It is no coincidence that, in this more-than-a-struggle of our struggle to build socialism, the demand for the further revolutionization of the Party and the life of the country has been raised inseparably from the need for broader democratization in all fields. Indeed, the expansion of democracy is a condition for deepening the comprehensive revolutionization of life. This is not a slogan, but a concrete reality that stems from the Party’s general line. “The Party’s constant line,” Comrade Ramiz Alia said at the 9th Plenum of the Party Central Committee, “has been and remains that the broad working masses, in production and elsewhere, should always be the principal subject of leadership activity, and that their initiative and contribution should constitute decisive factors in formulating and implementing the policies pursued in various fields.” The Party has not pursued its own revolutionization and that of the country’s life through campaigns. This is an uninterrupted process. Nevertheless, certain moments remain notable when the Party undertook profound revolutionary measures. To recall just a few: the open letter of the Party Central Committee of March 1966; Comrade Enver’s speeches on February 6, 1967, and in Mat in 1972; the 4th Plenum of the 9th Central Committee, of great value for the present and the future. The democratization and comprehensive revolutionization of the country’s life are embodied in the Party’s general line; they are permanent features of socialist construction. But every era has its own demands, and these features are therefore developing and aspire to go much further than has been achieved to date. It is of decisive importance that everyone understand this in its dialectical sense, because only in this way can people’s energies be unleashed wherever they work and produce, whether they are workers or scientists; only in this way will we bring about even more qualitative changes in the content and methods of work of the various bodies and organizations. These two months since the 9th Plenum testify not only to the support that the plenum’s decisions have found among the people, in Party organizations and mass organizations, but, above all, they clearly highlight the concrete activity being carried out to implement these tasks of capital importance. Some initiatives are already under way, others are being studied, while some are progressing more slowly. The main thing is that thought is moving in a broader direction, and that the districts are being given greater authority, together with the enterprises and cooperatives. The grassroots are benefiting from abandoning certain uniform indicators imposed on everyone and everything, which carry a command-oriented spirit, excessive centralization, and restrict people’s thinking. People want change and support it when it serves their interests and those of society. The measures taken some time ago to motivate workers to exceed production targets in certain sectors have proved this. The point is to extend them more widely. Whoever gives more to society through their work also has the right to receive more from it. Efforts to make more skillful use of economic levers are still at an early stage. They must be improved, and they will be, but the task is to set people’s minds in motion everywhere—in every enterprise, agricultural economy and institution—and to put into practice whichever form increases interest in work and drives production forward. Work on a piece-rate and assigned-plan basis is proving very useful. The point is not to introduce it indiscriminately, but to clear the way wherever it is beneficial. In some places, this has first of all brought more of the people’s own thinking into play, drawing on the broad experience of the masses and the judgment of capable, knowledgeable people. Building a sound mass opinion is the main way to overcome all kinds of delays and bureaucracy, and to bring major improvements in every field. What, for example, do the many open meetings of the basic organizations show? They show that mass participation is further enlivening them and increasing their responsibility for making sound decisions without fudging; it is increasing communists’ obligation to demand more of themselves and their comrades, and strengthening the militant spirit in basic organizations and among the working masses. What do many of the conclusions reached by workers’ control groups or recent discussions in collectives show? More than ever, people feel concern and a partisan sense of responsibility for the proper conduct of work. Nevertheless, there are also tasks that are not being accomplished, and there is one-sidedness and routine in leadership. It is unacceptable, yet failure to meet production targets is becoming “normal,” and this affects people’s interests. Workers’ control must be brought to bear on those administrations that relegate working conditions to the very bottom of their priorities, and that postpone deadlines for inter-enterprise documentation; these are not the only problems. How can dozens upon dozens of studies beneficial to production be allowed to gather dust in filing cabinets? If their profitability were calculated by computer, it would amount to hundreds of millions of lek. This has been discussed, but propaganda is not enough. What matters is that thinking on these problems is now moving forward vigorously. The involvement in this activity of the broad working masses, communities, cadres and specialists, and their conscientious work, is the key to success. This is what the entire Party and Comrade Enver advocated, and life has fully demonstrated it. ...those moments a few of them: the Open Letter of the Party’s Central Committee of March 1966, Comrade Enver’s speeches on 6 February 1967 and in 1972 in Mat, the 4th Plenum of the Central Committee in 1973, the intensification of measures against bureaucratism in 1975, etc. These are some of the documents on which entire programmes of activity have been based for Party organs and organizations, and for economic and state organs. They have served greatly in the Party’s struggle against bureaucratism and liberalism, indifference and all other alien manifestations, with important achievements being recorded. What all these reforms have in common is the need for the more complete revolutionization of the Party and the masses, across all structures of life and within the state and economic organization. Thus, now too, as we hold in our hands, discuss and implement the very important decisions of the Plenum... ...concrete activity to carry out these tasks of paramount importance. Some have got under way, others are being studied, while still others is moving with greater awareness and across broader horizons, that solutions are being worked out in many fields, bringing new impetus to work and production and to the organization of management. The role of organization and growth in these matters, and of cadres, specialists and educated people who have a solid foundation, is irreplaceable. An experiment was conducted in several districts, giving them certain production and delivery indicators for agricultural crops and livestock; this immediately had a positive effect on the organization of production. What was tested in Elbasan, Lushnjë, Korçë, Përmet and a few other places has now been introduced in all districts this year. Furthermore, 40 percent of the planning-methodology indicators that had been kept centralized by the central authorities were handed over... Work paid by piece and under a work-plan system these methods indiscriminately, but to make way for them wherever they are beneficial. In some enterprises, these methods are cutting the time required by up to half of the planned duration and shortening the deadlines for assembling and dismantling oil wells, yielding considerable value. At the port of Durrës, the time needed to handle cargo on some ships is being cut in half, which means thousands of lekë more in foreign currency. There are many such examples here as well. Socialism needs everyone’s work and ideas. This demand embodies the essence of our democracy. But the issue is to remove everywhere the obstacles that hamper democracy, that attach appendages and labels to it, and to strike hard at those mindsets that believe...

DROUGHT CONDITIONS CAN BE OVERCOME: WITH KNOWLEDGE, QUICK DECISIONS AND CONTINUOUS WORK The weather prevailing over our country has created an exceptionally difficult and complex situation, especially in the agricultural sector. The drought is unusual. At the same time, we are at a crucial moment: the crops already sown need water, while those yet to be planted, such as maize and beans, need to be sown early. What is being done to overcome this situation? To find out, the editorial office of the newspaper “Zëri i popullit” sent our editors Avdul Dule and Selim Hoxha to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Hydrometeorological Institute. We also contacted our correspondents by telephone in the districts of Korçë, Elbasan, Gjirokastër and Lushnjë. At the Ministry of Agriculture, we met Comrades: XHEVAT SHIMA: (Director of the Science Directorate). —Comrade Xhevat, the figures seem to indicate reluctance to irrigate the wheat: of the 150,000 hectares that could be irrigated, only around 15,000 hectares have been irrigated so far. Are there technical reasons, organizational obstacles, or inhibiting attitudes? —There are no technical or organizational reasons. Nor should it be a matter of attitude, since we have experience by now and have faced situations like this before. Yet there are people who say, “What can we do, look at this drought”; “Perhaps some rain will come...” —So what should be done? —The alarm has been raised everywhere. The task is to irrigate all the wheat within a week, using every available reserve, including reservoirs, and irrigating by gravity, day and night. The wheat is currently at a delicate stage of development, when its water requirements are at their highest. Work on this front must be at its maximum as well. It is wrong to make the excuse, “It’s a drought; our water reserves will run out,” when, using gravity irrigation alone, around 100,000 hectares of wheat could have been irrigated with water from rivers that flow into the sea. Therefore, completing irrigation within a week is an urgent and essential task. The claim that we need the water for autumn is unjustifiable in the face of this drought, which is behaving like a summer drought. STEFAN QIRIAKO: (Director of the State Agricultural Farms Directorate) —Comrade Stefan, as we have observed, and as the figures also show, there is reluctance to begin planting maize on a large scale. The weather is very favorable for early planting. Is this reluctance connected with the drought? —The drought should not be underestimated. But we should not fold our arms in the face of it either. At meetings with agricultural cadres, specialists and workers in various districts of the country, we have put the issue to everyone in the same way over the past few days: we must plant without any hesitation and at a rapid pace, to ensure that maize and the other crops still to be planted get an early start and grow well. —What experience is there? —In these conditions, the district of Shkodër has set a good example, having planted more than 3,000 hectares of maize, or around 40 percent of its area. There is no reason why such a pace should not be achieved in all the districts of the lowland and coastal regions. The point is to plant early and ensure early germination and a full number of plants per hectare. Without this, earliness itself has no meaning. A high sense of responsibility, rigorous supervision and strong mobilization are required, as in exceptional circumstances. SALI ÇELA: (Specialist) —Comrade Sali, it seems there are three fronts of work: irrigating autumn-sown crops, early spring planting, and caring for what has already been planted. Which should take priority? —Every agricultural economy, and even each individual district, has its own particular conditions. But where the demands truly overlap, even with the best intentions, it is not possible to irrigate everything. A priority and a clear rationale are needed: first of all, every plot planted in recent days—with beet, tomatoes, alfalfa or tobacco—must be irrigated. We have planted, but has germination been ensured? Anyone who fails to look back at this today has already lost the battle. —What is your view of the reservoirs? Given that their water reserves are low, should they be used for wheat and at the same time should planting continue? —I would say that we should not rush in such cases, especially when we have no way to refill them. Water from them should be used sparingly, like medicine, wherever damage is occurring—for example, where we have planted but are failing to ensure germination, we should not hesitate to use it. One thing must be said: this entire situation cannot be dealt with through orders and recommendations, but through concrete commitment and a high sense of responsibility on the part of every worker, cadre and specialist. OUR DISTRICT CORRESPONDENTS REPORT BY TELEPHONE: — KORÇË — — ELBASAN — — GJIROKASTËR → — A conversation with the director of the Institute of Hydrometeorology, JAVER ÇOBANI.

Even during these days of March, climatic conditions across our country are becoming increasingly worrying. Comrade Javer, what are some of the characteristics of the climate during this period? —Our data show marked deviations in precipitation and temperatures from the multi-year average, including conditions that have never before been recorded here during this period. Two phenomena are evident: a complete lack of precipitation and considerably high temperatures. As a result, flows in almost all rivers have decreased significantly. At the same time, evaporation has increased because of the high temperatures. Suffice it to say that during these days temperatures have risen by more than 5–6 degrees compared with a few weeks ago, reaching levels typical of May and June. In some districts, temperatures have been recorded (Continued on page 2)

In a conversation with Gëzim Kuqo, chief agronomist of the agriculture section of the Korçë district, we learned: Since the beginning of the year, only 23.3 mm of precipitation has fallen, or around four times less than during the same period last year. The drought, as well as the high temperatures, has caused particular concern for wheat and second-cut forage crops (Continued on page 2).

The effects of the drought are already apparent: on light soils, wheat is growing extremely slowly and has begun to turn yellow; some of the alfalfa that was sown has still not germinated. Pasture grass is scarce, as it has been in few years. Spring planting is at stake: maize, tobacco and vegetables cannot be grown without water either. This is the third day that (Continued on page 2).

45 years ago, the Fuel Distribution Enterprise was established in Tirana. On the occasion of this anniversary, yesterday morning a commemorative meeting was held in one of the premises of the enterprise, attended by employees and cadres of fuel distribution branches from the country’s districts, veterans, young men and women, and others. Comrade Benik Bekteshi and other comrades delivered congratulatory remarks. On behalf of the Ministry of Internal Trade, Mines and Energy, and the Ministry of Internal Trade, the participants were greeted and wished success in fulfilling the tasks assigned by the Party by the Minister of Internal Trade, Osman Murati. The enterprise’s director, Viron Canë, spoke about the 45-year history of the fuel distribution enterprise. Veterans of the enterprise shared their recollections. A group of employees and several outstanding branches were given moral incentives. The meeting sent a telegram to the Secretary of the Party’s Central Committee, Comrade Ramiz Alia. (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 a congratulatory telegram to the president of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Chulam Ishaq Khan: “On the occasion of Pakistan’s national holiday, on behalf of the Albanian people, the Presidium of the People’s Assembly and myself, I extend to you, Mr. President, warm greetings and my very best wishes for your happiness and for the prosperity of your country. I hope that the friendly relations between Albania and Pakistan will develop and become more concrete in the future.” (ATSH)

At the invitation of the Albanian Committee for Cultural and Friendly Relations with the Outside World, Nuredin Nait Mazi, director-general of the Algerian newspaper «El-Muxhahid», is visiting our country. During these days, the Algerian guest has visited the cities of Tiranë, Krujë, Berat, Vlorë, Fier, Lezhë and Shkodër. He has become acquainted with various historical and sociocultural institutions. He has also visited the Textile Combine in Berat, the paper factory in Lezhë and the Bushat agricultural cooperative in Shkodër. During these visits and meetings with pupils from the foreign-language secondary school, students and cadres, he has learned about the work and life of our people. The Algerian guest was received by the chairman of the Union of Journalists of Albania and editor-in-chief of «Zëri i Popullit», Marash Hajati, and held a warm and friendly conversation with him. On the occasion of the visit by the director-general of «El-Muxhahid», the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria to Albania, Mohamed Lenkami, hosted a dinner attended by the director of the Institute of International Relations, Professor Sofokli Lazri, the chairman of the Union of Journalists of Albania, Marash Hajati, and the chairman the Outside World, Jorgo Melica. (ATSH)

For some days now, wheat irrigation has been under way at the Vaqarr agricultural cooperative in the district of Tiranë. (Photo: P. Omeri - ATSH)

● The 9th Plenum opens new paths in the features of revolutionization and democratization. (p. 1). ● An exceptionally unusual situation in agriculture. (p. 1). ● The bank needs, effectively, a relatively greater degree of responsibility. (p. 2). ● The dimensions of the Kosovo tragedy (p. 4).