– “Striker of the Year 1990 and of the 8th Five-Year Plan” – the objective of the militant collective of the “Enver Hoxha” autotractor combine – TO COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA – FIRST SECRETARY OF THE PARTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE – TIRANA Dear Comrade Ramiz, Our employees in every sector and department, inspired by the great enthusiasm aroused by the warm and cordial conversation with You, as well as by the documents of the Party Central Committee’s 9th Plenum, discussed and set new tasks, in order to achieve this year’s objectives with the highest possible indicators and to earn the honorary title “Striker of the Year 1990 and of the 8th Five-Year Plan.” Living intensely with the domestic and international situation, the workers, communists and cadres have pledged to raise the management and organization of work, the militant spirit and sense of responsibility, and the leading and supervisory role of the working class to the level demanded by the times. It is precisely here that we see the implementation of the Party’s instruction to increase real effectiveness for the Combine itself and for the economy. We are aware that there are shortcomings in our work, some of which were also reflected very recently in the press. We know them, and therefore we are fighting against them and have [text cut off at the lower edge of the image] imported materials compared with 1989. – We will deepen the initiative to strengthen the socialist attitude toward work, so that there are no unjustified absences from work or workers who fail to meet their quota, and we will reduce temporary incapacity to the planned level, while giving priority to improving employees’ working and living conditions. 2. In technical progress and technology, which will serve to further improve quality, we will complete production with the necessary new documentation for group-processing technology and provide this documentation with the necessary equipment, beginning in February. We will make technological improvements for those groups of parts about which users have raised quality concerns, and new technologies will be introduced, such as for pistons, heat treatment of gears, and casting of steel and cast-iron parts, etc. We will design and produce inspection equipment and instruments for more greater independence for plants and departments, strengthening their economic and financial accounting as separate units; we will work with the aim of increasing quality and better fulfilling the product range. By intensifying work on watering and the proper administration of property and raising production standards, several measures will be taken, both to improve the handling of parts during production by improving internal transport, and to provide better packaging for transport to the user. To achieve the required turning point in quality, we will strengthen inspection throughout its entire hierarchy, from the acceptance of raw materials through the entire production process to the finished product. The working class, through its continuous inspections, will persistently monitor the fulfillment of plans, the proper administration of property, and the improvement of working conditions. 5. In exports, progress was made during 1989. This year we will triple production for export, further improving the Combine’s export-import balance. We have set all these objectives with a clear aim: to bring about a turning point in improving product quality, increase production, and gradually expand the production of complete units and assemblies for tractors and motor vehicles. The Combine’s working class, as it expressed at the meeting with You, will respond to the new circumstances and tasks by increasing its mobilization at work, further strengthening its vigilance, and closing ranks around the Party and its Central Committee, with You at the head, Comrade Ramiz. Long live our glorious Party. FROM THE WORKING COLLECTIVE OF THE “ENVER HOXHA” AUTOTRACTOR COMBINE the Party’s directive to increase the real effectiveness of the Combine’s output and of the economy. We are aware that our work has shortcomings, some of which were also reflected in the press quite recently. We know about them, which is why we are fighting to overcome them, and we are convinced that we will do so in order not only to fulfill but also to exceed the targets of the 8th Five-Year Plan. We have declared 1990 a year of general action, in order to make the objectives we have set for ourselves a reality; those objectives are now taking on a new substance. Specifically, we undertake to achieve the following objectives: 1. Production and work indicators. - We will complete total industrial production 4 days ahead of schedule. - We will increase labor productivity by 1.5 percent above the plan. - We will increase the enterprise’s net income by a further 800 thousand lek above the plan. - We will reduce costs by 20 percent against the target. - We will fulfill the plan for vi for which users have raised quality concerns, and we will introduce new technologies, steel and cast-iron parts, etc. We will design and manufacture equipment and inspection instruments for all selected production lines. 3. To make more intensive use of metalworking machines, we will improve the organization of major overhauls in terms of both quantity and quality, so that they provide reliable support for producing higher-quality products. We will make modifications to the design of some machines to improve their technical and technological parameters. We will continue to produce new machinery to complete and strengthen several bottlenecks in production at the Combine, such as radial drilling machines, machines for the new foundry shop for spheroidal graphite cast iron, as well as several process machines for foundries. 4. To improve the organization and management of production, we will intensify our work to give it more—

Achievements are reflected in the market - PERMET - The main focus of attention at the production enterprises of the Përmet district is increasing production efficiency. The work collectives of the NPP, NFP, the food enterprise, and the water and land-reclamation enterprise have stood out for better organization, with a marked improvement in their work indicators. Production costs, too, are being used efficiently. They have been made known both in monetary terms and in kind; workers clearly understand the standards applied per unit of production, and, knowing where materials and raw materials can be saved, they have reduced production costs by 2 percent beyond the target. Special attention is being paid to consumer goods, such as furniture, knitwear, canned goods, etc., while contracts with commercial enterprises are being fulfilled. In January, the latter met their plan targets and improved the population’s supply of industrial and food products. Supplies of agricultural and livestock products exceeded the target as a result of the agricultural enterprise and agricultural cooperatives exceeding their production and delivery targets. PËRPARIM MUSTAFAJ

- PUKE - Fatmira Palushi, planning economist at the forestry enterprise, speaking about fulfillment of the tasks, says that the period plan for afforestation has been fulfilled at 150 percent, improvements at 128 percent, exports at 166 percent, while total industrial production has been fulfilled at 115 percent. These figures speak for themselves. She singles out the Tuci[t?] and Pukë sectors, but that is not to say the other sectors are lagging behind. The same pace is being maintained by the best teams of the geological enterprise. As early as January 25, the Tuçi expedition, headed by Pashk Ndreka with drilling specialist Ardit Rama, fulfilled its monthly plan. The Porav team, headed by Ferez Isufi, has also made progress and exceeded its tasks, completing the month’s targets on January 25. The Fushë-Arrëz team reports that it will complete the plan in the coming days. Providing the best possible service to the population and meeting buyers’ needs have been priorities for trade workers since the start of the year and continue to be so. Ylli Prifti, a merchandiser at the wholesale-trade enterprise, speaking about fulfillment of the current tasks, says that it is important not only to ensure fulfillment of the plan, but also to see how we respond to buyers’ needs. In singling out the sectors of Qendra, Fushë-Arrëz, Gjegjan and Iballë, one has singled out the most careful work being done, but not the demands for a higher level of commercial culture as well. The miners’ successful start to this year has already been written about. And one could go on at length, saying that by now they have delivered more than 100 tons of copper ore above the target for the period and are keeping the pledge made at the district trade-union conference: to meet the task of extracting the ore. HALIL BUÇPAPAJ

IN THE UZNOVË SECTOR OF THE “THOMA BELLO” AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISE, BERAT. FRUIT-GROWING EXPERT BAJRAM DAUTI PRUNING FRUIT TREES. THE BRIGADE HE BELONGS TO, LED BY AFIFE KOSOVA, FULFILLED LAST YEAR’S FRUIT PRODUCTION PLAN AT 180 PERCENT. (Photo: G. Xhengo-ATSH) IN THE UZNOVË SECTOR OF THE “THOMA BELLO” AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISE, BERAT. FRUIT-GROWING EXPERT BAJRAM DAUTI PRUNING FRUIT TREES. THE BRIGADE HE BELONGS TO, LED BY AFIFE KOSOVA, FULFILLED LAST YEAR’S FRUIT PRODUCTION PLAN AT 180 PERCENT. (Photo: G. Xhengo-ATSH)

“From the first days of January we spoke with the cooperative members,” says Koco Suljoti, chairman of the Livadhja cooperative, “because we had this concern: the January production and export plan for leeks is twice as high as it was for the same period last year. How will we achieve this indicator? The people themselves suggested the solutions. Services were intensified, transport was improved, and the workforce in vegetables was increased. Every day the schedule is exceeded by 20–30 quintals, which has enabled us so far to exceed both the production plan and the export plan. Livadhja’s experience is spreading to other economic units. Therefore, de- (Continued on page 2)

- LUSHNJE - At the planning section of the Executive Committee of the district People’s Council, they are reviewing January’s achievements. Total industrial production has been fulfilled at 106 percent. Production worth 1.2 million lekë more than the target was delivered. Specifically, of 21 economic enterprises, 17 fulfilled or exceeded the tasks for this period. Two enterprises recorded [text unclear in source] in transport volume. The targets were exceeded by 2.6 percent. Great care was taken to save on the material base, raw materials and auxiliary materials. Two collectives have become examples of advanced experience. The land-reclamation enterprise ranks among those collectives that know no failure to meet targets. It began work for January as early as December 1. It is also completing January’s tasks with indicators above the target. Vë- The construction target was exceeded by 5 percent, while industrial production reached 113 percent of the plan. The workforce of the freight transport depot also made a good start to the year. Whereas last year there were some shortcomings, this year the organization is on a sounder footing. Freight transport, measured in tons, has reached 105 percent of the target since the beginning of the year, while ton-kilometers have reached 103 percent. The drivers’ team has set itself a target: to operate 70 percent of the vehicle fleet with two drivers. More efficient use of trailers will also bring a significant increase in labor productivity. The achievements of recent days show that every opportunity exists to complete January’s tasks ahead of schedule and move forward with confidence. SOKRAT NDREÇKA

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Sokrat Plaka, met with Greece’s Deputy Minister of National Economy, Janis Drakosakis. On this occasion, views were exchanged on preparations for the third session of the Albanian-Greek Joint Commission for Economic, Industrial and Technical Cooperation, which will be held soon in Tirana. The meeting discussed measures that should be taken to increase cooperation in agriculture and industry, in the production and processing of customer-supplied materials, etc. Deputy Minister Sokrat Plaka also met with the Secretary General of Greece’s Ministry of Trade, Pavlos Haxihthoma, with whom he discussed the possibilities and means of increasing trade between the countries, increasing border trade, etc. They pointed out that there are real possibilities for the volume of trade between the two countries to grow further during 1990. The meetings, which took place in a friendly atmosphere, were attended by Greece’s ambassador in Tirana, Spiridon Dokianos, and Albania’s ambassador in Athens, Izedin Haxhidini. (ATSH)

Yesterday, Republic of Albania, Muhamet Kapllani, returned home after making an official visit to Turkey in recent days. During his stay in friendly Turkey, he met and held talks with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tugai Ozçer, and other representatives. He also met with the Foreign Minister, Mesut Yilmaz, and the Minister of State Lsmet Ozasilan. These meetings once again confirmed the friendly atmosphere that exists in the traditional relations between Albania and Turkey, and emphasized the need to continue the dialogue between the two countries and to further deepen cooperation in the economic and trade, industrial, technical and scientific, cultural, and other fields. Alongside the future development of bilateral relations, importance was also attached to cooperation and understanding in the Balkans. (ATSH)

- On the 40th anniversary of the «8 Nëntori» agricultural enterprise in Maliq - When you say “monument,” you picture a massive structure of stone, concrete or marble. But in everyday language the word «monument» has acquired another meaning as well. Look at the wide plain of Maliq, now in winter, more than barren, deserted, covered entirely with peat—isn’t it a monument? Every day, in every harvest and gathering season, does it not proclaim the triumph of working people over the swamp, over backwardness, over disbelief and sabotage? People lay flowers beside monuments. Beside their fields, mornings and afternoons, the residents of the «8 Nëntori» agricultural enterprise pour out their sweat. And in each one of them are the history of the land, heroism, love and the future, all together. ● How many times has he told this story? More times than can be remembered. Twenty-one years have passed since 1969, when he was given the title of Hero. Comrades, friends, journalists and, naturally, others have come here to his home and asked: “Come on, tell us about the beginning of that day.” Ali Shkëmbi has never refused them. So, calmly, as he knows how to tell it, he brings that day back to life. “Isn’t it something, to suddenly learn over the radio that you have been proclaimed a hero? That’s what happened to me. I hear my mother, the neighbors, the village—and it became a day of celebration at home. Whenever I think about this honor the Party bestowed on me, I remember the wise words our director, Hero of Socialist Labour Ilo Prifti, said to me one day: ‘It took the hard work and sweat of hundreds of united hands before we could loudly call that place—where a swamp once lay—a field.’” Ali’s family was among the first 12 families to come here when the Maliq agricultural enterprise was established, on January 28, 1950. “At first I came by myself, then I brought my family,” he says. “I had only one son, Gëzim, six months old. Now he is a serviceman in the district of Dibër. I started work as head of livestock. What did I have? I was in charge of 28 head of cattle, including 10 cows, 15 pigs and 54 equines? A tiny herd. Fatikoja, my wife, worked with me, raising chicks. We worked, we were honored. And we raised lots of children, too.” Here is another reason he has to be proud. He is the father of eight sons, seven of them married, and the grandfather of 16 grandchildren. “Go knock on any door among those first families of the farm,” Ali tells us with a smile, “and you’ll find this abundance of children, grandsons and granddaughters. The Party told us, ‘work,’ but it also told us to enjoy our lives and the lives of our children.” ● “This is a long road our farm has traveled, even though it is only 40 years old,” another veteran, Zylf Kupa, tells us. “We battled the swamp for many years even after it had been drained. Floodwaters would come, the water would rise, and the crops would be at risk. How many times have we rushed out of our homes at the alarm to confront the water! We carried the crops off the fields in sacks on our backs, because with vehicles you couldn’t even think of getting out of that awful mud. But we won; we also won on other fronts.” Zylfaj is from Lavadar in Korçë. When he arrived here, he was only 20 years old. A young communist, he had been accepted while doing his military service, where he had also learned to read and write. There were some mutterings back in the village, even among his relatives: “He’ll never amount to anything.” As is well known, the people of Lavadar had their own old-fashioned ideas about what a person’s lot in life should be. But the trouble erupted later too, when Zylfja fell in love with Havana, a young woman from Moçan in Gora. The scandal spread everywhere, throughout Lavadar in Korçë. This meant that he would put down roots here, among these people, for good. Zylfja went ahead and married her, kindly and gently; he laughed to himself and got angry to himself. But whom could he blame except old-fashioned notions, and that era which left behind more than just swamps! In 1952, a two-year school for animal husbandry and agronomy opened in Lushnjë. Zylfja went with his fiancée, Havana. She studied animal husbandry, he agriculture. By doing so, he wanted to tell all the young women: “Follow your fiancée’s example.” fiancée’s example.” (To be continued on page 2)