At its meeting on 23.4.1991, the Council of Ministers reviewed and approved the decision on the valuation of land and its leasing for use by Albanian private natural and legal persons. This decision sets the rent levels according to the criteria of the purpose of use, location and fertility of the land. Under it, the executive committees of the districts, the agricultural directorates, and the trade and finance enterprises are assigned responsibility for determining the rent level. At the same meeting, the Council also adopted a decision on the criteria for valuing land temporarily leased to foreign legal and natural persons who will conduct activities in the territory of our country. The level of this rent is determined by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance, based on the purpose and duration of use, the location and the fertility of the land. To make the best possible use of state property and create the most suitable conditions for private activities, the Council of Ministers also adopted a decision on the criteria for setting rent on various properties owned by the state, which will be made available for use by private and state entities under tariffs, or by foreign natural and legal persons. The rent level for these properties is determined by the state enterprise according to the following criteria: the property’s location, its value, its degree of depreciation, and its intended use. At yesterday’s meeting, the Council of Ministers also adopted a decision to establish the «Rinia» enterprise in Tirana, as well as a decision to establish the joint enterprise «Marini-Alb Plastik» for the production of plastic profiles and windows. (ATSH)

— By Ylli Manoku — There can be no claim to solving the people’s food needs without developing and modernizing agricultural production. Agriculture must not only receive what is due to it, but must also be supported by the other sectors of the economy. The democratization of economic relations in this sector is both a factor and a prerequisite for developing production and increasing its productivity. From this perspective, the Government Declaration, which announced a series of reforms for agriculture as a whole and cooperatives in particular, marks a qualitative step in the organization and management of production. Although the relevant decisions will clarify more fully the concrete implementation of the various aspects of the reform, I would like to put forward some thoughts on the issues addressed. RELYING ON OUR CONDITIONS OR BORROWING? Experience has convinced us that no measure or reform can have the desired effect unless it takes account of the specific conditions of our agriculture. Reforms also require precise legislation and solutions that do not involve compromise. Most of the population lives and works in the countryside. This creates opportunities to establish any kind of production structure, but makes it harder to increase its effectiveness. We are among the countries with the least arable land per capita. The material and technical base is comparatively weak and, in some respects, outdated, which hinders the intensive development of agriculture. Production and non-production infrastructure is also outdated. For a long time, administrative management has negatively affected people’s outlook and the development of initiative. There are pronounced differences between regions in the economic and natural resources available, which affect the pace of agricultural development, the directions of intensification, and the structure of agricultural and livestock production. Given the production conditions themselves, the issue of procurement prices for agricultural and livestock products is complex and has therefore been, and remains, a subject of discussion. Among the many issues, the most important concern the production conditions used as the basis for setting prices, whether prices should be uniform throughout the country or differentiated, and how best to capture differential rent, etc. According to the Government Declaration, prices will be set using costs under the least favorable average climatic and soil conditions as the basis. Compared with the practice followed until now, this creates greater opportunities also for cooperatives operating in difficult production conditions. It is important here to define as accurately as possible which farms or regions will be considered to have the least favorable conditions, and which cost will be used as the basis—the planned cost, the actual cost, or a justified cost? I think the least favorable option for cooperatives would be an estimated average cost—in other words, an imaginary one—as some have suggested during discussions of these issues. As for the cooperatives operating in the worst conditions, I believe those that are economically backward should be considered. From a socioeconomic point of view, these are characterized by low total income per hectare of land, per worker, and national income per worker, as well as low income distributed to cooperative members per workday. In other words, they do not ensure expanded reproduction mainly through their own means. From an economic point of view, it is entirely right for prices to be uniform. This will make it possible to determine more accurately the social value of products for the market; it will— (Continued on page 2)

From the visit of the Albanian government delegation to Italy During his visit to Italy, the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Aleks Luarasi, met and held talks yesterday with the Italian Minister for Immigration, Margarita Boniver. On this occasion, views were exchanged on developing friendly relations and cooperation between Albania and Italy in the political, economic, trade and other fields. Both sides agreed that there are real opportunities to intensify cooperation, particularly by increasing the level of visits by prominent figures from both countries, encouraging Italian investment in Albania, etc. The situation of Albanian citizens who have recently emigrated to Italy was also discussed, including their accommodation, treatment and employment, etc. Both officials stressed that future relations between the two countries would prevent exoduses such as that of last March, and exchanged views on the measures that should be taken in this regard. Secretary-General Aleks Luarasi informed the Italian minister about the democratizing processes under way in every sphere of life in our country and about the elections of 31 March, which led to the creation of a pluralist parliament in Albania. He emphasized the irreversible nature of these processes, which are leading our country toward integration into Europe. Margarita Boniver, for her part, expressed her country’s support for these democratic processes and for their further development. These talks, attended also by the Ambassador of the RPS of Albania, Dashnor Dervishi, took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere. (ATSH)

The Albanian government delegation, headed by the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Aleks Luarasi, held talks at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the Ministry’s Director-General for Immigration, Mr. Calamia, the Director-General of the Directorate of Civil Services at the Ministry of the Interior, K. Delati, and other representatives. The meeting discussed the problems and situation of Albanian citizens who went to Italy last month. While thanking Italy for the generous hospitality it had offered, the Albanian side expressed its particular concern over the refugee issue and its readiness to con- (Continued on page 4)

- OBSERVATION - It often happens, as the proverb says, that «there is a whole river between saying and doing». A decree is issued, then the relevant decision too—but where is the implementation! Back at the end of January, the decree of the President of the People’s Assembly «on the financial police» was issued. Yet even now, three months later, we have not had the good fortune to see this police force contribute anything in Vlora. Our inquiries about this police force, created to exercise control and bring order to private activity, have yielded the following information: At the personnel section of the district Executive Committee of the KP, they say that the financial police employees are under the direct authority of the Ministry of Finance. Most of them (18 people) have been approved. Four more are being sought. Aren’t there enough people? And this is precisely where the work has stalled. No people can be found for this job. Further on, at the finance section, I am told that, organizationally too, this police force comes under the Ministry of Finance. And what about the finance section? It will coordinate its work with that section. But besides the delay in completing this unit and organizing and equipping it, another problem is the lack of the relevant instructions, which must be drafted and sent by the Ministry of Finance and other directorates. So how can they act without the powers, rights and duties assigned to them? This situation, and not just in this particular case, somewhat diminishes the force of legal acts. A decree is issued, then the relevant decision follows quickly, while the instructions are greatly delayed, arriving almost when the earlier measures have been forgotten. That is why even those who have been appointed have not started work. Meanwhile, as one might expect, trade proceeds without oversight or order.

FROM ONE DISTRICT TO ANOTHER The private sector expands Good progress by a handicrafts cooperative - DURRËS -

Continuing their stay in our country, members of the World Bank mission, who have come to prepare the procedures necessary for Albania’s accession to the World Bank, split into groups and held several separate meetings at ministries and institutions. At a meeting with the head of the mission, Adil Kanan, an executive director at the Bank, and other members of the mission, the Minister of Agriculture, Ahmet Osja, among other things stressed the need for cooperation with the World Bank to secure financing for projects in agriculture, giving priority to the introduction of new technologies to increase agricultural and livestock production; investment to improve irrigation techniques and technology; the development of fruit growing; the strengthening of scientific research; and the training of agricultural specialists, etc. At this meeting, views were also exchang... (Continued on page 4)

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the creation of the combat aviation of our People’s Army, a ceremony was held yesterday morning at Rinas Airport. Veterans of this branch, aviators, engineers and technicians from various units, military personnel from the aviation school in Vlora and from the capital’s military schools took part. The Minister of People’s Defence, Kiço Mustaqi, and other comrades also took part. The greeting from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the People’s Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, addressed to all personnel of the Combat Aviation branch and read by Comrade Kiço Mustaqi, was received with joy and enthusiasm. In this greeting, Comrade Ramiz Alia, among other things, along with his wishes for the holiday, expressed his deep respect for the pilots, engineers, technicians and all the other workers who serve with such zeal and dedication their beloved weapons, the aircraft, with which they have shared their joys and sorrows, their whole lives. The greeting goes on to say that we are living in a time full of rapid changes which, directly or indirectly, are part of our duties. The country’s political, social and economic life is being democratized at a rapid pace. It is gratifying to observe that throughout all these processes our People’s Army has been an important factor of stability. The Armed Forces, Comrade Ramiz Alia stresses, belong to the Homeland. They are the shield of freedom and national independence, the embodiment of the people’s desire for unity, a peaceful life and prosperity. The changes contained in the draft of the new Constitution will also serve this aim. The personnel of our army will always be integrated into the life of the homeland, a force faithful to its highest interests. The state governed by the rule of law that we are building will highly value the contribution and role of military personnel, defining and protecting their honoured standing and their rights through the necessary laws. The ceremonial address was delivered by serviceman Klement Aliko. A telegram was sent from the ceremony to the Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces, Comrade Ramiz Alia. Participants visited the aviation museum and the photo exhibition by the artist Llazar Çuçi. Former aviator.

The day before yesterday, Julij Kvincinski, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union, received Petref Hasamataj, Albania’s chargé d’affaires a.i. in Moscow. During the talks held on this occasion, the Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister welcomed the step taken in bilateral relations and expressed the wish that they be developed intensively, giving them renewed priority in all fields. The Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister reaffirmed the Soviet Union’s support for Albania’s full participation in promoting the CSCE. The meeting also discussed problems in the Balkans, and the two countries’ desire was underscored to be active in the region so that it does not descend into conflict, but that the Balkans become an area of understanding and cooperation, as well as other issues of mutual interest. (ATA)

According to reports in the Greek press, these days a delegation of deputies to the People’s Assembly from the Albanian organization Democratic Union of the Greek Minority (Omonia) made a visit to Greece. It consisted of Andrea Zarbalia, Jani Jani, Thoma Nico, Panajot Barka and Jani Gjyzeli. During their stay in Athens, they held meetings (Continued on page 4)

- DURRËS - Two months ago, the handicraft cooperative named “Besa” was established in Durrës. Its owner is Bajram Xhihani. The cooperative’s work focuses on producing wool carpets in colours and designs ordered by customers, wool bags, and shendele (small-sized types of carpets). For now, 13 workers are employed there: 6 textile-working specialists, 5 apprentices learning the trade, and one maintenance worker. Raw materials are obtained by purchasing them both from the state and from various individuals. Raw materials for the next three months have been secured. Four simple but highly functional looms have been built by the cooperative’s own workers. Tools such as scissors, needles, etc. have been acquired. We also saw dozens of different designs that are offered to customers, and the range will be expanded in the future. Demand is high. Even foreigners have come and bought products made by this cooperative. Their prices are reasonable. The workers’ monthly wages have reached more than 700 lekë and, as Bajram Xhihani tells us, with work progressing and production increasing, wages will rise to 1,000 lekë a month. The workers are very satisfied and make maximum use of their working time, with a strong sense of responsibility. For now, work is being carried out in one building. Soon, the cooperative will move into several buildings. The cooperative has acquired, and will also be equipped with, a machine for carding, spinning and dyeing wool. This will not only enable it to meet customers’ needs better, but will also expand its product range. The first steps taken by the “Besa” cooperative point to highly productive work, products of even better quality and the prompt fulfilment of orders. We would like to offer one suggestion: the existing premises are inadequate for the very good work being done and for this cooperative’s even brighter prospects in the near future. The district authorities should therefore not hesitate to expand these premises. SOTIRAQ GJORDENI

Illustration of children flying a kite.