Optimistic interviews - KUKËS - These days we met with several leaders and workers of the Kukës district. They also told us about their first successes, which inspire optimism. “A good beginning is half the work,” as the saying goes. But such success does not come by itself. It takes sustained work, organization and dedication. All-round development strengthens and sustains people’s power. What are they saying in Kukës about the start of this year? The chrome mine in Kalimash was at the forefront throughout last year. That is its aim this year as well. Director Kemal Elezi says: «The enterprise has made a good start to 1990. Although we have a small deficit in chrome production, we are making every effort while repairing the cableways in the Keç sector. The severe frosts have also had an impact. Nevertheless, the targets for chrome production will be met in the 15-day period. The deficit will be made up. The underground-mining sector, headed by communist Kadri Cena, is exceeding its targets. So is the quarry sector, headed by Rasim Kërpaçi. Every day, the chrome-enrichment plant in Kalimash meets 100 percent of its target for chrome concentrate production. The olivinite production sector is also making steady progress. Figirete Spahiu, director of the NPN, says that the workforce of this enterprise has made a good start to the year and is mobilized and optimistic about carrying out its tasks. More and more products for export are being delivered each day, exceeding the plan. The sportswear workshop is doing likewise. Handicraft production is behind because the sheet-metal raw material has not been secured as stipulated in the contracts. Nebi Bida, head of planning at the fishing enterprise, says that this workforce has made a lively and promising start. The 10-day target has been fulfilled at 150 percent. The fishing group headed by Hazir Bytyçi has become an example for the other brigades as well. The implementation of tasks in the Kukës district has begun with renewed optimism and mobilization. This makes the Republic’s holiday a joyful one. NAIM ZOTO

ADDRESSED TO SEVERAL AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES We see solutions first and foremost within the enterprise - The «Ylli i Kuq» agricultural enterprise of Kamëz responds - The newspaper’s editorial office received a reply from the Party Committee, the enterprise management and the Professional Committee of the «Ylli i Kuq» agricultural enterprise in Kamëz, Tirana. Among other things, it says: «The article published in your newspaper on January 5 this year, “Why do some agricultural enterprises run at a loss?”, which also criticizes our enterprise, was carefully and seriously discussed by the entire workforce of our enterprise. The issue raised is legitimate, and the fact is that the results of the agricultural enterprise in Kamëz have declined in recent years, both in terms of production indicators and, consequently, financial indicators. This decline, which is neither in keeping with the character nor with the honor of the workforce of this enterprise, one of the oldest in our country, has become the subject of an in-depth analysis to establish individual and collective responsibility and to define a series of measures for rapidly improving the situation and eliminating losses in agricultural and livestock production...» It goes on to say: «It is a fact that many factors have affected the enterprise’s financial results. We are aware that the factors connected with our own work—with accountability and with the methods of management and organization of work and production, and with the level at which production targets are fulfilled—are decisive, and there is much we need to improve in this respect. While emphasizing these factors relating to the enterprise’s work, the reply also identifies several significant external influences, as well as factors connected with economic mechanisms. It mentions, for example, the removal of vegetables from the export program, an objective aimed at better supplying the population, which may indicate a need to use the price lever more appropriately. The production structure adopted in the 1989 plan, the prices of certain materials supplied to the enterprise, the “unfair” burden placed on agriculture for the cost of transporting fertilizer, the increase in the purchase price of hay from individuals, and other factors of this kind have also had considerable effects. Or, attention is drawn to the fact that billing for work done by tracked tractors, when they operate outside the enterprise, is carried out at the prices of (Continued on page 2)

- PËRMET - Most work collectives in the Përmet district are preparing for the Republic’s holiday, January 11, by carrying out and surpassing their plan targets from the very first days of this year. Of the 14 enterprises, 12 exceeded their targets for the first 10 days of the month and are making steady progress every day, in line with their pledges. The collectives of the NPD and NPN have made a good start to the final year of the five-year plan, fulfilling their 10-day targets at 125 and 102 percent, respectively, in all categories. The land-reclamation workers achieved 105 percent of their reclamation volume, and ... The district’s export target has doubled. The achievements of the first days of January convince us that the pledges are becoming reality. At the NPN and NPD, work is being carried out at a 10 percent higher productivity rate; land-reclamation works are being accelerated at sites that will be put into use during the irrigation season; and municipal services are expanding their activities. A feature of these days is the strengthening of work discipline. Unjustified absences have fallen and work norms are being exceeded. Emulation and competitions have become an incentive for all collectives to fulfill their pledges and greet each holiday in succession with achievements in every field. PËRPARIM MUSTAFAJ

- LIBRAZHD - The working class of the Librazhd district is working with determination to enter the January 11 holiday with new achievements. Although this year’s targets are greater, 80 percent of them will be met through increased productivity. Last year, many collectives achieved overfulfillment through a steady daily and weekly pace, narrowing the gaps between the first 5- and 10-day periods and those at the end of each month. The mining sector has good experience in this regard. At the chrome mine in Përrenjas, this year’s targets are higher. By following the steady daily pace of the five mining sectors- (Continued on page 2)

For years, the Gjorm agricultural enterprise in Krujë had become synonymous with an enterprise running at a loss, with losses of up to 8 million lekë. Wheat production targets were exceeded, but soybeans, corn and, above all, livestock lagged behind, creating the largest share of the losses. The financial result had been planned at break-even, meaning that even a slight shock was enough to upset this balance. Gjorm absolutely needed ... COMPREHENSIVE FULFILLMENT OF TARGETS This is where the financial turnaround began for one of the most backward enterprises in the district and in the country as a whole. We went to Gjorm these days and learned that almost all products exceeded their targets: grain, 108 percent; soybeans and sunflower, 121 and 115 percent; milk and meat, 104 and 107 percent respectively. Only the targets for grapes and fodder were not increased, although the former nevertheless reached 95 percent for the first time. It is not just one or two brigades, but many of them, that are achieving and exceeding their plans. The enterprise managers readily name the most outstanding ones when asked. The central sector, where Nikolin GjeloShi is in charge, harvested 51 quintals of wheat and 70 quintals of corn per hectare; the pig sector and Fushë-Kuqës also stand out. This

is the experience Gjorm offers to its sister enterprises that are running at a loss. There can be no question of efficiency without fulfilling all production targets. But how was this achieved? The work began by aligning the plan’s components and indicators: yields, income and expenses, credit and working capital. Viktor Kola, head of the finance department, felt it was his duty to mention the assistance provided by the Agricultural Bank and the director of finance at the Ministry of Agriculture. On this occasion, we stress that there are several sister enterprises with ... Accelerating agricultural work, harvesting wheat, corn and soybeans, helped ensure that several important operations were carried out properly, and so on. This led to lower costs and improved profitability for several crops. Incentives based on workers’ qualifications were also a considerable source of motivation, as was the effort to reduce unstandardized work. Discussing the advantages of the new remuneration system brings up an issue concerning incentives for specialists, which also arises in other sectors of the economy. Specialists’ pay is linked to production and expenses, which for some are not direct measures of their work. It would be more accurate for each specialist to have specific indicators that realistically reflect their work. SHQYRI MEKA

This year, Gjorm has been planned to provide net income; the enterprise is confident of this. «Look at the record of the day’s work,» says Nezir Gjioni, secretary of the Party bureau. «By the 15th, the planting of early potatoes will be completed—as in no other year. Work on the wheat crop and renewal of the vineyard is continuing. We are prepared to obtain 10 quintals of meat per sow and 3,000 liters of milk, 400 liters more than the plan. You can already see this in daily milk production, which is 3 quintals above the plan. The turnaround achieved last month in the collective farmyard is being further consolidated through the implementation of the Council of Ministers’ new decision. Only 4 percent of workers fail to meet their norms, while there are no unjustified absences at all. That is why we say we will meet our targets and obtain 2,000 quintals of grain and 1,000 quintals of soybeans more than the plan.»

-GJIROKASTËR - Various activities have been held at workplaces and production centers, agricultural cooperatives, military units, and educational and cultural institutions in the district of Gjirokastër on the occasion of January 11, the 44th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic. Talks by veterans of «January 11», «February 18», etc., from the city, as well as talks by war and labor veterans and government cadres, have been followed with interest. They spoke about the 44-year path since the Proclamation of the Republic, the work of the Party and of the glorious and unforgettable leader, comrade Enver Hoxha, as well as the successes achieved in all fields and the prospects for advancing them further under the leadership of the Party, with comrade Ramiz Alia at the helm. At thematic afternoons organized at the agricultural enterprises «Misto Mame» of Lunxhëri and «Muzafere Asqeri», at the advanced-type cooperative of Sofratikë, Vriseraës, Përmet, etc., the continuous strengthening of people’s power and its profoundly democratic character in our country were highlighted, as were the transformations that have taken place, here in this district as throughout our country, during the years of the Party, etc. - PUKË - «Our Republic Blossoms» is the lecture being delivered at workplaces, agricultural cooperatives, and institutions in the district of Pukë on the occasion of the January 11 holiday. Through it, and in meetings and discussions with war veterans, cadres, and councilors, the comprehensive achievements and economic and cultural accomplishments in the country’s economic and cultural development during the years of people’s power under the leadership of the Party are presented, while continuously increasing the role of the masses in governing the country. The «Zenel Kadria» cultural club in Fushë Arrëz presented the musical-literary montage «Bright Forehead - Republic» and also organized a meeting with outstanding workers in fulfilling the tasks of the first days of this year, putting into practice the tasks set by the Party and the instructions of comrade Ramiz Alia. - SARANDË - The approaching January 11 holiday, the 44th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, has mobilized the workers of the district of Sarandë to welcome this important event with new results on the production front. Across the district, production schedules are being exceeded at the agricultural enterprises «Misto Mame» of Lunxhëri and «Muzafer our country, during the years of the Party, etc. - PUKË - musical-literary montage «Bright Forehead - the instructions of comrade Ramiz Alia. - SARANDË - are being exceeded workers in many branches of the agricultural sector, such as the collection of olive and citrus crops and milk production, etc., while 8 of the 11 cooperatives whose main activity is industrial production exceeded the targets for the first week of this month by several thousand lekë. - POGRADEC - Meetings and discussions have been organized in the Pogradec district with employees of economic enterprises, cooperative members, young men and young women. At these gatherings, veterans of the war and of labor spoke about the great historical significance of the proclamation of the Republic, the district’s economic and social development, and the persistent work being carried out since the beginning of this year to successfully complete the targets of the entire 8th Five-Year Plan, by implementing the decisions of the 9th Congress of the Party and the directives of Comrade Ramiz Alia. (According to ATSH)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Reis Malile, yesterday received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of Poland to the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Vladislav Ciaston, who and is expected to present his credentials shortly to Comrade Ramiz Alia, Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania. (ATSH)

At the invitation of the National Union of Women of Mali, a delegation of the General Council of BGSH departed for the Republic of Mali. It is headed by Fatime Bërcama, a member of the Presidium of this Council, and will take part in the 5th Congress of this organization. (ATSH)

Following the American military aggression in Panama, Central and Latin America are becoming the main destinations for the tours abroad of the White House’s highest-ranking officials. This is no coincidence, but is dictated by the difficult state of America’s relations with these countries. The aggression itself has provoked such indignation in various countries of the region that they called it new evidence of the «gangster diplomacy» Washington has pursued for years. It was precisely to get ahead of this wave of anger that President Xhorxh Bush sent his vice president, Den Kuejll, whose aim is to dispel the bad image left by the aggression. On this occasion, the Vice President tried to justify the military intervention by claiming it was for the «protection of the lives of Americans», presenting his tour as a gesture of understanding toward all the countries of Latin America, where the aggression has caused deep concern. At a time when international public opinion as a whole, and especially that in the countries of Central and Latin America, has risen up and is strongly condemning the aggressive action of the USA against Panama, the reassurance Den Kuejll claims he will provide is an unconvincing ploy. It is even less credible if we consider the fact that the senior American official is going to discuss more effectively the diversion through political and diplomatic maneuvers on a regional scale in Latin America. The American Vice President’s tour seeks to cover with a fig leaf what is completely exposed and appears in all its brutality: pressure, blackmail, interventions, even aggression, such as that against Panama. By describing the barbaric intervention as «the protection of the lives of Americans» and Kuejll’s tour as a gesture of understanding, America casts a stone, but cannot hide the criminal hand, nor its unchanging aims of destabilizing the situation throughout the Latin American region. ARBEN KARAPICI

The pyrography painting section at the artistic enterprise in Vlorë is distinguished by the quality of its products. (Photo: N. Xhufka)