Four interviews at the “Misto Mame” Wood Combine in Tirana The same opinion: “This mechanism is good for the working person” Aleksandër Hoxha (secretary of the Party bureau at the combine): — The materials of the 10th Plenum of the Party’s Central Committee, Comrade Ramiz Alia’s speech, and the laws passed these days by the People’s Assembly have been very well received by all the workers and cadres of the combine. They are being discussed everywhere. The law “On Enterprises” is also being discussed in this way. In every department and factory, people are talking about working out their views themselves. You know what a worker told me today: “This new economic mechanism, secretary, is very good for the person who works, because it gives him his due.” Sali Toro (director of the combine): — The decisions of the 10th Plenum and the laws of the People’s Assembly found us, as a combine, somewhat prepared. Until now we have had a kind of separate accounting, but not with the Bank; rather, we have calculated all the indicators. Having familiarized ourselves with the law “On Enterprises,” we are taking measures to begin operating with separate accounts, according to the new concept, around the middle of this July. So payment will be made not according to the fulfillment of the plan, as it has been until now, but according to the realization of profit. We will start this at the Chipboard Factory. Immediately afterwards, at the Cardboard Factory. Later, at the Furniture Factory, where we have concerns. — Why is that? — Because the first two are more consolidated in terms of material and technical supplies. There is one thing: this decision, this law, requires a major commitment from everyone to secure raw materials and ensure the readiness of the machines. We have discussed these matters in recent days with everyone, both as an administrative body and with the engineers, economists, suppliers, managers, and so on. In other words, everyone must make a great effort in order to receive their wages. Nexhmi Pulleja (worker in the pattern-making department): — This new mechanism is favorable for me, and for the oth— (Continued on page 2)

At the 7th session of the 11th legislature of the People’s Assembly, it was stressed that the 9th and 10th plenums of the Party’s Central Committee are considering the beginning of a new stage, in which the further deepening of democracy has been placed on the agenda. This work, begun by the Party immediately after the Liberation of the homeland, has expanded and deepened and has continually been improved, so that the Party and the people rightly regard it with pride as the natural path followed—and still followed—by the development of society. …in step with the country’s economic and social development, always responding appropriately to the changes brought about by life. For this reason, taken as a whole, it has been assessed by the Party as advanced and contemporary. It regulates legal relations in various fields, harmonizing the interests of society with those of the individual in a fair manner. At this new stage of our advance, the further democratization of socialist legality is founded on the protection of people’s power, freedom and national sovereignty, and the protection of… … and to set tasks for the further establishment of democracy. been perfected, because the Party and the people rightly take pride in it our society. During this period, profound transformations have taken place and major objectives have been achieved in the political, economic and social fields. Naturally, achieving them was not easy. It was accomplished in the struggle against hostile and malicious activity, against manifestations of bureaucratism and liberalism as enemies of democracy and of the masses’ participation in governing the country. Throughout all the stages of our advance, every problem brought about by the times has been reflected in our socialist legislation, which has faithfully followed the course of society’s development and responded to the demands of the times. This is natural. Our socialist legislation is continually perfected through contemporary efforts. It regulates legal relations in various fields, properly harmonizing society’s interests with those of the individual. The further democratization of socialist legality, at this new stage of our advance, has as its foundations the protection of people’s power, freedom and national sovereignty; the protection of the socialist order, socialist and personal property, and, above all, the protection of human rights, dedicated to the work of advancing and flourishing the homeland. To put these objectives, set by our legislation, into practice, work, care and commitment are naturally needed. Efforts must be increased to promote its democratic spirit with a high degree of competence and to raise the level of every citizen’s consciousness, so that the level of our advanced society is matched by that of every citizen as an emancipated person at a higher level. FEHMI ABDIU Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court

In the agricultural and trade sectors in the district of Gjirokastër, there is some initial experience in improving the economic system. Now, after the meeting of the People’s Assembly, this subject is being considered with renewed activity. We held two meetings about it. At the agricultural session, with the economist Jorgo Paguna: — Up to now, especially since the 7th Plenum, we have accumulated experience with new forms of remuneration that have encouraged brigades and workers to exceed their assignments and increase production, as well as with the implementation of piecework for crops such as maize, tobacco, and fodder crops. We have decided to repeat these measures: the draft plan for 1991, which is now being prepared, will take the conditions of the economy especially into account. Two enterprises, the land-reclamation enterprise and the Libohova agricultural enterprise, will move to self-financing as of 1 July this year. The sectors of agricultural cooperatives, such as that of Vrisera­së, and others, will also move to self-financing. At the enterprise trading in miscellaneous goods, with comrades Ylber Kallnxi, Baftjar Dobi, and Mustafa Devolli: — Of the five sectors in our enterprise, four have separate accounts: social catering, the vegetable sector, the food sector, and the industrial sector. What has changed? Everyone’s interest in carrying out their tasks has increased markedly, economic thinking has become more active, savings have increased, and losses have decreased. During this period of the year, the turnover of goods has increased by 2 million and 200 thousand lekë compared with the results for the same period last year. Not one branch operating with separate accounts failed to meet its targets. We have these suggestions: to help supply the population, discounts could be improved for the benefit of trade, because at times the producer appears to earn and increase their income unduly. We are considering how to enter into export relations as well, even though we are not a production enterprise. We have requests concerning the bank’s work: it should be more active, as we enterprises are being. For example, why does it not allow us to open separate accounts when the enterprise’s sectors have been included in this form of organization and management?

At the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Reis Malile, yesterday afternoon the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Havier Perez de Kuelar, arrived in our country with his wife for an official and friendly visit. He is accompanied by the Assistant Director for Peace Issues, Xhandomeniko Piko; the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Fransua Xhuliani; and a senior official in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, Florens Barijon Pom. At Rinas Airport he was welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Reis Malile; the Minister and Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Niko Gjyzari; the Minister of Education, Skënder Gjinushi; the chairman of the Executive Committee of the Tirana District People’s Council, Llambi Gegprifti; the director of the Institute for the Study of International Relations, Sofokli Lazri; the Permanent Representative of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania to the UN, Bashkim Pitarka; and other comrades. Diplomatic corps officials accredited to our country were also present. Young women dressed in national costumes presented bouquets of flowers to Havier Perez de Kuelar and those accompanying him. On the way to the capital, Havier Perez de Kuelar was greeted by residents of the district of Tirana. (ATSH)

Yesterday afternoon, talks began at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between Albania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Reis Malile, and the UN Secretary-General, Havier Perez De Kuelar. “We,” said Reis Malile, welcoming the distinguished guest, “regard your presence in Albania as an honor you are bestowing on our country and, at the same time, as a mark of Albania’s respect for the United Nations, which encompasses a wide range of political, economic, and community-of-nations issues. It is my duty and pleasure to tell you that during my work I have had the support of your country, of Albania, and of the minister. All these efforts share one common merit: peace. They are in the interests of Europe as well as the whole world. At the same time, above all, we find ourselves at an important juncture in the times we are living through, and we are concerned with the ever-greater cooperation between Albania and the UN, with the role of the United Nations in the further development and democratization of international relations in the interests of peace and security, and with recent developments in Europe.” Foreign Minister Malile stressed that the Secretary-General’s visit… We welcome your great efforts, and there is no doubt that not only Albania but also other peace-loving countries appreciate all your efforts to strengthen the United Nations, make it more effective, and at the same time overcome difficult situations in different regions of the world. The Albanian Foreign Minister noted that we sincerely wish for the United Nations to play an increasingly important and effective role. In this context, I wish the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Perez de Kuelar, further success in his work… In our language, we have followed with great attention your activities in the cause of peace. success in his work… Perez de Kuelar, for his efforts to strengthen the role of the UN, peace, and international security. “We particularly appreciate,” he continued, “Mr. de Kuelar’s commitment and contribution to resolving regional conflicts. Encouraging results have been achieved in recent years, strengthening confidence that ways and means can be found to overcome the difficult problems facing today’s world. Albania is trying to make its own contribution to the United Nations. In the future too, it will strengthen cooperation in… its modest contribution to the cause of peace, in support of the Secretary-General’s efforts.” Perez de Kuelar said: “I am happy, as Secretary-General, to visit Albania for the first time and to be here in Tirana. I accepted this invitation with pleasure and great interest, because I know your efforts in the field of activity… I am grateful for the hospitality and happy with what I have seen. The people encouraged me with their applause when I arrived.” After the talks, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Albania, Petraq Pojani, told journalists: “The official talks between the UN Secretary-General and Albania’s Foreign Minister took place in a friendly and constructive atmosphere. They exchanged many views on… the organization, its bodies and its structures. These objectives also include steps by the office of the United Nations Development Programme in Albania. Malile stressed that there are major changes in Europe. We want the spirit of the blocs and confrontation to be reflected in the UN as well. Under these conditions, we consider that the role of the UN should be further strengthened. Albania (Continued on page 4) … of the community of nations. country, of Albania and of Mr. Minister. All these efforts share one important value: as the whole world. At the same time, I am pleased to be in your country, at a time when you are gradually evolving towards the goals you have set for yourselves, in a climate of independence that is truly your own. These are the reasons why I am happy that I will meet with President Ramiz Alia and Prime Minister Adil Çarçani, with whom I will talk. I am also interested, and will at the same time be pleased to learn, about the great objectives of the United Nations in the political, national, economic and financial fields, primarily for developing countries; and in the social field, such as the protection of people, civil rights and humanitarian law, which concerns respect for the human being. I am extremely well…

(Conversation with Asllan Mërdini, department head at the “Ramiz Varvarica” Mechanical Works, Peshkopi). — No one was left out of the day’s discussions. Everyone is now looking at everything from the ideas of the 10th Plenum and the renewed economic mechanism approved by the People’s Assembly to their own workplace. At first, as we discuss things among ourselves, it can seem as though there are many problems. But there is no problem for which a solution cannot be found. Someone asks how we will meet production requirements with these machines. Someone else is concerned about this too: what about the unqualified worker, the one who has been assigned a position without having paved the way for it? And what about the other person’s children—how will they meet these requirements? I went to a brigade with 35 workers. Together with the brigade leader, we calculated that 20 people could handle that workload, provided they were the more specialized workers. Their incomes would also increase. But what about the others? There are many ideas and suggestions here for creating new jobs both in the enterprise and at district level, and for putting new reserves to use so they can be directed toward exports. The brigade has another idea too: those who are young should make an effort within it to keep pace with the others in skill, work as closely as possible with production specialists, regularly attend training, and pursue further specialization. This would improve both quality and productivity, and discipline would take on a new meaning. The new rules, after all… (Continued on page 2) THANAS DINO

(From the notebook of conversations with residents of Durrës). These days, wherever one goes to various meetings, the discussions are inspired by the proceedings of the latest session of the People’s Assembly; like everyone else, the residents are all talking about this assembly. Each person expresses … There is a particular liveliness in the people and in the very words they speak. — Our representatives were at the assembly, says construction master Mete Xhemali, — but the voice … everyone there, the whole people. Because it was the people themselves who spoke in the assembly. Among other things, I liked the spirit of debate and the exchange of views at the assembly. Yes, this is how, in this spirit, … (Continued on page 2)