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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
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In Adoring Kosovo, Clinton Gets Statue

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(AP) – Thousands of ethnic Albanians braved low temperatures and a cold wind in Kosovo's capital Pristina to welcome former President Bill Clinton today as he attended the unveiling of an 11-foot statue of himself on a key boulevard that also bears his name. Clinton is celebrated as a hero by Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority for launching NATO's bombing campaign against Yugoslavia in 1999 that stopped the brutal Serb forces' crackdown on independence-seeking ethnic Albanians.

To thunderous applause Clinton waved to the crowd as the red cover was pulled off from the statue. "I never expected that anywhere, someone would make such a big statue of me," Clinton said of the gold-sprayed statue weighing a ton. The statue portrays Clinton with his left arm raised and holding a portfolio bearing his name and the date when NATO started bombing Yugoslavia, on March. 24, 1999.

Ethnic Albanians watch from their terraces behind the covered statue of former US President Bill Clinton before his arrival in Pristina, Kosovo, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.
Ethnic Albanians watch from their terraces behind the covered statue of former US President Bill Clinton before his arrival in Pristina, Kosovo, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
An ethnic Albanian holds a portrait of former US President Bill Clinton during his visit in Pristina, Kosovo, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.
An ethnic Albanian holds a portrait of former US President Bill Clinton during his visit in Pristina, Kosovo, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
Former US President Bill Clinton, center, cuts a cake with his portrait as thousands of ethnic Albanians gather during his visit in Pristina, Kosovo, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.
Former US President Bill Clinton, center, cuts a cake with his portrait as thousands of ethnic Albanians gather during his visit in Pristina, Kosovo, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
Ethnic Albanian children hold portraits of former US President Bill Clinton, during his visit in Pristina, Kosovo, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.
Ethnic Albanian children hold portraits of former US President Bill Clinton, during his visit in Pristina, Kosovo, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
Former US president Bill Clinton addresses thousands of ethnic Albanians in Pristina, Kosovo, on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.
Former US president Bill Clinton addresses thousands of ethnic Albanians in Pristina, Kosovo, on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
Former US president Bill Clinton waves to thousands of ethnic Albanians as he stands beside a statue of himself in Pristina, Kosovo, on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.
Former US president Bill Clinton waves to thousands of ethnic Albanians as he stands beside a statue of himself in Pristina, Kosovo, on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
Former US President Bill Clinton greets ethnic Albanians during his visit to Pristina, Kosovo, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.
Former US President Bill Clinton greets ethnic Albanians during his visit to Pristina, Kosovo, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
Former US President Bill Clinton greets ethnic Albanians during his visit in Pristina, Kosovo, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.
Former US President Bill Clinton greets ethnic Albanians during his visit in Pristina, Kosovo, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
Former US President Bill Clinton poses with ethnic Albanians during his visit in Pristina, Kosovo, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.
Former US President Bill Clinton poses with ethnic Albanians during his visit in Pristina, Kosovo, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
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40 comments
VIEWING:
 
Caps
Nov 1, 09 1:02 PM CST
What a great man. He may have screwed around on his wife, but Bush screwed the whole country. Which is worse? Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+13
IN RESPONSE:
Reader64481089
Nov 1, 09 2:30 PM CST
Amen...............
Vote up! Vote down!
+7
IN RESPONSE:
cjasonhall
Nov 1, 09 5:55 PM CST
So obsessed with Bush, get over it already. We get it, you're an Obamabot.
Vote up! Vote down!
-7
IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Nov 1, 09 6:22 PM CST
So obsessed with destroying the US. We get it, you're a traitor.
Vote up! Vote down!
+4
IN RESPONSE:
tran_tor
Nov 1, 09 8:38 PM CST
Seriously people... Can't we just enjoy a former president of our country being honored? It's nice! He was honored! Move on!
Vote up! Vote down!
+5

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