More and more, through careful work to implement the decisions of the recent plenums of the committees of the Party’s Central Committee, encouraging steps are being affirmed. The concrete actions of elected representatives, the apparatuses themselves and the masses are taking on greater importance for the continuous improvement of society and democracy, and for the revolutionization of every sector of life. Naturally, implementing the requirements set out for resolution is not easy, but it is not impossible. In this regard, despite progressive tendencies and opportunities, actions, methods and working styles are not the same everywhere. The Party Committee of the Berat District, knowing that it could carry out its duties with half its staff, acted realistically. The merit of this good action lies not simply in the numerical reduction, but in understanding the importance of increasing the role of qualified apparatus employees in serving the elected representatives and maintaining direct links with the grassroots and its concerns. For it is well known that major tasks cannot be solved by a few secretaries or instructors alone (however capable they may be), without consulting the broad body of elected representatives and ordinary employees, and without seeking the views of their chiefs. It has been, and remains, in our society’s interest that there be as few salaried bureaucrats in offices and administrations as possible, and that those in charge be as well educated and capable as possible. In reality, there is a contradiction: there are many salaried officials who have remained in the same workplace for a long time, and few who properly meet the demands and requirements of the times. In the Party committees of the region (at the grassroots), their number is even greater. Are there too many? Efforts to hold on to positions and established organizations are more frequent, including in the executive committees. Some who have spent ten or fifteen years in the same post have become «fed up» with the work, so much so that they have become indifferent, putting off until tomorrow and the day after the prospect of moving and working somewhere else. In practice, there are also developments that make you think and «arm» your judgment: «Why was he appointed secretary in this district when he has been living in Tirana for more than ten years, and has not even brought his family with him!» And there are many who «drive in» such a nail. Therefore, in full accordance with the logic and clear intent of the decisions of the Party Central Committee plenums, we must first look to ourselves and our duties: there must be a kind of «upheaval» in our thinking; that cadre must be made more accountable, and a style must be strengthened that dispels coldness and hierarchy and fosters dynamism and agility in action. On the other hand, it can be seen that alongside good work, the matter of regulating intellectual work has been left halfway. It has perhaps been allowed to fall into oblivion not by chance and, more often than not, there is no comparison between the work of a secretary and that of an instructor, of a chairman and an inspector, or of a department head and an assistant. This approach leads to duplication and, indeed, to compromising situations. Meetings are held at the regional level on an issue, and the district holds one too; in special cases, the ministry does as well. In the name of technocratic concepts, even for a wing or a division— It is in everyone’s interest that there be as few rogrëtare as possible in the apparatuses and administrations, and that they be staffed by people who are is something contradictory: one finds many rogrëtare who have spent a long time in the same job and few who properly meet the demands of the plenums’ coherence and contemporaneity. Here is an issue that deserves greater attention from the higher bodies. “Even after the 9th Plenum,” Comrade Ramiz Alia points out, “the apparatuses in many areas, at the centre and in the districts, continue much as before, making demands of others. Yet the elementary thing for implementing its decisions should be: ‘let us begin with ourselves first...’” In this regard, the apparatuses and the entire education system face a difficult “test”, which can and must be passed if everyone frees themselves not only from prejudices, but also from the complexes of routine and self-restraint. What the Party Committee of Berat did calls for conviction, support and practical steps, not metaphysical ways of thinking and notions. For example, the Party Committee of Region No. 1 in Tirana has rightly, as has been said, moved on to concrete action, even reducing its apparatus by half. Further, although this committee (the so-called ministerial-departments committee) no longer oversees the life of the Party’s basic organizations, their secretaries still number three, as many as in a fairly large district, because “the region has a large population”. In any case, the capital has 21 full-time secretaries in its apparatuses. In Durrës, besides three others, there are two secretaries: one for industry, one for agriculture. If one adds the rogrëtar secretaries of the agricultural economy bureaus, the number rises further. Thus, there is duplication between the instructor and the chairperson, between the inspector and the head, between the person in charge and the assistant. This attitude leads to duplication and, why not, compromises. A regional body holds a meeting on an issue, the district does too; in special cases, so does the ministry. In the name of technocratic concepts, even when the matter is just a crane or the allocation of an apartment, the instructor and the secretary intervene; pressure is added by those who do not do the work assigned to them and, indeed, prefer excessively to take over other people’s powers. Would it not be good for the study of this problem (of work standardization) to continue, and for us to identify more precisely who works “in the sun” and who sits “in the shade”? What should one person do, and what should the other do? The rights of the relevant bodies and organizations must also be exercised with regard to those cadres who find it easy to copy their own routine methods from yesterday, and with regard to certain cadres beyond the apparatuses who rush to lecture at universities and schools as if they had no other work; some even take creative leave for months at a time... You cannot hold two gourds under one armpit, as the people say... It is time to look seriously, too, at the trips abroad made by some leaders and specialists for entirely ordinary reasons: “to look at the fields”, “to open an exhibition”, “to gather information”. Accounting for the fund to oneself and to one’s comrade is not drudgery, but a duty, a necessity. Under the Party Statute and internal regulations, and in line with the guidance of the 8th Plenum of the Party Central Committee, the structures of the apparatuses were noticeably refreshed; but is this enough? Also, when someone is put in a position and the division of tasks at some gathering is discussed, they still have to call out and say: “Why are you engaging in this mediocre work game?” Thus, Party work must not be reduced to trifles; it concerns systematic work to emancipate oneself. In our view, it would be valuable for increasingly serious discussion and action if they were involved—not only, as happens today, in commemorative celebrations or some ordinary activity, but also in the major Party, economic and social issues. Do they take part (and why do they not take part) in working groups when this or that issue is discussed? Sometimes they do, sometimes they do not, or they take part only formally. The issues recently put forward at the plenums of the Party Central Committee (and the corresponding decisions of the People’s Assembly) are weighty and of particular importance. The successes, too, are highly visible and tangible. But each person’s effort must also be great, so as to put themselves everywhere and always at the head of the caravan. The time for phrases and schoolbook-style, inappropriate references is over. In this context, the worker, cadre, specialist and ordinary employee, the elected and the appointed, sincerely asks: “What did I do today for the building of socialism, what did I leave undone and why, what will I do tomorrow, and the day after...?” This is the message of the day, in tune with the plenums of the Party Central Committee and the teachings of Comrade Ramiz Alia.

- VLORË - Wheat, say agricultural specialists, is doing well this year, although it is said to be overdue; to secure the harvest, reaping, threshing and collection must be carried out on time and without losses. ON THE EVE OF THE HARVEST-THRESHING CAMPAIGN READINESS TODAY, AVOID LOSSES TOMORROW The task force has not yet been mobilized - VLORË - Wheat, say agricultural specialists, is doing well this year, although it is said to be overdue; to secure the harvest, reaping, threshing and collection must be carried out on time and without losses. What is being done for this campaign, first of all, at the SMT? We speak with director Njazi Bedini and chief agronomist Jahja Begora. Preparations for the campaign began months ago. The combine harvesters have been put on standby for two weeks. The combine operators have been informed of the areas where they will work. Work teams, including specialists, have been set up to repair possible breakdowns in good time. The frontline repair shops will work in two shifts. Incentive arrangements to be applied have also been considered. But, as is well known, the campaign goes well when the work of everyone with responsibilities for it is coordinated. The district has shown interest, but the task force has still not been mobilized. Experience from previous years especially dictates that transportation of the harvest be secured on time. This is essential for making full use of the combine harvesters’ capacity. Secondly, bearing in mind that a third of the area will be reaped by hand, it is important to draw attention promptly to collecting the harvested wheat at designated locations. Meanwhile, the material and technical supply department of agriculture is being urged to obtain and supply the necessary replacement parts on time. The same applies to ensuring the fuel and alcohol needed for the combine harvesters. VANGJEL STEFA

- Report from Kruja - At the technical department of the SMT, we met with specialist Myslym Xheraj. From the information he gave us, we learned that, in general, the engines and mechanisms of the combine harvesters are nearing completion. The internal inspection will be completed at the end of this week, and on May 25 it will also be carried out at district level. Nevertheless, there are shortcomings in the supply of certain parts, which cause concern and obstacles during the campaign. For example, so far the SMT and the mechanical bases of the NB farms have not received a single meter of the chain that was planned. There are also shortages in the supply of electrical-system parts, elevator chains, tires, pumps, brake wheels, etc. To be clear, (Continued on page 2)

- DURRËS - This year, 70 percent of the wheat acreage in Durrës will be harvested with combine harvesters. The mechanics of the district’s SMTs have completely finished repairing all the combine harvesters and are now inspecting them, with the aim of distributing them to the agricultural cooperatives by the end of the month. To ensure that threshed wheat is transported immediately and losses are reduced as much as possible, 390 vehicles belonging to economic enterprises and agricultural cooperatives will be made available. In addition, parts are being manufactured at the district’s SMTs. (Continued on page 2)

- LUSHNJE - This year the area harvested by mechanical means will be expanded. That is why all the machinery must be at a high state of readiness now. What is the situation? More than 50 percent of the combine harvesters have been repaired and inspected, and are ready to start harvesting. We will complete the task five days ahead of the target, says Aleks Nashi, director of the Lushnjë SMT. “The repair of the threshing and reaping machines has also been completed earlier than ever before. The mechanics deserve congratulations for this.” But if good work has been done to ensure readiness, there is no reason to wait to distribute the machines according to the schedules drawn up. A few days ago, combine harvesters were sent to Divjakë, Saravë, Gorre, etc. The necessary materials have also been secured, such as tarpaulins, cutter bars, etc. A work schedule has been set for each sector, brigade and plot, according to the type of wheat and how early it ripens. Production specialists are leading the work. The transport fleet also has specific duties. Its director, Ili Rama, says that this year the entire vehicle fleet will be put at the service of the agricultural enterprises to transport wheat from the fields to the warehouses and sales points. They will operate on a three-shift system. Priority will be given to using trailers. We have drawn up a plan for each enterprise according to its needs and requirements. Meanwhile, the central collection enterprise is telling the harvest-threshing campaign: we are ready. SOKRAT NDREÇKA

A good start by our weightlifters — LUAN SHABANI, EUROPEAN RUNNER-UP — Beginning on May 12, the European Weightlifting Championships for adults are being held in the city of Alborg, Denmark. Our country is also taking part in this event, represented by the national team, which has 10 athletes under the direction of coaches Niko Buneci and Zef Kovaci. At the conclusion of the competitions in the up-to-52-kilogram weight category, in which our two weightlifters Agron Haxhihyseni and Genc Barkçi competed, the following results were achieved: Ivanov of Bulgaria placed first with 265 kg, Ciharean of Romania second with 247.5 kg, and Gutovski of Poland third with 237.5 kg. Our weightlifter Agron Haxhihyseni placed fourth overall with 227.5 kg. During this event, in the clean and jerk, this weightlifter improved the national record, which stood at 128 kg, by lifting 130 kg. The other weightlifter, Genc Barkçi, placed ninth—eighth in the total—with 222.5 kg. But the greatest success so far in this event has been achieved by the talented weightlifter Luan Shabani. Lifting a total of 257.5 kg, he became European runner-up in the up-to-56-kilogram category. During his competition in this weight category, this weightlifter won three medals (two bronze, in the clean and jerk and snatch, and one silver in the total). Luan Shabani also set a new national record in the clean and jerk, lifting 142.5 kg. In the same category, up to 56 kg, first place went to Marinov of Bulgaria with 265 kg, while Gorzenaki of Poland placed third with 255 kg. In this category, another member of our national team, Erion Suli, placed sixth with a total of 240 kg. This event, in which 24 European countries are taking part, will continue through May 20.

In the exhibition hall of the “Hysni Kapo” Palace of Culture in the city of Vlorë, more than 30 young visual artists opened a joint exhibition. It includes 63 works in oil, watercolour, graphics, sculpture, ceramics, etc., themed around work and life in this district. A prominent place in the exhibition is occupied by landscapes, among which those by Josif Koçe, Agtron Jakupi, Lefter Shtembari, etc. stand out, while portraits of a good artistic standard have been presented especially by the artists Agim Sulaj, Florida Guaci, Kastriot Zilja and Piro Stefa, etc. (ATSH)

The Italian press has written a great deal in recent days that the case of the Popaj brothers, who have taken refuge in the Italian embassy in Tirana, is on the way to a swift resolution. But, as we learned from our competent authorities, to date they have received no request from the Popajs for passports or permission to leave the country... (ATSH)

Puka SMT mechanic Rasim Çoha at work repairing oil pumps. (Photo: A. Bodinaku - ATSH)

You have stopped in Katundi i Ri of Luznia, beside the Black Drin. At once you try to grasp the meaning of the words of a man from Luznia, Izet Mata, who said a few days ago that «a new vitality has come to the village». Your eyes seek out this change. Spring has brought its own beauty to the Drin’s gravel plain, too; the hills with their walnut plantations above the village have also taken on the green of the season. Now the spring is joined by another vitality, caught by the highlander’s eye. Come out this Sunday to the center of the newly divided cooperative, and people gather there in groups. The old men come out of the towers and the children leave their ball game. They seem to feel their joy more fully as they share with one another the news arriving in the village. Hamit Damëzi is tall and advanced in years. He begins his conversation with good wishes for the Party and comrade Ramiz. But he soon remembers that everyone says these words. And Hamit Damëzi tries to find other words. Suddenly he falls silent and tosses his white qeleshe forward, onto his forehead. A sign of joy. There is nothing more he can say, no matter how carefully chosen the words. That gesture holds his thoughts about the 10th Plenum of the Party’s CC and the decisions approved by the People’s Assembly. It expresses gratitude and good wishes. A sign of pride, an ancient affirmation expressing confidence in the future. Little by little, Hamit Damëzi has brought the conversation «back to himself». That is what he tells us, adding that he would like to offer some new thoughts today. Or at the very least, if someone helped him, he would gather a few words into a piece of correspondence. He would show how right the Party is when it says that all matters should be resolved in an assembly with the people, village-style, as they call it. What would he write? For example, how his village too gathered at the beginning of this month to distribute the livestock of the tuzë among every family. The people of Luznia spoke sensibly at that assembly. With the distribution, one person thought that was the end of the matter. «Not at all,» Hamiti told a friend. «You haven’t understood the plenum. Every task leads to another, and the Plenum demands that all tasks be carried through to the end.» Proposals poured in. In the end, everyone supported one idea: the small livestock should be combined into two flocks. They would appoint one good shepherd, Rexhep Palluqin, and another, with 80 head in each flock. «Now that’s a solution! That’s how we used to have them...» someone said under his breath. Many others ... (Continued on page 2) (Continued on page 2)