The measures taken by the Party to strengthen the household plot by providing livestock and a portion of land were welcomed with joy and enthusiasm by the cooperative peasantry. They are a means of helping improve the supply of agricultural and livestock products to peasant families. But in recent months some phenomena have been observed that were not seen before. We mean the damage being done to cooperative property. In almost most agricultural economies, household livestock are causing damage. The patches of alfalfa here and there speak louder than anything else of the damage being done to fodder crops. This is also due to the poor and slow work of allocating land to peasants for keeping household livestock. It is a fact that in some cases the issue has been dragged out with a hundred and one explanations, and the cooperative member finds himself facing concrete difficulties. Where this concern is genuine, Party organizations, people’s councils and cooperative presidiums must take measures to find a sensible, village-level solution, as was done when the household plots were allocated. But, under the guise of resolving this contradiction, there must absolutely be no abuse, all the more so where no such obstacles have existed. We say this because in villages near towns, household plots are being planted not for the stated purpose, with fodder crops, but with vegetables, in order to make profits at market. This is impermissible, and such cases must be firmly dealt with through strict legal measures. But this fact alone is not what concerns us. At the village market one sees people bringing vegetables in sacks, not baskets. They also bring watermelons and cucumbers, which they have planted alongside the fields stretching across the land planted with maize or sunflowers. These are precisely the individuals who take advantage of the opportunity and make a mess of things, perhaps following the mentality: “He who doesn’t hustle isn’t capable.” If these were isolated cases, as there have been before, they would not be a cause for concern. The problem lies in the fact that damage to cooperative property by individuals is becoming more frequent. Worse still, damage and theft are in most cases committed in broad daylight, while people’s response is weak. Thus, what is most troubling is people’s indifference. At the Alikos cooperative in Sarandë, in broad daylight, 30 thousand [units] were taken from a field plot per hectare, even though 80 quintals per hectare had been planned?! In the Samaticë sector in Kutali, Berat, in recent months the damage caused by those caught alone is estimated at 40 thousand lekë. In dozens of cooperatives in the districts of Lezhë, Mirditë, Krujë, Kukës, etc., the damage is very considerable. Meanwhile, village people’s councils are almost silent, the presidium offices seem somewhat cowed by pressure from the thieves, and public opinion is silent too. In the face of this situation, the Party’s work must go on the offensive. The alarm must be raised to bring the squanderers to heel; the village population can do a great deal to rein them in. Do we understand what we are doing when cooperative property is damaged? Collectivization is damaged. The basis for increasing the peasant’s prosperity is damaged. In some districts, especially in the northeastern region, one also hears the view that the cooperative will be left with so little land. Undoubtedly, in. Damage to common property. Worse, their malicious acts, carried out with evil intent, are supported by people who are not well informed. And it is precisely what is of vital importance to the peasant—the common property—that is being struck. Thus, the actions of some who lay hands on cooperative property serve the interests of those seeking to dismantle the cooperative. Someone may even have thought of returning to the land they owned before collectivization. These, too, are actions that encourage those elements who want things to return to the way they were, rather than to the peasant’s victory. Under the name of democracy, some are taking advantage of the situation to try to destroy the foundations of collectivism, which the peasant has built with blood, toil and sweat. Protecting cooperative property is not the task of just two or three people, as it is generally reduced to—the cooperative chairman, the chief accountant or someone else. No! The property belongs to all cooperative members, so they must all stand up to protect it. In addition to the presidium’s staff, major responsibilities must now be taken on by Party organizations and organs of state power, and by mass organizations. In these circumstances, all these bodies must work on a broad front, rally everyone, young and old, and shape public opinion so that every act that damages cooperative property, even slightly, is exposed and prevented. Enforcement of the laws and the strengthening of certain sanctions, together with the action of healthy public opinion, will show the council members and those who seek to lay hands [on it]

NEW YORK, 27 September. — Today in New York, Comrade Ramiz Alia, Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, met with Turgut Ozal, President of the Republic of Turkey. Also present were Reis Malile, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, and Prof. Sofokli Lazri, Director of the Institute for the Study of International Relations. During the meeting, which was cordial and friendly, they discussed Albanian-Turkish relations, the situation in the Balkans and a number of current international issues. It was noted with satisfaction that relations between the two countries are developing and advancing in the spirit of traditional friendship and mutual respect that characterize them. The two heads of state stressed that the expansion and intensification of contacts between the two countries at all levels had created a good atmosphere and suitable conditions for Albanian-Turkish relations to acquire new content, serving not only the interests of the two countries but also peace and security in the Balkans and the world. Both sides expressed their interest and desire to advance the process of Balkan cooperation, as well as the commitment of the two countries to give it all possible support. Comrade Ramiz Alia invited President Ozal to visit Albania, an invitation which he gladly accepted. (ATSH)

NEW YORK, 27 September. — Today, at the residence of the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania in New York, a meeting was held between Comrade Ramiz Alia and the Soviet Union’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eduard Shevarnaxe. NEW YORK, 27 September. — Today, at the residence of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania in New York, a meeting was held between Comrade Ramiz Alia and the Soviet Union’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eduard Shevarnaxe. During the meeting they discussed the issues being considered at the current session of the UN General Assembly, as well as other international matters. Particular attention was devoted to the process of European cooperation and security, whose progress is of interest to both countries. Shevarnaxe expressed the Soviet Union’s support for Albania’s full participation in the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the restoration of diplomatic relations between Albania and the Soviet Union, as well as at the contacts that have begun between the two countries to develop trade exchanges and economic, cultural and other cooperation. They emphasized that there are opportunities and goodwill on both sides for Albanian-Soviet relations to develop, expand and advance in all fields. It was stressed that this would serve peace and security in Europe. Those present at the meeting included Republic of Albania; of International Relations; Voroncov, the USSR’s Permanent Representative to the UN; and other Soviet officials. (ATSH)

NEW YORK, 27 September. — In New York, Comrade Ramiz Alia met with Armand Hamer, president of the major American oil company “Oksidental Petroleum Korporreshën” and a prominent public figure. During the meeting, they discussed the existing possibilities for economic cooperation between the United States of America and Albania, especially in the oil sector. The meeting was friendly and cordial. Also present was Bashkim Pitrarka, the Permanent Representative of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania to the UN. (ATSH)

— KORÇË — “Is common property being damaged? Don’t even ask. With bags, sacks and baskets on carts. Our vegetables are right next to Ciflik, just as the apple orchard is right next to the village of Kamenicë. So the inhabitants of these villages keep their eyes turned this way, toward our state farm. This is an old story. How much damage is also being caused by neighboring cooperative members to the district’s other agricultural enterprises, such as those of Maliq, Sheqeras and Plasa?” The managers of the Korça state farm, which specializes in vegetables and fruit, told us this with great concern. But something else made an even greater impression on us. When we sought concrete data, documented cases and information about damage caused yesterday, today, over the course of a month, etc., they could give us nothing precise. We learned nothing precise either in conversation with employees of the district agriculture section. They too speak in alarmist tones, saying that this year there is visibly more damage than in previous years, yet again there are no records. At the section they add: “Come back in three months, when the production accounts are drawn up. Only the quarterly records, in separate columns, show the types of produce.” It is well known that this is now the peak of agricultural production. Potatoes and beets are being harvested now. Vegetables are now also coming into the open in Korçë. In a sense, this is also the “peak” period for damage. That is why it seems strange to us that the section and the state farm have no data at all. Is recording damage perhaps considered unnecessary? But on what basis, then, does the section judge the current damage in agriculture? The people’s councils deal with those caught red-handed, someone might say. It is well known that protecting property is their first duty. But what about the managers of agricultural enterprises? Production is not protected simply by issuing orders or moralizing, but through strong measures and comprehensive work with people. The managers of the Sheqeras state farm, recognizing this concern, are taking more concrete action. Day-and-night checks by groups of young people and communists, with the managers themselves taking part, have not only made it possible to identify those causing damage by name—both state-farm employees and people from the neighboring villages of Gurbar dha, Pojani and Sovjani—but practical measures have also been taken to limit the damage. This year, the Sheqeras court has heard 78 cases of damage. But that is not all. Measures must be taken, especially in the cooperatives, to ensure that household livestock have the necessary feed for the winter, both from the household plot and with assistance from the presidium at this stage. KOSTAQ DUKA

— DURRËS — The Durrës cooperative members also welcomed receiving livestock and land with enthusiasm, as a measure intended to increase income and prosperity. But in the months since the decisions concerning the peasants were implemented, there have also been cases of damage to common property. It is easy to say, as is often done in perfunctory reports and analyses, that there is indifference, that some people are irresponsible, and that supervision is lacking. But the real causes are not uncovered this way. Therefore, to get ahead of the situation and prevent these cases from recurring, the agriculture section of the district People’s Council executive committee has set inspection teams to work in agricultural enterprises, where the situation has been analyzed specifically. So far, various crops have been planted in the peasant household plots, providing a good food base for the cooperative members’ livestock to overwinter normally. The remaining plots have been planted, or are being planted, with vegetables. Across the district, the cooperative members have been allocated around 4,800 hectares of land, a very substantial area. Since the requirement is to plant 60–70 percent of it with fodder crops, this means that in the future, in the cooperative member’s household plot ... with fodder, but with vegetables, to make a profit at the market. This is unacceptable, and such cases must be dealt with firmly, using worries us. At the village market you see watermelons and cucumbers from greenhouses, even though they do not grow them in their own gardens. Nowadays you more often see cooperative members with sacks at

On 26–27 September, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe held a discussion in Strasbourg on a topic concerning cooperation on Security and Cooperation in Europe. In addition to members of the Council of Europe, the delegation from Albania also included deputies of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, led by deputy Aranit Çela. On 26–27 September, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe held a discussion in Strasbourg on a topic concerning cooperation on Security and Cooperation in Europe. In addition to members of the Council of Europe, the delegation from Albania also included deputies Albania, led by deputy Aranit Çela. In his opening remarks at the discussion, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Anders Bjork, welcomed our country’s participants in this event. The delegation Albania was received by Anders Bjork and by Katerin Lamier, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, with whom friendly talks were held. (ATSH)

Yesterday, the delegation of the Albanian Committee for Balkan Understanding and Cooperation, headed by Prof. Dhimitër Shuteriqi, returned home. He paid a visit to Bulgaria. He was received by Borislav Velchev, chairman of the Balkan Committee for Balkan Understanding and Cooperation, and held talks with him in a constructive spirit, during which the need to continue cooperation was emphasized. (Continued on page 4)

Reportage The thought of climbing up to the mountain pastures, to the shepherds and their huts, is the first source of pleasure and makes me gladly undertake the two-hour walk through the heights of the Northern Alps, in the Kelmend area. I stop with my friend Sabri Gjyshja, who makes the daily journey to the forestry work sites, and turn onto a narrow path above Qafa e Bordolecit. It is pleasant to make this journey with Rifat Ymeri. Rifat is the chief livestock specialist of the Tamara agricultural cooperative. He walks fast. Like a voice left behind, the slope, valley, forest or alpine pasture remains untouched. He grew up on the shores of Lake Shkodër and, as soon as he finished university, exchanged it for the mountains, forests and cold highland pastures of the Alps. He tells me that the birth of his second daughter made a deep impression on him. And his mind is on her name. Bjeshkë... Borë... Rudinë... He will call home about one of these. After returning, what should I call this livestock specialist? A romantic dreamer? Or a poet, as we like to portray everyone in some articles? Rifat doesn’t like that, although he reads a great deal of fiction, and the mountains have surely planted their poetry in his soul. “The mountains are beautiful when there is plenty of milk, when the shepherds have a good income, and when life gets better for their people every day,” he tells me. For this, alongside 150 shepherds, he works hard and applies his knowledge as a specialist and a communist. Above beautiful alpine Lepusha, with its characteristic towers, whitewashed and surrounded by greenery, lie the pastures of Bershador. The elderly highland woman, but very

Scenes from work on the new production line at the shoe factory in Tirana. (Photo: N. Xhufka) Scenes from work on the new production line at the shoe factory in Tirana. (Photo: N. Xhufka)