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

[Ebozdo at aol.com]

In a message dated 3/15/01 4:06:39 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
imerprishtina at hotmail.com writes:


> 
> 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 approach.
> 
> 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.

Hi! Good evening! I didn't mean to be back in that story, But after all I 
respect you, so I have to answer to your questions:

No, I don't care what Greeks call "Vorio Epir." Most of them know that this 
is just a delirium. they, who don't know are like people who don't know that 
all of us are emerged from Austrolopithecus- They live out of time and space. 
There is a Greek problem and not an Albanian problem at all. Did you hear 
somebody from Albania to say that he/she is from Vorio-Epir? Me, nether.

> 
> 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.

Actually, I'm sorry but I have no needs to prove my thoughts and my beliefs.

> 
> 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 ridiculous.

Maybe you are right. All of this is a ridiculous case. I respect you. I 
didn't say you are r..., but I said "Don't be!..." However, sorry! I respect 
you.

> 
> 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.

The free speech is in American constitution.

> 
> 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.

 Thank you!

> 
> 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, don't be scare please! Give your opinion, it's in your rights. The truth 
is that I'm still thinking there is something wrong in your e-mail.
 To finish the conversation, if you like it, could you please give here: 
1. Some details, where Yanullatos is pro Vorio-Epir in his speech.
2. What is the reason that the Greek priest is in such place in Albanian 
Orthodox church in Albania.


> 
> 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.

Maybe, but not in Albania. Albanian Nationalism is not relies in any 
religions at all and never did. Sometimes ago your friends used to protest 
against a school, where 4 girls were not allow to attend the lessons with a 
religious dress. For them this was  such a big deal.  But it was not for 
real. Actually we live in Europe, we practice more than three religions and 
as you noticed, in our past background we use to be just hunters and gathers 
like other people in World. I mean the religion in Albania has the place that 
deserves in a civil state. Nothing more than this.

> 
> ___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.

The female with fighting spirit  is called "Burrneshe" by Albanians :)

> 
> 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).
> 

Good! Did you leave the judgment? :)

> 
> 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.

It's your problem.

> 
> 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.

For the same reason: The church, the mosque, the monastery in their 
businesses, The Albanian patriotism (I don't really like to much nationalism) 
in its business. 
How can you understand me if you don't like to do that?

> 
> 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
> 
> Thank you for your time Mr. Berisha. I really appreciate it.

Etleva Bozdo

> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ____________________________________________________
> N
> 
> -
-------------- next part --------------
HTML attachment scrubbed and removed