Tirana is being sealed off. Çelo and Përpali give orders to the Police. Foreign soldiers at a barricade alongside our policemen

On Friday, in a mosque on the outskirts of Tirana, after the midday prayer, I took off my jacket and addressed the faithful with a call from a verse of the Quran, which said that voting is a duty before God. At the same time, he reminded all his listeners, who were aware, that the vote had to be completely free and dependent on the voter's will, without any external pressure. We are convinced that all the respected and patriotic clergy of other faiths in Albania will do the same, regarding it as a duty toward the nation and their believers, regardless of political shades. Such calls have been addressed to Albanians from all four corners of the world, including from the American Congress, Mrs. Ollbrajt, the US ambassador, and even the youngest children, who call for peace with their little hearts and weak voices. Everyone is calling for these blessed elections to be held to clear the way for peace, to put an end to the river of blood, to turn the page of history, to open the door to the European home, and to guide the hand toward wisdom. Today it seems as if the war of the two World Wars has still not been carried away, as if it has continued for 55 years and continues to this day for some reasons that remain unresolved. We must look at how history has taught Albanians, as if it has fed them lies and hatred, as if it has plunged them into a deep somnambulant sleep where the world has no color and life has no value. This can end today; this swamp can begin to dry up; this life, which is lived only once, can become the most precious thing, where honor changes a life into a life of honor and an Albanian can be Albanian without being ashamed of it. Whether we do it or not is in our hands today. We all must cast our votes, as must those who will count them. The votes we cast are a reflection of our wishes. The votes counted by those entrusted with this noble duty weigh on their consciences. Those who manipulated the votes in the 1996 elections were people like us, regardless of whether they worked for SHIK, the police, the administration, or were simply supporters. The entire crime of today weighs on them. But the people cannot be judged. Individuals can. To avoid falling into the quagmire of the past, all of us—and Republicans in particular—as patriotic and nationalist Albanians, as people with a deep sense of responsibility for the nation's fate, as conservatives of the finest virtues and of the striving of a noble, peace-loving spirit, must ensure that the sacred right to vote is not trampled, and must not allow the people's wishes to be betrayed, whatever they may be. It is our duty to appeal to you, and it is your honor to vote for Albania's future. The Albanian alternative is indispensable for saving Albania, and Albania begins at your home.

STOP NEUDIN? [writing on the banner partly illegible] Durrës short of votes: 2,000 people have not been registered, page 3

O head of the household, May all these people understand, If the bone of the blood aches, It holds you hostage and stuffs you with cabbage page 12

Starting at 15:00 on Saturday, June 28, 1997, and until 8:00 on Monday, June 30, 1997, an uninterrupted information service will be available at the Central Headquarters. 1. Branches are to provide ongoing and accurate information about the progress of the elections and any irregularities, while also keeping the relevant documentation. 2. Report the results. Telephone numbers: 325 11, 230 90, 259 88.

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