Great Albania
Remarks at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Accession Lunch
Today heralds a great occasion. It's a great accomplishment. NATO's enlargement, together with that of the European Union on May 1st, brings us closer to that very, very vital vision of ours, a Europe whole, free, and at peace. This ceremony, however, does not mark an ending, it marks a new beginning. Our common future will be bright. It will be worthy of the sacrifices of those who have come before us and worthy of the dreams of those not yet born. ... We must not forget the past, but we must not dwell on it. We must learn from it. Your nations are now free from shackles of old, but you must know what you are free for. And you do know. You have each shown, through a rigorous process of political, economic and military reform that you embrace the shared principles that are at the very heart of our great alliance. ... [Read More]
USIS Washington File: TRANSCRIPT: NATO BRIEFING ON "OPERATION ALLIED FORCE" APRIL 6
Jamie Shea: Well, on the second aspect of your question, it's probably beyond doubt that NATO's actions have led to an upsurge of nationalism in Serbia itself. Of course, as I pointed out, if the Serb people were able to see the television pictures of the suffering in Kosovo -- and I don't believe they are allowed to see those pictures -- then I think that many of them would be deeply ashamed. That's the first thing. Secondly, NATO's made it clear all along that this is not a quarrel that we have with the Serb people, but with the government in Belgrade, and I believe that that nationalism will be short-lived quite frankly, because if any leader in a democratic country came before the electorate and said "ladies and gentlemen, since I became your leader, two-thirds of the original country in which you live has gone. Serbs that once lived in Croatia, in Bosnia and in other areas, including in Kosovo, have been forced to abandon their homes, have suffered because of the nationalism ... [Read More]
U.S. Department of State - Washington Hyper File
(Bush royal state visit to Great Britain, Blair, foreign policy speech, Iraq, North Korea, need to speak out against anti-Semitism, British Guantanamo prisoners, Middle East peace process, poll in The Guardian, Bush scheduling updates for week of November 23) (4050) ... [Read More]
Independent States in the World
Democratic RepublicLAVientianeLatvia *+Republic of LatviaLGRigaLebanon *+Lebanese RepublicLEBeirutLesotho *+Kingdom of LesothoLTMaseruLiberia *+Republic of LiberiaLIMonroviaLibya *+Great Socialist People's ... Trinidad and TobagoTDPort-of-SpainTunisia *+Tunisian RepublicTSTunisTurkey *+Republic of TurkeyTUAnkaraTurkmenistan *+(no long-form name)TXAshgabatTuvalu *+(no long-form name)TVFunafutiUganda *+Republic of UgandaUGKampalaUkraine *+(no long-form name)UPKievUnited Arab Emirates *+United Arab EmiratesAEAbu DhabiUnited Kingdom *+United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandUKLondonUnited States +United States of AmericaUSWashington, DCUruguay *+Oriental Republic of UruguayUYMontevideoUzbekistan *+ ... [Read More]
President Bush Welcomes Seven Nations to the NATO Alliance
Our great transatlantic alliance has met and overcome great dangers in the past, and our work in NATO is not done. In the past, many assumed that NATO represented a pledge that America would come to the aid of Europe. Today, by our words and by our actions, we know that NATO means much more -- it is a solemn commitment that America and Europe are joined together to advance the cause of freedom and peace. (Applause.) ... As witness to some of the great crimes of the last century, our new members bring moral clarity to the purposes of the Alliance. They understand our cause in Afghanistan and in Iraq, because tyranny for them is still a fresh memory. These nations know that when great democracies fail to confront danger, far worse peril can follow. They know that aggression, left unchecked, can rob millions of their liberty and their lives. And so now, as members of NATO, they are stepping forward to secure the lives and freedom of others. (Applause.) ... [Read More]
Remarks at the U.S.-Adriatic Charter Signing Ceremony
FOREIGN MINISTER PICULA: Thank you. Your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends. I would like to thank, of course, Minister Meta, Albanian friends, for hosting this meeting. It’s great to be in Tirana again. The signing to the US-Adriatic Charter is an expression of our countries’ commitment to the common values shared by all members of the NATO and to our continued cooperation. It is another step toward our countries’ inclusion in European and transatlantic mainstream, and it is another step in building (inaudible) and security in our part of the world. I’m certain that the level of understanding we are expressing by signing this charter today will inspire other countries in the region as well, and that message of understanding and cooperation will contribute in its own way to closer dialogue with Southeast Europe, better. This dialogue is about (inaudible) open issues, about promoting closer economic and other ties, (inaudible) situation of each particular country in ... [Read More]
African Growth and Opportunity Act
111 1111111 SEC. 212. DUTY-FREE TREATMENT FOR CERTAIN BEVERAGES MADE WITH CARIBBEAN RUM. Section 213(a) of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (19 U.S.C. 2703(a)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (5), by striking `chapter' and inserting `title'; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: "(6) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the duty-free treatment provided under this title shall apply to liqueurs and spirituous beverages produced in the territory of Canada from rum if-- ... [Read More]
Frequently Asked Historical Questions
The Great Seal has had several different incarnations throughout U.S. history. A committee was formed to design the seal after a resolution was passed by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The committee, composed of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, proposed the first design of the seal. Congress turned that design over to a second committee which proposed another design. Yet a third committee was appointed, and Congress adopted a final design on June 20, 1782. The first die was cut in 1782, and when if became worn, a new die was engraved in 1841. The 1841 seal showed only six arrows in the eagle's claw, used five rather than six pointed stars, and added fruit to the olive branch. Another die was engraved in 1877 that enlarged the stars and lettering of the motto; this cast is considered the poorest Great Seal die. A new die was engraved in 1885 using the original 1782 description as a guideline. The 185 version was more formal and larger than previous additio ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Albania’s great national hero, Gjergj Kastriot (given the nom de guerre Skenderbeg, an amalgamation of Iskender because he was a great soldier like Alexander and the Turkish title of bey) achieved his status by keeping Albania independent of the Turks for a time during this period. He successfully revolted against the Ottoman Empire in 1443 and kept Albania autonomous. Skenderbeg died in 1468, and by 1506 the Turks controlled Albania. Under Ottoman rule, Albania provided large numbers of mercenary soldiers and administrators to the imperial bureaucracy. ... [Read More]
Albania (05/05)
Albania is currently pursuing a path of greater Euro-Atlantic integration. Its primary long-term goals are to gain NATO and EU membership and to promote closer bilateral ties with its neighbors and with the U.S. Albania is a member of a number of international organizations, including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the UN, the Stability Pact, the Adriatic Charter, and the WTO. In February 2003, the EU opened negotiations with Albania on a Stabilization and Association Agreement, with an initial focus on implementing essential rule of law reforms and curbing corruption and organized crime. ... [Read More]
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