By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
President George W. Bush signed papers Friday to declare formal US support for NATO membership for Albania and Croatia, countries that he said once were in the "shackles of communism."
At a White House ceremony, Bush signed accession protocols that moved the two Balkan countries a step closer to membership in the expanding military alliance. NATO currently has 26 member countries.
"The citizens of Albania and Croatia have overcome war and hardship, built peaceful relations with their neighbors and helped other young democracies build and strengthen free societies," he said.
"Once Albania and Croatia formally join NATO, their people can know if any nation threatens their security, every member of our alliance will be at their side."
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