\n— Based on a conversation with Zamir Beliu, specialist at the Ministry of Agriculture\n— The conditions of prolonged drought, accompanied by high temperatures and extremely low humidity, have brought the irrigation of plants to the fore. What is the situation?\n— All planted crops that are growing need water: maize, cotton, vegetables, fodder crops, etc. Water is needed—in fact, it is essential—for the second crops that have just been planted and for those that are still being planted.\n— Specifically, for which crops is this period having the most serious consequences?\n— Priority is being given to irrigating land planted with vegetables. Why? Because, in addition to their biological growth, these plants are more sensitive to a lack of water. This is also because vegetable production is directly linked to supplying the domestic market and industry, and meeting export targets.\n— What will be done about the other crops?\n— As I said, all plants need water. What matters is that specialists understand the situation so that water can be used scientifically. For example, on land planted with maize, the later-planted areas should be irrigated first, as should soils with low water-retention capacity, and stony and skeletal soils. The reasoning is: irrigation should come first where we lose the most and where we lose the least. This approach is being followed at several agricultural enterprises in the districts of Gjirokastër, Shkodër and Lushnjë. — The drought is continually creating new problems, with ever greater difficulties. In which districts are these being felt most? — Naturally, where water reserves are smallest, for example, in the districts of Tepelenë and Kukës, in the Shijak area of Durrës, in the areas of Durrës and Elbasan, in Dibër, Mat, etc. Faced with this extraordinary situation, the measures taken must be equally exceptional. — What measures do you mean? — Everywhere, each irrigator should use lower application rates, while increasing their number. Not just any irrigators, but those who know the job—those who guide the water with a hoe from the top to the bottom of the plot. Above all, all the sprinklers must be put into operation. This is not only to save water, but also to create humidity in the air. — The experience of some econo- (Continued on page 2)

Through the eyes of a specialist \nA substantial decline in reserves\nDuring July, our country was generally affected by typically anticyclonic weather, with high atmospheric pressure, characterized by high air temperatures and scant, stationary precipitation. The precipitation recorded across the Republic during this month was generally far below the normal amount for July, based on the long-term average. For example, there was no rainfall in Vlorë, Korçë and Lushnjë during July; in Berat, rainfall totalled only 0.2 mm, in Gjirokastër 0.4 mm, in Kukës 0.6 mm, in Shkodër and Peshkopi 1 mm, in Fier 1.6 mm, and in Tirana 15 mm. These amounts are only about 5 percent of the long-term average for July across the Republic, which, according to archival statistical data from the Hydrometeorological Institute, ranges between 20 and 50 mm.\nDuring this period, air temperatures were also high, reaching 35–37°C.\nThe scant precipitation and high air temperatures have substantially and visibly intensified evaporation. This situation has reduced soil moisture and lowered water levels throughout our water network, as seen in reduced river flows and the flow of groundwater springs, etc. For example, at the Drini i Zi–Skavicë gauging station, the water flow, which averages 60 m3/s in July, is now 25–30 m3/s; at Shkumbin–Papër, it has fallen from 16.2 m3/s to 9.9 m3/s; at Vjosë–Përmet, from 23.2 m3/s to 12 m3/s, etc.\nThis month, flows from groundwater springs across our country have also been observed to be far below their respective long-term norms. For example, the Selitë springs, which supply Tirana with drinking water, have had a flow of 285 litres per second, compared with the average of 420 litres per second for these springs in July. Overall, according to calculations, the water level in our country’s water network during July was about 50–60 percent of the long-term average water capacity for that month. Under natural laws, the groundwater resources in our country’s basin, which replenish the water network in the coming months, are expected under normal conditions to continue trending towards depletion. This exceptional natural situation is a cause for concern for all activities carried out in our country: drinking water for the rural and urban population, water supply to industry, irrigation of agricultural land, hydroelectric power, the preservation of ecological balance, etc.\nThe drought, which has continued for weeks with high temperatures and little rainfall, has caused a substantial decline in water reserves, drinking-water sources, water levels in reservoirs and rivers, etc. Among other things, this affects the ecological balance of water bodies that make up our water network. This makes it necessary to take appropriate measures in our water-related activities in the coming days, so as not to disrupt this balance. For example, when using river water for irrigation, the minimum biological flow must not be depleted, etc. This issue must also be borne in mind with regard to the waters of our natural and artificial lakes, coastal marshes, etc.\nNIKO PANO\nsenior scientific associate

At the deep oil-processing plant in Ballsh.\n(Photo: N. Xhufka) At the deep oil-processing plant in Ballsh. (Photo: N. Xhufka)

\nThe resolution of the Party Central Committee’s 7th Plenum stressed: “The proposals should be implemented to remunerate cooperative members and cadres in a fairer proportion to production and to link remuneration more closely to the quantity, quality and costs of production.”\n— There is broad scope for using forms of remuneration that encourage and stimulate agricultural and livestock production, Banush Gozhdari, head of the agriculture section at the Executive Committee of the Pogradec District People’s Council, tells us. These forms are not remaining static. Day by day, we and the workers and specialists are changing them, with the aim of making the economic results as positive as possible. Here are some current examples.\nIt is well known that, because of the nature of the terrain in Pogradec district, half of the total 8,000 hectares of field crops have to be harvested by hand. That is a considerable amount of work. How could the campaign be brought to a successful conclusion? Until now, the general approach had been for work teams from economic enterprises to patronize the cooperatives. This arrangement had its advantages. But was it the most effective? Had the mountain economies not become somewhat detached, leaving the baton to be passed with the attitude, “we’ll wait for help to arrive”?\nThis year things were done differently. After a meeting of the school... But in return for payment to the family, employees of enterprises who live in the village also helped on Sundays and after work.\nThe stimulating effects of remuneration in livestock farming are significant. In small livestock farming, Guri Tola, a specialist in the agriculture section, explains, we have applied the following form of remuneration: the annual target planned for each animal is broken down month by month. For every kilogram of milk produced above the monthly target, after deducting the accumulated amount and expenses, the shepherd is paid 1–1.5 lek in cash. This has led to increased production. In the first six months alone, the district’s small-livestock herds delivered over 2,000 kv of milk. Last year, with this form of remuneration, shepherds such as Mysterhak Mazelli earned a monthly wage of over 1,100 lek, in addition to other material incentives.\nHere is another example, which we learned from the director of the waterworks enterprise, Spiro Deti: “Work on the construction of the Stropckë reservoir was not progressing well. There were problems due to a lack of equipment, but also with organization. After the 7th Plenum, two factors were brought into play: we were provided with equipment and used incentive-based forms of remuneration. It was decided that every driver who exceeded the three-month target...

\nThose who have plenty of water are little concerned about its quality

\nSleepless nights ...\nIt is midnight. We have just parted—

IN SHKODËR: Today, around 1,200–1,300 hectares planted with all kinds of crops—corn, tobacco, vegetables and fodder crops—are irrigated in the Shkodër district. Almost all the farms are meeting the schedule. The Shkodër district has plenty of water. Free-flow irrigation is used in the Upper and Lower Shkodër areas, requiring 12–25 cubic metres of water per second, through the Rragam canals, supplied by the Shtodër reservoir, and through the other branch, the Lower Shkodër canals, which receive water from the Vau i Dejës hydroelectric power station. Nevertheless, all the motor pumps and electric pumps are operating. They draw water from the lake and the Buna River. The electric pumps alone consume thousands of kilowatt-hours of electricity a day. So, as can be seen, everything has been made available to agriculture. Water is used, electricity is used, and wage funds are spent to provide the crops with as much water as possible. And yet the question arises: is all this being put to good use? We think not sufficiently. The main problem is that not all farms irrigate at night. This is a fact that shows a lack of appreciation. On July 30, inspection teams set up by the executive committee of the district People’s Council inspected seven large farms in the Upper and Lower Shkodër plains and found that they did not irrigate at night. In some places, the irrigation was even of poor quality. In Bajzë, water was let in from the irrigation canal and passed through the plots without watering the crops, then drained into the drainage canals. Water was also not used well, in particular, in Koplik and Dajç, and in Bushat and Barbullush. Specialists from the Water Directorate have proposed that, since irrigation at night is difficult and the workload is heavy, creating many difficulties, other crops—such as fodder crops, alfalfa and tobacco—should be irrigated at night, while all forces and equipment should be deployed during the day for corn, which requires high-quality irrigation. We say this because flood irrigation is being observed. It is the easiest method, but it uses more water and the crop ... (Continued on page 2)

IN SARANDË: It is midnight. We have just said goodbye to the irrigators Vasil Pasko and Telha Mëllenja in the citrus groves of Ksamil, where they are changing shifts. From Butrint, they look out over the fields of the Vrinë Agricultural Enterprise, where, from Anëdeti to the mountains of Stilos and Milesë, faint lights pierce the darkness and the sound of engines can be heard. Work continues in shifts to irrigate the crops. The extraordinary drought cannot be overcome in just 12–13 hours of daylight, so, as brigade leader Vasil Kolo explains, nighttime irrigation has been seen as essential to overcome the drought and ensure that production is achieved. These are sleepless nights that keep the irrigators awake, as they worry that not a single drop of water will go to waste. We meet two groups of irrigators in the Frangje sector of Xarrë, who have recorded the highest figures in this task. “What's your target for tonight?” we ask them. “To irrigate more than two ara—2 hectares—each,” they explain. “And how is the quality checked ...” (Continued on page 2)

The Iraqi military attack against Kuwait and the occupation of its territory is a reprehensible act, the spokesperson of Albania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared yesterday. The Iraqi action, he added, cannot be justified from any point of view. Neither before, and all the more so today under the new conditions created in the world, is it permissible for disputes between different countries to be settled through the use of force. The only way, we believe, including in the Iraq–Kuwait conflict, is peaceful and constructive dialogue. The Albanian people, who are friends with all Arab peoples, deeply regret that new obstacles are being created to the resolution of conflicts in the Middle East. They therefore express the hope that reason and wisdom will prevail in resolving the Iraq–Kuwait dispute. The swift withdrawal of Iraqi military forces back within their national territory and respect for the freedom, independence and sovereignty of the State of Kuwait are indispensable conditions. Any delay could create complications with unforeseeable consequences in the region and beyond. (ATSH)

Albania was admitted as an observer to the Vienna talks on “The Creation of Confidence- and Security-Building Measures” in Europe, which are taking place in Vienna within the framework of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. These talks examine concrete mea- ... sures concerning disarmament, renouncing the threat or use of force in relations between states, the peaceful settlement of conflicts, etc. (ATSH)

A host of problems have arisen before our society, ranging from the simplest, such as increasing the number of urban buses, to the most complex: improving the people’s well-being and technological renewal. The fact that we are all discussing these issues, not just the party and state leadership, is clear evidence of the profound democratization of Albanian society as a whole. At the same time, we can say with satisfaction that our socialist society is increasingly freeing itself from dogmas and outdated laws, from practices and ways of thinking that have had their day. Nothing is taboo any longer; the bureaucracy is going through hard times, losing undeserved positions and privileges, while progress and the people leading it are setting the tone in political, economic and social life. It is the Party leadership that is guiding it with dignity and wisdom ... [logo: Reportage] ... this difficult progress of ours. The concern is national: how to make Albania better. But we cannot make Albania, our beloved homeland, prosperous through epithets, laws or discussions alone. Prosperity, abundance, progress and a high standard of living are brought about by working people, each of whom is worth more than a dozen chatterboxes and gossips. I enter the office of Arion Mati, director of the electrotechnical enterprise in Tirana. The director is busy, apparently with the head of administration, because as I sit down in a chair I hear him telling her something. It is a matter of documents. Arion dictates their contents, how they should be worded ... and so on. I watch this scene and think: “Why should the director of an enterprise with around 1,000 workers have to deal with this as well?” Then I think of other directors, who certainly want a secretary to type their documents, a driver to drive their car; another one even asks for an assistant ... Our directors cannot drive a car themselves; they cannot use a typewriter ... For each of these tasks, separate employees have to be paid fixed wages. I wonder whether the new economic mechanism will support these things too. My instinct tells me it will not. Let us leave these musings aside and get to know Director Arion. In fact, Arion is not a director, as I wrote above. He is a young, energetic engineer with a modern working style, and he would blush if I described him ... (Continued on page 3) ... the entirely mechanized harvesting by the cooperatives’ collective teams from the economic enterprises. This arrangement, too, has mountain farms not developed a kind of mutual understanding and a relay-like arrangement of “we’re waiting for reinforcements”? This year things were done differently. After the rates in the mountain agricultural enterprises were reviewed, it was decided that for every square metre harvested by hand, each cooperative member would receive a bonus of 0.1–0.3 lek during the day. The overall result? The farms themselves fulfilled the task. A significant shortening of the harvesting period, reduced losses, a positive balance. But what did individuals gain? Cooperative members who achieved satisfactory harvesting rates received metashartist each day throughout the campaign, from 20 to 30 lek. In this process, every resident of the village contributed, including pensioners and ... They are gathering fodder supplies More than 2,000 cooperative members and employees of agricultural enterprises in the Kukës district are working with the mobilization and spirit of a campaign to gather fodder supplies for livestock. More than 3,000 tonnes of hay and alfalfa have been secured, out of a target of 7,600 tonnes. Making use of every resource and reserve, the cooperative members of Bushtricë and Arrën have fulfilled around 70 per cent of the target. The Gjinaj livestock-focused agricultural cooperative has also gathered 160 tonnes, against a planned 263 tonnes. More than 1,300 tonnes of wheat straw have also been gathered, and work is continuing to increase this quantity. (ATSH)

● THE TRUTH SILENCES THE GOSSIPS (p. 2). ● LET’S START WITH OURSELVES (p. 3). ● IRAQI AGGRESSION AGAINST KUWAIT — AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THE MIDDLE EAST (p. 4).