NATO COMMANDER GEN. CLARK TRAVELS TO MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA

SKOPJE/TIRANA, April 17 (Hina) - Macedonia's President Kiro Gligorov on Saturday received the NATO chief commander for Europe, Wesley Clark, At the meeting, they exchanged the views on the security situation in the region and the NATO activities in Kosovo. The American General notified Gligorov of the determination and plans of the western alliance in the conduct of air strikes against Yugoslavia (Serbia/Montenegro) as a means for reaching a political settlement to the Kosovo problem. Gen. Clark reiterated the NATO's support to Macedonia and Albania to overcome the current problems. Gligorov expressed concern over a possible spillover of the conflict in neighbouring states and demanded bigger assistance of the international community, Gligorov's office said in a statement. The NATO commander held talks with the Macedonian Prime Minister, Ljupce Georgievski as well, and acquainted him with the four points of NATO plans for the resolution of the Kosovo conflict. Gen. Clark on Saturday also travelled to Tirana for talks with Albanian President Rexhep Meidani and Prime Minister Pandeki Majko. The visit of the NATO chief commander took place during the deployment of NATO troops in Albania, whose mission is to distribute relief aid to Kosovans. However, the possible involvement of these NATO forces in backing military operations against Yugoslavia is not ruled out. (hina) ms