Albania Prepares To Welcome "President of the World" Bush - BBC

[Leopolds Ghost]

Bush makes landmark Albania visit

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6737855.stm

Albania lays on a warm welcome for George Bush,
the first US president to visit what is now a staunch ally.

The city and the country have been in a state of almost permanent excitement for weeks for the first-ever visit by a US president to this small, Western Balkan country.

Most Albanians now see the United States as their closest ally.

The preparations for Mr Bush's arrival have been extensive and to be seen everywhere.

And everyone is happy Mr Bush is in town.

"This is great. We are proud that the 'President of the World' is visiting Albania," says 23-year-old student Ardita. "His visit is important for our new democracy."

Konstandin, a 29-year-old waiter at one of the bars, agrees. "It puts Albania on the map. It shows how close we are to America. We support President Bush and America."

A few hundred metres away, the old mausoleum of the former Communist dictator, Enver Hoxha, is now draped in US flags and a huge portrait of Mr Bush hangs above the entrance.

It is said here that in 2003, while there were protests in other European capitals against the war in Iraq, Tirana was the only capital where demonstrations were actually held in favour of the war.

Crucial sign

Albania's enthusiasm for the war on terror is not only reflected in its willingness to send troops to both Iraq and Afghanistan, but also in the fact that it has agreed to accept former prisoners from Guantanamo who cannot return to their own countries.

This is the type of practical help and support that Mr Bush appreciates.

(BBC)

[annabanana]

1. One question: What is the state of "Freedom of the Press" in Albania?

I know that this particular "former Republic" was known for its isolation.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

2. "Condi, what's an Albane look like anyways?"

egads

Odd. All my maps already have Albania on them.

[Leopolds Ghost]

3. A huge portrait of Mr Bush hangs above the entrance of the mausoleum of the former dictator.

That should answer your questions.

It's sort of like the barbaric cheiftains throughout history who converted to a certain religion purely because they thought it would give them victory in battle. "We don't worship Enver Hoxha anymore, we are democrats, we worship Bush!"

[annabanana]

7. Ah.. . Thanks,. . . tells me what I needed to know.. . . . n/t

[driver8]

4. "The President of the World"???

The pResident of the world is a fucking idiot.

[krispos42]

5. Bush as 'President of the World'?

Yeah, shore. And when the space aliens finally drop by for a visit, they'll stay in a high orbit and admire the planet glowing gently in the night sky as the radiation from Bush's final policy of "nuke'em till they glow, then nuke'em some more!" dissipates into space. Stand next to the viewports and post for pictures, maybe print up some tee-shirts...

"I visited Earth and all I got was this lousy T-shirt!".


Both the letters and the fabric would glow in the dark, of course.

Then they'd put a warning beacon in orbit and zip off to the nearest equivilent of an Applebee's for lunch.

[dennis4868]

6. "His visit is important for our new democracy."

Why? So he can fuck up your country's democracy too? WTF!

[Eurobabe]

8. I'll have to ask my Albanian friend if this is true

from what she told me, Bush is not well liked in the Balkans either. I smell a pile of shit.

[Solly Mack]

9. blech

"Albania's enthusiasm ...it has agreed to accept former prisoners from Guantanamo who cannot return to their own countries."

In what capacity precisely?

Like I trust any nation that cheers the war on terror...

[eShirl]

10. "Those Alabamans really love me." (n/t)

[WritersBlock]

11. Dear Albania, please keep him. Our gift. You don't have to thank us. n/t