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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Bush makes landmark Albania visit | Bush makes landmark Albania visit |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| US President George W Bush has become the first US president to visit Albania, where he is expected to receive an enthusiastic welcome. | |
| The Balkan country is a staunch ally in America's "war on terror", and Mr Bush is due to meet Albanian soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. | |
| The US president is also expected to discuss Kosovo with Albanian leaders. | |
| Earlier Mr Bush said a UN-backed plan to grant independence to the Serbian province should take effect now. | Earlier Mr Bush said a UN-backed plan to grant independence to the Serbian province should take effect now. |
| Mr Bush's week-long European tour has already taken him to the G8 summit in Germany, as well as Poland and Italy. | Mr Bush's week-long European tour has already taken him to the G8 summit in Germany, as well as Poland and Italy. |
| He is spending just seven hours in the Albanian capital, Tirana, but the city's streets have been cleaned, US flags draped over buildings and a commemorative set of stamps issued for the occasion. | He is spending just seven hours in the Albanian capital, Tirana, but the city's streets have been cleaned, US flags draped over buildings and a commemorative set of stamps issued for the occasion. |
| He will then fly on to Bulgaria, a new Nato member. | He will then fly on to Bulgaria, a new Nato member. |
| 'Freedom agenda' | 'Freedom agenda' |
| Albanian government spokesman Grid Roy said he hoped the visit would help the country's push to become a member of Nato and the European Union. | Albanian government spokesman Grid Roy said he hoped the visit would help the country's push to become a member of Nato and the European Union. |
| ALBANIA - KEY FACTS Predominantly Muslim nation of 3.2m in western BalkansMonarchy ruled by King Zog until Italian invasion in 1939Became secretive Stalinist state under Enver Hoxha after WWIIDemocratic reforms follow 1992 elections Albania rolls out red carpet Q&A: Kosovo's future | ALBANIA - KEY FACTS Predominantly Muslim nation of 3.2m in western BalkansMonarchy ruled by King Zog until Italian invasion in 1939Became secretive Stalinist state under Enver Hoxha after WWIIDemocratic reforms follow 1992 elections Albania rolls out red carpet Q&A: Kosovo's future |
| "Ninety-four percent of Albanians support integration [into Nato and the EU], so that's the primary goal of this government," Mr Roy said. "This visit only makes that easier." | "Ninety-four percent of Albanians support integration [into Nato and the EU], so that's the primary goal of this government," Mr Roy said. "This visit only makes that easier." |
| Mr Bush will also meet the prime ministers of Croatia and Macedonia while in Tirana. | Mr Bush will also meet the prime ministers of Croatia and Macedonia while in Tirana. |
| He wants to show solidarity with Europe's newest democracies, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale, who is travelling with the US president. | He wants to show solidarity with Europe's newest democracies, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale, who is travelling with the US president. |
| These countries offer some hope for Mr Bush's freedom agenda even if Iraq, at the moment, does not, our correspondent says. | These countries offer some hope for Mr Bush's freedom agenda even if Iraq, at the moment, does not, our correspondent says. |
| Albania backs the US-led invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. It has tripled its troop numbers in Afghanistan to 140, and has about 120 troops in Iraq. | Albania backs the US-led invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. It has tripled its troop numbers in Afghanistan to 140, and has about 120 troops in Iraq. |
| Kosovo question | Kosovo question |
| Correspondents say many Albanians hope that Mr Bush will push for independence in Kosovo, a mostly ethnic Albanian province which is still part of Serbia. | Correspondents say many Albanians hope that Mr Bush will push for independence in Kosovo, a mostly ethnic Albanian province which is still part of Serbia. |
| Diary: On tour with Bush In pictures: Bush in Rome | Diary: On tour with Bush In pictures: Bush in Rome |
| In Italy on Saturday, Mr Bush expressed frustration at the lack of international consensus on granting Kosovo independence from Serbia. He said it was "time to bring this issue to its head". | In Italy on Saturday, Mr Bush expressed frustration at the lack of international consensus on granting Kosovo independence from Serbia. He said it was "time to bring this issue to its head". |
| The G8 failed to reach consensus on the issue, with strong opposition from Russia. | The G8 failed to reach consensus on the issue, with strong opposition from Russia. |
| Mr Bush said it was time to move forward the independence blueprint laid out by UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari in April. | Mr Bush said it was time to move forward the independence blueprint laid out by UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari in April. |
| Meanwhile, in Bulgaria's capital, Sofia, hundreds of protestors have already gathered before Mr Bush's arrival on Monday. They are angry at the government's decision to let the US use some of its military bases. | Meanwhile, in Bulgaria's capital, Sofia, hundreds of protestors have already gathered before Mr Bush's arrival on Monday. They are angry at the government's decision to let the US use some of its military bases. |
| Thousands of protesters, most of them peaceful, marched in Rome in protest against Mr Bush's visit to Italy on Saturday. | Thousands of protesters, most of them peaceful, marched in Rome in protest against Mr Bush's visit to Italy on Saturday. |
| Italian riot police used tear gas against some demonstrators who donned face masks in defiance of a police order and threw bottles. | Italian riot police used tear gas against some demonstrators who donned face masks in defiance of a police order and threw bottles. |
| Earlier on Saturday, Mr Bush had his first audience with Pope Benedict XVI. | Earlier on Saturday, Mr Bush had his first audience with Pope Benedict XVI. |
| The pontiff raised his concerns about the plight of Christians in Iraq, and expressed hopes of a "regional and negotiated solution to the conflicts that afflict" the Middle East, the Vatican said. | The pontiff raised his concerns about the plight of Christians in Iraq, and expressed hopes of a "regional and negotiated solution to the conflicts that afflict" the Middle East, the Vatican said. |