1990 — A DECISIVE YEAR This is the fourth year of work to fulfill the tasks of the national campaign to provide abundant drinking water to all villages and inhabited centers, in implementation of the directives of the Party’s 9th Congress. The extent and importance of this campaign are reflected in the fact that, so far, more than 1,000 villages and inhabited centers have received drinking water, and water supply has been improved in 13 towns, etc. The large volume of work carried out and the funds devoted to it testify to the care shown by the Party and the state in improving living conditions in villages and inhabited centers. Assessing the work done so far on the construction of water-supply systems, at a recent meeting the Secretariat of the Party’s Central Committee made a decision concerning the preparations and major responsibilities for this year’s tasks. According to the plan, the work left to be completed is as demanding as that of 1989. Therefore, the Party and state bodies at the intermediate level, the Ministry of Communal Economy and the other departments must ensure the highest pace of work in this campaign. The month that has just begun showed that the concrete measures in various districts and departments have not met what is required: delays have occurred, with requests for supplies and more besides. The Secretariat’s meeting set the task of making the best use of the available material resources and the internal capacities of every enterprise and district, so as to create the conditions for supplying drinking water to an even greater number of villages. Special attention must be paid to finding sources of drinking water as close as possible to inhabited centers, since there have been quite a few cases of projects being drawn up that require large quantities of pipes and imports even when such costs could have been lower. The hydrogeology enterprise has major tasks to meet the conditions created by the drought of recent years, which has caused some sources to dry up and disappear. In cooperation with the communal and sanitary authorities, it must seek out sources of drinking water and undertake the construction of water-supply systems through wells, springs, etc., finding faster, less costly ways to supply villages. The communal authorities and the enterprises building water-supply systems must ensure that drinking-water supply standards are observed, resisting inflated demands that lead to the indiscriminate use of materials, as has happened in the districts of Korçë, Durrës, Tirana, Vlorë, etc. There is no time to lose in meeting the objectives of the drinking-water campaign. The water-supply construction tasks for this year are substantial and must be resolved primarily using materials produced domestically. There is no reason to accept excuses; on the contrary, work must be organized to complete construction as quickly as possible and extend the main water-supply lines at least to the centers of the villages, making it possible to distribute the internal network later, as materials become available. Domestic production of plastic pipes by light industry, and of pumps and electric motors by the mechanical industry, etc., must be monitored and given priority by the relevant departments and the State Planning Commission. Alongside the construction of village water-supply systems, the Secretariat of the Party’s Central Committee assigned important tasks to Party bodies in the districts and to the Ministry of Communal Economy to improve drinking-water supply and water supply to all towns, especially Tirana. The investments planned for the water-supply systems of Vorë and Kamëz, for the construction of new reservoirs, etc., in Tirana, as well as for other towns such as Durrës, Pukë, Fushë-Krujë, Përmet, etc., must be implemented on time and without delay by the construction enterprises. A project of particular weight and importance for the district, and for the design bodies of the Ministry of Communal Economy and other institutions, is the Burrel water-supply system, which will ensure the capital’s future supply. At the Secretariat’s meeting, the work of communal authorities and districts in managing drinking water was criticized. Shortcomings in drinking-water supply, despite the investments made in water-supply systems in towns and villages, are also caused by the waste and significant losses of this valuable resource. This is a social problem, and broad public opinion must be mobilized around it, especially under conditions of drought and declining flows from water sources. In the districts, Party bodies must demand accountability and hold the relevant drinking-water campaign headquarters responsible for its proper management as well. Emphasizing the need for greater mobilization of the working class and the peasantry, the Party Central Committee Secretariat once again stressed that the drinking-water campaign is a responsibility not only of communal authorities, but of all districts and working collectives. This year’s work is decisive for fulfilling the task set by the Party’s 9th Congress: ensuring abundant drinking water for all villages and inhabited centers.

Miners in the lead During the first quarter, work everywhere was carried out with mobilization to implement the decisions of the 9th Plenum of the Party Central Committee. The effectiveness of the new methods of organizing and directing work—in particular the systems of horrashot, piecework, and new forms of remuneration or payment every ten days, now being applied at the Memaliaj town mine—further increased workers’ interest in carrying out the plan tasks and strengthened their attachment to their work. These are the factors that made it possible for the economic enterprises to finish the first quarter having fulfilled their tasks. At the forefront are the coal miners of Memaliaj, who by yesterday had produced 3,200 tons above plan. Alongside the rapid increase in production, the miners significantly improved its quality, which led to industrial production exceeding the target by 700,000 lekë. The communal services enterprise, the NFP, the NGP, the goods transport park, etc., also finished the quarter having exceeded their targets. What is notable is that the road construction enterprise also posted good results this quarter, after having had significant shortfalls last year. One good thing is evident: the workers are more closely engaged in their work, their interest is greater, and organization and management are better. Good results were also recorded in fulfilling export tasks, which were exceeded by nearly 10 percent. (Photo: Dh: Kokoli)

— PUKE — We stopped to see the copper miners and concentrator workers in Fushë-Arrëz. Nikollë Gjoka, secretary of the Party bureau, gave us plenty of information about the achievements of all seven copper mines. Around 200 tons more copper than planned have been extracted underground, and the quality result reached 106 percent. Other indicators have also exceeded their targets. The miners and geologists work closely together. The latter add to the reserves of copper and other minerals every day. Ndok Vukaj, director of the geological enterprise, says that throughout the first quarter they worked ahead of schedule for April. The Fushë-Arrëz expedition has a special reason to celebrate: increased reserves at the new deposit discovered recently, which they are preparing to hand over for exploitation by November of this year. We can also speak of outstanding achievements by the sawmill workers. More timber products have been delivered by every facility, and more beams and boards have been produced; every item at the enterprise has exceeded its target. As Vilson Prifti, head of the planning section in the district KP executive committee, told us, apart from the goods transport park and the HFP, all the other enterprises closed the quarter above target.

Miners in the lead (Photo: Dh: Kokoli)

— KORÇË — Officials in the sections of the district KP executive committee say: “The forecast is uncertain only for the agricultural machinery plant.” Officials in the sections of the district KP executive committee say: “The forecast is uncertain only for the agricultural machinery plant. We don’t know what they have done about the electric motors. If the comrades at the plant receive them, we think they too will meet the plan.” This is being said on March 31. Late—very late. To establish a more precise forecast for the agricultural machinery plant, we went there. The head of the plant’s planning department, Kristaq Çapi, says: “Today, we can speak with certainty only about the fulfillment of the tasks by the tool workshop for the items ‘spare parts,’ molds and dies, and cutting tools, or by the bearing workshop. But we cannot say the same about the item ‘machinery and equipment,’ worth 3 million and 900 thousand lekë, in which electric motors account for the main part. The workers in the assembly workshop are waiting for the electric motors. The pumps are ready, but for them to be put into storage—and therefore for the task to be reported as completed—they must be fitted with electric motors.” “This concerns a portion of production worth 2 million lekë,” says Robert Fundo, the process engineer in the assembly workshop. “Sixty electric motors are needed. No factory has more than 11 units. We hope the remaining quantity will arrive by this evening.” “When will you assemble the electric motors?” we asked the engineer. “Tomorrow. Even though it’s Sunday. Production will be put into storage on Monday morning.” Who can believe all this rushing? The quality of the work. Is this an isolated occurrence? Not at all. It is reflected and seen everywhere, as in this case. On March 31, the situation is still unknown...

— BERAT — The industrial production plan at the NPD for the quarter was fulfilled at over 101 percent. We spoke with Kujtim Vullari, head of the sector with the most export tasks. “We produced 11 percent more than in the same period last year. We paid attention to the organization of work. We switched from collective norms to individual piece-rate norms. This stimulated workers’ interest and helped raise productivity by 10 percent. We also had problems with production. For example, the timber distribution agency in Lushnjë was supposed to supply us with 500 cubic meters for the quarter. In fact, we received 30 cubic meters, or 10 percent of the contract. Given that exports of agricultural products at the district level have increased, we too must take greater responsibility for meeting the demand. We were forced to go to Skrapar and made up for this shortfall during the quarter.” The enterprise says that its results would have been better, but it was hampered by irregular supplies of plywood, particleboard, etc. A particularly serious supply problem for this collective is glass. As a result, products such as wardrobes, sideboards, bedroom sets, etc., have been sitting in storage since February–March. Delays between the producer and the buyer put the enterprise itself in financial difficulty. And the district? Alongside enterprises such as the mechanical and enrichment plant, the textile machinery plant, the food enterprise, etc., which stand out for their consistency, this quarter also brought new names to the fore, such as the NPD, NPN, the meat-and-dairy enterprise, etc., which are striving to keep pace with the leading enterprises. Apart from the textile combine, the other 15 enterprises in the industrial system fulfilled their tasks. At district level, exports reached 163 percent.

These days, as part of the national exhibition, the «Zija Kambo» House of Culture in Bilisht opened an exhibition of folk musical instruments from the area. More than 25 such instruments of ethnographic and cultural value are displayed. Each instrument is accompanied by information about its characteristic features, period and place of use, etc. Among the main items are kavalls, one of which dates from 1930, and a kavall made from a single piece of wood, etc. Visitors were also drawn to a dajre dating from 1930, an old piece of lahutë, etc. E. Bushi A moment at work at the carpet enterprise in Kavajë. (Photo: G. Domi)

after making an official visit to Egypt at the invitation of the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Agriculture of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Dr. Jusuf Vali. (ATSH)

The truth is that, from a distance, we had formed an impression of Koplik as a distinguished, well-performing agricultural enterprise, where a seminar had also been held on experience in using greenhouse doors. This had been presented in television reports and in the press. So we set off with confidence that we would meet hardworking people, specialists and local leaders. We wanted to get close to Koplik, see things for ourselves and learn about its experience. The first thing one wants to know in such a case is the scale of this enterprise: 8,000 inhabitants, 11 sectors and 3,400 workers. Around 34 percent of its land is irrigated, but there is also plenty of land that can be irrigated, and the area is extensive. Tobacco alone covers 610 hectares. It produces around 40,000 quintals of wheat; 410 hectares are planted with maize, and 96 hectares with vegetables. Rather than go on listing everything, let us mention what made the news: a year ago it allocated 16 lekë per workday. In turn, a worker’s monthly wage is said to be «astonishing» compared with that of a worker at the wire plant in town. This year the target is 19 lekë per workday. The conclusion: impressive indicators. We look around the Koplik plain. Nature has not helped this area. If there were tuff here, perhaps the reputation for success would belong more to some other agricultural enterprise in Shkodër; nature and society have invested more elsewhere—in mechanization, in the land and in profitable branches such as Barbullush, for example. We mention Barbullush for good reason. Zog Ramolla, with whom we are speaking, came to Koplik as chairman a year ago from Barbullush, where he had held a specialist post and, for a short time, served as bureau secretary. Altogether, he has 13 years of work experience. He has sound knowledge and experience from there, and is surrounded by people and comrades he knows and has worked with, like one family, who want progress and are strongly committed to it. Framed this way, one might be tempted to say: “What now?” they ask, referring to Koplik and its difficulties. One might think he is looking back, that he can hardly wait for time to pass so he can leave this place. We put it to him, in our own way. He tells us: “Yes, I’m waiting for the apartment to be finished so I can bring my family.” A bachelor cannot live properly, but neither can he do his work properly. We have thus moved from the scale of an enterprise and its life to the life of a man, a 37-year-old who is at the helm here. This is no coincidence. The importance of a leader to the good or bad running of an enterprise cannot be denied. But, generally speaking, among the best achievements of recent years, we feel that the new leader has a particular share of the credit. As the figures and enthusiasm grow, it seems appropriate to say that Zejfi has played a part in this. As a leader, he has shown himself to be a capable person with vision. This is true. But it is also right to say that there have been quite a few cases of exploitation and excessive praise. (Continued on page 2)

A delegation of the Albanian Parliamentary Group, headed by its chair, Eleni Selënja, is departing to take part in the proceedings of the 83rd Inter-Parliamentary Conference, which will be held in Nicosia, Cyprus. (ATSH)

• 1990 — A DECISIVE YEAR. (P. 1). • INSPECTION NOT FOR SHOW, BUT FOR CONCRETE ACTION AND SOLUTIONS. (P. 2). • THE ARTIST IS A BEARER OF IDEALISM AND PATRIOTISM. (P. 3). • WHY DOES BELGRADE INSIST ON HIDING THE POISON IN KOSOVË? (P. 4).