The organs of power and the economy in the city and countryside, under the Party’s leadership, have always taken care and made major investments to expand the range of services for the people, bring them as close as possible to their vital needs, and improve their level and quality. These achievements have been made possible thanks to making use of the advantages offered by our social property over the means of production, which we did not inherit from the past but created through our work, toil and great efforts throughout the entire period of the establishment and existence of our people’s power. In the enterprise, too, while preserving and further strengthening our social property, work and struggle will continue so that services for the people are put to better use in meeting their growing demands, while at the same time aiming to expand and radically improve them toward contemporary standards, so that they correspond more fully to the people’s current material and cultural needs and possibilities. As in every field, in services for the people, too, today’s tasks and demands of society can no longer be met by the practices and forms of organization, management and planning used many years ago. The factors influencing and dictating major changes in this field are numerous—economic, demographic, social and cultural. Albania today has a population of over 3 million. People’s material and cultural well-being has grown and is continually improving. New developments in work throughout all sectors of services for the people require their expansion and a real, concrete and rapid increase in the means available to meet people’s needs. All state, economic, social and planning bodies that have responsibilities in this field, and whose activities are directly or indirectly connected with services to the people, have a duty and responsibility to address this flood of people’s material and spiritual demands and needs through swift, far-reaching and effective solutions. As everywhere, partial patch-ups, hasty improvisations and mechanical transplantation of experience that does not accord with the particular features and originality of our path of development are useless, indeed. They do not help to the extent required. Gathering people’s opinions, the free expression of views by cadres and specialists, organizing democratic discussions with focused, rapid studies, and perhaps even some experiments, etc., would greatly help the bodies and organizations engaged in services to the people to find ways and forms for their radical improvement. Improving work in this vital field aims—and must aim—to ensure that workers, cadres and specialists are realistic servants of the people, and not that the people are their servants. This cannot be achieved through calls to recognize this mission, or through solutions and forms of education alone. These must and should be combined with new moral and material incentives for every worker and specialist in this activity, in keeping with the great objective of serving the people faster and better, properly harmonizing social interests with those of the individual, without forcing them into politicized and bureaucratic molds, while clearly defining, down to the last detail, the rights of every individual who receives the service and, at the same time, their duties toward the state. In these fields of trade and services to the people, as in all our state units, strict order and financial and health inspections must be established. For example, livestock brought to the people through this channel must be slaughtered in the presence of a competent health official, who will issue the relevant certificate. Likewise, for various activities involving plants and trade, the relevant bodies should set a specific tax based on the income individuals earn. Opening such an activity, which serves broad social interests, is not a task for the future. It belongs to the present. If economists have a duty to study and debate in order to define rights and duties in the financial field, there is no reason for them to wait. If the organs of power want to organize the work of creating the concrete opportunities and conditions for starting this activity, then they must begin. Not start today and finish next year. The finance bodies and organizations, health inspection bodies and others have their own duties in this field, but cooperation is needed; it is necessary to think and act at the same time about what needs to be done and how, so that the decisions and legislation on this matter are established promptly and clearly and precisely reflect the purpose of launching this activity, which our internal developments call for as a way to make better use of the great creative abilities that socialism frees and cultivates in people. Nothing is the monopoly or taboo of socioeconomic systems that our socialist society has overcome. Throughout the entire period of its construction in Albania, socialism has demonstrated its vitality; as a creative system, however, it continually offers new and greater possibilities for development in every field. Under the Party’s leadership and in accordance with its guidance and that of the 9th and 10th Plenums, these possibilities must be properly used and put into practice, because in this way we work with renewed energy, more united in strengthening the freedom and independence of the Homeland. [Beginning clipped] The factors that influence and dictate the People’s material well-being and cultural level have increased and continue to improve. Women’s emancipation and the ongoing democratization of relations within the family have made more evident the need to increase the degree to which domestic chores are socialized, both within and outside the home, in keeping with the state’s financial, material and technical capabilities. The further improvement and democratization of relations between the state and the cooperative, and the strengthening of the cooperative members’ private plots, have made it possible and necessary to create conditions for them to expand agricultural and livestock production activities. The implementation of the new economic mechanism will bring to light and require, in various ways, new forms of organizing services for the people, both within and outside work enterprises. The new way of life, broader and more contemporary ideas about how people use their free time, the increase and multiplication of contacts between our citizens and the outside world, and between foreigners and Albanian reality; the acceleration of the population’s daily mechanized movements, etc., call for new concepts and other services. The factors that influence and dictate the call for new concepts and other services. [Beginning and ending clipped] It must aim to work. The staff and specialists must truly be servants of the people, not the people servants of theirs. This cannot be achieved through appeals to raise awareness of this mission, or through [unclear] and forms of education alone. These must be combined—and should be combined—with an overall increase in both moral and material [incentives], so that every worker in this activity has an interest in ensuring that every need and request of the people is met properly, to a good standard, with quality, and in the shortest possible time. Such a thing will undoubtedly lead to a strengthening and marked improvement of work in all the departments, units, enterprises and institutions that have been opened and operate to meet the population’s service needs. Of particular value in this field will also be better use of available capacity, people’s physical and creative energies, the traditions of individuals and families, their intellectual and financial abilities, and the inexhaustible potential of the people in this field. The establishment by them of private service units, based on professional skills, desire and material and time resources, would bring about a major numerical increase in service units in a short period; their variety would expand greatly and, as a result, there would be a very substantial reduction in [the text cuts off].

Something that catches your attention - TEPELENË - It is the second year that, in the Tepelenë district, planting fodder cabbage has been declared a campaign for school youth. It is the second year that, in the Tepelenë district, planting fodder cabbage has been declared a campaign for school youth. “So that the cooperativists can devote themselves better to the campaign to collect the new bread,” says Nexhi Kanani, head of the education section, “the task of planting fodder cabbage has been taken on by the school youth of all 11 secondary schools in the district.” Last year, more than 200 ha planted with this crop bore the “stamp” of their work. And this year? The tradition is now established, so schedules were drawn up in good time and coordination was arranged between the schools and the farms. The first to carry out this task were the young people from the schools of Progonat and Nivicë, who have completed planting 30 ha and on this day began putting it into practice. These days, students from the schools of Memaliaj and Gani Bega have also started work, aiming to finish the task by the end of the month. “But in fact, they are simply present at the work. The experience of these two years shows that, at the same time, knowledge is learned and put into practice, and agriculture is helped. What is distinctive this year is that students from the secondary schools of Krahës, Qesarat, Memaliaj, Tepelenë, etc.—a total of 1,245 students, mainly in the first and second years—are contributing to securing the fodder supply, which is essential for livestock.” “We also did agricultural work in previous years,” Gani Bega, director of the ‘Sali Nivica’ secondary school in Memaliaj, tells us. “But in reality, only when they are properly engaged in the work, do they do what is needed and complete the assigned 30 ha of planting before they begin their practical training.” essential for livestock. SEJMEN GJOKOLI

- LUSHNJE - The objective is to complete the planting of stubble corn within the month of June. The objective is to complete the planting of stubble corn within the month of June. A total of 4,500 ha are to be planted. So far, around 1,500 ha have been planted. The daily rate exceeds 150 ha. Çerma Agricultural Enterprise has a good record, with 150 ha planted so far; Grabian Agricultural Enterprise has planted 120 ha, Toshkëz 90 ha, etc. The land newly cleared of straw has been prepared. The work processes are carried out in a chain. There have been no problems with mechanical readiness. On the contrary, coordination has been secured between the brigades of the SMTs and the sector headquarters. This has produced good results. In some other farms, the available opportunities are not being used. On some farms, corn planting has not started or covers only the first few hectares. In other words, the main stages of the technology were violated from the outset. “About 3,000 ha of land cleared of straw are expected to be plowed, yet the tractors are not entering the plots,” says Ibrahim Toshkëzi, chief agronomist at the district agriculture section. This delay has consequences. The days are passing and the deadline is drawing closer. When will some farms, such as Sarava, Kashtëbardha, Golem, Spolata, Kasharaj, etc., begin planting? Faced with unjustified delays, the managers are setting the day’s work in motion. Planting stubble corn is also a task for today. SOKRAT NDREÇKA

- SARANDË - “The campaign for the workers of the Vrina Agricultural Enterprise,” says its chief agronomist, Vasillaq Kromidha, “is being regarded as being at its peak, even though we have already brought the wheat into the granary.” “The campaign for the workers of the Vrina Agricultural Enterprise,” says its chief agronomist, Vasillaq Kromidha, “is being regarded as being at its peak, even though we have already brought the wheat into the granary. We are treating every hour as decisive for planting the stubble crops.” Indeed, this explanation can be seen everywhere in Vrina, from the plots newly cleared of straw, where soybeans and stubble corn are being planted, to the farm headquarters. There is no time to wait. Accelerating the second-crop planting is the best measure of carrying out the tasks on schedule. Work is proceeding on a district-wide scale. So far, Finiq also stands out for its good results: by yesterday, 15 ha of soybeans had been planted there, while at the Konispol cooperative the daily pace is intended to bring the planting of corn and soybeans to completion within June. The emphasis has been placed on work organization. The machinery units are being used effectively to ensure (Continued on page 2)

- SHKODËR - Special attention has been paid this year by the agricultural farms of the Shkodër district to preparing the soil for planting stubble crops. After the land was cleared of straw, it was possible to plow it immediately. In view of this, the agriculture section of the executive committee [reports], but the figures show that the targets are not being met. And this despite the experience available! Farms such as Oblika, Bushati, Velipoja and Trushi are examples to follow, especially for those in the Upper Shkodër area; they have each planted more than 60 ha. Now, only 8 ha. As can be seen, better organizational measures and greater attention are needed at the farms in the Upper Shkodër area. Why is this assessment being made? Vigu, despite having no plan at all, has so far planted 10 ha of stubble corn. Across the district, just over 700 ha have been planted so far, out of a planned 3,560 ha. More work is therefore needed, since the average works out to This year, the agricultural economies of the Shkodër district have given special attention to preparing the land for planting sugar beet. After the autumn crops had been harvested, it was possible to plough the land immediately. On this basis, the agriculture section of the district People’s Council executive committee planned for 250 hectares of stubble maize to be planted each day. Several days have passed since planting began, met. Although there is experience to draw on! Economies follow, especially for those in Mibshkodër. Meanwhile, the pace in Grihë and Gruemirë is slow. The situation is worse in Bajzë, where, of the 300 hectares planned, ... 700 hectares have been planted, out of a total plan of 3,560 hectares. Therefore, more work is needed, since the average required is 150–160 hectares planted each day, while the plan was for 250 hectares a day. MUSA KURTULAJ

The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, sent the following telegram to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ali-Akbar Hashemi Rafsanxhani. “We learned with regret of the powerful earthquake that struck Your country in the areas near the Caspian coast, and of the many victims and extensive material damage caused in the cities of Lahijan, Zanjan, Langroud, Astaneh, Ashrafieh and the surrounding villages. On behalf of the Albanian people, the Presidium of the People’s Assembly and myself personally, we extend our sincere condolences to You, to the friendly Iranian people and to the families of those affected.” (ATSH)

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 Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Zhan. this congratulatory telegram to the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Zhan. “It is a pleasure for me, on the occasion of Luxembourg’s national holiday, to send You and the friendly people of Luxembourg my very best greetings and wishes for happiness and prosperity.” (ATSH)

There are 39 cultural monuments in Durrës, as well as 10 others protected by the state, such as the amphitheater, the castles of Durrës, Ishëm, Rodon and Bashtovë, mosaics, a basilica, etc. The workers at the Durrës workshop are doing good work to preserve and restore them, and to turn these monuments into places where they can coexist with the times and with people. Various works are being carried out in the amphitheater, in areas with frescoes and mosaics. A focused expedition is restoring Bashtovë Castle to preserve and strengthen its structures. Another expedition is restoring the medieval castle of Ishëm, and [the text is unclear] work is to begin at the castle and church of Rodon. GJORG SOTIRI

– The retirement age for cooperative members is being lowered – On July 1, that is, in a few days, around 100 male cooperative members in Gorre, Lushnjë, will retire. What is special about this information is that they are not 65 years old, but belong to the 60–64 age group. Thus begins the implementation of a decision discussed by the people and approved by the cooperative’s governing board in recent days. Another gift that brings people even closer to the cooperative and to one another. How was the decision reached? The cooperative members tell us that it was truly reached in a completely democratic manner: the decision was made by the people, and at the governing board it was merely signed. A body was formed to assess the measure and the strength of the cooperative. A fact worth noting There was undoubtedly preparatory work, and initially the matter was considered by the council in the cooperative’s [unclear] condition, made up of [unclear]. This was helped by the experience gained in dealing with the cooperative members’ ordinary leave, which has been fully implemented since January 1. The specialists, especially the economists and financial officers, committed themselves fully and seriously. It is understood that paying these pensions will not affect the level of the daily work-unit rate, which is high in Gorre, nor any kind of investment fund. Also, according to the agronomists’ views, this practice, as an aid to [unclear] collection, will [unclear] other cooperative members, but also the increase in pensions and other [benefits]. The important thing is that this fund will not come from [unclear], as we are accustomed to hearing, because then security is not complete, since there are not always [unclear]. Gorre is now a strong economy and can cover these pensions with the financial capacity it has and will preserve. As we are told here, whatever the outcome, the amount will be around 360 thousand lek (at least) 180 thousand, and the calculations have been made, which causes no kind of economic concern. Who held this view? All cooperative members, without exception, men and women, people of every age, who thank the Party. (continued on page 2)

At the metalworking plant in Gjirokastër. Outstanding workers Ylli Braho and Fane Nini during the production of a new type of stove. (Photo: N. Xhuika) At the metalworking plant in Gjirokastër. Outstanding workers Ylli Braho and Fane Nini during the production of a new type of stove. (Photo: N. Xhuika)