[NYC-L] [Kcc-News] NAAC Reiterates in Washington that an Independent Kosova is the Only Option

[Kosova Crisis Center News and Information]

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National Albanian American Council
2021 L Street, N.W., Suite 402, Washington, DC  20036
481 8th Avenue, Suite 922, New York, NY 10001
Brigada e Krajishtes, No. 8, 38000 Prishtina, Kosova
Telephone: (202) 466-6900   Fax: (202) 466-5593
Web: <www.naac.org>   Email: naac at naac.org
________________________________________________________________________
For Release: October 3, 2003    Contact: Valbona Sherifi (202) 466-6900

PRESS RELEASE

NAAC Reiterates in Washington that an Independent Kosova is the Only Option

Washington, DC: October 3, 2003: The National Albanian American Council
(NAAC) issued the following statement regarding the meetings that NAAC
Chairman Ilirjan Rusi and Executive Director Martin G. Vulaj held recently
in Washington, D.C. with members of Congress and DOS officials.  An Albanian
version of this release follows at the end of this text.  Pictures of this
event can be provided upon request from the media.

UNMIK should immediately empower Kosova's institutions and the international
community should finally accept that an independent Kosova is the only
solution, stated two representatives of the National Albanian American
Council (NAAC) on October 1, 2003 during an official visit to Washington,
D.C.

In light of the upcoming technical talks between Prishtina and Belgrade,
scheduled to start on October 14, 2003 in Vienna, NAAC Chairman Ilirjan Rusi
and Executive Director Martin G. Vulaj were in the nation's capital to share
with the United States Department of State and with the U.S. Congress their
organization's view of the current situation in Kosova.

Messer. Rusi and Vulaj provided DOS's Mike Bosshart, Deputy Director for
Kosova, and Joshua Black, Kosova Desk Officer, with an update on NAAC's
recent visit to Kosova.  Among other things, NAAC informed Messer. Boshart
and Black of a project that the organization is working on in conjunction
with the prestigious Harvard University.  Titled "Justice in Times of
Transition", the project will put the top leadership of Kosova in the same
room with other political figures from post-conflict places, such as
Northern Ireland, South Africa, El Salvador, etc.

The goal is for the Kosovars to strengthen and consolidate their
institutions in preparation for the processes ahead.  NAAC stated optimism
for the outcome of the initiative, which by enabling our politicians in
Kosova to share experiences with other politicians whom have been in similar
circumstances will hopefully help them deal with their present situation,
especially with regards to internal dissention, consolidating a government,
developing a vision, reconciliation of outstanding issues.  NAAC thinks that
all of the above will help them prepare how to deal with final status
challenges.

Committed to the project so far are John Hume from Northern Ireland, Nelson
Mandela's two top negotiators as well as an expert negotiating team from
Harvard University.

Mr. Vulaj, who just returned from Kosova after an 18-day visit where he was
initially joined by Ambassador William Walker and Tim Phillips of Harvard
University, informed Mr. Bosshart that all three institutional leaders,
President Rugova, Prime Minister Rexhepi, Speaker of Kosova Parliament
Nexhat Daci and the two other party leaders, Democratic Party of Kosova
Chairman Hashim Thaci and Allegiance for the Future of Kosova Chairman
Ramush Haradinaj, had committed to attending the conference scheduled to
take place in Cambridge, England later this month.

Mr. Bosshart of DOS expressed support for the idea, stating that it is
exactly what Kosova needs.

NAAC also pointed out that the project would have greater chances of
succeeding if the Kosovar politicians take ownership of this upcoming
process.  Calling for UNMIK to immediately empower Kosova's institutions,
NAAC argued that any decisions made by the Kosovars would be binding and not
subject to UNMIK Veto.

Only in this way will the process have the mandate of the people and the
SRSG cannot be the decision-making authority, stated Mr. Rusi and Mr. Vulaj,
adding that the current model is a recipe for inherent instability in the
process.  They also stressed that the only workable solution to the Kosova
Question is for it to become independent.  The longer that it is delayed the
greater the risk of instability in the region and the more room for
extremist action, they underlined.

Referring to recent reports by international media of Serbia offering to
participate in U.S.-led peacekeeping missions, NAAC protested at the
prospect of Serbian military personnel who were active in Kosova and are
suspected of human rights abuses and war crimes to be included in activities
in Afganistan and/or Iraq.  Mr. Rusi and Mr. Vulaj shared with the DOS
officials Albanian community's outrage over this possibility, and stated
that this would reflect extremely poorly on the U.S. and the current
Administration.

During the recent visit to Washington, D.C., the NAAC officials met with
several lawmakers who have been long-standing supporters of the Albanian
people, including Congressman Mark Kirk, Congressman Elliot Engel,
Congresswoman Sue Kelly, Congressman Vito Fossella, Congressman Sander
Levin, and Congressman Joseph Crowley.

The primary purpose of these meetings was to put together a Congressional
Delegation that would go to Macedonia, Kosova, Albania and Montenegro early
next year.  All of the members expressed interest in going and have begun
working on putting the logistics together to make it happen.

NAAC informed the American lawmakers of the organization's findings from its
recent trip to Kosova including the economic pressure that the country is
under as a result of the lack of a defined final status.  "Kosova must
become independent and it must happen soon," Mr. Rusi told Congressman
Fossella.  "The country lacks basic infrastructure and serious investment
cannot occur under current conditions."

The NAAC Chairman went on to stress that the U.S. must take the lead in
resolving the Kosova Question as the European policy of wait-and-delay has
unnecessarily resulted the stagnation of the entire region.

Congressman Engel, Co-chair of the Albanian Issues Caucus, who is tireless
in support of the Albanian people, stated that the community must remain
engaged with their representatives in every district where
Albanian-Americans live.  He vowed to continue supporting NAAC's mission and
stated that, "with the community working together far more can be achieved."

Congresswoman Kelly, the other Co-Chair of the Albanian Issues Caucus,
pledged to immediately start working on putting together a congressional
delegation that will visit the region and see first hand the state of
affairs in the Albanian-populated area of the Balkans.  "The job is not
finished in the region," the Congresswoman stated. "Kosova must become
independent and we must strengthen the democracies there to secure American
interests, like fighting terrorism."

Mr. Rusi informed the Congresswoman that the U.S.-brokered Ohrid Peace
Agreement of August 2001 was far from being completely implemented, thus
threatening the fragile peace in Macedonia.  He asked that Congress do more
to put pressure on the relevant parties in Macedonia to ensure the full and
rapid implementation of this important Accord.

Congressman Kirk, a former F-16 fighter pilot who flew bombing missions over
Serbia during the NATO aerial campaign, stated that he was proud of the
Albanian-American community's work on behalf of people back home.  He
expressed great interest in going back to the region, especially Kosova
where he went immediately after the war of 1999.

Congressman Crowley expressed enthusiasm about going back to the region for
another visit.  He sated that he would like to see first hand what kind of
progress has taken place since his last visit there in the aftermath of war,
recalling entire areas doted by refugee tents and countless civilians who
had been brutally forced to flee their homes.

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.  For more information on the
National Albanian American Council please visit us on the web at
www.naac.org
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