President Bush, getting a hero's welcome in Albania

June 10 2007
TIRANA, Albania — President Bush, getting a hero's welcome as the first American president to visit this Balkan nation, said Sunday that there cannot be endless dialogue about achieving independence for neighboring Kosovo.

"Sooner rather than later you've got to say 'Enough's enough. Kosovo's independent,"' Bush said during a news conference with the prime minister of this tiny, impoverished country.

Bush's press for statehood was aimed at Russia and others that object to Kosovo's independence. Standing alongside Prime Minister Sali Berisha, Bush said any extension of talks on Kosovo must have "certain independence" as the goal.

In response to Albania's push for NATO membership, Bush said additional political and military reforms were needed before that could be considered — something the country's leaders said they understood.When Bush arrived to begin his brief visit, the hills overlooking the capital boomed as military cannons fired a 21-gun salute, and thousands gathered in a downtown square on a brilliantly sunny day to see him and first lady Laura Bush.

Huge banners proclaimed "Proud to be Partners" and billboards said "President Bush in Albania Making History." Red-white-and-blue paper top hats with stars on top were passed out to well-wishers.

"It is a bright day today when in our land there came the greatest and most distinguished friend we have had in all our times, the president of the U.S.A., leader of the free world," Albanian PM Berisha said.

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[AlboPolish]

i love this man..i love Mr Bush:)greetings from Albania

[3RWE3]

@AlboPolish I wish we had him back ! Many Americans are sorry for obama pulling out on the Arms Defense System. Keep up the good work and remember President Bush is still loved by MOST Americans, even more now that obama has been in for 1 1/2 years and we are so worse off .

[dardanoilir]

I love America, I hate Bush, the stupidest cowboy the world has known, hi from Albania

[redsox2298]

We shamed cia ?

We can not even shame greek asfalia.

U retard.

[sparstar]

we vandalized him and shamed his CIA security

we stolled his watch from his hand in front of his gards and noone could do anything we shamed you not because we need your watch but to give you an idea not to fuck with Albania