FOOD aid for Albania was unloaded yesterday at the country's main port as the international mediator, Dr Franz Vranitzky, met senior government officials in the capital.
Flour, beans and vegetable oils were taken ashore from a ship in the port of Durres which is being safeguarded by French troops who landed on Tuesday. The food aid from the UN World Food Programme, is to be distributed in the coming days.
The French troops are part of a 6,000 strong multinational security force for Albania whose job is to guard the port and other strategic sites in Albania to enable much needed aid to reach those in need.
Dr Vranitzky, a former Austrian chancellor who heads the mission to Albania of the Organisation for Security and Co operation for Europe (OSCE), met the Prime Minister, Mr Bashkim Fino, and other ministers yesterday morning, and later met leaders of the political represented in Albania's temporary government of reconciliation.
The discussions included the current security situation, the arrival of foreign troops, and possible changes to the electoral law before planned elections in June.
Diplomats have warned that unless the force does more than protect aid deliveries, the Albanians, who have welcomed the force, could quickly become disillusioned with the troops.
"You have 6,000 soldiers for just a few bags of flour and the Albanians will be soon disappointed," a western envoy said.
A second contingent of French troops left the southern French port of Toulon yesterday to support the multinational mission. The 600 men left on board a chartered car ferry and are due arrive at Durres by Friday morning.
The first detachments of 120 Greek troops left the northern port of Thessaloniki yesterday aboard two C-130 planes and on the Samos transport ship. More troops will be sent out over the next few days. In total, the Greek contingent will number 760 men.
The Greek Defence Minister Mr Akis Tsohatzopoulos, seeing off the troops, described the mission as a "difficult operation".
A group of 153 troops left Turkey by air yesterday. The Turkish contingent of nearly 800 troops will have the task of providing security at Tirana airport.