Tirana urges caution in neighboring Macedonia

TIRANA, April 18 – Following the recent flare-up of the ethnic frictions in neighboring Macedonia all Tirana officials have urged calm and called on all sides there to refrain from sectarian stands.
The murder of five Macedonians last week shocked the region by its brutality and threatened the peace in Macedonia.
In a serious effort Albania’s President Bamir Topi started a visit to Skopje where besides meeting with his host counterpart Gjorgje Ivanov, he will also meet with Macedonian prime minister Nikola Gruevski, parliament speaker Trajko Velanovski, former president Branko Crvenkovski and also the two leaders of the ethnic Albanian communities there Ali Ahmeti and Menduh Thaci. Topi, who made a three-day visit there, will also take part at the opening of a trade fair in Skopje, in a clear example and show that bilateral ties are close and also an obvious call for calm there.
Macedonian authorities have yet to come out with any motive or the possible suspects of the crime, but there has been ethnic tension rising up with Macedonians holding anti-Albanian protests. Macedonian authorities have also called for calm.
The deaths, however, sparked tensions between Macedonians and Albanians, amid suspicions that Albanian paramilitaries had murdered the men in light of repeated social media calls to avenge two Albanians killed two months ago in Gostivar after they attacked an off-duty police officer.
Several hundred outraged Macedonians blocked the nearby Radishani neighborhood, building barricades, lighting candles and appealing to the government to ensure justice prevails. They demolished a bus as well as a vehicle of a media outlet.
Five people, including two police officers, have been injured and 14 people detained for questioning following riots triggered by the slaying of five fishermen that has stoked ethnic tension.
Ethnic Albanians make up a quarter of Macedonia’s population of 2.1 million. Tensions with the Macedonian majority have simmered since a 2001 uprising by ethnic Albanian rebels.
On Wednesday different media in the region reported a statement from a previously unknown organization calling itself the Army for the Liberation of Occupied Albanian Lands threatening to launch attacks in Macedonia unless Albanians were let alone.
Ivanov has issued calls for restraint and a speedy investigation into the killings. Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska warned that speculation about who was behind the killings risked fuelling ethnic tensions.
Ethnic Albanian political leaders also urged citizens and media to refrain from speculation.