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EMBARGO: CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY EXPECTED ABOUT 10:00 LOCAL TIME, FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 1993

SECRETARY GENERAL WORNER: "The Alliance is one of the foundation stones of the democratic community of free nations".

TIRANA: The Secretary General of NATO, Mr Manfred Worner, said on Friday that "Albania may well be a small country but it has an important role to play". Addressing the Albanian Parliament during his official visit to Tirana, the first ever by a NATO Secretary General, Mr Worner said that the purpose of his visit was "to extend the hand of cooperation to Albania... and to discuss what we can do together to deepen our cooperation and make it as relevant as possible to your concerns." In particular, the Alliance was ready to help Albania "to build modern armed forces that can not only preserve your independence but also be our partners in upholding cooperative security in Europe."

Mr Worner told his audience that "the success of Albania's internal reform programme and the policy it pursues vis--vis its neighbours have a significance extending far beyond your borders." In particular, "the active participation of Albania in the search for security and stability in the Balkans and in South Eastern Europe is essential, and something which our Alliance very much wishes to encourage." The Secretary General commended Albania for exercising restraint, notwithstanding the "very difficult and delicate situation" in which it found itself, and "your understandable concern at the fate of ethnic Albanians outside your country." This policy of restraint "has been a vital factor in preventing the Yugoslav conflict becoming even more dangerous". Mr Worner expressed the hope that it would be continued "despite the considerable pressures on Albania."

Mr Worner expressed his deep concern about the possible spillover of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia and about the situation in Kosovo. He stressed that "an explosion of violence in Kosovo could, by spreading the conflict, constitute a serious threat to international peace and security and would require an appropriate response by the international community". He added that the "Alliance will support the international efforts" to prevent such a spillover from happening and that "all of us in the Alliance are very much relying on Albania to continue its constructive and reassuring diplomacy".

The Secretary General pointed out to his audience that the Alliance "is already helping to implement the decisions of the UN in the former Yugoslavia". He said that "if and when a peace plan is agreed, the UN may look to NATO to play a major role in implementing that plan" and added: "I believe the Alliance will respond positively". Mr Wrner also said that the Alliance is "especially pleased that Albania has agreed to cooperate fully with NATO" in enforcing the UN sanctions. He described Albania's help in this respect as "invaluable in making this enforcement programme effective" and "a notable example of how the Alliance can work with a cooperation partner, such as Albania, in carrying out its new mission of supporting UN peacekeeping".

Finally the Secretary General gave his audience a detailed account of the Alliance's recent transformation, emphasizing that "the radically changed circumstances in Europe now allow the Alliance to play a more important and outward- looking political role". The task of the Alliance today "is not only to preserve the security of our members, but to help others to be more secure". In this respect "it is not necessary to be a member of the Alliance to benefit from the security and stability that it provides". Mr Worner encouraged Albania to participate fully in the activities of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council where "our frank and open exchanges of views on security issues will become increasingly beneficial to both sides". The Alliance member nations "recognize our responsibility to help you to consolidate your newly-won freedoms and to complete your transition smoothly. Only in an environment of cooperation and peace can your determination to become a modern, democratic society be truly successful."