“Flag Square” under the rule of free citizens Dear people of Vlora, who have never divided yourselves into townspeople and villagers, not in 1912, not in 1920, not during the Anti-Fascist National Liberation War, and not in 1997. I know that I am indebted to you, because you sealed my release from prison! But you also sealed Albania’s release from Berisha’s prison. Together we will ensure that the sacrifices, blood and lives of the people of Vlora will never be in vain. Sali Berisha knows this already: June 29, with your vote, will seal this decision, which all Albania has made today!

We have lived for 90 years with the history of Vlora as part of our own history, and we still have not fully come to know it. For 5 months we have lived with the heroism and tragedy of Vlora, and we still have not learned it all. Every time we go to Vlora, we discover new qualities, inexhaustible energy. This people of Vlora, this boundless spirit! Like the sea that bathes the shores and licks their wounds with the salt of its waves. The wounds of life and youth, the wounds opened so deeply during these last five months. Yesterday, too, we were in Vlora and once again saw the unconquerable spirit of this people. A people martyred over the last five months by a heartless regime. Five months without work, without property, without money, without effective governance. Five months with 300 dead and 1,000 wounded. Yesterday Vlora was in Flag Square to welcome the opposition leaders. It welcomed the politicians of the Socialist and Social Democratic parties. Thousands of people in the square: men, women and children, young men and women, old men and women dressed in black. For five months Vlora has been coming out to Flag Square. It comes out to win its freedom and rights. How has this people not grown tired? How has it not run out of strength to come out into the square? How has it not become fed up with the rallies? How has it not been defeated by grief, how has it not been bent by its wounds? How has it not been frightened by accusations and threats? How has it not become fed up with politics? These questions naturally arise when you look beyond a people of Vlora greeting the leaders of the Albanian left-wing opposition. Is Flag Square like this people? Flag Square is like the whole history of the Albanian state. The history of the Albanian state begins there. There are gathered the sacrifices of rivers of blood, battles and heroism for freedom and independence. There is gathered the entire struggle of the people of Vlora and all Albania for true democracy at the end of the twentieth century. There is the Mecca of

In addition to the meeting with representatives of the Socialist Party in the morning, Mr. Vranicki, before departing, held a one-on-one meeting with Mr. Fatos Nano at Rinas Airport. According to statements, among other things, the two politicians exchanged views with each other on the proceedings of the Congress of European Socialists, with particular emphasis on the situation Vranicki had observed during his visit to Albania and his meetings with the political forces. PSSH Spokesperson

Socialist Party Chairman Fatos Nano greeting the people of Vlora at the rally held yesterday morning in “Flag Square” (Photo: A. BABANI)

Dear people of Vlora, who have never divided yourselves into townspeople and villagers, not in 1912, not in 1920, not during the Anti-Fascist National Liberation War, and not in 1997.

Socialists’ election storm across Albania Page 2

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