Posted on 03/20/2003 8:23:57 AM PST by Destro
AP World - General News
Albania increases security in fear of terrorist attacks
Wed Mar 19, 5:07 AM ET
TIRANA, Albania - The Albanian government plans to increase security and to intensify its fight against organized crime and trafficking in response to fears of terrorist attacks, according to a news release issued Wednesday.
Smugglers and others taking part in organized crime often support terrorists financially or logistically, making it necessary to fight those problems along with boosting security, Prime Minister Fatos Nano said in a meeting late Tuesday, the government news release said.
Nano asked all government institutions to take steps to protect public order, saying that Albania's participation in "the international anti-terror coalition" could make it a target. He did not reveal details of how security would be increased.
Albania, which is mostly Muslim and among Europe's poorest nations, has offered to the U.S.-led anti-Iraq (news - web sites) forces a small non-combat army unit of 70 soldiers. It has also made available its airspace, land routes and territorial waters.
Though Albania has made recent achievements in its fight against human trafficking, the country still is being used as a transit point for drug and other types of smuggling.
Albania is popular among smugglers because of its location, weak police and judicial systems, and lax border control.
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