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Bush makes landmark Albania visit Bush makes landmark Albania visit
(about 2 hours later)
President George W Bush has become the first US leader to visit Albania, where he has enjoyed a hero's welcome.President George W Bush has become the first US leader to visit Albania, where he has enjoyed a hero's 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 Balkan country is a staunch ally in America's "war on terror", and Mr Bush met Albanian soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The US president is also expected to discuss Kosovo with Albanian leaders during his several-hour visit. Mr Bush reiterated his support for the UN plan for Kosovo's independence, adding it was time to "get moving" despite opposition from Russia.
Earlier Mr Bush said a UN-backed plan to grant independence to the Serbian province should take effect now. He expressed worry about the effect on Kosovans of expectations not being met.
Mr Bush's week-long European tour has already taken him to the G8 summit in Germany, as well as the Czech Republic, Poland and Italy.
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 futureALBANIA - 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
The Albanian capital, Tirana, is celebrating Mr Bush visit, although he is spending just seven hours in the city, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale, who is travelling with the US president. "The question is whether there's going to be endless dialogue on a subject that we've already made up our mind on," he said, after meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha.
"We need to get moving and the end result is independence," he added.
He also called on the Albanian government to help maintain calm and peace in Kosovo, most of whose people are ethnic Albanians.
The G8 failed to reach consensus on Kosovo this week, with strong opposition from Russia to the independence blueprint laid out by UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari in April.
Stamps issued
Mr Bush's week-long European tour has already taken him to the G8 summit in Germany, as well as the Czech Republic, Poland and Italy.
The Albanian capital, Tirana, is celebrating Mr Bush's visit, although he is spending just seven hours in the city, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale, who is travelling with the US president.
The city's streets have been cleaned, US flags draped over buildings and a commemorative set of stamps issued for the occasion.The city's streets have been cleaned, US flags draped over buildings and a commemorative set of stamps issued for the occasion.
This welcome is in stark contrast to the protests that have followed Mr Bush elsewhere in Europe, our correspondent says.This welcome is in stark contrast to the protests that have followed Mr Bush elsewhere in Europe, our correspondent says.
Mr Bush will then fly on to Bulgaria, a new Nato member, where protests are also expected.Mr Bush will then fly on to Bulgaria, a new Nato member, where protests are also expected.
'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.
Diary: On tour with Bush
"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 during his stay in Tirana.Mr Bush will also meet the prime ministers of Croatia and Macedonia during his stay in Tirana.
He wants to show solidarity with Europe's newest democracies, our correspondent says.He wants to show solidarity with Europe's newest democracies, 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.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
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 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.
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.
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.