The autumn planting campaign has begun, but 1,250 tractors have been put out of action for want of track plates alone, and another 400 new ones are immobilized for lack of gaskets. Meanwhile, not even half the planned quantities of superphosphate are being produced or transported for sowing. How will the enterprises and relevant authorities answer for these figures? The autumn planting campaign has just begun in the mountainous districts and is “knocking” at the door of the plains too. Good luck and successful work! But how prepared are we to make a good start? In recent days we have visited a number of districts and met managers and specialists from agricultural economies, as well as cooperative members. What do they have to say? Not everything depends on them. Dozens of types of tractor spare parts and thousands of tonnes of superphosphate less than planned have been supplied to agriculture so far. It is not a matter of fulfilling the contracts one by one, because some difficulties are evident. For some items, the figure recorded in the actual-performance column is zero. One wants to identify the real causes, but this is not easy, because the deficits have been carried over and deepened from month to month. The Ministry of Agriculture writes to the Autotractor Combine, and from there to the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Mining Industry and Energy, and foreign-trade enterprises… From one director to another, from one department to the next. Responsibilities are passed along from branch to branch, and no one takes them on. Plans and contracts drawn up at the beginning of the year “lie dormant” on the shelves; people work with whatever happens to come their way. What we see is astonishing and seems irresponsible, when one knows that 1,250 tractors have been put out of action for want of track plates alone. But there are also some 2,000 tractor drivers and agricultural enterprises, and workshop workers waiting. The deficit is more than 50,000 plates (the task of eliminating it has been completed by 3 percent). What is holding up the Autotractor Combine? The answer I get is: “We have no allocation; raw materials are missing,” and so on. There are ways and means of preventing or easing the difficulties that arise; that is why an entire administration is paid. It is not that ferroalloys are missing, as was said at first, because the documents held by the enterprise show this clearly, and the supply department at the combine itself also indicates that supplies have been regular and adequate. Faced with this fact, other “excuses” appear: refractory bricks are missing; it has been supplied with repair materials. Finally, another “surprise”: the General Directorate of Mechanical Industry has not resolved the source of supply of magnetic sand (they remember it in a hurry!). “We haven’t left room for it; the sand has gone and is left lying there,” they say at the combine. Apparently, with that the matter is considered settled, even though nobody pays for the damage and disruption caused to the economy! Especially since these issues had already been raised by our comrades in agriculture, and in the newspaper as well. We mentioned track plates, but there is also a long list of missing tractor spare parts. A number of confrontations and meetings have been held, and letters and information exchanged between the producing and user parties. But as the situation has worsened, they have merely passed the baton to one another, each trying to get off the hook. If things continue this way, with one looking on and the other waiting, shortages will persist. How can a supply worker or a director in a ministry remain calm when more than 400 tractors with tyres (36 percent of the total) are immobilized for lack of gaskets, which are made by the vehicle workshop in Tirana! Thirty-six percent is no negligible figure, while at the SMTs in Vlorë, Fier, Durrës and Elbasan, more than half of them are not operational. At the Ministry of Transport they do the same thing, passing the responsibility on to the Industrialization Enterprise? Yet the latter had informed it at the beginning of the year about the arrangements for securing the necessary facilities. The truth is that the ministries do not understand one another; they expect everything to be ready-made, they say about the Ministry of Transport at Industrilampes. Difficulties have also arisen in the supply of phosphate fertilizers. The reason the plan for this period has been fulfilled only 55 percent should not be sought solely in the lack of sulfuric acid from the new plant, which was expected to come into operation months ago. Responsibility for this, too, begins there, in the directorates of the classifier. That is another matter. But even the existing plant in Lax is not producing as much as planned. Where should the cause be sought? The supply of raw materials depends on the enterprises of the Ministry of Mining Industry and Energy. In recent days, another agreement was reached between this Ministry, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Transport, setting out new duties for each party. Yet the situation remains unchanged. Copper concentrate, pyrite, and so on are missing. These are raw materials for the plant, produced in Mirditë, Pukë and Shkodër. As for pyrite, they say that against a production capacity of 600–650 tonnes, only 200–400 tonnes were produced during the first days of September. Of the 600–800 tonnes that should have been transported each day, an average of only 150–300 tonnes is being transported! Why, then, was the agreement made—to fulfil the tasks they themselves set, or to move backwards?! Agricultural workers want equipment ready for use; they want fertilizers, not letters and agreements between ministries. Let agreements be made to establish responsibility. SELIM NOXHA

Today, as we take stock of a year of innovation, our appreciation and gratitude go to our innovators wherever they may be: in plants and factories, in agriculture and livestock farming, in organization and management, in science and social life. We count 13,000 innovators and more than 310 lines and reports opened, as well as 3,000 items produced within a year. But our thoughts reach much further; they turn to that great creative force which our country has always needed, but needs today more than ever. The innovators have provided over 100 million lekë in products and savings this year, but this is still little compared with their advanced outlook, which is present everywhere and embodies great mental and physical energy, creative and productive energy. The important instruction of the Party and Comrade Ramiz Alia, “Let us turn to the innovators,” is not simply a reference to those people “whose eyes spot something and whose hands make it.” It is addressed to all our people, because to be an innovator today means being at the forefront of work, on the front line of the country’s socialist construction, among the most progressive people. Today, when innovation has become a distinguishing feature of our time, people are conscious of the need to take part in the revolutionary and social processes of reforms at work and of improving them. All the more so when words are difficult to turn into victories. Innovators are present everywhere; with dedication and militancy, they work and accomplish important deeds for the benefit of society. But now what is required is for the creative spirit and psychology to take hold of people’s minds and hearts more forcefully and broadly. Not only those of the masses, communities and cadres engaged in production, but in every sector: management and organization, art and culture, education and sport, diplomacy and all specialized activities concerned with supporting the country or safeguarding the peace and security of our public order. Innovation must anticipate every undertaking, every task that is required, every change and reform, every task that calls for improvement. Bureaucratism, apathy and formalism must be fought energetically. This requires everything to be carried out in the right place, at the right time and with quality. It is essential that every process be assessed and regulated carefully. This is also our own truth. We must demand that we be conscious and prepared to increase creative and productive energy in every sphere of life. Innovators are present everywhere; with dedication and militancy, they work and accomplish important deeds for the benefit of society. But now what is required is for the creative spirit and psychology to take hold of people’s minds and hearts more forcefully and broadly. Not only those of the masses, communities and cadres engaged in production, but in every sector: management and organization, art and culture, education and sport, diplomacy and all specialized activities concerned with supporting the country or safeguarding the peace and security of our public order. In the process of innovation, it is not only the inventor who matters, but also the person who helps them and knows how to put their work into practice. Unless we remove the phenomena that hinder us, free ourselves from outdated approaches to management and work organization, stop waiting to be asked for discipline and strengthen regular oversight, the obstacles we encounter cannot be overcome. Innovators constantly face these difficulties, and therefore they must be strongly encouraged and supported by Party organizations, state bodies and social directorates. They should be supported morally and materially, through organization, a material and technical base, experience, and even additional rewards, as stipulated in the latest state decision. They must be helped. The work of innovators is significant and deserves to be recognized with society’s gratitude. Our difficulties have increased. The shortage is seriously damaging the economy. It is not only a question of electric power: agriculture and exports have also been affected, and consequently imports will be affected too. The movement of innovators to increase exports and save on imports must receive a powerful boost in all production areas. Great effort and sacrifice are needed. We must expand production, create new jobs, increase productivity and quality, and make greater savings. This is required everywhere, first and foremost of the innovators. As always, they will surely be the first to answer the call of the times, because they are the most advanced of their time and must also be at its forefront. (ARTICLE continues on page 4)

Innovators at the geological plant in Tirana consulting one another about the production of a new component. (Photo: N. Xhufka)

The delegation of the Executive Committee of the KP of Tirana District, headed by Senator Alfredo Toskani Fernandez de Lara, returned to the Homeland after making visits to the districts of Gjirokastër and Sarandë yesterday. In Gjirokastër, the guests from Mexico visited the Museum of the War of the former District, established in the house where Comrade Enver Hoxha was born, spent his childhood and part of his youth. Expressing their pleasure at visiting this museum, the delegation members left the following note in the visitors’ book: “The delegation of Mexican senators pays sincere homage to the Albanian hero, who fought for the high ideals of democracy and freedom, thereby achieving what the people of Gjirokastër are striving for today: progress and moving forward.” The delegation members also went to the monument to Comrade Enver Hoxha, erected on one of the city’s most prominent hills, where they paid homage as a sign of profound respect for the immortal life of the unforgettable leader of the Albanian people. In the city of Sarandë, the delegation visited the ancient city of Butrint, where they saw archaeological treasures from the homeland and recent discoveries. They stated that the culture of the Albanian people and their historical traditions are a place where the ancient cultures of peoples come together. In honour of the 10 guests from Mexico, the chairman of the City Executive Committee… The delegation took part in the high-level international conference of major cities, “On Water Quality in Urban Settlements.” (Continued on page 4)

— ÇOROVODË — The people of Çorovodë and all of Skrapar celebrated on Sunday the 48th anniversary of the district’s liberation from foreign occupiers and traitors to the country. To honour the memory of those who fell, tributes were paid and wreaths were laid at the district’s war martyrs’ graves on behalf of the Central Committee of the Party, the Party Committee, the Executive Committee of the KP, the district mass organizations, and others. On this occasion, a rally was held in the city’s main square, attended by workers from workplaces and production centres, cooperative members from nearby villages, members and relatives of martyrs’ families, veterans, deputies and councillors, military personnel, young men and women, and others. Also present were Comrade Foto Çami, member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the Central Committee of the Party; Enver Naska, chairman of the Executive Committee of the KP of the District; and guests from the districts of Berat, Përmet, and elsewhere. The rally was opened by Emaz Puto, first secretary of the District Party Committee. On behalf of the Central Committee of the Party, the Council of Ministers, the General Council of the FDSh and, in particular, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party, Comrade Ramiz Alia, Comrade Foto Çami greeted those present and wished them a happy holiday. Among other things, he said that love for the Homeland, for our ancient lands, for our language, customs and national culture had always been the great motive that united Albanians in unbreakable unity and inspired generation after generation to rise in revolt and fight against the enemy. After speaking about and praising the struggle and efforts of the people of Skrapar throughout all periods of history, especially during the fiery years of the War, when the Central Committee of the Party was based among them and worked and led for a long time, he said: (Continued on page 2) On this occasion, a rally was held in the city’s main square, attended by workers from workplaces and production centres, cooperative members from nearby villages, members and relatives of martyrs’ families, veterans, deputies and councillors, military personnel, young men and women, and others. Article continues: After the speeches of greeting, a group of young men and women, school pupils and young workers from the city’s enterprises, put on a fine concert of songs, dances and recitations. On behalf of the district’s workers, Emaz Puto, chairman of the council of the Trade Unions, presented Foto Çami with an album of photographs and documents from the National Liberation War. The festive programme concluded with a concert organized by the city’s House of Culture.

WITH THE BEAUTIFUL CONCERN FOR TOMORROW... Esteem for outstanding people of work and intellect, esteem for all those who act with a vision extending beyond a single day or a single year, is part of the nature of our people. The thirst for knowledge and uninterrupted development, the desire to measure ourselves against the world and to stand with dignity as equals among other peoples, have led Albanians to value wisdom and make it a distinctive quality, just like faithfulness, generosity, honesty and courage. Wisdom is not only a treasure but also a legacy: it is the cultural endeavour our people have created and preserved over the centuries. Dozens and hundreds of inventions and small ideas have also found a place in it, where the mind and much hard work have turned ideas into gold, and work is rewarded and praised. Such gratitude is in our blood; it is a conviction. The Party leadership has always understood how the work of our people could acquire new value. We have taken our report from Shkodër. Of course, on a day like today it matters greatly which district or enterprise provides the examples. The main thing is that wherever you go, you will meet innovators; everywhere you will encounter traces of their work. For the innovators and residents of Shkodër, today’s celebration is a double one: five years ago, on this very day, they had the opportunity to meet the Party’s and people’s distinguished leader, Comrade Ramiz Alia. When the innovators shook hands with him, he rejoiced with them and joined them. And the enthusiastic innovators of Shkodër, as Comrade Ramiz Alia called them when he met and greeted them, knew how to keep their word. That does them credit. A little while ago, while a remarkable account of the “Bashkimel” of 1915 was being recounted—perhaps in a corner of the workshop of the respected writer Petro Marko, in “Shkodër and Work”—among the many episodes mentioned by the writer was this fact. The cement factory had stopped working. Its shaft had broken. There was great need for cement. Everywhere, work was in full swing to rebuild the country, devastated by the War. What could be done? The respected worker Cuf Kadensmi had been thinking about this. Bashki and his comrades came up with an “invention.” They replaced the broken shaft with a larger cannon shaft, naturally making a few modifications. And the factory was working again. This fact remains clear evidence of the first innovation, in the early days of the war, which would continue with a genuine revolution in this field too. This year alone, 4,200 proposals have been made, of which 3,273 have been approved. So far, 1,780 proposals have been put into practice, including 9 new production lines, 16 factories and three workshops. 596 new items have been produced, worth 2.5 million lekë. These figures are enough to give a clear idea of the work that has been done. But they are also merely bare figures, without the voices of those dozens and dozens of tireless master craftsmen, technicians and engineers. Em- (Continued on page 3)