Feb. 18 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2008

in Muleba, more than 50 people died be- radio ads. They spoke in mosques about cause of malaria. In June 2007, after a malaria prevention and treatment. And spraying campaign supported by our ma- their efforts are working. laria initiative, the number of deaths had This is a campaign of compassion. This dropped to five. In Zanzibar, the percent- is a practical way to help save lives. It’s age of infants infected with malaria has in the interests of the United States to save dropped from about 20 percent to less than lives, and it’s in the interests of the Tanza- 1 percent. nian Government to put forth an effective The campaign to fight malaria has the strategy. Our interests are combined, and support of government and private citizens our interests are now making a significant alike. In the United States, schoolchildren effort. have raised money to send bed nets to Afri- And so on behalf of the United States ca. Houses of worship have sent their pray- of America, we say, God bless you. And ers and their faithful, compassionate men to the Tanzanian Government, we say, and women who travel here to confront thank you for your efficient and hard work. the suffering and heal the sick. And so it’s been an honor to be with you. Tanzanian citizens are stepping forward. Asante. In one area, residents launched a campaign called Kataa Malaria; for those who don’t NOTE: The President spoke at 10:52 a.m. In speak Swahili, it means ‘‘Reject Malaria.’’ his remarks, he referred to Aziz Msuya, dis- [Laughter] As part of the campaign, work- trict medical officer, Meru District Hospital; ers went door to door to teach people how and Minister of Health and Social Welfare to use bed nets. They launched TV and David Homeli Mwakyusa of Tanzania.

Letter to President of Recognizing Kosovo as an Independent and Sovereign State February 18, 2008

His lish democratic institutions, hold successful Fatmir Sejdiu elections for a new government, and foster President of Kosovo prosperity. As an independent state, Kosovo now assumes responsibility for its destiny. Dear Mr. President: As in the past, the United States will be On behalf of the American people, I your partner and your friend. hereby recognize Kosovo as an independent In your request to establish diplomatic and sovereign state. I congratulate you and relations with the United States, you ex- Kosovo’s citizens for having taken this im- pressed Kosovo’s desire to attain the high- portant step in your democratic and na- est standards of democracy and freedom. tional development. I fully welcome this sentiment. In par- On this historic occasion, I note the deep ticular, I support your embrace of multi- and sincere bonds of friendship that unite ethnicity as a principle of good governance our people. This friendship, cemented dur- and your commitment to developing ac- ing Kosovo’s darkest hours of tragedy, has countable institutions in which all citizens grown stronger in the 9 years since war are equal under the law. in Kosovo ended. Kosovo has since worked I also note that, in its declaration of inde- HEARING to rebuild its war-shattered society, estab- pendence, Kosovo has willingly assumed with

228 DSK5TPTVN1PROD on

VerDate Mar 15 2010 13:23 Apr 17, 2012 Jkt 217557 PO 00000 Frm 00228 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\217557A.007 217557A wreier-aviles Administration of George W. Bush, 2008 / Feb. 19

the responsibilities assigned to it under the On the basis of these assurances from Ahtisaari Plan. The United States welcomes the , I am pleased this unconditional commitment to carry out to accept your request that our two coun- these responsibilities and Kosovo’s willing- tries establish diplomatic relations. The ness to cooperate fully with the inter- United States would welcome the establish- national community during the period of ment by Kosovo of diplomatic representa- international supervision to which you have tion in the United States and plans to do agreed. The United States relies upon likewise in Kosovo. Kosovo’s assurances that it considers itself As Kosovo opens a new chapter in its legally bound to comply with the provisions history as an independent state, I look for- in Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence. ward to the deepening and strengthening I am convinced that full and prompt adop- of our special friendship. tion of the measures proposed by U.N. Sincerely, Special Envoy Ahtisaari will bring Kosovo GEORGE W. BUSH closer to fulfilling its Euro-Atlantic aspira- tions. NOTE: An original was not available for verification of the content of this letter.

Remarks on Kosovo and an Exchange With Reporters in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania February 19, 2008

The President. Good morning. Sunday, Kosovo’s leaders to quickly adopt the provi- the people of Kosovo declared their inde- sions of the Ahtisaari plan, especially those pendence. They have asked the United designed to safeguard the rights of Kosovo’s States for diplomatic recognition, and yes- non-Albanian communities. terday the United States formally recog- The independence of Kosovo is an his- nized Kosovo as a sovereign and inde- toric step for the Balkans region. It pre- pendent nation. sents an opportunity to move beyond the In its Declaration of Independence, conflicts of the past and toward a future Kosovo committed itself to the highest of freedom and stability and peace. The standards of democracy, including freedom United States and the European Union and tolerance and justice for citizens of all must seize this opportunity to offer all the ethnic backgrounds. These are principles nations of this region the prospect of inte- that honor human dignity; they are values gration into the political, economic, and se- America looks for in a friend. And soon curity structure of the Euro-Atlantic com- munity. In this way, all the people of the we will establish full diplomatic relations Balkans will be able to see the promise with the new nation of Kosovo. of a better life for themselves and for their We will work with the leaders of Kosovo children. to carry out a smooth and peaceful transi- Thank you. I’ll answer a couple of ques- tion to independence. America welcomes tions. Mark [Mark Knoller, CBS Radio]. Kosovo’s pledges to fully implement the plan of United Nations Special Envoy Kosovan Independence Ahtisaari and to accept a period of inter- Q. Mr. President, isn’t this a poke in HEARING national supervision. We encourage the eye to Vladimir Putin and the others with

229 DSK5TPTVN1PROD on

VerDate Mar 15 2010 13:23 Apr 17, 2012 Jkt 217557 PO 00000 Frm 00229 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\217557A.007 217557A wreier-aviles