As far as leadership is concerned, it cannot be understood without strengthening control throughout the pyramid of state and economic organs. That is why the Party has taken care to strengthen and continually revolutionize it. Analyzing this issue, the Political Bureau of the Party’s Central Committee, at its meeting in recent days, set important tasks for strengthening control at all its links and in all its forms. The Party is not raising this demand for the first time; it has done so continually. In implementing its orientations, directives and instructions, measures have periodically been taken, improvements and reorganizations have been made in the existing links, and new control bodies have been established, up to and including the State Control Commission. Nevertheless, as was pointed out in this analysis, the changes in the strength and effectiveness of these bodies and of control itself are not what is required. Considering control one of the weak points of leadership, the Party demands that significant improvements be made in all its forms. There is much to put right in this field, because although a considerable number of bodies and offices deal with control, and a whole “army” of people is paid for it—from enterprises, districts and ministries—their achievements in keeping work on track, implementing tasks and decisions, and administering the economy leave much to be desired. Damage, waste, mistreatment and misappropriation of production and property are extensive and entirely unacceptable in many sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, industry, food production, trade and transport. Harmful attitudes in every aspect of working and economic life—when our people, for the most part, have made mistakes and damaged their consciences? The best record is one of preventive work, not of catching and recording alien, harmful facts and phenomena. It is important and essential to understand and put into practice the fact that all employees and all offices are charged with the function of control. In other words, not only specialized control bodies. Every cadre and specialist, from the brigade and work unit up to the ministry, has the duty both to implement and to control within their own line of responsibility. Control should not be understood, as it is by many managers, as merely financial auditing. It is effective when it is comprehensive—that is, technical, technological, organizational, and so on. In this regard, control must also be exercised by work-unit managers, engineers and technologists, planners and finance officers, agronomists and livestock specialists. The shortcomings that are observed, the permissive attitudes, indifference and weakening of control must also be considered in the mechanism for determining responsibility. Sanctions and fines weigh only on those who are materially liable: the shop assistant and warehouseman, the brigade leader; while the person who fails to carry out an inventory or inspection properly, the director who takes no measures for the warehouses or to enclose the enterprise premises, and the planner or finance officer who fails to put the documentation in place are not held legally responsible. Why? Something needs to be put right in this regard. At the meeting of the Political Bureau, it was emphasized once again that internal control is fundamental to the control system. It is more widespread and closer to the work and the people. Nevertheless, the role of this control is to administer property and production, implement standards and save materials, prevent damage and waste, and improve quality, which is poor in many products. Those responsible must demand that everyone comply, without concessions, with financial, technical and technological rules and discipline. Alongside internal control, the control exercised by other control bodies must also be more responsive and direct at the grassroots level. Its impact must be felt in work units, sectors, enterprises and cooperatives. The mentality that “they are district enterprises; we have enterprises under our jurisdiction” must not be used to exempt ministries from their duty and responsibility to exercise control and provide assistance to these economic units. The most important point in the control system, but also its weakest point, Comrade Ramiz Alia pointed out at the Political Bureau meeting, is control through the lek. There is something wrong here that must be examined, particularly in the relations between finance and the bank. It is their duty, first and foremost, to study and define their tasks properly. In control through the lek, the most important form is bank control. It is more operational, dynamic and preventive. These advantages do not emerge by themselves, without conceiving and establishing more effectively the role of the bank in carrying out the tasks set out in the resolution of the Party’s 9th Plenum. Despite the measures taken, the State Control Commission, too, as the apex of the specialized control pyramid, must find its proper place more effectively. This is connected with both …measures, in the management of the economy, leave much to be desired. Damage, waste, mishandling and misappropriation of production and property in many sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, the food industry, trade and transport, are extensive and entirely unacceptable. The harmful practices observed in this area must be stopped. The Party’s work must ensure a more correct understanding of the role and functions of state control. This is required at every link that makes up the control system. Each of them must better and more fully find its place, role and responsibility within this system. Essential to the working method of controllers at every level and in every control body is to increase their preventive effectiveness. Reports and analyses from district control sections or the relevant departments of ministries, from other specialized control bodies or their apparatuses, often include statements such as: «we uncovered so many cases of shortages or misappropriation», «we verified hundreds and thousands of lekë in damage or waste». Such reports are proudly presented as records of good work! But who needs cases and figures when the damage has already been done— At the meeting of the Political Bureau it was once again emphasized is the most widespread and closest this control remains weak. Its influence is not being felt with the weight it should have. This is not only because, as was said, it is conceived narrowly as an auditors’ inspection, but also because the technical and organizational measures supporting it are inadequate. Much has been said about documentation, yet delays and failures to carry out the work continue. Many enterprises lack measuring and control instruments. These shortcomings must be brought to an end. The role and responsibility of engineering and technical personnel in these matters must be greater and more direct. The decision of the 9th Plenum of the Party’s CC makes strengthening internal control even more essential. It is a concrete expression of implementing the line of the masses, a requirement for better leadership in its own right. More than ever, workers and cooperative members, enterprises and cooperatives are now required to be committed to safeguarding the common interest alongside personal interest. In economic enterprises and in Despite the measures taken, the State Control Commission, as the apex of the pyramid of specialized control, must also a more accurate conception of its functions and working methods. It should make the major issues involved in implementing Council of Ministers decisions the focus of its inspections, moving away from minor matters and inspections that take the form of analyses. It must be decisive in its conclusions: yes or no, good or bad, this is deficient and this is how it must be corrected. But being decisive does not mean overvaluing administrative measures while somewhat neglecting other ideological and political factors, as well as economic levers and mechanisms. The Commission of Control’s role must also be felt more strongly in its assistance to and influence on all the other control bodies. Implementing the tasks and guidelines set out by the Party for further strengthening state control, as well as workers’ control, will make them an even more powerful weapon for advancing work everywhere. In

A work overview from Fier The prolonged dry weather has also created serious difficulties in the district of Fier for irrigating crops, whether newly planted, wheat or vegetables. At the same time, the agricultural economies’ demand for water is increasing. For the period 20–25 March alone, water is needed for 4,300 hectares of planted crops, including 2,900 hectares of wheat, 200 hectares of vegetables and 1,200 hectares of other crops. “Faced with these conditions,” says Përparim Shehu, a specialist at the district water directorate, “irrigation began a month earlier than last year. In addition to the water already used, reservoirs throughout the district now hold 28 million 200 thousand cubic metres of water, of which 21 million 500 thousand cubic metres are in the Kurjan reservoir alone. In all the other Mallakastër reservoirs, only 40 percent of their planned capacity has been secured.” To assess the situation and counter the drought with immediate measures, the Executive Committee of the district People’s Council has put inspection teams and specialists to work in every agricultural economy. The issue is clear: the conditions and irrigation capacity dictate that we work under the motto “irrigate well and save every drop of water.” With this in mind, irrigation of the newly planted alfalfa and sugar beet is being completed quickly. Irrigation of other fodder crops is continuing. But the same is not happening on the potato fields, whose produce is mainly for export. So far, only 50 percent of this area has been irrigated. The delays in Frakull, Zharëz, Cakran and some other economies are unjustified. It is also time to raise another issue. It concerns cleaning the irrigation canals, because while we are speaking of intensive irrigation work, some economies, such as Pojan, Seman, etc., are not ready with their irrigation networks.

Looking at the situation, it is clear that many planted crops, especially wheat, need water to ensure healthy growth and achieve the planned yield. Every day lost now puts much of the future harvest at risk. For this reason, agricultural economies have taken and are taking every measure to use all available water. The Rrogozhinë agricultural cooperative has organized its work well; so far it has irrigated about 120 hectares of wheat and nearly 140 hectares of fodder crops. Irrigation is also progressing at a good pace in Lekaj, Qerret and Synej. But in Jubë–Sukth it has not started at all, nor has it in Gjeplaj. In Rrashbull, at most 15 hectares have been irrigated—or perhaps they have not. Should we wait for further instructions about what we can do, for example, with the reservoirs we have? It is well known that these reservoirs in Durrës are not yet completely full either. They are at 32.6 percent capacity. Meanwhile, the pumping stations are supplying them at the planned levels. Even so, is it not time to open some of the reservoirs, wherever necessary, and irrigate those areas of wheat or fodder crops that urgently need water? We think it is, because when will wheat need this water more than now? Naturally, we will use it sparingly; we will not waste it and must not let it run to waste. We will also save some for the coming months, but some of it must certainly be used now, under the existing conditions. If we hold to the view that “we will need the water later,” it is clear that the wheat will not give us the yield it should. SOTIRAQ GJORDENI

The first 370 hectares of maize have been sown only in these final days of March. Of the 4,900 hectares planned for the Elbasan district, 4,100 are to be sown with planting machines. How ready are these machines? Two weeks ago, repairs were completed at the SMT and state agricultural enterprises in the district, and the machines were distributed among the agricultural economies. This makes it possible to significantly increase this year the area of maize sown by machine. The benefits are twofold: speed and quality of sowing. In Elbasan, only three of the latest-model machines require parts from elsewhere; the others have 50–60 such parts, which are manufactured locally. We believe that greater care is needed in distributing them so everyone can benefit from the new technologies. One more thing: during January and February, because of a shortage of fuel, the ploughing schedules for the plots to be planted with maize were not met. Now the mechanics of the SMT and state agricultural enterprises are exceeding the daily ploughing schedules. BUKUROSH KOÇI, agricultural mechanization specialist in the agriculture section, Elbasan

“The conditions have dictated that the work be carried out in a certain sequence,” Vasil Pano, a specialist in the district agriculture section, tells us. “Irrigation has begun and is continuing in various fields of wheat, which is developing well. This process has been completed on 570 hectares, more than 50 percent of the irrigated area, which is to be protected within the week. Irrigation of fodder crops is also continuing, under strict supervision to prevent water waste, as the daily schedule has reached more than 100 hectares. Meanwhile, spraying and nitrate application are being carried out. Of the 5,300 hectares of wheat, 5,000 have been sprayed. Potato and sunflower planting has been completed; work is under way to speed up the planting of maize, tobacco and beans, so that it can be completed by the end of April, in line with the target set by each agricultural economy. The Përmet cooperative is making rapid progress with maize planting, and the agricultural cooperatives of Këlcyrë with tobacco planting. Vegetable planting is proceeding well in all the economies. The March target has been fulfilled. Preparing the land is also helping to speed up planting. Of the 4,600 hectares to be planted with spring crops, more than 3,000 hectares have been ploughed. Nevertheless, some economies, such as Carshova for the bean fields and Suka for the maize fields, have not yet ploughed their land, holding up the SMT’s ploughing work. The opposite is happening at the Këlcyrë agricultural cooperative. Delays in land preparation are occurring because the tractors are not ready. PËRPARIM MUSTAFAJ

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 Greek Republic, Hristos Sartzetakis: «The celebration of Greece’s national holiday gives me pleasure, on behalf of the Albanian people, the Presidium of the People’s Assembly and myself, to send to You and, through You, to the friendly Greek people, warm greetings and best wishes for well-being and prosperity. I hope that the relations of friendship and cooperation between our two neighboring countries will develop ever further, for the common good of the Albanian and Greek peoples, and for the benefit of peace in the Balkans and in Europe.» (ATSH)

At the invitation of Dr. Jusuf Vali, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the A.R. of Egypt, Pali Miska, Deputy Secretary of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Agriculture of the P.S.R. of Albania, departed for an official and friendly visit to Egypt. Yesterday he arrived in Cairo. At the air-port he was received by the First Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Prof. Muhamed Desuki, as well as by other senior officials of Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture. Albania’s ambassador in Cairo, Alkyz Cergа, was also present. (ATSH)

Yesterday Foreign Minister Reis Malile received Nuredin Nait Mazi, director-general of the Algerian newspaper «El Muxhahid», who has been invited by the Albanian Committee for Cultural and Friendly Relations with Foreign Countries to visit our country. At the meeting, which was also attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to Albania, Mohamed Lenkani, the friendly relations between the two countries were discussed. The particular importance and role played by the various information media in strengthening relations of friendship and cooperation between Albania and Algeria were also discussed. Yesterday Nuredin Nait Mazi left our country. (ATSH)

REPORTAGE «I like the exhibition, but we have the textiles in the shops.» These are the words of a young man in Vlora, when the traveling exhibition of textile products from the Berat combine opened there. Not only in Vlora, but also in Korçë and Durrës, where the exhibition «stayed», the products on display were judged very good by hundreds and hundreds of young men and women, trade workers, and citizens of different ages. Some liked the special textiles best: Pranvera 5008 Oxford, decorative baize; others, printed poplin, «Iliria» cloth, sports fabric, «Jubileu 51»; some preferred blue jeans, a particularly ornamented satin, and suggested that the decorative motif be on one side, etc. Those who saw the exhibition also expressed their opinions and made their comments. This is understandable: no exhibition, of whatever kind, can completely «satisfy» the demands and tastes of today’s person. They grow, so to speak, from day to day. Here is what the buyers suggest. Teacher Alfred Kola from Korçë says: «The fabrics used for clothing should be finished in colors or through technological processes that give them a neat appearance; as we say, the fabric should spring to life when you touch it with your hand, like an autumn leaf.» Marjeta Lala, Entelej Joxha and Tefta Toska, three girls also from Korçë, suggest that «Iliria» cloth should come in even more colors: cream, milk-white, beige, since there is demand for these. The students of class F, grade four, at «Naim Frashëri» school in Durrës want the products to be more imaginative, tasteful and attractive, without being overloaded with excessive colors. Others, prompted by the exhibition (and, before that, by everyday demands and household needs), rightly want a wide variety of women’s scarves on the market, a broader range of colors for undershirts, tablecloths, napkins, etc. They should be good, durable, inexpensive, and suited to different age groups and tastes. By learning about these impressions and opinions, one also learns what people are asking for: that these products be available in the shops. After seeing the «punim satë» products, workers of the NTSH in Vlora say they need to be supplied with all the items in the exhibition, and add: «Next time, exhibit products for which the raw materials have been secured.» In other words, they should not just be handled, but actually seen—and not only with the eyes. (To be continued on page 2)

Stone irrigation in the «Partizani» agricultural cooperative in the district of Krujë. (Photo: N. Xhufka) Stone irrigation in the «Partizani» agricultural cooperative in the district of Krujë. (Photo: N. Xhufka)

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