[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 43 (Monday, November 3, 2008)]
[Pages 1383-1384]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Signing Ceremony for North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
Accession Protocols for Albania and Croatia

October 24, 2008

    President Bush.  Welcome. Please be seated. Mr. Secretary General, 
it's good to have you here in the White House.
    Secretary General Jakob Gijsbert ``Jaap'' de Hoop Scheffer of the 
North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Thank you, Mr. President.
    President Bush. Thank you for your steadfast leadership and your 
courage. Ambassadors, thank you for joining us. The Ambassador of 
Croatia and Albania are here for a special reason. Congressman Engel--I 
think he's here--[laughter]--right in front of us. Congressman, we are 
so honored you have taken time to be here. Deputy Secretary England; 
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mullen, thank you for 
coming. Ambassadors, members of the administration, members of the 
diplomatic corps, friends of freedom: Welcome; we are glad you're here. 
This is a special moment in the hopeful story of human liberty, as 
America formally declares its support for Albania and Croatia's entry 
into NATO.
    With today's ceremony, we celebrate two young and vigorous 
democracies seeking to assume new responsibilities in a time of 
terrorism and a time of war. We strengthen America's partnership with 
nations that once found themselves in the shackles of communism. We 
rejoice in taking a major step toward welcoming the people of Albania 
and Croatia into the greatest alliance for freedom the world has ever 
known.
    The United States is proud to have supported the NATO aspirations of 
these nations from the beginning. Laura and I fondly remember our visits 
to Tirana and Zagreb, where we met people who are showing the world the 
potential and the promise of human freedom. The citizens of Albania and 
Croatia have overcome war and hardship, built peaceful relations with 
their neighbors, and helped other young democracies build and strengthen 
free societies. And the people of Albania and Croatia are helping move 
the world closer to a great triumph of history: a Europe that is whole, 
a Europe that is free, and a Europe that is at peace.
    The invitation to join NATO is recognition of the difficult reforms 
these countries have undertaken on the path to prosperity and peace. In 
return, NATO membership offers the promise of security and stability. 
The United States and our NATO allies will stand united in defense of 
our fellow members. Once Albania and Croatia formally join NATO, their 
people can know: If any nation threatens their security, every member of 
our Alliance will be at their side.
    The road of reform does not end with acceptance into NATO. Every 
member of the Alliance has a responsibility to enhance, promote, and 
defend the cause of democracy. I'm confident that Albania and Croatia 
will deliver on their commitments to strengthen their democratic 
institutions and free market systems.
    Albania and Croatia's entry into NATO is an historic step for the 
Balkans. In the space of a single decade, this region has transformed 
itself from a land consumed by war to a contributor to international 
peace and stability. America looks forward to the day when the ranks of 
NATO include all the nations in the Balkans, including Macedonia. I 
thank Macedonia's Ambassador for joining us today. We're proud of the 
steps you're taking to strengthen your democracy. The great NATO 
alliance is holding a place for you at our table. And we look forward to 
your admission as a full NATO member as soon as possible.
    Our nations seek a path to NATO--other nations seek a path to NATO 
membership, and they have the full support of the United

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States Government. Today I reiterate America's commitment to the NATO 
aspirations of Ukraine, Georgia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Montenegro. The 
door to NATO membership also remains open to the people of Serbia, 
should they choose that path. All these nations treasure the blessings 
of liberty because they remember the pain of tyranny. They share NATO's 
solemn commitment to defend the free against the unfree, and the weak 
against the strong.
    The lasting strength of the NATO alliance is a testament to the 
enduring power of freedom. And the expansion of this alliance will lead 
the way to a safer and more hopeful world. On behalf of my fellow 
citizens, I offer congratulations to the people of Albania and Croatia 
on this historic achievement. May your children always honor the 
struggles you endured. May the stories of Albania and Croatia be a light 
to those who remain in the darkness of tyranny. And may your example 
help guide them to a brighter day.
    It's now my honor to welcome the Secretary General to the podium. 
Mr. Secretary General.

Note: The President spoke at 6:10 p.m. in the East Room at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Croatia's Ambassador to the U.S. 
Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic; Albania's Ambassador to the U.S. Aleksander 
Sallabanda; and Macedonia's Ambassador to the U.S. Zoran Jolevski. The 
transcript released by the Office of the Press Secretary also included 
the remarks of Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer. This item was not 
received in time for publication in the appropriate issue.