US, OSCE press for calm voting

TIRANA, June 28 – The parliamentary election was seen as a crucial test of democracy to prove the Balkan country is ready for EU membership. But again Albania could not really manage by itself.
Midday Sunday Albanian President Bamir Topi had a pleasant coffee with US Ambassador in Tirana John L. Withers and OSCE head Robert Bosch.
The coffee bar was in what is known as Taiwan, at Tirana center.
And after the coffee journalists heard the call from Topi to go and vote, supported by his two coffee associates.
Both ambassadors appealed to all Albanians to exercise their right to vote, which they stated was the most important tool they had in a democracy.
Albania is under international pressure to make sure the vote is fair and free of the reports of fraud that have marred previous elections. Albania joined NATO on April 1 and wants to join the 27-nation European Union.
The U.S. ambassador underlined the importance of a trouble-free vote.
“The importance of these elections is that they be free, that they be fair, that they be transparent and that the will of the Albanian people, not the aspiration of the political parties, be fundamental,” U.S. Ambassador John L. Withers said.
Bosch also appealed to Albanians “go and vote.”
What preliminary figures showed they were likely listened to by Albanians. It was expected the turnout would be higher than four years ago with 49 percent or some 1.4 million ballots.