If the state does not help us, we will go bankrupt. “Silva”: I will not pay out foreign currency. Creditors: Sudja must be released

. Meritocracy brings forced resignations onto the scene. The façade of political reforms is being toned down. The sweeping wave of purges in the ministerial departments of the capital has also swallowed up the imposed desire of several senior officials to submit resignation requests in advance, in the hope that ending their careers will be compensated in the form of a reward for this gesture, which gives the propaganda of the ruling power an advantage in presenting the outlines of a technical reform with contemporary standards. According to sources that have yet to be clarified, the initiator of the spectacular resignations is said to be the Minister of Reforms and Laws himself, who is convinced that in his new activity he is guided by the principles of “liberal democracy.” The resignation epidemic has affected, besides the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Construction, and is expected to infiltrate other important ministries as well. Resignations are submitted immediately, and the new heads of ministries do not spare promises to the “repentant officials.” Similar sources also said that the formulaic resignations of current officials were inspired in parallel by figures from the personnel office operating at the PS Central Headquarters, immediately after the government staff returned from the Rome conference. Among other things, Rome also promoted strong conditions concerning respect for the opposition, and in these circumstances the Socialist leaders clearly absorbed the message that institutional reform must proceed without overt political displays and without partisan rancor, while trumpeting the slogan of “meritocracy”—a puritanism on the part of chairman Nano. There is no point debating that the incompetent must be removed: the incompetent who came to the ministries through party connections, without professional qualifications, must leave their undeserved positions as soon as possible. But demanding mass resignations does not seem right; it is not morally defensible. Anyone capable should remain in their job, even if they are Democrats. Meritocracy has nothing to do with the party membership card held by one specialist or another. But the long line of PS activists who queue every day in front of ministers, waiting for the promised jobs, exposes the demagoguery mentioned above and confronts the reform process designed by the left. Amid the turmoil, confusion and deep economic, political and institutional crisis, the prefab resignations of officials—formally presented as a conviction—are turning into a real show that will be remembered for a long time, just as the refusal to accept resignations during the time of the PD, when scandals were occurring, is remembered.

Driza on the phone with “Republika”: “Populli” will begin operations with the same rates. “Gjallica” a foundation in the USA, interest at 33% per month

PS like DP: forms the TV board of directors with party activists Frrok Çupi has called the post of director of ATSH “kokë”. Although President Meidani has decreed and published the appointment, although Prime Minister Nano has patted him on the shoulder, and although Fino has smiled at him in a Chinese manner, Çupi has refused the job. A statement by Çupi late last night has sunk the President’s decree. In short, Çupi did not accept the post. The PS, along with its satellites, has also played games in the Television Board of Directors. Independent MP Nikolle Lesi insulted the Speaker of Parliament yesterday after Gjinushi did not give him the floor to object to the TV board. MP Lesi told “Republika” last night that the PS is following the same track as the DP. The list of board members, made up of party activists, was presented to Lesi five minutes before the session began. This list did not pass through the media committee. Lesi did not sign the list. Fatos Lubonja, Gezim Podgorica and Ylli Pango are expected to be appointed to senior TV positions today.

Page 8 Thieves fire an anti-tank weapon after being fined in Cërrik. The aid convoy ends up in Vrisera after setting out from Vlora. Suspect lynched in Tepelenë. Police rise from the grave in Elbasan. Policeman wounded in Kavajë Pages 5–7 Pangallos in Tirana, Meidani shows him the door: Greeks at the Presidency, Albanians in the sun Page 2 Malaj: “The Blue Book,” a shower of dollars for Albania Page 9 Kreci: I am being unjustly convicted Page 10

“REPUBLIKA,” “Sami Frashëri” Street, near “Petro Nini Luarasi” High School, Tirana, Account No. 986/110, Tirana Commercial Bank. Tel./Fax 259 88, Tel. 230 90