On the 30th anniversary of the restoration of Albania-US relations, the US Embassy in Albania has conveyed a message to Albanian citizens welcoming bilateral relations.
On its official website, the embassy recalls the opening of the first embassy in Albania, conveying a message from Ambassador William EdWin Ryerson.
” Today we celebrate a very important date! 30 years ago, on March 15, 1991, the United States and Albania re-established their diplomatic relations. To celebrate this important date for our countries, we asked former U.S. Ambassadors to send a message to the Albanian people. They happily agreed, saying how much they miss this country. Throughout this week, we’ll post the messages of these Ambassadors and celebrate together this important date. The U.S. Embassy in Tirana was opened on October 1, 1991 and the first U.S. Ambassador to Albania was William Edwin Ryerson, who presented his credentials to the Government of Albania on December 21, 1991.
In his message, Ryerson points out the difficult path to restore the diplomatic path between the two sides as well as the visit of US Secretary Baker, who gathered in the square “Skenderbej a large number of citizens.
He says that day Baker’s message of cooperation between the two countries brought tears to the eyes of a tall and rude policeman. Ryerson also has a message in Albanian wishing Albania success on the difficult path to democracy.
“As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations, it is good to remember the actions taken by officials in both our countries, who made it possible all this cooporation.
As Albania began to emerge from its self-imposed Stalinist criminal nightmare, brave people there moved to make that reconnection possible.
Also in the US wise officials in DASH and other countries of our administration, decided to put aside decades of insults directed at us and also take advantage of the space. The Albanian service of VOA played a critical role both in conveying accurate information in Albania, as well as in monitoring developments there and sharing that information with Washington. The first team of US representatives arrived in Tirana before the first pluralist elections, in March 1991.
I arrived in late April, with the intention of staying one or two months, until the permanent embassy staff was selected and assigned.
The next day I went for a courtesy meeting at the Foreign Ministry. When I was told there that I would not be allowed to attend the sessions of the Parliament. The next morning I got a call informing me that I could attend and that I could also get an interpreter.
I came to the conclusion that where there might be some resistance, it would be worth pushing to overcome.
One of the most significant moments occurred during Baker’s visit. As the secretary spoke, I was standing up properly.
Next to the convoy of cars, after a rude cop, while Baker said “We are you and you are with us”, I saw a tear slide down the face of that cop. About 10% of the population was that day in “Skenderbej” square.
They finally showed that they could come together for something they believed in instead of coming out ordered by the local authorities.
I have followed the developments in Albania since my retirement and from what I see, I continue to be convinced that Albania is on the right track. Obstacles, including natural disasters is inevitable. But with cooperation they can be overcome. “I wish success on the difficult path to democracy. Good to hear you “(Albanian), concludes his message./abcnews.al
