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| » BOTH BILL CLINTON AND GEORGE W. BUSH ARE ENTERED IN ALBANIAN HISTORY AS THE NATIONAL HEROS OF KOSOVO AND ETHNIC ALBANIA! |
| Postuar mė datėn: 2007-06-18 09:48:48 nga admin1 :: Kategoria: English |
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Essay
By Mehdi HYSENI,Ph.D
Sometimes, in diplomacy and politics, as in baseball, it is always better to be lucky than good. In this case Albanians, Kosovo and Albania have a big reason to be so lucky because for the first time in their up to now history they got the best and strongest political allay as is the United States of America. This truth, I would like to illustrate by this very important and wise Albanian traditional saying: Its not easy to get a good friend, but its the most important how to keep and preserve it for ever suchlike. If Albanians not forget embryonic message of this traditional custom of their life, there is no dilemma that they will stay shoulder to shoulder with the United States of America as their strong and frank allay. Otherwise, they are going to be loser again under the previous Serbias and Russias interest sphere in Balkans which historically, de facto and de jure would mean under colonialism and hegemonysm of these Slav countries.
There is no doubt more that the fate of Kosovo wont be depend on Serbian and Albanian politicians and diplomats, but concretely one is in hands of the United States, OUN, EU, NATO as a main and relevant factors of the international community. This is true which very well did understand Albanian political elite, and official authorities in Kosovo and Albania, but not and official Belgrade, and Moscow as its directly and traditional Slav supporter which categorically rejected Marti Ahtisaaris plan which for Kosovo means recognizing of the international supervision independence.
Qustion is: - Why Bill Clinton (USA ex-president) and George W. Bush( sitting president) both must have the same status of treatment as the national heros for Albanians in Kosovo? Answer is very simple: -Because of these two relevant facts: the First one (Bill Clinton) has liberated Kosovo from genocide and occupation from Serbia which was leaded by its president Slobodan Milosevic; The second one (George W. Bush) continues firmly and strong-minded Bill Clintons political and diplomatic strategy of the United States in keeping streerage only one way-towards independence of Kosovo. These are the main reasons why the both USAs presidents Bill Clinton and George W, Bush are entered in Albanian history as the national heros of Kosovo and Albania.
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Bill Clinton in Stankovec camp
Having in regard that, American president George W. Bush merits to get the same Albanian national status like ex-president, Bill Clinton because he has honor to resolve definitely Kosovos political status which Bill Clinton with his administration staff has begun eight years ago (1999), and George W. Bush is going to finish it very soon, apart from Russias opposing international supervised independence of Kosovo according to Marti Ahtisaaris Plan which suppose to be voted within the United Nations Security Council in New York (probably this month of this year).
Really, George W. Bushs visit to Albania (June 10,2007) has historical character and significance for Albanians in general because one re-proved the United States strong and frank resolution on granting independence of Kosovo according to the Marti Ahtisaris plan which has been adopted by Kosovos parliament (03/14/07), and supported by the Albanian government as well as.
Albanian warm historical reception to George W. Bush in Tirana (June 10,2007) there was like to Albanian legendary hero Skenderbeu in Kruja (November 28, 1443), and Isamail Qemali (November 28, 1912) where both (in different historical periods ) have escaped Albania and Albanians from foreign domination Ottoman Empire, and from neighbor colonial Slav countries such is Serbia, Greece and Montenegro through up to now their history.
Briefly, Scanderbeg or Skanderbeg (both: skćn'durbeg) [key], c.14041468, Albanian national hero. His original name was George Castriota or Kastriotes, but the Ottomans called him Iskender Bey, and this was corrupted into Scanderbeg. The son of a prince of N Albania, he was educated in the Muslim faith as a hostage at the court of Sultan Murad II. The sultan showered favors on him and gave him the title bey and an army command. In 1443, when the Ottomans indicated they would attack Albania, Scanderbeg escaped to his homeland, abjured Islam, and formed a league of princes among the Albanian chieftains. He proclaimed himself prince of Albania. To resist the Ottomans under Sultan Muhammad II, Scanderbeg received aid at various times from Venice, Naples, Hungary, and the pope. He had success in these wars partly because of the rugged Albanian terrain and partly because he employed a mobile defense force using guerrilla methods. He withstood repeated attacks and forced the sultan to conclude a 10-year truce in 1461. Scanderbeg broke the truce in 1463 when Pope Pius II called for a new crusade. The pope's death (1464) forced abandonment of the crusade; Scanderbeg, left without allies, had to retreat to his fortress of Kroia. After his death the league dissolved, resistance collapsed, and Albania fell to the Ottomans. Scanderbeg's life is the source of many Albanian tales./See: The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press/.
During the 20th century (November 28, 1912) thank to lot of Albanians struggles and diplomatic efforts committed by outstanding Albanian national leaders as Isamil Qemali, who was the first president of the first provision Albanian Government which is created in November 28, 1912, are designated artificial borders of Albania ( remaining 50% of the ethnic territories and Albanians outside its national sovereignty) by the Great European Powers (1913).
Its important to stress that after the end of the First World War there had tendencies and territorial pretences by neighbor Slav countries (Serbia, Greece and Montenegro and Great European Powers) to re-divide a new (half ) Albanian state , but thank to the firm political intervention of the United States President Woodrow Wilson Albania remains within todays borders which were confirmed at the Paris Peace Conference (1919), where American president Woodrow Wilson dismissed a plan by European Powers to re-parcel out Albania between its neighbors.
However, since then Albanians have never forget that great and right American support to escape their country from colonial swallowing of the
Serbia, Greece and Montenegro. On the contrary The relationship between our countries dates back to the early years of this century, when President [Woodrow] Wilson extended American support for the young Albanian state. The relationship was never forgotten by the many thousands of Americans of Albanian origin
who kept contact with their homeland over all these years( ttp://tirana.usembassy.gov/. Precisely, this is historical constancy which will never efface from history memory of all Albanians and Albania, apart from the negative political influence and rapacious interests of our, and American enemies (then and today).
George W. Bush in Fushė- Krujė - ALBANIA
Mr.George W. Bush the greatest son of Albania!
This our valuation about the United States president George W.Bush as the greatest and very dear unforgotten son of Albanians and Albanias (beside warm and heros welcome in Tirana by thousands Albanian people and Albanian political authorities) in the best manner provides this official statement of the Albanian prime minister, dr. Sali Berisha which declares at the enjoyed meeting with president George W. Bush that: Today is a beautiful day. Today is a great day, historic for all Albanians. Among us is the greatest and most distinguished guest we have ever had in all times, the President of the United States of America, the leading country of the free world, George W. Bush.; his lady, Mrs. Laura Bush, and their close aides. For me, it“s a great honor, and a special pleasure to thank them with gratitude and extend the most heartfelt welcome, in this historic visit, the first visit ever of a United States President in Albania.
Thank you heartily, Mr. President, from the bottom of our hearts, fulfilling ardent and long-awaited wish of all Albanians to have a special guest in their home. Tungjatjeta -- an Albanian word, means "may you have a long life." This is a most traditional greeting of Albanians that I chose to greet you on their behalf, on behalf of Albanians. Welcome to Albania, President Bush.
Mr. President, you are, today, an honorable guest and friend of a nation whose gratefulness and friendship towards your great nation and your country have been deeply embodied in the historic memory and in the conscience of its citizens. No other nation in the region or in Europe has ever gone through so much suffering, ethnic cleansing, racism, partitions, occupations, and severe dictatorships as we Albanians have. History was unjust and very severe to us.
We have been blessed, however. We have won in all our efforts to defend our identity in Western oriented national vocation to emerge from the age of oppression to the age of dignity, from the age of darkness to the age of freedom. We have won because our just cause has always had the powerful support of the U.S.A., the greatest and the most precious friend of Albanian nation. God bless your great nation.
At the beginning of last century, President Wilson did not allow the partition of the newly proclaimed Albanian independent state. The U.S.A. recognized Albania 85 years ago. Your visit on this anniversary is its most beautiful crown, the climax of excellent, friendly relations between our two countries.
Afterwards, President Truman made big efforts to free Albanians from their Orwellian dictatorship. At the outset of the “90s, President George Herbert Bush and his administration provided an exceptional contribution to the fall of Berlin Wall, but the fall of this wall in Tirana, as well, opening the doors of freedom for Albanians.
President Bill Clinton led the North Atlantic Alliance in the fight for Kosovo liberation from the barbarian occupation. And today, Kosovo citizens find in your administration, Mr. President, the greatest hope and support for their project of a free, independent, and integrated state in Europe. Centuries ago, until our present days, hundreds and thousands of Albanians migrated to your great country. They are loyal and honorable citizens of the United States who have always loved, and still love the nation and the country of origin. They have -- (inaudible) -- a lot, they have kept a life of hope and freedom for Albanians always on.
 Mehdi HYSENI, Ph. D
In your presence, I“d like today to extend the most cordial greetings and my deepest gratitude. The friendly feelings towards your nation and your great country, the proud Americanism of Albanians are indeed a matter of their national pride. Albanians are very proud about the friendship with the U.S.A., and the cooperation they have with your nation in the war against international terrorism, of their presence on your side in Iraq, Afghanistan. I assure you that they will be on your side wherever their modest, but resolute contribution is needed against international terrorism, this most dangerous enemy of free people.
Above all, Albanians feel proud of their friendship with your nation because we share the values and the principles of freedom and market-oriented democracy. In this road, they have received an exceptional overall political, economic, financial, and technical assistance provided by the U.S. and the EU countries and other friendly countries, for which we remain truly, always grateful.
Sixteen years ago, Secretary James Baker brought to Albanians the message from the country of freedom, "Freedom works." Today, after 16 years, I can say that despite the hardships experienced by our country, freedom for Albanians has worked more than any other nation. Albania, a country of denied freedoms and human rights, banned the constitution, a country of hyper collectivization and true human slavery, and the most extreme isolation, today is the country of political, economic, consolidated pluralism, of excellent religious centers, of functioning, working democracy. It is the country with a fast economic growth, with the private sector accounting for 80 percent of GDP. And the income per capita has increased 20 times more.
Albania is the country that signed -- that is implementing successfully their stabilization association agreement with the EU, and received the message from Riga summit on the possibility of receiving an invitation for NATO membership. It is a country that welcomes today the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush.
God bless Albanians. Ladies and gentlemen, in our talks with President Bush, we have discussed our excellent, friendly bilateral relations and their further development. I informed him of other reforms launched by my government, and their results are strengthening the rule of law, the zero tolerance fight against organized crime, the valuable assistance that law enforcement agencies from the United States and other friendly countries are providing to this end. We talked about the fight against corruption and the much-expected assistance that a series of projects funding by the Millennium Challenge Account, related to e-taxes, e-procurement and one-stop shop, offer in this regard, and other reforms in the judicial system, police, education, et cetera.
I briefed President Bush on the significant reforms that we are undertaking in the view of turning Albania into a very attractive country for U.S.A. and foreign investors -- other foreign investors. We hope that this visit will encourage others.
A special place was the question of Albania“s membership into NATO as the main priority of Albania. In this regard, we have decided to increase our defense budget to 2 percent of GDP, to triple our presence in Afghanistan, and implement with seriousness the requirements of the ninth MAP cycle. In addition, let me mention that 90 percent of Albanians support Albania“s membership to NATO. The support of President Bush and his administration is of a vital importance to Albania for membership into NATO as the most secure future.
We discussed about the situation in the region. After this press conference, we“ll continue the discussion in the framework of Adriatic Charter A3, with the very good friends of Albania, the Prime Minister of Croatia Ivo Sanader, and Prime Minister of Macedonia Nikola Gruevski.
Special attention in our discussion was given to solution of the final status of Kosovo in compliance with the proposal of President Ahtisaari for its independence as a -- gradual independence as a precondition for stability and peace in the region.
Ladies and gentlemen, in December 1990, students and citizens in Tirana took to the streets and the squares, shouting, "USA"; "Long live President Bush." We want Albania like the rest of Europe. President Bush visit Albania in 2004 and 2006, and Mr. Jimmy Carter before. And after this visit, Mr. President, our country will be visited by other Presidents of the United States. But in the memory of Albanian citizens, the great honor that you made to them with your first visit of a United States President in office in Albania.
Thank you very much, Mr. President Bush, great friend of my nation. (/Source:ww.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/06/20070610-//
PRESIDENT BUSH: Mirdita. (Laughter.) Thank you for having me. Prime Minister, thank you for your hospitality. I thank the President for his hospitality, as well.
I“m proud to be the first American sitting President to visit Albania. It“s a great honor to represent my country here. I“ve really been looking forward to this trip, and so has my wife, Laura. The reason being is that I love to come to countries that are working hard to establish the institutions necessary for a democracy to survive. I“m particularly pleased to be here in Albania, in a country that has casted off the shackles of a very repressive society and is now showing the world what“s possible. And I congratulate the people of Albania, and I thank you for the warm welcome we received on your streets.
We had a very good discussion. I learned a lot about your ct. I learned the fact that this is a country that embraces the markets, is willing to do necessary reforms to make sure that the small business person survives, the entrepreneur is strong, that the tax code is fair. I“m impressed with the desire of the government to fight corruption, to make it clear that the government is of the people, that the government can be trusted by the people, by routing out those who would use their exalted positions to steal from the taxpayers. I appreciate that kind of commitment, Mr. Prime Minister.
I appreciate the fact that Albania is a model of religious tolerance. And I appreciate the fact that Albania is a trusted friend and a strong ally. And this visit today hopefully will send a signal to the people of Albania, you can count on America, just like America can count on you, to do hard work necessary to spread freedom and, therefore, peace.
We discussed a lot of issues -- we discussed Iraq and Afghanistan. I thank the Prime Minister and his government for putting troops in harm“s way. Albanians know the horror of tyranny. And so they“re working to bring the hope of freedom to people who haven“t known it. And that“s a noble effort, and a sacrifice. And I appreciate your sacrifice.
Albania has 120 of its elite commandos stationed in Iraq. I had the privilege of meeting some of the Albanian soldiers. Here“s what I told them: I said, first of all, you are respected by our military. Your soldiers are good at what they do. They“re well-trained, they“re disciplined, they“re courageous. I told them that the United States appreciates their contribution. So do the Iraqi citizens -- and also told them, when they went home, to make sure that they told their wives and their children, thanks on behalf of the United States of America, as well. The families are just as much a part of a soldier“s life as the soldier, himself.
And so, Mr. Prime Minister, we thank you very much for your commitment to freedom in Iraq, as well as Afghanistan. The Prime Minister has announced that Albania will deploy 120 additional troops to Afghanistan this summer. These are two vital fronts on the war on terror, and the United States has a strong friend in Albania in this war. And I thank you.
We also talked about NATO and Albania“s aspirations to join the NATO alliance. I commended the Prime Minister for the progress that Albania has made in defense reform -- in other words, part of becoming a member of NATO requires a reformation of the defense forces. And Albania is working hard to do that, as well as to meet performance-based standards for membership. In other words, you“re just not accepted into membership; you just can“t say, I want to join; there are certain standards that are expected to be met.
And so I talked to the Prime Minister, first of all, about my deep desire for Albania to join NATO. I support it. I also told him that there needs to be additional political and military reforms, progress against organized crime and corruption. And he understands that. He said, we“re committed. That“s what the Prime Minister said -- Albania is committed to meeting those standards. And I said, we“re committed to help you.
And it“s very important for the political figures here in this country to understand what“s at stake. The politicians have got to work together now to meet the standards. They“ve got to set aside political differences and focus on what“s right for Albania. If the Albanian people want to join NATO, then the politicians have got to work to meet the standards.
And so I call upon all in the government, government and the opposition, to do what is necessary to join NATO, and we“ll support you and help you. I think it“s best that Albania be a NATO ally. I look forward to welcoming you some day into NATO.
We also talked about Kosovo. I“m a strong supporter of the Ahtisaari plan. I said yesterday in Rome, the time is now. A fellow asked me a question, well, when does this end? When does the process end? I said, the time is now. In other words, I put a sense of -- I made it clear that -- two things, one that we need to get moving; and two, that the end result is independence. And we spent a lot of time talking about this issue here. The Prime Minister was anxious to hear my views. He wanted to make sure that what I said was clear for everybody, and what I said was: Independence is the result; let“s get the process moving.
Now, we want to make sure that Serbia hears that the United States supports their aspirations for closer integration with the West. That means, working with the United States in a bilateral fashion. It also means potential membership of NATO, for example. I urged the Prime Minister to work with the leaders in Kosovo to maintain calm during these final stages, of Kosovo final status process. He assured me he would. He“s got good contacts there, and Kosovars look to the Prime Minister of Albania and the President for Albania for leadership, and they“re willing to provide it.
And so we discussed a lot of issues, and I must say I was very impressed by the conversations, impressed with the vision, and want to help. The United States wants to be a good ally and friend.
Again, I thank you again for the hospitality, and I know you“re proud of the historic progress that you have made. May God bless the people of Albania, and, of course, the people of the United States."
(ww.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/06/20070610-//
The essence of these two American-Albanian statements made in capital city Tirana (June10,2007) by Albanian Prime minister, Dr, Sali Berisha and the United States president, George W. Bush is the best and lasting argument that interests and friendship of America and Albania historically are very ancient, and very important for two countries, independent of changing political regimes in Albania (1912-1992) up today.
Also, through content of these two mentioned statements is very clear that now are created very good and important circumstances and opportunities of mutual cooperation between two countries, especially in major of development and advancement of economic and democratic reforms in Albania by supporting of American experience and pragmatic democracy where without those Albanian society cannot go on in future.
If Albanian authorities have understood very well and rightly the American policy toward Albania, there is no doubt that Albania has a great chance to promote its political, democratic and national values both in European level and international too, as integrated and developed part of the international community.
Also, Albanian political elite, and all Albanians have to be conscious that establishing of diplomatic relations with the United States of America, and George W. Bush historical visit Albania on June 10, 2007 which plainly re-confirms all-round supporting of the United States to Albania, in the broad and the deepest political and strategic sense means that Albania and Albanians in Balkans will never be more toy of the partition agendas of their neighbor Slav countries (Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Greece) because ones are very loyal and important Americas strategic allies, and there is no doubt that they concern to the United States interest sphere in Balkans, Europe, and in all the world, instead to Russia and its Slav amalgam (Serbia, Montenegro, Greece, Bulgaria) that they have been concerned to them in the past of their painful history (1878-1990).
During his the first historical visit of Albania on June 10,2007, the United States current President George W. Bush officially confirms Americas commitment to support Kosovos independence. This is and an argument more that Albanians in Kosovo havent any reason to be worried and skeptical about the future of Kosovo because of the fact that they got directly promise by the President George W. Bush that the United States of America stays strong on supporting of Kosovos independence, although the G8 summit in Germany ended on Friday(June 8,2007) failed to reach consensus on the future status of Kosovo, where the Albanians (over 90%) are pushing for a United Nations vote on independence in compliance with proposed plan of the United Nations envoy Martti Ahtisaari who offers international supervised independence, but its possible to be rejected by veto vote of the Russia as a permanent Member of the OUN. However, on the contrary of the Russias president, Vladimir Putin who threats that Russia is going to use its veto vote to block Kosovos bid for independence from Serbia on behalf of the breach international legal norms which support Serbias sovereignty on Kosovo , George W. Bush said at joint news conference with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi in Rome(June 8,o7), and in Tirana with Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha that: the United Nations Security Council must act now on a plan to grant Kosovo supervised independence. This needs to happen. Its now time up in our judgment to move the Ahtisaaris plan.
On behalf of the extraordinary support of the United States during past 18 years (after collapse of communist era) in developing and advancing of democratic society of Albania, President George W. Bush receives the Order of the National Flag Award from President Alfred Moisiu during an arrival ceremony Sunday, June 10, 2007, in Tirana, Albania, as Mrs. Laura Bush and Ms. Mirela Moisiu look on. The visit by the President and Mrs. Bush marked the first to Albania by a sitting U.S. president.
(www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/06/images/20070610-//.
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18. 06. 2007
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