U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton talks on Albania’s NATO effort, Kosova

TIRANA, Feb. 6 – In an interview to the Illyria newspaper published in New York, Senator Hillary Clinton, a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 2008 presidential election, spoke about Albania’s NATO membership efforts, Kosova. On Kosova Clinton said she supported an “immediate U.S. recognition after the Kosova government declares itself an independent nation.”
My longstanding commitment to and efforts on behalf of the people of Albania and Kosova are well-known, said Clinton. During the Kosova war, I spoke out forcefully and repeatedly against the Milosevic regime’s brutality, war crimes, and policy of ethnic cleansing.
“On Kosova, I support immediate U.S. recognition after the Kosova government declares itself an independent nation, and I would urge the European Union to do the same. I am committed to working with our European Allies to preserve peace and to promote prosperity in Kosova and the wider Balkans.”
She also added the high importance she attached to full protection of the rights of all minorities in Kosova, especially the Serbs.
Clinton also said that if she becomes president, she would “build on my Senate record and the work of my life of improving the lives of children and families across this country.”
Clinton also said that “Albania should become part of this important Alliance.”
“I have a vision of a peaceful, stable and secure Europe and the Balkans that includes Albania’s being in NATO and fully integrated into the whole range of Euro-Atlantic institutions. Like other new democracies that have joined NATO in recent years, Albania should become part of this important Alliance.”
But Clinton also added that Albania should meet the standards of NATO membership “so that it can best contribute to our common values and security.”