TOWARD 31 MARCH The election campaign for deputies to the People’s Assembly is at the forefront of everyone’s attention. Communists are experiencing this campaign with a special patriotic concern. More than ever at this moment of extraordinary importance for the country’s fate, they feel what responsibility rests on their shoulders. That is why they have presented themselves to voters with the electoral program in a serious manner, that is why they have announced their objectives clearly, and that is why they are pursuing them so seriously. The Party of Labour has achieved some of the objectives of the election campaign. Voters have learned about the Party’s electoral program through the press, while the Party of Labour’s candidates for deputy have also been announced to the people. The Party has dealt with and is dealing with both these matters through dialogue with voters. But it must also be said that much remains to be done. First, all the Party’s work must aim to instill in voters firm convictions and inspire confidence in the fairness of the Party’s electoral program, which clearly sets out the objectives for overcoming difficulties and putting the economic and social situation right. For this reason, work to implement the Party’s electoral program must continue to be carried out competently and at a higher level. To this end, the Party’s most capable cadres and the ablest communists must be engaged wherever they work and are active. The value of the electoral program must be explained in all its aspects; the achievements under the Party’s leadership must be made known—achievements that some opposition forces want to overturn and deny in order to win the contest for votes. During this period, the Party of Labour’s candidates for deputy were also announced. In general, the people have received the Party of Labour’s candidates well, because they see in them honest people, wholly devoted to the country’s great interests; people who seek neither privileges nor personal gain, but are willing to make sacrifices; cultured and dignified people. At the same time, it is also true that in some areas the people have not received the candidates well. This shows that the people are asking the Party of Labour, and especially its bodies, not to carry out a closed, bureaucratic process when choosing its candidates, but to put forward as candidates the very best sons and daughters from its ranks. So let the time that remains serve [text continues beyond the frame]. They will also be put forward in those areas where the people have raised objections. It is time to make the Party’s inclination to renew itself and cast off the bureaucratism, dogmas and taboos that dull and drain its political dynamism and its standing among the people more evident to the public. It is time to demonstrate concretely, through convincing, skillful and intelligent work with every person, the well-known truth that our Party is not the party of a few corrupt individuals, but the party of dedicated communists who have lived and continue to live by the sweat of their brow, without being tempted by privileges, and who have taken upon themselves the great responsibility of sincerely contributing to the democratization of the country’s life. The election campaign is now entering a contest expected to become even more intense, so all the Party’s work must bear in mind and counter with arguments the opposition’s propaganda denying the work of the Party of Labour, which it has waged and continues to wage. This denialist propaganda is certainly not being conducted for nothing, but in order to win as many votes as possible. Therefore, our arguments and themes for refuting it must be prompt and comprehensive, and we must not allow some nihilistic speakers to smear the entire work of the Party of Labour, nor allow the work of the communists to be obscured by “democratic” slogans. Of course, at meetings with the people and in conversations with voters, emphasis will also be placed on self-criticism regarding our shortcomings and mistakes; this is nothing other than a source of strength for the Party and an increase in the people’s confidence in it. On the other hand, alongside the continuous propaganda work for the Party’s electoral program and all the Party’s work, we must bear in mind that a key moment in overcoming difficulties during this campaign as well is for the communists to be at the forefront. People must see in them tireless workers, people willing to make sacrifices who, with clear minds and optimism, spare nothing to overcome today’s difficulties, stabilize conditions in every enterprise and cell of society, and build a better future. We must all put our shoulders to the work. The roots of democracy lie in work; it is through work that those who care deeply about the people’s hardships are distinguished, and through work that those to whom the people will give their votes with confidence are distinguished. personal, but they are people of sacrifice, people of culture and dignity. At the same time, however, it is also true that in some areas the popular candidates have not been well received. Labour, and especially its forums, not to carry out a closed, bureaucratic process for best sons and daughters from among its ranks. Therefore, let the time that remains serve to review very carefully those candidates whom ... seeking to spread malice with calmness and arguments.

Who values the duty - PUKË - The people’s wise saying, “Don’t judge by the cloak, but by the work,” is more meaningful today than ever. The processes of deepening democratization cannot be implemented without work, without strong discipline from every individual. How are forestry workers fulfilling their campaign tasks? “In every indicator, over the past 20 days we achieved more than 100 percent,” replies Pashk Prendi, director of the forestry enterprise in Fushë-Arrëz. Many others are connected with the forests: the sawyers, who cut and sort timber; the drivers, who transport hundreds of tons every day from deep in the forests; and the consumers, who eagerly await this timber. The data for the period from the wood-processing enterprise reveal experience, but also shortcomings that have led to targets not being met. For example, the sawyers of Kacinar, although working high in the mountains, in frost and snow, have exceeded all their plans. Likewise, the workers of the match factory have produced 9 percent more goods for export. Compare them with those lagging behind, such as the sawyers of Kunorë Dardhë and Krab, and the workers of the fiber factory and the chair-production plant. Asked about the reasons for failing to meet targets, the answer is this: in Kunorë Dardhë and Krab there were shortcomings in work organization, and at the beginning of the month there were even absences from work. Other factors have also hindered them. Last year they were supposed to receive 50 chainsaws, but got only 13. It is difficult to work in the forests without mechanization. They ask that their request be presented to the relevant ministry, since this year too there has been no supply of chainsaws. The agricultural enterprise tells a different story. Not a single unjustified absence from work. The result: plans and targets exceeded every day. More than 2,000 eggs are produced here above the daily quota. The city market itself confirms this. More milk than the daily plan is also being produced. GJON GJONI

- KUKËS - At a meeting of activists of the Party committee of the Kukës district, Qazim Laçi, director of the copper mine in Gjegjan and Hero of Socialist Labour, assured them that the tasks would be fulfilled regularly. And the facts show that, as the miners’ and administration’s discipline and responsibility for work have increased, the tasks are being fulfilled. In the second ten-day period, this collective made up part of the 500-ton deficit from the first ten-day period. The enterprise administration itself has got itself in order and is at the forefront of creating conditions for the workers. When it works with discipline and responsibility, it is natural that this has a positive effect on the workers. This is characteristic of several collectives in the Kukës district. Fatmir Istrefi, a specialist in the industry section of the district executive committee of the KP, singles out the “Sali Vata” chrome mine in Kalimash. It is carrying forward last year’s tradition by meeting its targets for chrome and concentrate production. The mine has also met its targets for olivine production. But it is not being transported on time by the Krujë freight fleet. As we are told in the industry section, the Krujë district has complained about shortcomings in the supply of olivine to the grading enterprise in Laç, which standardizes it for export. If this district is complaining, why does it not take measures to use its own transport vehicles to carry the stockpiled olivine production from the Kalimash mine, in accordance with its obligations? Discipline is not an optional matter. Let us note the contractual and production interdependence among economic enterprises. The Kukës freight fleet has met its obligations for export goods. But the copper plant is operating at half capacity in blister copper production, because copper transport and production, as well as its concentrate in Golaj, are far from meeting their targets. ENVER BYTYÇI FETI ZENELI ENVER BYTYÇI

- TEPELENË - At the end of the 20-day period, another district-wide assessment was made of the extent to which tasks had been fulfilled in all sectors of the economy, Veli Hasanmemaj, head of planning at the district executive committee of the KP, tells us. “The economic picture, despite some targets not being met, is good. Nearly half the enterprises—the repair and services enterprise, municipal services, housing, NGPD-ja, the plant nursery, the SMT, the forestry enterprise, and others—have exceeded the ‘goods sold’ production indicator by 2–30 percent. The others are very close to plan. But some are also around the 50-percent mark, such as the construction enterprise, the land-reclamation enterprise and the brick factory. “The situation in the cooperative sector is even better. The problem of absences from work is not even mentioned here. Many cooperative presidiums are struggling to find work for people. This is why the agricultural calendar has been observed on time, and the condition of the crops and production is promising. “That is the general picture. What is positive is that efforts are being made to tackle shortcomings. First, the work of management bodies, from the center down to the grassroots, must match the readiness of the masses and the requirements of the new economic mechanism. Enterprise economists, occupying themselves more with breaking down plan figures and balancing last year’s accounts, have shut themselves away in offices, and so pay little attention to the daily monitoring of sales results, the achievement of the ‘goods sold’ production target, the completion of investments, and so on. Second, shortages in material and technical supplies, resulting from the negligence of certain suppliers all the way up to ministry level, inevitably have an impact, especially on construction and land reclamation. Third, at the coal mine in Memaliaj and at some other enterprises, there is also concern about the failure to make use of working time, inadequate working conditions and urban transport.” FETI ZENELI

— FABRICATED ALARMS ABOUT SOME FOODSTUFFS The day before yesterday, as I was coming home from work, I could hardly believe my eyes at what I was seeing. Quite a few people were coming out of a food shop with overfilled bags. Someone was carrying as many as eight or ten packets of pasta. The “hunger” was even greater at the bread shops. In just a few moments, the shops were emptied. I don’t know why, but quite involuntarily my mind immediately went back to that day when people in Tirana were left somewhat “poisoned” by the spread of panic about the “shortage of dates.” Apparently someone had once again “poisoned” these people, but this time with a sense of insecurity about bread. Could it be true? “Give me a kilo of rice,” I said to the saleswoman at shop no. 52 in neighbourhood 38. “What can I give you?” she replied. “I won’t even take my foot off the scale for barley or salt...” “If I get supplied, I’ll go to the warehouse again tomorrow.” I did not want to believe it, but just then, as we were talking, the shop assistant from next door came rushing in, out of breath. “Good heavens, people have gone mad with greed! Our arms are breaking from the weight. I can’t remember ever selling as much as in these past few days.” So what was happening was real. But it was a “reality” fuelled by false information. By malicious people who want to disorient the public and create confusion and insecurity. By people who know only how to poison others. But let us confront these specialists in lies with the truth by interviewing those who deal every day with supplying the people, at the Executive Committee of the Party of Labour of Albania of the Tirana district. Lirim Varvarica: I oversee the bread supply. There is no problem either with the supply of wheat or with flour. Our factories are operating normally. Here is one example: on the day people were frightened that supposedly there would be no bread, production exceeded the plan by 283 quintals. Kujtim Kaceli: Other foodstuffs are also secured. The quantities of oil, rice, flour, sugar, soap, etc. are sufficient to meet the market’s needs. If a quota has been introduced in recent days, it has been done to prevent disruption in the market and, further, to regulate distribution—to cut off those who take foodstuffs for “reserves.” Of course, there have been, and will continue to be, people like that. What is distinctive at this time, when the whole country has been swept up in the profound processes of democratizing life in the country, in the initiatives undertaken by the Party of Labour, is that these slanderers have “found courage” and become more brazen. They are ready to do the impossible every day, to tell you to your face, “This isn’t white, it’s black.” Should open paths be left for malicious tongues to enter? It seems to me that this should concern us. It should make us think and, more than that, act. But who should do this? Every honest person, every patriot. But first and foremost the communists and cadres, who must counter those seeking to spread malice with calmness and arguments.

— DIBËR — “Prosperity is achieved only through work”—this axiom has always been the foundation of progress. This spirit is felt everywhere in Dibër today. At the Various Products Enterprise, the targets for the first 20 days of this year have been met. “The sale of goods production,” says Ana Asllani, the enterprise’s planning officer, “has exceeded the target, as have exports. In recent days, our relations with the Italian firm ‘Gerlaimpeks’ have expanded to include four new jacket models. Agreements have been concluded with the ‘8 Shtatori’ firm of Dibër e Madhe in Macedonia, so that last year’s volume of exports of wool products will increase.” The marble workers in Muhur have been working these days in extremely low temperatures. In 20 days they fulfilled the January target for block production. They confronted the frost and cold with hard work. They are now preparing the work faces in order to increase production in February and the following months. A bureaucratic mindset that raised its head by calling for workforce cuts under the new economic mechanism was rejected, and new work fronts were opened. At the Northern Mine of Bulqizë and the Tërnovë mine, where 18 January was expected to be a “strike day,” work was done with the miners at the work faces, on the roads and in their homes. They listened attentively to Comrade Ramiz Alia’s address to the people on 17 January. The miners turned 18 January into a day of action. That day, more chrome ore was extracted in Bulqizë and Tërnovë than ever before. In recent days they have been increasing ore extraction to the planned levels. Meanwhile, the miners have a complaint for their ministry: chrome is not extracted only in Bulqizë; it is also “extracted” at the ministry. If the director and the employees of the ministry—the Ministry of Industry and Mines—do not do their jobs, then merely because the transport department is not supplied with replacement parts for the electric locomotive, more than 150 tonnes of chrome ore fail to come up from underground each day at the Northern Mine. The chrome-enrichment plant is not operating because it lacks dump trucks for unloading the ore and supplying the bunkers. The Ministry must answer the miners and geologists of Bulqizë for the obligations it has. There have been achievements in recent days at many enterprises in Dibër, at the freight vehicle fleet, in trade, forestry, etc. But there have also been shortfalls. Work at the mechanical workshop has stopped because of a lack of materials. The same is happening at the wood-processing enterprise and elsewhere. Prosperity is achieved only through work

The ATSH correspondent made inquiries yesterday with the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding what was published in the newspaper “Rilindja Demokratike” dated 23 January 1991 under the headline “The Parliament’s Resolution between the European Union and Albania.” The spokesperson stated that the above-mentioned publication in the newspaper “Rilindja Demokratike” concerning this resolution is inaccurate, since the text in question is only a draft resolution that has passed through the Political Committee of the European Parliament, which, as is known, is an organ of the European Community (TPE), not of the European Union, as that newspaper says. It can be called a resolution only after it has been approved by the European Parliament, which plans to consider it at its plenary meeting in February. Therefore, at this stage, we are not dealing with an adopted resolution but with the draft resolution “On relations between the European Community and Albania.” (ATSH)

Yesterday in Belgrade, following discussions among all the participating delegations from the Ministries of Economy and Foreign Trade of the Balkan states, a joint record was approved concerning economic and trade cooperation among the Balkan countries in the future. On this occasion, the delegations were received by Zhivko Pregl, Deputy Secretary of the Federal Executive Council of Yugoslavia. The meeting concluded its work. (ATSH)

FIER — TROPOJË — FIER — The plenum analyzed the political and economic situation in the district. Comrade Xhelil Gjoni, member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the CC of the PLA, took part. A number of shortcomings observed in the work of the Party bodies and grassroots organizations were discussed. The plenum decided that the staff of the Party committee would be reduced by 50 percent. The plenum relieved Lenkja Kuko, first secretary of the district Party committee, and secretaries Adem Tuçaj and Spiro Lule of their duties. Bllbll Jaupi was elected first secretary of the district Party Committee. THOMA GOGA — TROPOJË — The plenum discussed the assessment of the political situation in the district and the tasks arising from it. F. Çina, member of the CC of the PLA, took part in its proceedings. The determination of the communists and the people to continue unwaveringly along the path we have chosen ourselves was commended. On this basis, some achievements to date were assessed, and Party leaders and administrations in several sectors were criticized. The plenum relieved Rakip Balla of his position as first secretary and elected Hysni Osmani to that post. HALIL BUÇPAPAJ

Yesterday afternoon, the funeral ceremony of People’s Artist Kristo Kono, one of the country’s most distinguished composers, was held in the city of Korçë. His coffin was placed in the city’s “Ali Kelmendi” House of Culture and Folk Creativity. To honour the memory of People’s Artist Kristo Kono, workers from work and production bodies, cultural and artistic institutions, writers, artists, musicians, veterans, students of the “Tefta Tashko” secondary music school, as well as family members and relatives, paid their respects and stood as an honour guard beside his coffin. The first secretary of the district Party of Labour Committee, Comrade Vangjel Çerava; the chairman of the Committee for Culture and the Arts, Alfred Uçi; the chairman of the district Executive Committee of the People’s Council, Gjergji Kras-tafillaku; and other comrades also paid their respects and stood as an honour guard. The funeral procession then set out for the cemetery. There, the commemorative address was delivered by Anesti Furxhi, secretary of the district Committee for Culture and the Arts. Among other things, he highlighted People’s Artist Kristo Kono’s great contribution to music as one of our most distinguished composers. Over many years of intensive, sustained work, with passion and love for people, he created works in various musical genres, becoming a pioneer of the cantata, rhapsody, orchestral pieces, symphony and major stage works, such as the operetta “Agimi,” the opera “Lulja e kujtimit,” and others. Then wreaths were laid on the grave of People’s Artist Kristo Kono on behalf of the Committee for Culture and the Arts, the General Council of the Democratic Front of Albania, the League of Writers and Artists of Albania, the district Party of Labour Committee, the district branch of the Democratic Party, the district branch of the Democratic Party, the district Executive Committee of the People’s Council, his family, etc. (ATSH)

PROLETARIANS OF ALL COUNTRIES, UNITE!

[illegible stamp] NATIONAL COMMITTEE TIRANA

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