By Ervin MAZNIKU In recent years, the record of activities of the “white coats” at the Ministry of Health, as in every other field, has been filled mainly with the names of donors, NGOs and philanthropists. In the long list of renovations, buildings and construction projects for various clinics, the name that is missing is Psychiatry. The central department, responsible for the mental stability of Albanians across the Republic, is completely unstable. At a time when social problems, stress and anxiety about survival are swelling the ranks of Albanians suffering from mental illness and psychological problems, both inside and outside the country, the Ministry, “drunk” on its successes, has not so much as batted an eye before planting a bomb under Psychiatry. After all, Albanians go mad, and the Ministry points them in all four directions. In six months, 125 patients have been discharged because of a shortage of beds. Under the official protocol of the Albanian government, the Ministry of Health is in the clear. The police complain that the number of people with psychological disorders wandering the streets is increasing sharply, and they have nowhere to take them, because the hospital beds are full. It is normal for “front-line” departments such as surgery and others to have priority. There really has been a lot of bloodshed lately. But patients do not have to be made to bleed in order to meet the conditions for being considered ill. Many of them have witnessed a great deal of this and, as a result, have psychiatric problems. As one of the successful showcases of the government’s exhibition, the Minister and Ministry of Health evidently do not need their wits about them; otherwise, there is no way they could swallow the fact that they consider treating the mentally ill a “luxury.” The brain is the only “luxury” left in this country, and not only for those Albanians whose minds are sound.

Around 6,000 creditors will receive only 20% This week, the Savings Bank will open the counters at its branches to distribute money to creditors of the Silva company. About 20% of the money will be distributed to creditors this week. The amount of money that the borrowing company Silva managed to collect during the heyday of the pyramid schemes is approximately 28 million dollars. The balance sheet for the sale of assets has been completed, and specialists have calculated the percentage rate, which is no more than 20%; creditors will be compensated accordingly. Page 7

A battle between brothers-in-law over major privatizations The “market” of senior state officials trying to get involved in this matter has grown, and the in-laws’ stories continue. As representatives of the shareholders, they are seeking to appoint Fatos Nano’s brother-in-law, to whom they have given a large tract of land in this area. But a large tract of land in this area. But the shareholders themselves have serious reservations about this person. Meanwhile, the wife of Deputy Minister Bello is inspecting medicines and selling them, even though this requires a pharmacist, a profession that Mr. Bello’s wife does not even know. Her actual profession is construction technician. The shareholders told “Republika” that they do not oppose her employment. Page 3

The hospital Page 11

The Socialist Party is undecided over Tirana’s mayor Page 4

The State Department, to American citizens Page 7

Corruption where “money is lying in the street” Page 8

PR: The government must provide a solution for rightful owners The idea of setting a deadline for vacating homes rented out since the communist era, which continue to be treated in the same way, was opposed yesterday by the Republicans at their weekly press conference. The draft law has been submitted to Parliament to return occupied homes to their rightful owners. Pages 2, 12, 13

Police announce three theories about Mira Uka’s murder Page 5

Meta gives away USD 15 million Cosmote exempted from taxes for 5 years Page 3 AMC Cosmote