Iron-nickel and chrome ahead of plan — But there is a problem: the metallurgical plant is not collecting its daily iron-nickel quota — This year, figures for the pace of production and its productivity at both the iron-nickel and chrome mines in the district of Librazhd are on the rise. “The distinctive feature of these days,” Hilmi Mysliu, head of the industry sector at the executive committee of the district KP, tells us, “is the fulfilment of assignments every day and in every item, the improvement of quality indicators, the application of new mining methods with high yields, and the transport of ore.” As a result of this work, the collective of the iron-nickel mine has surpassed the period’s targets in iron-nickel production and mining operations, produced 2 million lekë more in industrial output, fulfilled its six-month export targets, and is working to exceed them. But in recent days the workers at this mine have had one concern: the metallurgical plant is not collecting its daily quota of iron-nickel. If this continues, it will seriously impede production. The collective of the chrome mine, too, has exceeded its production target by 12 percent and completed 2,250 m of mining operations, opening up new extraction fronts. Giving priority to quality has meant that exports have received more high-quality chrome than required, exceeding the target by 3 million and 500 thousand lekë. XHEVDET ALMETA

After the Balkan Olympiad for secondary schools, in Sofia From 6 to 11 May, the 7th Balkan Mathematics Olympiad for secondary-school students was held in Sofia, Bulgaria. A “team” of our students also took part in this Olympiad, made up of three young people: Genti Hito, Elton Bojaxhiu (both from Tirana) and Erion Dasho (from Berat). Our boys were accompanied by our renowned mathematicians, Prof. Mishel Fundo and Doc. Agim Karçanaj, who also went there as members of the jury (because each participating country sent two such lecturers). Our boys did themselves, their friends, their parents, their teachers and our school proud at this Olympiad, because Genti took first place (with 38 points out of a possible 40), Elton second place (with 29 points), and Erion third place. Naturally, this makes them happy and encourages them. It also makes every Albanian who hears such news happy, and with justifiable pride — Elton, as well as many of our Balkan peers whom we met and greeted there in Sofia with goodwill and sincerity. Then we meet Urim Bujar[in?] and Edmond Çeka, the respective teachers of the two students mentioned above, whom they have been teaching for 3 years. They, too, feel their joy is justified. They tell us in detail about their work, their passion, the foreign languages they use, and even their cultural and recreational interests. And indeed, that is how it is: yesterday, after the Olympiad ended, we found the two boys mentioned above playing tennis with each other. But let us return once again to the Sofia Olympiad. We talk with Comrades Agim and Mishel. “How is our representation at this Olympiad considered?” we asked them. “It is considered good!” they both agree. “What was good about it?” “In the geometry exercises.” “And which team performed best at this Olympiad?” “Romania and Bulgaria performed best. They had teams of 6 students, whereas ours had three, because we could not prepare more—the time was very tight, very short. Nevertheless, as we said, all three won a trophy. But what matters is the work we have to do in the future.” Here, then, is one of the main ideas of this interview, which all our interlocutors mentioned yesterday: “Well done to these boys, but in Albania we have many talents.” And this is true. It shows the good work our revolutionized school is doing with talented young people, and also the careful, growing interest our society is showing in them, in accordance with the Party’s directives and teachings. The National Olympiad for secondary-school students, which concluded yesterday in the city of Durrës, also spoke to this reality of talented young people. (Photo: N. Xhufka) says: “Our boys and girls are talented. They did themselves proud; may they do us proud too.” To learn a little more about this Olympiad and, for example, [the text appears to begin mid-sentence] — says Agim Karçanaj — we performed quite well. Our colleagues also told us: “Albania did very well in geometry.” For example, the same geometry problem... As Comrade Vasiliaq Zoto, director of secondary education at the Ministry of Education, tells us, the Olympiad was organized in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and literature. Around 500... We asked them yesterday about our participation in it. I found them in Durrës, because the national Olympiad for young talents from secondary schools, in several subjects, ended there yesterday. “What can I tell you?” Elton, a student at the «Partizani» secondary school, told me. “Passion makes everything possible... My passion is mathematics.” “Passion, work and experience,” Erion adds. “We have to learn a lot from one another. We also have to learn from Genti, for example,” Genti solved the same geometry problem using a geometric transformation, Elton using the vector method, and Erion using the geometric method.” “Did we draw any lessons?” “Of course. We must further broaden the mathematical culture of those who took part in these Olympiads, especially in number theory, polynomial algebra, complex numbers, combinatorics, etc. Above all, we must do a better job of preparing the students who go to these Olympiads.” As Comrade Vasilag tells us, the Olympiad was held in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and literature. Around 500 students took part, more than 50 of whom won various prizes, accompanied by material incentives. Durrës did not hear them the day before yesterday, because they were working quietly, without a sound, diligently. Yesterday afternoon and evening, however, they made their «noise» heard, especially when they happily set off for the summer theatre. Science, technology and the economy will hear this «noise» even more tomorrow, because they are talents getting ready to burst forth.

— OBSERVATION FROM DURRËS — For crops that have been planted and newly planted, especially maize, the time has come for care to increase significantly. This is also because the drop in temperatures during the last 10-day period of April considerably reduced the plants’ germination capacity. From this point on, the health of the young plants depended first and foremost on nitrogen fertilization. What is the situation now? Only 6–7 farms have applied nitrogen fertilizer to small areas planted with maize. What about the others? In Shijak, Rrashbull, Manëz, Kryevidh, Spanjë and some other places, the first application of nitrate to maize has not yet begun. It seems to us that this is how deficits begin. The opposite is true: the deficits created in the first two stages must be minimized through intensive care. These slow rates are not seen only with maize. In general, crop care has not yet been taken seriously, with the attitude that “there is still time.” Take cotton: across the district, only about 6 percent of the area has been cultivated, while nitrogen fertilizer has been applied to a little more than 1 percent. For soybeans, about 9 percent of the planted area has been cultivated, while nitrogen fertilization has reached just over 5 percent. Climatic conditions are very favorable, so they must be used to the fullest to carry out every crop-care operation as quickly as possible and to a high standard. earlier, with the deputy chairman... what is the situation now? Only 6–7 farms have fertilized small areas planted with corn. What about the others? In Shijak, Rrashbull, Manëz, Kryevidh, Spanesh and some other places, the first application of nitrate fertilizer to corn has still not begun. This is how deficits seem to begin. Specifically, ploughing also began late, and planting continued late. By now it should have happened...

— KOLONJË — The measures being taken to improve the management and organization of production have ensured that the implementation of the tasks is in line with the objectives set. At district level, total industrial production had reached 110 percent by 15 May, exceeding the target by 1 million and 700 thousand lekë. The workers of the collection and processing enterprise continue to lead; they completed their May targets. The workers of the freight depot, the Bezhani[t?] mine, the wood-processing plant, etc. also stand out for their good achievements. The other plan indicators for this period have also been exceeded. Thus, freight turnover paid in cash reached 102 percent; the volume of transport in tons and ton-kilometres reached 100 percent; repair services and made-to-order production for the public exceeded 105 percent, etc. Particular recognition is due for the export targets. Since the beginning of the year, this indicator has reached 168 percent at district level. As always, it is the workforce of the collection and processing enterprise that stands out for its strongest achievements.

(Photo: N. Xhufka)

— TROPOJË — For this period, milk production in the district of Tropojë has exceeded the target by 500 kv. As a result, delivery to the state has also been fulfilled. In recent days, the daily milk-production schedule has been exceeded by 40 kv, and the delivery schedule by 50 kv. The agricultural cooperatives of Tpla, Dragobi, Shipshan, Zogaj, Pac, etc., have high figures. Sheep shepherds Sokol Hyka in Tropojë and Ibrahim Demiri in Babinë have so far obtained 55–60 kg of milk per head. Hysni Doçi, a goat breeder in the Tpla agricultural cooperative, is notable for high yields. Goat shepherds Ibrahim Sula and Skënder Beqiri, in the Valbonë sector of the Dragobi agricultural cooperative, are achieving double their daily target. The promises made and commitments undertaken by livestock breeders in this district are being fulfilled every day. Brigades and individuals at every farm are striving to be at the forefront in 1990 and in the eighth five-year plan. Farm managers themselves are combining material incentives with moral ones in the livestock sector more effectively than before, and these have become an incentive for greater achievement:

To raise the population’s health awareness, work in the district of Sarandë has been organized with particular priority given to working with mothers on the proper upbringing of children. Alongside the forms used so far, such as oral consultations and advice, use is also being made of family health records, practical guidance for mothers, monitoring children’s development, etc. Under a joint programme between health and educational institutions, various themed competitions are being held, especially on personal hygiene, along with practical activities on using first-aid medical supplies, etc. Various forms are also used in workers’ collectives, especially discussions with specialist doctors, courses, competitions, etc. Health services, too, are helping to further raise the population’s health awareness.

The Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, sent this congratulatory telegram to the Chairman of the Presidency of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Borisav Joviç. «I send you my congratulations on the occasion of your election to the post of Yugoslavia. I wish, on this occasion, to reaffirm our conviction that the development of good-neighbourly Albanian-Yugoslav relations is to the benefit of both countries, as well as of fruitful and secure cooperation in the region.»

AS WE DISCUSS THE 1991 DRAFT PLAN 1: In the relationship between human beings and nature, both sides continually give to and take from one another. There is no need to make a history of this. 1: In the relationship between human beings and nature, both sides continually give to and take from one another. There is no need to make a history of this. In the literal sense, the word «life» is closely associated with human beings. Human beings enter into a continual «dialogue» with nature, mastering and transforming it. From this point of view, the history of humanity is also the history of its power over nature. But we must not forget the message conveyed by the definition «nature is the mother of life». We must not forget, for example, nature's first gift—the forest. Who has walked through forests and not seen how a steep slope holds deep roots in a patch of earth, that is, life! And the leaves that fall year after year and form layers on the ground, and the earth that sends them to the leaves through the trees' capillaries... [partly illegible] This continual dialogue, continuing for centuries, brings forth a life on earth different from that of the artisan. But we must not forget nature's gift of agriculture and clover-rich pastures either. Here, too, there is conscious communism. It raises crops without calculation; these enrich the soil and increase the vegetation in the pastures. In this way, direct connections have been established between nature and human beings. 2: We recall all this now, when, following the decisions of the People's Assembly, plans will be drawn up differently than before, and their foundations will allow greater authority and more initiative. In light of all this, when it comes to agriculture, where we cannot take even a single step without it, should we not consider the factors? Should we not single out those that are more profitable and productive, those that the geographical environment has provided us with, given our terrain—with many mountains and few plains? It is regrettable to learn figures such as these: Elbasan has as much rocky land as arable land. If this is the case in Elbasan, what about all the other districts beyond it? But what does this have to do with the plans? «There is a connection, and it needs to be clarified, since the economy calls for more productive solutions.» The decisions of the 10th Plenum have made economic thinking more valuable and more demanding as well. Where previously the permission to raise smaller livestock was sought from above, now the people of Gjirokastra decide for themselves... The Golem cooperative obtains 70 percent of its income from livestock farming. That is not little compared with the past, but it is little compared with what nature and tradition offer. In Arrë of Kukës, the number of small livestock has increased, but nature there supported twice as many in years gone by. And the point bears repeating: Comrade Ramiz Alia has freed them-? ...[difficult text] ... compared with the population, the way is open, the possibilities—the way is open. There is no need to give other examples. The conclusion: our nature can support more livestock. Of course, when we say more, we take into account experience, technologies, the material base, investments... We do not wish to underestimate any of these, but, as Comrade Ramiz says, the solution for a greater material base will be found not outside ourselves, but in our work, in greater accumulation. Thus, in the plans we are discussing, «nature» must be valued as an indicator of intensification and as a reserve that has not been properly exploited. 3. What we have said is not outdated. For there is nothing obsolete in the dialogue between human beings and nature. The reclamation of the land was a great, unparalleled and courageous undertaking. Let us recall the beginnings, with the draining of marshes and swamps. Maliqi, Myzeqeja, Vurgu and Zadrima are today the nation's granary. They have borne a great deal on their shoulders, perhaps more than they can bear. But a growing population needs a great deal of arable land, and later the difficulties have turned people back toward the mountains. Around 70 thousand hectares have been opened up over the last fifteen years. Good—but in the meantime forests and pastures have diminished, because nature as a whole remains the same. Livestock production per person has fallen. Quite a few new plots of land have deteriorated, even though they are only 20 years old! Erosion has taken its toll; the trees and plants that held the scant soil are gone, so the rains have washed it away and carried it to the sea. In view of this fact, what will we do with these lands in the future? It is true that Golem gets 70 percent of its income from livestock farming, but could it not increase its small livestock even more? Certainly. But to do so, we must return to livestock farming what we have taken from it. Could we not give livestock farming quite a few skeletal soils that we have planted with wheat year after year, and other plots where we had hoped to grow orchards? Development itself now makes this possible. But should the idea of «land for livestock» be set aside? What about wheat, what about the plans? «When we remember pastures turned into arable land in Çajup, Bizë and Ersekë, we are deeply concerned. When we see what is being taken from these lands that were once pastures, we are concerned again. Meanwhile, people have taken it upon themselves to create other pastures—to spend millions, to destroy forests and scrubland (mountains stripped bare, leaving the soil scorched) in order to plant poliflite. But how much have we spent since the pasture enterprises were established, and how much have we gained? There is more. Quite a few olive trees have been planted on unsuitable land, without [unclear], forgetting that this is the basis of their life. After this [unclear] they are assigned the task of producing food, of tran- (Continued on page 2)

(Photo: N. Xhufka)