Bush Urges Independence for Kosovo

TIRANA, Albania June 10, 2007, 11:19 a.m. ET · President Bush, getting a hero's welcome as the first American president to visit this Balkan nation, said Sunday there cannot be endless dialogue about achieving independence for neighboring Kosovo.

"At some point in time — sooner rather than later — you've got to say `Enough is enough. Kosovo is independent' and that's the position we've taken," Bush said during a news conference with the prime minister of this tiny, poor 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.

"We are determined to take any decision, adopt any law, undertake any reform that would make Albania suitable to receive the invitation" to join the western military alliance, Berisha said.

When Bush arrived for 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 distributed to well-wishers.

Albania also issued three postage stamps with Bush's picture and the Statue of Liberty, and renamed a street in front of parliament in his honor.

Berisha said the visit was historic. "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," he said.

Bush said he was proud to be the first sitting president to visit. "I love to come to countries that are working hard to establish the institutions necessary for a democracy to survive," he said.

Albania, a former communist country, was ruled from the end of World War II by dictator Enver Hoxha. He oversaw construction of more than 600,000 concrete, pillbox bunkers as lookouts and gun emplacements out of paranoia about being invaded. And he discouraged people from leaving or admitting foreigners, saying Albania was paradise.

Hoxha died in 1985. Albania emerged from isolation in 1990, but remains one of Europe's poorest countries.

Bush stopped at a cafe in Fushe Kruje on his way to the airport for the flight to Bulgaria — the final stop on his six-country trip — and met with businessmen helped by U.S. microlending programs.

People waiting on the sidewalks behind yellow police tape gave him a boisterous welcome, shouting "Bushie, Bushie." He was practically manhandled as he shook hands along the line. Albanians reached out and embraced him, grabbing at his arms, shoulders and head, mussing his hair as Secret Service agents held him by the waist from behind.

The issue of independence for the Serbian province of Kosovo marks another difference of opinion between the U.S. and Russia.

Russia, an ally of Serbia, contends independence would set a dangerous precedent for the world's other breakaway regions. Serbia also opposes statehood for Kosovo, which it sees as the heart of its historic homeland.

The U.S. and key European countries that support independence are trying to narrow differences with Russia over the future of Kosovo, which has been run by the U.N. since a 1999 war between Serb forces and ethnic Albanian rebels. The U.N. Security Council is divided over the issue.

Last month, the U.S. and European nations introduced a revised U.N. resolution supporting independence for Kosovo under international supervision, but it was immediately rejected by Russia — which hinted it would veto the measure.

The new draft addressed Russia's concern that Kosovo's multiethnic character is preserved, but left out Russia's main proposal for new negotiations between the province's majority ethnic Albanians, who demand independence, and its minority Serbs, who want to remain part of Serbia.

"I happen to believe it's important to push the process along," Bush said. "The time is now. ... Secretary (of State Condoleezza) Rice will be moving hard to see if we can't reach an agreement. And if not, we're going to have to move. Independence is the goal."

Russia also opposes NATO's spread into eastern Europe, and is concerned about the prospect that its neighbors Ukraine and Georgia may be brought into the western military alliance.

Berisha said 90 percent of his country's people support NATO membership for Albania.

Bush said he commended Berisha on Albania's progress on reforming its defense forces and meeting performance-based standards required for membership. "I look forward to welcoming you sometime into NATO," he said.

But he said additional political and military reforms were needed, along with more progress in fighting organized crime and corruption. Berisha said he understood and is committed to making the changes.

"I said, 'We're committed to help you,'" Bush said.

In saluting Albania's democracy, Bush praised it as a country that has "cast off the shackles of a very oppressive society and is now showing the world what's possible."

Bush also met with Albanian President Alfred Moisiu and greeted troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Albania recently decided to triple its deployment in Afghanistan to 140 troops. It also has about 120 troops in Iraq — a presence that Moisiu says will continue as long as Americans are engaged there.

Bush also had lunch with the prime ministers of Albania, Macedonia and Croatia.