[ALBSA-Info] NAAC Condemns Heinous Terrorist Attacks Against the U.S.

[National Albanian American Council - NAAC]

National Albanian American Council
1700 K Street, N.W., Suite 1201, Washington, DC  20006
Telephone: (202) 466-6900   Fax: (202) 466-5593
Web: www.naac.org   Email: naac at naac.org
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For Immediate Release: September 14, 2001    Contact: Sokol Shtylla (202) 466-6900


Press Release
 
NAAC Condemns Heinous Terrorist Attacks Against the U.S., 
Calls on Albanian-Americans to Help the Victims

Washington DC, (September 14, 2001) - The National Albanian American Council issued the following statement regarding the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, DC.

Albanian-Americans, like all Americans, are feeling great disbelief, sorrow, and anger over the recent tragedy that struck New York City and Washington D.C.  Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of all the victims of the attacks against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.  NAAC strongly denounces these inhuman acts of violence that have claimed the lives of so many innocent people.

For Albanian-Americans, the United States, and New York in particular, has been a wonderful home.  We have a special relationship with America.   Most of us came to this great nation to escape political oppression, and in search of democracy, freedom, and opportunity.  We were drawn to America because Americans saved our motherland.  Once here, our special affinity for our new homeland became stronger when the United States intervened to stop the genocide in Kosova and to find a resolution to the war in Macedonia.  During both those tragedies in the Balkans, Americans opened their hearts and donated their time and money to help those in need.

In New York, we felt welcomed and embraced.  This city of nationalities gave us hope that our homeland may find peace someday.  In New York, we found opportunity and we lived, we learned, and we prospered.  For us, the Twin Towers were a symbol of all that was good and powerful in our greatest city.  Like all Americans, we feel wounded and saddened now that that symbol is gone.

We find solace, however, in the outpouring of grief and condolences of Albanians in the Balkans and throughout the world.  Members of our community are already engaged in raising funds to help the victims of this tragedy.  We call on our entire community throughout the U.S. to help in any way they can during this time of need.  There are several centers throughout the country to donate blood.  In addition, we will set up a hotline to collect and provide information regarding Albanian-Americans who were victims of the attacks.  The number to call is: 202-466-6900.

Finally, we offer our solidarity with the leadership of the United States.  We are eager to do all we can to support the effort to put an end to terrorists acts against the greatest country on Earth, the United States of America.

The National Albanian American Council ("NAAC") is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advocating for Albanians and promoting peace and economic development in the Balkans by fostering democratic policy, promoting respect for human rights, and conducting educational and developmental programs.

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