Bush arrives in Albania for landmark visit
Monday, 11 June 2007
TIRANA, Jun 10 (AFP): George W Bush arrived in Albania Sunday for the first ever visit by a US president, after which he will travel on to Bulgaria, the last stop on his European tour.
His arrival at Tirana-Rainas airport was screened live on Albanian television, a sign of the importance the small Balkan state -- one of Europe's poorest countries which was cut off for years under a communist dictatorship -- places on the event.
Posters declaring "Albania Welcomes President Bush" were plastered across Tirana, along with numerous star-spangled banners and portraits of the American leader.
Security was tight for the trip with the Albanians allowing the Americans to ensure the safety of the president during his time in Tirana, with a US security team deployed days before Bush's arrival.
Bush will stay in the Albanian capital for only a few hours, during which he is scheduled to meet with President Alfred Moisiu, and the prime ministers of Albania, Croatia and Macedonia.
His arrival at Tirana-Rainas airport was screened live on Albanian television, a sign of the importance the small Balkan state -- one of Europe's poorest countries which was cut off for years under a communist dictatorship -- places on the event.
Posters declaring "Albania Welcomes President Bush" were plastered across Tirana, along with numerous star-spangled banners and portraits of the American leader.
Security was tight for the trip with the Albanians allowing the Americans to ensure the safety of the president during his time in Tirana, with a US security team deployed days before Bush's arrival.
Bush will stay in the Albanian capital for only a few hours, during which he is scheduled to meet with President Alfred Moisiu, and the prime ministers of Albania, Croatia and Macedonia.