Now the work at the new urea plant in Fier is measured not simply by the volume of construction, but by the handover of facilities, by indicators relating to full-load tests, and by figures showing that inauguration day is approaching. The builders, assembly workers and process engineers are focused on two problems: bringing electricity and water into the production departments. The high-voltage substation has been completed, as have two low-voltage substations, and work is proceeding with the aim of completing the last low-voltage substation within the first ten days of March. The external water main and the technological water network, stretching for a total of 10 kilometres, have also been built. These days the water has been put into circulation, and the water-treatment department has been commissioned; alongside it, the processing department, which makes the water suitable for use in the other departments. Thus, securing water and electricity is a prerequisite for beginning tests on the other machinery. These days the compressors, which constitute the largest department, will be tested. Work is also proceeding at a rapid pace on facility 643, in the reforming department, and elsewhere. Of the 27 facilities, work has been fully completed on 4. At all the other facilities, work is proceeding with the aim of putting the new urea plant into operation on June 15. Expressed in figures, all the unfinished work represents around 20 per cent of the total volume of work. We would add that the Ministry of Construction should not obstruct the mobilization of the builders, assembly workers and process engineers by failing to provide doors and windows. ASTRIT SINANI

WE DRAW YOUR ATTENTION Recently, workers’ inspection groups have been put into action, focusing on the spark of initiative amid the sluggishness of certain administrations that are failing to respond to the demands of production. Such was the inspection launched in the last days of February by the Workers’ Council of the Tirana District to examine the problems arising at the “Stalin” textile combine, the “Misto Mame” wood combine and the “Ali Kelmendi” food combine because of the lack of steam production by the thermal power plant. Perhaps someone would call the information gathered by the workers’ inspection group on the losses caused to the economy last year by breakdowns in steam supply belated; but we believe it expresses a truth that should lead one to draw conclusions about the necessary attention that has been, and continues to be, given to this major problem. What do the figures say? A lack of steam or a drop in pressure over 3,114 working hours caused losses of more than 4 million lek for the “Stalin” textile combine. 410,000 metres of cloth and velvet and 74 tons of cotton and wool yarn were not produced. At the “Misto Mame” wood combine, the losses in production last year amounted to more than 3.4 million lek. Do the administrations at the combines, the executive committees and the comrades in the ministries know these figures? Someone may keep records and forms in drawers; someone may have made a chilly phone call or gone to see the situation “on the ground,” but the problems remain unresolved—in fact, they are even greater than last year’s. Let us again present the findings noted by the workers’ inspection group for this period of the year. From January through February 20, the textile combine lost 410 hours of production, while production throughout the entire combine was halted for 15 hours. The loss in lek is twice as high as at the same point a year ago. Losses at combine are just as great. Whenever the comrades from the workers’ inspection group went to seek an explanation for the situation, the leaders at the executive committee of the district KP did not believe it could be so alarming! Let us not stray from the heart of the problem: why are there so many problems and shortages in the steam supply? Because, as the inspectors observed, no one has dealt with the problems at the thermal power plant. There have been and continue to be complaints about operating the boilers, the supply and quality of fuel, the transport of accumulated ash, and so on. And what has been done to resolve the many difficulties for which the ministries have issued decisions? Answers have been given through special communications; efforts have been minimal, leaving everything to be dealt with through ad hoc, unorganized interventions. And what position have the thermal power plant’s managers taken—have they proved themselves capable? As they acknowledged at the meeting held with participants from the three combines (most of whom are workers), they have mostly dealt with the matter through letters and telephone calls rather than concrete action. An incident from these days confirms this. “To be specific, at this very moment, while we are holding this meeting, the workers at the dye factory have no work,” said a woman worker from the textile combine, “and once again we are being given promises and pledges, which we have had enough of for months.” The workers of the “Misto Mame” combine shared these views. “Do you work to solve things there on the spot, or do you just gather information ‘for the record’ to stay in the good graces of the ministry’s managers?” one of them said to Vasil Pallaska, a representative of the General Directorate of Energy. “It seems you are not capable of taking responsibility for your task.” Some officials in the executive committees and ministries thought that the failings at the Tirana thermal power plant were due to the limited efforts made there by the enterprise’s specialists and managers. Is that really the truth? To some extent, it is; the workers’ inspection group uncovered this too. But are the managers of the three combines, where significant shortcomings were observed—including steam leaks, a lack of pressure gauges and even failure to fulfil contracts for condensate steam—no less responsible? And what about the comrades at the Ministry of Transport, who are not meeting their obligations to transport the ash, and those in the General Directorate of Energy, who have left the fuel supply to “whatever turns up”—do they bear no responsibility? Clearly, there are a number of factors, links and organizations whose duty it is to commit themselves to eliminating the difficulties in maintaining a regular steam supply, difficulties that production is paying for. We are not talking about just any losses, but millions. The workers’ inspection group believes it has put its finger on the right spot. The worker-inspectors are aware that their stern words jolted officials from the grassroots up to the ministries. They changed what could be changed immediately and also set tasks. But they did not consider even this step toward improving the organization of work to be enough. The worker-inspectors’ conclusion—“who is responsible for these millions?”—calls for an in-depth analysis by the basic organizations and the relevant bodies. No one can ever play games with the people’s sweat... BASHKIM KOÇI

These days, an exhibition of objects of historical, cultural and artistic value has opened in one of the halls of the city library of Korçë. More than 150 objects of varying value have been put on display, recently collected among the people or donated by citizens. The Albanian Museum of Medieval Art exhibited more than 20 objects made of silver and textiles, some of them works of art. The Historical Museum exhibited 53 objects and documentary relics, among which stand out the cartridge belt and pocket watch of the patriot Themistokli Gërmenji; Mihal Grameno’s ink blotter; Sotir Peci’s glasses; a printing plate of a painting of Skënderbeu by Spiro Xega; and notebooks belonging to the martyrs Raqi Qirinxhi and Koço Çamçe. Objects of popular culture also stand out, such as the tools of the master stone artist Kristaq Papargjiri; Gaqo Dollani’s wood inlay work; traditional pottery (one piece dated 1868); items of folk clothing; and statutes and regulations of workers’ associations. The city library exhibited dozens of new titles in its collection, including Sami Frashëri’s dictionary; periodicals and well-known newspapers such as «Bota e Re», «Koha», etc.; primers from 1844 and 1845; publications from the Voskopojë printing press; Budi’s work; and books by Spiro Dine, Nikollë Lako, and others. The interesting materials on display enrich the collections of the museums and the library. ENGJËLL BUSHI

- VLORË - On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Hysni Kapo, one of the most distinguished leaders of the Party and the people and one of Comrade Enver Hoxha’s closest associates, the Party Committee of the Vlora District organized a commemorative afternoon yesterday at the city’s «7 Nëntori» Theatre. Attending were workers from workplaces and production centres, cooperative members from Tërbaçi, veterans, members and relatives of the family, his fellow fighters and associates, deputies and councillors, students and lecturers from the «Hysni Kapo» Higher School of Naval Officers, and others. Also present were Comrade Manush Myftiu, member of the Political Bureau of the Party’s Central Committee, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Chairman of the State Control Commission, a fellow fighter and associate of Comrade Hysni Kapo; Comrade Vito Kapo; and other comrades. The commemorative afternoon was opened by Nedin Hoxha, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the District KP. Faik Çani, First Secretary of the Party Committee, spoke about Comrade Hysni Kapo’s revolutionary life and activity. At ever faster paces, Faik Çani. The more the years go by, he emphasized, the more the figure of the dear son of Lab[?]ria, Vlora and all Albania, the Party’s fellow fighter, Comrade Hysni Kapo, rises in the history of every Albanian; the struggles and efforts of the people and the Party are bound up with his personality ... national freedom and independence and the socialist construction of the country. He then spoke about the life of this eagle of Labëria, proud of her love for the people and the Homeland and of the lofty ideals of freedom and socialism. As one of the Party’s pillars, as the glorious and unforgettable leader Comrade Enver Hoxha described her, she distinguished herself as a fighter and political and military leader during the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War, and as a communist leader and social and state figure with many responsibilities during 35 years of work in the era of socialist construction. After speaking about Comrade Hysni Kapo’s special role in strengthening the Party and people’s power, defending the Party’s Marxist-Leninist line, the zone and the socialist movements, and developing the economy and culture, among other things, he also emphasized Comrade Hysni Kapo’s particular contribution and his repeated interest in Vlora and its regions. The great leader’s measures and exemplary love were an inspiring example for the communists and all the workers of this district in their daily struggle to put the Party’s directives and Comrade Ramiz Alia’s instructions into effect. — KUKËS — The Party Committee of the Kukës district, in cooperation with the Party bureau of the «Hysni Kapo» agricultural cooperative in Shishtavec, organized a memorial meeting yesterday at this agricultural enterprise. Also present was the first secretary ... (Continued on page 2) of the people and the Party, comrades in the struggle and in instructions into effect. (Continued on page 2)

On the right side of the road, a sign points to the village of Kutal, perched on a hill covered with olive trees and bojame. Closely associated with this name is a noteworthy event in the Përmet District: the founding of the first cooperative, in 1948. Go a little farther, where the valley seems to open its arms and spread out the plain even more. Another hill is inhabited, and the eye takes in the beauty of the village of Kosinë, which is the cooperative’s centre. In the eight villages of this economic unit there are primary schools, two eight-year schools, a health centre with seven clinics where seven medical staff work, a pharmacy and eight kindergartens with their respective staff, a cultural centre, and cultural centres in every village. Every household has all its home appliances, and there is no measure by which it can be compared with the past. Television has entered 60 per cent of households. Around 60 people with higher education have come from this cooperative; they work there and throughout the homeland. Other facts would further complete the picture of life in this cooperative.

REPORTAGE The example of the best has become present in every sphere of life—not only through exceptional individuals, but also through collective groups. Making a good name for oneself and becoming an example to others is no small thing; it has great moral and political value. In Kutal, one hears the highest praise for the vegetable-growing brigade, which achieved 740 quintals of ka-pi peppers, with a yield of 250 quintals per hectare. The people’s hard work and their careful services set new thinking in motion, to such an extent that they also put science before new tasks. But is this brigade alone? Right there, one learns that the field brigade in Rapckë, led by brigade leader Besim Myrtro, is also among the leading units. Last year it achieved all its economic and financial indicators. The fruits of success do not remain within the brigade’s boundaries, but spread their wings and extend throughout the economy and the district, thus providing an impetus for greater achievements. Many, many names would belong among the best, but we cannot forget the shepherd Llambi Zhaka in Bodar, who has achieved 150 litres of milk per goat from his flock of 230 head. Care with the wheat, but... The days without rainfall have put the coop— (Continued on page 3)

LITHUANIA FACES MOSCOW The Lithuanian movement «Sajudis» won 72 of the republic’s 90 parliamentary seats in the first round of parliamentary elections in Lithuania. Lithuania’s efforts to gain independence from Moscow did not begin with these parliamentary elections. Their origins go back to December 20 of last year, when the Communist Party of Lithuania declared itself independent from the centre. Such an action could hardly fail to cause concern in high-level circles in Moscow. Gorbachov himself set out for Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, and tried to persuade the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Lithuania to halt any action that would separate it from Moscow. He was forced to acknowledge that «the fate of perestroika and my personal fate depend on events in Lithuania». The factors that have led, and are leading, towards an «independent Lithuania», as it is called in Vilnius, are highly varied. They are connected with economic, political, cultural, national and other forms of discrimination. A member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of the USSR, Yakovlev, declared a few days ago that «national problems arise and become aggravated mainly because of economic and political problems». Lithuania’s actions have shaken Moscow because they do not concern only this Baltic republic. Its example may inspire other republics as well. This could lead to new political, economic and other relations within the USSR, and beyond it. Moscow is therefore seeking to pre-empt the republics’ demands for independence by announcing new reforms to rein them in, such as removing the leading role of the Communist Party, creating the new post of executive president of the USSR with extensive powers, passing a law on the privatization of land, and so on. SOKOL GJOKA

• MILLIONS EVAPORATE FOR LACK OF STEAM. (p. 1) • A WORKING DAY WITH THE SCYTHE... (pp. 1 AND 3) • THE CODIFICATIONS OF GROWTH AND THE DISMANTLING OF DEMOCRACY. (p. 2) • LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE FULL OF THOUGHTS AND SUGGESTIONS. (p. 3) • ABOUT THE EVENTS IN KOSOVO. (p. 4)