USIA - Text: UN Security Council Resolution on Albania, 97-03-13
From: The United States Information Agency (USIA) Gopher at <gopher://gopher.usia.gov>
TEXT: UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON ALBANIA
(UNSC urges peaceful solution of turmoil) (510)
United Nations -- The U.N. Security Council has urgently appealed to all
sides in Albania to cooperate with diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful
solution to the growing unrest in the country.
The UNSC issued the call late in the evening of March 13 after representatives
of Italy and Albania appealed to the 15 members of the Council to do
something about the violent chaos engulfing Albania. The statement was read
early evening in a formal session by Council President Zbgniew Wlosowicz of
Poland.
"The Security Council calls upon the parties involved to continue the
political dialogue and to live up to the commitments undertaken on March 9
in Tirana. It urges all political forces to work together to lower tension
and facilitate the stabilization of the country," the statement said.
Italian Ambassador Francesco Fulci told journalists outside the Council
chamber that his government feared "a real massacre could start any moment
in Albania and we think that it is very important to reassure the people
that somebody is taking care of what is happening there."
Albanian Ambassador Pellumb Kulla asked for the presidential statement
because, he said, "the country is out of control and the people through
this statement have a source of optimism for the future. We hope to have a
better situation in the future...this will help."
Following is the official text of the UNSC statement:
(begin text)
13 March 1997
PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT ON THE SITUATION IN ALBANIA
The Security Council, having considered the letter of 13 March 1997 to the
President of the Council from the Permanent Representative of the Republic
of Albania (S/1997/215) and the letter of 12 March 1997 to the President of
the Council from the Permanent Representative of Italy (S/1997/214),
expresses its deep concern about the deteriorating situation in Albania. It
urges all concerned to refrain from hostilities and acts of violence and to
cooperate with diplomatic efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the
crisis
The Security Council calls upon the parties involved to continue the
political dialogue and to live up to the commitments undertaken on 9 March
1997 in Tirana. It urges all political forces to work together to lower
tension and facilitate the stabilization of the country.
The Security Council calls upon the parties not to impede the provision of
humanitarian assistance to the civilian population and, in this context,
recalls the importance of keeping open all means of communication in the
country. It encourages Member States and international organizations to
help with the provision of humanitarian assistance.
The Security Council stresses the importance of regional stability and
fully supports the diplomatic efforts of the international community, in
particular those of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
and the European Union, to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.
The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to keep the Council
informed of developments in the situation in Albania.
The Security Council will remain seized of the matter.
(end text)
From the United States Information Agency (USIA) Gopher at gopher://gopher.usia.gov
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