Foreign Troops Arrive to Begin Albania Mission

More than 1,200 French, Italian and Spanish soldiers landed in Albania by air and sea Tuesday, the first real muscle in a European push to provide humanitarian aid and ease three months of unrest.

Insurgents in the southern port of Vlore, fearing President Sali Berisha might be emboldened by the troops’ presence, grabbed their guns and took up defensive positions around the city.

Vlore, one of the ports to be secured by the foreign troops, is the heart of the rebellion by Berisha’s opponents. They blame him for the collapse of shady investment schemes that cost many Albanians their life savings and sent the Balkan country into chaos.

Military officials indicated it will be at least next week before the Italian-led force--which is to build to about 6,000--can fully secure Albania’s roads and bridges.

“We first need to spread out across the territory,” said Lt. Col. Gianfranco Scalas of Italy as paratroopers disembarked at Durres harbor.

Right behind the troops, a Greek cargo ship carrying 400 tons of wheat flour and beans--the first aid under the aegis of the military mission--pulled into the harbor.

The troops’ mission is to safeguard distribution of it and further shipments throughout Albania.

In Vlore, 50 miles south of the capital, Tirana, tension was high Tuesday. The insurgents apparently fear Berisha could use concern for the safety of foreign troops as an excuse to try to disarm them before aid is delivered.

The multinational force isn’t authorized to disarm the countless Albanians who looted arsenals and police barracks.