SECURITY COUNCIL EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN OVER SITUATION IN ALBANIA

Press Release
SC/6339

SECURITY COUNCIL EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN OVER SITUATION IN ALBANIA

Expressing deep concern about the deteriorating situation in Albania, the Security Council this evening urged all concerned in that country to refrain from hostilities and acts of violence and to cooperate with diplomatic efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the crisis in the country.

In a statement read out by its President, Zbigniew Maria Wlosowicz (Poland), the Council called upon the parties involved to continue the political dialogue. It urged all political forces to work together to lower tension and to facilitate the stabilization of the country. It called upon the parties not to impede the provision of humanitarian assistance to the civilian population.

The Council stressed the importance of regional stability and expressed full support for the diplomatic efforts of the international community, in particular, those of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union, to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.

Before the Council were letters to the President of the Council from the Permanent Representatives of Albania and of Italy (S/1997/215 and S/1997/214, respectively), requesting an urgent meeting of the Council to consider the situation in Albania.

The meeting was called to order at 8:34 p.m. and adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Text of Presidential Statement

The full text of the statement, to be issued as document S/PRST/1997/14, reads as follows:

"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),

Security Council - 2 - Press Release SC/6339 3751th Meeting (Night) 13 March 1997

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."

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