IMPLEMENTING THE DECISIONS OF THE 9th PLENUM — QUALIFICATIONS, NORMS AND WAGES IN THE KORÇË KNITTING INDUSTRY. — At the Ibrahim Karamuço knitting enterprise, he is a veteran cadre at the knitting combine in Korçë. Recently, he was entrusted with the task of director of the spinning mill. With his experience and, like everyone else, his good ability to communicate with the workers, he was considered a cadre who could take on difficult burdens and bring this backward sector to the forefront. “How accurate this assessment is,” he said, “I don’t know what to say. But during this period, to tell the truth, I feel myself in a difficult position—not so much in relation to the combine’s managers as in my relations with the workers themselves.” What did he mean by this? “Today, some machines in the spinning mill stand idle, producing nothing because the necessary measures have not been taken. 3. Because the steam has not been kept at the specified parameters, the production technology has been disrupted. As a result, on the line processing yarn blended from cotton and polyester, during the first few days of February, a deficit of 30 percent arose. Eighty-two workers who live in the town of Maliq have been removed from the third and fourth shifts because of a lack of transport. The proportion of stoppages in the spinning machinery due to its age ranges from 7 to 10 percent.” The director of the spinning mill did not mention these things to excuse himself. Quite the contrary. But how can you explain these things to the workers? The measures are produced locally, at the “Misto Mame” woodworking combine; the steam comes from the Korçë thermal power plant; and the workers from Maliq could travel to and from work on time, without breaking discipline, even with a small 30-seat bus. The overhaul of the spinning machinery should begin without delay, but it is not normal for the factory of the textile combine in Berat to deliver only 40 percent of the planned quantity of replacement parts. These are the reasons that make this cadre feel both ashamed and “reluctant” to enter into discussions: with workers, it is not enough merely to affirm that fulfilling the plan is a duty; it is not enough to preach with slogans and enthusiastic calls. Eloquence fades immediately when a worker, without much talk, says: “Create the conditions for me to work”—all the more so when the causes of the shortcomings are right before his eyes. Let us look at the problem a little more broadly. How can we increase the interest of young women workers so that they come to this sector without hesitation? In other words, what arguments should we put to them? Some measures have been taken and specified in relevant decisions, such as reducing the retirement age for spinning workers from 55 to 50, and increasing pay by up to 10 percent after completing 10 years of work, and so on. These have had an effect. Nevertheless, has everything been done? Now, after the 9th Plenum, deeper consideration is needed of new forms of organization and new forms of remuneration, which distinguish those who excel and encourage everyone to increase production. Specifically, when spare capacity becomes available, a worker can expand the range of machines she tends to as far as two machines, producing twice the quantity. In such cases, workers Rajmondë Bejkaj and Myzafere Meçe told us, we receive a pay increase of up to one grade. This form does not give us much incentive. What do we think? Payment by unit of production would be worthwhile. Thus, if a spinning worker produces twice as much, she should be paid twice as much, unlike her co-workers who merely meet the norm. Spinning processes are not easy and cannot be mastered immediately. But with the way things are organized today, it seems that we make them more difficult than they are. (Continued on page 2)

The fruits of innovative thinking — DURRËS — The district’s manufacturing enterprises have set themselves greater tasks this year to meet the people’s needs for various industrial products. Work has begun. New products made at NPV have been very well received by Albanian consumers. They come in various models and are considered tasteful. At UEM, experimental production of fans and electric irons has been completed. They will soon go into mass production. These are two products in demand among consumers. A line for producing sports shoes has been set up at the rubber factory, and an exhibition of new shoe models will open in the coming days to gather the opinions and comments of consumers, trading enterprises, and others. The plan is to produce summer shoes, shoes with leather uppers, coloured boots, and three types of tennis shoes. Thus, although this is a large manufacturing enterprise producing items for the oil industry, agriculture, and so on, ways are being found here to produce as many new products for the people as possible.

— DURRËS — This year, the workers of the carpet enterprise in Kavajë have planned to produce 26 new products for export as well as for the domestic market. New designs of carpets, rugs and horn products will therefore be put on the market. At NPA, wooden products with distinctive finishes and various kinds of basketry will be made. The construction-decorative materials enterprise in Kavajë will also further expand this year the production of goods for the market, including decorative as well as functional items made of alabaster, marble and clay. This year, the production of sponge-filled sofas at the furniture factory will increase. A type of food cream is being prepared at the canning enterprise. But, given the possibilities of the enterprises in this system, more new products could be made, especially for children. These are only some of the new industrial products for the market, which this year will offer more varieties and better quality. SOTIRAQ GJORDENI

— OBSERVATION — We have often had occasion to travel the Koman–Fierë route on the new ferry, which was inaugurated last year. Besides carrying passengers, this ferry was built especially to avoid transporting goods and vehicles along the traditional Qafë-Mali road. The benefits of transporting goods by the new ferry are clear: savings in time, fuel, spare parts, tyres, and so on. But what is actually happening? The new ferry is not being used to the extent its capacity allows or for the purpose for which it was built. Cases are becoming frequent in which the ferry sets out across the lake with one or two vehicles, even though it can carry six loaded vehicles. What happens if this occurs? The head of the water-transport section in Bajram Curri, Zenel Nabolli, says: “For the transport of goods by ferry, we have a state plan, supported by the relevant contracts. We are required to transport 156 tonnes of goods every day from Dushaj to Koman and 130 tonnes of goods on the return journey. On the outward journey we transport vehicles carrying chrome, quartz and timber; on the return journey...” (Continued on page 2)

— INTERVIEW WITH HAKI MILLA, HEAD OF THE AGRICULTURE SECTION OF THE SHKODËR DISTRICT PEOPLE’S COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, BY CORRESPONDENT RIFAT DAJTI — “Last year, the district of Shkodër gained good experience in cooperative trade in the countryside and in the city. Specifically, what can you tell us about this?” “Although 1989 was the first year that cooperative trade extended into the city, it should be said that the agricultural cooperatives and NB enterprises set up 13 retail units and 7–8 mobile sales outlets in the city for selling goods that ... ... the agricultural cooperatives of Koplik, Bushat and Velipojë stood out. Alongside this, the agricultural economy has done good work to raise the level of trade in food and non-food products in the countryside, ensuring better supplies for cooperative members and NB workers. The plan for cash turnover ... Dedaj, Hajmel, Dajç and Zagorë. “How much will cooperative trade in the countryside and the city expand in 1990?” “In addition to the 13 agricultural economies that had their own permanent retail units in the city, measures are being taken this year so that the economies themselves, with the help of the district People’s Council Executive Committee, increase the number of units in the city. Six agricultural economies ... ... the goals set at the 9th Plenum are very ambitious; in other words, we are just beginning the work. Likewise, with the increase in industrial production in the countryside—such as the production of bricks, lime and brooms, and the processing of agricultural products—trade in the countryside and the city will become more active. This will also support an increase in cash turnover. It has been planned ...

Within the framework of Balkan cooperation activities, a preparatory meeting for the meeting of the Energy Ministers of the Balkan countries will be held in Tirana on 15–16 February 1990. At this meeting, views will be exchanged on the main areas of multilateral Balkan cooperation in the field of energy, and the topics and issues to be considered at the forthcoming meeting of the Energy Ministers of the Balkan states, which will be held in Albania, will be reviewed. (ATSH)

— TIRANA — On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the founding of the organization of the Professional Unions of Albania, this afternoon the Council of the Professional Unions of the Tirana district and the “Enver Hoxha” Museum organized a festive gathering in one of the museum’s halls. Veterans and activists of the organization, outstanding workers from various economic enterprises, etc., took part. Also present were Comrade Pirro Koni, First Secretary of the District Party Committee, and other comrades. Aristidh Theka, chairman of the District Professional Unions Council, spoke about the significance of the occasion, the successes with which the capital’s working class was marking it, and the initiatives and plans undertaken in this last year of the eighth five-year plan. During the gathering, interviews were conducted with outstanding workers, and an artistic program of songs, recitations and dances was presented by amateur performers from the “Ali Kelmendi” Palace of Culture. — QYTETI-STALIN — of the BPSH organization, the Council of Professional Unions of the Berat district organized a thematic afternoon at the “10 tetori” cinema hall in Qyteti Stalin. Naturally, veterans as well as workers took part. (Continued on page 3)

A debate on the possibility of reducing military spending is continuing in the American Congress. The figure of 306.9 billion dollars is being sought for this year’s American military budget, which is expected to undergo a considerable reduction. President Bush opposes this, declaring that “the worldwide trend toward democracy is a product of America’s armed strength.” He justifies maintaining this budget and modernizing strategic arsenals with “the need to prevent an all-out war and local conflicts under the new conditions.” Supporting this view, American General Galvin, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander, called for funds and the modernization of the nuclear arsenals concentrated in Europe, such as the “SRAM-T” or “Lance” missiles, which could be included in the American military budget if they are opposed by the Western European countries. On that same day, when the TASS and AS PRESS agencies reported that Shën Varnaxe and Bejkeri were preparing the conditions for reductions in the conventional and strategic arsenals of the USA and the USSR, Bush stated that “Lawrence Livermore” (which studies Star Wars) would prepare strategic anti-missile defense systems as soon as possible, because Moscow is also preserving its forces while it still has the morale to do so. Such a demand is intended to ensure that the American military budget continues to maintain its current parameters in order to meet future expenses. Thus, the nuclear threat to Europe and other regions is not reduced, but remains present, even with the proposals made so far by the USA and the USSR. Indeed, as is argued, strategic forces and their modernization will become a means of pressure against peoples.

Yesterday, in one of the halls of the Palace of Congresses in the capital, the Plenum of the Central Committee of the BRPSH convened to discuss the work carried out and the tasks arising in light of the changes introduced by the 8th and 9th plenums of the Party’s CC and the directives of comrade Ramiz Alia. Secretaries of the youth committees of the districts and military units also took part, along with guests from government departments, other mass organizations, press bodies, youth-organization activists, and others. Also present was comrade Foto Çami, member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the Party’s Central Committee. The meeting was opened by Mimoza Jazo, secretary of the BRPSH CC. The report, “Let us always be distinguished fighters for the Homeland and socialism,” was delivered by Lisen Baçi, first secretary of the BRPSH CC. The report and the participants’ discussions emphasized that, following the 8th and 9th plenums of the Party’s CC, debates and free discussions in youth organizations had become more lively regarding the further deepening of socialist democracy among the masses. In our socialist system, our youth find their wishes, ideals and aspirations embodied; therefore, it was said at the Plenum, for young people and their organization, the BRPSH—which is linked to the people and the Party as flesh to bone—the mastery of Marxist-Leninist theory remains a fundamental factor in consolidating firm convictions about socialism and in the further advancement of this socialist system. A fundamental task of the BRPSH organization is to intensify work to further consolidate young people’s convictions about the vitality and superiority of our socialist system. It was emphasized that youth organizations should better support revolutionary initiatives and movements, such as those aimed at increasing production efficiency and reducing expenditure; accelerating the deadlines for building projects; continuously improving the supply of agricultural and livestock products to the people; and fulfilling and surpassing export production targets at all costs. The role of young people should be felt more strongly, especially in their own dedicated campaigns. The Plenum stressed that, more effectively than before, we should involve young people in ideological movements and the class struggle against imperialist-revisionist reaction, foreign manifestations and remnants of the old. This work should be carried out with wisdom, maturity and scientific argument. The Plenum stressed that the patriotic education of youth remains an important task of the BRPSH. The times demand more open work, closer to young people, in cultural institutions devoted to tradition. Speaking about the tasks currently set by the Party and comrade Ramiz Alia at the 8th and 9th plenums of the Party’s CC to further broaden and deepen mass democracy, it was said that the BRPSH has been and remains a powerful organization for expanding it among the younger generation and throughout the country’s life. The Plenum emphasized that expanding democracy among the younger generation requires the youth organization, more than ever before, to make the country’s problems—and those in which young people are interested—a central part of its work. To this end, youth organizations and forums should broaden the range of their topics so as to come closer to the world and interests of young people. Raising young people’s educational and cultural level and achieving their all-round emancipation require the BRPSH to become a forum for free debate and discussion of all issues of life and social activity. The BRPSH organization must at all times be a tribune for young people’s free thought. Putting young people’s free and progressive thinking into practice requires their own initiative and tireless action. Broader participation by the younger generation in the country’s political life also serves to expand socialist democracy among young people. The role of the youth organization and its democratization will also be strengthened by improvements and changes to the procedures for admission to the youth organization and the Party, and by improving the organizational structure, especially that of rural youth organizations. In implementing the decisions of the Party CC’s 9th Plenum and in the practice of appointing youth instructors, as well as in the election and duration of terms of those elected to BRPSH forums at regional, district and central levels, improvements must be made. The Plenum also discussed the work done and the tasks involved in increasing care and attention for the achievements of young people. After the 5th plenums of the Party CC, many activities became part of youth tradition, such as “Young Talents Week,” “Science Month,” “Spring Sundays,” “Book Month,” “Youth Tourist Groups,” and others. Together with sporting and outdoor activities, cultural brigades, and so on, these have greatly enriched the cultural life and recreation of young people. Young people have made many proposals to give a new impetus to the work of the youth organization for (Continued on page 2) — Although 1989 was the first year in which cooperative trade entered and NB brought 13 commercial units and 7–8 mobile outlets into the city for the wholesale and retail sale of vegetables and fruit. These generated a turnover of 2 million lekë. They sold 6,200 quintals of vegetables, 1,600 quintals of fruit, 45,000 eggs and other food products, potatoes, meat, drinks, etc., worth 400,000 lekë. These products sold to the city were in excess after the contracts with the trading enterprises had been fulfilled, such as with NTU and the cold-storage facility, NTSH - 1 and 2, as well as products from some cooperative orchards, whose produce was delivered after their own needs had been met. For good work in serving the youth, it is necessary for the BPRSH all the problems of life and social activity. The BRPSH organization must always be a platform for the youth’s free thought. Putting the youth’s free and progressive ideas into practice requires their own initiative and constant action. The wider participation of the younger generation in the political life of the country also serves to expand socialist democracy among the youth. Improvements and changes to admission procedures for the youth organization and the Party, improvements to the organizational structure, especially of youth organizations in the countryside, will also help increase the role of the youth organization and democratize it. In implementing the decisions of the 9th Plenums of the Party Central Committee as in the election and term of office of those elected to BRPSH forums in the regions and districts and to the central forums, done and the tasks involved in increasing care and concern for the achievement of the youth. After the 5th Plenums of the Party Central Committee, many activities became part of youth tradition, such as “The Week of New Talents,” “The Month of Science,” “Spring Sundays,” “The Month of the Book,” “Youth Tourist Groups,” etc., which, together with sporting and outdoor activities, cultural brigades, etc., have greatly enriched the cultural life and recreation of the youth. The youth the work of the youth organization for

● THE PLENUM OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE BRPSH WAS HELD (pp. 1–2). ● DEBATE: WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF COMPETITIONS (p. 3). ● ABOUT THE EVENTS IN KOSOVO (p. 4).