US Slams Murder Of Two Macedonian Soldiers By Albanian Extremists

The Administration of George Bush Jr. condemns the murder of two Macedonian servicemen by ethnic Albanian extremists along the Serbian border, reads a written statement by official US Department of State spokesman Richard Boucher that was circulated here today. The Albanians also kidnapped one Macedonian soldier. Boucher's statement also denounces the so-called Albanian national liberation army's hostage-taking practice, which deliberately threatens civilians. At the same time, Washington apparently doesn't want to see Albanian terrorists liquidated. According to Boucher's statement, the United States supports nothing but a well thought-out response on the part of Macedonia's armed forces to this terrorist outrage. Washington also calls on Macedonian authorities to do everything possible in order to prevent civilian fatalities during the implementation of essential law-enforcement measures, the statement reads in part.