Скачать или смотреть ALBANIA: VLORA: ITALIAN MILITARY EVACUATE 36 PEOPLE UPDATE

(3 Mar 1997) English/Nat

The Italian military evacuated 36 people Monday from the southern Albanian city of Vlora, the scene of recent rioting.

The evacuees on board were mostly Italian nationals plus 15 journalists and an aid worker.

The two Italian Chinook helicopters, escorted by two attack helicopters, took the evacuees to a military base at Brindisi, a port 50 miles (80 kilometres) across the Adriatic Sea from Albania.

Meanwhile the United States added its voice to the growing international criticism of the Albanian Government Monday - particularly over the introduction of a state of emergency.

Heavily armed Italian marines were on high alert as 36 people were evacuated from the southern Albanian port city of Vlora Monday afternoon.

The Italian military had sent in two Chinook transport helicopters and two attack helicopters for security.

The helicopters picked up the evacuees at a small airfield near Vlora.

20 Italian nationals living in Vlora were evacuated along with 15 journalists plus an aid worker.

An Associated Press journalist who was evacuated said she saw local residents in nearby houses firing automatic weapons in the air - and boys as young as nine carrying AK-47 rifles.

Others were driving a car up and down the airstrip firing an automatic weapon in the air.

One young boy asked the group "why are you leaving, what if something happens to us?"

As the helicopters took off - the marines remained on high alert, securing the safe passage of the 36 foreign nationals on board.

The Italian military operation proved successful - the evacuees arrived safely at a military base in Brindisi - a port 50 miles (80 kilometres) across the Adriatic Sea from Albania.

The United States Government has added its voice to the growing international criticism of Albania's government.

A spokesman for the State Department says the U-S regrets Monday's reelection of President Berisha.

Nicholas Burns also expressed concern over the state of emergency imposed in Albania.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We regret very much that today under these difficult circumstances, the Albanian Parliament went forward with the reelection of President Berisha. This step is likely to increase polarisation rather than facilitate a solution. We're very concerned that the state of emergency declared by the parliament today is being used to stifle legitimate free expression. We strongly regret the introduction today of censorship. While the Government has the right and responsibility to prevent, to undertake measures to prevent anarchy, such powers of censorship should not be used for an excuse of repressing legitimate dissent."
SUPER CAPTION: Nicholas Burns U-S State Department Spokesman

Nicholas Burns says the U-S Ambassador in Albania is trying to bring the government and opposition together - to begin talks on diffusing the crisis.

The U-S has also begun consulting its European partners on the crisis in Albania.

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