[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[June 15, 1992]
[Page 936]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Prior to Discussions With President Sali Berisha of Albania

June 15, 1992
    President Berisha. I've been very pleased with the reception that 
Albanians felt to Mr. Baker, because on that occasion they showed that 
the propaganda against didn't work at all, and Albanians have had in 
their hearts and minds special feelings and very friendly feelings for 
the United States and United States Government and people.
    President Bush. Well, that's good. You know, I just signed the 
agreement, sending it up to Capitol Hill to push forward now with these 
preferences. I just want you to know that I took great pleasure in doing 
that, and I want you to have a pen. You get a free pen there.
    President Berisha. Thank you very much.
    President Bush. That was the one I used to sign that paper. When you 
go up to see the Congress, I hope you'll encourage them to move swiftly 
now. We will do our best from here. But I don't think there will be any 
controversy at all on this. I think everybody salutes what you're doing.
    President Berisha. It is for Albanian people a very historical 
signature.
    President Bush. Well, it's important and----
    President Berisha. Thank you very much. We appreciate also very much 
the attitude of United States adopted toward ex-Yugoslavia. And I could 
assure you that the heartiness of your attitude and the statesman that 
Mr. Baker did in London was very important to slow down the activity and 
to stop the shifting of the war to Kosovo and other regions.
    President Bush. Well, we want to talk a little more about that when 
we have our private meeting, because we are very anxious to be helpful 
where we can. But you're so close to it; I want to get your views on 
Kosovo and see where we go.

                    Note: The remarks began at 1:32 p.m. in the Oval 
                        Office at the White House. A tape was not 
                        available for verification of the content of 
                        these remarks. The proclamation on trade with 
                        Albania is listed in Appendix E at the end of 
                        this volume.