For us, socialist construction and the defense of the country are one and the same matter. Economic development is inseparably linked to defense, and vice versa. In no way can one speak of strong defense without also having a sound, modern economy. Thus, the battlefield of every patriotic and honest citizen is their everyday work, whether they are a worker or a scientist, a minister or a peasant, young or a veteran. Defending the Homeland demands not only the heroism of a stance as in war, or bloodshed, but the everyday heroism of all the working masses. “The country’s progress secures the freedom of the people and today demands that we all stand on our feet, alert,” Comrade Ramiz Alia stressed at the 11th Plenum of the Party’s CC. The value of each person’s patriotism is not measured by slogans, by café talk, or by speculation, but by what they place at the Homeland’s disposal, for expanding democracy in life and for our economic progress. Each person’s patriotism is measured by the work they do, by the sweat and knowledge they devote to serving the people. In the many letters they have sent to Comrade Ramiz Alia in recent days, the working class and its organization, the Professional Unions, young people and women, cooperative farmers and students express their deep indignation at the language of those who seek to disrupt the peaceful life of our country. They say that they have all stood up, ready to defend the Homeland, national freedom, independence and democracy, and conclude with conviction: “We expect progress not from foreigners, nor from parasites, but from our own hands, from our own sweat.” This is a commitment and conviction shared by the whole people. We all love our homeland, freedom and independence. We are all ready to defend them. But when, where and how? Through work and knowledge, everywhere and at all times. The Party is rightly and quite logically giving priority to implementing economic measures, which will not only lead to its progress, but will directly help raise the well-being of the working masses, democratize the life of the country and strengthen its defense. Our society’s defense is at a moment of searching for its future and goals. It is guided by the decisions of the Party’s most recent plenums of the CC. What is fundamental is that these decisions for revolutionizing life through increasing the role of the masses and comprehensive democratization are properly understood by the people and enjoy the full support of the working class, cooperative farmers and the intelligentsia. This is because they are understood not merely as economic problems, but as problems concerning the fate of socialism in our country. As such, they should also be addressed in the propaganda and work of the Party and mass organizations among the people. It is right to call all those who are contributing to the achievements and surpassing of targets for grain, industrial products, construction and services for the people good patriots. This is no time to listen to some beating their chests and saying arrogantly: “Let the Homeland call, and you’ll see me!” The Homeland calls us every day, every hour. Did you work well? You worked for the Homeland. Did you produce with high quality and productivity? You produced for the people. The Party organizations have great responsibilities in this field, as do the professional organizations and youth organizations, in further strengthening the sound conviction that today, more than ever, everyone’s contribution is needed for the good of our socialist society. One great achievement of our time is the education and schooling of people. Today in our country, one in every 38 inhabitants has a higher education, and one in every 7–8 has a secondary education. That is enormous human and intellectual strength. All of it must be fully placed at the service of our all-round progress. The decisions the Party has taken and is putting into effect provide powerful support for creative action, practical solutions and overcoming the difficulties encountered in construction and in various sectors and institutions. Without the active participation of workers, economists and managers, and without their practical thinking and knowledge, neither a turnaround nor the expected results can be achieved. Much has already been done. But some still feel the need for greater effort to implement the Party’s instruction that economic management be freed from the tangled contradictions based on criteria and practices that have outlived their time, which harm the economy and, instead of being grounded in the law, have been replaced by administrative or command-style management. This kind of management obstructs the economy and participation, and stifles the initiative of the masses. Therefore, the concepts and practices that have become entrenched and keep this system standing must be fought with all the Party’s organizational, mobilizing and explanatory strength; with the full force of working-class oversight, and with the full force of the most progressive thinking of our time. Let us not forget that our further progress and independence depend on the success or failure of the measures the Party is undertaking. Their implementation requires work—in fact, a great deal of work—great care and much knowledge. The heavy responsibilities demand this of everyone, but especially of the Party and state leadership organizations: more dynamism, greater persistence in work and stronger implementation. The task is for them to continually improve their methods and style of work, not to interfere, but to act energetically in carrying out their duties, with the energy and commitment, militancy and patriotic spirit demanded by our highest duties to the Homeland and the people. The people are ready to make any sacrifice to defend the Homeland. To defend the Homeland. But also to work for it and make use of its resources, standing up for it. Let this spirit characterize us in every task and in all our work. To defend the Homeland, whether worker or intellectual, one must take up arms. Let them put their knowledge, culture, passion and creative thinking at the service of socialism. This is the call of the day to everyone. This is how the patriotism of every Albanian is expressed, an honor they are always proud to bear.

The decisions of the 11th Plenum of the Party’s CC have created a new mobilization among the working class of the Librazhd district. Its concrete expression is the fulfillment and surpassing of targets for the period from January to 15 July in total industrial production, the circulation of goods, the volume of mechanized work, rail freight transport, and so on. Giving priority to export targets, all the enterprises involved fulfilled the seven-month export plan 20 days ahead of schedule. As always, the miners are in the vanguard. The collective of the Pishkash iron-nickel mine, a Hero of Socialist Labour, which began operating as an independent accounting unit on 1 July, exceeded its targets for the period by 8,000 tons of iron-nickel. During just the last two weeks of this month, targets were exceeded by 2,500 tons of iron-nickel, while also saving 200,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity. The Skroskë section of this mine, under the responsibility of Shaban Ozuni, fulfilled the targets of the eighth five-year plan and is striving to produce 70,000 tons of iron-nickel against the plan’s quotas by the end of the year. This collective’s positive experience in economic and financial indicators is also being generalized to other sections. The chromium mine collective fulfilled its seven-month targets for chromium production and exports 15 days ahead of schedule and is working to exceed them. The workers in collection and processing also fulfilled the seven-month industrial production target and are striving to produce an additional 1 million 800 thousand lekë worth of goods. The construction site for the mines in Përrenjas, the pasture enterprise, the forestry enterprise, the railway district and the trade sector have also distinguished themselves this month through their pace in meeting targets. Almost all enterprises have sections operating as independent accounting units, which have substantially increased their responsibility for meeting targets and strengthening the austerity regime. To make up the deficits caused by shortages of tires and fuel, the period through the end of July has been accelerated, with the wood-processing collective and the goods depot in Përrenjas working to evacuate timber from the depths of the forests. Both the sawmill workers and the drivers are working extended hours. In the dry weather, electricity use is monitored responsibly every day. Although new standards were introduced for the first half of July, careful work has made it possible to meet the daily targets while saving several thousand kilowatt-hours of electricity.

- KORÇË - The headquarters set up to monitor the irrigation schedules carefully, day and night. Water reserves are lower this year. That is why measures have been taken in agricultural economies, and efforts are being made with concern to use every drop of water effectively. For the Korçë plain, in addition to the water reservoirs and irrigation canals, such as the Gjanic and Ventro-rikut canals, etc., free sources from streams, rivers and even village fountains are also being widely used. The construction of cascades on the Dunavec and Devoll rivers, as well as the pumping stations that have been put into operation everywhere, is proving effective. Fields are irrigated by all means, with sprinklers and by free-flow irrigation. An average of 300 hectares are being irrigated each day. - BERAT - So far, irrigators have used 28 million cubic metres of water for various agricultural crops, compared with 1 million cubic metres used during the same period last year. The reservoirs are 30 percent full, compared with 60 percent at the same time last year, and the capacity of the main irrigation canal for the lowland area is nearly 50 percent better. By maintaining an irrigation rate of 830 hectares a day, around 10,000 hectares more have been irrigated so far than during the same period last year. So far, across the district, the first irrigation has been completed on the entire planted area; the second has been carried out on nearly 30 percent of the area. Meanwhile, the first irrigation has been completed on the hectares planted with cotton and maize for grain, and the cooperative campaign is concentrating its efforts on ensuring completion of the planting of stubble maize as a second crop. As the situation becomes drier, water has become very scarce. Therefore, we must irrigate while saving water. This is what they are doing in Lapardha, Përrenjas, Kozare, etc., where the irrigation teams are making better use of night irrigation, rationally observing water quotas, and so on.

- BERAT - So far, irrigators have used 28 million cubic metres of water for various agricultural crops, compared with 1 million cubic metres used during the same period last year. The reservoirs are 30 percent full, compared with 60 percent at the same time last year, and the capacity of the main irrigation canal for the lowland area is nearly 50 percent better. By maintaining an irrigation rate of 830 hectares a day, around 10,000 hectares more have been irrigated so far than during the same period last year. So far, across the district, the first irrigation has been completed on the entire planted area; the second has been carried out on nearly 30 percent of the area. Meanwhile, the first irrigation has been completed on the hectares planted with cotton and maize for grain, and the cooperative campaign is concentrating its efforts on ensuring completion of the planting of stubble maize as a second crop. As the situation becomes drier, water has become very scarce. Therefore, we must irrigate while saving water. This is what they are doing in Lapardha, Përrenjas, Kozare, etc., where the irrigation teams are making better use of night irrigation, rationally observing water quotas, and so on.

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the death of People’s Hero Çerçiz Topulli, the distinguished patriot of the National Renaissance and leader of the armed struggle by the bands against the Ottoman rulers for the country’s national liberation, a commemorative event was held yesterday afternoon at the National Renaissance Museum in the “Dunavat” neighborhood of the city of Gjirokastër. Residents of this and other neighborhoods of the city, representatives and veterans, deputies and councilors, members and relatives of the hero’s family, young men and women, and others took part. Also present were the first secretary of the district Party Committee, M[a?] Xhomara Bini, and other comrades. Sela Kalo, director of the district museums, spoke about the life and work of People’s Hero Çerçiz Topulli in the service of the cause of the homeland’s freedom and independence. He was killed by the forces of the Montenegrin occupiers in Fusha e Shitojt, in Shkodër. (ATSN)

Amateur groups and performers are playing an important role in enriching cultural and artistic life in the Krujë district. For several days, the neighborhood’s artists have been following with interest the recital by the young singer Rozarta Pergjegjaj, who made her debut at the “Pranvera 90” concert. Alongside her light song, there are new amateur performers, including the singers Bujar Dervishi, the violinist Skerdian Kera, and the instrumentalists Alton Toma and Edmond Papadhopulli. The cultural center of the Neosjë agricultural cooperative prepared and presented to cooperative members in recent days a new concert by its artistic group, entitled “The Joy of Bread, the Joy of Life,” dedicated to those who excelled in harvesting and threshing wheat. Alongside songs performed by amateurs, Dhurata Kara and Thellënza Verra also presented interviews with outstanding cooperative members and combine-harvester operators, and various moral and material incentives were distributed. (According to ATSH)

Pogradec welcomes and bids farewell to guests The summer season has reached its peak. Thousands are staying in Pogradec to spend the summer at the beach. The lakeside promenade is full. The lakeside promenade is now at its busiest, as thousands of holidaymakers go there. And Pogradec has opened its doors, he tells us. “In each 10–15-day period, we welcome and see off 400 holidaymakers, workers from hundreds of places, even from coastal cities, who enjoy a lakeside beach holiday. Our holiday home cannot be understood apart from the pleasant amenities of the whole city. They begin with this flower-filled promenade, beside which stand the two beautiful buildings of the workers’ holiday home, and extend all the way to Drilon.” (Continued on page 2) At Drilon (Photo: N. Xhuka) At Drilon, our holiday home cannot be understood apart from the pleasant amenities of the whole city. They begin with this flower-filled promenade, beside which stand the two beautiful buildings of the workers’ holiday home, and extend all the way to Drilon.

- SHKODËR - These days, hundreds and thousands of workers, young men and women, have filled the many climatic resorts in the Shkodër district, from the coast of Velipojë along the banks of the Buna and Drin rivers, to beautiful Shirokë by the lake, and Razmë and Theth, well-known tourist spots in the Alpine region. Families have taken over the seashore and the lakeshore. These shores are buzzing with people. The second two-week period of July has just begun, and everyone has thought about how best to organize their holiday. Some have brought balls to play in the water, some tennis rackets, and some go to Vilu, which, as is well known, is a very popular place for fishing enthusiasts. Meanwhile, other board games and games are planned for almost every tent. The trade sector has taken measures to meet holidaymakers’ needs as well as possible. The same scene can be seen on the lakeshore, at Dajlan and Bahçallëk. Thousands and thousands of workers on holiday come here—

These days, hundreds and thousands of workers, young men and women, have filled the many climatic resorts in the Shkodër district, from the coast of Velipojë along the banks of the Buna and Drin rivers, to beautiful Shirokë by the lake, and Razmë and Theth, well-known tourist spots in the Alpine region. Families have taken over the seashore and the lakeshore. These shores are buzzing with people. The second two-week period of July has just begun, and everyone has thought about how best to organize their holiday. Some have brought balls to play in the water, some tennis rackets, and some go to Vilu, which, as is well known, is a very popular place for fishing enthusiasts. Meanwhile, other board games and games are planned for almost every tent. The trade sector has taken measures to meet holidaymakers’ needs as well as possible. The same scene can be seen on the lakeshore, at Dajlan and Bahçallëk. Thousands and thousands of workers on holiday come here. Many others come after work as well.