WE DRAW ATTENTION Today, most of the wheat is at the beginning of tillering or in full tillering. Only a portion of it—that is, the area sown at the end of November (about 10 per cent of the total)—is at the two-to-three-leaf stage. More than 450 plants per m2 have been established on over 85 per cent of the area. The task is to build further on the very good situation we have achieved for this indicator, first and foremost by preserving and keeping healthy the plants we have. To this end, crop-care operations must be intensified, and work on these plants must not be interrupted for even a moment. The complacent attitude seen among some specialists and economic managers, who think that “the weather is holding and our wheat is in good condition,” must be fought. Experience has taught us that wheat yields are secured through continuous work, in accordance with the actual weather conditions. Is it not time to address this problem with the utmost seriousness, now, when weeds are in the early stages of development and can be controlled very effectively? All the country’s agricultural enterprises must be involved on this front, especially those in the lowland plain zone. The first and most effective measure for this purpose is harrowing. However, depending on the possibilities and the specific conditions, hoeing should also be carried out as part of an integrated programme of chemical treatments. The example set by the agricultural enterprises of the districts of Shkodër, Lezhë, Durrës, Lushnjë and Elbasan in measures against infections should also be followed by those of Krujë, Berat, Vlorë, Tepelenë, Gjirokastër, etc. In the mountain districts, such as Ersekë and Korçë, where temperatures have fallen to -10, -12 degrees Celsius, an urgent task is to protect the crops from frost damage, which can be achieved through repeated rolling. Specialists and workers in the lowland zone should also attend to liquid fertilization. In recent years, a certain underestimation has been observed of this considerable resource available to all agricultural enterprises. By applying 80–100 quintals per hectare of liquid organic fertilizer, we have supplied the wheat with 16–24 kg of nitrogen per ha, without even mentioning the other comprehensive benefits these fertilizers provide for plant development. The prevailing weather, the stage of the plants and the soil moisture level are very suitable for this process. It is time to make the best possible use of the planned nitrogen fertilizers to feed the wheat. Specialists and brigade leaders must closely supervise the workers carrying out this process. Anyone who manages from an office and thinks that nitrogen fertilizers can be spread according to ready-made formulas is fooling themselves. Creative and scientific thinking is required, fully adapted to the actual condition of the plants in each plot. One recommendation can be made for agricultural enterprises in the plain zone and, in part, the hilly zone: by the end of January, no more than 25–30 per cent of the planned quantity of nitrogen fertilizers should be used. XHEVAT SHIMA BEQIR AHMETI the opinion that «the weather is holding and our wheat is good», while [it] must be fought. Experience has taught us that a wheat yield is secured by working continuously, in accordance with the specific weather conditions, the fields and the stages of the plant’s growth. Only in this way can nature’s «surprises» be prevented. Where should attention be focused under today’s conditions? Farm specialists complain every year about widespread infestations of weeds in entire fields. To be truthful, we must say that this damage can reach up to 60 percent of the produc-

LET US EXCHANGE VIEWS THROUGH THE NEWSPAPER While working on the geology of Albania, I had the good fortune to travel throughout my homeland, and, alongside geological material, I also gathered a wealth of material about life. I have observed things with the “eye of a geologist,” but also that of a builder, and it is from this perspective that I am writing this article. Saw-cut stone For us geologists, stone represents a geological rock that may have a different composition, but must be hard. Stone has long been used to build houses and walls from the type of rock found near the place of residence. When stone was very far away, houses were built of adobe. With the great expansion of construction in our country, stone is used in very large quantities. More recently, the use of stone cladding on buildings, or stone paving in halls and corridors, has become more widespread. These widely used stones are precisely the ones incorrectly called “marble.” In fact, they are white limestone or, most often when they come from Dajti, dolomitized limestone. Likewise, the “marble” of Muhur is nothing other than pink limestone with many calcite veins. But this is not very important; after all, we are dealing with an incorrect name that has nothing to do with the substance of the problem we want to discuss. We geologists may quite rightly ask: why have we taken up the stone of Muhur, and what is special about the limestone there? Geologically, these are heavily deformed tectonic blocks. To obtain a monolithic block, a great deal of limestone has to be broken up, as it is heavily fractured. (This brings to mind the popular saying, “the mountain gave birth to a mouse.”) And why go all the way to Muhur to extract red limestone when we have limestone of that colour near Lezhë, or in Sarandë and Gjirokastër? I think the cost of extracting blocks at Muhur is high, considering the long journey the stone must make from the quarry to Durrës and Tirana, as well as all the broken material left in the quarry and discarded. To make full use of this quarry, slabs should be produced from the leftover pieces on site; they would not only look very beautiful, but would also considerably reduce the quarry’s costs. A great deal of saw-cut stone slabs have been used in several well-known buildings in Tirana, such as the “Dajti” Hotel, the “Enver Hoxha” University complex, several apartment blocks in New Tirana, etc. Most of them are organogenic limestone containing rudists, found in our country on Mount Dajti and especially on Karaburun (“Guri i Gramës”). Red limestone containing ammonites has also been used; in our country it occurs abundantly near Lezhë, in Tragjas, Dukat, Sarandë and elsewhere. Thus, any limestone that can be sawn is valuable; it is appreciated first and foremost for its white colour, which “adds” light when laid on stairs or in corridors. Today, limestone from various localities (mainly Sarandë and Gjirokastër) is sawn at the “Josif Pashko” combine. The slabs produced are very good, mainly white, or with pink and cherry-red hues; they are attractive. But is it worth bringing limestone from Sarandë to Tirana to saw it and then send the slabs back to Sarandë? Perhaps we should consider (Continued on page 2)

At the electromechanical plant in Tirana. (Photo: N. Xhufka) At the electromechanical plant in Tirana. (Photo: N. Xhufka)

PROFILE At the University Bookshop in Tirana, a few months ago, I watched a young man pleading with the bookseller to give him two or three books quickly, because he was in a hurry and might miss his train. The bookseller served him quickly. I was watching this young man, over 25 years old, very attentively, because I had seen him somewhere before, had met him somewhere. “Could you be Gjet Stojani?” I asked him after a while. “Yes, I am,” said the young man, who, as I noticed, recognized me. He remembered me! For a moment, with lightning speed, I began recalling the circumstances in which I had met this man, Gjet Stojani. It was 1980. I met him on the Milot–Shkodër railway. At the time he was a very young man, around seventeen. He was... calm in his speech. An excavator operator on the railway. Back then I wrote a few words about him in the newspaper, and he respected me because he replied with a postcard. And now, after 9–10 years, I was meeting him again. I “gave him permission” to leave, since he was in a hurry. ... (the text continues) “May I ask a question?” “Yes.” “Have you heard how Professor Aleks Buda is doing health-wise now?” “I’ve heard he is somewhat better,” I replied, and immediately continued: “But do you know Aleks Buda, Gjetë?” He lowered his head and, blushing slightly, explained: “When we talked in 1980, I told you, if you remember, that I love learning. I attended the eight-year school during the day. From Lundreja, a remote area of Mat, I went to Stojan. Although it was a little far, I still went with great enthusiasm. Then I started working, but I loved school. Although I worked with an excavator, I never left school. I completed secondary school by correspondence— school by correspondence— “Could you be Gjet Stojani?” I asked after a moment. “Yes, I am,” said the boy, who, as I noticed, recognized me. He reminded me! For a moment, in a sudden flash, this man, Gjet Sto- “No, perhaps you don’t remember, but my father’s name is Gjon Stojani. He worked in sawmills for 35 years, in the forests of Mount Skënderbeg. He has only just retired. He’d be very pleased if we went to see him one day. Then we went outside onto the road. As we walked, he said to me, a little shyly: “You may not to me, a little shyly: he said. “You may not to me, a little shyly: (Continued on page 3)

The Chairman of the State of Palestine, occupied by the Israelis, and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Jaser Arafat, sent the following telegram to the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia: “On behalf of our Arab Palestinian people, my brothers on the Executive Committee of the PLO, and in my own name, we extend to you, Your Excellency, and through you to your respected Government and the friendly Albanian people, my highest sentiments and thanks for the solidarity and respect you reaffirmed to me in your message on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the beginning of our revolution. The solidarity and support you extend to our people strengthen its determination in the liberation struggle, in its glorious intifada under the leadership of the PLO, its sole legitimate representative, until victory is achieved in liberating its national territories from occupation and securing its national rights. It will not yield on its right of return, self-determination and the establishment of the State of Palestine, with El-Kuds El-Sharif as its capital. Our Palestinian people is celebrating the beginning of the 26th anniversary of the revolution and is more determined than ever to continue its march in the just struggle, defending its right to live freely and independently in its own state, to take part alongside brotherly and friendly peoples in construction and development for the benefit of humanity, and to strengthen world peace and security. I reaffirm to you that the relations of solidarity and mutual support between Albania and the State of Palestine will continue to develop in the interests of our two friendly peoples. I extend my best wishes for your health and for the prosperity of the Albanian people.” (ATSH)

Yesterday the ballet company of the Opera and Ballet Theatre left for Italy, where it will give eight performances in the cities of Milano and Pavia of the ballet “Giselle” by the composer A. Adam, choreographed by Korali-Pero. The work was staged by choreographer Agron Aliaj, with sets by Shaban Hysa. The leading roles are performed by Italian soloist Ana Raci and our soloists Ilir Kërni, Albana Sulejmani, Leonard Xhokaxhiu, Ludmill Çakalli and Lindita Ahmataj. The company is led by Vath Koreshi, director of the Directorate of Arts at the Committee of Culture and Arts. (ATSH)

● Like many workers’ collectives in the district of Vlorë, the construction collective of the clothing plant has also made improving work norms a priority in order to increase social labor productivity. Work is now being carried out at rates 1–2 percent higher than last year’s. This is contributing to a 2.5 percent increase in labor productivity, and the industrial output planned for one week of this month was achieved in 5 days. ● The mining collectives of the district of Pukë ended the first half of this month with good extraction results. Alongside fulfilling their target for copper ore extraction, they ensured that its quality was 3 percent higher. The pace of mining operations has likewise been steady. ● Alongside the outstanding collectives in the district of Durrës, the collective at the workshop for repairing construction machinery is also making progress. They have fully carried out their 1990 obligations. Working under the motto that no machine should remain in the workshop for repairs beyond the set deadline, this year the workshop will also produce and recondition many parts and items of equipment, thereby reducing imports of them. ● Turning winter into a period of intensive work, large numbers of young people from Dragobia, Bujani, Curraj and Babina in the district of Tropojë are working in a mobilized effort to complete the day’s agricultural tasks. During this period, large quantities of fodder and other animal feed were gathered and transported from the forest to the barns. ● In the wheat fields in the district of Mat, now that the drainage network has been completed, concentrated efforts are being made to fertilize, top-dress with organic manure, roll the fields, and so on. Across the district, the first application of nitrate has been spread on more than 80 percent of the fields. The cooperatives of Kurdaria, Derjani and Komsia are completing this process. The wheat in these agricultural enterprises is in good condition.

Our correspondent made inquiries with the competent authorities about the movement of tourists and foreign visitors in Albania and of Albanians abroad. In this connection, he learned that tourism in Albania has continued to develop in recent years. In 1989 alone, 14,435 tourists came from various countries around the world. The number of tourists from neighboring countries increased in particular. Thus, during 1989 around 3,830 Greek tourists came to Albania. The number of Yugoslav tourists also increased. Last year, 633 Yugoslav tourists came to Albania. In addition to tourists, many visitors who have relatives here have come to Albania, just as Albanian citizens have travelled to see their relatives in other countries. Thus, last year 94 people were granted visas and went to Yugoslavia. The Yugoslav authorities refused entry visas for another 610 applications. During the same period, the Yugoslav side allowed only 157 Yugoslav citizens to visit Albania, of whom only 22 were from Kosovo. Exchanges of visitors with our other neighboring country, Greece, have also developed well in recent years. Last year, 744 Greek visitors came to our country and, likewise, 643 Albanian visitors went to Greece. We also exchange visitors with other countries, in addition to Yugoslavia and Greece. During the year that has just ended, 1,600 visitors from various countries around the world came to Albania, while around 1,400 Albanian visitors also went to those countries.

● Wheat in the weather conditions of these days (p. 1). ● Example and concrete action (p. 2). ● A conversation about socialism with excavator operator Gjetë Stojani... (pp. 1–3). ● Rising tension in the Middle East (p. 4).