USIA - Transcript: Albright Meets with Kosovo Albanian Leader Rugova, 97-08-15
From: The United States Information Agency (USIA) Home Page at <http://www.usia.gov>
TRANSCRIPT: ALBRIGHT MEETS WITH KOSOVO ALBANIAN LEADER RUGOVA
(Rugova Thanks United States for Support) (490)
Washington -- Secretary of State Madeleine Albright met with Kosovo
Albanian leader Ibrahim Rugova on August 15 at the State Department to
discuss the situation in Kosovo and the Balkans.
The secretary said, "We have the highest regard for the work that he is
carrying out in Kosovo, and I'm looking forward to having a discussion with
him today about the situation in Kosovo and to have the opportunity to
exchange some views about the region generally."
Rugova thanked the United States for its support, and said that "we have
many friends in the United States." Referring to the American Cultural
Center in the Kosovo capitol, Prishtina, Rugova said that "we have a very
beautiful American house in Kosovo now. We just celebrated its first
anniversary."
Following is the text of the question and answer period that preceded their
discussion:
(Begin transcript)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
August 15, 1997
SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: I'd like to say how very pleased I am to welcome Dr.
Rugova to the State Department today. I have met with him when I was
Ambassador to the United Nations, but this is our first meeting since I've
been Secretary of State.
We have the highest regard for the work that he is carrying out in Kosovo,
and I'm looking forward to having a discussion with him today about the
situation in Kosovo and to have the opportunity to exchange some views
about the region generally. So I'm very glad to have you here.
DR. RUGOVA: Thank you.
QUESTION: Madame Secretary, could I ask you a question about your meeting
that you just came from at the White House? Did your trip to the Middle
East come up at all in your discussion with the President? Or Bosnia?
SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: I don't normally discuss what I discuss with the
President.
MR. RUBIN: One more. Okay, thank you.
DR. RUGOVA (THROUGH INTERPRETER): I hope to see Secretary Albright in
Kosovo.
SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: Well, I will do my best. I have been to the region, but
I haven't been there. So we'll have to figure that out.
Q: Mr. Rugova, what is your message for the Clinton Administration?
DR. RUGOVA (THROUGH INTERPRETER): To continue to be supportive of the issue
of Kosovo. To find a solution for Kosovo on the basis of the free will of
the people of Kosovo that would also calm the whole region of the
Balkans.
I would also like to extend a very big gratitude and thanks to the United
States for all of its support -- to President Clinton, to Vice President
Gore, to Secretary Albright and to the other people. We have many friends
in the United States, and we have a very beautiful American house in Kosovo
now. We just celebrated its first anniversary.
MR. RUBIN: Thank you very much.
(End transcript)
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