— Distancing ourselves from routine practices. Pluralist thinking within the organization. At the workplace or in the neighborhood? Correcting mistakes, etc. — A new debate has just begun. At the “Tirana” plant, at the shoe factory, at the «Partizani» plant, «Together with this year’s election campaign, a special one. On the agenda of these meetings, these debates, is the renewal of the Party. In order to rise to the level of the circumstances that have arisen. The Party is now, as a political force, among the other parties. “What are they doing? ...” people ask. “What is our organization doing...” ask members of the PPSH in the district as well. Not merely for information. Pluralism has removed the bureaucratic cover from information so that reality can be seen as it is. Evidently, things are still proceeding with those slogans, with outdated practices and methods. Through inertia, through an inability to take responsibility for these changes that are taking place. The debate that has flared up in the Party’s grassroots organizations is causing us to distance ourselves from them. Among PPSH members, a shared view is forming that not even one step can be taken with these practices, or with the people who perpetuate them. Permanent delegates, restrictive agendas, routine information... Enough, says every member: Party life needs momentum, polemic, resolute, cultured and honest people in a fuller sense. “What is Tirana doing?”... It is a pressure, an «opposition» that the district Party organization is coming to recognize and is seeking, in order to rise to where it should be. And whoever ensures such «opposition» also ensures rapid progress. You can sense this in all the preliminary meetings held in recent days, at the beginning of the election campaign in the Party. At workplaces or in neighborhoods? Where will the organization conduct its political struggle? This is a topic in its own right. It matters as an issue to every organization. Indeed, the habit of deciding this from above is being challenged. Because there are many opinions. «Why at the workplace? We are moving toward state and private management, toward management solely by laws,» some say. Someone else has a different view: «Perhaps the Party organization is needed in large enterprises. Other parties can organize there too. Their political struggle should lead to an acceptable level, they say at the Committee. Now the redrawing of the districts is being discussed. Many other issues of renewal in every field are also being discussed, even before the major discussion begins in the organizations. We took part in several meetings in recent days. What do they not talk about there: abolishing bureaus, renewing the Party’s ideological foundation, starting the work by democratizing the organization... So that elections, too, are held by secret ballot, with multiple candidates, for the secretary and the deputy. There is talk of setting up commissions to identify various mistakes and of adopting a self-critical attitude toward them. PPSH members speak with clear conviction, with arguments, with a wealth of opinions and suggestions... Surely these are not the same organizations in which, a few months ago, you noticed problems being glossed over, silence and slogans. Of course they are: pluralism of opinion within the organization, further democratization—deep and rapid—within organizations. I within the organization, further democratization—deep and rapid—within the Party. At workplaces, I want each worker to be able to point out by name those Party comrades whose political culture, work ethic and conduct are exemplary. Where should I seek the removal of someone who tarnishes the Party’s name? In the neighborhood? They do not know him there. So where, then?... The other alternative, having the Party organization in the neighborhood, also has its arguments and counterarguments. Renewal has many aspects. In almost every organization, the correction of mistakes is also being discussed. Increasingly, people are talking about the Tirana organization’s cold attitude toward intellectuals and young people. In some factories and plants in the capital, there are intellectuals who have asked to join our Party. They will bring a new, contemporary level to the grassroots organizations as well. And closer ties with young people, with their interests and political convictions, will help correct a shortcoming in the work of this organization. The same is being sought in reflections that realistically address various aspects of renewal. For example, there are also wavering members in the organizations, people whom the Party has been able to keep attached through narrow interests in personal gain and the opportunity to cling to privileges. What is to be done with them? In several organizations, it has been publicly demanded that the debate and their departure be open, based on the view that anyone whose convictions differ from those of our Party, and who does not defend its program, has no reason to remain in the Party—just as anyone has the right to join the Party, whatever their convictions may be. These and many other aspects ...from above on this matter. There are many opinions. «What about the workplace? Are we moving toward state and private management, toward management solely through laws?» some ask. Someone else has a different view: «Large enterprises should have a Party organization. Other parties could also be organized there. Their political struggle should lead, within the enterprise, to coalitions and agreements to stand up for the worker, justice, and the protection of particular interests. A party member may be unworthy. People are better known at work. I do not want my Party to be stained, about the workplace? Openly, with the view that anyone who holds convictions different from those of our Party, and does not uphold its program, has no reason to remain in the Party, just as they have the right to join the Party if they share the convictions that bind it. These and many other aspects of renewal are being discussed these days by Communists from various collectives in Tirana, as they determine solutions to problems and take the great step of renewal in the election campaign.

Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Fatos Nano, the Council of Ministers met yesterday. The main issue on which the government focused was the problems caused by the illegal departures of Albanian citizens to neighboring countries, particularly Greece. Minister of Internal Affairs Gramoz Ruci reported on the situation and emphasized that this phenomenon has been and remains especially troubling in the districts of Gjirokastër and Sarandë, but tensions have also arisen on various occasions in the districts of Shkodër, Dibër and Korçë. Illegal crossings or attempts to carry out such acts have created and continue to create disorderly situations in the protection of state borders and in normal relations with neighboring countries; they contribute to the creation of harmful destabilizing anxieties for the social and political life of the entire country. In addition, the meeting also highlighted the economic aspects of this phenomenon. In particular, departures toward Greece have created problems in several agricultural cooperatives and economic enterprises in the districts of Sarandë, Gjirokastër and Vlorë, where shortages of workers, technicians and specialists have led to significant production losses. Great damage is also being inflicted on the national economy by the illegal cross-border trade in livestock stolen from state and cooperative property. At the same time, the Government focused particularly on the highly troubling phenomenon of the theft and illegal transfer abroad of works of art and other items of exceptional value to national culture and history, a phenomenon that is growing in scale. The Council of Ministers discussed this situation at length, as well as concrete measures to prevent such acts in the future. It instructed the bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to restore order at the border and at border-crossing points, in accordance with all state laws. The Ministry was advised, in order to meet citizens’ requests to travel to Greece and Yugoslavia more quickly, to issue the relevant regulations for granting Albanian visas at border-crossing points. In general, the need was emphasized to study and approve new regulations governing the entry and departure of Albanian and foreign citizens, in accordance with international standards and the processes of our country’s integration into Europe and the world. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was tasked with continuing and expanding contacts with neighboring countries in order to resolve the problems that have arisen as quickly as possible. Through diplomatic channels, discussions are to be held on the possibility of opening additional border-crossing points between our country and Greece and Yugoslavia, to facilitate reciprocal movement of (Continued on page 2)

The day before yesterday, the enlarged Presidium of the General Council of the BPSH met in Tirana. The meeting was also attended by the heads of the national trade union federations established so far as part of the overall reform of the organization, as well as other representatives of trade union councils, press bodies, etc. At this meeting, a report was presented on the work carried out to reform the organization from the grassroots to the central level, and a series of important tasks were set out to deepen and advance this process through the creation of additional trade union federations by branch of the economy or profession. The meeting decided to establish an organizing commission to prepare the 11th Congress for the creation of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Workers of Albania. New comrades from various districts of the country were approved as members of this commission. Chemical engineer Kastrio Muço was elected chairman of the commission. At this meeting, the President of the General Council of the BPSH, Comrade Sotir Kocollari, requested to be released from this position; his request was considered and approved by the participants. The organizing commission will meet soon to determine its program of activities so that preparations for the congress can be completed as quickly as possible. (ATSH)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Muhamet Kapedani, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Dr. Esmat Abdul Meguid, exchanged congratulatory messages on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In his message, Egypt, Dr. Esmat Abdul Meguid, expressed his congratulations on this occasion... (Continued on page 4)

As part of the agreement on economic, industrial and technical cooperation with Italy, and in implementation of the protocol of the first joint session, a group of Italian businesspeople from the Institute for Foreign Trade (ICE) visited our country. During their stay, they held talks with the Ministry of Trade and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries, the General Directorate of the Foreign Relations Bank, foreign trade enterprises, and several manufacturing enterprises. During the talks, views were exchanged on opportunities to increase trade exchanges. (Continued on page 4)

The Special Parliamentary Commission established by decision of the People's Assembly to monitor the progress of the investigation into the events in the city of Shkodër held its first meeting on 20.4.1991, at which it elected its Bureau: 1. Ajli Alushani - Chair 2. Emin Mysliu - Deputy Chair 3. Stavri Kallço - Secretary At this meeting, the commission drew up its work program. On 20.4.1991, the Special Parliamentary Commission heard reports from the Chair of the General Investigation Directorate, Qemal Lame, and the Prosecutor General, Rrapi Mino, on the progress of the investigations to date. THE SPECIAL PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION

Yesterday morning, the ferry «Palladio Venecia» arrived at the seaport of Durrës, bringing back, of their own accord, 457 people who had fled as refugees to Italy last month. They came from various districts of the country, such as Durrës, Tirana, Elbasan, Mati, etc. The port directorate and the district authorities took measures to transport them to their places of residence. Among them were 28 minor children, unaccompanied by their parents, who had been placed in the care of the Italian Red Cross. After being received by the Durrës district Red Cross, they were taken by special vehicles to their families. The Durrës Red Cross also handed over to the Italian Red Cross two families from Durrës whose parents are refugees in Brindisi. (ATSH)

- LIBRAZHD - Many collectives, mobilized to achieve new accomplishments for the traditional May 1 celebration, fulfilled and exceeded the targets for the period. Geologists exceeded their targets in securing chromium and copper reserves. The chromium mine continues its good tradition of steady production, fulfilling the industrial output target for the period and advancing mining work to ensure steady production in the future. The collectives of the collection and processing enterprise, the food enterprise, the repair services enterprise, the municipal housing enterprise, the forestry enterprise, etc., have significantly exceeded their targets for the period. What is distinctive about this period is that all enterprises involved in exports exceeded their targets, reaching their monthly goals. Thus, the chromium mine reached 116 percent, the iron-nickel mine exceeded its target by around 4 million lekë, and the forestry enterprise and the collection enterprise fulfilled more than 125 percent of their targets in this area. But there is also untapped potential in exports. Shouldn't the Ministry of Foreign Trade act to find a market for all that iron-nickel which the metallurgical combine did not take delivery of? There are enterprises that continue to lag behind. The wood-processing enterprise fulfilled just 84 percent of its target for goods sold because of a shortage in the supply of timber. The district's transport sector has built up a deficit of around 100 thousand tons of goods to be transported. The construction enterprise, due to a lack of supplies, fulfilled only 60 percent of its plan. XHEVDET ALMETA

- An experience from the Grapsh cooperative in Gjirokastër - In the current campaign to plant tobacco, the brigade of Gligor Nandhi in Grapsh, Dropull, in the district of Gjirokastër, receives a daily wage of 52.8 lekë. We know the devastating consequences of the slackening of work and the exodus. But here is what we saw and learned yesterday at the Grapsh cooperative. The norm for planting tobacco is 200 square meters, and the pay for that is 15.1 lekë. The cooperative members and staff have decided that exceeding the norm will be rewarded at double the rate. For example, anyone who completes 250 square meters is paid as if they had completed 300 square meters. This work began 15 days ago; of the 50 hectares in the cooperative's plan, 18 hectares have been planted. What do the work records show? Gligor Nandhi's brigade in the village of Grapsh has 20 members, and during the period from April 1 to 15 each member completed an average daily norm of 450 square meters. They were paid 15.1 lekë for 200 square meters, and 30.2 lekë for the additional 250 square meters—in other words, a daily wage of 52.8 lekë and a 15-day wage of 520 lekë. The monthly total comes to 1,040 lekë. Anyone with even a little knowledge of remuneration in cooperatives needs no further explanation. Nevertheless, it is worth clarifying. For example, what prompted this and who came up with the idea? The circumstances themselves: the great need for workers and the shortages. The brigades themselves proposed it, stating openly: «Now, without an increase in pay, the campaign cannot be carried out». The cooperative members and staff agreed and acted. But is there an economic rationale supporting this, or could the economy face a financial blow tomorrow? The consequences must be anticipated, but there is also a factor supporting the measure: the state's purchase prices for tobacco will be improved and raised substantially. The specialists responsible for these calculations must help both the members and the state. The economists of Grapsh are responsible. And finally: what is gained and what is lost this way? Interest in work is encouraged, and the cooperative members' family income increases. For tobacco cultivation, the enterprise exceeds the wage plan by only 33 thousand lekë, a figure that could create negative financial effects. For all these reasons, we thought it worthwhile to listen and write something about the Grapsh cooperative and its approach to using incentive-based forms of remuneration for its members. THANAS DINO

Even in work with personnel, a new, almost reformed vision is now needed in addressing and resolving problems. In other words, a fresh approach to practical work with people, specialists and personnel, whose needs in the various areas of life, material and spiritual, are no longer what they once were. In this climate of seeking comprehensive renewal, the grassroots must have its say, with authority, on the work of the personnel and specialists employed in our institutions. In Council of Ministers Decision No. 64, dated 5.2.1991, «On nomenclature, procedures for movement (Continued on page 2)

On the proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Council of Ministers DECIDED: 1. Families of employees who work in agricultural enterprises and reside within their territory are permitted to use up to two dynym of arable land, as well as keep livestock according to what the land available for their use and the conditions of the area allow. If the agricultural land granted for use is planted with olive trees or fruit trees, these remain state property and are leased to employees’ families under contract. Livestock shall be provided from the distribution of available small herds and from surpluses in the concentrated herds of agricultural enterprises, in return for payment according to their value. If livestock cannot be obtained from the small herds and concentrated herds, it may be purchased on the private market. 2. In agricultural enterprises with little arable land, and for employees’ families living in concentrated settlements where land is insufficient and there is no practical possibility of developing a household plot and keeping livestock, agricultural and livestock products shall be supplied from the enterprise’s own production, at favorable prices. 3. Families receiving land and livestock shall provide for their own needs for vegetables, potatoes, beans, meat, milk and dairy products. 4. Payment for the purchase of livestock shall be made in two installments. The first installment, amounting to 50 percent of the value of the live- 5. Agricultural cooperatives are recommended to allow household plots for personal use of up to 4 dynym per family, but no more than 1 dynym per person. A cooperative family may keep livestock without limitation, in accordance with the capacity of its household plot and available agricultural space. If the agricultural land granted to cooperative families for use as part of their household plot the property of the agricultural cooperative and are granted to them by agreement. 6. Agricultural cooperatives are recommended to determine their own production structures, giving priority to crops and livestock best suited to their specific conditions and which provide them with the greatest income. Plans for the collection and sale of agricultural and livestock products produced by third parties, as well as for their distribution, including exports and imports, shall be drawn up by state bodies and other economic entities on the basis of contracts concluded with producers. 7. Council of Ministers Decision No. 103, dated 18.3.1991, «On supplying employees of agricultural enterprises», is repealed. 8. The State Planning Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the executive committees of the district people’s councils are charged with implementing this decision. This decision enters into force immediately.