Posted on 03/27/2005 4:57:25 AM PST by Engraved-on-His-hands
The announcement several days ago Albania -- a small country with limited resources -- was sending an additional 50 well-trained troops to Iraq came as a surprise to some observers. But it really should not have surprised anyone. Albania was one of only four countries to send combat troops during the operation "Iraqi Freedom." Albania is probably the most pro-American country on Earth. It showed its support of the United States early, when it initially sent 70 commandos to join the Coalition of the Willing's effort to bring peace, stability and free elections to Iraq.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
"We should pay homage to those brave Americans who stormed ashore at Omaha Beach and gave their lives for the freedom of others. The wonder of it is that the Americans are willing to do it again," Mr. Nano said. "
This is a great line from the article.
"Upon committing Albania to the Coalition of the Willing, Prime Minister Nano urged his fellow European leaders to visit Normandy "to see for themselves what the United States has been willing to undertake in the name of freedom. We should all visit Normandy. We should pay homage to those brave Americans who stormed ashore at Omaha Beach and gave their lives for the freedom of others. The wonder of it is that the Americans are willing to do it again," Mr. Nano said."
Great piece, Pong
About the author.......Ambassador Tarifa
http://www.southeasteurope.org/subpage.php?sub_site=30&w_id=328
Wow!
Please. Do NOT confuse Kosovo with Albania. Albania wants NOTHING to do with Kosovo. Albanians in Albania do not even like Kosovars.
Althought it seems as if Fatos Nano is being grateful for Americans and sending troops to Iraq. The underlying reason is that elections are coming up in 2005 and he is trying to show his voters that america supports him. But all the same, good show Nano.
I'd like to shake this "New European's" hand.
Excellent!
Trained in Kosovo or Bosnia, I presume?
Is there an "Albania ping list" here on Free Republic?
"Trained in Kosovo or Bosnia, I presume?"
No, you are confusing Albania Proper with Kosovo. Albania's military elite train with the US and Nato forces. Kosovo is a province in Serbia-Montenegro that have no ties with Albania. Albania's position about Kosovo is that they want nothing to do with them.
What goes around comes around. I lived in Germany during the peak of the cold war in the early 80's. Albania banned all American travel. Need not apply for a visa because Americans were forbidden. It is nice to see the changes towards the USA.
"Please. Do NOT confuse Kosovo with Albania. Albania wants NOTHING to do with Kosovo. Albanians in Albania do not even like Kosovars."
Thank you. Many of us don't really follow this.
"The underlying reason is that elections are coming up in 2005 and he is trying to show his voters that america supports him."
SHOCKING! A politician "pandering" to the electorate, whoever heard of such a thing. The thing is would he be doing this if he didn't think large numbers of Albanians agree with it? And that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Good for them. I am proud that we stand for liberty, and I am proud of those who stand with us. I would hate to be on the other side.
Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10%
note: percentages are estimates; there are no available current statistics on religious affiliation; all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/al.html
One of the major legacies of nearly five centuries of Ottoman rule was the conversion of up to 70 percent of the Albanian population to Islam. Therefore, at independence the country emerged as a predominantly Muslim nation, the only Islamic state in Europe. No census taken by the communist regime after it assumed power in 1944 indicated the religious affiliations of the people.
It has been estimated that of a total population of 1,180,500 at the end of World War II, about 826,000 were Muslims, 212,500 were Orthodox, and 142,000 were Roman Catholics. The Muslims were divided into two groups: about 600,000 adherents of the Sunni branch and more than 220,000 followers of a dervish order known as Bektashi, which was an offshoot of the Shia branch. Bektashism was regarded as a tolerant Muslim sect that also incorporated elements of paganism and Christianity.
http://www.country-studies.com/albania/religion.html
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