The secret service awaits Meidani’s decision on the chief’s fate Page 3

BY MARTIN LEKA After a long absence, the distinguished Albanian writer Ismail Kadare has appeared before the public. The following day, various sectors of society, from ordinary people to political commentators, intellectuals from different fields, journalists and politicians, made their comments and expressed their opinions. The prevailing general view was summed up in two words: “Realistic and sincere.” Often, in various earlier opinions, Kadare has been described as appearing somewhat nervous and, why not, subjective as well. Perhaps this has also misinformed him or led him to be “manipulated” by a journalist or newspaper that calls the distinguished writer “one of ours,” as commonly happens in today’s society, and which is used or misused with political parties in mind. Perhaps, for now, it is not worth making an apologia for past positions. Neither Kadare’s, nor those of Albanian parties, nor those of their leaders. Taking as our point of departure the concrete reality in which we find ourselves, it is worthwhile not only to say of Kadare, but of every person on this earth who speaks a kind word: “one of ours,” as we say of Kadare, Agolli, or a farmer who works his own land to feed his children and waits for politics to provide solutions. Today Albania faces an important event which, given the circumstances and the moment, can be compared with events such as the “League of Lezhë” or the “Congress of Lushnjë.” Even though this moment, too, could not bring about the evolution of the two Albanian villages “Bjalon me Gjergj.” Powerful countries of the world have engraved Constitution Day as the most important event on the altar of their nation. Albanians, too, have this opportunity on Sunday. Everyone has it. The President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, Sali Berisha and Fatos Nano, as well as all the other Albanians living on this earth. We all have this opportunity. And so do all the other Albanians who will be born after this day. Sunday tells us all that, just as one goes to church, we should put aside our hatreds and leave our sins behind. With sincerity of spirit, as Kadare spoke a few days ago—and which, unfortunately, some journalists reduced to “his denial of Zeus.” On 22 November, let us forget the “Legend of Rozafa,” too.

President Meidani with the national team in Linzë ahead of the match with Greece. Photo A.HYKA

The first person under investigation is the man who cancelled the scandal-ridden tender three times The Meta-Monika scandal. Prosecutor’s office investigates Page 4

“If two men from the Ministry of Transport come, send them upstairs,” Tirana Chief Prosecutor Dolores Velaj tells the guard service as she goes up to her office at around 18:00. In connection with the Meta scandal, she has planned to take statements from two directors of this ministry, Besnik Goxhaj and Ilia Cili. Goxhaj is director of inspection and audit, the man who cancelled the tender for the “purchase of used passenger railcars” three times.

Today’s international football match: Albania–Greece Today, after so many months, Albanians can get away from politics and the people who grind away at politics. Today, a football embrace with the team—Hafizi will be followed by hundreds of thousands of Albanians, who for two hours will be able to escape the stress, the noise of Kalashnikovs, the exhaustion of a time when only politics is produced in this country. Today our thoughts are all with you, the footballers; all of us, anxious and wishing for victory, will support you in spirit, with all the strength of our voices. Please, at least win today! Win not so much for your position in the standings, but to give your fans the chance, at least today, to be happy, cheer and let their joy out, as the Albanian people are being urged to live through yet another day of the misfortunes that have covered this blessed country, which we ourselves, the Albanians, have also destroyed. Hafizi, please, at least just win today! Win in the name of national pride; win in the name of those emigrants wandering the roads of the world amid misery and among strangers. Win so that at least we can say that we, too, are somebody in this corner of the globe, which has forgotten us, but which we have also forgotten ourselves. Win for us, not for yourselves, so that our compatriots can go out and cheer, all at once, as Albanians—complete strangers and notorious. This is a plea on behalf of everyone… once again, win!

The Prime Minister summons the heads of two branches of the Informative Service without the chairman being present/“I did not want to put on a show”