[Engraved-on-His-hands]

Amazing article, especially for the NY Times, with many great lines. Worth reading.

Many Americans, including many conservatives, often have a negative view of Albania. Here are a few things, though, worth considering:

In a Gallup poll of 60 countries, the most pro-American country on Earth was determined to be...Albania.

In the initial combat phase of Operation Enduring Freedom, only three countries in addition to the U.S. provided ground troops: Great Britain, Australia, and...Albania.

The vocal support expressed by the Albanians for the U.S. can be seen in these representative statements:

America is the only country in the world that exports freedom. It brought freedom and democracy to Japan and Germany after defeating both in World War II. It rebuilt their societies and taught them about liberty. It helped bring down the Berlin Wall. That is why we wholeheartedly support the American-led effort to free the people of Iraq. (Prime Minister Fatos Nano; March 20, 2003)

We're the most pro-U.S. nation in Europe, and we're in Iraq for the long haul. (Ambassador Satos Tarisa; April 2004)

(With regard to the Albanian participation in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere): The United States of America stood on the side of the Albanians in 1999 when it was a matter of the existence of our nation. I hope this proves to the American taxpayers that they have not spent their money in vain to help this nation. Our gratitude will be long-term. (Albanian Defense Minister Pandeli Majko; June 10, 2003)

We Albanians are a nation of freedom fighters who know something about living under oppression. That is why we wholeheartedly support the American-led effort to free the people of Iraq. And though we are a small country with a small military, we are proud to stand side by side with our allies in the fight to end the reign of terror in Baghdad.

Now that the fighting has begun, we expect the Albanian commandos we have sent to aid in the operation will acquit themselves well. Also, we are proud to have pledged our unconditional support in terms of additional troops, ports, bases, and air fields.

History is old. The only new thing about history is the United States. America is the only country in the world that exports freedom. When the historical occasion has called for it, the United States of America has been willing to pay the price in order to free the oppressed, even in states that have sought its harm.

It brought freedom and democracy to Japan and Germany after defeating both in World War II. It rebuilt their societies and taught them about liberty. It helped bring down the Berlin Wall hastening the process of freedom in Central and Eastern Europe. It rarely asked anything in return. Now the United States and its Coalition of the Willing will bring liberty to Iraq.

And when the Coalition of the Willing completes its work, it will be time for the Coalition of Builders to repair, restore and rebuild Iraq under the name of freedom.

We are proud to be in the company of the free.

(Prime Minister of Albania, Fatos Nano. March 20, 2003)

[kabar]

US President George W Bush has said a plan for Kosovo's UN-backed independence should take effect now, despite Russian and Serbian opposition.

[cpanter]

70% Muslim. I love it. Great little story.

I wonder what Rosie the Hut and the rest of her disgusting ilk think of this country? I am going to guess she would say this: “I am sure that we are just using them for the US Torture Chambers and Oil Reserves - Eastern Headquarters.”

“Please Occupy Us!” I love it.

[ChessExpert]

My advice: don’t be too quick to get on the NYT bandwagon. It’s kind of like working up a bill with Ted Kennedy.

[Engraved-on-His-hands]

I know that the Kosovo business rankles with some, but one needs to realize that Albania was very pro-American long before the Kosovo crisis. Also, there are different cultural realities and political views which differentiate Albania from Kosovo.

The article hints at Albania's long-standing pro-American stance in the article:

Every school child in Albania can tell you that President Woodrow Wilson saved Albania from being split up among its neighbors after World War I, and nearly every adult repeats the story when asked why Albanians are so infatuated with the United States.

Here are some other quotes of interest from the article:

''Albania is for sure the most pro-American country in Europe, maybe even in the world,'' said Edi Rama, Tirana’s mayor and leader of the opposition Socialists. ''Nowhere else can you find such respect and hospitality for the president of the United States. Even in Michigan, he wouldn’t be as welcome.''...

One newspaper, reporting on the effusive mood, published a headline that read, ''Please Occupy Us!''...

But here in Albania, which has not wavered in its unblinking support for American policies since the end of the cold war, Mr. Bush can do no wrong. While much of the world berates Mr. Bush for warmongering, unilateralism, trampling civil liberties and even turning a blind eye to torture, Albania still loves him without restraint....

Albanians’ support for the war in Iraq is nearly unanimous, and any perceived failings of American foreign policy are studiously ignored. A two-day effort to find anyone of prominence who might offer some criticism of the United States turned up just one name, and that person was out of the country....

James A. Baker III was mobbed when he visited the country as secretary of state in 1991. There was even a move to hold a referendum declaring the country America’s 51st state around that time....

It was one of the first countries to send troops to Afghanistan and one of the first to join the forces in Iraq. It has soldiers in both places. ''They will continue to be deployed as long as the Americans are there,'' Albania’s president, Alfred Moisiu, said proudly in an interview....

''President Bush is safer in Albania than in America,'' said Ermin Gjinishti, a Muslim leader in Albania....

[JCG]

Since 1912, Denmark has celebrated July 4th as a holiday in honor of US Independence Day.

[mefistofelerevised]

Albania is 70% muslim, the poorest country in Europe, and pro US. They are happy the United States bombed Serbia, which is something that I wasn’t happy about. The US has given Albania some financial aid, but it today’s world it didn’t seem like much. They do support US positions in international affairs. They understand they wouldn’t exist if it weren’t the the US.That is a nice change from some of the other allies.

[montag813]

Albania has nothing on Poland, which is a pro-American nation which actually is significant on the world stage. Meanwhile Kosovo is home to Al Queda’s vassals in Europe. Kosovar Albanians run the kidnapping/sex slave trade and heroin market in all of Europe. They are the scum of the Earth and Bush wants to give them a terror state all their own.