[A-PAL] A-PAL/US Senate Calls for Release of Albanian Prisonersin Serbia

[Alice Mead]

ALBANIAN PRISONER ADVOCACY
NOVEMBER 6, 2001


                         A-PAL STATEMENT
We are very pleased to pass along the announcement that the US Senate 
has taken a strong stand regarding the ongoing detention of 220 
Albanian prisoners. The Senate approved a bill making the release of 
$115 million in aid to Serbia conditional on their release.

We would like to thank the National Albanian American Council in 
Washington, and cite Senators MCConnell, Leahy, Helms, Smith and 
Leahy for their advocacy and factfinding efforts. Staff of Senator 
Smith met with Albanian prisoners in Cuprija and Nis Prisons in 
August. We would also like to thank the  Coalition for International 
Justice for their support during the past two years.

Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who authored the amendment in the 
Bill to include the release of prisoners as a condition for aid, 
stated on the floor of the Senate, "I urge the democrats and 
reformers in Belgrade to take notice of our actions, and to release 
the political prisoners immediately."  Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) 
echoed that sentiment: "I find it incomprehensible for a government 
that claims to be democratic and just to sustain this cruel vestige 
of the Milosevic era."  Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), who chairs the 
Foreign Operations Subcommittee, also cosponsored the amendment.

We would also like to thank everyone who, at one time or another, 
worked to advocate for the release of gravely injured prisoner, Bedri 
Kukalaj, who is now home in Kosova.
*************************************************************************
PLEASE JOIN US IN URGING EUROPEAN OFFICIALS TO FOLLOW THE U.S. LEAD 
IN DEMANDING ACTION FOR THE RELEASE OF THE PRISONERS.
****************************************************************

>
>
>
>NAAC Hails Senate Vote on Albanian Prisoners in Serbia;
>
>Calls on Djindjic to Release Them Immediately
>
>Washington, DC, November 5, 2001: The National Albanian American 
>Council (NAAC) issued the following statement regarding Albanian 
>prisoners being held in Serbia.
>
>On October 24, the Senate called on the Serbian government to 
>release all remaining political prisoners who are being held in 
>Serbia. The 2002 Foreign Appropriations Bill, which was passed by 
>the Senate, conditions $115 million in aid for Serbia to "steps, 
>additional to those undertaken in fiscal year 2001, to implement 
>policies which reflect a respect for minority rights and the rule of 
>law, including the release of all political prisoners from Serbian 
>jails and prisons."  These conditions must be met by March 31, 2002.
>
>Over 200 Albanians remain in Serbian prisons since the end of the 
>war in Kosova over two years ago.  Despite the recent Kosova-Serbia 
>agreement to transfer all Albanian prisoners held in Serbian jails 
>to Kosova, the Serbian government has done little to fulfill the 
>agreement.
>
>Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who authored the amendment in the 
>Bill to include the release of prisoners as a condition for aid, 
>stated on the floor of the Senate, "I urge the democrats and 
>reformers in Belgrade to take notice of our actions, and to release 
>the political prisoners immediately."  Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) 
>echoed that sentiment: "I find it incomprehensible for a government 
>that claims to be democratic and just to sustain this cruel vestige 
>of the Milosevic era."  Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), who chairs the 
>Foreign Operations Subcommittee, also cosponsored the amendment.
>
>NAAC joins the Senate and calls on Prime Minister Djindjic and 
>Serbian authorities to release all remaining Albanian prisoners 
>immediately.  Their continued imprisonment is an affront to the 
>American people, on whose behalf millions of dollars were spent to 
>overturn the Milosevic government.  There can be no enduring peace 
>or reconciliation between Kosova and Serbia until all the prisoners 
>are released.  If they are not release, the U.S. should immediately 
>begin reducing its aid to Serbia and cut if off completely after 
>March 31st of next year.
>
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