[NYC-L] Press: The National Herald; Anastasios meets with Epirotans

[Imer Berisha]

For the moment I thought not to respond at all,
as I thought Miss. Etleva has given enough reasons, arguments for readers to 
see her stance and aproach.

However I decided to say few words, but of course not in "an angry manner".

Needless to say all three religions are our religions. I sow no reason to 
state this, but now I think some people ned to hear it.

Are you Miss. Etleva not aware of a policy and territorial claims coming 
from Greece relating to so called "Vorio Epir", or am I imagining.

It is not true that this is only a religious matter, and I believe you know 
that very well, as every Albanian knows it.

You said nothing about the way that Mr. Anastasios was appointed, I suppose 
this means that it does not matter, and the fact that he is a Greek, it does 
not matter!!

Thank God there are other people apart from me that do not share your 
opinion, all throughout Albanian soil.

I am not the only one, in fact I am the last one to criticize his 
appointment.
____Miss.Etleva wrote:____________________________
I'm afraid that you are one of them. If you're not an orthodox, what's your
problem? This is just a religious case.
________________________________

Haw can you say that it is me who is putting religion before the Nation.
What arguments and where did you take them from to support this ridiculous 
claim.  As you see I am not saying that you are ridiculous as you did in 
your letter, I am just saying that your stance is rediculous.

Many Albanians in Albania and in Kosova of all three religions did not agree 
with his appointment, but could do nothing.

Seems that you did not read on this site about the demonstration in NY 
against Mr.Anastasios.
Or the criticism/letters in Albanian press condemning Father Arthur and his 
participation in the ceremony.

Or you red them but disliked them.

And, to be frank again, the level of your letter is about the edge when one 
sees no reason to discuss any issue in this manner.

How can you say: " ...or you are looking for religious trebles?"

This is really "bellow the belt".

Or are you trying to scare me to give up my thoughts.

No one is looking for religious troubles, but you cannot deny to me the 
right to speak for something that has to do with Albania and Albanian people 
as a whole. This is not a religious matter only. In many countries religion 
is intertwined with the state, and plays an important role in everyday life 
including politics.

Greek Nationalism relies on the church too.

___Miss.Etleva wrote________________________________________
Why are you so worry, by the way? It looks to me that you are a Muslim, than
what's your problem? Did you hear any Albanian Orthodox that don't agree and
think there is a problem in Albanian Orthodox Church head office?
Furthermore, in which language do you pray in your God? Because the 
Albanians Orthodox pray in their own Albanian language. I'm pretty sure of 
that.
If I go further I could say that you still  practice the religion of people
who occupied us for 500 years, but I'm not going to embarrass myself, 
because
the decision is a decision of feel free people. No, I cannot discuss cases 
like that.
Please, don't be ridiculous Sir!
______________________________________

Miss. Etleva I did not mean this to be a "fight" between me and you, but 
seems that you have a fighting spirit, unfortunately the target is the wrong 
one.

I am afraid I have to disappoint you again, I do not pray at all(nor do a 
lot of young Albanian friends in Kosova, one thing I know for sure, non of 
the people I know of my generations prays at all).

This does not mean that people who wont to pray cannot do that.

All three religions are part of our National heritage and I have a great 
respect for them. But what is at stake in this case goes beyond religion and 
touches National Albanian interest in general.

For your information I only sing in Albanian (sometimes in English why not).

However I do not see haw this relates to the issue of a non-Albanian citizen 
being appointed at a National level, it does not matter is it orthodox,roman 
catholic or muslim religion, and to me it does not matter is it in Albania 
or in Kosova, for that reason.

As far as the 500 years of occupation is concerned we did not invite 
turks,and for your information parts of the ritual in Kosova among muslim 
Albanians are conducted in Albanian, and this trend is increasing, with the 
new priests taking over from the old ones.

And as you went 500 years ago why not go further where Albanians were nether 
Catholic, nor Orthodox nor Muslims for that reason.

All religions in the World were born in a certain place, at a certain time 
and "exported" or "imported", as the case may be in different areas of the 
world.
(Most of the time with the aim to reach a political and economical goals)
Just to illustrate how much muslim Albanians in Kosova care about National 
heritage and language, I will tell you that sometimes in Albanian Church in 
Prishtina there are more Albanians of muslim faith that wont to listen 
ceremony in Albanian (especially on important occasions).

I am sure that Albanians in Albania do not share your idea of keeping a 
"taboo" sign on this issue

One more thing I do not see the reason of putting the name of Vaso Pasha in 
your letter at all.

In all your letter you do prioritize religion in comparison to the Nation.  
What do you need Vaso Pasha than??? Any one can see that you are not in 
favor of "Shqiptarism", as you say.

I can assure you that Vaso Pasha would have never agreed that a non-Albanian 
be appointed for any post at National level in Albania.

Imer Berisha


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