Albania, 1982

First of all I should like to convey to you, Sir,

the congratulations of the delegation of Albania

on your election to the office of President of

the Assembly. It is a pleasure for me to take

this opportunity to greet the Secretary-General

and to wish him every success in the

accomplishment of his important tasks.

103. An objective analysis of the world events

that have taken place since the last session of

the General Assembly shows that the present

international situation is very tense and fraught

with dangers for the peoples' freedom and world

peace. The aggravation of this situation and the

grave economic, political and social crisis which

has the capitalist and revisionist world in its

grip have increased the danger of war.

104. This situation is a direct result of the

expansionist and neo-colonialist policies

pursued by the imperialist Powers, and above all

by the two super powers. At present there is no

area in the world that is not affected by or

subject to their predatory ambitions. Both

super-Powers obstinately continue their

expansionist policy of establishing world

domination, which is seen also in their

unceasing race to achieve political and military

superiority the one over the other, to attain new

strategic positions, and so on. It is this

aggressive policy and the rivalry between the two

super-Powers that further complicate the various

situations and make them more tense and fraught

with dangerous consequences.

105. The efforts of the United States

imperialists to impose their will on various

countries impose their expression in United

States persistence in an ever more aggressive

foreign policy which relies increasingly on

military force. The same intensification of

aggressiveness is also seen in the foreign policy

of the Soviet social-imperialists. At the present

time all- round militarization of the country's

life and the exercise of pressures and military

force against other countries characterize that

policy.

106. United States interference in Iran and

the stationing of its aggressive military forces

in the Middle East, the occupation of Afghanistan

by the Soviet Union, the incitement of conflicts

on the African continent, intervention in Latin

America and Southeast Asia along with the

political, economic and military threats and

blackmail in regard to many countries by the two

super-Powers, all go to show that they are

pursuing a policy of oppression and aggression.

There is no area in international relations where

one does not encounter their policy from a

position of force; there is no armed conflict or

hotbed of tension that, directly or indirectly,

the super powers do not have a hand in. More

than ever before, they are arming their war

machines by adding to their arsenals of new,

sophisticated weapons. The propaganda clamor

about disarmament by the superpowers is nothing

but a maneuver to cover up their frenzied arms

race. And at the same time as they are arming

themselves, they are engaging in an arms traffic

which has become a business of immense scope,

from which they reap fabulous profits and which

increases the political and economic dependence

on them of various countries.

107. In order to conceal their true aims and

to deceive the peoples, the super-Powers make a

big demagogic fuss so as to present their actions

as being in favor of safeguarding peace. To that

end, they have set up a number of commissions and

machinery dealing with various problems: from the

strategic arms limitation talks to European

security, from the reduction of troops in Europe

to the demilitarization of outer space. All this

aims to create the false impression that

something is being done, that the key to peace

lies in their agreements and their initiatives.

AH this demagogy also has the aim of imposing on

the peoples the idea that they should not take

any action but should inevitably yield to the big

Powers.

108. The situation continues to be very

serious on the European continent. The events

which have occurred in and around Europe clearly

indicate that the political and military blocs

headed by the United States and the Soviet Union,

their policy of an "atomic umbrella" and of

spheres of influence, constitute the source of

discord, tension and confrontation between

various countries.

109. The statements that the signing of the

Helsinki Final Act would eliminate political,

ideological and military tension and that the

Madrid meetings on European security would

strengthen peace in Europe have showed themselves

to be a bluff. The insecurity of Europe has grown

even greater.

110. The two super-Powers with their rival

aggressive blocsóNATO and the Warsaw Pactóhave

strengthened their military power with the most

modem weapons, accumulating an unprecedented war

arsenal. They are filling Europe with missiles

and nuclear weapons so as to use them as a means

of threat, and blackmail against the countries

where they are stationed and against other

European countries. Military maneuvers of an

aggressive character have grown in intensity and

have assumed greater proportions. The presence

in the Mediterranean of big naval fleets

belonging to the super-Powers has turned that

basin into a militarized sea; that presence

constitutes a serious threat to the freedom and

independence of the coastal countries of that

basin as well as to peace in Europe and in the

world.

111. The Albanian delegation believes that

real security and co-operation in Europe can be

attained only by the European countries

strengthening their independence and sovereignty,

by opposing the policy of both super-Powers, by

liquidating bases and blocs of NATO and the

Warsaw Pact and by driving foreign military

forces, together with their missiles and Other

nuclear weapons, out of their countries. The

People's Socialist Republic of Albania will

never allow the stationing of foreign military

bases and forces on its territory. It has

declared that fact publicly and has endorsed it

in its Constitution.

112. The situation in Europe is also reflected

in the Balkan region. The two imperialist

super-Powers have not renounced their goals and

are aiming at turning the region into a permanent

powder keg. They strive to prevent the normal

development of relations between the Balkan

peoples and countries, to revive did hostilities

and quarrels, to encourage and mcite chauvinist

sentiments and passions and to imbue then With a

sense of confrontation. Such attempts are fraught

with danger for the peoples of this area and run

counter to their sincere desire for the

establishment of mutual confidence,

understanding and genuine co-operation.

113. In its relations with neighbouring

countries, the people's Socialist Republic of

Albania has, since its very inception, always

been guided by a policy of good neighborliness.

Its desire and aim have always been that the

Balkan countries might live in peace and

friendship without interference in each other's

internal affairs, implementing the fundamental

principles of mutual co-operation and respect. We

are convinced that this is the correct way to

forge fruitful and lasting relations which serve

the cause of peace and security in the Balkans.

The leader of the Albanian people, Comrade Enver

Hoxha, has said:

"The People's Socialist Republic of Albania

believes that at present the genuine aspirations

of the Balkan peoples and peace and stability in

this region can best be served by preventing the

imperialist super-Powers from interfering in the

internal affairs of the countries of our region

and by taking concrete and constructive steps

with a view to the positive development of

relations on the basis of the policy of good

neighborliness. The situation in the Balkans

would be greatly improved if the Balkan countries

were to undertake officially not to allow the

super-Powers to use their territory in order to

threaten or endanger neighbouring countries. In

the future, as in the past, socialist Albania

will consistently adhere to this policy and will

make every effort to ensure that mutual respect

and genuine understanding prevail in its

relations with neighbouring States."

114. In the Middle East, the situation has deteriorated further. Fifteen

years after their aggression, the Israeli

Zionists continue to hold the occupied Arab

territories. In an arrogant and unrestrained

manner, and under the protection of the United

States, they have undertaken new invasions. The

crimes and massacres committed by Israel against

the civilian Palestinian population, which

surpass even those committed by the Hitlerites,

have aroused the indignation and profound hatred

of the peoples of the world. The events which

have occurred in the area this year are a

consequence of the situation imposed by the

super-Powers. They show how the peoples pay with

blood and extraordinary sacrifices for the

intrigues and plots hatched behind their backs.

115. The peoples of the world, and above all

the Palestinian people, see clearly that this

barbarous Aggression constitutes one of the most

flagrant expressions of the agreements and

intrigues concocted between the United States and

the Soviet Union fbr concessions and mutual

recognition of the aggressions they have

committed or are about to commit. It is also the

expression of the bargains they have struck with

each other against Iran, Afghanistan, the

countries of the Persian Gulf, the Midtue East

and other States in various regions of the world.

116. Washington's emissaries offer various

plans for the alleged settlement of the Middle

East problem, but in the final analysis; all of

them boil down to the Camp David agreement and

aim at liquidating the Palestinian question,

denying the Arab peopled their rights and

annexing the territories occupied by Israel under

the false pretext of guaranteeing "secure

boundaries"

117. The Americans and the Soviets, through

their imperialist policies, are responsible for

the shedding of the blood of the peoples and are

the main culprits. We note with indignation that

Governments which could have acted to stop the

hands of the murderers did not even raise a

finger to avert the Israeli onslaught against

Lebanon And the Palestinians, to stop the

barbarous massacres and genocide committed

against the martyred Palestinian people.

118. I could speak here in diplomatic terms,

but that would be of no value. I am going to

speak in a different fashion, openly; I shall say

what our people think. If the aggressive thrust

of the United States imperialists and the Soviet

social-imperialists is not stopped, the world

will find itself on the verge of a third world

war. But that cannot be stopped by words and

protests. I would recall that the Security

Council resolutions and its protests on the most

burning issues have yielded no result. The

Israeli war and the genocide against the Arabs,

and against the Palestinians in particular,

continues, as does the aggression and oppression

against Afghanistan, and the list is longer.

119. The situation in the Middle East is

fraught with the danger of an imperialist war and

of bloodshed and oppression for the Arab peoples.

In our view it should be clear to anybody that it

is the United States imperialists and the Soviet

social-imperialists that puM the strings in all

the plots against the freedom and independence of

peoples; it is they that shamelessly divide the

zones of influence between them and play with the

fate of peoples: it is they that incite hostility

among the peoples and organize the networks of

agents and putsches to pave the way for their

expansionist and hegemonist ambitions that

situation is intolerable fbr the people and we

therefore believe that it should be resolutely

opposed and exposed.

120. The difficulties that may be created for

the brave Palestinian people will never put an

end to their just struggle. Recent developments

in that region have shown the Arab peoples that

the great mission of their national liberation

and the defense of their freedom and independence

can be carried out only by them. The unity of the

Arab peoples against Zionism and the plots of the

super-Powers is a basic factor in their struggle

in their just cause.

121. The Albanian people and Government

strongly condemn Israel's barbarous aggression

against the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples, its

monstrous crimes and the genocide it has

committed. In the future too we shall fully

support th5e just struggle of the Palestinian

people to have, like any other people, their own

homeland and State, and the efforts of the Syrian

people and other fraternal Arab peoples to drive

the Israeli aggressors out of the occupied Arab

lands. Lebanon must be an independent and

sovereign country and the aggressive Israeli

troops must withdraw immediately.

122. Our country, Albania, has taken all the

necessary measures and is ready to defend itself

and overcome any aggression by its enemies. But,

being a small country, we are not able to render

material aid to oppressed peoples fighting

imperialist domination. What we can do is unmask

the aggressive policy of United States

imperialism and of Soviet social- imperialism and

the policy of subjugation. This we are doing and

shall continue to do, come what may.

123. The situation in the Gulf area, where,

since the victory of the Iranian revolution, the

great Powers have intensified their policy of

plots and blackmail, remains serious. In spite of

the shameful defeat which the United States

imperialists suffered in Iran, they never give up

their efforts to regain their lost privileges and

positions, while the Soviet social-imperialists

are trying to exploit the situation in their own

interests. The courageous Iranian people have

successfully overcome the numerous difficulties

created for them after the victory of the

anti-imperialist revolution, and are

safeguarding the freedom and independence of

their homeland.

124. The Albanian Government holds that it is

in the interest of Iraq and Iran to end their

conflict and settle their disputes through

negotiation so that the two peoples may live in

peace and friendship. This would also be in the

interests of the people of the region and their

welfare and progress; and it would be a blow

against the policy of the super-Powers, the aim

of which is to see various countries pitted

against each other.

125. We support the courageous Afghan people

who for three years now have been continuing the

fearless struggle against the Soviet occupation

forces to regain their national independence.

126. Only a few months ago in the Malvinas

Islands the British imperialists, with the

support of the United States, put into effect

their gunboat policy. Once again the Latin

American peoples saw the true face of United

States imperialism and understood the value of

the treaties and agreements concluded with that

country. Notwithstanding the manner in which the

events unfolded, no one can deny Argentina its

right to exercise sovereignty over the Malvinas

Islands. The sovereign rights of nations and

peoples cannot be violated or proscribed either

by force of arms or by treaties and agreements

concluded to the detriment of peoples.

127. The countries of South-East Asia, which

for decades have suffered from cruel colonial

oppression and exploitation and have been

subjected to imperialist aggression, are still

under the political and military threat of the

United States, the Soviet Union and China, which

are doing their utmost to pit them one against

the other, to pave the way for their

interventions and to safeguard their

hegemonistic positions. As in the past, Albania

supports the right of the peoples of those

countries to settle their internal problems

themselves and to decide their own future without

foreign interference. No one has the right to

infringe their independence, sovereignty and

territorial integrity, no matter what the

pretext. The countries of that region have the

right to be fully independent, free and sovereign

under the tutelage of none.

128. The situation in the Korean peninsula

continues to be tense because of the presence of

the United States occupation forces in South

Korea. The Albanian people and Government support

the just struggle of the Korean people to drive

United States troops out of South Korea and for

the independent reunification of their homeland.

129. The African countries and peoples which have just freed themselves from

savage colonial oppression and exploitation have

intensified their efforts and their struggle in

defense of their sovereign rights against all-out

imperialist and neo-colonialist interference.

They are constantly faced with the policies of

the super-Powers, which keep alive conflicts and

hotbeds of tension and encourage African

countries to fight against each other, in order

to pave the way for their further penetration

into Africa, expand their zones of influence and

plunder the vast natural resources of that

continent. This policy and activity encourage the

racists of South Africa to continue the

occupation of Namibia and the oppression of its

people. The barbarous oppression, ruthless racial

discrimination and odious apartheid policy

carried out by the Fascist Pretoria regime

against the indigenous population, together with

its serious acts of aimed provocation against

neighbouring countries, constitute a permanent

threat to the African peoples. The Albanian

people is in complete solidarity with the peoples

of Azania and Namibia and other African peoples

and resolutely supports their just struggle for

liberation, to uproot colonialism and

neo-colonialism and to foil the intrigues and

prevent the interference of the imperialist

Powers.

130. A significant factor which cannot but

have a negative effect on the present world

situation is the general crisis gripping the

capitalist-revisionist world. It has exacerbated

the inter-imperialist contradictions and the

economic, political and military rivalries. It

has led to economic stagnation, a continuous fall

in production, inflation and price rises,

unemployment and the constant deterioration of

the well-being of the working masses. Many

countries have witnessed the growth of terrorism,

anarchy and political and moral corruption.

Social relations and inter-State relations have

deteriorated. The crisis has made domestic and

international tensions more acute both in the

West and in the East. Typical of this is the

critical situation in Poland, where the people

are suffering the consequences of the

capitulationist and opportunistic line dictated

by Moscow. We support the resolute opposition of

the peoples to oppression, plunder and financial

manipulations flowing from the imperialist

Powers' policy aimed at increasingly shifting the

burden of the consequences of the grave economic

crisis on to the backs of the working masses.

131. Today the peoples' struggle throughout

the world against the policy of aggression and

oppression as practised by the imperialist

Powers, primarily the two super-Powers, is

gaining in strength and scope. In Asia, Africa,

Central and South America and elsewhere the

peoples are struggling for national liberation,

their independence and sovereign rights and their

economic and social emancipation. Their struggle

has gained irresistible momentum, thus becoming a

significant factor in the process of world

development, and winning the support of

progressive mankind.

132. Albania resolutely supports the struggle

of democratic States and peoples in defense of

their national sovereignty and their legitimate

rights and interests. It supports efforts to

establish just international economic relations

and to combat colonial exploitation. The gap

between industrialized and developing countries

is becoming ever wider. This is the direct result

of the intensive exploitation which exists in

various forms. Colossal profits are reaped by the

capitalist monopolies from the toil and blood of

the peoples of developing countries, burdensome

credits and the imposition of very low prices for

raw materials as compared with those of

manufactured goods. The tactics of the

imperialist Powers concerning the so-called

North-South dialogue are nothing but efforts to

perpetuate the old unjust economic relations and

further to intensify exploitation. Countries and

peoples have every right to exercise sovereignty

over their national assets and to use them for

the benefit of their national development and

progress.

133. The People's Socialist Republic of Albania follows a consistent

and independent foreign policy based on

principleóa policy of friendship and sincere

co-operation with all peoples and countries that

love freedom and peace. That foreign policy,

which is guided by the principles of proletarian

internationalism, is free from the slightest

sign of narrow nationalism, chauvinism or

national exclusiveness or any tendency to

underrate others. It has always been and

continues to be against the policy of aggression

and oppression of the two super-Powers, the

United States and the Soviet Union, with which we

neither have nor ever will have relations or lint

s of any kind. United States imperialism and

Soviet social- imperialism have been and remain

the greatest enemies of the freedom and

independence of peoples. We are against their

attempts to create the psychosis according to

which the world can only find stability under

their tutelage. We have never accepted that

international policy should be the monopoly of

the super-Powers.

134. Proceeding from the well-known principles

of equality, respect for sovereignty,

non-interference in the internal affairs of

others and mutual benefit, our country has

extended and strengthened its relations of

friendship and co-operation with other States,

with all countries that love freedom and peace.

It has diplomatic relations with some 100

countries from all continents and trade and

cultural relations with a large number of them.

We are in favor of conducting normal and free

trade exchanges without discrimination or

restrictive measures, and against maneuvers and

attempts by anyone to exploit them as a means of

pressure and to impose their own will and

political views. We also favor exchanges in the

fields of art, culture, science and so on and

believe that these should be expanded and enable

the peoples to acquaint themselves with each

other's achievements.

135. This year the Albanian people will

celebrate an important event in its historyóthe

seventieth anniversary of the proclamation of

independence, which was the culmination of their

century-long struggle for national independence.

They had to make innumerable sacrifices and shed

much blood to win genuine freedom and

independence, to become sovereign masters of

their own homeland and to open the road to

development and progress. For our people have

always valued national freedom and independence

above all else. Hence, national oppression and

practices of national discrimination, wherever

they occur and in whatever form and no matter

what the pretext or justification, are alien to

us. We are against any policy of

denationalization, against restrictions in and

obstacles to the protection and free development

of the national culture, art, language and

education, against the negation of traditions and

history. Every people, big or small, has the

absolute right to preserve and affirm its

national identity. Respect for national dignity

and values and with the other rights flowing from

the principles of the Charter of the United

Nations creates conditions in which the peoples

can live in friendship and States can have normal

relations with each other.

136. Socialist Albania, without stretching out

its hand to anyone for aid or credits, has

ensured an independent and vigorous development

in all fields of life. It has averted the

destructive consequences of the world economic

and political crisis and created favorable

conditions for the constant improvement of the

welfare of the working masses of the country. The

new price cuts which came into effect in June

this year in Albania, at a time when everywhere

else the opposite was happening, were a clear

demonstration of the vitality of our socialist

order.

137. There are those that accuse Albania of

being isolated and cut off. This is not true. We

are vigilant because we are alert and know that

enemies are hatching plots against socialist

Albania, because we see clearly and a familiar

with their methods and the plots they direct

against other peoples.

138. It does not bother us if some journalist

writes an article alleging that Albania is a

closed and a poor country. We find such

propaganda worthless. Our people are satisfied

with their own political and economic situation.

They have everything they need and are sure that

they will have much more in the future. It is to

that end that they are working and struggling,

relying entirely on their own resources. We would

like to inform those who are supposedly concerned

about the well-being of our people that in the

part of the world where, according to them,

abundance and well-being prevail, there in fact

exists an incurable economic crisis that has

thrown millions of unemployed persons into the

streets, and that in their countries prices

continue to rise and drugs and vandalism run

riot. In socialist Albania, which they regard as

a poor country, such phenomena do not exist.

Perhaps those critics would enjoy seeing us too

becoming prey to such phenomenaóbut that will

never happen. Such things will never be condoned

in our country; there is no room for them there.

Albania has kept its door closed to such things

in the past and will continue to do so in the

future. But it has opened and will open its doors

to its many friends and well-wishers who exist

among the peoples and to whom we are grateful.

139. The Albanian delegation will spare no

effort to make its modest contribution to the

proceedings of this session of the General

Assembly so that its work may take a proper

course that with serve the interests of peoples

and of peace.