Three weeks have passed since the 11th Plenum of the Party’s Central Committee. The decisions it adopted and the announcements it made aroused genuine enthusiasm among the people. Individuals and entire collectives expressed this, having found in them the special concern of our Party and state for their people, for the broad masses of the population. Above all, these decisions directly serve the further democratization of the country’s life; they serve to protect everything we have achieved and to strive for greater prosperity. But great tasks and profound transformations are fully accomplished only when the entire Party, every organ and primary organization, and the great mass of Communists take the lead in implementing the directive. We have done a great deal during this period, but much more remains to be done. Nothing happens by itself. In the efforts to move forward, honest and militant people emerge as the true standard-bearers of progress. They know how to draw on experience, but also to learn from shortcomings. That is why these days Party organizations everywhere are discussing their duties with a sense of responsibility. Practical activities are being undertaken in many sectors, and valuable initiatives in production and other areas of social life are being encouraged. In Shkodër, for example, members of the Party Committee’s plenums, as well as other cadres, have gone to enterprises and neighbourhoods and, together with Communists, activists and other cadres, have focused concretely on three or four of the day’s most important problems. In Pukë, another 90 Communists went to the most difficult work fronts. In the agricultural economies of ... ... «were inside». One takes the lead on major problems when one understands and assimilates them, when one becomes deeply conscious of their importance and clear about how they are to be implemented. Are there any problems greater than implementing the decisions of the Party Central Committee’s plenum and its recent decisions? Yet it still happens that our administrators in some cases do not know which employees are absent from work that day and why, or sit waiting for raw materials from others... This detachment is unacceptable, and the Party organization must take it in hand. In some enterprises, workers have not been paid 80 per cent of their wages because of shortages of raw materials, on the grounds that «we’ll see about it later». How can anyone act like this? If an office employee or director allows themselves to do this, the Party organization must not allow it. Retreating and raising objections on the assumption that these matters are the responsibility of some people and not others is wrong and harmful. How can a primary organization allow those managers who, in order to come out «with clean hands» in implementing a Party directive, instead change the signs of service organizations, turning them from state-run into private ones? These overconfident managers must be told: «Stop!» The leading role of the Party’s primary organizations is not fulfilled through rigid forms and familiar templates. The new forms being introduced in the organization of work and production, the new economic mechanism, the powers being devolved to the grassroots, etc., necessarily call for changes in working methods and style, as well as in the issues addressed by Party organizations, so that concepts can be developed everywhere ... ... what is not [settled] no longer remains within the directorate and the technical council, but goes further: skillfully, it becomes a major concern of the primary organization as a whole and of every Communist in particular, of the mass organizations and, if necessary, even of the Party Committee. Naturally, people are inspired and convinced not by orders, not by shouting, nor by the slogan «this is what the plenum decided», but by arguments, militant example, and a willingness to roll up one’s sleeves and be the first to work, in the office and outside it, where problems arise and can be solved. To lead, to be at the forefront, to work means first of all to convince oneself as a Communist and as a cadre, then to explain matters to and convince the masses. When they see that you are not a person of words and slogans, but of work and deeds, they will follow you to establish order and discipline, get everyone working, and achieve ambitious targets. The results of the six-month period just completed in various sectors, the encouraging reports on agriculture from some districts, and the introduction of the new economic mechanism in dozens and dozens of enterprises mark a sound beginning toward greater achievements. However, there are enterprises, sectors and individual districts which, when measured against the tasks of the five-year plan or the final year of that plan, show considerable deficits. Therefore, an in-depth analysis to identify the causes must be accompanied by greater tasks, deadlines, serious commitment and a high level of responsibility. In the new processes or in the roles demanded by the times, new strength must be given to organization, Party control, workers’ control and ... [Text begins mid-sentence] ...of the Party, but other cadres too have continued working in the enterprise neighborhoods and have focused specifically, together with the Communists, activists and other cadres, fronts of work. In the agricultural economies of this district, the Communists were the first to go out into the fields and spend the nights in the cornfields, trying to save the crop from drought. With a sense of responsibility, the Party organizations and bodies are making efforts to respond more deeply in the districts of Durrës and especially Tirana. The actions undertaken to solve housing problems, to employ the available workforce within a short time, and other such measures are concrete, and increasingly persistent work is being done every day to achieve practical solutions. However, the directions set out at the plenums and in the determinations of the Party’s Central Committee, from the 8th through the 11th, are far-reaching and of exceptional importance for the country’s political and socioeconomic life. This truth places everyone before new responsibilities, since much more can be done than this. For the Party’s basic organization, for the Communist, for the cadre, there is no reason to invent special artificial difficulties. In this respect, those routines are intolerable in which reports are made on three- and six-month periods, decisions are repeated to implement decisions, and discussions are superficial, “in order to [words cut off] ... ... workers and Party basic organizations, where there are sound concepts. Despite the good work that has been done and is being done, there are still many who think that transferring powers to the grassroots relieves the ministry or committee of its troubles. This is unacceptable. To take onto your shoulders powers and duties that belong to others means putting on your shoulders an even heavier burden, one that is yours before everyone else’s. You must take responsibility for this work, and for that you must report responsibly to the higher state bodies and to your Party organization, whoever you are—a minister or an ordinary worker, a director of a directorate or a committee secretary, a chairperson or even an ordinary specialist. Powers are not ornaments. They free you from bureaucracy and the delays of administrative apparatuses, but they create other work and new difficulties. These matters must be discussed clearly in the Party organization and with all employees, so that convictions can be formed about changes in the organization and in management, and about achieving concrete results. Basic organizations do not duplicate any political body. They have their own duties. For example, if an enterprise collective fails month after month to meet its targets for product range, quality, exports and so on, this ... ... the tasks of Fatusë are not all carried out in rigid, stereotyped ways. and production, the new economic mechanism, the commentary, the [unclear] at and style, as well as in the issues taken up by Party organizations, so that sound concepts can be developed everywhere. so on, this ...

Yesterday, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Protocol «On the normalization of relations between the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics» was signed. Yesterday, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Protocol «On the normalization of relations between Soviet Socialist Republics» was signed. On the Albanian side, the protocol was signed by Sokrat Plaka, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, and on the Soviet side by Julij A. Kvicinski, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR. Prof. Sofokli Lazri, who represents the Albanian side in the talks on normalizing relations between the two countries, as well as senior officials of the foreign ministries of both countries, were also present at the signing ceremony. The protocol states that both sides support the broad development of mutual ties in the political, economic, scientific, technical and cultural fields and in other areas, based on the principles of full equality and the spirit of friendship and cooperation for mutual benefit. (ATSH)

Yesterday, the Foreign Minister of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Reis Malile, received the USSR Deputy Foreign Minister, Julij A. Kvicinski. Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister J. A. Kvicinski delivered a friendly message from the Soviet Union’s Foreign Minister, Eduard Shevarnadze, to Foreign Minister Reis Malile. The message emphasizes, among other things, that the normalization of relations between the Soviet Union and the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania marks the beginning of a new period of good and fruitful cooperation between our two countries. Noting the feelings of sympathy and friendship that exist between the two peoples, he expresses the hope that, through joint efforts, Soviet-Albanian cooperation will be given strong momentum in all fields. «I am sure,» he adds, «that Soviet-Albanian mutual understanding will become a valuable part of the new picture of Europe.» Minister Malile thanked him for the message and said that he shared Minister Shevarnadze’s assessment of relations between the two countries. He stressed that the Albanian Government considers the normalization of relations an important event that opens the way to friendly bilateral cooperation. He also spoke briefly about the process of further democratizing life in our country and the main directions of the Albanian Government’s foreign policy. During the meeting, which took place in a friendly atmosphere, views were exchanged on giving concrete form to relations between the two countries and on issues concerning the current international situation. (ATSH)

THIS SIX-MONTH PERIOD BRINGS THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN TO A CLOSE At the Executive Committee of the People’s Council of Kukës District: THIS SIX-MONTH PERIOD BRINGS THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN TO A CLOSE Unremitting work, discipline and initiative are required At the Executive Committee of the People’s Council of Kukës District: ...took place between the copper-mining enterprise and representatives of the relevant department. At the construction and transport section, they say: «Our section has

discipline and initiative Two months ago, the district Party Committee’s bureau reviewed the copper extraction and processing enterprises. The review was attended by leaders of the district People’s Council Executive Committee as well as enterprise managers. During the review, Haili Bulica, head of the industry section; Shemshidin Toto, director of the copper plant; and Zenun Meshi and Qazim Loçi, directors of the Golaj and Gjegjan copper mines, made self-criticisms and pledged to improve the situation. But the current situation does not justify that pledge. What is the situation? «To solve the problems of transporting ore from Shemeria to Golaj,» we were told at the industry section, «the section is coordinating its work with the freight depot to transport 80–100 tons of copper ore every day, thereby carrying out the task assigned at its meeting. The district People’s Council. The section also approved and decided that 30 workers would be transferred to the Golaj mine, filling the shortage of labour. Likewise, by 2 August, the new mine technicians who have just completed secondary school will be assigned to work immediately.» Since the plant’s raw-material supply balance at the copper plant in Rrëshenaj has, from 25 July onward, had its planned supply of copper concentrate from Fushë Arrëzi and ore from Palaj removed, the section is cooperating with the department to find new sources of supply and meet the plant’s targets. For this purpose, on 31 July a meeting will be held in Rrëshen... «Our section has set new transport quotas for the ores and the copper plant, and for the supply of cement and iron for construction and building projects.» We hope that these measures taken by the sections and the Executive Committee itself to change the situation will succeed. But, as we said at the outset, the problem is not one of understanding the situation and drawing up programmes and implementation plans. The situation will not change through managers’ pledges alone. Deficits in the copper sector are deepening. Zenun Meshi, director of the Golaj mine, tells us: «We have a shortage of labour, just as we also have a shortage of equipment. Some of the tasks set for exploitation [text ends abruptly]» (Continued on page 2)

The day before yesterday, events of the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War were commemorated in various districts of the country. Employees of work and production enterprises, cooperative members, war and labour veterans, deputies, councillors, military personnel, young men and women, etc., took part in the rallies and other activities organized on this occasion. Hundreds of villagers from Bregu i Qindrës in the district of Vlorë gathered in the town of Himarë to mark the 46th anniversary of the region’s liberation and the 47th anniversary of the formation of the Bregu partisan detachment. Wreaths were laid beside the memorial obelisk dedicated to the martyrs of Himarë. A rally was held in the town centre, attended also by Haili Hasan, First Secretary of the district Party Committee, and Central Committee members Spiro Koleka and Fiqri Çina. On behalf of the Party Central Committee, the Council of Ministers and the General Council of FDSH, those present were greeted by Nimet Cani, a member of the Party Central Committee. The folk groups from the villages presented an artistic programme. The people of the Shijak area in Durrës district celebrated the 47th anniversary of the liberation of the Third Partisan Battalion of the Peza Group. Wreaths were laid in the village of Shahinaj beside the memorial commemorating this event. Also present at the rally organized in the village were Nazim Skuqi, First Secretary of the district Party Committee; Luan Babameto, chairman of the district People’s Council Executive Committee; and other comrades. greeted by Qemal Bregasi, a member of the Party Central Committee. The professional variety theatre troupe of the city of Durrës presented an artistic programme. The people of the district of Mat celebrated the 47th anniversary of the attack on and victory over the Italian fascist garrison. At the martyrs’ cemetery of ... (Continued on page 3)

The coal miners in Memaliaj are giving daily concrete expression to their solidarity with the decisions of the 11th Plenum of the Party’s Central Committee by fulfilling the plan’s targets. The targets for the first seven months were exceeded, especially in coal extraction, in total industrial production, and in the indicators of the coal-enrichment plant; exports in particular exceeded the target by 34 percent. We could list a range of factors that have determined the mine’s steady progress this year, despite the difficulties created from time to time by transport blockages. But the mine collective and its management cadres identify as decisive factors the increased leading role of the Party’s basic organizations, the personal example set at work by Communists and cadres, and the miners’ fighting spirit and determination to remain at the forefront of the district’s collectives. For example, at the mine’s No. 3 shaft, which is distinguished by exceeding its targets, supervisor Maksim Sotiri, who is also a member of the district Party committee’s plenum, never leaves the job for a moment. He maintains constant contact with the other cadres and with the workforce. Every technical, organizational or social problem that arises is solved together with his comrades, right where it arises. It is rare for problems at this shaft to reach the mine directorate. “Another example to follow,” says mine director Nedin Duraj, “is the collective at Shaft 5, where Myftar Nuhaj is the director.” On the basis of the collective’s solidarity and mobilizing, creative spirit, a range of difficulties arising this year because of shortages of certain imported materials—and particularly in underground transport—were overcome. The mine began applying the new economic mechanism at Shaft No. 3. At first there were some difficulties, but they were overcome quickly. Now all the miners are convinced of its advantages. This year the enterprise will gradually begin applying it in the other sectors as well, so that at the start of the new year it will be fully prepared to operate under the system of independent accounting. JORGO ZHONGA

From July 1, the Korçë Metal Products Enterprise was included in the new economic mechanism. For the 25-day period in July, the target was fulfilled at 129 percent. Valentina Thano, head of the planning department, tells us about some of the issues. “We are working to clear out goods produced earlier that are sitting in the warehouses. After the sale of two bottle-washing machines, each valued at 350,000 lekë, three dosing machines were also removed from the warehouses during July. At the same time, steps are being taken to transfer as soon as possible to the Instrument Plant the tempering molds that have been included in its order. We also insisted with the General Directorate of the Bank on accrediting invoices that had not been settled, for enterprises that had received products from this enterprise some time ago. “Likewise, after experiments, preparation and presentation of the mo... (Continued on page 2)

The People’s Socialist Republic of Albania and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, prompted by their shared desire to develop relations of friendship and cooperation on the basis of respect for sovereignty, full equality and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, agreed to normalize their bilateral relations and to resume, as soon as possible, the activities of their embassies in the capitals of both states. Tirana, 30 July 1990