Food Situation and Reserve Sales- 430 thousand tons of wheat, in 1993- 180 thousand head of small livestock, in just 1992- 502.6 thousand ha of land distributed- In the absence of a clear and documented policy for agriculture in the highest government and decision-making circles, the privatized, owner-based economy has been able to develop precisely by opposing the old mentality of centralist administration. The face of the countryside and agricultural production have begun to change significantly. According to official data, by the end of 1993, 502.6 thousand ha of land had been distributed, 11 [?] thousand private farms, and 267 private agricultural associations and enterprises. In 17 districts of the country, land privatization has been completed, while in the others it is nearing completion. More than 92 percent of the barns of the former agricultural cooperatives and 92.7 percent of the enterprises and facilities of the livestock market have been privatized. The evolution data show that wheat production reached 430 thousand tons, compared with 1992, when 248 thousand tons were secured. Maize production reached 308 thousand tons in 1993 compared with 229 thousand tons in 1992. Among industrial crops, tobacco production rose to 1,105 tons in 1993 from 1,105 tons in 1992, sunflower to 3,380 tons compared with 1,037 tons in 1992, cotton to 429 tons, soybeans to 2,089 tons. Compared with 1992, vegetable production shows increases of 70 percent in tomatoes, peppers, leeks, potatoes, etc. In the livestock sector, the number of small livestock has risen by around 180 thousand head. By the end of 1993, the countryside counted 1 million 565 thousand sheep and goats. Milk production reached 609 thousand tons and meat production 92 thousand tons. Even so, specialists believe that much more work is still needed in this area to create a free and organized market, to avoid seasonal shortages and to improve the supply of the population.

If even PDSh officials drag their feet and support the dragging out and blocking of processes, then it really is something to cry about. This is how residents of the Darsia area expressed themselves after the meeting with the chairman of the PDSh, Mr. Tritan Shehu, who held a meeting with the group of pensioners and disabled people from the town. Representatives of the area raised concerns about water supply, road conditions, lighting, and problems in land distribution. Chairman Shehu stated that the PDSh will continue to support democratic processes and the legal resolution of issues. Members of the local party leadership also took part in the meeting.

While accompanied by the senior U.S. official William Ryerson, Mr. Eduard Selami met with the American Assistant Secretary for European Affairs and other officials. Mr. Selami introduced him to the PDSh platform for the country's democratic development and to the positions regarding the privatization process. During the meeting, Albanian-American relations, economic aid, and prospects for Euro-Atlantic integration were discussed. Press and Information Department of the PDSh.

in a conversation about politics after sex- "ZP" now had a conversation with several women from the village of Sallaksë about their everyday situation and their involvement in social life. They spoke about economic conditions, family, and how they view politics after the democratic changes. The women of the area asked for more social support, drinking water, and employment for young people. E. ALOKA

During a seminar held on privatization, it was emphasized that the prolongation of processes and the lack of legal clarity are creating obstacles to investment. The speakers stated that privatization must be accompanied by clear ownership policies and by the creation of market institutions. The experiences of neighboring countries and the need for transparency in the procedures for selling state assets were mentioned. Prepared by: DYLIJAN KARVAJ

Shabani has undoubtedly gone beyond the basis, and the decentralization of local power, a process which constitutes one of the main issues of administrative reform. According to the material presented at the symposium held in Tirana, reform of local government must be based on the principle of subsidiarity and on the financial autonomy of local units. The need to increase the responsibility of municipalities and communes for providing services to citizens was emphasized. The discussion included experiences from other countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

NATIONAL LIBRARY MEETINGS OF PRESIDENT BERISHA WITH: AMBASSADOR AHRENS Montenegrin ambassador IPER-KIÇOLLA PANON The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, received the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania. The service reports that during the conversation views were exchanged on issues of intensifying bilateral relations, as well as on the peacekeeping role in the region. President Berisha underlined that Albania, from the beginning, has supported and sympathized with the positions of the USA for resolving the Bosnian crisis and in particular with NATO's military actions against Serbian aggression. Among other things, through this channel, President Berisha expressed the desire of the Albanian state to expand diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries. PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA (DPA)

Tirana FOR THE HEATING OF THE POPULATION To help the residents of the capital, from next week coal and firewood will also be sold at several points in Tirana at affordable prices. According to the announcement, considerable quantities of fuel have been made available. EDITORIAL ADDRESS Asim Vokshi Street No. 49, Tirana Tel. 22609 Account no. 727/110 Editor-in-Chief SKENDER KLENOVA, Editorial secretary Xhevai Mustafa

SOUVENIR D'OSLO