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Home , Nikola Gruevski, Sali Berisha

Administration of George W. Bush, 2007 / June 10 785

there is not common ground. In other words, Remarks at a Luncheon Hosted by there has to be an effort to see if we can’t Prime Minister Sali of find a way for everybody to say, well, it’s a in good idea. And if you end up being in a posi- tion where you don’t, at some point in time, June 10, 2007 sooner rather than later, you’ve got to say Mr. Prime Minister, if I might offer a toast. enough is enough; is independent. Thank you for your hospitality. I’m honored And that’s the position we’ve taken. to be in the presence of the leaders of three The people of Kosovo need to know that important allies and friends of the United it is a solid, firm position. And even though States—Croatia, Macedonia, and, of course, there’s diplomacy and talks hopefully trying our host, Albania. to find a way forward to accommodate Russia We thank you for your strong leadership. and and the EU—by the way, most We join you in your aspirations to join Euro- people in the EU are very much in favor. Atlantic institutions. We appreciate you The EU position is for the Ahtisaari plan. working for peace. Thank you for the Adriatic They just hope that there is some way that Charter. May God bless your nations. May we can reach an accommodation with a vari- God bless you all. ety of interests so that the transition to inde- Thank you. pendence will be as smooth and easy as pos- sible. But if that becomes—is apparent that NOTE: The President spoke at 1:54 p.m. at the that’s not going to happen in a relatively Prime Minister’s villa. In his remarks, he referred quick period of time, in my judgment, we to Prime Minister of Croatia; and need to put forward the resolution. Hence, Prime Minister of Macedonia. A deadline. tape was not available for verification of the con- tent of these remarks. Thank you all for your attention. Mr. Prime Minister, it was a great press con- ference. Proud to be the first American sit- Remarks Prior to a Meeting With ting President to actually hold a press con- Small-Business Owners in ference on Albanian soil as well. Thank you Fushe-Kruje, Albania very much. June 10, 2007 Prime Minister Berisha. Thank you, President. One of the exciting moments for our trip to Albania is to meet with small-business President Bush. Thank you all. owners. Laura and I thank the mayor. We Prime Minister Berisha. Thank you. thank the owner of the restaurant, and we President Bush. Good job. Thank you. thank these entrepreneurs for joining us to Prime Minister Berisha. Thank you. talk about your story, about your dreams, and about the opportunities a microloan pro- gram, provided by the taxpayers of the NOTE: The President’s news conference began at United States, is giving you to create jobs. 12:40 p.m. in the Courtyard at the Council of Min- And so we’re excited to be here. Thank isters. In his remarks, he referred to President you for coming. And we’re looking forward of Albania; President Nicolas Sarkozy of France; and President Vladimir Putin to hearing your stories. of Russia. Prime Minister Berisha referred to Thank you. former President Martti Ahtisaari of Finland, United Nations Special Envoy of the Secretary- NOTE: The President spoke at 3:50 p.m. at Cafe General for the Future Status Process of Kosovo. Cela. In his remarks, he referred to Mayor Ismet Prime Minister Berisha and some reporters spoke Mavriqi of Fushe-Kruje, Albania. A tape was not in Albanian, and their remarks were translated by available for verification of the content of these an interpreter. remarks.

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