These days, quite a few discussions are taking place among collectives. They gather to discuss work, but in many of them personnel matters are also being discussed: women and men comrades are promoted to leadership positions, someone else is demoted, someone may even be disciplined or dismissed from their job, and so on. As we all know, since the 9th Plenum these matters are decided by the collectives themselves. But what do the various leading bodies do—for example, the enterprise directorate, the executive committee, the Party bureau in the district? And what about the personnel offices? Do they become mere record-keepers in this process, simply to formalize a collective’s decision? Some recent cases prompt these questions. In general, leading bodies do feel heavily burdened and are closer to people in enterprises, cooperatives and institutions—not only at meetings, but especially outside them. Yet there are also instances in which they seem to absolve themselves of responsibility for changes made in collectives. That should not be the case. Let us give an example, without mentioning names or details. A few days ago, the manager of the bread factory at the Lezhë procurement enterprise was dismissed. Why? At first, someone stood up and said that the manager had taken a sack of flour, and that 13 people from the enterprise could testify to this because they had seen him at five in the morning. The workers were then confronted with one another, and it emerged that no one had seen the manager with the stolen flour; they had only heard a door creak, while the next day the storekeeper found that one sack was missing. Since this was not proved, someone then said that the collective should be convened, because people were talking about the manager. But as the collective was not convened, the leading bodies took up the matter and dismissed him. On what grounds? The section manager explains: “Petrit has been the manager for only four months. We appointed him against his wishes. He wanted to continue working where he had been, as a mechanic. The comrade who held the position before him was removed for shortcomings at work and weak accountability. Petrit has not spared himself at work; he has fought for order and discipline. That is not to say he has made no mistakes—for example, he docked someone a day’s wages in anger.” Agron Dibra, head of the industry section at the district executive committee: “I have followed the factory closely. It has been a problem for us. During the time he was there, Petrit brought order. In the fourth quarter, production increased by nearly 30 percent. As for the rest, what can I tell you? The collective decided...” The secretary of the enterprise Party bureau held the same view. Indeed, the chairman of the trade-union organization said: “If it’s a question of accountability and discipline, we shake his hand.” What position did the enterprise directorate, the apparatus of the district Party committee and the district executive committee take? Petrit himself says that he had asked for a meeting at the executive committee. “I was told to get the answer from the collective, since it makes the decision. I went to the Party committee. The first secretary assigned an instructor to come to the collective. And he came...” Add to these statements what we were told by the head of the personnel section at the executive committee and the personnel instructor at the Party committee: “Yes, we heard that the bread-factory manager was dismissed. We don’t know anything more.” A kind of detachment seems to be evident. It becomes more obvious when, at its latest meeting, the collective elects the new manager. Whom does it choose? The person who had held the post before—the very person at the center of the issue. You would think people could form their own opinion about that comrade’s work. Could his mistakes really have been so serious that he had to be removed after only four months? There is something else the manager could have done: consider how accusations are made so casually, even when unsubstantiated. To head off a second meeting, the chairman of the trade-union organization drew up the decision of the first meeting and collected the signatures of all the workers who approved it. Why? Because 22 people had voted for dismissal at the first meeting, while the organization had 80 members. “What if we all came and overturned the vote?” This kind of maneuver is used to forestall that possibility, and 45 signatures are collected. Very clever! More than half. Such methods are reprehensible. The Party organization cannot stand aside. Let us go further: it may be right to remove a manager, but that does not mean anyone can be appointed, provided the majority wants it. People must be consulted thoroughly about needs, requirements and criteria. Thoroughly and very clearly. Then the workers will understand. But in this case, this thorough discussion with the people did not take place. This, then, is essential. That is why we say that the work of leading bodies or personnel offices is not as easy as it may seem. They remain leading bodies, responsible for organizing work and deeply concerned about the people appointed to head one place or another. The 9th Plenum clearly states that they may not appoint any leading cadre without securing the approval of the relevant collective. Nevertheless, this not only does not rule out, but ... 5 a.m. After a conversation with those workers, it emerged that no one had seen the person in charge with the stolen flour; the police had heard that the door had been forced, while the following day the storekeeper found one sack missing. Since this could not be established, someone said that the collective should be convened, because people had a lot to say about the person in charge. This meeting was held, followed by a second one. Some said that the person in charge was overbearing and did not know how to demand accountability. Let’s remove him! A vote was held. Most of those who took part in the meeting thought that Petrit Rrokaj should be dismissed from his post. That, in a few words, is what happened. But what do the comrades think about this? – Kimete Pëllumbi, chairwoman of the de- de- said the section chief responsible for personnel Party Committee: «Yes, we heard that the person in charge of the bread factory has been seems to be evident. It becomes more apparent when, at the latest meeting, the collective elected the new person in charge. Whom did it choose? The same one they had before, the one who had been there the second time, because of the scant demand for accountability! Why so? At the enterprise, they explain: «We said we shouldn’t dictate to the collectives. That is right; there is no reason to dictate to them at all. But this does not mean standing aside and looking on, whether you are a director or an instructor in the district. You, comrade, who were sent to look into the problem, were not there to count the votes, but to take an interest in the people appointed to lead, here or elsewhere. The 9th Plenum says clearly that they cannot but makes essential, extensive work with the communists and the masses so that everyone understands these procedures correctly, so they are discussed actively and with Party-minded care, so that democracy is properly applied in substance and people themselves do not [unclear] the voting procedure. Standing by and looking on is not what the times call for and must be opposed. DRITAN MATI

— FIER — Workers in the Fier district, giving priority to export targets, fulfilled them ahead of schedule for the December period, delivering nearly 6 million lekë worth of additional products. Special care was taken to achieve all the targets: of the 22 planned items, only 2 were not completed. Particularly notable overfulfilment during this period was recorded in oil by-products, tobacco, medicinal plants, and so on. The workers of the Ballsh Deep Oil Processing Combine have set an example, shouldering the largest share of this work. The tobacco collection and processing enterprise is also responding better to the demands of the foreign market. Ensuring high quality and giving daily priority attention to the plan indicators made it possible to complete the two-month targets ten days early, supplying exports with 20 tons more tobacco and 20 percent more medicinal plants. This collective aims to maintain its high pace in March and beyond. KOZMA GJERGJI

— POGRADEC — The month of February has been marked by a visible increase in the pace of work in almost all the economic enterprises of the district. The workers of the food enterprise stand out in particular for their good results. Following the overfulfilment recorded in recent days, they report that they have completed the quarter and begun work toward the April quota. The miners at the metal-mine construction site completed the two-month period ten days ahead of schedule. By accelerating the planned schedules—120 metres of advance work and 130 metres of concrete work—they are thus paving the way for the faster construction and development of new fronts opened for extracting chrome and ferronickel ore. “The additional bonus of 66 percent on the basic wage or rate,” says Vasil Marko, head of the Pojskë sector, “has helped us fulfil and substantially exceed our targets, and has also spurred on somewhat lagging brigades. Many brigades are now working in coordination, such as those at levels 710, 770 and 800.” Workers in wood processing are also on track to fulfil the two-month targets; they have produced 8.6 percent more industrial goods than planned. The construction enterprise has also joined the ranks of collectives meeting their targets this month: it completed 111 percent of its construction volume and exceeded its overall industrial production target. ILIA SPIRO

— PUKË — Arif Halili, director of the construction enterprise in Pukë, says that the fulfilment of targets has visibly increased in recent days. In February, the plan was fulfilled at 107 percent; piece-rate work and other forms that encourage the fulfilment of targets were introduced, in implementation of the decisions of the 9th Plenum of the Party’s Central Committee. — Is fulfilment of the two-month target assured? — That is debatable, because the documentation for 14 projects has not been handed over to us, and in Fushë-Arrës the construction sites for the planned projects have not been opened. So far, we are 27 workers short of the total workforce, and the shortage of specialists is even more serious. The average job classification for the area is 3.4, whereas ours is 2.2. Why is this happening? Because the apparatus of the district executive committee of the People’s Council still does not appreciate that work organization is like a living organism; to build the planned projects, the necessary documentation must be provided on time, along with the workforce, and so on. These shortcomings were repeated last year too. They have led to failures to meet targets, about which the people have many complaints. All the work at the wood-processing enterprise from the beginning of the year until now is proof of ... (Continued on page 2)

On Sunday, the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the “Teki Kolaneci” livestock-road enterprise of Maliq, in the Korçë district, was celebrated. The experience of last year, when we exceeded our targets in every category, is being built upon further as we put into practice Committee and the instructions of Comrade Ramiz Alia. On the occasion of the anniversary, a celebratory meeting was held on Sunday morning at the “16 Tetori” House of Culture in the town of Maliq. Also present were the first secretary of the district Party Committee, Comrade Vangjel Çërrava, the chairman of the district People’s Council Executive Committee, Gjergji Kraҫtifalluka, and other comrades. On behalf of the district Party Committee, the participants were greeted by the first secretary ... Yesterday we also spoke with workers and other employees about the progress of the Klos railway. They and the action volunteers expressed a concern to us: because some districts are not interested in meeting their obligations on the railway, its completion is being delayed. The task this district has to complete within the year is approximately 40,000 cubic metres of excavation alone. No excavation, filling or concreting has been done so far. The Mat district People’s Council expects the work to be carried out—and soon. We hope March 1 will not pass without work beginning!!! Dibra: hundreds of cubic metres of excavation, thousands of cubic metres of filling and concreting. Work has still not begun. Work in the district and at the base has come to a standstill. The few action volunteers there are ... At first glance, it seems that Puka, Kruja, Lezha, Kukësi and Tropoja are better off, since their managers come from their own sectors. But in reality, they come and go. Some even have equipment, but they do not make use of it. This fact speaks most clearly about their work: together, so far, they have completed only 10 percent of the first-quarter assignment. So Tirana, Shkodra and Dibra have at least put their equipment and people to work within their own districts. Nevertheless, volunteers and workers are asking: who will finish the railway? FRANO CAKA

«Teki Kolaneci» cattle-breeding enterprise of Maliq, in the district of Korçë, was celebrated. Last year’s experience, when we exceeded our targets in every area, is being further consolidated, putting into practice the decisions of the 9th Plenum of the Party’s CC and the instructions of Comrade Ramiz Alia. To mark this anniversary, a jubilee were the district Party Committee’s first secretary, first secretary ... the secretary of this Committee, Alije Kalaja. The director, Safet Abibi, spoke about the enterprise’s 15-year history of cattle breeding. Several outstanding workers were awarded orders and work medals bestowed by the Presidium of the People’s Assembly. A telegram was sent from the meeting to the First Secretary of the Party’s Central Committee, Comrade Ramiz Alia. (According to ATSH)

The residents of the Konispol area in the district of Sarandë celebrated on Sunday the 46th anniversary of the formation of the partisan battalion «Telha Plaku». Wreaths were laid by the monument commemorating this event. A rally was held in the centre of Janjar village, where those present were greeted on behalf of the Party Committee, the People’s Council Executive Committee and the district FD presidium by Nexhmi Hoxha, a member of the district Party Committee’s bureau. A telegram was sent from the rally to the Party’s CC, the Council of Ministers and the General Council of the FDSH. (According to ATSH)

The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, sent the following telegram to the President of the Italian Republic, Francesco Kosiga: «We learned with sorrow of the death of the former President of the Italian Republic, Sandro Pertini, a foremost fighter of the Italian resistance, and an eminent personality and statesman of Your nation. On this occasion, I extend to You, and through You to the Italian people and the family of the deceased, my sincere condolences.» (ATSH)

The continuous and systematic professional development of teachers in the schools of the district of Pogradec is being regarded as one of the key links in achieving active and creative learning. Various activities, such as seminars, courses, etc., in which different topics have been addressed, have served this purpose. The good results in the teaching and educational process at the «Muharrem Çollaku» combined secondary school, at the «Kol Gushno» and «40-vjetori» eight-year schools in the town of Pogradec, and at the agricultural secondary school in Buçimas, attest to teachers’ ongoing efforts to further their professional development. At these schools, as well as at the agricultural eight-year schools in Buçimas and Trebinjë, importance has been attached to discussions of new pedagogical and psychological publications, the preparation and delivery of model lessons to a high standard, the establishment of shared subject rooms to make the teaching process more productive, etc. (According to ATSH)

ONE OF THE INTERNATIONAL EVENTS OF THE DAY At first glance, it seems unusual that, while the Soviet economy is in a state of crisis and confusion, Prime Minister Nikolai Rizhkovi keeps repeating to the public «the prospects opening up for the country’s economic and social flourishing». Such an effort was also his interview on Sunday with Moscow television, in which he gave extensive publicity to the recovery programme approved at the Second Congress of People’s Deputies. Of course, he is not doing this because he wants to, but because he is compelled by the difficulties that have gripped capitalist perestroika, amid chaos in the economy, anarchy in society, and an unprecedented general decline in politics and interethnic relations. The head of the Soviet government spoke of «order and strict measures to defend perestroika», but, as can be seen, these measures have still not been enough to find a way out of the range of problems confronting the Soviet state. The capitalist course of reforms is producing none of the desired results in any sphere of activity. Both the leaders themselves and supporters of perestroika are speaking ever more often about the crisis being at the top of the agenda. The nature and roots of the current all-encompassing crisis in the Soviet Union are too deep for it to be overcome with these reforms. Do not the daily inter-national and interethnic conflicts, and those manifestations of discontent that have become the main centres of upheaval and of perestroika’s discrediting, bear this out? According to data released by the TASS agency itself, the current growth rates are clearly below the levels forecast for 1990. Since January, losses amounting to three billion roubles have been incurred as a result of strikes and the marked deterioration in interethnic relations. Economic and political upheavals are affecting one another, deepening perestroika’s dead ends. ARBEN KARAPICI

IN THE INDUSTRIAL MAPO OF PERMET. (Photo: N. Xhufka)

● THE AUTHORITIES DO NOT DICTATE TO THE COLLECTIVE, BUT NEITHER SHOULD THEY STAND BY AND LOOK ON. (1). ● DEMOCRATIZATION OF THE PARTY AND ITS REVOLUTIONIZATION. (1, 2 AND 3). ● ON THE EVENTS IN KOSOVO. (1, 4).