The march of ’90 in Banjë Although the hydroelectric complex is vast in extent and scale, the eye still catches something new there every day. Talking with the builders, one learns that, particularly over the past three or four days, in response to Comrade Ramiz Alia’s words that through work we have created all those good things that make us happy and optimistic, and through work we will add to them, work rates have exceeded the charts, and even the forecasts. At the grouting and inspection gallery, one of the sites where work is concentrated, in addition to filling the dam and excavating its abutment, deep drilling and grouting in the cut-off curtain has risen from 30 linear metres, the daily target, to 40–45 linear metres. This time, alongside the brigade led by Hero of Socialist Labour Haxhi Mandreka, members of Ali Çarku’s brigade have also come to the fore. Meanwhile, another brigade, the dam-filling team led by foreman Shaban Shehu, is achieving an average of 115 per cent of its daily norm. Thus, the work of these days has brought new names to prominence. After explaining that the tasks for ’90 are more demanding and difficult than those of any other year, Agim Dumani, the tireless foreman of the steelworkers, who is working toward the February target, tells us about this collective’s latest undertaking: “We are increasing the pace of work for another reason too,” he says. “The brigade of Hero of Socialist Labour Xhemë Peca has launched a new challenge: to fulfil the 1990 plan by 16 October. And we will take up the challenge and keep our word.” The news of the challenge and commitment made by these brigades has spread throughout all the work sites of the project. Two drivers from the heavy-machinery work site, who operate 36-tonne vehicles, Idriz Idrizi and Xheladin Brah’mi, have also pledged to fulfil the annual plan a month and a half ahead of schedule. This com- (Continued on page 2)

At the Institute of Metallurgical Studies in Elbasan, construction of the pilot plant for producing resins used in self-hardening mixtures for casting components in our industry’s foundries is nearing completion. Until now, this resin has been imported. The study being carried out by this Institute envisages producing this material from domestic raw materials. Two ore-enrichment plants for copper minerals will be established in Perlat and Rubik, in the district of Mirditë. The designs for these two important projects are being drawn up by the Institute of Studies and Projects for Mining Technology. This institute is also supervising implementation of the project it prepared for the construction of the coal-enrichment plant in Maliq, Korçë. This plant will serve the country’s entire western coal-bearing region. After completing the project for Field No. 4 in Memaliaj, the Institute of Mining Studies and Projects is also drawing up the project for opening and exploiting seam No. 9 at this mine. At the directorate, [projects] for the coal mines in Maqan, Korçë, partial projects for exploiting the deposits of sulphur ore in Selenicë, etc. MEHDI KOKHAJ

The day before yesterday, in the morning, the Presidium of the General Council of the Democratic Front of Albania met in one of the halls of the Palace of Congresses in Tirana. It reviewed reports submitted by the presidiums of the Democratic Front in the districts of Durrës and Tropojë, “On the work carried out to increase the role of the intelligentsia in the activities of the Democratic Front organization”. In their discussions, the members of the Presidium noted that our people’s intelligentsia, a large body numbering more than 72,000 people, represents one of the most valuable investments made by our socialist society over these 45 years. Formed through the teachings of the Party and its glorious leader, Comrade Enver Hoxha, it is conscious of its role and its great obligation to repay the people by helping advance the country in every sphere. The discussions conveyed the wide resonance of Comrade Ramiz Alia’s speech delivered among the workers of the Auto-Tractor Combine, the anger and indignation that have erupted among all our people and intelligentsia at the anti-Albanian slanders of the enemies, as well as the great commitment to defend the homeland and the victories of socialism. Our patriotic intelligentsia, educated over the years of our people’s power, is devoted to socialization, takes an active part and plays a distinctive role in the country’s progress. Its influence on the political and social life and activities of the Democratic Front’s militant organization has continued to grow. Through its political, professional and social education, it makes a major contribution to broadening people’s horizons, to patriotic education, to knowledge of our history and culture, to the moral and civic education of the masses, especially the younger generation, and to disseminating contemporary advances in science and technology. At the meeting it was pointed out that the members of the Democratic Front organization, including all the intelligentsia, have thrown themselves into comprehensive work to fulfil the tasks for 1990, which completes the entire eighth five-year plan, and to achieve new victories in the socialist construction of the homeland. Comrade Nexhmije Hoxha also spoke at the meeting. Among other things, she said: “Our people are very politically aware. They follow international and domestic political events with interest. In the past, they often recorded these events in their folklore as well. All the more so do they follow them now that they have power and their own [institutions?], and feel responsible for defending and advancing the victories achieved. We can see and feel these days how angrily our people have received the slanders concocted by the chauvinists of Belgrade, the Greek reactionaries and the Western press. “But these shameful attacks have united our people even more closely around the Party and their beloved leader, Comrade Ramiz Alia; they have mobilized them more at work to fulfil the plan for the final year of the five-year plan, and have sharpened their vigi- (Continued on page 2)

— SHKODËR — The people of Shkodër, a group of workers at the electric-wire plant tell us, are working with determination to fulfil every task in response to Comrade Ramiz’s words. We began with the wire plant because it bears the main burden of exports in the district of Shkodër. But other collectives too, which [are]… At this outstanding collective, the machinery in the rolling department was overhauled. The workers, led by engineer Xhenarin Shatoja, managed to complete this on time, making it possible to bring the plant into production at full capacity for export. Meanwhile, the fine- and extra-fine wire departments, as well as the cable department, successfully fulfilled their tasks. production of wicker and straw for export is increasing every day. In the last five days, exports rose 2 percent above the target. Leading the effort to exceed the plan are the workshop headed by Meqizare Pelivani and the one supervised by Xhevahire Abdyl. Here they tell us that they will maintain throughout the month the 2 percent overfulfilment recorded on this day. At the clothing enterprise, they tell us about the outstanding brigade headed by Qetore Nishi. It is becoming a motivating force for the other brigades, which this (Continued on page 2)

— The period targets for copper production have been exceeded — — PUKË — The mines of Pukë are especially lively these days. At every face, people are working in an offensive spirit to provide the homeland with as much copper as possible. In a conversation with the deputy director of the copper enterprise, [we learn that] the period targets for copper production have been exceeded. The miners of Tuç have so far produced 130 tonnes of copper ore above plan. Sector supervisor Llesh Prendi says that if we were to single out one [team/line], it would be “Fitorja”. At the Lak Rosh sector too, says its supervisor Ton

Yesterday, the Ministry of Agriculture organized an expanded meeting in the city of Lushnjë to assess the fulfilment of the 1989 tasks by agricultural enterprises and to discuss the main directions of work for the comprehensive fulfilment of this year’s plan. The participants included directors and heads of finance departments of the country’s agricultural enterprises, heads of agricultural sections, leaders of scientific institutions within the agricultural system, representatives of central government departments, etc. In the report delivered by Stefan Qirjako, director of the agricultural enterprises directorate at the Ministry of Agriculture, and in the participants’ discussions, it was noted that, in implementing the tasks of the Party’s 9th Congress and the directives of Comrade Ramiz Alia, agricultural enterprises are to become the vanguard of our agriculture, not only in the sphere of production but also in that of org-

We began with the wire factory, because it carries the main share producing for export have also launched an offensive to supply as many goods as possible to the foreign market. In recent days, the tobacco and cigarette factory, the canned-goods production enterprise, NB «Perlat Rexhepi» and NB Oblika, as well as many agricultural cooperatives, have exceeded their export targets; these are exceeding the plan for exporting anti-phylloxera strips, leeks and carrots. At the enterprise of

every workface, people are working in an offensive spirit to give the homeland as much copper as possible. Speaking with the deputy director of the mining enterprise, Mark Nika, we learn that the aim of attending the district conference of trade-union associations with the monthly targets fulfilled is guaranteed by the current pace of

work. The miners of Tuci have so far produced 130 tons of copper ore above the plan. The head of the Llësh Prendi sector says that if one shift were to be singled out, it would be «Fitorja». In the Lak Rosh sector too, its head, Ton Pjetri, says that a high level of mobilization can be felt at every workface, on every shift. When it comes to the mines (Continued on page 2)

- KORÇË - The chief engineer of the faience products enterprise, Trifon Çeçe, one of the district’s outstanding innovators, tells us, after acquainting us with some of the commitments for this year, that experiments have been completed to put two new plate designs into production, as well as several types of bowls in different sizes. Preparatory measures have also been taken to put two new washbasin designs into large-scale production. Without additional investment, the workers— (Continued on page 2)

DIE IN THE BIRTHPLACE IN TIRANA - As it approaches 12:00, numerous taxis begin lining up in front of the Obstetric-Gynecological Hospital in Tirana, most of them «TR», but here and there there are also some from the districts. What are these taxis waiting for? - We have entered one of the rooms in the newborns’ pediatric ward. Behind the glass doors are grandmothers, grandfathers, men, women, even little girls, all waiting with great emotion. They wait, chatting quietly with one another. And then a door opens and a nurse comes in carrying a baby wrapped in white. Iliriana Leno, who comes after her, is overjoyed. She has given birth to her first child. - May your child live long - Liri, the head of this ward, and Beatrice Filipi, a nurse, wish her. - I wanted a girl - she says, deeply moved. The door opens. Iliriana is surrounded by her relatives and goes down the stairs. A car can be heard amid the noise. A taxi drives off. Another citizen has been added to Tirana. Meanwhile, Fiqrete Mervushi, a resident of neighbourhood 2 and an employee at kindergarten 41, enters the room. - I’m very happy - she says. - I gave birth to all my children here. “I myself am an only son, and I want lots of sons,” his father replies. There you have it: with cheerful conversations like these, the youngest guests are welcomed and seen off—the children who, like birds, fly away one by one in different directions. Each in a taxi. The minutes pass almost unnoticed. (Continued on page 2) The corridor door is slightly ajar. A mustached man has meanwhile entered the room with his daughter, ten-year-old Edigena. As she walks toward her little sister and her mother, she says: “Wouldn’t three sisters and three boys be nice, Dad?”

- Interview given to the newspaper «La Republika» and Italian television after his return from a visit to Albania - ROME, 19 January. - The Italian newspaper «La Republika» published an interview today with Senator Xhulio Orlando, who visited Albania in recent days. The interview appeared under the headline «No state of emergency whatsoever in Tirana», and its subheadline notes that the Italian senator «refuted the news spread by Yugoslav newspapers». At the beginning of the interview, Orlando said that he had set the date of his visit to Albania long before the first rumors spread about «a state of emergency, protests and sporadic gunfire throughout the country». He added that by making this visit he would be able to see with his own eyes what was happening. I observed, he stressed, that there is no state of emergency whatsoever. Regarding the fact that Yugoslav television and the press had spoken of strikes, demonstrations and gunfire in Albania, the Italian senator said that TANJUG and Yugoslav television had spread and amplified these rumors, but in reality they were reports that had no basis whatsoever. What is desired on their part does not correspond to reality, he added, emphasizing that anyone can think whatever they want about Albania, but ultimately we must respect the facts. The Italian Embassy in Tirana, Orlando continued, had informed Rome that the situation was calm. I myself spent an entire night in Shkodër, whose streets were said to be the scene of demonstrations. The situation was calm. I was then in Berat, and once again everything was calm. Speaking about his assessment of his visit to Albania, the third after those made in 1972 and 1980, the Italian senator said that in Albania one can see the desire to preserve its lasting independence. He called the motives guiding Albania in its policy toward the Soviet Union and some other countries reasonable. Tirana, he stressed, has jealously sought to protect its independence from foreign interference, including Yugoslav interference. He added that Tito wanted to incorporate Albania into the Yugoslav Federation, but the Albanians refused. Now, the Italian senator continued, Albania shows a willingness to have good-neighbourly relations with all countries, even with Yugoslavia, despite the problems between them, foremost among them the issue of Kosovo. Finally, Senator Orlando said that the Albanian government and people show particular interest in relations with Italy. He mentioned Albania’s readiness to conclude an agreement on the Adriatic together with the other countries bordering this sea. Italy’s first television channel (RAI-1) also broadcast an interview with Xhulio Orlando on 19 January, in which he said that during his visit to Tirana, Shkodër and Berat he saw no state of emergency whatsoever, no tanks in the streets, no troop movements, etc. Regarding Albania’s position on events in Eastern Europe, the Italian senator said: What happened in the Eastern countries did not come as a surprise in Albania, and these changes did not take it by surprise. It has its own ideology, which it defends. It broke away from these countries long ago and has no relations whatsoever with the USSR.

The taxis are waiting...

- EVERY YEAR THE CAPITAL GROWS BY THE POPULATION OF THE CITY OF ERSEKË.