(15 Apr 1997) Albanian/Nat
Albanian rebel leaders rallied angry crowds Tuesday in the southern port city of Vlora.
Leaders claimed government tanks would attack the southern city -- the epicentre of recent unrest.
They told the crowd to get their guns and defend the city.
In the Albanian town of Vlora, insurgency leaders rallied crowds Tuesday to defend the city, claiming supporters of President Sali Berisha planned to attack.
The rebels blame Berisha for the collapse of high-risk investment schemes in which many Albanians lost their life savings.
Albert Shyti told the crowd of hundreds to get their guns and take up defence positions.
The people yelled back their support and ran to positions assigned in February when their leaders warned of an attack that never materialised.
SOUNDBITE: (Albanian)
\"The National Salvation Committee is telling us that Berisha's troops are coming with tanks to attack Vlora and blow-up the municipal building and police station.\"
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop
SOUNDBITE: (Albanian)
\"For six years we have been suffering from the President and he is responsible for bringing in drugs and prostitution, it was him burning Vlora, what more can we expect
from him.\"
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop
In Albania, where suspicion is rife and tension high, rumours fly fast.
Rebel gunmen were on high alert at road blocks surrounding the city, stopping every car in order to prevent Berisha's men from getting through.
The insurgents apparently fear President Sali Berisha could use the presence of foreign troops and concern for their safety as an excuse to demand that people lay down arms before aid is delivered to the area.
Vlora, 50 miles southwest of the capital, is one of the ports to be secured by foreign troops and the epicentre of the unrest.
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