MACEDONIAN FORCES, ALBANIAN EXTREMISTS CLASH NEAR SKOPLJE

SKOPLJE, Aug 13 (Hina) - Fighting between Macedonian forces and Albanian guerrillas was reported on several locations near the capital of Skoplje and strong explosions could be heard in the capital itself on Sunday. In a successful operation, which lasted several hours, Macedonian forces managed to break up groups of Albanian extremists who had been attacking the village of Ljubljanci during the morning, Macedonian Television reported yesterday. The attacks caused panic among the villagers who started fleeing the village in large numbers. Fighting was also reported in the area of Raduse. Interior Minister Ljuben Boskovski said the police station in the village had been set afire by the Kosovo Protection Corps following the withdrawal of Macedonian forces. Boskovski said Macedonian forces and Albanian extremists clashed during the morning near Aracinovo and Grupcin, which was why the road Skoplje-Tetovo had to be closed for several hours. Macedonian forces prevented the entry of another group of Albanians from Kosovo in a co-ordinated operation near the border village of Dvorci yesterday. Boskovski says Macedonia should launch a decisive offensive due to the danger that the terrorists might take over Rasce, where the spring supplying the capital with water is situated, and enter Skoplje. (hina) rml