Yesterday morning the Council of Ministers met under the direction of its Chairman, Comrade Adil Çarçani. At this meeting, problems relating to the implementation of the new economic mechanism were examined, as were certain improvements to the Council of Ministers’ directive “On basic investments and construction”; certain amendments to the law “On the administration, preservation, documentation and circulation of material and monetary assets”; the law “On accounting”; and improvement of the “Criteria for evaluating the activities of scientific research institutes conducting their activities in the economic sphere,” etc. On these matters, members of the Government expressed their views and made suggestions for further improving legislation in these fields. At the meeting it was emphasized that the decisions adopted supplement the legislation and subordinate acts necessary for the full implementation of the economic mechanism, but they are not the only directives and instructions that will ensure its full implementation. They are indispensable and important, it was said, but what matters most is becoming familiar with them, explaining them in detail, publicizing them and, above all, implementing them as well and as quickly as possible. The Council of Ministers drew attention to the fact that in many enterprises in several districts and departments, the essence of the new economic mechanism is not being properly understood. As is known, this essence is to increase their initiative and independent action in order to ensure increased production and its effectiveness. In this regard, cases were criticized in which some enterprises, executive committees of district people’s councils and departments—especially in the oil and mineral extraction sector, the food industry, the production of existing grain crops, as well as the employment of new labor—had acted inappropriately. The need was therefore stressed to understand correctly the essence of the new economic mechanism, which requires that an enterprise’s net income for the planning year must be greater than its net income for the previous year. This serves to increase production, improve the enterprise’s effectiveness and profit, and increase the remuneration of its workers. Now that planning is being carried out in accordance with the requirements of the new economic mechanism, it was said at the meeting, it is unacceptable for some enterprises to plan an expansion of loss-making activities and state subsidies. What is important is for the 1991 plan to be drawn up using the new concepts for all indicators and at every level. The meeting praised the initiative of the Tirana district and of certain other districts, which are solving the problem of employing the workforce through campaigns and economic means, by opening new work fronts, production lines or workshops and expanding services for the people, as decided by the 11th Plenum of the Central Committee of the Party. At the meeting, departments and executive committees of district people’s councils were urged to find prompt solutions to several problems, including stockpiled and slow-moving goods; surplus machinery and equipment; spare parts, tools and surplus raw materials; debts and credits; and goods in storage, etc. These must be put in order before enterprises begin implementing the new economic mechanism. It was emphasized that it is no longer enough to work with the notion that “measures must be taken”; concrete solutions must be provided for each of these problems, because they concern material and technical resources and, in some cases, locally available materials and raw materials. The Council of Ministers emphasized that, despite the work done to improve the organization and organizational structures of enterprises, executive committees of district people’s councils and departments, these must be carefully reviewed, and their regulations improved. Their respective organizational structures, rights and duties must be defined as clearly as possible in relation to the requirements of the economic mechanism. The meeting also discussed the implementation of measures adopted to give concrete effect to the important decisions of the 11th Plenum of the Party’s Central Committee and the instructions of Comrade Ramiz Alia concerning the reorganization of artisan and trade services, and their prompt and visible improvement in all districts and in the designated forms. The Council of Ministers also drew attention to the serious situation in the supply of electricity, drinking water and irrigation water, as the severe drought continues. It set tasks and measures for all state and economic bodies to overcome this situation. Assessing the situation in electricity, drinking water and irrigation water as extraordinary, the Council of Ministers called on state bodies at the central and local levels to treat it as such and to take extraordinary measures and action. It also called on all workers throughout the country, in towns and villages, to establish a strict conservation regime everywhere in the use of electricity, drinking water and irrigation water, and to find reserves. Everyone must help successfully cope with this situation by assessing conditions realistically and thinking and working like a good householder: every citizen, worker and cooperative member, every official and specialist has something to do and something to save in order to meet this exceptional situation. Today, wasting drinking water by using it without justification for municipal or industrial needs is inexcusable. It is reprehensible when, on the one hand, electricity is in short supply while, on the other, hundreds or thousands of pumping stations are operating, consuming enormous materials and raw materials. … their initiative and self-management grain, industrial crops, livestock products, etc.—had projected low indicators in the draft 1991 plan compared with this year’s plan and, in some cases, even with expected results. These tendencies show that the essence of the economic mechanism has not been properly understood and run counter to self-financing expanded reproduction and to finding economic solutions for maintaining the workforce… … the tools of work at surplus workplaces, for debits and credits, for goods in storage, etc., which new economic mechanism. It was emphasized that one can no longer work with the idea that “measures must be taken”; instead, since various forms and ways of resolving them can be found. The Council of Ministers drew the attention of the ministers and each individual minister to the need to be more active in monitoring and implementing the new economic mechanism. It also criticized the tendencies observed both during the preparatory period and now, during implementation of the new economic mechanism, to exaggerate the difficulties in supply… … credits, for goods in storage, etc., which instead, to exaggerate the difficulties in supply…

— Interview given to our newspaper by Lladosh Ahmetaj, Deputy Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy — — This summer, like the spring before it, has been hot and very dry, with serious consequences, especially for the energy system, which is connected to the entire economy and life of our country. What is the current state of this system? — Now that the prolonged drought is at its peak, the energy situation has deteriorated and become extremely difficult. The average inflow during the January–August period into Lake Fierza has been 110 cubic metres per second, which is lower even than the average inflow at 95 percent reliability. In July, inflows were even lower, at 33 cubic metres per second. Thus, at the end of this month, which has just ended, the level of Lake Fierza is about 256.30 metres. This makes it impossible to meet the country’s needs. — So far, we have received 220 million kilowatt-hours of electricity from abroad. Is that all we need? — No, our needs are greater. In addition to the 10 percent reduction in electricity for all users, we have also been forced to shut down important facilities at the “Çeliku i Partisë” Metallurgical Combine, at the ferrochrome plants, etc. Given the situation and the continuing drought, the need to import electricity will continue through August and September, bringing the total import volume to 320 million. After September, we will assess the situation and act according to the rivers’ inflows. — How is this situation being dealt with? What sources and methods are being used? — This is a natural hardship on such a scale that it cannot pass without affecting our balances and economy, and it cannot be overcome without extraordinary measures and sacrifices. But the state is doing everything possible to minimize these consequences. More specifically, what is being done? First, additional resources have been mobilized and there is a great need, as well as a demand for millions of dollars, to put the unit at the Fier thermal power station into operation. Furthermore, outside the plan, the state has so far imported more than 220 million kilowatt-hours of electricity from various countries. Part of this will be paid for in dollars, while the rest will be repaid in electricity between October 1990 and January 1991. I should add that this energy-production deficit and these unplanned foreign-currency expenses are arising at a time when, according to the state plan, we should have exported 600 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, since, as is known, our energy balance is positive. — The picture and figures you have given us are certainly not merely a matter of curiosity. On the contrary, they “call for” conservation and extraordinary measures. More specifically, what is required? — An extraordinary situation must be met with extraordinary measures. The severity of the energy situation is difficult to imagine. Therefore, Party and government bodies in the districts, the various departments, and the leaders of enterprises and agricultural cooperatives are expected to take extraordinary action and measures, which are not being taken everywhere. For every official and specialist, every worker and citizen, conserving every watt of energy, as we have said, is more than ever a patriotic duty. This is required in factories, plants, fields, homes—everywhere. It is especially paradoxical, for example, that in this strained situation energy is being used without quotas or proper controls in some districts and facilities, such as Fier, Shkodër, Vlorë, Kolonjë, Mat, Sarandë, etc. For agriculture, the drought has created particularly difficult conditions, but this in no way means that water should be wasted. Electric and tractor-driven pumps need to be used at more suitable times—for example, at night, when plants absorb water better, rather than when it evaporates. We believe that the responsibility of the emergency headquarters established in the districts must be increased; they are chaired by the chairmen of the district executive committees. In this context, our duties as a ministry, together with the Electric Power Directorate and the General Directorate of Communal Economy, are particularly important: we must strengthen oversight and cooperation with the departments and districts and rigorously implement the measures recently established by the Council of Ministers for this exceptional energy situation. … and our economy, a situation that cannot be overcome without exceptional to make its effects felt as little as possible. More specifically, what is being done? First, the great need and essential requirement for everyone, everywhere, to use electricity sparingly has been strongly emphasized. Across the entire economy, the electricity supply plan has been reduced by 10 percent, without changing the plan’s other indicators. Second, to make use of all domestic possibilities for producing electricity, thousands of tons of mazut have been imported outside the plan, along with several… … including at the ferrochrome plants, etc. Given the situation that has arisen and the drought that is continuing, imports of electricity are continuing for the months of August and September as well, bringing the total imported amount to 320 million. After September, we will see how to proceed according to the rivers’ flow. — Since we are talking about electricity imports, at what price do we buy it? — In normal times, 23–25 dollars per 1,000 kilowatt-hours is budgeted, whereas during this period purchases from some countries have cost us 32–35 dollars per 1,000 kilowatt-hours, and in some cases we have even been quoted 35–40 dollars. So, this is a very…

Hundreds of children in the towns and villages of the Skrapar district are enjoying their summer holidays these days. Rest areas have been set up on the banks of the Osum River for children from the towns of Çorovodë and Poliçan, where a summer program is being held, including lively events devoted especially to the war and its veterans, as well as artistic and national activities; artistic groups and associations organize various games and sports competitions. Enver’s Pioneers from the eight-year schools in the areas of PotomIT, Tomorricë and Gjerbës, together with their teachers, organize excursions to historic and tourist sites, where they learn about the history of their birthplace and its archaeological values, discover its plant life and often collect medicinal herbs. The children of Bargullas, Vëndreshë and Çorovodë during the holidays… … also take part in preparations for the new school year. Many pioneers have prepared herbariums and albums of butterflies and plants from the spontaneous flora. They are also friends of order and books. Discussions are regularly held about new books and the advances made in children’s literature during the people’s holiday period. The children often recite their poems and stories. (ATSH)

The extremely high temperatures have brought the irrigation of field crops, by day and by night, to the forefront. To cope with the situation, special headquarters have been set up from the district level down to the brigades. They monitor and determine which plots are to be irrigated today and which tomorrow, and which are to be irrigated by day and which at night. Selected and experienced people have been assigned to this work and are paid at differentiated rates according to the quantity and quality of the irrigation. These days, about 10,000 cooperative members are working on this front. Communists, officials and specialists have taken the lead in the campaign. To ensure that not even a single drop of water goes to waste and that not even one plant dries out, plots of maize, beans, potatoes, etc. have been placed under special care; in addition, supplementary bonuses will be paid for every increase in production resulting from irrigation. “Such measures were taken,” Rexhep Lamçe, chief agronomist in the agriculture section of the District People’s Council Executive Committee, tells us, “because in recent days the flow of water has fallen sharply, to around 40 percent of what it was at the beginning of July, reducing the daily irrigation schedule to 100–120 hectares. On the other hand, because of the high temperatures, the soil is using 15–20 percent more water these days than it did 20 days ago.” The results of this work are evident. The first irrigation of maize has been completed over the entire area; the second is under way, and in some plots so is the third. Potatoes, beans, tobacco and forage crops have been irrigated across the whole area, and the second irrigation is also continuing here. In the low-lying area, high temperatures accelerated the ripening of the beans, and the campaign to pull and store them has begun. In the highland areas, however, irrigation continues to obtain the maximum yield. Apart from 200 hectares of maize where irrigation conditions are minimal, the fate of production on the remaining 2,800 hectares depends on people’s work. That is why hoeing continues after irrigation, to extend the period of soil moisture, because, as the saying goes, two hoeings equal one irrigation. The greatest priority is being given to maize, which accounts for a substantial share of agricultural production. The good work of the cooperative members of Përrenjas, Qukës-Pollishtë, Hotolisht and Bërzeshtë stands out, where irrigation efforts and care are focused on achieving yields… (Continued on page 2)

In the subtitle: “The river turns murky — Maize is drying up for lack of water —” In this dry weather and high temperatures, the Klos irrigation canal, which runs along the course of the Mati River, is becoming increasingly murky each day. The reason is that people who irrigate in the agricultural enterprises do not have a sufficient sense of responsibility to ensure that not even a drop of water is wasted. In many cases, you will see water taken from the river for irrigation flowing back into it, but this time carrying with it the soil and manure the plants need. These days we visited the agricultural enterprises of Shoshaj. We were struck by the fact that near the offices of the Klos cooperative leadership, water from an irrigated farm was flowing out from the bottom of a field and rushing into the river. Some travelers resting in the shade of a poplar at the end of the field told us this had been going on for several hours. We went to the cooperative offices and, after knocking several times, eventually found Besim Suci, the person in charge of finance for this enterprise. We explained our concern. But he casually replied: “You’re right, comrade, but have you seen that our workers aren’t working! They don’t stay in the fields; they’ve probably gone home—it’s terribly hot.” Yet at that very moment, he was in the office too. We quickly went out to the fields, about an hour away, but could find neither the first brigade’s foreman, Bajar Murxhe, nor the workers anywhere. In the end, we learned… (Continued on page 2)

At the Vrinë Agricultural Enterprise, Sarandë, particular importance is being attached to irrigating agricultural crops during these days of prolonged drought. (Photo: N. Xhufka)

We are at the height of the drought. At the same time, this is the peak period for agricultural work, when crops need the most water, as does the processing industry, while households also need water for personal use—especially in large cities, where there are even more problems. With these high temperatures continuing for weeks, water reserves, drinking-water sources and water levels in reservoirs, rivers, etc., are declining. We cannot increase the amount of water, but in the face of this prolonged drought, everyone—with a sense of responsibility and a realistic assessment of the situation, thinking and working like a good householder—has something to do and something to save: in order to meet this exceptional situation. Today, it is inexcusable to waste industrial needs. of pumping stations operate at full capacity in the scorching heat and at night, while water continues to flow over embankments, roads and ditches without being properly used. It is also unacceptable that there is no full accountability to ensure that every cubic metre of water in reservoirs is used sparingly. In the face of this situation, Party and government bodies and all economic organizations, locally and centrally, must take the situation in hand, mobilize people, and strengthen oversight and accountability in order to withstand this extraordinary drought. … with exceptional measures as an axiom, calling on all the country’s workers, in the cities and in the countryside, to establish everywhere a strict regime of saving and to find reserves, ways and means to successfully cope with this situation. The Council of Ministers expressed its conviction that, through greater effort, creativity and initiative, discipline and concrete action by all workers, cadres and specialists in enterprises, district executive committees and ministries, implementation of the new economic mechanism on a broad scale will get off to a good start next year. (ATSH)