From the meeting of the Council of Ministers Yesterday morning the Council of Ministers met under the chairmanship of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Comrade Adil Çarçani. At this meeting, extensive discussion was held concerning draft legal acts implementing the decisions of the 9th Plenum of the Party’s Central Committee, which set the task of improving our socialist legislation in keeping with the rising cultural level of the working people, their legal awareness and education, and of better reflecting our socialist democracy. Following the proceedings of this meeting, we learned that the Council of Ministers immediately organized the work of drafting, discussing and submitting in due time several key draft laws, such as “On Certain Amendments to the Criminal Code of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania,” “On the Establishment of the Ministry of Justice,” “On the Legal Profession in the PSRA,” and “On Designating Village, City and City-Neighborhood Courts, etc., as Social Organizations.” After the draft laws had been prepared in implementation of the program drawn up by the Presidium of the People’s Assembly and the Council of Ministers, they were discussed extensively both at the center and locally in several districts of the country, with the participation of a broad range of workers, deputies, Party and government cadres, social activists, members of people’s councils, and others. At the meeting of the Council of Ministers, members of the government and invited comrades discussed these draft laws, made observations and offered opinions concerning the safeguarding, preservation and strengthening of the socialist legal order and citizens’ rights. The report on certain amendments to the Criminal Code of the PSRA addressed several issues, including “The establishment of the institution of rehabilitation and conditional early release.” Legal rehabilitation is the removal of a sentence by the law itself, automatically, in accordance with the time limits it specifies; judicial rehabilitation is the removal of a sentence by the courts, on the basis of a request by a state body or social organization. As was emphasized at the meeting, all these measures serve to further democratize our socialist legislation, as instructed by the 9th Plenum of the Party’s Central Committee. Regarding the establishment of the Ministry of Justice, it was emphasized that it should also ensure the proper organization and functioning of the courts, the legal profession and the investigative service. It was pointed out at the meeting that establishing the legal profession is intended not only to help citizens, state bodies and social organizations protect their lawful interests in court, during investigations, in the administration, etc., but will also contribute to the administration of justice by raising the professional level of work, particularly in the investigative bodies, courts and prosecutor’s offices. Also, in connection with certain amendments to the Labor Code, the ministers offered opinions on its further improvement in line with the current stage of the country’s socioeconomic development. Decisions were taken on all these matters, and, as decided by the 9th Plenum of the Party’s Central Committee, they will be submitted for consideration to the next session of the People’s Assembly.

Yesterday, the Council of Ministers also discussed the hydroenergy situation and the measures that must be taken to deal with it under the exceptionally dry conditions this year. In the report presented by the Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, Comrade Besnik Bekteshi, after emphasizing the current state of energy resources and reserves, which have dwindled to a minimum, he set out several immediate measures that must be taken under these conditions to cope with the situation that has arisen. The fundamental task for everyone remains to save every watt of electricity; large consumers in particular must impose strict controls on its use. It was stated at the meeting that the situation and the continued lack of rainfall, including this year, will necessitate special measures to ensure the electricity that is essential. If this situation continues, working hours will also be reduced at some enterprises. However, the Council of Ministers stressed that wherever work stoppages occur because of electricity shortages, measures must be taken to transfer workers to other jobs, and part of the workers’ lost wages will be compensated by the state. In connection with these issues, the Council of Ministers also adopted a decision on the exceptional hydroenergy situation, which specifies the quotas for reducing daily consumption by certain large consumers and specific enterprises. It sets out the duties of the ministries, executive committees and people’s councils of the districts to further strengthen oversight and ensure that these quotas are observed rigorously and without any deviation. Yesterday afternoon, the chairmen of the executive committees of the district people’s councils, as well as several officials in charge of major electricity consumers, were immediately summoned to the Council of Ministers. Comrade Besnik Bekteshi informed those present about the situation and outlined the duties facing the executive committees of the district people’s councils and the ministries: to monitor and check the electricity-consumption limits every day, and to strengthen conservation at every stage of production, in accordance with the conditions in each district and individual enterprise. He also spoke about the measures to be taken to save drinking water and process water, steam, etc., emphasizing the responsibility of the heads of government and economic bodies and ministries for following up these issues. councils also spoke at the meeting. With a sense of responsibility, they emphasized that implementing the Council of Ministers’ decision would certainly make it possible to overcome the situation and save electricity in accordance with the quotas it specifies. They expressed confidence that, with better management and organization of the work, the tasks would be accomplished on all fronts despite the conditions created by the prolonged drought. Comrade Adil Çarçani, speaking about the important decision adopted by the Council of Ministers to deal with the severe hydroenergy situation, said that, on the instructions of the Party’s Central Committee, the Council of Ministers had taken and would continue to take measures to ensure that electricity was used with great thrift, while carrying out explanatory work among the masses. (Continued on page 2)

A moment at work in the milk-processing enterprise in Lushnjë.

Cooperative members’ incomes are rising ● Of the 1,035 agricultural and livestock brigades in the district of Shkodër where new forms of service were implemented last year, 360 exceeded their production targets and secured 25 million and 300 thousand lekë in additional income. In Gremuerë, 74 of 99 brigades exceeded their targets; in Dodaj, 15 of 28 brigades surpassed them; in Vig, 15 of 21 brigades also exceeded their targets. ● In the cooperative sector, 14,900 people received additional bonuses, averaging 1,020 lekë per work hand across the district. In Grizhë, 1,120 cooperative members received an additional 1,835 lekë per work hand; in Zagorë, 528 cooperative members received an additional bonus averaging 5,402 lekë per work hand; in Velipojë, 290 cooperative members received an additional bonus averaging 3,878 lekë per work hand, etc. ALI BEQIRI

AN EXPERIENCE, A VIEWPOINT Maize planting has just begun. Many brigades and agricultural economies have drawn up work programs and, on this basis, made forecasts for the coming harvest. Nikla aims to harvest 95 quintals of maize per hectare across its entire area. This economy is also outperforming the others in the competition. On this basis, an expanded meeting was organized at the Gjorm Agricultural Enterprise, where the target of the Qendra sector—to obtain 100 quintals per hectare on 250 hectares—was broken down. It emerged that this economy would harvest 96 quintals per hectare across its entire area. One might say: Nikla “will harvest” this much and Gjormi “will harvest” that much, when maize planting has only just begun! We are not in the habit of speaking in terms of “will,” since good intentions and pledges have so often remained merely wishes written on paper, especially since the influence of natural factors is more keenly felt in agriculture than elsewhere. But this case is different. When you learn about the pledges made by the brigades of Nikla and the Gjorm Agricultural Enterprise, you feel confident that the targets will be met. Let us explain what lies at their core. As in industry, agriculture too has cultivation technologies for each crop, even specialized according to yield levels. Regardless of the influence of natural factors, disciplined, scientific application of the technology and calculation of its consequences for the results makes them largely recoverable. This is precisely what makes the pledges made by these agricultural economies distinctive. Each brigade has done its calculations according to the conditions: to obtain this many quintals of maize per hectare, these services and material inputs are required. On the basis of their calculations, the brigades have concluded agreements with the cooperative board in Nikël and the management of the Gjorm Agricultural Enterprise regarding the necessary material supplies. As long as the cooperative board and the enterprise management implement the clauses they have agreed to, the brigades will meet their commitments. This is the basis for the target they have undertaken. The division of work into plots provides the necessary organizational conditions. For example, at the Gjorm Agricultural Enterprise, teams of 7–10 people have been formed within the brigade, and assigned specific plots on the basis of production agreements. How are the interests of the agricultural economy and the individual reconciled in this case? That is one question. The economy’s interest lies in increasing production: in this way, Nikla will secure 6,000 quintals of maize above plan and the Gjorm Agricultural Enterprise 7,500 quintals. For individuals, the interest lies in the income they will receive from the additional bonus. Different forms of bonuses have already been set, down to the individual worker, and the amount of the bonus has also been made known. At the Gjorm Agricultural Enterprise, under the bonus scheme introduced, each worker would receive 2,000 lekë in additional pay from this crop alone. This has increased interest in the work. The brigades have set to work and secured 85 percent of the necessary material supplies. Their aim during this period is to finish planting the maize as early as possible. Considering what we have described above, we thought and wrote these few lines about a pledge that has nothing in common with those “will” promises that remain on paper. THANAS SAHATÇIU

On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the “Skënderbej” military secondary school in Tirana, various events were held. On the occasion of secondary school in Tirana, various events were held. Yesterday, a gathering of generations was organized, attended by students and teachers, former Skënderbej school students and staff, parents, military personnel from units of the Tirana garrison and from across the country, guests from other military schools, etc. Also present were a member of the Political Bureau of the Party’s Central Committee and Minister of People’s Defense, Comrade Prokop Murra; Luan Bregasi, secretary of the Central Committee of the Albanian Labour Youth Union; and other comrades. Military officer Ferit Zeneli spoke about the 45-year history of the “Skënderbej” military secondary school. Titles, orders and medals awarded by the Presidium of the People’s Assembly were presented to several distinguished teachers, military personnel, workers and young people. In this context, the new classrooms and subject rooms were inaugurated. The school’s amateur groups presented an artistic program for the participants. On the occasion of this anniversary, yesterday (Continued on page 2)

The delegation returned to the Homeland The delegation headed by the first secretary of this committee, Luan Basha, returned to the Homeland from Algeria. The delegation had participated, at the invitation of the Pan-African Youth Movement, in its 7th Conference. (ATSH)

REPORTAGE For some time now in Tropoja, the «Partizani» agricultural cooperative of Tplan has been mentioned more and more often as an example. This example becomes more impressive when you look back: for many years this cooperative was among the most backward. It even went so far that people would say: «Tplani is burning us, ktyrejat», but the opposite could also be said: «The ktyrejat are burning Tplani». There is an essential difficulty here: a suitable person, with the necessary knowledge and abilities, cannot always be found for the job. With these thoughts, which we heard in Bajram Curri, we set off for Tpla. It is a beautiful, sunny day, with an early spring, the villagers say. Tpla has not seen a winter like this one! It snowed only once a week. Even high up in the mountains, you cannot see any snow now in March, and for a highlander this is extraordinary. Nevertheless, the weather will do its part, and people will do theirs. The cooperative members are scattered across the fields, mostly women and girls wearing white headscarves, who, gathered together like that, lend charm to the surroundings, with plum and apple trees covered in blossom. The cooperative center is bustling with life. The PTJ and the trade premises are there. Nearby stands the eight-year school. The buildings have emptied out during the first break in lessons. In addition, one of the newest chromium mines in our country has begun operating at the top of the village. It is simply called the «Tplan mine». A new canteen and club are being built, and the village road is being widened. Here and there, a new house is going up; the cooperative center and the areas around the school are being renovated. «You should have come a day earlier!» Ali Hajdari, secretary of the cooperative’s Party bureau, tells us. Yesterday the cooperative members received additional income from the extension of the repayment period for the loans the cooperative has received from the state. This has helped us as a cooperative, but it has helped the people even more. They can see for themselves the state’s concern for cooperatives and the village. «As of today,» Ali says, «30 families have bought beds and are looking to buy televisions. But we are in a tight spot with the people, because the trade outlet cannot supply us with these things.» The cooperative’s chairman, Muhamet Dushisha, is young, around thirty. His thinking is young too, full of new ideas for managing and organizing the cooperative’s work. «Many people viewed Tplan’s achievements with disbelief,» he says. Note the turnaround: from 4.5 lekë per workday paid by the cooperative to its members in 1987, just three years ago, this year the value of a workday reached 15.5 lekë. The Tplan cooperative is the only one in the district that today has a 1 million lekë guarantee fund in the bank. How was this achieved? An economist’s pencil can indeed do a lot. Muhameti is an economist; he completed his higher education in 1982. He initially worked in the finance section of the Executive Committee, then in the goods park, and in January 1989, as a Party candidate, he was entrusted with managing this cooperative. «When I was working at the committee,» he says, «I took pride in studying the economic and financial situation of the district’s cooperatives. This study gave me a clear and realistic picture of their progress, especially of the shortcomings in economic and financial management. In this study I focused on two indicators (Continued on page 3)

In the straw-work section of the Various Products Enterprise in Gramsh. Outstanding workers Farushe Miraka and Antonetë Guzi making baskets. (Photo: N. Xhufka)