a b r o a d p o l i t i c a l a n d i d e o l o g i c a l
understanding of the m a j o r p r o b l e m of accomplishing the
plan, y o u r h e a r t i s w a r m e d a n d y o u are c o n v i n c e d t h a t
our p l a n i s r e a l i s t i c .
N o w the provisional 7th Five-year P l a n is being drafted
and, a s u s u a l , a l l y o u c o m r a d e s o f t h e base h a v e discussed
it and given opinions about different figures. The m i nistries a r e s t u d y i n g t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n w h i c h w i l l b e passed
on to the government, and w i l l then be presented to the
Political B u r e a u of the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e of the P a r t y .
T h e p e o p l e a t t h e base m a k e t h e p l a n a n d , g e n e r a l l y
s p e a k i n g , t h e r e i s d e b a t e t h e r e , b u t t h e r e a r e occasions
w h e n t h e r e i s n o debate, a n d o f t e n t h e r e i s f o r m a l i s m ,
w h i c h w i t h o u t doubt is not a good t h i n g . F o r such questions
as this of the plan, debate a n d confrontation is absolutely
necessary. A n d i f t h i s i s d o n e i n t h e c o r r e c t p a r t y s p i r i t
(that is, n o t t o r e d u c e t h e g u i d e l i n e f i g u r e s , b u t t o raise
them, f o l l o w i n g the example of the advanced), then the
p l a n w i l l n o t o n l y b e r e a l , b u t w i l l also b e a c c o m p l i s h e d
s u c c e s s f u l l y i n a l l aspects.
W e must m a k e ourselves f a m i l i a r w i t h the decisions
o f the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e o f t h e P a r t y o n v a r i o u s p r o b l e m s .
T h e P a r t y does n o t s a y t h a t t h e C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e o f t h e
P a r t y sees t h i s o r t h a t p r o b l e m c o r r e c t l y i n o r d e r t o boast,
26
ENVER HOXHA
b u t because, i n r e a l i t y , a l l t h e o r i e n t a t i o n s i s s u e d a r e
correct. T h e p r o b l e m t h a t c o n c e r n s u s n o w i s t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n and management of the w o r k to put t h e m into
practice. A n d it must be understood that this task does
n o t f a l l o n t h e base alone, b u t also o n t h e centre, because
o u r p r o b l e m s are c l o s e l y l i n k e d w i t h one a n o t h e r , t h e r e
i s n o base d i v o r c e d f r o m t h e l e a d e r s h i p , a n d l e a d e r s h i p
d i v o r c e d f r o m t h e base, e i t h e r i n g o o d s i t u a t i o n s o r i n
d i f f i c u l t s i t u a t i o n s . T h e r e a r e t h i n g s w h i c h t h e base does
n o t a c c o m p l i s h f o r m a n y s u b j e c t i v e reasons, b u t t h e
l e a d e r s h i p , too, does n o t a c c o m p l i s h m a n y t h i n g s w h i c h
t h e base needs, because of l a c k of good o r g a n i z a t i o n , l a c k
o f m a n a g e m e n t , c h e c k - u p , a n d persistence i n s o l v i n g t h e
problems raised.
The p l a n w h i c h we are drafting now, like a l l our
f o r m e r plans, is realistic. T h e communists, the workers, the
y o u n g and old generations must always bear in m i n d that
a t a l l t i m e s t h e C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e o f t h e P a r t y has i s s u e d
d i r e c t i v e s a n d has t a k e n d e c i s i o n s i n c o n f o r m i t y w i t h t h e
respective s i t u a t i o n s . I t has b e e n a n d i s p r e c i s e l y t h e
d e v e l o p m e n t o f s i t u a t i o n s w h i c h has c o m p e l l e d t h e P a r t y
t o t a k e other, n e w decisions o n v a r i o u s p r o b l e m s . A l l t h e
d i r e c t i v e s a n d decisions o f t h e C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e o f t h e
P a r t y s h o w this. T h e s e t h i n g s are a l l c o n n e c t e d a n d m a k e
up the l i n k s of a single chain. Therefore it is i m p o r t a n t
that not o n l y we, the communists and cadres of o u r
g e n e r a t i o n , w h o h a v e d r a f t e d a n d a p p l i e d these d e c i s i o n s
a n d d i r e c t i v e s , b u t also t h e y o u n g e r g e n e r a t i o n s h o u l d
study them, delve into them deeply and l i n k t h e m w i t h
one a n o t h e r s o t h a t t h e y w i l l b e a b l e t o u n d e r s t a n d , a n a l y s e
a n d put into practice the decisions t a k e n recently, being
v e r y clear about their importance for the progress of
our country.
I stress t h i s because t h e r e a r e m a n y c o m r a d e s w h o ,
w h e n t h e y are i n f o r m e d a b o u t t h e d e c i s i o n s o f t h e P l e n u m
PARTY WORK IS SCIENCE
27
o n t h e p r o b l e m s o f science a n d t e c h n i q u e , s a y : « A h , . . . i s
that all?!» T r u e , t h e P a r t y h a s r a i s e d these issues at
other t i m e s , b u t n o t i n t h i s w a y because n o w w e a i m t o
achieve a n o t h e r , h i g h e r stage of t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of science
and technique. Hence, m a n y things have been said and
these w o r d s h a v e n o t b e e n c a r r i e d a w a y b y t h e w i n d , b u t
t h e y h a v e b e e n a p p l i e d . O n these p r o b l e m s w e a r e n o t
b e g i n n i n g f r o m A , b u t w e h a v e not y e t r e a c h e d Z , t h a t is,
communism, to put it figuratively we are about three
quarters of the w a y t h r o u g h the alphabet. In other words,
this m e a n s w e are n o t w i t h o u t e x p e r i e n c e i n these m a t t e r s .
The line of the P a r t y must be understood in the dialectic
o f t h e m a t e r i a l i s t d e v e l o p m e n t o f o u r society.
A t t h i s p e r i o d w e h a v e great c o n f i d e n c e t h a t t h e p l a n
we are drafting, and this w i l l be an intensive p l a n the
a c c o m p l i s h m e n t o f w h i c h w i l l b e assisted b y t h e r e v olutionary enthusiasm of the workers, the decisions of
the 8 t h P l e n u m a n d t h e c o m i n g C o n g r e s s o f t h e P a r t y
w h i c h w i l l b e h e l d i n 1981, w i l l b e c a r r i e d o u t s u c c e s s f u l l y .
A l l o u r people, f r o m those w i t h a l o w l e v e l t o those w i t h
e x t e n s i v e a l l - s i d e d c u l t u r e , u n i t e d i n a bloc, m u s t p u t
their m i n d s and shoulders to the w o r k , w i t h profound
ideological and political understanding, in order to accomp l i s h a n d o v e r f u l f i l t h e targets a n d t o f u r t h e r d e v e l o p o u r
socialist society.
T h e 7th F i v e - y e a r P l a n is based on the results achieved
u p t i l l n o w , b u t w e s h a l l w o r k t o e n s u r e t h a t its a c c o m plishment m a r k s an even greater transformation of our
society a n d t h a t t h e w e l l - b e i n g o f t h e p e o p l e i s r a i s e d t o
a still higher level f r o m every viewpoint, in this w a y laying
the solid foundations for our future plans. M a n y important
problems of energy industry, the mines, nitrogenous fertilizers, a n d s o o n , w i l l b e c o n s i d e r e d a n d s t u d i e d n o w f o r
the f u t u r e p l a n s . S o . t h e p l a n w h i c h w e are d r a f t i n g w i l l
b e a n e v e n m o r e p o w e r f u l base f o r t h e f u t u r e ; w e are
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ENVER HOXHA
doing e v e r y t h i n g for the present a n d for the future. T h i s ,
comrades, i s h o w t h e p r o c e e d i n g s o f t h e recent P l e n u m o f
the Central Committee of the P a r t y should be understood.
Its d e c i s i o n s m u s t n e v e r b e c o n s i d e r e d s e p a r a t e l y f r o m
the tasks of the 7th F i v e - y e a r P l a n .
I do not intend to go into details in this short talk
w i t h y o u . I t i s a f a c t t h a t w e h a v e m a n y successes i n
o u r w o r k , but, a s y o u k n o w , w e also h a v e s h o r t c o m i n g s
w h i c h y o u p o i n t e d out. W e m u s t n o t u n d e r e s t i m a t e t h e m ,
because i n some places a n d a t c e r t a i n m o m e n t s t h e y a r e
f o s t e r e d also b y e x t e r n a l p r e s s u r e . I f t h e P a r t y does n o t
t a k e m e a s u r e s t o correct t h e m , i f i t does n o t g i v e p r o p e r
a d v i s e a n d educate t h e people w h o m a k e m i s t a k e s , t h e n
these s h o r t c o m i n g s c o u l d become d a n g e r o u s . H e n c e , i f
t h e P a r t y goes t o sleep, t h e s h o r t c o m i n g s w i l l c e r t a i n l y
get w o r s e a n d b e c o m e a great obstacle a n d , i n d e e d , a
d a n g e r t o o u r socialist o r d e r . «Oh,» s o m e o n e m a y s a y
f o o l i s h l y , «it's o n l y a s m a l l m i s t a k e t h a t t h i s m a n m a d e
a n d w e s h o u l d n ' t t a k e a n y n o t i c e o f it, because h e f o u g h t
i n t h e w a r , too.» D o n ' t m i s u n d e r s t a n d m e . I d o n ' t s a y
t h a t w e s h o u l d t a k e those w h o m a k e m i s t a k e s t o c o u r t a t
e v e r y instance. T h e t y p e o f m e a s u r e w h i c h i s t a k e n d e p e n d s
on the gravity of the mistake or fault w h i c h has been
committed. We can excuse even a m a j o r mistake w h e n
w e see t h a t i t w a s m a d e u n w i t t i n g l y b y a p e r s o n w h o
h a s a l w a y s b e e n honest, etc., etc. I n t h i s case t h i s p e r s o n
o u g h t t o b e a d v i s e d , too, a n d w e s h o u l d b e c o n v i n c e d
that he w i l l m a k e no further mistakes. B u t there are some
w h o m a k e m i s t a k e s a n d d o n o t c o r r e c t t h e m s e l v e s , despite
t h e a d v i c e t h e y receive. W i t h t h e passage o f t i m e t h e e v i l
t a k e s deep root i n s u c h people, w h o b e c o m e d a n g e r o u s
and exert a bad influence on others by setting t h e m on
t h e i r w r o n g course. A n d t h e r e are s u c h cases.
T h e P a r t y m u s t g i v e i m p o r t a n c e t o these p r o b l e m s ,
because t h e y h a v e t o d o w i t h t h e i d e o - p o l i t i c a l e d u c a t i o n o f
PARTY WORK IS SCIENCE
29
our n e w m a n . T h e basic organization of the P a r t y must be
a leading vanguard detachment everywhere, in the factory,
the a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e o r b r i g a d e , a n d p l a y its l e a d i n g
role i n t h e s o l u t i o n o f e v e r y p r o b l e m . W h e r e v e r i t f u n c tions, t h e b a s i c o r g a n i z a t i o n m u s t u r g e t h e masses o f
workers to accomplish the plans and to be disciplined.
I n t h e f i r s t place, t h e b a s i c o r g a n i z a t i o n o f t h e P a r t y
leads b y m e a n s o f its m e m b e r s w h o m u s t b e e x e m p l a r y
i n e v e r y d i r e c t i o n , h a v e i n i t i a t i v e a n d c a r r y t h e masses
f o r w a r d w i t h t h e m t o t h e a c c o m p l i s h m e n t o f tasks. W i t h
its w o r k i t s h o u l d s u p p o r t t h e y o u t h , p r o v i d e p o s s i b i l i t i e s
for t h e m to express opinions; it must insist w i t h the leadership o f e v e r y w o r k centre, f a c t o r y , a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e
or institution that the proposal of this comrade or that
group of people should be discussed and studied carefully.
S o m e m a n a g e r of an e n t e r p r i s e or c h a i r m a n of a c o o p e r a t i v e m i g h t s a y : « O h , let i t be,» b u t t h e s e c r e t a r y o f t h e
organization should r e p l y : «No, y o u must not leave the
office w i t h o u t l i s t e n i n g c a r e f u l l y t o e v e r y t h i n g I a m p u t t i n g
before y o u ; i f i t seems t o y o u t h a t I a m w r o n g , r e f u t e m y
opinion w i t h arguments, and I w i l l go to tell the comrades
of the organization that this w o r k cannot be done at the
m o m e n t , o r t h i s o r t h a t p r o p o s a l i s n o t correct.» H e n c e , this
i s the s p i r i t i n w h i c h t h e b a s i c o r g a n i z a t i o n s o f t h e P a r t y
must w o r k .
W h y do we w a n t to have a basic organization of the
P a r t y in every department of the enterprise or brigade of
the a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e ? S o t h a t i t w i l l l e a d a l l t h e
w o r k t h e r e , a n d t h i s w i l l g o i n t h e best p o s s i b l e w a y . B u t
the m o s t i m p o r t a n t t h i n g f o r t h e P a r t y i s t h e e d u c a t i o n o f
people w i t h t h e a t t r i b u t e s o f o u r n e w m a n . I f t h i s o r t h a t
p e r s o n i s d i s c i p l i n e d , honest, a c t i v e a n d studies M a r x i s m L e n i n i s m , a l l these t h i n g s w i l l b e r e f l e c t e d i n h i s w o r k .
A n d , as you know, it is through w o r k that education is
carried out; we must criticize or praise people there w h e r e
30
ENVER HOXHA
they work. We must be careful that we do not t u r n the
basic o r g a n i z a t i o n o f the P a r t y i n t o a f o r u m w h i c h discusses
a n d solves those p r o b l e m s w h i c h c a n b e s e t t l e d o n t h e
j o b , because o t h e r w i s e t h e m e e t i n g o f t h e b a s i c o r g a n i z a t i o n o f the P a r t y w i l l b e o c c u p i e d b y s u c h m a t t e r s a t a t i m e
w h e n it is faced w i t h m u c h more important problems w h i c h
c e r t a i n l y o u g h t t o b e r a i s e d a n d s o l v e d i n its m e e t i n g s . I n
t h e course o f t h e w o r k , t h i s o r t h a t w o r k e r ( w h e t h e r
or not communist) can v e r y w e l l tell his w o r k m a t e that
he is not w o r k i n g w e l l , is not disciplined, is not b e h a v i n g
w e l l w i t h t h e others, etc., etc. « W h y d o y o u act l i k e this,
w h y d o y o u c o m e late, w h y d o y o u w a s t e t i m e a t w o r k ? It's
n o t r i g h t t o act i n t h i s w a y , y o u o u g h t t o h a v e g o o d r e l a t i o n s
w i t h y o u r comrades.» T h i s i s h o w h e a d v i s e s o r c r i t i c i z e s
his w o r k m a t e on the job. If the person criticized is a
c o m m u n i s t or a m e m b e r of the trade-unions, the y o u t h ,
etc., h e s h o u l d r e p l y : « Y o u are r i g h t , c o m r a d e , i r r e s p e c t i v e
of w h e t h e r or n o t I am a c o m m u n i s t , I'll b e a r y o u r c r i t i c i s m
i n m i n d a n d d o e v e r y t h i n g p o s s i b l e t o k e e p pace w i t h
t h e best.» A n d , g e n e r a l l y s p e a k i n g , t h i s i s w h a t h a p p e n s
in practice,
H o w e v e r , w h e n the m a n i f e s t a t i o n s o f l a c k o f d i s c i p l i n e
a r e n o t i c e d o n a b r o a d e r scale i n t h e b r i g a d e , sector, c o operative, department or factory, then the matter must
without fail be raised in the basic organization, for this
i s n o t a p r o b l e m o f j u s t one p e r s o n . T h i s i s h o w t h e P a r t y
m u s t act a b o u t s u c h m a t t e r s . T h e s e c r e t a r y o f t h e b a s i c
o r g a n i z a t i o n of t h e P a r t y of a d e p a r t m e n t , a w h o l e
factory or cooperative,
must be in c o n t i n u a l contact
w i t h t h e masses o f w o r k e r s o r c o o p e r a t i v i s t s , m u s t
l i s t e n to t h e i r o p i n i o n s , h a v e a g e n e r a l i d e a of t h e i r
w o r k and their problems, and so on and so forth. This
is the l i v i n g w o r k of the P a r t y . In this w a y we can
e l i m i n a t e m a n y defects m o r e q u i c k l y a n d i n t i m e a n d
e d u c a t e m a n y people w h o m a k e m i s t a k e s . O u r P a r t y
PARTY WORK IS SCIENCE
31
h a s great e x p e r i e n c e i n t h i s d i r e c t i o n . O u r P a r t y has
s t r a i g h t e n e d o u t a n d m a d e g o o d people e v e n o f some
o f those « t w i s t e d trees» w h o are o f t e n s a i d t o b e i n c o r r i g i b l e . T h e y h a v e seen t h e correctness o f t h e l i n e o f t h e
Party, understood their mistakes and have rectified them.
Dear comrades, the further development of industry
has e x c e p t i o n a l i m p o r t a n c e f o r a n d great prospects i n o u r
country. The priority development of our industry w i l l
be one of t h e b a s i c o r i e n t a t i o n s of t h e c o m i n g f i v e - y e a r
plan. Of course we cannot say that the i n d u s t r y we have
is among the most modern. We shall do e v e r y t h i n g possible
to ensure that the machines we i m p o r t in the f u t u r e w i l l
b e a s m o d e r n a s possible. W e p l a n t o i m p o r t f a c t o r i e s ,
plants and production lines w h i c h w i l l be of n e w models.
B u t t h e p r o b l e m i s t h a t w i t h these a l o n e t h e large-scale,
all-round development of the country cannot be ensured.
O u r present i n d u s t r y i s n o t o l d , b u t w e d o n o t h a v e m o d e r n
t e c h n o l o g y . T h e r e f o r e , t h e t a s k emerges e s p e c i a l l y f o r
o u r m a s t e r c r a f t s m e n (because n o w w e h a v e c a p a b l e
c r a f t s m e n ) , a n d o u r engineers, w h o h a v e a v e r y g o o d
a n d c o m p e t e n t q u a l i f i c a t i o n , w h o f a r o u t s t r i p those s p e c i a l ists w h o m C h i n a sent us, t o set t o w o r k s e r i o u s l y t o
e n s u r e t h a t w e t a k e b o l d steps f o r w a r d i n t h i s f i e l d , too.
A n d successes h a v e b e e n a c h i e v e d i n t h i s d i r e c t i o n .
T h e f a c t i s t h a t w e h a v e a m o d e s t people. A n d t h e
cadres w h o m t h e P a r t y h a s t r a i n e d are l i k e that, too. I n
their t i m e we sincerely considered the Chinese and Soviet,
n o t t o m e n t i o n t h e Y u g o s l a v specialists, a s f r i e n d s , respected them and listened to t h e m w i t h attention and modesty.
N o w , w h e n w e see w h a t o u r cadres are d o i n g i n a l l sectors
of industry and w h e n we consider retrospectively the
s k i l l o f t h e f o r e i g n specialists w h o w e r e sent t o u s i n t h e
past a n d t h e s k i l l o f o u r cadres t o d a y , w e c a n s a y w i t h o u t
b o a s t i n g t h a t those w h o w e r e sent t o u s (and m o s t l y t h e y
32
ENVER HOXHA
w e r e sent h e r e w i t h i n i m i c a l aims) c a n n o t c o m p a r e w i t h
o u r c a p a b l e specialists.
Y o u have heard that we have achieved some good
results i n t h e o i l sector; n e w o i l - f i e l d s , w h i c h a r e o f g r e a t
importance, have been discovered by our o w n oil workers,
t e c h n i c i a n s a n d specialists. N e i t h e r t h e S o v i e t n o r t h e
C h i n e s e specialists e v e r s e r i o u s l y e n g a g e d i n s u c h w o r k .
O n t h e c o n t r a r y , t h e y sabotaged u s i n t h i s v i t a l l y i m p o r t a n t
sector of o u r e c o n o m y .
T h e same t h i n g m u s t b e s a i d , i n g e n e r a l , o f t h e o t h e r
branches of industry. Y o u k n o w that the Chinese provided
u s w i t h a credit, h e l p e d u s t o set u p t h e m e t a l l u r g i c a l
i n d u s t r y , but, a t t h e s a m e t i m e , t h e y s a b o t a g e d m a n y
p l a n t s a n d l e f t m a n y objects o f t h i s i m p o r t a n t i n d u s t r y
h a l f - c o m p l e t e d . N o w o u r p e o p l e h a v e set t o w o r k c o m p e t e n t l y t h e r e t o c o m p l e t e these objects a n d i m p r o v e a l l
the plants in the metallurgical combine.
O u r cadres h a v e b e e n a n d are s t i l l b e i n g sent a b r o a d
f o r q u a l i f i c a t i o n o r e x p e r i e n c e , t o see, f o r e x a m p l e , v a r i o u s
d e v e l o p e d sectors o f t h e e c o n o m y s u c h a s t h e c h e m i c a l i n d u s t r y , t h e m e t a l l u r g i c a l i n d u s t r y , etc.
W h a t I w a n t t o stress once a g a i n i s t h a t i n t h e e x i s t i n g
c o n d i t i o n s o u r scientists, scholars, m a s t e r c r a f t s m e n a n d
q u a l i f i e d cadres m u s t q u i c k l y a n d c o n t i n u o u s l y i m p r o v e
the technology of our industry. A n o t h e r task of great i m p o r t a n c e i s t h a t these people m u s t f u r t h e r s t u d y t h e p r o b l e m s o f t h e e c o n o m y , i n d u s t r y , a g r i c u l t u r e , etc. Y o u k n o w
that w o r k i n g groups have been appointed for this purpose.
A n d as you heard, at the meeting of the 8th P l e n u m of
t h e C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e o f t h e P a r t y i t w a s d e c i d e d t o set
up the Committee of Science and Technique w h i c h w i l l
o r g a n i z e , assist a n d g u i d e t h e s c i e n t i f i c w o r k a l l o v e r o u r
c o u n t r y . T h e c o u n t r y ' s best scientists a n d best t r a i n e d a n d
c o m p e t e n t people o f v a r i o u s d i s c i p l i n e s o f science w i l l
take part in this Committee. As w e l l as this, everyone,
PARTY WORK IS SCIENCE
33
specialists, m a s t e r c r a f t s m e n t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e w o r k i n g
class, w h e r e v e r t h e y w o r k , w i l l t r y t o a c c o m p l i s h t h e
targets i n t h e c o u r s e o f t h e i r w o r k a n d , a t t h e s a m e t i m e ,
to develop and raise themselves ever higher.
N o w I w i s h t o e x p r e s s some ideas a b o u t a g r i c u l t u r e .
T h i s sector c o n s t i t u t e s t h e base o f o u r w h o l e e c o n o m y .
W i t h this I am not saying a n y t h i n g new, but I w a n t to
stress t h e great i m p o r t a n c e w h i c h p r o g r e s s i n a g r i c u l t u r e
has f o r us. T h e p e o p l e n e e d n o t o n l y b r e a d , b u t also
c l o t h i n g a n d f o o t w e a r . B e s i d e s this, t h e f u l f i l m e n t o f
targets i n t h e o t h e r b r a n c h e s l i k e i n d u s t r y , f o r e x a m p l e ,
is greatly dependent on agriculture. The industry w h i c h
w e h a v e set u p needs r a w m a t e r i a l s f r o m a g r i c u l t u r e s u c h
as c o t t o n , s u n f l o w e r , sugar-beet, tobacco, vegetables, etc.,
etc. T h e s e a r e a l l n e c e s s a r y i n o r d e r t o r a i s e t h e w e l l - b e i n g
of t h e people, to e n s u r e a b e t t e r a n d c o n t i n u o u s s u p p l y
f o r t h e p e o p l e a n d t o c r e a t e i n c o m e f r o m e x p o r t s , too.
In the situation in w h i c h we are l i v i n g agriculture
assumes e x c e p t i o n a l i m p o r t a n c e f o r o u r c o u n t r y . T h a t i s
w h y t h e P a r t y l o n g ago l a u n c h e d t h e s l o g a n , « A g r i c u l t u r e
a n issue f o r t h e w h o l e people». E v e r y o n e m u s t u n d e r s t a n d
and apply this directive properly. A l l must be interested
in agriculture. B u t the tasks are divided, some have been
appointed to w o r k in agriculture, others on the f r o n t of
i n d u s t r y , o r t h a t o f c u l t u r e , etc., etc. M e a n w h i l e t h e
P a r t y w o r k s a n d l e a d s e v e r y w h e r e , i n a l l sectors. Its
p e r m a n e n t c o n c e r n m u s t b e t o see t h a t t h e w o r k i n a l l
these sectors goes l i k e c l o c k w o r k , i n p a r a l l e l a n d u n i n terruptedly.
C o n t i n u a l progress has been made in agriculture a n d
good r e s u l t s h a v e b e e n a c h i e v e d i n a l l d i r e c t i o n s . W h e n
w e s p e a k a b o u t successes i n t h i s sector t o d a y , w e h a v e n o
need t o m a k e c o m p a r i s o n s w i t h t h e s i t u a t i o n i n t h e f i r s t
post-Liberation years, but can m a k e comparisons w i t h the
results a c h i e v e d , say, t e n y e a r s ago, a n d i n t h i s w a y w e
34
ENVER HOXHA
w i l l see w h a t great progress has b e e n m a d e i n a g r i c u l t u r e ,
livestock-raising and fruit-growing.
I n these sectors, too, h o w e v e r , t h e r e a r e d i s t r i c t s
w h i c h a r e o u t s t a n d i n g , w h i l e t h e r e a r e o t h e r s w h i c h are
lagging behind in the accomplishment of the targets of
the plan. S u c h a t h i n g is evidence of the level of political
understanding of the economic tasks w h i c h the w o r k i n g
people i n e a c h d i s t r i c t h a v e . T h e f u l f i l m e n t o f t a r g e t s i n
agriculture is greatly dependent on management and
organization, and on the scientific and agrotechnical k n o w ledge w h i c h t h e people w h o w o r k i n a g r i c u l t u r e h a v e
acquired. In other words, it is greatly dependent on the
w o r k w h i c h t h e P a r t y does a t t h e base w i t h t h e w o r k i n g
people. T h i s m u s t b e l i v e l y , c o n c r e t e w o r k w h i c h a n a l y s e s
a n d details the orientations and directives of the C e n t r a l
Committee of the P a r t y and makes t h e m thoroughly
k n o w n everywhere, bearing in m i n d the conditions, the
l e v e l of t h e people, etc., etc. In o r d e r to h a v e t h e d e s i r e d
results all the time it is essential that the P a r t y should
w o r k and i m p e l the advanced ever further ahead, w h i l e
i t s h o u l d e n c o u r a g e t h e b a c k w a r d t o c a t c h u p w i t h t h e best.
Progress in agriculture is brought about by people
w h o h a v e a t t h e i r d i s p o s a l a l l t h e necessary m e a n s , m a c h ines, seeds a n d f e r t i l i z e r s , w h o also h a v e a g r o t e c h n i c a l
knowledge and experience i n the w o r k and w h o k n o w
w h a t measures must be taken to m a k e the l a n d ever more
p r o d u c t i v e , t o i n c r e a s e l i v e s t o c k - b r e e d i n g rates a n d get
h i g h y i e l d s of meat, m i l k , etc., etc.
It is a f a c t t h a t o u r a g r i c u l t u r e h a s n o w f u l l y set o u t
a n d is a d v a n c i n g w i t h determination on the course of
m o d e r n socialist f a r m i n g . I t i s q u i t e c l e a r t h a t c o l l e c t i v i z a t i o n is the true Leninist road for the construction of
socialism i n the countryside. The B o l s h e v i k P a r t y , w i t h
S t a l i n at the head, followed and applied this course in the
Soviet U n i o n . O u r P a r t y applied the teachings of L e n i n and
PARTY WORK IS SCIENCE
35
Stalin and made agriculture advance in A l b a n i a . It collectivized agriculture and lifted our peasantry and the
w h o l e p e o p l e f r o m t h e great b a c k w a r d n e s s , m i s e r y a n d
poverty w h i c h they inherited. T h e course w h i c h the P a r t y
has f o l l o w e d f o r t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f s o c i a l i s m i n t h e
countryside, a n d the continuously i m p r o v i n g results w h i c h
have been achieved in a g r i c u l t u r a l a n d livestock products
speak c l e a r l y o f t h e s u p e r i o r i t y o f t h e socialist c o o p e r a t i v i s t
order. I f w e c o m p a r e o u r a g r i c u l t u r e w i t h t h a t o f t h e r e v isionist c o u n t r i e s , w h e r e t h e socialist a g r i c u l t u r e h a s n o w
been d e s t r o y e d a n d t u r n e d i n t o a c a p i t a l i s t a g r i c u l t u r e ,
w e s h a l l see t h a t a n i n d e s c r i b a b l e c r i s i s r e i g n s t h e r e . A s
a consequence of the course w h i c h has been pursued in
r e g a r d t o t h e c o u n t r y s i d e i n those c o u n t r i e s t h e r e are
great s h o r t a g e s o f a g r i c u l t u r a l a n d l i v e s t o c k p r o d u c t s
everywhere. F o r example, in Vojvodina of Yugoslavia
hundreds of thousands of hectares of l a n d a n d thousands
of tractors are in the hands of the capitalist owners. In
the S o v i e t U n i o n t h e y s t i l l r e t a i n s o m e s t r u c t u r e s w h i c h
are «socialist» i n f o r m , b u t i n t h e c o u n t r y s i d e , i n f a r m i n g ,
c a p i t a l i s m i s a l r e a d y d e v e l o p e d t h e r e a s i t i s i n a l l sectors.
I n t h e o t h e r c o u n t r i e s o f t h e f o r m e r people's d e m o c r a c y ,
as a r e s u l t of a b a n d o n i n g t h e course of t h e socialist c o l l e c t i v i z a t i o n o f a g r i c u l t u r e , i n one t h e r e i s a c r i s i s f o r b r e a d
g r a i n , i n a n o t h e r f o r vegetables, i n a n o t h e r f o r meat, i n
a n o t h e r f o r e v e r y t h i n g , etc., etc. I n those c o u n t r i e s t h e
c a p i t a l i s t l a w o f s u p p l y a n d d e m a n d operates. A n d see, j u s t
a w e e k ago i n G d a n s k , W a r s a w a n d a l l o v e r P o l a n d
big d e m o n s t r a t i o n s w e r e h e l d . A b o u t 50,000 w o r k e r s w e n t
o n s t r i k e a n d c a m e out s h o u t i n g i n d e m o n s t r a t i o n s . W h y ?
Because o f t h e g r e a t s h o r t a g e o f a g r i c u l t u r a l a n d a n i m a l
products. T h e y h a d no meat or vegetables. T h i s is
o c c u r r i n g i n t h e o t h e r r e v i s i o n i s t c o u n t r i e s , too. B u l g a r i a ,
w h i c h was r i g h t l y considered an agricultural country w i t h
a m p l e p r o d u c t i o n (we h a v e b e e n i n B u l g a r i a w h e n i t w a s
ENVER HOXHA
36
o n t h e socialist r o a d a n d h a v e seen t h e s i t u a t i o n f o r
ourselves), i s n o w g o i n g t h r o u g h a g r a v e c r i s i s because
the revisionists have destroyed agriculture there. There is
n o n e e d f o r m e t o speak a b o u t Y u g o s l a v i a a n d t h e o t h e r
capitalist countries.
T h a t o u r a g r i c u l t u r e h a s set o u t o n t h e r i g h t c o u r s e
o f c o l l e c t i v i z a t i o n i s a k n o w n h i s t o r i c a l fact. A n d its f u r ther development by proceeding resolutely on this course
is likewise k n o w n . F r o m the small cooperatives we w e n t
on to their unification. This action m a r k e d a more advanced
stage, a d e v e l o p m e n t of o u r socialist a g r i c u l t u r e to a
h i g h e r l e v e l . L a t e r , w e set u p t h e h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e s ,
w h i c h i s a n o t h e r great s t r i d e f o r w a r d , a n d t o d a y these
h a v e o u t s t r i p p e d some state f a r m s i n r e g a r d b o t h t o p r o ductivity and income. We have t a k e n and in the future
w i l l take other measures for the development of agricult u r e a t h i g h rates, t o increase y i e l d s o f a l l p r o d u c t s . D u r i n g
t h e w h o l e n e w f i v e - y e a r p l a n great i m p o r t a n c e w i l l b e
given to agriculture, to the further improvement of land
a n d also t o i m p r o v e d o r g a n i z a t i o n o f t h e w o r k i n t h i s
sector.
N o w let u s speak a l i t t l e m o r e c o n c r e t e l y a b o u t t h e
experience for the P l a s a agricultural cooperative.
The c h a i r m a n of the Plasa cooperative spoke in the
discussion at the P l e n u m of the C e n t r a l Committee of the
Party, and w h a t he said made a v e r y good impression on
a l l t h e c o m r a d e s . T h e P l a s a c o o p e r a t i v e has a c h i e v e d good
results, a n d s o
h a v e other a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e s
and
state f a r m s i n t h e K o r ç a d i s t r i c t . T h e P o j a n c o o p e r a t i v e ,
f o r e x a m p l e , has g o o d results i n t h e f u l f i l m e n t o f t a r g e t s .
Hence, I w a n t to k n o w more concretely about h o w the
w o r k to spread the advanced experience of Plasa is proceedi n g in regard to the concentration, specialization and rotation
o f t h e crops. I f I a m n o t m i s t a k e n , t h e s t u d y o n t h i s p r o -
PARTY WORK IS SCIENCE
37
b l e m w a s u n d e r t a k e n some 8 y e a r s ago. ( 3 ) B u t w e h a v e
received no precise i n f o r m a t i o n about w h a t is being done
w i t h that study since then. T h e question of the disseminat i o n o f t h i s e x p e r i e n c e has b e e n o f great c o n c e r n t o m e a n d
C o m r a d e H y s n i [ K a p o ] , w h o m w e lost. A l t h o u g h e v e r y
e f f o r t w a s m a d e w e c o u l d n o t save h i m f r o m t h a t g r a v e
disease w h i c h h e s u f f e r e d . H e w a s a c o m r a d e w i t h r a r e
attributes, a m a n of extensive a n d p r o f o u n d k n o w l e d g e
a n d w i t h a s p e c i a l l y great e x p e r i e n c e i n t h e a f f a i r s o f t h e
Party.
W h e n a s t u d y i s done, i t s h o u l d n o t b e left o n p a p e r ,
but s h o u l d b e a p p l i e d , because i n this w a y w e c a n see a n d
j u d g e b o t h its g o o d aspects a n d its n e g a t i v e aspects. H e n c e ,
application, p u t t i n g the study into practice, w i l l dictate the
need f o r f u r t h e r i m p r o v e m e n t o f it. Y o u , a n d e s p e c i a l l y t h e
c o m r a d e s e n g a g e d i n a g r i c u l t u r e , are b e t t e r a c q u a i n t e d
w i t h t h e s u p e r i o r i t y o f t h i s s t u d y , t h e p u r p o s e o f w h i c h is,
first, t h e c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f a g r i c u l t u r a l c r o p s ; second, t h e
s p e c i a l i z a t i o n o f t h e m ; t h i r d , t h e r o t a t i o n o f c r o p s (this i s
v e r y necessary, a g r i c u l t u r e c a n n o t a d v a n c e w i t h o u t it).
These t h r e e t h i n g s are c l o s e l y i n t e r c o n n e c t e d a n d a l l h a v e
t o d o w i t h a g r i c u l t u r a l science. T h i s s y s t e m a i m s a t t h e
f u r t h e r d e v e l o p m e n t o f a g r i c u l t u r e , b u t also a t a d v a n c i n g
towards the continual strengthening of the c o m m o n property, t h e t r a n s i t i o n f r o m t h e c o l l e c t i v e p r o p e r t y o f t h e
g r o u p t o s o c i a l p r o p e r t y . O f course, b e f o r e t h i s a i m c a n b e
a c h i e v e d , y o u m u s t f i r s t g o t h r o u g h s e v e r a l stages, but i t
also r e q u i r e s i m p r o v e d o r g a n i z a t i o n o n t h e m o s t s u i t a b l e
scientific bases, w h i c h , as t h e P a r t y teaches us, enables us
___________________________________
3 Reference is to the study on P l a s a carried out by a group
of specialists under the guidance of the C e n t r a l Committee of
the Party, a study w h i c h , as the documents show, w a s not
applied because of the silent opposition of the enemy M e h m e t
Shehu. (See page 568 of this volume.)
38
ENVER HOXHA
to c a r r y out intensive f a r m i n g w i t h o u t neglecting its
e x t e n s i v e aspect.
I n some d i s t r i c t s , c o n c e n t r a t i o n h a s b e e n a c h i e v e d i n
i n d u s t r i a l crops, f o r e x a m p l e . O f these c r o p s w e h a v e
e x t e n d e d o n l y tobacco a l i t t l e m o r e w i d e l y , a n d , i n d e e d ,
w e g r o w i t i n some d i s t r i c t s w h e r e g o o d y i e l d s are s t i l l n o t
b e i n g o b t a i n e d . T h i s comes a b o u t because t h e r e t h e tobacco
i s p l a n t e d o n l a n d n o t r e a l l y s u i t a b l e f o r it, w h e r e o t h e r
crops, f r o m w h i c h i t i s p o s s i b l e t o get g o o d y i e l d s , m i g h t
very w e l l be planted. We deliberately took this measure
f o r tobacco, because t h e r e w a s a g r e a t e r s t i m u l u s f o r t h i s
crop. However, for the general economy, whether of the cooperative or the district, this was a t e m p o r a r y solution.
M e a n w h i l e w e h a v e c o n c e n t r a t e d c o t t o n a n d sugar-beet.
Hence, the interests of socialism a n d the intensive
development of our economy have led us to the concentrat i o n o f i n d u s t r i a l crops. I n t h e f u t u r e , h o w e v e r , w e m u s t
c o n c e n t r a t e b r e a d g r a i n better, a n d l i k e w i s e , f o r a g e crops,
f r u i t - g r o w i n g , etc. L o o k a t t h e M a l i q state f a r m , w h i c h
has s e v e r a l m a i n e c o n o m i c d i r e c t i o n s s u c h a s p r o d u c t i o n
o f sugar-beet, w h e a t , a n d potatoes, a n d i t also raises
l i v e s t o c k , etc. T h e w h o l e p l a i n o f K o r ç a lies close t o t h i s
enterprise. B u t should the P a r t y not consider w h a t this
plain should produce so that even higher yields than
h i t h e r t o are o b t a i n e d i n w h e a t , s u g a r - b e e t a n d potatoes?
It was precisely for this reason that the P a r t y gave the
orientations and undertook that study on the Plasa coo p e r a t i v e 8 y e a r s ago.
W h a t good does t h e p u t t i n g i n t o p r a c t i c e o f t h e P l a sa experience bring? It means that in the p l a i n of K o r ç a ,
for example, we w i l l have an important centre of the
intensive development of agriculture. A n d we give it all
the possibilities to stabilize the yields in all crops. F o r
e x a m p l e , w e are c o n c e n t r a t i n g w i n t e r potatoes i n K o r ç a
PARTY WORK IS SCIENCE
39
and S h i s h t a v e c . T h e o t h e r d i s t r i c t s w i l l p l a n t potatoes, too,
but m a i n l y K o r ç a a n d S h i s h t a v e c w i l l e n s u r e s u p p l i e s o f
w i n t e r potatoes f o r o u r m a r k e t , w h i l e w e a l l o c a t e the g r o w i n g o f s u m m e r potatoes t o t h e o t h e r s . I n t h i s w a y t h e
s i t u a t i o n i n r e g a r d t o potatoes c a n b e r e g u l a t e d b o t h f o r
the i n t e r n a l m a r k e t a n d f o r e x p o r t .
W e m u s t act i n a s i m i l a r w a y f o r the o t h e r a g r i c u l t u r a l
crops, too. L e t u s t a k e w h e a t , f o r e x a m p l e , w h i c h has great
importance. The problem of where wheat-growing should
b e c o n c e n t r a t e d m u s t b e s t u d i e d . L e t u s s a y w e decide
to concentrate it in K o r ç a , L u s h n j a , Fier, D u r r ë s and
S h k o d r a . T h e w h e a t p r o d u c t i o n w h i c h w e e x p e c t t o get
f r o m those d i s t r i c t n o t o n l y m u s t b e s u f f i c i e n t f o r t h e
w h o l e p o p u l a t i o n o f A l b a n i a , b u t m u s t also p r o v i d e a
s u r p l u s w i t h w h i c h w e create reserves a n d h a v e some f o r
export, too. T h i s does n o t m e a n that w e s h o u l d n o l o n g e r
plant w h e a t o r m a i z e i n t h e m o u n t a i n s . N o , w e w i l l c o n tinue to plant t h e m there, indeed, we w i l l increase the area
p l a n t e d t o these k i n d s o f g r a i n , b u t i n t h e d i s t r i c t s w h i c h
I mentioned, where we are developing an ever more intensive f a r m i n g , w e w i l l p r a c t i c e t h e P l a s a s y s t e m . W e w i l l
apply t h i s s y s t e m i n t h e m o u n t a i n s a n d e l s e w h e r e , too, b u t
w i t h d i f f e r e n t crops.
O r let u s look, f o r e x a m p l e , a t t h e q u e s t i o n o f l i v e s t o c k ,
r a i s i n g sheep a n d goats. T h e r e a r e sheep a n d goats e v e r y w h e r e , b u t s h o u l d w e a l l o w t h e k e e p i n g o f sheep a n d
goats o n p l a i n s , l i k e t h e p l a i n o f K o r ç a , o n h e a v y soils
w h e r e w e are g o i n g t o p l a n t w h e a t a n d m a i z e , t o use
c h e m i c a l f e r t i l i z e r s a n d s u p p l y m a c h i n e r y a n d o t h e r necessary means, w h e n w e h a v e p o s s i b i l i t i e s t o d e v e l o p sheepand g o a t - r a i s i n g i n i n t e n s i v e a n d e x t e n s i v e w a y s i n t h e
h i l l y a n d m o u n t a i n o u s zones? H o w a r e w e g o i n g t o a p p l y
the d e c i s i o n o n t h e s e t t i n g u p o f l a r g e s h e e p - a n d goatraising enterprises? We have launched the idea that the
f l o c k s f o r m e d f r o m t h e peasants' h o u s e h o l d sheep a n d
40
ENVER HOXHA
goats, f o r e x a m p l e , s h o u l d n o t b e k e p t o n t h i s f e r t i l e p l a i n
w h i c h we have allocated to the intensive development of
m a i n crops.
T h u s , w e m u s t create b i g l i v e s t o c k e n t e r p r i s e s i n t h e
mountains, w h e r e the flocks f o r m e d f r o m the peasants'
household livestock, w h i c h are an i m p o r t a n t part of the
people's w e a l t h , c a n b e p a s t u r e d . W e h a v e n o t y e t a p p l i e d
the i d e a w h i c h w a s r a i s e d i n t h e P o l i t i c a l B u r e a u o f t h e
Central Committee of the P a r t y about the creation of
l i v e s t o c k e n t e r p r i s e s based o n t h e P l a s a e x p e r i e n c e . T h i s
w i l l provide the possibility to study w h e r e the sheep- a n d
g o a t - r a i s i n g s h o u l d b e c o n c e n t r a t e d . O f course, t h i s does
not mean that the collective economies of the l o w l a n d
zones s h o u l d n o t k e e p sheep o r goats a t a l l . T h e p r o b l e m
i s w h e r e s h o u l d w e c o n c e n t r a t e t h e r a i s i n g o f sheep a n d
goats, cattle, horses a n d m u l e s ? W e s h o u l d t h i n k t h i s o u t
and take measures for the development of all types of
l i v e s t o c k , j u s t a s w e h a v e d o n e f o r w h e a t , sugar-beet,
a n d so o n .
We have managed, comrades of agriculture, to improve
t h e seeds o f v a r i o u s crops, o f w h e a t , f o r e x a m p l e , a n d
now, if I am not mistaken, we have hundreds of varieties
o f w h e a t (today w e h a v e h u n d r e d s o f t y p e s o f h y b r i d s
w h i c h w e produce ourselves, but w h i c h w e bought i n the
past). A s a r e s u l t o f t h e c o n t i n u o u s p e r s i s t e n t w o r k t h a t h a s
been done b y o u r p e o p l e i n t h i s d i r e c t i o n w e h a v e a c h i e v e m e n t s i n m a i z e , too.
C a r e f u l studies a r e r e q u i r e d f o r a l l these m a t t e r s ,
otherwise we can make no headway. We must w o r k w i t h
great care f o r l i v e s t o c k - r a i s i n g , too.
This is how we must understand and w o r k to study
and apply the experience of Plasa. W h e n this question
i s s t u d i e d (and y o u h a v e d o n e t h i s a n d sent i n t h e c o n clusions), t h e p l u s e s a n d m i n u s e s w i l l c e r t a i n l y b e seen.
T h a t is, i t w i l l b e seen t h a t t h i s s y s t e m c a n n o t b e a p p l i e d
PARTY WORK IS SCIENCE
41
if this or that crop is not r e m o v e d f r o m this economy or
that d i s t r i c t . K o r ç a , f o r e x a m p l e , w i l l n o t g r o w t h i s o r t h a t
crop, b u t those w h i c h h a v e b e e n r e m o v e d f r o m a n o t h e r
district and are suitable for the conditions of K o r ç a w i l l be
a l l o c a t e d t o it. A n d t h e state w i l l p r o v i d e i t w i t h the
f a c i l i t i e s t o get h i g h y i e l d s i n those c r o p s w h i c h h a v e b e e n
a l l o c a t e d t o it, b u t y o u , too, m u s t m a k e e f f o r t s i n t h i s
d i r e c t i o n . T h u s , t h e d i s t r i c t s w i l l s u p p l e m e n t one a n o t h e r .
T h e fact is that in the cooperativist system our socialist e c o n o m y i n t h e c o u n t r y s i d e i s g r o w i n g s t r o n g e r a n d
by means of this system the development of an even more
a d v a n c e d socialist a g r i c u l t u r e i s b e i n g p r e p a r e d i n t e n s i v e ly. W h e n t h e c o n d i t i o n s a r e r i p e , t h e n t h e e x p e r i e n c e o f
Plasa w i l l be applied on a broad front all over A l b a n i a .
In the higher-type cooperatives we w i l l not proceed in
the s a m e w a y a s i n t h e state f a r m s . T h e P l a s a s y s t e m
must be applied in certain higher-type cooperatives i m m e d i a t e l y , or in a w h o l e d i s t r i c t , a n d n o t o v e r a p e r i o d of
t e n o r f i f t e e n y e a r s . T h i s s y s t e m m u s t b e b u i l t u p a t once,
f o r e x a m p l e , o v e r t h e w h o l e p l a i n , w h i l e t h e others w i l l
still r e m a i n united cooperatives.
This is h o w we have raised this question in the P o l i t i cal B u r e a u o f t h e C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e o f t h e P a r t y .
Theoretically, we say that development is dynamic,
dialectics c a r r i e s i t f o r w a r d , b u t i t i s k n o w n t h a t n e w
t h i n g s a d v a n c e w i t h d i f f i c u l t y , t h e r e f o r e , w h e n w e decide
s o m e t h i n g , i f w e a r e c o n v i n c e d i t i s correct, w e m u s t l o o k
a t the f u t u r e o f it, a t t h e p r o b l e m s t o w h i c h d e v e l o p m e n t
a n d p r a c t i c e w i l l g i v e rise, w h i c h m a y p r o v e t h a t t h i s o r
that solution is not suitable for the given period.
We set up t h e c a t t l e - r a i s i n g e n t e r p r i s e h e r e as a s e p a rate e c o n o m y , b u t w h e n i t w a s c r e a t e d t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s o f
m o u n t a i n o u s v i l l a g e s w e r e i n c l u d e d i n it. T h a t is, w e m a d e
all the cooperativists w o r k e r s and thought we were acting
c o r r e c t l y ! W h i l e n o w , w h e n w e see t h e results, w e s a y :
42
ENVER HOXHA
« W h y d i d we do that? In order to raise this n u m b e r of
cattle w i t h great success, d i d w e r e a l l y h a v e t o i n c l u d e
the surrounding cooperatives in this enterprise? T h i s
increases t h e cost a n d creates o t h e r p r o b l e m s f o r us.»
H e n c e , t h i s causes u s d i f f i c u l t i e s . T h e n , w h a t are w e t o d o
a b o u t i t ? W e s h a l l accept t h e s i t u a t i o n a n d s t r u g g l e t o
ensure t h a t the m o u n t a i n c o o p e r a t i v e s w e i n c l u d e d i n t h e
e n t e r p r i s e g r o w apples, f o r e x a m p l e . W h y d o w e s a y t h e y
should g r o w apples? Because apples g r o w w e l l here.
Hence, w h a t I am getting at is that we must f i n d the
most suitable forms of organization so that our w o r k
a d v a n c e s . W e h a v e some e x p e r i e n c e a n d w e w i l l h a v e m o r e
e x p e r i e n c e , b u t w e m u s t k n o w h o w t o a p p l y it, m u s t s t u d y
the conditions t h o r o u g h l y and then t a k e decisions. F o r
example, we should concentrate cattle-raising where there
are a l l t h e c o n d i t i o n s a n d p o s s i b i l i t i e s t o get h i g h rates o f
p r o d u c t i v i t y of meat, a n d so o n .
It is important that w h e n an orientation is given, it
i s e m b r a c e d , tested, a p p l i e d , a n d f o l l o w e d c a r e f u l l y , a n d
t h e l e a d e r s h i p m u s t b e t o l d w i t h great courage, I stress,
w i t h great courage, t h a t h e r e i t h a s a c t e d c o r r e c t l y a n d
there incorrectly, here things should be changed and there
they should not be changed. Then, it is our d u t y to s u m m o n y o u a n d s a y b r a v o t h a t y o u speak t o u s i n t h i s w a y ,
because t h i s i s w h a t i s n e e d e d , a n d t h e n , s a y t o y o u : « W e
h a v e these p o s s i b i l i t i e s , w e h a v e a t o t a l o f s o m a n y l e k s
i n f o r e i g n c u r r e n c y , w h i l e y o u ' r e a s k i n g f o r more.» O r ,
« Y o u w a n t s o m a n y t r a c t o r s , s o m a n y f r u i t - t r e e s , etc., etc.,
b u t w e c a n n o t g i v e y o u s o many.» T h i s i s h o w these t h i n g s
s h o u l d b e discussed, a n d n o t r e j e c t i n g a n y s u g g e s t i o n b y
saying, «Oh, the matter has been decided, so n o t h i n g can be
changed.»
I n m y speech ( 4 ) a t t h e 3 t h P l e n u m I p o i n t e d o u t t h a t
____________________________________
4 See E n v e r H o x h a , Selected W o r k s , v o l . 5, «8 N ë n t o r i »
P u b l i s h i n g House, T i r a n a 1985, p. 1006, E n g . ed.
PARTY WORK IS SCIENCE
43
the p l a n i s t h e p l a n a n d w e m u s t a p p l y it, b u t i t s h o u l d
not b e d o g m a t i c , a n d w h e n i t i s n e c e s s a r y t o m a k e a c h a n g e
i n it, t h e n t h i s s h o u l d b e done.
F o r example, w h e n a difficult situation is created, we
b r i n g out a s t r i c t l a w f o r a g i v e n q u e s t i o n . L a t e r we see
that t h e s i t u a t i o n changes, i m p r o v e s , a n d t h e n t h e l a w
can b e a n n u l l e d , because e v e n i f i t i s n o t a n n u l l e d i t has
no j u r i d i c a l relations to regulate, and so is no longer
applied.
I n c o n c l u s i o n . I w a n t t o stress t h a t w e m u s t l o o k a t
these p r o b l e m s , n o t o n l y i n a g r i c u l t u r e , b u t a l l p r o b l e m s ,
w i t h a p o l i t i c a l eye. T h e c o m m u n i s t s , i n t h e f i r s t place,
and all our w o r k i n g people must be realists. O u r P a r t y is
strong, its u n i t y i s l i k e steel, t h e p a t r i o t i s m o f t h e masses
i s great. W e h a v e m a d e progress, b u t w e also h a v e
difficulties, indeed, even greater difficulties m a y be created
f o r us. W e m u s t n e v e r f o r g e t t h i s .
«Reports and Speeches 1980-1981»
ONLY IN STRUGGLE CAN THE MARXIST-LENINIST
PARTIES BE STRENGTHENED AND TEMPERED AND
GAIN CAPABILITY
From the conversation with Joao Amazonas, First Secretary
of the CC of the Communist Party of Brazil
July 25,
1980
W e r e j o i c e t o see y o u i n A l b a n i a a g a i n , C o m r a d e
A m a z o n a s . A s f i g h t e r s i n t h e c o m m o n cause w e are a l w a y s
pleased t o h a v e y o u a m o n g us. W h e n w e meet w e e x c h a n g e
o p i n i o n s a b o u t the s i t u a t i o n i n o u r o w n o r o t h e r c o u n t r i e s
a n d b e n e f i t f r o m each other's e x p e r i e n c e . T h i s i s n e c e s s a r y
f o r b o t h sides.
W e are v e r y pleased t h a t t h i s t i m e y o u h a v e c o m e t o
K o r ç a and Pogradec, a part of A l b a n i a y o u h a d not visited
before.
I believe that y o u l i k e K o r ç a , w h i l e y o u still have not
seen P o g r a d e c p r o p e r l y , b u t y o u o u g h t t o s t a y h e r e f o r
a d a y o r t w o a n d h a v e a good l o o k a r o u n d . T h e t o w n h a s
a beach, h o l i d a y hostels f o r w o r k e r s a n d o t h e r w o r k i n g
people, a s w e l l a s c h i l d r e n ' s c a m p s . P e o p l e f r o m a l l o v e r
t h e c o u n t r y come h e r e t o s p e n d t h e i r h o l i d a y s .
T h e beach a t D u r r ë s i s f i n e f o r t h e y o u n g f o l k , because
t h e y l i k e t o s w i m a n d s u n b a t h e o n t h e s a n d . I t gets h o t
there, w h i l e f o r e l d e r l y f o l k l i k e u s i t i s b e t t e r here,
because t h e w e a t h e r is cooler. P o g r a d e c is a pleasant place,
a l t h o u g h it is s m a l l .
M—L
PARTIES STRENGTHEN THROUGH STRUGGLE
45
A l b a n i a is a small country, Comrade Amazonas. Speaki n g o f its size, l e t m e t e l l y o u a n episode f r o m t h e t i m e o f
the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r . I r e m e m b e r a s c l e a r l y a s i f i t
w a s t o d a y h o w once a c o m r a d e , a f t e r h e h a d t r a v e l l e d
o n f o o t f r o m one zone t o t h e o t h e r a n d t r a v e r s e d m o u n t a i n
range a f t e r m o u n t a i n r a n g e , s a i d t o m e : « M y w o r d , C o m r a d e
E n v e r , t h i s A l b a n i a o f o u r s i s a b i g place, i t i s n o t n e a r l y
a s s m a l l a s i t i s o n t h e m a p . N o , no, A l b a n i a i s v e r y big!»
COMRADE
JOAO
AMAZONAS:
Well,
Comrade Enver,
w e s a y t h a t A l b a n i a i s b i g , because o f t h e p o l i t i c a l a n d
s o c i a l t a s k s i t a c c o m p l i s h e s . I n t h i s sense w e m a y s a y t h a t
i t i s t h e biggest c o u n t r y i n t h e w o r l d .
COMRADE
ENVER
HOXHA: T h e
great
ideology
of
M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m g i v e s o u r c o u n t r y its i m p o r t a n c e . B y
a p p l y i n g i t f a i t h f u l l y a n d c o r r e c t l y m a n y successes a n d t h e
happy days we enjoy have been achieved in A l b a n i a .
N a t u r a l l y , w e also h a v e s h o r t c o m i n g s w h i c h w e are c o m bating a n d t r y i n g to eliminate. In our experience the other
M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t c o m m u n i s t s see t h e great f o r c e of o u r
common doctrine.
COMRADE JOAO
AMAZONAS:
Is
the
town
an
old
one?
COMRADE
ENVER
HOXHA:
Before
Liberation
Pogradec w a s v e r y small, but n o w it has expanded. It is an
ancient settlement. A r c h a e o l o g i c a l discoveries have p r o v e d
that this place w a s inhabited by the Illyrians. There is a
small m u s e u m here w i t h exhibits f r o m the I l l y r i a n tribe,
the E n c h e l e a n s . I n K o r ç a , o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , w e h a v e set
up the M u s e u m of A l b a n i a n Mediaeval A r t .
In the M i d d l e Ages our country had painters and
b u i l d e r s w h o w o r k e d n o t o n l y h e r e , b u t also i n G r e e c e .
T u r k e y a n d other countries of Europe. A n u m b e r of
mosques in T u r k e y , l i k e the B l u e M o s q u e and t w o or
t h r e e others, w e r e d e s i g n e d b y A l b a n i a n a r c h i t e c t s i n t h e
16th a n d 17th c e n t u r i e s .
46
ENVER HOXHA
In A l b a n i a there are a n u m b e r of B y z a n t i n e churches
w h i c h w e p r e s e r v e . O n e o f t h e m i s f o u n d i n a v i l l a g e of.
the G j i r o k a s t r a district w h e r e I was b o r n . It is said to
h a v e been b u i l t a t t h e s a m e t i m e a s t h e c h u r c h o f S t .
Sophia in Constantinople. The m a n w h o w o r k e d on b u i l d i n g the c h u r c h o f S t . S o p h i a also w o r k e d o n t h i s c h u r c h ,
w h i c h has the i d e n t i c a l a r c h i t e c t u r e , b u t is a m i n i a t u r e of
the c h u r c h i n C o n s t a n t i n o p l e .
The painting of Onufri, for example, w h i c h y o u must
h a v e seen y e s t e r d a y i n t h e m u s e u m o f K o r ç a , has b e e n
very highly praised even in Paris. A l t h o u g h it is of the
B y z a n t i n e p e r i o d , i t does n o t h a v e a l l t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s
o f B y z a n t i n e p a i n t i n g . I t has h u m a n f o r m s o f r e a l people.
H i s p a i n t i n g i s d i s t i n g u i s h e d b y its b e a u t i f u l c o l o u r s ,
p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e r e d . O n u f r i also p a i n t e d b e a u t i f u l f r e s coes w h i c h are f o u n d i n t h e c h u r c h e s b u i l t i n t h e h i g h l a n d
of the Elbasan district.
W e are t r y i n g t o c o n c e n t r a t e a n d p r e s e r v e i n m u s e u m s
these c u l t u r a l w o r k s , these icons, a s w e c a l l t h e m . W o r k s
o f art are v a l u a b l e t o s o c i a l i s m . T h e p e o p l e h a v e h a n d e d
o v e r m a n y icons, b u t t h e r e are o t h e r s w h i c h w e h a v e
n o t yet g a t h e r e d u p . A l o t o f w o r k i s b e i n g d o n e i n o u r
country to preserve them. However, this is not all that
effective, because w e s t i l l d o n o t h a v e t h e p r o p e r t e c h nical-scientific means to preserve t h e m properly and to
protect t h e m f r o m the ravages of time and weather. As I
h a v e r e a d , e v e n L e o n a r d o D a V i n c i ' s f a m o u s fresco,
« T h e L a s t S u p p e r » , has b e g u n t o s h o w s i n g s o f d a m a g e ,
t h e r e f o r e , t h e a l a r m h a s b e e n s o u n d e d f o r its r e s t o r a t i o n .
T h e r e are b e a u t i f u l i c o n s i n t h e c h u r c h o f V o s k o p o j a .
V o s k o p o j a n o w i s a v i l l a g e , b u t i n t h e 18th c e n t u r y i t
was a flourishing town. At that time there was a higher
s c h o o l t h e r e t o w h i c h s t u d e n t s came f r o m G r e e c e t o p u r s u e
t h e i r studies. S o m e w e n t t h e r e t o b e c o m e priests. L e a r n e d
people h a v e e m e r g e d f r o m V o s k o p o j a . O n e o f t h e m w a s
M—L PARTIES STRENGTHEN THROUGH STRUGGLE
47
a capable c h u r c h l i b r a r i a n of the H o l y M o u n t a i n near
S a l o n i k a in Greece, w h i c h is called Athos. T h e p r o m o n t o r y
w h e r e these c h u r c h e s a n d m o n a s t e r i e s h a v e b e e n b u i l t
(most o f t h e m b y t h e R u s s i a n t z a r s a n d t h e P a t r i a r c a t e o f
Istanbul) has the f o r m of the five fingers of the h a n d .
W o m e n are not permitted to enter there. B u t whoever
v i s i t s i t i s s t r u c k b y m a n y a n c i e n t objects a n d a r t i s t i c a l l y
f i n e b u i l d i n g s . T h e r e i s also a l i b r a r y . A s I s a i d , t h e
librarian was an A l b a n i a n from Voskopoja, a very learned
man. W h e n Petersburg was built, the tzar of Russia, Peter
the G r e a t , s u m m o n e d t h i s m a n t o o r g a n i z e h i s l i b r a r y f o r
h i m . He w e n t there, but died before he had finished the
j o b . H i s g r a v e c a n b e seen t h e r e t o t h i s d a y . T h e i n s c r i p t i o n
o n h i s t o m b s t o n e says h e i s a n A l b a n i a n . So, s i n c e t h a t
time Voskopoja had learned men. N o w there is a very old
church left in that village w h i c h we are preserving, in
w h i c h t h e r e i s a v e r y b e a u t i f u l iconostasis.
M u s e u m s are e x c e p t i o n a l l y i m p o r t a n t f o r t h e e d u c a tion of the people. In A l b a n i a they have been created and
enriched o n l y since the L i b e r a t i o n of the country. Before
L i b e r a t i o n archaeological research was done only in t w o
places, a t P o j a n o f F i e r a n d B u t r i n t o f S a r a n d a . T h e
F r e n c h w e r e t h e f i r s t t o s t a r t t h e w o r k a t these t w o
a r c h a e o l o g i c a l centres, a n d t h e n t h e I t a l i a n s c o n t i n u e d i t .
T h e I t a l i a n s stole m o s t o f t h e objects t h e y d i s c o v e r e d ,
w h i l e the F r e n c h d i d not steal so m a n y as they. W i t h
w h a t r e m a i n e d a s m a l l m u s e u m w a s set u p i n V l o r a .
W h e n fascist Italy i n v a d e d our country, a m o n g other
things, the Italians b o m b a r d e d this m u s e u m . T h e F r e n c h
p r o t e s t e d a g a i n s t t h i s a c t i o n i n t h e n e w s p a p e r Figaro.
A f t e r t h e L i b e r a t i o n o f the c o u n t r y , a r c h a e o l o g i c a l
research developed not only in the direction of discovering
objects o f t h e a n c i e n t R o m a n a n d H e l l e n i c c u l t u r e s , b u t
especially in the direction of the culture of the Illyrians,
w h o are o u r ancestors. M a n y v a l u a b l e t h i n g s , vases a n d
48
ENVER HOXHA
c e r a m i c objects, coins, v a r i o u s o r n a m e n t s , statues, etc.,
h a v e been found in the t u m u l a r graves excavated. T o d a y
our archaeological museums have been filled w i t h m a n y
objects a n d d o c u m e n t s . A p a r t f r o m a r c h a e o l o g i c a l m u seums, t o d a y w e also h a v e e t h n o g r a p h i c m u s e u m s , w h i c h
h a v e been set u p e s p e c i a l l y i n t h e b i g cities. N o w e a c h
c i t y i s t r y i n g t o create its o w n e t h n o g r a p h i c m u s e u m .
H i s t o r i c a l m u s e u m s , too, h a v e b e e n set u p i n A l b a n i a i n
towns and villages.
F o r centuries on end our w h o l e c o u n t r y was at w a r
i n defence o f n a t i o n a l f r e e d o m , a n d s o e v e n o u r s m a l l e s t
v i l l a g e has its o w n h i s t o r y . T h e P a r t y has i s s u e d t h e d i r e c tive that the historical records of all the villages, f r o m
t h e most a n c i e n t t i m e s w h e n facts a r e a v a i l a b l e f o r this,
m u s t b e w r i t t e n u p . N o w these h i s t o r i c a l r e c o r d s h a v e b e e n
w r i t t e n a n d are b e i n g e n r i c h e d w i t h r e c o r d s a n d m a t e r i a l ,
i n c l u d i n g e v e n f i r e tongs, w o o d e n cups a n d spoons, a n d
so on. Likewise, i n f o r m a t i o n about historical figures of
v i l l a g e s has b e e n c o l l e c t e d , t h e i r b i o g r a p h i e s h a v e b e e n
w r i t t e n a n d t h e y a r e b e i n g e n r i c h e d w i t h a n y sources
o r m a t e r i a l object s u c h a s a n a r t i c l e o f c l o t h i n g , a p h o t o g r a p h , etc.
A p a r t f r o m t h e h i s t o r y o f the A l b a n i a n people's w a r s ,
the m a i n m u s e u m s o f o u r c o u n t r y also r e f l e c t t h e p e r i o d
o f t h e N a t i o n a l R e n a i s s a n c e , t h a t is, t h e s t r u g g l e w h i c h
o u r t h i n k e r s , p h i l o s o p h e r s , h i s t o r i a n s , scientists, a n d o t h e r s
waged in other countries.
N o w w e are also s e t t i n g u p s p e c i a l i z e d m u s e u m s , f o r
example, that of K r u j a , the former capital of A l b a n i a in
the time of Skanderbeg, w h i c h w i l l be dedicated solely to
the life of our National Hero.
W h a t sort o f r e c o r d s a n d objects h a v e w e a b o u t
S k a n d e r b e g that we can place in this m u s e u m ? We don't
h a v e a great d e a l , a l t h o u g h w e h a v e s o m e d o c u m e n t s
w r i t t e n a s e a r l y a s t h e 15th c e n t u r y b y p r i n c e s a n d o t h e r
M—L PARTIES STRENGTHEN THROUGH STRUGGLE
49
rulers and by merchants of Rome, Venice and the Slavonic
countries, by great composers w h o have w r i t t e n musical
w o r k s , a n d b y poets a n d d r a m a t i s t s w h o h a v e w r i t t e n
beautiful poems and dramas about the life and wars of
this h e r o a g a i n s t t h e T u r k s .
A l l t h e m a t e r i a l d o c u m e n t s t h a t w e possess a b o u t h i m
w i l l be reflected in this museum. A l r e a d y our painters
have begun w o r k to acquaint themselves in detail w i t h
Skanderbeg's battles in order to present t h e m later in
paintings.
T h e m o s t c o m p l e t e h i s t o r y o f a l l h i s battles w a s
written b y a n A l b a n i a n w r i t e r called M a r i n Barleti. ( 1 ) U p
t i l l n o w t h i s i s t h e m o s t p r e c i s e h i s t o r y , t h e basis o f
the history of the life and the protracted heroic wars of
Gjergj Kastrioti.
This, Comrade Amazonas, is how we have worked
on t h e q u e s t i o n of m u s e u m s w h i c h , as I said, p l a y an e x ceptional educational role. In every country of the w o r l d
these i n s t i t u t i o n s a r e f r e q u e n t e d b y m a n y people. B u t o u r
a i m i s t h a t b y m e a n s o f t h e m o u r w o r k i n g people, a n d
e s p e c i a l l y t h e y o u t h , s h o u l d b e a c q u a i n t e d w i t h t h e past,
not o n l y w i t h t h e h i s t o r i c a l past, b u t also w i t h t h e m i s e r able e c o n o m i c past o f o u r p e o p l e d u r i n g t h e centuries.
T o d a y , f o r e x a m p l e , w e see t h e p l a i n s o f o u r c o u n t r y
s y s t e m a t i z e d , p r o t e c t e d a g a i n s t floods, d r a i n e d w i t h i r r i g a tion canals and beautifully tended, but we older folk who
l i v e d b e f o r e L i b e r a t i o n k n o w t h a t t h e y w e r e not l i k e t h i s
at that time.
L e t m e t e l l y o u a t r u e s t o r y a b o u t this, C o m r a d e
A m a z o n a s . A r e s i d e n t of these parts, a b o u t 50 y e a r s ago,
w h e n h e w a s a b o u t 2 0 y e a r s o l d , h a d gone t o t h e U n i t e d
States o f A m e r i c a a s a n e c o n o m i c e m i g r a n t a n d h a d left
M a l i q a s w a m p . W h e n he returned to the H o m e l a n d , not
__________________________________
1 M a r i n B a r l e t i , 1460-1513. He w r o t e the w o r k , T h e History
of the L i f e a n d Deeds of Skanderbeg, published in 1508-1510.
50
ENVER HOXHA
l o n g ago, h e w a s a b o u t 7 0 y e a r s o f age. H i s s o n m e t h i m
a t D u r r ë s a n d t h e y set out t o g e t h e r f o r K o r ç a . O n t h e w a y
h i s son t o l d h i m a b o u t t h e great changes w h i c h h a d b e e n
made d u r i n g the t i m e of the P a r t y and t i m e after t i m e
a s k e d his f a t h e r w h e t h e r h e u n d e r s t o o d .
«Yes, I u n d e r s t a n d you,» h i s f a t h e r r e p l i e d .
Nevertheless, w h e n they were passing t h r o u g h M a l i q
the father asked:
«Where is the M a l i q swamp?»
«I t o l d you,» h i s son s a i d , «we h a v e d r a i n e d it.»
«But where was it?» insisted his father.
« R i g h t here,» e x p l a i n e d h i s son, «this p l a i n w e a r e
passing through was the M a l i q swamp.»
A t these m o m e n t s , a s t h e y w e r e t a l k i n g , t h e f i r s t
s e c r e t a r y o f t h e P a r t y C o m m i t t e e o f t h e d i s t r i c t w a s passi n g t h r o u g h the plain. The son stopped the car and pointed
h i m out t o h i s f a t h e r .
«That m a n is the first secretary of the P a r t y C o m m i t tee.»
« A h . . . , » s a i d h i s f a t h e r , «that m e a n s h e i s t h e o w n e r
of t h i s p l a i n . »
«No,» r e p l i e d h i s son, « t o d a y the p l a i n i s t h e p r o p e r t y
of t h e w h o l e people.»
So, t h i s A l b a n i a n w h o r e t u r n e d t o t h e H o m e l a n d w a s
q u i t e u n a b l e t o see a l l t h e t r a n s f o r m a t i o n s w h i c h h a d
o c c u r r e d , a l t h o u g h he r e p e a t e d l y s a i d «I u n d e r s t a n d y o u , I
u n d e r s t a n d you,» t o h i s s o n o n t h e j o u r n e y .
T h e w o r k s w h i c h w e place i n m u s e u m s are w o r k s o f
a r t w h i c h t h e people h a v e p r e s e r v e d a n d h a v e v a l u e d
r a t h e r t h a n w o r k s o f r e l i g i o u s belief. I n r e g a r d t o t h i s
I w i l l t e l l y o u t h e h i s t o r y o f a cross, w h i c h i s p r o o f n o t
o n l y o f t h i s e v a l u a t i o n , b u t also o f t h e f a c t t h a t r e l i g i o u s
s t r i f e has n o t e x i s t e d i n o u r c o u n t r y i n those f o r m s w h i c h
are k n o w n i n o t h e r c o u n t r i e s . M o r e o v e r , i n o u r c o u n t r y
the followers of the M o s l e m religion have not been in
M—L PARTIES STRENGTHEN THROUGH STRUGGLE
51
c o n f l i c t w i t h those o f the O r t h o d o x r e l i g i o n . I n t h e c h u r c h
w h i c h I m e n t i o n e d t h e r e is a v e r y o l d cross s a i d to date
f r o m t h e 14th c e n t u r y . D u r i n g t h e y e a r s 1913-1916 G j i r o kastra was occupied by the G r e e k s w h o , amongst other
t h i n g s , stole t h i s cross a n d t o o k i t t o A t h e n s . H o w e v e r , t h e
whole population of G j i r o k a s t r a , not only the Christians,
b u t also t h e M o s l e m s , arose a g a i n s t t h i s act. A d e l e g a t i o n ,
w h i c h included Moslems as w e l l , went to A t h e n s especially
t o d e m a n d t h e r e t u r n o f t h e cross. T h o s e w h o m a d e u p
t h e d e l e g a t i o n s a i d t o t h e G r e e k s : « T h e cross i s t h e p r o perty of our country, therefore it must be returned to
t h e c h u r c h i t belongs.» A n d i n the e n d t h a t i s w h a t h a p p e n e d . T h e G r e e k s r e t u r n e d t h e cross t o t h e people o f
Gjirokastra. While, w h e n Khrushchev visited a museum
d u r i n g his stay in our country, (2) he said to us: «What
good are these lifeless t h i n g s to y o u ? O r a n g e s , t o b a c c o . . .
are w h a t w e need!I n fact, o u r p e o p l e i n g e n e r a l h a v e n o t b e e n great
b e l i e v e r s . E v e n t h e p r o p h e t M o h a m m e d «assisted» u s i n t h i s
d i r e c t i o n . W h y a n d h o w ? B e c a u s e i n one o f t h e versets o f
the K o r a n it is said that the Moslems should hear the
s a c r e d b o o k o f t h e i r f a i t h o n l y i n A r a b i c . T h a t is, h e s a i d
the K o r a n s h o u l d n o t b e t r a n s l a t e d i n t o o t h e r l a n g u a g e s .
Therefore, the A l b a n i a n Moslems could not understand
this b o o k a t a l l , because i t c o u l d b e r e a d o n l y i n A r a b i c .
T h e c h u r c h , too, a c t e d i n t h e s a m e w a y a t f i r s t , a l t h o u g h
later the N e w Testament w a s translated, but this d i d not
occur w i t h t h e K o r a n . T h e M o s l e m c l e r g y i n A l b a n i a w e r e
w i t h o u t schooling, w h i l e the Catholic priests h a d schooling,
indeed higher schooling.
D e s p i t e t h e successes w h i c h w e h a v e i n e l i m i n a t i n g
the religious influences, the P a r t y still continues to wage
a s k i l l f u l a n d i n t e l l i g e n t p o l i t i c a l s t r u g g l e against r e l i g i o u s
___________________________________
2 M a y 1959.
ENVER HOXHA
52
r e m n a n t s a n d customs. H o w e v e r m u c h t h e y h a v e b e e n
w e a k e n e d , w e c a n n o t say t h a t t h e y h a v e b e e n c o m p l e t e l y
e l i m i n a t e d , e s p e c i a l l y i n the c o u n t r y s i d e , w h i c h h a s b e e n
more conservative and b a c k w a r d t h a n the city. Likewise,
w e c a n n o t say that, i f w e f o r g e t t h e m , those r e m n a n t s
w o u l d not revive.
R e c e n t l y , C o m r a d e A m a z o n a s , w e h a v e lost t w o o u t standing comrades, H y s n i K a p o a n d A r r u d a C a m a r a , t w o
great M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t s . T h e d e a t h o f C o m r a d e H y s n i w a s
a great loss t o o u r P a r t y , b u t t h e d e a t h o f C o m r a d e A r r u d a
also w a s a g r i e f b o t h f o r y o u a n d f o r us. W h e n t h e y l e a r n e d
o f h i s d e a t h , a l l o u r c o m r a d e s w e r e v e r y g r i e v e d because
they k n e w h i m .
Comrade
Joao
Amazonas
spoke
about
the
circumstances of Arruda
Camara's death and
the
question
of
party cadres, and expressed his appreciation of the works
«Imperialism and the Revolution» and «Eurocommunism
Is Anti-Communism,» then Comrade Enver Hoxha again
took up the conversation:
A s y o u h a v e seen, w e h a v e t r i e d t o p r e s e n t t h e ideas
in
the
book
Eurocommunism
Is
Anti-Communism
simply
s o t h a t t h e masses o f o r d i n a r y p e o p l e c a n r e a d i l y u n d e r s t a n d t h e m . T h a t is, s o t h a t t h e p r o b l e m s w h i c h w e d e a l t
w i t h there are understood
not only by those w h o have
M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t c u l t u r e , b u t also b y o r d i n a r y w o r k e r s . T h e
a i m of the analysis w h i c h we have m a d e on the basis of
documents w h i c h we have used in this book is to prove
that A m e r i c a n imperialism is the inspirer of m o d e r n r e visionism through the corruption of communist parties. We
have
arrived at
this
conclusion
by
beginning
w i t h the
question of B r o w d e r .
Our
Party
has
spoken
about
Browder
even
before
M—L PARTIES STRENGTHEN THROUGH STRUGGLE
53
this, but in this book his position had to be dealt w i t h
m o r e e x t e n s i v e l y , because h e w a s t h e f i r s t w h o p r e a c h e d
the l i q u i d a t i o n o f t h e c o m m u n i s t p a r t i e s a n d d e c l a r e d
t h a t « c o m m u n i s m i s t h e A m e r i c a n i s m o f t h e 20th century.»
He claimed that after the Second W o r l d W a r the U n i t e d
States o f A m e r i c a w o u l d assist a l l t h e c o u n t r i e s d a m a g e d
and devastated by the w a r . In other words, B r o w d e r was
the s p o k e s m a n f o r t h e c a p i t a l i s t d e g e n e r a t i o n o f c o m m u n i s t
parties. In order to present the most complete picture of
his p o s i t i o n w e u t i l i z e d a l l t h e d o c u m e n t s i n o u r possession.
N a t u r a l l y , w e also h a d i n m i n d t h e q u e s t i o n o f C h i n a .
F o r t h i s , too, w e d e l v e d i n t o t h e d o c u m e n t s o f t h e A m e r icans a n d t h e speeches o f M a o a n d Z h o u E n l a i . A n d i t
emerged that d u r i n g the w h o l e period of the w a r they,
t h a t is, t h e C h i n e s e l e a d e r s h e a d e d b y M a o Z e d o n g , h a d
h a d close c o n t a c t w i t h t h e A m e r i c a n m i l i t a r y a n d d i p l o m atic m i s s i o n s a t t a c h e d t o C h i a n g K a i - S h e k . F a c t s a n d
documents have been discovered w h i c h show that as early
a s a t t h a t t i m e , w h e n t h e y w e r e f i g h t i n g against J a p a n
and C h i a n g K a i - S h e k , the Chinese leaders were pro the
U n i t e d States of A m e r i c a , w h i l e they m a i n t a i n e d a stand
not t o t a l l y h o s t i l e t o t h e S o v i e t U n i o n . I n those d o c u m e n t s
we learn that the C h i a n g K a i - S h e k lobby in the U n i t e d
States o f A m e r i c a w a s s t r o n g e r a n d t h a t t h e A m e r i c a n
D e p a r t m e n t o f S t a t e w a s not c o n v i n c e d t h a t M a o should;
b e assisted, b u t h a d h o p e s t h a t C h i a n g K a i - S h e k w o u l d
liquidate h i m .
F r o m these d o c u m e n t s , t h e a c t i v i t y i n C h i n a o f E d g a r
S n o w , w h o w a s a n agent o f t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f State, also
emerges c l e a r l y . E d g a r S n o w r e m a i n e d i n M a o Z e d o n g ' s
headquarters and was i n f o r m e d about the internal activity
of the P o l i t i c a l B u r e a u of the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of C h i n a .
T h e t h i n g s h e has s a i d a b o u t Z h o u E n l a i ' s requests a d d r e s s e d
t o t h e A m e r i c a n s are facts.
A l l that we have said about this question in the book
54
ENVER HOXHA
Reflections on China, is n o w b e i n g c o n f i r m e d . W h i l e we
w e r e already convinced about the links, first, of the
T i t o i t e s a n d t h e n , the K h r u s h c h e v i t e s , w h o w e r e i n p o w e r ,
w i t h the A m e r i c a n imperialists.
T h r o u g h the analysis of B r o w d e r i s m , Titoism, K h r u s h c h e v i s m , M a o i s m a n d E u r o c o m m u n i s m i n t h i s b o o k w e see
the unbroken thread of the whole strategy of A m e r i c a n
imperialism and w o r l d capitalism for the degeneration of
communist parties into revisionist parties. One of the
ideas o f t h i s book, b a s e d o n d o c u m e n t s , p r o v e s t h a t t h e
r e v i s i o n i s t p a r t i e s are renegades f r o m M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m
a n d agencies o f w o r l d c a p i t a l i s m .
I n t h i s b o o k w e h a v e dealt m o r e e x t e n s i v e l y w i t h t h e
d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e events i n t h e r e v i s i o n i s t p a r t i e s o f
I t a l y , F r a n c e a n d S p a i n , because o u r o b j e c t i v e w a s t o
expose E u r o c o m m u n i s m . O f course, o u r P a r t y has d o n e t h i s
previously, but now their anti-Marxist, counter-revolut i o n a r y stands a n d a c t i v i t i e s h a d t o b e s u m m e d u p s o m e w h a t more clearly, by analysing the w h o l e development
o f t h e i r d e g e n e r a t i o n . So, t h e p r o b l e m w a s t o d e f i n e t h e
m a i n phases o f t h e i r d e g e n e r a t i o n , h o w i t c a m e a b o u t a n d
h o w i t d e v e l o p e d u p t o t h e p r e s e n t stage, w h i l e a t t h e
s a m e t i m e , also, p o i n t i n g o u t r e a l i s t i c a l l y t h e p o s i t i v e
aspects o f c e r t a i n m o m e n t s o f the I t a l i a n p a r t y , t h e F r e n c h
party or the old Spanish party w h i c h fought against Franco.
T h e present t a c t i c o f t h e S o v i e t r e v i s i o n i s t s i s t o t a k e
a d v a n t a g e o f t h e stands o f o u r M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t P a r t y a g a inst M a o Z e d o n g t h o u g h t . T h r o u g h t h i s t a c t i c t h e y a i m
to d r a w us into their orbit, but neither y o u r p a r t y nor
o u r s f a l l s r e a d i l y i n t o t h e i r t r a p s . O f course, t h e r e are
p e o p l e i n the w o r l d w h o d o n o t u n d e r s t a n d t h e tactics o f
the Soviets.
A n o t h e r a i m o f t h e S o v i e t t a c t i c s i s t o s p l i t t h e socalled Eurocommunist group, w h i c h cannot have u n i t y
because each o f t h e r e v i s i o n i s t p a r t i e s w h i c h c o m p r i s e i t
M—L PARTIES STRENGTHEN THROUGH STRUGGLE
55
is in the service and, in general, follows the strategy of
the b o u r g e o i s i e i n i t s o w n c o u n t r y . T h u s , t h e I t a l i a n r e visionist party is in friendship w i t h C h i n a and, up to a
point, i n o p p o s i t i o n t o t h e S o v i e t U n i o n .
W e see t h i s t a c t i c o f t h e S o v i e t r e v i s i o n i s t s b e i n g
followed, for example, towards the F r e n c h revisionist
party. T h i s has made Marchais's revisionist party to adopt
a s t a n d w h i c h at p r e s e n t is o p p o s e d to t h e E u r o c o m m u n i s t
stand of the Italian a n d S p a n i s h revisionist parties.
M a r c h a i s i s n o t a g a i n s t t h e S o v i e t U n i o n i n r e g a r d t o the
aggression i t has c o m m i t t e d i n A f g h a n i s t a n . I n d e e d , i t m u s t
b e s a i d t h a t h e has b e g u n t o m o v e close t o t h e S o v i e t
U n i o n , n o t o n l y o n t h i s q u e s t i o n , b u t also o n o t h e r q u e s tions.
I t i s o u r d u t y t o b e v e r y v i g i l a n t , because t h e S o v i e t s
still have political and economic influence. The Soviet
U n i o n uses m i l i t a r y b l a c k m a i l a n d , i f w e j u d g e t h e s i t u a t i o n c o r r e c t l y , w e see t h a t a t present, f i n d i n g itself i n
face o f m a n y e c o n o m i c a n d p o l i t i c a l defeats, i t i s b e c o m i n g e v e r m o r e a g g r e s s i v e a n d i s u s i n g n o t o n l y its
a r r o g a n c e as a b i g i m p e r i a l i s t state, b u t also w e a p o n s
and aggression. Therefore, w i t h o u t i n a n y w a y t o n i n g
d o w n the struggle against A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m , we must
step u p t h e s t r u g g l e against S o v i e t s o c i a l - i m p e r i a l i s m ,
too, because m i l i t a r i l y i t i s v e r y s t r o n g , i r r e s p e c t i v e o f t h e
fact t h a t i t h a s b e e n a n d i s b e i n g d i s c r e d i t e d p o l i t i c a l l y
a n d i d e o l o g i c a l l y . O n t h e one h a n d , t h e S o v i e t s act l i k e
capitalists, l i k e i m p e r i a l i s t s a n d c h a u v i n i s t s , w h i l e , o n
the o t h e r h a n d , t h e y p r o c l a i m t h e m s e l v e s L e n i n i s t s . T h e y
are t r y i n g t o j u s t i f y t h e i r a g g r e s s i o n i n A f g h a n i s t a n a s
b e i n g d o n e «to d e f e n d t h e r e v o l u t i o n there». T h e S o v i e t
social-imperialists' demagogy to present themselves as
L e n i n i s t s a n d t h e i r r e f e r r i n g t o t h e past o f t h e i r c o u n t r y
can a n d does h a v e a n i n f l u e n c e , n o t o n l y o n c o m m u n i s t s
w h o are n o t t e m p e r e d i d e o l o g i c a l l y i n s t r u g g l e a n d battles,
56
ENVER HOXHA
b u t also o n m a n y o t h e r people w h o a r e a f r a i d o f r e v o l u t i o n a r y struggle and w a n t to go d o w n in history as c o m m u n i s t s , of course, as « o r a n g e - c o l o u r e d » c o m m u n i s t s , a c cording to Aragon's stand-point. I have mentioned this in
m y book. W h e n i t i s o n l y a m a t t e r o f t a l k i n g , these
elements s a y : « W e are c o m m u n i s t s , » w h i l e w h e n i t comes
t o p u t t i n g u p resistance t h e y r e t r e a t .
T h e S o v i e t s a r e t r y i n g t o use t h e s i t u a t i o n t o t h e i r
advantage. B u t without overestimating the strength of
our M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t parties, we t h i n k that the Soviet
revisionists realize clearly that M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m is an
i n v i n c i b l e force. Today or t o m o r r o w this force w i l l become
a great a v a l a n c h e . E v e n t h o u g h t h e y h a v e b e t r a y e d M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m , t h e y k n o w its f o r c e a n d c a n n e v e r t h i n k
t h a t t h i s great r e v o l u t i o n a r y i d e o l o g y has b e e n w i p e d out
o r has g r o w n w e a k w i t h age a s i s c l a i m e d b y t h e E u r o c o m munists and m a n y other revisionists w h o attack L e n i n ,
because h e i s t h e a r c h i t e c t o f t h e r e v o l u t i o n , w h i l e a l l e g e d l y
t h e y s p a r e M a r x . I n r e a l i t y t h e y a r e against M a r x , too,
because i t w a s h e w h o l a i d t h e basis f o r t h e c o m p l e t e o v e r throw of capitalism.
H e n c e , t h e S o v i e t r e v i s i o n i s t s k n o w t h i s great f o r c e
o f t h e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t i d e o l o g y . T h e y k n o w also t h a t a n y
r e v o l u t i o n a r y m o v e m e n t against c a p i t a l i s m assists t h e
forces o f t h e w o r l d r e v o l u t i o n . P r o c e e d i n g f r o m this, t h e y
r e a l i z e t h a t i f t h e y d o n o t act a g a i n s t t h e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t
parties, t h e y w i l l become b i g a n d p o w e r f u l t o m o r r o w ,
a l t h o u g h t h e y are s m a l l t o d a y , because a l l t h e peoples
struggle f o r t h e r e v o l u t i o n . T h e S o v i e t r e v i s i o n i s t s k n o w
t h a t the s u b j e c t i v e factor, t h a t is, t h e p a r t i e s w h i c h s t a n d
i n the p o s i t i o n s o f M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m , w i l l c h a n n e l t h e
g a t h e r i n g d i s c o n t e n t a n d i n d i g n a t i o n o f t h e peoples a g a inst A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m a n d Soviet social-imperialism.
Previously, w h e n M a o Zedong thought had not yet
been o p e n l y e x p o s e d b y o u r p a r t i e s , t h e s o c i a l - i m p e r i a l i s t s
M—L PARTIES STRENGTHEN THROUGH STRUGGLE
57
a n d i m p e r i a l i s t s w e r e r a t h e r t r a n q u i l , because t h e y t h o u g h t
that this revisionist current w a s w o r k i n g w i t h i n us l i k e a
w o r m i n a n a p p l e . N o w , a f t e r o u r e x p o s u r e o f it, w e see t h a t
t h e y h a v e i n c r e a s e d t h e i r a t t a c k s u p o n us. B u t h o w a r e
they attacking us? In the w a y that Prestes and other
f a c t i o n a l i s t s do. W e a r e a c q u a i n t e d w i t h t h e f a c t i o n a l
s t r u g g l e i n c i t e d b y c a p i t a l i s m a n d r e a c t i o n , a n d n o w also
b y m o d e m r e v i s i o n i s m . O u r c l a s h w i t h these v a r i o u s
retrogressive currents is unavoidable, but n o w both we
a n d y o u w h o h a v e passed a l l these tests are m u c h b e t t e r
a r m e d a g a i n s t t h e strategies a n d t a c t i c s o f o u r enemies.
This m a k e s us better able to discern their aims a n d the
f o r m s o f s t r u g g l e w h i c h t h e y use. W e , too, m u s t b u i l d a n d
in fact we are concretely b u i l d i n g the forms of our struggle a g a i n s t t h e m . O f course, o u r s t r u g g l e i s n o t a n d w i l l
not be easy.
W e u n d e r s t a n d t h e d i f f i c u l t i e s o f t h e sister p a r t i e s
i n t h e s t r u g g l e . W e , too, l i b e r a t e d o u r c o u n t r y t h r o u g h
struggle. Nevertheless, we are and must be continuously
i n s t r u g g l e , a t e v e r y m o m e n t , w h i l e w e m u s t also k n o w
h o w t o use d i p l o m a c y , w h i l e a d h e r i n g t o o u r p r i n c i p l e s .
A t t h e s a m e t i m e w e m u s t also b e v i g i l a n t b o t h i n s i d e a n d
outside t h e c o u n t r y , because, a l t h o u g h t h e i m p e r i a l i s t s ,
s o c i a l - i m p e r i a l i s t s a n d r e v i s i o n i s t s s m i l e a t us, t h e y h a v e
t h e i r d a g g e r s r e a d y t o stab u s i n t h e b a c k .
So, C o m r a d e Amazonas, we have difficulties, but we
w i l l b e a b l e t o cope w i t h t h e m , because w e k n o w t h a t w e
are o n t h e r i g h t r o a d a n d w e a r e c o n v i n c e d t h a t t h e
peoples u n d e r s t a n d us. F r o m t h e i n f o r m a t i o n w e h a v e
r e c e i v e d a b o u t t h e b o o k s w h i c h o u r P a r t y has p u b l i s h e d ,
it turns out that even progressive bourgeois elements f i n d
i n t h e m a n a l y s e s a n d c o n c l u s i o n s o f interest, w h i l e others
w h o are, y o u m i g h t say, c o m m u n i s t s y m p a t h i z e r s t e l l u s
that n o w they understand clearly w h a t the Soviet U n i o n
a n d C h i n a a r e a n d w h a t t h e y are d o i n g i n E t h i o p i a , A l -
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ENVER HOXHA
geria, S o m a l i a and elsewhere. T h e question arises: W h y
d o t h e y t e l l u s these t h i n g s ? B e c a u s e i n o u r b o o k s t h e y
f i n d explanations for questions w h i c h they w e r e unable to
understand o r e x p l a i n before. O n l y M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m
c a n e x p l a i n a n d m a k e these t h i n g s u n d e r s t a n d a b l e t o a l l .
T h a t i s w h y w e are c o n f i d e n t t h a t w e w i l l o v e r c o m e t h e
d i f f i c u l t i e s . T h e v i c t o r y , o f course, i s n o t a c h i e v e d i m mediately. B u t in this w a y , through struggle against i m perialism, revisionism and factionalism gradually our
avalanche w i l l be formed and build up. O n l y in struggle
can the M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t parties be strengthened and t e m p e r e d a n d g a i n c a p a b i l i t y t o d o v e r y great t h i n g s .
The Soviet revisionists say they are s t r i v i n g for
general disarmament, but in reality they are continuing to
a r m themselves. T h e facts show that the situation w i t h i n
the organization of the W a r s a w Treaty and that of Comec o n i s n o t a l l t h a t p e a c e f u l , let a l o n e m o n o l i t h i c . T h e s e
o r g a n i z a t i o n s are p r o p p e d u p o n l y t h a n k s t o the a r m e d
might of the Soviet U n i o n . In all the W a r s a w T r e a t y
c o u n t r i e s t h e r e h a v e b e e n s t r i k e s a s b i g a s those i n t h e c a p italist countries. There have been such strikes in P o l a n d , for
i n s t a n c e . E v e n B u l g a r i a h a s its o b j e c t i o n s w i t h i n C o m e c o n .
In appearance the B u l g a r i a n revisionist leadership is w i t h
t h e S o v i e t U n i o n , i n d e e d , i s its m o s t s e r v i l e l a c k e y , b u t
o n e c o n o m i c m a t t e r s i t has f a r f r o m m i n o r c o n t r a d i c t i o n s .
I n R u m a n i a , too, t h e r e i s d e g e n e r a t i o n . C z e c h o s l o v a k i a ,
likewise, is in economic crisis and the prices of all the
goods h a v e b e g u n t o rise.
In our opinion there is discontent in the W a r s a w
T r e a t y c o u n t r i e s a g a i n s t t h e S o v i e t presence, b u t t h i s i s
n o t a t t h e same l e v e l a n d o f t h e s a m e s t r e n g t h a s i n
N A T O , w h e r e t h e p o l i c y o f t h e U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a
has c r e a t e d a n u m b e r of splits.
F r o m the economic stand-point the m e m b e r countries
o f the W a r s a w T r e a t y are d e p e n d e n t o n the S o v i e t U n i o n .
M—L PARTIES STRENGTHEN THROUGH STRUGGLE
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T h e y carry on the b u l k of their trade w i t h the Soviets.
T h e y get e l e c t r i c p o w e r , o i l , gas a n d o t h e r r a w m a t e r i a l s
mainly f r o m them. Steel production in Hungary, for
e x a m p l e , d e p e n d s o n t h e o r e w h i c h comes f r o m K r i v o y R o g . H e n c e , t h e m e m b e r states o f t h e W a r s a w T r e a t y
are u n a b l e t o m o v e f r o m t h i s o r g a n i z a t i o n . O n t h e o t h e r
h a n d , w i t h i n N A T O w e see t h a t F r a n c e a n d W e s t G e r m a n y
h a v e c o n t r a d i c t i o n s w i t h t h e U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a
over the measures w h i c h the latter wants to be taken
against I r a n a n d t h e S o v i e t U n i o n a n d o v e r t h e d e p l o y m e n t
o f n e w m i s s i l e s i n E u r o p e , etc. T h i s s h o w s t h a t t h e r e are
splits i n t h i s b l o c .
T h e e x i s t e n c e a n d d e e p e n i n g o f these splits i s o f
interest t o us, because t h e y w e a k e n t h e s t r e n g t h o f t h e
U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a , b u t a t t h e s a m e t i m e t h e S o v i e t s ,
w h o k n o w h o w t o t a k e a d v a n t a g e o f t h e m , are t r y i n g t o
exploit them.
T h e r e are people w h o s a y t h a t the S o v i e t s d o n ' t k n o w
h o w t o c o n d u c t p o l i t i c s . N o , t h i s i s n o t so. A s y o u k n o w ,
at t h e e n d of J u n e , a m e e t i n g of heads of state a n d g o v e r n ment of the m a i n industrialized countries of the w o r l d
was held in Venice. Carter was to go there and, amongst
other t h i n g s , d e c i s i o n s w e r e t o b e t a k e n against t h e
Soviets o v e r t h e q u e s t i o n o f A f g h a n i s t a n . C a r t e r w e n t t o
V e n i c e , b u t , b e f o r e t h e m e e t i n g , B r e z h n e v sent G i s c a r d
d ' E s t a i g n a message i n w h i c h h e i n f o r m e d h i m t h a t h e
w a s g o i n g to w i t h d r a w a d i v i s i o n of S o v i e t soldiers a n d a
hundred tanks f r o m A f g h a n i s t a n , although the Soviets
h a v e t e n s of t h o u s a n d s of o t h e r s o l d i e r s t h e r e . T h i s w a s a
c a r e f u l l y t h o u g h t out p o l i t i c a l act o n t h e p a r t o f t h e S o v i e t s
t o come t o t h e a i d o f d ' E s t a i g n a n d S c h m i d t i n t h e i r s t a n d
against C a r t e r ' s pressures. A n d i n fact t h e S o v i e t a c t i o n
assisted these t w o .
A s has been p o i n t e d out i n t h a t book, t h e w o r k o f t h e
M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t party in the r a n k s of the bourgeois a r m y
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ENVER HOXHA
has great i m p o r t a n c e . T h i s w o r k m u s t b e d o n e i n t h r e e
phases: b e f o r e t h e sons o f t h e p e o p l e a r e c o n s c r i p t e d t o
t h e a r m y , w h i l e t h e y are d o i n g t h e i r m i l i t a r y service, a n d
a f t e r t h e y c o m p l e t e it. O u r e x p e r i e n c e a n d y o u r s s h o w
h o w important it is to w o r k w i t h the y o u t h before they
g o i n t o t h e a r m y . A s w e see, t o d a y , b e f o r e t h e y g o i n t o t h e
a r m y , the y o u t h f o l l o w t h e r e v o l u t i o n a r y m o v e m e n t s , t h e
g e n e r a l m o v e m e n t s o f p r o t e s t a g a i n s t crises, u n e m p l o y m e n t , a n d s o o n . T h e s t u d e n t s also r i s e a g a i n s t u n e m p l o y m e n t w h e n t h e y g r a d u a t e f r o m t h e h i g h e r schools. H e n c e ,
a m o n g t h e y o u t h w e see a g r e a t m o v e m e n t , y o u m i g h t
say, a n o p p o s i t i o n t o t h e r e g i m e i n p o w e r . T h i s i s a p p a r e n t
i n m a n y c o u n t r i e s . W e see also t h a t t h e b o u r g e o i s i e i s
a w a r e o f t h e d a n g e r o f t h i s g r e a t f o r c e . Its p a r t i e s p l a c e
great i m p o r t a n c e o n t h e p r o b l e m s o f t h e y o u t h .
W h y ? I n o r d e r t o cause d e g e n e r a t i o n o f t h e y o u t h
t h r o u g h t h e use o f d r u g s , t h e p r o p a g a n d a o f sex, t h e s p r e a d
o f a n a r c h i s m , t e r r o r i s m , etc. C a p i t a l i s m does a l l these
things in order to disintegrate this massive force of the
people w h i c h constitutes a d a n g e r t o it, because b o t h t h e
w o r k i n g class, t h e p e a s a n t r y , etc., are r e n e w e d t h r o u g h t h e
youth. This is biological. Some people grow old, but at the
same time the n e w generation, the youth, come along. T h e
bourgeoisie tries to suppress precisely this n e w generation
a n d e l i m i n a t e its r e v o l u t i o n a r y s p i r i t . W e see t h e effect o f
this work, for example, in the role w h i c h the a r m y plays.
T h e s o l d i e r i s t h e s o n o f t h e p o o r peasant o r t h e w o r k e r
w h o goes o n s t r i k e , a n d y e t h e opens f i r e o n t h e people.
O f course, t h e e n t i r e y o u t h c a n n o t i m p l i c a t e i t s e l f i n t h i s
evil hostile activity of the bourgeoisie.
A m o n g the y o u n g people, w h e t h e r w o r k e r s , p e a s a n t s
o r students, t h e r e a r e forces w h o t h i n k , p o l i t i c a l l y a n d
i d e o l o g i c a l l y , n o t a s w e c o m m u n i s t s do. o f course, b u t i n
p r o g r e s s i v e w a y s . T h e s e y o u n g p e o p l e see a l l t h e i n j u s t i c e s
o f the b o u r g e o i s o r d e r , t h e r o b b e r y , t h e p l u n d e r , a n d a l l
M—L PARTIES STRENGTHEN THROUGH STRUGGLE
61
those t h i n g s w e m e n t i o n e d e a r l i e r . T h e y see a l l these
things, b u t t h e y d o n o t see t h e s o u n d o r g a n i z a t i o n w h i c h
t h e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t p a r t i e s m u s t c a r r y out i n o r d e r t o
create a s i t u a t i o n w h i c h w i l l c h a n n e l a l l t h e h e a l t h y forces
of the y o u t h into a single front as occurred in our country,
f o r e x a m p l e . D u r i n g t h e N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r the y o u t h
of our country w e r e mobilized in the Anti-fascist Y o u t h
Organization w h i c h subsequently, after the Congress of the
Unification of the Y o u t h , was amalgamated w i t h the
organization of the C o m m u n i s t Y o u t h to f o r m the L a b o u r
Y o u t h U n i o n o f A l b a n i a . T h e s e y o u n g people f i l l e d t h e
ranks of our army. W h i l e acting in this w a y we d i d not
u n d e r e s t i m a t e t h e w o r k i n g class. O n t h e c o n t r a r y , e v e n
though it was s m a l l in number, we had it in the centre
of our attention and our work. Neither did we underestim a t e t h e s o - c a l l e d n a t i o n a l i s t s , t h a t is, t h e p r o g r e s s i v e
elements, e v e n w h e n t h e y w e r e o v e r 4 5 y e a r s o f age.
I f w e l o o k b a c k a t o u r w a r , w e see t h a t t h e r a n k s
of the partisan brigades were filled m a i n l y w i t h the youth.
O u r P a r t y , a t f i r s t , w a s m a d e u p o f o n l y 200 people, m o s t
of w h o m were young, w h i l e the y o u t h in the ranks of the
army, w h o m the P a r t y inspired, amounted to thousands.
O u r country was occupied, and this was an important
n a t i o n a l m o m e n t . W e c a n also c a l l the p e r i o d o f t h e o p p r e s sion of our people by k i n g A h m e t Zog and the occupation
o f A l b a n i a b y fascist I t a l y n a t i o n a l m o m e n t s . P r e c i s e l y
a t these m o m e n t s t h e P a r t y k n e w h o w t o u t i l i z e t h e
revolutionary patriotic sentiments of the youth.
We t h i n k that this national m o m e n t exists in every
capitalist country today. In the various capitalist countries
there is exploitation by the n a t i o n a l bourgeoisie, as w e l l as
imperialist d o m i n a t i o n and exploitation, the d o m i n a t i o n
a n d e x p l o i t a t i o n b y m u l t i n a t i o n a l c o m p a n i e s , etc. A l l these
f a c t o r s create t h e n a t i o n a l m o m e n t w h i c h m u s t b e u t i l i z e d
i n e v e r y w a y . H o w e v e r , t h e r e a r e some c o m r a d e s w h o u n d e r -
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ENVER HOXHA
stand this in simplistic ways, in somewhat classical ways.
O f course, w e m u s t a d h e r e t o a n d a p p l y o u r p r i n c i p l e s .
F o r example, as I told you, at the start of o u r struggle we
d i d n o t h a v e a b i g w o r k i n g class, i t w a s s m a l l , b u t w e b a s e d
o u r s e l v e s o n its i d e o l o g y . T h e w o r k i n g class i s t h e b a c k b o n e
o f t h e r e v o l u t i o n , b u t t h i s does n o t r u l e o u t its a l l i a n c e
w i t h t h e p e a s a n t r y , w i t h t h e e x p l o i t e d s t r a t a o f t h e people,
even though various tendencies and situations exist w i t h i n
them.
Let us take just the problem of the youth. V a r i o u s
ideologies, t h a t is, b o u r g e o i s a n d r e v i s i o n i s t i d e o l o g i e s act
u p o n t h e y o u t h . A s a result, w i t h i n its r a n k s t h e r e i s m o r a l
and physical demoralization. On the other hand, there is
also t h e s o u n d p a r t w i t h i n the masses o f t h e y o u t h . T h e r e fore, i t behoves t h e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t p a r t i e s t o e x e r t t h e i r
i n f l u e n c e o n a n d create t h e f r o n t o f t h e y o u t h . T h i s f r o n t
c a n n o t be set u p , as some t h i n k , by c r e a t i n g a c o m m u n i s t
y o u t h organization. No, that w o u l d be a v e r y n a r r o w organization w h i c h m a n y of the y o u n g people w o u l d not
j o i n . B u t i f a b r o a d p o p u l a r o r g a n i z a t i o n i s set u p , t h e n
tens o f t h o u s a n d s o f y o u n g p e o p l e w i l l g a t h e r i n it. I t i s
u p t o the p a r t y t o t h i n k out h o w t h i s y o u t h o r g a n i z a t i o n
s h o u l d b e c r e a t e d a n d g r a d u a l l y c o n c r e t i z e its w o r k . T h e
M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t c o m m u n i s t s m i g h t h a v e c l e a r ideas, b u t
they have to w o r k to ensure that the y o u n g people unders t a n d a n d accept these ideas, w h i l e a l w a y s s a f e g u a r d i n g
the solidarity of their o w n ranks. A c c o r d i n g to the situation,
the M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t communists, without declaring t h e m selves o p e n l y , c a n a n d m u s t c a r r y o u t p r o p a g a n d a a m o n g
t h e y o u n g people, f o r e x a m p l e , against t h e b o u r g e o i s a r m y ,
against p r i c e rises, a g a i n s t u n e m p l o y m e n t , etc. I n o t h e r
words, a broad p r o g r a m of w o r k w i t h the y o u t h must
be m a p p e d out and applied.
Of course, these t h i n g s t h a t I m e n t i o n e d c a n n o t be
d o n e a l l a t once. O u r P a r t y , f o r e x a m p l e , has a l w a y s p l a c e d
M—L PARTIES STRENGTHEN THROUGH STRUGGLE
63
great i m p o r t a n c e o n w o r k w i t h t h e y o u t h , a n d does s o
even to this day.
In the capitalist countries there is another problem,
too, t h e p r o b l e m o f t r a d e - u n i o n s . W e h a v e discussed t h i s
together, C o m r a d e A m a z o n a s , a n d w e h a v e b e e n i n c o m plete a g r e e m e n t o n e v e r y t h i n g .
N o w I a m r e f e r r i n g t o a n o t h e r issue, t h a t o f t h e
unemployed. W h a t is being done and w h a t should be done
w i t h t h i s mass, w i t h t h i s c a t e g o r y o f p e o p l e o f t h e w o r k i n g
class a n d o t h e r w o r k i n g masses o f t o w n a n d c o u n t r y s i d e ,
w h o m capitalism has t h r o w n out a n d continues to t h r o w
out i n t h e s t r e e t ? T h i s mass o f people i s m o r e r e a d y t o
s t r u g g l e t h a n those w h o a r e o r g a n i z e d i n t r a d e - u n i o n s .
W h i l e s a y i n g this we do not in a n y w a y forget the p r i n c i p l e
t h a t t h e w o r k i n g class i s t h e b a c k b o n e o f t h e r e v o l u t i o n ,
therefore, we must not i n t e r r u p t our w o r k w i t h it even
f o r a m o m e n t . B u t t h e u n e m p l o y e d are w o r k e r s , t o o . A n d
i t seems t o m e t h a t here, a m o n g these u n e m p l o y e d w o r k e r s ,
the p a r t y has a c o n t i n g e n t f i f t y p e r cent r e a d y t o l a u n c h
attacks. T h e y are desperate a n d i n r e v o l t . A m o n g s t t h e m
t e r r o r i s m a n d a n a r c h i s m t a k e root, because t h e y t h i n k
t h a t t h e y c a n d o s o m e t h i n g b y these m e a n s . T h e y t h i n k
a n d act i n t h i s w a y , because t h e y h a v e n o t h i n g t o eat,
because, a s M a r x says, t h e y h a v e n o t h i n g t o lose b u t t h e
chains w h i c h e n s l a v e t h e m . W h i l e t h e w o r k e r s i n t r a d e unions receive t h e i r pay, h a v e guaranteed pensions and,
as a result, n u r t u r e i l l u s i o n s a b o u t t h e s t r i k e m o v e m e n t
w h i c h is m a n i p u l a t e d by the aristocracy of the w o r k i n g
class. W e m u s t w o r k w i t h t h e m w i t h o u t f a i l , because t h e y
c o n s t i t u t e t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e w o r k i n g class, b u t w e m u s t
not f o r g e t t h e u n e m p l o y e d . W e h a v e r e a c h e d t h i s o p i n i o n
o n t h e basis o f t h e e x p e r i e n c e o f o u r P a r t y .
However, there are comrades w h o do not understand
a l l i a n c e s c o r r e c t l y . F o r e x a m p l e , some t h i n k q u i t e r i g h t l y
t h a t a l l i a n c e s s h o u l d b e e s t a b l i s h e d w i t h p r o g r e s s i v e ele-
64
ENVER HOXHA
merits, w h o a r e opposed t o the r e g i m e i n p o w e r a n d w i t h
w h o m y o u can reach agreement on a n u m b e r of questions,
w i t h the exception of revisionists w h o are opposed to
our i d e o l o g y . T h e f o r m e r , too, are a g a i n s t us, b u t t h e
r e v i s i o n i s t s d e l i b e r a t e l y pose a s b e i n g a g a i n s t t h e r u l i n g
state p o w e r , w h i l e i n r e a l i t y t h e y are i n a l l i a n c e w i t h t h i s
state a n d h a v e t h e d e s t r u c t i o n o f t h e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t
parties as their aim. E v e n though the progressive elements
are r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f b o u r g e o i s p a r t i e s , t h e y a t t a c k s o m e
aspects o f b o u r g e o i s p o w e r , because t h e y h a v e e c o n o m i c
contradictions and, first of all, political contradictions over
t h e q u e s t i o n o f t h e m a j o r i t y i n P a r l i a m e n t , etc. W e e x p l o i t
p r e c i s e l y these c o n t r a d i c t i o n s i n o r d e r t o create a n d d e e p e n
the divisions amongst them, w h i l e the revisionists unite
w i t h t h e m t o s t r e n g t h e n t h e state p o w e r o f t h e b o u r g e o i s i e .
O u r t a c t i c consists o f t h i s : w e f o r m a l l i a n c e s o n c e r t a i n
issues w i t h p r o g r e s s i v e p e o p l e a n d n o t w i t h t h e r e v i s i o n i s t s .
B u t t h e r e are some w h o t h i n k t h a t t h e y s h o u l d m e e t
e v e n w i t h the heads o f t h e b o u r g e o i s p a r t i e s . V e r y w e l l ,
t h e y , too, s h o u l d n o t b e u n d e r e s t i m a t e d , b u t t h e i m p o r t a n t
t h i n g i s t h a t contacts m u s t b e e s t a b l i s h e d w i t h t h e base,
w i t h t h e r a n k - a n d - f i l e m e m b e r s o f those p a r t i e s .
D u r i n g the time of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r we
m a d e e f f o r t s t o meet w i t h t h e c h i e f s o f g r o u p s a n d o r g a n ­
i z a t i o n s of t h e b o u r g e o i s i e . I p e r s o n a l l y w a s one of t h e
comrades w h o m the P a r t y h a d charged t o talk w i t h t h e
chiefs w h o , a t t h a t t i m e , posed a s p a t r i o t s a n d p r o c l a i m e d
h i g h a n d l o w t h a t «the t i m e h a s come,» o r «the t i m e h a s
n o t come,» t o f i g h t against t h e o c c u p i e r s . S o m e « c o m munists», e s p e c i a l l y t h e Y u g o s l a v s , t h r o u g h V u k m a n o v i ć
Tempo, criticized us saying: « W h y do you continue w i t h
t h e m , w h y d r a g m a t t e r s out, w h a t i s t h i s o p p o r t u n i s m . . . ? »
But, w h i l e we tried to talk to the chiefs and m a k e things
c l e a r t o t h e m , o n the o t h e r h a n d , w e w o r k e d t o w i n o v e r
their rank and file. We proceeded f r o m the principle t h a t
M—L PARTIES STRENGTHEN THROUGH STRUGGLE
65
w e m u s t n o t a b a n d o n e f f o r t s t o a l l y w i t h t h e chiefs,
because t h e y h a d i n f l u e n c e a n d because w e c o u l d d o o u r
w o r k t h r o u g h t h e m , a l t h o u g h w e h a d n o great h o p e i n
t h e m a n d p l a c e d o u r h o p e s i n t h e base.
T h i s , C o m r a d e A m a z o n a s , i s t h e w a y w e see these
t h i n g s , t h a t i s t o say, t h e q u e s t i o n o f t h e a r m y , o f t r a d e unions, of the y o u t h a n d of the unemployed.
Speaking
about unemployment
and
strikes,
about
the
work of the party in the trade-unions and
among
the
ranks of the youth, as well as about other questions, Joao
Amazonas said
among
other
things:
T h e problems w h i c h y o u raised today, C o m r a d e Enver,
a n d a b o v e a l l , t h e p r o b l e m o f t h e y o u t h , seem t o u s t i m e l y ,
because i n B r a z i l w e h a v e a m i l i t a n t y o u t h . D u r i n g o u r
stay h e r e w e v i s i t e d t h e m a r t y r s ' c e m e t e r y . R e a d i n g t h e
dates o f t h e i r b i r t h a n d d e a t h i t e m e r g e s t h a t m o s t o f
t h e m w e r e y o u n g people. I n B r a z i l , too, t h e y o u n g p e o p l e
h a v e a m i l i t a n t s p i r i t . W e h a v e been a w a r e o f t h i s f o r
m a n y years. F o r our part, w h i l e h a v i n g the w o r k w i t h
students a t t h e c e n t r e o f o u r a t t e n t i o n , w e h a v e also g i v e n
great i m p o r t a n c e t o t h e w o r k w i t h t h e w o r k e r y o u t h , w h o
make up the majority, as w e l l as the w o r k w i t h the
peasant y o u t h .
Comrade
Enver
Hoxha
again
took
up
the
conversation:
T h e c a p i t a l i s t e m p l o y s t h e m o s t e n e r g e t i c people, those
of 25-30 y e a r s of age. W h e n t h e w o r k e r reaches 45 y e a r s
o f age, t h e c a p i t a l i s t h a s squeezed h i m d r y a n d t h r o w s h i m
out. I t i s n o t t h a t t h e w o r k e r i s n o t r e v o l u t i o n a r y a t t h i s
age, b u t he is a l i t t l e m o r e c a u t i o u s in s t r u g g l e . It is t h e
same also w i t h w o m e n , w h o a r e r a t h e r m o r e c o n c e r n e d
about t h e i r c h i l d r e n , w h i l e t h e y o u t h t h r o w e v e r y t h i n g
into the struggle.
66
ENVER HOXHA
I h a v e discussed t h e q u e s t i o n of t h e y o u t h p e r s o n a l l y
w i t h other f o r e i g n f r i e n d s , too. I n a t a l k w i t h a f r i e n d
f r o m France, he told me that the youth in his country
w e r e d e g e n e r a t i n g . « T h e bourgeoisie,» h e s a i d , « w i t h its
c o n s e r v a t i v e tendencies, i s t r y i n g t o save its o w n c h i l d r e n
f r o m t h i s great d e g e n e r a t i o n , b u t i s w o r k i n g t o cause t h e
d e g e n e r a t i o n o f t h e c h i l d r e n o f t h e w o r k i n g class.»
Then, the question emerges: W h o must defend the
y o u t h o f t h e w o r k i n g class? W e , t h e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t
communists. The M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t p a r t y is the mother of
t h e w o r k i n g class y o u t h , t h e r e f o r e t h e p a r t y m u s t o p e n
t h e i r eyes a n d save t h e m f r o m t h e d a n g e r s . T h i s c a n n o t b e
a c h i e v e d i n i n d i v i d u a l w a y s , b u t t h r o u g h mass o r g a n i z a tional, political and cultural w o r k and creating possibilities f o r t h e y o u t h t h e m s e l v e s t o f i g h t i n t h i s d i r e c t i o n .
In our country we have party organizations among
the c i v i l p o p u l a t i o n a n d i n t h e a r m y . W h e r e t h e r e a r e
fewer t h a n three party members, joint groups of party
members and y o u t h can be created. We have approved
t h i s i n t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o f t h e P a r t y . T h e best cadres o f t h e
y o u t h , w h o are m e m b e r s o f these g r o u p s a n d t a k e p a r t i n
meetings, c a r r y t h e l i n e o f t h e P a r t y t o t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n
o f t h e y o u t h . B e s i d e s t h i s , i n t h i s w a y , t h a t is, w i t h i n t h e
P a r t y , we educate and temper boys a n d girls w i t h the
s p i r i t o f t h e P a r t y . W e get m o s t o f o u r p a r t y m e m b e r s
f r o m the youth.
O u r conversations w i t h you, Comrade Amazonas, help
us a g r e a t d e a l to see m o r e c l e a r l y t h e successes y o u h a v e
a c h i e v e d a n d t h e great p o s s i b i l i t i e s w h i c h l i e a h e a d o f y o u .
W e are c o n f i d e n t y o u w i l l a c h i e v e f u r t h e r successes. T h e
e x c h a n g e o f o p i n i o n s w i t h y o u i s i m p o r t a n t f o r us, because
it opens up to us the p e r s p e c t i v e of a m o r e p r o f o u n d r e f l e c tion on our o w n work. T h e complexity of the problems of
workers, trade-unions, the countryside, the disruptive w o r k
M—L PARTIES STRENGTHEN THROUGH STRUGGLE
67
o f t h e g o v e r n m e n t , t h e c h u r c h , etc., a b o u t w h i c h y o u spoke,
help us to reflect.
T h e e x c h a n g e o f o p i n i o n s w i t h one a n o t h e r h e l p s u s
t o s h a r p e n o u r v i g i l a n c e against pressures f r o m t h e c a p i t a l i s t - r e v i s i o n i s t c o u n t r i e s , b u t also t o r e f l e c t o n t h e assistance, w i t h those p o s s i b i l i t i e s w e h a v e , w h i c h w e m u s t g i v e
our M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t comrades.
T h a n k y o u v e r y m u c h for y o u r visit, Comrade A m a zonas!
I w i s h y o u success! C o n v e y m y g r e e t i n g s t o a l l t h e c o m rades o f y o u r P a r t y !
Published for the first time f r o m
notes taken during this meeting,
w h i c h are kept in the Central
Archives of the Party.
PROBLEMS AND TASKS FOR THE TRANSFORMATION
OF THE HIGHER-TYPE COOPERATIVES INTO
STATE FARMS
From a talk at the daily meeting with the secretaries
of the CC of PLA
September 9, 1980
The study of the situation of higher-type cooperatives
i s based m a i n l y o n some f i g u r e s a n d a c h i e v e m e n t s , w h i c h
it is essential to k n o w . B u t it is not only the figures w h i c h
m a k e us take this or that decision. The whole p r o b l e m
m u s t b e seen m o r e w i d e l y , t h a t i s t o say, h o w o u r socialist
agriculture is going to develop further.
W e are c a r r y i n g t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f s o c i a l i s m , i n
general, constantly f o r w a r d and w i l l f u r t h e r intensify it.
I n t h i s context, w e are w o r k i n g t o i n t e n s i f y a g r i c u l t u r e ,
too. B u t i n o r d e r t o d o t h i s s u c c e s s f u l l y , w e m u s t r a i s e t h e
p o l i t i c a l a n d i d e o l o g i c a l consciousness a n d t h e p r o g r e s s i v e t h i n k i n g of o u r c o o p e r a t i v i s t masses to a h i g h e r
level.
One of the m a i n problems for achieving this far f r o m
easy o b j e c t i v e i s t h e w o r k w h i c h w e m u s t d o t o c o m b a t
t h e r e m n a n t s o f t h e sense o f p r i v a t e p r o p e r t y , w h i c h s t i l l
exist, a n d t h e p e t t y - b o u r g e o i s m e n t a l i t y o f o u r r u r a l w o r k i n g people. I f w e d o n o t d o t h i s p o l i t i c a l a n d i d e o l o g i c a l
w o r k properly and systematically, we w i l l r u n into dif-
TURNING AGR. COOPS. INTO STATE FARMS
69
ficulties d u r i n g our advance. N a t u r a l l y , we have w o r k e d
c o n t i n u a l l y in this direction a n d it is true to say that we
have achieved results. At the same time, however, r e m nants of the petty-bourgeois mentality exist in our countryside and reappear here more strongly and there more
w e a k l y , disappear a n d r e t u r n anew in the most v a r i e d
f o r m s . O f course, w e k n o w t h e i r f o r m s , b u t the p o i n t i s
w e m u s t k n o w t h e m m o r e t h o r o u g h l y , because t h e y k e e p
changing f r o m time to time. Likewise, we need better
knowledge of the level of their intensity, not only among
t h e p e a s a n t r y as a w h o l e , b u t also a m o n g p a r t i c u l a r g r o u p s
and strata of the peasantry.
N o w let u s c o m e t o t h e c o n c r e t e q u e s t i o n , t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f socialist a g r i c u l t u r a l economies, t h a t is, t h e
social property of the w h o l e people and the property of
the g r o u p . T h i s l a t t e r c o n t a i n s a n e l e m e n t o f c a p i t a l i s m .
We have to understand that between the property of the
g r o u p a n d t h e p r o p e r t y o f t h e w h o l e people t h e r e i s a
distinction both f r o m the psychological stand-point and in
o t h e r s o c i a l aspects. T h e P a r t y k n o w s these t h i n g s , b u t
I t h i n k i t o u g h t t o k n o w t h e m e v e n better.
T h e p r o p e r t y o f t h e g r o u p i s a f o r m o f socialist p r o p erty, b u t t h i s f o r m c o n s t i t u t e s a n i n t e r m e d i a t e phase.
I n t i m e i t m u s t pass i n t o p r o p e r t y o f t h e w h o l e people,
a n d w e a r e w o r k i n g t o a r r i v e a t t h a t stage. T h i s i s a
c o n t i n u i n g process i n m o v e m e n t , w h i c h b e g a n w i t h t h e
L a n d R e f o r m , c o n t i n u e d w i t h t h e socialist c o l l e c t i v i z a t i o n
o f t h e p e a s a n t r y , w i t h t h e s e t t i n g u p o f state f a r m s —
property of the w h o l e people — a n d later, w i t h the enlargement of a g r i c u l t u r a l cooperatives t h r o u g h their u n i f i c a t i o n
up to the establishment of higher-type cooperatives, w h i c h
represent a h i g h e r l e v e l of t h e s o c i a l i z a t i o n of t h e p r o p e r t y
o f the g r o u p o n t h e c o u r s e o f b r i n g i n g i t closer t o t h e
p r o p e r t y of t h e w h o l e people, as w e l l as w i t h a series of
other s o c i o - e c o n o m i c m e a s u r e s w h i c h s t r e n g t h e n t h e s o c i a l -
70
ENVER HOXHA
ist c h a r a c t e r o f o u r a g r i c u l t u r e . W e m u s t n o t f o r g e t t h a t
i n c a r r y i n g f o r w a r d this process w e h a v e h a d d i f f i c u l t i e s ,
sometimes we have proceeded a little more rapidly, somet i m e s m o r e s l o w l y , b u t w e h a v e n e v e r t a k e n a step b a c k w a r d s a n d w e h a v e n e v e r stood s t i l l i n a n y phase. A s w e
all know, in the i n i t i a l phase of collectivization m a n y
peasants d i d n o t j o i n c o o p e r a t i v e s because t h e y w e r e n o t
convinced, w h i l e later we came to a situation that all the
peasants w e r e c o n v i n c e d a n d set out o n t h i s r o a d o f t h e i r
o w n free w i l l . B u t this took about 20 years.
Throughout this whole period of development and
progress, t h a t is, f r o m t h e s e t t i n g u p o f t h e f i r s t c o o p e r a t i v e t o t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f h u n d r e d s o f others, a n d t h e n
to their unification in bigger cooperatives and, finally,
t o t h e s e t t i n g u p o f some tens o f h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e s
a n d other m e a s u r e s w h i c h t h e P a r t y has t a k e n , w e h a v e
h a d to w o r k v e r y cautiously. Changes a n d progress have
been made in our countryside, not only in the m a t e r i a l
aspects, b u t also i n t h e m e n t a l i t y o f t h e peasants, i n w h o m
socialist consciousness has b e e n s t r e n g t h e n e d step b y step.
Nevertheless, we must never t h i n k that n o w we have
r e a c h e d s u c h a stage of s o c i o - e c o n o m i c d e v e l o p m e n t t h a t
the petty-bourgeois mentality has been eliminated a m o n g
our peasantry. We must not t h i n k that it has been
e l i m i n a t e d a m o n g t h e w o r k i n g class, e i t h e r , a l t h o u g h , i n
fact, i t i s m o r e a d v a n c e d t h a n t h e p e a s a n t r y , because
i t i s t h e class w h i c h leads t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f s o c i a l i s m ,
a n d t h e P a r t y i s t h e edge o f t h i s s w o r d , because M a r x i s m L e n i n i s m i s its i d e o l o g y . E v e n i n t h e consciousness o f t h e
w o r k i n g class t h e r e are s t i l l r e m n a n t s o f t h e p e t t y - b o u r geois p s y c h o l o g y a n d m e n t a l i t y , a l t h o u g h less t h a n a m o n g
the peasantry. B u t h o w are they manifested? T h e P a r t y
has e x p l a i n e d a n d e x p l a i n s t h i s c o n t i n u o u s l y . T h e m a n ifestations o f n a r r o w p e r s o n a l i n t e r e s t s w h i c h are o b s e r v e d
e v e n a m o n g some w o r k e r s , t h e e f f o r t s o f m a n y o f t h e m
TURNING AGR. COOPS. INTO STATE FARMS
71
t o k e e p t h e w o r k q u o t a s l o w , t h e breaches o f d i s c i p l i n e ,
the a t t e m p t s w h i c h are seen a m o n g i n d i v i d u a l w o r k e r s t o
t a k e m o r e f r o m s o c i e t y a n d c o n t r i b u t e less to it, etc., etc.,
a l l these are p h e n o m e n a a n d e x p r e s s i o n s o f t h e p e t t y - b o u r geois p s y c h o l o g y .
W h e n w e say t h a t s u c h p h e n o m e n a a n d m a n i f e s t a t i o n s
are o b s e r v e d a m o n g t h e w o r k i n g class, i t i s u n d e r s t a n d a b l e
f o r u s t h a t t h e y are o b s e r v e d a m o n g t h e i n t e l l e c t u a l s , too,
indeed somewhat more frequently. A n d in the intellectuals
t h e y are m o r e d a n g e r o u s t h a n t h e y are i n the p e a s a n t r y ,
t h e r e f o r e , i f care i s n o t t a k e n t o c o m b a t a l i e n m a n i f e s t a tions a m o n g t h e i n t e l l e c t u a l s , t h e y i n c r e a s e i n m o r e r e f i n e d
w a y s , a n d t h i s g r e a t l y d a m a g e s t h e w o r k o f the P a r t y .
T h e i n t e l l e c t u a l s a r e sons o f t h e people, o f w o r k e r s a n d
peasants, b u t since t h e y a r e cadres, i f t h e y set o u t o n
a w r o n g course, s u b m i t t i n g b o t h to the p r e s s u r e of p e t t y - b o u r g e o i s r e m n a n t s a n d t h e e x t e r n a l pressure, t h e
a l i e n m a n i f e s t a t i o n s i n t h e i r consciousness e m e r g e m o r e
q u i c k l y and become m u c h more dangerous and h a r m f u l .
A t o u r p r e s e n t stage o f d e v e l o p m e n t w e c a n n o t c o m p l e t e l y
e l i m i n a t e these a l i e n r e m n a n t s a n d m a n i f e s t a t i o n s , t h e r e fore t h e y w i l l c o n t i n u e t o e x e r t a n e g a t i v e i n f l u e n c e o n
our w o r k . T h i s faces u s w i t h t h e t a s k t h a t t h e s t r u g g l e
w h i c h the P a r t y wages in this field must be vigorous and
unceasing.
N o w let u s c o m e t o t h e p r o b l e m o f a g r i c u l t u r e . W e
h a v e s a i d t h a t t h e h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e s are a t r a n s i t i o n a l f o r m o f g o i n g o v e r t o state f a r m s . B u t w h e n are w e
g o i n g t o pass o n t o t h i s stage? N a t u r a l l y , t h e r e i s n o c u t a n d - d r y a n s w e r t o this, b u t t h i s does n o t m e a n t h a t t h e
P a r t y should not t h i n k about this objective and that the
q u e s t i o n s h o u l d b e left t o s p o n t a n e i t y . T h e fact i s w e h a v e
not w o r k e d a s m u c h a s w e s h o u l d f o r t h i s o b j e c t i v e a n d
this i s s o m e t h i n g w e c e r t a i n l y m u s t d o s o t h a t n o t o n l y
the m e m b e r s o f h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e s , b u t also t h e
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ENVER HOXHA
others bee the p e r s p e c t i v e . T h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t s h a v e to k n o w
t h a t a d v a n c i n g on this course m e a n s a q u a l i t a t i v e u p l i f t ,
f r o m the e c o n o m i c s t a n d - p o i n t , t h e i r w a y o f l i f e , m e n t a lity and psychology.
T h e P a r t y has not f o r g o t t e n t h i s o b j e c t i v e . I a m r e f e r r i n g t o the care w h i c h w e m u s t d i s p l a y i n t h e great
e d u c a t i o n a l w o r k w e m u s t d o f o r t h e best p o s s i b l e p r e p a r a t i o n o f t h e P a r t y itself s o t h a t i t w i l l b e c l e a r a b o u t t h i s
course. T h e P a r t y m u s t d o m o r e w o r k w i t h g r e a t e r p e r spective f o r t h i s process i n d e v e l o p m e n t , o n t h e ascent,
so that it can explain and m a k e it clear to the cooperativists. T h i s is a q u e s t i o n of p r i n c i p l e a n d a q u e s t i o n of l i n e .
It m u s t be m a d e c l e a r to the peasant that, j u s t as he b r o k e
w i t h the private property and joined the agricultural
cooperative, so he m u s t p r o c e e d on t h i s c o u r s e to t h e state
f a r m , w h i c h i s the p r o p e r t y o f the w h o l e people. H o w e v e r ,
t h i s has not been e x p l a i n e d t o h i m i n s u c h a w a y a s t o
prepare h i m ideologically, psychologically, economically
a n d o r g a n i z a t i o n a l l y f o r t h i s change.
L e t u s come n o w t o t h e s t u d y w h i c h i s u n d e r w a y i n
connection w i t h the higher-type cooperatives. We have
discussed h e r e t h e p r o b l e m s t h a t e m e r g e f o r t h e t r a n s f o r m a t i o n o f t h e h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e s i n t o state f a r m s
s u c h a s economic, p a y m e n t s , a d m i n i s t r a t i v e , o r g a n i z a t i o n a l
a n d other p r o b l e m s . T h e s t u d y m a y s h o w , f o r e x a m p l e ,
w h a t s h o u l d b e done w i t h those f u n d s w h i c h t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s possess. A s w e h a v e discussed p r e v i o u s l y , w e m u s t
s t u d y w h a t has t o b e done, f o r e x a m p l e , o v e r w h a t p e r i o d
w e w i l l p a y off t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s , s o t h a t t h e m e m b e r s
welcome this politically and discontent is not created
a m o n g t h e m . B u t t h e p r o b l e m i s n o t s i m p l y one o f p a y m e n t , i t i s l i n k e d closely also w i t h t h e n e c e s s a r y goods
w h i c h must be placed on the market to cover the money
w h i c h w i l l be given to the cooperativists, a t h i n g w h i c h
requires improved organization in the circulation of c o m -
TURNING AGR. COOPS. INTO STATE FARMS
73
m o d i t i e s , i n d i s t r i b u t i o n , etc. I t i s i m p o r t a n t that, a t t h e
moment of the t r a n s f o r m a t i o n of the higher-type cooperatives i n t o state f a r m s , w e are c a r e f u l t o e n s u r e t h a t t h e
society i s n o t u n d u l y b u r d e n e d a n d t h e i n t e r e s t s o f t h e
c o o p e r a t i v i s t s a r e n o t h a r m e d . W e h a v e d i s c u s s e d these
issues f r o m a l l aspects.
A p a r t f r o m these, t h e p s y c h o l o g y o f t h e peasants i s
also a p r o b l e m . F o r e s e e i n g t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of events,
in my opinion, they w i l l be unprepared. Therefore, they
may become discontented. W h y w i l l this occur? Because
the f a c t s s h o w t h a t n o s m a l l n u m b e r o f h i g h e r - t y p e
cooperatives h a v e l e v e l s o f i n c o m e a n d p a y m e n t t o t h e i r
m e m b e r s w h i c h a r e a l m o s t e q u a l t o those o f t h e w o r k e r s
o f t h e state f a r m s . W h e n t h i s i s a c h i e v e d w i t h i n t h e
p r o p e r t y o f t h e g r o u p , t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t s are s a t i s f i e d , b e cause, besides t h e i r r e m u n e r a t i o n f o r t h e w o r k d a y s , t h e y
also h a v e t h e i r i n d i v i d u a l p l o t s . W h e n t h e t r a n s f o r m a t i o n
of c o o p e r a t i v e s i n t o state f a r m s is c a r r i e d out, t h e state
w i l l p a y t h e m f o r t h e cows, sheep a n d goats, a n d s o o n ,
which they have owned on their personal plot and in the
cooperative. I t h i n k t h a t a r e a s o n a b l e p r i c e s h o u l d be
p a i d f o r t h e i r h o u s e h o l d l i v e s t o c k s o t h a t t h e y are n o t
damaged. A s t o w h a t c o n c r e t e course w i l l b e p u r s u e d
t o this e n d , t h i s m u s t b e s t u d i e d , because w e are n o w
forming joint flocks in more organized ways.
In regard to the p a y m e n t for the livestock of the
cooperative t h i s s h o u l d b e p a i d i n i n s t a l m e n t s . A s a r e s u l t
of this, t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t t u r n e d i n t o a state f a r m w o r k e r ,
besides g e t t i n g t h e s a m e w a g e a s t h e w o r k e r o f t h e f a r m ,
will have an increased income f r o m the payment for the
cows, sheep a n d goats, etc., a n d t h i s w i l l b e o n e o f t h e w a y s
to compensate p a r t l y for the income of some years w h i c h
the c o o p e r a t i v i s t s e c u r e d f r o m t h e l i v e s t o c k a n d p r o d u c t i o n
of his p e r s o n a l plot.
Apart
from
this,
the
cooperatives
have
funds
for
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ENVER HOXHA
i n v e s t m e n t , w h i c h i r r e s p e c t i v e o f w h e n a n d h o w the state
w i l l g i v e t h e m t o the m e m b e r s , are t h e i r p r o p e r t y , too. H o w ever, the peasant m e n t a l i t y m a k e s h i m t h i n k , « B e f o r e these
are p a i d off t h e state w i l l w i p e t h e m out, w i l l t a k e t h e m
f r o m us,» etc., etc. T h e r e f o r e , I s a y t h a t f o r t h i s reason,
too, p r e p a r a t i o n s m u s t b e done f r o m t h e p s y c h o l o g i c a l
aspect.
P o s s i b l y w e c o u l d q u i t e e a s i l y settle the q u e s t i o n o f
the p r o p e r t y t h a t comes f r o m t h e h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e
one w a y o r another, a n d p a y f o r i t a c c o r d i n g t o r e g u l a t i o n s
w h i c h w i l l b e e s t a b l i s h e d . B u t here a q u e s t i o n arises w h i c h
w e m u s t c o n s i d e r c a r e f u l l y : D o e s t h e peasant r e a l l y c o n s c i o u s l y accept this m e t h o d w h i c h t h e state m a y d e c i d e o r
does he accept it because he is t o l d to? It is essential t h a t
w e w o r k h a r d w i t h the c o o p e r a t i v i s t s o t h a t h e i s c o n v i n c e d , accepts a n d u n d e r s t a n d s c o n c r e t e l y t h a t t h e t r a n s f o r m a t i o n of the c o o p e r a t i v e i n t o a state f a r m w i l l be to
his great a d v a n t a g e . T h a t is a m e n t a l i t y t h a t o u g h t to h a v e
been i n c u l c a t e d , b u t u p t i l l n o w t h i s w o r k h a s n o t b e e n
p r o p e r l y done. W h e n I s a y t h i s I h a v e i n m i n d n o t o n l y
t h a t the masses o f c o o p e r a t i v i s t s d o n o t r e a l l y k n o w , b u t
also t h a t t h e cadres t h e m s e l v e s are n o t f u l l y c l e a r a b o u t
w h a t i s g o i n g t o b e done i n this d i r e c t i o n . T o d a y t h e y k n o w
o n l y t h a t w h e n t h e t i m e comes t h e h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e s
w i l l b e c h a n g e d i n t o state f a r m s , b u t t h e y k n o w n o t h i n g
about w h e n a n d h o w this w i l l c o m e about. T h e P a r t y m u s t
p r e p a r e t h e m f o r this, because the socialist e c o n o m i c
d e v e l o p m e n t c o n t i n u a l l y creates n e w s i t u a t i o n s .
If the p r o b l e m w e r e p r e s e n t e d t h a t a good p a r t of
h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e s s h o u l d b e t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o state
f a r m s r i g h t n o w , i t m i g h t t u r n out t h a t the state c o u l d n o t
cope w i t h i t f i n a n c i a l l y . T h e r e f o r e , i t m i g h t b e s a i d t h a t
t h i s i s not t h e t i m e t o t a k e t h i s step, a n d w e s h o u l d
postpone it f o r a l i t t l e l a t e r . I t h i n k that, if we p u t off
the solution of this p r o b l e m for a long time, the p r o b l e m
TURNING AGR. COOPS. INTO STATE FARMS
75
w i l l become even more difficult. However, by proceeding
o n t h i s course, t h e i r a c c u m u l a t i o n w i l l increase, t h a t i s
t o say, a d a y w i l l c o m e w h e n t h e c o o p e r a t i v e m e m b e r s
say: « N o w , j u s t h a n g o n a m o m e n t , because w e cannot
agree to be p a i d 14 or 16 l e k s f o r e v e r w h e n t h e y i e l d s
o f a g r i c u l t u r a l a n d l i v e s t o c k p r o d u c t s are i n c r e a s i n g . W e
w a n t 20 or 22 l e k s p e r w o r k d a y , we h a v e a stack of m o n e y
for i n v e s t m e n t s » , etc. C o n s e q u e n t l y , if t h i s course is
pursued, the pay of members of the higher-type cooperatives w i l l o u t s t r i p t h a t o f t h e m e m b e r s o f the state f a r m s .
That is w h y I think that leaving this problem as it
is, w i t h t h e e x c u s e t h a t t h e t i m e has n o t come, w i l l create
great d a n g e r s f o r us. In w h a t do I see these d a n g e r s ? In
the m e n t a l i t y a n d p s y c h o l o g y o f t h e g r o u p p r o p e r t y , w h i c h
continues t o g r o w s t r o n g e r , a s w e l l a s i n t h e great d i f ferences i n t h e p a y o f m e m b e r s a n d i n t h e i r i n c o m e f r o m
the g r o u p p r o p e r t y , w h i c h w i l l b e b i g g e r t h a n those o f
workers. To prevent this f r o m occurring and to m a i n t a i n
the p r o p e r l e v e l o f p a y a n d i n c o m e i n t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s ,
the i n v e s t m e n t s m u s t b e r e d u c e d , b u t t h i s w o u l d m e a n
deliberately h i n d e r i n g the development of agriculture. A n d
w e cannot a l l o w this. T h e P a r t y i s f o r t h e u n i n t e r r u p t e d
d e v e l o p m e n t o f p r o d u c t i v e forces. H e n c e , m a j o r p r o b l e m s
are b e i n g c r e a t e d f o r us, i n t o w h i c h w e m u s t d e l v e m o r e
deeply.
If we look at the five-year plan, the investments in
a g r i c u l t u r e are o f t w o t y p e s : state i n v e s t m e n t s a n d i n v e s t ments m a d e b y t h e a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e s . O f course,
the i n v e s t m e n t s of the c o o p e r a t i v e s are s m a l l e r t h a n state
investments, w h i c h m e a n s t h a t the state c o n t i n u e s t o i n v e s t
in agriculture and in cooperatives in order to strengthen
the s i t u a t i o n o f t h e g r o u p p r o p e r t y . A n d w h e n t h e t i m e
comes that these c o o p e r a t i v e s are t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o state
farms, i t seems a s t h o u g h the state o u g h t t o p a y t h e m . B u t
i n fact, b y m a k i n g i n v e s t m e n t s i n them t h e state i s p a y i n g
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ENVER HOXHA
t h e m i n a d v a n c e . B u t w h e n d i d these i n v e s t m e n t s b e g i n
to be d i v i d e d into and calculated as funds of the cooperat i v e a n d f u n d s o f the state w i t h i n t h e c o o p e r a t i v e ? T h i s
w a s done o n l y w h e n w e c r e a t e d t h e h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e s . H o w e v e r , o u r p r o l e t a r i a n state h a s i n v e s t e d i n
cooperatives r i g h t f r o m t h e t i m e t h e y w e r e set u p . T h e
bearing in m i n d of the investments a n d aid w h i c h the
state has p r o v i d e d f o r t h e h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e s a n d
f o r t h e o t h e r c o o p e r a t i v e s h a s p o l i t i c a l i m p o r t a n c e , because
it shows our concern for raising the group property towards
t h e p r o p e r t y o f t h e w h o l e people. I n t h i s c o n n e c t i o n ,
however, we must struggle to ensure that the cooperatives
m a k e f u l l use o f t h e i r o w n f u n d s a n d i n v e s t m e n t s f o r
production and do not content themselves w i t h the results
achieved.
A p a r t f r o m t h e i n v e s t m e n t s w h i c h i t m a k e s , t h e state
also p r o v i d e s t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t economies w i t h s h o r t - a n d
l o n g - t e r m c r e d i t s f o r i n v e s t m e n t s . A n d , i n fact, m o s t o f
t h e m h a v e r e p a i d t h e credits a n d h a v e n o debts. H e n c e ,
m a t t e r s h a v e r e a c h e d s u c h a stage t h a t state c r e d i t s are n o t
a l w a y s r e q u i r e d . W h y does t h i s o c c u r ? B e c a u s e some o f
the cooperatives have created their o w n special funds f o r
i n v e s t m e n t s o r f o r t h e g u a r a n t e e d p a y , etc. B u t w h a t
occurs w i t h some o f these i n v e s t m e n t f u n d s i n t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s ? T h e y h a v e i n v e s t m e n t f u n d s u n u s e d , because w i t h
the m a t e r i a l base a t o u r d i s p o s a l w e h a v e n o t h a d poss i b i l i t i e s t o d r a w i n these f u n d s , t h a t i s t o say. t o use t h e m
to m a k e investments in the cooperatives so that in t i m e
t h e y w o u l d n o l o n g e r exist a s f u n d s . H a d w e b e e n a b l e t o
d r a w i n these f u n d s , w e w o u l d h a v e n o n e e d t o p a y f o r
t h e m , a s emerges n o w . W h y w o u l d w e n o t p a y f o r t h e m ?
B e c a u s e t h e y w o u l d h a v e been m a t e r i a l i z e d i n i n v e s t m e n t s
i n t h e l a n d , f o r seed a n d i n o t h e r d i r e c t i o n s . W h a t w o u l d t h i s
have brought about? It w o u l d have brought about that the
cooperatives w o u l d get m o r e p r o d u c t i o n a n d i n c o m e , a n d
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thus, speed u p the process o f t r a n s f o r m a t i o n i n t o state f a r m s .
W e m u s t p l a n a l l t h e i n v e s t m e n t s w h i c h are m a d e i n
the c o o p e r a t i v e , d i v i d i n g t h e m i n t o i n v e s t m e n t s b y the
c o o p e r a t i v e a n d i n v e s t m e n t s b y t h e state. T h e accounts
m u s t b e k e p t i n t h i s w a y , too. T h i s m u s t b e d o n e b o t h i n
o r d e r t o c h e c k u p b e t t e r o n h o w t h e i n v e s t m e n t s are
u s e d a n d also so t h a t t h e m e m b e r s of t h e c o o p e r a t i v e
understand clearly and k n o w that the group property of
the c o o p e r a t i v e i s n o t e n t i r e l y t h e i r p r o p e r t y , b u t also
belongs t o t h e w o r k e r s a n d t h e socialist state w h i c h h a s
i n v e s t e d l a r g e s u m s . T h i s s h o w s c l e a r l y t h a t t h e state i s
n o t i n d e b t e d t o t h e c o o p e r a t i v e , b u t the c o o p e r a t i v e i s
i n d e b t e d to t h e state W h y do I say so? B e c a u s e t h e
p r o d u c t i o n f r o m i n v e s t m e n t s w h i c h t h e state m a k e s i n
i n d u s t r y , f o r e x a m p l e , b e n e f i t s t h e w h o l e society, w h i l e
a l l t h e p r o d u c t i o n r e s u l t i n g f r o m t h e use o f state i n v e s t m e n t s i n t h e c o o p e r a t i v e b e n e f i t s t h e c o o p e r a t i v e a n d each
o f its m e m b e r s . O f course w e d o n o t l e a v e a l l t h i s p r o d u c t i o n t o the cooperatives, because w e t a k e p a r t o f i t t h r o u g h
the p a y m e n t s b y t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s f o r t h e services p e r f o r m e d b y t h e state a n d f o r t h e m a t e r i a l s w h i c h are sold
to t h e m , etc., as w e l l as because of those r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n
the c o o p e r a t i v e a n d t h e state w h i c h I e x p l a i n e d above.
B u t t o b e i n o r d e r w e m u s t m a k e t h e peasant u n d e r s t a n d
these r e l a t i o n s , s o t h a t h e w i l l c o m b a t t h e p e t t y - b o u r g e o i s
mentality in his o w n m i n d and implant the sound opinion
t h a t t h e state i s n o t i n d e b t e d t o h i m . b u t o n t h e c o n t r a r y ,
he is i n d e b t e d to t h e state, t h a t he has o b l i g a t i o n s to the
e c o n o m y , a s I s a i d above. B y a c t i n g i n h i s w a y , w e w i l l
proceed towards i m p r o v e m e n t of the situation.
In the e x i s t i n g c o n d i t i o n s , w h e n we are r e q u i r e d to
i n t e n s i f y a g r i c u l t u r e , t h e state m a y i n v e s t i n the a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e s not 100 b u t e v e n 200 m i l l i o n l e k s . To t h i s
end, f o r e x a m p l e , w e w i l l c a r r y out d r a i n a g e a n d l a n d
i m p r o v e m e n t schemes, w i l l p r o v i d e better cows, etc. A n d
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ENVER HOXHA
w e d o t h i s i n o r d e r t o get m o r e p r o d u c t i o n . B u t w h a t
does t h e c o o p e r a t i v e d o w i t h t h i s c o n t i n u a l increase o f
p r o d u c t i o n ? I t increases t h e a c c u m u l a t i o n o f t h e g r o u p
p r o p e r t y . So, w e m u s t c o n s i d e r t h i s p r o b l e m m o r e d e e p l y ,
because y o u see w h a t p r o b l e m i s e m e r g i n g n o w . W h e n
we want to take a measure to advance further, this prob l e m i m m e d i a t e l y emerges b e f o r e u s a n d w e b e g i n t o
t h i n k : « W h a t are w e g o i n g t o d o w i t h these f u n d s ? »
O f course, e v e n t o d a y , i f y o u t e l l t h e m e m b e r s o f
economically weak cooperatives that they should go into
state f a r m s , t h e y are r e a d y . B u t t h e p r o b l e m w h i c h w e
are d i s c u s s i n g has t o d o w i t h t h e m o s t d e v e l o p e d a n d
e c o n o m i c a l l y s t r o n g c o o p e r a t i v e s , those o f the h i g h e r t y p e .
A n d their development w i l l not stand still. H e r e the
p r o b l e m i s t h a t t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e p r o d u c t i v e forces
m u s t b e a c c o m p a n i e d w i t h t h e i m p r o v e m e n t step b y step
of t h e socialist r e l a t i o n s of p r o d u c t i o n . T h u s , the great
intensification of our agriculture, w h i c h is going to include
most of the a g r i c u l t u r a l cooperatives, e s p e c i a l l y those of
the p l a i n i n w h i c h w e w i l l m a k e i n v e s t m e n t s , m o r e
s c i e n t i f i c r e g i o n a l i z a t i o n a n d a g r i c u l t u r a l c i r c u l a t i o n , etc.,
w i l l lead to uninterrupted g r o w t h of production and i n come. C o n s e q u e n t l y , t h i s g r o w t h r e q u i r e s t h a t w e t h i n k
c o n t i n u a l l y a b o u t t h e f u r t h e r i m p r o v e m e n t o f t h e socialist
r e l a t i o n s of p r o d u c t i o n .
W e h a v e been a n d are v e r y i n t e r e s t e d t o e n s u r e t h a t
a g r i c u l t u r a l p r o d u c t i o n increases n o t o n l y i n t h e state
f a r m s , b u t also i n t h e cooperatives, w h i c h i n c l u d e a b o u t
80 p e r cent of the a r e a of a r a b l e l a n d . If we get a m p l e
production, that w i l l be all to the good. T h e n we w i l l
d i s t r i b u t e i t t o the w h o l e c o u n t r y , because i f a g r i c u l t u r a l
a n d l i v e s t o c k p r o d u c t s o f the c o o p e r a t i v e s a n d state f a r m s
increase, t h e y w i l l b e s o l d e v e r m o r e c h e a p l y o n the m a r k e t .
A s w e l l a s this, f r o m t h i s p r o d u c t i o n f u n d s w i l l b e s e c u r e d
for investments in agriculture and in heavy and light
TURNING AGR. COOPS. INTO STATE FARMS
79
i n d u s t r y , i n t h e e x t r a c t i n g a n d p r o c e s s i n g i n d u s t r y , etc.,
a n d t h e s t a n d a r d o f l i v i n g o f t h e w o r k i n g people w i l l
b e r a i s e d , a n d w e are m o v i n g i n t h i s d i r e c t i o n . A l l this
w i l l b e done, n o t t h r o u g h r a i s i n g wages, b u t t h r o u g h
r e d u c i n g p r i c e s o r k e e p i n g t h e m stable, t h r o u g h e x p a n d i n g
the n u m b e r o f j o b s a v a i l a b l e a n d e m p l o y i n g n e w forces w h o
are i n c r e a s i n g , a n d s o o n . H e n c e , t h e p r o b l e m o f t u r n i n g
a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e s i n t o state f a r m s a n d t h e p r o b l e m s
w h i c h are l i n k e d w i t h t h i s process m u s t b e seen a s p a r t
o f t h e w h o l e a n d c o n n e c t e d closely w i t h o u r w h o l e a d v a n c e
on t h e r o a d of s o c i a l i s m , a n d n o t as s o m e t h i n g separate.
O r let u s t a k e t h e p r o b l e m o f t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t s '
p e r s o n a l plots. T h i s is a p r o b l e m of great economic, i d e ological a n d p o l i t i c a l i m p o r t a n c e , t h e r e f o r e w e m u s t s t u d y
i t v e r y c a r e f u l l y a n d f o l l o w its t e n d e n c y step b y step. W e
notice t h a t t h e v o l u m e o f p r o d u c t i o n a n d t h e t o t a l i n c o m e
f r o m t h e p l o t h a s r e m a i n e d u n c h a n g e d , o r has i n c r e a s e d
slightly. It is not f a l l i n g , a l t h o u g h t h e r e is a t e n d e n c y f o r it
to d i m i n i s h o v e r a l l as against the p r o d u c t i o n of the a g r i c u l tural cooperatives. T h e v o l u m e of production and income
of the c o o p e r a t i v e m u s t be i n c r e a s e d c o n t i n u a l l y , w h i l e
that o f t h e peasant p l o t s h o u l d s t e a d i l y d i m i n i s h . W h y ?
Because, since p r o d u c t i o n i s i n c r e a s i n g a n d t h e i n c o m e o f
the c o o p e r a t i v e s is r i s i n g , t h i s m e a n s t h a t t h e needs of
the c o o p e r a t i v i s t s are b e i n g f u l f i l l e d e v e r b e t t e r f r o m t h e
collective p r o p e r t y , hence, t h e f u n c t i o n o f t h e p e r s o n a l p l o t
should g r a d u a l l y d i s a p p e a r . W e m u s t k e e p a n eye o n h o w
this m a t t e r develops, because h e r e lies t h e biggest w o r m
w h i c h eats a w a y a t t h e a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e , i t i s l i k e
the n a i l o f N a s t r a d i n , a c o n s t a n t excuse, i n t h e v i l l a g e ,
w h i c h keeps t h e p s y c h o l o g y o f t h e p r i v a t e o w n e r s h i p a l i v e
among the c o o p e r a t i v i s t s , a n d i f w e d o n o t see t h e p r o b l e m s
i n this w a y , t h e p e r s o n a l p l o t w i l l b e a n o t h e r obstacle
w h i c h emerges b e f o r e u s o n t h e course o f t u r n i n g c o o p e r a tives into state f a r m s . N o w , after decades of t h e c o o p e r a -
80
ENVER HOXHA
tivist economy, we must not support the idea that the
p e r s o n a l p l o t s h o u l d assist t h e peasant e c o n o m y as s t r o n g l y
a s w e d i d a t t h e start o f c o l l e c t i v i z a t i o n . N o . T h i s i s n o t
correct a n d c a n n o t b e p r e s e n t e d i n t h e s a m e w a y f o r a l l
t h e cooperatives, b o t h f o r those w h i c h are w e a k e s t a n d
f o r those w h i c h are t h e m o s t a d v a n c e d a n d o f t h e h i g h e r
type. If t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t p l o t is c o n s i d e r e d , a n d is f o r a
certain time, an a u x i l i a r y economy for the families in the
w e a k cooperatives, is it so a n d to t h e s a m e degree f o r t h e
families of the advanced cooperatives?
T h e s e are n o t m i n o r m a t t e r s w h i c h h a v e t o d o w i t h
t h e o p e n i n g o f one o r t w o shops t o s u p p l y t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t s , b u t are m a j o r p r o b l e m s o f p r i n c i p l e w h i c h m u s t b e
understood and solved correctly, always accompanied w i t h
s t r o n g o r g a n i z a t i o n a l measures, o t h e r w i s e , w e w i l l h a v e
n e g a t i v e consequences.
T h e p r o b l e m o f the p o s s i b i l i t i e s w h i c h are b e i n g c r e a t e d
f o r t u r n i n g three, f o u r , f i v e o r s i x h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e s
i n t o state f a r m s m u s t b e l o o k e d a t w i t h t h i s eye. A n d
e v e n i f w e m a n a g e t o solve t h e p r o b l e m f r o m t h e p s y chological, political, economic and other stand-points, still
perfect o r g a n i z a t i o n i s r e q u i r e d .
N o w let u s c o m e t o t h e p r o b l e m o f f o r m i n g j o i n t
f l o c k s o f t h e peasants' h o u s e h o l d l i v e s t o c k , w h i c h t h e
M i n i s t r y o f A g r i c u l t u r e says i s b e i n g s o l v e d . L e t u s h e a r
h o w it is being solved. Is this p r o b l e m being solved in
s u c h a w a y t h a t t h e p e t t y - b o u r g e o i s m e n t a l i t y of peasants
is b e i n g c o m b a t e d p r o p e r l y ? W h a t I am g e t t i n g at is t h a t
t h e peasants m u s t b e c o n v i n c e d a n d s u r e t h a t f r o m these
animals, w i t h w h i c h joint flocks are formed, they w i l l
h a v e a m a t e r i a l g a i n i n r e t u r n , i.e.. t h a t t h e y w i l l b e
s u p p l i e d w i t h m i l k a n d meat a n d w i l l b e g i v e n w o o l f o r
a n y need t h e y m i g h t have, o r w i l l b e sold c l o t h i n p l a c e
o f the w o o l t h e y w o u l d h a v e t a k e n f r o m t h e i r h o u s e h o l d
a n i m a l s . H o w e v e r , i f these needs are n o t f u l f i l l e d w i t h t h e
TURNING AGR. COOPS. INTO STATE FARMS
81
j o i n t f l o c k s , t h e n w e are n o t a c h i e v i n g t h e a i m o f r a i s i n g
the w e l l - b e i n g of the cooperativists.
I am convinced that the w a y we are proceeding w i t h
t h i s q u e s t i o n i s correct, b u t i t m u s t b e e x a m i n e d p o l i t i c a l l y
and ideologically to ensure that it is advantageous and
that the administrative, organizational and financial arr a n g e m e n t s are s u c h t h a t t h e p e a s a n t i s n o t d i s s a t i s f i e d .
T h e state m u s t r e s p o n d t o h i s needs n o t s i m p l y w i t h
m o n e y , because i t w i l l p a y h i m m o n e y , b u t w i t h goods,
regular supplies of w h i c h should be provided for the
peasants w i t h o u t shortages.
I n r e g a r d t o t h e rest o f c o w s a n d o t h e r l i v e s t o c k
b e l o n g i n g t o the c o o p e r a t i v e , t h e state m u s t c e r t a i n l y b u y
t h e m at a p r i c e w h i c h ensures that t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t is
i n t e r e s t e d i n s e l l i n g t h e m t o t h e state a n d w i l l n o t s l a u g h t e r
t h e m . T h i s i s h o w w e s h o u l d h a n d l e t h e p r o b l e m o f the
livestock.
N o w let u s c o m e t o t h e b u i l d i n g s o f t h e c o o p e r a t i v e .
W h o has m a d e i n v e s t m e n t s f o r t h e m ? O b v i o u s l y , i f t h e
state, also, h a s m a d e i n v e s t m e n t s f o r t h e m , w e m u s t t e l l
the c o o p e r a t i v i s t s h o w m u c h the state h a s i n v e s t e d a n d
h o w m u c h t h e c o o p e r a t i v e . I f o n l y t h e c o o p e r a t i v e has
m a d e i n v e s t m e n t s f o r t h e stalls, t h e n t h e p r o b l e m m u s t
be studied carefully.
T h e n , we come to other problems, for example, w h o
has m a d e i n v e s t m e n t s f o r t h e b l o c k s o f f r u i t - t r e e s ? I f w e
suppose t h a t i n t h i s sector one p a r t o f t h e i n v e s t m e n t s has
been m a d e b y t h e state, w h i l e a n o t h e r p a r t b y the coo p e r a t i v e , t h e n t h e c o o p e r a t i v e has n o o b l i g a t i o n s t o t h e
state a n d t h e state has n o o b l i g a t i o n s t o t h e c o o p e r a t i v e . I f
the state has p r o v i d e d a c r e d i t a n d t h e c o o p e r a t i v e has
r e p a i d it, a g a i n t h e p r o d u c t s b e l o n g t o t h e c o o p e r a t i v e a n d
the state m u s t p a y c o m p e n s a t i o n t o t h e i r v a l u e .
«Reports and Speeches 1980-1981»
T H E D R A F T I N G OF A SCIENTIFIC A N D MOBILIZING
P L A N REQUIRES PROFOUND, C O M P L E X A N D
SPECIFIC STUDIES
Opinions and views about the study on the rates of
agricultural development as a whole and the intensification
of production with priority in the lowland zones
of several districts (1)
October 1, 1980
W e h a v e a l l s t u d i e d the m a t e r i a l s o n a g r i c u l t u r e w h i c h
h a v e been presented to us. H o w e v e r , I t h i n k t h a t we s h o u l d
c o n t i n u e t o reflect o n t h e m , a n d a l l o f u s h a v e been d o i n g
t h i s d u r i n g the recent p e r i o d . T h a n k s t o t h e w o r k a l r e a d y
done, n o w w e h a v e a p i c t u r e o f h o w a g r i c u l t u r e i s s u p posed t o a d v a n c e d u r i n g t h e 7th F i v e - y e a r P l a n , a l t h o u g h
_____________________________________
1
F o r the d r a f t i n g of the 7th F i v e - y e a r P l a n for the
period 1981-1985, on the instructions of the C e n t r a l Committee
of the Party, a series of studies on the situation and on the
development of various branches and sectors of the economy,
education and culture and on raising the w e l l - b e i n g of the
people were carried out in advance by the State P l a n n i n g C o m mission and other state, economic and scientific bodies. As l a i d
down, the studies w e r e examined, first, by the w o r k i n g group
set up at the C o u n c i l of Ministers, and later, d u r i n g the months
of November-December 1980, w e r e presented one by one for
discussion and a p p r o v a l to the P o l i t i c a l B u r e a u of the C e n t r a l
Committee of the P a r t y . C o m r a d e E n v e r H o x h a gave i m p o r tant opinions, suggestions and v i e w s on each material p r e sented.
THOROUGH STUDIES FOR A SCIENTIFIC P L A N
83
w e m a y s t i l l h a v e r e m a r k s t o m a k e a b o u t this sector, a n d
m a y h a v e m o r e later, b u t these o u g h t t o b e w e l l - s t u d i e d
a n d s y s t e m a t i c . I n o r d e r t o a c c o m p l i s h the n e w f i v e - y e a r
p l a n , g r e a t e r e f f o r t s a r e r e q u i r e d f r o m a l l o f us, n o t o n l y
f r o m the p h y s i c a l s t a n d - p o i n t , b u t also f r o m the m e n t a l
a n d s c i e n t i f i c s t a n d - p o i n t , because I b e l i e v e m o r e d i f ficulties w i l l emerge for us d u r i n g this period.
W e m u s t t h o r o u g h l y t h r a s h out t h e v i e w s w e h a v e
a b o u t a g r i c u l t u r e i n a p r e l i m i n a r y d i s c u s s i o n b e f o r e the
p l a n goes t o t h e P o l i t i c a l B u r e a u . B e s i d e s p a r t i a l r e m a r k s ,
w e m u s t also d r a w some g e n e r a l c o n c l u s i o n s a b o u t the
plan for agriculture. F o r example, if we reflect a little
m o r e d e e p l y , w e c a n accept the v a r i a n t s a b o u t t h e t o t a l
v o l u m e of a g r i c u l t u r a l production, but we must take better
a c c o u n t o f the p r o g r e s s a l r e a d y m a d e . . .
I am of the opinion that we must examine very
attentively the possibility of the intensification of agriculture on the plains, because this is essential and must be
done. It seems to me t h a t t h i s s t u d y p r e s e n t e d to us is
a basis, b u t it is not c o m p l e t e . We h a v e to r e a l i z e t h a t
w i t h t h i s w e are m a k i n g a change, a n a d v a n c e i n t h e
f i e l d of the i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n of a g r i c u l t u r e , b u t t h i s also
gives r i s e t o m a n y p r o b l e m s . T h e M i n i s t r y o f A g r i c u l t u r e
a n d w e o u r s e l v e s h a v e t o u n d e r s t a n d t h a t since t h e t i m e
of t h e d e c i s i o n to h o l d t h e congress of t h e a g r i c u l t u r a l
c o o p e r a t i v e s a n d u p t o n o w m a n y n e w ideas h a v e e m e r g e d .
C a n y o u i m a g i n e n o w , c o m r a d e s , h o w t h i s congress w o u l d
be held, w h a t w o u l d have been said there? W e l l , d u r i n g
this p e r i o d the question of the cooperativist plots emerged,
also the question of turning some higher-type agricultural
cooperatives into state farms, that is, into the property of
the whole people, that of turning a number of ordinary
agricultural cooperatives into higher-type cooperatives,
and finally, the question of the further intensification of
agriculture on the plains and the question of form-
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ENVER HOXHA
ing
joint herds of the peasants' household livestock.
T h e s e are a l l m a j o r a n d c o m p l e x p r o b l e m s f o r a g r i c u l ture. W h a t I w a n t to say is that we must not w a i t to solve
the p r o b l e m s w h e n t h e y c r o p u p , b u t t r y t o a n t i c i p a t e
t h e m w i t h studies s o t h a t w e c a n decide w h e t h e r m e a s u r e s
m u s t be t a k e n step by step or some of t h e m s i m u l t a n e o u s l y .
N o w w e face t h e 7 t h F i v e - y e a r P l a n f o r w h i c h w e
must take measures so that agriculture makes f u r t h e r
advance and the cooperativists are mobilized to accomplish
t h i s p l a n o f the P a r t y . T h e m a i n t h i n g t h a t w e m u s t k e e p
in m i n d is the drafting of the five-year plan, w h i c h we
m u s t s t r i v e t o d o i n t h e m o s t correct m a n n e r .
During this five-year plan special attention will be
paid to the intensification of agriculture. In t h e s t u d y
w h i c h has been p r e s e n t e d t o u s t h i s p r o b l e m h a s b e e n
seen m a i n l y f r o m one angle, t h a t o f the i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n
o f p a r t o f the p l a i n s . A t the s a m e t i m e , i t has e n v i s a g e d
t h e q u e s t i o n o f the r o t a t i o n o f c r o p s i n these p l a i n s , t h e
m a t e r i a l aspect necessary t o a c h i e v e t h e d e s i r e d results,
etc. T h u s , t h e p r o b l e m has b e e n seen m a i n l y f r o m t h e
aspect of the d e v e l o p m e n t of p r o d u c t i v e forces.
B u t w h a t i s n o t c l e a r a n d has n o t b e e n s t u d i e d p r o p e r ly is the problem of the improvement of relations of
production, which must be seen in close connection with
the development of the productive forces, which we want
to achieve in these lowland zones. H e r e I am r e f e r r i n g
concretely to the relations among the cooperativists, the
r e l a t i o n s o f t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s o f t h i s zone w i t h one a n o t h e r
a n d the r e l a t i o n s o f the c o o p e r a t i v e s w i t h t h e state. T h e
i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n w h i c h w e are g o i n g t o c a r r y out i s n o t
t r a n s i t i o n o f h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e s i n t o state f a r m s .
The creation and development of higher-type cooperatives
i s a c o n t i n u a l process. T h e i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n w h i c h w e e n v i s a g e
w i l l create g r e a t e r p o s s i b i l i t i e s f o r t h e e v e n t u a l g r a d u a l
t r a n s i t i o n o f these c o o p e r a t i v e s w h i c h a r e b e i n g i n t e n s i f i e d
THOROUGH STUDIES FOR A SCIENTIFIC PLAN
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to the p r o p e r t y of the w h o l e people o v e r a l a r g e a r e a of
a b o u t 100 t h o u s a n d hectares. T h u s , the state sector of
agriculture w i l l continue to be extended to that arable
a r e a o f t h e H o m e l a n d w h i c h i s n o w state p r o p e r t y .
My idea about intensification is that with this process
we are beginning a new stage of development in these
plains, and thus, going beyond the phase of creating
higher-type cooperatives, which continues in the other
regions. T h e q u e s t i o n w h i c h o u g h t t o b e a d d e d t o t h i s
s t u d y i s the i m p r o v e m e n t o f r e l a t i o n s o f p r o d u c t i o n i n
this zone. T h e s t r e n g t h e n i n g o f h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e s
w i l l s t i l l b e a p r o b l e m f o r us, b u t o n l y i n the other l o w l a n d
zones a n d t h e h i l l y a n d m o u n t a i n o u s zones w h e r e h i g h e r t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e s m a y also b e c r e a t e d i n t h e f u t u r e ; w h i l e
i n t h e p l a i n s , w h i c h w e are i n t e n s i f y i n g w i t h p r i o r i t y ,
we w i l l bypass this situation t h r o u g h the forms of i n tensification. A n d in order to do this we must bear w e l l in
m i n d t h e e x p e r i e n c e a l r e a d y g a i n e d a n d base o u r s e l v e s
o n it.
T h e f u r t h e r i m p r o v e m e n t and perfecting of the relations o f p r o d u c t i o n b e t w e e n people h a v e s p e c i a l i m p o r t a n c e
f o r us because of t h e e x i s t e n c e of state o w n e r s h i p a n d
h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v i s t o w n e r s h i p , w h i c h are i n t e r l i n k e d i n t h i s p h a s e o f i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n . W i t h the t u r n i n g
o f t h r e e o r f o u r h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e s i n t o state f a r m s ,
into t h e c o m m o n p r o p e r t y o f t h e w h o l e people, a n u m b e r
of p r o b l e m s e m e r g e s u c h as t h a t of t h e c o m p e n s a t i o n
w h i c h w e m u s t p a y f o r the l i v e s t o c k o f t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s
o r t h e i r m e m b e r s , etc. W i t h t h e i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n , t h e p r o b lem o f c o m p e n s a t i o n w i l l n o t b e a v o i d e d , b u t t h r o u g h t h e
creation of n e w relations of production, w h i c h we must
study, i t w i l l b e d i m i n i s h e d a n d g r a d u a l l y s o l v e d d u r i n g
the process. T h e s i t u a t i o n w i l l b e c r e a t e d t h a t w i t h the
large i n v e s t m e n t s o f t h e state a n d t h e c o o p e r a t i v e , t h e
property of the cooperative w i l l be gradually merged into
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ENVER HOXHA
p r o p e r t y o f the w h o l e people. A c c o r d i n g t o m y i d e a , the
f u n d a m e n t a l f u n d s o f t h e o l d c o o p e r a t i v e a s the p r o p e r t y
of the g r o u p w i l l g r a d u a l l y d i m i n i s h as a p r o p o r t i o n of t h e
w h o l e , but nevertheless, t h e c o o p e r a t i v e w i l l c o n t i n u e t o
m a k e i n v e s t m e n t s a l o n g w i t h the state i n v e s t m e n t s . I n t h e
zone w h i c h w i l l b e i n t e n s i f i e d t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t s w i l l c o n tinue to be paid by the w o r k d a y .
T h e s t u d y o u g h t t o i n c l u d e a l l the p l a i n s o f t h e c o u n t r y , a l t h o u g h its a p p l i c a t i o n w i l l b e c a r r i e d out i n stages.
W h y i n stages? B e c a u s e the p l a n w h i c h w i l l b e p r e s e n t e d
to us covers o n l y a p e r i o d of f i v e y e a r s , up t i l l 1985.
N a t u r a l l y , c e r t a i n steps w i l l b e t a k e n y e a r b y y e a r d u r i n g
t h e c a r r y i n g out o f t h i s p l a n . H e n c e , t h e y i e l d s w h i c h
h a v e been e n v i s a g e d o v e r t h e f i v e - y e a r p e r i o d w i l l n o t
be a c h i e v e d a l l at once, b u t g r a d u a l l y . H o w e v e r , a p l a n
c o v e r i n g a l o n g e r p e r i o d of t e n y e a r s s h o u l d be d r a f t e d
f o r the w h o l e l o w l a n d zone. W i t h i n t h i s p e r i o d , t h e f i v e y e a r stages, as w e l l as the concrete steps f o r each y e a r
w i l l b e d e f i n e d . I n t h e course o f t h e w o r k t h e n e e d f o r
the r e - e x m i n a t i o n a n d a d v a n c e o f t a r g e t s w i l l arise. T h u s ,
w e w i l l h a v e a separate p e r s p e c t i v e p l a n o f a l o n g e r t e r m
f o r the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e a n d t h e P o l i t i c a l B u r e a u , a n d
another w h i c h we must accomplish d u r i n g the 5 years of
t h e 7th F i v e - y e a r P l a n . In this five-year period we shall
integrate the respective part of the perspective plan and,
at the same time, take measures to prepare for the coming
stage. This is my general idea.
F r o m a c a r e f u l e x a m i n a t i o n o f the s t u d y w h i c h h a s
been presented, w e see t h a t some p r o b l e m s emerge. F i r s t
o f a l l , i t seems t o m e t h a t t h i s s t u d y deals m a i n l y w i t h t h e
t e c h n i c a l a n d f i n a n c i a l aspects, w i t h o u t l i n k i n g t h e m p r o p e r l y w i t h the s o c i a l aspects. F o r e x a m p l e , a c c o r d i n g t o
the s t u d y , a great increase of m e c h a n i z a t i o n is e n v i s a g e d
i n the p l a i n s , b u t n o t h o u g h t has been g i v e n t o the quest i o n o f w h a t w e are g o i n g t o d o w i t h t h e s u r p l u s l a b o u r
THOROUGH STUDIES FOR A SCIENTIFIC PLAN
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forces released w h e n the a g r i c u l t u r a l w o r k i s m e c h a n i z e d
at s u c h a l a r g e scale. B e c a u s e it is clear t h a t m e c h a n i z a t i o n
reduces t h e n e e d f o r l a b o u r , w h i l e w e n e e d t o i n c r e a s e
mechanization to such a level w h i c h w i l l help us to increase
p r o d u c t i o n a n d t o a c t i v i z e t h e l a b o u r forces s o t h a t w e
d o n o t l e a v e people i n t h e c o u n t r y s i d e u n e m p l o y e d , b u t
at the same time, we must increase mechanization continuously.
We must bear in m i n d that the r u r a l population w i l l
increase n o t o n l y f r o m n a t u r a l b i r t h s , b u t also w i t h the
s u r p l u s l a b o u r sent t h e r e f r o m t h e c i t y . H e n c e , t h i s p r o b l e m , too, m u s t b e t a k e n i n t o account. I n t h e l o w l a n d
zones w h i c h w i l l b e i n t e n s i f i e d w i t h p r i o r i t y t h e r e are
state f a r m s w h i c h are s h o r t o f l a b o u r , t h e r e f o r e , i n o u r
p l a n n i n g t h e sectors m u s t s u p p l e m e n t one a n o t h e r , w h i l e
retaining the relations of production. Thus, w h e n the
state f a r m s are s h o r t o f l a b o u r w e m u s t f i l l these shortages
w i t h t h e s u r p l u s forces w h i c h some o f t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s
i n c l u d e d i n t h e i n t e n s i f i e d l o w l a n d zone m a y h a v e .
Hence, we must take care that the increase in mechanization, which reduces the need for labour, should not
create unemployment and obstacles for us. We absolutely
must avoid unemployment. T h e v e r y i m p o r t a n t p r o b l e m
o f t h e f u l l e m p l o y m e n t o f a l l t h e l a b o u r forces i n t h e
c o u n t r y s i d e t o c a r r y out t h e services w h i c h c r o p s need has
not been t a k e n i n t o a c c o u n t p r o p e r l y i n t h i s s t u d y .
I t s o u n d s « v e r y n i c e » t o s a y w e s h o u l d h a r v e s t the
wheat w i t h mechanized means over the w h o l e Republic
w i t h i n 1 5 days, o r w e s h o u l d h a r v e s t a l l t h e m a i z e w i t h
combines, o r w e s h o u l d e n s u r e i r r i g a t i o n o n a w i d e scale
w i t h a r t i f i c i a l r a i n p l a n t s , o r w e s h o u l d hoe a l l t h e s p r i n g
crops w i t h n e w m a c h i n e s , etc. B u t i f w e d o a c h i e v e a l l
these t h i n g s , t h e n w e w i l l c e r t a i n l y face t h e p r o b l e m o f
surplus l a b o u r in the countryside. We cannot proceed on
the course of those c a p i t a l i s t states w h i c h h a v e o n l y a v e r y
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l o w percentage of the p o p u l a t i o n of the c o u n t r y in the
r u r a l areas a n d h a v e the r e m a i n d e r u n e m p l o y e d i n the
streets of the cities. T o d a y we h a v e a b o u t 65 p e r cent of
the p o p u l a t i o n o f the c o u n t r y l i v i n g i n t h e r u r a l a r e a . A n d
t h i s percentage w i l l b e r e t a i n e d m o r e o r less a t t h i s l e v e l ,
i f w e d o n o t increase it. T h e r e f o r e , t h e m e c h a n i z a t i o n o f
a g r i c u l t u r e , w h i c h m u s t b e i n c r e a s e d , has t o b e h a r m o n i z e d
w i t h the l a b o u r e m p l o y e d i n t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s . T h e people
t h e r e m u s t b e e m p l o y e d m a i n l y i n a g r i c u l t u r e , b u t also i n
other activities w h i c h are carried on in the territory of the
v i l l a g e s . S o m e o f these forces c o u l d b e sent t o t h e h i l l y
a n d m o u n t a i n o u s zones. H o w e v e r , t h e p r o b l e m i s n o t s o l v e d
s o e a s i l y s i m p l y w i t h decrees a n d a d m i n i s t r a t i v e m e a s u r e s .
We m u s t be r e a l i s t i c a b o u t t h i s . H e r e a series of m e a s u r e s
are r e q u i r e d w h i c h h a v e t o d o w i t h t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f
a g r i c u l t u r e a n d o t h e r sectors i n these zones, w i t h t h e
m e c h a n i c a l m o v e m e n t o f the p o p u l a t i o n i n o r g a n i z e d f o r m s
a n d w i t h c l e a r p e r s p e c t i v e s . I t seems t o m e t h a t t h i s
q u e s t i o n , too, has n o t b e e n e n v i s a g e d i n t h i s s t u d y .
Another question unenvisaged here is that in the
united cooperatives of the plains, w h i c h w i l l be included
i n the zone o f p r i o r i t y i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n , t h e r e are also v i l l a g e s
o f h i l l y a n d m o u n t a i n o u s zones. W h a t p r o b l e m s e m e r g e
f r o m t h i s s i t u a t i o n ? W e m u s t t h i n k a b o u t t h i s a n d act
w i t h care. I stress t h i s because t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e zones
w h i c h h a v e been s t u d i e d f o r i n c l u s i o n i n t h e i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n , t h e r e are also m a j o r p a r t s o f c o o p e r a t i v e s w h i c h
e x t e n d t o the m o u n t a i n o u s zones a n d w h i c h f o r m a n d
r e m a i n a w h o l e . T h e r e f o r e , I t h i n k t h a t u n t i l t h i s process
is completed we ought to retain the existing organization
o f the c o o p e r a t i v e s w h i c h are i n c l u d e d i n t h e i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n .
D u r i n g this period the value of the w o r k d a y w i l l be
increased f o r the c o o p e r a t i v i s t s w h o m u s t m a k e e f f o r t s t o
accomplish the five-year plan, and that is the purpose of
i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n , t h e r e f o r e , the f u n d o f a c c u m u l a t i o n s h o u l d
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also b e i n c r e a s e d b y the c o o p e r a t i v e s . T h i s w i l l s t i m u l a t e
the p a r t i c i p a t i o n of the c o o p e r a t i v e s to i n c r e a s e t h e l e v e l
of production. By this means and in this w a y the l i v i n g
s t a n d a r d o f t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t s w i l l b e i m p r o v e d a n d the
p o s s i b i l i t i e s w i l l b e c r e a t e d f o r t h e state t o i n c r e a s e its
i n v e s t m e n t s i n o t h e r zones a n d d i s t r i c t s . A t the s a m e t i m e ,
w e w i l l l e a d a l l t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s o n t h i s course t o w a r d s
t u r n i n g i n t o state f a r m s . W e m u s t s t u d y these p r o b l e m s
carefully, comrades, a n d f i n d the practical possibilities
to m a k e the investments we intend to m a k e in the l o w l a n d
zone.
W e m u s t m a k e the i n v e s t m e n t s i n stages a n d h a r m onized a c c o r d i n g t o t h e d i r e c t i o n s w h i c h a d v a n c e t h e
development of agricultural production, for example, irrigat i o n b y a r t i f i c i a l r a i n p l a n t s , t h e use o f f e r t i l i z e r s , m e c h a n i z a t i o n , t h e l e v e l l i n g a n d d r a i n i n g o f t h e l a n d , etc.
N o w let m e d e a l w i t h m e c h a n i z a t i o n . W h a t emerges
f r o m t h e s t u d y p r e s e n t e d t o u s ? T h e forecast m a d e seems
to me high. In the 7th F i v e - y e a r P l a n the level of mechan i z a t i o n w i l l b e h i g h e r i n the d i s t r i c t s w h e r e w e i n t e n d
t o i n t e n s i f y the p l a i n s w i t h p r i o r i t y . B u t h e r e w e m u s t
bear w e l l i n m i n d w h a t I s a i d b e f o r e a b o u t t h e f a c t o r o f
l a b o u r i n a g r i c u l t u r e , a n d w e m u s t i n n o w a y neglect the
other p a r t o f a g r i c u l t u r e w h e r e t h e r e m u s t b e progress i n
i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n , too. I n s p e c i f y i n g t h e m a c h i n e s w h i c h w e
w i l l i m p o r t we must take proper account of this latter
factor a n d i n t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f this m a c h i n e r y w e m u s t
take w e l l i n t o a c c o u n t t h e m e c h a n i c a l base t h a t w e h a v e
created h i t h e r t o . Its d i s t r i b u t i o n m u s t b e c a r e f u l l y c a l culated on t h e basis of t h e targets set f o r the i n c r e a s e of
production. It is important for us that the five-year plan
in agriculture should be accomplished m a i n l y w i t h the
m e c h a n i c a l base w h i c h w e possess, w i t h a r e a s o n a b l e
number of additional machines f r o m imports and local
production.
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A b o v e I h a v e p r e s e n t e d s o m e ideas a b o u t i m p r o v e m e n t of t h e socialist r e l a t i o n s of p r o d u c t i o n in (he z o n e
of priority intensification. N o w I w a n t to develop this
problem a little more extensively. T h e i m p r o v e m e n t of
r e l a t i o n s o f p r o d u c t i o n i s essential i n o r d e r t o open b r o a d e r
roads to the d e v e l o p m e n t of p r o d u c t i v e forces, as w e l l as
t o p r e p a r e the c o n d i t i o n s t o g o o v e r g r a d u a l l y i n t h e f u t u r e
to the transformation in a n a t u r a l and v o l u n t a r y w a y of
the g r o u p p r o p e r t y i n t o p r o p e r t y o f t h e w h o l e people.
T h e i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n a n d t h e i m p r o v e m e n t o f socialist
r e l a t i o n s in t h i s zone m u s t a c h i e v e a n u m b e r of o b j e c t i v e s :
— T h e increase of a g r i c u l t u r a l a n d l i v e s t o c k p r o d u c t i o n a t m o r e r a p i d rates, i n o r d e r t o f u l f i l t h e greatest
needs of the c o u n t r y better.
— T h e increase of t h e e f f e c t i v e n e s s of i n v e s t m e n t s
a n d e x p e n d i t u r e i n p r o d u c t i o n , m a k i n g b e t t e r use o f t h e
best s o i l a n d c l i m a t i c c o n d i t i o n s .
— T h e g r a d u a l r a i s i n g of t h e l e v e l of w e l l - b e i n g of
t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t p e a s a n t r y u p t o t h a t o f w o r k e r s o f state
farms.
— T h e increase in i n c o m e f o r society.
I t h i n k the f u r t h e r i m p r o v e m e n t of the r e l a t i o n s of
p r o d u c t i o n s h o u l d b e m a d e i n these d i r e c t i o n s : a ) i n t h e
r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n the state a n d t h e c o o p e r a t i v e ; b ) i n t h e
r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n t h e c o o p e r a t i v e a n d its m e m b e r s ; c ) i n
the r e l a t i o n s of o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d m a n a g e m e n t of t h e
work and production.
T h e i m p r o v e m e n t o f r e l a t i o n s i n these t h r e e d i r e c tions m u s t be done in s u c h a w a y t h a t the s p h e r e of r e l a tions o f state o w n e r s h i p i s g r a d u a l l y e x t e n d e d , a n d t h e
s p h e r e of r e l a t i o n s of c o o p e r a t i v i s t o w n e r s h i p is g r a d u a l l y
r e s t r i c t e d . T h i s process w i l l b e c a r r i e d o u t b o t h i n t h e
r e l a t i o n s o f o w n e r s h i p a n d i n those o f e x c h a n g e , d i s t r i b u tion and management.
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A. ABOUT THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE STATE AND
THE COOPERATIVE
T h e state s h o u l d p a r t i c i p a t e d i r e c t l y i n a l l t h e a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e s of t h e zone of i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n (both the
h i g h e r - t y p e a n d the o r d i n a r y cooperatives). T h i s p a r t i c i p a tion should be:
— With fundamental investments for the development
of production (for t h e l a n d , i r r i g a t i o n , f o r b u i l d i n g stalls,
for m a c h i n e r y , f o r f r u i t - t r e e s , f o r p r o d u c t i o n l i v e s t o c k , a n d
for o t h e r objects).
O n the basis o f e x i s t i n g p o s s i b i l i t i e s , t h e t e n d e n c y o f
the state i n v e s t m e n t s s h o u l d b e f o r t h e i r c o n t i n u a l increase
w i t h t h e a i m o f a c h i e v i n g the i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n r e q u i r e d a n d
g r a d u a l l y i n c r e a s i n g t h e s h a r e o f the state i n t h e m a i n
means of p r o d u c t i o n .
F o r t h e i r p a r t , t h e a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e s , too, m u s t
continue t o i n c r e a s e t h e i r sources o f a c c u m u l a t i o n i n o r d e r
to meet a p a r t of t h e i n v e s t m e n t s a n d of the essential needs
for m e a n s of c i r c u l a t i o n :
— With means of circulation, in o r d e r to meet t h e
increase i n t h e m a t e r i a l e x p e n d i t u r e f o r p r o d u c t i o n w h i c h
comes a b o u t as a r e s u l t of a h i g h e r l e v e l of i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n .
The state s h a r e i n these m e a n s o f c i r c u l a t i o n s h o u l d a l w a y s
be s u p p l e m e n t a r y , a f t e r t h e f u n d s of t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s
themselves h a v e f i r s t b e e n u s e d .
— With the combination of relations of ownership
between the state and the cooperative, the relations in the
field of distribution must also be improved. As a r e s u l t
of the g r e a t e r i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n , the r i g h t emerges f o r t h e
state to t a k e w i t h o u t c o m p e n s a t i o n a g r e a t e r s h a r e t h a n
hitherto f r o m t h e p r o d u c t f o r society, w h i c h i s c r e a t e d b y
the l i v i n g l a b o u r i n t h e a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e . T h i s c a n
be done t h r o u g h the present c h a n n e l s (by m e a n s of t a k i n g
from the c o o p e r a t i v e a l a r g e r a m o u n t t h a n at present of
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ENVER HOXHA
the c e n t r a l i z e d net i n c o m e ) , o r t h r o u g h some o t h e r f o r m
w h i c h i s u s e d a t present i n t h e state f a r m s . . .
W h e n t h e accounts are m a d e a n d t h e net i n c o m e i s
d i v i d e d , t h i n g s m u s t b e w o r k e d out c l e a r l y . I n r e g a r d t o
the f i v e - y e a r p l a n w h i c h w e are p r e p a r i n g w e m u s t b e a r
i n m i n d t h a t t h e c o o p e r a t i v e m u s t a c c o m p l i s h it, a d h e r i n g
t o the r e g u l a t i o n s w h i c h e x i s t u n d e r t h e l a w s a n d o r d e r s
i n force. T h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t c a n n o t r e c e i v e m o r e t h a n h i s
due. L i k e w i s e , i n the c o o p e r a t i v e s o f t h i s zone, i n o r d e r
to a v o i d a f a l l in p a y in t h e case of a l e a n y e a r , in t h e
e a r l y y e a r s t h e y s h o u l d p r o c e e d a t s l o w e r rates i n t h e i r
distribution of the f u n d of consumption, w h i l e transferring
a s m u c h m o n e y a s possible t o t h e g u a r a n t e e d p a y f u n d .
T h e state o r g a n s a n d t h e a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e s
s h o u l d set t h e l e v e l o f t h e n o r m o f a c c u m u l a t i o n j o i n t l y ,
a i m i n g t o m a i n t a i n the p r i o r i t y o f t h e i n c r e a s e i n t h e
fund of accumulation in comparison w i t h the fund of
c o n s u m p t i o n i n r e g a r d t o t h e i n t e r n a l resources o f t h e
cooperative, b u t w i t h o u t r e d u c i n g t h e l e v e l o f a v e r a g e p a y
r e c e i v e d d u r i n g the past t w o t o t h r e e y e a r s .
In regard to the long-term bank credit for investments,
i n a l l t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s o f t h i s zone i t s h o u l d b e r e p l a c e d
w i t h t h e state p a r t i c i p a t i o n . F o r t h e e x p e n d i t u r e f o r p r o duction (which is not covered w i t h the funds of circulation
o f the c o o p e r a t i v e a n d t h e state) s h o r t - t e r m c r e d i t s h o u l d
be c o n t i n u e d to be p r o v i d e d j u s t as is d o n e f o r t h e state
farms.
B y a c t i n g i n t h i s w a y , e v e n t u a l l y , w h e n t h e socioe c o n o m i c c o n d i t i o n s are c r e a t e d f o r t u r n i n g t h e c o o p e r a t i v e
i n t o a state f a r m , t h e v a l u e o f t h e m a i n m e a n s ( b u i l d i n g s ,
m a c h i n e r y , f r u i t - t r e e s , r e p l a c e m e n t l i v e s t o c k , etc.), i n
general, should not be distributed to the members. F r o m
the m a i n means, t h e v a l u e o f t h e l i v e s t o c k o f p r o d u c t i o n
w i l l b e d i s t r i b u t e d . L i k e w i s e , those v a l u e s w h i c h r e p r e s e n t
stocks o f a g r i c u l t u r a l a n d a n i m a l p r o d u c t s , t h e u n u s e d
THOROUGH STUDIES FOR A SCIENTIFIC P L A N
93
p a r t o f the g u a r a n t e e d p a y f u n d a n d some o t h e r i t e m
could be distributed to them.
— In t h e f i e l d of r e l a t i o n s of e x c h a n g e i m p r o v e m e n t s
can be made in a n u m b e r of m a i n directions. T h e method
of collection, storing and h a n d l i n g of bread g r a i n should
g r a d u a l l y change. T h e a i m should be that eventually only
seed g r a i n a n d f o d d e r g r a i n s h o u l d b e h e l d b y t h e a g r i c u l t u r a l cooperatives, w h i l e the r e m a i n i n g g r a i n should be
h a n d e d t o t h e state, w h i c h m u s t u n d e r t a k e t h e s u p p l y
o f t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t s w i t h b r e a d , w h i c h i s p a i d for, j u s t
a s i t does f o r t h e w o r k e r s o f t h e state f a r m s , u s i n g the
bakeries of the agricultural cooperatives for this purpose.
I n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h this, t h e i d e a c o u l d b e s t u d i e d o f
s e t t i n g up a n u m b e r of c o l l e c t i o n centres f o r g r o u p s of
cooperatives, to w h i c h b u l k products l i k e wheat, maize,
cotton, rice, s u n f l o w e r , etc., or vegetables, potatoes a n d
f r u i t are f i r s t t r a n s p o r t e d t o b e processed a n d t h e n
m a n i p u l a t e d by the wholesale purchase or trade enterprises.
I n t h i s context, t h e n e e d w i l l a r i s e f o r r e - e x a m i n a t i o n
of some s t a n d a r d s ( m o i s t u r e content, i m p u r i t i e s , etc.), as
w e l l a s t h e w h o l e s a l e p u r c h a s e prices, b e a r i n g i n m i n d
t h a t t h e costs o f p r o c e s s i n g s h o u l d b e m e t b y t h e p r o d u c i n g economies.
T h e p l a n n i n g of material-technical supplies and securi n g t h e necessary base f o r i n v e s t m e n t s a n d f o r the e x p e n d i t u r e o f p r o d u c t i o n i n t h e zone o f p r i o r i t y i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n
s h o u l d b e d o n e o n a m o r e s c i e n t i f i c basis f o r t h e a g r i c u l t u r a l cooperatives, too. a n d s h o u l d b e g u a r a n t e e d .
B. ABOUT THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE
COOPERATIVE AND THE MEMBERS
D e p e n d i n g on the degree of intensification, t h e i n c r e a s e
in production and the improvement of the relations bet w e e n t h e state a n d t h e c o o p e r a t i v e , the r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n
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ENVER HOXHA
the c o o p e r a t i v e a n d its m e m b e r s w i l l also g r a d u a l l y c h a n g e .
T h e a i m s h o u l d b e that, f r o m the s t a n d - p o i n t o f r e m u n e r ation for t h e i r labour, forms of payment, social security,
supplies o f f o o d - s t u f f s a n d the f u l f i l m e n t o f t h e i r needs
f o r v i t a l services, t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t s s h o u l d g r a d u a l l y r e a c h
the situation of agricultural workers.
T h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t s ' l e v e l o f p a y s h o u l d g r a d u a l l y rise
u p t o the l e v e l o f t h e p a y o f a g r i c u l t u r a l w o r k e r s , b u t
s h o u l d b y n o m e a n s exceed it. H e r e w e m u s t t a k e i n t o
account p r o p e r l y b o t h t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s o f g u a r a n t e e i n g
their pay and the priority in the creation of the f u n d of
a c c u m u l a t i o n (as m e n t i o n e d above). T h e l e v e l o f t h e
payments in advance made throughout the year should
g r a d u a l l y increase. E v e r y t h i n g w i l l b e a c c o m p l i s h e d w i t h
w o r k and w i l l be paid according to the amount of w o r k
done. W e w i l l create the m a t e r i a l blessings o u r s e l v e s .
L i k e w i s e , t h e m e a s u r e s l a i d d o w n f o r the f o r m i n g o f j o i n t
h e r d s o f the c o o p e r a t i v i s t s ' h o u s e h o l d c o w s a n d t h e r e duction of the personal plot should be applied completely
a n d , first, i n t h e zone w h i c h i s t o b e i n t e n s i f i e d . T h i s w i l l
b r i n g a b o u t that, a l o n g w i t h t h e i n c r e a s e i n t h e l e v e l o f
t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t s ' pay, t h e i r i n c o m e f r o m t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t
plot w i l l b e p r o p o r t i o n a t e l y r e d u c e d .
I n t h e zone t o b e i n t e n s i f i e d w e m u s t p r o c e e d g r a d u a l l y
and in an organized w a y towards the t a k i n g over by the
state o f the t r a d e i n c e r t a i n f o o d p r o d u c t s , w h i c h the
cooperatives t r a d e t o d a y (bread, vegetables, m i l k , etc.), as
w e l l a s c o m m u n a l a n d v i t a l services, j u s t a s i s d o n e f o r
the r e s i d e n t i a l centres on the state f a r m s .
C. ABOUT THE RELATIONS OF MANAGEMENT AND
THE ORGANIZATION OF WORK AND PRODUCTION
T h e tasks f o r t h e m o r e r a p i d d e v e l o p m e n t o f p r o d u c t i v e forces a n d t h e i n t e r c o n n e c t i o n o f t h e e c o n o m i c
THOROUGH STUDIES FOR A SCIENTIFIC P L A N
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a n d s o c i a l r e l a t i o n s o f the g r o u p p r o p e r t y w i t h those o f
t h e state p r o p e r t y also r e q u i r e o t h e r m e a s u r e s i n the f i e l d
of organization and management, so that they support all
t h i s process o f d e v e l o p m e n t a n d t r a n s f o r m a t i o n i n t h e best
possible w a y .
F i r s t o f a l l , the p o s s i b i l i t i e s c r e a t e d b y t h e i n t e n s i f i cation and the improvement of relations in this l o w l a n d
zone must be utilized w i t h the m a x i m u m effectiveness to
b r i n g a b o u t a c o n c e n t r a t i o n a n d c o o p e r a t i o n on a b r o a d e r
scale a n d o n s o u n d s c i e n t i f i c f o u n d a t i o n s . I n some cases
this m a y r e q u i r e g o i n g b e y o n d t h e b o u n d a r i e s o f this o r
that cooperative.
I n those a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e s p l a n n i n g s h o u l d
a s s u m e t h e f o r m o f a n o b l i g a t o r y state d i r e c t i v e a n d not
the f o r m o f r e c o m m e n d a t i o n , w h i c h i t i s t o d a y . L i k e w i s e ,
the c o n t r o l b y t h e state organs, i n t h e course o f c a r r y i n g
out t h e p l a n , o f t h e accounts, t h e e x p e n d i t u r e , t h e d e p o s i t i n g a n d use o f i n c o m e s h o u l d b e s t r e n g t h e n e d c o n t i n u o u s l y
a n d g r a d u a l l y r e a c h t h e l e v e l o f state f a r m s .
B e a r i n g in m i n d the perspective, we must proceed
step b y step t o w a r d s t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f f o r m s o f i n t e r n a l
o r g a n i z a t i o n w h i c h t h e m o s t a d v a n c e d state f a r m s h a v e
a n d a p p l y (the o p t i m a l size o f sectors, t h e i r t a s k s a n d
competences, t h e size a n d s p e c i a l i z a t i o n of b r i g a d e s , etc.).
I n t h i s zone, too, i n v e s t m e n t s w i l l b e m a d e i n b u i l d ings o f c o n s i d e r a b l e m a t e r i a l v a l u e a n d w i t h m o r e a d v a n c e d
technology, w h i c h w i l l require the strengthening of the
existing organs in the service of agriculture and, possibly,
e v e n t h e c r e a t i o n o f s p e c i a l b u i l d i n g enterprises, o r the
finding of other more suitable forms.
T h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e P a r t y d i r e c t i v e t o accelerate
the i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n o f p r o d u c t i o n and i m p r o v e t h e r e l a t i o n s
of production over an extensive t e r r i t o r y requires that the
organs a n d o r g a n i z a t i o n s o f t h e P a r t y a n d t h e state a n d
the e c o n o m i c o r g a n s a t t h e base a n d i n t h e c e n t r e s h o u l d
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ENVER HOXHA
step u p the care a n d t h e w o r k o f o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d l e a d e r s h i p . I n this d i r e c t i o n , the n e e d f o r f o l l o w i n g t h e m e a s u r e s
t h a t w i l l b e t a k e n i n t h i s zone m o r e c l o s e l y a n d i n c o n centrated ways could be examined.
I see this course as a transitional stage in the further
strengthening of our socialist system of agriculture and
the turning of the agricultural cooperatives of the lowland
zone into state farms. This will be a great success.
This does not mean in any way that we are going to
neglect the mountainous zones, on the contrary, with
these measures that we are taking we shall create greater
material possibilities to assist the mountainous zones, too
(and this we must do without fail), because a large part of
the population of the country lives there and those zones
include a considerable proportion of the arable land.
In the intensification of production and. closely l i n k e d
w i t h this, i n the i m p r o v e m e n t o f r e l a t i o n s o f p r o d u c t i o n i n
the zone i n c l u d e d i n t h e s t u d y w e m u s t t a k e w e l l i n t o account t h e o v e r a l l p o s s i b i l i t i e s o f t h e e c o n o m y a n d t h e needs
for further development of production in the r e m a i n i n g part
o f the l o w l a n d zone a n d t h e h i l l y a n d m o u n t a i n o u s zone.
I f possible, t h e i n v e s t m e n t s a n d s u p p l e m e n t a r y resources
w h i c h w i l l b e u s e d i n t h i s zone s h o u l d b e s e c u r e d i n t h e
f r a m e w o r k o f t h e w h o l e e c o n o m y , a n d n o t t h r o u g h the
redistribution of the quotas of the five-year p l a n f o r a g r i c u l t u r e , because this w o u l d r e d u c e t h e rates o f d e v e l o p m e n t o f a g r i c u l t u r e i n t h e o t h e r zones, a n d t h i s m u s t n o t
be p e r m i t t e d .
W i t h i n t h e zone t o b e i n t e n s i f i e d , t h e f u l f i l m e n t o f
the needs a n d the a c c o m p l i s h m e n t o f targets i n t h e e x i s t i n g state f a r m s s h o u l d h a v e p r i o r i t y , w i t h t h e a i m t h a t t h e
state f a r m s s h o u l d b e i n t h e v a n g u a r d a n d a l w a y s set t h e
e x a m p l e t o the c o o p e r a t i v e s f r o m a l l v i e w p o i n t s .
I t h i n k t h a t t h e s t u d y p r e s e n t e d f o r t h e a r e a of
THOROUGH STUDIES FOR A SCIENTIFIC PLAN
97
a b o u t 100 t h o u s a n d hectares needs to go m o r e t h o r o u g h l y
i n t o s u c h p r o b l e m s as t h e i n c r e a s e of t h e effectiveness of
investments, the period required for investments to pay
f o r t h e m s e l v e s , etc. T h e w h o l e c o m p l e x o f t h e p r o g r e s s o f
e x t e n d e d r e p r o d u c t i o n i n t h i s zone (the i n c r e a s e o f p r o duction, of expenditure, of the income w h i c h w i l l be
secured and h o w it w i l l be distributed, of the investments,
t h e m e a n s o f c i r c u l a t i o n , t h e f u n d s o f p a y a n d social
security, the amount of accumulation w h i c h the stale w i l l
t a k e , etc.) m u s t b e e x a m i n e d i n t h i s c o n t e x t .
I f a l l these q u e s t i o n s a n d o t h e r p r o b l e m s w h i c h m i g h t
a r i s e d u r i n g t h e s t u d y a n d its a p p l i c a t i o n are t r e a t e d i n
a c o m p r e h e n s i v e m a n n e r , t h e r e s u l t w i l l b e t h a t the d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e p r o d u c t i v e forces a n d t h e i m p r o v e m e n t o f
r e l a t i o n s o f p r o d u c t i o n i n t h e w h o l e zone e n v i s a g e d w i l l
be a c c o m p l i s h e d c o r r e c t l y a n d s e r v e as a basis f o r t h e n e x t
steps t h a t w i l l b e t a k e n f o r t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e coo p e r a t i v i s t o r d e r a n d t h e w h o l e l i f e o f o u r socialist c o u n t r y s i d e . T h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h i s process m u s t b e f o l l o w e d
c o n t i n u o u s l y , a n d its i n d i v i d u a l e l e m e n t s m u s t b e e l a b o r a t ed time after time so that we proceed confidently on the
right road to attain in practice the n e w objectives w h i c h
w e are d e c i d i n g .
«About the 7th Five-year Plan»
THE KHRUSHCHEVITES
Memoirs
(Excerpts)
T w o decades h a v e gone b y since the M e e t i n g o f 8 1
c o m m u n i s t a n d w o r k e r s ' p a r t i e s o f t h e w o r l d , w h i c h has
gone d o w n i n h i s t o r y a s one o f t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t e v e n t s
i n the s t r u g g l e w h i c h i s b e i n g w a g e d b e t w e e n M a r x i s m L e n i n i s m and opportunism. At this M e e t i n g our P a r t y
opened f i r e o n the r e v i s i o n i s t g r o u p o f K h r u s h c h e v w h i c h
was ruling in the Soviet U n i o n and struggling in every w a y
to subjugate the entire international communist movement,
all the communist and workers' parties of the w o r l d , and
set t h e m on its r o a d of b e t r a y a l .
O u r open a n d p r i n c i p l e d a t t a c k o n K h r u s h c h e v i t e
m o d e r n r e v i s i o n i s m a t t h e M e e t i n g i n N o v e m b e r 1960 w a s
not a s u r p r i s e m o v e . O n t h e c o n t r a r y , i t w a s t h e l o g i c a l
c o n t i n u a t i o n o f the M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t s t a n d w h i c h t h e P a r t y
of Labour of A l b a n i a had always maintained, was the
t r a n s i t i o n to a n e w , h i g h e r stage of t h e s t r u g g l e w h i c h
o u r P a r t y h a d l o n g b e e n w a g i n g f o r t h e defence a n d
consistent a p p l i c a t i o n o f M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m .
F r o m t h e t i m e t h e K h r u s h c h e v i t e s took p o w e r t o t h e
m o m e n t w h e n w e c a m e out i n o p e n c o n f r o n t a t i o n w i t h
them, the relations of the P a r t y of L a b o u r of A l b a n i a w i t h
the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of the Soviet U n i o n went through
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a c o m p l i c a t e d process, w i t h zigzags, w i t h p e r i o d s o f e x a cerbation and periods of temporary normalization. This
w a s t h e process o f each g e t t i n g t o k n o w the other t h r o u g h
e n c o u n t e r s i n t h e course o f t h e s t r u g g l e a n d t h e c o n t i n u a l
c l a s h o f v i e w s . A f t e r the K h r u s h c h e v i t e r e v i s i o n i s t p u t s chists c a m e t o p o w e r , o u r P a r t y , b a s i n g itself o n t h e events
t h a t w e r e t a k i n g p l a c e t h e r e , o n c e r t a i n stands a n d actions,
w h i c h w e r e i l l - d e f i n e d a t f i r s t , b u t w h i c h , step b y step,
w e r e b e c o m i n g m o r e concrete, b e g a n t o sense t h e great
d a n g e r o f t h i s c l i q u e o f renegades, w h i c h h i d b e h i n d a
deafening pseudo-Marxist demagogy, and to understand
t h a t t h i s c l i q u e w a s b e c o m i n g a great t h r e a t b o t h to t h e
cause of t h e r e v o l u t i o n a n d s o c i a l i s m , as a w h o l e , a n d to
our country.
We became more and more aware that the v i e w s and
stands of N i k i t a K h r u s h c h e v on important questions of
t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o m m u n i s t m o v e m e n t a n d t h e socialist
c a m p d i f f e r e d f r o m o u r v i e w s a n d stands. T h e 20th C o n g r e s s
o f t h e C P S U , i n p a r t i c u l a r , w a s t h e event w h i c h m a d e u s
adopt a stand of opposition to K h r u s h c h e v a n d the K h r u s h chevites. As M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t s a n d in a M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t
w a y , t i m e a f t e r t i m e w e h a d p o i n t e d out t o t h e S o v i e t
leaders our reservations a n d objections to their conciliatory
stands t o w a r d s t h e Y u g o s l a v r e v i s i o n i s t s , a b o u t m a n y aspects
of their u n p r i n c i p l e d foreign policy, about m a n y of their
w r o n g a n d c o m p l e t e l y u n - M a r x i s t stands a n d actions o n
m a j o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l p r o b l e m s , etc. A l t h o u g h t h e y s o m e t i m e s
f e i g n e d a r e t r e a t , t h e y c o n t i n u e d o n t h e i r course, w h i l e w e
r e f u s e d t o s w a l l o w w h a t t h e y s e r v e d u p t o us, b u t o n t h e
contrary, defended our views and implemented our internal
and external policy.
W i t h t h e passage o f t i m e t h i s b r o u g h t a b o u t t h a t w e
became b e t t e r a c q u a i n t e d w i t h each other's positions, a n d
n e i t h e r side t r u s t e d t h e o t h e r . F o r o u r p a r t , w e c o n t i n u e d
t o p r e s e r v e o u r f r i e n d s h i p w i t h t h e S o v i e t U n i o n , w i t h its
100
ENVER HOXHA
peoples, c o n t i n u e d to b u i l d s o c i a l i s m a c c o r d i n g to the t e a c h ings o f L e n i n a n d S t a l i n , c o n t i n u e d a s b e f o r e t o d e f e n d t h e
great S t a l i n a n d h i s w o r k a n d t o f i g h t u n w a v e r i n g l y
against Y u g o s l a v r e v i s i o n i s m . O u r e x i s t i n g d o u b t s a b o u t
the Soviet revisionists increased and deepened f r o m day to
day, because d a y b y d a y K h r u s h c h e v a n d c o m p a n y w e r e
acting in opposition to M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m .
K h r u s h c h e v w a s a w a r e o f o u r r e s e r v a t i o n s a b o u t the
20th Congress, a n d a b o u t t h e p o l i c y w h i c h h e f o l l o w e d
w i t h the Titoites, i m p e r i a l i s m , etc., b u t h i s t a c t i c w a s not
t o hasten t o e x a c e r b a t e the s i t u a t i o n w i t h u s A l b a n i a n s .
He hoped to profit f r o m the friendship w h i c h we displayed
f o r the S o v i e t U n i o n t o t a k e t h e A l b a n i a n f o r t r e s s f r o m
w i t h i n a n d t o get u s i n t o t h e b a g w i t h s m i l e s a n d
threats, b y g i v i n g u s some r e d u c e d credits, a s w e l l a s
through pressure and blockades. K h r u s h c h e v a n d the
K h r u s h c h e v i t e s t h o u g h t : « W e k n o w the A l b a n i a n s . H o w e v e r s t u b b o r n t h e y are, h o w e v e r h o t - t e m p e r e d t h e y are,
t h e y h a v e n o w h e r e else t o t u r n to, because w e h a v e t h e m
p i n n e d u p a n d , i f t h e y p r o v e d i f f i c u l t , i f t h e y don't obey us,
t h e n w e w i l l s h o w o u r t e e t h , w e ' l l cut t h e m off a n d
boycott t h e m , a n d o v e r t h r o w a l l those w h o oppose us.»
T h e K h r u s h c h e v g r o u p p r e p a r e d this c o u r s e o f a c t i o n ,
p r o m o t e d a n d deepened it, t h i n k i n g t h a t i t w o u l d a c h i e v e its
a i m « q u i e t l y a n d g e n t l y » a n d « w i t h o u t a n y fuss». H o w e v e r ,
the reality was convincing them that this tactic was
yielding no fruit, and thus their impatience and arrogance
began t o emerge. T h e s i t u a t i o n b e c a m e tense. T h e n i t w a s
«eased» o n l y t o g r o w tense a g a i n . W e u n d e r s t o o d w h e r e t h i s
course w o u l d lead K h r u s h c h e v a n d c o m p a n y , t h e r e f o r e w e
strengthened our vigilance, and w h i l e replying to manifestations of t h e i r despotism, we t r i e d to p r o l o n g the «peace»
while safeguarding our principles.
B u t the m o m e n t came w h e n the c u p w a s f u l l t o o v e r f l o w i n g . T h e «peace», w h i c h h a d seemed t o e x i s t before,
«THE
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c o u l d c o n t i n u e n o longer. K h r u s h c h e v w e n t o p e n l y o n t o
t h e a t t a c k t o s u b j u g a t e a n d f o r c e u s t o f o l l o w his u t t e r l y
opportunist line. T h e n we told K h r u s h c h e v bluntly and
l o u d l y «No!», w e s a i d «Stop!» t o his t r e a c h e r o u s a c t i v i t y .
T h i s m a r k e d the beginning of a long and very difficult
s t r u g g l e i n w h i c h o u r P a r t y , t o its g l o r y a n d t h e g l o r y o f
the people w h o g a v e b i r t h t o i t a n d r a i s e d it, c o n s i s t e n t l y
s a f e g u a r d e d t h e i n t e r e s t s o f its socialist H o m e l a n d , p e r sistently defended M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m and the genuine international communist movement.
A t t h a t t i m e m a n y people d i d n o t u n d e r s t a n d the
attitude of the P a r t y of L a b o u r of A l b a n i a ; there were even
well-wishers of our P a r t y and country w h o considered
this a c t i o n hasty, some h a d not yet c o m p l e t e l y u n d e r s t o o d
the K h r u s h c h e v i t e s ' b e t r a y a l , some others t h o u g h t t h a t w e
b r o k e a w a y f r o m the S o v i e t U n i o n t o l i n k u p w i t h C h i n a ,
etc. T o d a y , not o n l y t h e f r i e n d s , but also t h e e n e m i e s of
socialist A l b a n i a h a v e u n d e r s t o o d the p r i n c i p l e d c h a r a c t e r
o f the u n i n t e r r u p t e d s t r u g g l e w h i c h o u r P a r t y has w a g e d
a n d i s w a g i n g against o p p o r t u n i s t s o f e v e r y hue.
T i m e has f u l l y c o n f i r m e d h o w r i g h t t h e P a r t y o f L a b o u r o f A l b a n i a w a s t o f i g h t the K h r u s h c h e v i t e s a n d r e f u s e
to follow their line. To this fight, w h i c h demanded and
s t i l l d e m a n d s great sacrifices, our s m a l l H o m e l a n d owes t h e
f r e e d o m a n d i n d e p e n d e n c e i t p r i z e s s o h i g h l y a n d its s u c cessful d e v e l o p m e n t o n t h e r o a d o f s o c i a l i s m . O n l y t h a n k s
t o t h e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t l i n e o f o u r P a r t y d i d A l b a n i a not
become a n d n e v e r w i l l b e c o m e a p r o t e c t o r a t e o f the R u s sians or a n y o n e else.
S i n c e 1961 o u r P a r t y o f L a b o u r h a s not h a d a n y l i n k
o r contact w i t h t h e K h r u s h c h e v i t e s . I n t h e f u t u r e , too, i t
w i l l never establish party relations w i t h them, and we do
not h a v e a n d w i l l n e v e r h a v e e v e n state r e l a t i o n s w i t h t h e
Soviet social-imperialists. As up to now, our P a r t y w i l l
consistently w a g e t h e i d e o l o g i c a l a n d p o l i t i c a l s t r u g g l e f o r
102
ENVER HOXHA
the e x p o s u r e o f these e n e m i e s o f M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m . W e
acted i n t h i s w a y b o t h w h e n K h r u s h c h e v w a s i n p o w e r a n d
w h e n he was brought d o w n and replaced by the Brezhnev
team. O u r P a r t y had no illusions, but on the contrary,
was quite certain that Brezhnev, Kosygin, Suslov, M i k o y a n ,
a n d others w h o h a d been K h r u s h c h e v ' s closest c o l l a b o r a t o r s
and had jointly organized and put into practice the revisionist c o u n t e r - r e v o l u t i o n i n t h e S o v i e t U n i o n , w o u l d persist
i n t h e i r f o r m e r line.*
T h e y eliminated K h r u s h c h e v (1) w i t h the a i m of protecting
K h r u s h c h e v i s m f r o m the d i s c r e d i t w h i c h t h e m a s t e r h i m s e l f
w a s b r i n g i n g u p o n i t w i t h h i s endless b u f f o o n e r y , e l i m i n ated the « f a t h e r » w i t h t h e a i m o f i m p l e m e n t i n g t h e c o m plete r e s t o r a t i o n o f c a p i t a l i s m i n t h e S o v i e t U n i o n w i t h
g r e a t e r i n t e n s i t y a n d effectiveness.
I n this d i r e c t i o n B r e z h n e v a n d c o m p a n y h a v e p r o v e d
to be the « w o r t h y pupils» of their i l l - f a m e d teacher. W i t h i n
the S o v i e t U n i o n t h e y e s t a b l i s h e d a n d s t r e n g t h e n e d the
d i c t a t o r i a l fascist r e g i m e , w h i l e t h e y t u r n e d t h e f o r e i g n
p o l i c y of t h e i r state i n t o a p o l i c y of great-state c h a u v i n i s m ,
expansion and hegemonism. U n d e r the leadership of the
B r e z h n e v Khrushchevites, the Soviet U n i o n has been turned
into an imperialist
world
power
and, like the United
States o f A m e r i c a , a i m s t o r u l e t h e w o r l d . A m o n g the
bitter evidence of the u t t e r l y
reactionary policy of
S o v i e t s o c i a l - i m p e r i a l i s m are the t r a g i c e v e n t s i n C z e c h o s l o vakia, (2) the strengthening of the domination of the K r e m l i n
o v e r the c o u n t r i e s o f t h e W a r s a w T r e a t y , t h e d e e p e n i n g o f
_______________________________________
* See article « W i t h the D o w n f a l l of N. K h r u s h c h e v K h r u s h chevite R e v i s i o n i s m H a s Not B e e n Eliminated», E n v e r H o x h a ,
Selected Works, v o l 3, «8 N ë n t o r i » P u b l i s h i n g House, T i r a n a
1980, pp. 657-665, E n g . ed.
1 K h r u s h c h e v w a s relieved of his functions on October
14, 1964.
2 In August 1968 the armies of the Soviet revisionists and
their satellites occupied Czechoslovakia.
«THE KHRUSHCHEVITES» (EXCERPTS)
103
their all-round dependence on M o s c o w and the extension
o f t h e tentacles o f S o v i e t s o c i a l - i m p e r i a l i s m t o A s i a , A f r i c a
and elsewhere.
T h e c o r r e c t assessments a n d forecasts o f o u r P a r t y
about the reactionary internal a n d foreign policy of B r e z h nev have been a n d are being constantly confirmed. T h e
most recent example is A f g h a n i s t a n , where the B r e z h n e v
K h r u s h c h e v i t e s u n d e r t o o k a n o p e n fascist aggression ( 3 ) a n d
n o w a r e t r y i n g t o q u e l l t h e f l a m e s o f t h e people's w a r t h e r e
w i t h f i r e a n d steel i n o r d e r t o p r o l o n g t h e i r s o c i a l - i m p e r i a l ist o c c u p a t i o n .
T h e fact t h a t o u r s m a l l H o m e l a n d a n d people h a v e
not s u f f e r e d t h e t r a g i c f a t e o f a l l those w h o a r e n o w
languishing under imperialist or social-imperialist slavery
is t h e best t e s t i m o n y to t h e correctness of t h e consistent,
courageous a n d p r i n c i p l e d line w h i c h our P a r t y of L a b o u r
has a l w a y s f o l l o w e d .
T h e m e r i t of this correct course belongs to the w h o l e
P a r t y a n d , i n p a r t i c u l a r , t o its l e a d e r s h i p , t h e C e n t r a l C o m mittee, w h i c h , i m b u e d w i t h a n d l o y a l t o t h e t e a c h i n g s o f
M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m , o u r g u i d i n g t h e o r y , has a l w a y s l e d t h e
P a r t y a n d t h e p e o p l e c o r r e c t l y . I n t h e g r e a t tests w h i c h
w e h a v e h a d t o w i t h s t a n d , t h e u n i t y o f the P a r t y w i t h
its l e a d e r s h i p a n d t h e u n i t y o f t h e people a r o u n d the
P a r t y have been b r i l l i a n t a n d have become further t e m pered. T h i s steel u n i t y g a v e t h e P a r t y s u p p o r t a n d s t r e n g t h
i n t h e d i f f i c u l t b u t g l o r i o u s s t r u g g l e against t h e K h r u s h c h e v i t e r e v i s i o n i s t s , too. T h i s u n i t y has b e e n a n d i s t h e
foundation of the stability and confidence w i t h w h i c h
A l b a n i a has m a r c h e d a n d i s m a r c h i n g f o r w a r d , w i t h s t a n d ing the pressure and blackmail, the blandishments and
d e m a g o g y of e n e m i e s of a l l hues.
As a c o m m u n i s t a n d l e a d e r of t h e P a r t y , I, too, h a v e
__________________________________
3 In the end of December 1979.
104
ENVER HOXHA
had to take part actively in and m a k e my contribution to
a l l this h e r o i c s t r u g g l e o f o u r P a r t y . C h a r g e d b y t h e
P a r t y a n d its l e a d e r s h i p , since t h e l i b e r a t i o n o f A l b a n i a ,
a n d e s p e c i a l l y d u r i n g the y e a r s 1950-1960, I h a v e h e a d e d
delegations o f t h e P a r t y a n d the state m a n y t i m e s i n o f f i c i a l
m e e t i n g s w i t h t h e S o v i e t leaders a n d w i t h t h e m a i n
leaders o f o t h e r c o m m u n i s t a n d w o r k e r s ' p a r t i e s . L i k e w i s e ,
m a n y times we have exchanged reciprocal visits, I have
taken part in consultations and international meetings of
communist parties at w h i c h I have expressed and defended
t h e correct line, decisions a n d i n s t r u c t i o n s o f t h e P a r t y . I n
a l l these m e e t i n g s a n d v i s i t s I h a v e b e c o m e c l o s e l y a c q u a i n ted w i t h
glorious,
unforgettable leaders, l i k e S t a l i n ,
D i m i t r o v , G o t t w a l d , B i e r u t , P i e c k a n d others, a n d l i k e w i s e ,
I h a v e h a d t o enter i n t o contact w i t h a n d k n o w t h e K h r u s h chevite traitors, who, t h r o u g h a long a n d complicated
process, g r a d u a l l y u s u r p e d p o w e r i n t h e S o v i e t U n i o n a n d
in the former countries of people's democracy respectively.
T h e r e l a t i o n s w i t h t h e m a n d t h e stands m a i n t a i n e d
by our P a r t y d u r i n g this period have been reflected in the
d o c u m e n t s o f t h e P a r t y , i n m y w r i t i n g s w h i c h are b e i n g
p u b l i s h e d b y d e c i s i o n o f the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e , a s w e l l a s
i n other d o c u m e n t s w h i c h a r e f o u n d i n t h e C e n t r a l A r c h i v e s o f t h e P a r t y . N o w I a m h a n d i n g o v e r these notes f o r
publication as my reminiscences and impressions f r o m
t h e m a n y contacts a n d clashes w i t h the K h r u s h c h e v i t e s ,
w h i c h cover t h e p e r i o d f r o m 1953, a f t e r t h e d e a t h o f S t a l i n ,
t o t h e e n d o f 1961, w h e n the K h r u s h c h e v g r o u p b r o k e o f f
diplomatic relations w i t h the People's R e p u b l i c of A l b a n i a .
T a k e n together w i t h other p u b l i s h e d m a t e r i a l s a n d d o c u m e n t s c o v e r i n g t h a t p e r i o d , these notes, too, I b e l i e v e , w i l l
serve t o a c q u a i n t t h e c o m m u n i s t s a n d w o r k i n g masses better,
both w i t h the counter-revolutionary activity of the Soviet
revisionists inside and outside the Soviet U n i o n , a n d w i t h
«THE KHRUSHCHEVITES». (EXCERPTS)
105
t h e a l w a y s c o r r e c t a n d consistent s t r u g g l e o f o u r P a r t y i n
defence o f M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m , t h e people a n d o u r socialist
Homeland.
One of the m a i n directions of K h r u s h c h e v ' s strategy
a n d t a c t i c s w a s t o seize c o m p l e t e p o l i t i c a l a n d i d e o l o g i c a l
power w i t h i n the Soviet U n i o n and to put the Soviet a r m y
a n d t h e state s e c u r i t y o r g a n s i n h i s service.
The K h r u s h c h e v group w o u l d w o r k to achieve this
o b j e c t i v e step b y step. A t f i r s t , i t w o u l d not a t t a c k M a r x ism-Leninism, the construction of socialism in the Soviet
U n i o n and S t a l i n frontally. On the contrary, this group
w o u l d base itself o n t h e successes a c h i e v e d a n d , m o r e o v e r ,
w o u l d exalt t h e m to the m a x i m u m , in order to gain credit
f o r itself a n d create a s i t u a t i o n o f e u p h o r i a , w i t h the a i m o f
d e s t r o y i n g t h e socialist base a n d s u p e r s t r u c t u r e l a t e r .
F i r s t o f a l l , t h i s r e n e g a d e g r o u p h a d t o get c o n t r o l
o f t h e p a r t y , i n o r d e r t o e l i m i n a t e t h e possible resistance
o f those cadres w h o h a d n o t lost t h e r e v o l u t i o n a r y class
vigilance, to neutralize the waverers and w i n t h e m over by
m e a n s of p e r s u a s i o n or threats, as w e l l as to p r o m o t e to t h e
k e y l e a d i n g p o s i t i o n s b a d , a n t i - M a r x i s t , careerist, o p p o r t u n ist e l e m e n t s o f w h o m , o f course, t h e r e w e r e some i n t h e
Communist P a r t y of the Soviet U n i o n and the apparatus
of t h e S o v i e t state.
A f t e r t h e G r e a t P a t r i o t i c W a r some n e g a t i v e p h e n o mena appeared in the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of the Soviet
U n i o n . T h e d i f f i c u l t e c o n o m i c s i t u a t i o n , the d e v a s t a t i o n
a n d d e s t r u c t i o n , t h e g r e a t h u m a n losses w h i c h o c c u r r e d i n
the S o v i e t U n i o n , r e q u i r e d a total m o b i l i z a t i o n of t h e cadres
a n d t h e masses f o r its c o n s o l i d a t i o n a n d progress. H o w ever, i n s t e a d of t h i s , a f a l l i n g - o f f in the c h a r a c t e r a n d
m o r a l e o f m a n y cadres w a s n o t i c e d . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d ,
t h r o u g h t h e i r conceit a n d b o a s t i n g a b o u t t h e g l o r y o f t h e
battles w o n , t h r o u g h t h e i r d e c o r a t i o n s a n d p r i v i l e g e s , w i t h
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ENVER HOXHA
t h e i r m a n y vices a n d d i s t o r t e d v i e w s , t h e p o w e r - s e e k i n g
elements were overwhelming the vigilance of the party
a n d c a u s i n g i t t o decay f r o m w i t h i n . A caste w a s c r e a t e d
i n t h e a r m y w h i c h e x t e n d e d its despotic a n d a r r o g a n t d o m i n a t i o n t o the p a r t y , too, a l t e r i n g its p r o l e t a r i a n c h a r a c t e r .
T h e party should have been the s w o r d of the revolution,
but this caste c o r r o d e d it.
I am of the opinion that even before the w a r , but
e s p e c i a l l y a f t e r t h e w a r , signs of a d e p l o r a b l e a p a t h y a p peared in the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of the Soviet U n i o n . T h i s
p a r t y h a d a great r e p u t a t i o n a n d h a d a c h i e v e d colossal
successes i n t h e c o u r s e o f its w o r k , b u t a t t h e s a m e t i m e i t
h a d s t a r t e d t o lose t h e r e v o l u t i o n a r y s p i r i t a n d w a s b e c o m ing infected by bureaucracy and routine. The Leninist
norms, the teachings of L e n i n and S t a l i n h a d been transf o r m e d b y the apparatchiki i n t o stale p l a t i t u d e s a n d h a c k n e y e d slogans d e v o i d o f o p e r a t i v e w o r t h . T h e S o v i e t U n i o n
w a s a vast c o u n t r y , t h e people w o r k e d , p r o d u c e d , c r e a t e d .
It was said that i n d u s t r y w a s developing at the necessary
rates a n d t h a t the socialist a g r i c u l t u r e w a s a d v a n c i n g . B u t
t h i s d e v e l o p m e n t w a s not a t t h e l e v e l i t s h o u l d h a v e b e e n .
I t w a s n o t the « w r o n g » l i n e o f S t a l i n w h i c h h e l d u p t h e
progress. O n t h e c o n t r a r y , this l i n e w a s c o r r e c t a n d M a r x i s t Leninist, but it was frequently applied badly and even
d i s t o r t e d a n d sabotaged b y e n e m y elements. S t a l i n ' s c o r r e c t
l i n e w a s d i s t o r t e d also b y t h e d i s g u i s e d e n e m i e s i n t h e
r a n k s o f t h e p a r t y a n d i n t h e organs o f t h e state, b y t h e
opportunists, liberals. Trotskyites and revisionists, as the
K h r u s h c h e v s , M i k o y a n s , Suslovs, Kosygins, a n d others
e v e n t u a l l y t u r n e d out t o be.
B e f o r e t h e d e a t h o f S t a l i n , K h r u s h c h e v a n d h i s close
collaborators in the putsch were among the m a i n leaders
w h o acted u n d e r cover, w h o m a d e p r e p a r a t i o n s a n d
awaited the appropriate moment for open action on a
b r o a d scale. It is a fact t h a t these t r a i t o r s w e r e h a r d e n e d
«THE KHRUSHCHEVITES». (EXCERPTS)
107
conspirators, w i t h the experience of various Russian c o u n ter-revolutionaries, the experience of anarchists, Trotskyites
a n d B u k h a r i n i t e s . T h e y w e r e also a c q u a i n t e d w i t h t h e e x perience of the r e v o l u t i o n a n d the B o l s h e v i k Party, a l though they learned nothing of benefit f r o m the revolution,
b u t l e a r n e d e v e r y t h i n g t h e y n e e d e d t o u n d e r m i n e the r e v o l u t i o n a n d s o c i a l i s m , w h i l e e s c a p i n g the b l o w s o f the
r e v o l u t i o n a n d t h e d i c t a t o r s h i p o f t h e p r o l e t a r i a t . I n short,
they were counter-revolutionaries and double-dealers. On
the one h a n d , t h e y s a n g t h e p r a i s e s o f s o c i a l i s m , t h e r e v olution, the Bolshevik C o m m u n i s t Party, L e n i n and Stalin,
and on the other hand, they prepared the counter-revolution.
H e n c e , a l l t h i s a c c u m u l a t e d s c u m c a r r i e d o u t sabotage
w i t h t h e subtlest m e t h o d s , w h i c h t h e y d i s g u i s e d b y p r a i s i n g
S t a l i n a n d t h e socialist r e g i m e . T h e s e e l e m e n t s d i s o r g a n i z e d
the revolution w h i l e organizing the counter-revolution,
displayed «severity» against i n t e r n a l enemies in order to
spread f e a r a n d t e r r o r i n t h e p a r t y , t h e state a n d t h e people.
It was they w h o created a situation f u l l of euphoria w h i c h
they reported to Stalin, but in reality they destroyed the
base of t h e p a r t y , t h e base of the state, c a u s e d s p i r i t u a l
degeneration a n d b u i l t up the cult of S t a l i n to the skies in
order to overthrow h i m more easily in the future.
T h i s was a diabolical hostile activity w h i c h h a d a
stranglehold on the Soviet U n i o n , the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y
of the Soviet U n i o n and Stalin, who, as the historical
facts s h o w e d , w a s s u r r o u n d e d b y enemies. A l m o s t n o n e
of the members of the P r e s i d i u m and the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e r a i s e d t h e i r voices i n d e f e n c e o f s o c i a l i s m a n d
Stalin.
If a d e t a i l e d a n a l y s i s is m a d e of t h e p o l i t i c a l , i d e o l o g i c a l
and organizational directives of Stalin in the leadership
and organization of the party, the w a r and the w o r k , in
g e n e r a l , m i s t a k e s o f p r i n c i p l e w i l l not b e f o u n d , b u t i f w e
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ENVER HOXHA
bear in m i n d h o w they were distorted by the enemies a n d
a p p l i e d i n practice, w e w i l l see t h e d a n g e r o u s consequences
o f these d i s t o r t i o n s a n d i t w i l l b e c o m e o b v i o u s w h y t h e
p a r t y began t o become b u r e a u c r a t i c , t o b e i m m e r s e d i n
r o u t i n e w o r k a n d d a n g e r o u s f o r m a l i s m w h i c h s a p p e d its
s t r e n g t h , s t r a n g l e d its r e v o l u t i o n a r y s p i r i t a n d e n t h u s i a s m .
T h e p a r t y b e c a m e c o v e r e d b y a h e a v y l a y e r o f rust, b y
political apathy, t h i n k i n g mistakenly that the head, the
l e a d e r s h i p , operates a n d solves e v e r y t h i n g o n its o w n .
F r o m s u c h a concept, t h e s i t u a t i o n w a s c r e a t e d t h a t i n
e v e r y i n s t a n c e a n d about e v e r y t h i n g t h e y w o u l d say, «this
i s t h e l e a d e r s h i p ' s business», «the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e does
not m a k e m i s t a k e s » , « S t a l i n has s a i d this, a n d t h a t ' s a l l
t h e r e i s t o it», etc. S t a l i n m i g h t not h a v e s a i d m a n y t h i n g s ,
b u t t h e y w e r e c o v e r e d w i t h his n a m e . T h e a p p a r a t u s a n d
the officials became «omnipotent», «infallible» and operated
i n b u r e a u c r a t i c w a y s u n d e r t h e slogans o f d e m o c r a t i c c e n tralism and bolshevik criticism and self-criticism, w h i c h
were no longer bolshevik in reality. T h e r e is no doubt that
i n t h i s w a y t h e B o l s h e v i k P a r t y lost its f o r m e r v i t a l i t y .
I t l i v e d o n w i t h correct slogans, b u t t h e y w e r e o n l y s l o g a n s ;
i t c a r r i e d out orders, b u t d i d not act o n its o w n i n i t i a t i v e ;
w i t h the m e t h o d s a n d f o r m s o f w o r k w h i c h w e r e u s e d i n
the l e a d e r s h i p o f t h e p a r t y , t h e opposite r e s u l t s w e r e
achieved.
In such conditions bureaucratic administrative m e a sures began t o p r e d o m i n a t e o v e r r e v o l u t i o n a r y m e a s u r e s .
V i g i l a n c e w a s n o l o n g e r o p e r a t i v e because i t w a s n o l o n g e r
r e v o l u t i o n a r y , r e g a r d l e s s o f a l l t h e b o a s t i n g a b o u t it. F r o m
a v i g i l a n c e o f t h e p a r t y a n d the masses, i t w a s b e i n g t u r n e d
i n t o a v i g i l a n c e of b u r e a u c r a t i c a p p a r a t u s a n d t r a n s f o r m e d ,
i n fact, i f not c o m p l e t e l y f r o m t h e f o r m a l v i e w p o i n t , i n t o a
v i g i l a n c e o f t h e state s e c u r i t y organs a n d t h e courts.
It is understandable that in such conditions, non-prolet a r i a n , n o n - w o r k i n g class f e e l i n g s a n d v i e w s b e g a n t o t a k e
«THE KHRUSHCHEVITES». (EXCERPTS)
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root a n d t o b e c u l t i v a t e d i n t h e r a n k s o f t h e C P o f t h e
S o v i e t U n i o n a n d i n t h e consciousness o f m a n y o f t h e c o m munists. Careerism, servility, charlatanism, unhealthy cronyi s m , a n t i - p r o l e t a r i a n m o r a l i t y , etc., b e g a n t o s p r e a d . T h e s e
evils eroded the party f r o m w i t h i n , smothered the feeling of
class s t r u g g l e a n d s a c r i f i c e a n d e n c o u r a g e d s e e k i n g t h e
«good life» w i t h comforts, w i t h privileges, w i t h personal
g a i n s a n d t h e least p o s s i b l e w o r k a n d e f f o r t . I n t h i s w a y
the b o u r g e o i s a n d p e t t y - b o u r g e o i s m e n t a l i t y w a s c r e a t e d ,
and this was expressed in such w o r d s and thoughts as:
« W e w o r k e d a n d f o u g h t f o r t h i s socialist state a n d w e
t r i u m p h e d , n o w let u s e n j o y t h e b e n e f i t s f r o m it», « w e c a n ' t
b e t o u c h e d , t h e past excuses u s f o r e v e r y t h i n g . » T h e greatest
danger was that this outlook was becoming established
e v e n i n t h e o l d cadres o f t h e p a r t y w i t h a s p l e n d i d past a n d
proletarian origin, even in the members of the P r e s i d i u m
o f t h e C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e , w h o o u g h t t o h a v e set a n e x a m p l e
o f p u r i t y t o t h e others. T h e r e w e r e m a n y s u c h people i n
the l e a d e r s h i p , i n the a p p a r a t u s , a n d t h e y m a d e a d r o i t use
of the r e v o l u t i o n a r y w o r d s and phrases and the theoretical
formulas of L e n i n and Stalin, reaped the laurels of the
w o r k o f o t h e r s a n d encouraged t h e b a d e x a m p l e . T h u s , a
w o r k e r a r i s t o c r a c y m a d e u p o f b u r e a u c r a t i c cadres w a s
being created in the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of the Soviet U n i o n .
R e g r e t t a b l y , s u c h a process of d e g e n e r a t i o n d e v e l o p e d
u n d e r t h e « j o y f u l » a n d « h o p e f u l » slogans t h a t « e v e r y t h i n g
i s g o i n g w e l l , n o r m a l l y , w i t h i n t h e l a w s a n d n o r m s o f the
p a r t y » , w h i c h i n fact w e r e b e i n g v i o l a t e d , t h a t «the class
struggle is still being waged», that «democratic centralism
is safeguarded», « c r i t i c i s m a n d s e l f - c r i t i c i s m c o n t i n u e s as
before», t h a t «there i s steel u n i t y i n t h e p a r t y » , «there are
n o m o r e f a c t i o n a l , a n t i - p a r t y elements», «the t i m e o f
T r o t s k y i t e a n d B u k h a r i n i t e g r o u p s i s passed», etc., etc. G e nerally speaking, even the revolutionary elements consid e r e d s u c h a d i s t o r t e d concept of t h e s i t u a t i o n to be a
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ENVER HOXHA
n o r m a l r e a l i t y a n d , t h i s i s t h e essence o f t h e d r a m a a n d
the fatal mistake, therefore it was considered that there
w a s n o t h i n g t o b e a l a r m e d about, t h a t t h e e n e m i e s , t h e
thieves, t h e v i o l a t o r s o f m o r a l i t y w e r e b e i n g c o n d e m n e d
b y t h e courts, t h a t t h e u n w o r t h y m e m b e r s w e r e b e i n g e x p e l l e d f r o m t h e p a r t y , a n d n e w m e m b e r s a d m i t t e d t o it, a s
usual, that the plans were being realized although there
w e r e some t h a t w e r e n o t b e i n g r e a l i z e d , t h a t p e o p l e w e r e
being criticized, condemned,
praised,
etc.
Hence, according to them, life was proceeding normally, and thus it
was reported to Stalin: «Everything is going normally.»
W e are c o n v i n c e d t h a t i f S t a l i n , a s t h e g r e a t r e v o l u t i o n a r y
he was, had k n o w n the reality of the situation in the
party, he w o u l d have struck a crushing blow at this u n healthy spirit and the entire party and the Soviet people
w o u l d h a v e r i s e n t o t h e i r feet t o s u p p o r t h i m because,
q u i t e c o r r e c t l y , t h e y h a d great t r u s t i n S t a l i n .
Not only d i d the apparatuses m i s i n f o r m Stalin, and
b u r e a u c r a t i c a l l y d e f o r m h i s correct d i r e c t i v e s , b u t t h e y h a d
created such a situation among the people and in the p a r t y
t h a t e v e n w h e n S t a l i n w e n t a m o n g t h e masses o f t h e p a r t y
a n d t h e people, t o t h e e x t e n t t h a t h i s age a n d h e a l t h
p e r m i t t e d , t h e y d i d not i n f o r m h i m a b o u t t h e s h o r t c o m i n g s
a n d m i s t a k e s w h i c h w e r e o c c u r r i n g , because t h e a p p a r a t u s
had implanted the opinion amongst the communists a n d
t h e masses t h a t « w e m u s t n o t w o r r y S t a l i n » .
T h e great h u l l a b a l o o t h e K h r u s h c h e v i t e s m a d e a b o u t
t h e so-called c u l t o f S t a l i n w a s r e a l l y o n l y a b l u f f . I t w a s
not Stalin, w h o was a modest person, w h o h a d built up this
cult, b u t a l l t h e r e v i s i o n i s t s c u m a c c u m u l a t e d a t t h e h e a d
o f t h e p a r t y a n d t h e state w h i c h , a p a r t f r o m a n y t h i n g else,
e x p l o i t e d t h e great l o v e o f t h e S o v i e t peoples f o r S t a l i n ,
e s p e c i a l l y a f t e r t h e v i c t o r y o v e r f a s c i s m . I f one r e a d s t h e
speeches o f K h r u s h c h e v , M i k o y a n a n d a l l t h e o t h e r
m e m b e r s o f t h e P r e s i d i u m , one w i l l see w h a t u n r e s t r a i n e d
«THE KHRUSHCHEVITES»
(EXCERPTS)
111
a n d h y p o c r i t i c a l p r a i s e s these e n e m i e s p o u r e d o n S t a l i n a s
l o n g a s h e w a s a l i v e . I t i s s i c k e n i n g t o r e a d these t h i n g s
when y o u t h i n k that behind all this praise they were hiding
t h e i r h o s t i l e w o r k f r o m t h e c o m m u n i s t s a n d t h e masses
w h o were deceived, t h i n k i n g that they had to do w i t h
leaders l o y a l t o M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m a n d c o m r a d e s l o y a l t o
Stalin.
E v e n f o r some t i m e a f t e r S t a l i n ' s d e a t h , t h e « n e w »
S o v i e t leaders, a n d K h r u s h c h e v a b o v e a l l , s t i l l d i d n o t
speak b a d l y a b o u t h i m , i n d e e d t h e y d e s c r i b e d h i m a s a
«great m a n » , a «leader of i n d i s p u t a b l e a u t h o r i t y » , etc.
K h r u s h c h e v h a d t o speak i n t h i s w a y t o g a i n c r e d i t i n s i d e
a n d o u t s i d e t h e S o v i e t U n i o n , i n o r d e r t o create t h e i d e a
that h e w a s « l o y a l » t o s o c i a l i s m a n d t h e r e v o l u t i o n , a
«continuer» o f t h e w o r k o f L e n i n a n d S t a l i n .
K h r u s h c h e v a n d M i k o y a n w e r e the bitterest enemies
of M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m and Stalin. These two headed the
plot a n d t h e p u t s c h w h i c h t h e y h a d p r e p a r e d l o n g before,
together w i t h a n t i - M a r x i s t , c a r e e r i s t e l e m e n t s o f t h e
C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e , o f t h e a r m y , a n d l e a d e r s a t t h e base.
These p u t s c h i s t s d i d not s h o w t h e i r h a n d i m m e d i a t e l y after
the d e a t h o f S t a l i n , b u t , w h e n i t w a s necessary a n d t o t h e
extent i s w a s n e c e s s a r y c o n t i n u e d t o a d m i n i s t e r t h e p o i s o n
along w i t h t h e i r p r a i s e s f o r S t a l i n . I t i s t r u e t h a t M i k o y a n ,
in particular, in the m a n y meetings I have had w i t h h i m ,
never boosted S t a l i n , i r r e s p e c t i v e o f t h e fact t h a t i n speeches
and discourses t h e p u t s c h i s t s h e a p e d p r a i s e s a n d g l o r y o n
S t a l i n o n e v e r y occasion. T h e y f o s t e r e d t h e c u l t o f S t a l i n
i n o r d e r t o isolate h i m a s m u c h a s possible f r o m t h e masses,
and, h i d i n g b e h i n d t h i s cult, t h e y p r e p a r e d t h e catastrophe.
K h r u s h c h e v and M i k o y a n w o r k e d to a plan and after
the d e a t h o f S t a l i n f o u n d a n o p e n f i e l d f o r t h e i r a c t i v i t y ,
also because o f t h e f a c t t h a t M a l e n k o v , B e r i a , B u l g a n i n a n d
V o r o s h i l o v p r o v e d t o b e not o n l y b l i n d , b u t also a m b i t i o u s ,
and each o f t h e m s t r u g g l e d f o r p o w e r .
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ENVER HOXHA
T h e y a n d others, o l d r e v o l u t i o n a r i e s a n d honest c o m munists, h a d n o w turned into typical representatives of that
bureaucratic routine, of that bureaucratic «legality», w h i c h
d e v e l o p e d , a n d w h e n t h e y m a d e a feeble a t t e m p t t o use t h i s
« l e g a l i t y » against t h e o b v i o u s p l o t o f t h e K h r u s h c h e v i t e s ,
i t w a s a l r e a d y too late.
K h r u s h c h e v and M i k o y a n , in complete unity, k n e w
h o w t o m a n o e u v r e a m o n g s t t h e m a n d t o set one a g a i n s t
t h e other. I n a f e w w o r d s , t h e y a p p l i e d t h i s t a c t i c : s p l i t
a n d d i v i d e i n t h e P r e s i d i u m , o r g a n i z e t h e forces o f t h e
p u t s c h outside, c o n t i n u e t o speak w e l l a b o u t S t a l i n i n o r d e r
t o h a v e t h e m i l l i o n s s t r o n g masses o n t h e i r side, a n d t h u s
b r i n g closer t h e d a y o f t h e s e i z u r e o f p o w e r , t h e l i q u i d a t i o n of opponents, a n d of a w h o l e g l o r i o u s e p o c h of t h e
c o n s t r u c t i o n o f s o c i a l i s m , t h e v i c t o r y o f the P a t r i o t i c W a r ,
etc. A l l t h i s f e v e r i s h a c t i v i t y (and w e sensed this) w a s a i m e d
t o create t h e p o p u l a r i t y o f K h r u s h c h e v i n s i d e the S o v i e t
U n i o n a n d outside it.
U n d e r the u m b r e l l a of the victories w h i c h the Soviet
U n i o n and the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of the Soviet U n i o n had
scored u n d e r t h e l e a d e r s h i p o f L e n i n a n d S t a l i n , K h r u s h c h e v d i d h i s u t m o s t t o m a k e t h e S o v i e t peoples a n d t h e
S o v i e t c o m m u n i s t s t h i n k t h a t n o t h i n g h a d c h a n g e d , one
great l e a d e r h a d d i e d , b u t a «greater» l e a d e r w a s r i s i n g ,
and w h a t a leader he w a s ! «As principled and Leninist as
t h e f o r m e r , i f n o t m o r e so, but l i b e r a l , p o p u l a r , s m i l i n g , a l l
humour and jokes!»
M e a n w h i l e the revisionist viper, w h i c h was becoming
active, s t a r t e d t o p o u r out its p o i s o n a b o u t t h e f i g u r e
a n d w o r k o f S t a l i n . A t f i r s t t h i s w a s done w i t h o u t a t t a c k i n g
Stalin by name, but attacking h i m indirectly.
I n one o f t h e m e e t i n g s w h i c h I h a d w i t h K h r u s h c h e v ,
i n J u n e 1954, i n a n a l l e g e d l y p r i n c i p l e d a n d t h e o r e t i c a l
w a y h e b e g a n t o e x p o u n d t o m e t h e great i m p o r t a n c e o f
« c o l l e c t i v e l e a d e r s h i p » , a n d t h e great d a m a g e w h i c h comes
«THE KHRUSHCHEVITES»
(EXCERPTS)
113
about w h e n t h i s l e a d e r s h i p i s r e p l a c e d b y t h e c u l t o f one
person, a n d m e n t i o n e d i s o l a t e d e x c e r p t s f r o m M a r x a n d
Lenin, so that I w o u l d t h i n k that w h a t he was saying h a d a
« M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t basis».
H e s a i d n o t h i n g against S t a l i n , b u t h e f i r e d off a l l
his b a t t e r i e s a t B e r i a , a c c u s i n g h i m o f r e a l a n d n o n - e x i s t e n t
crimes. T h e t r u t h i s t h a t i n t h i s i n i t i a l stage o f K h r u s h chev's r e v i s i o n i s t assault, B e r i a w a s t h e a p p r o p r i a t e c a r d
t o p l a y t o a d v a n c e t h e secret p l a n s . A s I h a v e w r i t t e n
above, B e r i a w a s p r e s e n t e d b y K h r u s h c h e v a s t h e cause
of m a n y evils: he h a d allegedly underrated the role of
the f i r s t secretary, d a m a g e d t h e « c o l l e c t i v e l e a d e r s h i p » ,
and w a n t e d t o p u t t h e p a r t y u n d e r t h e c o n t r o l o f t h e
state s e c u r i t y a p p a r a t u s . O n t h e p r e t e x t o f t h e s t r u g g l e
against t h e d a m a g e c a u s e d b y B e r i a , K h r u s h c h e v , o n t h e
one h a n d , e s t a b l i s h e d h i m s e l f i n t h e l e a d e r s h i p o f t h e
p a r t y a n d state a n d t o o k c o n t r o l o f t h e M i n i s t r y o f I n t e r n a l
Affairs, and on the other hand, prepared public opinion
for t h e open a t t a c k w h i c h h e w a s t o u n d e r t a k e l a t e r o n
Joseph V i s s a r i o n o v i c h S t a l i n , a n d o n t h e r e a l w o r k o f t h e
Bolshevik Communist P a r t y of L e n i n and Stalin.
M a n y o f these s u r p r i s i n g actions a n d changes m a d e
an i m p r e s s i o n on us, b u t it w a s too e a r l y to be a b l e to
grasp t h e t r u e p r o p o r t i o n s o f t h e p l o t w h i c h w a s b e i n g
carried out. N e v e r t h e l e s s , e v e n a t t h a t t i m e w e c o u l d n o t
fail t o n o t i c e t h e c o n t r a d i c t o r y n a t u r e o f v a r i o u s actions
and o p i n i o n s o f t h i s « n e w leader», w h o w a s t a k i n g o v e r the
reins i n t h e S o v i e t U n i o n . T h i s same K h r u s h c h e v , w h o
was n o w p a r a d i n g b e f o r e us as a « d i s c i p l e of c o l l e c t i v e
leadership», a f e w d a y s e a r l i e r i n a m e e t i n g w h i c h w e h a d
with h i m , w h e n he spoke to us about the role of the first
secretary o f t h e p a r t y a n d t h e p r i m e m i n i s t e r , p r e s e n t e d
himself a s a n a r d e n t s u p p o r t e r o f t h e «role o f t h e i n d i vidual» a n d t h e « f i r m h a n d » .
A f t e r Stalin's death, it seemed an allegedly collec-
114
ENVER HOXHA
t i v e l e a d e r s h i p w a s e s t a b l i s h e d b y these « a d h e r e n t s t o p r i n c i ple». T h e c o l l e c t i v e l e a d e r s h i p w a s p u b l i c i z e d t o s h o w t h a t
«Stalin had violated the principle of collective leadership»,
t h a t h e « h a d d e g r a d e d t h i s i m p o r t a n t n o r m for L e n i n i s t
leadership», a n d t h a t the « l e a d e r s h i p o f t h e p a r t y a n d t h e
state h a d b e e n t r a n s f o r m e d f r o m c o l l e c t i v e l e a d e r s h i p i n t o
i n d i v i d u a l leadership». T h i s was a big lie, publicized by the
Khrushchevites to prepare the g r o u n d for themselves. If
the collective leadership principle h a d been violated, the
b l a m e f o r t h i s m u s t b e l a i d , n o t o n t h e c o r r e c t ideas w h i c h
Stalin expressed on different problems, but on the h y p o c r i t i c a l f l a t t e r y o f those o t h e r s a n d o n t h e a r b i t r a r y d e c i sions w h i c h t h e y t h e m s e l v e s took, d i s t o r t i n g t h e l i n e i n t h e
v a r i o u s sectors w h i c h t h e y l e d . H o w c o u l d a l l t h e a c t i v i t y
o f these a n t i - p a r t y e l e m e n t s w h o w o r k e d a r o u n d S t a l i n
be checked upon, w h e n they themselves spread the idea
t h a t «Tse-Ka znayet vsyo»*?! In t h i s w a y t h e y w a n t e d to
convince the party and the people that «Stalin k n o w s
e v e r y t h i n g t h a t i s g o i n g on», a n d «he a p p r o v e s e v e r y t h i n g » .
I n other w o r d s , i n t h e n a m e o f S t a l i n , a n d b y m e a n s o f
their apparatchiki, they suppressed criticism a n d t r i e d to
t u r n the B o l s h e v i k P a r t y i n t o a l i f e l e s s p a r t y , i n t o a n o r g a n i z a t i o n w i t h o u t w i l l a n d energy, w h i c h w o u l d vegetate
f r o m d a y t o day, a p p r o v i n g e v e r y t h i n g t h a t the b u r e a u c r a c y
decided, concocted a n d d i s t o r t e d .
In the campaign allegedly for the establishment of the
collective leadership K h r u s h c h e v was t r y i n g to p e r f o r m a
s l i g h t - o f - h a n d t r i c k , u n d e r c o v e r of a d e a f e n i n g c l a m o u r
about t h e s t r u g g l e against t h e c u l t o f t h e i n d i v i d u a l . T h e r e
were no more photographs of K h r u s h c h e v on the daily
press, n o m o r e b i g h e a d l i n e s s b o o s t i n g h i m , b u t a n o t h e r
stale t a c t i c w a s u s e d : a l l t h e n e w s p a p e r s w e r e f i l l e d w i t h
_________________________________________
* « T h e C e n t r a l Committee k n o w s everything» (Russian in
the original).
«THE KHRUSHCHEVITES»
(EXCERPTS)
115
his p u b l i c speeches, h i s discourses, r e p o r t s a b o u t h i s m e e t ings w i t h f o r e i g n a m b a s s a d o r s , h i s n i g h t l y a t t e n d a n c e s a t
diplomatic receptions, his meetings w i t h delegations of
communist parties, his meetings w i t h A m e r i c a n journalists,
businessmen a n d senators a n d W e s t e r n millionaires, w h o
were friends of K h r u s h c h e v . The aim of this w h o l e tactic
was to m a k e a contrast w i t h Stalin's method of « w o r k i n g
b e h i n d closed doors», o f «his s e c t a r i a n w o r k » , w h i c h , a c cording to the Khrushchevites, h a d allegedly been so h a r m f u l
to the opening of the Soviet U n i o n to the w o r l d .
The purpose of this Khrushchevite propaganda was
to show the Soviet people that n o w they had found the
«genuine L e n i n i s t l e a d e r w h o k n o w s e v e r y t h i n g , w h o
settles e v e r y t h i n g c o r r e c t l y , w h o has e x t r a o r d i n a r y v i g o u r ,
w h o is g i v i n g the proper r e p l y to everyone», whose irresist i b l e a c t i v i t y «is p u t t i n g e v e r y t h i n g r i g h t i n t h e S o v i e t
U n i o n , c l e a n i n g u p t h e c r i m e s o f t h e past, a n d a s s u r i n g p r o gress».
Taken f r o m
«The Khrushchevites»,
T i r a n a 1982,
A l b . ed.
WE MUST H A V E A BETTER UNDERSTANDING
OF THE LIFE AND THE RICH WORLD OF THE Y O U T H
From a talk at the daily meeting of the secretaries
of the CC of the PLA
November 7, 1980
Yesterday at the meeting of the Secretariat (1) we h a d a
material on the w o r k w i t h the youth. In the contribution
w h i c h I m a d e on this p r o b l e m , a m o n g other things, I p o i n t e d
out t h a t we s h o u l d t a k e a closer l o o k at t h e m e t h o d Of
w o r k o f t h e P a r t y w i t h t h e y o u t h . I w a n t t o stress some
matters again today.
T h e w o r k of the P a r t y w i t h the y o u t h is v e r y i m p o r tant. I t i s n o t s u f f i c i e n t s i m p l y t o g i v e t h e y o u t h g e n e r a l
orientations and directives of the Party. On the contrary,
i t i s necessary t o r a c k o u r b r a i n s h o w t o m a k e these d i r e c tives and orientations understandable so that they are
applied effectively. T h e problem is that we must achieve
in practice a more qualified leadership, w i t h broader h o r i zons, b y t h e P a r t y . T h e l e a d e r s h i p o f t h e P a r t y i n t h e
y o u t h o r g a n i z a t i o n s h o u l d not b e g a u g e d a n d e v a l u a t e d b y
w h e t h e r o r n o t t h e s e c r e t a r y o f t h e basic o r g a n i z a t i o n o f
___________________________________
1 T h i s meeting discussed the report presented by the C e n t r a l Committee o f the L Y U A , « O n the i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f t h e
tasks of the 4th P l e n u m of the CC of the P L A for the r e v o l u tionary education of the youth a n d the struggle against a l i e n
manifestations».
THE RICH LIFE AND WORLD OF THE YOUTH
117
t h e P a r t y o r some o t h e r c o m m u n i s t a t t e n d e d its m e e t i n g , b y
whether or not the leaders of the y o u t h have been called
o n t o r e p o r t , b u t b y t h e r e s u l t s w h i c h are a c h i e v e d i n p r a c tice, b y t h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f t h e d i r e c t i v e s o f t h e P a r t y
arid b y t h e d a i l y w o r k o f t h e y o u t h . T h i s m e a n s y o u m u s t
k e e p the y o u t h i n f o r m e d a n d c l e a r a b o u t t h e d i r e c t i v e s o f
the P a r t y , m u s t d e t a i l these d i r e c t i v e s i n t h e concrete c o n d i tions i n w h i c h t h e y o u t h w o r k a n d l e a r n , m u s t h a v e f i r s t hand knowledge of their w o r k and problems, must live w i t h
them all the time, must enter into their internal w o r l d
and mobilize t h e m for ever greater achievements.
The y o u t h cannot tolerate f o r m a l i s m and they t h e m selves w o r k a n d s t r u g g l e t o o v e r c o m e a n y t h i n g t h a t s m e l l s
o f it. T h o s e w h o t h i n k t h a t «the y o u t h o u g h t t o discuss t h e
problems w h i c h w o r r y t h e m only at the meetings of their
o r g a n i z a t i o n » o v e r l o o k t h e fact t h a t l i f e i s b r o a d a n d
deep, t h a t i t c o n t i n u a l l y g i v e s r i s e t o m a n y p r o b l e m s a l l
of w h i c h cannot be raised and solved in an hour and a half
a t t h e m e e t i n g o f t h e y o u t h o r g a n i z a t i o n w h i c h i s h e l d once
a m o n t h . T h e m a n y d i f f e r e n t ideas a n d o p i n i o n s o f t h e y o u t h
cannot b e b r o u g h t together a n d c h a n n e l l e d i n s u c h a s h o r t
t i m e . W h a t ' s t h e use o f a s k i n g t h e y o u n g m a n w h y h e does
not discuss a l l t h e p r o b l e m s w h i c h w o r r y h i m i n t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n ? H e comes t o the m e e t i n g o f t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n t o l e a r n
s o m e t h i n g h e doesn't k n o w a n d t o r e c e i v e t h e o r i e n t a t i o n
w h i c h h e has t o u n d e r s t a n d a n d a p p l y c o r r e c t l y o n t h e basis
of t h e l i n e of t h e P a r t y , b u t he c a n n o t be r e q u i r e d to s a y
e v e r y t h i n g a t t h e m e e t i n g , because t h i s i s i m p o s s i b l e a n d
w o u l d m a k e the meeting boring.
We must educate the y o u t h a l l the time as the P a r t y
requires, e m p l o y i n g t h e m o s t v a r i e d f o r m s a n d m e a n s . I t
cannot b e e d u c a t e d solely t h r o u g h m e e t i n g s , w h i c h f r e q u ently become boring a n d are reduced to meetings w h i c h
simply criticize, criticize a n d criticize undesirable actions
o f y o u n g people. T h e y o u t h o r g a n i z a t i o n has a m a j o r e d u -
118
ENVER HOXHA
c a t i o n a l r o l e based o n t h e f u n d a m e n t a l o r i e n t a t i o n s o f t h e
P a r t y . A n y o n e w h o breaches n o r m s o f o u r socialist s o c i e t y
w i l l be criticized, but the educational w o r k must not be
continually reduced s i m p l y to meetings, s i m p l y to criticisms.
The important thing is that we should k n o w and
understand the y o u t h thoroughly. A n d to achieve this it is
essential t h a t w e c o n t i n u a l l y g o b a c k i n r e t r o s p e c t i n o u r
o w n feelings a n d in our aims in order to imagine h o w we
w e r e ourselves i n e a r l i e r t i m e s . W o u l d i t b e r i g h t t o d a y
if we w e r e to c o n s i d e r it a c r i m e w h e n a b o y or a g i r l
e x p r e s s t h e i r feelings o f sincere l o v e f o r one a n o t h e r ? T h i s
i s n o r m a l a n d n o one has a n y r e a s o n t o t h i n k t h a t «people's
m o r a l i t y has been r u i n e d » . B o y s a n d g i r l s g o a s v o l u n t e e r s
t o r a i l w a y c o n s t r u c t i o n sites a n d other actions, b u t n o
scandals h a v e o c c u r r e d a n d w e h a v e n o t h e a r d o f a n y
problems being created between them. T h e y w o r k there
together w i t h great a r d o u r , get t o k n o w e a c h other, c r a c k
j o k e s together, b e c o m e f r i e n d l y a n d s o m e t i m e s t h e y f a l l
i n l o v e a n d become engaged.
T h e same t h i n g occurs w h e n b o y s a n d g i r l s g o o n
excursions to M t . D a j t i , M t . T o m o r and elsewhere. T h e y
w o r k e d together w i t h t h e i r c o m r a d e s o n r a i l w a y c o n s t r u c t i o n sites a n d n o w t h e y a r e g o i n g o n e x c u r s i o n s together,
are a t s c h o o l together, l e a r n a n d h e l p one a n o t h e r a n d
one of t h e m m a y p r o p o s e to get e n g a g e d to a n o t h e r , or
t h e y become f r i e n d s a n d t h i s f r i e n d s h i p leads t o l o v e a n d
marriage and there is nothing w r o n g w i t h this.
A l l o f u s a r e o f t h e o p i n i o n t h a t o u r y o u t h are v e r y
good. W e d o n o t s a y t h i s a s a s l o g a n b u t w e e x p r e s s
s o m e t h i n g w h i c h i s c o m p l e t e l y t r u e . W h e n w e see w h a t
goes o n i n o t h e r c o u n t r i e s w e a r e m o r e f i r m l y c o n v i n c e d
t h a t t h e y o u t h o f o u r c o u n t r y are v e r y good, b u t w e n e e d
to thoroughly understand them. We must k n o w the n e w
m e n t a l i t y w h i c h has been c r e a t e d t h r o u g h t h e d e v e l o p m e n t
of culture and the level of social life. Social life today
THE R I C H L I F E A N D W O R L D O F T H E Y O U T H
119
i s not w h a t i t w a s i n t h e past, b u t i s m o r e p r o f o u n d , a n d
r i c h e r , a socialist l i f e w i t h w i d e d e m a n d s of a h i g h l e v e l .
O u r y o u t h are outstanding for their m o r a l purity, for
their political loyalty to the Party, for their ideological
maturity, for their elevated educational and cultural level
a n d t h e i r socialist a t t i t u d e t o w a r d s w o r k a n d p r o p e r t y . B u t
w h e n r e p o r t s a r e p r e s e n t e d t o u s t h a t «such a n d s u c h
percentage of crimes have been committed by y o u n g
people», t h a t «the y o u n g w o r k e r s a r e t h e ones w h o m i s s
w o r k i n t h e f a c t o r y , » etc., w e m u s t n o t t h i n k t h a t the y o u n g
p e o p l e d o a l l t h e b a d t h i n g s , w h i l e t h e o l d e r people are
not t o b l a m e a t a l l . W h o w i l l educate t h i s y o u t h ? T h e l e a d e r s h i p o f t h e f a c t o r y o r the e n t e r p r i s e w i l l educate t h e m a n d
it m u s t l o o k w i t h a c r i t i c a l e y e at its w o r k of m a n a g e m e n t ,
its w o r k w i t h t h e people, h o w i t has a c t e d t o w a r d s t h i s o r
t h a t y o u n g p e r s o n w h o has f a u l t s . I f w e l o o k c a r e f u l l y a n d
concretely at a young m a n or w o m a n who, for example, is
m i s s i n g f r o m w o r k f o r h a l f a n h o u r , i t t u r n s out t h a t h e has
s t i l l n o t b e e n f o r m e d . O f course, t h a t y o u n g f e l l o w w h o
does n o t g o t o w o r k r e g u l a r l y has n o t p r o p e r l y u n d e r s t o o d
that w o r k is a m a t t e r of h o n o u r a n d a d u t y . O u r t a s k is
not t o a b a n d o n a n d d e r i d e t h i s y o u n g m a n , b u t b y k e e p i n g
close t o h i m , b y t a l k i n g t o h i m i n a f r i e n d l y f a s h i o n , t o
convince h i m to become disciplined at work, a n d we must
not a l l o w h i m t o degenerate. I t seems t o m e t h a t t h e l i f e
and the r i c h w o r l d of the y o u t h should be thoroughly
understood b y e v e r y b o d y .
A t the present time, w h e n the m a t e r i a l a n d c u l t u r a l l e v e l i n o u r c o u n t r y has r i s e n a n d i s r i s i n g e v e r
higher, the i n t e r e s t s a n d d e m a n d s o f t h e y o u t h h a v e
changed. T o d a y t h e y o u t h a r e n o t s a t i s f i e d w i t h w h a t w a s
sufficient for us w h e n we w e r e young. Hence, another
p r o b l e m w h i c h has t o d o w i t h t h e e d u c a t i o n o f t h e y o u t h
is the u t i l i z a t i o n of spare t i m e , t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n of v a r i o u s
sports, c u l t u r a l , a r t i s t i c a n d s c i e n t i f i c a c t i v i t i e s . W h e n w e
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ENVER HOXHA
s p e a k a b o u t sports activities, f o r e x a m p l e , w e d o n o t m e a n
that o n l y n a t i o n a l c h a m p i o n s h i p s s h o u l d b e h e l d . T h e r e
c a n b e m a n y d i f f e r e n t t y p e s o f sport a n d s p o r t i n g a c t i v i t i e s .
F o r example, w h y are there not more marches a n d games?
T h e language w h i c h is sometimes used telling y o u n g people:
« D o n ' t d o t h i s a n d don't d o that», a n d l i k e w i s e , t h e d i s t r u s t
w h i c h is sometimes displayed towards t h e m cannot educate
the mass o f t h e y o u t h . E v e n w h e n a w i n d o w - p a n e i s a c c i d e n t a l l y b r o k e n d u r i n g a game, i m m e d i a t e l y i t i s s a i d :
«The y o u t h are t o b l a m e » . G e n e r a l i z a t i o n s w h i c h are out
o f p l a c e a n d u n f o u n d e d are v e r y d a n g e r o u s .
S p a r e t i m e a c t i v i t i e s o f e n t e r t a i n m e n t a r e n o t t h e task
o f t h e y o u t h o r g a n i z a t i o n alone. A f t e r w o r k o r lessons
y o u n g people need t o r e l a x , t o p l a y , t o r e a d , t o t a k e p a r t
in a d i s c u s s i o n or s o c i a l e v e n i n g , to go to a f i l m ; t h e y
also w a n t to d r i n k a coffee, to eat a cake, etc. E a c h of t h e m
s h o u l d h a v e t h e p o s s i b i l i t y t o d o these i n h i s s p a r e t i m e ,
because i n t h i s w a y h e w i l l g o t o w o r k t h e n e x t d a y w i t h
fresh strength.
T h e y o u t h are the future of the country. T h e y represent
the a r m s o f t h e P a r t y w h i c h a r e r i s i n g e v e r h i g h e r . I f
w e d o not t a k e i n t o account t h e j u s t d e m a n d s , t h e honest
desires o f these «arms», w h i c h are r i s i n g c o n t i n u o u s l y ,
t h e n t h e a l l - r o u n d e d u c a t i o n o f t h e y o u n g people, t h e i r
ideo-political tempering and further revolutionization is
damaged. We have the bitter experience of the other
e r s t w h i l e socialist c o u n t r i e s , l i k e t h e S o v i e t U n i o n , w h e r e
the y o u t h degenerated. T h i s danger exists for our y o u t h ,
too, i f w e d o not w o r k p a t i e n t l y f o r t h e i r M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t
e d u c a t i o n . B u t o u r P a r t y has w o r k e d a n d w o r k s c o n t i n u o u s l y t o educate the y o u t h a c c o r d i n g t o its l i n e a n d w i t h
its ideals, w i t h t h e q u a l i t i e s o f c o m m u n i s t m o r a l i t y . T h i s
i s w h y w e h a v e s u c h a n honest a n d p a t r i o t i c y o u t h s o
closely l i n k e d t o t h e P a r t y .
T h e m a j o r e c o n o m i c questions w h i c h i n v o l v e u s m u s t
THE RICH LIFE AND WORLD OF THE YOUTH
121
never m a k e us forget the proper ideological a n d political
e d u c a t i o n o f t h e y o u n g people. O u r y o u t h m u s t b e e d u c a t e d
w i t h i n the norms of communist morality, in the context of
the d e v e l o p m e n t o f o u r socialist society a n d e c o n o m y . T h i s
e d u c a t i o n i s not b e i n g c a r r i e d out a s i t s h o u l d b y e v e r y b o d y .
The education of the younger generation is not the task of
the y o u t h o r g a n i z a t i o n alone. T h e schools, t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n s
o f t h e masses, t h e c u l t u r a l a n d s c i e n t i f i c i n s t i t u t i o n s , m u s t
a l l be engaged more thoroughly w i t h this question. The
e d u c a t i o n o f t h e y o u t h c a n n o t b e c a r r i e d out b y t h e teacher
i n one h o u r w h i c h has b e e n a l l o c a t e d f o r w o r k o u t s i d e
lessons. (2) E d u c a t i o n is a c o n t i n u o u s process a n d r e q u i r e s
work inside and outside the a u d i t o r i u m and the classroom,
in collectives a n d in s m a l l groups, right d o w n to i n d i v i d u a l
y o u n g persons. A l l t e a c h e r s h a v e possibilities t o d o t h i s . . .
Negative attitudes in life must be criticized, but we
must d e a l w i t h a n d c o r r e c t those c r i t i c i z e d i n s u c h a w a y
that w e d o n o t p r e j u d i c e t h e i r l o v e f o r t h e P a r t y .
T h i s i s h o w w e m u s t act w i t h t h e y o u n g people, too,
because t h e y a r e v e r y s e n s i t i v e . A s w e p o i n t e d out i n t h e
meeting o f t h e S e c r e t a r i a t o f t h e C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e , w h e n
certain n e g a t i v e m a n i f e s t a t i o n s a r e n o t i c e d i n t h i s o r t h a t
y o u n g p e r s o n , t h e causes m u s t b e f o u n d a n d c o m b a t e d , a n d
not j u s t t h e consequences. A n d t h i s c a n b e d o n e w h e n t h e
p r o b l e m i s s t u d i e d a n d w h e n w e act b y t h e m e t h o d o f
persuasion. T h i s i s h o w t h e c o m m u n i s t s , t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n s
of the masses s u c h as those of t h e y o u t h , w o m e n , t h e t r a d e unions, etc., s h o u l d w o r k w i t h c e r t a i n i n d i v i d u a l s w i t h b a d
habits s o t h a t t h e y a r e c o n v i n c e d a n d a d v a n c e o n t h e r i g h t
course o f t h e P a r t y . P e o p l e m a y h a v e m a d e m i s t a k e s , b u t ,
i f w e act c o r r e c t l y w i t h t h e m , t h e y a r e d i s p o s e d t o l i s t e n
to the a d v i c e t h e y a r e g i v e n .
L e t u s t a k e a n o t h e r q u e s t i o n . W e say t h a t p e o p l e i n o u r
_______________________________________
2 Reference is to the educational class.
122
ENVER HOXHA
c o u n t r y h a v e n o r e l i g i o u s b e l i e f s a n d t h i s i s t r u e . B u t does
this mean that religion has been totally eradicated, that
t h e r e a r e n o l o n g e r r e l i g i o u s r e m n a n t s i n people's m i n d s ?
It is not good f o r a b o y or g i r l to displease h i s f a t h e r or
m o t h e r , but w h e n t h e l a t t e r t r y t o stop a b o y o r g i r l o f
families w h i c h formerly had different religions f r o m
f a l l i n g in love, they should not be annoyed that their
c h i l d r e n d o not obey t h e m . W h e n t h e b o y i s good, h o n e s t
and patriotic, then the g i r l w h o loves h i m w i l l take h i m
e v e n i f h e r f a t h e r o r m o t h e r a r e opposed. A f t e r a l l , i t i s t h e
boy and girl w h o have life ahead of them.
A n o t h e r q u e s t i o n i s t h a t o f f u l f i l l i n g t h e needs o f t h e
y o u t h . P a r e n t s m u s t create a w a r m f a m i l y a n d s o c i a l c i r c l e
around them, show their concern to f u l f i l any reasonable
requirement, without neglecting their education as the
main thing.
O u r y o u t h are educated, have schooling. W e , w o r k e r s
o f t h e P a r t y , f r o m t h e c e n t r e t o t h e base, m u s t u n d e r s t a n d
this well. We have a political advantage w h i c h we must
u n d e r s t a n d . T h e y o u n g cadres w h o h a v e g r a d u a t e d f r o m
school are people o f t h e masses a n d l o v e t h e P a r t y ; i f t h e
P a r t y w o r k s w e l l w i t h t h e m , t h e y w i l l not t u r n i n t o t e c h nocrats. T h u s , i f w e a p p o i n t a y o u n g a g r o n o m i s t a s h e a d
of a cooperative and surround h i m w i t h the proper care,
according to the norms of the Party, then he w i l l not become
a technocrat, a s i n t e l l e c t u a l s i n the S o v i e t U n i o n d i d . W h e r e a s i f w e l e a v e t h e y o u n g c a d r e u n a s s i s t e d , one d a y h e w i l l
become a t e c h n o c r a t . H e n c e , w e m u s t a p p r e c i a t e a n d
utilize this advantage w h i c h we have to the benefit of our
young cadres...
I n these s i t u a t i o n s t h e P a r t y m u s t d o b e t t e r a n d m o r e
profound w o r k w i t h the youth. T h e y o u t h today have c u l ture, k n o w foreign languages a n d read technical a n d
scientific literature. We must w o r k in order to f o r m in the
y o u n g m e n and w o m e n a sound opinion based on our
THE RICH LIFE AND WORLD OF THE YOUTH
123
Marxist-Leninist w o r l d outlook and, by means of our
r a d i o - t e l e v i s i o n a n d press, d i s p e r s e t h e f o g o f a l i e n t h i n g s
and illuminate the m i n d s of our people w i t h the M a r x i s t Leninist t r u t h , w i t h our line. O u r meetings, conferences
a n d t a l k s also h a v e t h e i r p o s i t i v e effects w h e n t h e y a r e
c o n d u c t e d i n t h e p r o p e r w a y s . If, f a l l i n g p r e y t o t h e f o r e i g n
p r o p a g a n d a a f e w of o u r y o u n g p e o p l e degenerate, these
d o not c o n s t i t u t e t h e w h o l e o f o u r y o u t h . S u c h t h i n g s h a v e
o c c u r r e d a n d w i l l occur. T h a t i s p a r t o f l i f e . W e w i l l also
have those w h o d e v i a t e .
O u r y o u t h h a v e t h e i r eyes o n t h e P a r t y . B u t t h e P a r t y ,
too, has its eyes o n t h e y o u t h , o n t h e f u t u r e , o n t h e w o r k
and c o n t i n u o u s care t o e n s u r e t h a t w h e n e v e r a n d w h e r e v e r
they are t h e y a l w a y s l i v e u p to, t h i n k a b o u t a n d w o r k f o r
our r e a l i t y , k e e p i n step w i t h t h e s i t u a t i o n a n d c o n t r i b u t e
w i t h a l l t h e i r m i g h t i n o r d e r t o m a k e o u r socialist H o m e land p r o s p e r o u s a n d e v e r s t r o n g e r .
«About the Youth», vol. 2
THE ECONOMISTS SHOULD GIVE PRECISE AND
CORRECT OPINIONS BASED ON MARXISM-LENINISM
From a talk at the daily meeting of the secretaries
of the CC of the PLA
December 10, 1980
I n t h e c o n t e x t o f m e a s u r e s f o r t u r n i n g some h i g h e r t y p e a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e s i n t o state f a r m s , a n o t h e r
m a t e r i a l has b e e n p r e s e n t e d t o u s b y some e c o n o m i s t s .
T h e i r m a t e r i a l centres o n t h e r e l a t i o n s w i t h t h e m e m b e r s ,
a n d p r e c i s e l y o n the q u e s t i o n o f w h e t h e r o r n o t t h e
m e m b e r s s h o u l d b e c o m p e n s a t e d f o r p a r t o f t h e assets o f
t h e c o o p e r a t i v e a n d , i f so, f o r w h a t p a r t .
S o m e o f t h e m t r y t o a r g u e t h a t since w e h a v e t o d o
w i t h the t r a n s i t i o n f r o m a l o w e r f o r m t o a h i g h e r f o r m o f
socialist p r o p e r t y , it is not r e a s o n a b l e to c o m p e n s a t e t h e
m e m b e r s f o r e v e n a p a r t of t h e assets of t h e c o o p e r a t i v e .
T h e y say that compensation should be p a i d only for the
cooperativists' household livestock. T h e y t r y to back this
u p w i t h some q u o t a t i o n f r o m M a r x o r E n g e l s , w h i c h t h e y
i n t e r p r e t i n a n erroneous, s t e r e o t y p e w a y . T h e r e f o r e , t h e y
d o n o t present the p r o b l e m c o r r e c t l y . T h e q u o t a t i o n f r o m
E n g e l s w h i c h t h e y g i v e , t a k e n f r o m h i s w o r k Anti-Dühring,
is as f o l l o w s :
the
«... social ownership extends to the land and
other means of production, and private owner-
ECONOMISTS SHOULD GIVE PRECISE OPINIONS
125
ship to the products, that is, the articles of consumption. And in order to make this comprehensible
even to children of six..., Marx assumes,» c o n t i n u e s E n g e l s , «'a community of free individuals
carrying on their work with the means of production in common, in which
the labour power
of all the different individuals is consciously applied as the combined, labour power of the community', that is, a society organized on a socialist
basis,» a n d E n g e l s a g a i n quotes M a r x : «The total
product of our community is a social product. One
portion serves as a fresh means of production and
remains social. But another portion is assumed by
the members as means of subsistence. A distribution of this portion among them is constantly
necessary.»*
P r o c e e d i n g f r o m t h i s q u o t a t i o n , these economists say
t h a t i n t h e concrete i n s t a n c e o f these t h r e e h i g h e r - t y p e
c o o p e r a t i v e s w h i c h w e p r o p o s e t o t u r n i n t o state f a r m s ,
since w e h a v e t o d o w i t h a c h a n g e w i t h i n t h e same t y p e
o f o w n e r s h i p , state o w n e r s h i p a n d c o o p e r a t i v i s t o w n e r s h i p ,
we should not p a y compensation for part of the means
of production. F o r them, the property of the whole
p e o p l e i s i d e n t i c a l w i t h the j o i n t c o o p e r a t i v i s t p r o p e r t y !
T h i s i s p r e c i s e l y w h e r e these e c o n o m i s t s g o w r o n g , b e cause, t r u e , these are f o r m s of socialist o w n e r s h i p , b u t n o t
the s a m e f o r m , one i s socialist p r o p e r t y o f t h e w h o l e
people a n d t h e o t h e r i s socialist p r o p e r t y o f t h e g r o u p ,
a n d here, i n t h e d e f i n i t i o n o f these t w o f o r m s o f o w n e r s h i p ,
we do not deviate a fraction f r o m the M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t
t h e o r y . W h y ? B e c a u s e s o c i a l o w n e r s h i p e x t e n d s t o the
land and the other means of production, the livestock,
________________________________________
* F. Engels, A n t i - D ü h r i n g , T i r a n a 1974, pp. 146-147, A l b . ed.
126
ENVER HOXHA
m o t o r vehicles, etc., w h i l e p e r s o n a l o w n e r s h i p e x t e n d s t o
t h e p r o d u c t , t h e a r t i c l e s o f c o n s u m p t i o n , I n t h e cooperatives,
t h e p r o p e r t y o f the g r o u p exists, b u t t h e g r o u p p r o p e r t y
in the cooperative of Preza, for example, is not in c o m m o n
w i t h t h e g r o u p p r o p e r t y o f t h e c o o p e r a t i v e o f V a q a r r ; no,
i t i s the g r o u p p r o p e r t y o f P r e z a . A n d t h i s g r o u p does
n o t h a v e t h e r i g h t t o b e s u p p l i e d , let u s say, w i t h m i l k
f r o m the other cooperative. W h y ? Because the m i l k is the
property of that group. On the other hand, the products
o f t h e state f a r m o f S u k t h , w h i c h i s state p r o p e r t y , b e l o n g
t o t h e state a n d i t t a k e s t h e m w h e r e v e r i t l i k e s , d i s t r i b u t e s
t h e m t o t h e people a l l o v e r A l b a n i a .
W h y h a v e these t w o t y p e s o f p r o p e r t y b e e n d e f i n e d i n
t h i s w a y ? B e c a u s e t h e y are d i s t i n c t f r o m each other, f r o m
t h e i r s o c i o - e c o n o m i c class content. W i t h i n t h e g r o u p p r o p e r t y t h e l a n d i s t h e p r o p e r t y o f t h e w h o l e people, because,
i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h M a r x ' s teachings, t h e l a n d i n o u r c o u n t r y has been n a t i o n a l i z e d , w h i l e some o t h e r m e a n s o f
p r o d u c t i o n i n t h e c o o p e r a t i v e a r e p r o p e r t y not o f t h e
state, b u t o f t h e g r o u p . T h i s g r o u p has c r e a t e d these m e a n s
t h r o u g h socialized w o r k in that f o r m of property w h i c h
i s socialist. A n d since t h i s g r o u p has c r e a t e d these m e a n s
o f p r o d u c t i o n itself t h r o u g h its o w n w o r k , a n o t h e r s o c i a l i z e d g r o u p , t h a t o f N d r o q , f o r e x a m p l e , does not h a v e
t h e r i g h t t o p u t its h a n d s o n t h e i n c o m e o f t h e c o o p e r a t i v e
of P r e z a ; there is a b o u n d a r y in regard to the land, in
regard to other means of production and to the products
w h i c h are t u r n e d out o n t h e basis o f t h e m .
O f course, M a r x a n d E n g e l s d o n o t s a y a n y t h i n g
concretely about this p r o b l e m w h i c h we are discussing; t h e y
g i v e t h e basic p r i n c i p l e w h i c h w e h a v e f o l l o w e d f r o m s t a r t
t o f i n i s h . B e s i d e s this, M a r x has also d e f i n e d t h e stages
o f t h e r e v o l u t i o n . H o w e v e r , these e c o n o m i s t s o v e r l o o k t h i s .
A t f i r s t w e d i s t r i b u t e d t h e l a n d , too, t o t h e peasants a n d
w e w e r e o b l i g e d t o d i s t r i b u t e it, b e a r i n g i n m i n d t h e c o n -
ECONOMISTS SHOULD GIVE PRECISE OPINIONS
127
crete h i s t o r i c a l c o n d i t i o n s , t h e m e n t a l i t y a n d t h e a g e - o l d
aspirations of our peasantry for the land. Therefore, after
L i b e r a t i o n w e c a r r i e d out t h e L a n d R e f o r m , d i s t r i b u t i n g
part of the l a n d to the peasantry. However, if we judge
m a t t e r s as these e c o n o m i s t s do, a p p a r e n t l y we m a d e a
m i s t a k e i n d i s t r i b u t i n g t h e l a n d . H a d w e a c t e d a s t h e y say,
we w o u l d have made a very grave error of principle, because w e w o u l d h a v e s k i p p e d t h e stage a n d c r e a t e d e x t r a ordinary political problems w h i c h w o u l d have endangered
the w h o l e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f s o c i a l i s m i n o u r c o u n t r y . I n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e L a n d R e f o r m , too, w e a c t e d a g a i n o n t h e
basis o f t h e t e a c h i n g s o f M a r x w h o , w h i l e s t r e s s i n g t h e
absolute necessity o f t h i s r e f o r m , teaches t h a t t o c a r r y
out t h e l a n d r e f o r m m e a n s t h a t y o u m u s t t a k e t h e l a n d
f r o m t h e b i g estate o w n e r s a n d g i v e i t t o the peasants w h o
t i l l it, a n d t h e n create t h e state sector (and w e c r e a t e d t h i s
sector, too, w i t h t h e state f a r m s ) .
A f t e r distributing the land, we went on to the next
stage, t h a t o f c o l l e c t i v i z a t i o n , a n d h e r e a g a i n w e a c t e d
according t o t h e a d v i c e o f M a r x w h o e x p l a i n e d t h i s p r o b l e m
in theory, w h i l e later L e n i n taught us h o w to go about it
i n t h e o r y a n d i n p r a c t i c e . O n t h i s q u e s t i o n S t a l i n , i n one o f
the m e e t i n g s ( 1 ) I h a d w i t h h i m , a d v i s e d u s t o p r o c e e d
c a u t i o u s l y a n d w i t h o u t haste o n t h e r o a d o f c o l l e c t i v i z a t i o n .
W h y d i d he say this? Because collectivization involves
m a j o r p o l i t i c a l a n d e c o n o m i c issues, t h e r e f o r e , i t s h o u l d
not b e d o n e h a s t i l y , its stages m u s t n o t b e s k i p p e d . H a d
w e t h o u g h t i n t h e s a m e w a y a s these economists, t h e n
from the moment we began the collectivization we w o u l d
have h a d t o c o l l e c t i v i z e t h e w h o l e lot i m m e d i a t e l y a n d n o t
g r a d u a l l y . B u t i f w e h a d d o n e so, w e w o u l d c e r t a i n l y h a v e
failed a n d t h e e x i s t e n c e of o u r socialist state, of t h e state
___________________________________
1 See E n v e r H o x h a , W i t h S t a l i n (Memoirs), «8 N ë n t o r i »
Publishing House, T i r a n a 1984, pp. 97-99, 206-213, 3rd. E n g . ed.
128
ENVER HOXHA
of the dictatorship of the proletariat, w o u l d have been
placed in jeopardy. Therefore, we began collectivization by
phases a n d e x t e n d e d i t g r a d u a l l y o v e r t h e w h o l e c o u n t r y .
P r o c e e d i n g o n t h i s course, w e passed f r o m l a r g e - s c a l e
private property to another phase in w h i c h , t h r o u g h the
L a n d R e f o r m , w e d i s t r i b u t e d t h e l a n d t o t h e peasants. W e
d i d not p r o c l a i m the n a t i o n a l i z a t i o n o f t h e l a n d , because
t h e p e a s a n t r y , i n w h o m the p e t t y - b o u r g e o i s s e n t i m e n t f o r
private ownership of the l a n d was very strong, w o u l d not
have understood this correctly at that time. We brought out
a n u m b e r o f l a w s o n t h e basis o f w h i c h the p e a s a n t d i d
not h a v e the r i g h t t o a l i e n a t e t h e l a n d , t h a t is, h e d i d not
h a v e t h e r i g h t t o s e l l it, t o e x c h a n g e it, o r t o l e a v e i t a s
an inheritance. Thus, we d i d not p r o c l a i m the nationalizat i o n d e jure, b u t i n fact, w i t h t h e m e a s u r e s w h i c h w e t o o k
g r a d u a l l y , w e h a d n a t i o n a l i z e d t h e l a n d . O n t h i s basis, w e
began the collectivization and created a new f o r m of o r g a n i z a t i o n w h i c h L e n i n i s m g a v e us, t h e a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a tive, socialism in the countryside, by means of w h i c h we
socialized the w o r k and the means of production. Hence, in
the creation of cooperatives we have always adhered to the
course o f M a r x a n d L e n i n . W i t h the c o m p l e t i o n o f c o l l e c t i vization we came to that idea stated by M a r x that social
o w n e r s h i p e x t e n d s t o t h e l a n d , t h a t is, w e s o c i a l i z e d the l a n d
de jure, we n a t i o n a l i z e d it.
The property of higher-type agricultural cooperatives
is n o t state p r o p e r t y , b u t socialist p r o p e r t y of the g r o u p .
H e r e lies t h e essence o f t h e q u e s t i o n . A n d i t i s p r e c i s e l y
o n t h i s t h a t these e c o n o m i s t s a r e w r o n g w h e n t h e y s a y
t h a t i n the concrete i n s t a n c e o f t h e t r a n s f o r m a t i o n i n t o
state f a r m s w e h a v e t o d o w i t h a t r a n s f o r m a t i o n w i t h i n
the same type of ownership. This is the mistake that they
m a k e . A c c o r d i n g t o t h e m , t h e state p r o p e r t y a n d t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t p r o p e r t y a r e a l l e g e d l y one, a n d o n l y t h e l a b e l , t h a t
is, t h e n a m e , d i s t i n g u i s h e s a c o o p e r a t i v e f r o m a state f a r m .
ECONOMISTS SHOULD GIVE PRECISE OPINIONS
129
B u t t h i s is n o t so. C o o p e r a t i v i s t o w n e r s h i p is a t r a n s i t i o n a l
form, w h i c h we have to go through in order to arrive at
o w n e r s h i p o f t h e w h o l e people. W e m u s t n e v e r f o r g e t t h i s .
B u t these e c o n o m i s t s f o r g e t i t a n d g i v e a d o g m a t i c e x p l a n a t i o n o f those t h i n g s t h e y h a v e r e a d i n b o o k s w i t h o u t
t a k i n g practice, the reality, into account.
We created the higher-type agricultural cooperatives
a s a n o t h e r m o r e a d v a n c e d stage o n t h e r o a d o f d e v e l o p m e n t
of the cooperativist order a n d of the transformation of
c o o p e r a t i v e s i n t o state f a r m s . A c c o r d i n g t o these e c o n o m ists, w e c o u l d h a v e gone o v e r t o state f a r m s w i t h o u t h a v i n g
passed t h r o u g h t h e stage o f h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e s !
(Those i n d i v i d u a l cases w h e n w e h a v e m a d e changes d i r e c t l y f r o m o r d i n a r y c o o p e r a t i v e s , a r e s o m e t h i n g else.) A s
a g e n e r a l r u l e , h o w e v e r , w e c o u l d n o t act i n t h a t w a y . I n
s u c h a case t h e P a r t y w o u l d h a v e m a d e a m i s t a k e , b u t it
d i d n o t d o that, b u t a f t e r m u c h t h o u g h t i t c r e a t e d a b o u t
40 higher-type cooperatives. Practice showed that most of
t h e m a r e g o i n g w e l l a n d some a r e g o i n g m o r e s l o w l y ,
b u t w e m u s t set u p o t h e r h i g h e r - t y p e cooperatives. T h e r e fore, w e m u s t p r o c e e d g r a d u a l l y , because p o l i t i c a l a n d
economic problems, w h i c h are difficult to be solved, emerge
o n t h i s course. T h a t i s w h y n o w w e are t h i n k i n g v e r y
deeply about t r a n s f o r m i n g first only three or four of t h e m
i n t o state f a r m s .
H e n c e , a t f i r s t , w e w i l l s t a y w i t h i n these l i m i t s a n d
continue to strengthen the other cooperatives of this type,
just a s w e w i l l c o n t i n u e t o s t r e n g t h e n t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s a l l
over A l b a n i a in order to create the conditions for the c o m plete c o n s t r u c t i o n o f s o c i a l i s m . T h e s e c o n d i t i o n s a r e e c o n omic, i n t h e f i r s t place, a n d h a v e t o d o w i t h a n a p p r e c i a b l e
increase in the intensification of production and reduction
o f t h e cost o f a g r i c u l t u r a l a n d l i v e s t o c k p r o d u c t s . I n t h i s
w a y the cooperativists w i l l understand that the line of the
P a r t y in connection w i t h the social ownership of the land
130
ENVER HOXHA
a n d t h e o t h e r m e a n s o f p r o d u c t i o n , too, i s correct a n d t o
t h e i r b e n e f i t , t h e b e n e f i t o f t h e w h o l e people.
T h a t , comrades, i s w h y w e are t h i n k i n g s o h a r d a n d
s o d e e p l y about t u r n i n g these f e w h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e s
i n t o state f a r m s , w h e r e a s , a c c o r d i n g t o these economists,
i t i s a p p a r e n t l y q u i t e easy t o t u r n a l l t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s i n t o
state f a r m s a n d t o r e f u s e t o p a y t h e m e m b e r s o f t h e cooperative as joint owners for even a part of the m a i n means!
N o doubt, w h e n t h e y j u d g e m a t t e r s i n t h i s w a y t h e y h a v e
i n m i n d one o r t w o instances w h e n s o m e o n e leaves t h e
c o o p e r a t i v e a n d goes t o w o r k o n a state f a r m a n d does n o t
care about h i s c o w o r o t h e r m e a n s o f p r o d u c t i o n o f t h e
c o o p e r a t i v e t h a t h e has left b e h i n d . B u t t h e p r i n c i p l e i s
n o t so s i m p l e as these economists p r e s e n t it. If it w e r e
t r u l y s o that t o d a y t h e masses o f t h e peasants h a v e r e a c h e d
the level w h e n they can say: «What do we want the
c o o p e r a t i v e s ' c o w s f o r ? » , t h e n t h e P a r t y w o u l d n o t need
t o create h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e s . W e c a n n o t base t h e
l i n e o f t h e P a r t y o n one o r t w o s u c h instances, o r e v e n
o n t h e o p i n i o n o f some h u n d r e d s o f peasants. H e r e w e h a v e
to do w i t h the principles of M a r x i s m , the w h o l e political
line of the Party.
In this transition w h i c h we are m a k i n g so carefully
a n d i n w h i c h w e see b o t h t h e p o l i t i c a l aspect a n d t h e e c o n o m i c aspect, w e m a i n t a i n t h e j o i n t o w n e r s h i p o v e r t h e
l a n d a n d t h e other m e a n s o f p r o d u c t i o n . W i t h t h i s c h a n g e
we do not distribute the other means of production, but
t r a n s f e r t h e m a l l t o state o w n e r s h i p . I f w e c o n s i d e r t h e
c o w s , t h e other l i v e s t o c k , t h e v i n e y a r d s , t h e f r u i t - t r e e s ,
t h e stalls, etc. as m e a n s of p r o d u c t i o n , a n d t h e y h a v e to be
considered as means of production, f r o m this stand-point we
d o n o t d i s t r i b u t e a l l these t o t h e peasants, because t h a t
w o u l d break up the common property, but on the contrary,
we raise the joint property of the group to a higher level,
t o p r o p e r t y o f the w h o l e people.
ECONOMISTS SHOULD GIVE PRECISE OPINIONS
131
These means r e m a i n social property. N o w it remains
t o b e seen f o r w h a t w e s h o u l d a n d f o r w h a t w e s h o u l d n o t
p a y c o m p e n s a t i o n t o t h e peasants. M a r x does not a n d c o u l d
not t e l l u s this. T h i s d e p e n d s o n t h e c o n d i t i o n s o f t h e
c o u n t r y a n d o n w h a t i t i s d e c i d e d t h e peasant s h o u l d b e
p a i d f o r . D o e s t h e peasant s a y p a y m e f o r t h e stalls? W e
j u d g e t h a t h e does n o t s a y this. T h e r e f o r e , w h a t s h a l l w e
do? W e s h o u l d n o t p a y , w e say. L i k e w i s e , w e are c o n v i n c e d
t h a t t h e peasant does not s a y p a y m e f o r t h e v i n e y a r d o r
the m e a n s o f t r a n s p o r t . T h e n , w h a t are t h e t h i n g s f o r
w h i c h the peasant w i l l d e m a n d t o b e p a i d ? H e w i l l d e m a n d
c o m p e n s a t i o n f o r t h e c o w s a n d t h e sheep o f t h e c o o p e r a t i v e ,
o t h e r w i s e , h e w i l l say, « t h e y w e r e t a k e n f r o m us». ( W h i l e
for the household animals, there is no doubt that they must
be p a i d for, too.)
A n o t h e r p r o b l e m is the question of w h e t h e r we decide
t o p a y f o r these t h i n g s a l l a t once, o r t o s a y t o t h e p e a s a n t :
« W e w i l l p a y y o u i n i n s t a l m e n t s n o t w i t h i n one o r t w o
years, b u t o v e r a n u m b e r of y e a r s a c c o r d i n g to o u r s i t u a tion.» T h i s s t a n d does n o t v i o l a t e t h e p r i n c i p l e s i n a n y w a y .
M a r x does not s a y a n y w h e r e w h a t s h o u l d b e n a t i o n a l i z e d
a n d w h a t s h o u l d b e e x p r o p r i a t e d , b u t h e has g i v e n t h e
explanation: social ownership extends to the l a n d and the
other m e a n s o f p r o d u c t i o n , a n d p r i v a t e o w n e r s h i p t o t h e
articles o f c o n s u m p t i o n . M a r x does n o t say a n d c o u l d n o t
say w h e t h e r a t t h e t i m e t h a t t h i s t r a n s i t i o n i s m a d e
i t w i l l b e done w i t h o r w i t h o u t c o m p e n s a t i o n . A m o n g s t u s
there a r e r e m n a n t s o f t h e t i m e o f b y g o n e r e g i m e s a n d t h e
f o r m e r b o u r g e o i s s y s t e m w h i c h w i l l b e r e t a i n e d f o r some
t i m e yet. W e k n o c k d o w n houses, let u s say, f o r t o w n p l a n n i n g reasons, t o s t r a i g h t e n u p t h e streets a n d w e p a y
c o m p e n s a t i o n t o t h e o w n e r s o f these houses a c c o r d i n g t o
the v a l u t a t i o n set b y t h e e x e c u t i v e c o m m i t t e e . P o l i t i c a l
interests r e q u i r e t h i s p a y m e n t , e s p e c i a l l y w h e n y o u h a v e
t o d o w i t h t h e peasant, i n w h o m t h e p e t t y - b o u r g e o i s p s y -
132
ENVER HOXHA
c h o l o g y o f p r i v a t e o w n e r s h i p i s p r o n o u n c e d . O f course, w e
must combat this psychology, although not w i t h a d m i n i s t r a t i v e l e g a l measures, b u t b y c o n v i n c i n g t h e peasant t h a t
i n t h i s w a y h e w i l l l i v e better, h i s p r o d u c t s a n d i n c o m e w i l l
be increased, etc. T h e r e f o r e , in t h e case of t h e t r a n s i t i o n
t o state f a r m s , too, w e t e l l t h e peasant t h a t i n o r d e r t o b u y
c o n s u m e r goods w e w i l l p a y h i m a s a w o r k e r , m o r e t h a n
h e gets a t present, besides w h i c h w e s h a l l also g i v e h i m
so m a n y leks extra per year for the cow a n d other things
f r o m t h e assets o f t h e c o o p e r a t i v e , f o r w h i c h w e c o n s i d e r
the member should be compensated.
M a r x has not p r o h i b i t e d u s f r o m d o i n g this, o n t h e
c o n t r a r y , i n t h i s w a y w e are o n his course a n d d o not v i o l a t e
a n y p r i n c i p l e . T h e economists w h o are opposed t o c o m p e n sation, a s stated above, d o not i n t e r p r e t M a r x w e l l , because
t h e y equate state p r o p e r t y w i t h the c o o p e r a t i v i s t p r o p e r t y ,
alleging that we have to do w i t h a mechanical exchange
w i t h i n the one f o r m o f p r o p e r t y . T h u s , these e c o n o m i s t s
w a n t u s t o speed t h i n g s u p , t o s k i p t h e stages, t h a t is, t o
d e c l i n e t o p a y t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t s a n y t h i n g . T h e y d o not
r e a l i z e that, i f w e d e c l i n e t o p a y a n y t h i n g , i n d i r e c t l y w e
w i l l t e l l t h e others w e are g o i n g t o t a k e a l l y o u r c o m m o n
assets f r o m y o u w i t h o u t c o m p e n s a t i o n , hence, d i s t r i b u t e
more income per w o r k d a y to the detriment of the f u n d of
a c c u m u l a t i o n . T h e r e f o r e , w h e n w e c a l l o n t h e specialists
t h e y s h o u l d g i v e u s precise a n d c o r r e c t o p i n i o n s b a s e d o n
dialectical interpretations of the teachings of M a r x i s m L e n i n i s m , because i n t h e concrete i n s t a n c e u n d e r d i s c u s s i o n
t h e p r o p e r t y o f t h e g r o u p i s not i d e n t i c a l w i t h t h e p r o p e r t y
o f t h e w h o l e people a n d w e a r e not d e a l i n g m e r e l y w i t h a
c h a n g e i n names, b u t w i t h a n h i s t o r i c a l process o f d e v e l o p m e n t a n d m a t e r i a l , social, p s y c h o l o g i c a l a n d other p r o g r e s s .
T h e P a r t y has r e c o m m e n d e d t h e s t a n d a r d C o n s t i t u t i o n
of A g r i c u l t u r a l Cooperatives w h i c h the members have
adopted. T h e Constitution of A g r i c u l t u r a l Cooperatives is
ECONOMISTS SHOULD GIVE PRECISE OPINIONS
133
l a w f o r t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s . T h e y p r o c e e d o n t h e basis o f t h i s
C o n s t i t u t i o n , w h i l e t h e state f a r m s o p e r a t e o n t h e basis o f
the l a w o n e n t e r p r i s e s . H e n c e , t h i s s e p a r a t i o n o f a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e s f r o m state f a r m s has n o t b e e n d o n e
f o r m a l l y . F r o m t h i s s t a n d - p o i n t , too, i t seems t o m e t h a t
w i t h t h e o p i n i o n s these e c o n o m i s t s express, t h e y are n o t
sufficiently linked w i t h life.
«On Science», vol. 2
POLAND CAN BE SAVED ONLY BY ITS WORKING
CLASS
Article published in the newspaper «Zëri i popullit»
February 13, 1981
T h e situation in P o l a n d continues to deteriorate and
grow more complicated. As a result of uninterrupted strikes
the e c o n o m y has b e e n d e v a s t a t e d a n d i s o n t h e v e r g e o f
disaster. S o c i a l l i f e i s d e g e n e r a t i n g f r o m d a y t o d a y . C o n fusion, anarchy and corruption reign everywhere. U n d e r
the pressure and threats of «Solidarity», the P o l i s h p a r t y
a n d g o v e r n m e n t h a v e b e e n o b l i g e d t o m a k e concessions
a f t e r concessions a n d cede m a n y o f t h e i r p o s i t i o n s .
A l l t h e m e a s u r e s w h i c h h a v e been t a k e n a n d t h e c o m promises made have not led to the stabilization of the
s i t u a t i o n , but, o n the c o n t r a r y , h a v e m a d e m a t t e r s e v e n
worse. It is «Solidarity» w h i c h is m a k i n g the l a w in the
c o u n t r y . T h e a i m w h i c h i t has set itself i s b e c o m i n g m o r e a n d
m o r e e v i d e n t : t o g r a d u a l l y t a k e o v e r state p o w e r , t o
w i t h d r a w P o l a n d f r o m the W a r s a w Treaty a n d to push it
t o w a r d s t h e W e s t . A l l its actions a r e s u b o r d i n a t e d t o t h i s
strategy. « S o l i d a r i t y » , w h i c h presents itself as a w o r k e r s '
union, is an out-and-out reactionary movement. B e h i n d
i t stands t h e P o l i s h C a t h o l i c C h u r c h a n d t h e V a t i c a n , w h i c h
r u n i t a n d l e a d it, h o w e v e r , besides those w h o a r e r e presented by L e c h Walessa a n d company, participating in
POLAND CAN BE SAVED BY THE WORKING CLASS
135
the l e a d e r s h i p o f t h i s o r g a n i z a t i o n , t h e r e a r e also t h e « C l u b
o f the C a t h o l i c I n t e l l i g e n t s i a » ( K O R ) , w h i c h i s a g r o u p o f
representatives of internal reaction and external w o r l d
c a p i t a l i s t r e a c t i o n , t h e n a t i o n a l i s t p a r t y , the « C o n f e d e r a t i o n
o f I n d e p e n d e n t P o l a n d » a n d some o t h e r g r o u p i n g o f this
type.
I t i s p r e c i s e l y these v a r i o u s r e a c t i o n a r y p o l i t i c a l forces
a n d c u r r e n t s w h i c h h a v e t h e P o l i s h w o r k i n g class i n t h e i r
clutches a t p r e s e n t a n d a r e m a n i p u l a t i n g i t f o r t h e i r o w n
p o l i t i c a l ends.
F o r the m o m e n t , these c u r r e n t s h a v e u n i t e d i n a l l i a n c e
against t h e P o l i s h U n i t e d W o r k e r s ' P a r t y , w h i c h i s s p l i t
into v a r i o u s f a c t i o n s a n d g r o u p s , p r o - S o v i e t a n d a n t i Soviet, n a t i o n a l i s t a n d c h a u v i n i s t , r e f o r m i s t a n d c l e r i c a l .
That party is completely anti-Marxist and counter-revolutionary. T h e policy and ideology it pursues have disc r e d i t e d i t i n t h e eyes o f the masses a n d h a v e m a d e i t
i n c a p a b l e o f e x e r c i s i n g its i n f l u e n c e o r i m p o s i n g its w i l l . I t
i s the o m n i p o t e n t C a t h o l i c C h u r c h , its s p i r i t u a l a n d i d e o l o g i c a l p o w e r , w h i c h d o m i n a t e t h e l i f e o f the P o l i s h people
today. I n c a m o u f l a g e d w a y s a n d t h r o u g h t h e n e w s q u i r e s
w h o are i n p o w e r , t h e V a t i c a n i s r u n n i n g not o n l y s p i r i t u a l
matters b y also t e m p o r a l m a t t e r s i n P o l a n d . N o w t h e C a tholic C h u r c h is struggling to take over the r u n n i n g of
the state c o m p l e t e l y t h r o u g h « S o l i d a r i t y » .
T h e Polish C h u r c h , the V a t i c a n and Western Europe
are f o l l o w i n g t h e t a c t i c o f «roast t h e meat, b u t don't b u r n
the spit.» T h e y are a d v o c a t i n g : t a k e a step a n d consolidate
the p o s i t i o n s a c h i e v e d , t a k e a n o t h e r step a n d a v o i d S o v i e t
i n t e r v e n t i o n , use t h e «21 p o i n t s » as an e c o n o m i c p l a t f o r m
just t o d e c e i v e t h e w o r k i n g class a n d t r a n s f o r m t h e m i n t o
p o l i t i c a l actions to e r o d e t h e f o u n d a t i o n s of the r e v i s i o n i s t
system a n d o f t h e p s e u d o - c o m m u n i s t p a r t y . N e x t , pass f r o m
the c i t y to the c o u n t r y s i d e , to t h e «peasant S o l i d a r i t y » , r a l l y
and o r g a n i z e p o l i t i c a l l y the l a n d e d squires, w h o n e v e r p e r -
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ENVER HOXHA
m i t t e d c o l l e c t i v i z a t i o n a n d w h o r e m a i n t h e m a i n basis o f
the Polish C h u r c h and of old chauvinist traditions.
W i t h i n « S o l i d a r i t y » , h o w e v e r , t h e r e are also t h e « u l t r a ists», w h o w a n t t o o v e r t h r o w t h e F r a n c o - G e r m a n « O s t p o l i t i k » , a n d especially, t h e «detente» o f W e s t - E u r o p e a n p o w e r s
w i t h the S o v i e t U n i o n . T h e « u l t r a i s t s » are f o r t h e t a c t i c
of rapid advance and p o w e r f u l blows even if they m a y
cause S o v i e t i n t e r v e n t i o n a n d a r m e d clashes. T h e y a r e
operating according to the A m e r c i a n policy w h i c h aims to
cause a r m e d c o n f l i c t w i t h i n P o l a n d , w h i c h w o u l d also l e a d t o
t h e defeat of the t a c t i c of t h e F r a n c o - G e r m a n « O s t p o l i t i k » .
That would be a w a y to weaken France and G e r m a n y and
return t h e m to the positions of obedient lackeys, by threatening them w i t h the danger of Soviet imperialism.
T h i s i s the strategy a n d these a r e t h e tactics o f i n t e r n a l
Polish reaction and international reaction. These are the
objectives o f the c o u n t e r - r e v o l u t i o n i n P o l a n d , w h i c h i s
t a k i n g place in a c o u n t e r - r e v o l u t i o n a r y s i t u a t i o n w i t h i n a
c o u n t e r - r e v o l u t i o n a r y state.
T h e present r e v i s i o n i s t state is in a s i t u a t i o n w h e r e
i t i s b e i n g a t t a c k e d f r o m a l l sides a n d does n o t k n o w
w h i c h w a y t o g o t o escape. C l e r i c a l r e a c t i o n i s m a n i p u l a t i n g
the w o r k i n g class, not t o m e n t i o n t h e c o u n t r y s i d e w h e r e i t
has h a d s t r o n g bases. T h e p a r t y a n d the state, w h i c h h a v e
lost a u t h o r i t y a n d i n f l u e n c e , are o b l i g e d t o m a k e concessions to the c h u r c h a n d to accept it as arbiter in t h e
c o n f l i c t . I n p r a c t i c e t h e y are a t t h e m e r c y o f W y s z y n s k i .
H o w e v e r , the P o l i s h r e v i s i o n i s t g o v e r n m e n t has t o
please b o t h «the goat a n d t h e cabbage». It has to b e h a v e
w i t h great c a u t i o n a n d l i s t e n a t t e n t i v e l y also t o t h e r i g o r o u s
d e m a n d s o f t h e S o v i e t a l l y . A t t h e s a m e t i m e , i t has t o t a k e
i n t o account t h e d e m a n d s o f t h e r u l i n g s q u i r e a r c h y , t h e
m e n of the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n , of the a p p a r a t u s e s of the p a r t y ,
the e c o n o m y a n d the a r m y , w h o also w a n t t o p r e s e r v e t h e i r
privileges.
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137
T h i s s i t u a t i o n has caused chaos a n d d i s i n t e g r a t i o n i n
the r a n k s o f t h e p a r t y a n d t h e state. T h e y a r e n o l o n g e r
operating as centralized institutions. Their rank and file
listen more t o w h a t « S o l i d a r i t y » a n d the e p i s c o p a c y say
than to the directives that come f r o m the C e n t r a l Committee
and t h e o r d e r s w h i c h the g o v e r n m e n t issues. T h e r e v i s i o n ist l e a d e r s h i p is t a l k i n g a b o u t a « r e v i v a l » , b u t it has no
p r o g r a m o f a c t i o n t o p u l l t h e c o u n t r y out o f the c r i s i s a n d
does not k n o w w i t h w h o m t o u n i t e a n d w i t h w h o m t o split.
T h e p r i m e m i n i s t e r s w h o w e r e c h a n g e d one a f t e r t h e
other b r i n g a b o u t n o c h a n g e w h a t s o e v e r . T h e r e v i v a l has
r e m a i n e d a s l o g a n d e v o i d of content.
B u t i t i s not o n l y t h e P o l i s h l e a d e r s h i p t h a t i s i n
great t r o u b l e . T h e K r e m l i n a n d its allies o f the W a r s a w
T r e a t y are i n a s i m i l a r s i t u a t i o n . T o a l l o w P o l a n d t o s l i p
t o the w e s t e r n c a m p w o u l d m e a n t o e n d a n g e r t h e a l l i a n c e ,
the S o v i e t h e g e m o n y i n t h e c o u n t r i e s o f the East, t o e n danger t h e v i t a l r o u t e s o f t h e S o v i e t a r m y i n E u r o p e , t o
endager t h e p r e s e n t S o v i e t s t r a t e g y based o n t h e i r m i l i t a r y
s t r i k i n g force. T e c h n i c a l l y i t i s n o t d i f f i c u l t f o r S o v i e t
social-imperialism to undertake military intervention to
establish «order» i n P o l a n d . B u t t h i s w o u l d e n d a n g e r t h e
East-West trade relations, w o u l d jeopardize the billions of
dollars w h i c h t h e S o v i e t U n i o n a n d its satellites h a v e
received a n d are r e c e i v i n g f r o m t h e U n i t e d States o f
A m e r i c a a n d f r o m W e s t e r n E u r o p e , w o u l d e n d a n g e r «detente» a n d w o u l d d e s t r o y the F r a n c o - G e r m a n « O s t p o l i t i k » ,
w h i c h t h e K r e m l i n w a n t s t o e x p l o i t i n its r i v a l r y w i t h
American imperialism.
This explains that stern propaganda and the «firm»
stands of the organs of t h e S o v i e t press against those forces
w h i c h it describes as « a n t i - S o v i e t » , «anti-socialist», etc. T h e
K r e m l i n i s o p e n l y a n d s t u b b o r n l y d e f e n d i n g its o w n P o l i s h
clan w i t h i n P o l a n d , e x e r t i n g p r e s s u r e a n d m a k i n g t h r e a t s
and k e e p i n g its attack forces i n readiness, w h i l e , i n o r d e r
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ENVER HOXHA
to s h o w t h a t it is «calm», f o r a p p e a r a n c e s ' sake it e v e n a c cepts some o f the retreats w h i c h t h e P o l i s h l e a d e r s h i p i s
m a k i n g . T h e a i m and desire of the Soviet U n i o n is to
defeat s u b v e r s i o n w i t h s u b v e r s i o n . B u t w h e n i t sees a n y
hope o f a n i n t e r n a l s o l u t i o n f a d i n g , o n l y t w o r o a d s r e m a i n
open t o i t : e i t h e r t o i n t e r v e n e w i t h a r m s a n d «stabilize»
the s i t u a t i o n t h r o u g h v i o l e n c e , o r t o accept t o t a l defeat,
t h a t is, the d e s t r u c t i o n o f the W a r s a w T r e a t y a n d C o m e con. B u t S o v i e t s o c i a l - i m p e r i a l i s m c a n n o t accept t h i s t o t a l
defeat. K a n i a , W y s z y n s k i a n d L e c h W a l e s s a k n o w this,
a n d those i n B o n n a n d P a r i s k n o w it, too.
At present there is no organized political force in
Poland w h i c h could take over the leadership and the resp o n s i b i l i t y t o p u l l the c o u n t r y f r o m chaos a n d a n a r c h y , f r o m
the dangers w h i c h t h r e a t e n its f r e e d o m a n d i n d e p e n d e n c e
a n d its f u t u r e . I f t h e P o l i s h people, t h e w o r k i n g class,
w o r k i n g p e a s a n t r y , the p r o g r e s s i v e i n t e l l i g e n t s i a , t h e gen u i n e patriots, d o not u n d e r s t a n d t h e c o m p l i c a t e d s i t u a t i o n
into w h i c h the various capitalist, clerical and revisionist
r e a c t i o n a r y c u r r e n t s h a v e l e d t h e m , t h e y w i l l f a l l out o f
the frying-pan into the fire. T h e lack of a M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t
c o m m u n i s t p a r t y r e m a i n s t h e greatest h a n d i c a p f o r t h e
P o l i s h w o r k i n g class. W i t h o u t a M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t c o m m u n i s t
p a r t y i t cannot f i n d its c o u r s e t o w a r d s the r e v o l u t i o n . T h e
w o r k i n g class w i l l a l w a y s r e m a i n s p l i t a n d , a s s u c h , t h e
capitalist-revisionist bourgeois parties w i l l manipulate it for
t h e i r o w n interests. A p o l i t i c a l l y d i v i d e d w o r k i n g class,
without a Marxist-Leninist communist party, w i l l always be
a t o y i n the h a n d s o f those p a r t i e s a n d w i l l p l a y t h e g a m e
o f r e a c t i o n a n d the r e f o r m i s t s . I n t h e present e r a , t h e r e v olution and any positive and progressive change in favour
of t h e people a n d oppressed classes c a n n o t be c a r r i e d o u t
if t h e y are not l e d by a r e v o l u t i o n a r y , M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t
communist party.
The Party of Labour
of Albania, through
its
organ
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139
Zëri i popullit, has e x p r e s s e d in c l e a r a n d p o l i t i c a l l y u n d e r s t a n d a b l e w a y s its o p i n i o n s o n the past a n d present e v e n t s
o c c u r r i n g i n P o l a n d . I t has c o n d e m n e d the r e g i m e s o f
G o m u l k a , G i e r e k and K a n i a , who, through the revisionist
a n d c a p i t a l i s t l i n e t h e y h a v e p u r s u e d , a r e t o b l a m e for the
s i t u a t i o n w h i c h has b e e n c r e a t e d i n P o l a n d a n d f o r t h e
dangers i t presents f o r others. O u r P a r t y has d e n o u n c e d a n d
e x p o s e d t h e S o v i e t r e v i s i o n i s t s a n d t h e i r satellites a n d t h e i r
c o u n t e r - r e v o l u t i o n a r y p o l i c y a n d a c t i o n s ; has d e n o u n c e d
a n d e x p o s e d A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m a n d the n e o - c o l o n i a l i s t
states a n d t h e i r a i m s , a n d has p o w e r f u l l y s u p p o r t e d the
peoples' l i b e r a t i o n m o v e m e n t a n d p r o l e t a r i a n r e v o l u t i o n s .
O u r P a r t y has a l w a y s s u p p o r t e d t h e e c o n o m i c a n d
p o l i t i c a l c l a i m s o f the w o r k i n g class o f e v e r y Capitalist o r
revisionist country. B u t it always looks at any movement
of the w o r k i n g class w i t h a class eye, f r o m the s t a n d p o i n t o f M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m , f r o m the p o l i t i c a l angle. I t i s
not d e c e i v e d b y slogans a n d s h i b b o l e t h s , b u t e x a m i n e s
c a r e f u l l y w h o m the o r i e n t a t i o n s serve, w h a t c o u r s e t h e
c l a i m , t h e s t r i k e o r the i n s u r r e c t i o n takes. T h i s i s the s p i r i t
i n w h i c h o u r P a r t y analyses, j u d g e s a n d reaches c o n c l u sions a b o u t the s t r i k e s i n P o l a n d , too. T h e p r e s e n t s t r i k e s
i n P o l a n d d o not l e a d t o r a i s i n g the l e v e l o f t h e r e v o l u t i o n a r y m o v e m e n t o f t h e w o r k i n g class, d o n o t s e r v e t h e
political and ideological emancipation, the revolutionary
o r g a n i z a t i o n o f t h e w o r k i n g people o r the e n h a n c e m e n t
o f t h e i r r e v o l u t i o n a r y consciousness. T h e s e s t r i k e s d o n o t
assist t h e r e v o l u t i o n , b u t h e l p t o c a r r y out t h e c o u n t e r - r e v olution w i t h i n the counter-revolution. Not the Polish revolutionaries, b u t t h e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f r e a c t i o n , t h e f r i e n d s
and a l l i e s o f the V a t i c a n a n d w o r l d i m p e r i a l i s m s t a n d a t
the h e a d o f these s t r i k e s . T h e y are t h r o w i n g t h e w o r k e r s
into s t r i k e s i n o r d e r t o a c c o m p l i s h t h e i r o w n c o u n t e r - r e v o l u t i o n a r y aims, o n b o t h the i n t e r n a l a n d e x t e r n a l planes.
T h e y w a n t t o r e p l a c e one o p p r e s s i v e a n d e x p l o i t i n g r e g i m e
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ENVER HOXHA
w i t h another, n o less savage a n d h o s t i l e r e g i m e t o t h e
P o l i s h w o r k e r s a n d people.
B e i n g in favour of political and economic strikes, of
popular uprisings and the revolution, Marxist-Leninists do
not support the r e a c t i o n a r y a l l i a n c e s o r c o u n t e r - r e v o l u t i o n a r y tendencies, w h e n t h e y exist w i t h i n t h e m . O n t h e
contrary, they support the revolutionary spirit, progressive a n d r e v o l u t i o n a r y alliances. N o t e v e r y s t r i k e m o v e m e n t
i s i n t h e interest o f t h e w o r k i n g class, i n e v e r y s i t u a t i o n
and in all conditions. However, w h e n the people and the
w o r k i n g class t a k e p a r t i n t h e m , t h e r e i s s o m e t h i n g p o s i t i v e
w h i c h you must grasp in order to t u r n t h e m completely
i n t o p o s i t i v e actions i n t h e interest o f t h e people, the w o r k i n g class a n d the r e v o l u t i o n .
T h e a t t i t u d e s a n d assessments o f o u r P a r t y a b o u t t h e
situation in Poland, about the strikes a n d claims of the
P o l i s h w o r k i n g class h a v e b e e n c o n s i s t e n t l y M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t
in each phase a n d at each stage of t h e i r d e v e l o p m e n t . It
has seen a n d p o i n t e d out t h e m i s t a k e n p o l i t i c a l o r i e n t a t i o n s
o f the strikes, a l t h o u g h e f f o r t s w e r e m a d e b y P o l i s h r e a c t i o n
to conceal their true political aims by covering t h e m up
w i t h simple economic claims. L e c h Walessa, the m a n of
the V a t i c a n a n d t h e P o l i s h p r i m a t e , s h o u t e d t o a n y o n e
who wanted to listen to and believe h i m that allegedly he
w a s not a p o l i t i c a l m a n , t h a t h e w a s n o t e n g a g e d i n p o l i t i c s ,
t h a t « S o l i d a r i t y » w a s not a p o l i t i c a l p a r t y . M a n y w e r e d e c e i v e d a n d , f i r s t o f a l l , t h e w o r k i n g class o f P o l a n d w a s m i s l e d .
B u t is there a w a y out for the P o l i s h people a n d
w o r k i n g class f r o m t h e c a t a s t r o p h i c s i t u a t i o n t h e y are i n ,
a n d i f any, w h a t i s i t ?
W e A l b a n i a n c o m m u n i s t s s a y t h a t i t i s the r o a d o f
t h e r e v o l u t i o n w h i c h L e n i n teaches us, t h e r o a d o f a p p l y i n g his strategy of the revolution and genuine revo l u t i o n a r y tactics o n t h e basis o f concrete s i t u a t i o n s w h i c h
a r e created i n any country.
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O n c e a g a i n t h e P o l i s h w o r k i n g class d i s p l a y e d its great
vitality. It overthrew G o m u l k a and brought down Gierek.
It, c a n a n d m u s t also defeat K a n i a a n d h i s associates, L e c h
W a l e s s a a n d t h e i n f l u e n c e o f the V a t i c a n , t h e y o k e o f the
Soviet revisionists and of w o r l d capitalism, headed by
American capitalism.
T h e P o l a n d o f t h e r e v o l u t i o n has not d i e d a n d w i l l not
die, it h a s o n l y lost its w a y . T h e y h a v e set it on a d a n gerous course. P o l a n d has t o f i n d its t r u e c o u r s e , t h e course
of proletarian revolution, guided by the M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t
ideology.
T h e P o l i s h w o r k i n g class, w h i c h has o u t s t a n d i n g r e v o l u t i o n a r y t r a d i t i o n s , m u s t create f r o m its o w n r a n k s a
new, g e n u i n e l y M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t c o m m u n i s t p a r t y a n d , a f t e r
c r e a t i n g it, test i t a n d t e m p e r i t i n t h e class s t r u g g l e f o r
the r e v o l u t i o n . T h e t i m e f o r t h i s has come, i t c a n n o t t o l e r a t e
delay and procrastination.
O n l y its w o r k i n g class c a n save P o l a n d f r o m t h e
profound crisis it is in and b r i n g it into the light. Neither
K a n i a nor Walessa, neither the Soviet revisionists nor the
A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s t s c a n d o this. T h e t r u e f r i e n d s a n d
w e l l - w i s h e r s o f t h e P o l i s h people, o f t h e i r f r e e d o m a n d
independence, m u s t t e l l t h e m t h e t r u t h o p e n l y a n d sincerely.
T h i s i s t h e greatest a i d w h i c h c a n b e g i v e n t h e m a n d also
complete support and solidarity w i t h them. T h e more q u i c k l y
the P o l i s h w o r k i n g class c a n f r e e itself f r o m i l l u s i o n s
a n d deceptions, t h e sooner i t w i l l f u l f i l its h i s t o r i c m i s s i o n
i n t h e s e r v i c e o f its o w n h o m e l a n d a n d o f the r e v o l u t i o n .
« Z ë r i i popullit»
THE FORCE OF ALBANIAN PATRIOTISM
Article published in the newspaper «Bashkimi»
March 23, 1981
T h i s m o n t h m a r k s t h e 100th a n n i v e r s a r y o f t h e f i r s t
p u b l i c a t i o n i n the press o f the f a m o u s p o e m , « O h A l b a n i a ,
S u f f e r i n g A l b a n i a » b y P a s h k o V a s a , ( 1 ) one o f t h e most
beautiful and powerful w o r k s of A l b a n i a n poetry.
Its p a t r i o t i c pathos a n d f i e r y c a l l t o r e b e l l i o n h a v e
i n s p i r e d g e n e r a t i o n s o f A l b a n i a n s i n t h e i r endless w a r s f o r
the f r e e d o m a n d t h e i n d e p e n d e n c e o f the H o m e l a n d , f o r
the defence o f the n a t i o n a l l a n g u a g e a n d c u l t u r e , a n d f o r
the u n i t y a n d progress o f the c o u n t r y . W r i t t e n i n t h e f o r m
o f a n elegy, i n a n i n c i s i v e a n d p o w e r f u l r o m a n t i c s t y l e ,
Pashko Vasa's poem was a clear political manifesto a d dressed to t h e people a n d the w h o l e n a t i o n at one of t h e
most d i f f i c u l t m o m e n t s f o r t h e A l b a n i a n l i b e r a t i o n m o v e m e n t , w h e n the C o n g r e s s o f B e r l i n ( 2 ) h a d d e c i d e d t o p a r t i t i o n t h e A l b a n i a n t e r r i t o r y , a n d w h e n its o p e n a n d secret
enemies h a d gone o v e r to a g e n e r a l o f f e n s i v e to s m a s h t h e
L e a g u e o f P r i z r e n . ( 3 ) A t those hours, c r i t i c a l t o the fate o f
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1 P a s h k o Vasa, 1825-1892, outstanding patriot and activist
of the A l b a n i a n N a t i o n a l League, poet and publicist.
2 It held its proceedings f r o m J u n e 13-July 13, 1878.
3 On the eve of the Congress of B e r l i n , w h i c h w o u l d
revise the decisions of the T r e a t y of Santo Stefano, delegates
f r o m a l l A l b a n i a n regions gathered i n the t o w n o f P r i z r e n o n
THE STRENGTH OF ALBANIAN PATRIOTISM
143
the c o u n t r y , P a s h k o V a s a u n d e r s t o o d t h a t the o n l y force
a n d the o n l y w e a p o n w h i c h c o u l d cope w i t h the s i t u a t i o n
a n d c a r r y t h e A l b a n i a n cause f o r w a r d w a s t h e u n i t y o f the
people. H e k n e w h o w t o s u m u p t h e A l b a n i a n r e a l i t y o f
that t i m e c o r r e c t l y a n d p r e c i s e l y a n d t o e x p r e s s i n a perfect
poetic f o r m that, a b o v e a l l a n d f i r s t o f a l l , «the A l b a n i a n s '
r e l i g i o n i s A l b a n i a . » P r e c i s e l y because t h i s p o e m c a r r i e d t h i s
s p i r i t o f t h e u n i t y o f t h e n a t i o n , because i t s u m m e d u p t h e
s u p r e m e interests of the n a t i o n , the s p i r i t of resistance to
the e n d against e n e m i e s a n d c o n f i d e n c e i n the f u t u r e o f t h e
people, it has been a b a n n e r of s t r u g g l e against r e l i g i o u s
splits a n d t e r r i t o r i a l d i v i s i o n s , against s u r r e n d e r a n d s u b m i s s i o n to f o r e i g n e r s .
T o d a y we honour Pashko Vasa, his political and litera r y w o r k because, l i k e the c o n t r i b u t i o n o f a l l t h e other
o u t s t a n d i n g leaders o f the A l b a n i a n N a t i o n a l Renaissance,
i t lies i n the f o u n d a t i o n s o f o u r free a n d i n d e p e n d e n t A l bania.
S o c i a l i s t A l b a n i a i s f o r g i n g a h e a d a n d d e v e l o p i n g , its
name i s r e s p e c t e d i n the w o r l d . D a y b y d a y its sons a n d
d a u g h t e r s are r a i s i n g t h e i r H o m e l a n d t o n e w h e i g h t s a n d
m a k i n g i t p r o s p e r . B u t i s has a r r i v e d a t the present d a y
t h r o u g h b l o o d y battles, great s a c r i f i c e s a n d s e l f - d e n y i n g
efforts f o r c e n t u r i e s on e n d . It has h a d to f i g h t against
many p o w e r f u l and c u n n i n g enemies w h o have striven in
every w a y t o t o t a l l y e l i m i n a t e the A l b a n i a n n a t i o n , t o
w i p e the n a m e o f A l b a n i a f r o m the face o f the e a r t h . T h e i r
arsenal o f w e a p o n s has i n c l u d e d r e l i g i o n , r e g i o n a l d i v i s i o n s
and v a r i o u s l o c a l p e c u l i a r i t i e s . B y s t r i v i n g t o i d e n t i f y r e l i gion w i t h the n a t i o n , the e n e m i e s w a n t e d not o n l y t o
_______________________________________________
June 10, 1878 and decided to set up a p o l i t i c a l and m i l i t a r y
union under the n a m e of the « A l b a n i a n League of P r i z r e n » ,
to conduct the struggle for self-government, national unity
and the defence of the t e r r i t o r i a l integrity of A l b a n i a , w h i c h
was threatened by the chauvinistic aims of the neighbouring
nations.
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ENVER HOXHA
e n s l a v e o u r people s p i r i t u a l l y , b u t also t o a s s i m i l a t e t h e m ,
to eliminate their language and traditions, and to perpetuate t h e i r o w n d o m i n a t i o n a n d o p p r e s s i o n .
T h e m e n o f o u r R e n a i s s a n c e opposed t h i s a g e - o l d
c a m p a i g n o f d e s t r u c t i o n a n d e x t e r m i n a t i o n b y the e n e m i e s
w i t h all their ardent spirit of patriotism and fought heroically in exceptionally difficult and complicated conditions
in order to show that there is no l i n k between religion and
the n a t i o n , t h a t the A l b a n i a n i s A l b a n i a n o n account o f h i s
l a n g u a g e a n d c u l t u r e , his g l o r i o u s h i s t o r y , o n a c c o u n t o f
t h e l a n d s w h e r e h i s ancestors w e r e b o r n a n d d i e d , o n a c count of his specific and unique spiritual qualities.
It w a s this correct u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e i d e a of the
n a t i o n , t h i s r e f u s a l to accept r e l i g i o n as a c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of
the n a t i o n a n d t h e e x p o s u r e o f the m i s r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s o f
enemies o n t h i s q u e s t i o n , w h i c h b e c a m e one o f t h e m o s t
active and d y n a m i c factors in the fight for freedom a n d
the t r i u m p h of independence.
That was so in the time of the m e n of our Renaissance
a n d i t i s s o t o t h i s d a y . R e l i g i o n has not f o r m e d n a t i o n s
a n d c o u l d not d o so. T h e I t a l i a n people, f o r e x a m p l e , a r e
o f t h e C a t h o l i c f a i t h , b u t t h e y f o r m the I t a l i a n n a t i o n .
L i k e w i s e , t h e people o f I r a n are o f t h e M o s l e m f a i t h , b u t
t h e y f o r m t h e I r a n i a n n a t i o n . W h e t h e r o r n o t a people
profess a p a r t i c u l a r r e l i g i o n has no c o n n e c t i o n w i t h the
nation.
N a t i o n s cannot b e c r e a t e d b y s u b j e c t i v e factors o r b y
decrees, o r t h r o u g h t h e desire o f g o v e r n m e n t s . T h e y a r e
a r e s u l t of p r o t r a c t e d h i s t o r i c a l processes. T h e A l b a n i a n
nation was created and defended stubbornly, w i t h bloodshed a n d w o r k b y its finest sons w h o t o i l e d a n d s a c r i f i c e d
e v e r y t h i n g f o r it. T h e r e f o r e , a n y a t t e m p t w h i c h has been
m a d e t o negate, i g n o r e o r r e p l a c e t h e A l b a n i a n n a t i o n a l i t y
w i t h the r e s p e c t i v e r e l i g i o u s belief, h a s a l w a y s e n c o u n t e r e d
t h e o p p o s i t i o n o f a l l A l b a n i a n s . E v e n i n those cases w h e n
THE STRENGTH OF ALBANIAN PATRIOTISM
145
enemies have tried to break them up and drive t h e m into
e m m i g r a t i o n , w h e r e v e r t h e y h a v e gone t h e y h a v e p r e s e r v e d
u n d i m m e d their national identity a n d pride, their love for
their language and country.
A l b a n i a n p a t r i o t i s m , w h i c h has b e e n a great s p i r i t u a l
force i n the past, t o w h i c h the o u t s t a n d i n g m e n o f t h i s
country have appealed in order to defend the undeniable
rights of our nation w i t h courage and bravery, always
remains an insurmountable barrier to the evil aims of
enemies and their a n t i - A l b a n i a n t r i c k e r y and intrigues
«Bashkimi»
WHY WERE POLICE VIOLENCE AND T A N K S USED
AGAINST THE ALBANIANS OF KOSOVA?
Article published in the newspaper «Zëri i popullil»
A p r i l 8, 1981
T h e Y u g o s l a v press, r a d i o a n d T V h a v e set u p a n
e x t r a o r d i n a r y c l a m o u r o f m i s i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e reasons
w h i c h i m p e l l e d t h e w o r k i n g people a n d students o f K o s o v a
t o c o m e out i n d e m o n s t r a t i o n s . W h a t i m m e d i a t e l y catches
one's a t t e n t i o n i n the speeches o f t h e l e a d i n g f i g u r e s a n d
the endless a r t i c l e s w h i c h f i l l the pages o f t h e Y u g o s l a v
n e w s p a p e r s , e s p e c i a l l y those o f B e l g r a d e , i s t h e i r m a r k e d
c h a u v i n i s t overtones a n d t h e t o t a l l a c k o f a n y r e a l i s t i c
analysis or objective attitude towards the tragic events in
K o s o v a . N o t o n l y the shades o f R a n k o v i ć , b u t also t h e old
ghosts o f the K a r a g e o r g e v i ć e s h a v e been i n v o k e d . N o w t h e y
are o p e r a t i n g w i t h c l u b s a n d t a n k s , h i t t i n g h a r d a t t h e
A l b a n i a n population in Y u g o s l a v i a , to suppress and s u b j u ­
gate t h e m a n d s t r a n g l e t h e i r voice.
R e g a r d l e s s o f w h a t i s said a n d w r i t t e n i n Y u g o s l a v i a ,
the t r u e causes o f t h e d e m o n s t r a t i o n s i n K o s o v a , t h e i r
content, t h e d e m a n d s w h i c h are r a i s e d i n t h e m c a n n o t b e
covered over w i t h misleading phraseology, however noisy,
a s t h e h e a d q u a r t e r s i n B e l g r a d e are t r y i n g t o do. A n y
o b j e c t i v e p e r s o n , a n y u n b i a s e d o b s e r v e r , c a n see a n d i m ­
m e d i a t e l y u n d e r s t a n d t h a t t h e basic causes o f t h e r e c e n t
POLICE VIOLENCE AGAINST ALBANIANS IN KOSOVA
147
events i n K o s o v a a r e the great b a c k w a r d n e s s o f t h i s r e g i o n ,
the p o v e r t y a n d s u f f e r i n g o f its people, a n d t h e l a c k o f
democratic freedoms and political rights. T h e demonstra­
tions h a v e e r u p t e d a s t h e r e s u l t o f a n i n t o l e r a b l e s i t u a t i o n
w h i c h has b e e n g o i n g o n f o r tens o f y e a r s a n d t h e i n c r e a s ­
i n g l y g l o o m y prospects o f e v e r e m e r g i n g f r o m t h i s s i t u a t i o n .
A c c o r d i n g t o f i g u r e s p u b l i s h e d i n t h e Y u g o s l a v press, t h e
per c a p i t a i n c o m e i n K o s o v a i s a b o u t 6 times less t h a n i n
S l o v e n i a , a b o u t 5 t i m e s less t h a n in C r o a t i a , a n d 3.5 t i m e s
less t h a n i n S e r b i a . I n recent y e a r s , the g r o w t h r a t e o f i n ­
d u s t r i a l p r o d u c t i o n i n K o s o v a has been a b o u t f o u r o r f i v e
t i m e s less t h a t of S e r b i a . T h e l e v e l of u n e m p l o y m e n t is 20
times g r e a t e r t h a n i n S l o v e n i a , a n d t w o a n d a h a l f t i m e s
g r e a t e r t h a n i n S e r b i a . M o r e t h a n 110 t h o u s a n d w o r k e r s
h a v e e m i g r a t e d outside K o s o v a a n d Y u g o s l a v i a i n s e a r c h o f
w o r k , besides the 70 t h o u s a n d others, most of t h e m q u a l i f i e d
w o r k e r s , w h o are u n e m p l o y e d i n K o s o v a .
T h e leaders o f Y u g o s l a v i a a n d K o s o v a k n o w a n d a d m i t
these facts. I n a speech d e l i v e r e d i n P r i s h t i n a , V . D j u r a nović, C h a i r m a n of the E x e c u t i v e C o u n c i l of Y u g o s l a v i a ,
s a i d : «The d e v e l o p m e n t of K o s o v a is at a s t a n d s t i l l . . . It is
clear that the p o l i c y of t h e a c c e l e r a t e d d e v e l o p m e n t of t h e
r e g i o n i s not b e i n g r e a l i z e d t o t h e degree e n v i s a g e d i n t h e
plans. O n the c o n t r a r y , t h e g a p b e t w e e n K o s o v a a n d other
parts o f the c o u n t r y i s g r o w i n g w i d e r . . . E c o n o m i c i n v e s t ­
ments i n K o s o v a a r e 4 3 p e r cent b e l o w the a v e r a g e o f
Yugoslavia.»
In a speech d e l i v e r e d at t h e 15th m e e t i n g of t h e CC of
the L e a g u e of C o m m u n i s t s of Y u g o s l a v i a ( D e c e m b e r 1980),
M . B a k a l l i , C h a i r m a n o f t h e l e a d i n g b o d y o f the L e a g u e
of C o m m u n i s t s of Kosova, said: «The aims of reducing the
differences i n t h e l e v e l o f d e v e l o p m e n t o f K o s o v a , c o m ­
p a r e d w i t h t h e a v e r a g e o f t h e c o u n t r y , h a v e not been
achieved. O n t h e c o n t r a r y , t h e d i f f e r e n c e s h a v e b e c o m e
even m o r e p r o n o u n c e d . . . A s a result, i n s t e a d o f the r a t e
148
ENVER HOXHA
of d e v e l o p m e n t of t h e r e g i o n b e i n g 60 p e r cent a b o v e t h a t
of t h e w h o l e c o u n t r y , as p l a n n e d , t h e r a t e of d e v e l o p m e n t
of K o s o v a has been 46.9 p e r cent b e l o w t h e a v e r a g e of t h e
c o u n t r y . T h i s t e n d e n c y f o r these d i f f e r e n c e s t o increase,»
he said, «has been g o i n g on since 1947. T h i s process of t h e
w i d e n i n g o f the gap,» s a i d M . B a k a l l i , «has r e a c h e d its c r i t i c a l limits.»
F r o m t h i s s i t u a t i o n i t i s c l e a r w h y t h e people o f
K o s o v a are d i s s a t i s f i e d a n d w h y t h e y c a m e out i n d e m o n s trations and expressed this dissatisfaction in w h a t they cons i d e r e d the best w a y a n d t h e f o r m w h i c h t h e y f o u n d
most a p p r o p r i a t e .
Belgrade is n o w f u m i n g a n d t h u n d e r i n g against the
students o f K o s o v a , b u t w h a t d i d these s t u d e n t s d o a n d
w h a t d i d they demand? The Y u g o s l a v leaders personally
a n d the press c o m m u n i q u é s h a v e a d m i t t e d p u b l i c l y a n d
officially that in the demonstrations of M a r c h 11 in P r i s h t i n a t h e students e x p r e s s e d t h e i r d i s s a t i s f a c t i o n o v e r t h e
e c o n o m i c s i t u a t i o n , o v e r the b a d l i v i n g c o n d i t i o n s , o v e r t h e
discrimination w h i c h they suffer in comparison w i t h the
other students a t Y u g o s l a v u n i v e r s i t i e s . A s t h e Y u g o s l a v
press has f r e q u e n t l y r e p o r t e d , t h e y h a v e e x p r e s s e d t h i s
d i s s a t i s f a c t i o n o n s e v e r a l occasions t o b o t h t h e l o c a l a n d
c e n t r a l a u t h o r i t i e s . L i k e w i s e , the w o r k i n g people o f K o s o v a
h a v e f r e q u e n t l y c o m p l a i n e d a b o u t the b a c k w a r d n e s s o f
the r e g i o n a n d p o i n t e d out the n e e d f o r u r g e n t m e a s u r e s
f o r the d e v e l o p m e n t o f the c o u n t r y . B u t n o one has l i s t e n e d
t o these just a n d essential d e m a n d s . N o n o t i c e has b e e n
t a k e n a n d t h e people h a v e been left t o t h e i r fate. I f a n y
interest h a d been t a k e n , K o s o v a , w i t h its endless m i n e r a l
resources, its f e r t i l e p l a i n s , a n d its b r a v e a n d i n d u s t r i o u s
people, w o u l d not h a v e b e e n i n t h e state i t is. O f course,
these assets are e x p l o i t e d , m i l l i o n s of, tons of c o a l are m i n e d ,
the t h e r m a l - p o w e r stations generate b i l l i o n s o f k i l o w a t t s ,
the molten lead flows in rivers in Trepçe, the chrome,
POLICE VIOLENCE AGAINST ALBANIANS IN KOSOVA
149
n i c k e l , a n d m a g n e s i t e ores a r e s t a c k e d i n m o u n t a i n s ,
t r a i n l o a d s o f w h e a t are t r a n s p o r t e d f r o m K o s o v a a n d t h e
fine flavoured meat of K o s o v a is sold on all the markets
o f E u r o p e . W h y t h e n i s K o s o v a not p r o g r e s s i n g ? T h e s e are
the q u e s t i o n s w h i c h the s t u d e n t s a n d people o f K o s o v a
posed t o t h e Y u g o s l a v l e a d e r s a n d t h e y r e c e i v e d b u l l e t s i n
reply.
T h e Y u g o s l a v leaders say t h a t i n Y u g o s l a v i a t h e
nations a n d n a t i o n a l i t i e s , t h e w o r k e r s a n d v a r i o u s collec­
tives are s e l f - g o v e r n i n g , t h a t t h e y decide f o r t h e m s e l v e s
about the e c o n o m i c d e v e l o p m e n t of enterprises, v i l l a g e s ,
cities, r e p u b l i c s , etc. H e r e w e d o not w i s h t o enter i n t o
i d e o l o g i c a l p o l e m i c s o v e r t h e i r theories a n d practices, b u t
w e w o u l d l i k e t o ask a s i m p l e q u e s t i o n : I n t h a t so-called
socialist s e l f - g o v e r n i n g c o u n t r y , t h e S o c i a l i s t F e d e r a t i v e
R e p u b l i c of Y u g o s l a v i a , on the basis of those r i g h t s p r o v i d e d
i n the Y u g o s l a v C o n s t i t u t i o n , d o t h e people a n d y o u t h o f
K o s o v a h a v e t h e r i g h t , d o t h e y h a v e t h e f r e e d o m , t o ask
the q u e s t i o n w h y the other r e g i o n s o f Y u g o s l a v i a a r e d e ­
v e l o p i n g , w h i l e t h i s i s n o t o c c u r r i n g i n K o s o v a ? I t seems
that someone i s h i n d e r i n g t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f K o s o v a , a n d
the l e a d e r s h i p o f the F e d e r a t i o n m u s t k n o w w h o t h i s is,
since i t a d m i t s t h a t K o s o v a i s p o t e n t i a l l y r i c h , b u t effec­
t i v e l y poor.
In the speeches of s e v e r a l K o s o v a leaders, as w e l l as
i n m a n y a r t i c l e s i n the press, i t has been stated t h a t t h e
students i n the d e m o n s t r a t i o n s i n P r i s h t i n a , a p a r t f r o m
p r o t e s t i n g a b o u t t h e i r d i f f i c u l t e c o n o m i c s i t u a t i o n , also
demanded more freedoms and democratic rights and the
e s t a b l i s h m e n t of the status of a F e d e r a t e d R e p u b l i c f o r
K o s o v a . I n t h i s d i r e c t i o n , too, a q u e s t i o n a r i s e s : O n t h e basis
of the so-called s e l f - g o v e r n i n g d e m o c r a c y , do t h e peoples
of Y u g o s l a v i a have the right to demand such things?
O n A p r i l 3 , D u š a n D r a g o s a v a ć , S e c r e t a r y o f the P r e ­
sidency o f t h e C C o f the L e a g u e o f C o m m u n i s t s o f Y u g o s l a -
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v i a , s a i d i n his speech a b o u t the e v e n t s o f K o s o v a : « E x p e r i e n c e has s h o w n t h a t w e h a v e a l w a y s s u f f e r e d d a m a g e
w h e n we have allowed moments of historic importance to
u s t o s l i p by.» T h i s « v a l u a b l e » a d v i c e w h i c h h e g i v e s i s n o t
o n l y a p p r o p r i a t e f o r the l e a d e r s h i p o f t h e S o c i a l i s t F e d e ­
r a t i v e R e p u b l i c of Y u g o s l a v i a , b u t is also a r e m i n d e r to
the P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c of A l b a n i a . It is a r e c o m ­
m e n d a t i o n not o n l y f o r t h e S e r b i a n people, b u t also f o r
t h e A l b a n i a n people w h o l i v e o n t h e i r o w n t e r r i t o r i e s i n
Yugoslavia.
H o w e v e r , w e w a n t t o p o i n t out o n t h i s occasion t h a t
the Y u g o s l a v l e a d e r s h i p has n o t f o r g o t t e n a n y t h i n g a n d i s
n o t w a n t i n g to l o o k at h i s t o r y as it o u g h t to be l o o k e d at
i n o r d e r t o a v o i d r e p e t i t i o n o f t h e b i t t e r past.
I n t h i s same speech, D u š a n D r a g o s a v a ć s a y s : « W e h a v e
solved the problem of nationalities, of national republics
a n d , i n the f r a m e w o r k o f t h e S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c o f S e r b i a ,
t h e p r o b l e m o f a u t o n o m o u s r e g i o n s i n t h e best p o s s i b l e
way.» Dobrivoje Vidić, C h a i r m a n of the Socialist Republic
o f S e r b i a , also stresses t h e s a m e t h i n g w h e n , a f t e r v e n t i n g
his spleen a n d p o u r i n g out h i s great r e s e n t m e n t o n K o s o v a ,
h e s a y s : «The a u t o n o m o u s socialist r e g i o n s h a v e c o m p l e t e
i n d e p e n d e n c e a n d e q u a l i t y i n the f r a m e w o r k o f t h e S o c i a l ­
ist R e p u b l i c of S e r b i a . » T h a t is to say, «complete i n d e p e n ­
dence a n d e q u a l i t y , » b u t u n d e r t h e w i n g o f S e r b i a !
T h e s e assertions b y Y u g o s l a v l e a d e r s s h o w t h a t e v e n
after the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r o f t h e peoples o f Y u g o ­
s l a v i a the past h i s t o r y w a s not f o r g o t t e n : K o s o v a r e m a i n e d
a n «autonomous r e g i o n » o f t h e R e p u b l i c o f S e r b i a a n d t h e
A l b a n i a n population, compact in both nationality a n d ter­
r i t o r y , w a s split u p b e t w e e n t h r e e r e p u b l i c s o f t h e Y u g o ­
slav Federation. W h y d i d this occur? It is up to Dragosavać,
V i d i ć and company to explain this ideologically, politically,
geographically and economically. If such an analysis is
made, t h e n i t w i l l e m e r g e h o w w o r t h l e s s are s u c h assertions
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as those of D r a g o s a v a ć , w h e n he s a y s : «We have s o l v e d t h e
p r o b l e m o f n a t i o n a l i t i e s a n d n a t i o n a l r e p u b l i c s . . . i n t h e best
possible w a y . »
A f t e r claiming that the problems of nationalities have
been s o l v e d j u s t l y i n Y u g o s l a v i a , t h e S e c r e t a r y o f t h e
P r e s i d e n c y o f t h e C C o f t h e L C Y says i n one p a r t o f h i s
speech: « N e v e r t h e l e s s , i t w o u l d b e a n i l l u s i o n t o t h i n k t h a t
we have f o u n d a lasting a n d perfect solution to this and that
there w i l l b e n o p r o b l e m s b e t w e e n n a t i o n a l i t i e s . » C l e a r l y ,
he is a d m i t t i n g t h a t «a l a s t i n g a n d p e r f e c t s o l u t i o n » to
this v e r y c o m p l i c a t e d p r o b l e m o f n a t i o n a l i t i e s has n o t
been f o u n d . H e n c e t h e c o n c l u s i o n m u s t b e r e a c h e d t h a t
the peoples w h o c o m p r i s e Y u g o s l a v i a m u s t m a k e e f f o r t s
t o i m p r o v e t h e s o l u t i o n o f these p r o b l e m s . S o i t i s u p t o
the peoples o f Y u g o s l a v i a t o f i n d b e t t e r s o l u t i o n s t o these
problems democratically w i t h i n the f r a m e w o r k of the S F R
of Y u g o s l a v i a .
N o w the A l b a n i a n inhabitants of Kosova, who make up
the o v e r w h e l m i n g m a j o r i t y o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n t h e r e , a r e
d e m a n d i n g w i t h i n t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l n o r m s a n d also i n t h e
streets, t h a t t h e r e g i o n o f K o s o v a s h o u l d b e l i b e r a t e d
f r o m t h e t u t e l a g e o f S e r b i a , a n d t h a t i t b e g i v e n t h e status
of a republic w i t h i n the S F R of Y u g o s l a v i a .
W h a t c r i m e h a v e t h e people o f K o s o v a c o m m i t t e d w i t h
this d e m a n d , w h i c h w a s t h u s d e s c r i b e d b y t h e l e a d e r s h i p
o f the Y u g o s l a v F e d e r a t i o n a n d s e v e r a l m a i n l e a d e r s o f
the r e g i o n o f K o s o v a ? T h e y h a v e n o t c o m m i t t e d a n y c r i m e .
O n the c o n t r a r y , these l e g i t i m a t e d e m a n d s h a v e b e e n u n d e r rated, h a v e b e e n c o n s i d e r e d hostile, a n d t h a t i s w h y t h e
point w a s r e a c h e d t h a t d e m o n s t r a t i o n s t o o k place.
At no time have the A l b a n i a n people of K o s o v a and
other p a r t s o f Y u g o s l a v i a b e e n a l l o w e d t o e x p r e s s t h e i r
opinions f r e e l y a n d d e m o c r a t i c a l l y a b o u t t h e status w h i c h
the r e g i o n i n w h i c h t h e y l i v e s h o u l d h a v e . O t h e r persons
have decided this for them. A n d w h e n , after m a n y peaceful
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requests, t h e y d e m a n d e d i n l o u d voices, s o t h a t t h e f r a t e r n a l
peoples o f Y u g o s l a v i a c o u l d hear, t h a t K o s o v a b e g i v e n the
status o f a r e p u b l i c w i t h i n t h e f r a m e w o r k o f t h e S F R
o f Y u g o s l a v i a , those w h o t u r n e d a deaf e a r t o these r e quests d i d n o t hesitate t o o p e n f i r e o n t h e A l b a n i a n s a n d
order the tanks on them. A n d that is not a l l — they accused
the brave K o s o v a students of allegedly acting l i k e the
gangsters o f C h i c a g o a n d p u t t i n g l i t t l e c h i l d r e n i n f r o n t
of the demonstrations. Others m a y have such despicable ways, but never the A l b a n i a n s w h o have always fought
s w o r d i n h a n d . I n fact, w h a t t h e Y u g o s l a v press c l a i m s i n
this d i r e c t i o n p r o v e s t h a t t h e d e m o n s t r a t i o n s w e r e p o p u l a r
a n d p e a c e f u l ones. T h i s c l a i m i m p l i e s t h a t i f t h e r e h a d n o t
b e e n a great c r o w d o f s c h o o l p u p i l s t h e S e r b i a n p o l i c e
would have m o w e d the people d o w n w i t h machine-gun fire.
T h e s e t h i n g s are not e a s i l y f o r g o t t e n . T h e y d o not i n d i c a t e
strength but weakness, do not indicate prudence but stupefaction.
W h y does t h e l e a d e r s h i p o f t h e F e d e r a t i o n n o t s t u d y
the d e m a n d s f o r a r e p u b l i c w i t h i n t h e f r a m e w o r k o f t h e
F e d e r a t i o n i n a f a i r w a y , w h y does i t not i n t e r p r e t t h e m
as demands w h i c h stem f r o m the Constitution of the
S o c i a l i s t F e d e r a t i v e R e p u b l i c o f Y u g o s l a v i a itself, b u t r u s h
t o d e s c r i b e t h e m a s «hostile, c o u n t e r - r e v o l u t i o n a r y d e m a n d s
w h i c h r u i n the stability of and destroy Yugoslavia»? Do
n o t the A l b a n i a n s o f K o s o v a h a v e a l l t h e f e a t u r e s a n d
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s t h a t c o n s t i t u t e a n a t i o n , do t h e y n o t l i v e
i n a c o m p a c t t e r r i t o r y , d o t h e y not h a v e t h e i r c o m m o n
language, c u l t u r e a n d s p i r i t u a l m a k e - u p , a r e t h e y n o t
c a p a b l e o f g o v e r n i n g themselves, b u t n e e d t h e t u t e l a g e o f
someone else, a r e t h e y s o f e w i n n u m b e r s t h a t t h e y a r e n o t
w o r t h y of being raised to the r a n k of a republic, are there
not o t h e r f e d e r a l r e p u b l i c s i n Y u g o s l a v i a s o t h a t t h e
republic w h i c h the A l b a n i a n s of K o s o v a d e m a n d w o u l d
make an exception?
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T h e problems must be judged objectively and fairly
and the position should not be reached that a l l the leaders
o f e v e r y r a n k a r e set i n m o t i o n t o a r o u s e f e e l i n g s o f r e s e n t ment a n d hostility towards the A l b a n i a n s among the
peoples o f Y u g o s l a v i a , t h a t a l l the forces a r e m o b i l i z e d t o
attack, t o abuse, t o beat, t o k i l l , t o i n j u r e a n d i m p r i s o n the
flower of the valiant A l b a n i a n youth of K o s o v a and other
A l b a n i a n regions.
It is jeopardizing the honour a n d interests of Y u g o slavia to pour into K o s o v a half the Serbian police and the
m i l i t i a o f B e l g r a d e , a r m e d t o t h e teeth, t o s u r r o u n d t h e
cities o f K o s o v a w i t h t a n k s , t o c l o u d t h e s k i e s w i t h a i r c r a f t
and p a c k t h e a e r o d r o m e s w i t h p a r a t r o o p s .
No, this should not have occurred. We sternly denounce
this u n p r e c e d e n t e d v i o l e n c e i n K o s o v a . T h o s e w h o a r e
really to blame for the situation must be found, but they
are not I n K o s o v a , n o r i n t h e P S R o f A l b a n i a , a s i s b e i n g
h i n t e d a n d i m p l i e d i n some q u a r t e r s . T o f i n d t h e m one
must p r o b e d e e p e r i n t o t h e s u b j e c t i v e a n d o b j e c t i v e reasons
and t h e p o l i c y p u r s u e d b y t h e Y u g o s l a v l e a d e r s h i p .
The demonstrations and just demands of the A l b a n i a n
students a n d p e o p l e o f K o s o v a h a v e b e e n seen a n d i n t e r preted f r o m a w r o n g s t a n d p o i n t , t h e y h a v e b e e n t r e a t e d
in a hostile w a y a n d w i t h e x t r a o r d i n a r y brutality. We
t h i n k t h a t these m a t t e r s o u g h t t o b e t r e a t e d w i s e l y a n d
w i t h cool heads, b e a r i n g i n m i n d e s p e c i a l l y t h a t i n j u s t i c e s
have a l w a y s b e e n done t o t h e A l b a n i a n p o p u l a t i o n i n
Y u g o s l a v i a , a n d t h a t t h e c h a u v i n i s t forces h a v e s t r i v e n
t o t a k e savage v e n g e a n c e i n b o t h t h e m o r e d i s t a n t a n d
the m o r e recent past.
N o good p u r p o s e w i l l b e a c h i e v e d b y t r y i n g t o i n t i midate a people w i t h m o n s t r o u s e p i t h e t s a n d t a n k s , as
i s b e i n g done w i t h t h e A l b a n i a n s i n Y u g o s l a v i a . W i t h the
Albanians of Kosova, Macedonia and Montenegro, and
w i t h those w h o h a v e e m i g r a t e d o n account o f p o v e r t y
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and unemployment, matters should be talked over c a l m l y
a n d reasonably and not w i t h ill-intentioned prejudgments.
T h e s e people o u g h t t o e n j o y f u l l r i g h t s a n d f u l l e q u a l i t y
w i t h t h e other peoples w i t h i n t h e F e d e r a t i o n o f Y u g o s l a v i a .
E v e r y proposal and just demand of the Albanians w h o
l i v e i n Y u g o s l a v i a , w h i c h does n o t please a n d upsets t h e
federal or the regional leadership, is unhesitatingly decribed
as «hostile, A l b a n i a n - c h a u v i n i s t , i r r e d e n t i s t , etc.» L i k e w i s e ,
a n y protest against i n j u s t i c e s w h i c h h a v e b e e n a n d a r e
b e i n g d o n e t o t h e m , a n d these are n e i t h e r f e w n o r m i n o r
ones, i s d e s c r i b e d i n these i n s u l t i n g t e r m s .
W h a t does t h e e p i t h e t « n a t i o n a l i s t » o n t h e l i p s o f t h e
Yugoslavs mean, w h e n it is applied to the Albanians? T h e
w o r d « n a t i o n a l i s t » comes f r o m t h e w o r d natio, w h i c h
means nation, nationality. A n y dictionary, large or small,
e x p l a i n s this. B u t o n t h e l i p s o f t h e Y u g o s l a v s t h e e p i t h e t
«nationalist» is a d e m a n d for submission towards the big
nation, is a demand that people give up their love f o r
their country, their Homeland and their nation.
W h e n y o u t r y t o d e n y a n a t i o n its n a t i o n a l i t y , s o v ereignty and a l l the attributes w h i c h f l o w f r o m it, t h e n
the words nation and nationality, w h i c h the Y u g o s l a v s are
t a l k i n g a n d w r i t i n g a b o u t e v e r y d a y , a r e sheer d e m a g o g y .
S u c h e f f o r t s cause f r i c t i o n w h i c h leads t o u n d e s i r a b l e
and dangerous confrontations. If y o u t r y to suppress a n d
w i p e out the traditions a n d national aspirations of a
people, t h e n y o u w i l l c e r t a i n l y e n c o u n t e r a r e a c t i o n o f
self-defence.
O n l y M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m , scientific socialism, the theory
of M a r x , Engels, L e n i n and Stalin, provides a correct
solution to national problems.
In the Socialist Federative Republic of Y u g o s l a v i a
t h i n g s h a v e gone s o f a r t h a t i n t h e R e p u b l i c o f B o s n j a H e r c e g o v i n a , i n K o s o v a a n d o t h e r places w h e r e A l b a n i a n s
l i v e , a « M o s l e m n a t i o n a l i t y » has b e e n i n v e n t e d . It is s a i d
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that t h e « M o s l e m n a t i o n a l i t y » i s s o m e t h i n g s p e c i f i c t o
Yugoslavia. Surprisingly, however, there is no «Christian
Orthodox nationality» or «Roman Catholic nationality»
in Yugoslavia. If y o u w a n t to f i n d the explanation for this
y o u must read the m e m o r a n d u m of V. Čubrilović, f o r m e r
political adviser to the monarchic regime, former minister
of the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia, and
now an academician of Yugoslavia, addressed to the royal
g o v e r n m e n t o f S t o j a d i n o v i ć i n 1937.
I f one r e a d s t h i s m e m o r a n d u m , one c a n u n d e r s t a n d
better w h y a n y a c t i o n o f t h e A l b a n i a n s o f K o s o v a , w i t h i n
the f e d e r a l C o n s t i t u t i o n a n d l a w s , i s i m m e d i a t e l y d e s c r i b e d
a s « A l b a n i a n c h a u v i n i s m » , w h y i t i s v e r y easy t o d e s c r i b e
them as «irredentist». In order to put t h e m into prisons
and c o n c e n t r a t i o n c a m p s . T o h a v e t h e r i g h t t o accuse a s
i r r e d e n t i s t a w h o l e p e o p l e a n d n a t i o n of m o r e t h a n 2
million inhabitants, l i k e the part of the A l b a n i a n nation
w h i c h l i v e s o n its o w n l a n d s i n Y u g o s l a v i a , y o u y o u r s e l f
must not b e a c h a u v i n i s t a n d m u s t h a v e w i p e d out a l l t h e
causes a n d sources o f n a t i o n a l i n j u s t i c e s w h i c h h a v e b e e n
spawned by imperialists a n d the old B a l k a n feudal bour­
geoisie. If t h e p r i n c i p l e of s e l f - d e t e r m i n a t i o n of peoples
has b e e n a p p l i e d a f t e r t h e N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r , a s i s
claimed, w h y then should there by irredentism?
B e f o r e t h e r e i s t a l k o f s o - c a l l e d i r r e d e n t i s m , t h e past
history, t h e e c o n o m i c a n d c u l t u r a l b a c k w a r d n e s s , t h e mass
unemployment and forced emigration of Albanians, w h i c h
constitutes one o f t h e m o s t m a s s i v e e m i g r a t i o n s f r o m
Yugoslavia to foreign countries, must be explained. T h e
situation o f K o s o v a c a n n o t b e e x p l a i n e d t h r o u g h t h e « w o r l d
crisis», a s c e r t a i n Y u g o s l a v l e a d e r s , a l l e g e d l y t h e o r e t i c i a n s
o f the F e d e r a t i o n a n d K o s o v a , a r e t r y i n g t o do.
In regard to the so-called A l b a n i a n chauvinism, it
must b e s a i d t h a t t h e c h a r a c t e r o f t h e A l b a n i a n a n d h i s
h i s t o r y t h r o u g h the c e n t u r i e s i n d i c a t e t h e opposite o f t h a t
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of w h i c h the A l b a n i a n s of Y u g o s l a v i a are accused. T h e
A l b a n i a n s h a v e n e v e r oppressed o r e x p l o i t e d o t h e r p e o p l e s .
N e v e r have they attacked and partitioned the territories
o f other peoples. T h e s e t h i n g s h a v e b e e n d o n e t o t h e A l ­
banians. T h e r e f o r e c h a u v i n i s m m u s t b e s o u g h t a n d f o u n d
elsewhere, a n d not a m o n g the A l b a n i a n s o f K o s o v a o r those
o f the People's S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a , w h o c o n s t i t u t e
one people a n d one n a t i o n . C h a u v i n i s m m u s t b e s o u g h t
p r e c i s e l y a m o n g those Y u g o s l a v l e a d e r s w h o o r d e r e d t h e
a t t a c k w i t h S e r b i a n t a n k s a n d police, w h o k i l l e d , i n j u r e d ,
t o r t u r e d a n d i m p r i s o n e d the A l b a n i a n students, w o r k e r s
a n d peasants, t h e g r a n d s o n s a n d g r a n d - d a u g h t e r s o f t h e h e ­
roes o f o u r people, Isa B o l e t i n i , B a j r a m C u r r i , A b d y l a n d
Naim Frashëri, Sulejman Vokshi, Y m e r Prizreni, A z e m and
Shote Galica, Çerçiz T o p u l l i and S e l a m Salaria, the brothers
and cofighters of H a j d a r Dushi, H y s n i K a p o , M i l a d i n
Popović, E m i n D u r a k u , and thousands of heroic A l b a n i a n ,
Montenegrin, and Macedonian partisans who fought and
s h e d t h e i r b l o o d together, a s b r o t h e r s i n Y u g o s l a v i a , f o r
the f r e e d o m , i n d e p e n d e n c e a n d s e l f - d e t e r m i n a t i o n o f t h e
peoples of Y u g o s l a v i a .
Does B e l g r a d e d e m a n d t h a t t h e A l b a n i a n s cease t o b e
p a t r i o t s ? T h i s w i l l n e v e r o c c u r ! T h e A l b a n i a n has a l w a y s
d e f e n d e d h i m s e l f h e r o i c a l l y a n d has t r i u m p h e d o v e r t h e
enemies because h e has a l w a y s b e e n i n t h e r i g h t . W h e r e v e r
h e lives, w o r k s a n d fights, h e a l w a y s d i s p l a y s m a t u r i t y
a n d p a t i e n c e T h e r e f o r e don't a n g e r t h e A l b a n i a n people,
t h e y are p a t i e n t , b u t w h e n t h e A l b a n i a n s b e c o m e a n g r y ,
even t h e stones a r e set a b l a z e .
T h e history of the A l b a n i a n s through the centuries and
that of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r have s h o w n that the
sons a n d d a u g h t e r s o f o u r people h a v e s h e d t h e i r b l o o d
t o h e l p t h e f r a t e r n a l n e i g h b o u r i n g peoples. T h e l o f t y s p i r i t
of sacrifice a n d profound internationalist feelings charac­
t e r i z e o u r people. W e h a v e a l w a y s w a n t e d g o o d n e i g h b o u r l y
POLICE VIOLENCE AGAINST ALBANIANS IN KOSOVA
157
relations w i t h Y u g o s l a v i a . O u r stand is unalterable. II
anyone, i m p e r i a l i s m o r s o c i a l - i m p e r i a l i s m , a t t a c k s Y u g o s l a v i a , o u r people, socialist A l b a n i a w i l l f i g h t s h o u l d e r to:
s h o u l d e r w i t h t h e peoples o f Y u g o s l a v i a . T h i s i s w h a t w e
h a v e s a i d a n d t h i s i s w h a t w e s h a l l do.
O u r o p i n i o n a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l o p i n i o n c a n n o t accept
a n d r e c o n c i l e i t s e l f t o t h e b a r b a r o u s actions b e i n g t a k e n
against t h e A l b a n i a n s i n Y u g o s l a v i a . T h e Y u g o s l a v l e a d e r ship o u g h t t o b e p r u d e n t a n d s t u d y a n d s o l v e its i n t e r n a l
problems justly, a n d not be a l w a y s t r y i n g to lecture others
about « m o d e r a t i o n , t h e p e a c e f u l s o l u t i o n o f conflicts, a n d
h u m a n r i g h t s a n d t h e r i g h t s o f peoples,» etc.
W e t h i n k t h a t t e m p e r s m u s t b e cooled a n d , f i r s t o f a l l ,
those o f t h e Y u g o s l a v leaders. T h e p r o b l e m s o f t h e A l banians w h o l i v e i n Y u g o s l a v i a s h o u l d b e s t u d i e d c a l m l y ,
w i s e l y a n d f a i r l y . I f t h i s i s n o t done, t h e w o u n d w i l l n o t
b e healed, b u t w i l l b e c o m e m u c h deeper. W e d o n o t w a n t
this t o occur, a n d w e are r e a d y t o g i v e sincere assistance
w i t h a l l t h e forces o f o u r n o b l e h e a r t s a n d m i n d s t o
preserve t h e f r i e n d s h i p w i t h t h e f r a t e r n a l peoples o f
Yugoslavia, to safeguard the good neighbourly relations
w h i c h h a v e b e e n e s t a b l i s h e d , t o assist o u r A l b a n i a n b r o t h e r s
in every direction as before, to develop c o m m e r c i a l relations
and c u l t u r a l e x c h a n g e s w i t h t h e m , a s w e d o w i t h t h e
other peoples of Y u g o s l a v i a , on t h e basis of a g r e e m e n t s
concluded j o i n t l y b e t w e e n t h e P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c
of A l b a n i a and the Socialist Federative Republic of Y u g o slavia.
T h i s i s r e q u i r e d i n t h e i n t e r e s t s o f o u r t w o states, o f
our f r i e n d s h i p , o f o u r g o o d n e i g h b o u r l y r e l a t i o n s , w i t h o u t
a t a n y t i m e i n t e r f e r i n g i n each other's i n t e r n a l a f f a i r s .
A l b a n i a has n o t i n t e r f e r e d a n d i s n o t i n t e r f e r i n g i n
the i n t e r n a l a f f a i r s of Y u g o s l a v i a . T h i s is a basic p r i n c i p l e
o f our p o l i c y . I n e x p r e s s i n g o u r v i e w s a b o u t t h e recent
events i n K o s o v a , w e a r e n o t i n t e r f e r i n g i n t h e i n t e r n a l
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affairs of Yugoslavia. B u t we are raising our voice, a n d we
have the right to raise it w h e n injustices are done to our
brothers, w h e n violence and repression are used against
t h e m , w h e n s u c h slogans a s A l b a n i a n c h a u v i n i s m , i r r e d e n t i s m , etc. are u s e d t o d i s c r e d i t t h e A l b a n i a n y o u t h a n d
people o f K o s o v a . W e h a v e t h i s r i g h t , j u s t a s Y u g o s l a v i a
a n d a n y o t h e r state has t h e r i g h t t o d e f e n d a n d d e m a n d
j u s t i c e f o r its o w n n a t i o n a l m i n o r i t i e s . T h e T r e a t y o f L o n don, the T r e a t y of Versailles, or a n y other imperialist treaty
can no longer be imposed to the detriment of the A l b a n i a n people. E v e r y b o d y , f r i e n d s a n d enemies, states
big and small, imperialist and revisionist, anti-communist
o r pseudo-socialist, a s w e l l a s o u r c o m m u n i s t c o m r a d e s
and brothers and progressive people should understand
this c l e a r l y .
« Z ë r i i popullit»
T H E COMMITTEE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNIQUE
SHOULD E X E R T INFLUENCE ON THE DEVELOPMENT
OF SCIENCE AND ON THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION
OF ITS ACHIEVEMENTS
From the contribution at the meeting of the Secretariat
of the CC of the PLA (1)
M a y 6, 1981
At the start of the
meeting, Comrade
Enver Hoxha
asked the comrades of the Committee of Science and Technique a number of questions in connection with the accomplishment of the targets of the 8th Plenum of the CC of
the Party, inquired about the organization, functions and
competences of the
Committee of Science and Technique,
about its relations and cooperation with the Academy of
Sciences, with the University and with the other scientific
institutions
of
the
country, etc.
After listening to
the
answers and the contributions of the comrades in connection
with the question on the agenda Comrade Enver Hoxha
said among other things:
T h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f science i n o u r c o u n t r y i s p l e a s i n g ,
but I a m o f t h e o p i n i o n t h a t w e s h o u l d not e m p l o y s u p e r _____________________________________
1 T h i s meeting e x a m i n e d the report «On the w o r k done for
the post-graduate q u a l i f i c a t i o n of cadres and the problems
w h i c h emerge in this f i e l d to accomplish the targets set by the
8th P l e n u m of the CC of the P a r t y » , presented by the C o m m i t tee of Science and T e c h n i q u e .
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ENVER HOXHA
l a t i v e s t o describe it. I n o u r c o u n t r y t h e f o u n d a t i o n s h a v e
b e e n l a i d a n d successes h a v e b e e n a c h i e v e d i n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of a n u m b e r of sciences a n d v i s t a s h a v e b e e n o p e n e d
t o e v e n the most a d v a n c e d sciences a n d t h e i r b r a n c h e s .
I n these c o n d i t i o n s i t i s o u r d u t y t o k n o w h o w t o m a n a g e
a n d e m p l o y o u r m a t e r i a l , p h y s i c a l a n d m e n t a l forces, n o t
g r o p i n g i n the d a r k a n d n o t o n o c c a s i o n a l p r o b l e m s o f t h e
m o m e n t , b u t m e t h o d i c a l l y a n d w i t h f i r s t p r i o r i t y i n those
branches of science a n d t e c h n i q u e w h i c h l e a d to a g r e a t e r
p o s i t i v e t r a n s f o r m a t i o n a n d w h i c h , n a t u r a l l y , also r e q u i r e
a higher level of technology, more profound k n o w l e d g e
and more advanced methods in theoretical studies and
application.
B e s i d e s organs o f t h e state a d m i n i s t r a t i o n w h i c h i n
fact r u n t h e w o r k , t h e r e a r e also s t u d y i n s t i t u t e s a s w e l l
a s other o r g a n i s m s a t t h e c e n t r e a n d a t t h e base w h i c h
employ m a n y forms and methods in scientific-research
w o r k a n d a p p l i e d sciences. A m o n g these f o r m s a n d m e t h o d s
some a r e a d v a n c e d (but a r e s t i l l b a c k w a r d c o m p a r e d w i t h
the m o s t a d v a n c e d ones w h i c h w e h a v e t o achieve), s o m e
are a r t i s a n f o r m s a n d m e t h o d s a n d , f i n a l l y , t h e r e a r e
outdated forms and methods. We must recognize a n d
acknowledge this uneveness of the situation. E a c h governement department, scientific institution a n d enterp r i s e m u s t n o t o n l y a c k n o w l e d g e t h i s uneveness, b u t
m u s t also t a k e e f f e c t i v e m e a s u r e s a n d s t r i v e t o i m p r o v e
the s i t u a t i o n t h r o u g h p e r s i s t e n t e f f o r t a n d i n p l a n n e d
ways.
Hence the need for recognition of the situation by the
C o m m i t t e e o f S c i e n c e a n d T e c h n i q u e w h i c h w e set u p .
I t m u s t set itself tasks a n d p r o v i d e o r i e n t a t i o n s f o r t h e
d e v e l o p m e n t o f science a n d f o r t h e s t r i c t a p p l i c a t i o n o f
scientific achievements in practice.
Science a n d t e c h n i q u e h a v e t h e i r s o u r c e i n t h e a c t i v i t y
DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE AND ITS APPLICATION
161
o f m a n , i n s o c i a l p r a c t i c e . T e c h n i q u e leads t o f u r t h e r
d e v e l o p m e n t i n science a n d science c a r r i e s t e c h n i q u e f o r w a r d . T h e y a r e c l o s e l y l i n k e d together. T h i s i s a d i a l e c t i c a l
process w h i c h w e m u s t u n d e r s t a n d a n d a p p l y .
In t h e q u e s t i o n s w h i c h I a s k e d I w a n t e d to f i n d out
h o w w o r l d e x p e r i e n c e i s s t u d i e d , because science h a s
become a q u e s t i o n of a l l c o u n t r i e s a n d peoples. H e r e I am
not r e f e r r i n g t o t h e secrets o f s p e c i a l technology, b u t t o
the sciences, i n g e n e r a l , w h i c h h a v e b e c o m e necessary f o r
all a n d f r o m w h i c h a l l can benefit, p r o v i d e d the knowledge
and practical application of t h e m is organized properly. In
this d i r e c t i o n w e face m a j o r tasks.
I t h i n k a n u m b e r of concepts a n d tendencies e x i s t in
our c o u n t r y w h i c h e x i s t e d a m o n g o t h e r c o u n t r i e s i n t h e past.
T h e t e c h n i c a l - s c i e n t i f i c r e v o l u t i o n is, in fact, a process
w h i c h b r i n g s a b o u t p r o f o u n d changes i n t h e l i f e o f society,
i n the d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e e c o n o m y a n d c u l t u r e . I t seems
t o m e t h a t t h i s i s its m e a n i n g a n d p u r p o s e . A n d t h i s m e a n i n g
and p u r p o s e m u s t b e m a t e r i a l i z e d t h r o u g h s o u n d p l a n n i n g
and precise m e t h o d s . On t h i s issue t h e r e is o f t e n a n a i v e
or primitive understanding w h i c h is unable to distinguish
between p u r e science a n d a m i n o r t e c h n o l o g i c a l i m p r o v e ment. W e n e e d t h e t w o , b o t h p u r e science a n d t e c h n i c a l
improvement, even if it is only a minor improvement. B u t
pure science is n o t s o m e t h i n g o r d i n a r y , it is a h i g h - l e v e l
synthesis o f p r o t r a c t e d e x p e r i m e n t a t i o n , w h i c h opens u p
broad f i e l d s o f k n o w l e d g e a n d a p p l i c a t i o n f o r t h e p r e s e n t
and the f u t u r e .
T h e r e f o r e , o u r people, w h e r e v e r t h e y w o r k a n d s t r u g gle, m u s t h a v e a c o r r e c t a p p r e c i a t i o n b o t h of t h e p u r e
scientific w o r k a n d o f t h e w o r k f o r t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f
achievements o f science i n p r a c t i c e . T h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f
science begins w i t h e x p e r i m e n t a t i o n w i t h i n o r o u t s i d e t h e
laboratory, a n d i s t h e n e x t e n d e d t o l a r g e - s c a l e p r o d u c t i o n .
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ENVER HOXHA
T h e e x p e r i m e n t s i n t h e mines, i n a g r i c u l t u r e a n d i n t h e
l a b o r a t o r i e s are t h e o r i g i n o f s c i e n t i f i c syntheses w h i c h
c a r r y science a h e a d .
It is important that we understand (and this is the line
of the Party) that it should not be the apparatuses a n d
those people w h o a r e s t u c k t o t h e i r d e s k s w h o d e c i d e t h e
future of the development. T h e apparatuses w h i c h the
P a r t y has set u p h a v e b e e n c r e a t e d a c c o r d i n g t o o u r M a r x ist-Leninist ideology. W i t h o u t t h e m there could be no
state o f t h e d i c t a t o r s h i p o f t h e p r o l e t a r i a t , w i t h o u t t h e m
there w o u l d be anarchy, anarcho-syndicalism and revisionist
s e l f - a d m i n i s t r a t i v e d e c e n t r a l i z a t i o n . B u t o u r state a p p a r a tuses a n d t h e cadres w h o w o r k i n t h e m m u s t b e r e v o l u t i o n a r y apparatuses, s t a f f e d b y s k i l f u l , d e v o t e d , j u s t m e n ,
t h e y m u s t b e e n e m i e s o f «sleep», o f b u r e a u c r a c y a n d
routine and must be supporters of the new, the innovative
a n d science. O u r i d e o l o g y i t s e l f i s science a n d i t i s p r e c i s e l y
t h i s science w h i c h leads a l l t h e others a n d g u i d e s t h e m i n
the i n t e r e s t s o f the d e v e l o p m e n t a n d t h e c o m p l e t e c o n s t r u c tion of socialism.
O u r M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t science i s n e i t h e r a d o g m a i n
t h e o r y , n o r i s i t a d o g m a i n p r a c t i c e . T h e correct c o n c e p t i o n
a n d a p p l i c a t i o n o f a l l sciences a n d t h e i r m e t h o d s i n a l l
fields of our life w i l l depend on the proper understanding,
the p r o p e r a s s i m i l a t i o n o f M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m . T h e C o m mittee of Science and Technique, in particular, must bear
i n m i n d these questions w h i c h c o n s t i t u t e c a p i t a l p r o b l e m s
f o r o u r c o u n t r y , f o r science a n d t e c h n i q u e .
Science is a s o c i a l p h e n o m e n o n , as are art, l i t e r a t u r e ,
l a w , etc. Science does not s p r o u t f r o m c i v i l i z a t i o n a s a n
isolated e p i p h e n o m e n o n , but, o n t h e c o n t r a r y , i s d e e p l y
r o o t e d i n t h e social, p o l i t i c a l , e c o n o m i c a n d i d e o l o g i c a l
t e r r a i n . I t has e m e r g e d i n a g i v e n h i s t o r i c a l e p o c h a n d
its d e v e l o p m e n t a n d use a r e c o n d i t i o n e d b y t h e c h a r a c t e r
o f t h e social o r d e r .
DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE AND ITS APPLICATION
163
W e observe, f o r e x a m p l e , t h a t t h e b i r t h o f r a t i o n a l
t h i n k i n g of the ancient G r e e k philosophers burst the
confines of mythology and ushered in the era of cosmogony.
T h i s i s l i n k e d w i t h t h e l a y a n d the l i b e r a l s p i r i t o f I o n i a n s ,
in the time of A n a x i m a n d e r , A n a x i m e n e s , X e n o p h o n f r o m
Colophon, a n d especially, Thales f r o m Miletus, and later,
of outstanding philosophers such as Democritus, Aristotle,
E p i c u r u s and others. A s i m i l a r explanation can be g i v e n
o f t h e C a r t e s i a n m e t h o d w h i c h t r i u m p h e d i n t h e 17th
c e n t u r y , w h i c h w a s t h e p r o d u c t o f this h i s t o r i c a l stage w h i c h
freed philosophical t h i n k i n g f r o m church authority. T h e
theory and method of Descartes was an advance in astronomy, b i o l o g y a n d p h y s i c s f o r t h a t e p o c h . H i s m e t h o d w a s
a rational method w h i c h was adapted to the progressive
t h i n k i n g o f t h e t i m e . I n t h e same w a y , t h e w o r k o f p h y s i c i s t s
l i k e A m p e r , a n d c h e m i s t s l i k e G a y - L u s s a c , a n d others, i s
linked w i t h the genius of R o m a n t i c writers and w i t h t h e
bourgeois r e v o l u t i o n .
H e n c e , t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f science i s l i n k e d w i t h d i f ferent stages o f c i v i l i z a t i o n , w h i c h c o n s t i t u t e a c h a i n . E a c h
stage of science is p a r t of t h e stage of c i v i l i z a t i o n a n d
develops t o g e t h e r w i t h it, w h i l e p r e s e r v i n g t h e bases o f
a c h i e v e m e n t s in past stages. It is t h e e f f o r t s of t h e society
w h i c h d e v e l o p t h e science.
T h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f science i n o u r c o u n t r y i s l i n k e d
w i t h t h e stage o f t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f s o c i a l i s m , w i t h t h e
d i a l e c t i c a l m a t e r i a l i s t concepts, a n d n o t w i t h t h e determ i n i s t i c concepts o f 18th c e n t u r y E u r o p e .
A s t h e h i s t o r y o f science s h o w s , m e c h a n i c s w a s b o r n
and d e v e l o p e d o n t h e basis o f f o r m e r a c h i e v e m e n t s a n d ,
t h r o u g h its r a p i d progress, a r r i v e d a t t h e p r i n c i p l e s o f
kinetics a n d t h e r m o d y n a m i c s . I n t h a t p e r i o d science w a s
p e r v a d e d a n d d o m i n a t e d b y m e c h a n i c s . L a t e r o t h e r great
q u a l i t a t i v e changes w e r e made i n science, w h i c h l e f t
b e h i n d t h e stage o f m e c h a n i c i s m a n d f o r g e d a h e a d , d i f -
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ENVER HOXHA
f e r e n t i a t i n g a n d c o n f i r m i n g a t e v e r y step t h e d i a l e c t i c a l
materialist development of the w o r l d . Rigorous discipline
c h a r a c t e r i z e s p r e s e n t - d a y w o r l d science i n its a d v a n c e . W e
m u s t n e v e r forget this.
I h a v e p o i n t e d out at o t h e r t i m e s , too, t h a t m a t h e m a t i c s
as a separate science is e x t r e m e l y r i g o r o u s , a v e r y e x a c t
science. T h e r e c a n b e n o m a n o f l e a r n i n g w h o does n o t
assert t h a t a n y science, e s p e c i a l l y t h e n a t u r a l sciences,
must be expressed in mathematical f o r m in order to reach
perfection. We have read that this applies even in biology,
since t h e s t r u g g l e f o r s u r v i v a l i s e x p r e s s e d i n e q u a t i o n s .
T h e economy, also, proceeds o n t h i s c o u r s e a n d uses t h e
m a t h e m a t i c a l a p p a r a t u s i n o r d e r t o solve its p r o b l e m s .
Electricity is the motor of the m o d e r n w o r l d a n d the
m a i n characteristic of present-day civilization is the p r o d u c t i o n a n d use o f e l e c t r i c a l e n e r g y . T h e g r e a t e r p a r t o f
o u r d a i l y existence t a k e s p l a c e u n d e r t h e s t a n d a r d o f t h e
power of Volta, Oersted, A m p e r and Faradey. The technique
and technology of m o d e r n production are inconceivable
w i t h o u t the d i r e c t o r i n d i r e c t use o f e l e c t r i c p o w e r . T h e
l e v e l o f t h e m a t e r i a l d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e society d e p e n d s
directly on the amount of electrical energy w h i c h is cons u m e d i n a l l fields. W i t h o u t e l e c t r i c i t y t h e r e c a n b e n o
progress. I h a v e s p o k e n m o r e e x t e n s i v e l y a b o u t t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f e n e r g y i n g e n e r a l o t h e r t i m e s , a n d i n a l l its
Creative w o r k a n d a u x i l i a r y a c t i v i t i e s t h e C o m m i t t e e o f
Science a n d T e c h n i q u e m u s t g i v e f i r s t - r a t e i m p o r t a n c e t o
k n o w l e d g e a n d use o f m a t h e m a t i c a l m e t h o d s a n d t h e
p r o b l e m s o f energy.
S c i e n c e develops t h i n k i n g , l i b e r a t e s i t f r o m t h e s h a c k l e s
of idealism, superstitions, a n d religious m y s t i c i s m . It
d i s c o v e r s a n d elaborates t h e best a n d m o s t r a t i o n a l m e t h o d s
o f t h i n k i n g a n d a c t i n g . B y d e v e l o p i n g science, b y t r a n s f o r m i n g n a t u r e a n d society, m a n also changes a n d d e v e l o p s
h i m s e l f . T h e m o r e r a p i d l y a n d t h e f u r t h e r science advances,
DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE AND ITS APPLICATION
165
the more the fog and darkness of religion and mysticism
w i l l b e left b e h i n d a n d b e d i s p e l l e d .
T h e n a t u r a l a n d s o c i a l sciences c o m p r i s e t h a t s y s t e m o f
k n o w l e d g e c r e a t e d h i s t o r i c a l l y b y d i f f e r e n t people a n d
civilizations, the accuracy of w h i c h is confirmed by social
practice.
M a r x i s m teaches u s t h a t t h e sciences r e f l e c t t h e
o b j e c t i v e l a w s o f n a t u r e a n d s o c i e t y i n the h u m a n m i n d . T h e
t h e o r e t i c a l k n o w l e d g e w h i c h science p r o v i d e s u s w i t h i s
distinct f r o m the practical or e m p i r i c a l knowledge w h i c h
people g a i n e v e r y d a y i n l i f e . S c i e n c e gives a conscious
c h a r a c t e r t o t h e p r a c t i c a l a c t i v i t y o f people. I t not o n l y
e x p l a i n s , b u t also forsees.
S c i e n c e a n d t e c h n i q u e are closely l i n k e d w i t h each
other, a l t h o u g h t h e y a r e t w o d i f f e r e n t fields. T h e r e are
theories a n d discussions a b o u t t h e q u e s t i o n o f w h i c h c a m e
first a n d w h i c h second, t h a t is. d i d science g i v e b i r t h t o
t e c h n i q u e o r w a s t e c h n i q u e t h e source o f science? I a m n o t
g o i n g t o d e a l w i t h t h i s q u e s t i o n . O u r great classics m a d e
i t clear l o n g ago. M a r x g i v e s tools, t e c h n i q u e a n d t e c h nology t h e i r p r o p e r v a l u e , b u t h e a c k n o w l e d g e s t h a t t h e
m a i n f o r c e w h i c h creates t h e m , w h i c h sets t h e m i n m o t i o n
and makes t h e m more perfect every day is man.
B o u r g e o i s t h e o r e t i c i a n s elevate t e c h n i q u e to a f e t i s h ,
and thus, d e v e l o p t e c h n i c i s m . T h e y separate t e c h n i q u e ,
m a k e it i n d e p e n d e n t of s o c i a l l i f e , m a k e it t h e p r o d u c t of a
f e w i n v e n t o r s of genius, or an elite of scientists, t h e r e f o r e ,
w e s h o u l d b e c a r e f u l i n t h i s m a t t e r . I n fact, h o w e v e r , despite
t h e great r o l e w h i c h o u t s t a n d i n g i n d i v i d u a l s p l a y , b o t h
science a n d t e c h n i q u e a r e b o r n a n d d e v e l o p e d o n the basis
of social p r a c t i c e , of t h e e x p e r i e n c e of t h e b r o a d masses
o f w o r k i n g people.
I stress these t h i n g s , comrades, because o u r people
w h o are b u i l d i n g a n d p r o d u c i n g , m u s t b e e q u i p p e d w i t h
science a n d s h o u l d d e v e l o p m o d e r n t e c h n i q u e , s h o u l d
166
ENVER HOXHA
k n o w a n d u n d e r s t a n d these t h i n g s t h e o r e t i c a l l y f r o m t h e
a n g l e o f o u r M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t t h e o r y , because o n l y i n t h i s
w a y w i l l they avoid falling into capitalist-revisionist interpretations and deviations.
N o w let m e c o m e c o n c r e t e l y t o t h e q u e s t i o n u n d e r
discussion. F r o m the report presented to us on the p r o b l e m
o f p o s t - g r a d u a t e q u a l i f i c a t i o n , i t e m e r g e s t h a t «the w o r k
done has n o t r e s p o n d e d to t h e needs of v a r i o u s sectors,»
etc., etc.
I pointed out above why this occurs and that this
work must be done better and in more organized ways. But
I want to stress that it would be a mistake to think that the
Committee of Science and Technique alone will carry out
this work, w h i l e t h e o t h e r s w i l l f o l d t h e i r a r m s a n d , w i t h o u t
m a k i n g t i m e l y studies o f t h e p r o b l e m s o n t h e basis o f
sectors, o n t h e basis o f d e v e l o p m e n t , w i l l s i m p l y a s k f o r
the n u m b e r o f people r e q u i r e d i n the g i v e n s p e c i a l i t y a n d
name them, w h i c h w o u l d be quite inadequate. T h i s has
occurred and is still occurring. The Committee of Science
a n d T e c h n i q u e m u s t not b e a n a d j u n c t o f t h e S t a t e P l a n ning Commission, but must be a committee attached to the
government.
Despite the shortcomings that we have, the n u m b e r
o f people w i t h s c h o o l i n g i n o u r c o u n t r y i s g o o d . T h e i n terest i n l e a r n i n g also i s g o o d a n d i t c a n n o t b e s a i d t h a t
there is no rise in the level of knowledge in our country,
b u t t h e c o n c l u s i o n stated i n t h e r e p o r t i s m e a n i n g f u l ,
t h e r e f o r e , f r o m n o w o n t h e n e g a t i v e causes w h i c h e x i s t
must be examined more deeply and what is more important
is that measures must be t a k e n to put this situation in
order and to advance.
T h e r e p o r t speaks a b o u t «mass p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n t h e
q u a l i f i c a t i o n o f h i g h e r cadres,» etc. I n m y o p i n i o n t h i s m a s s
f o r m can be effective only w h e n the control, management
DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE AND ITS APPLICATION
167
a n d requirements for qualification are extremely rigorous.
The awareness, the complete conviction must be
created in everyone that wherever he works, fights and
produces, it is necessary to learn, to gain qualification and
not just to raise his grading, but to become able to produce
the maximum and of the best quality.
I t h i n k we should struggle h a r d for quality, first of all,
i n t h e q u a l i f i c a t i o n courses.
T h e r e p o r t speaks a b o u t t h e p r e p a r a t i o n of a f i v e - y e a r
p l a n a b o u t s p e c i a l i z a t i o n , etc. T h i s i s r i g h t a n d s h o u l d b e
done. B u t I w a n t to g i v e some a d v i c e : the plan made for
this purpose should be realistic, and not exaggerated by
desires beyond our possibilities. We s h o u l d n o t w e a k e n t h e
h i g h e r schools a n d p r o d u c t i o n b y w i t h d r a w i n g cadres f r o m
them allegedly to give t h e m post-graduate specialization.
Well-considered and reasonable specialization can be successful a n d b e done s o u n d l y o n l y w h e n the base i s n o t
w e a k e n e d . B o t h a r e i m p o r t a n t , b u t t h e base, p r o d u c t i o n ,
has p r i m e i m p o r t a n c e .
T h i s p l a n must be w o r k e d out v e r y rigorously. If the
base does n o t w o r k s e r i o u s l y o n t h i s p r o b l e m , t h e w o r k
f r o m above by the C o m m i t t e e of Science a n d Technique,
the S t a t e P l a n n i n g C o m m i s s i o n a n d t h e M i n i s t r y o f E d u cation and C u l t u r e w i l l be crippled.
It has been decided that this plan shall be approved in
June this year. However, I ask: is this time-limit w e l l
based? H a v e t h e U n i v e r s i t y a n d t h e d e p a r t m e n t s c o m p i l e d
the p l a n s a n d p r o g r a m s , h a v e t h e cadres b e e n a l l o c a t e d ,
taking into account the w o r k load, the profile, their quantity
and quality?
I t seems t o m e t h a t f o r o u r c o n d i t i o n s , I a m r e f e r r i n g
t o o u r p r e s e n t c o n d i t i o n s , t a k i n g i n t o account t h e l e v e l o f
science i n o u r c o u n t r y a n d its needs, a s w e l l a s o u r t e a c h i n g ,
t h e o r e t i c a l a n d e x p e r i m e n t a l force, t h e t h r e e - y e a r p e r i o d
set f o r s p e c i a l i z a t i o n is too l o n g .
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T h e s e a r e t h e t h i n g s I h a d t o say. N o w I w o u l d l i k e y o u ,
l e a d i n g cadres o f the C o m m i t t e e o f S c i e n c e a n d T e c h n i q u e ,
t h e c o m r a d e s o f the g o v e r n m e n t , o n w h i c h t h i s C o m m i t t e e
i s dependent, a n d the r e s p e c t i v e sectors o f t h e C e n t r a l C o m mittee, to bear in m i n d the observations a n d comments
w h i c h were made here in the development of the activity
of the Committee.
«Reports and Speeches 1980-1981»
THE STATUS OF A REPUBLIC FOR KOSOVA
IS A JUST DEMAND
Article published in the newspaper «Zëri i popullit»
M a y 17, 1981
O n e a f t e r t h e other, t h e p o l i t i c a l staffs o f Y u g o s l a v i a ,
f r o m the l o w e s t t o t h e h i g h e s t instances, f r o m t h e r e g i o n s
and r e p u b l i c s u p t o t h e F e d e r a t i o n , f r o m t h e basic o r g a n izations t o t h e C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e o f t h e L C Y , m e t a n d
discussed t h e e v e n t s i n K o s o v a . E v e r y w h e r e t h e r e w e r e
curses against t h e p e o p l e a n d y o u t h o f K o s o v a , threats,
abuse, i n s u l t s ! A w a v e o f G r e a t - S e r b a n d a n t i - A l b a n i a n
chauvinism is sweeping Yugoslavia. The Yugoslav leaders
are c o m p e t i n g w i t h one a n o t h e r i n o r a t o r y t o c o v e r u p t h e
real causes o f t h e d e m o n s t r a t i o n s a n d r e v o l t s o f t h e A l banian p o p u l a t i o n i n K o s o v a , t o c o n c e a l t h e m o n s t r o u s m a s sacres a n d b a r b a r i t i e s o f t h e S e r b a r m i e s , t o d e n i g r a t e t h e
Albanians of K o s o v a . T h e y are a l l r u s h i n g to be the first
to propose t h e m o s t d r a c o n i a n m e a s u r e s , to p r e s e n t t h e m o s t
oppressive a n d i n h u m a n p l a n s a g a i n s t t h e A l b a n i a n s .
In this article today, however, we do not intend to
return to the explanation of the tragic events of K o s o v a ,
t o show w h e r e t h e y h a v e t h e i r s o u r c e a n d w h o c a u s e d
them.
W e h a v e e x p r e s s e d o u r v i e w a n d s t a n d o n these q u e s -
170
ENVER HOXHA
t i o n s i n t h e a r t i c l e s p u b l i s h e d o n A p r i l 8 ( 1 ) a n d 23. ( 2 ) W e h a v e
n o t h i n g t o delete f r o m t h e m o r a d d t o t h e m . W h a t w e
h a d t o s a y w e s a i d o p e n l y , s t r a i g h t out, w i t h s i n c e r i t y
a n d a h i g h sense of r e s p o n s i b i l i t y .
We thought that after the first shock a n d confusion,
reason, level-headedness, r e a l i s t i c a n d o b j e c t i v e j u d g e m e n t
o f the causes w h i c h l e d t o t h e n e w t r a g e d y i n K o s o v a w o u l d
prevail among the Y u g o s l a v leadership, that the lofty
interests o f t h e peoples o f Y u g o s l a v i a , t h e f r i e n d s h i p a n d
u n i t y o f the n a t i o n s a n d n a t i o n a l i t i e s w h i c h c o n s t i t u t e i t
w o u l d stand above nationalist prejudices, old a n d new.
T h i s d i d not occur. O n t h e c o n t r a r y , a l l t h e g o v e r n m e n t
organs a n d the o r g a n i z a t i o n s a n d those o f t h e L e a g u e o f
Communists were swept by a furious w a v e of chauvinism,
n o t o n l y against the A l b a n i a n s o f K o s o v a , b u t also against
the P a r t y of L a b o u r and the People's Socialist Republic of
A l b a n i a against t h e i r correct l i n e a n d p o l i c y t o w a r d s Y u g o slavia. They are accusing A l b a n i a in so m a n y words of
« h a v i n g i n t e r f e r e d i n the i n t e r n a l a f f a i r s o f Y u g o s l a v i a . »
W e are s a i d t o h a v e i n t e r f e r e d because w e p u b l i c l y
c o n d e m n e d the massacres t h a t w e r e p e r p e t r a t e d i n K o s o v a ,
because w e t o l d the t r u t h a b o u t t h o u s a n d s o f p e o p l e b e i n g
killed, wounded and arrested there! D i d the Y u g o s l a v
leaders expect us to send t h e m our congratulations on
these c r i m e s a n d a t r o c i t i e s ? W e are s a i d t o h a v e i n t e r f e r e d
because w e s a i d i n o u r a r t i c l e s t h a t t h e people o f K o s o v a
h a v e t h e r i g h t t o d e m a n d t h e status o f a F e d e r a l R e p u b l i c !
B u t t h i s is a l e g i t i m a t e d e m a n d , a d e m a n d of t h e p e o p l e of
Kosova, w h i c h we have not invented.
__________________________________________
1 T h e article « W h y W e r e P o l i c e V i o l e n c e and T a n k s U s e d
Against the A l b a n i a n s of Kosova» (see p. 146 of this volume).
2 T h e article « W h o Incites H o s t i l i t y A m o n g s t the Peoples
of Yugoslavia?», p u b l i s h e d in the newspaper Z ë r i i p o p u l l i t ,
dated A p r i l 23, 1981. (See A b o u t the Events in K o s o v a , «8 N ë n tori» P u b l i s h i n g House, T i r a n a 1981, p. 20, E n g . ed.)
THE DEMAND FOR A REPUBLICAN STATUS IS JUST
171
I n recent d a y s , t h e Y u g o s l a v l e a d e r s h a v e h a d a great
d e a l t o say a b o u t t h i s q u e s t i o n , b u t n o b o d y has e x p l a i n e d
w h y K o s o v a c a n n o t b e a r e p u b l i c . O n e a f t e r t h e other, t h e y
m e r e l y repeat t h a t t h e d e m a n d of K o s o v a to b e c o m e a
Federal Republic is allegedly reactionary, counter-revo l u t i o n a r y , c h a u v i n i s t i c , etc. T h i s s t a n d i s not o n l y u t t e r l y
baseless b u t also i n c o m p l e t e a n d o p e n c o n t r a d i c t i o n w i t h
the w a r t i m e p r o g r a m m a t i c stands o f t h e C P Y o n t h e n a tional q u e s t i o n a n d w i t h m a n y s t a t e m e n t s o f t h e t o p
personalities o f t h e Y u g o s l a v p a r t y a n d state. B u t let u s
refer t o d o c u m e n t s .
A F e w F a c t s of H i s t o r y about the T r e a t m e n t
of the N a t i o n a l P r o b l e m of the A l b a n i a n s
of Y u g o s l a v i a
A t t h e L o n d o n C o n f e r e n c e o f A m b a s s a d o r s o f the
Great P o w e r s , i n 1913. A l b a n i a w a s p a r t i t i o n e d . D e s p i t e t h e
m a n y protests t h r o u g h d i p l o m a t i c c h a n n e l s a n d t h e a r m e d
opposition of t h e A l b a n i a n people, a l a r g e p a r t of its n o r t h eastern t e r r i t o r y , K o s o v a a n d o t h e r A l b a n i a n - i n h a b i t e d
regions, w a s a n n e x e d t o t h e K i n g d o m s o f S e r b i a a n d M o n tenegro.
T h e P e a c e C o n f e r e n c e o f V e r s a i l l e s , i n 1919, i g n o r i n g
the just d e m a n d s o f t h e A l b a n i a n people, r e c o n f i r m e d t h e
partitioning of the A l b a n i a n territories, as was decided
b y the i m p e r i a l i s t p o w e r s i n L o n d o n , a n d left t h e m t o
the S e r b i a n - C r o a t i a n - S l o v e n i a n K i n g d o m , w h i c h i t c r e a t e d .
F o r a long time the Communist P a r t y of Yugoslavia
had condemned the national oppression of the A l b a n i a n s
who «were enslaved and e a r m a r k e d for extermination»
b y the « n a t i o n a l i s t p o l i c y o f t h e G r e a t - S e r b hegemonists,»
a s T i t o w r o t e i n t h e n e w s p a p e r Proleter. F o r some t i m e
i t h a d also u p h e l d the thesis that t h e peoples w h i c h m a d e
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ENVER HOXHA
up the K i n g d o m of Yugoslavia must be granted the right
of s e l f - d e t e r m i n a t i o n up to secession.
In the article «Against the Danger of W a r , Against the
Onslaught of Fascist Reaction! Let Us U n i t e A l l the D e m o cratic Forces in the M i l i t a n t P o p u l a r F r o n t in Yugoslavia,
too!» p u b l i s h e d i n Proleter, o r g a n o f t h e C C o f t h e C P Y ,
o n F e b r u a r y 2 , 1937, T i t o w r o t e : « T h e a i m o f t h i s s t r u g g l e
i n w h i c h the masses o f the people w i l l s t r i v e w i t h a l l t h e i r
m i g h t a n d means, has t o b e t h e u r g e n t s o l u t i o n o f t h e
national question in conformity w i t h the principle of the
democratic right of self-determination...»
I n a n o t h e r a r t i c l e , also p u b l i s h e d i n Proleter a t the
e n d o f D e c e m b e r 1942, u n d e r t h e t i t l e « T h e N a t i o n a l Q u e s tion in Y u g o s l a v i a in the L i g h t of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n
W a r , » w h i c h is c o n s i d e r e d as a p r o g r a m m a t i c d o c u m e n t of
t h e C P Y o n t h e n a t i o n a l q u e s t i o n , T i t o p o i n t e d out that,
« T h e C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f Y u g o s l a v i a has n o t r e n o u n c e d
a n d n e v e r w i l l r e n o u n c e its p r i n c i p l e , w h i c h w a s e s t a b l i s h e d
b y o u r great leaders a n d teachers L e n i n - S t a l i n , t h e p r i n c i p l e
t h a t e v e r y people h a v e t h e r i g h t o f s e l f - d e t e r m i n a t i o n u p
to the right of secession... T h e question of Macedonia, the
question of K o s o v a and M e t o h i a , the question of M o n t e negro, t h e q u e s t i o n o f S e r b i a , t h e q u e s t i o n o f C r o a t i a , t h e
question of Slovenia, the question of Bosnia and Hercegovina
w i l l be easily solved to everybody's satisfaction. O n l y in
t h i s w a y w i l l t h e people t h e m s e l v e s s o l v e it, a n d e a c h
people w i n t h i s r i g h t r i f l e i n h a n d , i n t h e p r e s e n t N a t i o n a l
Liberation War.»
I n « T h e Theses o n t h e N a t i o n a l Q u e s t i o n i n K o s o v a
a n d M e t o h i a , » p r e s e n t e d b y M o š a P i j a d e , one o f t h e m a i n
leaders o f t h e C P Y , a t t h e 5 t h N a t i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e h e l d i n
Z a g r e b i n O c t o b e r 1940, w e r e a d , « T h e s o l u t i o n o f t h e n a t i o n a l q u e s t i o n h e r e (in K o s o v a — ed.) c a n b e a c h i e v e d w i t h
t h e f o r m a t i o n o f t h e f r e e w o r k e r s a n d peasants' r e p u b l i c o f
Kosova through the revolutionary overthrow of the i m -
THE DEMAND FOR A REPUBLICAN STATUS IS JUST
173
perialist fascist regime of the ' G r e a t - S e r b ' bourgeoisie. F o r
the A l b a n i a n s , T u r k s and the S l a v Moslems, this solution
w i l l mean that they achieve complete freedom of ownership of their land, are liberated f r o m national oppression
a n d secure t h e c o n d i t i o n s f o r t h e i r c o m p l e t e l y f r e e n a tional, political a n d c u l t u r a l development.» (3)
Thus the Communist P a r t y of Yugoslavia recognized
t h e r i g h t o f t h e people o f K o s o v a , l i k e t h e o t h e r peoples
o f Y u g o s l a v i a , t o s e l f - d e t e r m i n a t i o n u p t o secession, t h e
right to have their o w n republic. T h e people of K o s o v a
w o u l d w i n these r i g h t s b y t a k i n g p a r t i n t h e A n t i - f a s c i s t
Liberation War. A n d the Albanians of K o s o v a took part
in the war, m a k i n g their valuable contribution to the
l i b e r a t i o n o f K o s o v a a n d t h e peoples o f Y u g o s l a v i a .
B y t h e e n d o f 1944, a s F a d i l H o x h a has r e c o r d e d , t h e r e
w e r e m o r e t h a n 50,000 f i g h t e r s i n t h e p a r t i s a n b r i g a d e s
and other detachments in K o s o v a . D u r i n g this war,
thousands of A l b a n i a n partisans laid d o w n their lives for
freedom and national rights.
I n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e d e c i s i o n t a k e n a t the 5 t h C o n ference o f t h e C P Y o f t h e y e a r 1940, d u r i n g t h e w h o l e p e riod of the National Liberation W a r , the Regional Committee
of the CP for K o s o v a and M e t o h i a maintained direct l i n k s
w i t h the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e of the C P Y . It was of the
s a m e r a n k a n d h a d a l l t h e a t t r i b u t e s a n d competences w h i c h
the highest party organs in Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro
and Bosnia-Hercegovina had. The M i l i t a r y H i g h C o m m a n d w h i c h w a s set u p i n K o s o v a d u r i n g t h e w a r w a s
l i n k e d directly w i t h the S u p r e m e Headquarters of Y u g o slavia. Thus, d u r i n g the war, the Party, the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y , t h e C o u n c i l s , t h e F r o n t , etc., i n K o s o v a w e r e
_____________________________________
3 A r h i v F.N.R.J. F o n d : « C e n t r a l n i K o m i t e t K.P.J., B r o j
12-14, 1940. Teze o n a c i o n a l n o m p i t a n j u na K o s m e t u sa V Z e maljske K o n f e r e n c i j e K.P.J.»
174
ENVER HOXHA
not d e p e n d e n t o n S e r b i a a n d d i d n o t f u n c t i o n w i t h i n its
f r a m e w o r k , but, l i k e those o f t h e o t h e r n a t i o n a l i t i e s , w e r e
l i n k e d directly w i t h the central forums of Yugoslavia.
O n the basis o f t h e decisions a n d o r i e n t a t i o n s o f t h e
C P Y on the self-determination of nations, in N o v e m b e r
1943 t h e R e g i o n a l C o m m i t t e e o f t h e C P Y f o r K o s o v a a n d
Metohia decided to convene the F o u n d i n g Conference of
the N a t i o n a l Liberation C o u n c i l for K o s o v a and M e t o h i a .
T h i s conference was held in the village of B u j a n in the
G j a k o v a H i g h l a n d s f r o m D e c e m b e r 31, 1943 t o J a n u a r y
1-2, 1944. F o r t y - n i n e delegates, of w h o m 43 w e r e A l b a n i a n s
w h i l e 6 were Serbs and Montenegrins, took part in this
conference. T h e y w e r e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f t h e n a t i o n a l
l i b e r a t i o n c o u n c i l s o f t h e m a i n centres a n d v i l l a g e s , o f t h e
partisan units and communists f r o m all parts of K o s o v a .
T h e conference w a s h e l d p r e c i s e l y a t t h e t i m e w h e n t h e
other nations of Yugoslavia founded the supreme organs
o f t h e state p o w e r t h a t e m e r g e d f r o m t h e N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r , w h e n e v e r y n a t i o n , a c c o r d i n g t o its o w n d e s i r e
a n d w i l l , w a s r e a l i z i n g its r i g h t t o s e l f - d e t e r m i n a t i o n .
The principal document of the F o u n d i n g Conference
of the N a t i o n a l Liberation C o u n c i l for K o s o v a a n d M e t o h i a
i s t h e R e s o l u t i o n w h i c h expresses t h e s t a n d o f t h e w h o l e
people i n r e g a r d t o t h e f u t u r e o f K o s o v a .
T h i s R e s o l u t i o n says, « K o s o v a a n d t h e D u k a g j i n P l a t e a u
is a region inhabited, for the most part, by the A l b a n i a n
people w h o t o d a y , a s a l w a y s , w a n t t o b e u n i t e d w i t h A l bania. Therefore, we deem it our duty to indicate the correct r o a d w h i c h the A l b a n i a n p e o p l e m u s t f o l l o w t o r e a l i z e
their aspirations. The only w a y for the A l b a n i a n people
of K o s o v a and the D u k a g j i n Plateau to be united w i t h
A l b a n i a is through their joint struggle w i t h the other
peoples o f Y u g o s l a v i a a g a i n s t t h e b l o o d - t h i r s t y n a z i o c c u p i e r s a n d t h e i r h i r e l i n g s , because t h i s i s t h e o n l y w a y
THE DEMAND FOR A REPUBLICAN STATUS IS JUST
175
t o w i n t h e f r e e d o m , i n w h i c h a l l t h e peoples, hence, t h e
A l b a n i a n people, too, w i l l b e a b l e t o d e c i d e t h e i r f a t e
t h r o u g h t h e r i g h t o f s e l f - d e t e r m i n a t i o n u p t o secession. T h e
guarantee for this is the National L i b e r a t i o n A r m y of
Yugoslavia and the National Liberation A r m y of A l b a n i a
w i t h w h i c h i t i s c l o s e l y l i n k e d . B e s i d e s these, o u r great
allies, t h e S o v i e t U n i o n , B r i t a i n , A m e r i c a , also g u a r a n t e e
t h i s (the A t l a n t i c C h a r t e r , t h e M o s c o w a n d T e h r a n C o n f e ­
rences)». (4)
The Resolution of the National Liberation Council of
the K o s o v a - M e t o h i a r e g i o n b e a r s t h e s i g n a t u r e s o f t h e
people's heroes X h e v d e t D o d a a n d H a j d a r D u s h i , o f t h e
m a r t y r s T e f i k Ç a n g a , X h e l a d i n H a n a , a n d others, o f F a d i l
Hoxha, Xhavit Nimani, Y m e r Pula, Milan Mičković, L j u b o m i r C a n i ć , V e l i š a M i č k o v i ć a n d t h e o t h e r delegates w h o
took p a r t i n t h e m e e t i n g .
A l t h o u g h this decision was in accord w i t h the docu­
m e n t s o f t h e C P Y a n d t h e d e c l a r a t i o n s o f T i t o o n t h e selfdetermination of nations, it w a s opposed by the leadership
of the C P Y , in w h i c h the nationalist-chauvinist spirit was
a l r e a d y p r e d o m i n a n t a n d t h e a n t i - M a r x i s t stands o n h o w
matters w o u l d be arranged in post-war Yugoslavia had
been o u t l i n e d .
T h e l e t t e r o f t h e C C o f t h e C P Y o f M a r c h 28, 1944 t o
the R e g i o n a l C o m m i t t e e f o r K o s c v a - M e t o h i a , i n c o n n e c t i o n
w i t h t h e decisions o f t h e B u j a n C o n f e r e n c e , s a i d , « Y o u
should n o t h a v e set u p t h e R e g i o n a l C o m m i t t e e , because
y o u r r e g i o n i s n o t a separate c o m p a c t d i s t r i c t . . . T h e c h a r a c ­
ter o f y o u r R e g i o n a l N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n C o u n c i l i s n o t c l e a r
f r o m the Resolution. This Council can be only an initiator,
a n o r g a n o f t h e p o l i t i c a l u n i t y o f t h e masses, b u t w e c a n n o t
g i v e i t a state c h a r a c t e r , a l t h o u g h i t m u s t l e a d t h e l o w _______________________________
4 T h e People's C o u n c i l of the A u t o n o m o u s R e g i o n of K o ­
s o v a - M e t o h i a 1943-1953, P r i s h t i n a 1955, p. 10.
176
ENVER HOXHA
r a n k i n g c o u n c i l s w h e r e t h e y exist. T h i s i s because y o u d o
not have liberated t e r r i t o r i e s . . .
« . . . H e r e are o u r i n s t r u c t i o n s o f h o w t h e n a t i o n a l q u e s ­
tion should be treated. First of all, y o u should understand
a n d p o p u l a r i z e m o r e w i d e l y t h e decisions o f t h e 2 n d m e e t i n g
o f t h e A V N O J ( 5 ) a n d t h e essence a n d p u r p o s e o f these d e c i ­
sions. T h e s e decisions g u a r a n t e e e q u a l r i g h t s f o r a l l t h e
peoples, m a k e p o s s i b l e t h e r i g h t t o s e l f - d e t e r m i n a t i o n .
«Today there must be no talk of 'unification' w i t h A l ­
b a n i a , because at t h i s m o m e n t t h e r e is no q u e s t i o n of
defining the borders between Y u g o s l a v i a and A l b a n i a ,
b o t h o f t h e m o c c u p i e d b y G e r m a n y , b u t these t w o c o u n ­
tries should be liberated f r o m the nazi occupier t h r o u g h
a r m e d struggle.» ( 6 )
Nevertheless, the A l b a n i a n s of K o s o v a and all Y u g o ­
slavia continued to fight the nazi occupiers w i t h deter­
mination, always hoping that through their fight they w o u l d
w i n their national rights.
I n t h e a u t u m n o f 1944 M i l a d i n P o p o v i ć r e t u r n e d t o
K o s o v a f r o m A l b a n i a , and resumed the function of political
s e c r e t a r y o f the R e g i o n a l C o m m i t t e e o f t h e C P Y f o r K o s o v a .
I n 1943 h e h a d sent a letter t o t h e C C o f t h e C P Y i n w h i c h
he sought a concrete d e f i n i t i o n of t h e c o n t e n t of t h e p r i n ­
ciple of self-determination and how this principle w o u l d
be applied to the A l b a n i a n s of Kosova. In this letter M. P o p o v i ć w r o t e , « W e h a v e a l w a y s stressed t h e s l o g a n o f selfdetermination for the future. T h e A l b a n i a n people could
not b e m o b i l i z e d against t h e ' l i b e r a t o r ' o c c u p i e r i n t h i s w a y . »
H e goes o n t o d e m a n d t h a t «the C C o f t h e C P Y t a k e a
concrete s t a n d a n d d e f i n e the f o r m o f t h e s e l f - d e t e r m i n a t i o n
_________________________________________________________________________
5 T h e A n t i - f a s c i s t C o u n c i l of N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n of Y u g o ­
slavia.
6 Z b o r n i k d o k u m e n t a i podataka o Narodno-oslobobilač
k o m R a t u jugoslovenskih naroda. T o m I, K n j i g a , 19. B o r b e na
K o s o v u 1941-1944, Dok. 104, str. 462-464. B e o g r a d 1969.
THE DEMAND FOR A REPUBLICAN STATUS IS JUST
177
o f t h e A l b a n i a n s i n Y u g o s l a v i a . » ( 7 ) B u t the Y u g o s l a v l e a d e r ­
s h i p t u r n e d a deaf ear to t h i s i n t e r n a t i o n a l i s t c o m m u n i s t ,
t h i s son o f M o n t e n e g r o , a n d p r o c e e d e d o n its course.
W h e n Y u g o s l a v i a was liberated, the A l b a n i a n s o f K o sova a n d t h e o t h e r r e g i o n s e x p e c t e d that, i n r e t u r n f o r
the c o n t r i b u t i o n t h e y m a d e i n t h e w a r against the occupiers,
for the blood of thousands of fighters w h o fell on the battle­
f i e l d s , a n d f o r t h e countless s a c r i f i c e s o f t h e w h o l e people,
they w o u l d be given political freedoms and national rights
o n a n e q u a l f o o t i n g w i t h t h e o t h e r peoples o f Y u g o s l a v i a .
B u t i n s t e a d o f this, i n F e b r u a r y 1945 a m i l i t a r y a d m i ­
nistration was established in K o s o v a . At this time, while
most of the K o s o v a brigades were fighting in Croatia and
S l o v e n i a for the liberation of the whole of Yugoslavia, the
S e r b - M o n t e n e g r i n 52nd a n d 46th Divisions, the Macedonian
50th D i v i s i o n a n d o t h e r s p o u r e d i n t o K o s o v a . T h o u s a n d s o f
A l b a n i a n s accused o f v a r i o u s c r i m e s w e r e k i l l e d a n d m a s ­
sacred. T h o u s a n d s o f o t h e r s w e r e sent t o t h e f r o n t u n d e r
the p r e t e x t o f m i l i t a r y m o b i l i z a t i o n .
W h i l e the m i l i t a r y administration r u l e d and made the
l a w i n K o s o v a , t h e w h o l e o f K o s o v a h a d b e e n p u t o n the
a u c t i o n b l o c k o f B e l g r a d e . T h e f i r s t v a r i a n t w h i c h the
Y u g o s l a v leadership discussed w a s the d i v i s i o n of K o s o v a
among three Republics — Montenegro, Serbia a n d M a c e ­
d o n i a . T h u s a f u r t h e r p a r t i t i o n i n g o f t h e A l b a n i a n regions,
similar to that decided by the Yugoslav K i n g d o m , was
being designed. At a meeting of the CC of the C P Y
h e l d a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f 1945, M i l a d i n P o p o v i ć s t r o n g l y
opposed t h i s p r o p o s a l . H e d e c l a r e d t h a t t h i s p r o p o s a l w a s
openly contrary to the aspirations and rights of the A l ­
banians of Kosova, rights w h i c h they had w o n w i t h the
blood they h a d shed a n d the contribution they had made
d u r i n g the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r .
___________________________________
7 C e n t r a l A r c h i v e s o f the P L A , f i l e M . Popović.
178
ENVER HOXHA
N e x t i t w a s discussed t h a t K o s o v a s h o u l d r e m a i n a n
autonomous unit, neither separate n o r dependent on the
F e d e r a t i o n , b u t a n n e x e d t o one o f t h r e e R e p u b l i c s : S e r b i a ,
Macedonia or Montenegro. F i n a l l y it was decided that K o sova should be annexed by the Republic of Serbia. (8)
T h e solution w h i c h the Y u g o s l a v leadership gave the
question of K o s o v a w a s not a just solution of the n a t i o n a l
question. T h i s was an arbitrary stand, an open negation
of the sovereign rights of the population of K o s o v a , a n d a
v i o l a t i o n o f t h e p r i n c i p l e o f the s e l f - d e t e r m i n a t i o n o f t h e
peoples.
O n l y one v a r i a n t w a s n o t discussed i n B e l g r a d e a t t h a t
t i m e — t h a t K o s o v a also c o u l d b e u n i t e d w i t h A l b a n i a . H a d
t h e people o f K o s o v a n o t e x p r e s s e d t h i s w i s h a t t h e B u j a n
Conference? W e r e not A l b a n i a a n d Y u g o s l a v i a t w o allied
states t h a t h a d f o u g h t a n d shed b l o o d t o g e t h e r ?
T h e status o f K o s o v a w a s d e c i d e d u n d e r t h e d i c t a t e o f
the G r e a t - S e r b chauvinist ideology, w h i c h w a s inherited
f r o m the Y u g o s l a v K i n g d o m and preserved i n post-war
Y u g o s l a v i a . T h i s e m e r g e d also f r o m w h a t T i t o t o l d u s i n
1946, t h a t « K o s o v a a n d t h e o t h e r r e g i o n s i n h a b i t e d b y
Albanians belong to A l b a n i a and we shall return them to
y o u , b u t n o t n o w , because t h e G r e a t - S e r b r e a c t i o n w o u l d
n o t accept s u c h a thing.» (9)
Tito admitted that K o s o v a belonged to A l b a n i a , but
h e w a s not sincere i n s a y i n g so, because t h e Y u g o s l a v l e a d e r ship had already decided that K o s o v a w o u l d r e m a i n under
S e r b i a . I n fact, a y e a r e a r l i e r h e h a d d e c l a r e d t o t h e A l b a n i a n d e l e g a t i o n o f K o s o v a t h a t «the peoples o f K o s o v a
a n d M e t o h i a w i l l create s u c h a p r o f o u n d f r a t e r n i t y a n d
u n i t y that it w i l l be all the same to the A l b a n i a n people
_____________________________________
8 K o s o v a 2. 1973, pp. 76-78.
9 C e n t r a l A r c h i v e s o f the P L A , f i l e : V i s i t o f the A l b a n i a n delegation to Y u g o s l a v i a , 1946.
THE DEMAND FOR A REPUBLICAN STATUS IS JUST
179
whether they live w i t h i n the borders of A l b a n i a or Y u g o ­
slavia.» (10)
W h a t T i t o concealed, t h e G r e a t - S e r b c h a u v i n i s t R a n k o v i ć d e c l a r e d o p e n l y , w i t h n o k i d gloves. S p e a k i n g a b o u t
the question of the annexation of K o s o v a by Serbia at the
extraordinary meeting of the Anti-fascist Convention of
S e r b i a i n A p r i l 1945, h e stated t h a t t h i s a n n e x a t i o n «is
t h e best a n s w e r t o those w h o t r u m p e t a b o u t t h e d a n g e r o f
the partitioning of the 'Serbian' territory, w h o m a k e the
accusation that the National L i b e r a t i o n W a r w i l l w e a k e n
t h e S e r b s i n t h e i n t e r e s t s o f t h e C r o a t s a n d t h e others.» ( 1 1 )
A n d t h e p r e s e n t Y u g o s l a v leaders, i n t h e i r a t t e m p t s t o
r e j e c t t h e d e m a n d t h a t K o s o v a s h o u l d e n j o y t h e status o f a
F e d e r a l R e p u b l i c , are t r y i n g t o p r o v e t h a t a l l e g e d l y t h e
A l b a n i a n p e o p l e o f K o s o v a t h e m s e l v e s d e c i d e d «of t h e i r
o w n free w i l l » that K o s o v a should be incorporated into the
Republic of Serbia.
T h e people of K o s o v a neither requested nor decided
that K o s o v a should be annexed to the Republic of Serbia.
T h i s decision w a s t a k e n by the top forums of Serbia in an
a r b i t r a r y manner. T h i s emerges clearly f r o m the d o c u ­
ments of that time.
Dušan Mugoša, w h o had replaced M i l a d i n Popović,
assassinated a m o n t h e a r l i e r b y the agents o f O Z N A ( 1 2 ) , also
s p o k e a t t h e a b o v e - s a i d A p r i l 1945 m e e t i n g o f the A n t i ­
fascist C o n v e n t i o n o f S e r b i a . D u š a n M u g o š a said, « I e x p r e s s
the d e s i r e o f t h e N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n C o u n c i l o f K o s o v a a n d
M e t o h i a t h a t w e , t h e peoples o f K o s o v a a n d M e t o h i a , too,
should be annexed to f r a t e r n a l F e d e r a l Serbia.» (13) This de­
claration of D u š a n M u g o š a is considered as the «expression
o f t h e f r e e w i l l a n d s e l f - d e t e r m i n a t i o n o f t h e people o f
________________________________________
10 R i l i n d j a , A p r i l 15, 1945.
11 Borba, A p r i l 8, 1945.
12 T h e Y u g o s l a v Secret Service.
13 B o r b a , A p r i l 8, 1945.
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ENVER HOXHA
K o s o v a . » O n A p r i l 9 , 1945, t h e n e w s p a p e r B o r b a w i t h b i g
h e a d l i n e s i n f o r m e d the p u b l i c t h a t t h e m e e t i n g o f t h e
A n t i - f a s c i s t C o n v e n t i o n o f t h e l i b e r a t e d people o f S e r b i a
«acccepted t h e desire» o f t h e peoples o f K o s o v a a n d M e tohia to be united w i t h Federal Serbia.
B u t o n J u n e 30, 1945, f o r g e t t i n g w h a t i t has c e n s u r e d
on A p r i l 8, t h e n e w s p a p e r Borba in one of its m a t e r i a l s
p u b l i s h e d t h e last p a r t o f the speech o f D u š a n M u g o š a , i n
w h i c h he revealed that K o s o v a had made no demand and
taken no decision to be annexed to Serbia. D u š a n M u g o š a
h a d s a i d : « W e h a v e not t a k e n t h i s d e c i s i o n i n o u r C o n v e n t i o n yet, because m i l i t a r y r u l e i s s t i l l i n f o r c e i n K o s o v a
a n d M e t o h i a . A t t h e f i r s t o p p o r t u n i t y , a s soon a s t h e
military rule in Kosova and Metohia is lifted, we w i l l take
the d e c i s i o n i n o u r C o n v e n t i o n o n a n n e x a t i o n t o F e d e r a l
Serbia.» T h u s , w h a t h a d b e e n d e c i d e d p r e v i o u s l y i n B e l grade w o u l d be endorsed in Kosova.
What, then did Kosova gain
waged and all the blood it shed?
w a s not e v e n g r a n t e d t h e r i g h t s
a s w a s done w i t h V o j v o d i n a , b u t
o f a n oblast* o f F e d e r a l S e r b i a .
status u p t i l l 1968.
f r o m a l l that struggle it
In the n e w Y u g o s l a v i a it
of an autonomous region,
was reduced to the status
K o s o v a remained in this
T h e people o f K o s o v a d i d not r e c o n c i l e t h e m s e l v e s t o
this situation and persisted in demanding their rights. In
1968, on the occasion of t h e d i s c u s s i o n of a m e n d m e n t s to
the C o n s t i t u t i o n , the A l b a n i a n s o f K o s o v a once a g a i n r a i s e d
the question of their n a t i o n a l rights a n d put f o r w a r d t h e i r
d e m a n d o f the status o f a r e p u b l i c f o r K o s o v a . T h i s d e m a n d
was presented openly a n d publicly at the meetings of
political activists held in the communes of P r i s h t i n a , G j i l a n ,
etc. T h e K o s o v a press of O c t o b e r 1968 s a i d t h a t in a n u m b e r
of meetings in «several communes demands for a republic,
________________________________
* P r o v i n c e (Serbian in the original).
THE DEMAND FOR A REPUBLICAN STATUS IS JUST
181
the r i g h t of s e l f - d e t e r m i n a t i o n , etc., h a v e b e e n expressed.» (14)
A delegation of the C o m m u n i s t League of K o s o v a M e t o h i a also p r e s e n t e d t h i s d e m a n d t o T i t o a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f N o v e m b e r 1968. T i t o o p p o s e d t h i s l a w f u l d e m a n d
o f t h e A l b a n i a n s o f K o s o v a a n d r e f u s e d it, s a y i n g t h a t «the
r e p u b l i c i s n o t t h e o n l y f a c t o r w h i c h solves a l l t h e p r o blems.» ( 1 5 ) I t w a s c l e a r t h a t t h e Y u g o s l a v l e a d e r s h i p d i d n o t i n tend t o g i v e t h e A l b a n i a n s o f K o s o v a t h e status o f a r e p u b l i c .
That i s w h y massive demonstrations, i n w h i c h A l banian y o u t h a n d citizens took part, b r o k e out in N o v e m b e r
1968 i n v a r i o u s cities o f K o s o v a . T h e y d e m a n d e d t h a t t h e y
be given the national rights for w h i c h they had fought and
shed t h e i r b l o o d , s u c h a s t h e r i g h t t o k e e p t h e i r n a t i o n a l
flag, t h e r i g h t o f t w o l a n g u a g e s ( A l b a n i a n a n d S e r b i a n ) ,
the e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f a n A l b a n i a n u n i v e r s i t y , t h e r i g h t o f
s e l f - d e t e r m i n a t i o n a n d t h e status o f a r e p u b l i c . T h e d e m onstrations w e r e v i o l e n t l y s u p p r e s s e d b y t h e p o l i c e forces.
A f t e r the demonstrations the Y u g o s l a v leadership
agreed t o t h e A l b a n i a n s ' d e m a n d f o r b i l i n g u a l i t y a n d t h e
national flag, and established the U n i v e r s i t y of Prishtina.
However, the d e m a n d for the republic was rejected. A l though the autonomous region was given certain w i d e r
competences a f t e r t h e s a n c t i o n i n g o f t h e a m e n d m e n t s t o
the C o n s t i t u t i o n , K o s o v a r e m a i n e d , a s a l w a y s , u n d e r t h e
tutelage of S e r b i a .
F r o m w h a t has b e e n s a i d , i t emerges t h a t t h e d e m a n d
of t h e A l b a n i a n s of K o s o v a f o r t h e status of a F e d e r a l
Republic, for the recognition of their national rights, is not
a new p r o b l e m that emerged for the first time in the
d e m o n s t r a t i o n s of P r i s h t i n a a n d o t h e r cities, a n d is n o t a
p r o b l e m s t i r r e d u p b y socialist A l b a n i a . T h e p e o p l e o f
K o s o v a h a v e a l w a y s f o u g h t f o r these r i g h t s . B u t t h e y
____________________________________
14 R i l i n d j a , September 8, 1968 a n d October 6, 1968.
15 R i l i n d j a , N o v e m b e r 4, 1968.
182
ENVER HOXHA
have been systematically denied them, starting f r o m the
2 n d m e e t i n g o f the A V N O J o f N o v e m b e r 29, 1943, w h i c h
treated the A l b a n i a n s of K o s o v a a n d other regions of
Yugoslavia as national minorities, destined to live under
the umbrella of other republics, w h i l e the right to sove r e i g n t y a n d the f o r m a t i o n o f a r e p u b l i c w a s r e c o g n i z e d
t o others, s u c h a s M o n t e n e g r o a n d M a c e d o n i a . A s i t t u r n s
out f r o m t h e a b o v e - c i t e d d o c u m e n t s , t h e S e r b b o u r g e o i s i e
a n d S e r b c h a u v i n i s m h a v e a l w a y s b e e n obstacles t o t h e f u l l
r e c o g n i t i o n o f t h e n a t i o n a l r i g h t s o f t h e people o f K o s o v a .
P r e c i s e l y because the j u s t d e m a n d s o f t h e p e o p l e o f K o s o v a ,
such as the d e m a n d for the republic, are not to the l i k i n g
o f t h i s bourgeoisie, t h e y a r e c a l l e d i r r e d e n t i s t , c o u n t e r r e v o l u t i o n a r y , c h a u v i n i s t etc.
T h e demonstrations in Prishtina, w h i c h began peacefully but w h i c h Belgrade turned into a blood bath, can
b e e x p l a i n e d a n d u n d e r s t o o d o n l y i f one b e a r s i n m i n d
this sinister development, this a n t i - M a r x i s t h a n d l i n g of
t h e n a t i o n a l p r o b l e m o f K o s o v a a n d these c h a u v i n i s t s o l u t i o n s , w h i c h h a v e b e e n i m p o s e d o n i t w h e n i t has d e m a n d e d its c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t s .
W h y do the gentlemen of Belgrade keep this developm e n t o f t h e p r o b l e m o f K o s o v a secret? W h y a r e t h e y
not m a k i n g this analysis at their current meetings? T h e y
have a reason. A n d the reason is that any analysis of the
constitutional problem of Kosova w i l l lead to the conclusion
that the A l b a n i a n s have not been g i v e n the rights for w h i c h
t h e y f o u g h t a n d s h e d t h e i r b l o o d t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e other
peoples o f Y u g o s l a v i a , t h a t n a t i o n a l o p p r e s s i o n i s s t i l l a p p l i e d against t h e m u n r e l e n t i n g l y , t h a t i n Y u g o s l a v i a a c h a u vinist policy is pursued towards Kosova. The problem
o f K o s o v a i s n o t s o l v e d e i t h e r b y s a y i n g t h a t these d e m o n s trations have been organized by irredentists, or by using
terror and violence, or by accusing A l b a n i a of interfering
in the internal affairs of Yugoslavia.
THE DEMAND FOR A REPUBLICAN STATUS IS JUST
183
T h e P o l i c y of the A l b a n i a n State Does N o t
E n d a n g e r but Defends the S F R o f Y u g o s l a v i a
T h e i d e o l o g i c a l c o n t r a d i c t i o n s b e t w e e n socialist A l b a n i a
and self-administrative Y u g o s l a v i a are w e l l k n o w n . The
i d e o l o g i c a l p o l e m i c b e t w e e n us is n o t a d e v e l o p m e n t of
recent t i m e s . W e A l b a n i a n c o m m u n i s t s h a v e felt, f e e l a n d
w i l l feel it our permanent duty to defend M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m . W e h a v e f o u g h t against r e v i s i o n i s t - o p p o r t u n i s t - r e f o r m ist t h e o r i e s a n d v i e w s o f w h a t e v e r h u e a n d w i l l c o n t i n u e
to do so. T h i s is o u r r i g h t , j u s t as it is t h e r i g h t of a l l t h e
anti-Marxists and the different parties of the bourgeoisie
t o f i g h t us, a n d i n t h i s d i r e c t i o n t h e y d o n o t h a n g b a c k .
We have the f u l l right to defend our system of the
dictatorship of the proletariat. Others have the right to
d e f e n d t h e i r systems. T h e i d e o l o g i c a l s t r u g g l e r e s u l t i n g
from this is natural and inevitable.
T h e Y u g o s l a v l e a d e r s c l a i m t h a t t h e y d o not w a g e t h i s
sort of s t r u g g l e a g a i n s t us. T h i s is n o t t r u e a n d n e v e r has
been. W e w a g e t h e i d e o l o g i c a l s t r u g g l e a n d w e s a y so,
w h e r e a s t h e y w a g e it, b u t d o n ' t s a y so.
They claim that such an ideological struggle weakens
the state, c o m m e r c i a l a n d c u l t u r a l r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n A l b a n i a a n d Y u g o s l a v i a . W e assert a n d o b s e r v e t h a t t h e y h a v e
not b e e n w e a k e n e d . O n t h e c o n t r a r y , t h e y h a v e b e e n
s t r e n g t h e n e d , a n d t h i s i s d u e n o t o n l y t o t h e i r w i l l , b u t also
t o ours. N e i t h e r t h e Y u g o s l a v s n o r w e h a v e m a d e i d e o l o g i c a l
concessions t o e a c h other, b u t w e h a v e a g r e e d o n m a t t e r s o f
c o m m o n i n t e r e s t a n d h a v e d i s a g r e e d o v e r those q u e s t i o n s
on w h i c h we can never be reconciled.
O u r state r e l a t i o n s h a v e d e v e l o p e d o n t h e basis o f t h e
recognized p r i n c i p l e s o f g o o d n e i g h b o u r l i n e s s . W e w a n t
them to proceed in this w a y in the future. If the Y u g o s l a v
l e a d e r s h i p does n o t w a n t s u c h a t h i n g , n o one w i l l h i n d e r
184
ENVER HOXHA
i t f r o m a c t i n g o t h e r w i s e . W e s h a l l t r y t o f i n d a modus
vivendi w i t h it, w i t h o u t v i o l a t i n g p r i n c i p l e s .
Y o u w h o have launched the n e w a n t i - A l b a n i a n c a m paign in Yugoslavia pretend that y o u have «slackened
y o u r v i g i l a n c e » against t h e s o - c a l l e d h o s t i l e a c t i o n s o f t h e
People's S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a t o t h e S o c i a l i s t F e d e r a t i v e R e p u b l i c o f Y u g o s l a v i a . T h i s i s n o t t r u e , because
y o u have waged the ideological struggle openly.
Y o u c l a i m that y o u have been «big-hearted» for the sake
o f c o n t i n u i n g the g o o d r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n o u r t w o c o u n t r i e s .
T h i s i s not t r u e , e i t h e r . Y o u d o n o t s u f f e r f r o m « e n l a r g e m e n t
o f the h e a r t » a n d y o u h a v e w a g e d t h e i d e o l o g i c a l s t r u g g l e
against o u r basic d o c t r i n e , M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m , a n d o u r
regime of the dictatorship of the proletariat relentlessly.
W h y do y o u conceal this?
D e s p i t e this, h o w e v e r , a n o t h e r r e a l i t y exists, t h a t o f
t h e c o n t i n u a t i o n o f t h e g o o d n e i g h b o u r l i n e s s i n o u r state
relations. We hope that this r e a l i t y endures a n d advances.
I n recent t i m e s y o u g i v e t h e i m p r e s s i o n t h a t y o u w a n t t o
r e s t r i c t these r e l a t i o n s . T h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r t h i s f a l l s o n
you.
I t seems t h a t y o u a r e g o i n g t o step u p t h e baseless
and mistaken anti-Albanian campaign which you have
l a u n c h e d i n recent t i m e s a n d w h i c h i s n e i t h e r n e w n o r
w e a k , a n d r a i s e i t t o a m o r e s t r i d e n t p i t c h . G o a h e a d , w e are
not a f r a i d . Y o u g o y o u r w a y , w e s h a l l g o o u r s .
Y o u claim h y p o c r i t i c a l l y that y o u have not i n f o r m e d
Y u g o s l a v o p i n i o n a n d y o u r y o u t h a b o u t «the m i s e r y w h i c h
prevails in A l b a n i a , about the A l b a n i a n people's lack of
freedoms and rights, about the smashing of churches and
mosques, about the closing of our doors to the hordes of
tourists, a b o u t t h e c l o s i n g o f o u r p o r t s t o t h e S o v i e t n a v y ,
about t h e m a n y c a m p s a n d p r i s o n e r s , etc.» F o r o u r p a r t , w e
s h a l l speak e v e n m o r e t h a n w e h a v e done a b o u t t h e
«Yugoslav paradise». We have spoken about this «econ-
THE DEMAND FOR A REPUBLICAN STATUS IS JUST
185
omic, s p i r i t u a l a n d i d e o l o g i c a l p a r a d i s e a n d p r o s p e r i t y » i n
Yugoslavia, however we shall refresh the m e m o r y of our
people a n d y o u t h a b o u t a l l t h e e v i l s t h a t t h e A l b a n i a n
people h a v e seen a n d e x p e r i e n c e d a t y o u r h a n d s , b o t h
before a n d a f t e r t h e N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r . T h i s i s i n t h e
logic o f t h i n g s a n d t h e f i g h t y o u w a n t t o i n c i t e .
C o n t r a r y to the facts of history, y o u have c l a i m e d that
Y u g o s l a v i a a l l e g e d l y d e f e n d e d A l b a n i a . I n t h e last P l e n u m
of the CC of the League of C o m m u n i s t of Y u g o s l a v i a w h i c h
met solely to attack K o s o v a and assail the People's Socialist
R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a , a m o n g s t others, m a n y a u t h o r i z e d
voices w e r e h e a r d t o s a y t h a t « F e d e r a t i v e Y u g o s l a v i a i s
the d e f e n d e r o f t h e P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a . »
T h i s is a « p a t e r n a l i s t i c » e x p r e s s i o n a n d a o n e - s i d e d s t a t e ment. N o t w i t h o u t p u r p o s e a n d f r o m p o s i t i o n s o f t h e
great-state m e g a l o m a n i a , i t w a s o v e r l o o k e d t h a t socialist
A l b a n i a also is a s t r o n g d e f e n d e r of t h e S o c i a l i s t F e d e r a t i v e
Republic of Yugoslavia.
W e oppose t h e p r e s e n t f o r e i g n a n d i n t e r n a l p o l i c y o f
Y u g o s l a v i a , because w e t h i n k i t i s f r a u g h t w i t h m a n y
dangers f o r Y u g o s l a v i a i t s e l f a n d f o r A l b a n i a , f o r t h e
Balkans and Europe, regardless of the pretentious claims
about « s e l f - a d m i n i s t r a t i o n » a n d t a l k a b o u t a n « i n d e p e n d ent,» « n o n - a l i g n e d » p o l i c y , etc.
Every government and every individual who understands p o l i t i c s a n d f o l l o w s t h e s i t u a t i o n s t h a t d e v e l o p i n
the w o r l d , c a n see t h e d a n g e r s o f t h i s c o u r s e o f t h e
Y u g o s l a v p o l i c y . T h i s p o l i c y has e x p o s e d Y u g o s l a v i a t o t h e
greedy a m b i t i o n s a n d p o s s i b l e aggressions o f A m e r i c a n
imperialism and Soviet social-imperialism. This threat is
the o u t c o m e o f t h i s s h o r t - s i g h t e d p o l i c y w h i c h also causes
the i n s t a b i l i t y w i t h i n Y u g o s l a v i a .
T h e Y u g o s l a v l e a d e r s n o t o n l y a d v o c a t e t h e i r selfa d m i n i s t r a t i v e s y s t e m , b u t also r e c o m m e n d i t t o o t h e r s a s
«the most p e r f e c t f o r m o f socialist system.» T h e y p r e s e n t
186
ENVER HOXHA
their foreign policy as if it w i l l disarm and destroy the
aggressive i m p e r i a l i s t p o w e r s , a s i f i t w i l l b r i n g peace a n d
p r o s p e r i t y t o the w o r l d . T h i s m e g a l o m a n i a c p r e t e n t i o n i s
not o n l y n a i v e b u t also a f r a u d w h i c h i s b e i n g e x p o s e d e v e r y
d a y b y w o r l d events.
Y u g o s l a v i a r e g a r d s t h e fact t h a t i t i s u p t o its n e c k
in debt as a great m e r i t . It calls t h i s «économie i n d e p e n d e n ce.» It calls the p o l i c y of « n o n - a l i g n m e n t » p r o t e c t i o n a n d
defence o f its i n d e p e n d e n c e , w h e n , b y l a w , t h e i m p e r i a l i s t
and Soviet multi-national companies are guaranteed 50 per
cent o f t h e p r o f i t f r o m t h e j o i n t e c o n o m i c v e n t u r e s i n Y u g o s l a v i a . It describes as «wise, open, a n d sincere» t h e i n f l u x of
foreign tourists and the emigration of Y u g o s l a v w o r k e r s
to a l l t h e c a p i t a l i s t c o u n t r i e s of t h e w o r l d . It d e s c r i b e s as «a
gesture o f good c o n d u c t » t h e p e r m i s s i o n i t g i v e s t h e S o v i e t
w a r s h i p s t o enter, m a k e r e p a i r s a n d o b t a i n s u p p l i e s i n t h e
Y u g o s l a v ports. I t calls t h e great e c o n o m i c c r i s i s w h i c h h a s
a f f l i c t e d Y u g o s l a v i a , t h e great i n c r e a s e i n i n f l a t i o n , a n d t h e
r i s i n g cost o f l i v i n g f o r t h e w o r k i n g masses, i n e v i t a b l e a n d
almost «normal.» A c c o r d i n g t o t h e Y u g o s l a v l e a d e r s h i p ,
a l l these t h i n g s h a v e n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h e i t h e r « s e l f - a d m i n istration» or the «independent policy» or the «policy of
n o n - a l i g n m e n t . » These, s a y t h e Y u g o s l a v « t h e o r e t i c i a n s » ,
a r e t w o issues w h i c h d o n o t i n t e r f e r e w i t h one a n o t h e r , t h e
f o r m e r (the crisis) is n o t a consequence of t h e l a t t e r (the
policy).
The A l b a n i a n s l i v i n g in Y u g o s l a v i a and the People's
S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a w h i c h «incites» t h e m w i t h «its
étatist. b u r e a u c r a t i c , S t a l i n i s t , n a t i o n a l i s t , i r r e d e n t i s t p o l icy,» a r e t o b l a m e f o r these t h i n g s .
N o , M e s s r s Y u g o s l a v leaders, d o not f e a r t h e t r u t h ,
be j u s t a l i t t l e r e a l i s t i c , f o r it is n o t as y o u c l a i m .
D o y o u r e a l l y w a n t us, too, t o f o l l o w y o u r c o u r s e ?
T h i s w i l l n e v e r h a p p e n . W e m a y e v e n l i v e poor, b u t w e
want to live free and b u i l d our o w n well-being w h i c h is
THE DEMAND FOR A REPUBLICAN STATUS IS JUST
187
rising day b y day. A n d this w e are doing w i t h our o w n
forces. W e a r e n o t i n d e b t t o a n y o n e a n d d o not s e l l o u r
country to foreign capital of the U n i t e d States of A m e r i c a ,
the S o v i e t U n i o n a n d o t h e r s . W e a r e n o t l o c k e d a w a y i n
s e l f - i s o l a t i o n , b u t engage i n honest t r a d e w i t h m u t u a l
benefit, j u s t a s w e d e v e l o p c u l t u r a l - e d u c a t i o n a l e x c h a n g e s .
I t i s a fact t h a t w e h a v e s u c h r e l a t i o n s w i t h y o u , too, a n d
trade between us is developing every year.
I t i s n o t h a r d f o r a n y o n e t o guess w h a t w o u l d h a p p e n
i f socialist A l b a n i a w e r e t o o p e n its d o o r s t o S o v i e t , A m e r ican and other capitalist countries' capital, to the hordes
of h i p p y tourists, w h a t w o u l d happen if A l b a n i a were to
open t h e p o r t s o f S a r a n d a , V l o r a , D u r r ë s a n d S h ë n g j i n
t o the S o v i e t w a r s h i p s , a s Y u g o s l a v i a does w i t h its p o r t s .
I f this w e r e done, n o t o n l y t h e P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c
o f A l b a n i a , b u t also t h e S o c i a l i s t F e d e r a t i v e R e p u b l i c o f
Y u g o s l a v i a , t h e R e p u b l i c o f G r e e c e , a n d t h e w h o l e o f the
Balkans and Europe w o u l d be endangered.
T h i s w e h a v e n o t done a n d n e v e r w i l l . N e i t h e r t h e
S o v i e t s n o r a n y b o d y else w i l l see o u r ports, e v e n t h r o u g h
b i n o c u l a r s . I n o r d e r t o e n t e r t h e A l b a n i a n ports, a n y e n e m y
w i l l h a v e t o d o s o o v e r o u r d e a d bodies.
B e c a u s e i t p u r s u e s a p r i n c i p l e d , correct a n d u n w a v e r i n g
policy, because i t s t i c k s t o its c o u r s e c o n s i s t e n t l y a n d w i t h
d e t e r m i n a t i o n , A l b a n i a i s a n i m p o r t a n t f a c t o r o f peace,
s t a b i l i t y , s e c u r i t y a n d defence i n t h e B a l k a n s a n d E u r o p e ,
a s has b e e n its t r a d i t i o n t h r o u g h o u t its l o n g h i s t o r y .
T h e c a p i t a l i s t a n d i m p e r i a l i s t w o r l d has p e r p e t r a t e d
m a n y e v i l s against t h e A l b a n i a n p e o p l e a t a l l t i m e s . N o w ,
too, i t i s t r y i n g t o d i s t o r t t h e t r u t h a b o u t A l b a n i a . I t h a s
r o b b e d i t o f its assets a n d does n o t w a n t t o r e t u r n t h e m .
I t refuses o r hesitates t o p a y t h e w a r r e p a r a t i o n s t o A l b a n i a a t a t i m e w h e n i t has p a i d t h e m t o a l l t h e others.
A n d a l l t h i s i s because t h e A l b a n i a n people, a s m a l l p e o p l e
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ENVER HOXHA
w a n t t o l i v e free, i n d e p e n d e n t a n d s o v e r e i g n i n t h e i r o w n
c o u n t r y . T h e A l b a n i a n p e o p l e h a v e d o n e n o one a n y
h a r m , only good. B u t no force w i l l d e p r i v e t h e m of t h e i r
legitimate rights.
M e s s r s Y u g o s l a v leaders, f o r g e t y o u r m o r b i d passions
for a moment and think w i t h cool heads: Does this policy
o f the A l b a n i a n state e n d a n g e r o r d e f e n d t h e S o c i a l i s t
Federative Republic of Yugoslavia?
We have declared and we declare again officially a n d
publicly that if the Socialist Federative Republic of Y u g o slavia is attacked, we A l b a n i a n s of the People's Socialist
Republic of A l b a n i a w i l l fight shoulder to shoulder w i t h
t h e peoples o f Y u g o s l a v i a . D o e s t h i s u n d e r m i n e o r d e f e n d
the Yugoslav Federation?
D o y o u t h i n k that, a t t h e s u p r e m e m o m e n t w h e n t h e
A l b a n i a n people of the People's Socialist Republic of A l b a n i a , u n i t e d w i t h t h e peoples o f Y u g o s l a v i a , a r e f i g h t i n g
shoulder to shoulder as they d i d d u r i n g the Second W o r l d
W a r , against an enemy or enemies i n v a d i n g our t w o c o u n tries, t h e A l b a n i a n people l i v i n g o n t h e i r o w n t e r r i t o r i e s
i n Y u g o s l a v i a w i l l t u r n t h e g u n a g a i n s t u s a n d oppose u s ,
t a k i n g t h e side o f t h e S o v i e t - B u l g a r i a n s o r some o t h e r a g gressor?
W h y , M e s s r s Y u g o s l a v leaders, d o y o u d i s t o r t o u r d e clarations and t r y to put in our m o u t h things we have not
said? We have declared and we declare again that we have
not raised a n d are not raising t e r r i t o r i a l claims. W h y do
y o u accuse u s o f b e i n g c h a u v i n i s t s , i n c i t e r s o f i r r e d e n t i s m ,
a n d n a t i o n a l i s t s ? O f course, b y l e v e l l i n g s u c h u n f o u n d e d a n d
p r e p o s t e r o u s accusations a g a i n s t us, y o u w a n t t o c o n c e a l
something grave and unjust on your part.
W e d o not h a v e t h e slightest i n t e r e s t i n w e a k e n i n g t h e
Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia. On the contrary, we w a n t it strengthened, but not at the expense of
the Albanians of Kosova. T h e weakening of the Federation
THE DEMAND FOR A REPUBLICAN STATUS IS JUST
189
i s t o t h e l i k i n g o f t h e r e v i s i o n i s t aggressor S o v i e t U n i o n a n d
the B u l g a r i a n r e v i s i o n i s t l e a d e r s h i p . T h i s t r u t h w e state
openly, w h i l e y o u a r e a f r a i d t o d o so. M o r e o v e r , y o u a r e
blowing your trumpets clamouring that the People's S o cialist R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a w a n t s t o u n d e r m i n e t h e Y u g o slav F e d e r a t i o n , t h a t t h e h e r o i c A l b a n i a n p e o p l e a n d y o u t h
of K o s o v a , w h o a r e d e m a n d i n g t h e status of a R e p u b l i c , a r e
counter-revolutionaries and seeking to destroy the F e deration.
Three times y o u have inflicted heavy bloodshed on
the m a r t y r e d A l b a n i a n p e o p l e l i v i n g i n Y u g o s l a v i a , 5 0
thousand of w h o m fought shoulder to shoulder w i t h the
Yugoslav brothers and w i t h the f r a t e r n a l A l b a n i a n people
w h o sent t h e i r o w n l i b e r a t i o n shock b r i g a d e s t o Y u g o s l a v i a
t o f i g h t a g a i n s t t h e n a z i - f a s c i s t occupiers, t h e B a l l i s t s , t h e
Cetnici and Ustaše. Despite this w a r , y o u shed their blood
i n 1945, i n 1968 a n d a g a i n c o v e r e d t h e m i n b l o o d i n 1981.
C a n things go on in this way, Messrs Y u g o s l a v leaders?
C a n t h i s b e c a l l e d « a j u s t s o l u t i o n o f t h e n a t i o n a l question,»
a slogan y o u are t r u m p e t i n g e v e r y d a y ? W o u l d y o u t o l e r a t e
such a t e r r o r a g a i n s t y o u r people, w o u l d y o u h a v e b e e n s o
cool-headed a n d p a t i e n t , a s t h e K o s o v a p e o p l e h a v e s h o w n
themselves t o b e i n t h e f a c e o f these a t r o c i t i e s ? D o e s t h e
A l b a n i a n population l i v i n g in Y u g o s l a v i a not have the
r i g h t t o l i v e i n peace a n d f r e e d o m ? H a s i t n o t t h e r i g h t
t o stop t h e U D B - m e n f r o m b r e a k i n g i n t o its h o m e s a n d
dishonouring the w i v e s a n d daughters, f r o m i m p r i s o n i n g
and t o r t u r i n g innocent people? Does it not have the right
t o d e f e n d i t s e l f a g a i n s t these i n h u m a n a c t i o n s ?
T h e A l b a n i a n s o f Y u g o s l a v i a o u g h t t o h a v e a l l these
rights a n d t h e P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a w i l l
d e f e n d t h e m w h e n these r i g h t s a r e d e n i e d t h e m , e s p e c i a l l y
when they are d r o w n e d in blood, as occurred recently a l l
over K o s o v a .
Y o u c a l l these t r u t h s w e assert a n d these r i g h t s w e
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defend publicly «interference in the internal affairs of
Y u g o s l a v i a , » « s u b v e r s i v e o r g a n i z a t i o n o f T i r a n a » , etc. N o ,
g e n t l e m e n , i t i s n o t s o a n d n o one b e l i e v e s w h a t y o u a r e
s a y i n g . T h e A l b a n i a n people w h o l i v e i n Y u g o s l a v i a h a v e
their own brains and k n o w what they are doing. They do
n o t n e e d us, t h e A l b a n i a n s o f t h e P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c
of Albania, to teach and incite them. T h e y are brave and
loyal, they k n o w h o w to d e m a n d w h a t belongs to t h e m ,
just as they k n o w h o w to defend themselves. Messrs. Y u g o s l a v leaders, m a k e a correct assessment of t h e l o f t y v i r t u e s
of this part of the A l b a n i a n nation w h i c h lives in Y u g o s l a v i a , don't m a k e t h e m e n e m i e s b y v i o l a t i n g t h e r i g h t s
t h a t b e l o n g t o t h e m , because t h i s i s n o t good, e i t h e r f o r y o u
or for them.
T h e A l b a n i a n N a t i o n Is O n e , It H a s the O n e
H i s t o r y , C u l t u r e and L a n g u a g e
In our opinion, the educational, c u l t u r a l and scientific
relations w h i c h the People's Socialist Republic of A l b a n i a
has d e v e l o p e d w i t h K o s o v a , i n t h e f i r s t place, b u t also w i t h
the Socialist Republics of Macedonia and Montenegro to
a lesser e x t e n t (and t h i s n o t f o r l a c k of g o o d w i l l on o u r
p a r t ) , h a v e been q u i t e n o r m a l , f r u i t f u l , u s e f u l a n d c o r r e c t
f o r b o t h sides. T h e s e r e l a t i o n s h a v e d e v e l o p e d t h r o u g h j o i n t
agreements and w i t h the a p p r o v a l of our t w o G o v e r n ments.
We believe the G o v e r n m e n t of the Socialist Federative
R e p u b l i c o f Y u g o s l a v i a has g i v e n its a p p r o v a l t o b o t h t h e
A u t o n o m o u s Region of K o s o v a a n d the t w o Federative
Republics where A l b a n i a n s live. However, this is a matter
w h i c h i s n o t u p t o us. T h e fact t h a t these r e l a t i o n s w e r e
d e v e l o p e d i n t h e p r o p e r w a y i s d u e t o b o t h sides. T h e s e
relations h a d no political character, they stirred up neither
THE DEMAND FOR A REPUBLICAN STATUS IS JUST
191
n a t i o n a l i s m , c h a u v i n i s m n o r i r r e d e n t i s m . T h e r e has been
n o c o m p l a i n t a b o u t l a c k o f correctness, v i o l a t i o n o f t h e
l a w s o f e i t h e r R e p u b l i c b y t h e people w h o h a v e t r a v e l l e d
t o a n d f r o m o u r c o u n t r i e s , a n d n o t e v e n t h e slightest i n c i d e n t
has o c c u r r e d .
W e a r e f u l l y c o n v i n c e d t h a t these r e l a t i o n s , a s y o u
f r e q u e n t l y l i k e to repeat, s e r v e d as a b r i d g e f o r s t r e n g t h e n i n g t h e r e l a t i o n s o f t h e A l b a n i a n people w i t h the
peoples of Y u g o s l a v i a .
The leadership of the Yugoslav Federation described
these e c o n o m i c , c o m m e r c i a l , e d u c a t i o n a l a n d c u l t u r a l r e l ations b e t w e e n t h e P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a
and the A u t o n o m o u s Region of K o s o v a , after the troubles
that o c c u r r e d t h e r e , t h r o u g h n o f a u l t o f o u r s a n d w i t h o u t
the slightest i n c i t e m e n t o r i n t e r f e r e n c e o n o u r p a r t , a s
«interference i n t h e i n t e r n a l a f f a i r s o f Y u g o s l a v i a , i n c i t e ment o f g r e a t - A l b a n i a n c h a u v i n i s m , t e r r i t o r i a l c l a i m s a n d
i r r e d e n t i s m . » I t d e s c r i b e d these r e l a t i o n s , w h i c h h a d l o n g
been d e v e l o p i n g i n b r o a d d a y l i g h t a n d n o t i n d a r k corners,
a s the basic i n s p i r a t i o n o f A l b a n i a n n a t i o n a l i s m , i m p o r t e d
f r o m T i r a n a b y o u r scientists, professors, a c a d e m i c i a n s ,
singers a n d dancers. T h i s s l a n d e r o u s a n d h o s t i l e o p i n i o n
has n e v e r b e e n e x p r e s s e d b e f o r e , e i t h e r as c r i t i c i s m or as
r e p r o o f b y t h e Y u g o s l a v side.
On the contrary, we w a n t to emphasize that top personalities o f t h e A l b a n i a n l e a d e r s h i p o f t h e F e d e r a t i o n a n d
the R e g i o n , w h o d i s p l a y e d t h e greatest f e r o c i t y against t h e
demonstrators in P r i s h t i n a a n d elsewhere, have always
taken our people of art and culture w h o went to K o ssva a s e x a m p l e s a n d h a v e p u b l i c l y p r a i s e d a n d t h a n k e d
them for their behaviour.
The Y u g o s l a v leadership forgets that the A l b a n i a n
n a t i o n i s one, i r r e s p e c t i v e o f t h e fact t h a t one p a r t l i v e s i n
the P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a a n d t h e o t h e r
i n t h r e e p a r t s o f t h e F e d e r a t i v e Y u g o s l a v i a . I t h a s t h e one
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ENVER HOXHA
h i s t o r y , c u l t u r e a n d l a n g u a g e , h a s i t s c o m m o n heroes,
poets, p a i n t e r s , m u s i c i a n s a n d artists. T h i s i s its g r e a t h e r itage, w h i c h i t preserves, c u l t i v a t e s a n d develops. T h e s e
are t h e m a i n f e a t u r e s of a n a t i o n .
D o the Y u g o s l a v s t h i n k t h a t these f e a t u r e s o f t h e A l b a n i a n n a t i o n a l i t y s h o u l d d i e out, s h o u l d b e d e s c r i b e d a s
signs a n d p h e n o m e n a o f « a n o u t d a t e d r o m a n t i c n a t i o n a l i s m
and a reprehensible chauvinism?»
C a n the exchange of opinions between people f r o m
socialist A l b a n i a a n d t h e A l b a n i a n s l i v i n g i n Y u g o s l a v i a
o n t h e e n r i c h m e n t o f t h e A l b a n i a n l a n g u a g e , t h e genesis
o f t h e A l b a n i a n people, t h e h i s t o r y o f t h e i r ancestors, t h e
s o c i a l a n d n a t u r a l sciences b e c o n s i d e r e d a n i n c i t e m e n t o f
A l b a n i a n c h a u v i n i s m a n d i r r e d e n t i s m ? C a n o u r f o l k songs
a n d dances p e r f o r m e d i n Y u g o s l a v i a b e c o n s i d e r e d i n c i t e ment of chauvinism and irredentism? This is our heritage,
the heritage of a l l Albanians, and of the People's Socialist
Republic of A l b a n i a in particular. We have beforehand
submitted the plans of c u l t u r a l and educational collaboration
and the programs of performances of artistic groups to
y o u a n d y o u h a v e a p p r o v e d t h e m . T h e p u b l i c has l i k e d
them very much and applauded them. Everybody likes what
is beautiful and healthy.
O u r a r t i s t i c e n s e m b l e s h a v e gone e v e r y w h e r e . T h e y
have been w e l l received a n d applauded w i t h great a d m i r ation and enthusiasm by the G r e e k people and their leaders,
b y t h e a r t - l o v e r s a n d t h e press o f t h a t c o u n t r y . L i k e w i s e , t h e
T u r k i s h people a n d t h e i r l e a d e r s o f e v e r y r a n k h a v e l i k e d
o u r f o l k songs a n d dances v e r y m u c h . T h e s a m e t h i n g h a s
occurred i n France, i n Italy, i n A l g e r i a , i n Tunisia, i n the
N o r d i c countries and everywhere. N o b o d y has accused us
either of nationalism or of c h a u v i n i s m . T h e y have respected
our feelings a n d we have respected theirs.
We ask: W h y this stand of the Yugoslav leaders? W h a t
is it in their heads a n d feelings that is w o r r y i n g t h e m ?
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193
W h y don't they h a v e a clear conscience? Or do they t h i n k
t h a t m o r e p e o p l e o r g r o u p s o f p e o p l e h a v e gone f r o m
A l b a n i a to Y u g o s l a v i a t h a n have come here f r o m Y u g o s l a ­
v i a ? T h e statistics s h o w t h e o p p o s i t e a n d w e r e j o i c e o v e r it.
Or do they w a n t to f i n d a groundless excuse to restrict
these r e l a t i o n s , t o c u t d o w n o n s c i e n t i f i c , c u l t u r a l a n d
a r t i s t i c e x c h a n g e s a n d t h e n u m b e r o f people c o m i n g a n d
going? M r D u š a n R i s t i ć , C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o n v e n t i o n o f
K o s o v a , let t h e cat o u t o f t h e b a g w h e n h e s a i d t h a t « a l l
the p r o t o c o l s o n t h e c o l l a b o r a t i o n o f t h e c u l t u r a l - e d u ­
cational and other institutions and organizations of K o s o v a
with A l b a n i a should no longer be implemented.»
I f t h e y w a n t to, t h e F e d e r a t i o n a n d t h e o t h e r c o m p e t e n t
organs c a n d o w h a t R i s t i ć asks. T h i s i s t h e i r r i g h t . W e d o
not f o r c e t h e d o o r s o f t h e o t h e r s o p e n . F o r o u r p a r t , w e
w i l l keep our doors open to a l l sincere friends, w h o e v e r they
m a y be, a n d e s p e c i a l l y t o o u r A l b a n i a n b r o t h e r s w h o l i v e
in Yugoslavia. T h i s w i l l help t h e m to become acquainted
w i t h the « A l b a n i a n hell», as the m a i n leaders of the
Autonomous Region of K o s o v a and the Socialist Federative
Republic of Yugoslavia call our country, and to compare
i t w i t h t h e « Y u g o s l a v p a r a d i s e » , a s w e c a l l it.
We are stating our opinion in advance: If the Y u g o ­
slavs d o t a k e these n a t i o n a l i s t , c h a u v i n i s t m e a s u r e s , t h i s
w i l l b e a great m i s t a k e o n t h e i r p a r t . T h e A l b a n i a n s o f
Yugoslavia and the entire A l b a n i a n people w i l l condemn
them a n d w i l l r i g h t l y say that the Y u g o s l a v s are a f r a i d
o f t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f A l b a n i a n c u l t u r e , b u t n o t o f decadent
culture!
We tell the Yugoslavs in a friendly w a y that such
measures w i l l n o t c a l m t h e A l b a n i a n p u b l i c o p i n i o n i n K o ­
sova a n d t h e o t h e r r e g i o n s o f Y u g o s l a v i a . W e a r e c o n v i n c e d
that the h e a l t h y Y u g o s l a v p u b l i c o p i n i o n a n d w o r l d o p i n i o n
w i l l also c o n d e m n t h i s act.
O n c e a g a i n i t i s o u r d u t y t o t e l l t h e Y u g o s l a v leaders
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ENVER HOXHA
t o k e e p c o o l i n t h e i r j u d g e m e n t a n d actions. T h e Y u g o s l a v
l e a d e r s h i p s h o u l d l o o k i n t o t h e needs o f t h e A l b a n i a n s o f
Y u g o s l a v i a w i t h most rigorous fairness, should not treat
them badly and discriminate against them, should seriously
a n d objectively consider the legitimate demands of the
people o f K o s o v a a n d s h o u l d not h a r m a n d i l l - t r e a t t h e h e r oic A l b a n i a n y o u t h , e s p e c i a l l y t h e s t u d e n t y o u t h , t h e t e a c h ers, professors a n d a l l t h e i n t e l l i g e n t s i a o f K o s o v a a n d t h e
other A l b a n i a n r e g i o n s o f Y u g o s l a v i a , s h o u l d n o t c o n s i d e r
the U n i v e r s i t y of P r i s h t i n a and the A l b a n i a n elementary
a n d s e c o n d a r y schools a s hotbeds o f enemies, c o u n t e r r e v o l u t i o n a r i e s , c h a u v i n i s t s , etc., s h o u l d n o t d i s m e m b e r
the U n i v e r s i t y of P r i s h t i n a on the pretext that there is
o v e r p r o d u c t i o n o f g r a d u a t e s a n d scatter t h e A l b a n i a n s t u d e n t s t h r o u g h o u t a l l t h e u n i v e r s i t i e s o f Y u g o s l a v i a . N o one
i s d e c e i v e d a n d e v e r y b o d y u n d e r s t a n d s w h y t h i s i s done.
T h e A l b a n i a n does not forget «his n a t i v e p l a c e w h e r e
h e i s h o n o u r e d . » D o n o t a t t e m p t t o cut off t h e h e a d o f t h e
y o u t h , t h e b e a u t i f u l A l b a n i a n f l o w e r o f K o s o v a , because
the Albanians have never spared their blood for knowledge
a n d freedom.
There can never be overproduction of people w i t h
schooling if production in Kosova, w h i c h is potentially rich
a n d e f f e c t i v e l y poor, i s i n c r e a s e d . S e r i o u s m e a s u r e s m u s t
b e t a k e n f o r t h i s d e v e l o p m e n t o f K o s o v a , a s f o r t h e rest
y o u m a y shout a s l o u d a s y o u please t h a t i n t h e P e o p l e ' s
S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a «the p e o p l e h a v e n o t h i n g t o
eat, n o f r e e d o m , t h e r e are n o c h u r c h e s a n d mosques.»
T h e A l b a n i a n w o r k e r o f K o s o v a , w h o w o r k s deep i n t h e
m i n e s , does not accept t h a t t h e u n d e r g r o u n d w e a l t h s h o u l d
be exploited w h i l e the w e a l t h on the surface be abandoned,
that his brothers should be impoverished and killed by
bullets.
W e say these t h i n g s t o c e r t a i n Y u g o s l a v leaders, w h o
a r e reasonable, s o t h a t t h e y w i l l b e a r these t r u t h s i n m i n d ,
THE DEMAND FOR A REPUBLICAN STATUS IS JUST
195
because c e r t a i n o t h e r i r a s c i b l e , despotic a n d a n t i - A l b a n i a n
leaders h a v e b o l t e d off i n a desperate g a l l o p w h i c h m a y
cause s t i l l m o r e d a n g e r o u s catastrophes, f o r w h i c h i t w i l l b e
difficult to f i n d reasonable solutions later.
We do not want to tell y o u how to r u n y o u r country, or
to interfere in y o u r internal affairs, but we are telling y o u
this f o r t h e c o m m o n g o o d o f o u r t w o c o u n t r i e s , b e c a u s e
y o u h a v e m a d e m a t t e r s v e r y tense w i t h t h e K o s o v a people,
w i t h the A l b a n i a n s of other regions and the A l b a n i a n econ­
omic e m i g r a n t s o u t s i d e Y u g o s l a v i a . Y o u a r e c r e a t i n g a d i v i ­
sion a m o n g t h e l a t t e r . I t i s n o t t h e « d i p l o m a t i c agencies o f
the P S R A » a b r o a d t h a t create t h i s d i v i s i o n , b u t y o u , M i s t e r
Minić.
We are f u l l y convinced that K o s o v a cannot be f o r
undermining the Federation. B u t the Federation must study
and f i n d a j u s t s o l u t i o n t o t h e great p r o b l e m o f t h e r i g h t s
o f the A l b a n i a n s o f K o s o v a , w h i c h t h e y t h e m s e l v e s h a v e
placed b e f o r e y o u a n d w h i c h T i t o , M o š a P i j a d e a n d M i l a d i n
P o p o v i ć h a v e dealt w i t h f r o m t h e t h e o r e t i c a l a n d p r a c t i c a l
aspects.
C a l m must be restored in K o s o v a , but the r e m o v a l of
a certain M a h m u t B a k a l l i * a n d the promotion of a M a h m u t
Çakalli** w i l l n o t c a l m it. K o s o v a w i l l r e t u r n t o c a l m i f t h e
state o f siege i s l i f t e d , t h e S e r b i a n a r m y a n d p u n i t i v e p o l i c e
are w i t h d r a w n , i f t h e s i t u a t i o n i s n o r m a l i z e d , t h e i n n o c e n t
p r i s o n e r s w i t h w h o m t h e j a i l s a r e f u l l a r e released, a n d i f
the b o d i e s o f those k i l l e d i n d e m o n s t r a t i o n s are r e t u r n e d
to t h e i r f a m i l i e s , because t h i s is a s a c r e d a n d h u m a n i t a r i a n
matter. Y o u m u s t s t u d y t h e d e m a n d o f t h e p e o p l e o f K o s o v a
for a R e p u b l i c c a r e f u l l y a n d f a i r l y , m u s t s o l v e its e c o n o m i c
problems correctly. T h i s is the o n l y w a y to restore c a l m
in Kosova, only in this w a y w i l l it be a friend of other
_______________________________________
* grocer.
** jackal.
196
ENVER HOXHA
r e p u b l i c s , w i t h i n the S o c i a l i s t F e d e r a t i v e R e p u b l i c o f Y u g o slavia.
K o s o v a seeks t h e status o f a R e p u b l i c w i t h i n t h e Y u g o s l a v F e d e r a t i o n . T h i s status r e p r e s e n t s t h e a s p i r a t i o n o f a
great people, w h o r i g h t l y d e m a n d t h e «status o f s o v e r e i g n t y »
a n d not t h a t o f a « n a t i o n a l m i n o r i t y , » w h i c h i t w a s u n j u s t l y
allocated at Jajce. T h e enemy of the Socialist Federative
Republic of Yugoslavia, the Great-Serb M i l o v a n Gilas, in
h i s w r i t i n g s h a s r e v e a l e d t h e reasons f o r t h i s i n j u s t i c e , w h i c h
r e g r e t t a b l y t h e present Y u g o s l a v l e a d e r s h i p has n e v e r d i s avowed.
T h e d e m a n d o f K o s o v a t o b e g r a n t e d t h e status o f a
F e d e r a l R e p u b l i c is a j u s t one. It h a s d e s e r v e d it because
o f t h e s t r u g g l e i t has w a g e d t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e o t h e r p e o p l e s
o f Y u g o s l a v i a against f a s c i s m . T h e G r e a t - S e r b c h a u v i n i s m
has cost K o s o v a h e a v y b l o o d s h e d a n d c r e a t e d s u c h a s i t u a t i o n t h a t e x p e d i e n t s c a n h a r d l y c u r e it.
M e s s r s . Y u g o s l a v leaders, d o y o u w a n t t h i s w o u n d t o
t u r n to gangrene? Y o u must t h i n k it over yourselves. We
d o n o t w i s h s u c h a t h i n g o n y o u . T h i s disease m u s t b e c u r e d
a t once, j u s t l y a n d c o u r a g e o u s l y .
T h e w o u n d cannot be healed w i t h manoeuvres, w i t h
combinations, w i t h juggling, w i t h threats to force people
say w h a t is dictated to them. F r a t e r n i t y is achieved w i t h
o p e n hearts, w i t h s i n c e r i t y , w i t h p e o p l e w h o m t h e A l b a n i a n s o f K o s o v a l o v e a n d t r u s t . T h e y c a n a n d m u s t close
t h e great g u l f w h i c h w a s o p e n e d t h r o u g h n o f a u l t o f t h e
A l b a n i a n people o f K o s o v a .
W e f e e l i t o u r d u t y t o t e l l y o u these t r u t h s i n a f r i e n d l y
s p i r i t . R e j e c t t h e m i f y o u w i s h , a t t a c h a n y e p i t h e t y o u care
t o use t o us. L e t t h e p r o g r e s s i v e w o r l d j u d g e b o t h u s a n d
you.
T h e peoples o f Y u g o s l a v i a a n d t h e A l b a n i a n p e o p l e
w a n t f r i e n d s h i p w i t h one another, b u t t h e f r i e n d s h i p m u s t
be established on sound foundations.
THE DEMAND FOB A REPUBLICAN STATUS IS JUST
197
« P u r e E t h n i c Entity,» « S m a l l A l b a n i a »
a n d «Greater A l b a n i a »
T h e raising of swords a n d shields against us on the
p a r t o f t h e Y u g o s l a v l e a d e r s h i p has c e r t a i n l y b e e n d o n e i n
order to cover up something horrible and reprehensible
w h i c h o c c u r r e d i n t h e streets o f t h e cities a n d c o u n t r y roads
o f K o s o v a , w h e r e t h e b l o o d o f t h e people f l o w e d i n t o r r e n t s .
H o w many were killed and how were they killed? This
i s k e p t secret, b u t t h e A l b a n i a n p e o p l e o f K o s o v a k n o w
t h e i r sons a n d d a u g h t e r s w h o h a v e b e e n k i l l e d , t o r t u r e d
and imprisoned, or have disappeared. T h e more the t r u t h
i s h i d d e n , t h e m o r e d a n g e r o u s i t becomes. B l o o d i s t h i c k e r
than w a t e r ! T h i s should not be forgotten. T h e complete
t r u t h a b o u t t h e t r a g e d y o f K o s o v a w i l l c o m e out, i t w i l l b e
t e r r i b l e a n d w i l l h a v e consequences.
M r Stane Dolanc, i n the i n t e r v i e w h e gave foreign
j o u r n a l i s t s a b o u t t h e e v e n t s i n K o s o v a , s a i d a m o n g other
things, «The P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a does
not h a v e a f i n g e r i n these events.» M r D o l a n c i s one o f the
m a i n leaders, i f n o t t h e m a i n one, o f t h e C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e
of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia. W h a t he said
w a s b a s e d o n facts.
B u t w h o cooked up the lie? W h o distorted the t r u t h ?
I n w h o s e i n t e r e s t w a s i t t o accuse t h e P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t
Republic of A l b a n i a of h a v i n g a finger in the disturbances
in Kosova? Let the Y u g o s l a v leadership discover this, Mr
M i n i ć a n d M r . V i d i ć , b u t w h a t w a s concocted w a s a
monstrosity, an outburst of hatred w h i c h opened such a
g u l f t h a t e v e r y p o l i t i c a l l y i m m a t u r e Y u g o s l a v c o u l d equate
the n a m e « A l b a n i a n » w i t h t h e « e n e m y o f t h e peoples o f
Yugoslavia.» Those w h o opened this gulf are answerable to
t h e i r o w n peoples, i n c l u d i n g t h e A l b a n i a n s w h o l i v e i n
Y u g o s l a v i a . T h e y are a n s w e r a b l e t o h i s t o r y .
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T h e entire Central Committee of the League of C o m ­
munists of Yugoslavia unanimously and unjustly condemned
t h e events i n K o s o v a , c o n d e m n e d t h e p e o p l e o f K o s o v a ,
condemned the A l b a n i a n s of Yugoslavia, condemned the
People's Socialist R e p u b l i c of A l b a n i a as aiders a n d abet­
t o r s i n these d i s t u r b a n c e s .
However, we k n o w h o w to make distinctions between
those w h o s p o k e i n t h e t o p f o r u m o f t h e L e a g u e o f C o m ­
munists of Yugoslavia. We observed that the m a i n leaders of
the neighbouring Republics of Montenegro and Macedonia,
a n d also o f C r o a t i a a n d S l o v e n i a , a l t h o u g h t h e y c o n d e m n e d
t h e events, s h o w e d t h e m s e l v e s m o r e c o o l - h e a d e d , m o r e r e ­
strained, more far-sighted about the situations that w o u l d
develop later between the A l b a n i a n s and the Yugoslavs, be­
tween the Socialist Federative Republic of Y u g o s l a v i a a n d
the People's Socialist R e p u b l i c of A l b a n i a .
W e c a n n o t m a k e t h e s a m e assessment o f t h e m a i n
leaders o f S e r b i a , s u c h a s M e s s r s M i n i ć , V i d i ć , S t a m b o l i ć .
T h e i r speeches a r e c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y u n r e s t r a i n e d f e r o c i t y ,
b y G r e a t - S e r b c h a u v i n i s m against t h e A l b a n i a n people w h o
live in Y u g o s l a v i a and against the People's Socialist R e p u b l i c
of A l b a n i a , in a v e i n never heard before.
A s f o r those « A l b a n i a n l e a d e r s » w h o t o o k t h e f l o o r
in this top f o r u m of the League of C o m m u n i s t s of Y u g o ­
s l a v i a , o r outside it, i t m u s t b e s a i d t h a t t h e i r speeches w e r e
c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y h y s t e r i a a s g r e a t a s i t w a s s e r v i l e , a n d des­
i g n e d t o serve t h e i r bosses — V i d i ć , M i n i ć , S t a m b o l i ć a n d
others. O b v i o u s l y , these people c a n n o t b r i n g c a l m t o K o s o v a .
T h e people o f K o s o v a h a t e these k n a v i s h «leaders».
I n a l l t h e m e e t i n g s o f t h e h i g h state a n d p a r t y f o r u m s
of the Socialist Federative R e p u b l i c of Y u g o s l a v i a and the
League of C o m m u n i s t s of Y u g o s l a v i a voices w e r e raised
saying: «The relations w i t h A l b a n i a must be re-examined,»
etc., etc. T w i c e w i t h i n t h i r t y y e a r s y o u h a v e a g g r a v a t e d
m a t t e r s t o b r e a k i n g p o i n t w i t h socialist A l b a n i a .
THE DEMAND FOR A REPUBLICAN STATUS IS JUST
199
Do you t h i n k y o u can frighten us? Do y o u imagine
t h a t t h e P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a owes its
e x i s t e n c e t o y o u ? Y o u a r e w r o n g ! Y o u r eyes are b l i n d e d
with Great-Yugoslav megalomania.
W e h a v e c o o l heads a n d f i e r y hearts. W e s h a l l get b y
even w i t h restrictions y o u intend to impose on the relations
between our t w o countries. T h e smoke w i l l go straight up
f r o m o u r c h i m n e y a s u s u a l e v e n i f y o u b r e a k o f f these
relations altogether.
F o r o u r p a r t , w e d o n o t w a n t a n y s u c h t h i n g , because
it is not we w h o created the difficult situations in K o s o v a
and the w h o l e of Yugoslavia. Y o u yourselves have created
them. We have nothing at all to do w i t h them. Therefore,
the a c c u s a t i o n s y o u m a k e against u s are o n l y a p r e t e x t
w h i c h y o u raise artificially in order to cover up the ugly
events.
W e t e l l y o u once a g a i n , b e w a r e ! K e e p c o o l ! D o n o t
turn y o u r faults into a conflict w i t h the People's Socialist
R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a , because t h i s i s i n t h e i n t e r e s t o f o u r
enemies.
Mr M i n i ć committed a dangerous provocation in the
C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e o f t h e L C Y w h e n h e s a i d t h a t «the
A l b a n i a n l e a d e r s h i p , t h r o u g h its s p o k e s m e n , its d i p l o m a c y ,
i n c l u d i n g its e m b a s s y i n B e l g r a d e , a n d its agencies, i n c i t e d
the A l b a n i a n i r r e d e n t i s t g r o u p s w h o s e a i m w a s t o d e s t a b i l i z e
and d i s i n t e g r a t e Y u g o s l a v i a . » W e t h i n k t h a t t h i s p e r s o n a l i t y
i s not s p e a k i n g i n t h e n a m e o f t h e G o v e r n m e n t o f t h e
S F R Y , because, i f m a t t e r s stood a s M r M i n i ć c l a i m s , t h a t
one or t w o persons, or a w h o l e e m b a s s y staff c a r r y out s u b ­
v e r s i v e a c t i v i t y , t h e n t h e Y u g o s l a v G o v e r n m e n t has t h e
right, j u s t a s t h e A l b a n i a n G o v e r n m e n t a n d a n y other
g o v e r n m e n t has t h e r i g h t i n s u c h cases, t o d e c l a r e t h e m
personae non gratae, a n d e v e n b r e a k off d i p l o m a t i c r e l a ­
tions.
Neither the Y u g o s l a v G o v e r n m e n t nor the A l b a n i a n
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ENVER HOXHA
G o v e r n m e n t h a v e done this, because s u c h a n a c t i v i t y d o e s
not exist.
M r M i n i ć k n o w s this practice. B u t the things h e says
a r e i n v e n t e d in o r d e r to d e f e n d a lost cause.
N e v e r t h e l e s s , a f t e r M r M i n i ć ' s speech w e d r e w t h e c o n ­
clusion that he h a d apparently put a l l our embassies in dif­
f e r e n t c o u n t r i e s , let a l o n e t h e A l b a n i a n e m b a s s y i n B e l g r a d e ,
under surveillance. T h i s was confirmed by the minister of
internal affairs of Yugoslavia, Franjo Herlević, w h o w h i l e
a c c u s i n g the A l b a n i a n d i p l o m a t i c r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s i n v a r i o u s
countries and in Belgrade of h a v i n g incited the events in
K o s o v a , r e v e a l e d t h a t o u r embassies e v e r y w h e r e h a d
been p l a c e d u n d e r c o n t r o l o f t h e Y u g o s l a v secret p o l i c e .
T h i s s h o w s t h a t t h e Y u g o s l a v secret s e r v i c e i s a c t i v e i n
other c o u n t r i e s i n s h a d o w i n g t h e A l b a n i a n embassies, t h u s
v i o l a t i n g t h e s o v e r e i g n t y o f those c o u n t r i e s a n d t h e i n t e r ­
national laws. This activity is impermissible and repre­
hensible.
H e r l e v i ć ' s c l a i m s are concoctions o f t h e people i n h i s
service, i l l - i n t e n t i o n e d s l a n d e r s w h i c h s u i t those r e a c t i o n a r y
circles, a t h o m e a n d a b r o a d , w h i c h are i n t e r e s t e d i n c a u s i n g
t h e d e t e r i o r a t i o n a n d t h e b r e a k i n g off o f r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n
the Socialist Federative Republic of Y u g o s l a v i a a n d the
People's Socialist R e p u b l i c of A l b a n i a .
The Serb Peter Stambolić spoke like an incorrigible
Great-Serb. He was defending the S e r b i a n interests to the
detriment of the Albanians, w h e n he said, among other
things, t h a t « T h e a t t e m p t t o a c h i e v e e t h n i c p u r i t y o b j e c t i v ­
e l y leads t o n a t i o n a l i s m . » H e d e s c r i b e d t h i s a t t e m p t a s fascist.
W e ask M r S t a m b o l i ć : I s t h e S e r b i a n p e o p l e n o t a n
e t h n i c e n t i t y ? Does h e n o t c o n s i d e r t h e A l b a n i a n p e o p l e
also a n e t h n i c e n t i t y ? W i t h o u t doubt, these t w o peoples a r e
t w o e t h n i c entities.
I f M r S t a m b o l i ć does not c o n s i d e r t h e S e r b i a n p e o p l e
a « p u r e e t h n i c e n t i t y » , because A l b a n i a n s , M o n t e n e g r i n s ,
THE DEMAND FOR A REPUBLICAN STATUS IS JUST
201
Bosnians a n d T u r k s l i v e together w i t h them, likewise the
A l b a n i a n p e o p l e is n o t a « p u r e e t h n i c e n t i t y , » e i t h e r ,
because i n K o s o v a , w h e r e t h e o v e r w h e l m i n g m a j o r i t y i s
of A l b a n i a n n a t i o n a l i t y , t h e r e is also a S e r b i a n , M o n t e n e g r i n
and T u r k i s h m i n o r i t y l i v i n g t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e m .
I n these i d e n t i c a l c i r c u m s t a n c e s , M r S t a m b o l i ć e m p l o y s
a sleight o f h a n d : t h e A l b a n i a n e t h n i c e n t i t y i s n a t i o n a l i s t
and fascist, b u t n o t t h e S e r b i a n . H o w e v e r , h e can't get a w a y
w i t h this sleight of h a n d : either both ethnic entities lead
t o « n a t i o n a l i s m a n d f a s c i s m » , o r n e i t h e r o f t h e m d o so, b u t
i n n o w a y c a n i t b e t h a t one does a n d t h e o t h e r does not.
W h y does M r S t a m b o l i ć n o t s a y m o r e o p e n l y t h a t t h e
greater e t h n i c e n t i t y m u s t d o m i n a t e t h e s m a l l e r one, t h a t
the f o r m e r m u s t b e s o v e r e i g n i n t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n a n d t h e
latter m u s t not, because t h i s i s t o t h e l i k i n g o f t h e b o u r ­
geoisie o f t h e g r e a t e r e t h n i c e n t i t y w h i c h w a n t s t o e x p l o i t
the s m a l l e r ?
In practical terms this Great-Serb theoritician, w h o
follows t h e s a m e u l t r a - r e a c t i o n a r y l i n e a s t h e n o t o r i o u s
a c a d e m i c i a n C u b r i l o v i ć , b y a d v o c a t i n g t h e thesis t h a t t h e
«pure e t h n i c e n t i t y » leads t o f a s c i s m , n a t i o n a l i s m , m e a n s
that «the A l b a n i a n e t h n i c e n t i t y m u s t b e d e s t r o y e d , m u s t
lose its n a t i o n a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s a n d degenerate, because i t
has become a t h o r n in o u r flesh.»
F o r M r Stambolić only the Serbian ethnic entity can
live i n f r i e n d s h i p w i t h t h e o t h e r peoples, w h i c h h e c o n ­
siders a s t h i r d - r a t e o r f o u r t h - r a t e peoples, w h e r e a s w e r e t h e
Albanian ethnic entity to become sovereign in K o s o v a , it
could not l i v e i n f r i e n d s h i p w i t h t h e S e r b i a n , M o n t e n e g r i n
and T u r k i s h m i n o r i t i e s o f t h i s r e g i o n .
«The r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n A l b a n i a n s , S e r b s a n d T u r k s
have been s e r i o u s l y upset», states M r S t a m b o l i ć . T h i s i s
true, b u t these r e l a t i o n s h a v e b e e n upset o n l y b e t w e e n the
Serbs a n d t h e A l b a n i a n s , a n d n o t b e t w e e n t h e A l b a n i a n s ,
Montenegrins a n d T u r k s .
202
ENVER HOXHA
W h y have relations between the Serbs a n d the A l ­
banians been upset? R e a d La Fontaine's fable, «The W o l f
a n d t h e L a m b » , a n d y o u w i l l f i n d t h e reasons, M r S t a m bolić.
F r o m the meeting of the C e n t r a l Committee of the
League of C o m m u n i s t s of Yugoslavia, the attacks against
the P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a a n d t h e P a r t y
of Labour of A l b a n i a were repeated at various public
meetings in the Republic of Serbia, this time w i t h u n r i v a l l e d
v i r u l e n c e . S o m e s p e a k e r , i n a r a b i d , G r e a t - S e r b a n d fascist
s p i r i t , w e n t s o f a r a s t o say, « W e s h o u l d d e s t r o y t h e S t a l i n i s t
regime in Albania.»
« D e l e n d a C a r t h a g o , » shouts t h i s n e w C a t o i n t h e
«Serbian forums». B u t the People's Socialist R e p u b l i c of
A l b a n i a is not Carthage a n d a G r e a t - S e r b Scipio w h o w o u l d
d e s t r o y A l b a n i a has n o t been b o r n yet.
« W e h a v e w o n e v e r y t h i n g w i t h o u r blood,» s h o u t e d t h i s
n e w C a t o . B u t w i t h w h a t has A l b a n i a w o n h e r f r e e d o m ?
W i t h o u t b l o o d s h e d ? O n t h e c o n t r a r y , she has w o n i t w i t h
b l o o d , h e r o w n b l o o d . S h e has s h e d h e r b l o o d also f o r t h e
f r e e d o m o f t h e peoples o f Y u g o s l a v i a . W e h a v e n e v e r r e g r e t ­
t e d this, n o r w i l l w e e v e r r e g r e t i t i n t h e f u t u r e . I f n e e d
be, w e w i l l s h e d i t a g a i n . T h e P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c
o f A l b a n i a i s h e a l t h y a n d f u l l o f d y n a m i s m . S o m e b o d y else
is the sick m a n of the Balkans.
T h e n e w C a t o s o f S e r b i a accuse u s A l b a n i a n s o f h a t i n g
t h e S e r b i a n people. T h i s i s a m o n s t r o u s s l a n d e r . W e h a v e
l o v e d t h e S e r b i a n people a n d s t i l l do. W e hate o n l y S e r b i a n
c h a u v i n i s m , A l b a n i a n c h a u v i n i s m , a n d a n y other c h a u v i n ­
i s m , because w e are M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t s , because w e are i n t e r ­
nationalists.
I n o r d e r t o disguise t h e i r c h a u v i n i s m , t h e G r e a t - S e r b
chauvinists label us G r e a t - A l b a n i a n chauvinists. T h e slogan
o f «greater A l b a n i a » w a s c o i n e d b y t h e fascist I t a l y o f
M u s s o l i n i , a n d e v e r y b o d y k n o w s the e x p a n s i o n i s t - a g g r e s -
THE DEMAND FOR A REPUBLICAN STATUS IS JUST
203
sive a i m s w h i c h h e a n d t h e B a l l i s t s h a d , j u s t a s t h e S e r b i a n
C e t n i c i . O u r t w o peoples f o u g h t h e r o i c a l l y , s h o u l d e r t o
shoulder, a g a i n s t these c o m m o n e n e m i e s a n d v a n q u i s h e d
them.
In the period after the w a r the relations between the
A l b a n i a n a n d Y u g o s l a v friends and allies should have been
put i n o r d e r . W e p e r f o r m e d o u r i n t e r n a t i o n a l i s t d u t y . W e
fought t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e Y u g o s l a v p a r t i s a n s f o r t h e l i b e r ation o f Y u g o s l a v i a . I t w a s u p t o y o u t o s o l v e the p r o b l e m o f
Kosova in the correct road, but y o u d i d not f u l f i l this
duty. A s w e s a i d above, y o u t a l k e d a b o u t t h e r i g h t s o f t h e
Albanians in Yugoslavia in principle, but in practice you
did the opposite a n d y o u c o n t i n u e y o u r e x e r c i s e i n d e m a g o g y .
T h e A l b a n i a n s o w e t h e i r o r i g i n n e i t h e r t o the R o m e o f
the C a e s a r s n o r t o t h e S l a v s o f S t e f a n D u š a n , n e i t h e r t o t h e
Sultans o f t h e O t t o m a n s n o r t o M u s s o l i n i ' s fascist I t a l y .
The A l b a n i a n p e o p l e h a v e t h e i r o w n h i s t o r y g o i n g b a c k
to m a n y c e n t u r i e s , a h i s t o r y f u l l of s t r u g g l e s f o r f r e e d o m ,
for existence. T h e e n e m i e s t r i e d t o e x t e r m i n a t e t h e m , b u t
failed. T h e A l b a n i a n people f o u g h t a n d l i v e d t h r o u g h t h e
centuries. T h e y r e m a i n e d a c o m p a c t e t h n i c e n t i t y , a l t h o u g h
d i v i d e d a n d f r a g m e n t e d . H e w h o denies t h i s r e a l i t y n o t o n l y
makes h i m s e l f r i d i c u l o u s b u t also r e v e a l s h i s o w n s a v a g e l y
chauvinist feelings.
The A l b a n i a n s of the «small A l b a n i a » of nearly three
m i l l i o n i n h a b i t a n t s , o r o f «greater A l b a n i a » ( a t e r m u s e d
b y the I t a l i a n o c c u p i e r a n d n o w u s e d also b y y o u i n o r d e r
t o accuse u s o f b e i n g c h a u v i n i s t s ) o f m o r e t h a n f i v e m i l l i o n
inhabitants, are a l l A l b a n i a n s . T h e r e is nothing y o u can do
about it, M e s s r s S e r b i a n c h a u v i n i s t s . T h e r e a r e t w o G e r manies, one of t h e E a s t a n d one of t h e West, j u s t as t h e r e
are t w o K o r e a s , one o f t h e N o r t h a n d one o f t h e S o u t h . H o w ever, n o b o d y d o u b t s t h a t t h e r e is a single G e r m a n p e o p l e
and n a t i o n , j u s t as t h e r e is a single K o r e a n p e o p l e a n d
nation.
204
ENVER HOXHA
T h e A l b a n i a n s are one e t h n i c e n t i t y , one people, w h e t h e r
y o u c a l l t h e m « s m a l l A l b a n i a » o r «greater A l b a n i a » . T h e s e
A l b a n i a n s o f t h i s A l b a n i a , « s m a l l » o r «greater», w h o r e p r e sent a c o m p a c t people w i t h a l l t h e f e a t u r e s of a t r u e n a t i o n ,
h a v e not o c c u p i e d t h e t e r r i t o r i e s o f others, n o r h a v e t h e y
violated anybody's rights. T h e y have merely demanded
their o w n rights, have defended t h e m a n d w i l l defend
them. This you find unnatural, call it «Great-Albanian
chauvinism,» «nationalism,» even «fascism.» W h e n K o s o v a
seeks t h e status o f a r e p u b l i c w i t h i n t h e f r a m e w o r k o f t h e
F e d e r a t i o n f o r w h i c h 50,000 p a r t i s a n s h a v e f o u g h t , y o u
dare call this a counter-revolutionary demand, A l b a n i a n
nationalism, a n d a p p l y m a n y such epithets to it.
Y o u c o m e out i n o p e n o p p o s i t i o n t o t h e d e c l a r e d p r i n ciples a n d w h a t y o u r m a i n leaders, t o w h o m y o u s i n g
h y m n s day a n d night, have said. Y o u come out in opposition
to the principles of international law, to the principles
of good neighbourly relations, therefore y o u cannot have
p r o g r e s s i v e a n d r e a s o n a b l e w o r l d o p i n i o n o n y o u r side.
T h e w a y t h e Y u g o s l a v l e a d e r s h i p i s s e e k i n g t o solve t h e
problem of Kosova and overcome the difficulties in w h i c h
t h e c o u n t r y f i n d s itself s h o w s t h a t i t i s a c t i n g w i t h g r e a t
haste a n d i n u t t e r c o n f u s i o n . T h e s t a n d s i t m a i n t a i n s a n d
t h e actions i t i s u n d e r t a k i n g r e s p o n d n e i t h e r t o t h e i n t e r e s t s
o f Y u g o s l a v i a n o r t o those o f A l b a n i a , n e i t h e r t o B a l k a n
n o r t o E u r o p e a n s e c u r i t y , a b o u t w h i c h t h e Y u g o s l a v leaders,
posing as protagonists of the H e l s i n k i spirit, m a k e m u c h
ado. W i t h s u c h actions t h e Y u g o s l a v l e a d e r s h i p does not
s t r e n g t h e n the p o s i t i o n o f t h e S F R Y b u t w e a k e n s it.
« Z ë r i i popullit»
WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN
Reminiscences
(Excerpts)
T h e grave situation w h i c h was imposed on the H o m e l a n d b y fascist o c c u p a t i o n c h a r g e d u s c o m m u n i s t s w i t h
great r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s . W h e r e a s i n t h e d e c i s i v e d a y s b e f o r e
A p r i l 7 t h e c o m m u n i s t groups, d i v i d e d a n d s t r u g g l i n g
against one a n o t h e r , w e r e u n a b l e to create a s i n g l e l e a d e r ship a n d t o m o b i l i z e t h e p e o p l e f o r a r m e d actions against
the aggressors, n o w t h e s i t u a t i o n f o l l o w i n g t h e o c c u p a t i o n
made o r g a n i z e d , u n i n t e r r u p t e d c o m m u n i s t w o r k e v e n m o r e
essential. W e h a d t o act t o o r g a n i z e o u r s e l v e s f o r resistance
and t o s h o w p e o p l e w h a t I t a l i a n f a s c i s m w a s a n d w h a t
aims i t h a d ; w e h a d t o d e n o u n c e its d e m a g o g y , t h e c h a r a c t e r
o f the m e a s u r e s i t t o o k a n d t h e c u n n i n g m e t h o d s i t e m ployed, c l a i m i n g t h a t i t c a m e t o rescue t h e c o u n t r y f r o m
Zog, t h a t A l b a n i a w o u l d h a v e its o w n g o v e r n m e n t , etc. W e
had t o o r g a n i z e t h e r e s i s t a n c e a n d t h e p r o p a g a n d a against
the q u i s l i n g g o v e r n m e n t o f V ë r l a c i , w h i c h c a r r i e d o u t t h e
masquerade o f «the u n i o n o f A l b a n i a » w i t h «the I t a l i a n
E m p i r e » , h e a d e d b y V i c t o r E m m a n u e l III, w h o a l i t t l e e a r l i e r
had a s s u m e d t h e t i t l e o f « E m p e r o r o f E t h i o p i a » a n d n o w
also a s s u m e d t h e t i t l e o f « K i n g o f A l b a n i a » .
T o a c c o m p l i s h these t a s k s w a s u n d o u b t e d l y d i f f i c u l t ,
but not i m p o s s i b l e . T h e b i g d e m o n s t r a t i o n s w h i c h b u r s t
out a l l over t h e c o u n t r y i n t h e f i r s t d a y s o f A p r i l against
206
ENVER HOXHA
t h e I t a l i a n threat, t h e d e m a n d s f o r w e a p o n s w h i c h t h e
b r o a d masses o f t h e people m a d e t o t h e t r e a c h e r o u s f e u d a l
government of Zog, the general expression of readiness to
fight, the attacks on the Italian troops d i s e m b a r k i n g at
Durrës, Vlora, Saranda and Shëngjin, were the signal for
us communists that only by organizing and a r m i n g ourselves a n d b y f i g h t i n g w o u l d w e b e a b l e t o d r i v e o u t t h e
enemy w h o n o w threatened the v e r y existence of o u r
c o u n t r y a n d p e o p l e ; t h e y w e r e t h e best c o n f i r m a t i o n o f
t h e fact t h a t o u r people w o u l d not t o l e r a t e t h e o c c u p a t i o n
a n d that w i t h a reliable leadership they w o u l d rise to t h e i r
feet a n d h u r l t h e aggressors i n t o t h e sea.
Nevertheless, although we members of various c o m munist groups were aware of the need for struggle against
the o c c u p i e r a n d e n g a g e d i n v a r i o u s p r a c t i c a l f o r m s o f i t ,
w e w e r e not m a n a g i n g t o f i n d a c o m m o n l a n g u a g e , t o i r o n
out o u r i d e o l o g i c a l d i f f e r e n c e s a n d u n i t e o u r forces a n d
efforts. T h i s w a s v e r y d a m a g i n g t o t h e j o i n t s t r u g g l e a g a i n s t
the common enemy. E v e n as groups, the occupation f o u n d
us not p r o p e r l y organized. T h e w o r k of the groups h a d
n o t been e x t e n d e d t o t h e b r o a d masses o f t h e p e o p l e a l l
o v e r t h e c o u n t r y , despite t h e c o r r e c t i n s t r u c t i o n s o f t h e
Comintern, which Comrade A l i Kelmendi had brought in
1932, a n d , s u b s e q u e n t l y , t h e n e w d i r e c t i v e s o f t h e 7 t h C o n gress o f t h e C o m i n t e r n , w h i c h r e a c h e d A l b a n i a i n 1937,
a n d r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t w e s h o u l d g o a m o n g t h e masses,
w o r k w i t h them and there build and strengthen the n e w
cells.
T h e s e i n s t r u c t i o n s , i n the s p i r i t a n d the l i g h t o f t h e
d i r e c t i v e s o f the 7 t h C o n g r e s s o f t h e C o m i n t e r n , w e r e
defined in M o s c o w at a meeting organized by the B a l k a n
S e c t i o n o f t h e C o m i n t e r n , a t W h i c h the state o f t h e c o m munist movement in A l b a n i a and the tasks w h i c h faced it
w e r e a n a l y s e d . T h e b r o a d p e r s p e c t i v e s w h i c h these d i r e c t i v e s opened u p f o r t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f the c o m m u n i s t
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
207
m o v e m e n t i n A l b a n i a w e r e sabotaged b y t h e T r o t s k y i t e
elements.
T h e C o m m u n i s t G r o u p o f K o r ç a accepted a n d a d o p t e d
the i n s t r u c t i o n s o f t h e C o m i n t e r n . T h i s g r o u p a c h i e v e d
c o n s i d e r a b l e success i n its a c t i v i t y w i t h w o r k e r s , w i t h t h e
youth, a n d the craftsmen a n d s m a l l shopkeepers. N e v e r theless, t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f t h e c o m r a d e s o f t h e K o r ç a
group was sectarianism, w h i c h was expressed in closed
w o r k w i t h i n t h e c i t y o f K o r ç a , w h i l e outside K o r ç a a n d i n
other cities t h e g r o u p c a r r i e d out v e r y i n e f f e c t i v e w o r k , i f
a n y a t a l l . C e r t a i n a n t i - M a r x i s t elements o f t h i s g r o u p t o o k
a d v a n t a g e o f t h e s e c t a r i a n i s m a n d other w e a k n e s s e s w h i c h
hindered the development a n d the extension of the c o m m u n i s t m o v e m e n t , w i t h t h e r e s u l t t h a t some m e m b e r s o f
o u r g r o u p i n T i r a n a s p l i t a w a y f r o m us. S o m e o f t h e m
had formed a Trotskyite group, headed by A r i s t i d h Qendro,
a s e a r l y a s i n 1936, w h i l e others, l e d b y A n a s t a s L u l a a n d
S a d i k P r e m t e , w e r e s h o w i n g signs o f a n e w f a c t i o n , w h i c h
later, a f t e r t h e o c c u p a t i o n of the c o u n t r y , e m e r g e d as a
separate g r o u p k n o w n a s t h e « Y o u t h » G r o u p .
I r e m e m b e r t h a t soon a f t e r the o c c u p a t i o n of t h e c o u n t r y
the K o r ç a g r o u p sent t w o r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s t o T i r a n a t o m a k e
contact w i t h A n a s t a s L u l a a n d some o f h i s c o m r a d e s i n
order t o m a k e c l e a r t o t h e m t h e n e w t a s k s i n t h e s i t u a t i o n
of occupation a n d to persuade them to maintain their links
w i t h the group. However, the envoys of the K o r ç a group
were quite unable to persuade Anastas L u l a and company,
w h i l e i n t h e ideas a n d l i f e o f t h i s g r o u p t h e y s a w v i l e a n t i c o m m u n i s t T r o t s k y i t e acts o f u t t e r i m m o r a l i t y . H o r r i f i e d ,
they p a r t e d f r o m A n a s t a s L u l a ' s g r o u p a n d w h e n t h e y
r e p o r t e d t o us, t h e K o r ç a g r o u p q u i t e r i g h t l y d e c i d e d t o
b e g i n t h e i d e o l o g i c a l s t r u g g l e against those T r o t s k y i t e s .
That group h a d embraced a l l the theories and practices
o f a n a r c h i s t T r o t s k y i t e g a n g s t e r s : r o b b e r y , lies, c o r r u p t i o n ,
w i f e s w a p p i n g . T h e y b r o u g h t o u t n e w «theories» w h i c h
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ENVER HOXHA
were causing great h a r m to our struggle. A c c o r d i n g to
A n a s t a s L u l a , A n d r e a Z i s i a n d o t h e r T r o t s k y i t e s , «the occ u p a t i o n o f t h e c o u n t r y h a d its b a d aspect, b u t also its g o o d
aspect: i t w a s f a v o u r a b l e , because t h e b o u r g e o i s i e w o u l d
become e s t a b l i s h e d , i n d u s t r y w o u l d b e b u i l t , t h e w o r k i n g
class w o u l d b e c r e a t e d , a n d t h e n , i t w o u l d b e p o s s i b l e t o
talk about the f o r m a t i o n of a genuine communist party,
then it w o u l d be possible to talk about struggle against
t h e occupiers.» « W e m u s t w a i t f o r t h e c r e a t i o n o f t h e
p r o l e t a r i a t , » « w o r k w i t h t h e p e a s a n t r y does n o t b r i n g
results,» w a s t h e p r o p a g a n d a t h e y s p r e a d . O f c o u r s e t h e
«theories» o f those c h i e f s w e r e n o t o n l y a n t i - c o m m u n i s t ,
but they served the occupiers and sabotaged the o r g a n i z a t i o n o f t h e people's resistance a n d s t r u g g l e a g a i n s t t h e m .
T h e K o r ç a g r o u p w a g e d a m e r c i l e s s s t r u g g l e a g a i n s t these
t r a i t o r s a n d t h e i r «theories» a n d actions, w h i c h w e r e n o t
o n l y T r o t s k y i t e , b u t w e r e also i d e n t i c a l w i t h those o f the
A l b a n i a n fascist p a r t y , c r e a t e d b y t h e o c c u p i e r s .
T h e K o r ç a g r o u p h a d a c o r r e c t l i n e o n these c a p i t a l
p r o b l e m s , b u t i t has t o b e s a i d t h a t K o ç o T a s h k o ' s b a d
influence interfered w i t h the broad development of this
line. Outside K o r ç a , and especially in T i r a n a w h e r e the
w o r k of the group h a d been left in the hands of K o ç o
T a s h k o , t h e process h a d v i r t u a l l y m a r k e d t i m e . C l a i m i n g
that it was he w h o had brought the instructions of the
C o m i n t e r n f r o m M o s c o w , K o ç o T a s h k o posed a s a b i g shot,
as the representative of the International in A l b a n i a , but
the t r u t h was that he d i d not k n o w h o w to w o r k w i t h
people and was as sectarian as he was opportunist.
Zogite reaction h a d attacked the K o r ç a group, but,
nevertheless, i t r e m a i n e d the biggest, m o s t i m p o r t a n t g r o u p ,
n o t o n l y because o f its n u m b e r s , b u t e s p e c i a l l y because t h e
ideas o f t h i s g r o u p w e r e m o r e c o r r e c t t h a n those o f o t h e r
groups. O u r K o r ç a g r o u p t o o k a correct v i e w o f t h e great
d a n g e r o f t h e fascist o c c u p a t i o n a n d f o u g h t i n its o w n
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209
w a y s , b u t h a d i t a c t e d e n e r g e t i c a l l y a n d w i t h t h e necessary maturity, through sounder and more intelligent organizational w o r k to liquidate all that mountain of pers o n a l «resentments», c o n t r a d i c t i o n s , s q u a b b l e s a n d a m b i t i o n s o r slanders, w h i c h w e r e n o t l a c k i n g a m o n g c o m m u n i s t groups, it w o u l d have exerted a greater influence
t o b r i n g t h e c o m m u n i s t s t o g e t h e r a n d w o u l d h a v e speeded
u p t h e f o r m a t i o n o f t h e P a r t y . F a c i n g t h e great d a n g e r o f
fascism w h i c h h a d occupied the country, the road of M a r x ist-Leninist u n i t y was greatly neglected. Consequently,
even after the occupation the groups not only r e m a i n e d in
t h e i r o l d positions, b u t t h e i r s q u a b b l e s a n d c o n t r a d i c t i o n s
were increased and exacerbated. K o ç o Tashko and Anastas
L u l a w e r e a great h i n d r a n c e t o i m p r o v i n g t h e s i t u a t i o n i n
this direction.
Nevertheless, the fact is that in K o r ç a , where C o m r a d e
M i h a L a k o led the group, i n general, the w o r k went w e l l .
E s p e c i a l l y on the eve of the occupation a n d immediately
after, the activity of the group became more vigorous t h a n
e v e r . W e m e t r e g u l a r l y , d i s c u s s e d a n d d e t e r m i n e d t h e stands
w h i c h we h a d to take to the great a n d difficult problems
t h a t f a c e d us.
I n t h e f i r s t place, w e h a d t o s a f e g u a r d a n d f u r t h e r
strengthen the sound u n i t y w i t h i n our communist group,
m u s t n o t p e r m i t a n y s p l i t s i n its r a n k s o r a n y s i g n o f f e a r
o r p a n i c i n t h e face o f t h e t e r r o r a n d r e p r i s a l s o f t h e
fascist r e g i m e . I r e m e m b e r t h a t i n t h e e a r l y d a y s o f A p r i l ,
w h e n t h e o c c u p y i n g forces h a d s t i l l n o t e n t e r e d t h e c i t y ,
s o m e o n e p r o p o s e d t h a t some o f o u r c o m r a d e s k n o w n t o the
a u t h o r i t i e s a n d t h e fascist agents f o r t h e i r a n t i - f a s c i s t
a c t i v i t y s h o u l d l e a v e K o r ç a i n o r d e r t o escape i n t e r n m e n t
or prison. S t e r n objections burst out:
« A l l t h e p e o p l e o f K o r ç a , a l l t h e people o f A l b a n i a
a r e anti-fascists,» w e p o i n t e d out i n t h e m e e t i n g . « T h o u s a n d s
o f p e o p l e a r e d e m o n s t r a t i n g i n the streets s h o u t i n g ' D o w n
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ENVER HOXHA
w i t h fascism!' Then, h o w can the communists w i t h d r a w
f r o m the p e o p l e ? T h e opposite i s w h a t m u s t b e done. W e
m u s t b e t h e f i r s t i n actions a n d d e m o n s t r a t i o n s , w e m u s t
s h o w t h e people t h e t r u e r o a d o f t h e s t r u g g l e a n d l i b e r a t i o n ,
we must convince t h e m through our o w n example!»
A n d i n fact t h i s i s w h a t o c c u r r e d . T h e c o m m u n i s t s o f
the K o r ç a group, of w h i c h the workers of the city made
u p t h e m a i n core, w e r e n o t f r i g h t e n e d o r s t o p p e d b y a n y
danger. T h e w o r k e r s h a d a great i n f l u e n c e o n t h e p u p i l s ,
w h o a t t h a t t i m e w e c a l l e d students. T h e L y c é e o f K o r ç a
w a s a n i m p o r t a n t s u p p o r t f o r the resistance a g a i n s t f a s c i s m .
T h e p u p i l s o f t h i s L y c é e , w i t h t h e i r r e v o l u t i o n a r y teachers,
intensified the spirit of the anti-fascist demonstrations of
A p r i l 1939 d a y b y day, a n d later, e s p e c i a l l y a f t e r t h e
founding of our Communist Party, they turned the Lycée
i n t o a r e a l r e v o l u t i o n a r y h o t b e d , a source of cadres of t h e
P a r t y and partisans of the N a t i o n a l Liberation A r m y .
T h e i d e a o f m y g o i n g t o T i r a n a «to b e c o m e a s h o p keeper» was not accidental and d i d not arise s i m p l y f r o m
m y d i s m i s s a l f r o m m y job. N o , t h i s w a s s o m e t h i n g c a r e f u l l y considered and calculated by our communist group.
As I have already mentioned, especially after the fascist
occupation of A l b a n i a , the C o m m u n i s t G r o u p of K o r ç a
became m o r e t h a n e v e r a w a r e o f its o l d w e a k n e s s o f b e i n g
closed w i t h i n t h e c i t y o f K o r ç a . T h i s i s o l a t i o n h a d n o t o n l y
hindered the further extension of the ranks of the group
a n d a l l the w o r k t h a t h a d t o b e done t o e x p l a i n the s i t u a t i o n t o the masses a n d m o b i l i z e t h e m , b u t i t h a d also l i m i t e d
the possibilities to establish links of collaboration w i t h
the other communist groups.
K o ç o Tashko, w h o stayed m a i n l y i n T i r a n a , was not
doing any good organized w o r k or even propaganda by
w o r d o f m o u t h . K o ç o ' s w o r k consisted o f a f e w « a c a d e m i c »
c o n v e r s a t i o n s w i t h t h e i n t e l l e c t u a l s , b u t e v e n these w i t h
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h e s i t a t i o n a n d f e a r t h a t h e m i g h t b e detected b y t h e police.
In g e n e r a l , I c a n say he w a s b o t h a m e g a l o m a n i a c a n d a
c o w a r d . O f course w e d i d not a r r i v e a t t h i s c o n c l u s i o n
a b o u t K o ç o i m m e d i a t e l y a n d a t t h a t p e r i o d , but o n l y l a t e r
a n d g r a d u a l l y , because h i s w o r k s h o w e d w h a t h e w a s ,
w h i l e a t f i r s t w e d i d n o t k n o w h i m p r o p e r l y . W i t h some
comrades of our group w h o were in T i r a n a at that time,
such as w i t h Xhevdet Doda, and w i t h D e m i r Godelli in
P e q i n a n d others, a l l h e d i d w a s h o l d s k i n - d e e p c o n v e r s a tions, t r y t o get t o k n o w t h e m i n d i v i d u a l l y , curse a n d
s t r u g g l e against o t h e r c o m m u n i s t g r o u p s , e s p e c i a l l y t h e
S h k o d r a group and Anastas Lula's faction, w h i c h was
s t e a d i l y a s s u m i n g t h e f o r m o f a separate g r o u p . B u t K o ç o
a b u s e d these g r o u p s i n d i s c r i m i n a t e l y , w i t h o u t m a k i n g a n y
d i s t i n c t i o n a m o n g s t t h e i r m e m b e r s , some o f w h o m w e r e
resolute communists, and without t a k i n g any initiative to
m a k e approaches to or talk w i t h them. Therefore, the need
h a d a r i s e n f o r m o r e o r g a n i z e d a n d i n t e n s i v e w o r k outside
K o r ç a , especially in T i r a n a , w h i c h was not only the centre
o f fascist r e a c t i o n a t t h a t p e r i o d , b u t also t h e p l a c e w h e r e
the m a i n representatives of the other communist groups
w e r e l o c a t e d a n d o p e r a t i n g . P r e c i s e l y at these m o m e n t s I
w a s dismissed f r o m my job a n d the centre of our c o m munist group took this opportunity to send first me and
s u b s e q u e n t l y some o t h e r c o m r a d e s t o T i r a n a . T h e r e , o n
t h e i n s t r u c t i o n s o f t h e centre, w e h a d t o set u p t h e T i r a n a
b r a n c h o f t h e C o m m u n i s t G r o u p o f K o r ç a , t o e x t e n d the
activity of the group on sound foundations and organize
the a n t i - f a s c i s t m o v e m e n t i n t h e c a p i t a l a n d t h e other
districts of the country.
A f t e r w e discussed a n d reached agreement w i t h M i h a ,
P i l o a n d o t h e r c o m r a d e s a b o u t the m a i n d i r e c t i o n s o f o u r
w o r k i n T i r a n a a n d o t h e r zones, t h e w a y h a d t o b e f o u n d
t o e s t a b l i s h o u r s e l v e s t h e r e s o t h a t w e c o u l d act « l e g a l l y »
u n d e r t h e eyes o f the people a n d t h e a u t h o r i t i e s . I n t h e
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c o u r s e o f these discussions t h e i d e a arose o f e m b a r k i n g
on a « c o m m e r c i a l v e n t u r e » , t h a t is, of o p e n i n g a s h o p in
Tirana, w h i c h we called «Flora» and w h i c h was v e r y
q u i c k l y t o b e c o m e one o f t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t bases o f t h e
communist and anti-fascist m o v e m e n t . . .
W e w e r e p r e o c c u p i e d b y t w o m a i n , basic o b j e c t i v e s
f o r t h e great i d e a l w h i c h w a s b u r n i n g i n o u r m i n d s a n d
hearts: to increase the n u m b e r of members of the group
w i t h resolute workers, w i t h craftsmen, w i t h r e v o l u t i o n a r y
students a n d i n t e l l e c t u a l s a s m u c h a s p o s s i b l e a n d i n a l l
t h e cities, a n d t o m a k e a start i n t h e c o u n t r y s i d e w h e r e
o u r w o r k w a s , y o u m i g h t say, a l m o s t z e r o ; a n d t h e second
objective, t o e l i m i n a t e o n a p r i n c i p l e d basis t h e q u a r r e l s a n d
disagreements w i t h the other communist groups w h i c h
were operating in Tirana, S h k o d r a and elsewhere a n d to
a c h i e v e a t r u e u n i t y w i t h t h e m , because t h e q u e s t i o n v i t a l
to our country, the formation of the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y ,
d e p e n d e d o n this.
The m a i n decisive t h i n g w a s extension of l i n k s w i t h
the w o r k e r s , because t h e y w o u l d c o m p r i s e t h e steel b a s e
of the P a r t y w h i c h we were going to f o r m . We understood
t h a t i f w e w o u l d a c h i e v e this, t h e r e w a s n o f o r c e w h i c h
c o u l d defeat us.
O n t h i s q u e s t i o n w e h a d t a k e n g o o d i n i t i a l steps. W e
h a d c r e a t e d contacts a n d h a d h e l d m e e t i n g s w i t h r e v o l u t i o n ary workers, but this activity had to be intensified. T h e
n e w w o r k e r c o m r a d e s w e r e a d v i s e d t o create l i n k s a n d t o
associate w i t h t h e y o u n g people o f o t h e r g r o u p s , t o get i n t o
f r i e n d l y conversation w i t h them, to speak against the
fascist e n e m y , against t h e q u i s l i n g s a n d s o o n , b u t c a u t i o u s ly and without exacerbating the situation, w h i l e preserving
t h e i n d i v i d u a l i t y of o u r « P a r t y » . « L i s t e n comrades,» I
stressed t o t h e m , «this has great i m p o r t a n c e f o r t h e f u t u r e . »
and
A n t h i s i s w h a t w a s done. T h e y a l l w o r k e d t i r e l e s s l y
considerably extended their circles w i t h courageous
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
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young workers. These active young workers were impatient,
t h e y w a n t e d s t r u g g l e a n d actions against t h e e n e m y . T h e y
c a m e a l l t h e t i m e t o t h e « F l o r a » shop w h e r e t h e y f o u n d
m e o r P i l o , a n d a f t e r t h e y h a d r e p o r t e d t o us, a s k e d t h e
usual question: «What should we do today, w h a t should
we do tomorrow?»
I n t h i s s a m e p e r i o d I w e n t t o G j i r o k a s t r a , too. E l e m e n t s
of different communist groups h a d been active there for
y e a r s . I m e t some o f these c o m r a d e s a n d w e t a l k e d a b o u t
the p r o b l e m s f a c i n g t h e A l b a n i a n people, a n d f i r s t o f a l l ,
facing the A l b a n i a n communists. A m o n g other things I
p o i n t e d o u t that, a l t h o u g h w e w e r e m e m b e r s o f d i f f e r e n t
groups, w e o u g h t t o w o r k c l o s e l y together, because w e
h a d t h e s a m e i d e a l s a n d w e r e f i g h t i n g f o r a c o m m o n cause.
I t o l d t h e c o m r a d e s t h a t « o u r f i g h t against t h e o c c u p i e r s
cannot r e a l l y get g o i n g o r b e c r o w n e d w i t h success w i t h o u t
rejecting the unhealthy views and spirit of groups, therefore w e o u g h t t o m a k e e v e r y e f f o r t t o f i n d a c o m m o n
language a n d t o create t h e c o n d i t i o n s w h i c h w i l l l e a d u s
towards the f o u n d i n g of a single party, the C o m m u n i s t
P a r t y o f A l b a n i a . T h a t i s t h e t a s k w h i c h faces a l l t h e s o u n d
r e v o l u t i o n a r y forces o f t h e c o u n t r y , w h i c h faces e v e r y
comrade regardless of whether he is in the leadership of
the g r o u p or a r a n k - a n d - f i l e m e m b e r , r e g a r d l e s s of w h e t h e r
h e w o r k s a n d struggles i n T i r a n a , i n K o r ç a , i n S h k o d r a ,
i n G j i r o k a s t r a o r a n y w h e r e else.»
M e a n w h i l e our w o r k in the countryside was still weak,
therefore i t e m e r g e d a s a n i m p o r t a n t t a s k t o create l i n k s
with the peasantry. At that t i m e we fought especially
against A n a s t a s L u l a ' s T r o t s k y i t e v i e w s a b o u t t h e p r o b l e m
o f the c o u n t r y s i d e , v i e w s w h i c h a r o u s e d c o n f u s i o n a n d , i f
they w e r e s p r e a d , w o u l d cause v e r y great d a m a g e , n o t
only t o t h e w o r k o f t h e p a r t y w h i c h w e w e r e g o i n g t o f o r m ,
but also t o the o u t c o m e o f t h e w a r against t h e o c c u p i e r s .
A c c o r d i n g t o Anastas L u l a and his followers, the A l -
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ENVER HOXHA
banian peasantry was «backward», «conservative» and
« r e a c t i o n a r y » a n d the c o m m u n i s t s c o u l d not w o r k o r create
o r g a n i z e d l i n k s a n d bases w i t h i t ! I s h a l l h a v e some m o r e
t o say a b o u t the r e a c t i o n a r y v i e w s o f A n a s t a s L u l a a n d
h i s associates, b u t h e r e I w a n t t o p o i n t out t h a t t h e K o r ç a
g r o u p not o n l y h a d correct v i e w s o n t h i s p r o b l e m , b u t
also s t r u g g l e d t o d e f e n d its v i e w s . E s p e c i a l l y a f t e r w e
came to T i r a n a , our interest a n d attention to the peasantry
was further increased. This theme had interested and
a t t r a c t e d m e p e r s o n a l l y f o r some t i m e , n o t o n l y because
as a c o m m u n i s t I w a s a w a r e of a n d u n d e r s t o o d t h e n e e d
f o r l i n k i n g t h e cause o f t h e w o r k i n g class w i t h t h a t o f t h e
p e a s a n t r y , but also f o r a n o t h e r r e a s o n : I h a d b e e n a c q u a i n t e d
w i t h a n d a d m i r e d t h e great r e v o l u t i o n a r y a n d p a t r i o t i c
t r a d i t i o n s o f the A l b a n i a n p e a s a n t r y s i n c e m y c h i l d h o o d
a n d y o u t h , its ceaseless struggles f o r f r e e d o m a n d n a t i o n a l
independence...
W i t h o u t the peasantry our P a r t y w o u l d be unable to
f u l f i l its m i s s i o n . C o m p a r i n g t h e v i e w s o f A n a s t a s L u l a a n d
company on the character of our peasantry w i t h the
distorted a n d denegrating views of the Esadists, the Zogites
a n d the money-lending bourgeoisie on this problem, I saw
c l e a r l y t h a t i n essence t h e y w e r e a l m o s t i d e n t i c a l . T h e r e fore, w e h a d t o f i g h t h a r d against t h e T r o t s k y i t e a n d
r e a c t i o n a r y v i e w s o n t h e p e a s a n t r y , because o n l y i n t h i s
w a y w o u l d w e create a g e n u i n e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t p a r t y .
At first, however, this struggle was waged more f r o m
t h e t h e o r e t i c a l angle, because c o n c r e t e l y t h e c o u n t r y s i d e
w a s u n t o u c h e d t e r r i t o r y f o r us. I n t h i s d i r e c t i o n w e stressed
t h e v i e w o f «toilers», a s w e e x p r e s s e d it, w h e n w e e x plained to the comrades of the group f r o m the theoretical
aspect t h e p r o b l e m o f t h e a l l i a n c e o f t h e w o r k i n g class
w i t h the peasantry, w h i c h was v i t a l to the liberation of
t h e H o m e l a n d . T h e w o r k e r c o m r a d e s u n d e r s t o o d t h i s need,
a l t h o u g h i t m u s t b e a c k n o w l e d g e d t h a t t h e people o f K o r ç a
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w e r e s o m e w h a t s e c t a r i a n a b o u t it. T h r o u g h p a t i e n t p e r suasion w e w e r e s t r u g g l i n g t o g r a d u a l l y o v e r c o m e t h i s
obstacle. F o r m y p a r t , I h a d b e g u n t h e w o r k t h r o u g h t h e
contacts I h a d e s t a b l i s h e d w i t h M y s l i m P e z a . ( 1 )
A f t e r m y m e e t i n g w i t h t h e çeta o f P e z a , w e i m m e d i a t e l y
began t o s e n d o u r c o m r a d e s t h e r e . L i k e w i s e , o n the basis
o f the a g r e e m e n t w h i c h w e a c h i e v e d w i t h t h e S h k o d r a
group o n c o m m o n actions, s u b s e q u e n t l y t h e S h k o d r a g r o u p
sent c o m r a d e s to t h a t çeta. T h u s , t h e c o m r a d e s of t h i s g r o u p ,
too, w e r e f i g h t i n g a l o n g s i d e o u r c o m r a d e s a n d t h i s w a s
a fine t h i n g w h i c h was to strengthen the belief that this
group, too, w a s f o r struggle, a n d thus, one of t h e baseless
accusations w h i c h some r a i s e d a b o u t t h e g r o u p w a s o v e r come.
W e also e s t a b l i s h e d contact w i t h t h e peasants o f D a j t i
and K r u j a , because w e h a d g o o d c o m r a d e s t h e r e . M e a n w h i l e , I c o n t i n u e d t o e x t e n d m y contacts w i t h m y f o r m e r
colleagues, a n t i - Z o g i t e a n d a n t i - f a s c i s t teachers. O u r circles
were b e i n g e x t e n d e d also w i t h o t h e r i n t e l l e c t u a l s some o f
w h o m I k n e w a n d some K o ç o T a s h k o k n e w . K o ç o T a s h k o ,
as an older m a n and a former vice-consul in N e w Y o r k , (2)
worked especially w i t h the elderly nationalists w h o had
gone i n t o e x i l e i n t h e t i m e o f Z o g a n d h a d r e t u r n e d w i t h
the «wagons» o f t h e I t a l i a n s . K o ç o e n j o y e d t a l k i n g a n d
there w a s n o d a n g e r o f h i m c o m p r o m i s i n g h i m s e l f w i t h
them.
Besides our efforts to extend the w o r k of our group
__________________________________________
1 M y s l i m P e z a (1897-1984). Democratic patriot a n d a n t i Zogite fighter. A f t e r the occupation of the country he became
one of the most distinguished figures of the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a tional L i b e r a t i o n W a r . H e was vice-president o f the D e m o c r a tic F r o n t of A l b a n i a , vice-president of the P r e s i d i u m of the
People's A s s e m b l y (1946-1982), People's H e r o and H e r o of S o c i a list L a b o u r .
2 F r o m 1922-1925 K o ç o T a s h k o was vice-consul of the
A l b a n i a n government t o N e w Y o r k .
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ENVER HOXHA
a n d the anti-fascist p r o p a g a n d a a m o n g the people w e h a d
also w o r k e d a n d a c h i e v e d some successes o n t h e other
m a i n question, t h a t o f contacts w i t h t h e other c o m m u n i s t
groups.
First, however, I w a n t to say something, in general,
about the s i t u a t i o n a n d m a i n v i e w s o f t h e S h k o d r a g r o u p
a n d the « Y o u t h » G r o u p , a s I h a v e d o n e a b o u t t h e K o r ç a
group. The t r u t h is that we created a complete idea about
t h e s i t u a t i o n o f these t w o g r o u p s w h e n w e b e g a n o p e n
discussions a n d m a d e s e l f - c r i t i c i s m o n b e h a l f o f t h e g r o u p s
d u r i n g those h i s t o r i c d a y s a n d n i g h t s w h e n w e l a i d t h e
f o u n d a t i o n s o f the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a . B e f o r e
t h a t t i m e n o g r o u p h a d a correct a n d a c c u r a t e o p i n i o n
about the other g r o u p . T h e o p i n i o n s o f t h e K o r ç a g r o u p
about the other g r o u p s a n d t h e i r o p i n i o n s a b o u t o u r g r o u p
w e r e i n f l a g r a n t c o n t r a d i c t i o n w i t h one a n o t h e r . I n o u r
p e r s o n a l ideas t h e r e w e r e some n u a n c e s w h i c h s h o w e d t h a t
s o m e t h i n g w a s c h a n g i n g , t h a t some r o a d o f c o m m u n i c a t i o n a n d r a p p r o c h e m e n t b e t w e e n u s w a s o p e n i n g u p , but, i n
g e n e r a l , w e h a d t o obey t h e s a m e r i g o r o u s s t a n d o f t h e
group and this k i n d of discipline kept us still divided, cold
a n d r e s e n t f u l t o w a r d s one a n o t h e r . I t w a s p r e c i s e l y t h e
m e e t i n g s i n the f i r s t d a y s o f N o v e m b e r 1941 t h a t s h e d f u l l
light on the good points, the weaknesses a n d the shortcomings in the w o r k of groups, a n d on w h a t things
l i n k e d us together a n d h o w we should unite, a n d on w h a t
t h i n g s d i v i d e d u s a n d h o w w e s h o u l d get r i d o f t h e m once
a n d f o r a l l . B u t t h i s t o o k place l a t e r . N o w let u s d w e l l o n t h e
concrete s i t u a t i o n of t h e g r o u p s .
I n g e n e r a l , the S h k o d r a g r o u p w a s m a d e u p o f g o o d
comrades. T h e y i n c l u d e d w o r k e r s , s t u d e n t s a n d a f e w
i n t e l l e c t u a l s , b u t f e w peasants, i f a n y a t a l l . O f course, l i k e
every group, it had sympathizers f r o m various strata. T h e
S h k o d r a g r o u p , too, h a d a closed c h a r a c t e r ; m o s t of its
members were in Shkodra, but a n u m b e r of members of
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
217
the g r o u p , w o r k e r s a n d e s p e c i a l l y students, w e r e i n T i r a n a .
I n the S h k o d r a g r o u p t h a t i n t e r n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d
discipline w h i c h the K o r ç a group had created was lacking.
T h e l i n k s o f its m e m b e r s w e r e loose; t h e i r actions w e r e
not d i c t a t e d by a m o r e or less a f f i r m e d l e a d e r s h i p , a n d
individual instructions a n d directives were issued acc o r d i n g t o t h e occasion. T h e S h k o d r a g r o u p c o u l d n o t
b e c o n t r o l l e d , n o t because its m e m b e r s d i d n o t m e e t a n d
d i d n o t r e c e i v e i n s t r u c t i o n s , b u t because t h e m e e t i n g s w h i c h
they h e l d w e r e e x t r e m e l y secret a n d n o t h i n g w a s s a i d
outside t h e m a b o u t actions.
T h e S h k o d r a g r o u p h a d n o t accepted t h e d i r e c t i v e s o f
the C o m i n t e r n t o d i s s o l v e t h e s e c t a r i a n «cells», t o s e n d
the c o m m u n i s t s a m o n g t h e masses o f w o r k e r s , peasants
a n d i n t e l l e c t u a l s , t o w o r k w i t h t h e m a n d t o create n e w ,
clean, p o w e r f u l cells r e a d y f o r t h e s t r u g g l e w i t h t h e best
of t h e m .
These v i e w s of the leadership of the S h k o d r a group
against t h e d i r e c t i v e s o f t h e C o m i n t e r n w e r e i n c o n f l i c t
w i t h the love w h i c h m a n y fine members of the S h k o d r a
group n u r t u r e d for c o m m u n i s m , the Soviet U n i o n , Stalin
and t h e C o m i n t e r n , a n d t h i s w a s t r a g i c . T h e s e m e m b e r s
included V a s i l Shanto, Q e m a l Stafa, K r i s t o Themelko, T u k
J a k o v a ( w h o s u b s e q u e n t l y b e t r a y e d the P a r t y a n d c o n s p i r e d
w i t h t h e Y u g o s l a v T i t o i t e s against t h e P a r t y a n d t h e
socialist H o m e l a n d ) , N e x h m i j e X h u g l i n i , A l i D e m i , N a z m i
Rushiti, Q a m i l G a v o ç i and m a n y other comrades.
T h e comrades of the S h k o d r a group were resolute a n t i Zogites a n d a n t i - f a s c i s t s a n d , e s p e c i a l l y a f t e r t h e o c c u p a tion, they, too, t h r e w t h e m s e l v e s i n t o r e v o l u t i o n a r y actions,
d e m o n s t r a t i o n s , d i s t r i b u t i n g leaflets, etc. B u t t h i s g r o u p
had a t its h e a d a c u n n i n g T r o t s k y i t e , Z e f M a l a , w h o w h e n
h e w a s i m p r i s o n e d t o l d Zog's p o l i c e a l l h e k n e w a b o u t h i s
o w n g r o u p a n d o t h e r c o m r a d e s . H e posed a s a n i n tellectualized proletarian, but was nothing but a petty
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ENVER HOXHA
demagogue and intriguer w h o carried on u n d e r m i n i n g
work. He published two numbers of an allegedly theoretical
b u l l e t i n o f the g r o u p ( w h i c h w a s c a l l e d t h e « G r e e n B u l l e t i n »
f r o m the c o l o u r o f the cover) w i t h w h i c h t o n u r t u r e its
m e m b e r s . B u t the ideas a n d o p i n i o n s w h i c h h e s p r e a d w e r e
extracts f r o m Trotskyite manuals w h i c h w e r e published
i n fascist I t a l y . ( T h e K o r ç a g r o u p , too, p u b l i s h e d a b u l l e t i n
w h i c h l o o k e d a t t h r o u g h t o d a y ' s eye h a d n o great w e i g h t ,
a l t h o u g h m i s t a k e s o f t h e l i n e i n its a r t i c l e s w e r e rare.)
F r o m the f i r s t m o m e n t s w h e n i t w a s f o r m e d a s a s e p a r a t e g r o u p the S h k o d r a g r o u p t r i e d t o l i n k u p w i t h t h e
K o ç a g r o u p , but, u n f o r t u n a t e l y , t h i s w a s r e p l a c e d b y a
c o n n e c t i o n w i t h h a r m f u l consequences: a b o u t the e n d o f
1937, Zef M a l a c a m e i n t o contact w i t h N i k o X o x i , a v i l e ,
T r o t s k y i t e element, w h o b e t r a y e d t h e K o r ç a g r o u p a n d
A l i Kelmendi.
W h e n h e s a w h e w a s u n a b l e t o d o m i n a t e the K o r ç a
g r o u p , N i k o X o x i , s t u f f e d w i t h a l l the a r c h e o - M a r x i s t
diversionist rubbish of A n d r e a Zisi, went to S h k o d r a and
T i r a n a and there very q u i c k l y he found a c o m m o n language
w i t h Zef M a l a , a s y o u m i g h t say, t h e pot f o u n d the l i d t o
f i t it. A f t e r e n g a g i n g in a series of i n t r i g u e s , s l a n d e r s a n d
c a u s i n g c o n f u s i o n , these t w o renegades m a n a g e d t o t a k e
over the r e i n s o f l e a d e r s h i p o f t h e S h k o d r a g r o u p .
A f t e r t h i s a n t i - M a r x i s t l i n k - u p w e s a w a l l sorts o f
theories a l i e n t o t h e r e v o l u t i o n a r y m o v e m e n t i n A l b a n i a
spring up in this group, w h i c h hindered it f r o m f i n d i n g and
e m b r a c i n g a correct r e v o l u t i o n a r y l i n e . In the second h a l f
of 1940 the leaders of the S h k o d r a g r o u p h a d m a d e deals
w i t h the « Y o u t h » G r o u p , w h i c h w a s l e d b y A n a s t a s L u l a .
E s p e c i a l l y a f t e r the l i n k - u p w i t h t h i s g r o u p , t h e p e n e t r a t i o n o f e r r o n e o u s ideas b e c a m e e v e n m o r e p r o n o u n c e d .
U n l i k e the C o m m u n i s t G r o u p o f K o r ç a , w h i c h w a s based
o n the w o r k e r s a n d w a s c o m p r i s e d m a i n l y o f w o r k e r s , the
S h k o d r a and the «Youth» groups concentrated their atten-
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
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t i o n m o s t l y o n t h e school, o n t h e i n t e l l i g e n t s i a . T h e t h e o r e t i c a l a n d o r g a n i z a t i o n a l ideas i m p a r t e d t o these y o u n g
people, e s p e c i a l l y by the leaders of the « Y o u t h » G r o u p , as
well as by Zef M a l a and N i k o X o x i , had no sound M a r x i s t
bases, nevertheless, e s p e c i a l l y a f t e r t h e fascist o c c u p a t i o n ,
these g r o u p s i n t e n s i f i e d t h e i r e f f o r t s t o w i n o v e r a s m a n y
of the s e c o n d a r y s c h o o l students as possible, e s p e c i a l l y in
T i r a n a , S h k o d r a a n d V l o r a a n d , t o a lesser extent, i n t h e
other cities o f the c o u n t r y . F o r a l l its s h o r t c o m i n g s , the c o m m u n i s t p r o p a g a n d a c a r r i e d out w i t h t h e s c h o o l y o u t h w a s t o
play a positive role.
T h e g r a v e m o m e n t s w h i c h the H o m e l a n d w a s e x p e r i e n c i n g u n d e r the fascist o c c u p a t i o n , the h a t r e d w h i c h
the y o u t h n u r t u r e d f o r the occupiers, the d r i v e a n d e n t h u siasm seething i n t h e i r y o u t h f u l hearts, y o u m i g h t say,
n a t u r a l l y w r o t e off t h e a i m s a n d « d r e a m s » o f a n t i - M a r x i s t
leaders a b o u t t h e «quiet» p r e p a r a t i o n of «pleiads» f o r the
r e v o l u t i o n a r i e s o f the f u t u r e ! N o , the r e v o l u t i o n a r y y o u t h
who came u n d e r the i n f l u e n c e of one or t h e other g r o u p ,
did not d o t h i s f o r «the t o m o r r o w » t h a t n e v e r comes, b u t d i d
i t f o r t o d a y , f o r t h e m o m e n t , f o r the s t r u g g l e w h i c h w a s
b o i l i n g u p a n d u p t o e r u p t . T h e y e n t e r e d the c o m m u n i s t
m o v e m e n t a n d c o n s i d e r e d t h e m s e l v e s c o m m u n i s t s w i t h the
sacred i d e a t h a t t h e y m u s t t h r o w t h e m s e l v e s i m m e d i a t e l y
into d e m o n s t r a t i o n s a n d actions, t h a t is, t a k e up the cause of
the w a r a n d the r e v o l u t i o n w h i c h w e r e p r o b l e m s o n the
order o f t h e d a y . T h i s i s the m a i n r e a s o n w h y . despite the
leaders' w o r k of sabotage, the r a n k - a n d - f i l e of these g r o u p s
were f o r the w a r a n d f o r the P a r t y , a n d e x e r t e d t h e i r great
influence i n s e t t l i n g the d i s a g r e e m e n t s w h i c h e x i s t e d b e tween g r o u p s .
B o t h i n the S h k o d r a g r o u p a n d i n t h e K o r ç a g r o u p
n o s m a l l role w a s p l a y e d b y h a r m f u l localist s o l i d a r i t y ,
w h i c h h a d n o s o u n d basis. B u t t h e m i s t a k e s w e r e m o r e
pronounced i n the S h k o d r a g r o u p , because o f the T r o t s k y i t e
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influence of Zef Mala, N i k o X o x i and A n d r e a Zisi and
others, w h i l e r e s o l u t e c o m m u n i s t s w i t h c l e a r ideas l i k e A l i
K e l m e n d i , M i h a L a k o , P i l o Peristeri and other proletarians
led the K o r ç a group.
A n o t h e r d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n these t w o g r o u p s w a s t h e
stand adopted towards M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t literature and
theory. T h e members of the S h k o d r a group w e r e more
assiduous r e a d e r s t h a n those o f t h e K o r ç a g r o u p . T h e
K o r ç a group was characterized more by practical action.
H o w e v e r , i t m u s t b e s a i d that, w h i l e t h e m e m b e r s o f t h e
S h k o d r a group and the «Youth» G r o u p d i d more reading,
the literature w h i c h they used w h i c h came f r o m Greece
or Italy, was uncontrolled a n d the interpretation of w h a t
was read was erroneous; in the «Youth» G r o u p especially
the interpretation was Trotskyite. E q u a l l y distorted and
basically u n - M a r x i s t w a s the a i m f r o m w h i c h the leaders
o f these g r o u p s p r o c e e d e d i n t h e « p r o f o u n d » s t u d y w h i c h
t h e y a l l e g e d l y m a d e o f t h e l i t e r a t u r e w h i c h came i n t o t h e i r
hands. U n d e r t h e i n f l u e n c e o f Z e f M a l a a n d N i k o X o x i ,
b e f o r e t h e fascist o c c u p a t i o n , t h e S h k o d r a g r o u p e m b r a c e d
the anti-Marxist theory of the «training» and the «preservat i o n o f cadres», a t h e o r y b r o u g h t t o A l b a n i a b y t h e a r c h e o Marxist adventurer and trickster A n d r e a Zisi. According
to t h i s «theory», t h e c o n d i t i o n s f o r a t r u e r e v o l u t i o n a r y
s t r u g g l e o f t h e masses d i d not e x i s t i n A l b a n i a , i n d e e d ,
n e i t h e r t h e w o r k i n g class a n d t h e bourgeoisie, n o r t h e
class s t r u g g l e e x i s t e d ! C o n s e q u e n t l y , those w h o f o l l o w e d
this v i e w had arrived at the conclusion that u n t i l the conditions for the revolution(!) h a d been created, the communists
should not do anything, but «prepare themselves theoretically», to acquaint themselves thoroughly w i t h the
«literature», a n d to «protect themselves», t h a t is, to h i d e
f r o m t h e r e a l s t r u g g l e w i t h t h e a i m that, w h e n t h e « d r e a m e d
of» m o m e n t came, these «learned» m e n c o u l d p r o c l a i m t h e i r
k n o w l e d g e i n the streets a n d t a k e p o w e r !
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
221
R e g a r d l e s s o f t h e a i m a n d o r i e n t a t i o n o f t h e leaders
on this problem, however, it must be said that the w o r k
done o n s t u d y i n g t h a t p a r t o f t h e l i t e r a t u r e w h i c h w a s
truly M a r x i s t was to play and did play a positive role in
the r e v o l u t i o n a r y a r m i n g o f t h e s o u n d r a n k - a n d - f i l e o f the
groups.
Most of the members of the S h k o d r a group were brave,
courageous people. D e s p i t e t h e i r T r o t s k y i t e leaders, Z e f
M a l a a n d N i k o X o x i , t h e y w o r k e d t o o r g a n i z e the f i g h t
against f a s c i s m . W e m u s t n o t forget t h a t t h e y w e r e u n d e r
the s u r v e i l l a n c e n o t o n l y of t h e Z o g i t e police, b u t also of
the «police» of t h e C a t h o l i c c l e r g y . T h i s w a s a great d a n g e r
i n S h k o d r a w h i c h i n f e c t e d people l i k e a disease.
Z e f M a l a , t h e l e a d e r o f the g r o u p , e n d e d u p a s a n agent
o f the Z o g i t e police, w h o b e t r a y e d a l l t h e c o m r a d e s a n d
the w o r k t h e g r o u p d i d . Z o g ' s p o l i c e a r r e s t e d the m a i n
comrades o f the S h k o d r a g r o u p , t r i e d t h e m a n d c o n d e m n e d
them to various terms of imprisonment. W h e n A l b a n i a was
i n v a d e d , Q e m a l , V a s i l a n d others b r o k e out o f t h e p r i s o n
and Q e m a l w a s w o u n d e d i n t h e a r m w h e n t h e g e n d a r m e s
pursued him.
W h a t s t a n d d i d the S h k o d r a g r o u p t a k e t o w a r d s t h e
occupiers a n d t h e T r o t s k y i t e c h i e f s ? I t m u s t b e s a i d t h a t
a l l its m e m b e r s , l i k e those o f t h e K o r ç a g r o u p a s w e l l a s
the r a n k - a n d - f i l e of t h e « Y o u t h » G r o u p , w e r e as a w h o l e
opposed t o t h e o c c u p i e r s a n d t h e q u i s l i n g s . T h e y h a t e d
the fascist o c c u p i e r a n d w a n t e d t o fight, t h e r e f o r e , t h e y
came out e n b l o c i n d e m o n s t r a t i o n s a n d i n actions. O n the
other h a n d , h o w e v e r , as I m e n t i o n e d above, t h e r e w a s
c o n f u s i o n i n t h e i r r a n k s caused b y t h e p s e u d o - M a r x i s t
«theories» w h i c h t h e T r o t s k y i t e s spread. T h i s c o n f u s i o n
w a s e l i m i n a t e d i n stages i n t h e r a p i d f l o w o f events w h i c h
followed.
T h e s e w e r e t h e good a n d b a d c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f t h e
S h k o d r a g r o u p . I t i s u n d e r s t a n d a b l e t h a t i n these c o n d i t i o n s
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ENVER HOXHA
there were quarrels and a struggle between it and the
K o r ç a g r o u p f o r « h e g e m o n y » o v e r s u c h questions a s « w h i c h
i s the p a r t y » , « w h i c h has l i n k s w i t h t h e C o m i n t e r n » , « w h i c h
has the correct line», « w h a t r o l e the w o r k e r s w i l l p l a y a n d
w h a t r o l e the p e a s a n t r y » , « w h a t v i e w s s h o u l d b e t a k e n o f
the f a m i l y , m a r r i a g e , p r i v a t e p r o p e r t y , » a n d m a n y o t h e r
things and, undoubtedly, the opposing v i e w s we h a d on
these questions d i v i d e d u s f r o m one a n o t h e r a n d n e i t h e r
side m a d e concessions. B u t a p a r t f r o m q u e s t i o n s o f p r i n c i p l e w h i c h d i v i d e d us, o u r l i n k s w e r e d a m a g e d also b y
the p e t t y - b o u r g e o i s a r r o g a n c e o f K o ç o T a s h k o , w h o n u r t u r e d
the i d e a t h a t «it i s useless t o t r y t o t a l k t o t h e m o r m a k e
approaches t o t h e m » . A n d i t w a s e v e n m o r e r e g r e t t a b l e
t h a t h e w a s r e f e r r i n g e v e n t o those c o m r a d e s o f the S h k o d r a
group, like V a s i l Shanto and Q e m a l Stafa, w h o had proved
t h e i r courage a n d c o m m u n i s t d e t e r m i n a t i o n b e f o r e Zog's
courts.
W h a t w a s the « Y o u t h » G r o u p ? H e r e I a m not g o i n g
t o w r i t e its h i s t o r y because t h e P a r t y h a s done t h a t i n
its analyses, b u t I w a n t to p o i n t out some t r u t h s . T h i s
g r o u p h a d its c e n t r e i n T i r a n a . I t h a d b r a n c h e s i n o t h e r
cities. especially in V l o r a . At the head of this group were
t w o «hot-headed» a n a r c h i s t T r o t s k y i t e s , A n a s t a s L u l a (Qorri)* a n d S a d i k P r e m t e (Xhepi).** I n t h e t i m e o f Z o g
these t w o elements posed a s a n t i - Z o g i t e . w h i l e i n t h e t i m e
of o c c u p a t i o n as a n t i - I t a l i a n . T h e y posed as c o m m u n i s t s ,
b u t the «theories» w h i c h t h e y s p r e a d h a d n o t h i n g t o d o
w i t h c o m m u n i s m . T h e s e t w o elements s o w e d c o n f u s i o n
among the youth.
A f t e r a t t a c k i n g the t r e a c h e r o u s f a c t i o n a l w o r k o f A r i s t i d h Q e n d r o i n T i r a n a i n 1937, t h e K o r ç a g r o u p r e g a r d e d
___________________________________
* The Blind.
** X h e p i , short f o r m for Rexhep, meaning pocket.
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
223
these t w o elements a s its m e m b e r s a n d p u t t h e m i n contact
w i t h the c o m r a d e s o f the g r o u p w h o w e n t t o a t t e n d s c h o o l
or to w o r k in Tirana. However, Anastas L u l a and Sadik
Premte, by t a k i n g over f r o m A r i s t i d h Qendro all his a n t i M a r x i s t baggage a n d t a k i n g a d v a n t a g e o f t h e l o c a l i s m o f
the K o r ç a g r o u p w h i c h d i d not c a r r y out its w o r k p r o p e r l y
i n a l l those places w h e r e t h e r e w e r e y o u n g people, f o r m e d
their o w n f a c t i o n i n the K o r ç a g r o u p .
A s t i m e passed, t h i s f a c t i o n , w h i l e r e t a i n i n g some
f o r m a l l i n k s w i t h the K o r ç a g r o u p , i n t e n s i f i e d its d i s r u p t i v e
w o r k a n d at t h e b e g i n n i n g of 1940 e m e r g e d as a separate
group. T h i s w a s the t i m e w h e n w e w e r e w o r k i n g a n d
s t r u g g l i n g t o settle d i s a g r e e m e n t s w i t h the S h k o d r a g r o u p
and, i n d e e d , h a d succeeded in c r e a t i n g a sort of j o i n t
« C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e » b e t w e e n the K o r ç a g r o u p a n d the
Shkodra group.
I am n o t g o i n g to d w e l l on the essence of t h i s agreement, w h i c h a t the m e e t i n g t o f o u n d t h e P a r t y w e r i g h t l y
described as an a g r e e m e n t f r o m above, a s o c i a l - d e m o c r a t i c
g r a f t i n g , b u t I o n l y w a n t t o p o i n t out t h a t p r e c i s e l y w h e n
the so-called j o i n t C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e w a s f o r m e d , i t w a s
discovered t h a t t h e r e w a s s t i l l a n o t h e r g r o u p w h i c h h a d
been c a m o u f l a g e d u p t i l l t h a t t i m e . T h a t w a s the « Y o u t h »
G r o u p . Its open emergence, the a t t a c k w h i c h i t l a u n c h e d
against t h e K o r ç a g r o u p a n d a l l its a n t i - M a r x i s t a r s e n a l
made t h e w o r k s t a r t e d f o r the s e t t l i n g o f d i s a g r e e m e n t s
even m o r e d i f f i c u l t .
In Tirana Anastas L u l a and Sadik Premte maintained
contact w i t h m a n y y o u n g people w h o m t h e y h a d t u r n e d
into e n t h u s i a s t s f i l l e d w i t h i m m o r a l . T r o t s k y i t e , gangster
theories. T h e y d i r e c t e d t h e c o u r a g e a n d a n t i - Z o g i t e a n d
later a n t i - f a s c i s t a n d a n t i - I t a l i a n d e t e r m i n a t i o n o f these
young people i n t o a n a r c h i s t a n d gangster actions. T h e s e
were c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of o n l y some of the young people of this
group a n d o n l y i n T i r a n a , those w h o h a d become a n d
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ENVER HOXHA
remained later the lieutenants of Q o r r i and X h e p i in their
ideas a n d actions. B u t a l l t h e m e m b e r s o f t h e « Y o u t h » G r o u p
i n T i r a n a , i n K o r ç a and especially i n V l o r a , were not l i k e
this. W i t h t h e i r T r o t s k y i t e slogans, A n a s t a s L u l a a n d S a d i k
P r e m t e w e r e a b l e o n l y t o w a g e a f a c t i o n a l s t r u g g l e against
the K o r ç a g r o u p b y m a k i n g t h e a c c u s a t i o n t h a t i t w a s not a
communist group, but they were quite unable to extinguish
o r e v e n t o w e a k e n its s t r u g g l e against Z o g a n d t h e o c c u p i e r s .
T h i s w a s t h e i r « A c h i l l e s ' heel». I n g e n e r a l , t h e r a n k - a n d - f i l e
of the «Youth» G r o u p were pure, extremely patriotic, courageous. a n t i - Z o g i t e a n d a n t i - I t a l i a n a n d t h e y l o v e d c o m m u n i s m . I n V l o r a , i n p a r t i c u l a r , despite t h e fact t h a t X h e p i
w a s f r o m those parts, h e c o u l d not a n d d a r e d n o t r e s t r a i n
t h e a n t i - f a s c i s t a c t i v i t y against t h e I t a l i a n occupiers, b e cause h e w a s f a c e d w i t h H y s n i K a p o , ( 3 ) a r e s o l u t e c o m m u n ist, a n t i - Z o g i t e a n d anti-fascist, a c o m r a d e w i t h great d e c i s i v e i n f l u e n c e i n V l o r a , w h o stood a t t h e h e a d o f m a n y
young comrades of the city, the C o m m e r c i a l School and
the v i l l a g e s .
I m m e d i a t e l y a f t e r t h e f o u n d i n g o f the P a r t y , H y s n i
K a p o became the pillar of the new organization of the
Communist P a r t y w h i c h was being built in V l o r a and,
under the leadership of the Party, fought together w i t h
h i s c o m r a d e s t o t o t a l l y w i p e out t h e h o s t i l e i n f l u e n c e o f
X h e p i a n d Q o r r i i n V l o r a , w h e r e t h e y a t t e m p t e d t o create
t h e i r h o s t i l e f a c t i o n . H y s n i K a p o ' s s t r u g g l e against t h e m
i n defence o f the n e w P a r t y w a s t h e s i g n a l f o r t h e f i n a l
l i q u i d a t i o n o f the T r o t s k y i t e v i e w s a n d p r a c t i c e s o f t h e
heads o f t h e f o r m e r « Y o u t h » G r o u p a n d some o f t h e i r
_______________________
3 H y s n i K a p o (1915-1979). One of the most distinguished
leaders of our P a r t y and the A l b a n i a n state. He w a s member
of the P o l i t i c a l B u r e a u of the CC of the P L A since 1946,
secretary of the CC of the P L A (1956-1979), People's H e r o and
H e r o of Socialist L a b o u r .
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
225
f o l l o w e r s , w h o d i d n o t c o m e t o t h e i r senses e v e n after
the f o r m i n g o f t h e P a r t y .
I a m not g o i n g t o speak about t h e « Z j a r r i » * G r o u p
o r a n y other, because t h e r e w a s n o t h i n g M a r x i s t a b o u t
them and their leaders w e r e open provocateurs. T h e
founding of the P a r t y smashed them completely.
This then, in general, was the situation of the m a i n
c o m m u n i s t g r o u p s i n A l b a n i a a t the t i m e w h e n w e , w h i l e
w o r k i n g legally in «Flora», w e r e increasing our efforts
t o r e a c h a g r e e m e n t w i t h o u r «opponents» w i t h w h o m ,
i n fact, w e o u g h t t o h a v e b e e n c o m r a d e s f i g h t i n g f o r t h e
one i d e a l .
A t the m o m e n t s w h e n w e h a d i n t e n s i f i e d o u r e f f o r t s
more t h a n e v e r a n d w e r e m o v i n g t o w a r d s f i n d i n g a
common language for the final rapprochement between
groups, a n i m p o r t a n t event w a s t o e x e r t its r e v o l u t i o n i z i n g i n f l u e n c e o n t h e e n t i r e p o l i t i c a l s i t u a t i o n i n the
w o r l d , a s w e l l a s o n the c o m m u n i s t a n d a n t i - f a s c i s t m o v e ment i n A l b a n i a : o n J u n e 22, 1941, t h e H i t l e r i t e h o r d e s
launched their perfidious attack on the Soviet U n i o n .
T h e H i t l e r i t e a t t a c k o n t h e S o v i e t U n i o n w a s a great
shock f o r a l l t h e A l b a n i a n c o m m u n i s t g r o u p s a n d i n d i v i d u a l
communists. B e f o r e t h i s a t t a c k took place w e h a d h a d t o
wage a s t e r n s t r u g g l e against t h e p r o p a g a n d a of t h e fascist
and p s e u d o - d e m o c r a t s w h o , m i s r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e n o n - a g g r e s sion pact b e t w e e n t h e S o v i e t U n i o n a n d G e r m a n y , s l a n d e r e d
that the S o v i e t U n i o n h a d « f o r m e d a n a l l i a n c e w i t h H i t l e r i t e
G e r m a n y , » t h a t t h e « A l b a n i a n c o m m u n i s t s s h o u l d not
fight t h e fascist occupiers, because I t a l y w a s t h e a l l y o f
Hitlerite G e r m a n y w i t h w h i c h the Soviet U n i o n was l i n k e d
in the n o n - a g g r e s s i o n pact.»
The d u t y devolved on us communists to combat the
_________________________________
* Fire.
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ENVER HOXHA
fascist p r o p a g a n d a a n d , a t t h e same t i m e , t o m a k e c l e a r
t o e v e r y b o d y a n d not o n l y t o o u r r e l a t i o n s , because t h e r e
w e r e e v e n c o m r a d e s o f t h e g r o u p s w h o d i d not u n d e r s t a n d
the s i t u a t i o n , w h y t h e S o v i e t U n i o n h a d s i g n e d t h e n o n aggression pact w i t h H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y .
The barbarous Hitlerite attack on the Soviet U n i o n
not o n l y s h o c k e d us, b u t s h o w e d c l e a r l y t h a t w e a n d n o t
the enemies w e r e r i g h t , t h a t S t a l i n h a d n e v e r b e t r a y e d
c o m m u n i s m and the Soviet U n i o n . W i t h the Soviet Union's
e n t r y i n t o t h e w a r o u r great hope a n d c o n f i d e n c e i n o u r
v i c t o r y w a s s t r e n g t h e n e d . N o w t h e A l b a n i a n people's f i g h t
against f a s c i s m w o u l d h a v e a n o t h e r great s u p p o r t : t h e
w a r o f the S o v i e t peoples l e d b y S t a l i n against G e r m a n
n a z i s m . N o w t h e A l b a n i a n c o m m u n i s t s a n d o u r people,
w h o h a d not sat w i t h f o l d e d a r m s , w o u l d step u p t h e i r
efforts a n d f i g h t a l l o v e r the c o u n t r y . A l l o f u s h a d t o
f i g h t t h e o c c u p i e r s a n d the q u i s l i n g s . T h e c o m m u n i s t s
a n d the g r o u p s h a d t o p u t aside t h e i r squables a n d
r e s e n t m e n t s once a n d f o r a l l . . .
B e s i d e s disagreements, a t t h a t t i m e t h e r e w a s also
strict secrecy b e t w e e n c o m m u n i s t g r o u p s . E a c h g r o u p
f a n a t i c a l l y a n d j e a l o u s l y p r o t e c t e d its o w n m e m b e r s a n d
d i d not r e a d i l y a l l o w a m e m b e r o f one g r o u p t o m a k e
contact w i t h t h e m e m b e r s o f a n o t h e r g r o u p . T h e f e a r
e x i s t e d e s p e c i a l l y a m o n g t h e leaders t h a t one g r o u p m i g h t
«take» the m e m b e r s o f t h e o t h e r ! T h i s «fear» w a s n o t
without foundation. Trotskyite a n d factionalist elements
such as A r i s t i d h Qendro. N i k o X o x i , Zef M a l a . Anastas
L u l a , S a d i k P r e m t e a n d others h a d m a d e i t a l i n e o f t h e i r
a c t i v i t y t o c a r r y out d i s r u p t i v e w o r k i n o t h e r g r o u p s w i t h
the a i m o f s p l i t t i n g t h e others f r o m a n t i - M a r x i s t p o s i t i o n s
and taking members from them.
T h e sound communist elements of the K o r ç a group
a n d such c o m r a d e s o f the S h k o d r a g r o u p , a s Q e m a l , V a s i l
a n d others, t h o u g h t a n d acted q u i t e d i f f e r e n t l y o n t h i s
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
227
p r o b l e m . I n w a n t i n g t o e s t a b l i s h l i n k s w i t h one a n o t h e r
w e h a d n e v e r p r o c e e d e d f r o m the separatist a i m o f « w i n n i n g
over» t h i s o r t h a t m e m b e r o f t h e other g r o u p . N o , w e
proceeded f r o m t h e correct p r i n c i p l e t h a t w e w e r e a l l
c o m m u n i s t s , c o m r a d e s o f c o m m o n ideals, t h a t w e w e r e
f i g h t i n g f o r a c o m m o n cause, hence w e o u g h t t o t a l k a n d
unite f o r t h e sake o f these l o f t y ideals a n d n o t f o r the
selfish, s e c t a r i a n a i m s of g r o u p s or f a c t i o n s .
It w a s p r e c i s e l y f r o m these m o t i v e s t h a t I p r o c e e d e d
w h e n I i n s i s t e d to K o ç o T a s h k o t h a t I s h o u l d meet V a s i l
S h a n t o a n d Q e m a l S t a f a a n d t h e y p r o c e e d e d f r o m the
same m o t i v e s w h e n t h e y took the i n i t i a t i v e a n d m e t me.
F o r t u n a t e l y , e s p e c i a l l y a f t e r t h e fascist o c c u p a t i o n of the
country, the r a n k - a n d - f i l e c o m m u n i s t s o f d i f f e r e n t g r o u p s
began t o l i n k u p a n d t a l k together o n t h e j o b , a t school,
etc., l i k e r e a l c o m m u n i s t s a n d t o t a k e p a r t i n j o i n t actions,
i n d e m o n s t r a t i o n s , s t r i k e s a n d protests, r e g a r d l e s s o f w h a t
the f a c t i o n a l i s t a n d T r o t s k y i t e leaders s a i d a n d the o r d e r s
they issued. A s t i m e passed t h i s l i n k i n g u p o f t h e c o m m u n ists f r o m b e l o w g r e w s t e a d i l y s t r o n g e r a n d m o r e w i d e s p r e a d ,
a t h i n g w h i c h w a s c e r t a i n l y a n i m p o r t a n t factor i n the
creation o f t h e P a r t y itself.
T h e n I met V a s i l S h a n t o a n d Q e m a l S t a f a t i m e after
time. A t these m e e t i n g s the m a i n d i s a g r e e m e n t s b e t w e e n
our g r o u p s w e r e b e i n g i r o n e d out m o r e a n d m o r e , w h i l e
gradually we reached agreement in principle that in the
near f u t u r e o u r g r o u p s s h o u l d b e d i s s o l v e d a n d w e s h o u l d
decide t o f o u n d the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a . A s I
have a l r e a d y p o i n t e d out, t h e f i r s t steps t o w a r d s this h i s t o r i c
u n i f i c a t i o n w e r e t a k e n t h r o u g h the j o i n t actions a n d a c t i v ities w h i c h w e r e s t e a d i l y i n c r e a s i n g , e s p e c i a l l y f r o m A u g u s t
to N o v e m b e r 8, 1941. A m o n g these, the a g r e e m e n t to send
members f r o m t h e t w o g r o u p s to the çeta of P e z a h a d
special i m p o r t a n c e . N e v e r t h e l e s s , m u c h s t i l l r e m a i n e d t o
be done, b o t h to w i n t h e a g r e e m e n t of the other g r o u p s
228
ENVER
HOXHA
t o o u r a i m a n d t o f u r t h e r i r o n out the f o r m e r d i s a g r e e m e n t s
o r n e w ones w h i c h e m e r g e d . T h e r e f o r e , i n t h i s p e r i o d o u r
meetings w i t h V a s i l b e c a m e m o r e f r e q u e n t . . .
F o r o u r p a r t we, as a g r o u p , h e l d a n u m b e r of w o r k i n g
meetings a n d p r e p a r e d o u r s e l v e s w e l l f o r t h e b i g m e e t i n g
w h i c h w a s t o b e h e l d b e t w e e n r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f the
three communist groups in w h i c h comrades M i l a d i n [Popović] a n d D u š a n [Mugoša] w o u l d t a k e p a r t , too.
We decided that we should put forward, in the first
place and above all, the question that the first day of the
meeting should be considered the historic day of the
dissolution of groups and the founding of the Communist
Party of Albania, w h i l e t h e d i s c u s s i o n , p r o c e e d i n g f r o m
this basis, c o u l d a n d s h o u l d c o n t i n u e as l o n g as n e c e s s a r y
t o clear u p a l l t h e p r o b l e m s a n d d i s a g r e e m e n t s w h i c h
e x i s t e d . I i n s i s t e d f i r m l y on t h i s m a t t e r , because I w a s c o n ­
vinced that we should not go to a joint meeting w i t h o u t
b e i n g d e t e r m i n e d f o r t h e great a i m o f the d i s s o l u t i o n o f
g r o u p s a n d the f o r m a t i o n o f t h e C o m m u n i s t P a r t y .
W e m u s t not a l l o w o u r s e l v e s o r t h e o t h e r s t o g o t o
this meeting s i m p l y to m a k e accusations a n d to q u a r r e l ,
I t o l d the comrades, b u t w e m u s t g o t h e r e i n o r d e r t o
achieve our objective.
I p r o p o s e d t h a t w e s h o u l d ask M i l a d i n t o get t h e
a p p r o v a l o f the others o n t h e q u e s t i o n t h a t r i g h t f r o m the
outset the m e e t i n g s h o u l d t a k e t h e d e c i s i o n i n p r i n c i p l e t o
found the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of A l b a n i a , so that we could
t h e n c o n t i n u e t h e d i s c u s s i o n a n d debate as m e m b e r s of a
f o r m e d p a r t y . T h i s d e c i s i o n w a s necessary because f r o m t h e
o t h e r g r o u p s t h e r e w o u l d b e elements, e s p e c i a l l y s u c h
people a s A n a s t a s L u l a a n d S a d i k P r e m t e , a n d p e r h a p s
others, too, w h o d i d not w a n t t h e f o r m a t i o n o f t h e P a r t y .
As Trotskyites they were against this organization, there­
fore, i t w a s t o t h e i r a d v a n t a g e t o c o n t i n u e t o d e e p e n t h e
split. A l l the c o m r a d e s a g r e e d t o m y p r o p o s a l .
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
229
T h e second q u e s t i o n w h i c h w e d e c i d e d i n o u r g r o u p
w a s the w a y i n w h i c h the p r o b l e m s s h o u l d b e p r e s e n t e d .
W e discussed t h a t w e s h o u l d d e f e n d t h e correct i d e o l o g i c a l p o l i t i c a l a n d o r g a n i z a t i o n a l l i n e o f the K o r ç a g r o u p , n o t
in a f a c t i o n a l s p i r i t , b u t in a t r u e c o m m u n i s t s p i r i t , s h o u l d
a c k n o w l e d g e the w e a k n e s s e s i n o u r w o r k a n d accept t h e
just c r i t i c i s m w h i c h t h e o t h e r s w o u l d m a k e o f u s a n d
accept t h e m w i t h o u t heat o r r a n c o u r . W e w o u l d c o n s u l t
w i t h one a n o t h e r a n d a d o p t a s t a n d a b o u t e a c h c r i t i c i s m
w h i c h w o u l d b e m a d e o f us. W e h a d t o c r i t i c i z e s t r o n g l y a n d
unhesitatingly a l l the anti-Marxist, Trotskyite and l i q u i d a t i onist v i e w s o f a l l t h e g r o u p s a n d leaders, w h i c h h a d p l a y e d
an i n i m i c a l role in the A l b a n i a n communist m o v e m e n t . . .
A l l of us were preparing for this day w h i c h would
m a r k t h e greatest h i s t o r i c e v e n t f o r o u r people. M a n y o f
u s h a d gone u n d e r g r o u n d , because r a b i d r e a c t i o n w a s
operating everywhere, but we continued the w o r k we h a d
started w i t h a n e w o p t i m i s m , w i t h great hope, w h i c h g a v e
u s m u c h g r e a t e r s t r e n g t h . E v e n t h o u g h the t e r r o r w a s b e c o m i n g e v e r m o r e savage, o u r people's w a r w a s e x t e n d i n g .
Demonstrations, strikes, distribution of leaflets and a r m e d
attacks o n t h e o c c u p i e r s a n d q u i s l i n g s h a d become m o r e
widespread.
O c t o b e r 28, the date of the « M a r c h on R o m e » a n d , at
the same t i m e , the f i r s t a n n i v e r s a r y o f t h e a t t a c k w h i c h t h e
I t a l i a n fascists l a u n c h e d o n t h e G r e e k people i n 1940, a n
attack w h i c h w e h a d d e n o u n c e d a y e a r b e f o r e b y p u t t i n g
u p leaflets i n the streets, w a s a p p r o a c h i n g .
W e d e c i d e d t h a t o n O c t o b e r 2 8 o f t h e y e a r 1941 w e
should o r g a n i z e a b i g d e m o n s t r a t i o n a g a i n s t t h e o c c u p i e r s
and the V ë r l a c i q u i s l i n g g o v e r n m e n t . O u r g r o u p p r o p o s e d
that w e s h o u l d c a r r y o u t a l a r g e - s c a l e j o i n t a c t i o n w i t h t h e
other groups, i n w h i c h the p e o p l e a n d the y o u t h w o u l d
participate w i d e l y , w i t h m e m b e r s o f a l l t h e c o m m u n i s t
groups a t t h e h e a d o f t h e m . T h e c o m r a d e s o f o u r g r o u p
230
ENVER HOXHA
a u t h o r i z e d m e t o meet V a s i l S h a n t o a n d A n a s t a s L u l a a n d
t o c a l l together the « c o m m i s s i o n o f a c t i o n » ( w h i c h w e h a d
established i n p r i n c i p l e , b u t w h i c h h a d n e v e r met). W h e n
I spoke about t h e d e m o n s t r a t i o n w h i c h w e i n t e n d e d t o o r ganize, V a s i l gave h i s a p p r o v a l w i t h o u t h e s i t a t i o n , w h i l e
Q o r r i , stammering, said we should call the commission
together a n d discuss it t h e r e .
T h e c o m m i s s i o n met. V a s i l S h a n t o , A n a s t a s L u l a , M u stafa G j i n i s h i , M u s t a f a K a ç a ç i , H a s a n R e ç i a n d I w e r e
present. I m a d e the p r o p o s a l a n d the d i s c u s s i o n b e g a n .
V a s i l and Mustafa K a ç a ç i immediately approved the proposal f o r c a r r y i n g out t h e a c t i o n . M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i w a s i n
f a v o u r , b u t h e a d d e d t h a t « w e m u s t t a k e care because
t h e y m i g h t open f i r e o n us,» etc. F a t a n d lazy, H a s a n R e ç i
was unable to make up his m i n d , w h i l e Anastas hesitated.
H e w a s c e r t a i n l y against it, b u t c o u l d not say so. W e d e c i d e d
t h a t the d e m o n s t r a t i o n s h o u l d b e h e l d a n d s h o u l d b e g i n
f r o m the R e x c i n e m a , ( 4 ) w h e r e t h e fascists w e r e g o i n g t o
h o l d a c o m m e m o r a t i v e c e r e m o n y . W e w e r e t o p a c k the
c i n e m a w i t h o u r people w h o , a s soon a s the m e e t i n g o p e n e d ,
w o u l d b e g i n t o shout the s l o g a n s : « D o w n w i t h f a s c i s m ! » ,
etc., s m a s h the seats a n d p o u r out i n t h e streets s h o u t i n g
anti-fascist slogans a n d s i n g i n g p a t r i o t i c songs. O u t s i d e
other c o m r a d e s a n d p a t r i o t s w o u l d b e w a i t i n g f o r t h e m . I t
w a s d e c i d e d t h a t each g r o u p s h o u l d d o its o w n w o r k i n
o r d e r to go to the d e m o n s t r a t i o n in a b o d y , a n d we p a r t e d .
A s w e h e a r d l a t e r , a s soon a s w e c a m e out f r o m t h e
commission, Anastas L u l a h a d met X h e p i w h o was w a i t i n g
for h i m , and told h i m :
« T e l l the c o m r a d e s t h a t i t
d e m o n s t r a t i o n s h a l l not be held.»
was
decided
that
the
B u t t h e y w e r e u n a b l e t o stop the d e m o n s t r a t i o n o r t o
stop m e m b e r s o f t h e i r g r o u p f r o m p a r t i c i p a t i n g .
T h i s was a continuation of the disruptive w o r k of
_____________________________________
4 Today the «17 N ë n t o r i » cinema.
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
231
sabotage o f these c a m o u f l a g e d e n e m y elements w h o , b o t h
a t t h i s p e r i o d a n d b e f o r e a n d a f t e r the f o u n d i n g o f t h e
P a r t y , r a i s e d countless serious obstacles a n d d i f f i c u l t i e s
f o r us.
T h e fact i s t h a t a t t h i s p e r i o d t h e y s e e m e d t o s u p p o r t
the i d e a o f c o o p e r a t i o n b e t w e e n g r o u p s a n d a g r e e d t o t a k e
part i n t h e F o u n d i n g M e e t i n g a n d i n the j o i n t actions t h a t
w e r e c a r r i e d out o n t h e eve o f t h i s event. T h e reasons f o r
this are n u m e r o u s a n d w e l l k n o w n , b u t I w a n t t o stress
one t h i n g : A n a s t a s L u l a a n d S a d i k P r e m t e « u n i t e d » w i t h
u s not because t h e y h a d a n y t r a c e o f c o m m u n i s m i n t h e i r
m i n d , not because t h e y w e r e g r i e v e d f o r t h e H o m e l a n d
w h i c h w a s l a n g u i s h i n g i n s l a v e r y , o r because t h e y w e r e
c o n c e r n e d a b o u t the cause o f o u r people's w a r , o n t h e
c o n t r a r y , t h e y a v o i d e d these c a r d i n a l p r o b l e m s . H o w e v e r ,
the c i r c u m s t a n c e s , t h e s i t u a t i o n c o m p e l l e d t h e m to act as
they d i d . F i r s t o f a l l , i t w a s t h e base o f t h e i r g r o u p , the
sound c o m m u n i s t s a n d a l l t h e r e v o l u t i o n a r y y o u n g people
l i n k e d w i t h t h e m , w h o consciously, u n d e r t h e i n f l u e n c e
o f events a n d o f c o m m u n i s t s a n d s y m p a t h i z e r s o f o t h e r
groups, u n i t e d w i t h t h e i d e a o f j o i n t actions a n d w i t h
the i d e a o f f o r m i n g t h e P a r t y a s q u i c k l y a s possible. A t
that p e r i o d A n a s t a s L u l a a n d S a d i k P r e m t e w e r e a w a r e
that t h e y w o u l d b e r e j e c t e d b y the r a n k a n d f i l e o f t h e i r
group i f t h e y d i d n o t s w i m w i t h t h e c u r r e n t . So, t h e y
j o i n e d u p . B u t , r e g r e t t a b l y t h e y j o i n e d u p a s saboteurs.
This was to be proved v e r y quickly.
O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e c o m r a d e s o f the S h k o d r a g r o u p
played a m a j o r r o l e i n w i n n i n g t h e m t o the i d e a o f j o i n t
actions a n d t h e c r e a t i o n o f the P a r t y . A s i s k n o w n these
two groups, t h a t o f S h k o d r a a n d t h e « Y o u t h » G r o u p , h a d
reached a n agreement, b u t w h e r e a s a t f i r s t c o l l a b o r a t i o n b e tween t h e m w a s o n a d i s t o r t e d a n t i - M a r x i s t basis, later, a n d
especially f r o m the second h a l f o f 1941, t h e S h k o d r a g r o u p ,
besides i m p r o v i n g its o w n i n t e r n a l s i t u a t i o n , also e x e r t e d
ENVER HOXHA
232
an i n f l u e n c e on the base of the « Y o u t h » G r o u p so t h a t it
s a w the p e r s p e c t i v e m o r e c l e a r l y . In the a u t u m n of 1941
a n d i n O c t o b e r , especially, e v e n A n a s t a s L u l a a n d S a d i k
P r e m t e s a w t h e y c o u l d n o t r e m a i n aloof f r o m t h i s w o r k .
The w o r k of our comrade, M i l a d i n Popović, w h o frequently
met c o m r a d e s o f t h e « Y o u t h » G r o u p , i n c l u d i n g A n a s t a s
L u l a a n d S a d i k P r e m t e a t t h a t p e r i o d , p l a y e d its r o l e i n this.
T h u s , these t w o elements came r o u n d t o t h e c o m m o n
idea o f f o r m i n g the P a r t y , b u t t h e y c a m e t o i t r e l u c t a n t l y ,
because t h e y h a d n o a l t e r n a t i v e , a n d w i t h d a r k a i m s o f
sabotage.
T h e i r a t t e m p t to sabotage the b i g d e m o n s t r a t i o n of 28
O c t o b e r 1941 w a s p a r t of these aims, b u t t h e i r e f f o r t s w e r e
u n s u c c e s s f u l i n t h i s case, too.
It was a big, p o w e r f u l and furious demonstration just
a s w e h a d foreseen. W e f o u g h t w i t h t h e c a r a b i n i e r i a n d
fascist m i l i t i a a n d b l o o d f l o w e d . T h e d e m o n s t r a t i o n h a d
a n e x t r e m e l y great echo. I t b e c a m e t h e t o u c h s t o n e f o r t h e
unity of A l b a n i a n communists and showed the inexhaustible
s t r e n g t h o f o u r people, t h e i r h a t r e d f o r a n d d e t e r m i n a t i o n
t o f i g h t against f a s c i s m a n d the q u i s l i n g s .
A l l t h i s resistance w h i c h w a s b u i l d i n g u p u n d e r t h e
l e a d e r s h i p o f t h e c o m m u n i s t s , the e x p o s u r e w h i c h w a s
b e i n g m a d e o f t h e o c c u p i n g p o w e r a n d its tools h a d s h o w n
u p the q u i s l i n g g o v e r n m e n t o f V ë r l a c i i n its t r u e c o l o u r s .
N o w fascist I t a l y n e e d e d a n i r o n h a n d , a t r i e d a n d h a r d e n e d
c r i m i n a l t o s u p p r e s s t h e people, « i n o r d e r t o e x t e r m i n a t e
the c o m m u n i s t s » a n d t h e p a t r i o t s e n masse, t o c a r r y out
demagogy no longer f r o m the «feudal and anti-peasant»
positions t h r o u g h t h e f i g u r e o f V ë r l a c i , b u t f r o m t h e « n a ­
t i o n a l i s t a n d d e m o c r a t i c » positions. A n d fascist I t a l y f o u n d
this c r i m i n a l h a n d i n the p e r s o n o f M u s t a f a M e r l i k a ( K r u j a ) ,
w h o one m o n t h l a t e r w a s a p p o i n t e d p r i m e m i n i s t e r i n place
of the deposed V ë r l a c i .
This
barbarous
quisling,
as
a
fascist
senator,
had
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
233
d i s t i n g u i s h e d h i m s e l f f o r h i s r a b i d h a t r e d a n d s t a n d against
c o m m u n i s t s a n d t h e people, a s w e l l a s f o r h i s s p e c u l a t i o n
w i t h the patriotic feelings of the A l b a n i a n s of K o s o v a in
o r d e r t o p l u n d e r t h e w e a l t h o f the p e o p l e o f K o s o v a i n
f a v o u r o f t h e A l b a n i a n fascist m e r c h a n t b o u r g e o i s i e w h i c h
w a s b e i n g c r e a t e d , a n d t o s t r e n g t h e n the e x p l o i t a t i o n b y
plundering Italian companies w h i c h speculated to the
d e t r i m e n t o f t h e w h o l e A l b a n i a n people. I n u n d e c l a r e d
talks and in meetings in the cinemas M u s t a f a K r u j a
threatened the communists w i t h bullets and called for
collaboration w i t h «democratic nationalists» of the type
o f A l i K ë l c y r a a n d c o m p a n y , w h o h a d l o n g been f e e d i n g
from the Italian trough. As prime minister Mustafa K r u j a
was t o f i l l t h e p r i s o n s w i t h o u r c o m r a d e s a n d w i t h p a triots, w a s t o h a n g a n d k i l l , t o i n c r e a s e t h e A l b a n i a n
fascist m i l i t i a a n d m a k e i t a t o o l o f t h e I t a l i a n fascist m i l i t i a .
B u t o u r resistance a n d s t r u g g l e w e r e ablaze. T h e p o w e r f u l
d e m o n s t r a t i o n o f O c t o b e r 28, 1941, w h i c h the A l b a n i a n
communists organized and led, proved this.
On the following day I was obliged to go underground.
T h i s , too, has its o w n h i s t o r y .
On the m o r n i n g of October 29 the carabinieri appeared
s u d d e n l y a t « F l o r a » . T w o o f t h e m , w i t h t h e i r chests c r i s s crossed w i t h s h i n y l e a t h e r belts a n d t h e i r r e v o l v e r holsters
open, c a m e i n s i d e , w h i l e t h e others stood outside. O n l y
at that m o m e n t d i d we realize w h a t a great mistake we
had made. We h a d thought that in the great confusion of
the p r e v i o u s d a y ' s c l a s h , t h e fascists c o u l d n o t h a v e i d e n t i f i e d u s a m o n g those h u n d r e d s o f t h o u s a n d s o f d e m o n s t r a tors w h o s h o o k T i r a n a . B u t n o w h e r e w e r e a l l o f u s
« w o r k e r s » o f t h e « F l o r a » s h o p f a c i n g the t e r r i b l e t r a p .
« E n v e r H o x h a ! » s h o u t e d one o f t h e c a r a b i n i e r i , « Dove
é* E n v e r H o x h a ? ! »
___________________________________
* W h e r e is? (Italian in the original).
234
ENVER HOXHA
P i l o [Peristeri] a n d Ilo D u r d h a stood f r o z e n a t the c o u n ter w i t h n a p k i n s i n t h e i r hands. A m o m e n t ' s silence f o l l o w e d ,
but I p u l l e d m y s e l f together, l o o k e d u p f r o m b e h i n d the t i l l
w h e r e I w a s s i t t i n g as « o w n e r - p a r t n e r » a n d v e r y « p o l i t e l y »
t r i e d the o n l y p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t c o u l d h a v e b e e n t r i e d :
« H e is here, i n s i d e , w a i t a m o m e n t , please, a n d I ' l l
i n f o r m him,» I s a i d i n a c a l m voice a n d w i t h e x e m p l a r y
«readiness», as if I c o u l d h a r d l y w a i t to do these I t a l i a n s
a valuable service!
I h a d h i t the target. T h e y b e l i e v e d me. I w e n t i n t o
the i n n e r r o o m of the shop, c a l l i n g in a l o u d voice, « E n v e r ,
y o u are wanted,» q u i c k l y o p e n i n g the s m a l l b a c k d o o r
w h i c h h a d b e e n p u t i n e s p e c i a l l y f o r s u c h a n occasion, I
j u m p e d i n t o a n a r r o w lane, crossed t h e y a r d o f a n o l d
w o m a n ' s house a n d f r o m t h e r e , t h r o u g h t h e « V l a c h q u a r t e r » ,
I r e a c h e d the great b o u l e v a r d , w h i c h I crossed «quietly,»
but k e e p i n g m y eyes s k i n n e d f o r a n y m o v e m e n t . A f e w
m o m e n t s later, w h e n I h a d e n t e r e d t h e people's q u a r t e r
across the b o u l e v a r d , I w a s c o n v i n c e d t h a t t h e fascists w e r e
left w i t h n o t h i n g b u t m y n a m e .
I s a i d g o o d - b y e to o u r d e a r « F l o r a » , the modest shop,
w h e r e f o r t w o y e a r s o n e n d w e h a d s o l d cigarettes a n d
sausage l e g a l l y , w h i l e i l l e g a l l y w e p r e p a r e d f o r t h e r e v o l u t i o n . « F l o r a » w a s a s m a l l shop w i t h w a l l s o f m u d a n d
b r i c k , b u t w i t h i n those w a l l s w e , a h a n d f u l of the sons of
the people, g a t h e r e d tête à tête a n d a r d e n t l y d i s c u s s e d
our communist work, reported on w h a t we h a d achieved
a n d w o r k e d out p l a n s f o r g r e a t e r a n d m o r e f r u i t f u l w o r k ;
t h e r e we i r o n e d out a series of d i s a g r e e m e n t s w i t h the
c o m r a d e s o f other c o m m u n i s t g r o u p s ; f r o m t h e r e w e set
out w i t h l e a f l e t s a n d o n m i s s o n s t o e v e r y c o r n e r o f t h e
c a p i t a l a n d to other cities of t h e c o u n t r y . T h e r e I h a d m e t
m y u n f o r g e t t a b l e comrades, p a t r i o t s a n d r e v o l u t i o n a r i e s ,
V a s i l Shanto, Qemal, Misto, M i h a l , D u l l ë K e t a and w i t h
scores of other sons a n d d a u g h t e r s of the people.
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
235
A n d n o w I w a s o b l i g e d t o p a r t w i t h it, o b l i g e d t o p u t
a n e n d t o m y « l e g a l w o r k » . B u t I d i d not r e g r e t t h i s p a r t i n g .
I t w a s b o u n d t o h a p p e n v e r y soon i n one w a y o r a n o t h e r ,
because i t w a s o b v i o u s t h a t t h e t i d e o f the p o p u l a r i n s u r r e c t i o n w a s r i s i n g a n d the h o u r o f t h e great d e c i s i o n w a s
a p p r o a c h i n g . T h e o n l y t h i n g that k e p t m e a n x i o u s l y w o r r i e d
a l l o f t h a t d a y w a s the fate o f the rest o f m y c o m r a d e s .
H o w e v e r , l a t e t h a t e v e n i n g I s p r a n g t o m y feet f u l l o f j o y
w h e n I s a w P i l o enter t h e i l l e g a l base w h e r e I w a s e s t a blished. He w a s in h i g h spirits.
« Y o u p u l l e d it off b e a u t i f u l l y , » he s a i d . « W h a t a slip!»
A n d he told me in detail about the confusion and anger
of the carabinieri w h e n they realized what had occurred.
F o r t u n a t e l y , t h e y h a d done n o t h i n g t o o u r c o m r a d e s . A p p a r e n t l y t h e i r n a m e s h a d not y e t b e e n e n t e r e d o n the lists
of the fascist police.
W e got d o w n t o w o r k i m m e d i a t e l y . T h e r e w a s n o t i m e
to lose, the 8th of N o v e m b e r w a s a h e a d of us.
In the d a r k n e s s of the n i g h t b e f o r e the d a w n of 8
N o v e m b e r , w e set o u t f o r t h e s m a l l h o u s e w h i c h w a s
a w a i t i n g us. In these r e m i n i s c e n c e s I s h a l l not d e s c r i b e it,
because the house w h e r e the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a
was f o u n d e d has n o w b e c o m e a n o u t s t a n d i n g m o n u m e n t
of our country, k n o w n to y o u n g and old in A l b a n i a , as w e l l
as to t h o u s a n d s a n d t h o u s a n d s of f o r e i g n f r i e n d s , c o m r a d e s
a n d v i s i t o r s . A l l the s u r r o u n d i n g lanes a n d a l l e y s w e r e
g u a r d e d b y c a l m a n d resolute a r m e d c o m r a d e s . E a r l i e r ,
c a r e f u l i n v e s t i g a t i o n s h a d been m a d e o f a l l t h e f a m i l i e s
a r o u n d t h e house. T h e y w e r e f a m i l i e s o f p o o r w o r k e r s ,
apprentices a n d p a t r i o t s .
In the d a r k n e s s of the n i g h t we e n t e r e d t h e s m a l l
house one b y one, i n o r d e r a n d i n silence. A l l the w i n d o w s
h a d b e e n sealed f r o m i n s i d e w i t h b l a n k e t s . N o l i g h t c o u l d
b e seen. N o s o u n d c o u l d b e h e a r d . C o m p l e t e i l l e g a l i t y . W e
ENVER HOXHA
236
e n t e r e d t h a t s m a l l house w i t h great hopes, w i t h i n d e s c r i b a b l e
j o y a n d confidence, b u t I t e l l y o u f r a n k l y , o v e r r i d i n g a l l
t h i s we f e l t a c e r t a i n a n x i e t y . U n d o u b t e d l y e a c h of us,
c o m i n g t h e r e w i t h t h e great desire f o r t h e f o r m a t i o n o f
the P a r t y , a s k e d h i m s e l f : « H o w w i l l t h i n g s go? W i l l w e
achieve our sacred aim?» There I f o u n d M i l a d i n , Dušan,
V a s i l a n d Q e m a l . I e m b r a c e d w i t h the Y u g o s l a v c o m r a d e s
a n d t h e others. B u t t o t e l l t h e t r u t h , t h e c o m r a d e s o f t h e
Shkodra group and I embraced w i t h more than usual
w a r m t h . W h e n t h e leaders o f t h e « Y o u t h » G r o u p c a m e o u r
m e e t i n g w a s cool, b u t w i t h n o s i g n o f h o s t i l i t y .
W e h a d a l l g a t h e r e d . F r o m o u r g r o u p , those a l l o c a t e d
to take part in the meeting were K o ç o Tashko, P i l o P e risteri, Enver H o x h a , K o ç i X o x e and Sotir V u l l k a n i . W e
h a d a l l a r r i v e d w i t h the e x c e p t i o n o f K o ç i X o x e , w h o m
we had dispatched to K o r ç a a few days earlier to i n f o r m
M i h a a n d the c o m r a d e s t h e r e a b o u t t h e p o l i c y w e h a d
decided to pursue at the F o u n d i n g Meeting, as w e l l as
to g i v e t h e f i n a l i n s t r u c t i o n s a b o u t a b i g d e m o n s t r a t i o n
w h i c h we had decided should be organized in K o r ç a on
N o v e m b e r 8 . T h o s e present f r o m t h e S h k o d r a g r o u p w e r e
Q e m a l Stafa, V a s i l Shanto, K r i s t o T h e m e l k o and T u k J a kova, w h i l e f r o m the «Youth» G r o u p , R a m a d a n Ç i t a k u ,
Anastas Lula, Sadik Premte and a comrade f r o m Kosova
were present...
On N o v e m b e r 8, 1941 t h e f i r s t m e e t i n g of r e p r e s e n t a tives of the three communist groups commenced.
A s t h e longest e s t a b l i s h e d a n d biggest g r o u p i n t h e
communist movement
of
Albania
up till
that time,
the
honour of opening the F o u n d i n g M e e t i n g belonged to the
K o r ç a group. As I have noted earlier, the group had charged
me to speak. I rose to my f e e t :
«Comrades,» I b e g a n . «It is a great j o y
and honour
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN»
(EXCERPTS)
237
for our K o r ç a group, and for me personally, that we have
been g i v e n t h e r i g h t t o speak first.»
I w a s v e r y m o v e d , but
g r a d u a l l y «the m o t o r » got
started.
«First,» I said, «I i n v i t e t h e m e e t i n g to h o n o u r t h e
m e m o r y o f a l l those c o m m u n i s t c o m r a d e s a n d o t h e r b r a v e
fighters, A l b a n i a n s a n d foreigners, w h o have fallen and
are f a l l i n g o n t h e b a t t l e f i e l d f i g h t i n g a g a i n s t f a s c i s m
f o r t h e peoples' f r e e d o m ; t o h o n o u r t h e m e m o r y o f A l i
K e l m e n d i , M u j o U l q i n a k u a n d t h e o r d i n a r y sons o f o u r
people w h o resisted t h e fascist i n v a d e r s w i t h r i f l e s ; t o
h o n o u r t h e m e m o r y o f heroes o f the S p a n i s h W a r , o f
heroes o f t h e great S o v i e t U n i o n w h o are g i v i n g t h e i r
l i v e s i n t h e w a r f o r f r e e d o m against t h e n a z i beast; t o
h o n o u r o u r b r o t h e r s , the Y u g o s l a v c o m m u n i s t heroes
w h o h a v e f a l l e n o n t h e f i e l d o f battle.»
W e a l l stood i n silence f o r one m i n u t e . T h e n , I e x pressed o u r h e a r t f e l t t h a n k s t o the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f
Y u g o s l a v i a a n d its C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e f o r the assistance
they w e r e g i v i n g u s t h r o u g h c o m r a d e s M i l a d i n a n d D u š a n
w h o , t o g e t h e r w i t h us, s t r o v e a n d m a d e t h e i r c o n t r i b u t i o n
to the a c h i e v e m e n t of t h i s d a y ' s m e e t i n g .
A f t e r t h i s I p r e s e n t e d t h e p r o p o s a l o f the K o r ç a g r o u p
about f o u n d i n g t h e P a r t y o n t h e f i r s t day, a s w e h a d
d e c i d e d i n o u r g r o u p , f o r the reasons w h i c h I h a v e a l r e a d y
m e n t i o n e d w h e n w e h a d discussed t h e m a t t e r i n the
g r o u p a n d a b o u t w h i c h t h e d o c u m e n t s o f the P a r t y speak.
I h a v e s p o k e n a b o u t some of these reasons p r e v i o u s l y a n d
they h a v e been p r e s e n t e d i n o t h e r d o c u m e n t s , b u t h e r e
I w a n t to m e n t i o n some t h i n g s as I r e m e m b e r t h e m :
«Comrades,» I s a i d as soon as I h a d b e g u n my
speech, «on b e h a l f of the K o r ç a g r o u p I w i s h to w e l c o m e
the f i r s t j o i n t m e e t i n g o f r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f t h e t h r e e
c o m m u n i s t g r o u p s a n d the c o m r a d e s present. W e hope t h a t
the p r o c e e d i n g s o f t h i s m e e t i n g w i l l a c h i e v e c o m p l e t e
238
ENVER HOXHA
success. F o r o u r p a r t w e are c o n v i n c e d t h a t t h e d i s c u s s i o n
w h i c h w i l l take place i n this meeting w i l l b e f r u i t f u l , but
t h i s depends o n a l l o f us. W e o f t h e K o r ç a g r o u p are
c o n v i n c e d also t h a t y o u , too, h a v e come h e r e n o t s o t h a t
w e w i l l q u a r r e l l i k e enemies, b u t i n o r d e r t o discuss
m a t t e r s f i e r c e l y i f n e e d be, b u t a s c o m m u n i s t s . A b o v e
all it is the principles w h i c h w i l l guide our w o r k w h i c h
h a v e a n d m u s t h a v e p r i o r i t y f o r us. T h e s e p r i n c i p l e s m u s t
b e u n s u l l i e d , a l w a y s a c c o r d i n g t o t h e precepts o f o u r great
teachers M a r x . E n g e l s , L e n i n a n d S t a l i n . T h e s e are t h e
principles w h i c h must foster and guide our political,
ideological, organizational and m i l i t a r y opinions
and
actions, f i r s t o f a l l , a n d t h e n those o f a l l A l b a n i a n c o m m u n i s t s . I s t h i s w h a t has o c c u r r e d u p t i l l n o w ? W e o f t h e
K o r ç a g r o u p w a n t t o s a y a t t h e outset t h a t w e b e l i e v e
these p r i n c i p l e s h a v e b e e n u n d e r s t o o d a n d a p p l i e d i n
various ways by the communist groups: sometimes they
h a v e been a p p l i e d w e l l , s o m e t i m e s t h e y h a v e b e e n h a l f a p p l i e d , a n d i n m a n y cases t h e y h a v e b e e n b a d l y d i s t o r t e d .
W e h a v e g a t h e r e d here p r e c i s e l y t o p u t o u r M a r x i s t L e n i n i s t p r i n c i p l e s i n order, w h i l e w e m u s t reject, f i g h t
a n d k i c k out t h e d i s g u i s e d T r o t s k y i t e , a n a r c h i s t a n d
fascist v i e w s . W e s h a l l discuss a l l these t h i n g s a n d w e are
of the opinion that we should keep nothing back in the
corners of our minds, but should honestly l a y on the table
e v e r y t h i n g t h a t w e h a v e i n o u r m i n d s a n d hearts, because
o n l y i n this w a y w i l l w e b e a b l e t o r e a c h a g r e e m e n t a n d
t o serve o u r great cause w h i c h has t o d o w i t h the p r e s e n t
and the future of the people and the H o m e l a n d . We
c o m m u n i s t s , especially, m u s t p l a c e the cause o f t h e l i b e r a t i o n o f t h e people a n d t h e H o m e l a n d a b o v e e v e r y t h i n g .
The purpose of our lives is and w i l l r e m a i n the struggle
f o r t h e h a p p i n e s s o f t h e people. T h e r e f o r e , c o m r a d e s ,
f i r s t let u s c o n s i d e r the present, t h e n w e can c o n s i d e r t h e
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
239
past a n d t o g e t h e r a r r i v e a t c o n c l u s i o n s a b o u t h o w t o
organize a n d l e a d t h e s t r u g g l e i n t h e f u t u r e .
«It is c l e a r to e a c h of us t h a t o u r H o m e l a n d is s u f f e r i n g
greatly. F o r m o r e t h a n t w o y e a r s o u r people h a v e been
l a n g u i s h i n g u n d e r t h e h e e l o f detested I t a l i a n f a s c i s m a n d
the t r e a c h e r y o f the q u i s l i n g s . T h e s a t r a p A h m e t Z o g ,
the b i g l a n d o w n e r s a n d t h e l o c a l b o u r g e o i s i e p r e p a r e d
this u n e n d u r a b l e s l a v e r y f o r o u r c o u n t r y a n d o u r people.
O u r people h a v e n e v e r b o w e d i n s u b m i s s i o n t o f o r e i g n e r s
and l o c a l despots. A l w a y s t h e y h a v e t a k e n u p a r m s ,
through the centuries they have fought for freedom and
have w o n , h a v e b e e n s u p p r e s s e d a g a i n a n d a g a i n h a v e
risen i n r e b e l l i o n a n d h a v e shed t h e i r b l o o d d e m o n s t r a t i n g
that t h e A l b a n i a n s c a n n o t l i v e w i t h o u t f r e e d o m .
« T h e o c c u p a t i o n of t h e c o u n t r y w a s a great shock
to a l l of us. T h e i d e a of t h e l i b e r a t i o n of t h e H o m e l a n d
f i l l e d o u r h e a r t s a n d e n g a g e d o u r energies, b u t t h e occupiers f o u n d us c o m m u n i s t s d i v i d e d a n d q u a r r e l l i n g , at a
time w h e n w e o u g h t t o h a v e b e e n m o r e u n i t e d t h a n ever.
The w h o l e c o u n t r y w a s s e e t h i n g l i k e a v o l c a n o a b o u t t o
erupt. P o w e r f u l people's d e m o n s t r a t i o n s b u r s t o u r e v e r y where.
«It i s t r u e t h a t t h e great d u t y a n d h o n o u r d e v o l v e d
on us, t h e c o m m u n i s t s of v a r i o u s g r o u p s , to o r g a n i z e these
demonstrations a n d s t a n d i n t h e f o r e f r o n t o f t h e m , b u t
w e d i d n o t p e r f o r m o u r t a s k a s w e s h o u l d h a v e done.
Together w i t h t h e people w e , too, s h o u t e d : ' W e a p o n s ,
weapons, w e w a n t w e a p o n s ! ' , b u t f r o m
w h o m were
w e d e m a n d i n g these w e a p o n s ? F r o m A h m e t Z o g , t h e
treacherous b a n d i t c h i e f w h o s o l d out the H o m e l a n d
and w h o , t o escape t h e people's anger, f l e d w i t h h i s
suitcases f i l l e d w i t h g o l d ? O r d i d w e d e m a n d t h e m f r o m
the Z o g i t e o f f i c i a l s , s e n i o r o f f i c e r s a n d o t h e r t r a i t o r s w h o
were g e t t i n g r e a d y t o w e l c o m e t h e o c c u p i e r s w i t h f l o w e r s ?
«This
was
a
mistake
which
we
communists
made.
240
ENVER HOXHA
W e s h o u l d not h a v e a s k e d f o r w e a p o n s , because those
w h o held them, the feudal landowners and the bourgeoisie,
w e r e o u r enemies, enemies o f the people. T h e s e e n e m i e s
c o u l d n o t h a v e g i v e n u s w e a p o n s , because t h e y n e e d e d
t h e m t h e m s e l v e s t o d r o w n t h e people's resistance i n
blood and to support the occupier. We should have attacked
the depots, seized the w e a p o n s b y force, a r m e d the people
and organized
them in guerrilla
u n i t s a n d çeta a n d
a t t a c k e d the e n e m y e v e r y w h e r e . W e d i d not p u t u p this
resistance a t f i r s t . W h y ? B e c a u s e , i n t h e f i r s t place, w e
communists ourselves were
divided and unorganized,
because w e d i d n o t a l l c o n c e i v e t h e s t r u g g l e against the
o c c u p i e r i n the s a m e w a y .
« T h i s state o f a f f a i r s a m o n g s t u s w a s g r e a t l y i n t h e
interests o f the a r c h e o - M a r x i s t s , T r o t s k y i t e s a n d agents
o f the b o u r g e o i s i e a n d f a s c i s m , w h o t o o k a d v a n t a g e o f
i t t o s p r e a d t h e i r hostile, a n t i - c o m m u n i s t a n d a n t i - A l banian theories more easily w i t h the a i m of keeping us
s p l i t a n d d i v i d e d a s t h e y h a d d o n e d u r i n g the Z o g i t e
r e g i m e . F o r m o r e t h a n t w o y e a r s the I t a l i a n occupiers,
the q u i s l i n g s a n d t h e p s e u d o - d e m o c r a t i c t r a i t o r s h a v e
been e x e r t i n g a l l t h e i r s t r e n g t h t o c r u s h the s t e a d i l y m o u n t i n g resistance o f t h e people. W e , t h e c o m m u n i s t s , e n t e r e d
the f i g h t against t h e o c c u p i e r s , b u t t h i s w a s m o r e a
'bloodless' w a r : t o p r e v e n t people e n r o l l i n g i n t h e A l b a n i a n fascist p a r t y , t o b o y c o t t t h e ' d o p o l a v o r o ' ( 5 ) a n d
' D a n t e A l i g h i e r i , ' ( 6 ) t o r e f u s e t o g i v e t h e fascist salute a n d
s o o n . O f course w e d i d n o t f a i l t o c a r r y out p r o p a g a n d a
against the occupiers, m i n o r acts of sabotage or to dist r i b u t e some leaflets. B u t , w i t h o u t w a n t i n g t o g o i n t o
d e t a i l . I h a v e to a d d t h a t t h e t h r e e g r o u p s d i d n o t w a g e
______________________________________
5 « A f t e r W o r k » (It), fascist organizations to mislead the
workers and the youth.
6 Association to disseminate the Italian language and the
fascist culture in A l b a n i a .
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
241
e v e n this s t r u g g l e i n t h e s a m e w a y a n d a s w e s h o u l d h a v e
done. T h e r e w e r e g r o u p s t h a t w a g e d t h i s s t r u g g l e u n d e r
the i n f l u e n c e o f t h e v i e w s o f t h e i r a r c h e o - M a r x i s t a n d
Trotskyite leaders such as N i k o X o x i , A r i s t i d h Qendro,
A n d r e a Z i s i , D h i m i t ë r F a l l o , Z e f M a l a a n d others, w h o
w e r e a n d are p r o v o c a t e u r s a n d d i s g u i s e d fascist agents.
«Consequently, our communist groups rather than
think about organizing and beginning the w a r properly,
tried o n l y t o r e a c h s o c i a l - d e m o c r a t i c agreements w i t h one
another.
« N a t u r a l l y , w e h a d f i r s t t o create u n i t y a n d get r i d
of factionalism, but this could not be achieved w i t h such
a c o m p r o m i s e w h i c h b r o u g h t n o t h i n g c o n s t r u c t i v e , because
i t e x t e n d e d t h e f i e l d s f o r t h e d i s s e m i n a t i o n o f defeatist
ideas: ' w e c a n n o t b e g i n t h e w a r , ' ' w e h a v e n o p r o l e t a r i a t , '
'we cannot f o r m a c o m m u n i s t p a r t y yet,' ' f i r s t w e m u s t
prepare the cadres,' a n d o t h e r T r o t s k y i t e slogans l i k e these,
w h i c h s t a n k of t h e fascist occupiers, at w h o s e w o r k s h o p s
they h a d t h e i r source.»
A t t h i s m o m e n t t h e p r o f o u n d silence w h i c h h a d
p r e v a i l e d a m o n g t h e a u d i e n c e w a s b r o k e n a s someone
shifted i r r i t a b l y i n h i s c h a i r . A n a s t a s L u l a c o u l d h a r d l y
keep his seat. I p a u s e d in my speech f o r a m o m e n t a n d s a w
that h e w a s w i p i n g h i s glasses w i t h the c o r n e r o f h i s
jacket. T h e n , t a k i n g a d v a n t a g e of the b r i e f pause I m a d e ,
Anastas i n t e r j e c t e d :
«Excuse me,» h e s a i d w i t h r e s e n t m e n t a n d s a r c a s m ,
«but I t h i n k we s h o u l d respect some r u l e s . We gave t h e
representative o f K o r ç a t h e h o n o u r o f o p e n i n g t h e m e e t i n g
and the r i g h t t o speak. B u t d o y o u h e a r w h a t h e i s s a y i n g ? !
H e i s not s p e a k i n g f o r the K o r ç a g r o u p , h e i s s p e a k i n g f o r
all, on b e h a l f of a l l of us. W h a t is t h i s ? ! »
«No», I s a i d k e e p i n g my t e m p e r . «I h a v e not u n d e r taken t o speak o n b e h a l f o f a l l . B u t . o n b e h a l f o f t h e
comrades o f t h e K o r ç a g r o u p a n d o n t h e i r i n s t r u c t i o n s ,
242
ENVER HOXHA
f i r s t , I w a n t to present to t h e m e e t i n g a p r o p o s a l w h i c h
seems to us v e r y i m p o r t a n t a n d a m a t t e r of p r i n c i p l e . »
«What is this proposal!» Sadik P r e m t e came to the
a i d o f A n a s t a s . « W e h a v e n o t yet b e g u n t h e analysis.»
« H a v e a l i t t l e patience, c o m r a d e s A n a s t a s a n d S a d i k ,
because w e h a v e j u s t b e g u n t o speak a n d a l l o f u s
w i l l speak,» a n d I w e n t o n w i t h m y speech a g a i n . «The
past of the c o m m u n i s t g r o u p s m u s t be m a d e a lesson f o r
us. T o d a y w e h a v e great hopes. O p p r e s s i o n a n d d i r e
p o v e r t y are h u r t i n g the people d e e p l y . T h e y are r e a d y
t o t a k e u p w e a p o n s a n d f i g h t . T h e y o u t h are b u r n i n g t o
f i g h t . W e c o m m u n i s t s are c o n v i n c e d t h a t w e w i l l w i n ,
t h a t t h e v i c t o r y w i l l g o t o t h e people. H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y
has a t t a c k e d the g l o r i o u s S o v i e t U n i o n , b u t w i t h o u t a n y
d o u b t i t w i l l b e s m a s h e d b y the S o v i e t peoples a n d the
Red A r m y organized and tempered in revolution by
L e n i n and Stalin. We must organize the armed struggle
as q u i c k l y as possible. It is up to us c o m m u n i s t s to p r e p a r e ,
o r g a n i z e a n d l e a d the g e n e r a l u p r i s i n g . B u t h o w c a n w e
organize and lead it? Split into groups, divided w i t h all
k i n d s o f o p i n i o n s a s w e are, w h e n t h e r e i s n o c o - o r d i n a t i o n of o u r actions?
« C o m r a d e s , are w e g o i n g t o c o n t i n u e e v e n i n t h i s
u n d e r g r o u n d m e e t i n g , w h i c h w e are h o l d i n g u n d e r t h e
t h r e a t o f t h e savage o c c u p i e r t h a t has c a p t u r e d o u r
c o u n t r y , to q u a r r e l a n d f a i l to f i n d a c o m m o n l a n g u a g e as
c o m m u n i s t s i n t h e face o f t h e s t o r m ? W e o f the K o r ç a g r o u p
think we should go on l i k e this no longer. W h y . is this
the w a y M a r x teaches u s ? I s t h i s t h e w a y L e n i n a n d
S t a l i n teach u s ? N o . t h e y t e a c h u s t h e opposite. W e m u s t b e
u n i t e d l i k e a f i s t against the e n e m y , m u s t be o r g a n i z e d
and fight the enemies mercilessly u n t i l we w i n our total
victory.
« W e m u s t f i g h t a s o u r people h a v e a l w a y s f o u g h t
f r o m the t i m e o f S k a n d e r b e g a n d e v e n before, a l l t h r o u g h
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
243
their h i s t o r y . L i k e o u r people w h o h a v e n e v e r sat w i t h
folded a r m s , we, too, m u s t f i g h t f o r a free, d e m o c r a t i c
A l b a n i a w i t h o u t occupiers, w i t h o u t t r a i t o r s , w i t h o u t o p pression a n d e x p l o i t a t i o n . A n d f o r t h i s w e m u s t u n i t e l i k e
communist brothers, l i n k e d together for a single aim.
We can m a k e no progress by going on as we have done up
till now, we cannot and must not continue any longer
w i t h c o m p r o m i s e s l i k e t h e p r e v i o u s ones. E v e r y t h i n g m u s t
b e done i n a n o r g a n i z e d w a y . W e m u s t j u d g e e v e r y t h i n g
and act i n e v e r y t h i n g i n t h e w a y o u r M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t
ideology s h o w s us, f o l l o w i n g t h e e x a m p l e o f t h e B o l s h e v i k
Party. T h i s ideology must guide our meeting today, w h i c h ,
I t h i n k , c a n n o t a c h i e v e t h e r e s u l t s we are a i m i n g at if
it is g u i d e d by t h e u n h e a l t h y s p i r i t of g r o u p s .
«In o r d e r t o p u t a n e n d t o t h i s g r o u p s p i r i t , f i r s t o f
all w e m u s t decide t o d i s s o l v e t h e g r o u p s a n d f o r m the
C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a . A r e w e o r are w e n o t
Albanian communists? Do we or do we not want to form
and h a v e o u r o w n C o m m u n i s t P a r t y , w h i c h w i l l l e a d
our people i n t h e f i g h t a n d a c c o m p l i s h the m i n i m u m a n d
m a x i m u m p r o g r a m w h i c h w e w i l l d e f i n e ? L e t us, f i r s t ,
answer these m a i n q u e s t i o n s a n d , i f w e are c o m m u n i s t s ,
let us discuss m a t t e r s as s u c h , w i t h a sense of r e s p o n s i b i l i t y ,
w i t h clear m i n d s a n d open hearts.»
I p a u s e d f o r a m o m e n t , t o o k a deep b r e a t h , in o r d e r
to g a i n c o n t r o l of my f e e l i n g s a n d , in a s o m e w h a t l o u d e r
voice, I s a i d :
« C o m r a d e s , the p r o p o s a l o f t h e K o r ç a g r o u p i s :
«Let us form the Communist Party of Albania on the
basis of the mandates which the comrades of the groups
gave us before we came to this meeting and, after first
deciding solemnly and unanimously to found the Communist Party of Albania, let us continue the debate and
discussion.
«Our decisive a i m is the f o r m a t i o n of the P a r t y .
244
ENVER HOXHA
T h e o b j e c t i v e needs d e m a n d this, t h e w o r k i n g class, t h e
c o m m u n i s t s , the h i s t o r i c m o m e n t s t h r o u g h w h i c h o u r
c o u n t r y i s p a s s i n g a n d the people w h o are c a l l i n g o n u s
t o t h r o w ourselves i n t o the f i g h t t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e m
d e m a n d this. C o m r a d e s , w e c a n n o t p u t o f f t h i s m a i n
objective another m o m e n t longer. The time and the situation demand the immediate formation of our C o m m u n i s t
P a r t y of the new L e n i n - S t a l i n type, as the v a n g u a r d of
the n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n m o v e m e n t a n d t h e s t r u g g l e f o r a
people's d e m o c r a t i c A l b a n i a .
«The party w h i c h we shall found w i l l give correct
s o l u t i o n s t o a l l t h e p r o b l e m s a n d q u e s t i o n s w e s h a l l discuss.
T h i s t i m e w e c o m m u n i s t s w i l l t h i n k , discuss, decide a n d
act w i t h a n e w s p i r i t , w i t h a n o t h e r s t y l e a n d m e t h o d ,
because f r o m n o w o n w e a n d a l l o u r c o m r a d e s w i l l h a v e o u r
Communist Party.
« T h a t is a l l I h a d to s a y at t h e start, comrades,» I
s a i d a n d sat d o w n .
1 w a s c a r e f u l l y w a t c h i n g e v e r y m o v e m e n t of the c a l m ,
silent, t h o u g h t f u l faces o f t h e c o m r a d e s , w h o l i s t e n e d
a t t e n t i v e l y t o m y speech. U n l i k e the others, A n a s t a s a n d
X h e p i were a little fidgety w h i l e I was speaking and, when
I h a d f i n i s h e d , t h e i r faces w e r e f r o w n i n g a n d g l u m .
W e h a d a b r e a k a n d s m o k e d one c i g a r e t t e a f t e r t h e
other. F o r my p a r t , I w a s pleased, b u t also w o r r i e d . I
was concerned especially about the stand of the S h k o d r a
g r o u p a n d some o f A n a s t a s a n d X h e p i ' s c o m r a d e s . I f
t h e y u n i t e d w i t h us, I w o u l d n o t m i n d w h a t Q o r r i a n d
X h e p i did. The Party would overwhelm them. D u r i n g
the b r e a k I n o t i c e d t h a t M i l a d i n w a s t a l k i n g w i t h Q e m a l
and Vasil, while Dušan talked w i t h Anastas and Baca.
T h e t w o g r o u p s t a l k e d q u i e t l y . A n a s t a s sat w i t h h i s
head hanging but f r o m time to t i m e raised it to put
in a w o r d , w h i l e X h e p i listened to w h a t D u š a n and Q o r r i
were saying. Qemal and Vasil were cheerful, talking
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
245
freely w i t h M i l a d i n . I h a d n o d o u b t that they w e r e t a l k ing a b o u t t h e t h i n g s I h a d p r e s e n t e d . W e r e t u r n e d t o
the m e e t i n g a g a i n .
Q e m a l S t a f a t o o k the f l o o r . W e l i s t e n e d a t t e n t i v e l y .
I r e m e m b e r o n l y t h e essence of the m a i n ideas of h i s
contribution. He made a correct introduction about the
struggle w h i c h w e c o m m u n i s t s s h o u l d w a g e against f a s c ism a n d t h e n w e n t o n t o p r o v e w i t h t h e o r e t i c a l a r g u ments a n d w i t h e x a m p l e s f r o m l i f e w h a t f a s c i s m w a s a n d
the d a n g e r i t posed. H e s a i d t h a t f a s c i s m w a s t h e s w o r n
enemy o f the peoples, the c o m m u n i s t s a n d t h e r e v o l u tion. H e q u o t e d some e x c e r p t s f r o m D i m i t r o v ' s f a m o u s
report.
« H o w e v e r , we,» c o n t i n u e d Q e m a l , «to a g r e a t e r or
lesser extent, d i d n o t u n d e r s t a n d o r p r o p e r l y a p p l y the
instructions, a d v i c e a n d d i r e c t i v e s o f t h e C o m i n t e r n a n d
D i m i t r o v . T h a t w a s a great m i s t a k e o n o u r p a r t a n d w e
o f the S h k o d r a g r o u p m a k e s e l f - c r i t i c i s m f o r this. W e
have some c r i t i c i s m t o m a k e o f the K o r ç a g r o u p , too, b u t
I am not g o i n g to raise it n o w , because I agree w i t h E n v e r
that w e s h o u l d r e t u r n t o these m a t t e r s later.»
T h i s w a s v e r y p l e a s i n g a n d h e a r t - w a r m i n g t o me,
because I r e a l i z e d t h a t Q e m a l a n d h i s c o m r a d e s m u s t
agree w i t h m e a n d o u r p r o p o s a l f o r t h e f o r m a t i o n o f the
Communist Party of Albania.
Then, Qemal continued:
«Of course, since w e a r e c o m m u n i s t s , w e m u s t l o o k
things r i g h t i n the eye a n d t r y t o j u d g e t h e m c o r r e c t l y
and r e a l i s t i c a l l y , because, to t e l l t h e t r u t h , to one e x t e n t
or another, we h a v e not l o o k e d at t h e issues as t r u e
communists. A n d f o r t h i s t h e r e are m a n y reasons, w h i c h
it is our d u t y to a n a l y s e so as to d i s p e l the c o n f u s i o n a n d
darkness f r o m o u r m i n d s . W e m u s t e l i m i n a t e the conceit
and i n t r i g u e w h i c h h a v e t a k e n r o o t i n some a n d w h i c h ,
i n our o p i n i o n , h a v e c r e a t e d the g r a v e state o f r i v a l r y ,
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ENVER HOXHA
because e v e r y g r o u p c o n s i d e r e d itself a p a r t y a n d e a c h
p r e t e n d e d t h a t i t w a s l i n k e d w i t h the C o m i n t e r n . E v e n
those groups w h i c h h a d n o c o n n e c t i o n s w e r e s e e k i n g l i n k s
w i t h i t i n a l l directions.»
« T h e y w e r e s e e k i n g seals o f a p p r o v a l . J u s t let u s
ensure a n y seal l i k e t h a t o f the r o t t e n Z i s i a n d t h e ' p a r t y '
is formed!» interjected P i l o w i t h a laugh.
« T h a t ' s p r e c i s e l y w h a t happened,» Q e m a l a g r e e d . « B u t
w e f o r g o t t h a t n o seal c o u l d m a k e t h e p a r t y , because
the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y i s not m a d e b y a n y seals w h i c h
are secured, b u t b y t h e efforts, b y t h e r e v o l u t i o n a r y
s t r u g g l e i t wages a t t h e h e a d o f the masses. T h a t w a s the
situation,» he c o n t i n u e d , «but n o n e of us m a d e a s o u n d ,
p r i n c i p l e d a n a l y s i s o f o u r w o r k . A s w e k n o w these u n h e althy sentiments brought about the outbreak of the u n p r i n c i p l e d s t r u g g l e b e t w e e n us. T h e e n e m y o c c u p i e d t h e
c o u n t r y a n d w e q u a r r e l l e d w i t h one a n o t h e r i n s t e a d o f
attacking the enemy. We of the S h k o d r a group t h i n k that
an end must be put to such a situation. W h y must it be
ended?»
C o n t i n u i n g his speech, Q e m a l l i n k e d the issue w i t h
the w o r l d w a r a n d w i t h t h e o c c u p a t i o n o f o u r c o u n t r y ,
w i t h the a b s o l u t e n e e d t o o r g a n i z e t h e a r m e d s t r u g g l e .
T h u s , he, too, a r r i v e d a t o u r c o n c l u s i o n a n d h e e n d e d
h i s speech b y e x p r e s s i n g f i r m l y :
« W e a p p r o v e the p r o p o s a l o f the K o r ç a g r o u p w h i c h
Comrade E n v e r H o x h a presented, to found the C o m m u n i s t
P a r t y of A l b a n i a immediately. A n y subsequent discussion a n d c o n c l u s i o n w i l l b e p u t off t i l l t h e p a r t y i s f o r m ed.»
M y h e a r t w a s f i l l e d w i t h i n d e s c r i b a b l e j o y . I t seemed
t o m e t h a t Q e m a l h a d been m y c o m r a d e t h r o u g h o u t t h e
w h o l e o f m y life, f r o m c h i l d h o o d u p t o t h a t m o m e n t
w h e n , i n t h a t s m a l l r o o m , w e w e r e d i s c u s s i n g one o f
the greatest issues i n a l l t h e a g e - l o n g h i s t o r y o f o u r
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
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people. I w a n t e d t o e m b r a c e h i m a n d h i s c o m r a d e s s t r o n g l y .
I t seemed t o m e t h a t a l l t h e obstacles w e r e w i p e d out, t h e
party w o u l d c e r t a i n l y b e b o r n .
I w a i t e d i m p a t i e n t l y f o r a b r e a k in t h e p r o c e e d ings. O n c e w e e m e r g e d f r o m t h e r o o m I a p p r o a c h e d
Qemal, g a v e h i m m y h a n d , p u l l e d h i m t o m e a n d e m b r a c e d h i m s t r o n g l y . W e k i s s e d a n d s a i d t o one a n o t h e r ,
«Long l i v e o u r C o m m u n i s t P a r t y t h r o u g h t h e c e n t u r i e s ! »
Then, I e m b r a c e d V a s i l a n d T u k , w h i l e A n a s t a s s t o o d
apart, s m o k i n g f u r i o u s l y a n d t u r n i n g o v e r h i s c u n n i n g
plans i n h i s h e a d . A l l o u r g r o u p s h o o k h a n d s w i t h
Qemal. M e a n w h i l e Q o r r i a n d X h e p i , w h o w e r e g r e e n w i t h
anger, m a d e n o m o v e t o w a r d s Q e m a l , j u s t a s t h e y m a d e n o
move t o w a r d s m e w h e n t h e c o m r a d e s w e r e c o n g r a t u l a t i n g
m e after I s p o k e . H o w e v e r , R a m a d a n Ç i t a k u a p p r o a c h e d
Qemal and shook hands w i t h h i m just as he h a d done
with m e . . .
The break passed q u i c k l y and we returned to the
room w h e r e t h e t a l k s w e r e t a k i n g place. B y n o w i t w a s
dark, because i n N o v e m b e r t h e d a y s g r o w s h o r t e r a n d
nights f a l l q u i c k l y . . .
S o o n w e w e r e b a c k i n o u r places. T h e m e e t i n g
recommenced. T h e s m a l l k e r o s e n e l a m p o n t h e t a b l e
threw a p a l e l i g h t o v e r o u r faces. It w a s assisted a l i t t l e
b y the f l a m e s o f t h e f i r e b u r n i n g o n t h e h e a r t h , o n
w h i c h V a s i l o r t h e c o m r a d e s s i t t i n g closest t o i t t h r e w a
little w o o d f r o m t i m e to t i m e . A pot of beans, f o r s u p p e r
was s i m m e r i n g o n t h e f i r e a n d t h e i r b u b b l i n g a c c o m p a n i e d
the c o n t r i b u t i o n o f t h e u n h a p p y A n a s t a s L u l a .
As far as I remember he began his contribution
differently f r o m u s :
« W e h a v e gathered,» s a i d A n a s t a s , «to discuss t h e
w o r k w h i c h the d i f f e r e n t c o m m u n i s t g r o u p s h a v e done
and t o j u d g e t h e l i n e w h i c h each o f t h e m has f o l l o w e d ,
t o decide w h i c h g r o u p s h a d a c o r r e c t Une a n d w h i c h
248
ENVER HOXHA
a w r o n g l i n e . N a t u r a l l y , o u r g r o u p has a l o t t o s a y i n t h i s
d i r e c t i o n , e s p e c i a l l y against t h e K o r ç a g r o u p a n d against
its leader, K o ç o T a s h k o , i n p a r t i c u l a r , w h o w a s one o f
t h e m a i n c u l p r i t s f o r t h e s p l i t . H o w e v e r , w e o f the
' Y o u t h ' G r o u p have noticed that for a long period he had
not been alone. He a n d a n u m b e r of o t h e r c o m r a d e s of
h i s g r o u p h a v e d a m a g e d t h e cause, h a v e a l w a y s p o s e d a s
the l a w - m a k e r s of communism, have pretended that their
group alone was the party, and that only they h a d links
w i t h the Comintern.»
Anastas was commencing w i t h attacks in order to
sabotage t h e m e e t i n g . I t w a s a p p a r e n t t h a t h e h a d
n o t m a d e e v e n the slightest f o r m a l c o r r e c t i o n t o his
course. H i s s t a n d w a s t r u l y r e v o l t i n g , b u t w e h a d t o
m a i n t a i n o u r a p l o m b , because w e k n e w v e r y w e l l that
h e w a s a d i r t y p r o v o c a t e u r . K o ç o ' s face f l u s h e d w i t h
anger and he figeted in his chair. Anastas continued:
«Whenever any comrade returned f r o m political exile
abroad, the leadership of the K o r ç a group immediately
claimed that directives of the C o m i n t e r n had arrived
(obviously he was referring to the directives w h i c h reached
the A l b a n i a n communist movement
in
1937),
but we
were aware
that
other
comrades
not
of the K o r ç a
group and w h o had l i n k s w i t h the C o m i n t e r n came and
t h e y b r o u g h t d i r e c t i v e s (he w a s r e f e r r i n g t o A n d r e a Z i s i —
the a r c h e o - M a r x i s t , w h o c a m e f r o m G r e e c e b r i n g i n g his
seal m a d e i n A t h e n s , w h i c h r e a d s o m e t h i n g l i k e t h i s : ' A C P ,
S e c t i o n o f the C o m i n t e r n ' ) . W h o Were w e t o b e l i e v e ? A t that
t i m e w e b e l i e v e d those w h o o u r c o m m u n i s t consciousness
told us were right, so we began to w i t h d r a w gradually
f r o m t h e K o r ç a g r o u p u n t i l i n 1940 w e e m e r g e d a s a
s e p a r a t e g r o u p . T h e K o r ç a g r o u p has accused a n d s t i l l
accuses us of b e i n g splitters, f a c t i o n a l i s t s , T r o t s k y i t e s ,
a r c h e o - M a r x i s t s a n d w h a t e v e r else i t l i k e s . W e a r e n o n e o f
these t h i n g s , b u t w e a r e g e n u i n e r e v o l u t i o n a r y M a r x i s t s . »
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
249
Koço could stand this no more and said to Q o r r i :
«Trotskyites is just w h a t y o u are! A n d the worst
T r o t s k y i t e s at t h a t ! »
T h i s w a s j u s t w h a t A n a s t a s w a n t e d , because h e w a s
ready f o r that, a n d h e r e p l i e d :
«Don't y o u i n t e r r u p t m y speech, K o ç o T a s h k o , because
that i s w h a t y o u ' v e a l w a y s done, y o u ' v e a l w a y s b e e n
arrogant.»
«While y o u have been a 'lamb' Anastas Lula,» I
interposed, « a n d w h a t ' s m o r e , i d e o l o g i c a l l y w e c a n describe y o u as an 'angel'.»
«I s h a l l speak a b o u t t h e i d e o l o g i c a l issues later,»
said A n a s t a s , «because w e h a v e g a t h e r e d h e r e p r e c i s e l y
t o consider o u r w o r k f r o m t h e i d e o l o g i c a l aspect. W e
must t h r a s h out these m a t t e r s f i r s t a n d t h e n c o m e t o t h e
conclusion a b o u t w h o i s o n the r i g h t course, y o u o f t h e
K o r ç a g r o u p , o r we.»
A t that m o m e n t Q e m a l joined i n s a y i n g :
«Define that 'we' better! W h a t do y o u mean by 'we'?»
This made it clear that Q e m a l Stafa d i v i d e d the S h k o d ra group f r o m the «Youth» G r o u p .
A n a s t a s w a s s h a k e n because h e w a s left o n h i s
own w i t h o u t allies, b u t w i t h t h e coldness of a s n a k e he
replied t o Q e m a l ' s i n t e r j e c t i o n :
«Of c o u r s e I a m s p e a k i n g f o r o u r ' Y o u t h ' G r o u p ,
but I cannot u n d e r s t a n d , C o m r a d e Q e m a l , w h y y o u o f
the S h k o d r a g r o u p h a v e n o w c h a n g e d y o u r o p i n i o n s , because o u r t w o g r o u p s h a v e b e e n i n u n i t y o f t h o u g h t s a n d
actions. W e w e r e c o n v i n c e d t h a t o u r i d e o l o g i c a l a n d p o litical stands w e r e correct c o m m u n i s t stands. W e o f t h e
' Y o u t h ' G r o u p are s t i l l o f t h a t o p i n i o n . »
This
was Qorri's second
provocation,
this time
aimed a t the S h k o d r a g r o u p , m a d e d e l i b e r a t e l y b o t h t o
insult a n d t o t h r e a t e n t h a t g r o u p lest i t b r o k e a w a y
from his g r o u p .
250
ENVER HOXHA
Q e m a l gave h i m a n instant, f i r m r e p l y :
« O u r t w o g r o u p s h a v e h a d s i m i l a r o p i n i o n s o n a lot
o f things, but h a v e also h a d d i f f e r e n c e s . T h e t h i n g t h a t
united us was the spirit of factional w o r k w h i c h had
b l i n d e d o u r eyes a n d d i d n o t a l l o w u s t o see t h e c o n t r a d i c t i o n s b e t w e e n o u r t w o g r o u p s , because w e h a d d i r e c t e d the edge o f o u r s t r u g g l e a g a i n s t t h e K o r ç a g r o u p .
H o w e v e r , c o m m u n i s t s a r e people w h o r e f l e c t , because
n e w h o r i z o n s are b e i n g o p e n e d t o us, a n d t h e y h e l p u s
t o j u d g e m o r e p r o f o u n d l y a b o u t the s i t u a t i o n a n d m a j o r
e v e n t s w h i c h a r e t a k i n g place. T h i s c h a n g e i n o u r o p i n i o n s is not j u s t a bourgeois change, as y o u t h i n k , A n a s t a s
L u l a , b u t a c o m m u n i s t change,» s a i d Q e m a l .
« Y o u a r e q u i t e r i g h t , C o m r a d e Q e m a l , » I s a i d , «that i s
w h a t w e c o m m u n i s t s o f t h e K o r ç a g r o u p t h i n k , too.»
Anastas was being pinned w i t h his back to the
w a l l . B u t as t h e people say, a s n a k e has s e v e n l i v e s ,
h e doesn't d i e e v e n i f y o u cut off a b i t o f h i s t a i l .
Anastas L u l a continued:
«Of course y o u h a v e t h e r i g h t t o c h a n g e y o u r o p i n i o n s (this w a s f u r t h e r p r o v o c a t i o n , e v e r y t h i n g h e s a i d
d u r i n g t h e w h o l e p e r i o d o f the m e e t i n g w a s p r o v o c a t i o n ) ,
b u t w e h a v e the r i g h t t o d e f e n d o u r o p i n i o n s . A n d t h e
opinion of our group is contrary to the procedure of the
action w h i c h y o u proposed, C o m r a d e E n v e r . Y o u put
t h e issue i n a d i s t o r t e d w a y ; i n s t e a d o f f i r s t d i s c u s s i n g
t h e issue a n d t h e n seeing w h e t h e r o r n o t o u r o p i n i o n s
a r e i n a c c o r d , w h e t h e r o r n o t the t i m e has c o m e t o
decide o n t h e f o r m a t i o n o f the p a r t y , y o u o f t h e K o r ç a
g r o u p propose t h a t w e s h o u l d f o r m t h e p a r t y f i r s t a n d
then discuss t h e issue.»
That was another cunning manoeuvre of Anastas
L u l a a n d S a d i k P r e m t e i n o r d e r t o sabotage t h e f o r m a t i o n o f the p a r t y .
A f i r m r e p l y h a d t o b e g i v e n t o h i m . b u t care h a d
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
251
to be t a k e n to a v o i d exacerbating the situation to the
extreme b e f o r e f o u n d i n g t h e p a r t y . T h i s h a d t o b e b o r n e
i n m i n d , n o t o n a c c o u n t o f those t w o i n c o r r i g i b l e T r o t s k y i tes, b u t o n a c c o u n t o f t h e r a n k - a n d - f i l e m e m b e r s o f t h e
«Youth» G r o u p , w h o w e r e m i s l e d a n d w h o w o u l d c e r t a i n l y
become g o o d m e m b e r s o f t h e p a r t y w e w e r e g o i n g t o
form. A n i m m e d i a t e f l a r e - u p m i g h t cause t h e i r w i t h d r a w a l
from the meeting, a t h i n g w h i c h could enable t h e m to h a v e
an argument to say to their group : «We undertook no comitment.» O n t h e c o n t r a r y , w e h a d t o b e v e r y c a r e f u l t o wards t h e m a n d succeed i n f o u n d i n g t h e p a r t y w h i c h w a s
the u n c h a n g e a b l e d e s i r e o f a l l t h e c o m m u n i s t s o f t h i s
group, too, r e g a r d l e s s of t h e o p i n i o n s a n d desires of
their chiefs. O n c e t h e p a r t y w a s f o r m e d , t h e d i s c u s s i o n
could d e v e l o p i n t o h e a t e d a r g u m e n t s , because t h e n t h e y
would t a k e p l a c e w i t h i n t h e p a r t y , w i t h i n its M a r x i s t Leninist n o r m s .
Therefore, without allowing Anastas to go any f u r ther w i t h h i s w o r k of sabotage, I i n t e r v e n e d :
«Comrade Anastas, the proposal of the K o r ç a group
is not w r o n g at a l l . It is L e n i n i s t , it is n o t in t h e least
in contradiction w i t h the theory and norms that guide the
activity o f t h e B o l s h e v i k P a r t y w h i c h L e n i n f o u n d e d .
Were L e n i n s t i l l a l i v e o r i f w e h a d t h e p o s s i b i l i t y t o a s k
Stalin, t h e y w o u l d c e r t a i n l y a d v i s e u s : ' F i r s t f o r m y o u r
communist p a r t y , because y o u h a v e d r a g g e d m a t t e r s u p
long e n o u g h , t h e n m a k e B o l s h e v i k s e l f - c r i t i c i s m , set n e w
tasks, a n d g o f o r w a r d i n t o b a t t l e a n d t o v i c t o r y a s t h e
v a n g u a r d of t h e w o r k i n g class.'
«Therefore, i t i s n o t t h e d i f f e r e n c e s w h i c h w e ' v e h a d
up till now, but the lofty task w h i c h the situation imposes
on us that must determine our decision to f o u n d the p a r t y .
O u r differences m u s t b e settled, m u s t b e i r o n e d out t h r o u g h
discussion a n d debates, b u t not a b o u t t h e q u e s t i o n o f
'whether o r not w e s h o u l d f o r m t h e p a r t y ' . T h e s i t u a -
252
ENVER HOXHA
t i o n i s r i p e t o create t h e p a r t y w i t h s u c h a u n i t y t h a t i t
w i l l b e u p t o the task o f t h e l i b e r a t i o n o f t h e H o m e l a n d .
This is what we think.»
« W h o d o y o u m e a n b y 'we'?», i n t e r j e c t e d S a d i k P r e m t e
immediately. « A r e you referring to yourself and your
f o u r comrades, o r y o u i n c l u d e a l l o f u s w i t h t h a t ' w e ' ? ! »
« W h e n I s a y 'we'» I r e p l i e d to X h e p i , «of c o u r s e
I have in m i n d m u c h more than myself and the four
c o m r a d e s o f the K o r ç a g r o u p . W e h a v e n ' t c o m e h e r e b y
accident, w e h a v e b e e n sent here. O u r c o m m u n i s t g r o u p s
h a v e sent us, a n d w h e n I s a y ' w e ' I h a v e i n m i n d a l l
t h e conscious r a n k - a n d - f i l e c o m m u n i s t c o m r a d e s w h o
are d e m a n d i n g t h e f o u n d i n g o f t h e p a r t y a t a l l costs. A n d
b e l i e v e me, S a d i k , t h a t ' w e ' i n c l u d e s t h e soundest p a r t
of the members of y o u r group, w h e t h e r or not y o u a n d
A n a s t a s l i k e it.»
«It's not t r u e . A n d w e don't a l l o w y o u t o s p e a k o n
behalf of our comrades!» Anastas L u l a sprang up a n g r i ly.
T o a v o i d g i v i n g cause f o r f u r t h e r h e a t i n g o f t e m p e r s ,
I t u r n e d q u i e t l y t o A n a s t a s a n d S a d i k a n d once a g a i n
explained to t h e m the reason f r o m w h i c h we proceeded
in the proposal w h i c h we made.
Q e m a l S t a f a stood s h o u l d e r t o s h o u l d e r w i t h m e :
«Comrades,» h e s a i d , «this m a j o r q u e s t i o n w h i c h
C o m r a d e E n v e r presented should not be t a k e n as if
here we have to do only w i t h the desire a n d w i l l of the
comrades of the
K o r ç a group.
No, this is the w i l l
o f a l l o f us, o f a l l c o m m u n i s t s a n d a l l r e v o l u t i o n a r y
d e m o c r a t s . I e x p r e s s e d my o p i n i o n , b u t I w a n t to stress
t h a t t h e people a r e d e m a n d i n g t h a t w e l e a d t h e m i n
the struggle w h i c h they have begun, but the communist
g r o u p s d i v i d e d b y a l l k i n d s o f ideas c a n n o t p l a y t h i s
l e a d i n g role. O n l y a p a r t y w i t h u n b r e a k a b l e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
253
unity c a n l e a d t h e s t r u g g l e . T h e r e f o r e , A n a s t a s , w e a r e
m a k i n g n o m i s t a k e i f w e f o r m the p a r t y f i r s t , a n d t h e n
discuss o u r differences.»
H a v i n g said this a n d t u r n i n g to me, Q e m a l added
in a v e r y f r i e n d l y f a s h i o n :
«Excuse me for interrupting you, Comrade E n v e r . . . »
I , w h o r e m a i n e d o n m y feet a l l t h i s t i m e , c o n t i n u ed:
« C o m r a d e s , w e , t h e g r o u p s , h a v e s c o r e d some successes, but w e ' v e also m a d e m i s t a k e s . N o t o n l y y o u A n a s t a s ,
but w e o f t h e K o r ç a g r o u p a n d those o f t h e S h k o d r a
group, a l l of us, to a g r e a t e r or lesser extent, h a v e
made m i s t a k e s . W e a r e n o t g o i n g t o c o n c e a l t h e m , b u t
o n the c o n t r a r y , a r e g o i n g t o c o n d e m n t h e m a l l f r o m
whatever side t h e y h a v e b e e n m a d e . A t t h i s m e e t i n g ,
w h i c h I c o n s i d e r h i s t o r i c , it is n o t t h e w i l l of a n y one
group t h a t s h o u l d p r e d o m i n a t e , b u t t h e s o u n d w i l l o f
Marxist-Leninists, the i r o n
w i l l of A l b a n i a n communists
who h a v e d e c i d e d t o f o r m t h e i r p a r t y a n d f i g h t v a l i a n t l y ,
ready t o m a k e t h e u l t i m a t e s a c r i f i c e f o r t h e i r people,
u n t i l the p e o p l e are l i b e r a t e d once a n d f o r a l l f r o m t h e
bondage o f occupiers, l a n d o w n e r s a n d t h e l o c a l b o u r g e o i sie. T h e w i l l o f those c o m m u n i s t s s h o u l d p r e v a i l w h o h a v e
decided t o c a r r y o u t t h e r e v o l u t i o n a n d t o b r i n g t h e
w o r k i n g class t o p o w e r i n o r d e r t o b u i l d s o c i a l i s m .
« C o m r a d e s , a l l o f u s k n o w w h a t sort o f p a r t y w e
want, w h a t sort o f p a r t y w e s h o u l d f o r m a n d w i t h w h a t
features we m u s t t e m p e r it. I s a i d at t h e outset, b u t
I stress it once a g a i n , t h a t we a r e g o i n g to create a p a r t y
o f the L e n i n - S t a l i n t y p e , i n w h i c h f a c t i o n s a n d t h e
group s p i r i t , s u c h a s t h e y h a v e b e e n a m o n g s t u s u p
t i l l now, c a n n o t e x i s t . T h i s s i t u a t i o n m u s t b e e n d e d ! I n
our n e w p a r t y w h i c h w e ' r e g o i n g t o f o u n d w e m u s t e s t a blish u n i t y o f t h o u g h t a n d a c t i o n a n d n o t i m p o s e t h e
w i l l o f one o r t h e other. O u r p a r t y w i l l b e g u i d e d b y
254
ENVER HOXHA
one t h e o r y , b y t h e t h e o r y o f M a r x a n d L e n i n ; a n y d e v i a tion f r o m it and the bearers of the deviations w i l l be
punished mercilessly. In our party there w i l l be democracy
i n the e x p r e s s i o n o f o p i n i o n s , b u t t h e r e w i l l also b e d i s c i p l i n e a n d c e n t r a l i s m . W e w i l l discuss a n d d e c i d e o n
these m a t t e r s one b y one a n d w i l l also decide o n t h e
s t r u c t u r e o f t h e p a r t y , w h a t f o r m s its cells a n d c o m m i t t e e s
w i l l h a v e . I n this d i s c u s s i o n w e w i l l also h a v e t h e a s sistance o f C o m r a d e M i l a d i n . T h e r e f o r e , » I t u r n e d t o A n a s tas a g a i n , « I t h i n k t h e r e i s n o s o u n d r e a s o n w h y y o u
s h o u l d n o t associate y o u r s e l f l i k e t h e o t h e r t w o g r o u p s
w i t h the proposal that first we should found the p a r t y
and then develop our discussion as members of the
party and no longer as members of groups, should discuss t h e issues i n t h e s p i r i t a n d o n t h e basis o f a c o m munist party and
not in the
spirit of
communist
groups.»
A t t h i s p o i n t I w o u n d u p a n d sat d o w n . T h e c o m r a d e s
proposed we should take a break.
A f t e r the b r e a k , R a m a d a n Ç i t a k u spoke. I m e t B a c a
f o r the f i r s t t i m e a t t h i s m e e t i n g . H e m a d e a g o o d
impression on me, and my heart w a r m e d to h i m i m m e d i a t e l y . H e s p o k e l i t t l e , w a s r e s t r a i n e d i n h i s gestures
a n d c o n v e r s a t i o n , a n d s m o k e d cigarettes i n h a l i n g t h e
smoke deeply. He was y o u n g although he looked older
because o f h i s moustaches, a n d f o r t h i s r e a s o n w e n i c k n a m e d h i m «Baca».
B a c a , w h o s p o k e i n a deep voice, d i d n o t g o o n f o r
l o n g . I n substance h e s a i d :
«We have gathered here to solve our problems,
because w e c a n n o l o n g e r g o o n i n t h e w a y w e h a v e
done. I w a n t u s t o f o r m t h e p a r t y a n d I agree w i t h w h a t
C o m r a d e E n v e r proposed. I am in the same group w i t h
Anastas and Sadik, but I cannot understand Anastas'
reasoning. I am convinced that m a n y comrades of our
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
255
g r o u p w i l l t h i n k t h e s a m e w a y a s I do. W h a t i s w r o n g
w i t h f o u n d i n g the party as q u i c k l y as possible? We have
criticism a n d self-criticism to make, but f r o m n o w on I
want the p a r t y a n d not the groups. Therefore, I am
for t h e f o u n d i n g o f t h e p a r t y . »
A f t e r these f e w w o r d s B a c a sat d o w n . H i s w o r d s
were another b l o w to Q o r r i and X h e p i , but this time to
their s u r p r i s e , f r o m a c o m r a d e o f t h e i r o w n g r o u p .
F o l l o w i n g Baca, M i l a d i n spoke. Dušan translated
w i t h occasional corrections f r o m Baca. He spoke for about
an hour. First, he t h a n k e d us for rescuing h i m f r o m the
internment camp a n d for the great trust a l l of us displayed
towards h i m . He said that this trust is due to the C o m munist P a r t y of Yugoslavia.
«I am a m e m b e r of that P a r t y and, on the proposal
o f the A l b a n i a n c o m m u n i s t s , I h a v e b e e n i n s t r u c t e d b y
i t t o g i v e m y modest a i d a n d w h a t s m a l l e x p e r i e n c e I
have, p l a c i n g t h e m a s a n i n t e r n a t i o n a l i s t i n t h e s e r v i c e
o f the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a w h i c h y o u a r e g o i n g
to form,» he continued. « A m o n g a l l the A l b a n i a n c o m munist comrades I have found a communist affection
and s i n c e r i t y t o w a r d s m e . Y o u o p e n e d y o u r h e a r t s t o m e
and so d i d I. We have been acquainted for o n l y a short
time, b u t i t seems a s i f w e h a v e k n o w n e a c h o t h e r l o n g
since. T h i s s i t u a t i o n has been c r e a t e d because w e are
internationalist communists.»
A f t e r s p e a k i n g a b o u t h i s l o v e f o r t h e A l b a n i a n people,
about h i s respect f o r t h e m , f o r t h e i r courage, t h e i r m a n liness, t h e i r t r u s t w o r t h i n e s s a n d t h e i r w i s d o m , « w i t h w h i c h
I am w e l l - a c q u a i n t e d , » he said, «because I h a v e l i v e d
among A l b a n i a n s i n K o s o v a a n d M o n t e n e g r o , » M i l a d i n
continued:
« Y o u have told me about the A l b a n i a n communist
movement, a b o u t t h e e x i s t e n c e o f groups, w i t h v a r i o u s
opposing v i e w s , a b o u t the g o o d r e s u l t s a n d t h e s h o r t -
256
ENVER HOXHA
comings and mistakes that have shown up in their w o r k .
W e h a v e discussed t h i n g s t o g e t h e r f r a n k l y . A s a c o m r a d e ,
as a c o m m u n i s t , I h a v e o p e n l y e x p r e s s e d some ideas
o f m i n e w h i c h m a y o r m a y n o t b e correct, b e c a u s e I
cannot c l a i m t o k n o w t h e s i t u a t i o n i n y o u r c o u n t r y a n d
y o u r w o r k a s w e l l a s y o u do. Y o u y o u r s e l v e s are i n a p o s i tion to k n o w and do k n o w the situation of the country,
the people a n d y o u r c o m m u n i s t g r o u p s , n o t o n l y i n gen e r a l , l i k e t h e i d e a I h a v e b e e n a b l e to get of it, b u t in
depth and in an analytical way. It is up to y o u to analyse
a n d decide. I a m c o n v i n c e d t h a t y o u w i l l decide c o r r e c t l y .
W h e n y o u consider it reasonable I w o u l d l i k e y o u to
a l l o w me to speak, to e x p r e s s my o p i n i o n on a series of
problems of principle w h i c h I am sure y o u w i l l raise, to
give y o u the experience of my P a r t y on h o w it has
s o l v e d some analogous p r o b l e m s . Y o u y o u r s e l v e s w i l l j u d g e
whether or not w h a t I have to say is reasonable. T h e
decisions w h i c h y o u w i l l t a k e a r e u p t o y o u a n d t o
n o b o d y else.»
W e l i s t e n e d t o t h i s f i n e c o m r a d e , t o t h i s sincere
c o m m u n i s t w i t h great a t t e n t i o n .
M i l a d i n g a v e a b r i e f b u t clear o u t l i n e o f t h e i n t e r national situation. He spoke about the decisive role of
the S o v i e t U n i o n a n d t h e g r e a t S t a l i n , a n d a b o u t t h e
partisan w a r in Yugoslavia led by the Communist P a r t y
of Yugoslavia. A f t e r speaking about the importance w h i c h
the f o r m a t i o n o f t h e p a r t y i n o u r c o u n t r y w o u l d h a v e ,
M i l a d i n concluded:
« I f u l l y associate m y s e l f w i t h C o m r a d e E n v e r H o x h a ' s
p r o p o s a l t h a t b e f o r e a n y t h i n g else t h e C o m m u n i s t P a r t y
o f A l b a n i a s h o u l d b e f o r m e d a s q u i c k l y a s possible. S u c h
a great h i s t o r i c act is correct p o l i t i c a l l y , i d e o l o g i c a l l y a n d
organizationally. T h e situation w h i c h has matured requires
this.»
O u r faces b e a m e d w i t h j o y . T h i s Y u g o s l a v i n t e r n a -
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257
tionalist c o m m u n i s t , o u r c o m r a d e , w a s o f t h e s a m e o p i n i o n a s w e . W e a d j o u r n e d f o r a b r e a k . A l l o f us, i n c l u d i n g Q o r r i a n d X h e p i , e m b r a c e d M i l a d i n . T h e signs
were g o o d . W e sat d o w n t o s u p p e r w i t h a n e x c e l l e n t
appetite a n d g r e a t j o y i n o u r hearts. L i k e t h e o t h e r c o m r a d e s I no l o n g e r f e l t t h a t b u r d e n of a n x i e t y I h a d f e l t
a t t h e start. T h e s k y w a s a l m o s t clear.
A f t e r supper we went straight back to the meeting.
K o ç o T a s h k o a s k e d f o r t h e f l o o r . N a t u r a l l y , a t the outset
he supported the proposal about founding the party, tried
to give a theoretical outline about just a n d unjust w a r s
a n d w e t h o u g h t t h a t h e w a s g o i n g t o close h i s c o n t r i b u tion quietly a n d gently w i t h this. B u t K o ç o T a s h k o forgot
what we had decided a n d began to make insinuations
about other g r o u p s , p r e c i s e l y o n t h e p r o b l e m s w h i c h
w e h a d t o discuss a f t e r t h e f o r m a t i o n o f t h e p a r t y . I t
was j u s t a s w e l l t h a t h e d i d n o t g o o n f o r l o n g a n d sat
d o w n q u i c k l y because I w o u l d h a v e b e e n o b l i g e d t o
interevene. N e v e r t h e l e s s , h i s
«professorial», embrouillé*
tone a n d h i s i n s i n u a t i o n s d i d n o t f a i l to cause a coldness
which was q u i c k l y cleared a w a y by P i l o Peristeri a n d
Vasil Shanto, w h o spoke to the point and briefly in favour
o f the i m m e d i a t e f o u n d i n g o f t h e C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f
Albania. K o ç i X o x e , T u k J a k o v a and other comrades e x pressed s i m i l a r o p i n i o n s . T h e last t o speak w e r e A n a s t a s .
f o l l o w e d b y S a d i k P r e m t e . W e l i s t e n e d i n silence. T h i s
time A n a s t a s s p o k e b r i e f l y .
«I w i t h d r a w w h a t I s a i d b e f o r e a n d associate m y s e l f
with the proposal that we should f o r m the C o m m u n i s t
Party of Albania.»
S a d i k P r e m t e also e x p r e s s e d s o l i d a r i t y w i t h t h e rest.
F o r a m o m e n t silence f e l l . F o r m a n y o f u s t h e
s o l i d a r i t y o f A n a s t a s a n d S a d i k w a s a l w a y s suspect.
_________________________________
* Involved (French in the original).
258
ENVER HOXHA
«Let us put it to the vote. E v e r y o n e has expressed
his opinion,» said K o ç o Tashko.
« L e t u s p u t it, b u t w h o i s t o d o so? H e r e w e a r e a l l
e q u a l . . . , » put i n Anastas L u l a not w i t h o u t malicious i n tent.
This t r u l y w a s something that h a d not occurred to
u s before. B u t M i l a d i n rose t o t h e occasion.
« T h e issue here, c o m r a d e s , is n o t one of l e a d e r s or
presidiums,» he said. «The problem is quite simple: the
p r o p o s a l c a n b e p u t t o t h e v o t e b y t h e one w h o p r e s e n t e d
it.»
T h e n , v e r y e x c i t e d I rose t o m y feet a n d s a i d :
«Comrades, on the basis of the proposal of the C o m munist Group of Korça and the opinions expressed by all
present, I am putting the following resolution to the vote:
'Today on November 8, 1941, the representatives of three
communist groups, of Korça, Shkodra and the 'Youth',
meeting in plenary session and after constructive discussion in the communist spirit, basing themselves on the
mandate given them by the comrades of their groups,
founded the Communist Party of Albania.' A l l in f a v o u r
r a i s e t h e i r hands.»
A l l present raised their hands. T h e r e w a s no vote
against o r a b s t e n t i o n . A l l o f u s w e r e f i l l e d w i t h i n d e s c r i b a b l e j o y . T h e m a i n step, t h e d e c i s i v e task w h i c h
w e h a d set ourselves w h e n w e set out f o r t h i s h i s t o r i c
m e e t i n g , h a d b e e n c r o w n e d w i t h success!
Then, I declared:
«The Communist Party of Albania has been founded
unanimously. Long live the Communist Party of A l b a n i a ! »
H a p p y a n d d e e p l y m o v e d a l l o f u s rose t o o u r feet,
r a i s e d o u r c l e n c h e d fists i n s a l u t e a n d u n d e r t h e l i g h t
of the k e r o s e n e l a m p s a n g The Internationale, k e e p i n g o u r
vioces l o w , a n d t h e n cheered a n d c h e e r e d f o r t h e C o m munist Party of Albania, but always in an undertone:
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
259
«Long live the Bolshevik Party!», «Long live Stalin!»,
«Glory to M a r x , Engels, Lenin!», «Long l i v e the C o m m u nist P a r t y o f Y u g o s l a v i a ! » , « D o w n w i t h f a s c i s m ! » , « L o n g
live o u r h e r o i c p e o p l e ! » A n d s o o n . . .
T h u s , o n t h e n i g h t o f N o v e m b e r 8 , 1941, o u r P a r t y
was b o r n , t h e P a r t y w h i c h w a s t o l e a d t h e A l b a n i a n p e o p l e
i n t h e greatest b a t t l e s o f t h e i r w h o l e h i s t o r y . I t w a s
b o r n f r o m t h e b o s o m o f t h e people, f r o m t h e i r r e v o l u tionary fire and ardour u n d i m m e d through the centuries, it e m e r g e d l i k e a s u n s h i n i n g t h r o u g h the h i d e o u s
darkness o f t h e fascist e n s l a v e m e n t a n d t e r r o r w h i c h h a d
engulfed t h e p e o p l e a n d t h e H o m e l a n d .
T h e n e x t d a y a n d u p t i l l N o v e m b e r 14, t h e debates
continued. A l l the c o m r a d e s w h o t o o k p a r t i n t h e m e e t ing spoke. T h e debates w e r e tense a n d f r e q u e n t l y fierce.
It was o f t e n f o r g o t t e n t h a t since N o v e m b e r 8, we o u g h t to
have s p o k e n f r o m t h e basis o f t h e e s t a b l i s h e d P a r t y , i n
the s p i r i t o f t h i s P a r t y , a n d m a n y c o n t i n u e d t o a r g u e
f r o m g r o u p positions.
K o ç o T a s h k o took the floor. He tried to back up his
statement w i t h q u o t a t i o n s w i t h o u t r e f e r e n c e f r o m o u r
classics, w h i c h h e c l a i m e d t o h a v e l e a r n e d i n M o s c o w . K o ç o
naturally defended the line of the K o r ç a group, a t h i n g
that w a s correct. W e a l l d i d t h i s w h e n w e spoke, b u t
i n his e n t h u s i a s m t o d e f e n d t h i s l i n e , K o ç o T a s h k o a t t r i buted a l l t h e g o o d a n d p o s i t i v e aspects o f t h e w o r k o f
the K o r ç a g r o u p t o h i s «leadership». O f course h e w a s
not o b j e c t i v e i n d o i n g this. M e a n w h i l e , h e «forgot» t o
point out t h e s h o r t c o m i n g s a n d m i s t a k e s i n the w o r k
o f that g r o u p . H i s s e l f - c r i t i c i s m o f t h e w o r k o f t h e
group w a s feeble a n d n o n - e x i s t e n t i n r e g a r d t o h i m s e l f .
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ENVER HOXHA
K o ç o also dealt w i t h t h e q u e s t i o n o f
the Comintern
directives.
« T h e K o r ç a group,» h e s a i d a m o n g o t h e r t h i n g s , « w a s
t h e o n l y A l b a n i a n c o m m u n i s t g r o u p w h i c h accepted a n d
p u t t h e m i n t o practice, w h i l e t h e o t h e r g r o u p s n o t o n l y
r e f u s e d t o accept t h e m , b u t also c o m b a t e d t h e m f i e r c e l y
a n d in the most condemnable f o r m of factionalism.»
At this point K o ç o opened the chapter of his criticisms
and attacks on the S h k o d r a group and the «Youth» G r o u p ,
c r i t i c i s m s w h i c h w e r e correct i n p r i n c i p l e . H e b e g a n f r o m
the enemy of communism, the archeo-Marxist N i k o X o x i
who, after he was condemned by the K o r ç a group, took
r e f u g e i n the S h k o d r a g r o u p , w h e r e h e b e c a m e one o f
its leaders, a n d t o g e t h e r w i t h Z e f M a l a o r g a n i z e d t h e
s t r u g g l e n o t j u s t against t h e K o r ç a g r o u p , b u t a g a i n s t
M a r x i s m , against t h e C o m i n t e r n a n d , n a t u r a l l y , a g a i n s t
t h e S o v i e t U n i o n a n d S t a l i n . I t w a s l o g i c a l t h a t these
elements w o u l d f o l l o w t h e c o u r s e o f T r o t s k y a n d s o
they did, w h i l e the «Green B u l l e t i n » w h i c h they put out
was nothing but a T r o t s k y i t e rag. K o ç o T a s h k o d i d not
overlook A r i s t i d h Qendro, Anastas L u l a a n d Sadik P r e m t e . H e accused A n a s t a s L u l a n o t o n l y o f b e i n g a close
associate o f A r i s t i d h a n d S a d i k , o f c r e a t i n g t h e f a c t i o n s u b s e q u e n t l y c a l l e d t h e « Y o u t h » G r o u p w i t h i n the
r a n k s o f t h e K o r ç a g r o u p , b u t also o f i n v o l v i n g t h e
S h k o d r a g r o u p a n d s e t t i n g i t o n a w r o n g course.
T h e discussion w e n t o n i n t h i s e l e c t r i f i e d w a y a l l d a y
w i t h one c o m r a d e a f t e r a n o t h e r t a k i n g t h e f l o o r a n d o f t e n
i n t e r r u p t i n g one a n o t h e r not p o l i t e l y , b u t s o m e t i m e s w i t h
a fierceness t h a t w e n t b e y o n d a c c e p t a b l e b o u n d s .
A n a s t a s L u l a s p o k e after K o ç o . H e t r i e d t o a t t a c k a l l
the w o r k o f t h e K o r ç a g r o u p w i t h v i n d i c t i v e , baseless
s l a n d e r s a n d allegations. H e w e n t s o f a r a s t o a t t a c k A l i
K e l m e n d i , saying that he was hasty and u n f a i r in the
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
261
c r i t i c i s m s a n d c o n d e m n a t i o n s h e h a d m a d e against N i k o
X o x i and Aristidh Qendro.
W e c o u l d n o t t o l e r a t e a c c u s a t i o n s against A l i K e l m e n di and forgot that we were meeting under conditions of
complete i l l e g a l i t y .
« W a t c h y o u r step, A n a s t a s L u l a , » I s h o u t e d at h i m ,
«because y o u a r e s p e a k i n g f r o m a T r o t s k y i t e p o s i t i o n a n d
we cannot a l l o w anyone to attack the unsullied figure of
the m o s t o u t s t a n d i n g m i l i t a n t o f t h e A l b a n i a n c o m m u n i s t
m o v e m e n t a n d a c o m r a d e of t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o m m u n i s t
movement. We do no permit y o u to sully the figure of our
veteran communist comrade w h o taught us h o w we
must f i g h t Z o g , t h e f e u d a l l a n d o w n e r s a n d t h e b o u r g e o i sie, t o i m p u g n t h e r e p u t a t i o n o f the m a n w h o b r o u g h t u s
D i m i t r o v ' s speech ( 7 ) a n d f o u g h t u n t i l h i s d e a t h , a l w a y s
honoured by the
international
communist
movement.
Are y o u Anastas L u l a t r y i n g to compare the figure of
this great A l b a n i a n c o m m u n i s t w i t h t w o d i r t y a r c h e o M a r x i s t s sent t o A l b a n i a b y t h e b l a c k e s t G r e e k r e a c t i o n
to f i g h t c o m m u n i s m ? »
P i l o P e r i s t e r i j u m p e d t o h i s feet i n f u r y a n d a t t a c k e d
Anastas L u l a w i t h c l e a r facts a b o u t t h e i m m o r a l a c t i vities o f h i m a n d S a d i k P r e m t e , w h o h a d e l e v a t e d these
activities t o p s e u d o - M a r x i s t theories.
« S u c h t h e o r i e s a n d v i e w s are d i a b o l i c a l a n d vile,»
roared P i l o . « T o accept t h e m m e a n s t o d e m o r a l i z e o u r p u r e
youth, t o set t h e m o n t h e r o a d o f c o r r u p t i o n . A r e y o u ,
Anastas, s e e k i n g t o b r e a k u p t h e f a m i l y a n d its code
of honour w i t h your Trotskyite theories?! We c o m m u nists o f t h e K o r ç a g r o u p , » c o n t i n u e d P i l o , « k n o w a l l
about the u n d e r m i n i n g a c t i v i t y o f N i k o X o x i a n d h i s v i l e
intrigues t o s p l i t us, b u t w i t h A l i , M i h a a n d other c o m r a _______________________________________
7 In 1932 A l i K e l m e n d i brought to A l b a n i a George D i m i trov's instructions on the creation of the communist movement
on a sounder p o l i t i c a l and organization p l a t f o r m in A l b a n i a .
262
ENVER HOXHA
des w e d e f e a t e d N i k o X o x i a n d h e w e n t a w a y a n d m a d e
up w i t h you. Well, y o u are welcome to h i m . He showed
w h a t h e was, a n agent o f Z o g , w h o b e t r a y e d t h e c o m r a des present here, Q e m a l S t a f a , V a s i l S h a n t o a n d o t h e r s
to t h e enemy.»
Q e m a l Stafa took the floor and m a d e a correct and
m a t u r e c o n t r i b u t i o n . I t w a s a p p a r e n t t h a t he, V a s i l a n d h i s
other comrades w e r e more realistic in their judgement of
situations, saw the events and the activities of the S h k o d r a
g r o u p i n t h e past a s w e l l a s t h e i r c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h t h e
«Youth» G r o u p f r o m a different stand-point. In substance,
Qemal said:
« W e reject the i r r e s p o n s i b l e s t a t e m e n t s o f K o ç o T a shko and of the K o r ç a group, generally, that we of the
S h k o d r a g r o u p are n o t c o m m u n i s t s , b u t T r o t s k y i t e s . N o , »
c o n t i n u e d Q e m a l , « w e a r e conscious a n d r e s o l u t e c o m m u nists, w e h a v e f o u g h t w i t h c o n v i c t i o n i n o r d e r t o d i s s e m i n a t e c o m m u n i s m i n A l b a n i a t o t h e best o f o u r a b i lity. There have been mistakes in our w o r k , we k n o w
a n d a d m i t this, b u t t h e y c a m e a b o u t because e v i l , a n t i c o m m u n i s t people l i k e Z e f M a l a a n d N i k o X o x i got i n t o
the S h k o d r a group and w e r e able to take advantage of o u r
i m m a t u r i t y to spread wrong, h a r m f u l , Trotskyite o p i n i o n s a n d ideas a m o n g s t us. ( Q e m a l w i t h c o m m u n i s t
h o n e s t y l i s t e d t h e m one b y one). B u t w h a t a b o u t t h e
K o r ç a group and K o ç o Tashko, personally, didn't they
m a k e mistakes? He d i d not speak about t h e m , b u t I
a m g o i n g t o d o so, because t h i s i s m y r i g h t . »
A n d Qemal began as follows:
«I condemn Anastas L u l a for that judgement he
made about comrade A l i K e l m e n d i . I believe now, and
t h i s w a s m y o p i n i o n p r e v i o u s l y , too, t h a t A l i K e l m e n d i
was a communist fighter and, although I never met
h i m , I respected a n d s t i l l respect h i m a s a n i n t e r n a t i o n a l i s t c o m m u n i s t w h o came f r o m t h e S o v i e t U n i o n .
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263
W h y , t h e n , d i d the S h k o d r a g r o u p n o t accept t h e d i r e c tives o f t h e C o m i n t e r n ? W e m a d e a m i s t a k e . »
« E v e r y b o d y k n o w s y o u made a mistake,» K o ç o
Tashko interrupted h i m . «But w h y did y o u m a k e a mistake?! Tell us that!»
«Yes,» r e p l i e d Q e m a l , « I w i l l d o that, s o l i s t e n t o
me, c o m r a d e K o ç o . » A n d h e w e n t o n : « W e m a d e a m i s take because y o u m a d e a m i s t a k e , too. W i t h y o u r g r o u p
spirit y o u w a n t e d t o e x p l o i t these d i r e c t i v e s t o r a i s e y o u r
group a b o v e t h e others. O b v i o u s l y , w e o f t h e S h k o d r a
group, too, w e r e i n f e c t e d a n d h e a v i l y i n f e c t e d w i t h
this s p i r i t a n d s o i t c a m e a b o u t t h a t w e d i d n o t accept
the d i r e c t i v e s . W e t r i e d t o e s t a b l i s h contact, b u t w e f e l l
among p r o v o c a t e u r s . B u t y o u , K o ç o T a s h k o , » c o n t i n u e d
Qemal, «did y o u , in particular, m a k e any attempt to
persuade us, t o c o m e a n d discuss w i t h u s ? N o , r i g h t
t o the e n d y o u d i d not. A l l y o u k n e w w a s t o pose a s ' a
great m a n ' , ' w i t h great k n o w l e d g e ' , ' w i t h great theories.'
Only E n v e r approached us and talked w i t h us as a comrade, w h i l e y o u n e v e r did.»
«Please, son, d o n ' t d e n y m y w o r k , » K o ç o o b j e c t e d
angrily. «In t h e discussions a y e a r o r t w o ago, w h e n w e
reached a g r e e m e n t w i t h y o u , w a s I n o t p r e s e n t a n d d i d
I not m a k e m y c o n t r i b u t i o n ? ! »
« A r e y o u referring to the compromise?» Q e m a l asked
K o ç o w i t h bitterness. « D u r i n g t h e t w o d a y s t h a t w e h a v e
been here, w e h a v e c o n d e m n e d t h a t sort o f ' a g r e e m e n t '
as a d i r t y c o m p r o m i s e w i t h o u t f o u n d a t i o n s . »
« A s a s o c i a l - d e m o c r a t i c c o m p r o m i s e . L i f e i t s e l f destroyed it b e f o r e it c a m e i n t o o p e r a t i o n , » I i n t e r j e c t e d .
« T h a t i s true,» c o n t i n u e d Q e m a l . «So, c o m r a d e K o ç o ,
it is u n f i t t i n g f o r y o u , w h o say that y o u have h a d
links w i t h t h e C o m i n t e r n , t o o . . . »
« I h a v e so!» s h o u t e d K o ç o .
« T h e n , t r y t o m a i n t a i n its r e p u t a t i o n . I m e a n t i t
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ENVER HOXHA
w a s u n f i t t i n g f o r y o u t o boast t o u s a b o u t past a c t i o n s
w h i c h w e r e w r o n g . W e , too, w e r e i n v o l v e d i n t h o s e
actions s u c h a s t h e c o m p r o m i s e w e m e n t i o n e d , b u t n o w w e
condemn the stand we took at that time. Therefore, I
appeal to y o u to reflect on y o u r stands a n d to recognize
y o u r m i s t a k e s a n d f a u l t s a n d those o f t h e K o r ç a g r o u p .
As for the ' Y o u t h ' Group,» continued Qemal, «I am of
the o p i n i o n , a n d I speak o n b e h a l f o f t h e S h k o d r a g r o u p ,
that the r a n k and file of this group are sound l i k e ours
and that of the K o r ç a group. B u t anti-communist, T r o t s k y i t e ideas h a v e p e n e t r a t e d i n t o o u r g r o u p a n d i n t o t h e
others, ideas w h i c h i n t h i s n e w l i g h t w e c a n n o w see
more clearly. However, you, Anastas L u l a , and you, S a dik, w h o spoke in the same language as Anastas, are
not s h o w i n g yourselves to be sincere communists in a n y
w a y . Y o u are d o d g i n g t h e issues. I n o u r v i e w y o u h a v e
m a d e a n d are c o n t i n u i n g t o m a k e g r a v e m i s t a k e s , b u t
the worst of it is that y o u are not m a k i n g the slightest
a t t e m p t t o r e c o g n i z e them.»
Qemal ended his contribution by calling on t h e m
to change their ways.
T h e debate a n d d i s c u s s i o n w e n t o n i n t h i s w a y e v e r y
day. A l l of us w e r e a d v a n c i n g in our analyses. T h e c r i ticisms w e r e t a k i n g the correct course a n d being backed
w i t h more solid arguments, the self-criticisms were becoming more and more p r o f o u n d and the c o m m o n m i s t a k e s a n d m i s t a k e s o f each separate g r o u p w e r e g r a d u a l l y
being acknowledged. Thus, day by day the t e r r a i n w a s
being cleared of impediments. The days w e r e passing
f i l l e d w i t h debates. T h i s w a s a great s c h o o l f o r us, a s c h o o l
w h i c h we h a d never h a d before. In the contributions to
discussion everyone expressed his opinion w i t h o u t hesitat i o n a b o u t h o w w e s h o u l d j u d g e a n d act o n t h i s o r t h a t
p r o b l e m i n t h e f u t u r e . I can't r e m e m b e r h o w m a n y t i m e s
all the comrades spoke or intervened in the discussion.
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265
For my part I spoke m a n y times, sometimes to interject
a short r e p l y , s o m e t i m e s a t some l e n g t h . T h e o t h e r c o m r a des a c t e d i n t h e s a m e w a y .
I remember that I spoke after Q e m a l and supported
his v i e w s o n a n u m b e r o f m a t t e r s . T h e s u b s t a n c e o f w h a t
I said w a s t h i s :
« I associate m y s e l f w i t h t h e c r i t i c i s m C o m r a d e Q e m a l
made o f o u r K o r ç a g r o u p f o r s e c t a r i a n i s m a n d t h e l a c k
of a h e a l t h i e r c o m r a d e l y s p i r i t a n d g r e a t e r p a t i e n c e in the
debates w e h a v e h e l d i n t h e past w i t h c o m r a d e s o f o t h e r
groups. C o m r a d e K o ç o d i d n o t p o i n t out t h i s w r o n g s t a n d ,
but I a m s t r e s s i n g i t a n d w e h a v e t o a c k n o w l e d g e it, b e cause i t has c a u s e d great h a r m i n t h e past. W e m u s t n o t
allow s u c h m a n i f e s t a t i o n s t o pass i n t o t h e P a r t y a n d m u s t
free o u r s e l v e s f r o m t h e m , b u t w i t h o u t a c k n o w l e d g i n g
them w e c a n n o t c o m b a t t h e m .
« T h e s e c t a r i a n i s m o f t h e K o r ç a g r o u p has b e e n
expressed also i n its a c k n o w l e d g e d p a r o c h i a l i s m , w h i c h
has d a m a g e d t h e e x t e n s i o n o f t h e w o r k o f t h e g r o u p
and p r e v e n t e d i t f r o m m a k i n g contacts o n a m o r e e x t e n sive scale w i t h t h e c o m m u n i s t a n d d e m o c r a t i c m o v e m e n t
all o v e r t h e c o u n t r y . T h e c o m r a d e s i n K o r ç a also h a v e
exerted a n i n f l u e n c e o v e r t h e c o m r a d e s o f t h e K o r ç a
group, w h o a r e n o t i n K o r ç a , t o w o r k i n a m o r e o r
less closed a n d p a r o c h i a l w a y . S u c h v i e w s a n d stands
n a r r o w t h e h o r i z o n s o f w o r k a n d v i s i o n , create a f e e l i n g o f s e l f - s a t i s f a c t i o n a n d e g o t i s m a n d f o s t e r t h e conceit,
especially a m o n g s t those w h o h a v e s u c h t e n d e n c i e s i n
their c h a r a c t e r .
«In s u c h a s i t u a t i o n , c o m r a d e K o ç o (I t u r n e d t o w a r d s
him), o u r K o r ç a g r o u p let t h e w a y o p e n t o t h e T r o t s k y ites N i k o X o x i , A r i s t i d h Q e n d r o a n d o t h e r s t o l e a v e K o r ç a
and m a k e c o n t a c t w i t h r e v o l u t i o n a r y y o u n g people i n
different cities o f o u r c o u n t r y , t h u s d e s t r o y i n g t h a t n e cessary r e v o l u t i o n a r y w o r k w h i c h t h e g r o u p i t s e l f s h o u l d
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ENVER HOXHA
h a v e done w i t h t h e m i n o r g a n i z e d w a y s . W h a t d i d those o f
o u r g r o u p d o f o r those i n T i r a n a a n d i n S h k o d r a ? W h a t d i d
you do in Tirana, comrade K o ç o ? H o w did the ' Y o u t h '
G r o u p emerge as a faction f r o m our K o r ç a group? D o n ' t
w e , too, h a v e o u r s h a r e o f r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r these m i s takes, these d e v i a t i o n s a n d t h i s s t e r i l e s t r u g g l e w h i c h
went on amongst groups? I t h i n k we have, if we analyse
our w o r k somewhat more profoundly. Naturally, I do
n o t accept t h e m i s t a k e s a n d f a u l t s o f o t h e r g r o u p s a n d
their members, either for our group or for us as i n d i v i d u a l s . B u t t o t h e e x t e n t t h a t w e are t o b l a m e f o r those
mistakes and faults, we have to acknowledge t h e m and not
w a s h o u r h a n d s o f them.»
Then, I went on to examine another question:
«Comrade V a s i l and y o u Anastas Lula,» I said t u r n i n g
towards them, «you a n d y o u r groups made a great mistake
that y o u d i d not adopt the C o m i n t e r n directives. T h i s
gravely damaged the advance of the communist m o v e ment in A l b a n i a , permitted the penetration of T r o t s k y i s m
i n t o o u r r a n k s a n d h i n d e r e d t h e o r g a n i z e d mass s t r u g g l e
against Z o g a n d h i s r e g i m e . Y o u m u s t a c k n o w l e d g e these
mistakes.»
«For our part we have no reason to acknowledge
them,» o b j e c t e d A n a s t a s . T h a t w a s t h e t y p e h e w a s . H e
made vindictive hints, but said nothing to back t h e m up.
« H o w come y o u don't acknowledge y o u r mistakes?»
demanded Sotir V u l l k a n i . «Tell us why.»
« F i r s t , t e l l m e w h e n those i n s t r u c t i o n s a r r i v e d i n
A l b a n i a ? » said Anastas in a tone of gloating t r i u m p h .
I r e a l i z e d w h a t t h e o l d f o x w a s g e t t i n g at. so I
replied calmly:
«In 1937.»
« B u t i n 1937 w e w e r e n o t e v e n a f a c t i o n , let a l o n e
a group,» s a i d A n a s t a s g r a v e l y . « W e b e g a n to create o u r
g r o u p i n 1938 a n d e m e r g e d a s a n i n d e p e n d e n t g r o u p i n
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267
1940. W h y , t h e n , s h o u l d w e b e a r r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r s o m e thing that happened before we were 'born'?»
H e g a v e t h e c o m r a d e s a t r i u m p h a n t l o o k a n d sat d o w n
c o n v i n c e d t h a t h e h a d s t r u c k us. B u t I d i d n o t l e a v e h i m
long to savour his «triumph».
« A n a s t a s L u l a , » I s a i d , « y o u s h o u l d p u t aside t h e
sophisms a n d c u n n i n g ' a r g u m e n t s ' o f a b a d j u g g l e r w i t h
figures, a n d j u d g e m a t t e r s c o r r e c t l y ! T r u e , t h e i n s t r u c t i o n s
o f the C o m i n t e r n a r r i v e d i n A l b a n i a i n 1937, b u t t h e y w e r e
not j u s t f o r t h a t y e a r , b u t f o r t h e w h o l e p e r i o d a h e a d
o f us, t h a t is, f o r t h e t i m e w h e n y o u b e g a n t o f o r m
your faction and the t i m e w h e n y o u came out openly
as a g r o u p . M o r e o v e r , t h e essence of t h e m — t h e necessity f o r t h e l i n k i n g o f t h e c o m m u n i s t s w i t h t h e masses,
the w o r k w i t h t h e masses, t h e f o r m a t i o n o f a b r o a d a n t i fascist f r o n t — i s v a l i d f o r t o d a y , f o r t o m o r r o w a n d w i l l
b e v a i l d f o r t h e f u t u r e , too. W i t h o u t w i n n i n g o v e r t h e
masses, w i t h o u t c r e a t i n g s t r o n g l i n k s w i t h t h e w h o l e p e o ple, w i t h a l l t h e f o r c e s a r o u n d t h e P a r t y , o u r cause w i l l
not a d v a n c e . T h e g r e a t l e a d e r s o f t h e p r o l e t a r i a t t e a c h u s
this, t h i s i s t h e s p i r i t o f t h e d i r e c t i v e s o f t h e C o m i n t e r n .
Therefore, A n a s t a s L u l a , I r e - e m p h a s i z e t h a t y o u s h o u l d
acknowledge the grave mistakes w h i c h y o u have made up
t i l l n o w a n d m u s t n o t a l l o w t h e m t o b e repeated.»
« O n l y t h e K o r ç a g r o u p accepted a n d a d o p t e d them,»
said K o ç o b o a s t f u l l y .
«It i s true,» I c o n t i n u e d , « t h a t t h e K o r ç a g r o u p m a d e
n o m i s t a k e i n t h i s d i r e c t i o n a n d f o r t h i s w e are i n d e b t e d ,
first o f a l l , t o A l i K e l m e n d i f o r t h e c o r r e c t o r i e n t a t i o n s
he had given our group when he was in Albania. We
accepted t h e d i r e c t i v e s o f t h e C o m i n t e r n a n d t r i e d t o p u t
them i n t o p r a c t i c e . B u t w e m u s t j u d g e t h e m a t t e r c o r r e c t l y : H o w d i d w e a p p l y these d i r e c t i v e s ? D i d w e c o m p l e tely l i q u i d a t e t h e o l d closed s e c t a r i a n cells a n d d i d w e
g o a m o n g t h e b r o a d masses o f t h e p e o p l e ? D i d w e set t o
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ENVER HOXHA
w o r k t o create s o u n d m i l i t a n t n e w cells f r o m t h e r a n k s
o f t h e people a n d t o b u i l d a t r u l y o r g a n i z e d d e t a c h m e n t
not only of w o r k e r s of K o r ç a but of the w h o l e c o u n t r y ?
C o m r a d e Koço,» I turned to h i m , «we must recognize
openly that we d i d not f u l f i l the tasks we undertook.
T r u e , w e d i s b a n d e d t h e cells, b u t those w e f o r m e d a l i t t l e
l a t e r w e r e j u s t a b o u t t h e s a m e as t h e f o r m e r ones, w i t h a
small difference in their numbers and principles. It is true
that the influence of the group was felt a bit more amongst
the masses, b u t o n l y i n t h e c i t y o f K o r ç a , I t i s t r u e
that the y o u t h of K o r ç a were organized better and w e r e
under the influence of the group, but outside the city,
in the countryside and outside the district the question
w a s left t o s p o n t a n e i t y . W i t h t h e f e w s m a l l n u c l e i t h a t
w e c r e a t e d t h e r e w e c a n n o t p r e t e n d t h a t o u r g r o u p ser i o u s l y took i n h a n d a n d a p p l i e d t h e g r e a t i d e a s o f
the C o m i n t e r n properly. We cannot avoid
o u r great
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y a n d c a n n o t f a i l t o a c k n o w l e d g e these d e fects a n d s h o r t c o m i n g s . T h e o t h e r g r o u p s acted c o m p l e t e l y
in opposition to the directives of the C o m i n t e r n and, of
course, t h e i r r e s p o n s i b i l i t y i s g r e a t e r .
« I p e r s o n a l l y s t i l l p u t g r e a t i m p o r t a n c e o n these
questions,» I stressed, «because t h e y h a v e h a d h a r m f u l
consequences f o r o u r w o r k i n t h e past, a n d i f w e d o
not m a k e a c l e a n sweep o f t h e s h o r t c o m i n g s a n d m i s t a k e s
w h i c h the groups have had, our n e w l y f o r m e d P a r t y
w i l l suffer greatly. A r e we going to go on m a i n t a i n i n g
the group spirit in our C o m m u n i s t P a r t y ? In no w a y !
W e m u s t b u r y t h i s s p i r i t once a n d f o r a l l h e r e t o d a y .
B u t we w o u l d be naive to t h i n k that w h e n we emerge
f r o m this meeting everything w i l l go smoothly. No,
we w i l l have to wage a merciless struggle against the
spirit and the unhealthy methods of the group w o r k and
w i l l fight factions and factionalists w i t h o u t hesitation.
W e m u s t emerge f r o m t h i s m e e t i n g f r e e d f r o m t h e f e e l i n g
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
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of the superiority or i n f a l l i b i l i t y of any group and armed
w i t h t h e f e e l i n g o f t h e steel M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t u n i t y o f
the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a w h i c h w e h a v e f o r m e d . »
W h e n we were discussing the political, ideological
and o r g a n i z a t i o n a l s t a n d s w e h a d t a k e n a g a i n s t t h e fascist
occupiers a n d t h e q u i s l i n g g o v e r n m e n t , I m a d e a n o t h e r
short i n t e r p o l a t i o n a m o n g s t those o f c o m r a d e s o f v a r i o u s
groups:
« W e o f t h e K o r ç a g r o u p , » I p o i n t e d out, « h a v e s a i d
and say that we have not been w r o n g either in line
or the stand w h i c h we have m a i n t a i n e d and continue to
m a i n t a i n a g a i n s t t h e fascist o c c u p i e r s . I n r e g a r d t o t h e t w o
other g r o u p s , a n d m o r e p r e c i s e l y t h e i r l e a d e r s , t h r o u g h
their w r o n g views, they have t r i e d a n d up to a point have
managed to hinder the anti-fascist activity of the r a n k a n d - f i l e c o m m u n i s t s , t h e y o u t h a n d others.»
« T h a t m e a n s t o say,» o b j e c t e d S a d i k P r e m t e , «that
y o u , too, a r e o f t h e o p i n i o n t h a t t h e S h k o d r a g r o u p a n d
our ' Y o u t h ' G r o u p h a v e n o t b e e n o p p o s e d t o t h e I t a l i a n
fascist o c c u p a t i o n . T h i s i s a n a c c u s a t i o n . . . »
«I d i d n ' t s a y a n y s u c h t h i n g , » I r e p l i e d .
« K o ç o T a s h k o said it openly, but that's w h a t y o u r
r e m a r k i s g e t t i n g at,» c o n t i n u e d S a d i k .
«It i s n ' t at a l l as S a d i k P r e m t e says,» I p o i n t e d out
to t h e m e e t i n g . « T h e issues I am g e t t i n g at are t h e s e :
«If K o ç o T a s h k o w i t h h i s i l l - c o n t r o l l e d a n d i r r i t a b l e
remarks has i m p l i e d that the t w o other groups have not
taken a stand against the occupiers, I dissociate myself
f r o m t h i s o p i n i o n o f h i s . A l l o f us, t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e p e o ple, rose a g a i n s t t h e o c c u p i e r s a n d t h e t r a i t o r s , a l l o f u s
came o u t i n d e m o n s t r a t i o n s a n d d e m a n d e d w e a p o n s t o
fight, b u t w e h a v e t o r e c o g n i z e t h a t w e w e r e n o t i n a
position to organize the struggle and attack the enemy
in the first days. L a t e r we recovered, organized our
resistance a n d p r o p a g a n d a a g a i n s t t h e o c c u p i e r b e t t e r a n d
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ENVER HOXHA
thought more seriously about the war, but even then
we d i d not manage to have all the groups do this w o r k
i n t h e same w a y . M y o p i n i o n i s t h a t the K o r ç a g r o u p
took a m o r e c o r r e c t v i e w o f t h e p r o b l e m s a n d t h e
tasks a h e a d o f us. T h e S h k o d r a g r o u p w a s r e s o l u t e l y
opposed to t h e o c c u p i e r , w a s a n t i - f a s c i s t , b u t , as I
p o i n t e d out e a r l i e r , its l e a d e r s w e r e n o t c l e a r o n a n u m b e r o f m a j o r issues o f p r i n c i p l e . M e a n w h i l e , t h e l e a d e r s
of the ' Y o u t h ' G r o u p and precisely the t w o comrades
w h o a r e here, A n a s t a s L u l a a n d S a d i k P r e m t e , w e r e
n o t a t a l l c l e a r o n these issues a n d , m o r e o v e r , t h e r e
was an anti-communist and Trotskyite tinge to their
views.»
« W e protest a g a i n ! Y o u are m a k i n g a g r a v e a c c u s a t i o n a g a i n s t S a d i k a n d me,» s a i d A n a s t a s , s p r i n g i n g t o h i s
feet. « W h a t i s t h e basis f o r w h a t y o u s a y ? ! »
«I base w h a t I s a i d on a series of v i e w s a n d s l o g a n s
w h i c h y o u have adopted and propagated,» I said a n d I
e x p l a i n e d the defeatist c o n t e n t o f t h e i r s l o g a n , «the t i m e
t o f i g h t h a s n o t c o m e yet, because w e h a v e n e i t h e r
organization n o r weapons,» a n d I w e n t on to denounce
a n d condemn the views of such leaders as A r i s t i d h
Qendro, A n d r e a Z i s i and others that «we should i n f i l t r a t e
t h e A l b a n i a n fascist p a r t y a n d t h e p o l i c e i n o r d e r t o f i n d
o u t w h a t i s b e i n g d o n e there,» t h a t «it s h o u l d n o t b e
c o n s i d e r e d w r o n g t o b e t r a y secrets t o t h e police,» etc. I n
fact, t h e r a n k a n d f i l e o f t h e g r o u p s d i d n o t accept these
slogans, b u t t h e a n t i - M a r x i s t l e a d e r s w h o m I m e n t i o n e d ,
w h o w e r e agents o f t h e b o u r g e o i s i e a n d t h e o c c u p i e r ,
managed to impose themselves in a thousand w a y s on
and keep the rank-and-file comrades under restraint.
«We had to e x p l a i n the S o v i e t - G e r m a n Non-aggression Pact to the comrades of the K o r ç a group,» I continued.
« W e d i d t h i s a m o n g t h e people, too, because t h i s w a s
a very delicate question w h i c h the enemy w a s e x p l o i t i n g
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
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t o the m a x i m u m , s o w e h a d t o e x p l a i n t h e c o n t e n t a n d
aim o f t h a t p a c t t o t h e c o m r a d e s , t o m a k e c l e a r t o
them and convince t h e m that the Soviet U n i o n w a s and
remained w h a t it h a d been, the glorious h o m e l a n d of
Lenin and Stalin.»
C o n t i n u i n g to explain this problem, I underlined that
while the S h k o d r a group was not as active as it should
have been, t h e « Y o u t h » G r o u p w a s t o t a l l y i n a c t i v e i n
this d i r e c t i o n , i n d e e d , i t u s e d t h e n o n - a g g r e s s i o n p a c t
to serve t h e T r o t s k y i t e t h e o r i e s of its l e a d e r s . « Y o u see,»
Anastas s a i d , «it i s p r o v e d t h a t y o u w e r e w r o n g a n d w e
were r i g h t w h e n w e s a i d t h a t t h e t i m e t o f i g h t has n o t come,»
and h e c o n t i n u e d , « w e are r i g h t t o c o n s i d e r t h a t w e m u s t
wait u n t i l t h e c o u n t r y i s i n d u s t r i a l i z e d a n d t h e p r o l e t a r i a t
created a n d t h e n f o r m t h e p a r t y , » «that w e m u s t t r a i n t h e
cadres b e f o r e w e h u r l o u r s e l v e s i n t o t h e struggle,» « w e m u s t
protect a n d n o t s a c r i f i c e t h e cadres,» a n d o t h e r s u c h
rubbish n o w w e l l - k n o w n t o a l l . H o w e v e r , t h i s h o s t i l e w o r k
b y the T r o t s k y i t e l e a d e r s o f g r o u p s i m p e d e d t h e r a l l y i n g
o f c o m m u n i s t energies i n r e s i s t a n c e a n d s t r u g g l e . T h e s e
Trotskyite chiefs continued their defeatist a c t i v i t y even
when the S o v i e t U n i o n w a s a t t a c k e d . T h e y t r i e d t o sabotage
the s t r i k e s a n d d e m o n s t r a t i o n s w h i c h , i n t h e e n d , t h e
Korça group and S h k o d r a group managed to organize
jointly.
I c o n t i n u e d to speak also a b o u t t h e close c o l l a b o r a t i o n
w e had m a n a g e d t o e s t a b l i s h w i t h t h e o u t s t a n d i n g p a t r i o t ,
M y s l i m P e z a , a n d w i t h o t h e r p a t r i o t s . I s p e c i a l l y stressed
the q u e s t i o n
of the
peasantry,
pointing
out
c l e a r l y its
great role i n o u r l i b e r a t i o n w a r a n d s a y i n g t h a t t h e K o r ç a group h a d t a k e n a c o r r e c t v i e w o f t h i s v i t a l q u e s t i o n
in principle, but h a d done v e r y little about it in practice.
The others h a d u n d e r r a t e d i t b o t h i n t h e o r y a n d i n p r a c tice, w h i l e A n a s t a s L u l a a n d c o m p a n y ,
w i t h their anti-
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ENVER HOXHA
Leninist theory, had abandoned the peasantry to the bourgeoisie a n d f a s c i s m .
I d e m a n d e d t h a t w e s h o u l d a p p r e c i a t e a l l these m a j o r
q u e s t i o n s c o r r e c t l y , because w e h a d t o m a k e u p f o r t h e
t i m e w e h a d lost.
F i e r y debates t o o k p l a c e a b o u t these p r o b l e m s j u s t
a s a b o u t the p r e v i o u s ones. A n a s t a s ' g r o u p c a p i t u l a t e d .
H e w a s o b l i g e d t o a d m i t r e l u c t a n t l y t h a t some o f h i s
ideas h a d b e e n w r o n g , « b u t . . . t h a t i t w a s n ' t p r e c i s e l y
like t h a t . . . , » that «in practice, it w a s so b u t . . . , » a
h u n d r e d «buts». A l l h i s a d m i s s i o n s w e r e j u s t t o t h r o w
dust i n o u r eyes, a n d , a s l i f e i t s e l f s h o w e d , t h e y w e r e
rocks above and below the water, were mines laid in
t h e r o a d o f o u r resistance a n d f i g h t a g a i n s t t h e o c c u p i e r s .
T h i s r o a d h a d t o b e c l e a r e d f o r t h e P a r t y a n d t h e people,
the visible and invisible mines had to be defused. Ther e f o r e , d u r i n g those days, a t those f i e r y m o m e n t s w h e n
t h e f a t e o f t h e people a n d t h e H o m e l a n d w a s d e c i d e d , t h e
A l b a n i a n communists waged a great fierce battle and
triumphed.
T h e communists of the groups w h o w e r e present
at this meeting were freed f r o m a lot of h a r m f u l v i e w s
w i t h w h i c h t h e y h a d c r a m m e d t h e i r heads. T h e y b r o u g h t
t h e m out i n the open, d i s c u s s e d t h e m f r e e l y a n d c o n d e m n e d t h e m , m a d e f i e r c e c r i t i c i s m s o f one a n o t h e r a n d
gained immensely f r o m this great school. In praticular,
our whole new P a r t y w h i c h we had formed was to gain
a great d e a l .
W h a t w o u l d this P a r t y be like, h o w w o u l d it be
o r g a n i z e d , w h a t w o u l d b e its m i n i m u m p r o g r a m f o r the
times we were passing through? A l l the comrades of
t h e g r o u p s w h o t o o k p a r t i n t h e d i s c u s s i o n o f these
v i t a l questions gave their opinions w h i c h were in general
i n a c c o r d . I , too, dealt w i t h t h i s p r o b l e m a t l e n g t h i n m y
c o n t r i b u t i o n , s a y i n g i n essence:
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« C o m r a d e s , w e h a v e d e c i d e d t h e m a j o r issue, t h e
main thing, we have founded the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of
A l b a n i a o n a M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t basis. L i k e w i s e , w e h a v e
f r a n k l y d i s c u s s e d t h e g o o d a n d b a d aspects o f t h e
c o m m u n i s t g r o u p s . It's t r u e w e h a v e a t t a c k e d t h e e v i l s ,
but w e m u s t c o n t i n u e t o s t r u g g l e a n d , f r o m n o w o n , w e
must n o t a l l o w these o r s i m i l a r m i s t a k e s dressed u p
in other forms to occur again in the n e w circumstances
w h i c h t h e N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r w i l l create f o r us.
W e m u s t p u t t h e g o o d aspects o f t h e g r o u p s , e s p e c i a l l y
the p o s i t i v e aspects o f t h e w o r k t h e y h a v e done, i n t h e
service o f t h e P a r t y a n d t h e w a r , b u t w e m u s t n o t
content o u r s e l v e s w i t h those f e w r e s u l t s w h i c h h a v e
been a c h i e v e d . I n o r d e r t o s t r e n g t h e n t h e u n i t y i n t h e
Party, f r o m n o w on we must not permit any d i s c r i m i n a tion i n t h e r a n k s o f m e m b e r s o f t h e P a r t y i r r e s p e c t i v e
from w h a t group they have come. T h e r e must not be
any g r o u p p r e j u d i c e s r e t a i n e d i n t h e b a c k o f a n y o n e ' s
minds.»
«That's right,» interjected V a s i l Shanto, «and I propose t h a t f r o m n o w o n w e s h o u l d n o t h e a r a n y o n e s a y :
'I am a m e m b e r of this or that group.' F r o m n o w on there
are o n l y m e m b e r s o f t h e C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a . »
«I agree c o m p l e t e l y , » I s a i d a n d c o n t i n u e d . « T h e r e
are n o l o n g e r m e m b e r s o r l e a d e r s o f g r o u p s , t h e y d o n ' t
exist a n y m o r e . F r o m n o w o n t h e r e w i l l b e t h e l e a d e r s h i p
o f the P a r t y , t h e C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e a n d t h e r e g i o n a l
committees. T h e f o r m a t i o n o f t h e P a r t y l i q u i d a t e d t h e
groups f o r ever, h e n c e t h e s p i r i t a n d p r a c t i c e o f t h e i r
w o r k m u s t b e e l i m i n a t e d , too. W i t h t h e e l e c t i o n o f t h e
C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e b y t h i s m e e t i n g w e l i q u i d a t e 'the p o w e r
and i n f l u e n c e ' of l e a d e r s of c o m m u n i s t g r o u p s . I repeat
once m o r e w h a t V a s i l s a i d : t h e r e are n o l o n g e r m e m b e r s
o f groups. F r o m n o w o n t h e r e are o n l y m e m b e r s o f the
Communist P a r t y of A l b a n i a .
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ENVER HOXHA
« W h o w i l l b e t h e s o l d i e r s o f t h e P a r t y , t h a t is, its
first members? T h e comrades here discussed this a n d
t h e others w i l l discuss i t l a t t e r . I associate m y s e l f w i t h
the idea that the soldiers of our P a r t y w i l l be the o r g a nized members of the f o r m e r communist groups of S h k o d r a , K o r ç a a n d t h e ' Y o u t h ' a f t e r t h e y h a v e b e e n screened,
therefore, we should take the decision that i m m e d i a t e l y
a f t e r t h i s m e e t i n g w e s h o u l d p r e p a r e e x a c t lists o f t h e m e m b e r s of g r o u p s as q u i c k l y as possible. I s a y e x a c t
m e a n i n g t h a t t h e lists s h o u l d n o t b e e n l a r g e d w i t h p e o p l e
w h o h a v e n o t b e e n a c t i v e o r w h o a r e suspect, i n o r d e r
t o increase t h e n u m b e r s o t h a t one o r t h e o t h e r g r o u p
w i l l dominate in the Party. B u t neither should we present
s h o r t lists i n o r d e r t o c o n c e a l a n d r e t a i n a c t i v i s t s f o r
eventual factional w o r k outside the P a r t y . These lists
must be handed over as q u i c k l y as possible to the C e n t r a l
C o m m i t t e e w h i c h w i l l b e elected.
« T h e r e has b e e n a great d e a l of d i s c u s s i o n on t h e
foundations on w h i c h the P a r t y must be built. My opin i o n is that our P a r t y should be built f o l l o w i n g t h e
example of the Bolshevik Party, b o t h organizationally
and ideologically. A c c o r d i n g to this experience, as far as
I k n o w , its basic u n i t m u s t b e t h e c e l l , i n w h i c h t h e
communists w i l l militate. The members of the cell w i l l
elect its s e c r e t a r y a n d t h e c o m m u n i s t s o f t h e r e g i o n
o r t h e i r delegates w i l l elect t h e r e g i o n a l c o m m i t t e e o f
the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of A l b a n i a . F o r the t i m e being, I
think that the Central Committee should appoint the m a i n
cadres o f t h e r e g i o n a l c o m m i t t e e s a n d t h e p o l i t i c a l a n d
organizational secretary u n t i l the conditions are created
for their election to be done by the regional organ i z a t i o n s o f t h e P a r t y . W h e n w e create s u i t a b l e c o n d i t i o n s ,
t h e w h o l e P a r t y w i l l s e n d delegates t o t h e N a t i o n a l C o n ference w h i c h w i l l p l a y t h e r o l e o f t h e P a r t y C o n g r e s s
a n d i n these c i r c u m s t a n c e s , a s s u c h , w i l l b e t h e h i g h e s t
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
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instance of the leadership of the P a r t y , w h i c h w i l l det e r m i n e its l i n e a n d elect t h e D e f i n i t i v e C e n t r a l C o m mittee.»
In the meeting there w e r e vigorous a n d concrete discussions, v a l u a b l e debates a n d p r o p o s a l s a b o u t t h e f u n c t i o n i n g , n o r m s a n d p r i n c i p l e s o f the n e w P a r t y . A l m o s t
all t h e c o m r a d e s rose a n d s p o k e one a f t e r t h e other, o r
expressed t h e i r o p i n i o n s i n v a r i o u s i n t e r p o l a t i o n s . W i t h
these d i s c u s s i o n s a n d debates t h e p r o g r a m m a t i c l i n e o f
the P a r t y , t h e f o u n d a t i o n s a n d n o r m s o n w h i c h i t w o u l d
b e b u i l t , w e r e b e i n g w o r k e d out. T h u s , a m o n g s t o t h e r
things, w e s t r e s s e d :
«In our P a r t y there w i l l be democratic centralism,
open a n d s i n c e r e b o l s h e v i k c r i t i c i s m a n d s e l f - c r i t i c i s m
w i l l p r e v a i l . I n a l l its a c t i v i t y o u r P a r t y w i l l base itself
on and be guided by the theory of M a r x , Engels, L e n i n
and S t a l i n . O u r P a r t y i s a g a i n s t f a c t i o n s a n d g r o u p s ,
which i t w i l l fight mercilessly. O u r P a r t y w i l l encourage
the e x p r e s s i o n o f o p i n i o n s , b u t t h e o p i n i o n o f t h e m a j o r i t y
w i l l predominate over that of the minority, w h i c h must
obey t h e m a j o r i t y . O u r P a r t y m u s t h a v e steel d i s c i p l i n e ,
must h a v e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t u n i t y o f t h o u g h t a n d a c t i o n .
W i t h o u t i n t e r n a l steel d i s c i p l i n e a n d u n i t y o u r P a r t y ,
w h i c h w i l l d o b a t t l e w i t h a l a r g e n u m b e r o f enemies,
cannot l e a d t h e f i g h t s u c c e s s f u l l y .
«The P a r t y w i l l combat a l l a n t i - M a r x i s t ideologies
and c u r r e n t s . I n o r d e r t o a c c o m p l i s h t h i s e f f e c t i v e l y ,
however, w e m u s t i n s i s t e n e r g e t i c a l l y o n r a i s i n g t h e t h e o retical, p o l i t i c a l a n d i d e o l o g i c a l l e v e l o f t h e cadres a n d
members o f t h e P a r t y b y s t u d y i n g t h e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t
theory.
«Our P a r t y must be the organized v a n g u a r d of the
w o r k i n g class, w h i l e it c o n s i d e r s t h e p e a s a n t r y as a
f r i e n d l y class, a n a l l y o f t h e w o r k i n g class, a n d w i l l r e l y
h e a v i l y o n i t because o u r p e a s a n t r y w i l l p l a y a m a j o r role,
276
both
ENVER HOXHA
d u r i n g the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r a n d after.»
This was an important problem w h i c h had to be
stressed a n d a l l the c o m m u n i s t s h a d t o b e c l e a r a b o u t
i t . O u r P a r t y h a d been f o u n d e d a s a P a r t y o f t h e w o r k i n g
class, w h i c h w o u l d b e g u i d e d b y t h e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t
i d e o l o g y r e g a r d l e s s o f t h e fact t h a t i n o u r c o u n t r y t h i s
class w a s v e r y s m a l l , m a d e u p o f a n u m b e r o f w a g e
labourers, apprentices and craftsmen, and w e r e scarcely
tested i n t h e e x p e r i e n c e o f s t r i k e s a n d clashes, o r t r a d e u n i o n a n d class struggles.
T h e r e h a d b e e n w o r k e r s ' s t r i k e s i n t h e past i n v a r i o u s
cities o f o u r c o u n t r y , b u t t h e y w e r e o n a s m a l l scale a n d
not c o - o r d i n a t e d w i t h one a n o t h e r , b o t h because t h e n u m b e r o f w o r k e r s w a s s m a l l a n d because t h e r e w a s n o
organization in trade-unions and no developed industrial
b o u r g e o i s i e . T h e w o r k e r s ' s t r i k e s l i k e those i n K o r ç a , K u ç o v a a n d S h k o d r a , n a t u r a l l y , h a v e h a d a n e c o n o m i c class c h a r acter, b u t t h e y h a d also a s s u m e d a n a n t i - s t a t e c h a r a c t e r a gainst the g o v e r n m e n t a n d its o p p r e s s i v e m e a s u r e s . T h e
s t r i k e w i t h t h e m o s t m a r k e d class c h a r a c t e r w a s t h a t o f t h e
K u ç o v a workers, w h i c h was directed at the same time
against c a p i t a l i s t e x p l o i t e r s , w h o w e r e t h e I t a l i a n concession holders. W h i l e the «Puna» association in K o r ç a had
the i n i t i a l forms of the rally of w o r k e r s and craftsmen
of the city to defend their economic rights against the
e m p l o y e r s . T h i s a s s o c i a t i o n h a d also s t r u g g l e d f o r d e m o c r a t i c a n d p o l i t i c a l r i g h t s u p t o t h e p o i n t t h a t its m e m b e r s
a n d s y m p a t h i z e r s c a m e o u t i n t h e streets d e m a n d i n g
«bread» a n d f i g h t i n g w i t h Z o g ' s g e n d a r m e r i e . O f course,
I am not going to d w e l l at length on this p r o b l e m here,
because t h e P a r t y h a s m a d e a g e n e r a l a n a l y s i s o f t h i s
c a p i t a l q u e s t i o n a n d o u r h i s t o r i a n s a n d sociologists w i l l
c e r t a i n l y deepen i t w i t h f u r t h e r studies, b u t I w a n t t o
p o i n t out that, w h e n w e f o u n d e d t h e P a r t y , w e r e c o g nized the political, ideological and organizational short-
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
277
c o m i n g s a n d w e a k n e s s e s i n t h e w o r k i n g class, b u t also
r e c o g n i z e d its f i g h t i n g t r a d i t i o n s , r e v o l u t i o n a r y s p i r i t a n d
historic mission, therefore at the F o u n d i n g M e e t i n g of the
Party we u n d e r l i n e d that our P a r t y w o u l d be the o r g a n i zed v a n g u a r d d e t a c h m e n t o f t h e w o r k i n g class.
But, w h i l e bearing this in m i n d , the P a r t y never
underestimated the role a n d great weight of the peasantry
i n the w a r a n d r e v o l u t i o n . F r o m its e a r l i e s t d a y s t h e P a r t y
took i n t o a c c o u n t t h a t i n t h e f i g h t a g a i n s t t h e o c c u p i e r s ,
i t a n d t h e class w h i c h i t r e p r e s e n t e d h a d t o r e l y o n t h e
peasantry. T h e p e a s a n t s w e r e oppressed t o t h e l i m i t , h a d
little o r n o l a n d , l i v e d i n m e d i a e v a l f e u d a l i g n o r a n c e a n d
unheard of w a n t . A d d e d to the misery of the peasantry
over t h e c e n t u r i e s caused b y t h e beys, t h e f e u d a l l o r d s ,
the u s u r i o u s g r a n d a n d p e t t y b o u r g e o i s i e , b y t h e aghas
and b i g l a n d o w n e r s , w a s t h e o p p r e s s i o n i m p o s e d b y t h e
Italian o c c u p i e r s , t h e p l u n d e r e r s o f t h e f r e e d o m a n d i n dependence o f t h e H o m e l a n d , w h o w e r e b r i n g i n g i n t h e i r
own c o l o n i s t s a n d d r i v i n g t h e peasants f r o m t h e i r l a n d .
O u r peasants h a d great r e v o l u t i o n a r y t r a d i t i o n s . T h e y
had f o u g h t m o r e t h a n t h e c i t y - d w e l l e r s a g a i n s t a series
o f occupiers, a g a i n s t t h e i r e n s l a v i n g l a w s , a g a i n s t t a x e s
and s o o n . T h e m o u n t a i n s a n d t h e v i l l a g e s , f r o m w h i c h
our peasants p o u r e d d o w n u p o n t h e enemies, h a v e a l w a y s
been t h e centres o f r e s i s t a n c e a n d l i b e r a t i o n s t r u g g l e s .
The p r o g r e s s i v e e l e m e n t s o f t h e c i t y , w h e t h e r f i g h t e r s
with the pen or the rifle, h a d the peasantry as t h e i r
m a i n base. I n r e g a r d t o t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e k n o w l e d g e ,
the l a n g u a g e a n d s c h o o l i n g i t c a n b e s a i d t h a t t h i s b e g a n
i n the cities, b u t w h e n i t c a m e t o f i g h t i n g , t h e p r o g r e s s i v e
and r e v o l u t i o n a r y e l e m e n t s o f t h e cities h a d t h e p e a s a n t r y
a s t h e i r allies. N a t u r a l l y , i n those t i m e s w h e n t h e w o r k ing class d i d n o t e x i s t , t h e p e a s a n t r y w a s s u b j e c t e d t o
various i n f l u e n c e s . T h e n , too, a s t r u g g l e w a s w a g e d o v e r
who w o u l d w i n t h e s u p p o r t o f t h e p e a s a n t r y , t h e e m e r g -
278
ENVER HOXHA
i n g b o u r g e o i s i e o r t h e beys, t h e f e u d a l l o r d s a n d t h e b i g
landowners. T h e beys and the f e u d a l lords supported by the O t t o m a n and other occupiers maintained their
d o m i n a t i o n o v e r t h e p e a s a n t r y b y m e a n s o f force, a l t h o u g h
often enough they could not restrain the outbursts of the
a n g e r o f t h e p e a s a n t r y against o c c u p i e r s a n d f e u d a l
l o r d s . T h e f o l k songs, t h e g l o r i o u s h i s t o r y o f each e p o c h
handed d o w n by w o r d of mouth, tell of this.
However, the progressive elements w h o were emergi n g f r o m the u r b a n bourgeoisie and the progressive patr i o t i c elements w i t h i n f l u e n c e , w h o b r o k e a w a y f r o m t h e i r
class o f beys a n d f e u d a l l o r d s , s t r u g g l e d t o a w a k e n t h e
p e a s a n t r y a n d b e c a m e c o m p e t i t i v e w i t h t h e f e u d a l class
i n o r d e r t o u n d e r m i n e its i n f l u e n c e i n t h e c o u n t r y s i d e .
O f course, t h e r e w e r e o t h e r f a c t o r s w h i c h c o m p e t e d
i n t h e struggle, w h i c h I h a v e b r i e f l y m e n t i o n e d , s u c h
a s t h e v a r i o u s r e l i g i o n s , i n p a r t i c u l a r , t h e heads o f w h i c h
a s s i s t e d b o t h t h e f o r e i g n e r s a n d t h e e x p l o i t i n g class o f
feudal lords and the bourgeois speculators. Nevertheless,
a m o n g t h e believers, a m o n g p e o p l e o f a l l r e l i g i o n s , especially the Moslems and the O r t h o d o x Christians, there
w e r e l i b e r a l c u r r e n t s w h i c h stressed t h e s i d i n g o f t h e
peasantry w i t h the progressive bourgeoisie. T h e patriotic
r e v o l u t i o n a r y s p i r i t , t h e s t r u g g l e against p o v e r t y a n d o p pression impelled our p r o u d peasantry not towards athei s m , a s w e c o m m u n i s t s u n d e r s t a n d it, b u t o n t h e c o u r s e
of t h i n k i n g : «I h a v e a r e l i g i o n , because t h a t ' s t h e w a y
i t is, because I w a s b o r n o f t h a t r e l i g i o n a n d t h a t ' s h o w
I w i l l die.» I n t h e g r e a t s t r u g g l e w h i c h a w a i t e d u s w e
w e r e g o i n g t o r e l y p r e c i s e l y o n these masses, o n these
traditions, therefore in my contribution I pointed out:
«The P a r t y must combat sectarianism and opportunism, both in thought and action. We must increase the
ranks of the Party, first of all, w i t h sound w o r k e r
elements, b u t also w i t h
peasants a n d o t h e r r e v o l u -
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279
t i o n a r y f i g h t e r s . A l l those w h o a r e a d m i t t e d t o t h e P a r t y
must b e tested i n s t r u g g l e f o r t h e a c h i e v e m e n t o f its
aims. W e m u s t close t h e d o o r s o f t h e P a r t y t o spies a n d
p r o v o c a t e u r s , t o gossips a n d c o w a r d s , t o f a c t i o n a l i s t s ,
a n a r c h i s t s a n d i n t r i g u e r s w h o w i l l t r y t o p e n e t r a t e its
r a n k s i n o r d e r t o cause c o n f u s i o n a n d t o create t h e
terrain for anti-Party Trotskyite work.
« T h e m e r c i l e s s o r g a n i z e d s t r u g g l e against the o c c u p i e r s
and traitors must occupy the m a i n place in the p r o g r a m
of our Party. O u r a i m is the general armed uprising, in
w h i c h the w h o l e people must be mobilized, but in order
t o r e a c h t h i s stage t h e s i m p l e r f o r m s o f s t r u g g l e , d e m o n s t r a tions, acts of sabotage, e x e c u t i o n s of e n e m i e s a n d r e p e a t e d
actions m u s t b e c a r r i e d out. I n t h e cities t h e P a r t y m u s t
o r g a n i z e t h e g u e r r i l l a u n i t s , w h i l e i n the v i l l a g e s i t m u s t
f o r m p a r t i s a n çeta a n d u n i t s o f f r e e d o m f i g h t e r s f r o m
w h i c h , i n t h e c o u r s e o f t h e w a r , i t w i l l o r g a n i z e the b i g
units w h i c h w i l l f o r m t h e people's a r m y . T h e r e f o r e , t h e
P a r t y m u s t e x t e n d its w o r k a m o n g t h e masses a n d c a r r y
out w i d e - r a n g i n g p o l i t i c a l a c t i v i t y e v e r y w h e r e i n o r d e r
t o m o b i l i z e t h e people, a l l honest i n d i v i d u a l s , a l l t h e
p a t r i o t i c a n d a n t i - f a s c i s t forces i n t h e great s t r u g g l e .
T h e w h o l e people m u s t b e c o n v i n c e d t h a t t h e o n l y w a y
t o escape f r o m s l a v e r y i s t o f i g h t a r m s i n h a n d a n d that
they w i l l t r i u m p h i n t h i s f i g h t . T h e people m u s t b e c o n vinced about the strength and the correct line of the
Party. O u r new P a r t y must be in the forefront of the
f i g h t ; w h e r e v e r t h e d a n g e r i s greatest, w h e r e v e r t h e
sacrifices are greatest, t h a t i s w h e r e t h e c o m m u n i s t s
must be.
«The P a r t y must tell the people that it is fighting so
they t h e m s e l v e s w i l l t a k e p o w e r a n d , w h e n t h i s i s a c h i e v e d ,
the P a r t y w o u l d c a r r y o u t m a j o r economic, c u l t u r a l a n d
social r e f o r m s . T h e P a r t y w i l l t e l l the people that, ' f r e e d o m
must b e w o n , i t i s n o t d o n a t e d . ' T h e r e f o r e , t h e C o m m u n i s t
280
ENVER HOXHA
P a r t y of A l b a n i a w h i c h has been f o r m e d w i l l lead the
N a t i o n a l Liberation W a r and the people to victory. T h i s
m u s t b e the great m i s s i o n o f t h e P a r t y i n g e n e r a l o u t l i n e . »
A f t e r these o p i n i o n s h a d b e e n e x p r e s s e d a n d a l l t h e
c o m r a d e s h a d d i s c u s s e d these i m p o r t a n t p r o b l e m s , f i n a l l y
w e d e c i d e d u n a n i m o u s l y t h a t these p r i n c i p l e s a n d t h e
conclusions and decisions of this historic meeting, w h i c h
founded the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of A l b a n i a , should be
summed up in the «Resolution of the M e e t i n g of the M a i n
Communist Groups of A l b a n i a on the F o r m a t i o n of the
Party».
A f t e r a l l t h i s w e came t o t h e f i n a l q u e s t i o n : t h e
election of the C e n t r a l Committee. First, the comrades
agreed t o t h e p r o p o s a l t h a t t h i s C o m m i t t e e w h i c h w e
w o u l d elect w o u l d b e p r o v i s i o n a l u n t i l t h e c a l l i n g o f a
N a t i o n a l Conference of the P a r t y . B u t w h o w o u l d be
elected? T h i s w a s n o t a s i m p l e p r o b l e m , b e a r i n g i n m i n d
t h a t chiefs o f t h e f o r m e r g r o u p s , those w h o h a d a l w a y s
pretended to be at the head of everything, were t a k i n g
part in the meeting, and they w o u l d certainly have l i k e d
to be in the «leadership» of the n e w P a r t y . A n d then,
w h i c h f o r m e r h e a d o f a g r o u p w o u l d b e «the c h i e f » a t t h e
head of the C e n t r a l Committee? The C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of
A l b a n i a h a d been founded, but the confusion of the f o r m e r
groups h a d not been and could not be eliminated so
q u i c k l y f r o m t h e m i n d s a n d consciousness o f t h e i r m e m b e r s .
Therefore, m a n y comrades i n c l u d i n g me w e r e of the
opinion that the f o r m e r chiefs of the groups should be
l e f t out o f t h e l e a d e r s h i p a l t o g e t h e r . T h i s d e c i s i o n w o u l d
have exceptional importance for unity of leadership of
the n e w l y formed Party, and consequently for the w h o l e
Party.
Because we judged matters in this way, we had to
f i n d a w a y a t a l l costs t o l e a v e out t h e c h i e f s . A n d the
possibilities for this existed. Besides the period before the
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
281
meeting, t h e s i x o r s e v e n d a y s o f debates a t t h e m e e t i n g ,
especially, h a d s h o w n u p t h e c h i e f s i n t h e i r t r u e c o l o u r s .
T h e y h a d b e e n a t t a c k e d m o r e h e a v i l y t h a n a n y o n e else
and b l a m e d f o r t h e f o r m e r w e a k n e s s e s i n t h e c o m m u n i s t
movement of A l b a n i a .
At this point M i l a d i n , in his role of arbitre a m o n g the
groups, i n t e r v e n e d t o m a k e a w i s e i n t e r p o l a t i o n . H e s a i d :
«Comrades, here I am t a k i n g account of an opinion
or a proposal w h i c h comrade Tashko made sometimes
ago. He p r o p o s e d t h a t as one of t h e h e a d s of t h e f o r m e r
groups h e s h o u l d n o t b e elected t o t h e C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e .
I think that the proposal is valid, not only for h i m , but
also f o r t h e others. T h e r e f o r e , l o o k i n g a t K o ç o ' s p e r s o n a l
proposal in a g e n e r a l c o n t e x t , I suggest to t h e m e e t i n g t h a t
none o f t h e l e a d e r s o f t h e f o r m e r g r o u p s , n e i t h e r c h a i r m e n
nor v i c e - c h a i r m e n , s h o u l d b e elected t o t h e P r o v i s i o n a l
Central Committee».
Immediately I remembered that during a conversation
before t h e m e e t i n g , a t w h i c h some o f o u r c o m r a d e s a n d
M i l a d i n P o p o v i ć w e r e present, w h e n w e w e r e t a l k i n g
about h o w t h e c h i e f s o f t h e g r o u p s h a d h i n d e r e d o u r
u n i t y i n t h e past a n d w e r e s t i l l a h i n d r a n c e t o it, K o ç o
Tashko's face h a d f l u s h e d w i t h a n g e r a n d o n t h e s p u r
o f the m o m e n t h e h a d s a i d :
«If I h a v e b e e n a h i n d r a n c e t h e n r e m o v e me. T h o u g h
it is n o t I w h o h a v e h i n d e r e d u n i t y , b u t those of t h e
Shkodra and 'Youth' groups...»
I was convinced that K o ç o did this simply for demago­
gy, in o r d e r to a p p e a r «generous», « p r i n c i p l e d » , « d e v o t e d
t o the cause», etc. M o r e o v e r , K o ç o h a d r e p e a t e d t h i s state­
ment i n p a s s i n g i n o n e o f h i s i n t e r v e n t i o n s d u r i n g the
meeting.
W h e n M i l a d i n s a i d this, K o ç o T a s h k o seemed s t u n n e d
and he s a i d :
ENVER HOXHA
282
«Just h a n g on a m i n u t e . . . , don't misunderstand m e . . .
W h a t I meant w a s . . . »
« Y o u w e r e q u i t e right,» s a i d P i l o i n a s e r i o u s tone, b u t
not without a
t o u c h of
i r o n y . «I agree t h a t t h e c h i e f s
s h o u l d n o t be elected.»
Anastas L u l a and Sadik Premte kept their tempers in
check. T h e y d i d n o t k n o w w h o t o t a k e i t o u t o n , K o ç o
o r t h e m s e l v e s . O n l y V a s i l S h a n t o took t h e d e c i s i o n o f t h e
meeting calmly
and w i t h
the generosity
devoted communist. I don't
of
remember who
a true
and
proposed the
« c o m p r o m i s e » , w h i c h w a s accepted, t h a t t h e l i s t o f c a n didates t o t h e C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e s h o u l d b e p r e p a r e d a n d
presented by a commission
of three
people made up of
t h e c o m r a d e s w h o h a d b e e n m o r e o r less a t t h e h e a d o f
the
groups
and
were
taking part
in
the
meeting.
So,
Koço Tashko, V a s i l Shanto and Anastas L u l a were appointed to the commission. B u t this commission did not operate
a p a r t f r o m c o n s u l t a t i o n s w i t h t h e c o m r a d e s present a t t h e
m e e t i n g a n d n o t j u s t each w i t h t h e c o m r a d e s o f h i s o w n
g r o u p , b u t also i n c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h others. T h e l i s t w a s
d r a w n u p t a k i n g i n t o account t h e past o f the c a n d i d a t e s ,
w h i c h w a s t h e i r r o l e i n t h e m e e t i n g , also b e a r i n g i n m i n d
their
class
origin
and
establishing
a
correct
proportion
b e t w e e n those w i t h w o r k e r o r i g i n o r status a n d i n t e l l e c tuals. I t w a s t a k e n i n t o a c c o u n t that, w i t h i n t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s ,
a
certain balance should be maintained in i n c l u d i n g the
soundest r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s
Central
f r o m the
former
groups in
the
Committee.
T h u s , a f t e r d i s c u s s i o n o f these q u e s t i o n s a n d t h e c h a r acteristics
meeting
of the
elected
candidates
the
which were
Provisional
Central
presented,
the
Committee
of
was no election
for
seven persons.
In order to ensure u n i t y there
«WHEN THE PARTY WAS BORN» (EXCERPTS)
283
chairman or secretary of the C e n t r a l Committee. (8) Complete
parity was made the foundation of the w h o l e w o r k as
it had been for the preparation and the conduct of the
proceedings o f t h e M e e t i n g f o r t h e F o u n d i n g o f t h e P a r t y ,
N o t h i n g s h o u l d b e d o n e w h i c h w o u l d create t h e i m p r e s s i o n
that one g r o u p h a d m o r e r i g h t s a n d a d v a n t a g e s t h a n
the other.
T h u s , a f t e r s e v e n d a y s o f i n t e n s i v e w o r k the m e e t i n g
came t o a n e n d w i t h a great v i c t o r y , t h e f o u n d i n g o f
the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a , w i t h a correct l i n e a n d a
clear p r o g r a m .
W i t h j o y i n o u r h e a r t s a n d f u l l o f e n t h u s i a s m w e set
t o w o r k w i t h zeal a n d o p t i m i s m .
T a k e n f r o m «When the Party
Was Born», 3rd A l b . ed.,
Tirana 1983
___________________________________________
8 K n o w n h i s t o r i c a l facts and o f f i c i a l documents of the
Party show that C o m r a d e E n v e r H o x h a led the (Provisional)
Central Committee. He was elected G e n e r a l Secretary of the
C P A at the 1st N a t i o n a l Conference, h e l d on 17-22 M a r c h
1943 in L a b i n o t (Elbasan). T h e Conference, also, elected the
Definitive C e n t r a l Committee, comprised of 15 members and
5 alternate members, a n d the P o l i t i c a l B u r e a u .
REFLECTIONS
July 15, 1981
W e A l b a n i a n s , a s a people, a P a r t y a n d state h a v e
a l w a y s been a n d a r e a g a i n s t i m p e r i a l i s t w a r s , a g a i n s t a n y
unjust w a r w h i c h is aimed at the enslavement, slaughter
a n d e x p l o i t a t i o n o f the peoples. T h i s h a s its o w n c o n c r e t e
h i s t o r i c a l reasons. T h r o u g h o u t t h e i r e x i s t e n c e t h e A l b a n i a n people h a v e s u f f e r e d g r e a t l y as a r e s u l t of s u c h
wars w h i c h have been directly detrimental to their freedom, territorial integrity and national independence. A l l
these w a r s w i t h o u t e x c e p t i o n h a v e b r o u g h t o u r p e o p l e
bloodshed, exploitation and the fragmentation of t h e i r
territory. This is an undeniable reality.
O u r p e o p l e h a v e f a c e d u p t o these
and have fought w i t h unflinching
wars
heroically
determination against
savage enemies i n defence o f t h e i r f r e e d o m , i n d e p e n d e n c e ,
integrity, culture and their v e r y existence, in defence of
w h a t has
been a n d
is theirs. At the same
course o f these w a r s
fight
better,
have
our
gained
people have
experience
time, in t h e
learned
how
to
enabling
them
to
u n d e r s t a n d t h e p r o b l e m s t h a t f a c e d t h e m , t h e aims, tactics,
plans and plots of external a n d i n t e r n a l enemies and, on
t h i s basis, t h e y h a v e b e e n a b l e t o
build
the tactics
of
REFLECTIONS
285
their resistance in order to w i t h s t a n d the evil-doing of
the e n e m i e s . T h i s , too, is a r e a l i t y . To be a b l e to d i s t i n g u i s h
f r i e n d s f r o m foes, f a l s e f r i e n d s f r o m t r u e f r i e n d s , i s a
q u e s t i o n o f e x p e r i e n c e . « M i s t a k e s a r e o f t e n t h e best
teachers,» o u r p e o p l e say. T h e y also s a y : « T h e w a t e r s
m a y sleep b u t n o t t h e e n e m y » . T h e s e t w o s a y i n g s , these
two great teachings, have emerged f r o m the p r o f o u n d
p h i l o s o p h i c a l t h i n k i n g o f t h e people, f r o m o u r people's
great e x p e r i e n c e o f l i f e , a n d h a v e g u i d e d t h e m t h r o u g h o u t
the ages of t h e i r h i s t o r y .
The struggle of a people for national existence does
not and cannot depend on the combinations and diplomatic
intrigues of other states, be they big or small. It depends
on the consciousness of the people themselves, when they
attain understanding of what their rights and true interests are, have confidence in their own strength at any
moment and in any situation, and know how to defend
these rights and interests with iron will, sound logic, and
revolutionary struggle. Only then the strength of the
people becomes invincible, is multiplied a hundredfold
and bursts out like an irresistible hurricane.
We A l b a n i a n s have proceeded on such a course.
H i s t o r y proves this, otherwise we w o u l d not exist today,
the i n v a d e r s w o u l d h a v e a s s i m i l a t e d u s o r t h e e n e m i e s
would have w i p e d us out; otherwise we w o u l d not have
succeeded i n b u i l d i n g a m o r e a d v a n c e d society, socialist
society, i n w h i c h t h e p e o p l e a r e i n p o w e r . U n d e r t h e
leadership of the P a r t y and w i t h this r i c h experience
of struggles a n d w a r s for freedom, our people fought,
a c h i e v e d v i c t o r y a n d succeeded i n b u i l d i n g t h e n e w
society. M o r e o v e r , t h e y a r e d e t e r m i n e d t o d e v e l o p t h i s
society s t i l l f u r t h e r a n d w i l l n e v e r a l l o w t h e i r f r e e d o m ,
independence and the victories attained to slip f r o m
t h e i r h a n d s o r b e s t o l e n f r o m t h e m b y a n y e n e m y , great
or small, old or new.
286
ENVER HOXHA
W e k n o w t h a t t h e r e are i n d i v i d u a l s a n d a l i e n forces
w h o c a n n o t s t a n d A l b a n i a a n d its people a n d d o n o t w a n t
t h e m t o exist, w h o d o n o t w a n t t h e A l b a n i a n p e o p l e t o
b u i l d t h e i r l i f e i n the w a y t h e y t h e m s e l v e s h a v e d e c i d e d , w h o
are displeased t h a t s m a l l A l b a n i a exists as a socialist state
a m i d s t a n ocean o f c a p i t a l i s t states w i t h v a r i o u s labels.
B u t t h e y c a n d o n o t h i n g t o socialist A l b a n i a . T h e
t i m e s a n d t h e r a t i o o f forces h a v e c h a n g e d g r e a t l y i n
f a v o u r o f o u r people a n d A l b a n i a . Y e s , t h e y m a y a t t a c k
t h e P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a f r o m outside,
a n d w e n e v e r forget o r neglect t h i s p o s s i b i l i t y , b u t w e
shall defend ourselves and we k n o w h o w to defend
ourselves a n d w i n . T h r o u g h o u t t h e i r h i s t o r y t h e A l b a n i a n
people h a v e k n o w n h o w t o d e f e n d t h e m s e l v e s . O u r P a r t y
o f L a b o u r has f u r t h e r e n r i c h e d a n d t e m p e r e d t h e u n i t y
o f o u r people i n t h e w a r f o r defence. M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m
teaches u s t h a t t h e peoples w h o f i g h t t o d e f e n d t h e i r
f r e e d o m a n d i n d e p e n d e n c e w a g e a j u s t w a r , hence t h e y are
i n v i n c i b l e . A n d t h e A l b a n i a n people a r e i n v i n c i b l e . T h e y
m a y t r y t o d i v i d e us, t o t a k e t h e f o r t r e s s f r o m w i t h i n ,
but this w i l l not occur as long as the P a r t y of L a b o u r of
A l b a n i a , a genuine M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t Party, remains at the
h e a d o f the A l b a n i a n people. O u r f o r t r e s s i s n o t l i k e t h e
fortresses o f t h e i r d r e a m s . W e h a v e b u i l t i t w i t h o u r o w n
hands on our o w n soil, through the bloodshed and toil
o f t h e sons o f t h i s l a n d . T h e r e are n o c r a c k s o r b r e a c h e s
i n its w a l l s a n d i t has n o t been b u i l t w i t h r o t t e n m a t e r i a l s .
It is able to w i t h s t a n d all the waves of w a r just as it
has w i t h s t o o d those t h a t h a v e c r u s h e d u p o n i t i n t h e
past. T h e i m p e r i a l i s t , s o c i a l - i m p e r i a l i s t a n d o t h e r enemies
m a y t r y t o m a k e o u r P a r t y d e v i a t e a s t h e y succeeded
i n d o i n g w i t h o t h e r parties, but t h i s w i l l n e v e r o c c u r w i t h
u s because n e v e r f o r one m o m e n t w i l l t h e P a r t y o f L a b o u r
of A l b a n i a deviate f r o m the M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t theory and
the Leninist norms of the life of the p a r t y at any time
REFLECTIONS
287
or on any question. It is precisely this resolute stand,
t h i s steadfast l o y a l t y t o M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m t h a t keeps
our P a r t y pure and makes it strong. The P a r t y is closely
l i n k e d w i t h t h e people, i t exists, l i v e s a n d f i g h t s i n t h e
i n t e r e s t s o f t h e people w h o g a v e b i r t h t o it, w h o a r e t h e
d a i l y w i t n e s s e s o f t h e great l e a d i n g r o l e o f t h e P a r t y
in the progress of the c o u n t r y a n d the raising of their
economic well-being, and social and cultural level.
So, i t i s c l e a r w h y t h e A l b a n i a n people are against
predatory imperialist wars. T h e y have suffered the terr i b l e g r a v e consequences o f s u c h w a r s o n t h e i r o w n b a c k s .
T h a t i s w h y o u r people a n d t h e P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c
o f A l b a n i a are f o r peace b e t w e e n n a t i o n s . T h e e x p e r i e n c e
o f t h e A l b a n i a n people o v e r t h e c e n t u r i e s a n d o u r M a r x i s t Leninist ideology w h i c h guides the P a r t y of L a b o u r of
A l b a n i a i n e v e r y a c t i o n are e v i d e n t p r o o f o f t h e i r correct
s t a n d o n t h i s great p r o b l e m , i r r e s p e c t i v e o f w h a t those
w h o , i n fact, are o p p o n e n t s o f peace b e t w e e n n a t i o n s say.
O u r people h a v e n e v e r a t t a c k e d o t h e r peoples, t h e y
h a v e n e v e r c o v e t e d o r l a i d e v e n a f i n g e r o n w h a t belongs
t o others, o n t h e c o n t r a r y , a l t h o u g h t h e A l b a n i a n s h a v e
been the victims of the evil and predatory aims and
a m b i t i o n s o f some states, t h e y h a v e gone t o t h e i r a i d .
T h i s , too, i s a r e a l i t y w h i c h c a n n o t b e concealed b y a n y
k i n d o f p r o p a g a n d a o r d e m a g o g y . S o m e m a y present
h i s t o r i c a l e v e n t s i n b o o k s a n d i n t h e press t h e o t h e r w a y
r o u n d , b u t t h e y c a n n o t d o s o w i t h r e a l h i s t o r y , because
i t i s p e r p e t u a t e d i n t h e b o s o m o f t h e peoples t h e m s e l v e s ,
b y t h e peoples t h e m s e l v e s w h o h a n d i t d o w n f r o m one
generation to another.
H o w e v e r w e a r e v e r y c l e a r a b o u t t h e fact t h a t
peace b e t w e e n peoples c a n n o t b e a c h i e v e d w i t h o u t t h e
j u s t r e v o l u t i o n a r y s t r u g g l e o f t h e peoples t h e m s e l v e s
against those w h o d o n o t w a n t t h i s peace, w h o d o n o t w a n t
t h e f r e e d o m a n d s o v e r e i g n t y o f peoples, d o n o t w a n t
288
ENVER HOXHA
t h e peoples t o f r e e t h e m s e l v e s f r o m t h e h e a v y c h a i n s o f
e n s l a v e m e n t a n d savage e x p l o i t a t i o n w i t h w h i c h
the
capitalist powers have shackled t h e m for centuries. T h i s
i s p r e c i s e l y w h e r e t h e peoples w h o w a n t c o m p l e t e f r e e d o m
and their imperialist oppressors and plunderers reach the
p a r t i n g o f t h e i r w a y s . T h i s i s a class s t r u g g l e b o t h i n ternal and on an international plane. In this struggle the
enemies o f t h e peoples, t h e c a p i t a l i s t s o f a l l hues a n d
calibres, s t r i v e t o p r e s e r v e t h e i r p l u n d e r a n d d o m i n a t i o n
o f t h e peoples, w h i l e t h e l a t t e r f i g h t t o w i n t h e i r r i g h t s
a n d p u t a n e n d t o t h e e x p l o i t a t i o n o f m a n b y m a n once
and for all.
I n t h e i r u n j u s t p r e d a t o r y w a r a g a i n s t t h e peoples,
t h e c a p i t a l i s t s are g u i d e d b y t h e i r o w n i d e o l o g y , b u t t h e
peoples, too, h a v e t h e i r i d e o l o g y , M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m , t h e
i m m o r t a l ideas o f M a r x , E n g e l s , L e n i n a n d S t a l i n , w h i c h
guide them towards liberation f r o m capital.
This is the source of the contradictions and s t r u g gle b e t w e e n t w o s y s t e m s w h i c h r e p r e s e n t t w o d i f f e r e n t
societies, c a p i t a l i s t a n d socialist, w h i c h h a v e c o m p l e t e l y
opposite a i m s a n d interests, i n s t r u g g l e w i t h a n d d i a m e t r i c a l l y opposed t o e a c h o t h e r i n r e g a r d t o t h e w a y s
of the development of m a n k i n d in the future. T h i s is
also t h e s o u r c e o f t h e p o l i c y o f states w i t h d i f f e r e n t
systems i n t h e w o r l d . T h e p o l i c y o f c a p i t a l i s t - r e v i s i o n i s t
b o u r g e o i s states serves t h e i n t e r e s t s of t h e b o u r g e o i s
class w h i c h r u l e s i n those c o u n t r i e s . I t e x e r c i s e s t h i s r u l e
t h r o u g h a s t r u c t u r e a n d s u p e r s t r u c t u r e w h i c h oppresses
a n d e x p l o i t s t h e w o r k i n g class, t h e p e a s a n t r y a n d t h e
o t h e r w o r k i n g masses o f t h e c o u n t r y . T h i s r u l e i s e x e r c i s e d
also t h r o u g h a l l k i n d s o f a l l i a n c e s w h i c h t h e c a p i t a l i s t revisionist bourgeoisie forms w i t h that of the b i g capitalist, i m p e r i a l i s t a n d s o c i a l - i m p e r i a l i s t states.
T h e s t r e n g t h o f t h e i n f r a s t r u c t u r e o f v a r i o u s states
w i t h c a p i t a l i s t systems a n d w i t h n u a n c e s i n t h e f o r m o f
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289
t h e state a n d w h a t i t i s c a l l e d v a r i e s d e p e n d i n g o n t h e i r
different levels of socio-economic potential to w h i c h their
u n e q u a l development gives rise. The efforts to eliminate
these d i f f e r e n t l e v e l s a n d t h e i r consequences cause c o n t r a d i c t i o n s w i t h i n t h e r a n k s o f t h e b o u r g e o i s class i n
power, different strata and representatives of w h i c h ,
through demagogic political manoeuvres strive to ensure
t h a t state p o w e r n e v e r s l i p s f r o m t h e h a n d s o f t h e i r
class. T h e y d i s g u i s e these d e c e p t i v e m a n o e u v r e s , w h i c h
a r e v e r y d a n g e r o u s f o r t h e peoples, w i t h t h e s o - c a l l e d
democratic freedoms of the capitalist system, w i t h the
s t r u g g l e e a c h o f t h e i r p a r t i e s w a g e s f r o m its o w n p o s i t i o n s
« f o r t h e r i g h t s o f electors, t h e w o r k i n g masses», w i t h t h e
struggle w h i c h parties of various descriptions wage even
i n p a r l i a m e n t , etc. B u t t h e r e i s n o t h i n g d e m o c r a t i c a b o u t
these p a r t i e s a n d w h a t t h e y r e p r e s e n t . T h e «struggle»
between t h e m is a struggle between financial-political
clans, a s t r u g g l e of w o r d s , a s t r u g g l e c o n d u c t e d in c o r r i d o r s
a n d d r a w i n g - r o o m s in the interests neither of the w o r k i n g masses n o r o f t h e electors. O n t h e c o n t r a r y , a s s o o n
a s t h e y get i n t o p a r l i a m e n t , t h e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f these
p a r t i e s , t h e d e p u t i e s elected « t h r o u g h free, d e m o c r a t i c
ballot» approve laws w h i c h are completely in favour of
t h e b o u r g e o i s i e , t o p r o t e c t its i m m e n s e c a p i t a l , i.e., t o
prolong the existence of the rule of the bourgeoisie over
t h e w o r k i n g masses.
In capitalist society the opposition between political
currents and the economic reforms proclaimed by the
various bourgeois parties serve o n l y to ensure their p o w e r
o r t o s h a r e i t a n d t h e colossal p r o f i t s a m o n g t h e m s e l v e s , a t
t h e e x p e n s e o f t h e masses. O n l y t h e i l l u s i o n i s c r e a t e d
that they are allegedly f i g h t i n g in the interests of the
masses, w h e r e a s i n f a c t a n d i n essence t h e y a r e f i g h t i n g
f o r t h e r e l e n t l e s s i m p o v e r i s h m e n t o f t h e masses, f o r t h e
e x p l o i t a t i o n o f t h e i r b l o o d a n d sweat.
290
ENVER HOXHA
T h u s i n c a p i t a l i s t - r e v i s i o n i s t b o u r g e o i s society, t h e
p o l a r i z a t i o n i n t o oppressors a n d oppressed, i n t o e x p l o i t e r s
a n d e x p l o i t e d , i s d e e p e n e d . S i m i l a r class r e l a t i o n s e x i s t also
a m o n g c a p i t a l i s t a n d r e v i s i o n i s t states. T h e biggest states,
those w i t h t h e greatest e c o n o m i c a n d m i l i t a r y p o w e r ,
impose their l a w in various w a y s on the smaller capitalist
a n d r e v i s i o n i s t states. T h e e c o n o m i c d e p e n d e n c e w h i c h
i s i m p o s e d o n t h e s m a l l states b y t h e b i g ones u n d o u b t e d l y
brings all-round political dependence a n d submission. The
i n d e p e n d e n c e of these states is f i c t i t i o u s a n d serves o n l y
t o e m b e l l i s h t h e i r c o n s t i t u t i o n s a n d d e c e i v e t h e peoples.
It is an i r r e f u t a b l e fact t h a t t o d a y a n u m b e r of c a p i l a l i s t - r e v i s i o n i s t states are d e p e n d e n t o n a n d a l i g n e d w i t h
the imperialist superpowers and their policies t h r o u g h
a thousand interconnecting threads, and not only t h r o u g h
such m i l i t a r y organisms as N A T O and the W a r s a w Treaty,
or monopoly economic communities such as the E u r o pean C o m m o n M a r k e t and Comecon. E v e n the other capit a l i s t - r e v i s i o n i s t states, w h i c h are n o t m e m b e r s o f these
blocs, are b y n o m e a n s i n d e p e n d e n t f r o m o r n o n - a l i g n e d
w i t h the big powers and the imperialist and social-imperi a l i s t s u p e r p o w e r s . T h e s e s o - c a l l e d i n d e p e n d e n t states
h a v e got i n t o p e r m a n e n t d e b t t o t h e b i g c a p i t a l i s t p o w e r s .
C o n s e q u e n t l y , a n d t h e r e c a n b e n o d o u b t a b o u t this, t h e i r
p o l i t i c a l i n d e p e n d e n c e has n o s o l i d basis, because e v e r y one k n o w s t h a t t h e r e c a n b e n o p o l i t i c a l i n d e p e n d e n c e
w i t h o u t economic independence. Past and present international practice confirms this. If this u n w r i t t e n capitalist l a w d i d n o t o p e r a t e i n a n i n f l e x i b l e w a y i n t h e r e l a tions of subjection between the provider and the receiver
o f m o n e y o r c o m m o d i t i e s o n c r e d i t s o r loans, t h e a l l r o u n d pressure of the bigger on the smaller, of the v e r y
r i c h and the rich on the poor and the v e r y poor w o u l d
h o t exist, t h e i n s t a b i l i t y i n t h e p o l i c y o f states w o u l d
n o t exist, t h e s t r u g g l e f o r m a r k e t s , n e o - c o l o n i a l i s m , t h e
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i n t e r f e r e n c e o f one state i n t h e i n t e r n a l a f f a i r s o f a n o t h e r state, w h i c h has b e c o m e a c o m m o n o c c u r r e n c e a l l
over the w o r l d and even develops into bloody local armed
c o n f l i c t s , w o u l d n o t e x i s t . T h e g e n e r a l c r i s i s itself d e t e r m ines t h e c h a i n o f e c o n o m i c - p o l i t i c a l d e p e n d e n c e o f t h e
c a p i t a l i s t - r e v i s i o n i s t states on one a n o t h e r .
To conceal this situation of economic-political subj e c t i o n f r o m t h e peoples, t o f a i l t o s h o w t h e m t h e reasons
f o r a n d t h e sources o f t h i s g e n e r a l p o l i t i c a l i n s t a b i l i t y i n
t h e w o r l d , t o f a i l t o m a k e c l e a r t o t h e m w h o oppresses a n d
e x p l o i t s t h e m , t o use a l l sorts o f a n t i - s o c i a l a n d a n t i - r e v olutionary political formulas, to conceal the great a n d u n i n terrupted a r m i n g of the superpowers and the imperialist
powers as w e l l as their frenzied preparations for war,
is a great a n d unpardonable crime against m a n k i n d .
T h e r e are p l e n t y o f w o r d m o n g e r s w h o create « p a c i f i s t o r g a n i z a t i o n s » , w h o g a t h e r a n d shout a b o u t p r o b l e m s
o f d i s a r m a m e n t a n d peace, w h o d i v i d e t h e n a t i o n s i n t o
«non-aligned», into
m a n y «worlds» or
«undeveloped
c o u n t r i e s » , b u t n o n e o f these t h i n g s p r e v e n t s t h e i m p e rialists and social-imperialists, w h o defy every internat i o n a l f o r u m or conference, f r o m going ahead w i t h their
hegemonic and expansionist policy. They continue to rule
o v e r o t h e r peoples a n d c o u n t r i e s , t o d i v i d e t h e i r s p h e r e s
of political, economic and military-strategic influence,
t o m a k e colossal p r o f i t s f r o m t h e i m p o s e d sale o f s t o c k p i l e s of goods a n d w e a p o n s of a l l k i n d s a n d to t h r o w a
f e w c r u m b s o f these p r o f i t s , a s c r e d i t s a n d i n v e s t m e n t s , t o
c e r t a i n states a n d s u p p o r t those g o v e r n m e n t s w h i c h are
m o r e i n c l i n e d t o obey t h e i r i m p e r i a l i s t p o l i c y , k e e p t h e
peoples o f t h e i r o w n c o u n t r i e s i n b o n d a g e a n d g i v e t h e
s u p e r p o w e r s a n d t h e d e v e l o p e d c a p i t a l i s t states t h e m a x i m u m concessions f o r t h e e x p l o i t a t i o n o f t h e i r n a t i o n a l
wealth. Thus they are totally dependent on the credits
w h i c h the imperialist powers give them.
292
ENVER HOXHA
I n t h e w o r l d t o d a y m a n y c o n t r a d i c t i o n s are d e v e l o p i n g , b e c o m i n g m o r e p r o f o u n d a n d i n c r e a s i n g i n scope a n d
i n t e n s i t y . T h e r e a r e p r o f o u n d a n d acute c o n t r a d i c t i o n s
b e t w e e n the s u p e r p o w e r s , b e t w e e n t h e s u p e r p o w e r s a n d
the industrialized capitalist countries, between t h e m and
other countries of the w o r l d w i t h different systems a n d
strange d e s c r i p t i o n s s u c h a s « d e v e l o p i n g c o u n t r i e s » , « u n d e v e l o p e d countries», « b a c k w a r d c o u n t r i e s » , «poor c o u n tries», etc. A l l these t h i n g s m a k e t h e g e n e r a l s i t u a t i o n
more dangerous. At the same time, the entire capitalistrevisionist w o r l d is w a l l o w i n g in an unprecedented economic, p o l i t i c a l a n d m o r a l crisis.
T h e capitalist and revisionist bourgeoisie are m a k i n g
a l l - r o u n d e f f o r t s t o u n l o a d t h e c a t a s t r o p h i c consequences
o f t h i s c r i s i s o n t o t h e b a c k s o f t h e w o r k i n g masses a n d
peoples o f t h e i r o w n o r o t h e r c o u n t r i e s a n d t o k e e p t h e i r
profits intact. Therefore the b u r d e n of crisis falls, first
o f a l l , o n t h e w o r k i n g masses, w h o , a l t h o u g h i t i s t h e y
w h o p r o d u c e t h e m a t e r i a l blessings, a r e o p p r e s s e d b y the
e x p l o i t i n g class.
T h i s t e n d e n c y o f t h e b o u r g e o i s i e m a k e s its class c o n t r a d i c t i o n s w i t h t h e p r o l e t a r i a t a n d t h e w o r k i n g masses
e v e n deeper, w i d e n s t h e g u l f b e t w e e n r i c h a n d poor,
a g g r a v a t e s t h e i n t e r - i m p e r i a l i s t c o n t r a d i c t i o n s , those b e t w e e n the «allies» i n t h e c a p i t a l i s t a n d r e v i s i o n i s t g r o u p ings, a n d b e t w e e n t h e m e t r o p o l i s a n d t h e c o l o n i a l a n d
neo-colonial countries.
T o d a y t h e biggest a n d m o s t acute c o n t r a d i c t i o n i s
t h a t b e t w e e n w o r l d c a p i t a l i s m a n d t h e w o r k i n g class a n d
w o r k i n g masses o f a l l the c o u n t r i e s o f t h e w o r l d . T h i s
contradiction cannot be resolved in the capitalist-revisionist r e g i m e s . I n t h i s f i e l d c o n c r e t e s t r u g g l e s a r e b e i n g
waged for national liberation, for social liberation and
f o r r e f o r m s , a n d t h e r e are s t r i k e s a n d d e m o n s t r a t i o n s
o f a p o l i t i c a l - e c o n o m i c c h a r a c t e r . A l l these t h i n g s h a v e
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shaken the foundations of the w o r l d capitalist bourgeoisie a n d a r e s h a k i n g t h e m m o r e a n d m o r e e a c h day,
b u i l d i n g up to revolutionary situations and the outburst
of revolutions.
In the international arena, different forms of struggle a r e b e i n g d e v e l o p e d b y t h e t w o sides. T h e use o f
violence, the baton a n d the capitalist-revizionist d e m a g o g y has i n c r e a s e d i n f r e q u e n c y a n d b r u t a l i t y . F r o m its
arsenal of weapons, the capitalist bourgeoisie, frightened
b y t h e r i s i n g t i d e o f r e v o l u t i o n s , h a s m a d e e x t e n s i v e use
o f t h e c o r r u p t i o n o f c l i q u e s , b o t h secret a n d i n p o w e r ,
while spreading intellectual and moral degeneration w i t h
a l l t h e m e a n s o f p r o p a g a n d a . T h e b o u r g e o i s i e i s also u s i n g its f a v o u r i t e w e a p o n i n t i m e s o f crisis, t e r r o r i s m , b y
means o f w h i c h i t t r i e s t o a r o u s e r e v u l s i o n a m o n g the
people a g a i n s t t h e b u r n i n g d e s i r e f o r l i b e r a t i o n f r o m the
shackles o f c a p i t a l , a n d b y i d e n t i f y i n g t e r r o r i s m w i t h
the a c t i v i t y o f t h e g e n u i n e r e v o l u t i o n a r i e s , t o f r i g h t e n
the masses, t o t u r n t h e m against t h e r e v o l u t i o n , t o p r e serve its o r d e r o f o p p r e s s i o n a n d t o e m e r g e w i t h o u t great
p a i n f r o m t h e g r a v e l e t h a l crisis.
The w o r l d of labour, the w o r l d w h i c h demands
social a n d n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n , i s f i g h t i n g w i t h its o w n
means a g a i n s t these savage m e a s u r e s of s t r u g g l e a n d
violence of the capitalist bourgeoisie.
A m i d s t t h i s chaos c r e a t e d b y t h e i r e c o n o m i c , p o l i t i c a l
a n d m o r a l crisis, t h e i m p e r i a l i s t a n d r e v i s i o n i s t e n e m i e s
are m a k i n g a great ado a b o u t t h e «isolated p o s i t i o n a n d
situation» o f o u r c o u n t r y . B u t i s A l b a n i a i s o l a t e d f r o m
the f o r e i g n w o r l d , a s t h e r e v i s i o n i s t s o f a l l hues a n d t h e
various imperialist enemies c l a i m and w a n t it to be?
T h e a n s w e r t o t h i s q u e s t i o n d e p e n d s o n t h e class
a n d p o l i t i c a l s t a n d p o i n t f r o m w h i c h one v i e w s t h i s q u e s t i o n .
F r o m o u r state, i d e o l o g i c a l a n d p o l i t i c a l s t a n d p o i n t ,
294
ENVER HOXHA
t h e P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a has n e v e r b e e n ,
i s not, a n d w i l l n o t b e i s o l a t e d . W e h a v e d i p l o m a t i c r e l a t i o n s w i t h t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e states ( 1 ) o f t h e w o r l d , a n d
there is nothing to prevent us f r o m h a v i n g such relations
w i t h t h e r e m a i n i n g ones. W i t h t h e U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a a n d the S o v i e t U n i o n , h o w e v e r , w e d o n o t w a n t s u c h
relations, whereas G r e a t B r i t a i n a n d the F e d e r a l R e p u b l i c o f G e r m a n y h a v e u n p a i d debts t o t h e P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l ist R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a , the f o r m e r f o r t h e s t o l e n g o l d
and the latter for w a r reparations.
T h i s i s h o w t h i n g s s t a n d , also, i n r e g a r d t o o u r m u tual trade relations w i t h m a n y capitalist-revisionist countries. T h e t r a d e b e t w e e n u s a n d these c o u n t r i e s i s c o n d u c t e d w i t h c l e a r i n g o r cash* I n t h i s f i e l d , too, t h e r e i s n o
isolation.
W h e n it is politically advantageous and w h e n the other
p a r t y agrees, w e also e s t a b l i s h a n d d e v e l o p c u l t u r a l r e l a tions w i t h m a n y capitalist countries, exchange experience
in the fields of education, culture and technology. F o r
o u r p a r t , t h e e x t e n s i o n o f a c t i v i t i e s i n these f i e l d s d e pends o n l y o n t h e m a t e r i a l p o s s i b i l i t i e s . H e n c e , i n t h i s
f i e l d , too, t h e r e i s n o i s o l a t i o n .
In regard to the development of tourism, we do not
d o t h i s o n t h a t scale o r i n those f o r m s t h a t t h e c a p i t a l i s t
a n d r e v i s i o n i s t c o u n t r i e s do, o r w i t h t h e i r a i m s o f m a k ing profits and spreading degeneration. We permit touri s m f o r f r i e n d s a n d w e l l - w i s h e r s o f socialist A l b a n i a , f o r
honest people f r o m c o u n t r i e s a n d states w h i c h m a i n t a i n
f r i e n d l y a n d correct s t a n d s t o w a r d s o u r c o u n t r y . T o u r i s m in A l b a n i a is not an industry and a means of corr u p t i o n o r h o o l i g a n i s m . A n d because t o u r i s m o f t h a t k i n d
i s n o t p e r m i t t e d i n o u r c o u n t r y , t h e e n e m i e s say t h a t t h e
_______________________________________
1 In 1986 A l b a n i a h a d d i p l o m a t i c relations w i t h 105 states.
* English in the original.
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P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c of A l b a n i a «is a closed, i s o l ated c o u n t r y » . B u t w h e n , i f ever, h a v e o u r i m p e r i a l i s t
and revisionist enemies spoken w e l l of the A l b a n i a n people and of A l b a n i a ? W h e n have they not slandered o u r
policy, o u r a n c i e n t a n d m o d e r n h i s t o r y a n d o u r v i c t o r i e s ?
H o w e v e r this has done A l b a n i a and the A l b a n i a n people
n o h a r m . O n t h e c o n t r a r y t h e i r prestige a n d a u t h o r i t y
h a v e b e e n r a i s e d h i g h e r a n d h i g h e r . H e n c e , f r o m our
s t a n d p o i n t a n d t h e s t a n d p o i n t o f t h e t r u t h w e are not
and never w i l l be isolated. We have told the imperialists
and r e v i s i o n i s t s a n d w e t e l l t h e m once a g a i n t h a t A l b a n i a i s n o t a n i n n w i t h i t s d o o r s w i d e o p e n f o r pigs a n d
sows t o enter. I n t h e cities, t h e m o u n t a i n s , t h e p l a i n s a n d
the shores o f o u r s o c i a l i s t H o m e l a n d t h e r e i s a n d w i l l
be no r o o m for their ugly, degenerate w a y of life and
thinking.
W e k n o w t h a t t h e r e v i s i o n i s t states ( Y u g o s l a v i a , t h e
Soviet U n i o n , etc.) a n d t h e c a p i t a l i s t states c a l l o u r c o u n t r y i s o l a t e d f r o m t h e w o r l d because i t has n o t e n t e r e d
and w i l l n o t e n t e r t h e i r o r b i t , because i t i s n o t e c o n o m i c ally d e p e n d e n t o n t h e m , does n o t accept c r e d i t s f r o m o r
get i n t o d e b t t o t h e m , because i t i s n o t p o l i t i c a l l y d e p e n d ent o n t h e m , does n o t a l l o w its i n d e p e n d e n c e a n d s o v e reignty t o b e v i o l a t e d a n d alters n e i t h e r its state o r d e r
nor its M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t i d e o l o g y . T h i s i s h o w i t has b e e n
and h o w i t w i l l b e i n t h e f u t u r e , too.
I n t h e o p i n i o n o f some o f these states, t h e i n d e p e n d ent p o l i c y w h i c h t h e P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c o f A l bania p u r s u e s i n a l l f i e l d s a n d i n a l l c i r c u m s t a n c e s i s
something of an anachronism. We can understand w h y
they h a v e t h i s o p i n i o n . F o r t h e m i t i s a n a n a c h r o n i s m
that o u r state of t h e d i c t a t o r s h i p of t h e p r o l e t a r i a t is n o t
i n a crisis, t h a t i t i s n o t i n f l u e n c e d b y t h e great w o r l d
crisis, t h a t o u r state h a s p o l i t i c a l s t a b i l i t y , t h a t o u r e c o n omy i s d e v e l o p i n g y e a r b y y e a r , t h a t t h e r e a r e a b s o l u -
296
ENVER HOXHA
t e l y n o p r i c e rises f o r a n y goods, t h a t t h e r e i s n o u n e m ployment, economic and political emigration, economic
strikes or political demonstrations, as there are in the
capitalist-revisionist countries all over the w o r l d .
B u t we can say that A l b a n i a , w i t h the social order it
is b u i l d i n g , is a case i s o l a t e d f r o m t h e v a r i o u s states
w h i c h are i n a p o l i t i c a l , e c o n o m i c a n d m o r a l c r i s i s . O n t h i s
c o u n t a n d because o f t h e v e r y good, s o u n d s i t u a t i o n i n o u r
c o u n t r y , yes, t h e y are r i g h t t o s a y t h a t w e are «isolated»
f r o m t h e m a n d the e v i l s o f t h e i r s o c i a l o r d e r a n d p o l i c y .
T h e r e f o r e , w i t h its p r i n c i p l e d a n d i n d e p e n d e n t p o l i c y , w i t h its c o u r a g e a n d t h e t a n g i b l e r e s u l t s i t has a c h i e v e d , s m a l l a s i t is, A l b a n i a p l a y s a d u a l s o c i o - p o l i t i c a l
r o l e i n t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l a r e n a — o n t h e one h a n d i t e x poses t h e c a p i t a l i s t - r e v i s i o n i s t o r d e r a n d its p o l i c y , o n
the other h a n d it plays a constructive r e v o l u t i o n a r y role,
e n c o u r a g i n g the peoples o f t h e w o r l d w h o are f i g h t i n g f o r
t h e i r l i b e r a t i o n f r o m the y o k e o f c a p i t a l .
I t i s f r o m t h e p r i s m o f t h i s great r o l e t h a t t h e q u e s t i o n o f w h e t h e r o r n o t socialist A l b a n i a i s i s o l a t e d m u s t
be judged.
Socialist A l b a n i a and the P a r t y of L a b o u r of A l b a n i a
w h i c h leads it, love, respect a n d d e f e n d a l l t h e peoples
o f t h e w o r l d , w h i l e t h e y , o n t h e i r p a r t , are i n u n i t y w i t h
us. L i t t l e socialist. A l b a n i a has b e c o m e a g r e a t e x a m p l e
i n w h i c h t h e w o r k i n g masses p l a c e t h e i r hopes. I n these
conditions and circumstances, then, there can be no talk
of isolation of A l b a n i a . It is the capitalists, the revisionists, t h e i m p e r i a l i s t s a n d s o c i a l - i m p e r i a l i s t s t h a t are isol a t e d , d i s c r e d i t e d a n d h a t e d b y t h e peoples. A n d i t i s
precisely they w h o t r y to present the People's Socialist
R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a a s i s o l a t e d , w h o s t r i v e , w i t h o u t success, t o d i s t o r t its c o r r e c t o p i n i o n s a n d its v i c t o r i e s , a n d
i n t h e f i n a l a n a l y s i s , t h i s i s p a r t o f t h e i r e f f o r t s t o isolate
t h e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t t h e o r y itself, t o c a l l i t o u t d a t e d and
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anachronistic. In this context they try to prove that
«socialism can be built» guided by any k i n d of reformist,
o p p o r t u n i s t o r e v e n fascist i d e o l o g y .
I n t h e «strict» sense, t h e c a p i t a l i s t - r e v i s i o n i s t states
are n o t w o r r i e d b y t h e e x i s t e n c e o f a s m a l l c o u n t r y a n d
people l i k e ours, b u t i n a b r o a d e r sense t h e i d e o l o g y
w h i c h g u i d e s o u r people, t h e g e n u i n e socialist s o c i e t y
w h i c h is being built successfully in our country, where
there are no political or economic troubles and a sound
c u l t u r e i s b e i n g d e v e l o p e d , w o r r y t h e m a great d e a l . T h a t
i s w h y t h e e n e m i e s o f t h e peoples t r y t o p r e s e n t t h e s o u n d
m o r a l - p o l i t i c a l s i t u a t i o n o f o u r people i n a d i s t o r t e d w a y
and to belittle the great and u n i n t e r r u p t e d socio-economic
progress of o u r country.
T h e s t r u g g l e o f a l l e n e m i e s o f t h e peoples a g a i n s t
o u r socialist c o u n t r y proceeds f r o m t h e s a m e class p o s i tions b u t w i t h v a r i a t i o n s i n i n t e n s i t y . T h i s comes a b o u t
because, w h i l e i t i s t r u e t h a t t h e r e i s u n i t y b e t w e e n
capitalists a n d r e v i s i o n i s t s as e n e m i e s of s o c i a l i s m , t h e r e
are also d i f f e r e n c e s , s t r u g g l e s a n d f e u d s b e t w e e n t h e m .
T h e r e a r e s t r u g g l e s a n d f e u d s also b e t w e e n b i g a n d s m a l l
states, b e t w e e n h i g h l y d e v e l o p e d , less d e v e l o p e d , a n d
totally undeveloped countries.
In the present epoch of the great crisis of capitalism, t h e c a p i t a l i s t - r e v i s i o n i s t states a r e p o l i t i c a l l y a n d
e c o n o m i c a l l y d e p e n d e n t o n one a n o t h e r . O f course the
strongest a n d t h e biggest are less d e p e n d e n t o n t h e w e a k est a n d t h e s m a l l e s t , b u t a l l o f t h e m are s e n s i t i v e t o a n d
affected b y t h e c o n t r a d i c t i o n s b e t w e e n t h e m w h i c h are
b e c o m i n g m o r e a n d m o r e acute. T h e s e c o n t r a d i c t i o n s
have t h e i r p o l i t i c a l a n d e c o n o m i c effect a n d are e x p r e s sed i n t h e s t a n d s o f e v e r y state, i n t e r n a l l y a n d i n the
i n t e r n a t i o n a l r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n v a r i o u s states.
The present epoch can be called the epoch of the
total d e s t a b i l i z a t i o n o f c a p i t a l i s m , o f i n s t a b i l i t y i n p o l -
298
ENVER HOXHA
itics, o f g e n e r a l i n s e c u r i t y a n d g l o o m y a n d u n c l e a r p r o s pects f o r t h e f u t u r e . T h e i d e a o f w a r p r e d o m i n a t e s ,
because t h e w o r l d i s b e i n g i m p e l l e d i n t h a t d i r e c t i o n
through the unjust imperialist wars, although still localized, w h i c h are i n s t i g a t e d b y t h e i m p e r i a l i s t s a n d s o c i a l imperialists. T h e y t h i n k that the p r o f o u n d and acute
c o n t r a d i c t i o n s w h i c h are e r o d i n g t h e m w i l l b e r e s o l v e d
by means of w a r .
T h e peoples c a n n o t a n d m u s t n o t p u t a n y t r u s t i n
t h e p o l i c y o f t h e c a p i t a l i s t - r e v i s i o n i s t states a n d i n t h e
d e m a g o g y o f t h i s p o l i c y . W h a t t h e peoples m u s t c l e a r l y
d i s c e r n f r o m t h e c o n c r e t e facts, t h r o u g h t h e dense f o g
w i t h w h i c h the superstructure of the capitalist-revisionist r e g i m e obscures t h e i r v i s i o n , d i s t o r t s t h e r e a l i t y , d e ceives t h e p e o p l e a n d t r i e s t o b l a c k e n t h e r o a d o f t h e
revolution, is not the external forms of the structure of
c a p i t a l i s t - r e v i s i o n i s t states, b u t t h e content, t h e essence
of this structure, whose hands w i e l d this w e a p o n and
w h i c h class i t serves.
T h i s i s a great, serious p r o b l e m w h i c h i s d i f f i c u l t t o
u n d e r s t a n d a n d solve, b u t i t i s n o t i n s u r m o u n t a b l e . T h e
forces w h i c h oppose t h e c a p i t a l i s t a t t a c k are l a r g e r a n d
more powerful. B u t they must be fully awakened, their
consciousness t e m p e r e d . T h e s e forces m u s t b e o r g a n i z e d
o n a n a t i o n a l a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l scale. T h e d e v i c e o n w h i c h
t h e s t r e n g t h o f c a p i t a l i s m i s b a s e d i s its « d i v i d e a n d r u l e »
policy. By this means capitalism crushes the weakest and
m a k e s h i m u n a b l e t o object, b i n d s h i m w i t h a t h o u s a n d
threads so that he w i l l a l w a y s be a slave as an i n d i v i d u a l ,
a people or a state, e x p l o i t s h i m to t h e m a x i m u m a n d
creates t h e i l l u s i o n t h a t h e i s l i v i n g i n a « f r e e d e m o c r a t i c
w o r l d » i n w h i c h h e o u g h t t o b e content w i t h t h e m i s e r a b l e l i f e h e leads, f o r w h i c h h e s h o u l d b e g r a t e f u l t o his
o v e r l o r d . T h e peoples m u s t oppose t h i s d e v i c e w i t h the
g l o r i o u s slogan o f M a r x : « W o r k e r s o f a l l c o u n t r i e s , u n -
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299
ite!», a s l o g a n w h i c h has t e r r i f i e d t h e c a p i t a l i s t b o u r g e o i s i e
at all times.
I n t h i s c h a o t i c a n d u n e q u a l d e v e l o p m e n t n o progress
can be made w i t h o u t all k i n d s of efforts and w i t h o u t
s t r u g g l e b e t w e e n oppressors a n d oppressed, b e t w e e n e x p l o i t e r s a n d e x p l o i t e d . T h e c a p i t a l i s t states v i e w i t h one
a n o t h e r f o r s u p r e m a c y . I n m o s t cases, because o f t h e i r
d i f f e r e n t interests, t h i s contest b e t w e e n t h e m d e v e l o p s
i n t o d i s c o r d . W h o e v e r comes out o n top, h e w h o m a n a g e s
t o t r i p h i s r i v a l a n d m a k e h i m f a l l , h e w h o succeeds i n
m a k i n g the l a w and in i m p o s i n g his policy of domination,
i s p r e s e n t e d a s t h e cleverest, t h e m o s t s u c c e s s f u l p o l i t i cian. H o w e v e r his r u l i n g position is not everlasting, because h e creates t w o k i n d s o f o p p o n e n t s : i n d i v i d u a l s f r o m
his o w n class w h o a r e r i v a l s f o r r u l i n g p o s i t i o n s a n d c a p i t alist p r o f i t s , a n d t h e g r e a t o p p o n e n t , t h e w o r k i n g class
a n d t h e b r o a d w o r k i n g masses w h o , t h r o u g h v a r i o u s f o r m s
o f class s t r u g g l e , e r o d e t h e c a p i t a l i s t o r d e r f r o m w i t h i n ,
c a u s i n g s p l i t s a n d b r i n g i n g defeat a f t e r defeat u p o n it.
I m p e l l e d b y t h e l u r e o f i l l e g a l gains, its t e n d e n c y
t o e n s l a v e peoples a n d engage i n u n s c r u p u l o u s s p e c u l a t i o n a t t h e cost o f t h e i r b l o o d a n d sweat, t h e c a p i t a l i s t
w o r l d w i l l never f i n d stability in any field of life. A l t h o u g h t h e g r e a t a d v a n c e s a c h i e v e d are t h e r e s u l t o f t h e
t o i l a n d s w e a t o f t h e w o r k i n g masses, t h e y are e x c l u d e d
f r o m a n y b e n e f i t s f r o m t h e m . T h e masses h a v e been
p o l a r i z e d o n one side, a n d a s s u c h , a r e p e r m a n e n t o p ponents o f t h e i n h u m a n e x p l o i t a t i o n b y t h e c a p i t a l i s t
bourgeoisie.
I n t h i s e r o d i n g r e a l i t y o f defeat a n d p o l i t i c a l - e c o n omic i n s t a b i l i t y , t h e c a p i t a l i s t - r e v i s i o n i s t states a r e t r y i n g
t o f i n d a t e m p o r a r y s o l u t i o n f o r t h e m o s t acute a n d
dangerous problems. H o w e v e r the solutions they offer
cannot b e s a t i s f a c t o r y , because t h e y a r e o n e - s i d e d i n
their a i m and applied in a t e r r a i n w h i c h is q u a k i n g as a
300
ENVER HOXHA
r e s u l t o f t h e p o p u l a r u p h e a v a l s . T h e great a n t a g o n i s m s
w i t h i n t h e r a n k s o f c a p i t a l a n d those b e t w e e n t h e b o u r geoisie a n d t h e w o r k i n g class a n d masses o f w o r k i n g p e o p l e
m a k e these a n t i - p o p u l a r s o l u t i o n s i n e f f e c t i v e .
S e e n f r o m t h i s class angle, t h e p r e s e n t d e v e l o p m e n t
o f t h e c a p i t a l i s t w o r l d leads t o a m o r e r e a l i s t i c u n d e r standing of the policy w h i c h capital follows to prolong
i t s existence, o f t h e m e t h o d s a n d t a c t i c s o f its s t r u g g l e
a g a i n s t t h e peoples.
T h e v a r i o u s states, o f t h e w o r l d , w h a t e v e r t h e i r
s o c i a l order, h a v e t h e i r o w n f o r e i g n p o l i c i e s . T h i s i s b a s e d
o n c e r t a i n p r i n c i p l e s w h i c h h a v e a class c h a r a c t e r , w h i c h
r e p r e s e n t a n d serve t h e class i n p o w e r a n d are a d a p t e d
to the political circumstances existing w i t h i n the country
a n d i n t h e r e l a t i o n s w i t h o t h e r states, i.e., i n t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l a r e n a . A m o n g these states t h e r e are some w h i c h ,
at certain moments and in certain circumstances, come
o u t w i t h a p o l i c y « i n d e p e n d e n t » f r o m others, d i f f e r i n g
t e m p o r a r i l y i n c e r t a i n aspects o r c i r c u m s t a n c e s , w i t h
the a i m of getting certain political, economic and m i l i t a r y
concessions. T h e s e d i f f e r e n c e s i n f o r m a n d s o m e t i m e s
e v e n i n content r e f l e c t t h e s t r e n g t h o r t h e w e a k n e s s o f
t h e b o u r g e o i s class i n p o w e r i n a g i v e n state a n d t h e i n f l u e n c e o f one state o v e r t h e other, a n i n f l u e n c e w h i c h i s
d e t e r m i n e d b y t h e decrease o r i n c r e a s e o f t h e i r e c o n o m i c
and military potential. The principle of gain and domin a t i o n , t h e s t a b i l i t y or i n s t a b i l i t y of t h e s i t u a t i o n of a
c a p i t a l i s t - r e v i s i o n i s t c o u n t r y , m a k e t h e p o l i c y o f these
states u n s t a b l e a n d i n c l i n e d t o w a r d s t h e strongest, t h e
m o s t p o w e r f u l . T h i s leads t o e c o n o m i c a n d p o l i t i c a l d e p e n d e n c e o f one b o u r g e o i s state o n a n o t h e r b o u r g e o i s
state, or to the g r o u p i n g of a n u m b e r of states against
t h e g r o u p i n g o f o t h e r r i v a l states. I r r e s p e c t i v e o f the
c o n t r a d i c t i o n s t h e y h a v e w i t h one a n o t h e r , these b o u r -
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301
geois states h a v e c o m m o n d e n o m i n a t o r s w h i c h c o m p e l
t h e m t o s u p p o r t one a n o t h e r , a l t h o u g h t h e y also h a v e
o t h e r o p p o s i n g f a c t o r s w h i c h erode t h e r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n t h e m f r o m w i t h i n , w h i c h cause d i s t u r b a n c e s , e c o n omic instability and political revolts, w h i c h consequently
w e a k e n t h e i r g e n e r a l a n d b i l a t e r a l l i n k s . A t p r e s e n t these
inter-state phenomena in the capitalist countries have
assumed an irrestrainable development, and it is very
difficult to co-ordinate, harmonize or stabilize them. Hence,
the great crisis in the capitalist order is not only economic
b u t also p o l i t i c a l .
T h e relations of production and the policy w h i c h
s u p p o r t s these r e l a t i o n s i n a l l c a p i t a l i s t states, t a k e n
s e p a r a t e l y o r i n t h e r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n t h e m , are u n d e r going continual catastrophic transformations. Whatever
h a p p e n s i n a n y o f these states i n e v i t a b l y i n f l u e n c e s t h e
o t h e r states. T h e m e t a m o r p h o s e s , t h e changes, t h e e c o n o m i c a n d p o l i t i c a l crises w h i c h o c c u r i n a p o w e r f u l c a p i t a l i s t state c a n n o t f a i l t o h a v e r e p e r c u s s i o n s i n a l l t h e
o t h e r states w h i c h are d e p e n d e n t o n t h a t p o w e r , e v e n
though they present themselves as allegedly independent
o f it. T o j u s t i f y these p h e n o m e n a , t h i s c h a o t i c d e v e l o p ment, a specious l a n g u a g e has b e e n f o u n d , u s i n g a l l k i n d s
of different theories w h i c h v a r y according to the c i r c u m stances, c o u n t r i e s a n d tendencies. A l l these t h e o r i e s a r e
labelled «democratic» or «revolutionary» and, in practice,
are a c c o m p a n i e d b y t h e c r e a t i o n o f a l l k i n d s o f o r g a n izations to g i v e t h e i m p r e s s i o n t h a t a s t r u g g l e is b e i n g
w a g e d against t h e e v i l s o f t h e t i m e . H o w e v e r , t h e w o r l d
today i s f a c e d w i t h t h e f a c t t h a t t h e e v i l are f i g h t i n g
the e v i l a n d r i v a l l i n g w i t h one a n o t h e r . T h u s , a l l a r e a r m i n g a n d , a t the s a m e t i m e , a l l a r e f i g h t i n g a l l e g e d l y f o r
d i s a r m a m e n t , a l l s a y t h e y «are a g a i n s t w a r » , b u t each
of t h e m is struggling w i t h his o w n means and in his o w n
w a y , a n d f r e q u e n t l y w i t h j o i n t means, t o u n d e r m i n e
302
ENVER HOXHA
peace; a l l o f t h e m s p e a k o f n o n - i n t e r f e r e n c e i n t h e i n t e r n a l a f f a i r s o f others, b u t i n one w a y o r t h e o t h e r t h e y
all interfere b r u t a l l y in the internal affairs of others by
means of weapons, politics, diplomacy and the « i n f l u x
o f d o l l a r s » a n d a l l k i n d s o f credits. T h e b o u r g e o i s i e h a s
also c r e a t e d its o w n m e t h o d o f p r e s e n t i n g a l l these c r i m i n a l a n d r e p r e h e n s i b l e acts, a p e c u l i a r e t h i c a b o u t t h e
expression of opinions and open and hidden aims in p o l i tics and in practice. W h o e v e r deviates f r o m the f o r m a n d
content of t h i s e t h i c is a «heretic», is « u n d e s i r a b l e » , is an
enemy of the «civilized w o r l d » !
E v e r y i n d i v i d u a l , p e r s o n , people, state o r class n o t
in power must w i l l y - n i l l y proceed on the road determined
by the «all-powerful» capitalist oligarchy, w h i c h alone
i s c a p a b l e o f f i n d i n g « a correct s o l u t i o n » t o e v e r y p r o b l e m v i t a l t o states a n d peoples. I m p e r i a l i s m , s o c i a l - i m p e rialism and w o r l d monopoly capitalism are t r y i n g to preserve this absolute hegemony and to m a k e it permanent
in theory and practice.
We think that this hegemony should be combated
and destroyed mercilessly. The w o r l d must break out of
this vicious circle of modern spiritual, economic and p o l i tical enslavement. T h i s m o d e r n enslavement is a cruel
deed o f t h e b o u r g e o i s c a p i t a l i s t class a n d t h e e c o n o m i c
and political order w h i c h it has created. T h e w o r k i n g
class o f e v e r y c o u n t r y , t h e b r o a d masses o f t h e w o r k i n g
people w h o a r e o p p r e s s e d a n d e x p l o i t e d , a r e t h e d e s t r o y ers o f t h i s c a p i t a l i s t h e g e m o n y . M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m m u s t
g u i d e a l l these masses i n t h e r e v o l u t i o n f o r t h e n e w , g e n u i n e socialist l i f e w i t h o u t e x p l o i t e r s a n d e x p l o i t e d .
Socialist A l b a n i a is the offspring of the proletarian
r e v o l u t i o n . G u i d e d b y t h e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t t h e o r y i t has
b u i l t t h e n e w society, socialist society. T h e P a r t y o f L a b o u r o f A l b a n i a has a l w a y s b a s e d i t s e l f o n t h e t h e o r y
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303
o f M a r x , E n g e l s , L e n i n a n d S t a l i n , has a p p l i e d t h i s t h e o r y
without vacillations or deviations, fearlessly and in opposition to and u n c o m p r o m i s i n g struggle w i t h the capitalistrevisionist ideologies.
T h e f o r e i g n p o l i c y o f o u r state o f t h e d i c t a t o r s h i p
of t h e p r o l e t a r i a t , too, is a p o l i c y g u i d e d by t h e p r i n c i p l e s
of M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m and proletarian internationalism. It
i s p r i n c i p l e d a n d u n c h a n g i n g i n its s t r a t e g y . T h i s p o l i c y
s u p p o r t s t h e r e v o l u t i o n a r y m o v e m e n t o f t h e w o r k i n g class
and w o r l d p r o l e t a r i a t f o r l i b e r a t i o n f r o m c a p i t a l , h e n c e
it is a g a i n s t t h e l a t t e r , against its p o l i c y of o p p r e s s i o n a n d
e x p l o i t a t i o n , a g a i n s t its s t r u c t u r e a n d i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , i t
supports t h e s t r u g g l e o f t h e peoples f o r f r e e d o m , i n dependence, s o c i a l p r o g r e s s a n d s o c i a l i s m a n d r e l i e s o n
their solidarity. It is against any f o r m of aggression
and m i l i t a r y
i n t e r v e n t i o n o f one state against a n o ther, a g a i n s t c o l o n i a l e x p l o i t a t i o n , a g a i n s t a n y f o r m o f
tutelage, d i c t a t e
and
hegemony,
national
oppression
and r a c i a l d i s c r i m i n a t i o n . I t u p h o l d s t h e p r i n c i p l e o f t h e
s e l f - d e t e r m i n a t i o n o f peoples, t h e e x e r c i s e o f c o m p l e t e
national sovereignty and the equality of all countries in
international relations.
Hence the crucial orientations of the foreign policy
of the People's Socialist R e p u b l i c of A l b a n i a are: support f o r t h e l i b e r a t i o n o f peoples f r o m a n y b o n d a g e a n d
exploitation by reactionary i n t e r n a l or external forces,
struggle a g a i n s t i m p e r i a l i s t w a r s a n d a n y o t h e r u n j u s t w a r ,
struggle f o r g e n u i n e d i s a r m a m e n t a n d peace, s t r u g g l e f o r
f r i e n d s h i p b e t w e e n peoples a n d t h e d e n u n c i a t i o n o f a l l
enemies a n d e v e r y m e a n s t h e y use t o sabotage t h i s f r i e n d ship a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g a m o n g peoples.
The reactionary capitalist and revisionist bourgeoisie
and its states a r e a c t i n g against t h e P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a , b u t A l b a n i a acts a g a i n s t t h e m , too.
T h e b o u r g e o i s - c a p i t a l i s t - r e v i s i o n i s t states c o n s i d e r t h e c o r -
304
ENVER HOXHA
rect, r e v o l u t i o n a r y p o l i c y f r o m t h e f i r m p o s i t i o n s o f o u r
theory as interference in their internal affairs, w h i l e their
o w n p o l i c y o f p l o t s a n d sabotage a g a i n s t peoples t h e y
consider not interference in our i n t e r n a l affairs, but a
correct a n d n o r m a l policy already accepted by w o r l d opinion. B u t this is not true. W o r l d opinion, the broad masses of t h e peoples, do n o t accept t h e b o u r g e o i s r e v i s i o n ist w o r l d o u t l o o k w h i c h covers u p t h e d e c e p t i o n , o p p r e s s i o n a n d e x p l o i t a t i o n . T h e masses w h o h e a r a b o u t a n d
understand our political stands on m a n y international
p r o b l e m s , reflect, m a k e c o m p a r i s o n s a b o u t t h e state o f
things presented, w e i g h up our arguments a n d those of
o u r opponents, a n d a p p r o v e , s u p p o r t a n d a d o p t o u r stands.
This is precisely the real m a j o r reason w h y the a n t i M a r x i s t s and the m o d e r n revisionists of all hues are so
w o r r i e d . O t h e r w i s e t h e y w o u l d n o t concoct s l a n d e r s a g a i n s t
t h e correct p o l i t i c a l s t a n d s o f t h e P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t
R e p u b l i c of A l b a n i a and the P a r t y of L a b o u r of A l b a n i a .
T h e y d o s o because o u r p o l i c y , p r o c e e d i n g f r o m t h e p o s i t i o n s o f t h e w o r k i n g class a n d b a s e d o n M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m , exposes t h e i r p s e u d o - M a r x i s t p o l i c y w h i c h p r o c e e d s
f r o m capitalist positions. A l s o t h a n k s to this exposure,
t h e b r o a d w o r k i n g masses r e a l i z e t h a t , i r r e s p e c t i v e o f
e x t e r n a l appearances, t h e s t r u c t u r e a n d s u p e r s t r u c t u r e
o f t h e r e v i s i o n i s t states a r e i d e n t i c a l w i t h those o f o t h e r
c a p i t a l i s t states. I n p r a c t i c e , t h e i r content, essence a n d
results are i n u n i t y .
P r e c i s e l y because t h e P a r t y o f L a b o u r o f A l b a n i a
a n d o u r state expose a n d f i g h t t h e e x p l o i t i n g o r d e r ( u n d e r
b o t h names, capitalist and revisionist), b o t h politically
a n d t h r o u g h the positive example of the successful construction of socialism in Albania, they have an honoured
name in the w o r l d , not only among the ranks of the
w o r k i n g class, b u t also a m o n g p r o g r e s s i v e e l e m e n t s o f
t h e bourgeoisie, t h e y o u t h a n d i n t e l l e c t u a l s .
REFLECTIONS
305
T h e m o d e r n revisionists are greatly w o r r i e d by the
p o w e r f u l v o i c e o f t h e P a r t y o f L a b o u r o f A l b a n i a , because
b o t h i n p o l i c y a n d i n t h e o r y i t i s opposed t o t h e i r e f f o r t s
t o pass r e v i s i o n i s m f o r « r e n o v a t e d M a r x i s m » a n d s u i t a b l e
for o u r time, w h e n , according to them, capitalist society
must be rescued f r o m destruction, private ownership of
the means of production must be preserved, and the prol e t a r i a n r e v o l u t i o n , i.e., t h e s e i z u r e o f p o w e r b y t h e w o r k i n g class, m u s t b e a v o i d e d . T h e m o d e r n r e v i s i o n i s t s d o
not w a n t t h e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t s t o expose t h e i r w o r k o f
sabotage. T h e r e f o r e t h e m o d e r n r e v i s i o n i s t s c a l l t h e e x posure w h i c h our P a r t y of L a b o u r makes of their antiM a r x i s t theories, o f t h e s t a t e - e c o n o m i c o r d e r s o f t h e
modern revisionists, and of their pro-capitalist interna!
and external policy interference in their internal affairs.
B u t w e are n o t c o n c e r n e d a b o u t w h a t t h e y s a y a b o u t us.
N o t j u s t t o d a y , n o t o n l y n o w , b u t e v e r since t h e y
w e r e f o u n d e d , o u r P a r t y a n d p r o l e t a r i a n state h a v e d e clared p u b l i c l y that they w i l l a p p l y an open, p r i n c i p l e d
foreign policy, a policy of good neighbourliness and relat i o n s w i t h a l l states o n t h e basis o f e q u a l i t y , respect f o r
sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs and m u tual benefit. A n d they have adhered to this policy without
t h e slightest d e v i a t i o n . H o w e v e r t h e y h a v e also m a d e i t
c l e a r t o a n y b o d y w h o cares t o l i s t e n t h a t s u c h a p o l i c y
does n o t m e a n concessions t o o r g i v i n g u p t h e r e s o l u t e
struggle for the defence of our g u i d i n g ideology, M a r x i s m L e n i n i s m , the struggle against greedy i m p e r i a l i s m and
capitalism, or support f o r the just struggles of the w o r l d
proletariat for social liberation and the national libera t i o n s t r u g g l e s o f t h e peoples a g a i n s t c o l o n i a l i s m a n d n e o colonialism.
N o one a n d n o f o r c e c a n stop t h e P a r t y o f L a b o u r
of A l b a n i a and the G o v e r n m e n t of the People's Socialist
306
ENVER HOXHA
Republic of A l b a n i a f r o m voicing their own opinion, not
only on the problems and political events in w h i c h o u r
socialist H o m e l a n d , t h e P e o p l e ' s S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c o f
A l b a n i a , is directly interested or w h i c h have to do w i t h
its s u p r e m e interests, b u t also o n o t h e r g e n e r a l w o r l d
p r o b l e m s a n d events, because these, too, a r e t h e c o n c e r n
of a l l a n d n o t j u s t of some.
In persistently following this policy, our P a r t y and
state d o n o t p r o c e e d f r o m i n t e r e s t s o f t h e m o m e n t , t o
please o r t o serve t h i s o r t h a t f o r e i g n p o w e r , b i g o r s m a l l .
T h e y are n o t u r g e d t o t h i s p o l i c y b y a n y o f these p o w e r s ,
but t h e y n e v e r lose sight o f t h e p r i n c i p l e s o f t h e b a s i c
s t r a t e g y o f defence o f t h e f r e e d o m a n d i n t e r e s t s o f t h e
peoples, o f t h e cause o f t h e w o r l d p r o l e t a r i a t a n d its r e v olution. T h e y do not alter their strategy according to the
changing circumstances. The stability of our policy and
t h e correctness o f o u r stands r e s u l t f r o m t h i s .
We do not impose our foreign policy on anybody.
N e v e r t h e l e s s , t h e r e a r e m a n y people a r o u n d t h e w o r l d ,
e v e n v a r i o u s d i p l o m a t i c c h a n c e l l e r i e s , t h a t seek i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t o u r p o l i c y a n d stands, because i n t h e m t h e y
see s o m e t h i n g o r i g i n a l w h i c h does n o t e x i s t i n t h e p o l i c y
a n d stands o f other states (either c a p i t a l i s t o r r e v i sionist): truthfulness, m a t u r i t y and the courage to voice
one's o p i n i o n s o p e n l y . N o c a p i t a l i s t - r e v i s i o n i s t state c a n
follow such an open, correct a n d well-considered policy,
because o f t h e c o m p l e x i t y o f t h e p o l i t i c a l a n d e c o n o m i c
dependence, r e l i g i o u s i n f l u e n c e s a n d t h e class c o n t r a d i c t i o n s t o w h i c h t h e y are subject. S o c i a l i s t A l b a n i a does n o t
suffer f r o m any such complex of restrictive and i n h i b i t i n g f a c t o r s a n d p r e c i s e l y t h i s i s t h e basis f o r t h e s t r e n g t h
o f its i n f l u e n c e . T h e r e are o t h e r s w h o f i n d i t v e r y d i f ficult to understand our policy and position, w h o w o n d e r
h o w such a s m a l l country as A l b a n i a can f o l l o w such a
policy which, according to their judgement and in their
REFLECTIONS
307
o w n words, contains good points and truths w h i c h only
t h e A l b a n i a n s , b u t n o n e o f t h e others, c a n p r o c l a i m .
T h e P a r t y of L a b o u r of A l b a n i a is a strong party
n o t b e c a u s e o f t h e n u m b e r o f its m e m b e r s , b u t because
of the M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t ideology w h i c h inspires and guides
it. L i k e w i s e the People's Socialist Republic of A l b a n i a is a p o w e r f u l state n o t because of t h e size of its t e r r i t o r y o r p o p u l a t i o n , b u t because i t l i v e s i n , f i g h t s f o r
a n d b u i l d s t h e n e w s o c i a l i s t society, because t h e P a r t y
a n d t h e p e o p l e are i n c o m p l e t e u n i t y , conscious o f t h e i r
actions, w h e r e t h e y a r e g o i n g a n d h o w t h e y w i l l get t h e r e .
T h e m a i n , c a r d i n a l p r o b l e m s o f l i f e are c l e a r t o t h e m :
t h e y m u s t b u i l d a secure present, w i t h o u t f o r g e t t i n g the
past a n d f o r e s e e i n g a n d p r e p a r i n g t h e f u t u r e .
S o m e o n e m i g h t t h i n k t h a t p u r s u i n g s u c h a course o f
development is something temporary, abnormal, unorthod o x , l i n k e d w i t h the life a n d activity of certain leaders and
t h a t «there c a n b e n o d e p a r t u r e » f r o m t h e l i n e o f d e v e l o p m e n t w h i c h b o u r g e o i s c a p i t a l i s t society a n d its sousfifres»*,
the m o d e r n revisionists, have established.
On this issue, too, t h e y a r e g r a v e l y m i s t a k e n because t h e y c a n n o t see a n d do n o t w a n t to see t h e g r e a t s t r e n g t h of socialism and our triumphant
doctrine, M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m ,
w h i c h d e s t r o y s t h e o l d society a n d b u i l d s t h e n e w one,
do not k n o w either the P a r t y of L a b o u r or the A l b a n i a n
p e o p l e , d o n o t r e c o g n i z e a n d c a n n o t u n d e r s t a n d t h e steel
intellectual, spiritual and material unity between them.
T h e g r e a t i n s t a b i l i t y o f c a p i t a l i s t society f o u n d e r i n g
in a l l - r o u n d c r i s i s is a r e s u l t of t h e s t r u g g l e of t h e d i s c o n t e n t e d peoples a g a i n s t t h e e n s l a v i n g s y s t e m , a n d u n doubtedly, of the inspiration they gain f r o m the revolu t i o n a r y ideology, M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m , to f i n d the genuine
right road in the darkness of the m o d e r n epoch.
___________________________________
* U n d e r l i n g s (French in the original).
308
ENVER HOXHA
W e A l b a n i a n c o m m u n i s t s are conscious o f t h e d i f ficulties we encounter a n d w i l l encounter on our road,
b u t a t t h e s a m e t i m e w e are f u l l y c o n v i n c e d t h a t w e
s h a l l o v e r c o m e t h e m , because w e are o n the r i g h t r o a d .
W e t a k e each c a u t i o u s step w i t h c o n f i d e n c e , a f t e r w e i g h i n g u p t h e issues a n d m a k i n g c a r e f u l c a l c u l a t i o n s , w e a r e
clear a b o u t t h e p e r i o d w e l i v e i n , w a t c h t h e changes a n d
developments in the w o r l d w i t h a critical M a r x i s t - L e n i n ist eye, a n d t r y , n o t w i t h o u t success, to assess these
developments correctly, d e f i n i n g their positive a n d nega t i v e aspects, a n d b e n e f i t i n g f r o m t h e f o r m e r w h i l e
c o m b a t i n g t h e l a t t e r . W e b u i l d o u r tactics, w h i c h are n e i ther unprincipled nor momentary, in conformity w i t h and
to strengthen our u n w a v e r i n g revolutionary strategy.
W e A l b a n i a n c o m m u n i s t s , sons a n d d a u g h t e r s o f t h i s
people, w h o s e j o y s a n d s o r r o w s w e k n o w v e r y w e l l , a r e
t h e m a i n basis o f a l l t h e v i c t o r i e s w h i c h t h e p e o p l e a n d
the P a r t y of L a b o u r of A l b a n i a have w o n together. T h i s
is where the solid foundations of our political, economic
and c u l t u r a l achievements lie. Socialist society in our
country has been built by a people w h o have ancient
traditions, but at the same time, have plenty of w i l l , w i s dom, courage and the v i g o u r of youth. H i s t o r y has taught
them to fight for their freedom, for a good life, for justice. H i s t o r y has t a u g h t t h e m t o d i s t i n g u i s h t h e peoples
f r o m their evil, oppressing and c u n n i n g leaders; it has
t a u g h t t h e A l b a n i a n p e o p l e t o l o v e t h e o t h e r peoples,
never to h a r m them but only help them, never to become
t h e i n s t r u m e n t o f a n y o n e t o oppress others, b u t t o f i g h t
f o r their o w n rights and the rights of others. T h e P a r t y
w i t h its M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t i d e o l o g y i m p l a n t e d these l o f t y
v i r t u e s m o r e d e e p l y i n t h e i r consciousness, s t r e n g t h e n e d
them, made t h e m even clearer and more understandable
s o t h a t t h e y f l o w i n the p u r e b l o o d s t r e a m o f e v e r y A l b a n i a n .
O u r people a r e modest,
industrious people
who
are
REFLECTIONS
309
not in the habit of boasting to a n y b o d y about anything.
T h e y have understood that their independence and the
victories achieved must be defended as they were won,
a r m s i n h a n d , e v e n w i t h t h e i r b l o o d i f n e e d be, a n d m u s t
be further consolidated w i t h their o w n strength and resources, t h r o u g h s t r u g g l e a n d e f f o r t s . S o m e t h i n k t h a t
t h i s c a n n o t b e done, t h a t l o a n s a n d c r e d i t s f r o m t h e c a p i talists and revisionists are indispensible. This is not true.
W h e n true freedom and independence are understood
correctly by a people and developed correctly by their
leadership, they b r i n g them well-being, develop t h e m and
m a k e t h e m conscious o f t h e i r o w n d e s t i n y . F o r e i g n l o a n s a n d
credits h a v e never been a n d are not in the interests of
t h e peoples. T h e y b r i n g a l l k i n d s o f m i s f o r t u n e s u p o n
t h e peoples. F o r t h e m t h e l o a n s a n d c r e d i t s are a noose
a r o u n d their necks. D a i l y life in countries nearby and
remote f r o m us proves this very clearly.
T h e b r i l l i a n t road of the A l b a n i a n people is the road
of a l l peoples w h o fight for national and social liberation,
for socialism. A n d the peoples of the w o r l d , w h o fight
w i t h all their possibilities and in all forms, are the pow e r f u l a l l i e s o f s m a l l b u t i n v i n c i b l e , socialist A l b a n i a .
This strengthens the positions of our correct M a r x i s t Leninist policy and enhances the authority of our c o u n try in the international arena. In this context we must
continuously strengthen our P a r t y of Labour and our People's S o c i a l i s t R e p u b l i c , m a k e o u r e c o n o m y m o r e p o w e r ful, raise the w e l l - b e i n g and c u l t u r a l level of the w o r k i n g
masses a n d c o n t i n u e t h e s u c c e s s f u l c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e
n e w society, socialist society.
«The
Superpowers»
ON THE ACTIVITY OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
OF THE PARTY OF LABOUR OF ALBANIA
Extracts from the report submitted to the 8th Congress
of the PLA
November 1, 1981
I
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMY AND THE
TASKS OF THE PARTY
O u r socialist e c o n o m y enters t h e n e w f i v e - y e a r p e r i o d
o f its d e v e l o p m e n t w i t h s t a b i l i t y , d y n a m i c a n d w i t h great
possibilities to develop and extend social production further
a n d raise its e f f i c i e n c y i n a l l d i r e c t i o n s .
T h e m a i n objectives of the 6th F i v e - y e a r P l a n have
b e e n s u c c e s s f u l l y a t t a i n e d i n g e n e r a l . T h i s has m a d e t h e
m a t e r i a l - t e c h n i c a l base o f t h e c o u n t r y s t i l l s t r o n g e r , has
f u r t h e r i n c r e a s e d t h e resources o f r a w m a t e r i a l s a n d
energy, has e n s u r e d b e t t e r c o n d i t i o n s f o r t h e h a r m o n i o u s ,
r a p i d a n d ceaseless d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e e c o n o m y . D u r i n g
t h e past f i v e - y e a r p l a n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e p r o d u c t i v e
forces c o n t i n u e d at h i g h rates, t h e i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n of the
e c o n o m y d e v e l o p e d f u r t h e r a n d the t e c h n i c a l - s c i e n t i f i c
r e v o l u t i o n s a w i m p o r t a n t n e w advances. I n d u s t r y , a g r i c u l t u r e a n d t h e other b r a n c h e s o f t h e e c o n o m y m a d e f u r t h e r
progress. In 1980, as against 1975, s o c i a l p r o d u c t i o n rose
a b o u t 25 p e r cent a n d i n d u s t r i a l p r o d u c t i o n m o r e t h a n 34
p e r cent, at a r a t e 2 to 3 t i m e s h i g h e r t h a n t h e g r o w t h of
the population.
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
311
T h r o u g h t h e consistent a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e e c o n o m i c
policy of the Party, perceptible improvements were made
in the structure of i n d u s t r i a l production, and the proportion of means of production in total production increased.
I n d u s t r y m e t t h e needs o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n better a n d its r o l e
in the all-round development of the economy and the defence o f t h e c o u n t r y w a s i n c r e a s e d .
C o m p a r e d w i t h the 5th Five-year Plan, agricultural
p r o d u c t i o n rose m o r e t h a n 2 1 p e r cent. A g r i c u l t u r e m e t
the needs o f t h e c o u n t r y f o r b r e a d g r a i n , f o o d p r o d u c t s
and the most essential r a w materials, a n d increased the
volume of export of agricultural products.
T o f u l f i l t h e t a r g e t s o f t h e 6 t h F i v e - y e a r P l a n the
P a r t y a n d o u r state r a i s e d t h e l e v e l o f u t i l i z a t i o n o f t h e
internal resources a n d possibilities of the country. The
uninterrupted financing of the development of the econo m y a n d c u l t u r e w a s e n s u r e d , a b o u t 300 i m p o r t a n t p r o jects w e r e b u i l t a n d c o m m i s s i o n e d a n d goods e x p o r t s rose
over 51 p e r cent.
The g r o w i n g economic power and the implementation
of a n u m b e r of m e a s u r e s of an e c o n o m i c a n d s o c i a l c h a racter guaranteed the level of w e l l - b e i n g already achieved
a n d l e d t o its f u r t h e r u p l i f t . T h e r e a l p e r c a p i t a i n c o m e o f
the p o p u l a t i o n i n c r e a s e d b o t h i n t o w n a n d c o u n t r y s i d e . T h e
r e t a i l goods t u r n o v e r w e n t u p a b o u t 2 0 p e r cent. T h e
housing conditions of the population were further i m p r o v e d
and m e a s u r e s w e r e t a k e n t o e x p a n d s o c i a l services. A b o u t
2 0 t h o u s a n d p e o p l e g r a d u a t e d f r o m t h e h i g h e r schools a n d
more t h a n 113 t h o u s a n d f r o m t h e s e c o n d a r y schools, or 57
per cent m o r e t h a n i n t h e 5 t h F i v e - y e a r P l a n .
T h e s e a c h i e v e m e n t s i n t h e g e n e r a l s o c i o - e c o n o m i c development of the country assume special significance if
w e b e a r i n m i n d w h a t i s o c c u r r i n g i n the c a p i t a l i s t - r e v i sionist w o r l d , w h e r e t h e e c o n o m i c crisis, w i t h its g r a v e
consequences f o r t h e w o r k i n g masses a n d t h e w h o l e l i f e
312
ENVER HOXHA
o f these c o u n t r i e s has c a u s e d s t a g n a t i o n a n d d e c l i n e i n
p r o d u c t i o n . These a c h i e v e m e n t s m a r k a great v i c t o r y f o r
o u r P a r t y a n d people.
O n b e h a l f o f the P a r t y a n d t h e people, f r o m t h e t r i b u n e o f this C o n g r e s s I h a i l a n d c o n g r a t u l a t e t h e w o r k e r s ,
the specialists a n d the cadres o f c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d i n d u s t r y
w h o , r e s p o n d i n g t o the c a l l o f the P a r t y , e v e n i n t h e d i f f i c u l t c o n d i t i o n s w h i c h the C h i n e s e r e v i s i o n i s t s c r e a t e d f o r
us, p r o v e d u p t o the task a n d succeeded i n b u i l d i n g a n d
c o m m i s s i o n i n g the great p r o j e c t s o f t h e 6 t h F i v e - y e a r
P l a n , w h i c h f u r t h e r s t r e n g t h e n e d o u r socialist H o m e l a n d .
D e s p i t e t h e successes a c h i e v e d , w e are also a w a r e t h a t
some targets o f the f i v e - y e a r p l a n w e r e n o t f u l f i l l e d . T h e
P a r t y , the state organs a n d t h e w o r k i n g c o l l e c t i v e s h a v e
c a r e f u l l y a n a l y s e d these f a i l u r e s a n d h a v e d r a w n lessons
in order to eliminate weaknesses and shortcomings in the
w o r k o f o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d m a n a g e m e n t o f the e c o n o m y .
T h e great a c h i e v e m e n t s o f h i s t o r i c s i g n i f i c a n c e a l r e a d y
made in a l l fields, as w e l l as the r i c h experience gained
i n t h e w o r k a n d s t r u g g l e o f t h e P a r t y a n d people f o r t h e
c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d defence of s o c i a l i s m , c o n s t i t u t e a p o w e r f u l
p o l i t i c a l , e c o n o m i c a n d s o c i a l base f r o m w h i c h t o a d v a n c e
confidently and boldly.
O n t h e basis o f t h e g e n e r a l l i n e a n d t h e e c o n o m i c p o l i c y
of the P a r t y for the construction of socialism, the C e n t r a l Committee, after all-sided w o r k and study and a broad
p o p u l a r c o n s u l t a t i o n , p r e p a r e d t h e d r a f t - d i r e c t i v e s f o r the
7th Five-year P l a n of the development of the economy and
c u l t u r e f o r t h e p e r i o d 1981-1985, w h i c h i t presents t o the
Congress for examination and endorsement. T h e f u n d a m e n t a l t a s k of t h i s f i v e - y e a r p l a n i s : «The general development of the economy, relying completely on our own forces,
on the basis of deepening the socialist industrialization of
the country, the strengthening and intensification of agriculture, raising the efficiency of the economy, the develop-
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
313
ment of the technical-scientific revolution and perfecting
the socialist relations of production, in order to guarantee
and gradually raise the material well-being and the cultural level of the masses of the working people and to
further strengthen the socialist order and the defence
capacity of the Homeland.»
T h e m a i n directions and objectives of the development
of the economy and culture d u r i n g the 7th F i v e - y e a r P l a n ,
w h i c h is distinguished by a n u m b e r of special characteristics, are s y n t h e t i z e d i n t h i s task.
This is the first five-year plan which will be carried
out relying entirely on our own forces and possibilities.
Today A l b a n i a is the only country in the w o r l d w h i c h is
d e v e l o p i n g a n d a d v a n c i n g o n t h e socialist r o a d w i t h o u t
any k i n d of a i d or credit f r o m abroad. This is a great but
g l o r i o u s test f o r o u r p e o p l e a n d P a r t y , a n d t h e v i c t o r y i s
c e r t a i n , because, b y p r o c e e d i n g o n t h e basis o f M a r x i s m L e n i n i s m , w e p r e p a r e d o u r s e l v e s l o n g ago f o r t h i s d e c i s i v e
step.
The objectives and tasks of the new five-year plan are
greater than in any other plan, but they are scientifically
based and fully achievable. F o r t h e f i v e y e a r s 1981-1985,
the v o l u m e o f s o c i a l p r o d u c t i o n a n d i n v e s t m e n t s w i l l b e
larger t h a n the v o l u m e realized over the first four five-year
plans t a k e n t o g e t h e r , w h i l e t h e v o l u m e o f e x p o r t s w i l l b e
even larger.
I m p o r t a n t t a s k s are e n v i s a g e d f o r t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f
education a n d culture, the health service, housing and
other p u b l i c services.
I n s e t t i n g these targets a n d rates, a c c o u n t h a s been
t a k e n b o t h o f t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s t h e e c o n o m y has a n d w i l l
p r o v i d e a n d o f t h e needs f o r t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e e c o n o m y a n d t h e e m p l o y m e n t o f t h e n e w a c t i v e forces, f o r t h e
strengthening of the defence of the country a n d the i n crease o f reserves, a n d f o r t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e s o c i a l
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ENVER HOXHA
a n d c u l t u r a l sectors, a s w e l l a s f o r e v e r b e t t e r f u l f i l l i n g
the growing demands of the population. M a n y of the
targets o f t h i s f i v e - y e a r p l a n , e s p e c i a l l y those w h i c h h a v e
t o d o w i t h t h e u t i l i z a t i o n o f reserves o f o i l a n d m i n e r a l s ,
t h e a l l o c a t i o n of i n v e s t m e n t s , etc., h a v e also b e e n seen
t o i n close c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e e c o n omy in the f u t u r e five-year plans, w h e n we w i l l be faced
w i t h e v e n g r e a t e r needs a n d d e m a n d s .
During the 7th Five-year Plan some important structural improvements will be made in the field of production,
the circulation of goods and consumption by the people.
T h e s e i m p r o v e m e n t s w i l l i n v o l v e e n e r g y resources, b l a c k
metallurgy, the engineering industry, agriculture, transport,
f i n a n c e s a n d mass c o n s u m e r goods, etc. T h e i m p r o v e m e n t s
envisaged w i l l lead to intensification of the economy, raise
its e f f i c i e n c y a n d m a k e i t m o r e c a p a b l e o f m e e t i n g t h e
needs o f t h e c o u n t r y a n d o f c o p i n g b e t t e r w i t h t h e e n c i r c l e ment and blockade and the pressure of the economic crisis
of the capitalist and revisionist w o r l d .
The development and strengthening of the materialtechnical base of the country, as always, will be closely
linked with the improvement of various aspects of the
economic relations in the city and, especially, in the countryside. I m p o r t a n t m e a s u r e s h a v e b e e n a n d a r e b e i n g t a k e n
for the further development of the cooperativist system
a n d the r e s t r i c t i o n o f t h e p e r s o n a l plot, f o r t h e e x t e n s i o n
of specialization and cooperation, the strengthening of the
organization and management of production, for a better
l i n k i n g of the remuneration for w o r k w i t h q u a n t i t y and
quality, savings and the f u l f i l m e n t of targets of the p l a n .
These measures w i l l be carried still f u r t h e r w i t h the a i m of
ceaselessly s t r e n g t h e n i n g o u r socialist o r d e r .
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
1.
315
T H E F U R T H E R S T R E N G T H E N I N G OF I N D U S T R Y —
A DECISIVE FACTOR FOR THE G E N E R A L
A D V A N C E OF THE COUNTRY
T h e socialist i n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n o f t h e c o u n t r y , w h i c h
has d e v e l o p e d f r o m one f i v e - y e a r p l a n to t h e o t h e r as a
great a n d ceaseless process, h a s o c c u p i e d a n d c o n t i n u e s t o
occupy the m a i n place in the economic policy of the Party.
It h a s b e e n a n d is a d e c i s i v e f a c t o r f o r t h e g e n e r a l a d v a n c e
of the country on the road of socialism. The creation and
strengthening of our multi-branched, heavy and light i n d u s t r y , b a s e d f i r m l y o n o u r o w n resources a n d assets a n d
w i t h c l e a r p r o s p e c t s of d e v e l o p m e n t , is a m o n u m e n t a l deed
o f o u r P a r t y a n d people, a c h i e v e d w i t h great t o i l , s a c r i f i c e
a n d u n r i v a l l e d h e r o i s m , a deed o f h i s t o r i c i m p o r t a n c e f o r
the p r e s e n t a n d f u t u r e g e n e r a t i o n s .
In the 7th Five-year P l a n our industry w i l l advance
still f u r t h e r and develop on a broad front. A b o u t 46 per
cent o f a l l t h e i n v e s t m e n t s o f t h e f i v e - y e a r p l a n w i l l b e
made in this branch. The a i m of the policy of the P a r t y
for the development of i n d u s t r y is: to consolidate the
multi-branched structure of industry, giving priority, as
always, to heavy industry ; to maintain and further improve
the p o s i t i v e b a l a n c e o f e n e r g y resources, a t t a c h i n g p a r t i cular importance to the oil industry; to further develop
the m i n e r a l e x t r a c t i n g a n d p r o c e s s i n g i n d u s t r y , w h i l e also
starting to utilize new minerals; to make tangible improvements in the structure of means of production and c o n s u m e r goods; t o p u t i n d u s t r y e v e n m o r e i n t h e s e r v i c e
o f the i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n o f a g r i c u l t u r e ; t o e x p a n d t h e e x i s t i n g
productive capacities t h r o u g h their reconstruction and
modernization.
The Party devotes special attention to the energy industry, to the extraction of oil, gas, coal and the production
of electric power. We h a v e c r e a t e d a p o w e r f u l a n d i n d e pendent e n e r g y s y s t e m w h i c h meets t h e g r o w i n g needs o f
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ENVER HOXHA
the country f o r energy and earns i m p o r t a n t incomes in
h a r d currency f r o m its exports. T h i s is a m a j o r victory
f o r t h e correct p o l i c y o f t h e P a r t y a n d a r e l i a b l e basis f o r
t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of t h e n a t i o n a l e c o n o m y as a w h o l e .
This victory must be consolidated and carried further,
i n t h e f i r s t place, b y m a k i n g i n v e s t m e n t s a n d i n c r e a s i n g
p r o d u c t i o n , b u t also b y u s i n g a l l o u r e n e r g y resources w i t h
the greatest e c o n o m y , strict c o n t r o l a n d t h r i f t . T h e s o l u t i o n o f these p r o b l e m s calls f o r w e l l - o r g a n i z e d , d i s c i p l i n e d
a n d s y s t e m a t i c w o r k w i t h s o u n d s c i e n t i f i c bases a n d
methods. The development of this crucial b r a n c h of m a j o r
strategic importance is put f o r w a r d as an i m p e r a t i v e duty,
especially in the conditions of the w o r l d energy crisis.
T h e e x t r a c t i o n a n d p r o c e s s i n g o f o i l a n d gas w i l l occ u p y t h e m a i n p l a c e i n o u r e n e r g y resources. T h i s i s a
great b u t f u l l y r e a l i z a b l e task, because i t i s b a s e d o n t h e
e x i s t i n g resources a n d t h e k n o w n a n d t a p p e d reserves.
T h e achievement of the targets for the extraction of
o i l a n d gas a n d t h e i n c r e a s e o f t h e e f f e c t i v e n e s s o f t h e
major expenditure made in this branch of industry require
t h a t t h e o i l w o r k e r s , s p e c i a l i s t s a n d cadres g i v e s p e c i a l
attention to i m p r o v i n g prospecting and extraction methods,
basing themselves completely on the achievements of
science, o n t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f r i g o r o u s t e c h n i c a l a n d w o r k i n g
discipline.
T h e e x p e n d i t u r e o n t h e e x t r a c t i o n o f o i l a n d gas m u s t
b e m a d e o n t h e basis o f p r o f o u n d studies a n d w i t h r e s ponsibility. Thorough-going technical, organizational and
material measures must be taken to increase oil extraction,
n o t o n l y f r o m t h e n e w deposits, b u t also f r o m t h e o l d e r
ones, u s i n g i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n a n d s e c o n d a r y m e t h o d s m u c h
b e t t e r t h a n u p t i l l n o w . I n t h i s v i t a l sector w e m u s t p r o c e e d
w i t h e c o n o m y , w i t h reserves g u a r a n t e e d a n d p r o v e d , a n d
u t i l i z e o i l a n d gas f r u g a l l y , t h i n k i n g o f t o d a y a n d also o f
the f u t u r e . T h e s c i e n t i f i c a n d t e c h n i c a l f o r c e s m u s t i n v o l v e
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
317
themselves more deeply in speeding up the exploitation
o f b i t u m i n o u s sands w i t h a h i g h l e v e l o f e f f i c i e n c y , because
these are a great asset of t h e c o u n t r y , w h i c h m u s t be
b r o u g h t i n t o e c o n o m i c c i r c u l a t i o n a s soon a s p o s s i b l e .
C o a l , w h i c h is a f u e l u s e d on a mass scale a n d of g r e a t
e c o n o m i c b e n e f i t , occupies a n i m p o r t a n t place i n t h e e n e r g y
resources o f t h e c o u n t r y .
A t t e n t i o n s h o u l d b e c e n t e r e d n o t o n l y o n the r a t i o n a l
e x p l o i t a t i o n o f t h e e x i s t i n g c o a l m i n e s , b u t also o n t h e
o p e n i n g o f p r o f i t a b l e n e w m i n e s . P r o s p e c t i n g f o r coals o f
h i g h e r c a l o r i f i c v a l u e a n d c o k i n g coals m u s t b e e x t e n d e d .
W o r k must be done everywhere to replace l i q u i d fuels w i t h
coal a n d f o r its f r u g a l use. L i k e w i s e , i t i s also n e c e s s a r y
to take measures for the enrichment and briquetting
o f coals, t o i n c r e a s e t h e e c o n o m i c b e n e f i t s f r o m t h e i r
use.
I n o r d e r t o k e e p a h e a d o f t h e g r o w i n g needs f o r e l e c t r i c
p o w e r , a s w e l l a s f o r t h e i n t e n s i v e e x p l o i t a t i o n o f the
w a t e r resources i n w h i c h o u r c o u n t r y i s v e r y r i c h , d u r i n g
this f i v e - y e a r p l a n t h e w o r k f o r the c o m p l e t i o n o f t h e
K o m a n h y d r o - p o w e r station, w h i c h w i l l be the most powerf u l we have built up to now, w i l l be stepped up to m a j o r
p r o p o r t i o n s a n d p r e p a r a t i o n s w i l l b e m a d e f o r t h e const r u c t i o n o f o t h e r h y d r o - p o w e r stations, b i g a n d s m a l l , n o t
o n l y t o cope w i t h p r e s e n t a n d f u t u r e needs, b u t also t o
increase t h e e x p o r t o f e l e c t r i c p o w e r .
T h e p r o d u c t i o n a n d use o f e l e c t r i c p o w e r m u s t b e
seen i n u n i t y . T h e P a r t y a n d t h e state a n d e c o n o m i c o r g a n s
m u s t w o r k t o c h a n g e people's concepts, s o t h a t e l e c t r i c
p o w e r is a p p r e c i a t e d as a m a j o r n a t i o n a l asset w h i c h
must b e u s e d t h r i f t i l y a n d w i t h r i g o r o u s c o n t r o l i n a l l
fields, e s p e c i a l l y i n t h a t o f m a t e r i a l p r o d u c t i o n , w h e r e
scientifically studied norms must be established for every
kilowatt consumed.
The 7th Five-year Plan opens broad perspectives for
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ENVER HOXHA
the extracting and processing industry of useful minerals.
Conditions have n o w been created for the extraction of
o t h e r u s e f u l m i n e r a l s also, s u c h a s p h o s p h o r i t e , q u a r t z i t e ,
r o c k salt, d o l o m i t e , o l i v i n i t e , b a u x i t e , etc.
C u r r e n t a n d f u t u r e needs pose t h e t a s k o f e x p a n d i n g
the e x t r a c t i o n a n d e n r i c h m e n t o f l o w - g r a d e m i n e r a l s a n d
i n c r e a s i n g the p r o p o r t i o n o f u s e f u l e l e m e n t s r e c o v e r e d f r o m
t h e m i n o r d e r t o r a i s e t h e v a l u e o f o u r m i n e r a l resources,
t o e x p l o i t e v e n those deposits, o l d o r n e w , w h i c h a r e o f
p o o r q u a l i t y , b u t o f w h i c h t h e r e a r e l a r g e reserves.
Special attention will be paid to metallurgy, in general,
and iron and steel production, in particular, not only to
deepen the full cycle processing of our main minerals, but
also to strengthen the independence of our economy from
imports. T h e r e f o r e , o u r m e t a l l u r g i c a l w o r k e r s m u s t m o b ilize a l l their strength and skills so that they learn a n d
master thoroughly, w i t h strict discipline and on a scientific
basis, t h e t e c h n o l o g y o f s m e l t i n g m i n e r a l s a n d t h e m a n y
w a y s of processing metals, in order to utilize a l l the useful
m a i n a n d associated e l e m e n t s o f t h e c o m p l e x ores, t o
r e d u c e t h e costs o f m a t e r i a l s a n d e n e r g y , w h i c h a r e s t i l l
h i g h . T h o r o u g h studies a n d i n t e n s i v e w o r k a r e r e q u i r e d
for the big extensions w h i c h w i l l continue at the «Steel
of the P a r t y » metallurgical combine, for the setting up of
p l a n t s t o p r o d u c e tubes o f v a r i o u s k i n d s , steel p l a t e a n d
carbonic products.
N o w t h a t w e h a v e o u r o w n steel a n d h a v e b u i l t a
powerful mechanical engineering industry t h e c o n d i t i o n s
h a v e b e e n c r e a t e d t o set t h i s b r a n c h g r e a t e r t a s k s . T h e p r o d u c t i o n o f the e n g i n e e r i n g i n d u s t r y i n 1985 w i l l b e 43-45
p e r cent g r e a t e r t h a n i n 1980.
The engineering industry successfully f u l f i l l e d the task
o f p r o d u c i n g s p a r e parts, set b y t h e 7 t h C o n g r e s s o f t h e
P a r t y , m e e t i n g 9 5 p e r cent o f t h e needs o f t h e e c o n o m y
for them. In this five-year p l a n this achievement must
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
319
be consolidated by radically i m p r o v i n g quality and greatly
increasing the reconditioning of the parts replaced.
In the years of this five-year plan the engineering i n d u s t r y w i l l engage o n a l a r g e r scale i n t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f
equipment and m a c h i n e r y for the construction of new
production lines and factories, f o r various reconstructions
a n d e x t e n s i o n s o f p r o d u c t i v e capacities. T o c a r r y o u t s u c h
a task demands i m p r o v e d organization and management
of this b r a n c h of industry, and the technology of processing,
planning, the cooperation a n d the standardization of prod u c t i o n m u s t b e p u t o n the m o s t s c i e n t i f i c basis possible.
U r g e n t and comprehensive measures must be taken
especially f o r t h e p r e p a r a t i o n o f t h e t e c h n o l o g i c a l a n d
s t r u c t u r a l designs o f e q u i p m e n t a n d m a c h i n e r y f o r t h e n e w
projects t o b e b u i l t a n d t h e r e c o n s t r u c t i o n s t o b e done
during this five-year plan. M u c h of this equipment and
machinery w i l l be produced for the first time. T h e designing
and p r o d u c t i o n o f t h i s e q u i p m e n t a n d m a c h i n e r y o n t i m e
and w i t h h i g h q u a l i t y i s one o f t h e m o s t d i f f i c u l t t a s k s
w h i c h o u r e n g i n e e r i n g i n d u s t r y has t o cope w i t h .
The commencement of machine b u i l d i n g on a large
scale b y t h e e n g i n e e r i n g i n d u s t r y f o r c e f u l l y poses t h e n e e d
to raise the l e v e l of q u a l i f i c a t i o n of t h e people i n v o l v e d
and d e v e l o p t h e i r c r e a t i v e t h i n k i n g , t h e n e e d t o t r a i n
h i g h e r a n d m i d d l e cadres e v e n f o r n a r r o w p r o f i l e s a n d
p a r t i c u l a r s p e c i a l i t i e s , m a k i n g t h e a p p r o p r i a t e changes i n
the p r o g r a m s o f v o c a t i o n a l schools a n d t h e U n i v e r s i t y f o r
this p u r p o s e .
The chemical industry will undergo great expansion
and development during this five-year plan. C o m p a r e d
w i t h 1980, in 1985 its p r o d u c t i o n w i l l go up 63-65 p e r cent.
Particular importance w i l l be given to increasing production o f p h o s p h a t e f e r t i l i z e r s a n d c h e m i c a l s f o r p l a n t
protection. N o w t h a t m a n y b a s i c p r o d u c t s a n d a n u m b e r
of i n d u s t r i a l r e s i d u e s a n d associated c o m p o n e n t s of m i n e r a l s
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ENVER HOXHA
are a v a i l a b l e , t h e c h e m i s t s a n d other s p e c i a l i s t s m u s t
study and produce a m u c h w i d e r range of chemical p r o ducts a n d reagents i n o r d e r t o r e d u c e i m p o r t s o f t h e m a s
soon as possible. T h e b e g i n n i n g s of c h e m i c a l s y n t h e s i s ,
based m a i n l y o n l o c a l r a w m a t e r i a l s , m u s t also b e c a r r i e d
f o w a r d w i t h the a i m t h a t its p r o d u c t s b e c o m e a good s o u r c e
of exports in the not-too-distant future.
T h e P a r t y has a l w a y s b o r n e i n m i n d that, i n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of i n d u s t r y as a w h o l e , the production of mass
consumer goods must be increased in keeping with the
needs of the population, ensuring the stability and continuous raising of the material and cultural level of the
working masses.
A r e a l change f o r t h e b e t t e r i s n e c e s s a r y i n t h e p r o ducts o f t h e l i g h t a n d f o o d - p r o c e s s i n g i n d u s t r y , a n d a
radical improvement m u s t be achieved in the structure,
range, q u a l i t y , p a c k a g i n g a n d t h e l o w e r i n g o f t h e cost
o f t h e goods. T h i s c h a n g e c a n b e m a d e o n l y t h r o u g h c o m plete a n d e f f e c t i v e m e a s u r e s i n t h e f i e l d s o f o r g a n i z a t i o n
and management, and the planning and technology of
p r o d u c t i o n . A b o v e a l l , a r t i s a n concepts m u s t b e r a d i c a l l y
changed, ingenuity and creative t h i n k i n g must be developed, there must be swift and efficient action to m a k e
p o s i t i v e changes, t o open a b r o a d w a y t o t h e n e w e v e r y where.
H u g e investments have been made for the establishment and development of industry, and a whole a r m y of
q u a l i f i e d a n d d e v o t e d w o r k e r s , w h o are a p o w e r f u l s u p p o r t f o r t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h i s v i t a l sector o f t h e e c o n omy, has been trained.
T h e attainment of the great targets l a i d d o w n by t h e
P a r t y requires that the w o r k e r s of industry increase the
efficiency of production and the productivity of labour,
and raise their creative activity to a higher level. T h e y
must utilize the m a n y productive capacities at their disposal
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
321
e x t e n s i v e l y a n d m a s t e r t h e use o f t h e n e w p r o j e c t s a n d
production lines that w i l l be completed and commissioned,
a s w e l l a s those w h i c h w i l l b e r e c o n s t r u c t e d i n t h e y e a r s
o f t h i s f i v e - y e a r p l a n , a s t h o r o u g h l y a s possible. W i t h
courage a n d d e t e r m i n a t i o n a n d r e l y i n g o n t h e r e s u l t s o f
studies a n d science, t h e y m u s t c a r r y f o r w a r d a n d m o d e r n i z e
the t e c h n o l o g y o f p r o d u c t i o n , i m p r o v e its q u a l i t a t i v e a n d
financial indices.
T h e people and the P a r t y are f u l l y confident that the
w o r k e r s o f a l l b r a n c h e s o f i n d u s t r y , conscious o f t h e s i t u a t i o n w e are g o i n g t h r o u g h , w i l l m u l t i p l y t h e i r e f f o r t s
a n d step u p t h e i r s t r u g g l e t o a c h i e v e t h e o b j e c t i v e s a n d
f u l f i l the great tasks w h i c h this Congress is setting for
the d e v e l o p m e n t a n d s t r e n g t h e n i n g o f o u r socialist i n dustry.
2. A G R I C U L T U R A L PRODUCTION MUST BE FURTHER
INTENSIFIED
IN
THE
AND THE
SOCIALIST RELATIONS
COUNTRYSIDE
PERFECTED
O u r P a r t y has w o r k e d out a n d i m p l e m e n t e d a M a r x i s t Leninist agrarian policy, t a k i n g account of the historical
conditions and the concrete circumstances in w h i c h our
people's r e v o l u t i o n t r i u m p h e d a n d t h e c o u n t r y e m b a r k e d
on the road of socialism. In the conditions of a v e r y backw a r d a g r a r i a n country, the P a r t y h a d to solve t w o problems
s i m u l t a n e o u s l y : b o t h t h e socialist t r a n s f o r m a t i o n o f t h e
countryside and the all-round development of agriculture.
A g r i c u l t u r e h a d to be in a position to feed the r u r a l pop u l a t i o n a n d t o m a k e its great c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h e i n d u s trialization of the country and the development of the
n a t i o n a l e c o n o m y . Achievement of these fundamental tasks
required not any kind of development of agriculture, but
precisely its socialist development on the basis of modern,
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ENVER HOXHA
large-scale production closely linked with all the other
branches and sectors of the economy.
The revolutionary transformations and the progress
a c h i e v e d i n a g r i c u l t u r e r e p r e s e n t one o f t h e greatest v i c tories of the line and policy of the P a r t y for the construct i o n o f s o c i a l i s m . T h e fact t h a t d u r i n g n e a r l y f o u r decades
o f t h e people's state p o w e r a g r i c u l t u r a l p r o d u c t i o n i n
general in our country has continued to increase about
2 times more rapidly than the population, that the r e a l
p e r c a p i t a i n c o m e of t h e p e a s a n t r y has g o n e up 10 to 20 p e r
cent f r o m one f i v e - y e a r p l a n t o a n o t h e r , t h a t n o w , a s
c o m p a r e d w i t h 1960, a g r i c u l t u r a l p r o d u c t i o n h a s i n c r e a s e d
1.7 t i m e s p e r u n i t of a r a b l e l a n d a n d 1.6 t i m e s p e r a g r i c u l t u r a l w o r k e r , i s c l e a r e v i d e n c e o f t h e correctness o f t h i s
p o l i c y . I n t h e 6 t h F i v e - y e a r P l a n , too, a l t h o u g h t h e t a r g e t s
w e r e not f u l l y accomplished according to plan, the average
a n n u a l p r o d u c t i o n w a s 21.4 p e r cent h i g h e r a s c o m p a r e d
w i t h the 5th F i v e - y e a r P l a n .
C o n s i s t e n t l y f o l l o w i n g its a g r a r i a n p o l i c y , t h e P a r t y
h a s set n e w , m o r e i m p o r t a n t o b j e c t i v e s f o r t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f a g r i c u l t u r e a n d t h e p r o g r e s s o f o u r socialist
c o u n t r y s i d e d u r i n g the 7 t h F i v e - y e a r P l a n . T h e t a s k s w h i c h
t h e C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e o f t h e P a r t y has set f o r t h e sector
o f a g r i c u l t u r e i n the n e w f i v e - y e a r p l a n a i m t o increase
production in order to ensure ever better supplies of a l l
t h e f o o d f o r t h e people a n d i m p r o v e its s t r u c t u r e ; t o
substantially increase the r a w materials f o r the light
and food-processing industry; to gradually eliminate i m ports of that part of foodstuffs and agricultural r a w
m a t e r i a l s w h i c h are s t i l l b r o u g h t f r o m a b r o a d ; t o i n c r e a s e
t h e v o l u m e o f e x p o r t s o f processed a n d u n p r o c e s s e d a g r i c u l t u r a l p r o d u c t s ; t o i n c r e a s e a n d s t r e n g t h e n t h e necess a r y r e s e r v e . O n t h e basis o f these o b j e c t i v e s , a s w e l l a s
t h r o u g h other e c o n o m i c a n d s o c i a l measures, t h e w e l l being of the peasantry w i l l be raised and the distinctions
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
323
between t o w n and countryside w i l l be further reduced.
These m a j o r problems for the development of agriculture h a v e to do w i t h the present and the f u t u r e of the
c o u n t r y . F o r a l l these reasons, i n t h i s f i v e - y e a r p l a n a g r i culture w i l l occupy a special and more i m p o r t a n t place
than hitherto.
As always, grain production remains the primary task
o f agriculture. E a c h y e a r w e m u s t s u p p l y t h e b r e a d
needed b y t h e e v e r g r o w i n g p o p u l a t i o n , f u l f i l i n c r e a s i n g
r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r c o n c e n t r a t e d a n d i n d u s t r i a l i z e d foods f o r
l i v e s t o c k , a s w e l l a s o t h e r e s s e n t i a l needs f o r g r a i n . T h e s e
problems cannot be solved by constantly increasing the
area p l a n t e d t o g r a i n . O n t h e c o n t r a r y , t h e stress m u s t b e
laid more and more on increasing yields and i m p r o v i n g the
s t r u c t u r e o f t h e t y p e s o f g r a i n g r o w n . T h i s becomes e v e n
more essential in the conditions in w h i c h the population
is g r o w i n g at h i g h rates a n d , as a consequence, t h e a r e a
o f a r a b l e l a n d p e r c a p i t a t e n d s t o decrease. T h e r e f o r e , t h e
increase o f a b o u t 2 0 p e r cent i n t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f g r a i n
in the 7th F i v e - y e a r P l a n , as against the 6th F i v e - y e a r
Plan, must be achieved entirely through increased yields.
T h e t a s k s i n t h i s f i e l d are v e r y serious a n d r e q u i r e e x c e p t i o n a l a t t e n t i o n f r o m t h e o r g a n s o f t h e P a r t y , t h e state,
the e c o n o m y a n d a l l t h e w o r k e r s o f a g r i c u l t u r e .
A p a r t f r o m t h e increase i n g r a i n p r o d u c t i o n , m e a s u r e s
must b e s t e p p e d u p i n a l l t h e l i n k s i n t h e p r o c u r e m e n t ,
h a n d l i n g , s t o r i n g a n d use o f g r a i n i n o r d e r t o a v o i d a n y loss
o r d a m a g e . W e m u s t also a i m a t r e d u c i n g t h e c o n s u m p t i o n
of bread per head of population, both in t o w n and countryside. W e m u s t p r o c e e d o n t h i s c o u r s e w i t h a s c i e n t i f i c a l l y
studied p r o g r a m t o i m p r o v e t h e s t r u c t u r e o f t h e people's
food b y i n c r e a s i n g t h e p r o d u c t i o n a n d use o f vegetables,
potatoes, f r u i t s , l i v e s t o c k p r o d u c t s , etc. T h e p r o b l e m i s
that w e m u s t p r o v i d e t h e p o p u l a t i o n w i t h m o r e m i l k , m e a t ,
vegetables, etc., a n d r e d u c e t h e c o n s u m p t i o n o f b r e a d ,
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ENVER HOXHA
t h u s not r e d u c i n g the s t a n d a r d o f l i v i n g b u t r a i s i n g it.
Hence, parallel w i t h the increase of the production of
vegetables, potatoes a n d beans p e r h e a d o f p o p u l a t i o n a n d
t h e r e d u c t i o n o f t h e i r cost, m o r e o r g a n i z e d w o r k m u s t
b e done t o s t u d y people's d e m a n d s a n d tastes a n d t o
t r a n s f o r m the e x i s t i n g a l m o s t a r t i s a n m e n t a l i t y r e g a r d i n g
t h e p r o d u c t i o n , t r a n s p o r t , i n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n a n d sale o f
these p r o d u c t s . T h e s o l i d t a s k s e n v i s a g e d i n t h i s f i v e - y e a r
p l a n c o n c e r n i n g vegetables, potatoes a n d beans r e q u i r e t h e
implementation of all-round agro-technical measures, as
w e l l as the concentration and specialization of the prod u c t i o n o f t h e m , e s p e c i a l l y a r o u n d t h e b i g cities, w i t h t h e
a i m that the plans must be f u l f i l l e d in quantity, in v a r i e t y
and on time throughout the year.
T h e state a n d t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s h a v e m a d e m a j o r
investments for the development of fruit-growing. Up till
n o w , h o w e v e r , t h e e f f e c t i v e n e s s o f these i n v e s t m e n t s , espec i a l l y i n t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s , has b e e n l o w a n d t h e w e i g h t o f
t h i s sector i n a g r i c u l t u r a l p r o d u c t i o n i s s t i l l r e l a t i v e l y
s m a l l . H e n c e , t o r e a l i z e the i n c r e a s i n g t a s k s f o r t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of f r u i t - g r o w i n g it is necessary, f i r s t of a l l , t h a t t h i s
branch should be appreciated more correctly, and that
ideas u n d e r r a t i n g it and manifestations of lack of interest
i n t h i s great w e a l t h w i t h p r o m i s e f o r t h e f u t u r e o f o u r
country, must be combated. In the orchards and olive
groves a l l the necessary services must be f u l l y carried
out and the appropriate conditions p r o v i d e d for extensive
irrigation.
The new investments must be concentrated m a i n l y on
the c o m p l e t i o n o f e x i s t i n g b l o c k s a n d t h e r e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f
the existing vineyards. Studies must be carried out in the
field of f r u i t - g r o w i n g and a great deal of w o r k done to
add to and i m p r o v e new varieties, the p l a n t i n g of orchards
o f v a r i o u s k i n d s a r o u n d t h e cities m u s t b e p r o c e e d e d w i t h
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
325
a n d , w i t h i n t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s , t h e p r a c t i c e o f j o i n t statecooperative investments should be applied.
T h e needs of t h e p e o p l e a n d t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of a
multi-branched agriculture require improvement in the
s t r u c t u r e o f p l a n t i n g s o f i n d u s t r i a l crops, c o n c e n t r a t i o n
and specialization of production in the districts and econo m i e s w h i c h h a v e h a d t h e best results, e n s u r i n g s u p p l i e s
o f seeds w h i c h p r o d u c e h e a v y c r o p s y i e l d i n g h i g h l e v e l s
of industrial products, and the application of advanced
technology in production. We must adhere to the orientation
f o r i n d u s t r i a l c r o p s t o f u l f i l t h e needs o f t h e people a n d
the economy ever better w i t h the local production.
I n r e g a r d t o t h e f o r e s t e c o n o m y , a l o n g w i t h measures
to proceed more rapidly towards balancing cutting w i t h
the a n n u a l n a t u r a l g r o w t h o f forest trees, w e m u s t a i m
t o t r a n s f o r m t h e forests i n t o c o m p l e x e c o n o m i e s i n w h i c h ,
apart f r o m extracting timber, secondary forest products,
s u c h a s p l a n t s p r o d u c i n g e s s e n t i a l oils a n d m e d i c i n a l
herbs, are c u l t i v a t e d a n d h a r v e s t e d , a n d m o r e i s done t o
develop and utilize the zooculture.
The objectives put forward in the new five-year plan
concerning livestock-farming require much greater attention from the organs of the Party, the state and the economy and all the workers of agriculture for this important
branch. D e s p i t e t h e p r o g r e s s m a d e , t h e l e v e l o f p r o d u c t i o n
a n d m o d e r n i z a t i o n o f t h e l i v e s t o c k sector does n o t r e s p o n d
t o t h e b i g i n v e s t m e n t s m a d e a n d t h e i n c r e a s i n g needs f o r
a n i m a l products. To this end it is necessary to radically
change t h e concepts o n a n d a t t i t u d e s t o w a r d s t h e needs
and r e q u i r e m e n t s a r i s i n g f r o m the d e v e l o p m e n t o f l a r g e scale l i v e s t o c k - f a r m i n g w i t h m a n y k i n d s o f a n i m a l s , a n d
b u i l t on a s c i e n t i f i c basis.
T h e number-one problem in the field of livestockf a r m i n g is the a p p l i c a t i o n of a c o m p l e t e s y s t e m of a p p r o priate m e a s u r e s t o d o u b l e a n d t r e b l e t h e y i e l d s o f f o r a g e
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ENVER HOXHA
crops a n d t h e p r o d u c t i v e c a p a c i t y o f n a t u r a l p a s t u r e s , t o
g a t h e r a n d u t i l i z e a l l t h e reserves a n d b y - p r o d u c t s o f
a g r i c u l t u r e , as w e l l as to a p p l y a m o r e a d v a n c e d t e c h n o l o g y i n t h e p r o c e s s i n g o f c o n c e n t r a t e d foods a n d o t h e r
agricultural and industrial products for the livestock.
We have made and w i l l continue to make investments
a n d t a k e m e a s u r e s t o set u p m o d e r n c o m p l e x e s f o r t h e
strengthening of livestock-farming, for the production of
m e a t a n d eggs, f o r t h e i n d u s t r i a l p r o c e s s i n g a n d e n s i l a g i n g
of feed for animals. H o w e v e r , care must be t a k e n to ensure
t h a t these i n v e s t m e n t s are m a d e i n t i m e a n d g i v e t h e p r o p e r
effect. O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , i t m u s t b e k e p t c l e a r l y i n m i n d
that the o v e r w h e l m i n g part of the livestock, this great
n a t i o n a l asset, i s i n t h e a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e s a n d i n
the herds formed f r o m the animals belonging to the
m e m b e r s o f these c o o p e r a t i v e s . T h e r e f o r e , v e r y g r e a t a t t e n t i o n m u s t b e p a i d t o t h e p r o p e r m a n a g e m e n t o f these
animals, the increase of production and reduction of the
cost o f l i v e s t o c k p r o d u c t s i n a l l areas o f t h e c o u n t r y .
The fulfilment of the targets envisaged in the 7th F i v e year Plan for agriculture will be achieved, more than ever
before, through intensification. T h e l a n d a n d a l l t h e r e l a tively powerful and diversified material and technical
base w h i c h has b e e n c r e a t e d m u s t b e u t i l i z e d w i t h t h e
greatest possible e f f i c i e n c y , w i t h t h e a i m o f g e t t i n g t h e
m a x i m u m agricultural and livestock products w i t h the
least p o s s i b l e e x p e n d i t u r e — t h i s is t h e t a s k set.
W h i l e setting m a j o r tasks for stepping up the i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n o f a g r i c u l t u r e , i n t h e f u t u r e , too, p e r s i s t e n t
efforts must continue to extend the area of arable land,
because o u r c o u n t r y s t i l l h a s l a n d w h i c h c a n b e o p e n e d
u p i n t h e h i l l y a n d m o u n t a i n o u s areas, a s w e l l a s t o g a i n
n e w areas o f l a n d t h r o u g h d e s a l i n i z a t i o n , etc.
A m a j o r p r o b l e m , w h i c h has t o d o w i t h t h e i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n of a g r i c u l t u r e , is a b e t t e r h a r m o n i z a t i o n , b a s e d
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
327
on scientific criteria, of all the h u m a n , material, agro-technical and n a t u r a l factors w h i c h condition agricultural
production. This is a general problem w h i c h concerns every
e c o n o m y , d i s t r i c t o r a r e a . T h e specialists, cadres a n d
v a n g u a r d w o r k e r s a t t h e base, t h e e c o n o m i c a n d p l a n n i n g
organs, a s w e l l a s t h e s c i e n t i f i c r e s e a r c h i n s t i t u t i o n s , h a v e
here a b r o a d f i e l d f o r studies a n d c r e a t i v e a c t i v i t y a n d i n novation.
I n t h e f u t u r e , too, i n v e s t m e n t s a n d c a r e f o r t h e l a n d
must c o n s t i t u t e t h e m a i n d i r e c t i o n o f t h e w o r k f o r t h e
intensification a n d increase of agricultural production. This
calls f o r t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f c o m p r e h e n s i v e m e a s u r e s t o
increase t h e f e r t i l i t y o f t h e l a n d a n d p r o t e c t i t a g a i n s t
erosion, t o e n r i c h a n d i m p r o v e t h e s o i l t h r o u g h a c o m b i n e d
and i n t e g r a l s y s t e m o f f e r t i l i z e r s . I t r e q u i r e s t h e p r o d u c t i o n a n d use o f seeds w i t h h i g h p r o d u c t i v e c a p a c i t y , r e sistant t o diseases, pests a n d u n f a v o u r a b l e n a t u r a l f a c t o r s .
T h e m a n y problems related to the intensification of
agriculture can be successfully solved only by placing all
agricultural production on rigorously scientific foundations.
The 8th P l e n u m of the CC of the P a r t y gave orientations
and d i r e c t i v e s o f v e r y g r e a t i m p o r t a n c e t o a l l t h e s c i e n t i f i c
o r g a n i s m s i n a g r i c u l t u r e , f r o m t h e base t o t h e centre. I t i s
a p r i m e d u t y o f t h e p a r t y o r g a n i z a t i o n s , t h e state a n d
economic o r g a n s t o e n s u r e t h a t t h i s p r o g r a m i s p e r s i s t e n t l y
a p p l i e d . To t h i s e n d it is e s s e n t i a l t h a t a c o r r e c t concept
should b e f o r m e d o f t h e g r e a t i m p o r t a n c e a n d r o l e o f
scientific r e s e a r c h a n d e x p e r i m e n t a t i o n i n a g r i c u l t u r e a n d
that a l l o r g a n i z a t i o n a l m e a s u r e s a r e t a k e n t o e n s u r e t h a t
the results o f these studies f i n d a p p l i c a t i o n i n large-scale
p r o d u c t i o n as q u i c k l y as possible.
I n the c o n t e x t o f t h e w o r k t h a t w i l l b e c a r r i e d out i n
agriculture d u r i n g this five-year plan, the Central C o m mittee of t h e P a r t y proposes to the C o n g r e s s t h a t a series
of important measures for the intensification of agricul-
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ENVER HOXHA
tural production, giving priority to production in the more
fertile plains of the country, should be applied within a
ten-year period. T h e f i r s t stage of t h i s p r o g r a m , to be
a p p l i e d i n the 7 t h F i v e - y e a r P l a n , covers m o r e t h a n 100,000
hectares o f l a n d i n t h e a r e a o f t h e coastal p l a i n s . T h e a i m
of this action is to increase agricultural and livestock prod u c t i o n i n t h e areas i n w h i c h t h e w o r k a n d i n v e s t m e n t s
y i e l d g r e a t e r a n d m o r e r a p i d r e s u l t s . T h i s w i l l also create
favourable conditions for a more rapid development of
the cooperatives a n d for the g r a d u a l transition f r o m the
p r o p e r t y o f t h e g r o u p t o t h e p r o p e r t y o f t h e w h o l e people.
U n d e r t a k i n g this action w i l l not affect the investments and
m a t e r i a l resources necessary f o r the d e v e l o p m e n t o f a g r i c u l t u r e i n t h e o t h e r areas o f t h e c o u n t r y . O n the c o n t r a r y ,
w o r k w i l l continue for the further development and
strengthening of all a g r i c u l t u r a l cooperatives.
Success i n c a r r y i n g o u t t h i s g r e a t t a s k r e q u i r e s c a r e f u l
w o r k , w e l l - p r o g r a m m e d a n d o r g a n i z e d , b y the M i n i s t r y
o f A g r i c u l t u r e , the S t a t e P l a n n i n g C o m m i s s i o n , t h e M i n i s t r y
of Finance and other central institutions and party and
state organs i n the d i s t r i c t s w h i c h a r e i n c l u d e d i n t h e zone
where the higher level of intensification of agriculture w i l l
be applied.
The level already achieved in the development of the
productive forces and the new steps, which will be taken
in the 7th Five-year Plan and in the future, will be accompanied and supported by the further improvement of
the socialist relations in the countryside. T h e C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e of t h e P a r t y h a s m a d e a m e t i c u l o u s s t u d y of a n d
a p p r o v e d the r e v o l u t i o n a r y i n i t i a t i v e s o f t h e p e a s a n t r y f o r
the f u r t h e r r e s t r i c t i o n o f t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t p l o t a n d t h e
formation of joint herds f r o m the members' personal livestock, a n d h a s t a k e n o r i s t a k i n g a l l - r o u n d m e a s u r e s t o
g i v e t h i s p r o g r e s s i v e process i n t h e c o u n t r y s i d e p r o p e r
s u p p o r t . T h e P a r t y i s h i g h l y a p p r e c i a t i v e o f the r e v o l u t i o n -
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
329
ary spirit and ardent patriotism of the cooperativist
p e a s a n t r y i n t a k i n g t h i s step o f s p e c i a l i m p o r t a n c e f o r t h e
strengthening of the cooperativist system in our country.
I t i s f u l l y c o n v i n c e d t h a t t h e r e s t r i c t i o n o f the p e r s o n a l
plot a n d t h e f o r m a t i o n o f j o i n t h e r d s w i l l c e r t a i n l y l e a d t o
increased agricultural and livestock production, to g u a r a n t e e i n g a n d f u r t h e r r a i s i n g the w e l l - b e i n g o f the p e a s a n t r y a n d t h e f u r t h e r c o n s o l i d a t i o n o f t h e s p i r i t o f socialist c o l l e c t i v i s m . T h u s , o n t h e basis o f t h e rise i n p r o d u c t i o n a n d
t h e g e n e r a l w e l l - b e i n g of the p e a s a n t r y , t h e plot, as a
t e m p o r a r y a u x i l i a r y e c o n o m y , i s g r a d u a l l y l o s i n g its i m portance and w i l l eventually wither away completely.
The implementation of the program for speeding up
the i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n o f a g r i c u l t u r a l p r o d u c t i o n i n t h e
c o u n t r y ' s l o w l a n d a r e a w i l l also b r i n g a b o u t i m p o r t a n t
t r a n s f o r m a t i o n s i n t h e socialist r e l a t i o n s o f p r o d u c t i o n
i n t h i s zone. W i t h t h e b i g i n v e s t m e n t s , w h i c h t h e state
w i l l m a k e i n t h e c o o p e r a t i v e s o f t h i s zone, t h e p r o p o r t i o n
o f the s t a t e - o w n e d m e a n s o f p r o d u c t i o n w i l l increase. T h i s
w i l l lead g r a d u a l l y to restriction of the sphere of the
r e l a t i o n s of c o o p e r a t i v i s t p r o p e r t y , u n t i l , at a l a t e r p e r i o d ,
the l a t t e r t u r n s i n t o p r o p e r t y o f t h e w h o l e people. U n t i l
this phase i s r e a c h e d , t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t s i n the zone i n
w h i c h a g r i c u l t u r e w i l l b e i n t e n s i f i e d a t h i g h e r rates, w i l l
continue to be paid in the current forms, w i t h norms and
workdays. Meanwhile, we shall w o r k towards gradually
r a i s i n g t h e i r r e m u n e r a t i o n t o t h e l e v e l o f t h e w a g e s o f the
w o r k e r s o f state f a r m s .
P a r a l l e l w i t h this, t h e w o r k w i l l c o n t i n u e t o c o n s o l i d a t e
the h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e s , some o f w h i c h w i l l b e t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o state f a r m s . T h i s w i l l s e r v e a s a n e x p e r i e n c e f o r
the f u t u r e , too. O t h e r h i g h e r - t y p e c o o p e r a t i v e s w i l l b e set
u p i n t h e l o w l a n d zones. S o m e c o o p e r a t i v e s o f t h e h i l l y
and m o u n t a i n o u s zones also m a y become h i g h e r - t y p e
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ENVER HOXHA
cooperatives, depending on their development and the
p o s s i b i l i t i e s of t h e state.
W h i l e p r o g r a m m i n g these n e w steps, t h e P a r t y w i l l
c o n t i n u e t o d e v o t e great a t t e n t i o n i n t h e f u t u r e t o t h e
development and strengthening of the cooperatives in the
h i l l y a n d m o u n t a i n o u s zones. A l a r g e p a r t o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n
o f t h e c o u n t r y l i v e s i n these zones w h i c h i n c l u d e a c o n siderable area of the arable land. The speeding up of intens i f i c a t i o n o f a g r i c u l t u r e i n t h e p l a i n s w i l l p r o v i d e t h e state
w i t h greater material and f i n a n c i a l possibilities to m a k e
i n v e s t m e n t s a n d g i v e g r e a t e r assistance t o t h e h i l l y a n d
m o u n t a i n o u s zones.
S p e c i a l a t t e n t i o n a n d care m u s t b e g i v e n t o t h e
d e v e l o p m e n t a n d s t r e n g t h e n i n g o f a l l t h e state f a r m s ,
combating the shortcomings and weaknesses w h i c h exist
i n some o f t h e m t o d a y . T h e t a s k w h i c h t h e P a r t y set l o n g
ago, t h a t the state f a r m s s h o u l d b e i n t h e v a n g u a r d , m u s t
b e c a r r i e d out p e r s i s t e n t l y .
T h e m a j e s t i c objectives o f t h e n e w f i v e - y e a r p l a n o p e n
up prospects of a l l - r o u n d d e v e l o p m e n t a n d p r o g r e s s f o r
o u r a g r i c u l t u r e a n d t h e socialist c o u n t r y s i d e . T o a t t a i n
these objectives r e q u i r e s t h e m o b i l i z a t i o n a n d p e r s i s t e n t
w o r k o f a l l the w o r k i n g people o f a g r i c u l t u r e , p e r f e c t i o n
o f the p l a n n i n g , o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d m a n a g e m e n t o f a g r i c u l t u r a l production and of a l l the subsequent l i n k s in the
c h a i n : the organs o f p r o c u r e m e n t , the l i g h t a n d f o o d - p r o c e s sing industries, internal and foreign trade. The M i n i s t r y
o f A g r i c u l t u r e a n d its d e p e n d e n t o r g a n s a n d i n s t i t u t i o n s ,
i n p a r t i c u l a r , are f a c e d w i t h i m p o r t a n t d u t i e s i n o r d e r
t o e n s u r e t h a t t h e y are e q u a l t o t h e m a j o r t a s k s f o r t h e
development of agriculture w h i c h this Congress is setting.
T h e successful achievement of the targets in the field
of agriculture w i l l be a major victory for the agrarian policy
o f t h e P a r t y , w h i c h i s t h e d i a m e t r i c a l opposite o f t h e p o l i c y
p u r s u e d i n t h e r e v i s i o n i s t c o u n t r i e s , w h e r e a g r i c u l t u r e has
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
331
landed in an impasse. As everyone k n o w s , the Leninist road
o f c o l l e c t i v i z a t i o n h a s l o n g b e e n a b a n d o n e d i n those
countries. In the Soviet U n i o n and elsewhere, the existing
f o r m o f c o l l e c t i v e c a p i t a l i s m i s n o w associated, t o a l a r g e
degree, w i t h d i r e c t f o r m s o f p r i v a t e p r o p e r t y . T h e i n d i v i d u a l private economies are regarded by the revisionists
as a m a i n source for the production of meat, m i l k a n d
o t h e r a g r i c u l t u r a l p r o d u c t s , m o r e o v e r , t h e y are e v e n b e i n g
g i v e n t h e a n i m a l s o f the k o l k h o z e s a n d s o v k h o z e s t o f e e d
a n d raise, t h u s l i q u i d a t i n g a n y t r a c e o f t h e socialist s y s t e m
in the countryside. T h i s is the course that has led the a g r i c u l t u r e o f m a n y o f these c o u n t r i e s , i n w h i c h t h e shortage
o f f o o d a n d a g r i c u l t u r a l r a w m a t e r i a l s has b e c o m e one
o f t h e m o s t serious p r o b l e m s f o r t h e l i f e o f t h e w o r k i n g
masses t o d a y , i n t o a p r o f o u n d crisis.
5. THE L E V E L OF WELL-BEING OF T H E PEOPLE
MUST BE GUARANTEED AND G R A D U A L L Y RAISED
T h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f socialist s o c i e t y i s a n a l l - s i d e d
r e v o l u t i o n a r y process. T h e r e f o r e , t h e P a r t y has seen t h e
development of production in u n i t y w i t h the strengthening
o f t h e socialist s o c i a l order, t h e f u l f i l m e n t o f t h e m a t e r i a l
a n d c u l t u r a l needs o f t h e w o r k i n g masses w i t h t h e i r c o m munist education, the w e l l - b e i n g of the w h o l e people w i t h
the s t r e n g t h e n i n g o f t h e i n d e p e n d e n c e a n d defence p o t e n tial of the H o m e l a n d , the general and collective w i t h the
personal, the present w i t h the future, the development of
the t o w n w i t h t h e p r o g r e s s o f t h e c o u n t r y s i d e .
I n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f p r o d u c t i o n a n d a l l o t h e r social
activities the P a r t y h a s a l w a y s h a d t h e w o r k i n g m a n , t h e
f u l f i l m e n t o f h i s m a t e r i a l a n d c u l t u r a l needs, i n t h e c e n t r e
o f its a t t e n t i o n . D u r i n g t h e 6 t h F i v e - y e a r P l a n , too,
a l t h o u g h t h e set targets w e r e n o t f u l l y r e a c h e d , t h e
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ENVER HOXHA
p u r c h a s i n g p o w e r a n d the r e a l i n c o m e p e r h e a d o f p o p u l a t i o n rose b o t h i n t o w n a n d i n c o u n t r y s i d e , the s u p p l y o f
mass c o n s u m e r goods s t e a d i l y i n c r e a s e d , a n d t h e h o u s i n g
c o n d i t i o n s o f the w o r k i n g people w e r e f u r t h e r i m p r o v e d .
T h e r e h a v e been n o p r i c e r i s e s i n f o o d - s t u f f s , o r i n d u s t r i a l
goods, f u e l s a n d e l e c t r i c p o w e r , h o u s e r e n t s o r c h a r g e s f o r
services f o r the people. T h e f u n d o f s o c i a l c o n s u m p t i o n
i n c r e a s e d 2 0 p e r cent a n d each f a m i l y r e c e i v e d b e n e f i t s
a v e r a g i n g n e a r l y 4 000 l e k s a y e a r f r o m t h i s f u n d .
W i t h the development of industry, agriculture and the
o t h e r b r a n c h e s o f t h e e c o n o m y d u r i n g the 7 t h F i v e - y e a r
P l a n , the m a t e r i a l w e l l - b e i n g a n d t h e c u l t u r a l l e v e l o f t h e
people w i l l b e g u a r a n t e e d a n d r a i s e d . D e s p i t e t h e h u g e
program of investments and expenditure for the developm e n t o f the e c o n o m y a n d t h e i n c r e a s e i n t h e n o r m o f
accumulation, the real income per capita of the population
w i l l g o u p 8-10 p e r cent. T h e r a t e o f i n c r e a s e i n r e a l i n c o m e
i n the c o u n t r y s i d e w i l l b e m o r e t h a n d o u b l e t h a t i n t h e
t o w n . T h e p r o d u c t i o n o f mass c o n s u m e r goods w i l l i n c r e a s e
33-35 p e r cent a n d services f o r t h e people 45-47 p e r cent.
T h e r e w i l l b e i n c r e a s e d s u p p l i e s o f meat, f i s h , eggs, v e g e tables, potatoes a n d f r u i t . I m p r o v e m e n t s are e n v i s a g e d
i n the s t r u c t u r e o f mass c o n s u m e r p r o d u c t s a n d t h e s u p p l y
o f d u r a b l e h o u s e h o l d goods, i n o r d e r t o m a k e l i v i n g c o n d i t i o n s easier a n d t o e n s u r e a m o r e c u l t u r e d f a m i l y l i f e .
T o a t t a i n t h e o b j e c t i v e s i n the f i e l d o f w e l l - b e i n g , t h e
w o r k a n d e f f o r t s m u s t b e c o n c e n t r a t e d , i n t h e f i r s t place,
on f u l f i l l i n g the targets for increasing p r o d u c t i o n a n d
r a i s i n g its e f f i c i e n c y i n i n d u s t r y , a g r i c u l t u r e a n d a l l the
o t h e r b r a n c h e s a n d sectors. S p e c i a l a t t e n t i o n m u s t b e p a i d
to ensure knowledge and implementation of the requirem e n t s o f the l a w s w h i c h g o v e r n p r o d u c t i o n a n d d i s t r i b u t i o n , t h e c i r c u l a t i o n o f goods a n d m o n e y i n s o c i a l i s m . T h e
productivity of labour must increase more r a p i d l y t h a n the
per capita income, the n a t i o n a l income must increase more
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
333
r a p i d l y t h a n the p u r c h a s i n g p o w e r o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n , t h e
purchasing power of the population must be covered w i t h
goods a n d services t a k i n g i n t o a c c o u n t n o t o n l y t h e i r t o t a l
q u a n t i t y , b u t also t h e s u i t a b i l i t y o f t h e i r s t r u c t u r e . V i o l a t i o n
o f these p r o p o r t i o n s w o u l d b r i n g a b o u t d i s o r d e r i n the
monetary circulation, w h i c h cannot be conceived or
achieved apart f r o m production, the circulation of prod u c t s a n d v a r i o u s goods, a n d t h e c r e a t i o n a n d d i s t r i b u t i o n
of i n c o m e s .
T h e w o r k i n g people o f t h e t r a d e sector are f a c e d w i t h
m a j o r t a s k s i n o r d e r t o s e r v e t h e people a n d m e e t t h e i r
d a i l y needs a n d r e q u i r e m e n t s better. T h e y m u s t r a d i c a l l y
i m p r o v e t h e i r w o r k , c o l l a b o r a t e m o r e c l o s e l y w i t h the
o t h e r o r g a n s o f t h e e c o n o m y , m a k e p r o f o u n d studies,
organize a cultured trade, enhance their active role in production and become a b a r r i e r to poor q u a l i t y products.
S p e c i a l care m u s t b e g i v e n t o t h e sale o f f o o d - s t u f f s i n t h e
c o u n t r y s i d e , b o t h b y t h e state t r a d e n e t w o r k a n d b y t h e
cooperatives, in order to give proper support to the i n i tiatives and the measures applied recently for the further
r e d u c t i o n o f the c o o p e r a t i v i s t p e r s o n a l p l o t a n d the f o r m a t i o n o f j o i n t h e r d s f r o m t h e p e r s o n a l l i v e s t o c k o f the
cooperativists.
T h e i m p r o v e m e n t o f the h o u s i n g c o n d i t i o n s o f the
p o p u l a t i o n has a l w a y s b e e n one of the i m p o r t a n t issues of
the P a r t y ' s p o l i c y i n the f i e l d o f w e l l - b e i n g . T o d a y , a b o u t
8 0 p e r cent o f the p o p u l a t i o n l i v e s i n houses b u i l t d u r i n g
t h e y e a r s o f the people's state p o w e r . D u r i n g the 6 t h F i v e y e a r P l a n , m o r e t h a n 5 6 t h o u s a n d flats a n d houses w e r e
b u i l t by the state a n d t h e people themselves. It is e s s e n t i a l
t o speed u p t h e rates o f h o u s i n g c o n s t r u c t i o n i n o r d e r t o
solve t h e p r o b l e m s o f h o u s i n g better t h a n has been done u p
till now. Therefore, d u r i n g the 7th Five-year P l a n it is
e n v i s a g e d t h a t m o r e t h a n 8 0 t h o u s a n d n e w f l a t s a n d houses
w i l l b e b u i l t t o a c c o m m o d a t e about 400 t h o u s a n d people.
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ENVER HOXHA
A l t h o u g h house rents are a m o n g the l o w e s t i n t h e w o r l d ,
t h e y h a v e not been a n d w i l l n o t b e r a i s e d .
T h e organs o f c o m m u n a l e c o n o m y h a v e m a j o r tasks
f o r the m a i n t e n a n c e o f t h i s asset w h i c h keeps i n c r e a s i n g
f r o m y e a r t o year. H o w e v e r , t h e y are faced w i t h e v e n
greater tasks f o r the e x t e n s i o n of services f o r t h e people,
f o r the r a d i c a l i m p r o v e m e n t o f these services i n q u a l i t y
a n d f o r t h e r e d u c t i o n o f t h e i r cost, a n d i n p a r t i c u l a r ,
f o r the e x t e n s i o n o f c o m m u n a l a n d r e p a i r services t o t h e
c o u n t r y s i d e . I n r e g a r d t o these a n d o t h e r p r o b l e m s c o n nected w i t h the d a i l y l i f e o f the people, t h e r e m u s t b e
g r e a t e r r e s p o n s i b i l i t y a n d interest f r o m t h e e x e c u t i v e c o m mittees o f the d i s t r i c t s , w h i c h f r e q u e n t l y c o n c e r n t h e m s e l v e s
m o s t l y w i t h the f u l f i l m e n t o f p r o d u c t i o n p l a n s .
T h e e d u c a t i o n a n d c u l t u r a l d e v e l o p m e n t o f the w o r k i n g
people a n d the p r o t e c t i o n a n d s t r e n g t h e n i n g o f t h e i r h e a l t h
h a v e a l w a y s been a t the c e n t r e o f a t t e n t i o n o f o u r P a r t y
a n d socialist state. R a i s i n g the l e v e l o f e d u c a t i o n a n d c u l t u r e of the masses constitutes a c o n d i t i o n a n d s o u n d basis
f o r the e c o n o m i c a n d s o c i a l p r o g r e s s o f t h e w h o l e c o u n t r y ,
f o r s t r e n g t h e n i n g the defence p o t e n t i a l o f t h e H o m e l a n d ,
a n d for the constant i m p r o v e m e n t of t h e l i f e of the people.
T h e i n c r e a s e d l e v e l o f k n o w l e d g e a n d c u l t u r e o f t h e people
represents a great p o t e n t i a l f o r the r e a l i z a t i o n of t h e c u r r e n t a n d f u t u r e plans, f o r t h e a d v a n c e o f t e c h n i c a l a n d
s c i e n t i f i c progress t o n e w h e i g h t s . T h e r e f o r e , d u r i n g t h e n e w
f i v e - y e a r p l a n e d u c a t i o n , c u l t u r e a n d science w i l l b e f u r t h e r
developed.
T h e n u m b e r o f p u p i l s e n r o l l e d i n s e c o n d a r y schools w i l l
g r o w c o n s i d e r a b l y . B e s i d e s the c h i l d r e n f r o m t h e cities, m o r e
a n d m o r e c h i l d r e n f r o m the c o u n t r y s i d e w i l l b e i n c l u d e d
i n s e c o n d a r y s c h o o l i n g . V o c a t i o n a l s e c o n d a r y schools w i l l
be extended and profilized, in order to respond better to
the r a p i d d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e e c o n o m y , t h e c r e a t i o n o f
n e w b r a n c h e s a n d t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o f n e w technologies i n
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p r o d u c t i o n . A b o u t 160 t h o u s a n d p u p i l s w i l l g r a d u a t e f r o m
a l l categories o f s e c o n d a r y schools d u r i n g t h i s f i v e - y e a r
p e r i o d , as a g a i n s t 113 t h o u s a n d d u r i n g t h e last f i v e - y e a r
period.
S p e c i a l a t t e n t i o n w i l l b e g i v e n t o the d e v e l o p m e n t
o f h i g h e r e d u c a t i o n , i n w h i c h 4 5 p e r cent m o r e s t u d e n t s
t h a n i n the 6 t h F i v e - y e a r P l a n w i l l b e e n r o l l e d . N e w
profiles w i l l be opened and post-university qualification
and s p e c i a l i z a t i o n w i l l b e e x t e n d e d .
N e w steps f o r w a r d w i l l b e t a k e n i n t h e v a r i o u s sectors
of c u l t u r e , j u s t as in s c h o o l i n g , so t h a t t h e i r w o r k e x t e n d s
and deepens a m o n g the masses a n d serves t h e i r e d u c a t i o n
better. P u b l i c a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l , s c i e n t i f i c , t e c h n i c a l a n d
artistic b o o k s w i l l increase. T h e t o t a l p r i n t e d w i l l b e 1
m i l l i o n m o r e t h a n i n t h e last f i v e - y e a r p l a n . C i n e m a t o g r a phy w i l l assume f u r t h e r development. The radiotelevision
network w i l l be extended t h r o u g h the setting up of relay
and r e p e a t e r stations w i t h t h e a i m o f c o v e r i n g a l l t h e zones
o f the c o u n t r y . D u r i n g t h e 7 t h F i v e - y e a r P l a n c o l o u r t e l e vision broadcasts w i l l begin. F o r the revolutionary a n d
p a t r i o t i c e d u c a t i o n o f t h e w o r k i n g people n e w m u s e u m s
will be built in the towns and villages and the existing
ones w i l l b e f u r t h e r e n r i c h e d . I m p o r t a n t p r o j e c t s i n this
field a r e t h e M u s e u m o f N a t i o n a l H i s t o r y i n T i r a n a , t h e
S k a n d e r b e g M u s e u m i n K r u j a , the M u s e u m o f P e o p l e ' s
M a t e r i a l C u l t u r e i n S h k o d r a , etc.
I n t h i s f i v e - y e a r p l a n , m o r e f u n d s are a l l o c a t e d f o r the
d e v e l o p m e n t o f p h y s i c a l c u l t u r e a n d sports. S p o r t s f a c i l i ties w i l l b e e x t e n d e d a n d n e w sports palaces a n d s t a d i u m s
will be built. T h e y w i l l serve the physical t r a i n i n g and recreation o f t h e y o u t h , m a k i n g t h e m b e t t e r p r e p a r e d f o r
w o r k a n d defence. T h o s e t a k i n g p a r t i n sports a n d p h y s i c a l
culture m u s t r e s p o n d t o t h i s care o f the P a r t y b y a t t a i n i n g
the highest p o s s i b l e l e v e l of results.
A g e n u i n e r e v o l u t i o n has b e e n c a r r i e d out i n t h e p r o -
336
ENVER HOXHA
t e c t i o n o f t h e h e a l t h o f t h e people d u r i n g t h e y e a r s o f t h e
people's state p o w e r . T h e n e t w o r k o f d i f f e r e n t h e a l t h i n s t i tutions has b e e n g r e a t l y e x t e n d e d , t h e m e d i c a l s e r v i c e h a s
been c o n t i n u a l l y i m p r o v e d a n d a l l t h e other m e a s u r e s f o r
the p r o t e c t i o n a n d s t r e n g t h e n i n g o f t h e h e a l t h o f t h e
people h a v e been e x t e n d e d . T h i s successful course w i l l b e
c o n t i n u e d d u r i n g t h e 7 t h F i v e - y e a r P l a n , too. T h e a l l - r o u n d
prophylactic measures w i l l be extended f u r t h e r and undergo
a qualitative improvement in both t o w n and countryside,
b u t especially i n t h e latter. S p e c i a l a t t e n t i o n w i l l b e g i v e n
t o i m p r o v i n g t h e h e a l t h service i n o r d e r t o r a i s e t h e
quality of treatment and medical aid and to strengthen the
measures f o r the p r o t e c t i o n o f t h e h e a l t h o f m o t h e r a n d
c h i l d , w i t h the a i m o f f u r t h e r r e d u c i n g t h e r a t e o f i n f a n t i l e
m o r t a l i t y . T h e decision o n the e x t e n s i o n o f m a t e r n i t y l e a v e
t o n e a r l y 6 m o n t h s w i l l assist i n t h i s d i r e c t i o n .
O u r country is characterized by a dynamic growth in
the p o p u l a t i o n , a s t r u c t u r e i n w h i c h y o u n g e r a g e - g r o u p s
and a population w h i c h is always active and fresh p r e d o m inate. T h e P a r t y has a l w a y s w o r k e d t o e n s u r e t h a t the
d e m o g r a p h i c processes are s t u d i e d a n d t r e a t e d on a m o r e
s c i e n t i f i c basis, so t h a t the p o p u l a t i o n c o n t i n u e s to increase
at s u i t a b l e rates.
Not only are unemployment and economic emigration
u n k n o w n in our country, but the d y n a m i c development of
t h e p r o d u c t i v e forces a n d s o c i a l a n d c u l t u r a l a c t i v i t i e s
a l w a y s r e q u i r e n e w w o r k forces. A l l t h e n e w forces t h a t
w i l l become a v a i l a b l e d u r i n g t h i s f i v e - y e a r p l a n , a m o u n t i n g
t o about 210 t h o u s a n d people, w i l l b e e m p l o y e d m a i n l y
i n p r o d u c t i o n . E m p l o y m e n t o f t h e n e w w o r k f o r c e calls
f o r p r o f o u n d studies b y t h e S t a t e P l a n n i n g C o m m i s s i o n ,
the S t a t e C o m m i t t e e o f L a b o u r a n d W a g e s , t h e other
c e n t r a l d e p a r t m e n t s , t h e e x e c u t i v e c o m m i t t e e s o f the
people's c o u n c i l s o f t h e d i s t r i c t s , t h e e n t e r p r i s e s a n d a g r i c u l t u r a l cooperatives.
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N a t u r a l l y , the P a r t y a n d the state w i l l s t r i v e t o o p e n
u p n e w j o b s w h e r e v e r t h e r e a r e people, h o w e v e r , t h i s
depends, to a l a r g e extent, on the d i s t r i b u t i o n of n a t u r a l
resources a n d riches. T h e r e f o r e , some o f the n e w w o r k
force w i l l h a v e t o w o r k w h e r e v e r t h e c o u n t r y needs t h e m
a n d w h e r e v e r m o r e j o b s are a v a i l a b l e . T h i s process m u s t
b e s u p p o r t e d better t h r o u g h the d e v e l o p m e n t o f u r b a n
centres, t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t r a n s p o r t , t h e i m p r o v e m e n t o f
w o r k i n g conditions and through adjustments to the pay
system t o e n c o u r a g e p e o p l e t o t a k e j o b s i n the r e m o t e
zones o r u n d e r d i f f i c u l t w o r k i n g c o n d i t i o n s , too.
II
WE MUST CEASELESSLY STRENGTHEN THE PARTY A N D
F U R T H E R E N H A N C E T H E E F F E C T I V E N E S S O F ITS W O R K
O u r P a r t y o f L a b o u r , u n w a v e r i n g l y l o y a l t o the p r i n ciples of M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m , a d e t e r m i n e d f i g h t e r a g a i n s t
e x t e r n a l a n d i n t e r n a l e n e m i e s a n d w i t h its roots deep i n t h e
people w h o g a v e b i r t h t o i t a n d r a i s e d it, has l e d t h e
A l b a n i a n people w i t h w i s d o m and foresight f r o m v i c t o r y to
v i c t o r y , a t each stage o f t h e r e v o l u t i o n a n d t h e socialist
construction of the country.
T h e P a r t y has also a c c o m p l i s h e d w i t h h o n o u r t h e great,
d i f f i c u l t a n d c o m p l e x t a s k s set b y its 7 t h C o n g r e s s . T h e
s t r u g g l e a n d w o r k f o r t h e a c c o m p l i s h m e n t o f these t a s k s
has f u r t h e r s t r e n g t h e n e d a n d steeled the P a r t y , e n h a n c e d
its l e a d i n g r o l e a n d f i g h t i n g s p i r i t , r e v o l u t i o n i z e d t h e l i f e
a n d a c t i v i t y o f t h e basic o r g a n i z a t i o n s , t h e f o r u m s a n d t h e
m e m b e r s o f the P a r t y a n d t e m p e r e d the steel u n i t y o f its
r a n k s a n d its close l i n k s w i t h t h e b r o a d masses o f t h e
people.
The general mobilization of the communists and the
e n t i r e people t o c a r r y out t h e t a s k s w h i c h t h e P a r t y h a s
set, t h e great r e v o l u t i o n a r y actions a n d m o v e m e n t s a n d
t h e w o n d e r f u l s o l i d a r i t y o f o u r p e o p l e are c l e a r e x p r e s sions o f t h i s m o n o l i t h i c u n i t y o f t h e P a r t y a n d o f t h e p e o p l e
a r o u n d it. T h i s u n i t y has been a n d i s t h e d e c i s i v e f a c t o r ,
the k e y f a c t o r o f a l l o u r v i c t o r i e s i n t h e socialist c o n s t r u c t i o n and defence of t h e H o m e l a n d .
T h e c o n t i n u o u s s t r u g g l e t h e P a r t y has w a g e d f o r t h e
r e v o l u t i o n i z a t i o n o f its r a n k s t h r o u g h its w o r k f o r r a i s i n g
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
339
the i d e o l o g i c a l , p o l i t i c a l a n d c u l t u r a l l e v e l o f its m e m b e r s ,
increasing their activity as political and social militants,
a n d f o r s t r e n g t h e n i n g its p r o l e t a r i a n c o m p o s i t i o n has
s e r v e d t o s t r e n g t h e n t h e P a r t y a n d e n h a n c e its l e a d i n g r o l e .
M i l i t a t i n g in the r a n k s of the P a r t y is a whole a r m y of
c o m m u n i s t s w h o h a v e d i s p l a y e d u n w a v e r i n g l o y a l t y t o the
correct l i n e o f t h e P a r t y i n a l l t h e s i t u a t i o n s w e h a v e
gone t h r o u g h . A s a l w a y s , t h e A l b a n i a n c o m m u n i s t s h a v e
f o u g h t a n d w o r k e d w i t h r e v o l u t i o n a r y courage a n d o p t i m ism a n d have s h o w n themselves to be able organizers,
educators a n d l e a d e r s o f t h e masses.
T h e i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n o f t h e s t r u g g l e against m a n i f e s t a tions o f l i b e r a l i s m a n d b u r e a u c r a c y i n t h e a c t i v i t y o f the
organs a n d basic o r g a n i z a t i o n s o f t h e P a r t y , t h e e l i m i n a t i o n o f t h e consequences o f t h e w o r k o f enemies
i n some sectors o f t h e e c o n o m y , i n art, c u l t u r e a n d
the a r m y , i n t e n d e d t o d i s p l a c e t h e l e a d i n g r o l e o f the
Party, and the observation and implementation of the p r i n ciples a n d n o r m s o f t h e P a r t y e v e r y w h e r e , h a v e f u r t h e r
e n h a n c e d its m i l i t a n t s p i r i t , h a v e m a d e t h e P a r t y m o r e
mature, more able and determined to accomplish the new
great t a s k s t h a t e m e r g e i n t h e c o u r s e o f t h e socialist c o n struction of the country.
I.
WE
MUST FURTHER ENHANCE AND PERFECT THE LEADING
ROLE OF THE PARTY
The experience of our P a r t y over 40 years proves that
o n l y a p a r t y w h i c h i s based f i r m l y o n t h e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t
science c a n become t h e t r u e l e a d e r o f t h e w o r k i n g class,
can a c h i e v e its h e g e m o n y a n d e n s u r e the t r i u m p h o f the
r e v o l u t i o n a n d t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f socialist society. O u r
P a r t y has a l w a y s stood i n the f o r e f r o n t o f the s t r u g g l e a n d
w o r k o f t h e masses, i t i s t h e l e a d e r e v e r y w h e r e , i n p o l i c y
340
ENVER HOXHA
a n d ideology, i n t h e state a n d the e c o n o m y , i n e d u c a t i o n ,
c u l t u r e a n d science, i n the a r m y a n d a l l t h e o t h e r sectors
o f the l i f e o f t h e c o u n t r y . N o p r o b l e m , s i m p l e o r c o m p l i c a t e d , c u r r e n t o r o f the f u t u r e , c a n b e s o l v e d w i t h o u t
the l e a d e r s h i p of t h e P a r t y . T h i s has b e e n a n d r e m a i n s a
l a w f o r us. T h e s i n g l e a n d i n d i v i s i b l e l e a d e r s h i p o f the
P a r t y i s the source o f a l l the v i c t o r i e s i n t h e socialist c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d t h e surest g u a r a n t e e f o r t h e b r i l l i a n t f u t u r e
we are building.
T h e P a r t y does not a n d c a n n o t p l a c e itself o r r e m a i n i n
t h e l e a d e r s h i p b y chance. I t secures its l e a d i n g r o l e t h r o u g h
its correct l i n e a n d its persistent s t r u g g l e a n d w o r k t o p u t
t h i s l i n e i n t o p r a c t i c e . E a s i n g itself o n the t h e o r y o f the m o s t
a d v a n c e d class of society — t h e p r o l e t a r i a t , on t h e M a r x i s t Leninist doctrine, on the laws of the materialist developm e n t of society, t h e P a r t y h a s a b r o a d r a n g e of v i s i o n , an
e l a b o r a t e d a n d s c i e n t i f i c o p i n i o n . I t sees c l e a r l y i n a n y
s i t u a t i o n , u n d e r s t a n d s t h e present, foresees t h e f u t u r e a n d
k n o w s h o w t o a n t i c i p a t e events, b y d e f i n i n g a n d a l w a y s
a p p l y i n g a r e v o l u t i o n a r y strategy a n d t a c t i c s w h i c h e x p r e s s
t h e interests o f the w o r k i n g class a n d t h e w o r k i n g masses.
T h e P a r t y r e a l i z e s its l e a d i n g r o l e e v e r y w h e r e a n d o n
e v e r y q u e s t i o n t h r o u g h t h e basic o r g a n i z a t i o n s a n d t h e
party members. T h e better the ideology and political line
o f t h e P a r t y i n g e n e r a l , a n d e a c h o f its d e c i s i o n s a n d d i r e c t i v e s i n p a r t i c u l a r , are g r a s p e d a n d a p p l i e d b y e v e r y
o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d m e m b e r , t h e s t r o n g e r t h e P a r t y a n d its
l i n k s w i t h t h e masses become, a n d t h e m o r e its l e a d i n g
r o l e i s e n h a n c e d i n a l l the l i n k s o f t h e socialist c o n s t r u c t i o n .
T h i s is a d e c i s i v e c o n d i t i o n f o r t h e f u l f i l m e n t of t h e great
tasks w h i c h face us at t h e present stage of t h e d e v e l o p m e n t
o f the c o u n t r y a n d i n t h e concrete c o n d i t i o n s u n d e r w h i c h
w e are b u i l d i n g s o c i a l i s m . W i t h t h e P a r t y s t r o n g a s steel,
v i g i l a n t a n d fearless i n t h e l e a d , t h e cause o f t h e r e v o l u t i o n
and socialism is invincible.
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T h e f o r m a t i o n of a c l e a r e r a n d m o r e c o m p l e t e concept
of the realization of the leading role of the P a r t y in all
the l i n k s a n d i n e v e r y f i e l d i s o f s p e c i a l i m p o r t a n c e . I n
practice, s o m e p a r t y c o m m i t t e e s , b u r e a u s a n d b a s i c o r g anizations have a n a r r o w u n d e r s t a n d i n g of this question.
S o m e t h i n k m i s t a k e n l y t h a t «the a p p a r a t u s e s a n d l e a d i n g
organs a l o n e a r e t h e P a r t y » a n d not t h e large, o r g a n i z e d
mass o f a l l the c o m m u n i s t s . O t h e r s d o n o t u n d e r s t a n d o r
f u l l y r e a l i z e t h e l e a d i n g r o l e o f t h e P a r t y i n the s y s t e m o f
the d i c t a t o r s h i p o f t h e p r o l e t a r i a t , a n d u n d e r t h e slogan,
«the P a r t y leads e v e r y t h i n g » , i n v o l v e t h e p a r t y o r g a n i z a tions, c o m m i t t e e s a n d t h e i r l e a d e r s i n the p r a c t i c a l s o l u t i o n
of m i n o r problems of production, administration, technology, etc. A p p a r e n t l y , i t i s n o t t h o r o u g h l y u n d e r s t o o d
by everybody that a l l the party members, wherever they
w o r k , r u n the a f f a i r s o f t h e P a r t y , t h a t t h e P a r t y exercises
its l e a d e r s h i p e n bloc, i n a n o r g a n i z e d a n d c e n t r a l i z e d
w a y , b y m e a n s o f a l l its l e v e r s — t h e state a n d e c o n o m i c
organs a n d t h e mass o r g a n i z a t i o n s .
This is why, in their handling and solution of diff e r e n t p r o b l e m s , some p a r t y o r g a n s a n d o r g a n i z a t i o n s p a y
m o r e a t t e n t i o n t o t h e t e c h n i c a l a n d a d m i n i s t r a t i v e aspects
a n d neglect t h e p o l i t i c a l a n d i d e o l o g i c a l aspects, t h e p r o b l e m s o f t h e e c o n o m i c , c u l t u r a l a n d m i l i t a r y policies o f the
P a r t y , o r t h e w o r k w i t h t h e people, w h i c h i s t h e i r m a i n
d u t y . S u c h j u d g e m e n t s a n d actions l e a d t o the m o n o p o l i z a t i o n o f a f f a i r s , s u p p r e s s t h e i n i t i a t i v e o f t h e cadres a n d
the masses, d u p l i c a t e a n d d i s p l a c e t h e l e v e r s o f t h e P a r t y
a n d w e a k e n a n d v i t i a t e t h e l e a d i n g r o l e o f t h e P a r t y itself.
O u r P a r t y has a l w a y s h a d a correct concept o f its r o l e
i n t h e s y s t e m o f t h e d i c t a t o r s h i p o f t h e p r o l e t a r i a t a n d has
played this role correctly. Therefore, it is very important to
establish t h o r o u g h u n d e r s t a n d i n g and ever better application in practice of the fact that the w o r k of the P a r t y
i s not t h e w o r k o f t h e p a r t y o r g a n s a n d basic o r g a n i z a t i o n s
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o n l y , a n d e v e n less, o f t h e i r a p p a r a t u s e s . T h e state a n d
e c o n o m i c organs, t h e c o m m a n d s a n d s t a f f s o f t h e a r m y , the
mass o r g a n i z a t i o n s , a l l t h e cadres a n d w o r k i n g people,
w h e t h e r o r not p a r t y m e m b e r s , also c a r r y o u t t h e w o r k
o f the P a r t y , because t h e y are a l l g u i d e d b y t h e i d e o l o g y
a n d l i n e o f the P a r t y a n d c a r r y out t h e l a w s a n d r e g u l a t i o n s
o f the state a n d its p l a n s i n w h i c h t h i s l i n e i s e m b o d i e d .
T h i s i n n o w a y reduces o r d i m i n i s h e s t h e f u l l r e s p o n sibility of the party organizations and their leading role
o n a l l questions. H o w e v e r , t h e y c a n n o t d o e v e r y t h i n g t h e m selves. T h e r e f o r e , t h e p a r t y o r g a n i z a t i o n s c h a r g e t h e i r
l e v e r s w i t h d i f f e r e n t tasks, m o b i l i z e t h e m , open p e r s p e c t i v e s
to them, guide them in their work, check up on t h e m and
c a l l t h e m t o a c c o u n t f o r t h e precise f u l f i l m e n t o f t h e i r
tasks. T h r o u g h t h e p a r t y m e m b e r s w h o f u n c t i o n i n t h e m ,
t h e p a r t y f o r u m s a n d basic o r g a n i z a t i o n s w o r k t o m a k e
these l e v e r s conscious a n d set t h e m i n m o t i o n s o t h a t t h e y
c a r r y out t h e f u n c t i o n s , t a s k s a n d r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s w i t h
w h i c h t h e y are c h a r g e d , i n a r e v o l u t i o n a r y w a y a n d w i t h
initiative.
T h e s e questions m u s t b e t h o r o u g h l y u n d e r s t o o d , not
o n l y b y t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n s o f the P a r t y , but also b y its l e v e r s
a n d e v e r y cadre. T h e P a r t y has a s s i g n e d t o e v e r y b o d y h i s
tasks, competences a n d r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s . I t guides, c h e c k s
up on and demands a rendering of account f r o m all. B u t
e v e r y o n e m u s t m a s t e r h i s o w n j o b , s h o u l d act w i t h i n i t i a t i v e
a n d persistence a n d , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e competences g i v e n
h i m w i t h i n the l i n e o f t h e P a r t y , s h o u l d b e a r c o m p l e t e
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r t h e f u l f i l m e n t o f t h e t a s k s set i n t h e
sector w h i c h h e r u n s . F r o m t h i s p o i n t o f v i e w , those
tendencies seen i n practice, i n w h i c h some state a n d e c o n o m i c organs, a l l e g e d l y t o e n s u r e the l e a d i n g r o l e o f t h e
P a r t y , seek the o p i n i o n a n d p e r m i s s i o n o f the o r g a n i z a t i o n s
and forums of the P a r t y about e v e r y t h i n g and try to legiti m i z e t h e i r actions b y e n t e r i n g i n t o p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h t h e
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l a t t e r i n t h i s w a y , a r e n o t correct. T h i s i s n o t e n s u r i n g the
leading role of the P a r t y , but a tendency to divide the responsibility w i t h the organization of the Party.
T h e state a n d e c o n o m i c organs, t h e mass o r g a n i z a t i o n s
a n d t h e i r cadres are n o t a p o l i t i c a l , d e a l i n g o n l y w i t h t e c h n i c a l , a g r o - t e c h n i c a l , m i l i t a r y o r o t h e r questions. B a s i n g
t h e m s e l v e s o n t h e l i n e o f t h e P a r t y , t h e y , too, w o r k a n d
f i g h t f o r its a p p l i c a t i o n . N a t u r a l l y , t h e p a r t y o r g a n i z a t i o n
has its o w n r e s p o n s i b i l i t y w h e n i t a l l o w s f a i l u r e o n t h e p a r t
of certain directors or administrators to p e r f o r m the duties
t h e y h a v e b e e n c h a r g e d w i t h . I t m u s t h e l p these people,
g u i d e t h e m , e d u c a t e a n d c o r r e c t t h e m , m a k e t h e m face u p
t o t h e i r r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s , a n d w h e n t h e n e e d arises, p u t i n
t h e i r p l a c e a l l those w h o w a n t t o act a s t h e y please, e i t h e r
u n d e r c o v e r o f t h e basic o r g a n i z a t i o n o r i n t h e n a m e o f t h e
party member. In this way, the danger of mistakes is
d i m i n i s h e d , t h e c a d r e s m a t u r e a n d t h e i r sense o f r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r t h e w o r k increases.
The party organizations take up and w i l l continue to
t a k e u p a l l issues: t h e p r o b l e m s o f t h e e c o n o m y , c u l t u r e ,
defence a n d t h e e n t i r e l i f e o f t h e c o u n t r y . O t h e r w i s e t h e y
cannot r e m a i n t h e v a n g u a r d a n d g i v e l e a d e r s h i p . T h e y
must be a b l e to g r a s p t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t issues at t h e
g i v e n m o m e n t , p r o v i d e correct, j u s t i f i e d , t h e o r e t i c a l l y s u p ported solutions to them, e x a m i n e h o w the line a n d d i r e c t i v e s o f t h e P a r t y are u n d e r s t o o d a n d a p p l i e d b y t h e
p a r t y m e m b e r s , t h e cadres, t h e e c o n o m i c a n d state organs
a n d t h e mass o r g a n i z a t i o n s , a n d c a l l t h e m t o account w h e n
t h e y do n o t f u l f i l t h e i r t a s k s — t h i s is t h e basis of t h e i r
ability. T h e party organization bears direct responsibility
for this. It m u s t c o n c e n t r a t e its a t t e n t i o n on these questions
and n o t b e c o m e i n v o l v e d i n t h e s o l u t i o n o f m i n o r concrete
p r o b l e m s f o r w h i c h t h e P a r t y has c r e a t e d s p e c i a l o r g a n s
and organisms.
T h e w o r k o f the P a r t y is, f i r s t o f a l l , w o r k w i t h people,
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w o r k for their education, enlightenment, mobilization and
organization. This must never be forgotten, otherwise the
P a r t y i s d i v e r t e d f r o m its m a i n t a s k a n d f u n c t i o n a s a
leader, i s t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o a n o p e r a t i v e o r g a n i s m a n d
assumes state f u n c t i o n s . T h i s constitutes a g r e a t d a n g e r
for a p a r t y in power. T h i s is a danger we have pointed
out l o n g ago to p r e v e n t it f r o m e v e r b e c o m i n g a s e r i o u s
threat.
The invincible strength of our revolution, of our socialist s o c i a l order, lies i n the masses o f the people, i n t h e i r
h i g h l e v e l o f p o l i t i c a l consciousness, i n t h e i r r e a d i n e s s a n d
d e t e r m i n a t i o n t o b u i l d a n d d e f e n d s o c i a l i s m . T h i s i s the
g l o r i o u s deed o f t h e P a r t y , w h i c h i t m u s t c o n s o l i d a t e a n d
c a r r y s t e a d i l y f o r w a r d t h r o u g h its i d e o l o g i c a l , p o l i t i c a l a n d
organizational work.
T o t h i s e n d , i t i s necessary t h a t t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n s o f
the P a r t y a n d a l l t h e p a r t y m e m b e r s m e r g e w i t h t h e m a s ses a n d w o r k t i r e l e s s l y a m o n g s t t h e m , a r e w e l l a c q u a i n t e d
w i t h t h e i r m o r a l - p o l i t i c a l state, a l w a y s i n f o r m e d a b o u t
the p r o b l e m s w o r r y i n g t h e masses, e x p l a i n t h e s i t u a t i o n t o
them, c o n v i n c e t h e m of t h e i m p o r t a n c e of t h e t a s k s set,
a n d m a k e clear t o t h e m the d i r e c t i v e s o f t h e P a r t y a n d
the l a w s o f t h e state. T h e p a r t y m e m b e r s a r e r e q u i r e d
t o educate the masses w i t h t h e c o m m u n i s t o u t l o o k a n d
morality, to combat any b a c k w a r d remnant or alien m a n i festation, t o c o n c e r n t h e m s e l v e s w i t h t h e l i f e o f the masses,
t o encourage a n d s u p p o r t t h e c r e a t i v e w o r k a n d i n i t i a t i v e s
o f t h e masses, t o m o b i l i z e t h e m a n d i n v o l v e t h e m i n a c t i o n s
t o s t r e n g t h e n the e c o n o m y , raise t h e l e v e l o f c u l t u r e a n d
e n h a n c e the defence p o t e n t i a l o f the H o m e l a n d .
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2. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE WORK OF T H E P A R T Y
A N D THE SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY OF THE
PARTY ORGANS AND ORGANIZATIONS
SHOULD BE INCREASED
T h e p r e s e n t stage o f r a p i d , a l l - r o u n d d e v e l o p m e n t a n d
the g r e a t a n d d a r i n g t a s k s w h i c h w e h a v e t o solve r e q u i r e
t h a t t h e e f f e c t i v e n e s s o f t h e w o r k o f the P a r t y m u s t b e
r a i s e d t o a h i g h e r l e v e l i n a l l its l i n k s a n d i n a l l d i r e c t i o n s .
T h e w o r k of the P a r t y is broad a n d all-sided, an h a r monious synthesis of political, ideological, organizational,
a d m i n i s t r a t i v e , e c o n o m i c a n d p s y c h o l o g i c a l aspects w h i c h
m u s t b e c a r r i e d o u t a s s u c h . Its e f f e c t i v e n e s s i s m e a s u r e d
b y t h e c o n c r e t e r e s u l t s i n t h e f u l f i l m e n t o f t a r g e t s i n each
sector of s o c i a l a c t i v i t y .
In practice there are instances w h e n the w o r k of the
P a r t y i s c o n c e i v e d n a r r o w l y . S o m e p a r t y o r g a n s a n d basic
o r g a n i z a t i o n s f o r g e t t h e p e r s p e c t i v e , d o not p e n e t r a t e b e l o w
the s u r f a c e o f p r o b l e m s a n d base t h e m s e l v e s o n l y o n w h a t
they have learned f r o m practice, without confronting this
w i t h a d v a n c e d e x p e r i e n c e a n d t h i n k i n g , w i t h t h e changes
that have t a k e n place in the life of the country a n d the
people. I n m o s t i n s t a n c e s o f f a i l u r e t o f u l f i l e c o n o m i c p l a n s
o r s h o r t c o m i n g s i n t h e w o r k o f c e r t a i n enterprises, a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e s o r some d i s t r i c t , s u c h m a n i f e s t a t i o n s
are t h e cause.
Culture, learning, competence a n d scientific knowledge
are r e q u i r e d i n o u r w o r k n o w a d a y s . W e o f t e n r e p e a t t h a t
we have been obliged to m a r c h on untrodden paths w h i c h we
have b e e n o b l i g e d t o seek a n d create. H o w e v e r , t h i s c a n n o t
b e a c h i e v e d w i t h o u t deep k n o w l e d g e o f t h e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t
theory a n d w i t h o u t s c i e n t i f i c s t u d y a n d g e n e r a l i z a t i o n o f
the r e v o l u t i o n a r y p r a c t i c e o f t h e c o m m u n i s t s a n d t h e
w o r k i n g masses. T o d a y , t h e p r o b l e m s o f p r o d u c t i o n , t h e
o r g a n i z a t i o n o f w o r k , e d u c a t i o n a n d c u l t u r e , science a n d
defence, cannot b e c o r r e c t l y a n d s u c c e s s f u l l y s o l v e d w i t h o u t
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serious studies. It is necessary to do s u c h studies, also, on
t h e w o r k o f t h e P a r t y itself, i n m a n a g e m e n t , o r g a n i z a t i o n
a n d e d u c a t i o n . S t u d i e s a n d g e n e r a l i z a t i o n s b r o a d e n the
horizon and open clear perspectives to the organizations of
t h e P a r t y , t h e c o m m u n i s t s a n d t h e w o r k i n g people, h e l p t o
combat manifestations of routine, f o r m a l i s m and superficiali t y , t o create s o u n d c o n v i c t i o n s a n d t o d e f i n e t h e r i g h t m e a sures a n d w a y s t o c a r r y out t h e c u r r e n t a n d f u t u r e t a s k s .
T h e p a r t y organs a n d o r g a n i z a t i o n s m u s t m a k e b e t t e r
use of t h e q u a l i f i e d o p i n i o n of t h e specialists, a c t i v i s t s a n d
other c o m p e t e n t people, w h o m t h e P a r t y has t r a i n e d i n
e v e r y sector. T h e y are r e q u i r e d t o s u p p o r t a n d e n c o u r a g e
advanced scientific t h i n k i n g and ensure that it is applied
in the solution of problems. T h e y must combat manifestations of sectarianism a n d underestimation of advanced
experience and t h i n k i n g . In this direction the communists
m u s t be t h e f i r s t to set t h e e x a m p l e . A g o o d c o m m u n i s t
is one w h o m a k e s a p r o f o u n d s t u d y of science, w h o l e a r n s
c o n t i n u a l l y b y h i s o w n e f f o r t s a n d f r o m others, w h o f o l l o w s
t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f society, s u p p o r t s t h e p r o g r e s s i v e n e w
a n d t h i n k s a b o u t the f u t u r e .
The work of the Party is not only agitation and propaganda to enlighten and convince people, but also the
work of organization and mobilization to implement the
line and directives of the Party. T h e w o r k of t h e P a r t y
leads, educates a n d m o b i l i z e s the c o m m u n i s t s a n d t h e m a s ses f o r r e v o l u t i o n a r y actions, s o t h a t t h e y t h i n k , w o r k a n d
f i g h t as r e v o l u t i o n a r i e s .
T h e P a r t y has f o u g h t m a n i f e s t a t i o n s o f one-sidedness
i n t h e w o r k o f some p a r t y o r g a n s a n d basic o r g a n i z a t i o n s ,
w h i c h give priority to repeated meetings and lengthy rep o r t s a n d discussions r a t h e r t h a n t o t h e c l e a r d e f i n i t i o n o f
t h e tasks a n d concrete m e a s u r e s t o c a r r y t h e m out. T h i s
e x p l a i n s w h y t h e r e a r e cases w h e n , a l t h o u g h m a n y m e e t i n g s
a r e h e l d t o a n a l y s e t h e state o f a f f a i r s i n t h i s o r t h a t sector,
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s t i l l t h e p r o b l e m s r e m a i n u n s o l v e d a n d t h e s i t u a t i o n does
not change.
E x p e r i e n c e has s h o w n t h a t p r o b l e m s a r e s o l v e d a n d
tasks f u l f i l l e d , n o t j u s t b y a p p e a l s t o t h e conscience o f t h e
c o m m u n i s t s a n d t h e w o r k e r s , b u t also w h e n t h e w o r k t o
c a r r y out t a s k s a n d c o n v i n c e people i s a c c o m p a n i e d b y a l l r o u n d m e a s u r e s , b y o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d concrete g u i d a n c e ,
c h e c k - u p a n d c a l l i n g t o account. T h e i d e o - p o l i t i c a l a n d
technical-organizational measures constitute a dialectical
u n i t y ; t h e y educate, m o b i l i z e a n d i m p e l people t o r e v o l u t i o n a r y actions.
P e r f e c t i o n o f t h e v a n g u a r d r o l e o f t h e c o m m u n i s t s has
been t h e m a i n t a s k o f t h e o r g a n s a n d basic o r g a n i z a t i o n s
of the P a r t y and remains so for the future. In the present
c o n d i t i o n s e s p e c i a l l y , i t i s the d u t y o f t h e c o m m u n i s t s t o
increase t h e i r d e m a n d s o n t h e m s e l v e s t o u p h o l d t h i s l o f t y
title, t o f i g h t a n y a l i e n m a n i f e s t a t i o n i n t h e m s e l v e s a n d
i n others, t o b e a d v a n c e d people i n e v e r y d i r e c t i o n . T h e
communists must be outstanding for their revolutionary
determination and active participation in the daily struggle
for t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f s o c i a l i s m a n d t h e defence o f t h e
Homeland, must be always on the most difficult a n d i m portant front of the w o r k a n d struggle, must be talented
o r g a n i z e r s a n d l e a d e r s w h o act w i t h r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r t h e
implementation of the line of the P a r t y .
T h e masses c a r r y out t h e decisions o f t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n
of the P a r t y and follow the communists w h e n they do not
separate t h e i r w o r d s f r o m t h e i r deeds, w h e n t h e y t h i n k ,
w o r k a n d m a k e s a c r i f i c e s f o r the i n t e r e s t s o f t h e w o r k i n g
people, s o c i a l i s m a n d t h e H o m e l a n d . T o b e a c o m m u n i s t
and a r e v o l u t i o n a r y m e a n s y o u m u s t u n d e r t a k e a n d a c c o m p l i s h g r e a t tasks, m u s t n o t m a r k t i m e o r b e content
w i t h t h e n o r m a l rates, b u t f i g h t f o r r a p i d d e v e l o p m e n t o n
a l l f r o n t s , a n d a l w a y s t a k e t h e side o f t h e n e w a n d
defend it.
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ENVER HOXHA
The work of the Party is effective when the. party
organizations and all the party members develop the
ability to act on their own initiative, develop the creative
and innovative spirit widely. In t h i s d i r e c t i o n t h e r e a r e
many examples and positive experience everywhere. H o w ever, a m o n g some p a r t y o r g a n i z a t i o n s , some cadres a n d
p a r t y m e m b e r s i n enterprises, a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e s ,
c e n t r a l d e p a r t m e n t s a n d i n s t i t u t i o n s , i t i s necessary t o
c o m b a t m a n i f e s t a t i o n s o f w a i t i n g f o r i n s t r u c t i o n s , procrastination and hesitation, lack of initiative to solve p r o b l e m s w h i c h a r e w i t h i n t h e i r competences.
Methods of work, management and organization are
not p r e s c r i b e d once a n d f o r a l l a n d u n a l t e r a b l e . L i f e p r o gresses, o u r socialist society is d e v e l o p i n g ceaselessly, t h e
c o n d i t i o n s change. T h i s d e v e l o p m e n t r e q u i r e s u s t o b e
creative and inventive, to f i n d new, more flexible a n d
varied forms of work, and to continually renew and enrich
t h e m so t h a t t h e y r e s p o n d b e t t e r to t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s of
the t i m e .
More qualified and effective work is required in
analysing the directives of the Party. T h i s is a f u n d a m e n t a l
task o f the basic o r g a n i z a t i o n s a n d a l l m e m b e r s o f t h e
P a r t y . T h e d i r e c t i v e s o f t h e P a r t y e x p r e s s its l i n e , d e f i n e
t h e tasks f a c i n g t h e c o m m u n i s t s a n d t h e masses f o r t h e
solution of different problems. G o o d experience has been
g a i n e d i n the w o r k o f a n a l y s i n g t h e d i r e c t i v e s o f t h e P a r t y .
H o w e v e r , the m a n i f e s t a t i o n s o f f o r m a l i s m a n d s t e r e o t y p e d
practices, w h i c h a r e s t i l l o b s e r v e d i n t h e w o r k o f s o m e
p a r t y organs a n d b a s i c o r g a n i z a t i o n s , m u s t b e c o m b a t e d
m o r e f o r c e f u l l y . S o m e t i m e s the d i r e c t i v e s a n d decisions o f t h e
P a r t y a r e not t r a n s m i t t e d t o t h e grassroots, t o t h e people,
w i t h the s a m e seriousness a n d f o r c e w i t h w h i c h t h e C e n tral Committee or the district party committees put t h e m
f o r w a r d . T h e y are s i m p l y t r a n s m i t t e d m e c h a n i c a l l y t o l o w e r
levels w i t h o u t r e g a r d f o r t h e concrete c o n d i t i o n s a n d s i -
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t u a t i o n s i n w h i c h t h e p a r t y o r g a n i z a t i o n operates, o r t h e
tasks i t h a s t o c a r r y out.
To analyse the directive of the P a r t y means to explain
the n e e d f o r i t a n d its i m p o r t a n c e f r o m t h e p o l i t i c a l , i d e o l o g i c a l a n d e c o n o m i c v i e w p o i n t , t o b r i n g out t h e t a s k s w h i c h
emerge for the p a r t y organizations, the mass organizations,
the state, e c o n o m i c , c u l t u r a l a n d o t h e r organs, i n c o n f o r m i t y
w i t h t h e c o n c r e t e c o n d i t i o n s o f e a c h d i s t r i c t , zone, sector
and collective, a n d to define the w a y s and necessary m e a sures t o f u l f i l these t a s k s .
L a u n c h i n g t h e masses i n t o r e v o l u t i o n a r y actions f o r
the c o m p l e t e a n d c r e a t i v e a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e d i r e c t i v e i s o f
d e c i s i v e i m p o r t a n c e . I t i s here, i n t h e heat o f t h i s battle,
t h a t t h e correctness o f t h e d i r e c t i v e o f t h e P a r t y i s tested
a n d t h e necessary a d d i t i o n s a n d a m e n d m e n t s a r e m a d e t o it.
I n actions a n d t h r o u g h a c t i o n s t h e p a r t y m e m b e r s a n d t h e
masses s t r e n g t h e n t h e i r c o n v i c t i o n i n t h e d i r e c t i v e s o f t h e
Party, are educated and tempered, display their revolutiona r y i n i t i a t i v e s , a c h i e v e t h e u n i t y o f w o r d s w i t h deeds a n d
e n s u r e a c c e l e r a t e d rates o f w o r k f o r t h e f u l f i l m e n t o f
tasks o n t i m e a n d w i t h g o o d q u a l i t y . A c t i o n s also s e r v e t o
combat bureaucratic a n d technocratic methods, procrastinat i o n , p e r s o n a l ease a n d s e l f - s a t i s f a c t i o n , a n d h e l p t o s t i r
people e v e r y w h e r e i n t o a c t i v i t y i n l i f e a n d w o r k .
The work of the Party becomes effective when the
party organs and organizations are aware of and bear full
responsibility for the implementation of the line of the
Party and the fulfilment of the tasks of the state plan.
There can be no struggle a n d efforts, no r e v o l u t i o n a r y
actions f o r t h e s o l u t i o n of p r o b l e m s w i t h o u t a sense of
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y . T h e t a s k s a r e c a r r i e d out b y w o r k i n g a n d
struggling w i t h devotion a n d sacrifice, by putting our
s h o u l d e r t o t h e w h e e l a n d p e r f o r m i n g o u r d u t i e s t o the
last d e t a i l , w i t h g o o d q u a l i t y a n d h i g h e f f i c i e n c y .
It is a fact t h a t t h e o v e r w h e l m i n g m a j o r i t y of t h e p a r t y
350
ENVER HOXHA
organs and organizations, the party members and cadres
w o r k w i t h a h i g h sense o f r e s p o n s i b i l i t y . H o w e v e r , o r g a n i z ations, c o m m u n i s t s a n d cadres c a n b e f o u n d w h o d o n o t
struggle p e r s i s t e n t l y t o o v e r c o m e d i f f i c u l t i e s a n d obstacles
a n d t o f u l f i l the tasks. M a n i f e s t a t i o n s o f i n d i f f e r e n c e a n d
m a k i n g excuses, o f c o v e r i n g u p s h o r t c o m i n g s a n d w e a k n e s ses w i t h g e n e r a l statements are n o t h i n g b u t a r e f l e c t i o n of
t h e l a c k of a sense of r e s p o n s i b i l i t y .
T h e P a r t y m u s t s t r u g g l e t o i n c r e a s e t h e sense o f r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , n o t o n l y i n its o w n r a n k s b u t also i n t h e organs
a n d o r g a n i s m s i t leads, i n a l l t h e w o r k i n g people a n d cadres.
B u i l d i n g u p the c o l l e c t i v e sense o f r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f e v e r y
p a r t y o r g a n a n d basic o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d o f t h e i r l e v e r s , a n d
the i n d i v i d u a l sense o f r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f e v e r y p a r t y m e m b e r a n d cadre, creates a great g u a r a n t e e f o r t h e f u l f i l m e n t
o f tasks a t a l l t i m e s a n d i n a l l f i e l d s .
The sense of responsibility is strengthened when the
demand that everybody must render account is made more
rigorous, when there is strict check-up on the fulfilment
of tasks. D e s p i t e t h e i m p r o v e m e n t s a c h i e v e d in t h i s d i r e c t i o n , t h e r e are s t i l l m a n i f e s t a t i o n s o f l i b e r a l i s m a n d s e n t i m e n t a l i t y , a s p i r i t of j u s t i f i c a t i o n a n d signs t h a t c h e c k - u p
is underrated, as w e l l as formalism and superficiality in
e x e r c i s i n g it. S o m e t i m e s c h e c k - u p a n d c a l l i n g t o a c c o u n t
are w e a k because t h e t a s k s a n d decisions h a v e b e e n set o u t
o n l y in g e n e r a l t e r m s a n d , as a consequence, c a n n o t be
controlled.
E v e r y p a r t y m e m b e r o r m e m b e r o f some p a r t y f o r u m ,
r e g a r d l e s s o f h i s post a n d f u n c t i o n , m u s t r e n d e r f u l l a c c o u n t
h i m s e l f , a n d d e m a n d t h a t o t h e r s d o t h e same, o n h i s w o r k
t o c a r r y out t h e l i n e a n d d i r e c t i v e s o f t h e P a r t y , t h e d e c i sions o f t h e basic o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d state duties. T h i s i s
a c h i e v e d w h e n t h e p a r t y m e m b e r s engage i n s e l f - c r i t i c i s m
courageously a n d without hesitation, as w e l l as in criticism
o f a n y b o d y w h o does not f u l f i l h i s task, w h e n t h e y w a g e a
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d e t e r m i n e d s t r u g g l e a g a i n s t fear, v e n g e a n c e a n d p e t t y - b o u r geois i n d i f f e r e n c e . A s e l f - c r i t i c a l a t t i t u d e t o w a r d s s h o r t comings, the courage of the party members to criticize a n d
c a l l t o a c c o u n t a r e a n e x a m p l e a n d great s o u r c e o f i n s p i r a t i o n f o r a l l t h e w o r k i n g masses.
«... a well-organized check,» S t a l i n teaches us, «is
the searchlight which helps to reveal how the apparatus is functioning at any moment and to bring
bureaucrats and redtapists into the light of day.»*
We must always bear this teaching in m i n d and put it
into practice consistently. It is the d u t y of the organs a n d
organizations of the P a r t y to invigorate and strengthen
the p a r t y c o n t r o l a n d t h e state c o n t r o l , t h e w o r k e r a n d
mass c o n t r o l , a n d see t h a t t h e y are e x e r c i s e d c o n s i s t e n t l y
i n a c o m b i n e d w a y . C o n t r o l f r o m above, p a r a l l e l c o n t r o l o r
c o n t r o l f r o m b e l o w m u s t n e c e s s a r i l y b e m o r e active, m u s t
b e a c c o m p a n i e d w i t h concrete h e l p , m u s t o p e n p e r s p e c t i v e s
and teach people h o w to organize their w o r k , h o w to
m o b i l i z e t h e m s e l v e s a n d cope w i t h d i f f i c u l t i e s f o r t h e f u l filment of tasks.
3. T H E E S T A B L I S H E D CRITERIA FOR INCREASING
THE RANKS OF THE PARTY MUST BE
APPLIED CORRECTLY
Our
increase
tionary
healthier
The
P a r t y has a l w a y s a p p l i e d correct c r i t e r i a f o r t h e
o f its r a n k s , w i t h d e t e r m i n a t i o n a n d i n a r e v o l u w a y . T h i s has m a d e t h e P a r t y s t r o n g e r a n d
a n d i n c r e a s e d t h e e f f e c t i v e n e s s o f its w o r k .
P a r t y comes t o t h i s C o n g r e s s w i t h its r a n k s i n -
______________________________________
* J. V. Stalin, Selected Works, T i r a n a 1979, pp. 418-419.
Alb. ed.
352
ENVER HOXHA
creased w i t h c o m m u n i s t s w h o are r e s o l u t e f i g h t e r s f o r
t h e cause o f t h e people, t h e r e v o l u t i o n a n d c o m m u n i s m ,
p r o l e t a r i a n s i n t h o u g h t a n d a c t i o n . N o w 122,600 c o m m u n ists, of w h o m n e a r l y 38 p e r cent are w o r k e r s , 29.4 p e r cent
c o o p e r a t i v i s t s a n d 32.6 p e r cent o f f i c e w o r k e r s , a r e m i l i tating in the r a n k s of the Party. W o m e n m a k e up 30 per
cent of t h e t o t a l , or 2.5 p e r cent m o r e t h a n at t h e p r e v i o u s
Congress. M e m b e r s o f t h e P a r t y m a k e u p 4.5 p e r cent
of t h e p o p u l a t i o n ; 24,363 c a n d i d a t e s f o r m e m b e r s h i p , 42.40
p e r cent of t h e m w o r k e r s , 40.43 p e r cent c o o p e r a t i v i s t s a n d
17.17 p e r cent o f f i c e w o r k e r s , h a v e b e e n a d m i t t e d t o t h e
P a r t y i n t h e y e a r s f o l l o w i n g t h e 7 t h C o n g r e s s . O f these,
40.70 p e r cent a r e w o m e n c o m r a d e s .
T h e o v e r w h e l m i n g m a j o r i t y o f those a d m i t t e d t o t h e
P a r t y , either as f u l l members or candidates, come f r o m
t h e s p h e r e o f p r o d u c t i o n , e s p e c i a l l y f r o m its m a i n f r o n t s .
T h e y a r e a m o n g t h e best w o r k e r s , t h e m o s t d e v e l o p e d
p o l i t i c a l l y a n d i d e o l o g i c a l l y , those w i t h l o f t y m o r a l q u a l i t i e s
and virtues and a high educational level, vanguard fighters
and active participants in the construction of socialism.
O n t h e basis o f e x p e r i e n c e a n d t h e e x i s t i n g s i t u a t i o n ,
the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e considers t h a t i t i s i n o r d e r t o a p p l y
i n the f u t u r e a p p r o x i m a t e l y t h e s a m e rates a n d c r i t e r i a f o r
the increase o f t h e r a n k s o f t h e P a r t y a s i n t h e past f i v e
years:
P r i o r i t y should be given to admission of activists f r o m
the r a n k s o f t h e w o r k i n g class, e s p e c i a l l y those w o r k i n g
i n the m a i n b r a n c h e s o f p r o d u c t i o n , i n h e a v y e x t r a c t i n g
and processing i n d u s t r y and on the b i g projects under
construction.
B e t t e r w o r k s h o u l d b e done t o h a s t e n a c h i e v e m e n t o f
the o b j e c t i v e set b y the 7 t h Congress, t h a t i n t h e f u t u r e t h e
c o o p e r a t i v i s t p a r t y m e m b e r s s h o u l d o c c u p y second place,
after the w o r k e r s , i n t h e m e m b e r s h i p o f t h e P a r t y .
A m o n g the o f f i c e w o r k e r s a n d t h e i n t e l l i g e n t s i a , those
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353
w h o have a high ideo-political, cultural, technical and
s c i e n t i f i c l e v e l a n d w h o w o r k i n t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t sectors
o f socialist c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d defence s h o u l d b e a d m i t t e d .
C o n c e r n a b o u t a n d w o r k f o r i n c r e a s i n g the n u m b e r o f
w o m e n in the r a n k s of the P a r t y should be intensified.
T h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f these o r i e n t a t i o n s r e q u i r e s t h a t
t h e o r g a n s a n d basic o r g a n i z a t i o n s o f t h e P a r t y c a r r y out
m o r e q u a l i f i e d a n d b e t t e r c o n s i d e r e d w o r k t o increase the
ranks of the Party. Manifestations of f o r m a l i s m and bureaucracy, a n y t e n d e n c y t o b e i n o r d e r w i t h f i g u r e s a n d p e r centages, s h o u l d b e r e s o l u t e l y c o m b a t e d .
T h e quality of admissions has been and remains decis i v e i n t h e p o l i c y o f t h e P a r t y f o r t h e i n c r e a s e o f its r a n k s .
The candidates must have a good political and ideological
level, must have capacity and ability, be progressive in
t h e i r t h o u g h t s a n d actions, w i t h b r o a d c u l t u r a l , e d u c a t i o n a l
and technical-professional horizons, must enjoy the trust
a n d respect o f t h e masses, h a v e i n i t i a t i v e a n d b e consistent
r e v o l u t i o n a r i e s . N o b o d y s h o u l d b e a d m i t t e d t o the P a r t y
s i m p l y because he is t h e s o n of a w o r k e r , peasant or p a r t y
m e m b e r , o n account o f t h e m e r i t s o f h i s f a t h e r o r m o t h e r ,
but o n a c c o u n t o f h i s o w n p e r s o n a l m e r i t s , q u a l i t i e s a n d
abilities. T h e s e q u a l i t i e s a n d t r a i t s m u s t b e f u r t h e r t e m p e r e d b y the basic o r g a n i z a t i o n s o f t h e P a r t y a n d b y each
communist individually, in the daily struggle and activity.
T h e p r o b a t i o n p e r i o d o f the c a n d i d a t e p l a y s a m a j o r
role i n t h e c o m m u n i s t f o r m a t i o n o f those n e w l y a d m i t t e d
t o the P a r t y . T h e e x p e r i e n c e a c c u m u l a t e d m u s t b e used
t o e n h a n c e t h e r o l e a n d increase t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f the
p a r t y basic o r g a n i z a t i o n s i n t h e c o n t i n u o u s i d e o - p o l i t i c a l
e d u c a t i o n a n d the r e v o l u t i o n a r y t e m p e r i n g o f the c a n d i d a t e
members. S u c h manifestations as underestimation of the
probation period of the candidate, or failure to rigorously
apply t h e r u l e s f o r p e r f o r m i n g t h e p r o b a t i o n p e r i o d , w h i c h
are s o m e t i m e s seen, s h o u l d be c o m b a t e d .
III
THE
TASKS OF THE P A R T Y FOR THE COMMUNIST
EDUCATION OF THE WORKING PEOPLE
T h e a l l - r o u n d e d u c a t i o n o f the n e w m a n has b e e n a n d
remains a f u n d a m e n t a l question in the activity of the P a r t y
i n o r d e r t o c a r r y the c o n s t r u c t i o n o f socialist society c o n s i s t e n t l y f o r w a r d . T h i s e d u c a t i o n has b e e n c a r r i e d out o n
a b r o a d f r o n t , closely l i n k e d w i t h t h e t a s k s of e a c h stage
o f d e v e l o p m e n t , w i t h t h e p r o b l e m s w h i c h l i f e has r a i s e d ,
a n d w i t h t h e concrete s i t u a t i o n s . T h i s has a l w a y s e n s u r e d t h e
active c h a r a c t e r , t h e great m o b i l i z i n g a n d t r a n s f o r m i n g
force o f t h e e d u c a t i o n a l w o r k o f t h e P a r t y a n d its l e v e r s .
The conditions in w h i c h we are w o r k i n g and fighting
f o r t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d defence o f s o c i a l i s m , a s w e l l a s t h e
tasks w h i c h w e are p u t t i n g f o r w a r d i n t h i s C o n g r e s s f o r
the socio-economic d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e c o u n t r y , r e q u i r e t h a t
the educational work of the Party be raised to a higher
level and concentrated better on certain current and future
main problems, in o r d e r to create deep M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t
c o n v i c t i o n s a m o n g t h e people, t o raise t h e i r p r o f e s s i o n a l
skills, to equip them w i t h broad culture and pure m o r a l
virtues.
1.
T H E COMMUNIST E D U C A T I O N OF T H E W O R K I N G
P E O P L E — THE BASIS OF OUR SUCCESSES
A l b a n i a i s the c o u n t r y i n w h i c h s o c i a l i s m i s b e i n g
b u i l t w i t h success a n d w h i c h r e m a i n s f i r m l y o n t h e r a i l s o f
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355
M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m , in w h i c h the development of the economy and culture, the organization and leadership of the
P a r t y a n d t h e state, the f o r m a t i o n a n d t e m p e r i n g o f t h e
n e w m a n , a r e c a r r i e d o u t o n t h e basis o f the p r i n c i p l e s o f
s c i e n t i f i c s o c i a l i s m . T h e r o a d w h i c h o u r c o u n t r y has t r a v e r s e d has n o t b e e n easy. O u r P a r t y a n d p e o p l e h a v e h a d
t o cope w i t h m a n y d i f f i c u l t i e s , t o press o n w a r d s o v e r
roads k n o w n a n d u n k n o w n , o v e r n e w , u n t r o d d e n paths.
T h e b o u n d l e s s l o y a l t y o f o u r P a r t y t o the i m m o r t a l
d o c t r i n e o f M a r x , E n g e l s , L e n i n a n d S t a l i n , its a b i l i t y t o
a p p l y t h i s d o c t r i n e i n a creative m a n n e r , i n c o n f o r m i t y
w i t h the conditions of the country and the complicated
i n t e r n a t i o n a l c i r c u m s t a n c e s , its d e t e r m i n a t i o n t o d e f e n d
the p u r i t y o f t h e p r i n c i p l e s o f t h i s d o c t r i n e f r o m the a t t a c k s
a n d d i s t o r t i o n s o f m a n y enemies, i n t e r n a l a n d e x t e r n a l ,
h a v e b e e n a n d r e m a i n t h e f u n d a m e n t a l basis o f a l l t h e
successes a n d v i c t o r i e s o f o u r people.
T h e w h o l e p r e o c c u p a t i o n o f t h e P a r t y has been t o
ensure t h a t e v e r y step o n t h e r o a d o f t h e r e v o l u t i o n a n d
the c o n s t r u c t i o n o f s o c i a l i s m s h o u l d b e w e l l c o n s i d e r e d , t h a t
the f o u n d a t i o n s o f t h e n e w socialist society s h o u l d b e s u c h
as to g u a r a n t e e its ceaseless d e v e l o p m e n t t o w a r d s progress,
a n d t h a t t h e w a v e s a n d s t o r m s o f the hostile i m p e r i a l i s t revisionist encirclement should be faced and overcome. This
i s w h y t h e r e v o l u t i o n a n d t h e socialist c o n s t r u c t i o n i n o u r
c o u n t r y h a v e k n o w n n o zigzags a n d reverses, b u t h a v e gone
consistently a h e a d a n d h a v e a l w a y s scored v i c t o r i e s .
T h e e x a m p l e o f A l b a n i a i s a n e w e x p e r i e n c e i n the
history o f t h e d i c t a t o r s h i p o f the p r o l e t a r i a t a n d constitutes
a v a l u a b l e c o n t r i b u t i o n to t h e t h e o r y a n d p r a c t i c e of s o c i a l ism a n d M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m .
T h e c o m m u n i s t s , t h e cadres, t h e w o r k i n g people, a n d
the y o u n g e r g e n e r a t i o n , i n p a r t i c u l a r , m u s t b e t h o r o u g h l y
acquainted w i t h t h e r o a d o f the d e v e l o p m e n t o f o u r c o u n t r y
towards s o c i a l i s m a n d c o m m u n i s m , s h o u l d be as c l e a r as
356
ENVER HOXHA
p o s s i b l e about w h e r e w e s t a r t e d f r o m a n d w h a t r o a d w e
have travelled, w h a t difficulties have been surmounted, w h a t
l i n e t h e P a r t y has p u r s u e d a n d i m p l e m e n t e d a n d w h a t a r e
t h e f o u n d a t i o n s o f t h i s society w h i c h has b e e n b u i l t w i t h
the blood, s w e a t a n d t o i l o f o u r h e r o i c people.
K n o w i n g this glorious road and r i c h experience, our
people w i l l h a v e a b r o a d e r v i e w of socialist society, of its
present stage a n d its f u t u r e , a n d w i l l w o r k w i t h g r e a t e r
consciousness a n d u n s h a k e a b l e c o n v i c t i o n t o c o n s o l i d a t e t h e
victories of socialism more and more a n d carry t h e m steadily
f o r w a r d . T h e P a r t y m u s t see t h i s a s a c a p i t a l q u e s t i o n , b e cause t h e s t r o n g e r t h e f o u n d a t i o n s o f t h e present, t h e m o r e
secure the socialist a n d c o m m u n i s t f u t u r e o f o u r c o u n t r y
w i l l be.
The strengthening of convictions about socialism, about
its v i t a l i t y a n d s u p e r i o r i t i e s , assumes s p e c i a l i m p o r t a n c e
i n t h e p r e s e n t c o n d i t i o n s w h e n s o c i a l i s m has b e e n u n d e r m i n e d in m a n y countries and w h e n the imperialists, the
bourgeoisie a n d t h e r e v i s i o n i s t s h a v e l a u n c h e d a f r e n z i e d
c a m p a i g n against s o c i a l i s m i n o r d e r t o d i s p a r a g e t h e r e v o l u t i o n a r y ideals, t o s o w t h e seed o f d o u b t a n d u n c e r t a i n t y
a b o u t the socialist f u t u r e o f m a n k i n d . I t i s n o a c c i d e n t t h a t
the m a i n t h r u s t o f this s t r u g g l e has b e e n a i m e d against o u r
triumphant doctrine, M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m , w i t h o u t w h i c h
there is and can be no genuine socialism.
L i k e w i s e , we must always take into account that the
conditions in w h i c h socialism is being built in A l b a n i a are
v e r y c o m p l e x . O u r P a r t y , state a n d people are f i g h t i n g
s i n g l e - h a n d e d , face to face a g a i n s t a c o l o s s a l e n e m y f o r c e ,
against t h e c a p i t a l i s t a n d r e v i s i o n i s t w o r l d w h i c h e n c i r c l e s
us. O u r people m u s t n e v e r u n d e r r a t e o r f o r g e t t h e d a n g e r s
w i t h w h i c h o u r socialist society i s t h r e a t e n e d f r o m t h e great,
a l l - r o u n d p o l i t i c a l , economic, i d e o l o g i c a l a n d m i l i t a r y p r e s sure o f t h i s w o r l d .
O u r historic duty, national and international, is to be
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a l l o n t h e alert, v i g i l a n t a n d r e a d y t o cope w i t h a n y
s i t u a t i o n , t o d e f e n d t h e v i c t o r i e s a c h i e v e d a n d t o press o n
w i t h t h e r e v o l u t i o n a n d o u r socialist c o n s t r u c t i o n . W e m u s t
c o u n t e r t h e d a n g e r o u s d i v e r s i o n i s t a c t i v i t y of t h e e n e m i e s of
s o c i a l i s m w i t h o u r d e t e r m i n a t i o n a n d courage, w i t h t h e
steel u n i t y o f t h e P a r t y a n d t h e people, w i t h u n t i r i n g w o r k
t o d e v e l o p a n d s t r e n g t h e n t h e e c o n o m y a n d t h e defence o f
the c o u n t r y . A b o v e a l l , i n o r d e r t o d e f e n d s o c i a l i s m a n d
e n s u r e t h a t i t a l w a y s forges c o n f i d e n t l y ahead, i t i s essential
to continuously strengthen the healthy and profound conv i c t i o n s a b o u t s o c i a l i s m , a s the h i g h e s t s o c i a l o r d e r t o
w h i c h the f u t u r e i n e v i t a b l y belongs.
O u r people, l i v i n g a n d w o r k i n g i n a socialist society,
are e d u c a t e d w i t h its n o r m s a n d p r i n c i p l e s , w h i c h a r e
embodied in the economic a n d social relations, in the org a n i z a t i o n a n d r u n n i n g o f t h e state a n d t h e e n t i r e l i f e o f
the c o u n t r y , i n t h e l e g i s l a t i o n a n d t h e w a y o f l i f e , i n t h e
system o f e d u c a t i o n a n d c u l t u r e , etc. O u r socialist r e a l i t y
itself, t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e d i r e c t p a r t i c i p a t i o n o f people i n t h e
w o r k of t h e socialist c o n s t r u c t i o n of t h e c o u n t r y , educates
t h e m a n d helps t h e m t o u n d e r s t a n d a n d a s s i m i l a t e t h e b a s i c
principles of M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m and socialism.
H o w e v e r , socialist c o n v i c t i o n s a n d consciousness, w h i c h
are c r e a t e d i n p r a c t i c a l l i f e , a r e i n a d e q u a t e t o e n a b l e people
to find their bearings correctly in any situation, to understand the p o l i c y o f the P a r t y p r o f o u n d l y a n d t o act a l w a y s
with clear objectives. S u c h convictions m a y be shaken in
the face of t h e v a r i o u s d i f f i c u l t i e s of t h e socialist c o n s t r u c tion o r t h e great p r e s s u r e f r o m t h e c a p i t a l i s t - r e v i s i o n i s t
world, if they are not based on solid theoretical f o u n d a tions. O n l y M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m , w h i c h i s t h e t h e o r e t i c a l base
of scientific socialism and the communist education of the
w o r k i n g people, creates p r o f o u n d , l a s t i n g c o n v i c t i o n s . T h e
P a r t y i m b u e s t h e masses w i t h s u c h c o n v i c t i o n s t h r o u g h
its e d u c a t i o n a l w o r k .
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ENVER HOXHA
O u r P a r t y has a l w a y s done a g r e a t d e a l o f w o r k f o r
the Marxist-Leninist education of the communists a n d the
masses. T h e P a r t y S c h o o l , t h e v a r i o u s courses a n d f o r m s
o f e d u c a t i o n w i t h i n t h e P a r t y a n d t h e mass o r g a n i z a t i o n s ,
t h e p u b l i c a t i o n s , t h e press a n d a l l t h e o t h e r m e a n s o f p r o p a g a n d a , serve t h i s a i m . M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m i s s t u d i e d s y s t e m a t i c a l l y i n t h e v a r i o u s categories o f schools o f o u r state
education system. T h e w o r k s of M a r x , Engels, L e n i n a n d
Stalin, as w e l l as m a n y documents and materials of our
P a r t y , h a v e b e e n m a d e a v a i l a b l e t o t h e c o m m u n i s t s , cadres
a n d w o r k i n g people.
T h e task n o w i s t h a t a l l t h i s w o r k s h o u l d b e d o n e a t
a higher, more qualified level, w i t h the a i m that the p r i n ciples of M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m and the teachings of our P a r t y
should be mastered as w e l l a n d as thoroughly as possible.
T h e m a i n t h i n g i s t h a t o u r people s h o u l d b e p r o p e r l y a r m e d
ideologically w i t h the M a r x i s t w o r l d outlook and methodology, s h o u l d b e p r o p e r l y f o r m e d f r o m t h e t h e o r e t i c a l
v i e w p o i n t , s o t h a t t h e y s t a n d a n d act c o n s c i o u s l y , a t a l l
t i m e s a n d i n a n y c i r c u m s t a n c e s , a s consistent r e v o l u t i o n a r i e s ,
a s d e t e r m i n e d f i g h t e r s f o r t h e cause o f s o c i a l i s m a n d c o m m u n i s m , a n d n o t b e t a u g h t o n l y some M a r x i s t theses a n d
conclusions.
O u r P a r t y a n d people h a v e t o a d v a n c e c o n t i n u o u s l y ,
t o solve n e w p r o b l e m s . T h e t h e o r e t i c a l w o r k i n g o u t a n d
t h e p r a c t i c a l s o l u t i o n o f these p r o b l e m s r e q u i r e t h a t c r e a t i v e
t h i n k i n g s h o u l d b e d e v e l o p e d c o n t i n u o u s l y , r e l y i n g o n the
basic M a r x i s t p r i n c i p l e s a n d m e t h o d o l o g y , a s w e l l a s o n
the s u m m i n g up of the experience gained. F o r this reason
i t i s necessary t h a t i n schools a n d t h e s y s t e m o f the
Marxist-Leninist education of the communists and the masses, a n d i n a l l the p r o p a g a n d a o f t h e P a r t y , M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m s h o u l d be s t u d i e d , p r o p a g a t e d a n d m a s t e r e d as a
l i v i n g a n d c r e a t i v e d o c t r i n e , a s a science w h i c h i s b e i n g
continuously developed and enriched. The spirit of revolu-
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
359
tionary criticism should be developed everywhere, f r u i t f u l
debate a n d d i s c u s s i o n s h o u l d b e a r o u s e d , a n y m a n i f e s t a t i o n
of rigidity a n d dogmatism should be combated, the w a y
should be opened w i d e to advanced t h i n k i n g in the party
spirit, e v e r y t h i n g s h o u l d b e s u b j e c t e d t o p e n e t r a t i n g a n a l y s i s
a n d s o u n d M a r x i s t logic.
Theoretical uplift is an indispensable condition to combat m a n i f e s t a t i o n s o f e m p i r i c i s m a n d p r a c t i c i s m . T h e fact
i s t h a t t h e r e a r e c o m m u n i s t s a n d cadres w h o m a k e l i t t l e
effort t o m a s t e r t h e o r y , w h o h a v e a n a r r o w u n d e r s t a n d i n g
of the problems and tasks w h i c h are presented and the
d i r e c t i v e s a n d o r i e n t a t i o n s w h i c h are g i v e n , w h o see t h e m
i n a s i m p l i s t i c m a n n e r a n d d o not g o d e e p l y i n t o t h e i r i d e o p o l i t i c a l content, i n t o t h e i r t h e o r e t i c a l aspect. O n t h i s q u e s tion, w h a t S t a l i n said,
«... the higher the political level and the MarxistLeninist knowledge of the workers in any branch
of state or Party work, the better and more fruitful will be the work itself, and the more effective
the results of the work; and, vice versa, the lower
the political level of the workers and the less they
are
imbued
with
the
knowledge
of
Marxism-Leninism, the greater will be the likelihood of disruption and failure in the work, of the workers themselves
becoming
shallow
and
deteriorating
into
paltry plodders,
of their
degenerating
altogether,»*
always remains v a l i d .
The shortcomings in the general theoretical formation
also l e a d i n e v i t a b l y t o s u b j e c t i v e a n d v o l i t i v e concepts a n d
actions w h i c h are c o n t r a r y t o the r e q u i r e m e n t s o f o b j e c _________________________________________
* J. V. Stalin, Selected W o r k s , T i r a n a 1979, pp. 509-510,
A l b . ed.
360
ENVER HOXHA
tive laws, violate the scientific management of affairs,
i m p e d e a n d d i s t o r t t h e processes o f s o c i o - e c o n o m i c d e v e l o p m e n t a n d h a r m t h e e d u c a t i o n o f people. W e c o m e
across s u c h m a n i f e s t a t i o n s o n m a n y occasions, b u t t h e y
are m o r e o b v i o u s a n d h a r m f u l e s p e c i a l l y i n t h e p l a n n i n g ,
organization and the management of the economy.
It is t r u e t h a t socialist society is a s o c i e t y w h i c h is b u i l t
i n a conscious m a n n e r , b u t t h i s i s n o t d o n e a c c o r d i n g t o
t h e s u b j e c t i v e w i l l a n d desires o f people. I n s o c i a l i s m , too,
development takes place according to laws w h i c h have an
o b j e c t i v e c h a r a c t e r . T h e p e c u l i a r i t y o f s o c i a l i s m lies i n t h e
r e c o g n i t i o n a n d conscious i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f these l a w s i n
c o n f o r m i t y w i t h t h e a i m s o f t h e P a r t y a n d t h e socialist
state. H e r e i n lies one of t h e great s u p e r i o r i t i e s of t h e socialist
order, w h i c h ensures h a r m o n i o u s a n d r a p i d d e v e l o p m e n t o f
t h e e c o n o m y a n d c u l t u r e i n f a v o u r o f t h e w o r k i n g masses.
H e n c e , t h e t a s k emerges t h a t t h e a t t e n t i o n o f the e d u c a t i o n a l w o r k o f t h e P a r t y , t h e state, t h e mass o r g a n i z a t i o n s
a n d a l l the m e a n s o f p r o p a g a n d a s h o u l d b e c e n t r e d o n
ensuring knowledge of the objective economic l a w s of
socialism, on w h i c h the economic policy of the P a r t y is
based. T h r o u g h p r o f o u n d k n o w l e d g e o f t h e o b j e c t i v e l a w s
and acting in conformity w i t h their requirements, m a n i festations o f s u b j e c t i v i s m c a n b e a v o i d e d , t h e great s u p e r i o r i t i e s o f t h e socialist o r d e r c a n b e u t i l i z e d , a n d t h e p l a n n i n g and management of the economy and the education
of people c a n be p u t on a s c i e n t i f i c basis.
I t i s a r e c o g n i z e d fact t h a t t h e m a n , w i t h h i s c o n science, a b i l i t i e s a n d e x p e r i e n c e i s t h e d e c i s i v e f a c t o r i n
a n y w o r k , i n t h e f u l f i l m e n t o f a n y t a s k . T h a t i s w h y the
P a r t y gives first-rate importance to the w o r k w i t h people
for their continuous education, tempering and the development of their abilities. However, the activity of people is
successful a n d c a n a t t a i n t h e o b j e c t i v e s set, w h e n , a p a r t
f r o m the educational work, it is properly supported w i t h
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economic, o r g a n i z a t i o n a l a n d a d m i n i s t r a t i v e m e a s u r e s . T h o s e
instances w h e n p r o b l e m s are t r e a t e d i n a o n e - s i d e d w a y ,
w h e n t h e causes o f s h o r t c o m i n g s a n d w e a k n e s s e s are s o u g h t
only in the ideo-political w o r k or in the method and style
o f l e a d e r s h i p , w h e n i t i s t h o u g h t t h a t t h e state o f a f f a i r s
can b e c h a n g e d a n d i m p r o v e d w i t h w o r d s a n d m e e t i n g s ,
w i t h o u t c o n c r e t e actions a n d m e a s u r e s , a r e m a n i f e s t a t i o n s
of s u b j e c t i v i s m .
T h e s o c i a l sciences h a v e a g r e a t r o l e i n r a i s i n g t h e l e v e l
o f the p a r t y p r o p a g a n d a a n d a l l t h e w o r k f o r t h e e d u c a t i o n o f t h e masses i n t h e s p i r i t o f s o c i a l i s m . O n l y o n the
basis o f s c i e n t i f i c studies a n d g e n e r a l i z a t i o n s o f t h e e x p e rience o f t h e P a r t y a n d t h e masses a n d t h e p r o b l e m s r a i s e d
b y l i f e , c a n t h e w o r k w i t h people b e s u p p o r t e d w i t h s o u n d
arguments a n d result in p r o f o u n d conviction.
O u r s o c i a l sciences h a v e m a d e p r o g r e s s a n d h a v e d e v e l o p e d o n t h e r i g h t r o a d . W i t h t h e i r studies a n d p u b l i c a tions t h e y h a v e m a d e v a l u a b l e c o n t r i b u t i o n s i n the f i e l d
of s t u d y of the h i s t o r y of o u r p e o p l e a n d t h e i r c u l t u r e ,
the e x p e r i e n c e o f t h e N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r a n d t h e socialist t r a n s f o r m a t i o n s , a n d t h e p o l i t i c a l , e c o n o m i c a n d s o c i a l
life o f t h e c o u n t r y . V e r y v a l u a b l e w o r k h a s b e e n d o n e
b y t h e I n s t i t u t e o f M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t S t u d i e s a t the C e n t r a l
Committee in compiling the H i s t o r y of the Party, in
p u b l i s h i n g m a n y m a t e r i a l s a n d d o c u m e n t s o f the P a r t y ,
and i n s t u d y i n g v a r i o u s p r o b l e m s o f t h e r e v o l u t i o n a n d
socialist c o n s t r u c t i o n .
It is t h e d u t y of t h e s c i e n t i f i c i n s t i t u t i o n s , t h e d e p a r t ments o f t h e h i g h e r schools a n d a l l t h e cadres e n g a g e d i n
social sciences to r a i s e t h e i r w o r k to a n e w l e v e l , to go m o r e
deeply i n t o t h e f u n d a m e n t a l p r o b l e m s o f t h e e x p e r i e n c e a n d
perspective of t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of o u r c o u n t r y , to e l a b o r a t e
them a t a h i g h t h e o r e t i c a l a n d s c i e n t i f i c l e v e l a n d t o m i l i t a t e
more a c t i v e l y i n t h e s t r u g g l e o f t h e P a r t y f o r t h e e d u c a t i o n
of the n e w m a n .
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ENVER HOXHA
A correct understanding of the decisive role of the masses in the construction of socialist society is fundamental to
the communist world outlook and revolutionary theory and
practice. O u r P a r t y h a s p e r m i t t e d n o d e v i a t i o n f r o m t h i s
p r i n c i p l e a n d t h i s i s one o f t h e u n d e r l y i n g reasons w h y
s o c i a l i s m has b e e n b u i l t i n t h e r i g h t w a y a n d i s d e v e l o p i n g
successfully i n A l b a n i a .
A s t h e e x p e r i e n c e o f o u r c o u n t r y has c o n f i r m e d , t h e
a c t i v e p a r t i c i p a t i o n o f t h e masses i n r u n n i n g t h e c o u n t r y
and in the w h o l e of social life constitutes an indispensable
and decisive condition for the preservation a n d strengt h e n i n g o f t h e p e o p l e ' s state p o w e r , f o r ceaselessly c a r r y i n g f o r w a r d t h e socialist r e v o l u t i o n a n d f o r e n s u r i n g a
s t r o n g a n d i m p r e g n a b l e defence o f t h e H o m e l a n d .
T h e d e c i s i v e , e v e r i n c r e a s i n g r o l e o f t h e p o p u l a r masses
i n o u r socialist society i s t h e m o s t p r o f o u n d e x p r e s s i o n a n d
the f u n d a m e n t a l d i r e c t i o n o f t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f o u r s o cialist d e m o c r a c y . F r o m t h i s s t a n d p o i n t , o u r socialist d e m o c r a c y i s n o t o n l y a n h i s t o r i c v i c t o r y o f t h e masses o f t h e
people, w o n i n w a r a n d r e v o l u t i o n , b u t also a need, a n
indispensable condition, an intrinsic l a w of the development
of o u r socialist society, a great m o t i v e f o r c e w h i c h c a r r i e s
it forward.
S o c i a l i s m has f r e e d o u r p e o p l e f r o m a n y f o r m o f t h e
e x p l o i t a t i o n o f m a n b y m a n . A great h i s t o r i c v i c t o r y i s t h e
l i b e r a t i o n o f t h e conscience o f t h e w o r k i n g people f r o m
the s p i r i t u a l s h a c k l e s o f e x p l o i t i n g societies, t h e e m a n c i p a t i o n o f t h e w o m a n , w h o has b e c o m e a n e q u a l p a r t i c i p a n t
w i t h m a n i n o u r s o c i a l l i f e . O u r p e o p l e e n j o y great d e m o cratic rights and freedoms, such as the right to work, to
e d u c a t i o n , t o elect a n d b e elected t o state a n d s o c i a l f u n c tions, t h e f r e e d o m o f speech, o f t h e press, etc., w h i c h i n o u r
c o u n t r y are a r e a l i t y , n o t o n l y p r o c l a i m e d b y l a w b u t a l s o
applied in daily practice. T h e entire life of our country, the
o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d m a n a g e m e n t o f t h e state, t h e e c o n o m y ,
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e d u c a t i o n , c u l t u r e a n d defence, has b e e n c o n s t r u c t e d i n s u c h
a w a y as to ensure and require the active participation of
t h e w o r k i n g masses.
T h e dangers w h i c h threaten socialism f r o m the separat i o n o f t h e state o r g a n s a n d cadres f r o m t h e masses, f r o m
t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f b u r e a u c r a c y i n t h e apparatuses, etc.,
h a v e l o n g b e e n m a d e c l e a r b y t h e P a r t y . I t has stressed
that the struggle against such manifestations a n d distortions must be waged continuously, w i t h o u t a l l o w i n g t h e m
to b u i l d up a n d become f i r m l y established. In practice,
h o w e v e r , m a n i f e s t a t i o n s o f one-sidedness a n d f o r m a l i s m
are e n c o u n t e r e d i n t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d i m p l e m e n t a t i o n
o f t h e d e m o c r a c y o f t h e masses a n d t h e r e l a t i o n s o f cadres
w i t h t h e masses. T h e r e are i n s t a n c e s w h e n t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i v e o r g a n s place t h e m s e l v e s a b o v e t h e elected organs, w h e n
c e r t a i n cadres d o n o t m a i n t a i n close contacts w i t h t h e
people o r c o n s u l t t h e m o n l y f o r m a l l y . S o m e t i m e s t h e
assemblies of the agricultural cooperatives a n d other org a n i z a t i o n s o f the masses a r e n o t t a k e n i n t o a c c o u n t a t a l l
o r i n s u f f i c i e n t l y t a k e n i n t o account, s o m e t i m e s t h e n o r m s
e s t a b l i s h e d a b o u t r e n d e r i n g a c c o u n t t o t h e masses, n o t o n l y
b y t h e elected cadres b u t also b y t h e a p p o i n t e d cadres,
are n o t r e s p e c t e d , a n d s o o n .
It is the duty of the P a r t y propaganda to explain and
p r o v e w i t h p r o f o u n d a r g u m e n t s t h a t t h e r o l e o f t h e masses
i s n o t a n a b s t r a c t q u e s t i o n , t h a t i t i s r e a l i z e d t h r o u g h the
d a i l y a c t i v i t y o f t h e collectives, t h e T r a d e U n i o n s , t h e y o u t h
organization, the Front, the organizations of w o m e n , the
people's c o u n c i l s a n d a l l t h e elected organs. I n p a r t i c u l a r ,
the P a r t y p r o p a g a n d a m u s t e n s u r e t h a t t h e cadres, especially, have a political a n d ideological understanding of the
need f o r d i r e c t l i n k s w i t h t h e masses, w i t h t h e w o r k e r s ,
w i t h the cooperativists, w i t h the youth, w i t h the w o m e n ,
w i t h a l l sections o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n . T h e y m u s t c o n s u l t w i d e
circles o f t h e people, seek t h e i r o p i n i o n s , p u t b e f o r e t h e
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ENVER HOXHA
masses t h e p r o b l e m s w h i c h p r e o c c u p y the P a r t y a n d t h e
state a n d , together w i t h t h e masses, f i n d t h e m o s t r a t i o n a l
solutions.
W h e n the P a r t y raises f o r c e f u l l y t h a t t h e v o i c e o f t h e
specialists s h o u l d b e l i s t e n e d t o m o r e a t t e n t i v e l y , t h a t t h e i r
qualified opinion should be backed up and supported better
i n o r d e r t o place p r o d u c t i o n o n s c i e n t i f i c f o u n d a t i o n s , t h i s
m u s t i n n o w a y l e a d t o u n d e r r a t i n g t h e a d v a n c e d ideas o f
the masses a n d t h e i r r i c h r e v o l u t i o n a r y e x p e r i e n c e . T h e
technical-scientific revolution in our country can be dev e l o p e d w i t h success o n l y w h e n t h e i n t e l l e c t u a l a n d s c i e n t i f i c p o t e n t i a l o f t h e cadres a n d specialists i s c l o s e l y l i n k e d
and merged w i t h the struggle and all-sided experience of
t h e masses.
I n t h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f t h e l i n e o f t h e masses a n y
simplification and formal treatment of it must be avoided.
I t i s i m p e r m i s s i b l e t o o v e r w h e l m people w i t h f r u i t l e s s
meetings over t r i f l i n g matters allegedly in the name of
t h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f t h e l i n e o f t h e masses. M e e t i n g s a t
w h i c h the problems causing concern are not solved, w h i c h
d o n o t a r r i v e a t c o n c l u s i o n s a b o u t concrete m e a s u r e s t o
change the situation, have no value at all. L i k e w i s e , it is
i m p e r m i s s i b l e t h a t t h e l i n e o f t h e masses s h o u l d b e u s e d
as a s m o k e s c r e e n to c o v e r up l a c k of r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , s h o r t comings in the organization and direction of work, and
f a i l u r e t o e x e r c i s e competences a n d a p p l y t h e l a w s a n d
rules established.
E n l i v e n m e n t and activation of the control by the masses f r o m b e l o w , i n c l u d i n g t h e g r o u p s o f d i r e c t w o r k e r a n d
peasant c o n t r o l , w h i c h s h o u l d b e c e n t r e d m o r e o n t h e c o n t r o l
o v e r t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f socialist p r o p e r t y , t h e a c t i v i t y o f
a d m i n i s t r a t i v e organs, a s w e l l a s i n t h e f i e l d o f s e r v i c e s f o r
t h e people a n d t h e f u l f i l m e n t o f t h e i r needs, m u s t b e t h e
object o f c o n t i n u o u s a t t e n t i o n f r o m t h e P a r t y a n d t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n s of t h e masses.
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It is p a r t i c u l a r l y important to understand properly that
t h e c o n t r o l b y t h e masses f r o m b e l o w m u s t n o t b e l i m i t e d
a n d m u s t n o t b e r e d u c e d t o j u s t one f o r m o f it, t h a t o f the
g r o u p s o f t h e w o r k e r a n d peasant c o n t r o l ; i t m u s t b e
exercised m u c h more extensively a n d in the most v a r i e d
f o r m s b y r o u s i n g t h e b r o a d masses o f t h e w o r k i n g people
and inculcating in t h e m the idea that they are the masters
of the country, w h o must have their say about e v e r y t h i n g
a n d e v e r y o n e . A t t h e s a m e t i m e , t h e P a r t y has stressed t h a t
the g r o u p s o f t h e w o r k e r a n d peasant c o n t r o l c a n n o t a n d
must not replace the control by the p a r t y organizations, the
state o r g a n s or t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n s of t h e masses.
There is a need for understanding and implementing
socialist d e m o c r a c y a n d t h e r o l e o f t h e masses p r o p e r l y ,
for m o r e p r o f o u n d study of them, so that they are constantly
p e r f e c t e d . T h e a i m i s t o e n s u r e t h a t t h e process o f t h e
construction of socialism is never t r a n s f o r m e d into a b u r e a u c r a t i c - a d m i n i s t r a t i v e process, b u t is a l w a y s a l i v i n g ,
c r e a t i v e w o r k o f the b r o a d w o r k i n g masses, u n d e r t h e
leadership of the Party.
The education of the new man is one of the greatest
victories of socialism and one of the fundamental guarantees for its uninterrupted development. T h e h i s t o r i c
tasks w i t h w h i c h o u r P a r t y a n d people a r e f a c e d f o r t h e
socialist c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e c o u n t r y a n d c o p i n g successfully w i t h the encirclement and pressure of the capitalistrevisionist w o r l d , require people formed and tempered as
consistent r e v o l u t i o n a r i e s , e q u i p p e d t o a h i g h e r l e v e l w i t h
the M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t w o r l d o u t l o o k a n d ethics, w h o m u s t
b e a b l e t o w i t h s t a n d t h e p r e s s u r e f r o m t h e ideologies o f
e x p l o i t i n g classes. T h i s r e q u i r e s m o r e t h o r o u g h - g o i n g i d e o logical struggle against a n y alien r e m n a n t or manifestation
i n t h e consciousness o f o u r people.
T h e s t r u g g l e against t h e p e t t y - b o u r g e o i s m e n t a l i t y a n d
outlook, w h i c h has deep roots i n o u r c o u n t r y , h a s b e e n
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and remains a major ideological problem. It is true that
t h e great social a n d e c o n o m i c changes w h i c h h a v e b e e n
c a r r i e d out, a s w e l l a s t h e a l l - r o u n d w o r k o f t h e P a r t y
f o r t h e c o m m u n i s t e d u c a t i o n o f t h e w o r k i n g people, h a v e
dealt h e a v y b l o w s t o t h e p e t t y - b o u r g e o i s p s y c h o l o g y a n d
s h a k e n i t t o its f o u n d a t i o n s . N e v e r t h e l e s s , a l t h o u g h i t s
sphere o f o p e r a t i o n has b e e n d r a s t i c a l l y r e d u c e d , w e s t i l l
e n c o u n t e r p e t t y - b o u r g e o i s o u t l o o k s , a t t i t u d e s a n d actions
among various strata of the population. The petty-bourgeois concepts a n d t e n d e n c i e s a r e a g r e a t e v i l , because
t h e y not o n l y h a m p e r t h e c o m m u n i s t e d u c a t i o n o f t h e
people, not o n l y i n h i b i t t h e i r a c t i v e p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n t h e soci a l i s t c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e c o u n t r y , b u t also b e c o m e t h e
cause of a l l sorts of v a c i l l a t i o n s , s e r v e as t h e basis f o r t h e
s p r e a d o f the b o u r g e o i s i d e o l o g y a n d f o r u n d e r m i n i n g t h e
socialist o r d e r itself.
The petty-bourgeois psychology manifests itself in v a rious forms and in m a n y fields. The remnants of it are most
m a r k e d in the attitude towards w o r k and property, w h i c h
occupies t h e m a i n a n d d e c i s i v e p l a c e i n people's a c t i v i t y .
A h i g h l e v e l o f consciousness i n t h e i r a t t i t u d e t o w a r d s
w o r k a n d socialist p r o p e r t y c h a r a c t e r i z e s o u r w o r k i n g
people i n t o w n a n d c o u n t r y s i d e . T h i s i s a d i s t i n g u i s h i n g
feature of our n e w m a n a n d is a reality w h i c h stands out
everywhere. H o w e v e r , socialism, as the i n i t i a l phase of
c o m m u n i s t society, w h i c h e m e r g e s f r o m t h e e x p l o i t i n g
c a p i t a l i s t order, has its o w n c o n d i t i o n s a n d p e c u l i a r i t i e s
o f d e v e l o p m e n t , w h i c h l e a v e t h e i r m a r k also o n t h e a t t i t u d e
towards w o r k and property. Socialism, said L e n i n ,
«...cannot as yet be fully mature from the economic
viewpoint, and entirely free from the traditions and
vestiges
of capitalism.»*
__________________________________
* V. I. L e n i n , Collected W o r k s , v o l . 25, p. 559, A l b . ed.
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O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , i t i s i m p o r t a n t t o b e a r i n m i n d also
t h e l a r g e masses o f y o u n g p e o p l e w h o a r e t o e n t e r social
p r o d u c t i o n a n d o t h e r sectors a n d w h o , despite t h e i r readiness
a n d e n t h u s i a s m t o w o r k a n d create o n b e h a l f o f s o c i a l i s m ,
still have not f o r m e d the habits of w o r k a n d have not been
hardened to w i t h s t a n d the difficulties of life.
T h e s e factors, a s w e l l a s t h e w e a k n e s s e s i n t h e w o r k
of leadership, organization and education by the organizat i o n s o f t h e P a r t y a n d those o f t h e masses, t h e organs o f
t h e state a n d t h e e c o n o m y , a c c o u n t f o r t h e a l i e n a t t i t u d e s
t o w a r d s w o r k a n d socialist p r o p e r t y , w h i c h are seen.
T h e s e a r e t h e reasons w h y t h e P a r t y i n s i s t s o n t h e
need to raise the level a n d the effectiveness of propaganda
a n d i d e o l o g i c a l w o r k , s o t h a t t h e socialist consciousness o f
t h e w o r k e r s , t h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t s , t h e cadres i n t h e i r a t t i t u d e
towards w o r k and property is strengthened and raised to
a h i g h e r l e v e l . T h i s has b e e n a n d m u s t c o n t i n u e t o b e one
of the most important fronts in the w o r k of the Party,
t h e state o r g a n s a n d mass o r g a n i z a t i o n s , e s p e c i a l l y i n t h e
w o r k of the trade-unions.
T h e m e a s u r e s w h i c h t h e P a r t y a n d t h e state h a v e t a k e n
f o r p e r f e c t i n g t h e socialist r e l a t i o n s o f p r o d u c t i o n , f o r t h e
f u r t h e r r e d u c t i o n o f c o o p e r a t i v i s t s ' p e r s o n a l plot, t h e i m provement of the p a y system, legislation, the p l a n n i n g
a n d m a n a g e m e n t o f t h e e c o n o m y , etc., h a v e c r e a t e d n e w
p o s s i b i l i t i e s a n d c o n d i t i o n s t o engage i n m o r e e x t e n s i v e
and thorough-going educational w o r k among the w o r k i n g
masses i n o r d e r t o i m b u e t h e m w i t h c o r r e c t concepts a n d
attitudes t o w a r d s w o r k a n d p r o p e r t y , t o create a n a t mosphere of revolutionary optimism and mobilization in
work everywhere.
T h e c o m m u n i s t s , t h e cadres a n d t h e w o r k i n g people
must b e m a d e conscious t h a t w e a r e l i v i n g i n n e w s i t u a t i o n s
at home a n d abroad, w h i c h give rise to n e w tasks a n d
demands. A m i g h t y d u t y facing us is the need to mobilize
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a l l t h e w o r k i n g people t o f u l f i l t h e t a s k s o f t h e p l a n t o t h e
letter. T h e s i t u a t i o n s w e are g o i n g t h r o u g h a n d t h e g r e a t
objectives o f t h i s f i v e - y e a r p l a n d e m a n d a n e w r h y t h m a n d
c o m m i t m e n t i n w o r k , a h i g h e r sense o f r e s p o n s i b i l i t y a n d
greater persistence, d e m a n d t h a t we a d v a n c e at a m o r e
r a p i d pace, as the t i m e d e m a n d s .
The educational w o r k of the P a r t y must implant deepr o o t e d c o n v i c t i o n s t h a t w o r k a n d t h e socialist p r o p e r t y
are t w o great p i l l a r s o n w h i c h t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e
economy, t h e e n t i r e l i f e o f t h e c o u n t r y , its present a n d
f u t u r e , are based. I n t h i s f i e l d a n o r g a n i z e d s t r u g g l e m u s t
be waged on all fronts against negative manifestations,
against a n y p e t t y - b o u r g e o i s o r l i b e r a l concept a n d s t a n d ,
in order to strengthen the spirit of organization, order
and discipline everywhere.
T h e t a s k s f o r t h e s t r e n g t h e n i n g o f t h e socialist c o n s ciousness a n d p s y c h o l o g y d e m a n d t h a t g r e a t e r a t t e n t i o n
should be p a i d to k n o w i n g the various interests w h i c h exist
a n d operate i n o u r s o c i e t y a n d t o m a i n t a i n i n g c o r r e c t
r e l a t i o n s a m o n g t h e m . E n g e l s p o i n t e d out t h a t t h e e c o n o m i c r e l a t i o n s i n a n y society p r e s e n t t h e m s e l v e s , f i r s t
o f a l l , a s interests. T h e r e f o r e , n e i t h e r t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e
requirements of the economic laws, nor the strengthening
o f the socialist a t t i t u d e t o w a r d s w o r k a n d p r o p e r t y c a n
be understood and achieved apart f r o m different interests,
a n d a b o v e a l l , a p a r t f r o m e c o n o m i c interests.
The placing of the general interest above the interests
o f the g r o u p a n d t h e i n d i v i d u a l , t h e interests o f t h e f u t u r e
a b o v e those o f t h e m o m e n t , t h e f u n d a m e n t a l i n t e r e s t s o f
t h e state a b o v e d e p a r t m e n t a l a n d l o c a l interests, h a s r u n
r i g h t t h r o u g h a l l t h e a c t i v i t y o f o u r P a r t y a n d state f o r
t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d t h e defence o f s o c i a l i s m . T h i s r e m a i n s
the g u a r a n t e e t h a t w e s h a l l a l w a y s c o n t i n u e t o a d v a n c e
o n t h e r i g h t M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t course, p e r m i t t i n g n o d e v i a -
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
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tions f r o m the theory a n d practice of the construction of
socialism.
I n m a n y cases, h o w e v e r , p e r s o n a l i n t e r e s t i s s t i l l a
v e r y c o m p e l l i n g force, a n d t h i s i s e x p r e s s e d i n t h e t e n dencies t o t a k e f r o m society m o r e t h a n one c o n t r i b u t e s ,
t o p u r s u e q u a n t i t y t o t h e d e t r i m e n t o f q u a l i t y , etc.
T h e r e is no doubt that the existence of various distinctions, s u c h a s those b e t w e e n t o w n a n d c o u n t r y s i d e , t h e
d i f f e r e n c e s i n i n c o m e s b e t w e e n m e m b e r s o f o u r society,
as w e l l as the discrepancies w h i c h emerge between the
g r o w i n g d e m a n d s o f t h e w o r k i n g masses a n d t h e r e a l
possibilities for their fulfilment, have their influence in
k e e p i n g s u c h p h e n o m e n a a l i v e . B u t these f a c t o r s c a n n o t
justify the various manifestations of placing personal interest a b o v e t h e g e n e r a l interest. I n o u r socialist society a l l
the p o s s i b i l i t i e s e x i s t t o r e d u c e t h e a l i e n p h e n o m e n a m o r e
and more through strengthening the educational w o r k
a m o n g t h e masses, d e v e l o p i n g p r o d u c t i o n a n d p e r f e c t i n g
the economic relations and the rigorous implementation
of t h e l a w s of t h e state.
T h i s i s l i n k e d , f i r s t o f a l l , w i t h t h e fact t h a t i n s o c i a l i s m
the g e n e r a l i n t e r e s t i s n o t c o n t r a r y t o t h e p e r s o n a l interests
o f t h e w o r k i n g people. W h e n w e speak a b o u t t h e p r i o r i t y
o f t h e g e n e r a l interest, t h i s b y n o m e a n s i m p l i e s t h a t
personal interests are ignored. In socialism the general
interest i s r e a l i z e d n o t a s a n a i m i n itself, b u t i n o r d e r
t o s e r v e t h e f u l f i l m e n t o f the l e g i t i m a t e needs o f t h e
w o r k i n g people, t h e w e l l - b e i n g o f t h e people a n d t h e
s t r e n g t h e n i n g o f the defence c a p a c i t y o f t h e H o m e l a n d .
The line of the P a r t y is applied correctly a n d consistently
when the preoccupation w i t h economic problems and the
care f o r t h e g e n e r a l i n t e r e s t a r e n e v e r d i v o r c e d f r o m
c o n c e r n a b o u t t h e i n d i v i d u a l , f r o m care t o f u l f i l h i s m a terial and spiritual demands.
A m a j o r p r o b l e m , not
o n l y e c o n o m i c , b u t also i d e o -
370
ENVER HOXHA
l o g i c a l a n d social, i s t h e h a r m o n i z a t i o n o f t h e i n t e r e s t s
of the cooperativist property f a i r l y w i t h the general interests o f society. T h e P a r t y m u s t c o m b a t b o t h t h e tendencies,
w h i c h are s o m e t i m e s seen, t o i s o l a t i o n w i t h i n t h e f r a m e w o r k o f t h e interests o f t h e g r o u p , r e g a r d i n g t h e m a s
s o m e t h i n g d i v o r c e d f r o m t h e i n t e r e s t s of s o c i e t y as a w h o l e ,
a n d those, w h i c h a l l e g e d l y o n b e h a l f o f t h e g e n e r a l interest,
h a r m the i n t e r e s t s o f t h e c o o p e r a t i v e .
T h i s p r o b l e m has t o d o w i t h t h e r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n t h e
state a n d t h e a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e s , a s w e l l a s w i t h
t h e process o f t h e t r a n s f o r m a t i o n o f t h e p r o p e r t y o f t h e
g r o u p i n t o p r o p e r t y o f t h e e n t i r e people. T h e c o o p e r a t i v i s t
p r o p e r t y i s o f t h e s a m e t y p e a s t h e state p r o p e r t y . B o t h
are socialist p r o p e r t y , b u t t h e p r o p e r t y of t h e g r o u p is a
l o w e r stage o f the s o c i a l i z a t i o n o f p r o p e r t y . T h r o u g h w i d e ranging and well-considered educational w o r k the P a r t y
must m a k e clear to the cooperativist peasantry the t r a n sitional character of the property of the group, as w e l l as
t h e w a y s f o r its t r a n s f o r m a t i o n i n t o p r o p e r t y o f t h e e n t i r e
people. I n o u r c o u n t r y , t h e process o f t h e t r a n s f o r m a t i o n
of the property of the group into property of the w h o l e
society has b e g u n a n d w i l l b e a c c e l e r a t e d i n t h e f u t u r e .
H o w e v e r , w e m u s t p r o c e e d o n t h i s course step b y step, a s
the objective a n d subjective conditions are created, t a k i n g
i n t o account a n d r e s p e c t i n g t h e interests s t e m m i n g f r o m t h e
property of the group.
The propaganda of the P a r t y must deal more extensively a n d profoundly w i t h the u n i f i e d character of our
economy and the factors w h i c h strengthen this character.
In t h i s c o n t e x t it is necessary to w a g e a d e t e r m i n e d s t r u g g l e
against the pursuit of n a r r o w departmental, local or enterp r i s e interests. T h e obstacles r a i s e d t o t h e s p e c i a l i z a t i o n ,
concentration and cooperation of production, as w e l l as
t h e cases o f k e e p i n g s o m e t h i n g i n r e s e r v e i n t h e p l a n n i n g
o f p r o d u c t i o n , p r o d u c t i v i t y a n d r e d u c t i o n o f costs, o r t h e
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE P L A
371
e x a g g e r a t e d d e m a n d s f o r i n v e s t m e n t s , l a b o u r forces, etc.,
a r e m a n i f e s t a t i o n s o f n a r r o w interests, w h i c h i m p e d e t h e
development of the economy and h a r m the general interests o f t h e state a n d society.
I n t h e c o n d i t i o n s w h e n t h e n e w has b e c o m e d o m i n a n t
in our country, the phenomena of petty-bourgeois psychology, t h e r e m n a n t s f r o m t h e p a s t , b e c o m e m o r e a n d m o r e
d i s c o r d a n t a n d c o n s t i t u t e a s e r i o u s obstacle to o u r socialist
course.
T h e p e c u l i a r i t y o f these r e m n a n t s i s t h a t t h e y a r e
extremely resistant a n d continue to exist even though the
c o n d i t i o n s w h i c h g a v e b i r t h t o t h e m h a v e been c o m p l e t e l y
changed; they assume «new» forms, camouflage themselves
u n d e r socialist n o r m s a n d r e v i v e w h e r e v e r t h e y f i n d s u i table terrain. C e r t a i n outdated customs a n d practices, in
p a r t i c u l a r , s h o u l d a t t r a c t o u r a t t e n t i o n , because a l t h o u g h
t h e y h a v e b e e n h a r d hit, t h e y s t i l l c r o p u p i n t h e w a y
of life, in f a m i l y relations, in the stand towards women,
etc. T h e P a r t y a n d its l e v e r s m u s t w o r k t o s t r e n g t h e n a n d
c o n s o l i d a t e t h e socialist p r i n c i p l e s a n d concepts, t h e p r o letarian ideology and morality, and to ensure that the
s p i r i t o f great i d e o l o g i c a l actions a n d m o v e m e n t s o f t h e
masses, b a s e d o n t h e s t r u g g l e t o e r a d i c a t e a l l t h e o l d
h a n g o v e r s a n d a f f i r m t h e n e w socialist n o r m s a n d customs,
i s a l w a y s k e p t ablaze. T h i s s t r u g g l e m u s t b e w a g e d w i t h
w i s d o m a n d intelligence, so that the new norms and concepts b e c o m e a c c e p t a b l e to t h e conscience of a l l .
T o t h i s e n d , i t i s necessary t o h a v e a p r o f o u n d k n o w ledge o f t h e p s y c h o l o g y o f t h e masses, t o c a r r y out q u a l i f i e d
educational work, differentiated according to the various
strata a n d regions, t y p e s a n d places o f w o r k , c o l l e c t i v e s
a n d sectors, a g e - g r o u p s a n d sexes, r i g h t d o w n t o s e p a r a t e
i n d i v i d u a l s . A t h o r o u g h k n o w l e d g e of t h e s p i r i t u a l state of
the masses c a n n o t b e g a i n e d i n a n e m p i r i c a l m a n n e r , b u t
o n t h e basis o f p r o f o u n d s y s t e m a t i c studies, a n a l y s i n g t h e
372
ENVER HOXHA
p r o b l e m i n a l l its m a n y aspects, i n its p r e s e n t state a n d
i n t h e d y n a m i c s o f its d e v e l o p m e n t , t a k i n g i n t o a c c o u n t
the whole complex of different factors w h i c h influence
t h e f o r m a t i o n o f t h e consciousness a n d p s y c h o l o g y o f t h e
masses, s u c h a s t h e m a t e r i a l c o n d i t i o n s , t h e o l d t r a d i t i o n s
a n d customs, t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f e d u c a t i o n a n d c u l t u r e ,
t h e e x t e r n a l c a p i t a l i s t - r e v i s i o n i s t w o r l d , etc.
I n o u r s t r u g g l e o n the i d e o l o g i c a l f r o n t w e s h o u l d
n e v e r f o r a m o m e n t forget t h a t t h e r e m n a n t s of t h e past
a r e intertwined w i t h the degenerating influences of the
imperialist-revisionist encirclement, w h i c h , although a d v e r t i s e d a s « m o d e r n » o r «progressive», i n essence, a r e j u s t
a s o l d , i f n o t older, a n d e x t r e m e l y d a n g e r o u s .
W i d e - r a n g i n g i d e o l o g i c a l aggression, i n t e n d e d t o d e n i g r a t e t h e r e a l i t y o f socialist A l b a n i a a n d c o r r u p t p e o ple's m i n d s , i s b e i n g d i r e c t e d a g a i n s t o u r c o u n t r y . T h e
P a r t y a n d its l e v e r s m u s t become p o w e r f u l , i n s u p e r a b l e
b a r r i e r s t o t h i s a g g r e s s i o n a n d its i n f l u e n c e o n o u r people.
T h e y m u s t t e m p e r t h e i d e o l o g i c a l u n i t y o f t h e people a n d
increase t h e i r v i g i l a n c e a n d s t r u g g l e against l i b e r a l i s m
a n d a l l a l i e n m a n i f e s t a t i o n s , s o t h a t n o breaches, n o s i t u a tions of relaxation or euphoria are permitted, so that the
c o m m u n i s t s , t h e cadres a n d a l l t h e w o r k i n g people a l w a y s
u p h o l d t h e socialist p r i n c i p l e s a n d n o r m s , t h e p r o l e t a r i a n
ideology and morality.
T h e struggle for the communist education of the w o r k i n g people against t h e r e m n a n t s a n d m a n i f e s t a t i o n s o f a l i e n
ideologies, o l d a n d n e w , constitutes t h e b r o a d e s t a n d m o s t
c o m p l e x f r o n t o f t h e class s t r u g g l e w h i c h i s g o i n g o n i n
o u r c o u n t r y . T h i s s t r u g g l e becomes e s p e c i a l l y i m p o r t a n t
a n d acute i n t h e p r e s e n t c o n d i t i o n s w h e n o u r c o u n t r y i s
forging ahead in the construction of socialism, r e l y i n g e n t i r e l y o n its o w n forces, w h e n t h e s t r u g g l e b e t w e e n s o c i a l ism and capitalism, M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m and revisionism in
t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l a r e n a has b e c o m e e x t r e m e l y severe a n d
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w h e n t h e i m p e r i a l i s t - r e v i s i o n i s t e n c i r c l e m e n t a n d its pressu r e on our country have become more ferocious.
T h e P a r t y must w o r k u n t i r i n g l y to ensure that the
c o m m u n i s t s , t h e p e o p l e a n d t h e y o u n g e r g e n e r a t i o n s are
educated continuously in the spirit of the dictatorship of
t h e p r o l e t a r i a t a n d t h e class s t r u g g l e , are a l w a y s v i g i l a n t
a n d r e a d y to defend socialism f r o m any enemy or danger,
a n d s t r u g g l e i n t h e i r o w n conscience, i n t h e r a n k s o f t h e
P a r t y a n d a m o n g t h e people, a g a i n s t e v e r y t h i n g w h i c h
runs counter to the spirit and principles of socialism.
T o w a g e t h e class s t r u g g l e c o r r e c t l y m e a n s t o a p p l y
t h e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t l i n e o f t h e P a r t y c o r r e c t l y , t o accept
the principles of socialism consciously and w i t h profound
c o n v i c t i o n , a n d t o w o r k a n d f i g h t a t a l l t i m e s f o r t h e good
of the people and the H o m e l a n d , to safeguard and defend
s o c i a l i s m . T h i s means, also, t h a t t h i s s t r u g g l e m u s t b e
waged without allowing opportunist or sectarian deviations
t o t h e r i g h t o r t h e left, w h i c h are e q u a l l y d a n g e r o u s a n d
f r a u g h t w i t h g r a v e consequences f o r t h e P a r t y , t h e u n i t y
o f t h e people a n d socialist society.
O n l y b y w a g i n g t h e class s t r u g g l e c o r r e c t l y a n d w i t h out d e v i a t i o n s , w i t h t h e l a r g e - s c a l e p a r t i c i p a t i o n o f t h e
w o r k i n g masses l e d b y t h e P a r t y , w i l l t h e present b e b u i l t
a l w a y s c o r r e c t l y a n d rest o n s o u n d f o u n d a t i o n s , a n d t h e
f u t u r e o f t h e H o m e l a n d a n d s o c i a l i s m b e secure.
T h e P a r t y h a s set u p a n e n t i r e s y s t e m o f m e a n s o f
mass c o m m u n i c a t i o n , s u c h as t h e press, p u b l i c a t i o n s , t h e
r a d i o a n d t e l e v i s i o n , f i l m s , etc., i n t h e s e r v i c e o f t h e e d u c a t i o n o f t h e p a r t y m e m b e r s , cadres a n d masses. T h e i r r o l e
i s great, t h e r e f o r e t h e y m u s t c o n t i n u o u s l y r a i s e t h e l e v e l
of their work, both in content and f o r m , in order to respond
e v e r b e t t e r t o t h e g r o w i n g d e m a n d s o f t h e w o r k i n g masses.
IV
THE INTERNATIONAL SITUATION AND
THE FOREIGN POLICY OF THE PSR
OF ALBANIA
T h e P a r t y o f L a b o u r o f A l b a n i a has a l w a y s f o l l o w e d
the development of international situations and the events
w h i c h occur in the w o r l d w i t h attention. It has analysed
t h e m i n a n o b j e c t i v e a n d r e a l i s t i c m a n n e r , based, a s a l w a y s ,
on the M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t principles, and has d r a w n the
respective conclusions. In a l l this w o r k the P a r t y has
p r o c e e d e d f r o m t h e fact t h a t t h e processes g o i n g o n i n t h e
w o r l d today exert their influence, to this or that extent, on
o u r c o u n t r y , too. W e f o l l o w a n d a n a l y s e t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l
situations w i t h particular interest, so that we are never
t a k e n b y s u r p r i s e , t o e n s u r e t h a t w e are a l w a y s p r e p a r e d
t o face u p s u c c e s s f u l l y t o a n y d a n g e r w h i c h m i g h t c o m e
f r o m a b r o a d , a n d t o b u i l d s o c i a l i s m w i t h success. O n t h e
other h a n d , t h i s also c o n s t i t u t e s a c o n d i t i o n f o r us to
properly and effectively perform our internationalist duty
i n s u p p o r t o f t h e peoples' s t r u g g l e f o r f r e e d o m a n d n a t i o n a l
i n d e p e n d e n c e , d e m o c r a c y a n d s o c i a l progress, a n d t o c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e s t r e n g t h e n i n g o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l peace a n d
security.
V i e w e d as a w h o l e , t h e p r e s e n t i n t e r n a t i o n a l s i t u a t i o n
i s d i s t u r b e d , c o m p l i c a t e d a n d v e r y tense. M a j o r p o l i t i c a l
a n d social forces c o n f r o n t one a n o t h e r : o n t h e one side,
imperialism, capitalism a n d reaction, the bearers of oppression, e x p l o i t a t i o n a n d w a r , a n d o n t h e o t h e r side, t h e
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
375
peoples, t h e r e v o l u t i o n a r i e s a n d t h e d e m o c r a t s , w h o a r e
struggling for national and social liberation a n d the e m a n c i p a t i n o n o f m a n k i n d . T h i s large-scale, p r o f o u n d a n d a l l r o u n d c o n f r o n t a t i o n , w h i c h i s a r e f l e c t i o n o f s t e r n class
clashes a n d has i n c l u d e d a l l t h e c o n t i n e n t s w i t h o u t e x c e p t i o n , has f u r t h e r e x a c e r b a t e d a l l t h e c o n t r a d i c t i o n s a n d t h e
g r a v e c r i s i s w h i c h has s w e p t t h e c a p i t a l i s t w o r l d t o d a y .
Everything indicates that the present situation in the
world could give rise to general and local wars, just as
it may give rise to liberation wars and revolution. T h e
d e v e l o p m e n t o f events w i l l s h o w w h e t h e r i m p e r i a l i s m w i l l
be able to lead the w o r l d to a n e w catastrophe or whether
the peoples w i l l p r e v e n t t h e w a r a n d save m a n k i n d .
I n t h i s s i t u a t i o n , t h e peoples' w a r a n d t h e r e v o l u t i o n
are o n t h e a g e n d a , n o t o n l y a s a s p i r a t i o n s a n d i m m e d i a t e
tasks f o r l i b e r a t i o n f r o m c a p i t a l i s t o p p r e s s i o n a n d t h e
i m p e r i a l i s t y o k e , b u t also as h i s t o r i c a l necessities to defeat
the w a r m o n g e r i n g p l a n s o f i m p e r i a l i s m a n d a v e r t a n e w
general war.
I m p e r i a l i s m has b e e n a n d s t i l l i s t h e source o f a l l a g gressions a n d p r e d a t o r y w a r s , the s o u r c e o f a l l t h e disasters
and suffering w h i c h have existed a n d exist in the w o r l d .
T h e peoples h a v e p a i d t h e p r i c e f o r t h e i n s a t i a b l e g r e e d o f
the i m p e r i a l i s t s f o r conquests a n d e x p l o i t a t i o n a n d f o r
w o r l d domination w i t h their blood a n d their lives. T h e
struggle g o i n g o n t o d a y a m o n g t h e i m p e r i a l i s t s u p e r p o w e r s
a n d t h e b i g c a p i t a l i s t p o w e r s f o r m a r k e t s a n d spheres o f
influence is further testimony of this unalterable character
of the nature and aims of imperialism.
A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m and Soviet social-imperialism are
contesting w i t h one a n o t h e r , are c o m p e t i n g a n d m a n o e u v r i n g
t o c a r r y out aggressions a n d o c c u p y o t h e r c o u n t r i e s . I n
many regions of the w o r l d the struggle between the t w o
i m p e r i a l i s t s u p e r p o w e r s , t h e U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a a n d
the S o v i e t U n i o n , n o t e x c l u d i n g i m p e r i a l i s t C h i n a a n d
376
ENVER HOXHA
o t h e r c a p i t a l i s t p o w e r s , has a s s u m e d n e w , m a j o r p r o p o r tions. E a c h o f these p o w e r s i s s t r i v i n g t o a c h i e v e e c o n o m i c ,
political and m i l i t a r y superiority over the other a n d to
c a p t u r e n e w strategic positions. A l t h o u g h t h e f l a m e s o f
w o r l d w a r are n o t b l a z i n g yet, t h e l o c a l f i r e s w h i c h h a v e
b r o k e n out a n d t h e d a n g e r o u s h o t b e d s w h i c h h a v e a l r e a d y
been c r e a t e d m a y t u r n i n t o a g r e a t c o n f l a g r a t i o n o f i m p e r i a l i s t w o r l d w a r . T h e M i d d l e E a s t , a n d I n d o c h i n a once
a g a i n , a r e v e r y c l e a r e v i d e n c e o f this. T h i s r i v a l r y , t h i s
superpower policy, further complicates the situations and
leads t o t e n s i o n w i t h d a n g e r o u s consequences i n a l l w o r l d
relations.
O f course, w h i l e w e o b s e r v e t h a t t h e r i v a l r y b e t w e e n
t h e s u p e r p o w e r s a n d the s h a r p e n i n g o f c o n t r a d i c t i o n s b e tween t h e m constitute the m a i n source of present-day i n ternational conflicts and the danger of war, we cannot f a i l
t o n o t i c e also t h e i r e f f o r t s t o r e a c h c o m p r o m i s e s a n d a g r e e m e n t s a n d e v e n t e m p o r a r y alliances. T h e e f f o r t t o c o m e
t o t e r m s t o t h e d e t r i m e n t o f t h e peoples has a l w a y s b e e n
t h e response o f i m p e r i a l i s t s t o t h e t e n d e n c y t o w a r d s i n t e r i m p e r i a l i s t clashes a n d c o n f l i c t s .
However, an atmosphere of m u t u a l trust can never
e x i s t b e t w e e n i m p e r i a l i s t states. D u e t o t h e i r aggressive
n a t u r e , t h e y are b o u n d t o act against one a n o t h e r o p e n l y
a n d secretly. T h i s i s t h e d i a l e c t i c o f r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n i m perialists.
Up t i l l n o w the superpowers have tried to preserve
a c e r t a i n e q u i l i b r i u m b e t w e e n t h e m s e l v e s , to e n s u r e respect
f o r t h e i r m u t u a l spheres o f i n f l u e n c e , a n d t o k e e p pace
w i t h each other i n t h e a r m s race. T h e y h a v e m a d e e f f o r t s
to a v o i d a d i r e c t w a r b e t w e e n t h e m , b u t n o w , as a r e s u l t
o f the c r i s i s a n d u n e q u a l d e v e l o p m e n t , t h i s e q u i l i b r i u m i s
tending to fall apart.
T h e y c a n n o l o n g e r f i n d u n o c c u p i e d spaces i n w h i c h
t o e x t e n d t h e i r e x p a n s i o n . A n y f u r t h e r step b r i n g s t h e m
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
377
i n t o c o l l i s i o n w i t h t h e other's i n t e r e s t s a n d c a r r i e s t h e
d a n g e r o f a n u n p r e d i c t a b l e r e a c t i o n . T h i s gives r i s e t o
imbalance, to the dangers of armed confrontations w h i c h
might lead m a n k i n d into a general imperialist war.
I n t h e past, i t b e c a m e p o s s i b l e t o c o n c l u d e t h e t r e a t y
on the non-proliferation of atomic weapons, w h i c h ensured
the U n i t e d States of A m e r i c a and the Soviet U n i o n the
m o n o p o l y o f these w e a p o n s , a n d e v e n t o s i g n t h e S A L T
agreement, w h i c h e s t a b l i s h e d the e q u i l i b r i u m o f t h e s u p e r p o w e r s i n these w e a p o n s . N o w t h e t w o sides h a v e b e e n
caught up in the fevers of unrestrained armament, in w h i c h
t h e y h a v e lost a l l sense a n d logic. T h e m e g a l o m a n i a a n d
arrogance of the superpowers, w h i c h think they can m a k e
t h e l a w i n t h e w o r l d a n d get a w a y w i t h it, i s m i n g l e d w i t h
fear of each other a n d w i t h the terror that the revolution
strikes in them.
T h e i n t e r e s t s o f t h e s u p e r p o w e r s a n d those o f t h e
peoples a r e n o t i n a c c o r d a n d d o not c o i n c i d e a t a n y t i m e
o r i n a n y i n s t a n c e . F o r i m p e r i a l i s m t o e x i s t the peoples
m u s t b e e n s l a v e d , f o r t h e peoples t o b e l i b e r a t e d i m p e r i a l ism must be destroyed.
T h a t p o l i c y o f r e a c t i o n a r y classes w h i c h , t o protect
t h e i r o w n p o w e r a n d t o d e c e i v e t h e masses, r e l y o n one
or t h e o t h e r i m p e r i a l i s t state, p r e s e n t i n g t h e one as g o o d
a n d t h e o t h e r as b a d , t h e one as a s u p p o r t e r of the peoples
a n d t h e o t h e r as t h e i r e n e m y , the one as t h e c h a m p i o n of
peace a n d t h e o t h e r as a w a r m o n g e r , is v e r y d a n g e r o u s a n d
must b e f o u g h t t o t h e e n d . T h e s u p e r p o w e r s , i n d i v i d u a l l y
a n d j o i n t l y , are t h e m o s t f e r o c i o u s e n e m i e s o f the f r e e d o m
a n d i n d e p e n d e n c e o f t h e peoples, t h e p r o t e c t o r s a n d g u a rantors of reactionary regimes, supporters of national b o n d age t o f o r e i g n e r s a n d i n s t i g a t o r s o f f e u d s a n d c o n f l i c t s
between nations. T h e i r policy contains the direct danger
that m a n k i n d i s h u r l e d i n t o a t h i r d w o r l d w a r .
T h e r e f o r e , n o w a s i n t h e past, t h e s t r u g g l e o f a l l r e v o l u -
378
ENVER HOXHA
t i o n a r y , p r o g r e s s i v e a n d d e m o c r a t i c forces t o expose a n d
foil the predatory and enslaving plans of imperialist superp o w e r s is an h i s t o r i c necessity, a c o n d i t i o n a n d a d u t y f o r
t h e defence o f t h e f r e e d o m a n d s o v e r e i g n t y o f t h e peoples,
for the t r i u m p h of the revolution, for averting the w a r and
e n s u r i n g peace.
In one way or the other, in this or that form, all the
peoples encounter the interference of and are threatened
by the aggressive policy of American imperialism, which
represents the greatest capitalist power of our time and
the main defender of the bourgeois-imperialist system.
F r o m the e n d o f t h e S e c o n d W o r l d W a r , w h e n i t e m e r g e d
a t t h e h e a d o f the i m p e r i a l i s t p o w e r s a n d b e c a m e t h e m a i n
p r e t e n d e r t o w o r l d d o m i n a t i o n , t o t h i s day, A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m has caused t h e s h e d d i n g o f t o r r e n t s o f b l o o d b y
t h e peoples i t has a t t a c k e d , e i t h e r d i r e c t l y o r b y m e a n s o f
its obedient tools. I n e v e r y c o u n t e r - r e v o l u t i o n a r y process
w h i c h has o c c u r r e d i n t h e w o r l d , i n e v e r y fascist p u t s c h
and overthrow of democracy, in every attack on the
revolution and socialism, the h a n d of A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m
has a l w a y s been present. T h i s i s t h e i m p e r i a l i s m w h i c h h a s
m a d e its i n t e r f e r e n c e i n the i n t e r n a l a f f a i r s o f other c o u n tries, its d e s p o t i s m a n d dictate, a n o r m a l p r a c t i c e i n i n t e r n a t i o n a l l i f e , a n d w h i c h has t r a n s f o r m e d a g g r e s s i o n a n d
t h e t h r e a t of a g g r e s s i o n i n t o its basic p o l i c y a n d a p e r m a n e n t f o r m o f its a c t i v i t y .
A m e r i c a n c a p i t a l i s t h e greatest a n d m o s t i n s a t i a b l e
p l u n d e r e r o f t h e assets a n d t o i l o f t h e peoples t h a t h i s t o r y
has e v e r k n o w n . T h e A m e r i c a n c a p i t a l i s t c o m p a n i e s , w h i c h
h a v e e x t e n d e d t h e i r tentacles a l l o v e r t h e globe, v i o l a t e
the sovereignty of the nations in the most barbarous w a y
and m a k e the l a w in m a n y countries. Together w i t h the
e x p o r t o f c a p i t a l , A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m has also e x p o r t e d
its w a y o f life, c o r r u p t i o n a n d d e g e n e r a t i o n , t h e s p i r i t o f d e c adent c o s m o p o l i t a n i s m a n d s e r v i l e s u b m i s s i o n t o f o r e i g n e r s .
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
379
A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m has c o v e r e d t h e globe w i t h
m i l i t a r y bases, w h i c h a r e t h e m a i n outposts f o r its w a r
a n d aggression. I t p u r s u e s t h e p o l i c y o f s t r e n g t h e n i n g the
e x i s t i n g blocs a n d s e t t i n g u p n e w m i l i t a r y blocs, b y m e a n s
o f w h i c h i t e n s u r e s its o w n d o m i n a t i o n o v e r its p a r t n e r s ,
t h r e a t e n s t o p u t d o w n t h e r e v o l u t i o n a n d t h e people's
s t r u g g l e s w i t h f i r e a n d steel, a n d defends the s y s t e m o f
c a p i t a l i s t o p p r e s s i o n a n d v i o l e n c e b y force.
A t t h e p r e s e n t t i m e A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m has b e g u n
to a p p l y a harsher, more aggressive a n d more adventurous
line in foreign policy. It is relying more and more on
m i l i t a r y force. Reagan's n e w policy is clear evidence of this.
N o w A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m is demanding that the whole
o f w o r l d r e a c t i o n a n d c o u n t e r - r e v o l u t i o n a r y forces u n i t e
i n a s i n g l e c r u s a d e u n d e r t h e A m e r i c a n aegis against t h e
revolution, socialism, the freedom, independence, sove r e i g n t y o f t h e peoples a n d against the d e m o c r a t i c h u m a n
r i g h t s . C o n s i d e r i n g n e a r l y a l l t h e zones f r o m w h i c h o i l
a n d a l l the m a i n r a w m a t e r i a l s a r e e x t r a c t e d , a l l t h e sea
routes a n d a l l t h e s t r a t e g i c p o i n t s o f t h e globe a s «zones
o f A m e r i c a n interests», a n d b y o f f i c i a l l y d e c l a r i n g t h a t i t
w i l l i n t e r v e n e w i t h a r m s t o d e f e n d these «interests»,
A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m has c o m e out o p e n l y w i t h a concrete
p r o g r a m f o r t h e e x t e n s i o n o f its p o l i t i c a l a n d m i l i t a r y p o w e r
all o v e r t h e w o r l d . T h e c r e a t i o n o f t h e « r a p i d d e p l o y m e n t
force», t h a t great a g g r e s s i v e a r m y r e a d y t o i n t e r v e n e
a n y w h e r e t h a t P e n t a g o n sends i t t o e s t a b l i s h t h e d o m i n a t i o n
o f the U n i t e d States w i t h f i r e a n d steel, i s a n i n c o n t e s t a b l e
proof of t h i s course.
T h i s l i n e i s also e x p r e s s e d i n t h e n e w « d o c t r i n e » o f
Washington, begun by Carter and further developed by
Reagan, t h a t a l l e g e d l y peace i n t h e w o r l d a n d t h e s e c u r i t y
of peoples c a n be a c h i e v e d by m e a n s of t h e «increase of
the A m e r i c a n p o w e r a n d s u p e r i o r i t y » . I n r e a l i t y , t h i s «doctrine» i n c i t e s g e n e r a l i m p e r i a l i s t w a r a n d b r i n g s i t closer.
380
ENVER HOXHA
The unprecedented build-up of various weapons, f r o m the
conventional weapons to atomic bombs equivalent to h u n d r e d s o f megatons, t h e i n c i t e m e n t o f t h e m i l i t a r i s t s p i r i t
a n d the total mobilization to achieve m i l i t a r y superiority
o v e r t h e S o v i e t r i v a l a t a n y cost, a r e c r e a t i n g t h e concept
in A m e r i c a n leading circles that w a r is not only inevitable,
b u t also a n i m p e r a t i v e necessity.
A l l these t h i n g s s h o w t h a t t h e w o r l d w i l l b e f a c e d
w i t h a n i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n o f the a g g r e s s i v e p o l i c y o f A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m , a n increase i n its i n t e r f e r e n c e i n i n t e r n a l
a f f a i r s o f other c o u n t r i e s a n d e s p e c i a l l y i n t h e u s e o f its
m i l i t a r y force.
I n these c o n d i t i o n s a n y concession o r g i v i n g w a y t o
A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m , a n y i l l u s i o n t h a t its p o l i c y m i g h t
c h a n g e f o r the better, c a r r i e s great d a n g e r s f o r t h e f r e e d o m ,
i n d e p e n d e n c e a n d s o v e r e i g n t y o f t h e peoples.
Today the hegemonic and expansionist policy for the
establishment of world domination, the adventurous course
for the preparation and incitement of war also characterize
Soviet social-imperialism, the global strategy of which and
especially the ways in which it is applied have likewise
become more aggressive.
Beginning w i t h the occupation of Czechoslovakia, the
p o l i c y o f t h e S o v i e t U n i o n has g r a d u a l l y a s s u m e d a p r o n o u n c e d m i l i t a r i s t c h a r a c t e r w h i c h i s e x p r e s s e d i n the use
o f m i l i t a r y f o r c e t o r e a l i z e its e x p a n s i o n i s t a i m s . Its m i l i t a r y
i n t e r v e n t i o n s f o l l o w e d one a n o t h e r . A f t e r C z e c h o s l o v a k i a
came A n g o l a , Y e m e n , Ethiopia, Eritrea, into w h i c h the
Soviets intervened by t h i r d parties. F i n a l l y came A f g h a n i s t a n . A f g h a n i s t a n m a r k e d t h e c o m m e n c e m e n t o f t h e great
m a r c h of Soviet social-imperialism towards the South,
w h e r e the w o r l d ' s greatest resources o f e n e r g y a r e f o u n d ,
together w i t h t h e most i m p o r t a n t s t r a t e g i c j u n c t i o n s a n d
the f i e l d s w h e r e t h e most acute i m p e r i a l i s t r i v a l r i e s c o l l i d e
w i t h one a n o t h e r .
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
381
T h e p o l i c y o f t h e S o v i e t U n i o n has a s s u m e d the s a m e
aggressive, e x p a n s i o n i s t , w a r - m o n g e r i n g f e a t u r e s a s those
o f t h e U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a . T h i s i s c l e a r l y a p p a r e n t
f r o m t h e s a m e o b j e c t i v e s w h i c h t h e y h a v e chosen a n d t h e
p a r a l l e l courses o n w h i c h t h e y a r e p r o c e e d i n g . T h e S o v i e t
U n i o n i s s e e k i n g m i l i t a r y bases i n f o r e i g n c o u n t r i e s a n d
c r e a t i n g p o l i t i c a l - m i l i t a r y a l l i a n c e s w i t h other c o u n t r i e s t o
h a v e t h e m a s outposts f o r t h e e x t e n s i o n o f its d o m i n a t i o n
o v e r t h e peoples a n d i n its contest w i t h A m e r i c a n i m p e r ialism. L i k e w i s e , it is not lagging b e h i n d in the armaments
race. T h e S o v i e t s h a v e n o w a h u g e m i l i t a r y a r s e n a l w h i c h
they are continuously b u i l d i n g up and perfecting in the
preparations w h i c h they are m a k i n g for the outbreak of
the w a r . T h e m i l i t a r i z e d S o v i e t e c o n o m y has b e e n p l a c e d
in the service of realizing the plans of this n e w imperialist
s u p e r p o w e r f o r conquests.
A s a r e s u l t o f a l l these t h i n g s , t h e S o v i e t U n i o n h a s
been u n m a s k e d b e f o r e t h e peoples as a f e r o c i o u s i m p e r i a l i s t
power w h i c h is openly threatening and endangering their
freedom and independence.
N e v e r t h e l e s s , a m o n g c e r t a i n people a n d p o l i t i c a l forces
in various countries, illusions about the Soviet U n i o n still
exist a n d t h e r e i s a m i s t a k e n concept a b o u t t h e o r d e r w h i c h
exists t h e r e a n d a n a i v e t r u s t i n its p o l i c y . T h i s comes
about n o t o n l y f r o m the fact t h a t t h e S o v i e t U n i o n g a m b l e s
h e a v i l y o n its socialist past a n d t h a t i t p e d d l e s its p o l i c y o f
r i v a l r y w i t h t h e U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a a s a n a n t i - i m p e r ialist p o l i c y , b u t also f o r m a n y o t h e r reasons. T h e m a i n
one a m o n g t h e m i s t h a t t h e S o v i e t e x p a n s i o n i s g e n e r a l l y
carried out t h r o u g h its p e n e t r a t i o n i n t o t h e a n t i - i m p e r i a l i s t ,
l i b e r a t i o n m o v e m e n t s , t r a n s f o r m i n g t h e m i n t o its i n s t r u ments a n d e x p l o i t i n g t h e m t o its o w n a d v a n t a g e . T h e facts
have s h o w n t h a t n o t o n l y those w h o h a v e t r u s t e d t h e
«internationalist a i d » o f t h e S o v i e t U n i o n , but also those
w h o h a v e b e l i e v e d t h a t t h e y c a n r e l y o n S o v i e t «aid» a n d
382
ENVER HOXHA
a l l i a n c e w i t h i t i n o r d e r t o oppose o r g a i n l i b e r a t i o n f r o m
A m e r i c a n imperialism and other imperialisms, have become
v i c t i m s o f its e x p a n s i o n .
It is particularly important to u n m a s k the pacifist dem a g o g y o f t h e S o v i e t U n i o n , t h e K h r u s h c h e v i t e slogans o f
« p e a c e f u l coexistence» a n d t h e m i s l e a d i n g r e v i s i o n i s t p r o p a g a n d a w h i c h t r i e s t o c o n v i n c e t h e peoples t h a t a v e r t i n g
w a r a n d e n s u r i n g peace, i n d e e d e v e n n a t i o n a l i n d e p e n d e n c e
a n d social t r a n s f o r m a t i o n s , d e p e n d o n t h e s o - c a l l e d détente
b e t w e e n t h e t w o s u p e r p o w e r s . T h e peoples d o n o t w a n t
m o u n t i n g t e n s i o n , the d e v e l o p m e n t o f acute conflicts, o r
t h e use of force in t h e s e t t l e m e n t of i n t e r n a t i o n a l p r o b l e m s .
B u t t h e so-called détente, w h i c h t h e S o v i e t r e v i s i o n i s t s
advocate, has n o t h i n g a t a l l t o d o w i t h g u a r a n t e e i n g i n t e r n a t i o n a l peace a n d s e c u r i t y w h i c h are t h r e a t e n e d p r e c i s e l y
by the t w o imperialist superpowers.
T h e détente t r u m p e t e d b y t h e S o v i e t r e v i s i o n i s t s a n d
t h e others i s n o t h i n g b u t t h e o l d i m p e r i a l i s t t h e o r y o f
balance and h a r m o n y a m o n g the great powers. T h e theories
of «détente», «balance», or « b i p o l a r i s m » , w h i c h , despite some
n u a n c e i n f o r m , are i d e n t i c a l i n content, are i n t e n d e d t o
g u a r a n t e e t h e m u t u a l spheres o f i n f l u e n c e , t o r a i s e t h e
dictate o f s u p e r p o w e r s i n w o r l d a f f a i r s , t h e c o m p l e t e a n d
unconditional submission of other countries to the t w o
supergreat and abandonment of their n a t i o n a l interests a n d
sovereignty, to international law.
The imperialist-revisionist policy of war, oppression
and exploitation has run into the great resistance of the
proletariat and the peoples of the world. T h e peoples u n d e r s t a n d the i n t r i g u e s , m a n o e u v r e s , s t r a t e g y a n d t a c t i c s o f t h e
savage s u p e r p o w e r s — the U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a a n d
t h e r e v i s i o n i s t S o v i e t U n i o n , a n d are n o t s i t t i n g i d l e .
T h e w o r l d t o d a y i s w i t n e s s t o t h e fact t h a t t h e s t r u g g l e
o f t h e w o r k i n g class a n d t h e peoples, o p p r e s s e d a n d e x p l o i t e d b y w o r l d c a p i t a l a n d i m p e r i a l i s m , has a s s u m e d
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w i d e p r o p o r t i o n s a n d a v a r i e t y o f f o r m s n e v e r seen b e f o r e .
T h e w o r k i n g class a n d a l l t h e e x p l o i t e d , i n one w a y o r
a n o t h e r , w i t h g r e a t e r o r lesser i n t e n s i t y , a r e f i g h t i n g a g a i n s t
a l l the c a p i t a l i s t r u l i n g forces, w h e t h e r l o c a l o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l ,
w h i c h e x p l o i t t h e m , i m p o v e r i s h t h e m a n d oppress t h e m
economically and morally.
I n a l l the c a p i t a l i s t c o u n t r i e s , t h e r e s i s t a n c e o f t h e
w o r k i n g class t o t h e a t t a c k s o f the b o u r g e o i s i e a n d its s t r u g gle t o d e f e n d its s t a n d a r d o f l i v i n g a n d d e m o c r a t i c r i g h t s
have extended. Not only have the strikes, demonstrations
a n d manifestations become more frequent, but the p a r t i c i p a t i o n o f w o r k e r s i n t h e m has also r e a c h e d u n p r e c e dented figures. M i l l i o n s of w o r k e r s are on strike in the
U S A , i n B r i t a i n , i n the F R G , i n I t a l y , i n F r a n c e , S p a i n a n d
elsewhere. These strikes and demonstrations are assuming
a more and more militant character. Proof of this is the
fact t h a t i n m a n y c o u n t r i e s o f E u r o p e a n d A m e r i c a t h e
a p p a r a t u s e s o f b o u r g e o i s v i o l e n c e h a v e b e e n o b l i g e d t o use
their weapons and fight the workers, as w e l l as to take
o t h e r r e s t r i c t i v e a n d r e p r e s s i v e measures. Cases i n w h i c h
t h e w o r k e r s d o n o t obey t o b o u r g e o i s t r a d e - u n i o n s a n d
c o m e o u t i n t h e streets against t h e desire a n d o r d e r s o f t h e
t r a d e - u n i o n bosses h a v e i n c r e a s e d .
I n t h e p r e s e n t p e r i o d t h e w o r k e r s ' s t r u g g l e has been
d i r e c t e d e s p e c i a l l y against t h e consequences o f t h e e c o n o m i c
crisis, t h e b u r d e n o f w h i c h t h e b o u r g e o i s i e w a n t s t o t h r o w
o n t o t h e w o r k i n g class. T h e w o r k i n g masses h a v e r i s e n
a g a i n s t t h i s n e w i n j u s t i c e a n d r o b b e r y a n d are d e m a n d i n g
that this b u r d e n should not f a l l on them, but on t h e i r
employers. T h e y are f i g h t i n g to retain their jobs a n d real
wage levels, f i g h t i n g against i n f l a t i o n a n d the increasing
cost o f l i v i n g , f i g h t i n g f o r i n c r e a s e d f u n d s f o r h e a l t h , e d u c a t i o n , s o c i a l assistance, etc.
The social and political demagogy of capitalism a n d
the o p p o r t u n i s m a n d sabotage a c t i v i t y o f s o c i a l - d e m o c r a c y ,
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ENVER HOXHA
revisionism and the trade-unions under their control are
also b e i n g e x p o s e d a n d u n m a s k e d i n t h i s d a i l y c o n f r o n t a t i o n
b e t w e e n t h e w o r k i n g class a n d the bourgeoisie. T h i s a n g e r
and revolt, w h i c h is hitting the capitalist and revisionist
bourgeoisie i n d i f f e r e n t f o r m s a n d w i t h d i f f e r e n t i n t e n s i t i e s ,
i s also a d i r e c t a n d p o w e r f u l b l o w a g a i n s t t h e s i n i s t e r forces
of w a r w h i c h want the destruction of m a n k i n d .
In the capitalist and revisionist countries today, the
w o r k i n g class i s b o u n d b y m a n y c h a i n s w i t h w h i c h t h e
b o u r g e o i s state a n d the v a r i o u s p a r t i e s h a v e s h a c k l e d it.
B u t t h i s state o f a f f a i r s w i l l n o t last f o r ever. T h e i n c r e a s i n g l y acute c o n t r a d i c t i o n s b e t w e e n l a b o u r a n d c a p i t a l
and the capitalist and imperialist oppression in general are
a c c e l e r a t i n g t h e r i s e i n t h e p o l i t i c a l a n d class consciousness
o f t h e p r o l e t a r i a t a n d m a k i n g i t conscious t h a t i t c a n
escape o p p r e s s i o n a n d e x p l o i t a t i o n o n l y t h r o u g h class s t r u g gle, o n l y t h r o u g h r e v o l u t i o n .
Besides the upsurge a n d extension of the struggle of
t h e w o r k i n g class, a g e n e r a l a w a k e n i n g of t h e o p p r e s s e d
peoples, a s t r e n g t h e n i n g of n a t i o n a l feelings, a n d a g r e a t e r
d e s i r e t o b e free, i n d e p e n d e n t a n d s o v e r e i g n c a n b e seen
t o d a y . T h e peoples' l i b e r a t i o n m o v e m e n t s h a v e g r o w n i n
extent and enhanced their quality, their anti-imperialist,
a n t i - s o c i a l - i m p e r i a l i s t a n d a n t i - n e o - c o l o n i a l i s t c h a r a c t e r has
been strengthened.
T h e s t r u g g l e o f t h e I r a n i a n people, w h o rose i n r e v o l u tion and swept a w a y the S h a h and his mediaeval regime
a n d t h r e w out h i s A m e r i c a n p a t r o n s , w a s a h e a v y b l o w t o
i m p e r i a l i s m . I n I r a n , t h e U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a s u f f e r e d
a m a j o r p o l i t i c a l defeat w h i c h i t i s u n a b l e t o r e v e r s e t h r o u g h
diplomatic methods and economic b l a c k m a i l , or even
through military intervention, as it attempted and failed
t o d o a t T a b a z . I n I r a n , A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m lost one o f
its m o s t i m p o r t a n t sources o f o i l , lost colossal p r o f i t s a n d
lost its c r e d i b i l i t y a s a n i n v i n c i b l e p r o t e c t o r o f its A r a b
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«allies» o f t h e P e r s i a n G u l f . T h e E g y p t i a n - I s r a e l i c o m promise at C a m p D a v i d was shaken, a n d open and
s u r r e p t i t i o u s d i s a g r e e m e n t s w i t h its N A T O p a r t n e r s e m erged.
T h e s t r u g g l e o f t h e A r a b peoples against t h e I s r a e l i
occupiers a n d t h e i r A m e r i c a n p a t r o n s has a s s u m e d g r e a t e r
proportions and intensity. In the centre of this struggle
s t a n d t h e h e r o i c P a l e s t i n i a n people w h o , i n e x t r a o r d i n a r i l y
difficult conditions, have been w a g i n g a titanic battle for
tens o f y e a r s t o r e g a i n t h e h o m e l a n d d e n i e d t h e m , t o secure
their rights and live free and independent on their mother
soil. The people of A f g h a n i s t a n are f i g h t i n g v a l i a n t l y and
b o l d l y against t h e S o v i e t s o c i a l - i m p e r i a l i s t s a n d the l o c a l
lackeys to regain their national independence.
T h e peoples o f L a t i n A m e r i c a a r e s h e d d i n g t h e i r b l o o d
i n t h e f i g h t a g a i n s t t h e fascist d i c t a t o r s h i p s , w h i c h a r e
kept i n p o w e r w i t h , t h e d i r e c t a i d o f A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m .
The liberation and revolutionary movement there is g r o w i n g
and d e e p e n i n g a n d i n m a n y cases has succeeded i n c o n q u e r i n g t h e e n e m i e s a n d e m e r g i n g t r i u m p h a n t . T h e most
recent e v i d e n c e o f t h i s i s t h e t r i u m p h o f t h e r e v o l u t i o n
i n N i c a r a g u a , w h i c h o v e r t h r e w one o f t h e m o s t r e a c t i o n a r y
regimes — t h a t of S o m o s a , t h e o u t b r e a k of t h e r e v o l u t i o n
i n S a l v a d o r , etc. I n t h e « b a c k y a r d » o f t h e U n i t e d States
great t e m p e s t s are b l o w i n g u p , t e m p e s t s w h i c h c a n n o t b e
stopped, e i t h e r w i t h w e a p o n s o r w i t h d o l l a r s .
T h e A f r i c a n c o n t i n e n t i s not passive, e i t h e r . T h a n k s
to a l o n g a n d p e r s i s t e n t s t r u g g l e , t h e o v e r w h e l m i n g m a j o r i t y
o f the A f r i c a n c o u n t r i e s w o n t h e i r state i n d e p e n d e n c e one
after the other. T h r o u g h a r m e d s t r u g g l e the b l a c k p o p u l a t i o n
o f Z i m b a b w e s u c c e e d e d i n w i n n i n g its r i g h t s , w h i c h a
r e a c t i o n a r y m i n o r i t y o f o l d c o l o n i a l i s t s d e n i e d it. H o w e v e r ,
Namibia and the people of S o u t h A f r i c a , w h o continue to
live i n s e g r e g a t i o n a n d w i t h o u t a n y r i g h t s , are n o t y e t
liberated. T h e peoples o f A f r i c a h a v e n o t r e c o n c i l e d a n d
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ENVER HOXHA
c a n n o t r e c o n c i l e t h e m s e l v e s t o r a c i s m . Its e x i s t e n c e i n s u l t s
a n d angers a l l t h e A f r i c a n peoples.
T h e peoples' n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n w a r s , t h e b l o o d s h e d
b y t h e peoples w h o are f i g h t i n g f o r f r e e d o m a n d i n d e pendence, r e f l e c t t h e h a t r e d f o r a n d a n g e r a g a i n s t c a p i t a l i s t
exploitation and the imperialist yoke. T h e y c o n f i r m L e n i n ' s
theses a b o u t i m p e r i a l i s m a s c a p i t a l i s m i n decay, a s t h e
eve o f p r o l e t a r i a n r e v o l u t i o n s . T h e y c o n f i r m t h a t i m p e r i a l i s m i s h e a d i n g f o r t h e abyss, t h a t i t i s n o l o n g e r c a p a b l e
o f s t o p p i n g t h e r e v o l u t i o n a r y d r i v e o f t h e peoples w h o
d a r e t o r i s e against i t a n d are n o t i n t i m i d a t e d b y t h e i m p e r i a l i s t pressures, t h r e a t s a n d e v e n a r m e d i n t e r v e n t i o n s .
The international situation and the danger of war are
becoming even more acute because of the grave economic,
political and ideological crisis which has swept the capitalist
and revisionist world today. T h e p r e s e n t e c o n o m i c c r i s i s
i s the clearest a n d t h e m o s t c o n c r e t e e x p r e s s i o n o f t h e
d e e p e n i n g o f the g e n e r a l c r i s i s o f c a p i t a l i s m . U n l i k e t h e c r i sis o f t h e 30's, w h i c h i n c l u d e d t h e U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a
a n d the b i g d e v e l o p e d c o u n t r i e s e s p e c i a l l y , t h e p r e s e n t c r i s i s
has e n g u l f e d a l l t h e c a p i t a l i s t c o u n t r i e s , d e v e l o p e d o r u n developed, without exception. T h i s greater extent a n d
depth of the crisis results f r o m certain n e w factors in the
development of the capitalist system after the Second
W o r l d W a r , s u c h a s t h e f u r t h e r increase i n t h e c o n c e n t r a tion and internationalization of capital, the establishment
of the almost complete domination of the dollar in the
w o r l d financial system, the extension of the activity of
multi-national companies and their ever increasing weight
in w o r l d production and the g r o w t h beyond all bounds of
non-productive expenditure, especially on armaments.
T h e class a n d l i b e r a t i o n struggles, t h e g e n e r a l w e a k e n i n g o f the p o s i t i o n s o f i m p e r i a l i s m , w h i c h c a m e a b o u t a s
a r e s u l t of t h e d e s t r u c t i o n of t h e c o l o n i a l s y s t e m a n d t h e
emergence of scores of n e w states, w h i c h , to t h i s or t h a t
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387
extent, are fighting to achieve complete political and
economic independence, have exerted an influence, indeed
a great a n d d e c i s i v e i n f l u e n c e , o n t h e b i r t h a n d d e v e l o p m e n t
o f t h e p r e s e n t crisis.
L i k e a l l t h e o t h e r crises, the p r e s e n t c r i s i s i s one o f
overproduction. It is the offspring and an inevitable pheno m e n o n o f t h e c a p i t a l i s t s y s t e m . U n l i k e t h e others, t h i s
crisis is continuing for a long time a n d there is no sign of
e m e r g i n g f r o m it.
T h e c a p i t a l i s t e c o n o m y r e m a i n s i n s t a g n a t i o n . I n some
countries production is declining further or showing only
some u n i m p o r t a n t increase. B e c a u s e o f t h e r e s t r i c t i o n o f
m a r k e t s , e x p o r t s a r e d e c l i n i n g o n a w o r l d scale. T h e p r o d u c t i v e capacities o f t h e b i g i n d u s t r i a l i z e d c o u n t r i e s a r e
b e i n g u t i l i z e d less a n d less. U n e m p l o y m e n t i n those c o u n tries h a s r e a c h e d 2 5 m i l l i o n people. I n f l a t i o n i s r i s i n g c o n tinuously.
L i k e a n y o t h e r crisis, b u t m o r e s o i n t h i s case, the
present c r i s i s has p r o v e d that, i r r e s p e c t i v e o f t h e e x t e r n a l
f o r m s i t m a y a s s u m e d u r i n g its d e v e l o p m e n t , t h e b o u r g e o i s
system c a n n o t e n s u r e a h a r m o n i o u s g r o w t h of t h e e c o n o m y ,
cannot e n s u r e w o r k a n d f o o d f o r a l l t h e w o r k i n g people,
cannot a v o i d e c o n o m i c c a t a s t r o p h e s , a n d t h e d e s t r u c t i o n o f
p r o d u c t i v e forces a n d t h e n a t i o n a l w e a l t h c r e a t e d w i t h
the s w e a t a n d b l o o d o f t h e w o r k i n g people.
T h e p r e s e n t c r i s i s i s t h e c r i s i s a n d f a i l u r e o f state
m o n o p o l y c a p i t a l i s m . T h e m e c h a n i s m o f t h e state m o n o p o l y
r e g u l a t i o n o f t h e e c o n o m y has n o t o n l y p r o v e d t o b e
powerless against t h e crises, b u t has b e e n t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o
another f a c t o r i n c r e a s i n g t h e e c o n o m i c d i f f i c u l t i e s . T h u s ,
i t has b e e n p r o v e d t h a t t h e i n t e r v e n t i o n o f t h e m o n o p o l y
state, t h e c a p i t a l i s t p r o g r a m m i n g , are u n a b l e t o e l i m i n a t e
competition, t o e n s u r e f u l l e m p l o y m e n t o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n
and t o e l i m i n a t e t h e obstacles t o e x t e n d e d s o c i a l r e p r o d u c tion.
388
ENVER HOXHA
W i t h t h e p r e s e n t crisis, t h e m o d e l o f t h e c a p i t a l i s t
« c o n s u m e r » society h a s r e c e i v e d a c r u s h i n g b l o w . T h e e c o n o m i c theories o f p r e s e n t - d a y c a p i t a l i s m , s p r e a d a n d a p p l i e d
in a l l the big capitalist countries, a n d w h i c h inspired a
number of revisionist countries in their economic reforms,
h a v e gone b a n k r u p t a l o n g w i t h it.
M o r e o v e r , t h e present c r i s i s has c l e a r l y s h o w n t h e d e c a y
o f t h e c a p i a l i s t s y s t e m , n o t o n l y i n its c l a s s i c a l f o r m , b u t
also i n t h e f o r m o f c a p i t a l i s m w h i c h p r e v a i l s i n t h e S o v i e t
U n i o n — state m o n o p o l y c a p i t a l i s m , a n d its s u p e r s t r u c t u r e s .
This capitalist f o r m of the domination and exploitation of
the w o r k i n g people c o u l d n o t a v o i d t h e d i s t u r b a n c e s i n t h e
economy, t h e d i s o r g a n i z a t i o n o f t h e p r o d u c t i v e forces, t h e
d e c l i n e i n p r o d u c t i o n , the f a l l i n t h e s t a n d a r d o f l i v i n g o f
t h e w o r k i n g masses, a n d t h e s p r e a d o f t h e i l l s w h i c h b o u r geois society creates.
If we w e r e to m a k e a general characterization of
present-day capitalist and revisionist w o r l d economy we
w o u l d s a y t h a t i t i s i n a state o f s t a g n a t i o n , w h i c h i s
more and more degrading the internal social relations a n d
t h e r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n states. W h a t s t a n d s out m o s t o b v i o u s l y
is t h e i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n of a g e n e r a l a t t a c k on t h e s t a n d a r d
o f l i v i n g a n d the r i g h t s o f t h e w o r k i n g people. I n a l m o s t
a l l countries, expenditure on health, education, a i d for
c h i l d r e n , pensions, etc., is b e i n g cut d r a s t i c a l l y .
A l o n g w i t h the worsening economic situation of the
w o r k i n g people, i n m o s t o f t h e c a p i t a l i s t c o u n t r i e s t h e r e
are m o u n t i n g d e m a n d s f o r «strong» g o v e r n m e n t s , w i t h t h e
purpose of imposing anti-worker measures on the population
a n d k e e p i n g i n check t h e m o u n t i n g class s t r u g g l e . I n some
c o u n t r i e s m i l i t a r y p u t s c h e s are c a r r i e d out, t h e r e i s t e r r o r i s m and anarchy, organized by the bourgeois capitalist
governments in power, there is illegal t r a f f i c k i n g on a
colossal scale, r o b b e r y o r g a n i z e d o n a n a t i o n a l a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l scale, a n d a hideous, u n l i m i t e d d e v e l o p m e n t of
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389
physical, moral and political corruption. Fascism is knocking
a t t h e gates o f m a n y c o u n t r i e s .
I n a l l d i r e c t i o n s a n d i n a l l aspects t h e p r e s e n t c r i s i s
proves that M a r x ' s analysis of capital and Lenin's conclusions a b o u t i m p e r i a l i s m r e m a i n n o t o n l y correct b u t also
t h e f u n d a m e n t a l s c i e n t i f i c basis f o r u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e
p r e s e n t s o c i a l processes g o i n g o n i n t h e c a p i t a l i s t w o r l d
and the tendencies of their development.
The economic crisis and the aggressive course of the
superpowers have made all the contradictions between the
imperialist powers more acute and struck heavy blows at
their blocs and alliances. T h e e c o n o m i c , p o l i t i c a l a n d
m i l i t a r y r e l a t i o n s w i t h i n the v a r i o u s i m p e r i a l i s t a n d r e v i sionist g r o u p i n g s h a v e b e e n s h a k e n . T h e m e m b e r s o f
W e s t e r n a n d E a s t e r n g r o u p i n g s are t r y i n g t o e x p l o i t v a r i o u s
splits a n d t o f i n d excuses f o r n o t a b i d i n g b y t h e c o m m i t ments, t r e a t i e s a n d a g r e e m e n t s w h i c h e x i s t a m o n g t h e m .
N e w c o n f l i c t s a n d r i v a l r i e s h a v e been a d d e d t o t h e o l d ones.
T h i s i s m o r e o b v i o u s e s p e c i a l l y i n t h e W e s t e r n bloc.
T h e A m e r i c a n p o l i c y o f t h e b i g s t i c k against t h e p e o p l e s
is a c c o m p a n i e d w i t h a t i g h t e n i n g of t h e s c r e w s on i t s
p a r t n e r s a n d clients. F r o m E u r o p e , J a p a n a n d C h i n a , A m e r ican i m p e r i a l i s m d e m a n d s n o t o n l y c o l l a b o r a t i o n i n a l l
fields, b u t also c o m p l e t e s u b m i s s i o n . I t i s t r y i n g t o d i c t a t e
t o its N A T O a l l i e s t h a t t h e y i n c r e a s e t h e i r m i l i t a r y b u d g e t s
and accept t h e s t a t i o n i n g o f t h e n e w A m e r i c a n « P e r s h i n g »
and « C r u i s e » m i s s i l e s o n t h e i r t e r r i t o r i e s , t h a t t h e y d o n o t
emerge w i t h a p o l i c y o f t h e i r o w n a n d d o n o t f l i r t w i t h t h e
Soviet U n i o n o r t h e A r a b s . H o w e v e r , t h e s i t u a t i o n i n t h e
w o r l d t o d a y a n d t h e c o n d i t i o n o f t h e U n i t e d States o f
A m e r i c a i t s e l f a r e n o l o n g e r w h a t t h e y w e r e i n the t i m e o f
T r u m a n and the M a r s h a l l P l a n .
Today, the political and economic power of the U n i t e d
States i s d e c l i n i n g i n c o m p a r i s o n w i t h t h a t o f W e s t e r n
Europe. T h e c o m p e t i t i o n f r o m t h e C o m m o n M a r k e t a n d
390
ENVER HOXHA
J a p a n has become v e r y p o w e r f u l a n d t h r e a t e n i n g . W h e r e a s
i n 1950 the i n d u s t r i a l p r o d u c t i o n o f t h e U n i t e d States o f
America was two-thirds of world industrial production,
t o d a y i t i s o n e - t h i r d o f it. W h e r e a s t h e U S A a t t h a t t i m e
possessed 50 p e r cent of t h e w o r l d m o n e t a r y reserves, t o d a y
i t has o n l y 7 p e r cent o f t h e m . T h e l e a d e r s h i p o f A m e r i c a n
i m p e r i a l i s m has b e e n g r e a t l y w e a k e n e d a n d i s a c c e p t e d
reluctantly.
The European members of N A T O have now organized
a n d strengthened their economic potential w i t h i n their
countries and abroad, have strengthened their o w n m i l i t a r y
arsenal, and have created their reactionary organism — the
E u r o p e a n C o m m o n M a r k e t . Its t e n d e n c y i s t o oppose t h e
A m e r i c a n dictate a s m u c h a s i t can, t o r e s t r i c t t h e A m e r i c a n
e x p a n s i o n i n t o t h e m a r k e t s o f its m e m b e r c o u n t r i e s , t o
c o m p e t e o n t h e A m e r i c a n m a r k e t a n d t o e x t e n d its o w n
m a r k e t s . E a c h o f t h e b i g states o f W e s t e r n E u r o p e has
b e g u n t o r e - c r e a t e a n d s t r e n g t h e n its o w n spheres o f i n f l u e n c e o n a n e x t e n s i v e scale.
T h e strategy of the E u r o p e a n monopolies is a i m e d at
the transformation of Europe, first into an economic superpower, then into a political superpower, and later still into
a m i l i t a r y s u p e r p o w e r . H o w e v e r , these a r e f i e l d s i n w h i c h
i t w i l l come i n t o c o l l i s i o n w i t h t h e s u p e r p o w e r s a n d o t h e r
imperialist powers.
O n the c h e s s - b o a r d o f t h e p r e s e n t s i t u a t i o n , a v e r y
f a v o u r a b l e piece f o r t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s o f A m e r i c a i s
C h i n a , a n d J a p a n a l o n g w i t h it. T r u e , C h i n a i s a w e a k e r
p a r t n e r t h a n « U n i t e d E u r o p e » , b u t i t has g r e a t e r n e e d
for A m e r i c a and is very hostile to the Soviet U n i o n .
F o r t h i s r e a s o n A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m has d e c i d e d t o
provide C h i n a w i t h m a n y armaments, including offensive
w e a p o n s . A t the s a m e t i m e , i t i s p u t t i n g p r e s s u r e o n J a p a n
t o increase its m i l i t a r y budget, its a r m y a n d a r m a m e n t s .
A l r e a d y a new imperialist alliance between the U n i t e d
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
391
States, J a p a n a n d C h i n a has t a k e n f o r m i n t h e F a r East,
a n d t h i s constitutes a n o t h e r d a n g e r t h a t l o c a l w a r s , o r a
g e n e r a l w a r , w i l l b r e a k out. A p a r t f r o m A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m , w h i c h has c o n s i d e r e d the vast expanses o f the
P a c i f i c O c e a n a s its i n d i s p u t a b l e spheres o f i n f l u e n c e , n o w
J a p a n , too, a n e c o n o m i c s u p e r p o w e r w i t h n e w i m p e r i a l
a m b i t i o n s , has e m e r g e d w i t h h e g e m o n i c p r e t e n s i o n s . C h i n a ,
w h i c h d r e a m s o f b e c o m i n g t h e sole r u l e r o f A s i a a n d
O c e a n i a , also, has s i m i l a r a m b i t i o n s i n t h i s zone. T h e
U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a , f o r its p a r t , i s t r y i n g t o d i r e c t
the expansionist tendencies of C h i n a and J a p a n towards the
Soviet Union.
I n o r d e r t o cope w i t h a n d c o u n t e r t h e A m e r i c a n - S i n o J a p a n e s e f r o n t i n A s i a , t h e S o v i e t U n i o n i s t r y i n g t o get
f o o t h o l d s i n A f r i c a , the M i d d l e East, P a k i s t a n , I n d o c h i n a ,
a n d i f possible, also i n I n d i a , w h i l e i n E u r o p e i t seeks t o
m a i n t a i n a «détente» w i t h t h e C o m m o n M a r k e t a n d p u r s u e s
a p o l i c y to s p l i t t h e f r o n t s . In other w o r d s , it is m a k i n g
e v e r y e f f o r t t o w e a k e n t h e e n c i r c l e m e n t a r o u n d it, t o s p l i t
the m i l i t a r y bloc w h i c h is being prepared and developed
o n its t w o f l a n k s — i n E u r o p e a n d A s i a , a n d t o secure
d o m i n a n t strategic p o s i t i o n s f o r a n e v e n t u a l w a r . H o w ever, E u r o p e , f o r w h i c h t h e S o v i e t U n i o n constitutes a
great threat, does not w a n t to be e n d a n g e r e d , e i t h e r . It
is r e a d y to set t h e others, e s p e c i a l l y t h e S i n o - J a p a n e s e
front, fighting the Soviet U n i o n so that this front draws
the c h e s t n u t s out of the f i r e f o r it.
M o r e o v e r , i t also has its i n t e r n a l p r o b l e m s w h i c h
f r e q u e n t l y b i n d i t h a n d a n d foot. « U n i t e d E u r o p e » i s not
i n t e r n a l l y u n i t e d . T h e P a r l i a m e n t o f S t r a s s b u r g cannot
settle its m a n y p r o b l e m s a n d t h e c o n t r a d i c t i o n s w h i c h are
e r o d i n g t h e C o m m o n M a r k e t . T h e feuds, r i v a l r i e s a n d
o p p o s i n g interests of e a c h state a r e i n c r e a s i n g to s u c h an
extent that they are p u t t i n g the v e r y existence of this
Market in jeopardy.
392
ENVER HOXHA
T h e c o n t r a d i c t i o n s a n d d i s a g r e e m e n t s h a v e become v e r y
acute, also, w i t h i n the so-called socialist c o m m u n i t y . T h e
S o v i e t U n i o n itself i s i n s u c h d i f f i c u l t i e s t h a t i t i s n o l o n g e r
able to f u l f i l the d e m a n d s of t h e a l l i e d c o u n t r i e s f o r a
n o r m a l d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e i r economies. H a v i n g l o n g ago
t u r n e d into appendages o f the S o v i e t e c o n o m y , these c o u n tries are o b l i g e d t o s u b m i t t o its u p s a n d d o w n s a n d
caprices.
T h e r e are f r i c t i o n s a n d q u a r r e l s also because o f the
t e n d e n c y of the satellite c o u n t r i e s to m o v e closer to a n d
c o l l a b o r a t e w i t h the West. T h e S o v i e t U n i o n t r i e s t o h i n d e r
this rapprochement and to keep the countries of Eastern
Europe bound to it w i t h chains. To this end, it is t r y i n g in
every w a y to strengthen the W a r s a w Treaty, Comecon and
the other o r g a n i s m s o f e c o n o m i c a n d p o l i t i c a l i n t e g r a t i o n ,
t o r e i n f o r c e its m i l i t a r y g a r r i s o n s i n these c o u n t r i e s , etc.
W h e n this cannot b e a c h i e v e d t h r o u g h a g r e e m e n t , i t acts
w i t h t a n k s , a s i t d i d i n C h e c h o s l o v a k i a i n 1968.
T h e best e v i d e n c e o f the g r a v e s i t u a t i o n i n t h e «socialist
c o m m u n i t y » a n d o f the deep c o n t r a d i c t i o n s e r o d i n g i t a r e
the recent events i n P o l a n d , w h i c h h a v e l e d t h a t c o u n t r y
t o the b r i n k o f e c o n o m i c c a t a s t r o p h e a n d t o m a j o r s o c i a l
a n d p o l i t i c a l u p h e a v a l s . T h e s e are consequences o f t h e l i n e
p u r s u e d b y the P o l i s h r e v i s i o n i s t p a r t y f o r the r e - e s t a b l i s h m e n t of c a p i t a l i s m , of the a l l - r o u n d s u b j u g a t i o n of t h e
c o u n t r y t o the S o v i e t U n i o n , o f o p e n i n g t h e doors t o W e s t e r n c a p i t a l a n d the consequence o f t h e l a r g e debts o f
P o l a n d , w h i c h a m o u n t t o the colossal s u m o f 2 7 b i l l i o n d o l lars. H e r e i n lies the source o f the r e v o l t s o f t h e w o r k i n g
class a n d w o r k i n g people o f P o l a n d .
T h e r e v o l t o f the w o r k e r s o f P o l a n d has c o n f i r m e d
two capital questions of principled importance. It has
s h o w n t h a t t h e w o r k i n g class h a s t h e s t r e n g t h t o d e s t r o y
a r e a c t i o n a r y state p o w e r , e i t h e r r e v i s i o n i s t or c a p i t a l i s t .
O n t h e other h a n d , i t has d e m o n s t r a t e d t h a t t h e s u b j e c -
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
393
tive factor, the p o l i t i c a l f o r c e w h i c h leads the w o r k i n g class,
plays a d e c i s i v e r o l e . In the case of « S o l i d a r i t y » , the w o r k i n g
class i s m a n i p u l a t e d a n d d i r e c t e d b y t h e C a t h o l i c C h u r c h
and P o l i s h a n d w o r l d r e a c t i o n , w h i c h are f i g h t i n g t o e s t a b l i s h
another r e v i s i o n i s t - c a p i t a l i s t r e g i m e on a course f u l l of
u n e x p e c t e d d a n g e r s a n d t r a g i c consequences. O t h e r w i s e ,
had a t r u l y M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t c o m m u n i s t p a r t y — the s u b j e c tive factor, been i n t h e l e a d e r s h i p , t h e P o l i s h w o r k i n g class
w o u l d h a v e c a r r i e d out t h e p r o l e t a r i a n r e v o l u t i o n a n d
established the d i c t a t o r s h i p o f t h e p r o l e t a r i a t .
T h e w a y f o r t h e w o r k i n g class a n d people o f P o l a n d
and o f a l l the o t h e r r e v i s i o n i s t c o u n t r i e s t o escape c a p i t a l i s t
e x p l o i t a t i o n a n d f o r e i g n o p p r e s s i o n i s not t h r o u g h r e c o n cilation w i t h the revisionist regime in power a n d w i t h
the S o v i e t s o c i a l - i m p e r i a l i s t s l a v e r y , o r t h r o u g h u n i t i n g
with Western capital and reaction. The only w a y to ensure
the d e v e l o p m e n t
of the economy, the freedom and
independence o f t h e c o u n t r y a n d t h e r e - e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f
socialism is t h r o u g h the o p e n a n d r e s o l u t e s t r u g g l e of the
masses of t h e people u n d e r t h e l e a d e r s h i p of the w o r k i n g
class, w i t h a g e n u i n e M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t p a r t y at its h e a d .
The sharpening of the contradictions among the
imperialist powers, as w e l l as w i t h their partners w i t h i n
their m i l i t a r y a n d e c o n o m i c blocs, i s i n c r e a s i n g l y l e a d i n g
to n e w t e n s i o n s a n d c o n f l i c t s , to w a r s of a l o c a l a n d general c h a r a c t e r f o r t h e r e d i v i s i o n o f m a r k e t s , sources o f
raw m a t e r i a l s a n d s p h e r e s of i n f l u e n c e . T h i s is a l a w
of the d e v e l o p m e n t of c a p i t a l i s m .
However, the inter-imperialist contradictions and conflicts also cause t h e w e a k e n i n g o f the i m p e r i a l i s t s y s t e m
as a w h o l e a n d of its i n d i v i d u a l l i n k s . It is up to t h e
conscious r e v o l u t i o n a r y forces t o k n o w h o w t o u t i l i z e t h e
situations c r e a t e d b y these c o n t r a d i c t i o n s i n o r d e r t o
m o b i l i z e t h e masses, t o m a k e t h e m conscious a n d engage
them i n s t r u g g l e a n d r e v o l u t i o n .
394
ENVER HOXHA
T h e n e o - c o l o n i a l i s t s y s t e m created b y i m p e r i a l i s m
after the S e c o n d W o r l d W a r is also in a g r a v e c r i s i s at
present. I n o r d e r t o r e t a i n t h e i r p o l i t i c a l a n d e c o n o m i c
d o m i n a t i o n , t o e n s u r e the m a x i m u m e x p l o i t a t i o n o f the
w e a l t h o f f o r m e r c o l o n i a l c o u n t r i e s , t o r e s t r a i n the
g r o w t h o f the l i b e r a t i o n m o v e m e n t s o f t h e f r e e d o m l o v i n g peoples, the i m p e r i a l i s t s h a v e t r i e d t o f i n d a n d
employ n e w ever more deceptive and sophisticated forms
of o p p r e s s i o n a n d e n s l a v e m e n t .
B y m e a n s o f t h e s y s t e m o f credits, loans, a i d , a n d
v a r i o u s f u n d s , t h e y h a v e t u r n e d these c o u n t r i e s i n t o
permanent debtors at the mercy of creditors who, in
r e t u r n f o r the m o n e y p r o v i d e d , d e m a n d n o t o n l y t h e i r
title-deeds, b u t also t h e i r souls. A c c o m p a n y i n g the credits
a n d a i d . the m u l t i - n a t i o n a l c o m p a n i e s h a v e established
themselves, b e c o m i n g not o n l y m o n o p o l y h o l d e r s o f concessions f o r t h e e x p l o i t a t i o n o f t h e mines, o i l , e l e c t r i c p o w e r ,
w h o l e s a l e trade, c o m m u n i c a t i o n s , etc., b u t also p o l i t i c a l
centres w i t h w h i c h t h e d i f f e r e n t g r o u p s i n p o w e r i n
each c o u n t r y are l i n k e d . T h e b i g b a n k s w i t h a l l u r i n g names
l i k e the W o r l d B a n k , t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l M o n e t a r y F u n d ,
the E u r o p e a n D e v e l o p m e n t F u n d , etc., h a v e been t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o the h e a d q u a r t e r s o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l n e o - c o l o n i a l i s m f o r the d o m i n a t i o n a n d e x p l o i t a t i o n o f t h e n e w
c o u n t r i e s . T h e y are the f i n a n c i a l a n d p o l i t i c a l centres
w h i c h , together w i t h t h e m u l t i - n a t i o n a l s , o r g a n i z e and
i n s p i r e coups d'état, t o p p l e g o v e r n m e n t s a n d establish
others, a n d e v e n cause l o c a l w a r s w h e n t h e interests o f big
c a p i t a l r e q u i r e this. T h e s e c o n f l i c t s h a v e b e e n t u r n e d into
b i g business f o r t h e sale o f a r m s a n d h a v e b e e n used
f o r c o n d u c t i n g tests o n l i v e t e s t i n g g r o u n d s .
B u t besides t h i s s a v a g e a n d a l l - r o u n d e x p l o i t a t i o n ,
c e r t a i n changes o f t h e e c o n o m i c a n d social structures
have occurred in the f o r m e r colonial countries, which
are t h e r e s u l t of i n v e s t m e n t s , t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n of new
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
395
technique and technology, the e x t e n s i o n of c o m m u nications, etc., w h i c h t h e i m p e r i a l i s t s h a v e been o b l i g e d
to c a r r y out so as to a c h i e v e g r e a t e r a n d m o r e r a p i d
plunder of the w e a l t h above and below the ground. This
has also b r o u g h t a b o u t t h e c r e a t i o n of n e w l o c a l social
strata s u c h a s t h e n a t i o n a l b o u r g e o i s i e , w o r k e r s o f v a r i o u s
categories, a n d a n e w i n t e l l i g e n t s i a necessary to w o r k
i n the e c o n o m i c , p o l i t i c a l a n d a d m i n i s t r a t i v e sectors.
T h i s d e v e l o p m e n t has o p e n e d the eyes of m a n y people
of these s t r a t a , e s p e c i a l l y a m o n g t h e n e w i n t e l l i g e n t s i a ,
who n o l o n g e r r e c o n c i l e t h e m s e l v e s t o t h e f o r m s a n d
methods w h i c h are used f o r the o p p r e s s i o n a n d e x p l o i t a tion of t h e i r peoples.
N a t i o n a l r e v o l u t i o n a r y consciousness i s m o u n t i n g e v e r y where. T h i s i s c l e a r l y a p p a r e n t i n t h e e x t e n s i o n o f the
m o v e m e n t o f v a r i o u s c o u n t r i e s a n d forces w h i c h are
struggling for the establishment of national sovereignty
over t h e i r o w n n a t i o n a l assets, r e - e v a l u a t i o n o f r a w
materials a n d sources of energy, f o r e q u a l e x c h a n g e s
with m u t u a l benefit in international trade, for alteration
o f the i n t e r n a t i o n a l m o n e t a r y s y s t e m e s t a b l i s h e d b y i m perialism, for the restriction and elimination of the m o n opoly e c o n o m i c p o w e r o f t h e m u l t i - n a t i o n a l c o m p a n i e s ,
etc. T h i s m o v e m e n t has d e e p e n e d the e x i s t i n g e c o n o m i c
crisis, a n d e s p e c i a l l y the e n e r g y a n d r a w m a t e r i a l s crisis
w h i c h has g r i p p e d the c a p i t a l i s t a n d r e v i s i o n i s t w o r l d .
The big capitalist powers have built their industrial
empires w i t h t h e oil t h e y h a v e r o b b e d f r o m other peoples
and t h e r a w m a t e r i a l s t h e y h a v e b o u g h t c h e a p l y . T h e
parasitic a n d u n c o n t r o l l e d c o n s u m p t i o n o f w o r l d resources
of e n e r g y a n d r a w m a t e r i a l s has c r e a t e d t h e present
c r i t i c a l s i t u a t i o n i n t h i s b a s i c sector o f the d e v e l o p ment of the e c o n o m y of e v e r y c o u n t r y .
E n e r g y a n d r a w m a t e r i a l s exist, b u t t h e y are n o
longer f o u n d a t c h e a p prices. T h e b i g i m p e r i a l i s t a n d
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ENVER HOXHA
capitalist powers are now unable to completely dominate
t h e sources o f r a w m a t e r i a l s a n d d i c t a t e t h e i r p r i c e s .
The producing countries, w h i c h have w o k e n up and are
d e f e n d i n g t h e i r interests, w h i c h are s e e k i n g d e v e l o p m e n t ,
want to make investments in industry, agriculture and
o t h e r sectors o f t h e i r n a t i o n a l e c o n o m y , are r e s i s t i n g the
pressure for l o w prices for oil and r a w materials.
T h e r e s i s t a n c e a n d s t r u g g l e o f peoples d o m i n a t e d b y
n e o - c o l o n i a l i s m i n defence o f t h e i r r i g h t s , assets a n d n a t i o n a l s o v e r e i g n t y i s a n i r r e s i s t i b l e process w h i c h w i l l
increase a n d d e v e l o p f u r t h e r i n t h e f u t u r e .
I m p e r i a l i s m a n d its s y s t e m o f n e o - c o l o n i a l i s t o p p r e s sion and exploitation is p r o f o u n d l y a w a r e of this threat.
Therefore, it is m a k i n g every effort, using demagogy
a n d d e c e p t i o n h e r e a n d f o r c e there, t o s u p p r e s s t h i s
m o v e m e n t , t o c o n f u s e its r e v o l u t i o n a r y a n d p r o g r e s s i v e
vanguard, to m a k e it deviate and lead it into a b l i n d
a l l e y . O n the o t h e r h a n d , i n o r d e r t o deceive t h e peoples
o f the oppressed a n d d e p e n d e n t c o u n t r i e s , a n d t o k e e p
t h e r o t t e n n e o - c o l o n i a l i s t s y s t e m i n e x i s t e n c e a t a l l costs,
its d e f e n d e r s t r y t o create t h e i m p r e s s i o n a m o n g w o r l d
o p i n i o n g e n e r a l l y t h a t these c o u n t r i e s a r e c o m p l e t e l y
free and sovereign, that they have the right to their
« i n d e p e n d e n t » say i n t h e v a r i o u s i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a tions a n d e v e n t o disagree w i t h a n d oppose t h e s u p e r powers.
Imperialism stimulated and encouraged the emergence
of various movements and theories w h i c h created this
impression. One of t h e m is the «non-aligned» movement.
T h e basis o f i t w a s a d v o c a c y o f n o n - p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n
p o l i t i c a l a n d m i l i t a r y blocs a n d defence o f t h e i n t e r e s t s
o f t h e e c o n o m i c a l l y u n d e v e l o p e d c o u n t r i e s against t h e
superpower policy. N o w , however, w h e n the r i v a l r y bet w e e n t h e s u p e r p o w e r s has i n c r e a s e d , w h e n t h e c r i s i s has
n a r r o w e d t h e f i e l d s f o r m a n o e u v r e , i t it. q u i t e a p p a r e n t
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
397
t h a t a l a r g e n u m b e r of
«non-aligned» c o u n t r i e s are
u n i t i n g w i t h one o r the o t h e r s u p e r p o w e r . A l o n g w i t h the
s p l i t t i n g o f t h e m o v e m e n t a n d the m a n y c o n f l i c t s b e t w e e n
d i f f e r e n t so-called n o n - a l i g n e d c o u n t r i e s , t h e d e m a g o g i c
theories s o p a i n s t a k i n g l y concocted b y the d i f f e r e n t leaders,
e s p e c i a l l y the Y u g o s l a v s , w h o h a v e w a n t e d t o b e c o m e
the l e a d e r s a n d ideologists of t h i s g r o u p , collapsed, too.
N o w i t has e n d e d u p a s a n i l l - d e f i n e d , f l u i d a n d f i c k l e
m o v e m e n t w h i c h f l a r e s u p a n d dies d o w n a c c o r d i n g t o
the s i t u a t i o n s w h i c h are c r e a t e d a n d t h e interests o f the
superpowers.
A t one t i m e , the C h i n e s e t h e o r y o f «three w o r l d s »
also e m e r g e d as a t h e o r y in defence of n e o - c o l o n i a l i s m
a n d e s p e c i a l l y o f the A m e r i c a n d o m i n a t i o n o f the w o r l d .
B u t i t m e l t e d a w a y l i k e salt c r y s t a l s i n w a t e r . I t w a s
played as a t r u m p card, but was v e r y q u i c k l y overt r u m p e d . O u r P a r t y e x p o s e d a n d a t t a c k e d this r e a c t i o n a r y ,
counter-revolutionary theory.
In recent y e a r s t h e r e has b e e n a great d e a l of p r o p a g a n d a a b o u t w h a t i s c a l l e d t h e « n e w i n t e r n a t i o n a l econ o m i c o r d e r » w h i c h i s s u p p o s e d t o s o l v e t h e great t a n g l e
o f p r o b l e m s t h a t are w o r r y i n g the e c o n o m i c a l l y u n d e v e l o p e d c o u n t r i e s t o d a y , s u c h as those of i n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
food, the t r a n s f o r m a t i o n of t h e s t r u c t u r e s of p r o d u c t i o n , etc. A r o u n d t h i s « n e w o r d e r » v a r i o u s t h e o r i e s h a v e
been created, c o m p l e t e schemes a n d p r o j e c t s h a v e been
presented a n d concrete actions h a v e been u n d e r t a k e n ,
such a s t h e so-called N o r t h - S o u t h dialogue, t h e C o n f e r ence of the 77, t h e s p e c i a l m e e t i n g s of the G e n e r a l
A s s e m b l y o f t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s , etc.
H o w e v e r , y e a r s h a v e gone b y a n d n o t h i n g has been
a c h i e v e d , because the i m p e r i a l i s t s a n d the n e o - c o l o n i a l i s t s
d o not r e n o u n c e t h e i r p r i v i l e g e s a n d d o m i n a n t positions.
T h e f r u i t l e s s r e s o l u t i o n s o f v a r i o u s i n t e r n a t i o n a l meetings
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ENVER HOXHA
a n d t h e decisions t o h o l d n e w m e e t i n g s are a l l t h a t
remains from them.
O f course, i t i s essential t h a t the i n t e r n a t i o n a l e c o n o m i c r e l a t i o n s are c h a n g e d . T h i s i s the d e s i r e a n d d e m a n d
o f t h e peoples w h o are f i g h t i n g t o b r e a k f r e e f r o m the
c h a i n s o f n e o - c o l o n i a l i s m . B u t i n w h a t w a y c a n these
be achieved? T h e revisionists and other opportunists pretend that this can be achieved by means of propaganda,
by means of the education of capitalists, and by means
of t a l k s . T h e o p i n i o n t h a t a n e w i n t e r n a t i o n a l e c o n o m i c
order can be achieved through m o r a l i z i n g sermons is not
o n l y b e y o n d a n y b o u n d s o f r e a l i t y a n d p o s s i b i l i t y , b u t also
a n i l l - i n t e n t i o n e d f r a u d . T h e correct course i s the s t r u g g l e o f
the peoples t o d e f e n d t h e i r r i g h t s t o the end, resolute o p p o s i t i o n t o t h e n e o - c o l o n i a l i s t p l u n d e r , the t a k i n g o v e r a n d
t h e s o v e r e i g n a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f t h e n a t i o n a l assets. O n l y
t h u s c a n the u n d e v e l o p e d c o u n t r i e s i m p o s e t h e i r j u s t
demands for equal exchanges in the economic field,
c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h m u t u a l b e n e f i t , etc., o n the b i g i m p e r i a l ist a n d c a p i t a l i s t p o w e r s .
T h e b i g i m p e r i a l i s t p o w e r s , t o g e t h e r w i t h those n o t
quite so big, think and theorize that it is they w h o have
t h e f a t e o f n a t i o n s a n d m a n k i n d i n t h e i r h a n d s a n d act
a c c o r d i n g l y , a n d o n this basis t h e y seek t o s u b j u g a t e t h e
peoples.
These
aggressive
powers
underestimate the
s t r e n g t h o f the peoples. T h e i r v i s i o n i s o b s c u r e d a n d t h e y
do n o t w a n t to see t h a t e v e r y a d v a n c e of t h e peoples
towards opposing the t w o f o l d oppression and enslavement,
external and internal, makes a breach w h i c h w i l l be widened
in the w a l l of the capitalist and imperialist prison.
A m e r i c a n imperialism and Soviet social-imperialism
m a k e great e f f o r t s t o a p p e a r a s t w o i n v i n c i b l e s u p e r p o w e r s .
T r u e , t h e y h a v e great m i l i t a r y a n d e c o n o m i c p o t e n t i a l ,
influence and interfere in the internal affairs of other
peoples a n d states, b u t t o h a v e w e a p o n s , t o h a v e d o l l a r s
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
399
o r r u b l e s does n o t m e a n t h a t y o u h a v e i n v i n c i b l e p o w e r .
The imperialist superpowers must be appraised as they
r e a l l y are, n e i t h e r u n d e r e s t i m a t i n g n o r o v e r e s t i m a t i n g
t h e m . T h e y are p o w e r f u l a n d ferocious, but t h e y are also
i n decay, t h e y a r e w o r m - e a t e n a n d degenerate, a n d t h e i r
f o u n d a t i o n s are s h a k y .
W o r l d c a p i t a l i s m a k i n g great e f f o r t s t o escape the
crisis, t o protect itself f r o m t h e peoples' l i b e r a t i o n struggles
and f r o m t h e r e v o l u t i o n , t h i s t e r r i b l e i r o n g r i p w h i c h has
i t b y the t h r o a t a n d i s s t r a n g l i n g it. B u t escape i s i m p o s sible, because it is t h e c a p i t a l i s t s y s t e m itself w h i c h creates
p o l i t i c a l , e c o n o m i c a n d i d e o l o g i c a l crises a n d w h i c h fuels
t h e m a n d i n t e n s i f i e s t h e m t o the highest degree. I n o r d e r
t o e m e r g e f r o m t h e chaos w h i c h c a p i t a l i s m creates, t o
escape once a n d f o r a l l c a p i t a l i s t o p p r e s s i o n a n d e x p l o i t ation, the n e o - c o l o n i a l i s t y o k e o f f o r e i g n e r s a n d t h e d o m i n a t i o n o f r e a c t i o n , t h e r e i s n o o t h e r course a p a r t
f r o m t h e r e v o l u t i o n , the o v e r t h r o w o f i m p e r i a l i s m a n d
capitalism.
T h e s t r u g g l e of t h e peoples, t h e s t r u g g l e of t h e p r o l e t ariat a g a i n s t t h e i r e n e m i e s w i l l s u r g e a h e a d . I t i s a n
objective h i s t o r i c a l process w h i c h n o f o r c e c a n stop.
The complex and difficult situations which have been
and are being created in the world face our Party and
our socialist state with the duty of maintaining the revolutionary vigilance always at a high level, and taking
measures for the all-round strengthening of the economy
and defence, and the unity and political consciousness of
the people. These situations, likewise, demand that our
foreign policy should be active, should ever better serve
the defence of the interests of the Homeland and the
victories of socialism, the advance of the cause of the
revolution, the liberation of the peoples and peace in the
world, and the support of all those processes which assist
400
ENVER HOXHA
the emancipation and progress of present-day
human
society.
O u r f o r e i g n p o l i c y , as t h e p o l i c y of a socialist state,
of a t r u l y f r e e society w i t h o u t e x p l o i t i n g classes, is a
revolutionary and internationalist policy. It is free f r o m
the slightest s i g n o f n a r r o w b o u r g e o i s n a t i o n a l i s m , c h a u v inism, national exclusiveness, or of u n d e r r a t i o n of other
peoples. T h e A l b a n i a n people
h a v e respect f o r e v e r y
people a n d w i s h a l l peoples w e l l .
T h e People's Socialist R e p u b l i c of A l b a n i a f i r m l y
u p h o l d s the p r i n c i p l e t h a t each p e o p l e has t h e r i g h t
to choose its o w n course of d e v e l o p m e n t a n d d e c i d e its
o w n fate in a sovereign way.
A s a c o m p l e t e l y f r e e c o u n t r y , socialist A l b a n i a says
w h a t it thinks openly, w i t h o u t any hesitation and w i t h
c o m p l e t e s i n c e r i t y . It a p p l i e s a s o v e r e i g n f o r e i g n p o l i c y
w h i c h i s not r e s t r i c t e d b y p o l i t i c a l pacts, m i l i t a r y t r e a t i e s o r
closed e c o n o m i c o r g a n i z a t i o n s . It does n o t base its e c o n o m i c a n d p o l i t i c a l d e v e l o p m e n t , its d e f e n c e a n d its f u t u r e
o n the credits, l o a n s o r a i d f r o m o t h e r states, b u t o n its
o w n forces.
As a r e s u l t of this, t h e v o i c e of A l b a n i a has a l w a y s
been a free, r e a l i s t i c a n d o b j e c t i v e v o i c e in a w o r l d
w h e r e t h e d e p e n d e n c e o n a n d s u b j u g a t i o n o f m a n y states
to big imperialist powers restrict and distort any independent t h o u g h t o r a c t i o n .
D u r i n g the p e r i o d since t h e 7 t h C o n g r e s s o f the P a r t y ,
o u r state, b a s i n g itself o n t h e w e l l - k n o w n p r i n c i p l e s o f
e q u a l i t y , respect f o r s o v e r e i g n t y , n o n - i n t e r f e r e n c e i n i n t e r n a l a f f a i r s a n d r e c i p r o c a l b e n e f i t , has e x t e n d e d its d i p l o matic, commercial and cultural relations w i t h an ever
g r e a t e r n u m b e r of states a n d has s t e a d i l y i n c r e a s e d its
e x c h a n g e s w i t h t h e m i n v a r i o u s fields. T o d a y t h e P e o p l e ' s
Socialist Republic of A l b a n i a maintains diplomatic relations w i t h 95 stales, as against 74 states w i t h w h i c h it
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
401
m a i n t a i n e d r e l a t i o n s at the t i m e of the 7 t h C o n g r e s s of the
Party.
T h e p o l i c y o f o u r P a r t y a n d o u r socialist state has
been a n d a l w a y s w i l l b e f o r t h e c o n t i n u o u s s t r e n g t h e n i n g o f sincere r e l a t i o n s o f f r i e n d s h i p a n d c o l l a b o r a t i o n
w i t h a l l the f r e e d o m - l o v i n g a n d p e a c e - l o v i n g peoples, w i t h
a l l those w h o f i g h t a g a i n s t t h e aggressive a n d h e g e m o n i c
p o l i c y of i m p e r i a l i s t s . It is f o r t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of s i n c e r e
c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h a l l those c o u n t r i e s w h i c h w i s h i t w e l l
a n d m a i n t a i n a correct a t t i t u d e t o w a r d s it.
O u r P a r t y a n d c o u n t r y a r e opposed t o a l l those i m p e rialist and neo-colonialist practices of inequality, discrimination and great-state dictate in international relations.
W e b e l i e v e t h a t the r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n states, w h e t h e r b i g
o r s m a l l , s h o u l d b e f r e e f r o m a n y k i n d o f economic,
p o l i t i c a l o r m i l i t a r y p r e s s u r e a n d dictate, a n d s h o u l d serve
t h e i r e c o n o m i c , c u l t u r a l a n d social
development,
the
s t r e n g t h e n i n g o f f r i e n d s h i p b e t w e e n s o v e r e i g n peoples a n d
states, a n d t h e i n t e r e s t s o f t h e m a i n t e n a n c e a n d s t r e n g t h e n i n g o f peace i n t h e w o r l d .
O u r socialist state has been a n d i s f o r the n o r m a l
a n d f r e e d e v e l o p m e n t o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l t r a d e o n the basis
of equality and reciprocal benefit. O u r country is for
b a l a n c e d t r a d e e x c h a n g e s w i t h o u t d i s c r i m i n a t i o n o r rest r i c t i v e measures, t h e r e f o r e it has e x p r e s s e d its o p p o s i t i o n t o u n e q u a l r e l a t i o n s i n t r a d e exchanges, t o the
m a n i p u l a t i o n o f prices a n d i n g e n e r a l , t o m a c h i n a t i o n s
a n d a t t e m p t s b y a n y state a t a l l , w h i c h a i m s t o e x p l o i t
t r a d e r e l a t i o n s as a m e a n s of p r e s s u r e in o r d e r to d i c t a t e
its o w n p o l i t i c a l w i l l a n d v i e w s t o the other state.
We do not confuse trade exchanges w i t h receiving of
a i d a n d credits. T h e s e are t w o separate, u n c o n n e c t e d
things.
T h e w a y w e u n d e r s t a n d a n d c a r r y o n f o r e i g n trade,
leaves the A l b a n i a n state a free h a n d to act a n d decide
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ENVER HOXHA
f o r itself, to h a v e its say j u s t as it t h i n k s a n d to b u i l d
t h e c o u n t r y w i t h its o w n forces a s i t desires.
O u r c o u n t r y has c o n c l u d e d a series of c u l t u r a l agreements w i t h m a n y c o u n t r i e s a n d c a r r i e s o n r e g u l a r e x c h a n g e s
in the f i e l d s of art, c u l t u r e , science, sports, etc. T h e s e
exchanges h a v e s e r v e d t o a c q u a i n t o u r peoples r e c i p r o c a l l y
w i t h one a n o t h e r ' s a c h i e v e m e n t s a n d progress. O u r people
v a l u e a n d u t i l i z e e v e r y t h i n g good a n d p r o g r e s s i v e w h i c h
other peoples h a v e . P r o g r e s s i v e e x p e r i e n c e a n d c u l t u r e
are the t r e a s u r e o f a l l m a n k i n d . A t t h e s a m e t i m e , w e
m a k e e f f o r t s t o a c q u a i n t t h e o t h e r peoples w i t h the v a l u e s
of o u r c u l t u r e , too, w h i c h is as a n c i e n t as it is p r o g r e s s i v e .
It is the principled and independent internal and
f o r e i g n p o l i c y o f o u r P a r t y a n d socialist state, t h e i r just
stands o n i n t e r n a t i o n a l issues, t h e i r s t r u g g l e o n the side
o f t h e peoples a n d against i m p e r i a l i s m , w h i c h
have
strengthened the international position of A l b a n i a and
r a i s e d its prestige.
T h e w o r d a n d deed o f A l b a n i a a r e l i s t e n e d t o a n d
w e l c o m e d w i t h respect b y t h e peoples a n d w o r k e r s o f
d i f f e r e n t c o u n t r i e s , because t h e y are i n c o n f o r m i t y w i t h
t h e i r o w n interests a n d a s p i r a t i o n s . T h a t i s w h y the peoples
and progressive opinion throughout the w o r l d prize and
a p p r o v e this p o l i c y , w h y the c o u n t r i e s a n d states w i t h
d i f f e r e n t social s y s t e m s f o l l o w i t w i t h i n t e r e s t a n d a d m i r e
it, w h i l e r e a c t i o n a n d the S o v i e t , Y u g o s l a v a n d other
m o d e r n r e v i s i o n i s t s a t t a c k it.
As is natural and understandable, our P a r t y and
G o v e r n m e n t h a v e d e v o t e d s p e c i a l care t o r e l a t i o n s w i t h
neighbouring countries and, in a w i d e r framework, w i t h
the E u r o p e a n c o u n t r i e s . O u r stands t o w a r d s t h e m are
k n o w n a n d t h e y d o not alter. A t a l l t i m e s a n d i n e v e r y
s i t u a t i o n , the a i m o f t h e f o r e i g n p o l i c y o f A l b a n i a has
been to c o n t r i b u t e as m u c h as possible to t h e s t r e n g t h e n i n g o f peace a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l s e c u r i t y o n o u r c o n t i n e n t
REPORT TO THE 8th CONGRESS OF THE PLA
403
a n d to the s t r e n g t h e n i n g of c o l l a b o r a t i o n a m o n g s t its
peoples. W e h a v e s a i d a n d s t i l l say t h a t t h e p a r t i c i p a t i o n
o f the m a j o r i t y o f t h e c o u n t r i e s o f E u r o p e i n t h e m i l i t a r y
a n d t h e p o l i t i c a l blocs of t h e s u p e r p o w e r s is the cause
o f its m i s f o r t u n e . T h i s i s w h e r e the d i v i s i o n s a n d splits i n
Europe, the frequent tensions and confrontations between
d i f f e r e n t c o u n t r i e s o f t h i s c o n t i n e n t , h a v e t h e i r source.
T h a t p o l i c y w h i c h seeks t o p e r s u a d e the E u r o p e a n
peoples t h a t b y s h e l t e r i n g u n d e r t h e a t o m i c u m b r e l l a s
o f the s u p e r p o w e r s , t h e i r f r e e d o m , n a t i o n a l i n d e p e n d e n c e
a n d t h e g e n e r a l peace are a l l e g e d l y g u a r a n t e e d , i s a n
e x t r e m e l y d a n g e r o u s p o l i c y a n d a f r a u d . T h i s p o l i c y does
not ensure these things, b u t s a c r i f i c e s t h e m . T h e fact is
that in the name of future security, present-day security
has b e e n s a c r i f i c e d , s o v e r e i g n t y has b e e n c r i p p l e d a n d
the f r e e d o m o f a c t i o n a n d i n d e p e n d e n t s t a n d s o f m a n y
E a s t e r n a n d W e s t e r n states i n the i n t e r n a t i o n a l a r e n a h a v e
been r e s t r i c t e d .
T h e H e l s i n k i D e c l a r a t i o n has b e e n p r e s e n t e d t o t h e
E u r o p e a n c o u n t r i e s as a g u a r a n t e e of t h e i r i n d e p e n d e n c e
a n d s o v e r e i g n t y a n d a m e a n s to e n s u r e peace. We h a v e
clearly expressed our attitude towards the H e l s i n k i Conference a n d the s o - c a l l e d E u r o p e a n s e c u r i t y . S o c i a l i s t A l b a n i a d i d not take part in it and denounced it as a farce
h a t c h e d u p b y t h e t w o s u p e r p o w e r s w i t h the o b j e c t i v e
o f g u a r a n t e e i n g a n d s t r e n g t h e n i n g t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e spheres
of influence in Europe, of legalizing and perpetuating
t h e i r d o m i n a t i o n o n t h i s c o n t i n e n t . T h e events t h a t h a v e
o c c u r r e d i n E u r o p e a n d a r o u n d i t since t h e H e l s i n k i C o n f e rence h a v e c o m p l e t e l y c o r r o b o r a t e d a n d j u s t i f i e d the s t a n d
o f A l b a n i a . T i m e has s h o w n t h a t the so-called « H e l s i n k i
spirit», « p e a c e f u l c o l l a b o r a t i o n » , «the f r e e c i r c u l a t i o n of
people a n d ideas», etc., w e r e n o t h i n g b u t h o l l o w - s o u n d i n g
slogans to d e c e i v e t h e E u r o p e a n peoples, to arouse the
illusion in them that the danger of w a r is allegedly
404
ENVER HOXHA
b e i n g r e m o v e d a n d t h a t the m a i n t e n a n c e o f the i m p e r i a l ist status quo i n E u r o p e i s t h e i r s a l v a t i o n .
O u r v i e w i s t h a t o n l y resolute o p p o s i t i o n t o A m e r i c a n
imperialism and Soviet social-imperialism, the liquidation
o f m i l i t a r y blocs a n d t h e r e m o v a l o f a t o m i c w e a p o n s a n d
f o r e i g n troops can e n s u r e t h e peace i n E u r o p e .
T h e p r o b l e m s of t h e B a l k a n s are t h e s a m e as those
w h i c h are w o r r y i n g E u r o p e as a w h o l e , b u t here, because
o f the strategic p o s i t i o n w h i c h this p e n i n s u l a occupies a n d
the o l d feuds, the c o n f l i c t s are m o r e acute a n d t h e d a n g e r s
greater.
The situation is made even more complicated by the
fact t h a t t h e s u p e r p o w e r s , p r o c e e d i n g f r o m t h e i r h e g e m o n i c
interests a n d t h e i r desire t o t r a n s f o r m t h e B a l k a n s « p e r m a m e n t l y i n t o a p o w d e r keg», are t r y i n g t o a r o u s e c h a u v i n its passions a n d s e n t i m e n t s , t o p i t the B a l k a n peoples a n d
c o u n t r i e s against one another, t o p r e v e n t t h e r e l a t i o n s
between them f r o m developing normally and in a positive
direction, and to undermine the strengthening of friendship
b e t w e e n n e i g h b o u r i n g peoples.
The dangers in the B a l k a n s are increased especially
d u e t o the p a r t i c i p a t i o n o f some c o u n t r i e s o f t h i s r e g i o n i n
the m i l i t a r y a n d e c o n o m i c blocs o f t h e s u p e r p o w