I was prompted to write this by a letter that the directorate of planning and balance at the Ministry of Foreign Trade recently sent to the enterprises in its system. The letter emphasizes the work they must do to learn about and implement several decisions and orders approved by the Council of Ministers in recent months. Here is what the letter goes on to say: “The above-mentioned acts contain legal provisions on many aspects of the economic mechanism, etc., and if you do not have the above-mentioned decisions that have not been published in booklets, you should go and request them from the executive committee of the district People’s Council or from the Ministry.” Without denying that this department is right and acting properly in seeking to make the latest legal acts known to the enterprises in its system, we believe this gives us reason to raise several issues. Following this letter, we asked the organizational section of the Executive Committee of the Durrës District People’s Council whether it had received the booklets or other literature containing recently approved legal acts. “Not all of them. The ones we have been sent are in such small quantities that they barely cover our own sections. The situation is the same in other districts,” we were told in the section. Several ministries give the same answer. As can be seen, enterprises and institutions are not being supplied with the necessary legal literature, such as booklets, the Official Gazette, and so on. Their directors complain about this, but jurists raise the issue most often, since they are the ones who deal—and should deal—with knowing and implementing legal acts and provisions. It is good that the press has given coverage to some important legal acts, but this is not enough and does not fill the noticeable gap. Jurists in the justice bodies rightly complain about another problem. Five years have passed since the legal bureau at the Council of Ministers published the “Compilation of Legislation in Force in the PSRA, 1945–1985.” Despite some shortcomings, this publication, which undertook to codify our legislation, has helped employees in this sector, jurists, and other cadres consult the various legal acts published in our country. But a careful study of this “Compilation” shows that a good many of the existing acts are now unsuitable for reference, because they have been amended or repealed. And what happens? Office heads, as well as jurists, including specialists, often fail to recognize and apply the law when checking legality; they make incorrect references, citing repealed acts. SPARTAK BRAHO Jurist, Durrës EDITORIAL NOTE The issue raised in this article by jurist Spartak Braho is very important. Decisions and measures, and the processes of democratization as a whole, cannot move forward and make progress without knowledge of legal provisions. But the first and foremost requirement is that these provisions, acts, and legal regulations be drafted accurately, comprehensively, and without delay. So how much, and in what way, are the relevant bodies working to draft, approve, and make norms, legal acts, orders, etc. available to the workforce, each according to its specific responsibilities? We emphasize this because sometimes people seem to think this is the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice. This ministry must also, in this regard, keep abreast of day-to-day developments: how the work should be done to eliminate shortcomings, what positive developments emerge, and what should be done to generalize and support them. Such issues must not remain outside the attention of state bodies, the Party’s basic organizations, and so on. The economic mechanism cannot be implemented through empiricism or simply by knowing what the press says about it. Mastering the legal acts that pave the way for implementing the new economic mechanism is essential. This means that all levels, from the grassroots to the center, must take this issue more seriously, each according to its responsibilities, and must not content themselves with sending one letter after another about the “importance” of the issue. One thing—one thing must be clearly understood by everyone: provision must be made precisely for implementing Party and state decisions, which, in addition to their political and ideological aspects, have a practical aspect and necessarily require a whole range of legal measures. Such measures must be issued and implemented as a unified whole. But, in order of priority, what matters first is that these provisions, acts, and legal clauses be drafted accurately and completely, without delay. So how, and to what extent, are the relevant authorities taking responsibility for drafting and approving the standards, legal acts, orders, etc., and making them available to the workforce, each according to its respective area of responsibility? We emphasize this because the way people think about it suggests that this work belongs to the Ministry of Justice. It is understood that this ministry also has duties in this regard. But the primary responsibility and concrete work—from defining and formulating the specific acts and measures onward—belong to the ministries and the executive committees of the district KP, etc. Do they give thought to this acute problem, and what are they doing about it in practice? In this context, it is necessary to carefully observe and monitor what negative consequences arise in pra-

Our public is following developments in Kosovo with great concern, as the situation is becoming increasingly dramatic. Kosovo is in fact under an occupying regime; elected bodies have been forcibly dissolved, and the press, radio, and television in the Albanian language—which is spoken by 90 percent of the population—have been shut down. Albanians are being dismissed from their jobs and even imprisoned as an everyday occurrence. This escalation of violence reached an intolerable point in recent days, with the criminal prosecution of delegates to the Assembly of Kosovo. The Albanian deputies were arrested after that legislative body adopted Kosovo’s new Constitution. They are accused of “attempting to undermine the integrity of Yugoslavia,” and the decision they adopted is described by the Serbian authorities as illegal. The Serbian authorities’ claims against the representatives of the people of Kosovo are unfounded. The decision of the Assembly of Kosovo is entirely lawful. The delegates of this assembly have exercised their natural function, which can be taken away from them only by the people who elected them. It was the assembly’s dissolution that was illegal. Under the Constitution of the SFRY, the population of Kosovo has the right to seek and decide on the laws and form of government that it considers fairest. The Serbian authorities’ continued course of violating the basic rights and freedoms of the Albanian population in Kosovo has further inflamed the situation and made interethnic relations even more complicated. Since 1981, history has shown once again that no problem in Kosovo can be solved through violence and terror. The truly right and effective path is that of democracy, dialogue, and understanding with the Albanians. The Democratic Front of Albania, as a mass organization of the Albanian people, shares their indignation and protest at the brutal and unprincipled treatment of the Albanian population of Kosovo by the Serbian authorities, and once again calls on them to abandon their barbaric repressive practices against it. The people of Kosovo have an undeniable right to determine their own political future. Their prudent and courageous efforts to be represented on an equal basis in one of the Yugoslav federation or confederation are entirely normal and in keeping with the standards of a civilized society. (ATSH)

A highlander has come from Dukagjin to Shkodër. He has made that long journey solely to meet the police officer, Reshat Gjylin. THREE SKETCHES When the heart beats for people... Reshati A highlander has come from Dukagjin to Shkodër. He has made that long journey solely to meet the police officer Reshat Gjylin. This conversation takes place between them: “You don’t know me, comrade Reshat, but you knew my brother. You met him on the road, his face covered in blood. My brother had got into a fight with two young men from Shkodër, who beat him. You were going home on your bicycle, and you had even picked up your evening bread. But you stopped, looked after my brother, took him to the hospital, stayed with him until he had been treated, and then saw him off, even finding him a hotel. Just as a brother would for his brother. And I’ve come to see you today for two reasons. First, to thank you for all you did; and second, to get your opinion. This is the more important one... You know our customs, man. When someone beats you, they owe you blood... Our clan has been deeply hurt, insulted. But it is the clan elder himself who sent me to you to ask whether it is worth our clan’s while to deal with those two Shkodër men who bloodied my brother. Are they somebody, or are they laperë, the kind you shouldn’t lay a hand on? That’s why they sent me to you: to ask you and get your opinion. I trust you’ll answer plainly...” That was all he had to say. And the highlander returned to Dukagjin with Reshati’s measured reply: “Let the clan be at peace. Those two ‘laperë’ are of no consequence. The workplace where they work will deal with them, as will the youth organization in particular, and their parents themselves, who will also come and apologize to you.” Many such cases and incidents involving Reshati are told in Shkodër. They speak of prudence, wisdom, and courage all at once. There have been times when people, their blood up and ready to take the law into their own hands and commit a terrible deed, have cooled down and come to their senses because of the measured conduct and words of this worker with [unclear text]... (To be continued on page 3) FADIL KRAJA View of the new tourist hotel being built in Vlorë. (Photo: N. Xhufka)

In the village of Petrushë in the district of Pogradec, the water supply system for the Mal i Thatë area was inaugurated, supplying drinking water to more than 5,200 residents of the villages of Blacë, Bletas, Alarup, Gronobicë, and Pretushë. To build this 30.5-kilometer-long water supply system, canals were dug, 25,000 cubic meters of earth and rock were moved, reservoirs and chlorination rooms were built for each village, a pumping station was constructed, pipes were installed, and so on. In addition to the cooperative members, members of the trade unions from the municipal housing enterprise, the Alarup mine, the construction and mining sites, and the food enterprise also helped through work actions. (ATSH)

Not just the day—even the hour must be put to use Less than three and a half months remain before the end of the year and of the entire five-year plan. Unfortunately, some enterprises in Durrës are not making good use of the time to reduce the deficit they have accumulated as much as possible. Some make excuses, saying, “We’re facing difficulties,” and use that to explain their performance. But three and a half months is not a short time in which to find and use every opportunity and reserve for production. Proceeding with the mindset that “there’s nothing we can do now,” deficits are growing instead of shrinking. Specifically, during this period 27 enterprises have failed to meet their plans. In the first ten-day period of September alone, 41 enterprises failed to meet their targets. The deficit in total industrial production across the district is growing and has now exceeded 50 million lekë. Many enterprises are lagging behind, including the NPV, the plastics enterprise, the housing enterprise in Kavajë, the glass factory, the paper factory, the rubber factory, and others. Others have also faced difficulties, but these are being overcome. This is happening at ORMN, the mechanical workshop, the greenhouse enterprise, the motor-vehicle workshop, the cigarette factory, the Manëz mine, and so on. It is clear that in these enterprises the situation is being assessed correctly; there is struggle, effort, discipline, and organization. Let us focus on a phenomenon in places where there is evident lagging and passivity. Falling into passivity is the practice and mindset of a lazy person, not a revolutionary; it is the mentality of someone who wants everything ready-made, treats in hand, preferably at the office or at the workshop door, someone accustomed to an easygoing work method, who does not worry but folds their arms. Practice, as experience in the district’s advanced enterprises shows, proves that when people are mobilized and others are drawn into the effort, when all workers are roused into action, ways can be found to achieve the objectives. The Party and district government bodies, and the Party’s basic organizations, need to fight forcefully against the mindset of some economic-enterprise managers that “there’s nothing to be done about this; the year is ending and we already have a deficit anyway.” If we proceed with this mindset, the deficits will deepen, even though there is still time before the end of the year to overcome many difficulties and increase production through harder work and a sustained effort.

These days, a delegation of the European Economic Community, consisting of representatives of Italy, Ireland, and Luxembourg, will pay an official visit to Albania. Talks will be held on this occasion and views exchanged on relations between Albania and the EEC, and on opportunities for cooperation in the economic, trade, and other fields. (ATSH)

The delegation of the ... council, Strati Marko, returned to the Homeland; he had made a friendly visit to this country on behalf of the National Union of Workers of Mali. (ATSH)

During Satire and Humor Week, organized in connection with the 45th anniversary of the publication of the magazine «Hosteni», from September 11 to 18 in Tirana, various activities were held. Among them was a discussion on creative work in the fields of satire and humor, organized in the hall of the League of Writers and Artists. The participants—writers, humorists, and caricaturists from various districts of the country—discussed issues concerning these genres, emphasizing that the development of satirical-humorous literature and the art of caricature should go hand in hand and keep pace with the demands of the times. Last night, at the close of the week, the show «The Balkan Table» was presented in the hall of the Opera and Ballet Theater. Those attending included workers from workplaces and production centers, cultural and artistic institutions, writers, journalists, young male and female painters, and other guests. Also present were Nasi Lera, secretary of the League of Writers and Artists; Niko Kallami, editor-in-chief of the magazine «Hosteni»; and ... In this performance, the ... performed humorous and satirical pieces and songs from our country and the Balkan countries. The performers were the Durrës City Variety Theater troupe and the Song and Dance Ensemble. (According to ATSH)

Klosi, the only mine in the Mat district that is meeting its targets regularly, is convincing everyone through its results to date that the collective’s commitment not to leave a single ton of chromium owing to the economy will indeed be fulfilled, as Gëzim Koçi tells us at the session on the plan of the Executive Committee of the district’s KP. But commitments have also been made by the other two mines, Krasta and Batra. Indeed, month after month. Meanwhile, the deficit continues to deepen. Batra met its targets only in January. [Unclear?] And in March, then by August, both Krasta and Batra had fallen into a large deficit, leaving almost half the plan unfulfilled. This plan accounts for one quarter of the district’s industrial production. “We have made a commitment that this ... (Continued on page 2)

At the district Party Committee apparatus, on September 17, we examined the following statement in a telegram sent by the management of the mining enterprise in Fushë-Arrëz: «The freight fleet in Fushë-Arrëz continues to supply us with only 50 percent of the daily quota of copper ore for the concentration plants. This has created serious difficulties for us in meeting the concentrate targets, etc.» We looked into this matter at the two enterprises concerned. Fran Pjetri, director of the mining enterprise, explains: «We have had shortfalls in extracting copper underground, particularly at Qafë-Bari, but the vehicles parked in the mines should help us at the copper plants in the district, etc.» He specifies: «At the “Rruga e Rinisë” mine, 6,000 tons are available. At Kërçinë, 2,000; at Munellë, 8,000; at Tuç, 450, etc. About 500 tons are transported every day, out of the planned 927 tons to be transported from the mine sites to the copper concentration plants.» September 13 is recorded as the best day, since the fleet transported 818 tons of copper, but the quota then fell back to its usual level. Why is this happening? The causes are clear: 26 vehicles are out of service every day; on the twentieth [unclear], half of them are available. Nikolinq Reka, from the planning department of the freight fleet, tells us: «By September 17 we had 860. These were divided as follows: 620 days for tires and 240 days for fuel. The first half of September ended at 53 percent of the targets.» Although the situation has been [unclear], one might think for a moment that this picture cannot lead to different indicators for the mine. But that is not the whole story. Nikë Deda, head of the district fuel department, explains that by September 9 the supply plan ... (Continued on page 2)

View of the new tourist hotel being built in Vlorë. (Photo: N. Xhufka)

At work in the decorating department of the porcelain factory in Tirana. (Photo: N. Xhufka)