[1FASTGLOCK45]

Thank you Albania. Maybe France (insert other anti american countries here) can learn something...

[paudio]

Albania is predominantly Muslim, and they're planning to have a great Albania that will include Kosovo... With the decision of Kosovo is coming, I can see why they try to win influence...

[Engraved-on-His-hands]

Prime Minister Fatos Nano (January 29, 2003): We wish that we be worthy to the United States through all ways and are ready to join the coalition, like your friends and allies.

Albanian Defense Minister Pandeli Majko (June 10, 2003) (With regard to the Albanian participation in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere): The United States of America stood on the side of the Albanians in 1999 when it was a matter of the existence of our nation. I hope this proves to the American taxpayers that they have not spent their money in vain to help this nation. Our gratitude will be long-term.

Ambassador Satos Tarisa (April 2004): We're the most pro-U.S. nation in Europe, and we're in Iraq for the long haul.

[Lukasz]

Eastern European ping list

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FRmail me to be added or removed from this Eastern European ping list ping list.

[anonymoussierra]

Very Good Albania very good Thank you

[mark502inf]

Posted on Tue, Dec. 07, 2004

Albania honors emigrant killed in Iraq as U.S. Marine

Associated Press

TIRANA, Albania - President Alfred Moisiu on Tuesday awarded a medal of honor to an emigrant who died fighting as a U.S. Marine in Iraq.

Cpl. Gentian Marku, of Warren, Mich., was killed in Fallujah on Nov. 25. He emigrated to the United States at age 14.

Moisiu awarded Marku, 22, with the Golden Medal of Eagle for the "sublime sacrifice in the fight against terrorism, for the protection of the values of democracy, peace and freedom, by glorifying the honor of his nation."

On Friday, Prime Minister Fatos Nano declared Marku an Albanian martyr.

Marku's body was expected to arrive in Albania Tuesday evening for burial at his native village of Piraj, 42 miles north of the capital, Tirana, accompanied by Marines who were to hand him over to the Albanian troops.

A short military ceremony was to be held at Mother Teresa International Airport attended by Albanian Defense Minister Pandeli Majko and the U.S. Ambassador to Tirana Marcie B. Ries.

Marku was the second Albanian emigrant killed fighting with U.S. troops in Iraq. Pfc. Ervin Dervishi, 21, of Fort Worth, Texas, died Jan. 24 after attackers in Baji fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the vehicle in which he was riding.

Albania, a small, predominantly Muslim country, backed the U.S.-led campaign and has sent 71 of its own troops to Iraq. Three Albanian soldiers were wounded in July when their car ran over a mine in Mosul.

Marine Lance Corporal Marku's casket is covered by American and Albanian flags before a joint memorial ceremony conducted by Marines and the Albanian Army in Marku's native village in Albania.

[mark502inf]

Albanian public opinion supports its contribution to the U.S.-led force in Iraq, where two Albanian-born U.S. Marines have been killed

One Marine. The other was U.S. Army PFC Ervin Dervishi--one of the soldiers in the unit that captured Saddam Hussein.

[Shqipo]

Visited my ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN brothers in Korcha, Albania a few months ago, and all Albanians revere America and have gratitude for our support. So to all the do-nothings (mostly you Serbs) who flock to every article on Albania with your rants.... What the hell are your kin doing these days to support Bush and the grand ole USA? Rrofte Shqiperia!