Rumsfeld’s visit timed to provide a boost for ailing campaign of ruling coalition junior partner
TIRANA, June 18 – Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld came for a two-day visit to Albania, where he was honored with Albania highest medal, the Flag Order, for being an advocate of Albania’s NATO membership.
Rumsfeld came to Albania on the invitation of Fatmir Mediu, leader of the Republican Party and environment minister and partner in the governing coalition of Prime Minister Sali Berisha, and it appeared the visit, just days ahead of the general elections, was timed to provide a boost for ailing campaign of ruling coalition junior partner.
Polls indicate the Republican Party will not get a single seat on its own in the next elections, though Mediu has secured a seat for himself by joining the Democrats’ list.
Berisha said he appreciated Rumsfeld’s role in promoting Albania’s membership into the NATO. Albania became a full NATO member in 2009 when Rumsfeld had left his post. not in the post.
Rumsfeld said Berisha a “valued” politician while Mediu was a “young man” full of energy.
Rumsfeld also highly evaluated Albania’s role as a new NATO member and added that the western Balkan country had earned its membership into the alliance on its own merit.
