The country’s energy situation and its drinking-water situation, as everyone now knows, are worsening day by day because of the extraordinary drought, which has continued with great intensity for months. The current water reserves in the hydroelectric plants and the river flows are at extremely low levels and are falling further. The population’s drinking-water supply in some areas and the normal functioning of the economy because of the energy shortage have been placed in difficulty. For this reason, the state has been forced to import electricity outside the plan; these imports now account for about one-third of daily consumption. Nevertheless, the economy’s electricity needs cannot be met. In such circumstances, yesterday the Government was forced to order the temporary cessation of work and other restrictions at several industrial plants and factories. This further aggravates the economic situation and creates new difficulties in various fields: reducing foreign-currency revenues and, consequently, imports; supplying raw materials to some factories; shortages of certain products, etc. This also affects the income of part of the working class. These are moments when all employees, the working class, the peasantry, specialists and cadres of every category must make their greatest efforts to make up for the losses the economy will suffer by increasing industrial production and revenues at enterprises that will continue working in other sectors of the economy, by strengthening discipline, saving every material resource, and preventing every excessive expense and premature investment. These circumstances demand, more than ever, a raising of the revolutionary momentum of the Party and the workers, a militant and patriotic spirit from everyone, and a determination to face and overcome the difficulties created, whatever it takes. Only through powerful mobilization, working creatively and persistently as in extraordinary times, can the consequences of this natural disaster be alleviated.

- LIBRAZHD - These days, the main topic of discussion at five-minute meetings and at reviews of the day’s work in the enterprises of the Librazhd district is precisely how to overcome the serious energy situation. Of the 6 local hydroelectric plants, only 2 are now operating because of the drought. Of the 9,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity they were supposed to produce during the driest period, they are producing only 2,000 kilowatt-hours. Thus, another energy source—which made it possible to avoid importing such quantities—is now being shut down. The meeting of the Presidium of the Council of Ministers and the measures adopted there give an even ... Many collectives in this district, deeply concerned by the situation that has arisen, are therefore making efforts to contribute to improving the export-import balance. Chrome miners have so far produced 5.8 million lekë worth of mineral beyond the export plan, while the workers at the iron-nickel mine have produced about 21,000 tons of mineral beyond the export plan. Meanwhile, these days a contract has been signed with a foreign firm to export another 20,000 tons of bauxite by the end of the year. On the other hand, none of the district’s enterprises has exceeded its electricity consumption, and since the beginning of the month, despite the reduced quotas, they have saved nearly 89,000 kilowatt-hours. The two mines in Përrenjas have together saved more than 10,500 kilowatt-hours this month; the geological enterprise, 7,500 kilowatt-hours; NPD, 10,000 kilowatt-hours, etc. The aim is to provide better support, through further savings, to the waterworks enterprise so that it can fully cope with the extraordinary drought. SEDJIN CEKANI, correspondent of «Zëri i popullit». thousand fully cope with the extraordinary drought.

- KORÇË - Through television, we learned about the special analysis that the Presidium of the Council of Ministers made of the extraordinary energy situation in our country. In the morning figures, the chief engineer of the energy enterprise in our district of Korçë, Petrika Bello, said: “To cope with this situation, when we are buying electricity with foreign currency, we, as energy producers together with the workers of the country’s other thermal power plants, have very special duties. First, to further increase the daily quota. Today here, against a daily plan of 48,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity, 60,000 kilo- they are supposed to produce during the driest period, only 2,000 kilowatt-hours are being achieved. Thus, another energy source, which made it possible to avoid obtaining such quantities of energy, is a fuller picture of the problem. How are we responding to this situation?” “In all the enterprises, work is under way to exceed the export plans,” says Ilmi Mysliu, head of the industry section at the Executive Committee of the District People’s Council. “The calculation is as follows: the more products made for export beyond the plan, the more the state’s expenses for buying electricity from abroad are covered. Understanding this properly and with…” Today, here, instead of the planned 48 thousand kilowatt-hours of electricity, 60 thousand kilowatt-hours are being produced. For the first 24 days of August, the target has been achieved at 124 percent. But here is one reserve: work on the overhaul of the first boiler at the TEC was accelerated. It will be ready for operation 23 days earlier than last year. As a result of this acceleration, in September we will double daily electricity production, producing up to 120 and 130 thousand kilowatt-hours a day. A major consumer of ener- (Continued on page 2)

A financial inspectorate is established Council of Ministers Decision No. 228, dated 11.7.1990, “On the Organization of Services and Handicrafts,” legalizes, among other things, the right of individuals to open small retail and handicraft businesses as private operators. Naturally, as with any other economic activity, private traders and handicraft workers are permitted to conduct their activities within the standards and rules established by the relevant provisions. They are issued special permits to practise their trade, pay the state a financial obligation (the tax on the income they earn), are prohibited from hiring daily wage workers, and are required to observe hygiene and sanitation regulations, veterinary-service rules and weighing regulations. These workers keep simple records of the income they earn, purchases of raw materials they will process, etc. Alongside these legal rules for conducting activities normally within the prescribed standards, the Council of Ministers also approved another decision, No. 228, dated 1.8.1990, which established the financial inspectorate as a state body that will deal, among other things, with the direction, organization and control of private activities. The financial inspectorate will operate within the finance sections of the Executive Committees of the District People’s Councils and will be directed by the Ministry of Finance. To make the work of this inspectorate as effective as possible and to prevent violations and profiteering, it has been given certain special powers. These include the authority to inspect the practice of professions without permits and unlawful activities involving prohibited trade, such as purchases made for resale at a profit of goods and items from purchases … In this area, a system has been organized and periodic information is being gathered from all districts. Some districts are doing a good job of monitoring the opening of these businesses, such as Shkodra, Kruja, Durrësi and a few others. But in some other districts and large cities there are delays, and this issue is not receiving due attention. In Tirana, for example, with a population of nearly 300,000, very few businesses have opened despite the very high demand. This can also be seen in other districts. This issue is also being followed up through inspections carried out by finance inspectors and the audit and inspection staff of the Executive Committees of the District People’s Councils. We believe this inspection should also be organized more effectively by other bodies, especially hygiene and sanitation inspectors and the veterinary service. There are also problems for which we believe solutions must be found. Difficulties are being encountered in securing premises, because some people wishing to conduct such activities are unable to build them using their own resources. We believe this problem could be solved by renting premises to them or by considering the possibility of providing loans for their construction. There are also considerable difficulties in obtaining some work equipment, such as refrigerators, counters, etc. We believe that the trade authorities and municipal services should take measures to supply this equipment in return for payment by the interested party. Otherwise, these shortages also leave room for abuses and for obtaining equipment through illegal channels.

IN MAT: Even now, on the eve of autumn, the market in the town of Burrel seems to have come to life. This was prompted by a decision of the District Party Committee plenum in March, which assigned the task of setting up, within the month, sales outlets for produce from agricultural cooperatives in the towns of Burrel, Ulëz, Krastë and Klos. In fact, several farms, such as Komësia, near Burrel, Kurdaria and Shoshajt, and especially the state farm, acted immediately. Meanwhile, the construction enterprise helped by handing over the premises ahead of schedule. Thus, the first outlets were supplied with vegetables and fruit by the deadline set by the plenum. The state farm set the best example. Previously, as the director of this enterprise, Aqif Çupi, explains, even our meat would spoil while waiting for the trading enterprise or the collection enterprise to take it away. Now the products have begun going straight to the market without any delay. In this way, not only is the produce preserved, but so is its freshness. Thanks precisely to this fruitful activity, this one farm alone has earned about 80,000 lekë from March until now. Other agricultural farms, especially Komësia and Kurdaria, have also earned substantial income from this market. However, the decision taken in March did not assign duties only to these farms. Some managers of farms that have not entered the market blame the failure to implement the decision on the lack of premises. This may indeed be an obstacle, but Derjani has set a good example by selling wherever possible, including outside the district, in the town of Kurbnesh, where it is more profitable, thereby increasing the cooperative members’ income from the sale of produce. Other farms, however—some citing the distance, others a lack of equipment or premises—have not yet entered the market and are allowing their produce to spoil, even though this could earn them considerable income. On the other hand, failure to implement this decision has also left the markets in the three other towns of Klos, Ulëz and Krastë, which are far from the district center, without an ample supply of agricultural and livestock products. FRANO CAKA correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

IN ELBASAN: In recent days, the Elbasan District Party Committee discussed and set specific tasks for increasing the number of apartments available to citizens. On this subject, we spoke with Ferdinand Saraçi, head of the construction section at the Executive Committee of the District People’s Council. In recent days, the Elbasan District Party Committee discussed and set specific tasks for increasing the number of apartments available to citizens. On this subject, we spoke with Ferdinand Saraçi, head of the construction He explains that by November 1991 no fewer than 1,700 apartments will be built, of which 1,200 with voluntary assistance and another 500 by the construction enterprise. The Metallurgical Combine has undertaken to build about 400 apartments, the Banja hydroelectric complex 220 apartments (60 of which will be completed by the end of this year), the construction and assembly enterprise 120 apartments, etc. Quite a few enterprises have also been allocated construction sites, and work has begun on 200 apartments. Soon, additional sites will be allocated for the concentrated construction of 800 apartments. Correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Lushnjë Education Congress, the education section of the Executive Committee of the KP of the Lushnjë district and the Institute of Pedagogical Studies organized yesterday morning, in this town’s cinema, the scientific session “The Lushnjë Education Congress—a landmark event in the history of our national education.” (Continued on page 3)

In response to a question from the correspondent of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency about the progress of talks on establishing diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of Albania and the United States of America, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that the reply concerned this issue between the two American parties, which had been discussed bilaterally. The latest talks were held in Washington on 23 August 1990. Our delegation was headed by Albania’s ambassador to the UN, Bashkim Pitarka, while the American delegation included the ambassador of the Secretary of State, Kurt Kamen. At this meeting, views were exchanged on the procedure and documents required to establish diplomatic relations between our two countries in the near future. There was also discussion of expanding and developing relations in various fields, on the basis of mutual respect and understanding. The steps recently taken to establish exchanges and contacts between prominent figures of the two countries were also assessed positively, and the mutual desire was expressed to continue and expand them in the future. Both sides stated that they would meet again to draw up the final versions of the relevant documents. (ATSII)

— National meeting of military youth — Yesterday, a national meeting of military youth was held in one of the halls of the Central House of the People’s Army in the capital. Those attending included secretaries of youth committees, secretaries of military units, the border forces and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, etc. Also present were Comrade Çami, member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the Party’s Central Committee, and Comrade Kiço Mustaqi, member of the Party’s Central Committee Political Bureau and Minister of People’s Defence. The meeting was opened by Lisen Bashkurti, first secretary of the Central Committee of the BRPSH. The report entitled “As the youth is today, so the Homeland will be tomorrow” was delivered by Luan Bregasi, secretary of the Central Committee of the BRPSH. In the report, discussions and debates, it was emphasized that military youth, under the leadership of the Party, has rallied around the Party as never before, to guard like the apple of its eye the independence and the socialist path that we ourselves have chosen through blood, toil and many sacrifices. It was pointed out at the meeting that military youth is living and fighting in step with the development of today’s politico-military situations in the world, in the Mediterranean region and around us. Military youth will entertain no pacifist or demoralizing illusions in the face of these situations. Today, more than ever, military youth is required to have a high level of political awareness, vigilance and military readiness. The processes of democratizing the life of the country, embodied in the Party Central Committee’s recent plans and in Comrade Ramiz Alia’s speeches, have been correctly understood by military youth as well. These pro- (Continued on page 3)

Reportage As we travel to Kurbnesh, to the northeasternmost edge of the Mirditë district, together with Bar-dhok Koka, director of the house of culture, we pause for a moment on the bank of the Urakë River, which quite naturally has become a topic of our conversation. At once I recall an account by professor Shuterigj, published many years ago, in which he compares the Urakë with the river of Kukës, which our great Çajupi calls “foreign.” Bardhoku says that the river appears in most of the folk songs of the region. That is because the river is also spoken of in the lives of these inhabitants. It is precisely in that which resonates through the small but nevertheless beautiful town, built entirely after the sixties. And since then it has been among the places of pride in the building of the miners’ town. For the miners were its first inhabitants. They grew and raised the town, giving it their name. In the mining town, displayed in one of the rooms of the house of culture, there is also a photograph that will catch every visitor’s attention. It shows a young man of about twenty pushing a wooden cart loaded with copper ore. It takes us back to the days when the mining town’s transport routes were just beginning to be established. Today, after thirty years, the workings of the Kurbnesh mine extend in a straight line for a distance equal to the Tiranë–Shkodër motor road. The young man of those days, Prenkë Paluja, grew up and came of age alongside the mine. He became a respected miner and a humanitarian at the forefront. “When I started working in the mine, they told me to take the [unclear] to town,” Prenge? Para? recounted some time ago. “But I refused, not because I didn’t like the town, but because I said [unclear]...” At home, in the bookshop. Qarès?? ...

Some time ago, I listened attentively to a discussion among a group of Radio and Television employees about saving electricity and the possibilities of putting small hydroelectric plants into operation as an additional source of this very precious resource. Especially after these months of exceptional drought, this is more than necessary. That is why I am writing you this letter, starting from a simple fact: Some time ago I was in the village of Tatëzat in the Sarandë district, and there, on the edge of the village, beside abundant water, there was a small power plant. Today this plant is not operating. How can all that water flowing there be left unused? When we build other, more powerful hydroelectric plants, that does not mean we should forget other sources. The use of these small reserves is of great value. ZEQO PULAJ Babrru, Tiranë

3.00 3.05 3.10 3.15 3.20 3.25 3.30 3.35 3.40 3.45 3.50 3.55 4.00 4.05 4.10 4.15 4.20 4.25 4.30 4.35 4.40 4.45 4.50 4.55 5.00 5.05 5.10 5.15 5.20 5.25 5.30 5.35 5.40 5.45 5.50 5.55 6.00 6.05 6.10 6.15 6.20 6.25 6.30 6.35 6.40 6.45 6.50 6.55 7.00 7.05 7.10 7.15 7.20 7.25 7.30 7.35 7.40 7.45 7.50 7.55 8.00 8.05 8.10 8.15 8.20 8.25 8.30 8.35 8.40 8.45 8.50 8.55 9.00 9.05 9.10 9.15 9.20 9.25 9.30 9.35 9.40 9.45 9.50 9.55 10.00 10.05 10.10 10.15 10.20 10.25 10.30 10.35 10.40 10.45 10.50 10.55 11.00 11.05 11.10 11.15 11.20 11.25 11.30 11.35 11.40 11.45 11.50 11.55 12.00 12.05 12.10 12.15 12.20 12.25 12.30 12.35 12.40 12.45 12.50 12.55 13.00 13.05 13.10 13.15 13.20 13.25 13.30 13.35 13.40 13.45 13.50 13.55 14.00 14.05 14.10 14.15 14.20 14.25 14.30 14.35 14.40 14.45 14.50 14.55 15.00 15.05 15.10 15.15 15.20 15.25 15.30 15.35 15.40 15.45 15.50 15.55 16.00 16.05 16.10 16.15 16.20 16.25 16.30 16.35 16.40 16.45 16.50 16.55 17.00 17.05 17.10 17.15 17.20 17.25 17.30 17.35 17.40 17.45 17.50 17.55 18.00 18.05 18.10 18.15 18.20 18.25 18.30 18.35 18.40 18.45 18.50 18.55 19.00 19.05 19.10 19.15 19.20 19.25 19.30 19.35 19.40 19.45 19.50 19.55 20.00 20.05 20.10 20.15 20.20 20.25 20.30 20.35 20.40 20.45 20.50 20.55 21.00 21.05 21.10 21.15 21.20 21.25 21.30 21.35 21.40 21.45 21.50 21.55 22.00