[ALBSA-Info] {QIKSH «ALBEUROPA»} Albania Condemns Attack on Macedonian Policeman

[Nikoll A Mirakaj]

Albania Condemns Attack on Macedonian Policeman 

TIRANA, Feb 1, 2001 -- (Reuters) Albania condemned on Wednesday an attack in which a Macedonian policeman was killed, calling it a dangerous provocation for the stability of neighboring Macedonia.

The Albanian Foreign Ministry's reaction came a day after Macedonian police said they had arrested four ethnic Albanians over the attack in western Macedonia.

"The Albanian Foreign Ministry condemns these acts and their authors who aim to damage the constructive climate between the political and inter-ethnic sides in Macedonia," it said.

"We consider them a serious provocation for the stability of this country...We reconfirm the will and commitment of the Albanian government to the stability of Macedonia and encourage and support its government's efforts to consolidate a society based on democratic principles and multi-ethnic co-existence."

The Macedonian policeman was killed on January 22 when two grenades were fired at a police station in the Macedonian village of Tearce, which is populated mostly by ethnic Albanians.

Macedonia's ethnic Albanians comprise one-third of the population.

(C)2001 Copyright Reuters Limited

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