Secretary of State Albright Visits Kosovo Amid Tensions

Strategic Insights -

As Secretary of State Madeleine Albright stepped off a plane in Kosovo on Thursday, she was greeted by thousands of ethnic Albanians chanting "USA, USA". Her visit marked a significant moment in the province's fragile peace process. Despite the warm welcome, the trip was not without incident. A gunshot near the U.N.-controlled building where she was meeting with Kosovo leaders put security forces on high alert. Albright urged the crowd to exercise restraint, warning against retaliation against minority Serbs.

Key Takeaways:

  • Secretary of State Madeleine Albright became the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Kosovo on Thursday, where she was welcomed by thousands of ethnic Albanians.
  • Albright appealed for restraint, warning against retaliation against minority Serbs in Kosovo, saying "Democracy cannot be built on revenge."
  • The Secretary of State met with various political factions in Kosovo, including Hashim Thaci, head of the Kosovo Liberation Army, and later spoke with Thaci's main rival, moderate Ibrahim Rugova.
  • During her visit, a gunshot was fired near the U.N.-controlled building where Albright was meeting with Kosovo leaders, causing a tense moment.
  • Albright also visited a Serb enclave in Grachanitsa and met with Serbian Orthodox Archbishop Artemijie, in a private meeting.

Statistics:

  • Thousands of ethnic Albanians welcomed Secretary of State Albright as their liberator from Yugoslav forces.
  • The crowd chanted "USA, USA" as Albright arrived in Kosovo.
  • The U.N. security agents rushed to respond to the gunshot near the U.N.-controlled building.
  • Madeleine Albright is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Kosovo since the beginning of the conflict.

Sources:

  • Tom Raum, unidentified news article, date unavailable.