Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

In Adoring Kosovo, Clinton Gets Statue

By the Associated Press

Posted Nov 1, 2009 12:41 PM CST
Email

(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)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 35 comments
njgreen
Nov 2, 2009 12:28 PM CST
We committed soldiers, resources, and political capital. Americans died to end the genocide in Kosovo and found the breakaway nation. Why don't you explain to me why, after all that, Kosovars are joining Al Qaeda? If having our soldiers die for someone is not enough to make that someone like our country, what is?
Fondue
Nov 2, 2009 12:22 PM CST
So obsessed with destroying the US. We get it, you're a traitor.
Shannonals
Nov 2, 2009 11:25 AM CST
No owrse than US citizens plotting destruction in our own country. Time to get off the soap box and just realize people don't like us as a country. Where have you been living for the past six decades njgreen?

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

Politics • US • World

 
NATO • Bill Clinton • Kosovo • Yugoslavia • Ethnic Albanians

More Newser Stories

Kosovan Mass Grave Unearthed in Serbia

Bulgaria Detains Kosovo's Ex-PM on War Crimes Charges

60 Years On, NATO Faces Identity Crisis

In Kosovo Visit, Gates Walks a Fine Line With Russia

NATO Warns Russia Over Georgia Buildup
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne