By John L. Withers II
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For many long years, Albania's NATO aspirations were seen as coming "tomorrow." Now, "tomorrow" is today. Once, we spoke of how the dream of Albania's NATO membership "someday" would come about.  Ladies and gentlemen, that "someday" is right now.
For Albania and its friends, for Croatia and its friends, one day soon for Macedonia and its friends, NATO membership is so emotional that it is hard to capture in words. So, forgive me if I borrow those of a great man, who years ago, spoke of a great event in his country's history in terms that seem meaningful for Albania today.
He said, and I quote:
Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge… A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when [a people] step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment, we take the pledge of dedication to the service of [the nation] and her people, and to the still larger cause of humanity.
And he continued:
At the dawn of history, [this nation] started on her unending quest, and trackless centuries are filled with her striving and grandeur of her success and her failures. Through good and ill fortune alike, she has never lost sight of that quest or forgotten the ideals which gave her strength. We end today a period of ill fortune and [the nation] discovers herself again. The achievement we celebrate today is but a step, an opening of opportunity to greater triumphs and achievements that await us.  Are we brave enough and wise enough to grasp this opportunity and accept the challenge of the future? Freedom and power bring responsibility.
Ladies and gentlemen, today, too, Albania celebrates the opening of a great opportunity. You too, have redeemed your historic pledge and achieved your tryst with destiny. And America and all your NATO friends salute you.
Ladies and gentlemen, at this moment, I somehow envision those many millions of Albanians back down the centuries who strove to bring about this day: those brave eternal Albanians who toiled for a dream they would not see realized; those endless generations who sustained a hope they would not live to see achieved. But without whom this day would never have come. Â
If from among those countless millions, there was a man I might wish to be here today, it would be Naim Frasheri, the poet laureate of Albania's national awakening. For more than one hundred years ago, he wrote the famous lines that seem to prophesy this day. He wrote:
 Happy is he who will be present          When this day comes.
When Albania Will be radiant And misfortune Will be banished          Forever          From her sight.
For Albania, Joyous days Are at hand. The darkness is receding.          Happy is he who will live          To see her reign!
Ladies and gentlemen, joyous days are truly at hand for Albania, and we are surely blessed to witness them together.
(*)Remarks by U.S. Ambassador John L. Withers II, reception on the Occasion of Albania's NATO Membership
