Vranitzky addresses NATO's Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council

VIENNA, 16 July 1997 - The Personal Representative of the Chairman-in-Office for Albania, Dr. Franz Vranitzky, addressed a session of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in Brussels today. He also met separately with NATO Secretary General, Javier Solana.

In his address, Dr. Vranitzky emphasized the critical role of the Multinational Protection Force (MPF) in creating a secure environment for the elections. "I am sure that in many places the mere presence of the MPF reassured the Albanians who wanted to vote," he said. "It is worth remembering that 73% of the electorate did vote. Apart from a few regrettable incidents, they did so in peace."

"While the MPF was an entirely separate institution, through constant dialogue and flexibility, the OSCE and the MPF managed to coordinate and combine the political and the military efforts effectively," he said. "There was never a moment in which our objectives diverged." Dr. Vranitzky added that this could be a model for future actions, while it must be recognized that "the 'coalition of the willing' proved very effective, in no small measure because of the strong leadership and significant contribution of Italy."

Dr. Vranitzky highlighted the grave problems the new Government will face and the necessity for international assistance in rebuilding the economy, restoring law and order and rebuilding democratic institutions. He noted that this would take time. But, he said, "unless we get this right, all other forms of aid will be wasted... There is no point in ploughing money into big projects if the basic structures of a modern democratic state are missing."

Dr. Vranitzky placed particular emphasis on the need for rebuilding a depoliticized police and army. "Without security," he said, "there will be no economic recovery and foreign investment."