Silvio Berlusconi, hailed by many here as a kind of Ross Perot of Italy, kicked off his election campaign last weekend at a large rally in Rome with flare and pomp clearly aimed at suggesting an American nominating convention.

After regional unrest spurred Armenian merchants to demonstrate in Yerevan against a ban on street trading, Heritage and other political parties began to organize more ambitious rallies aimed at forcing broad governmental changes.

Opponents of the death penalty say yesterday's sermons were part of an effort that will include rallies and mass mailings aimed at lawmakers, despite the long odds.

If you are running a rally aimed at inspiring and motivating people, don't start by having them arrive in a strange city to find the car park full, the nearest suitable alternative two miles away and no taxis available because it's Sunday evening and pouring with rain.

But travel agents have begun organizing rallies and demonstrations aimed at forcing the carriers to restore traditional 10 percent commissions.

But outside, in a city park several miles away, more than 20,000 people gathered at a political rally aimed at blocking Mr. Moi's chosen successor.

The congress announced on Tuesday a campaign of rallies and strikes aimed at breaking an impasse in the talks and speeding enfranchisement of the country's black majority.

Organizers decided to press ahead with the rally, aimed at mobilizing support for independent candidates in Russian and Ukrainian local elections on March 4.