Two bags with explosives found in downtown Tirana

TIRANA, May 31 – Explosives found at Tirana Unviersity and at Mother Teresa Square, both located in downtown Tirana, created concern for Albanian law enforcement authorities prior to U.S. President George W. Bush’s visit on June 10.
A plastic bag containing more than a kilogram of explosives was found at 2 p.m. in a small yard in front of the economics faculty at Tirana Unviersity, about 100 meters from the U.S. Embassy at Elbasani Street, according to a police statement.
Police experts carried out a controlled explosion.
Only half an hour later, a package with some 30 grams of explosives was found at Mother Teresa Square, near the office of President Alfred Moisiu. That package was not exploded, but taken for investigation to a police lab.
The anti-terror police unit has opened an investigation, the statement said.
Albanian and U.S. intelligence services are collaborating closely ahead of the visit of U.S. President George W. Bush.
On Thursday, a parliamentary commission approved the presence of U.S. military forces and allowing those troops to use force, if necessary, if an emergency arose during Bush’s visit.
It is believed that some 500 U.S. marines will arrive to assist with security in the areas where Bush is expected to stay during his hours in the capital, Tirana.
Albania, which has become one of the leading supporters of the U.S., considers the Bush trip a historic visit.
Top leaders from Croatia and Macedonia will also come to Tirana for an Adriatic 3 Charter summit, likely expecting a ‘go’ sign for full NATO membership from Bush.
There are also rumors that Kosovar leaders will meet with Bush while the U.N. Security Council is expected to debate a possible resolution on Kosova independence.