Kosovo and Albania honor former Senator Bob Dole

Deputies of the Assembly of Kosovo have started the session with a minute of silence in honor of former US Senator Bob Dole.

It was noticed that the deputies of the Serbian List did not stand up to honor the life and work of the former US senator.

In Kosovo, many personalities reacted with grief after the news of the death of former US Senator Bob Dole, whose role is considered irreplaceable for the political developments that led to the liberation and independence of Kosovo.

The Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Pristina, Nicholas J. Giacobbe, wrote that “as we mourn the loss of lifetime servant&senior statesman, Senator Bob Dole, we remember his indispensable contributions to Kosovo & his work advancing democratic freedoms worldwide. Let his service be an inspiration for us & the new generations of Americans and Kosovans,” he wrote.

The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, expressed her sadness with the news of the death of Senator Bob Dole.

“A war hero, a respected politician and a supporter of freedom all over the world. But in particular, we are grateful that he has always stood by the people of Kosovo in our struggle for independence. Rest in peace, dear friend”, she wrote.

Former President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, expressed deep sorrow for “the loss of one of Kosovo’s closest friends – a staunch supporter and defender of Kosovo’s independence, Senator Bob Dole! My sincere condolences to his family, to the United States and to his friends in Kosovo! Bob, your legacy is that of a great man!” former President Jahjaga wrote.

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, also expressed his sadness. “Sending heartfelt condolences to the Dole family and the American nation, as we mourn and honor an American hero and an indispensable supporter of Kosovo’s freedom. May he rest in peace,” he wrote.

The former Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, wrote that “Senator Dole remains one of the main figures that identifies Kosovo’s path to statehood. He was one of the first politicians to recognize our struggle for freedom and guide Kosovo towards what we are today. Rest in peace Bob. We will miss you! ”He wrote.

In a square named after former senator Bob Dole in Pristina, his bust is erected, in honor of the role he played on Kosovo’s issue.

In August 1990, former Senator Bob Dole along with several other senators visited Pristina, which was the first visit of a senior US official to Kosovo.

He held meetings with Albanian representatives at a time when Kosovo had been stripped of its autonomy and placed under a state of emergency by Serbian authorities.

On June 12, 2020, at a rally marking the anniversary of the entry of NATO troops into Kosovo, which ended almost two years of war, former Senator Dole said in a video message that he was “happy to be part of this story and I did what I could to be helpful but it was mostly the people of your great country who made this possible. I am here for everything you will need and if I can help you just tell me.”

The separation from the life of the well-known American senator caused grief in Albania as well. President Ilir Meta expressed “deep sorrow for the loss of the great friend of the Albanians”. Describing him as “one of the most prominent personalities of American politics”, Mr. Meta writes that Senator Dole “became one of the most powerful and influential voices in defense of Albanians and their causes.” The Albanian President further writes in his message that “we will always be grateful to this great man of the American people, for his valuable role and contribution in advancing the democratization and Euro-Atlantic processes of Albania, as well as for his open support and unlimited struggle for freedom and independence, until the creation of the state of Kosovo ”.

Parliament Speaker Lindita Nikolla said that “the United States, its allies, Albania and Kosovo lost a great man, a committed defender of freedom and peace.” While appreciating the figure of Senator Dole, in the message of condolence, Ms. Nikolla underlines that he “was an extraordinary contributor to the freedom of Kosovo, for which he is grateful to all Albanians, wherever they live, in Albania, Kosovo and the Diaspora.” . ”

Democratic Party Chairman Lulzim Basha wrote in his message of condolence, that he was saddened by the news of the death of Senator Dole “a great friend of Albanians, who has stood by us in the most crucial moments and the most important steps of our nation. Senator Bob Dole was one of the strongest and most decisive voices in defense of the rights of Albanians. From the liberation and independence of Kosovo, to the trials of the Euro-Atlantic path of Albania and Kosovo, his support was an irreplaceable blessing for our nation”, says Mr. Basha, calling Senator Dole a “colossus of American democracy who deserves “Eternal gratitude.”