Bush visits welcoming Albania
George Bush was greeted by a warm welcome in Albania
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Sunday, 10, Jun 2007 11:52
The US has rewarded Albania's strong support for its war on terror with a visit by the leader of the free world.
President George Bush's trip to the Balkan country's capital, Tirana, is the first ever state visit to Albania by the US.
He enjoyed a 21-gun salute on stepping off Air Force One - a far cry from the anti-war protestors who greeted him in Germany and Italy.
The streets of Tirana feature flags and large posters showing Mr Bush's smiling face. Popular opinion appears to reflect the government's efforts to show a welcoming country.
Albanians are hoping Mr Bush's visit will advance their agenda for an independent Kosovo separate from Serbia.
Yesterday the US president voiced his intention to advance the independence process further after last week's G8 summit in Germany, despite reservations openly held by Serb-supporting Russian president Vladimir Putin.
"We're working with our friends and allies, and I had a long discussion with Vladimir Putin on the subject," he told reporters in a joint press conference with Italian prime minister Romano Prodi.
"To share with you my thoughts, what I told him there was. it's time. to bring this issue to a head.
"Obviously there's deep concern about what that would mean, whether he'd accept it, or not. I understand that. But the Kosovars are eagerly anticipating a decision by the world."