Two transport collectives in Vlorë belonging to the industry and trade system have exceeded the technical-operational coefficients by 3–6 percent, the volume of work with trailers by 2 and 2.5 percent respectively above the planned quotas, and the load coefficient by 1–1.5 percent. In the district of Durrës, 70–80 wheeled and crawler tractors work every day ploughing plots that will be planted with potatoes and sunflowers, and so far more than 4,000 ha have been ploughed. The workers of the brick factory in Lezhë were the first to announce the completion of the two-month plan. Industrial production for February is 14 percent higher, and for the two-month period approximately 4.3 percent higher. Exceeding the targets by 4.2 percent in ton/km and 19.7 percent in ton/km has also made the collective of the railway district one of the most outstanding. On average, over the last 3 years, the agricultural cooperatives in the district of Sarandë have distributed more than 5,100 lekë per work-hand and more than 1,500 lekë per capita per year. (According to ATSH)

It is necessary to remember... There is absolutely no need to remind the agricultural cooperatives of the difficult situation we have in livestock farming. What is now becoming increasingly evident is that we must take concrete measures with three main aims: It is not at all necessary to remind the agricultural cooperatives of the difficult situation we have in livestock farming. What is now becoming increasingly evident is that we must take concrete measures with three main aims: To prevent any animals from dying for lack of feed; not to allow the current level of production to fall, but rather to make it rise; to obtain a little more milk each time from the milking of small livestock. Each of these aims has specific solutions suited to the actual conditions of every farm, down to the smallest production unit. The people best placed to find these solutions are the specialists and dedicated livestock farmers, and any manager who is genuinely concerned. Animals have their own way of responding to the care we give them. The more resourceful we are, adapting to conditions in both feeding methods and forms of organization, the more beneficial this will be in improving the situation. This means that we must not remain rigid in our animal-rearing methods. In many districts and farms, even during the harshest winter months, some cows were placed at the disposal of families under various contractual arrangements which ultimately preserve collective ownership while stimulating production and increasing income. This has been done in Pukë, Elbasan, Krujë, Lushnjë, Durrës, etc. This has increased the number of people engaged in livestock farming and expanded what is necessary and justified. The weather in recent days has been favorable for livestock farming. Suffice it to say that the animals are not expending as much energy maintaining their body heat as they do on cold days. But what should be done about the feed supply? It is true that we do not have the planned quantity of nitrate, and by now everyone knows where the responsibility lies. But what do we achieve by complaining? Nothing. Everywhere there are opportunities for practical improvements. We cannot neglect the traditional methods of feeding meadow plants and alfalfa, which will grow more quickly in these temperatures. Every cooperative member keeps livestock in the yard, and it is in their conscience, in their mindset, to make sacrifices for the animals. Let us turn to them and listen to them more carefully, and we will soon see the fruits of this work. It is not at all redundant to return to very good examples such as those of Hamdi Bisha, Bashkim Jasa and their colleagues, because in this way production from sheep and goats will increase every day, especially where lambing and kidding took place two or three months ago.

Yesterday, on 28.2.1991, the Presidential Council met, chaired by Comrade Ramiz Alia. He requested more energetic and swift action, with information provided accurately and in a timely manner. Yesterday, on 28.2.1991, the Presidential Council met, chaired by Comrade Ramiz Alia. He requested detailed information about the measures taken by the public-order agencies concerning the stabilization of the situation that has arisen in the country and the enforcement of the law. Reports were presented by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Minister of People’s Defence, and the head of the Railway Directorate of Public Order. The Council called for more energetic and swift action, with information provided accurately and in a timely manner. The Presidential Council recommended that the Presidium of the People’s Assembly and the government, within the framework of the depoliticization of the army and public-order agencies, also consider the issue of legal protection for the position of military personnel and public-order representatives. Bearing in mind that, at present, there is no legal obstacle to citizens’ freedom to travel abroad, the Presidential Council draws citizens’ attention to the fact that illegal border crossings pose a danger not only to them, but also to the security of the country’s defence and to friendly relations with neighbouring countries. Our border forces must take all necessary measures and carry out their duties to ensure peaceful and secure borders for the people. The Presidential Council considers that eliminating attitudes which lead to the exacerbation of relations and divisions among people is an imperative requirement for the peaceful and normal conduct of the election campaign. It is time for all political and social entities to put an end to mass rallies and activities unrelated to the concrete tasks of the free and democratic elections of 31 March, so that voters have the opportunity to become better acquainted with the programmes and the personalities of the candidates for whom they will vote. THE PRESIDENTIAL COUNCIL

INTERVIEW OF THE DAY — From the Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, DRINI MEZINI, in an interview with editor MEHDI KOKHAJ — What short-term tasks have you set, and are you setting, to improve the economic downturn? — These days I have met with staff members to learn about developments in the various sectors. We are facing a difficult situation. Apart from an occasional branch, such as electric power, which is meeting its targets better this year, many others have reported major declines in production for the two-month period, with output even below 50 percent of the plan. In these circumstances, the first task is to halt the decline in production from the levels already achieved. In some cases we will manage to do so. To make the tasks for March genuinely mobilizing, we are rapidly calculating for each branch how many material resources we have and how much production we can achieve. An increase is forecast for all products in the coming month, although the figures are below the plan. The important thing is for growth to begin, especially in the products that occupy a leading place in our exports. — Many branches of your ministry are interconnected. What will you start with as the main link; what do you consider the key priority? — Metallurgy will operate if the mines are operating, just as the latter need timber for support posts. But we, starting from ... [text cut off] ... — What do you recommend to industrial enterprises in these circumstances? — Not all the possible resources for increasing production are to be found at the ministry. Most of them are there, in the enterprises. Ministry specialists have a duty to go down to the local level more often and help identify reserves. They are needed today more than ever to cope with the difficult situation. ... [text cut off at the beginning and between columns] ... is not where it should be; we are working to make it respond as well as possible to the needs of the economy. The main thing is to meet the needs with the situation and resources we have. Difficulties have arisen for us in securing some materials. A quantity of tires has begun arriving from imports, and credits have been opened for others. However, shortages have arisen in batteries, which we obtain through imports and from the battery plant in Berat. In addition, the autotractor plant is not supplying us with certain spare parts, for which we have not even concluded a contract because the producer refuses. We are therefore trying to find a solution acceptable to both parties. To improve passenger transport services, credit lines have been opened, and a quantity of buses from Spain and Italy will arrive soon. Despite the shortages mentioned above, urgent tasks are now emerging for transport, requiring us to focus on the most immediate needs. ... [text cut off] ... draft agreements have been drawn up with the Ministry of Internal Trade and the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy. As regards food goods, these are mainly those that have arrived at the port of Durrës, where there is an unusually large cargo volume. In addition to what is still to arrive, we currently have 12 thousand tons of sugar, 2 thousand tons of rice, one thousand tons of soap, around one thousand tons of chicken feed, beans and other goods there. All the vehicles from the districts have been assigned to transport them, and tasks have been set for each depot. A working group has been formed to oversee unloading, the timely movement of goods and their administration. We are trying to avoid creating difficulties for the economy. The port directorate has been instructed to provide workers with incentives, including financial ones, and to use piecework rates and other methods to speed up the work. At the same ... (Continued on page 2)

INTERVIEW OF THE DAY — From the Minister of Transport, SALVADOR FRANJA, in an interview with editor DEDË KOLA — — The difficult economic situation has undoubtedly also had consequences for the transport system. — Nevertheless, the economy cannot do without it. At present, for various reasons, transport is not where it should be, so is to meet these needs with the vehicles and resources we have. Difficulties have arisen arriving from imports, and credit lines have been opened for others. — Specifically, where? — The main objective is to supply the population, so that the goods we have available and those we will obtain through imports reach buyers as quickly as possible. Draft agreements have therefore volume. In addition to those that will arriv-

The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, yesterday received Torquato Cardilli, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Italian Republic to the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, who presented his letters of credence. The ceremony for the presentation of credentials was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Muhamet Kapllani, Secretary of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly Sihat Tozaj, director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bashkim Dino, and others. The ambassador was accompanied by diplomats from the Embassy of the Italian Republic in Tirana. (ATSH)

ROME, February 28. — The Italian Prime Minister of the Italian Republic, Giulio Andreotti, received yesterday the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania in Rome, Dashnor Dervishi. The meeting took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, after expressing Italy’s interest in developments in our country, praised the fact that the democratization processes in Albania are proceeding normally. He noted President Ramiz Alia’s extremely important role in these processes, expressing [unclear: events that could endanger their progress and stability in the future]. For his part, the Albanian ambassador briefed the Italian prime minister on the latest developments in Albania and emphasized the determination of the Albanian state and government to continue, without turning back, along the path of democratization, which is supported by the Albanian people themselves and is in the interests of Albania and stability in the region. The Italian prime minister once again expressed the Italian government’s desire for fruitful relations between the two countries and Italy’s readiness to give fresh impetus to relations in all fields—political, economic, cultural, etc.—as well as to begin immediately providing the aid recently allocated to Albania. (ATSH)

Yesterday, the deputy minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the ATSH correspondent that Albania had proposed to the Commission of the European Community that preliminary talks be held concerning the conclusion of an agreement on trade and economic coopera- nomic cooperation between Albania and the European Community. He also announced that Albania has submitted a request to the European Community for food aid on humanitarian grounds. (ATSH)

The ATSH correspondent learns from the spokesperson of the Ministry of Internal Affairs that on the premises of ... [the text is unclear and cut off] (ATSH)

Pursuant to the protocol signed in Tirana on 10.01.1991 between the Governments of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania and Turkey on economic and trade matters, a delegation from the Ministry of Food Industry made a working visit to Turkey in recent days. Following the meeting with various companies, the group contracted with the Turkish firm ORKIMSEN to build two metal factories, each with a processing capacity of 150 tons of wheat per day, and two small bakeries, each with a production capacity of 8 tons per day. Financing for these facilities will be included in the loan granted by the Turkish government under the aforementioned protocol. The group also discussed the possibility of contracting soon for several other flour mills for bread production, through machinery financing. The contracted flour mills will be established in Fier and Elbasan, near the grain-collection and processing enterprises. Construction work has begun in the Fier district, while in Elbasan it will begin soon. The new factories will ensure high-quality flour for different types of bread, pasta, and other food products. (ATSH)

- PUKË - Let us get back to work. This is today’s call, but is everyone convinced of this? If we look at the information available so far, we see those who are making progress, but also those who still do not understand that there can be no democracy without work. People have indeed been deeply affected by recent events, but this will not be overcome by remaining idle and allowing production deficits to grow. There has been something positive in Pukë. Even during the winter work, with heavier snowfall and frost, efforts were made to overcome the difficulties without increasing the deficits. This was the case in many work collectives. The facts show that those who did not put off today’s work until tomorrow are now better off. This is what Fran Laska, head of the geological expedition at the center, tells us; the expedition is completing its two-month plan ahead of schedule in [unclear: surveys] and gallery work. How is it possible for this expedition to meet its plans while others are falling behind? The dedication to work and the setting aside of idle talk are clear. This is not the only collective keeping pace with the demands of the times. Everywhere you look, you find people in the vanguard, figures reflecting effort and sweat rather than waiting. At district level, the export indicator is above 100 percent. It would not be so if the workers at the rosin factory in Fushë-Arrës, those in forestry and in collection and processing—who have greater export obligations—did not give this task the importance it deserves. Joining those making progress is the Tuç miners’ collective, which finished the two-month period with around 200 tons of copper above plan; the agricultural enterprise, which has delivered thousands of eggs above its target and produces more milk than planned every day; and others. These are people who understand their duties correctly, dedicate themselves to work, and know how to distinguish working time from leisure time, or... They do not just stand around chatting; you will find them where the greatest effort and sweat are required. Can the same be said of some other enterprises? They say that batteries have been lacking for the advancement of goods [unclear], that the copper mines have only just been fully staffed, that winter has been an obstacle for the wood-processing enterprise, and so on. An analysis of these excuses shows that poor organization and management, and some people’s inability to meet the plans—which were drawn up precisely for this winter period—have cost them a great deal. GJON GJONI

The Minister of Herd, bë-Spain of NATO—and more than [unclear]—in NATO, among the member states, interview of the Portuguese ... for complete ... NATO, among the member states, interview of the Portuguese ... [The upper part of the article is cut off.] ... prepar[ations] ...

At the NPV in Përmet. (Photo: N. Xhufka) At the NPV in Përmet. (Photo: N. Xhufka)