Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) [2], 97-04-12

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From: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] NEWS CONFERENCE OF ITALIAN AND ALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTERS

[02] REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT OF TIRANE

[03] FROM THE VISIT TO ALBANIA OF ITALIAN DEFENCE MINISTER BENIAMINO ANDREATTA

[01] NEWS CONFERENCE OF ITALIAN AND ALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTERS

In a joint news conference with his Albanian counterpart, Shaqir Vukaj, Mr Andreatta stressed that the multinational forces do not come to ALbania to restore the local governnment in the places where it does not exist.

"We have told the government that also in the south the local government, which must represent the people and be accepted by the people, should exist," said Mr Andreatta. He pointed out that it was envisaged that the multinational force would use the weapons not only in self-defence but also to realise the purpose of its coming to Albania provided there woul be obstacles in this direction." In his address, Albanian Minister Vukaj said that the operation of the multinational forces in Albania is a police operation which aims at securing sea ports, airports and roads in order to make possible the delivery of humanitarian aid. He said that according to a joint plan with the countries which will bring forces to Albania, it has been forecast that at the beginning these troops will be deployed in Lezhe, Durres, Elbasan, Tirane and in some other cities and then they will spread throughout ALbania. Vukaj added that these forces will operate under an eight-colored flag which represents the troops coming from eight countries, namely Italy, France, Austria, Denmark, Greece, Rumania, Spain and Turkey.

"In this context, Albania too has put to operation a brigade of 3 500 commandos," said Vukaj, who explained that the status of the multinational force will be signed in Rome on April 14 by the Albanian Foreign Minister, Arjan Starova.

Vukaj said that in his meetings in Rome and in today's negotiations, he had stressed that in Albania there is no basis for civil war, neither for regional, religious or party divisions.

"The aid for Albania in the future, which some are calling as the Marshall Plan, will be an assistance not only for the future of Albania but also for the neighbours, because our economic unproportional level is such that if it does not change within some years, we will always be a burden for our neighbours," said Albanian Minister Vukaj.

In reply to a question if dangers are envisaged in the mission and to what extend he thought these dangers would be, Italian minister said that if Albania had no problems then there would be no need to send there 6 000 most selected troops from these countries. According to our information, we know these dangers but the means that the multinational forces have at their disposal are sufficient for their defence, to this aim also helps the matured way planned to be applied in carrying out this mission and the support that various groups of the multinational forces would give to one another. The rules of the movement of these forces are such that enable their security," said Andreatta.

Asked by a reporter that what he meant with the words that arms would be used if the aim of the mission was endangered, Mr Andreatta replied that "in case there will be any blocking of roads which will prevent the delivery of aid and their opening cannot be made otherwise, then the use of arms is envisaged."

"The means are those that IFOR used in Bosnia and not those that the U.N. used in the first stages of the war in Bosnia," he underlined.

In reply to a question regarding a request of the salvation committee of Vlore to talk with leaders of the multinational force, Italian Minister said that he had no knowle:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT OF TIRANE

But despite calls and explanations made time and again by police, still there are cases when individuals do not observe this demand of the law and moreover, use their vehicles with some of them carrying arms as well. These people, who are sent to police commissariats, he arms arms caught and the vehicles blocked show that this demand of the law is not being observed properly.

We also remind the people that on the basis of Article 6 of this law, all gatherings in public places and the activities of political, cultural, sport of trade union character which may be held in open places, are prohibited. Gatherings for other purposes and in closed doors are allowed only with the permission of the District Defence Staff.

The Tirane Police Department explains once more that they will continue to make controls to see how the law on the state of emergency is being applied and they will take strict measures against all violators. xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] FROM THE VISIT TO ALBANIA OF ITALIAN DEFENCE MINISTER BENIAMINO ANDREATTA

In the talks with Mr Andreatta, Albanian Defence Minister Shaqir Vukaj considered the visit as significant because it was made on the eve of the operation ALBA of the Multinational Forces to Albania. It was a support for the National Reconciliation Government.

Further on Mr Vukaj expressed his thanks for everything made for the preparation of the operation, which aims at securing sea ports, airports, key communication roads and delivery of humanitarian aid.

Defence Minister informed those present of the local situation and of the measures adopted to reactivize some formations of the Albanian army: a commando brigade, a brigade of tanks, a brigade for transportation and some other formations, around 3 500 militaries. Minister Vukaj stressed that the multinational force operation will be welcomed by the entire opinion in Albania, and in the process of securing the key roads and the delivery of humanitarian aid, also spiritual relations will be ensured between the people and the representatives of various countries who are contributing to the security and stability of Albania.

The Albanian Defence Minister underlined the fact that the success of the operation of the multinational security force in Albania will be a success which is related with Albania and broader, the assistance of the neighbouring countries and other countries for Albania is an assistance for the security and stability of our country and an aid for each of the neighbouring countries.

Italian Defence Minister expressed the support for the National Reconciliation Government and focused on the main moments of the operation of the multinational force, the security of sea ports, airports, the possibility to distribute the aid for Albania and the gradual extension of its activity.

The talks dwelt on issues which had to do with the ways of the realisation of the ALBA operation, the coordination of the multinational forces with Albanian forces, the coordination of work in the staffs at all instances, the relations between Albania and Italy and between the two armies at present and in the future. xh

From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ata

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