ALBANIA: TIRANA: POLICE PREVENT ANTI-GOVERNMENT RALLY

(2 Feb 1997) Natural Sound Albanian police have prevented people from gathering in the capital Tirana for an anti-government rally. One of the rally organisers, trade union leader Azem Hajdari, was taken away by the Albanian secret police. But in the Adriatic port of Durres about 500 people were allowed to gather for an opposition rally to demand the government stands down. Albania's rejuvenated opposition tried to stage an anti-government rally in the capital Tirana Sunday. But Albanian police were out in force. They prevented people from gathering outside the city's Dynamo soccer stadium to demand the dismissal of the country's government. As people tried to congregate, police pushed them away. The would-be demonstrators also want compensation for savings they lost in collapsed pyramid investment schemes. Uniformed and plain clothes police cordoned off roads leading to the stadium. Police officers were seen here talking to one of the rally organisers, former ruling Democratic Party M-P turned trade union boss, Azem Hajdari. The student leader was hailed a hero six years ago for helping to topple the hard-line communist regime in Albania. Hajdari was eventually led away by the police. But in the Adriatic port of Durres, 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of Tirana, about 500 people were allowed to gather for an opposition rally. The small but enthusiastic crowd waved banners saying 'No to violence' and 'End Inflation.' Speakers demanded the dismissal of the Albanian government and compensation for savings lost in collapsed pyramid investment schemes. But the low turnout may indicate a lull in the turmoil that began last month when the get-rich-quick schemes stopped pay-outs. The government has promised to pay back some of the investors in two failed pyramid schemes starting on February 5th. It may be that Albanians are now content to wait for reimbursement instead of continuing their protests. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...