AN EXAMPLE THAT ENCOURAGES The success of the small herds is tangible. So much so that you can reach this conclusion in a meeting with an ordinary cooperative farmer, with a worker from an agricultural enterprise. Yesterday in Elbasan we spoke about this with Fatmir Gjergji, chairman of the Executive Committee of the District People’s Council. As it happened, we became acquainted with the statistics on this issue. Where should I begin, you ask me, to give an answer? There are now more than one or two distinguished farms. You could write, we were told, about the Elbasan agricultural enterprise, but then Peqin might take offence; about the Dumre enterprise, but then Shalës would ‘hold it against us’. We made a ‘compromise’—we chose the Cërrik agricultural enterprise, since less had been written about it. But in this respect, the district’s farms continue their work with the small herds, focused on quality and intensification. A path has opened up to take a step forward. Thanks to their work and the mild spring weather, the small herds now provide nearly half a litre of milk per person. Comparing the figures, milk production has increased by 500 quintals during this period. ‘At this rate,’ says the enterprise director, Hamdi Maho, ‘we are certain that annual production will be 2,000 [quintals] higher than last year.’ Naturally, this is satisfying. We mentioned something as an ‘example’ that the small herds have brought into being. Cërrik, for instance, keeps 335 head of cattle, all cows. This figure is 40 percent of the cows in the centralized herd. A whole national asset. The enterprise’s chief livestock specialist, Bajram Mehmet, takes the opportunity to recall a study proposing that the centralized herd be increased to this level, something that was never implemented. This required a substantial replacement stock, land for fodder, barns, and the initiative of specialists. And indeed, for years Cërrik has had a strong foundation for security: these are ‘Jersey’ cows, and everyone knows how much their milk production increases when they are crossbred. Every brigade has its own small herd. The members decide the number of animals according to their needs. They asked for small livestock, and they were given it. The ratio of cows to small livestock is 1 to 5. The small herds have become mixed. This helps supplies, makes better use of the reserves within the brigade, and also has some effect on improving the financial results of the collective household. As for the meat supply, the enterprise has reserves. The Council of Ministers’ decision has opened a window for resolving this problem. So far, we have spoken with farmers, not with brigades as one might wish. Neither averages nor percentages are accepted when it comes to their supplies, because there are managers who boast of an empty trough. Are there differences between the brigades in Cërrik? There are, but everyone says: the brigade led by Qe—Qemal Baha has distributed 136 litres of milk; the first brigade in the Xherije sector, 132 litres. So, as can be seen, they have little effect on the average. The good thing is that these examples are used as an incentive, not to embellish reports at meetings. In concluding these few lines, I cannot leave unmentioned one qualitative feature of the small herds: their dynamic development. It is hard to find another issue progressing in this way, where such broad consensus has emerged. Dynamism in the number of animals, in yield, dynamism in ideas. Over a period of almost four years, thousands of cows were added (more than 8,200 in Elbasan District alone). At this point, interestingly, intensive development coincides with extensive development, and the economic levers are effective. Alongside these conclusions, here is a brief look at the progress of the small herds at one enterprise. SHYQYRI MEKA should have been written less. But in the current state of the district’s economy, work with the small livestock units continues with attention turned to quality and intensification. A path has opened to take another step toward ensuring a more reliable supply for people in the countryside and in the city. To speak of the small livestock units is to measure the work by the measure used by the people: the milk that reaches every family. In this respect, the Cërrik agricultural enterprise is at the beginning, though somewhat above a stable average (in Maliq or some other economy, for example, they would call it backward). Last year it distributed more than 110 litres of milk per capita to its 4,000 people. That is not little, if we remember that in ’85 everything was expected from the centralized herd. The cows were obtained in a short time, and confidence and momentum were built. Today the workers say they cannot do without the small livestock units. They know how to verify the household accounts well, like economists: these are the needs, these are the possibilities; this is what they gain from quality and price. Their confidence grows all the more when they see the milk increasing every day. The small livestock unit is now in a position to renew itself. For a specialist, the figures are convincing: replacement rate 25 percent, average age of cows 5.2 years, fertility 86 percent, and the number of heifers according to need. Does this not speak of work carried out with both care and skill, as well as clear income? The renewal of the small livestock unit is a strong impetus for intensive development. Other arguments, too, speak in favour of this matter. Last year, 1,650 litres of milk were obtained per cow; this year’s plan is 1,800. Here we must make a at strong replacement programme; it needed land for fodder, a cowshed, and initiative from the specialists. And indeed, for years Cërrik had a steadily growing number of head of cattle as its mainstay. So, what studies and stamped plans could not accomplish was made a reality by the initiative for the small livestock units. With 80 hectares of fodder crops, an entire livestock operation is sustained. And how did it grow? Through the cows from the culling process. It may seem strange, but today there are brigades that sell calves from their small livestock units to the enterprise for herd replacement. a

PARTIAL VIEW OF THE BRIDGE BEING BUILT ON THE NEW FUSHË-KRUJË—HANI I HOTIT ROAD. (Photo: L. Lika)

The figures speak • 6,000 volunteers, organized into 166 brigades, have worked on both sides of the Osum valley in this national campaign. • 120 hectares of degraded scrubland were cleared, and green belts were created where grass is now growing. • During the three years of the model campaign, the brigades «Kiço Greço» of Korçë, «Naim Frashëri» of Përmet, «Kahreman Ylli» of Skrapar, and «16 tetori» of Sarandë have been exemplary. • The most advanced metasurarists have achieved 110–115 percent of their quotas. • After-work activities are an integral part of life during the campaign. They have taken part in new-book competitions and marches to historic Helmës and Zalohnjë, visited the district’s historical museum, put on artistic performances, etc. (According to ATSH)

Experience from Vlora If exports in the district of Vlora this year, compared with last year’s plan, are increasing by 23 percent, this is also due to the expansion in the range of products. This has been happening consistently. Exports have increased from year to year in both quantity and variety. The increasingly sound assessment of this task has encouraged creative thought and action, and has led people to look more closely at existing opportunities and reserves. ‘In consultations and various analyses,’ says Luan Çipi, head of the planning section, ‘the aim is precisely for workers, cadres and specialists to make the motto “what more can we produce and do for export?” an integral part of their work. Special groups of specialists have studied various production sectors in the district in order to present more clearly the opportunities they offer for exports.’ This year, specifically, several kinds of vegetables have been added to exports, ones that are also easier for our market to obtain; the collective of the «Kastriot Muço» mechanical workshop has also added several products this year. So has the NPV, in its finished products. In the ceramics department of the artistic enterprise, its head, (sculptor Alfred Shuta), says that several valuable, much sought-after products have been added to exports. The target has been significantly exceeded, and there is demand. The same is true of the other products of this enterprise: embroidery, carpets, rugs and wooden goods. Overall, progress is good. For the two-month period, exports across the district reached 103 percent of the target. This reflects the creative thinking of all the collectives with export targets. But the resources are plentiful. Industry and agriculture as they develop, and the richness of nature itself, continually reserve and create new resources that keep exports growing.

A view from Shkodër For a long time, the studio of sculptor Ferid Kola has housed two very beautiful busts by this artist: a scene of a Shkodran feast and a young couple on bicycles. How beautifully these works of art would fit in the city’s main squares! But so far they have remained only busts. How many times has this stance been justified by saying: it is a question of funds. But that, too, can be resolved. Every year, paintings are selected and sent to enterprises, some of which end up in storerooms. One year, things could be done differently: sculptures bought by enterprises could be placed in the city squares. We began this article with this fact because, as the city of Shkodër grows, its further adornment with works of art should not be overlooked. City squares are places of communication, meeting and gathering; so to speak, they show the face of the whole city. Shkodër has several, old and new. The oldest is Fusha Çela, now «Sheshi i dëshmorëve», and then Sarres, now «Sheshi i tre heronjve». These, too, have been altered, with efforts made to preserve their character, as has the city’s main square, «Pesë heronjve», where, in addition to the «Migjeni» theatre, the «Rozafa» hotel and the RTV building, a palace of culture and other facilities are planned. A great deal has been and is being invested in these projects. Meanwhile, work has focused on the square of the Higher Pedagogical Institute, which, like the Institute itself, bears the name «Luigj Gurakuqi». Several six-storey towers have been built there so far, as well as one eight-storey building and a five-section apartment block in the shape of an arch, one of the first of its kind. All that is being done adds to the beauty of ancient Shkodër, while also harmonizing with the structures preserved for their historical and cultural value. The ideas and work deserve praise: works of art have been installed in several squares. But more can be done by pursuing this approach. One of the newest squares in the city of Shkodër is the one named after the People’s Hero, Isa Boletini; his monument is the work of the People’s Sculptor, Shaban Hadëri. (Photo: A. Nënshati) The city’s main square, «Pesë heronjve», is another such square. are planned there. be done by pursuing this approach.

Sketch The sweet, chirping voices of 60 little ones from the «10 Korriku» eight-year school in Tirana sing the alphabet-book song in chorus. Along with spring, the alphabet-book celebration comes to every school and first-grade class in the country. A person’s life unfolds into old age, but this moment and this day, when the alphabet book is bid farewell and its letters have begun to form fluent words and sentences, remain unforgettable. Parents, pupils and teachers have been invited here, along with some even younger little ones in white smocks, waiting to begin the alphabet book in the coming term. The pupils speak about the alphabet book. «The alphabet book has never tired me,» says Ornela Rusi, while little Arbër Sinani adds loudly, as if afraid no one will hear his words: «Before I bid farewell to the alphabet book, I want to sing the song of the letters.» And he begins to sing their song to the accompaniment of an accordion. The accordion’s notes, the poetry recitations, songs and dances, and circus acts bring joy to the celebration. For the parents, too, there is a moving moment. Time flies, and no one had imagined that the hours would pass so unnoticed. But why does time go unnoticed? There are many reasons. This entire joyful atmosphere makes the guests feel optimistic. Especially when little Armela Kashari performs «The Alphabet Book». She says: «You, dear children, caress me with your little hands; you have taught me with diligence and love, and I will not forget you.» At just this moment, this very celebration makes you think of all those literary books, all those scientific titles, cultural activities, symposia and congresses of scientists, plenary sessions of the Academy of Sciences, all that magnificent edifice of knowledge whose foundations are laid in our alphabet book. At the same time, you think of the futures of these little girls, and of the different fate of children elsewhere in the world who cannot learn the alphabet book. And it is painful, deeply moving, to think of the little ones of Kosovo, of Prishtina, Peja, etc., who cannot hold an alphabet-book celebration. Because the alphabet book itself, this foundation of freedom, is under attack. This celebration, although centered on these little ones singing to flowers, birds and brightly coloured butterflies, reaches beyond its own bounds and carries a stirring message of freedom and human dignity.

The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, sent the following congratulatory telegram to the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Fernando Kollor de Mello: «On the occasion of Your election to the office of President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, I have the pleasure of sending You my sincere congratulations on the assumption of Your high office. Wishing the friendly Brazilian people progress and prosperity, I express my conviction that the friendly relations existing between Albania and Brazil will be further developed, for the benefit of our two peoples.» (ATSH)

Yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Reis Malile, concluded his official and friendly visit to Bulgaria and departed for home. He was seen off by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, Bojko Dimitrov, and senior officials of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc. Also present was the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania to the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, Bashkim Rama. Before his departure, of Albania, Reis Malile, in the presence of journalists from the press and television organs of Bu- (Continued on page 4)

Exemplary work, various activities Yesterday, on «Enver Day», workers in the Tirana district were characterized by a high degree of mobilization to achieve the set production targets, putting into practice the decisions of the 9th Plenum of the Party’s Central Committee and Comrade Ramiz Alia’s instructions. Industrial output exceeded the target by about 2 percent, and the work volumes in construction, transport, the circulation of goods, municipal services, etc. were fulfilled. The export plan was exceeded by 1 percent. In Region No. 1, the collectives of the «Enver Hoxha» tractor combine, the «Migjeni» artistic enterprise, the carpet enterprise, the asphalting enterprise, etc. stood out, exceeding their daily targets by 2–4 percent. Nearly 10 percent more products were supplied for export. As part of the campaign to further improve workers’ conditions, several collectives—including the coal and metal-ore mine construction enterprise, the bridge construction enterprise, and the electromedical equipment plant—completed showers, locker rooms and other facilities. A campaign collected 50 tonnes of scrap iron. The workers of the economic enterprises in Region No. 3 produced industrial goods worth 95,000 lekë above the daily plan. The collectives of the «Partizani» and electro- plants distinguished themselves through productive, high-quality work. (Continued on page 2)