From jeton at hotmail.com Thu Jun 10 13:38:56 2004 From: jeton at hotmail.com (Jeton Ademaj) Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 13:38:56 -0400 Subject: [NYC-L] Fwd: NYTIMes article Message-ID: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/06/nyregion/thecity/06alba.html June 6, 2004 BELMONT Albanian? Now, That's Italian By LIONEL BEEHNER ROUND a table dotted with espressos, a 34-year-old Albanian construction worker named Bajram Camaj was enjoying a lazy Sunday afternoon with three well-built men with olive skin and thinning, slicked-back hair. Sitting outside their regular hangout, the Gurra Cafe, one of the few Albanian-style restaurants tucked among the garble of Italian bakeries and cheese stores that line Arthur Avenue, they chatted about food, girls, growing up in Kosovo and the recent war in the former Yugoslavia. The conversation about the war quickly segued into a discussion of "The Sopranos." "If you want the real stuff," said Mr. Camaj, nibbling at a plate of dried meat and Albanian cheeses, "you have to watch 'The Godfather.' " Elvir Muriqi, a 25-year-old boxer who this day was wearing a skintight shirt and mounds of shiny jewelry, and, were it not for his goatee, could stunt-double for Sly Stallone, chimed in. "Italian culture, the food, it's very comfortable," said Mr. Muriqi, who emigrated from Kosovo to the United States in 1996. "My managers are Italian. They're my second family." In most neighborhoods, the arrival of a new ethnic group brings noticeable and sometimes disruptive changes. But in Belmont, the traditionally Italian neighborhood where the music of Caruso still streams from local restaurants whose owners go by nicknames like Uncle Nunzio, a recent influx of younger Albanians has blended in with surprising ease. Like the Italians who preceded them a century ago, they are not only opening Italian-themed restaurants; they also employ Italian help and have adapted Italian customs like sitting for hours in cafes nursing little cups of strong coffee. "You can't even tell Italians from Albanians; we all look the same," said Hilmi Haxhaj, a 39-year-old building superintendent from Kosovo who lives on nearby Pelham Parkway. Some of Belmont's younger Albanians also speak a little Italian, particularly Italian slang, and often give one another Italian-sounding nicknames, slapping an 'o' or an 'i' onto their first or last names; Gjevat, for example, becomes Gjevato. Although Albanians have already begun gobbling up businesses and properties long owned by Italian immigrants, most local restaurants that have changed hands, like Giovanni's and Tony and Tina's pizzerias, have retained their Italian names, not to mention pasta-heavy menus, red-checkered tablecloths, etchings of Sicily on the walls and other trappings of Italian restaurant. The only hints of Albanian ownership are the occasional bust of the Albanian war hero nicknamed Skanderbeg, pictures of Mother Teresa (also an ethnic Albanian) and the ubiquitous double-headed eagle (Albania's national symbol, which looks a little like the Ferrari logo). Albanians and Italians, separated only by the narrow Adriatic Sea, share a long, if checkered, history. As far back as the 15th century, Albanians began flocking to Italy's shores, leading to tension but also cultural similarities between the two countries. Even today, a few residents of the Bronx's Little Italy resent their Albanian neighbors for assimilating too much. "A lot of them try to pass for Italians," said a local barber who would only speak anonymously, citing relatives who have ties to organized crime. "Because the two countries are close, Albanians always follow Italians around. Maybe it's because we took care of them during the time of Mussolini." But most of the longtime Italian residents sympathize with their Albanian neighbors. Many of the Albanians are fellow Roman Catholics who fled via Italy during the 1980's as the country's Communist dictatorship began to unravel. En route, they picked up the traits, cooking styles and language of Italians. They settled in Belmont in part because, as one Albanian put it, the place felt "comfortable." Peter Madonia Sr., 80, who used to run the Madonia Bakery, which employs a team of mostly Albanian cashiers and bakers, says Albanians make great customers (though they prefer their bread with softer crusts) but even better businesspeople. "They're not afraid to own businesses or buy property," he said. "They advance themselves." But no one seems worried that the Bronx's Little Italy will turn into Little Albania. "We've got better food than anybody else," said Uncle Nunzio, a k a Nunzio Sapienza, over a cup of coffee from the corner of Emilia's, the restaurant he owns. "After all, who ever heard of someone going to Albania looking to eat?" _________________________________________________________________ MSN 9 Dial-up Internet Access fights spam and pop-ups ? now 3 months FREE! http://join.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200361ave/direct/01/ From mentor at alb-net.com Thu Jun 10 17:13:19 2004 From: mentor at alb-net.com (Albanians-Today News and Information) Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 17:13:19 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [NYC-L] [Albanians-Today] Albanian Independent Press Squeezed [by the Government] Message-ID: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Albanians-Today News and Information: http://www.alb-net.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.iwpr.net/index.pl?archive/bcr3/bcr3_200406_502_6_eng.txt Comment: Albanian Independent Press Squeezed Government almost routinely filing legal charges against publishers, journalists and civic groups. By Erion Veliaj in Tirana (BCR No 502, 10-Jun-04) Fourteen years after the fall of Communism, Albania's independent media is struggling in a chaotic economic environment and facing growing pressure from the Socialist government of Fatos Nano. After a crisis in 1997 triggered by the collapse of so-called pyramid banking schemes toppled Albania's right-wing government, many hoped the new Socialist government would not put pressure on the press and civic groups. In fact, over the last seven years of left-wing rule, pressure on the media has mounted only within the last three. Now Nano's coalition government is almost routinely filing legal charges against publishers, journalists and civic groups. Most of these lawsuits have followed Nano's marriage two years ago to a young Albanian emigrant from Greece, who has turned into one of Albania's top businesswoman, holding significant shares in the country's tourism, foodstuffs and media industries. Journals looking into the business dealings of Xhoana Nano often end up facing the judges. Last week, to protest against this trend, around 200 journalists, including leading TV anchors, writers, and talk-show hosts, protested in front of the prime minister's office, demanding a "hands-off" approach from the government in its relations with the media. Protesters built a symbolic pyramid out of television screens, radio sets and newspapers, which were piled up and squeezed by rows of chains, representing what they said was an attempt to strangle press freedom. The protest followed a series of lawsuits against journalists, the latest of which was filed in mid-May against Nikolle Lesi, publisher of the independent Koha Jone. Earlier this year, this newspaper embarrassed the government by showcasing its front page with a fax of a government order awarding the prime minister and his inner staff the equivalent of five months' salaries as a bonus. It followed the successful sale of a local bank to a foreign investor. As the law provides for a maximum of only three bonus salaries per year, the leaked news of this award angered the authorities. But direct pressure from the courts is only one of the pressures the media in Albania faces today. Given the poor economic state, the survival of 20 daily newspapers, together selling a total of only 60,0000 copies, in a population of 3 million, is always a challenge. Many survive only from the advertising of state-owned companies, such as Albtelecom and the Albanian Electrical Corporation. As these are monopolies, which hardly need advertisements, in reality the offer of advertising is a useful carrot - or stick - for the government to use in its dealings with the media to ensure favourable coverage. Foreign criticism of this kind of discreet government pressure on the media has been fairly minimal. Albania's staunch support for the US-led "war on terrorism" has guaranteed Washington's silence on the issue, while EU representatives in the country have been equally reticent, perhaps having failed to see any improvement following earlier criticism of the government's handling of the press. On a more positive note, a coalition between independent media and civic activists to resist outside pressure of this kind is growing in strength. Protests that were a product of such collaboration already ousted a former interior minister for punching a journalist last October. For that reason, the government is going to have to watch out. If it fails to back off in its approach towards media, it may face more trouble over the summer. Erion Veliaj is a member of the MJAFT! (Enough!), a civic movement campaigning to raise awareness of social problems. ______________________________________________________________ If you wish to unsubscribe, send a blank message to: albanians-today-unsubscribe at alb-net.com , or visit Albanians-Today's page at: http://www.alb-net.com/mailman/listinfo/albanians-today From jeton at hotmail.com Fri Jun 11 14:53:22 2004 From: jeton at hotmail.com (Jeton Ademaj) Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2004 14:53:22 -0400 Subject: [NYC-L] FW: [Fwd: Invitation to join Balkan Parliament 2004] Message-ID: >From: "John Micgiel" >To: "Othereurope" >Subject: FW: [Fwd: Invitation to join Balkan Parliament 2004] >Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2004 14:19:40 -0400 >MIME-Version: 1.0 >Received: from mc10-f38.hotmail.com ([65.54.166.174]) by >mc10-s16.hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC(5.0.2195.6824); Fri, 11 Jun >2004 11:42:30 -0700 >Received: from saffron.cc.columbia.edu ([128.59.59.102]) by >mc10-f38.hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC(5.0.2195.6824); Fri, 11 Jun >2004 11:42:24 -0700 >Received: from saffron.cc.columbia.edu (localhost [127.0.0.1])by >saffron.cc.columbia.edu (8.12.11/8.12.11) with ESMTP id i5BIJdKi028712for >; Fri, 11 Jun 2004 14:19:39 -0400 (EDT) >Received: (from majordom at localhost)by saffron.cc.columbia.edu >(8.12.11/8.12.8/Submit) id i5BIJdXj028711for othereurope-outgoing; Fri, 11 >Jun 2004 14:19:39 -0400 (EDT) >Received: from brazilnut.cc.columbia.edu (brazilnut.cc.columbia.edu >[128.59.59.203])by saffron.cc.columbia.edu (8.12.11/8.12.11) with ESMTP id >i5BIJcPP028707for ; Fri, 11 >Jun 2004 14:19:39 -0400 (EDT) >Received: from DD6GX011 (dyn-iab-163-67.dyn.columbia.edu >[128.59.163.67])(user=jsm6 mech=LOGIN bits=0)by brazilnut.cc.columbia.edu >(8.12.11/8.12.11) with ESMTP id i5BIJcvs020649(version=TLSv1/SSLv3 >cipher=RC4-MD5 bits=128 verify=NOT)for ; Fri, 11 >Jun 2004 14:19:38 -0400 (EDT) >X-Message-Info: pdGgd64CkwaqeUksIuplzTrUpm3qcviPVfh8gGo8o3E= >Message-ID: <000701c44fe0$a97285e0$43a33b80 at DD6GX011> >X-MSMail-Priority: Normal >X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook, Build 10.0.6626 >X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1409 >X-No-Spam-Score: Local >X-Scanned-By: MIMEDefang 2.40 >Precedence: bulk >Return-Path: owner-othereurope at columbia.edu >X-OriginalArrivalTime: 11 Jun 2004 18:42:24.0232 (UTC) >FILETIME=[D627CE80:01C44FE3] > >-------- Original Message -------- > > >Subject: > >Invitation to join Balkan Parliament 2004 > > >Date: > >Fri, 11 Jun 2004 20:32:34 +0300 > > >From: > >Balkan Parliament > > > >To: > >Balkan Parliament > > > >CC: > > , >, >, , > , > > > > >Dear Sir/Madam, > >Please help us distribute this announcement among your students. > >Kindest regards, > >Balkan Parliament'04 Organizing Board. > > > >Balkan Parliament Organizing Board and American University in Bulgaria are >pleased to announce the 4th Annual International Politics Simulation Balkan >Parliament 2004. > >Date: October 13-18, 2004 >Topic: Balkans: is Mission Europe Possible? >Venue: American University in Bulgaria, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria >Application: May 1 August 1 >More info and online application: http://bp.aubg.bg > >Summary: BP 2004 will discuss the pros and cons of the future of the >European integration and its influence on the Balkan region. The following >topics will be brought up in the simulation and in the lectures and >workshops: > >-- Creating incentives for conflict resolution in the new EU: how can >nations profit from the integration? > >-- Emerging Balkan economies: tremendous investment - opportunities or >business deadlocks? >-- Media development in the Balkans: will the EU standards shift the region >from tabloids to broadsheets? >-- South Eastern Europe in the globalized world: preserving the >century-long >cultural identity or conforming to the universal dollarized standards? >-- Corporate Social responsibility in the Balkans: still a dream of the few >or already a reality of the many? > >Come and Enjoy: >- Five-day international politics simulation >- Workshops and panel discussions >- Lectures by distinguished speakers >- Nice social program >- New friends from all over the world > >Participation Fee( 80 Euros) includes: >- Accommodation in a hotel >- Food and refreshments >- Sightseeing tour to Sofia > >Scholarships: participants from the Balkan region and ex-USSR are eligible >for financial aid (fee waiver and part of the travel expenses). See >http://bp.aubg.bg for details. > >Contact us at balkanparliament at aubg.bg for more > >Apply at http://bp.aubg.bg/apply/application.aspx > > > > > >-- >Kevin Eric Laney >The Harriman Institute at > Columbia University >420 West 118th Street >12th Floor, Room 1212 MC 3345 >New York, NY 10027 >Tel. 212.854.5139 >Fax 212.666.3481 >email: kel1 at columbia.edu >http://www.harriman.columbia.edu _________________________________________________________________ Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee? Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 From akiltirana at hotmail.com Mon Jun 14 09:30:29 2004 From: akiltirana at hotmail.com (Akil Tirana) Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2004 13:30:29 +0000 Subject: [NYC-L] Assistance Message-ID: Te nderuar Miq, Ju lutem vemendjen tuaj lidhur me informacion e meposhtem. Nqs keni ndonje informacion mund te kontaktoni me personin pergjegjes. Juaji, Akil Tirana Washington, DC NAG Chapter Chairman Washington, DC Tel: (202) 973-4556 E-mail: info at newalbaniangeneration.com Web:http://www.newalbaniangeneration.com Pershendetje Kjo eshte nje kerkese qe bejme ne emer te gjithe studenteve kosovare neper bote te cilet edhe pse mbarojne studimet e larta (edhe me rezultate te mira) ne dipllomat e tyre figuron nenshtetesia Jugosllave,gje qe krijon probleme te dukshme identiteti kombetar,nje e drejte per te cilen prej vitesh luftojne bashkatdhetaret tane kosovare. Sipas bisedimeve qe kemi pasur me perfaqsues te studenteve kosovare ne Univeritetin Austriak, na kerkohet te gjejme kudoqofte,ne ?do universitet te botes nje student kosovar te dipllomuar ne dipllomen e te cilit nuk eshte e specifikuar nenshtetesia jugoslave por ajo kosovare,pse jo edhe UNMIK. Kjo prove do ti ndihmonte ata te fitonin ?eshtjen gjyqsore te ndermarre ndaj universitetit Austriak. I bejme thirrje kryesisht shqiptareve qe studiojne ne universitetet amerikane kudo qe te ndodhen. Per te na kontaktuar: dergoni nje email ne adresen postare info at drita.it Tel./fax 0039 0697602808 _________________________________________________________________ The new MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail From eb246 at columbia.edu Wed Jun 23 20:27:27 2004 From: eb246 at columbia.edu (Erkanda Bujari) Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 17:27:27 -0700 Subject: [NYC-L] interesting excerpt from the Richard Boucher's news briefing today on ethnic composition of Albanian population Message-ID: <40DA1FEF.4040408@columbia.edu> FYI. --intersting reply: excerpt.. BOUCHER: It's a document about Albania, not the Greeks who live in various parts of the world. AMBASSADOR RICHARD BOUCHER HOLDS STATE DEPARTMENT NEWS BRIEFING - NEWS BRIEFING 9,498 words 23 June 2004 Political Transcripts by Federal Document Clearing House English (c) 2004 FDCH / eMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. STATE DEPARTMENT REGULAR NEWS BRIEFING JUNE 23, 2004 SPEAKER: AMBASSADOR RICHARD A. BOUCHER, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS [*] BOUCHER: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I don't have any statements or announcements for you right now, but be glad to take your questions. .............. QUESTION: In the June background note from Albania, just released from your Bureau of European Affairs, you are claiming, quote, "95 percent of Albania's people are ethnic Albanian," unquote. Could you speak for us the other 5 percent? BOUCHER: No. QUESTION: But why no? BOUCHER: Because I just don't know. QUESTION: You don't. Do you know how large the Greek minority... BOUCHER: I think for Albanian census statistics, you might want to go to the Albanian government for that. QUESTION: But you are circulating this, not Albanian government. BOUCHER: I'm sure we have a source for it that is not an independent U.S. government source. I don't know if there's a footnote on it or not, but I think the best authority on this would be the Albanian government for their... QUESTION: But why are you mentioning other minorities, not a Greek one? That's my concern. It's a document. It's from the Department of State. BOUCHER: It's a document about Albania. QUESTION: About Albania... BOUCHER: It's a document about Albania, not the Greeks who live in various parts of the world. -------------- next part -------------- HTML attachment scrubbed and removed From akiltirana at hotmail.com Wed Jun 23 12:02:37 2004 From: akiltirana at hotmail.com (Akil Tirana) Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 16:02:37 +0000 Subject: [NYC-L] FW: Soros Fellowship Opportunities - Deadline Sept 22 Message-ID: >From: "Sheila Ketcham" >To: >Subject: Soros Fellowship Opportunities - Deadline Sept 22 >Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 18:34:44 -0400 > >Soros Fellowship Information. > >-----Original Message----- >Subject: Fellowship Opportunity > > >FYI -- > >We seek your assistance in reaching individuals who may be interested in >applying for the upcoming round of *Soros Justice Advocacy, Senior and >Media >Fellowships*. The Fellowships support outstanding lawyers, advocates, >organizers, scholars, journalists and documentarians who will advance >the >criminal justice priorities of OSIs U.S. Justice Fund. > >These priorities include: reducing the nations over reliance on >policies of >punishment and incarceration, eliminating race and class disparities in >the >criminal justice system and restoring judicial discretion, and >encouraging >the successful resettlement of people returning from prison. The >fellowship >programs also emphasize the intersection of these priorities with >immigrant >communities; gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities; and >women >and children. > > >Please forward this information to relevant listservs and throughout >your >various networks to help us get the word out! If you are attending >conferences, hosting events or meeting with people who may be good >candidates or gatekeepers, please make our outreach materials available >or >direct interested people to our website at >http://www.soros.org/initiatives/justice/focus_areas/justice_fellows > >The deadline for all three fellowships is _Wednesday, September 22, >2004__._ > >Thank you in advance for your assistance, and feel free to contact me >with >questions or requests for promotional materials. > >kate black > >program officer > >justice fund of the open society institute > >400 w. 59th street new york, ny 10019 > >tel 212/548/0170 fax 212/548/4666 > >This message contains information which may be confidential and >privileged. >Unless you are the addressee (or authorized to receive for the >addressee), >you may not use, copy or disclose to anyone the message or any >information >contained in the message. If you have received the message in error, >please >advise the sender by reply email at agiancola at ourplacedc.org. Thank >you. > >_______________________________________________ >dcconsortium mailing list >dcconsortium at lstech.org >http://ntap.lstech.org/mailman/listinfo/dcconsortium > _________________________________________________________________ The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail