The 30 anniversary of the visit of the Secretary of State James Baker was celebrated by the US Ambassador Yuri Kim in a post on social networks on Tuesday.
The historic visit of Baker to Tirana took place a few months after the establishment of diplomatic relations between Albania and the US on March 15, 1991 and evidence of the archives reveal it was a quickly arranged visit with Albanian authorities were caught in surprise.
“Exactly 30 years ago, Secretary of State Baker stood with the Albanian people in Skanderbeg Square and said: “You are with us and we are with you,” Kim wrote in her post.
Skanderbeg Square in Tirana was packed like never before to welcome the senior diplomat from America which was labeled by the former communist regime as the arch enemy of Albania. The diplomatic ties were frozen since 1946.
“Many things have changed since then and we are again at a turning point,” said the Ambassador.
The first post comunist president was Sali Berisha, who was picked up by US diplomacy to lead Albania in the new era. Now Berisha is declared persona non-grata by President Joe Biden.
Kim is right: many things have changed!
Below the full post of the US Ambassador:
“Exactly 30 years ago, Secretary of State Baker stood with the Albanian people in Skanderbeg Square & said: “You are with us & we are with you.” Many things have changed since then & we are again at a turning point, but one things stays the same: You are with us & we are with you!” / www.argumentum.al