DATE=8/25/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ALBANIA / MONTENEGRO (L-ONLY)(CQ)
NUMBER=2-265860
BYLINE=BARRY WOOD
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
/// EDS: Fixing first graph of 2-265859 to
read "Yugoslav President" instead of "Serbian
President" ///
INTRO: Albania's prime minister, Ilir Meta, wound up
a visit to Washington Friday calling the situation in
neighboring Montenegro very delicate. V-O-A's Barry
Wood reports the Albanian leader is worried about the
deteriorating political relations between Montenegro
and Serbia, its partner in the Yugoslav federation.
TEXT: Addressing reporters at the National Press
Club, Mr. Meta spoke of the warm relations his
government enjoys with Montenegro's pro-Western
leadership and of the benefits of increasing bilateral
cooperation. But with Serbia and Montenegro at odds
over planned elections next month, Mr. Meta called on
the West to issue a warning to Yugoslav President
Slobodan Milosevic.
/// Meta Act ///
The international community, NATO, the United
States, the EU countries, have to make clear to
Milosevic that he has to understand that
democracy in Montenegro must not be provoked.
/// End Act ///
Mr. Meta met Wednesday with U-S Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright.
A 31-year-old socialist, Mr. Meta has been Albania's
prime minister for 10 months. He blamed Mr. Milosevic
for the increased tension in Montenegro.
/// Meta Act ///
Now it is a very delicate situation after
Milosevic made these constitutional changes
which in essence convert the Republic of
Montenegro into a province of Serbia, by losing
all the authority that Montenegro has enjoyed
under the constitution of the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia.
/// End Act ///
Mr. Meta said Albania has made considerable progress
economically and politically over the past year. He
pledged aggressive action to fight the corruption in
the transport and public works ministries that has
slowed construction of vital, foreign-financed road
projects. He said NATO membership remains Albania's
goal and that his government has excellent relations
with its neighbors -- Italy, Greece, Macedonia, and
Montenegro. He acknowledged that without democracy in
Serbia -- a traditional regional power -- Balkan
cooperation and economic progress will be open to
question. (signed)
NEB/BDW/JP
25-Aug-2000 13:46 PM LOC (25-Aug-2000 1746 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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