Yesterday afternoon, in one of the halls of the Palace of Congresses, Comrade Ramiz Alia, First Secretary of the CC of the PLA and Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the PSRA, held a meeting with economists from enterprises and central institutions of the capital. Present at the meeting were planners, finance officers and managerial cadres from economic enterprises, specialists from economic institutions and scientific sectors, lecturers from the Faculty of Economics of the University of Tirana and the Higher Agricultural Institute, cadres from central departments, etc. Also present were Party Central Committee secretaries Xhelil Gjoni and Abdyll Baçka, the ministers, and Niko Gjyzari, Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers. During the meeting, which lasted several hours, opinions were exchanged in a warm and lively discussion on important economic issues concerning workers and cooperative members, as well as specialists at the grassroots level and in central institutions and departments. In this context, Comrade Ramiz Alia, recognizing and appreciating the major role of economic thinking, set a number of tasks before the economists. They are expected to offer qualified thinking, greater creativity, more initiative and courage, always seeking improvements and the most effective solutions. The new economic mechanism, Comrade Ramiz instructed, is put into effect when people work harder, when laws and regulations are applied, and when greater scope is given to imagination and new initiatives. The plans of branches, districts and enterprises, methods of management, records and statistics must be reconceived. Everywhere, thought and effort must be devoted to new enterprises and activities that increase production and services for the people, create new areas of employment and generate greater income. In this connection, Comrade Ramiz stressed the great importance of understanding and implementing the tasks set by the Party for organizing services, drawing attention to the fact that these do not respond to or adequately meet the people’s needs. For this and many other issues, the new mechanism implies greater freedom of action and the granting of more authority to the grassroots by the departments. Everyone, and economists in particular, Comrade Ramiz instructed, must understand and correctly use economic categories such as cost, profitability, prices, wages, the fiscal system, etc. The meeting noted that carrying out the major tasks before us to develop and strengthen the economy, supply the people and raise their well-being is linked to objective and subjective factors. Emphasizing the difficulties and obstacles amid which our development has proceeded and continues to proceed, Comrade Ramiz Alia set out a series of tasks for increasing the militancy and fighting spirit of Party organizations, organs of power and mass organizations, as well as of communists and cadres, and for strengthening discipline and oversight. “It is true,” he said, “that we face difficulties, but we must work harder and make better use of all the many possibilities and reserves we have. We need,” he said, “greater dynamism and energy in our work, and a more victorious struggle against routine and sluggishness. More active action is required from central governing bodies, and a struggle against routine, bureaucracy and outdated methods wherever they appear. heads of scientific sectors of the economy, Tirana and the Higher Agricultural Institute, officials from central institutions, etc. Also present were Central Committee of the Party secretaries Xhelil Gjoni and Abdyl Baka, and the ministers, [and] Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Niko Gjyzari. During the meeting, which lasted several hours, many views were exchanged in a warm and lively discussion about the meaning and implementation of the new economic mechanism, especially concerning issues raised by experience to date in those enterprises where it has begun to be applied, or which appear likely to arise in the future. The new economic mechanism, it was said at the meeting, will move forward when everything in the enterprise is based on economic laws and rules, and when problems are coordinated at the basic production unit. We are creating something new, so not everything can be understood and implemented immediately, and not everything can be resolved perfectly as of now. encompasses all areas—management through accounting and planning, workers’ participation in the distribution of profits and the profitability of the enterprise, cost efficiency, wages and various rewards, etc. Therefore, it was emphasized, for this mechanism to begin to be implemented effectively, first of all workers, managers and specialists must be convinced of its effectiveness. Those who spoke at the meeting discussed their experience, but also the shortcomings they had observed in their work. In his interventions and in his concluding remarks, Comrade Ramiz Alia pointed out, among other things, that in implementing the new mechanism economists must be courageous—courageous in their ideas and in their thinking about moving forward and advancing the sectors in which they work. The economy, he said, is the basis of the entire development of our society. The new economic mechanism will give fresh impetus to this development. The first condition for achieving this is to understand correctly the Party’s decisions and directives. The new economic mechanism must be understood: it is a demand of the times and of the intensive development of our economy, one of the most effective ways to expand production and renew technology, and to coordinate and stimulate interests. This mechanism, Comrade Ramiz Alia continued, is complex and concerns self-financing, workers’ participation in the distribution of profits, the organization of services and artisan activities, the cooperative yard, the expansion of economic cooperation with other countries, etc. At this meeting it was said that there is great interest and commitment to implementing the new economic mechanism, with a constant search for improvements and more effective solutions. The new economic mechanism, Comrade Ramiz advised, is implemented when people work more, when laws and regulations are observed, and when new paths are opened with greater imagination and initiative. The plans of branches, districts and enterprises, the methods of management, and accounting and statistics must be reconceptualized. Everywhere, people should think and work toward the people, create new jobs and bring greater income. In this connection, Comrade Ramiz underlined the great importance of understanding and carrying out attention to the fact that they For this and many other issues, the new mechanism entails greater freedom of action and the delegation of more authority to the grassroots by the central institutions. Everyone, and economists first of all, Comrade Ramiz advised, must understand and use economic categories correctly, such as costs, profitability, prices, wages, the tax system, etc. The implementation of the major tasks before us for developing and strengthening the economy, supplying the people and raising their standard of living, it was said at the meeting, organizations, government bodies and mass organizations, of communists and officials, and for strengthening discipline and control. We do indeed have difficulties, he said, all the many opportunities and energy at work, and more determined struggle and [weeks-long?]. More active action is required from central governing bodies, as well as a fight against routine, bureaucracy and the outdated methods in which they manifest themselves. Optimism about the future ran through all the discussions and this entire warm conversation with the beloved leader of the Party and the people. This optimism is based on the economy we have built, the great resources our country possesses, our powerful intellectual and human potential, and the fact that we are a country without debt, a small country where both good and bad are felt quickly. These things, Comrade Ramiz Alia said at the close of his remarks, give us the possibility of great and all-round development. But to turn these possibilities into reality, we must work and struggle resolutely, with creativity and initiative, while always preserving our freedom, independence and socialism intact. (ATSH) (Photo: ATSH)

Good solutions — Elbasan — The expansion of the cooperative household plots and their allocation of the necessary amount of land, in accordance with the decision of the Political Bureau, is one of the issues being given priority attention these days, officials at the agriculture section of the executive committee of the Elbasan district People’s Council tell us. According to calculations, the district’s 250.38 cooperative families are to be allocated around 53 thousand ha of land. So far, 2,020 ha of land have been given to 7,800 families. By the end of August, all cooperative families will be given the allotted area. We also discussed this issue with Adem Dauti, chairman of the Funar agricultural cooperative, who told us that cooperative families would receive 140 ha of land, of which 60 ha have been allocated so far. The rest will be given to them by August 15. “And how is the land being distributed?” “After discussion in the village sector, it was decided that the land would be given near the houses, wherever possible, irrigated or non-irrigated. In the village of Bixëllonjë, it was decided to allocate one dynym of irrigated land and another dynym of non-irrigated land. A land-allocation commission has also been set up in each sector, comprising one or two cooperative members, the chairman of the village People’s Council, the sector head, a specialist from the production department and the foreman of the relevant work brigade.” “What will be done with plots that have already been planted?” “A village meeting has also made a decision on this. The planted land will be measured and allocated to cooperative families now. The head of the household will be entrusted with caring for the maize or tobacco planted there. When the crop is harvested, they will deliver the planned yield from within the plot.” “From your conversations with cooperative members, what are they considering planting on this amount of land they will receive?” “We are a mountain cooperative, so we also have winter. Therefore, cooperative members say they will plant barley and forage cabbage for livestock, as well as winter vegetables. As a cooperative, we will help them with teams of oxen to work and plant the land.” These measures will make it possible for the people of Funar cooperative to meet their essential needs as well as possible. SEJDIN CEKANI correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

— Sarandë — At the united People’s Council of the Delvina Agricultural Enterprise, we learn that priority is being given to building homes by the families themselves, with assistance from the enterprise and through loans. The chairman of the People’s Council of Bajkaj village, Thanas Kapurani, tells us that until now we had been waiting for attention from the construction enterprises. They did what they could, but this was not a complete solution. Responsibility for providing citizens with housing remained undefined. The issue was raised with the people. The families themselves suggested ways to solve it. One hundred families immediately requested building plots. The urgency created by the Government’s decision on construction by enterprises using loans and by families themselves, says Koron Korona, chairman of the People’s Council of the Delvina Agricultural Enterprise, makes it our responsibility to deal seriously with this problem. Within 10–15 days, the requests were recorded at the People’s Councils of the villages of Rusan, Bajkaj, Vllahat, Palavli and Bamatat, and a specific order of priority for construction was established according to need. The houses will indeed be built by the families, but this does not mean that the People’s Council should remain in the background. It was calculated what the administration would take on and how the work would be coordinated with ... coordinated with the investment section. But a solution was also sought further afield, in the urban-planning section and at ZUP. The enterprise’s investment section was reorganized, and teams were formed by village, with bricklayers, carpenters and joiners. Six teams in all. Tasks were also assigned to the mechanical section, where ironworkers, blacksmiths and other auxiliary-service units were engaged and placed at the service of citizens’ needs. Contracts were signed between the families and the People’s Council. Agreements were drawn up. The reciprocal responsibilities were defined: what the enterprise would provide and what the citizen would provide. Difficulties are also arising. In Bajkaj village, for example, it was essential to revise the regulatory plan. The design work was assigned for completion within a few days. After that, 40 building plots were allocated. Likewise, 15 building plots were allocated in Rusan, and just as many in Bamatat and Vllahat. What about securing the supply of materials? What about technical supervision? The enterprise undertook to produce lime. Eight kilns were set up, producing 2,400 kv of lime. The villagers themselves are also producing lime. Two vehicles have been assigned to transport materials, working every day to supply building materials for the homes. Other vehicles are also made available from time to time, as needed. Besides the enterprise’s specialized teams, the solidarity of the village’s own bricklayers is also clearly evident in the construction of private homes. To ensure that these buildings are completed to a high standard, the enterprise has assigned specific responsibilities to engineers, technicians and foremen. What objective is being pursued at this Agricultural Enterprise through the construction of houses by the villagers themselves? Refat Zervolli, in Rusan village, who is building a house for his son, tells us that he has resolved the matter himself, but that it is very appropriate and requires support in the form of a supply of building materials.

— Shkodër — In all 30 agricultural cooperatives in the Shkodër district, intensive work is under way to expand the cooperative household plots, in accordance with the decision of the Party Central Committee’s Political Bureau. There are 28,629 families who will receive up to 2 dynym of land. Of these families, 11,745 are in the plain and 16,884 in the hilly and mountainous area. These families had 498 ha in the plain and 990 ha in the hilly and mountainous area in their private plots, 1,478 ha in all. In implementing the tasks of the Party Central Committee’s 10th Plenum, 1,091 ha were distributed to expand the cooperative household plots. As this work continued, it had been planned to distribute several hundred more hectares. But during this process came the new decision of the Party Central Committee’s Political Bureau, which further expands the area of land for cooperative household plots to between 1 and 2 dynym. Work to implement the latest decision has now been expanded and intensified even further, since it concerns even larger areas of land. To date, more than 800 ha of land have been distributed across the district to expand the cooperative household plots. Are there problems causing concern? Of course there are. In some mountain cooperative areas, people say that the opportunities for opening up new land are very limited. In other economies, some cooperative members want land near their homes and with irrigation. Party organizations in the villages and sectors, as well as the district Party Committee, are also working to resolve these problems. RIFAT DA?T, correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

The day before yesterday, events of the National Antifascist Liberation War were celebrated in various districts of the country. The people of the Kavajë area in the Durrës district celebrated the 47th anniversary of the formation of the «Kavaja» partisan battalion. At the Peza Group, Prajo Kapajkati? of the Peza Group, wreaths were laid at the memorial commemorating this event in Çetë village, at the Kavajë agricultural cooperative, on behalf of the Party Central Committee, the district Party Committee, the executive committee of the People’s Council and the district mass organizations. At the ceremony, greetings were delivered by the district Party Committee’s First Secretary, Nazim Shukqi; Party Central Committee member Haxhi Lleshi; the chairman of the district People’s Council Executive Committee, Luan Babameto; and other comrades. On behalf of the Party Central Committee, the Council of Ministers and the General Council of the DFNS, those present were greeted by Party Central Committee member Lavdish Hametaj. The day before yesterday, the 47th anniversary of the formation of the «Baba Abaz» partisan battalion was celebrated in Donie of Kalivaç, in the Tepelenë district. Wreaths were laid at the memorial dedicated to this event on behalf of the Party Central Committee, the Party Committee, the People’s Council Executive Committee, the district mass organizations and the people of the Lopës and Krahës regions. Also attending the rally organized here were the district Party First Secretary, Gramoz Ruçi; the chairman of the district People’s Council Executive Committee, Gjergji Velo; and other comrades. Those present were greeted Ministers and the General Council of the DFNS by Party Central Committee member Tefta Çami. A telegram was sent from the rally to the First Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Comrade Ramiz Alia. (According to ATSH)

In the Kukës district, comprehensive measures are being taken to get the new school year off to a good start. More than 80 percent of school premises have been equipped with the necessary teaching materials and equipment, including supplies for biology and chemistry classes, laboratory equipment, furniture, etc. In addition, three livestock complexes have been handed over to the agricultural secondary schools in Shemri, Fajza and Golaj, and work is continuing to build three more. Work is progressing rapidly on the construction and equipping of five new eight-year schools in the villages of Qinamake, Xhafera, Kolesjan, Vrrj, etc., as well as a general secondary school in the town, with 28 classrooms and other necessary facilities. Construction and plastering have been completed at the eight-year schools in Xhafera and Kolesjan, and flooring work is under way. Heating for the classrooms and other premises has been provided by boilers at the secondary school and the eight-year school being built in the town. (According to ATSH)

For its rare beauty, its fresh waters, dense vegetation and ever-present greenery, the Blue Eye near the village of Muzinë is well known not only in the district of Sarandë, but throughout the country. Workers, cooperative members and young people often come from the town and villages to enjoy pleasant moments of relaxation or spend a Sunday. On Sunday, July 22, we met here with residents and their families from Sarandë, Delvina, Vurgut and Dropulli, who were relaxing and enjoying themselves in the shade of the plane trees and the enticing coolness. They all made one common observation, however: why is there no service from the kiosks?

Although people talk and write about it and issue instructions to organize leisure time in the most cultured way possible, the district has taken no measures. The cooperative members and young people who had come from Sofratika in Dropull i Poshtëm, in the district of Gjirokastër, had solved this shortcoming themselves that day by bringing packaged food with them. Because there is no sales kiosk, mobile sales point or shop here. The Albturizëm enterprise took up the Blue Eye project directly, planning to build a “Tourist Village.” The idea was put into concrete form with its design and, within a short time, the site was selected and the first five cabins were built. The red Eternit roofing on the alpine-style roofs, the lighting lamps, right down to the door handles, are all imported. In front of them a lined water basin has been built, faced inside and out with white marble, though a few slabs have begun to come loose. A little farther on, foundations have been laid for three more cabins, and so, in Albturizëm’s records, the Blue Eye is surely listed as a “Tourist Village.” So far, so good. But there is one very small problem: how effective has all this expenditure been? So far, not at all! Because the cabins are not yet ready. They lack sanitary equipment; water has not been connected to them, nor has electricity. As the site guard told us, these five cabins had been scheduled to be put into service as early as the 15th of [month unclear] last year.

[They were scheduled for] November of last year. We made inquiries in the district. Agron Xhama, director of the “Turizmit” hotel: “This problem is the responsibility of the director of the Albturizëm enterprise in Tirana. They know about it. We have only assigned a guard to protect the site.” Meanwhile, Ruhi Sheqi, director of the “Albturizëm” enterprise, says: “We built the tourist village at the Blue Eye and paved the road there, but the public health authorities of Sarandë have blocked the cabins over the septic tanks. We will resolve the problem with the Ministry of Health. So we’ll have them ready in October; yes, in October…” And so, beautiful and elegant amid that sea of greenery, the cabins stand empty and look abandoned. The income that had been planned for the economy has been lost. The state has made special funds available and the investments have been made, but income from the cabins at the Blue Eye is still not being generated. Who is responsible? PETRIT KOÇIAJ