The Security Council,

Recalling its resolution 1101 (1997) of 28 March 1997,

Recalling the statement of 13 March 1997 of its President on the situation in Albania (S/PRST/1997/14),

Taking note of the letter of 16 June 1997 from the Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations to the President of the Security Council (S/1997/464),

Taking note also of the sixth report to the Council on the operation of the multinational protection force in Albania (S/1997/460),

Taking note of Decision 160 by the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) of 27 March 1997 (S/1997/259, annex II), including to provide the coordinating framework within which other international organizations can play their part in their respective areas of competence,

Expressing appreciation for the neutral and impartial way in which the Council mandate has been carried out by the multinational protection force, in close cooperation with the Albanian authorities,

Reiterating its concern over the situation in Albania,

Underlining the need for all concerned to refrain from hostilities and acts of violence, and calling on the parties involved to continue the political dialogue and facilitate the electoral process,

Stressing the importance of regional stability and, in this context, fully supporting the diplomatic efforts of the international community, particularly the OSCE and the European Union, to find a peaceful solution to the crisis and assist in the electoral process in Albania, in cooperation with the Albanian authorities,

Taking note of the need over a short period of time, as underlined in the sixth report on the operation of the multinational protection force in Albania, for a limited increase in the contingent originally planned, for the purpose of protecting the OSCE mission, especially in view of the planned elections,

Reaffirming the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Albania,

Determining that the present situation in Albania constitutes a threat to peace and security in the region,

1. Condemns all acts of violence, and calls for their immediate end;

2. Welcomes the readiness of the countries contributing to the multinational protection force to maintain their military contingents in Albania for a limited time as part of the multinational protection force in the framework of the mandate provided by resolution 1101 (1997);

3. Further welcomes the intention of the countries contributing to the multinational protection force to continue, within the framework of the mandate provided by resolution 1101 (1997), to facilitate the safe and prompt delivery of humanitarian assistance and to help create a secure environment for the missions of international organizations in Albania, including those providing humanitarian assistance, and takes note of all the elements contained in the sixth report to the Council on the operation of the multinational protection force in Albania, concerning, inter alia, the electoral monitoring mission of the OSCE-Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights;

4. Authorizes the Member States participating in the multinational protection force to conduct the operation in a neutral and impartial way to achieve the objectives set out in paragraph 3 above and, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, further authorizes these Member States to ensure the security and freedom of movement of the personnel of the multinational protection force;

5. Calls upon all those concerned in Albania to cooperate with the multinational protection force and with the missions of the international organizations;

6. Decides that the operation will be limited to a period of forty-five days from 28 June 1997, at which time the Council will assess the situation on the basis of the reports referred to in paragraph 9 below;

7. Decides that the cost of implementing this temporary operation will be borne by the participating Member States;

8. Encourages the Member States participating in the multinational protection force to cooperate closely with the Government of Albania, the United Nations, the OSCE, the European Union and all international organizations involved in rendering humanitarian assistance in Albania;

9. Requests the Member States participating in the multinational protection force to provide periodic reports to the Council through the Secretary-General, at least every two weeks, the first such report to be made no later than 14 days after the adoption of this resolution, inter alia specifying the parameters and modalities of the operation on the basis of consultations between those Member States and the Government of Albania;

10. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.