Albania after Hoxha's death

During 1983 and 1984 it was clear from the pages of the main Albanian daily paper, Zerii Popullit (Voice of the People), that Enver Hpxha's . public appearances were becoming increasingly rare. Photographs of him still appeared frequently in the paper, but they were usually old pictures Hoxha in his youth and prime. The occasional contemporary photograph showed a haggard old man who had obviously become very frail. He was represented by Ramiz Alia on visits to different parts of the country, where he brought Hoxha's greetings and was enthusiastically welcomed. He was obviously being groomed totake over as leader, although one wondered if he would disappear in a power struggle after Hoxha's death. In April 1985 the inevitable neyvs at last came the heart of Albania's beloved Uncle Enver had stopped beating. The man the people had looked on as their saviour, even· as their god, had died. But he remained very much alive in the media .. . . Enver Hoxha died. He was ... No, He is!