Yesterday, it was reported in the press that the workers of the seaport, those at the railway mechanical base in Durrës, and the drivers of the vehicle fleet in Korçë had resumed work after their stoppage. Yesterday morning, Tirana too resumed its normal urban life. Undoubtedly, every honest citizen, every true patriot, and the entire Albanian people welcome such reports. They bring joy to everyone after the great concern—and even anger—stirred not only in the enterprises and cities concerned but throughout the country by these days of work stoppages, when we need work and production more than ever. Commitment to this vital issue for the economy, at this difficult time it is going through, is a very great duty for everyone, for all political forces. It is in no way an “act of kindness” that one person does for another, or that one political force does for another. Yet it was precisely at this moment, when the homeland and genuine democracy are calling us to work, that the Decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly “On the Right to Strike” was made public. It is yet another indication of the deepening of democratization in Albania. But what is the true path to accelerating this unstoppable process? Stopping and abandoning work, making unsupported demands for higher wages and deeper inflation? No. Everyone understands this perfectly well. Such a “path” does not accelerate the process; on the contrary, it removes “stones” from the foundations of democratization and democracy. It prolongs these processes and sends them downhill—processes we ourselves set in motion and are bravely advancing. We have not done the arithmetic, but it is easy to imagine what it means to paralyze transport, the movement of goods and the supply of a city such as Korçë; for thousands upon thousands of workers and citizens of Tirana to travel many kilometres to get to work; for entire factories and plants producing for the people and the whole country to fall silent… This is how the road gets longer and longer. This is how shop windows grow even barer, and the queues of people outside them do not get shorter on these cold days. This is why the entire population, young and old, welcomes the workers’ decisions to end the strikes and resume work. This is an expression of their patriotic awareness and feelings, and of their willingness to resolve problems and legitimate demands through mutual understanding and tolerance, in accordance with the circumstances and concrete possibilities, in everyone’s interest. The strikes have stopped. Let this wise and farsighted action by the working class and the communists be the beginning of a new pace of work, putting an end to slackness—to this silent, invisible “strike,” whose consequences for the economy are just as serious. Let it be the moment when all workers unleash and mobilize new physical and mental energies, and wage an unceasing struggle against administrative bureaucracy and apparatuses that obstruct work and the process of democratization. Calling for work, and for not interrupting it even for a moment, does not mean staying silent or failing to speak out against delays in resolving legitimate and feasible demands concerning workers’ living and working conditions and the progress of production and services. On the contrary, this voice must be heard clearly; it must shake up and set in motion the state and economic bodies as a whole, and each of their employees in particular, so that they take responsibility for the work and duties entrusted to them. At the Tirana SMT. Bexhet Cenko, head of the mechanical workshop, and turner Xhavit Bachoria at work in this workshop. (Photo: N. Xhufka)

At the Tirana SMT. Bexhet Cenko, head of the mechanical workshop, and turner Xhavit Bachoria at work in this workshop. (Photo: N. Xhufka)

The electromechanical plant, separated last year from the electric wire plant in the city of Shkodër, has made a good start in its work to meet this year’s targets. With products such as direct-current motors for the country’s mines and electrical automotive parts for vehicles and agricultural machinery, it has fulfilled its target for the first 20 days of January. Last year it also made a successful start in exports, supplying voltage coils for electrical contactors worth 61 thousand dollars, although this activity had not been planned. With the experience gained and the plant’s capabilities, it is planned to produce 180 thousand such coils for export this year.

Clear and confident - TROPOJË - Zef Ymeri, director of the Tropojë Forestry Enterprise, speaking about current issues, says that what stands out most in our collective is everyone’s clarity and confidence regarding their work. - TROPOJË - Zef Ymeri, director of the Tropojë Forestry Enterprise, speaking about current issues, says that what stands out most in our collective is everyone’s clarity and confidence regarding their work. The target for the period was met in afforestation, while it was exceeded by 47 percent in improvements; replacement planting in afforestation areas exceeded the target by 40 percent. I can say that there are no concerns. In livestock farming, despite the low temperatures of these days, we have no particular problems. Listening to this director talk about how the work is progressing, one thinks: how good it is when people devote themselves to their work and keep their minds on it. Isa Dizdari, director of the municipal repair and services enterprise, is also pleased with the work being done at the enterprise he heads. In recent days this year, municipal services have been extended to the villages of Tplan, Bujan, Pac and Zogaj as well. In other words, bringing services closer to people and meeting their needs so they do not waste time. Speaking about meeting the period’s plan, Isa gives these figures for the first 20 days of January: production of goods sold, 100.8 percent; general services to the population, 101.1 percent; industrial production, 101.7 percent. It seems that behind these figures lies the care taken by every worker and manager. The introduction of the new economic mechanism in July last year has “coordinated” all the links so they can respond better and more quickly to their tasks and find the best way to meet demands without wasting time. Is everything proceeding properly? Some workers are calling for further cuts in the administration, although cuts have already been made. It seems the new economic mechanism is bringing new challenges to light and requires further improvements in management so that everything is done as profitably as possible. These two snapshots of enterprises that began implementing the new economic mechanism last July clearly show that this management method is also a way of encouraging work. HALIL BUÇPAPAJ

- PERMET - The economic enterprises in the Përmet district are responding to the situation with order and discipline at work, and by increasing production performance and expenditure efficiency. - PERMET - The economic enterprises in the Përmet district are responding to the situation with order and discipline at work, and by increasing production performance and expenditure efficiency. By 20 January, several collectives had exceeded their plan targets. The collective at the municipal services enterprise exceeded all the indicators for this period, which are measured by the production and sale of goods and services; different items reached between 103 and 109 percent. The collective at the procurement enterprise likewise exceeded its targets. The workers’ overall readiness and mobilization are good. There are no absences from work, and no enterprise shows any sign of slackening. But more than 20 days of January have passed, and many issues in the administrations and apparatuses remain unresolved. At the construction enterprise, the technical documentation and construction sites have been secured, and work has begun on the planned projects; at the same time, however, many materials are missing, even though they should have been supplied under the contracts. The brick factory, NTAN, and the canned-food processing factory in Këlcyrë have been separated as independent enterprises from the construction, commercial, and food enterprises. At the brick factory, where the separation was carried out on time and the workers have been informed of all the indicators, work has got off to a good start. In the other two—the commercial and food enterprises, whose separation was delayed—there are many supply and distribution problems that must be resolved quickly, as they are hindering normal progress. There is no shortage of paperwork in the offices and administrations complaining here and there, but the facts show that the ones lagging behind are themselves the administrations that are not responding to the workers’ drive and readiness. This situation calls first and foremost for specialists and managers to get to work, without justifying themselves by pointing to each other’s shortcomings. The workers expect them to resolve in good time the problems that obstruct productivity, production and distribution. PËRPARIM MUSTAFAJ Përparim Mustafaj

- OBSERVATION - You see crowds of people strolling calmly in the streets, not at all concerned that it is working time. - OBSERVATION - You see crowds of people strolling calmly in the streets, not at all concerned that it is working time. You see the clubs and cafés not only packed, but with people waiting outside. You have to go three or four times a day to find managers and specialists in their offices. In the courtyards of enterprises, groups of people talk endlessly about “democracy” and about their own concerns, while matters that concern them pass them by unnoticed. In short, this could be a familiar scene on many streets, in clubs and in enterprises in the city of Shkodër. And here is the result! At the planning session of the District People’s Council Executive Committee, we learned that targets had been met at the 70-percent level. And it must be said, the specialists in this section add, that the targets were not at all demanding for this period. On the contrary, planning has once again been done with reserves for the first or second ten-day period… So, through our work—or rather, our lack of work—we have begun to leave our first millions “by the wayside.” Meanwhile, some are “waiting” for the world’s millions to arrive and support us, feed us, and raise our children for us! We want full democracy. This is everyone’s demand, and it is a just demand. But this avoidance of work, both where it has been allowed to take hold and where wages are paid in full and have been increased, and even where a good tradition has been established over many years, shows that “alongside democracy, we are not demanding work.” Can you demand 70 percent democracy? Certainly not. So, when we demand everything we need, why don’t we also give everything that is required?! Specifically: At the carpet enterprise, the raw materials are fully available, a study to review the work norms and wages is under way, and central heating is being installed and will be in place within the month. Meanwhile, heating stoves are still being used—but as for working, no work is being done. Yet when it comes to being paid, they want their full wages, regardless of the fact that they have not worked.

BEIJING, 23 January. — Today, the Prime Minister of the PR of China, Li Pen, received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PSR of Albania, Reis Malile, and held a friendly conversation with him. Reis Malile conveyed to Prime Minister Li Pen the greetings of President Ramiz Alia and of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Adil Çarçani. He also handed the Chinese Prime Minister a friendly message from the Albanian Prime Minister. In the message, among other things, the Chinese Prime Minister was invited to visit Albania. Prime Minister Li Pen thanked him for the message and said that he gladly accepted the invitation to pay an official and friendly visit to Albania, which he would make at a suitable time. On this occasion, he asked that his warm greetings be conveyed to President Ramiz Alia and Prime Minister Adil Çarçani. He expressed confidence that Albanian-Chinese relations, which are developing well, would receive new impetus. “We view the future of our relations with Albania with optimism,” he said. Chinese Prime Minister Li Pen spoke about China’s rapid development, noting that in recent years it had made significant progress. Speaking about foreign policy, Prime Minister Li Pen said that China pursues an independent policy and builds its relations with other countries, large or small, on the basis of equality and mutual respect. During the meeting, Foreign Minister Reis Malile noted that the Albanian people feel respect for the Chinese people, for their centuries-old history, rich culture and traditions, and that the Albanian government supports the development of friendly cooperation between the two countries. (ATSH)

Yesterday in Beijing, talks were held between the delegation of the People’s Republic of Albania, headed by Foreign Minister Reis Malile, and the delegation of the People’s Republic of China, headed by Foreign Minister Çian Çen. During the talks, the positive progress of friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries was noted, particularly in recent years, in terms of political contacts, economic and trade exchanges, etc. Both sides expressed their desire to continue them, to further advance cooperative relations and to give them concrete form through projects of interest to both countries. Foreign Minister Reis Malile stressed that the PR of China plays an important role in peace and stability in the region and the world. He briefed the Chinese foreign minister on the measures undertaken as part of the process of democratization in Albania and the establishment of political pluralism. He also spoke about our country’s foreign policy regarding Balkan and European processes, to which Albania is seeking to contribute ever more actively. Foreign Minister Reis Malile invited his Chinese counterpart to visit Albania, an invitation which he gladly accepted. For his part, China’s Foreign Minister, Çian Çi Çen, spoke about the stable situation in China and its achievements, especially in recent years. He also emphasized the favorable prospects for economic development opened up for China by the new ten-year program. The Chinese minister particularly praised the meeting he had with President Ramiz Alia in New York, where they discussed the further development of friendly relations between the two countries. The Chinese minister went on to note that, in the spirit of the reforms undertaken by the Albanian state, China was ready to cooperate with Albania in the political and economic fields, and would soon provide Albania with a number of credits. The Chinese minister also praised Albania’s policy of good neighborliness and its contribution to this process of Balkan cooperation. The two ministers focused in particular on events in the Middle East. Both sides expressed concern over the dangerous situation that had arisen in the Gulf region, the necessity of Iraq’s withdrawal from Kuwait, and respect for its freedom and independence. They stressed the need to resolve the conflict peacefully. (ATSH)

On 23.1.1991, Minister of Justice Enver Halili summoned representatives of the Albanian Sociological Association and informed them of the order approving the association, as well as its registration in the relevant register of the Ministry of Justice, in accordance with Law No. 2362 of 16.11.1956, “On Social Organizations That Do Not Pursue Economic Aims.” The association was established on the basis of the Tirana sociological group and its year-long activity. As an independent social and scientific organization, unaffiliated with political parties, it will seek to contribute to the study of various social phenomena and to present alternative solutions to sociological problems arising from the social development of our country. (ATSH)

TIRANA, 23 January. — Yesterday, at the headquarters of the Council of Ministers, Comrade Adil Çarçani once again received, at their request, two representatives of the Democratic Party, Mr. Arben Imami and Bardhyl Reso. At the meeting, they raised issues concerning their party, mainly its development, the holding of rallies in the districts, and the material conditions for its activities. In response to the claims presented, Comrade Adil Çarçani said that our state does not have two lines. It has only one position, based on the rigorous requirement to enforce the laws in force. In practice, he stressed, as happens with other issues too, bureaucratic actions and conservative elements create obstacles. The government has been and remains committed to resolutely combating such manifestations, which do not serve to strengthen our rule-of-law state or the interests of the country’s progress. Regarding the conditions under which the Democratic Party’s rallies were held in several districts, its representatives made comments, particularly about the one in Sarandë, which, they said, was not normal. Comrade Adil Çarçani replied that the rallies had generally been held normally. Regarding the case in Sarandë, he stressed that he had requested a report from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Prime Minister added that, according to the information available to him, some rallies organized by the Democratic Party had not been held in accordance with the rules for public demonstrations established by law. He mentioned incidents caused by groups of participants at this party’s rally organized in the square of the «Qemal Stafa» stadium in Tirana, and at those in Lushnjë and Gjirokastër. The representatives of the Democratic Party condemned the incident that had occurred in Tirana and said they had distanced themselves from it. Comrade Adil Çarçani asked the representatives of the Democratic Party to make their disavowal public. Regarding their complaint about irregularities in the television coverage of the Democratic Party’s activities, the Prime Minister stressed that television had covered them accurately. If there had been shortcomings in the coverage of any rally, this may have been mainly due to the inadequate professional skills of a district television reporter, which generally harms the work of this institution. In response to the interlocutors’ request that television make room for the expression of political parties’ views on current events, the Prime Minister replied that (Continued on page 2)

As part of Balkan activities in the field of economic and trade cooperation, a meeting of senior officials of the Ministries of Economy or Foreign Trade of the Balkan states opened in Belgrade yesterday, with a delegation from our country also taking part. The work and activities carried out in connection with the implementation of the agreements reached at previous meetings on economic cooperation among the Balkan states, as well as its future prospects and priorities, etc., will be reviewed. The meeting was greeted by the Secre- (Continued on page 4) tary- (Continued on page 4)

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Isuf Baça, spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, announced that on 23 January 1991 the Yugoslav border authorities handed over the terrorists Oltion Mema, Ardian Hila and Ilir Dule at the Hani i Hotit border crossing checkpoint. On 9 January of this year, they had fired on a unit of the Çerem border post in Tropojë, killing border guards Gëzim Kurti and Bujar Çela. The terrorists were handed over to the judicial authorities. (ATSH)