WE DRAW ATTENTION TO THIS Anyone with even a little information about how work is organized on the construction of the Milot–Rrëshen–Klos railway would get the impression that the pace of work there is exemplary. Why do we say this? Because, in truth, in the first years of construction of this railway, work was organized in such a way that, alongside the construction enterprises, several districts of the country also undertook major obligations; it was the sort of effort that made you write enthusiastically about its successes. That is what happens when everyone carries their share of the burden—the work and the responsibility. The railway’s construction accelerated, and the youth volunteers, workers, specialists and staffs were satisfied too. But… But now we can no longer be enthusiastic about the pace of railway construction. The things we observe instead make us think that the acceleration of work is giving way to appearances, indifference and empty noise. Let us speak a little more concretely. Whereas in the early years these obligations were undertaken responsibly, they are now almost becoming optional when it comes to sending specialists or even equipment. And so, on 3 April, the railway’s central staff again sent a telegram to the executive committees of the district People’s Councils with obligations, telling them, among other things, that “the promise made on 22 March was not kept.” Which promise was not kept? The one made by several heads of district executive committees at the meeting organized in Laç, where they pledged that everything would be under way by 1 April. Yet on 3 April it emerged that neither Tirana, Shkodra nor Kruja had sent a single piece of equipment to the railway. Someone might say: “So what if Tirana didn’t send some equipment to the railway? Or Shkodra?” This is from 800 lekë, nevertheless, and that in a year for all of them together, they amount to a sum of … lekë [?]. “We have two engineers in sectors such as Suçi, Klos and others, and they don’t do any kind of work for us,” they tell us at the railway’s central staff. A study by the central staff shows that the districts of Shkodra, Dibra, Mirdita, Puka and others produce only 6 to 8 lekë worth of work for every 10 lekë spent. Other machines, estimated at 30–40 units, have stood idle for entire weeks in the Suçi, Rreth-Baz and Tarazh sectors. As a result, the number of youth volunteers has fallen. Of the 150 volunteers planned for each sector, only 30–40 people are now counted. But let us not forget: for a sector with about 30–40 people, the state pays salaries to 15 staff members, starting with the … [?] The districts’ obligations to the railway in difficult times The districts have obligations to the railway. Work on the railway extends along the entire length of the project, and almost everywhere it is proceeding at a slow pace. The reasons are varied, mainly organizational. For example, on the third section, from Ura e Madhe e Liqenit to Burrel station, excavation in the rocky area presents difficulties for the equipment used by the districts of Mirdita, Pukë and Lezhë, which are responsible for building it. But how many such anomalies may there be? As long as the plan to build the railway—with contributions from the districts as well—remains in force, such anomalies must be overcome through better coordination among the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Transport and the State Planning Commission. No one would be interested in defending this method of organization (which bore fruit in the early years) if it did not justify itself, since, under it, a great deal is spent but only a small volume of work is completed. We think there are also many volunteers on the railway. We think their voices should be heard. The enterprises responsible for building the railway may meet their own obligations, but that is far from enough, because the expectations placed on this work organization are very high. If each participant does not bear the share that falls to them in this organization of work, many tasks will remain half-finished, hidden beneath the halo of a “frontline mobilization along the entire length of the railway.” But the people want the train whistle to be heard in Klos as soon as possible, and the “bells of fanfare” to fall silent! SAMI MILLOSHI fanfare” to fall silent! …representatives from the Ministry of Transport and the Executive Committee of People’s Council of Region No. 4. But what happens? The Passenger Transport Directorate refuses to comply. Naturally, it puts forward several “arguments,” the main one being: “This route would operate at a loss for us!” Thus the order of the District Executive Committee of the People’s Council is not carried out. The tail is wagging the axe. Meanwhile, the workers at Bovilla wait for the transport managers to change their minds and establish a route to this project. TOMË DEDA who cannot keep pace with the rhythms of railway construction, but the developments that can be observed make one think that the acceleration of the work is giving way to excuses, indifference and fanfare. Let us speak a little more concretely. We learn from the central headquarters that railway works have been declining for two years. Whereas around 1,000 volunteers worked each month in 1985–1987, the number of volunteers has now been halved. As is known, in addition to the railway construction enterprises in Laç, the bridge-building enterprise in Tirana, the industrial enterprise in Laç and the one in Mat, 11 of the country’s districts also have obligations concerning the railway, including Durrës, Tirana, Lezhë, Shkodër, Pukë, Dibër, Mat, Mirditë, etc. Thus, each district has its share of the construction from Rrëshen to Klos. But But it turns out that on 3 April neither Tirana, Shkodër nor Krujë had sent a single vehicle didn’t send a few vehicles to the railway? Or Shkodër?» This cannot be brushed aside so easily, because the work has been organised to proceed along the entire length of the railway at the same time. This year the districts must complete around 22 km of trackbed, but, given how things have started, it is unlikely to be finished. If the districts neglect to send vehicles, that means disregarding the fact that they themselves have sent around 60 staff members to the railway, who serve on the headquarters teams and who, generally speaking, have lately been «dragging their feet», as the saying goes, rather than working. But let us not forget that each receives an average of around 50 volunteers. Yet after 15 years, each sector now numbers only 30–40 people. But let us not forget: for a sector of around 30–40 people, the state pays the salaries of 15 permanent staff, starting with the commander and the sector supervisor, the doctor, the technician, the two nurses, right down to the kitchen cleaner. To let this organisation, bloated across 6 sectors, continue under conditions of work without intensity means turning a blind eye to the implementation of the decisions of the 9th Plenum. It means allowing the euphoria and «great mobilisation» of those cadres who take their responsibilities lightly to obstruct these important decisions concerning the railway. In this case, they are the leaders of the district executive committees who

People and drought, facing one another. In an ongoing, openly declared—not at all silent—struggle. A long wait for rain. These days even a little drizzle seems to be falling, and… And the farmer in the field may say, “Well, rain is close; perhaps we can put off the irrigation and planting a little…” The shepherd in the mountains can use a little water from the reservoirs. So, should we wait, or should we plant? I encounter both of these phenomena, come up against them, experience them. Wherever it occurs, waiting is nothing but a wish in the face of nature. Facing it has no other name than understanding the day’s duty—the challenge we also encountered at the beginning of this April in the district of Sarandë. “The name of Vrinë has become well known to us, especially for corn. According to the logic of waiting—which in Vrinë and beyond they call ‘deadline-ism’—the target of more than 85 quintals of corn per hectare, as much as last year, is unattainable. …Vrina said back when it was raining that it would harvest 100 quintals per hectare on more than 500 hectares. But now, after this prolonged drought? This agricultural enterprise, along with Konispol, Vergon and another or two in Sarandë, has few water reserves, far fewer than the farms along the banks of the Bistrica, which flows peacefully into the sea. So does the target of 100 quintals still stand? What can be seen in Vrinë? What the working people, the good farmers, want—and not without reason. In reality, more than 350 hectares have been planted with corn here. The farming techniques have been followed very precisely. The water has not been kept locked away in the Bezhan reservoir, saved for summer. It has been used for wheat, for fodder crops… But what next, what will happen next? Those who wait, those who are concerned about tomorrow, raise their voices. Vrinë’s experience conveys a lesson: higher yields have been achieved by those who have had little water over the years. They have known how to value and use it. Those who have been swimming and leaning on abundant waters have sometimes been “dried out” by dampness, sometimes by drought, but not by nature’s water itself so much as by their own indifference. It has become a blanket under which they can comfortably hide. It is easy to say, “This year, 100 quintals of corn per hectare.” Managers and specialists from all the state farms in the country, who were guests in Vrinë these days, saw what a mountain of work the people of Vrinë are setting against the “mountain” of drought. And beyond Vrinë, everywhere in Sarandë, there is a palpable resolve not to fold one’s hands in the face of difficulties. More than 50 percent of the corn has been planted. Some time ago, in February, the district’s chief agronomist, Lutfì Bajrami, said to a colleague at a meeting, when the latter was not convinced about sowing at night in the field: —All right, suppose it doesn’t rain in March or April either; what will you do? The other man was cornered and did not repeat the argument, “We’ll spread the fertilizer later.” But isn’t there some truth in the fact that under drought conditions fertilizer cannot all be used? Yet the days are passing, the wheat is growing—but it depends how it grows: with a full ear or an empty one. And indeed, March, like February, passed without rain. But the wheat did not wait for rain; it grew with and without water, with and without fertilizer. That is why, in exceptional conditions, experienced people find exceptional solutions. Ploughing, spreading fertilizer, doing a great deal of work at the cost of losing a night’s sleep—that is now the usual thing. And it is being done quite naturally, so you can see that despite the drought, the wheat is coming along well. It is not waiting that has made it grow well, but the decisions taken and the concrete work. 3,600 hectares had never been irrigated before. Wheat fields such as those at Vardhar and Buf have never seen water. The issue now is a second and third irrigation. Everything being done is guided by scientific reasoning, based on evidence rather than orders… (Continued on page 2)

Letter to the EDITORIAL OFFICE Many workers at Buvillë, Tirana’s major irrigation project, come from the city and its outskirts. To ensure normal working conditions, the issue was raised of having an intercity bus run all the way to the project. On 20 March, a commission deemed it possible for a bus to travel to and from Buvillë. The minutes were signed by representatives of the road-traffic inspectorate, the road-maintenance directorate, Council of Region No. 4. But what happened?

- For the quarter, the Shkodër Tobacco Factory exceeded its production plan by 2 million lekë and its export plan by 5 million lekë. - Incentive schemes are being used to increase export production, including target-based plans and even taking work home. Despite the significant increase in …, it remained at the forefront of the district’s collectives in the steady fulfillment of targets. The quarter ended with the industrial production plan exceeded by 2 million lekë, while the export plan was exceeded by 5 million. At the same time, all categories were fulfilled and the financial indicators were also surpassed. The introduction of new forms of work organization, such as target-based plans and even taking work home, has encouraged workers to achieve more. This collective also offers a good example in its use of funds to encourage innovative, creative work. It does not keep the funds unused; the awards are used fully to serve growth. (Continued on page 2)

The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, sent the following congratulatory telegram to the President of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, Petar Mllade-nov: “On the occasion of your election to the post of President of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, I send you my greetings and best wishes for success in your high office, for the well-being and prosperity of the friendly Bulgarian people. I hope that the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between our two countries and peoples will develop and grow even stronger in the future.” (ATSH)

Agricultural enterprises in the Tirana district exceeded their January–March plan for delivering vegetables by 200 quintals. Every day, the market is supplied with 550 to 600 quintals of seasonal vegetables, such as leeks, spring onions, cucumbers, spinach, carrots, herbs, etc. In the heated greenhouses of the «17 Nëntori» agricultural enterprise, which produce around 130 quintals of vegetables a day, more than 900 quintals of cucumbers have been harvested so far. Thanks to early planting and the timely, high-quality painting of the greenhouses, etc., vegetable growers at the Laknës Agricultural Enterprise and the cooperatives of Vaqnar, Ndroq, Bërzhitë, etc., have exceeded their three-month vegetable delivery plan by 2–3 percent. Meanwhile, after the completion of vegetable planting in greenhouses, this work is now continuing in the fields. Around 500 hectares have been planted under good conditions, and the aim is to add another 1,000 hectares by the end of May, with peppers, beans, eggplants, etc., to ensure continuity of production. Alongside this, fertilizing and irrigation are proceeding rapidly in the cooperatives of Petrelë, Pezë, Prezë, Shesh, etc.; in recent days, hoeing has also begun, in order to achieve the planned yields. (ATSH)

Yesterday in Tirana, the funeral ceremony was held for the veteran of the communist movement in Albania, the militant communist, a distinguished figure of the Anti-Fascist National Liberation War, and one of the members of the Founding Meeting of the PKSH (today the PPSH), Ramadan Çitaku. His coffin was placed in one of the halls of the Central House of the People’s Army. Veterans, workers from work and production centres, military personnel, young men and women, school pupils, close members of his family, etc., came here to honour his memory and pay their respects. Members of the Political Bureau of the Party’s Central Committee and Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Comrade Rita Marko; member of the Political Bureau of the Party’s Central Committee, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Chairman of the State Control Commission, Comrade Manush Myftiu; candidate and Chief of the General Staff of the Army, Comrade Kiço Mustaqi; candidate and First Secretary of the District Party Committee, Comrade Pirro Kondi; candidate and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the district’s KP, Comrade Llambi Gegprifti; member-a of the Party’s Central Committee and Chairwoman of the General Council of the FDSH, Nexhmije Hoxha; Secretary-General of the National Committee of Veterans of the Albanian People’s War, Myqerem Fuga; and other comrades also paid their respects and stood guard of honour. They offered their condolences to the members of the family. From here, to the sounds of the funeral marches played by the brass orchestra, the funeral procession set off for the cemetery. Here, Pilo Peristeri, a member of the Party’s Central Committee, spoke about the life and work of the militant communist Ramadan Çitaku. Among other things, he stressed that Ramadan Çitaku, «Baca», was one of those distinguished Kosovar men who devoted himself to the cause of the Fatherland’s freedom with a fervent love of country, raising even higher the patriotic traditions of the humble working family into which he was born on 14 February 1914 in freedom-loving Mitrovica, and representing with dignity the name, wisdom, prudence and self-sacrificing spirit of a fighter. His participation in the Founding Meeting of the PKSH and his steadfast stance as one of the Party’s consistent militants, alongside our glorious and unforgettable leader, Comrade Enver Hoxha, represents one of the high points of his long revolutionary activity in the service of the cause of our glorious Party and the people. After the liberation of the country, he said, Comrade Ramadan Çitaku worked devotedly until his retirement in 1970, in various responsible positions entrusted to him by the Party, at home and abroad, and until his death he remained devoted to the cause of the Party, the people and socialism. The burial was accompanied by a volley of shots fired by a group of riflemen. Wreaths were laid on the grave on behalf of the Party’s Central Committee, the Party Committee, the Executive Committee of the KP, the Council of the Democratic Front and the district War Veterans Committee, as well as by his family; bouquets of flowers were also laid. Then his honoured body was carried past in a procession. (ATSH)

The distinguished mechanics Pal Nikolli and Ndrec Nikolla at work repairing «E 281» forage harvesters for the spring silage campaign at the SMT in the Mirditë district. (Photo: A. Bodinaku) The distinguished mechanics Pal Nikolli and Ndrec Nikolla at work repairing «E 281» forage harvesters for the spring silage campaign at the SMT in the Mirditë district. (Photo: A. Bodinaku)

To raise the quality of teaching and ensure that pupils actively and firmly assimilate knowledge, the schools in the district of Fier place importance on the methodological and scientific development of teachers. To this end, the district pedagogical office has organized discussions and exchanges with school administrators and heads of subject committees, during which experience in this work has been pooled. To improve the experience of teachers who use active methods in teaching, do creative work with texts, make use of new scientific information, etc., the experience of several schools has been presented, including that of the “Janaq Kilica” general school and the “Dervish Hekali” school in Ballsh, among others. In these schools, alongside checks on the use of current information during the teaching process, the subject committees have also held meetings and discussions about various pedagogical, didactic and scientific publications. (According to ATSH)