WORLD : Albanian Exodus Continues

Hundreds of Albanians continued to cross into Greece today, despite talks between Greek and Albanian officials aimed at stopping their exodus.

Spokesmen for the northwestern provinces of Ioannina and Thesprotia, which border Albania, said 564 refugees arrived overnight.

They joined more than 5,000 Albanians who have braved freezing weather and treacherous mountain passes over the last six days in the largest exodus from the tiny Balkan country in 40 years of Communist control.

Greek officials have called for an end to the crossings and say they hope that the mostly ethnic Greek refugees will be able to return to Albania.

Greece has accused Albania of provoking the exodus to try to reduce the numbers of the Greek minority in the southern border region of Albania.