Albania: Most Allied Ally?

Previously I quipped about Albania's staunch support for the war on terror by its participation in the coalition of the willing. Little did I realise that Albania actually does fulfil an extremely important role in the war on terror - it is the dumping grounds for innocent detainees who have been released from Guantanamo. The NYT goes in depth on the case of the Uighars from China who were detained in Afghanistan, spent 4 years in Guantanamo and finally were sent to settle in Albania. Thus the US government is able to rid itself of a thorny problem thanks to the accommodating folks in Albania.

But hang on! There's something rotten underneath this façade of saccharine sugar-coated pro-Americanism. Within Albania lurks a dangerous watch-thief who has targeted the U.S. president. Ye gads! Despite avowals to the contrary, Albania may not be as reliable an ally as we thought!

IZ

Bush in Albania

George Bush is given a "hero's welcome" in Albania - probably the most pro-U.S. country in both Europe and the Muslim world. Of course the reason they love America so much is because of Clinton's policy for armed intervention in support of Albanians in Kosovo - a policy that was opposed by Bush and publicly denounced by him during the run-up to the 2000 elections. Oh, the irony is killing me.

From an IHT article it's obvious Bush is more popular these days in Albania than he is back in the States:

On Sunday, all that love poured in Bush's direction, and when the president jumped briefly out of his limousine during a stop near the prime minister's villa in the town of Fusche Kruje, the crowd went wild, turning a presidential visit into a virtual mosh pit.

Hands were shooting at the president from all directions, grabbing his sleeves, rubbing his graying hair. Women kissed him on both cheeks. Men jostled to get close as Secret Service agents encircled him. As he stood on the running board of his limousine, waving before ducking back in the car, a second limo pulled up from behind to protect him.

From Jonathan Beale's tour diary of Bush's European tour:

President Bush has just received Albania's highest award "The Order of the National Flag". To Albania's prime minister I give the "Order of the Toady".

And why for example - if America's so loved and such a wonderful friend - did the president's Secret Service ask the Albanian military guard - who lined the road out of the airport - to surrender their weapons?

And why did the Albanians agree to such a ridiculous request? They all looked a bit silly with their hands behind their backs in army fatigues. It can only mean that someone out there in Albania actually doesn't like Mr Bush. But today I don't think we'll find him!

Albania is also the staunchest American ally in the "war on terror", reccently tripling the number of troops it has in Afghanistan to a grand total of 140.

IZ

The Accidental Wit and Wisdom of George W. Bush

He has given us such gems of wisdom as "I think war is a dangerous place" and "Karyn is with us. A West Texas girl, just like me." But there is so, SO much more to the accidental wit and wisdom of George 'Dubya' Bush. Another choice sample:

"If the Iranians were to have a nuclear weapon they could proliferate."—Washington D.C., March 21, 2006

or

"And I suspect that what you'll see, Toby, is there will be a momentum, momentum will be gathered. Houses will begat jobs, jobs will begat houses." —Speaking with reporters along the Gulf Coast, Gulfport, Miss., Aug. 28, 2006

If you're interested in partaking further of these profound Bushisms, there is a pretty comprehensive list here at slate, many of them with links to video clips. You'll laugh! You'll cry! You'll laugh and cry! Anyway, I shall leave you with one of the most perceptive things Bush may have ever said:

"You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror."—Interview with CBS News, Washington D.C., Sept. 6, 2006

Couldn't have said it better Dubya!

IZ