From mentor at alb-net.com Sun Oct 5 22:36:07 2003 From: mentor at alb-net.com (Kosova Crisis Center News and Information) Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2003 22:36:07 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Prishtina-E] [Kcc-News] NAAC Reiterates in Washington that an Independent Kosova is the Only Option Message-ID: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosova Crisis Center (KCC) News: http://www.alb-net.com/index.htm --------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: 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 ### ______________________________________________________________ If you wish to unsubscribe, send a blank message to: kcc-news-unsubscribe at alb-net.com , or visit KCC-NEWS's page at: http://www.alb-net.com/mailman/listinfo/kcc-news From vsherifi at naac.org Wed Oct 1 15:03:36 2003 From: vsherifi at naac.org (Valbona Sherifi) Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2003 15:03:36 -0400 Subject: [Prishtina-E] English/ Albanian: NAAC Calls for an Independent Judiciary and Land-Rights Reform in Albania Message-ID: 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 Immediate Release: September 30, 2003 Contact: Valbona Sherifi (202) 466-6900 PRESS RELEASE NAAC and Albanian Community Activists Call for an Independent Judiciary and Land-Rights Reform in Albania Washington, September 30, 2003: The National Albanian American Council (NAAC) issued the following press release regarding the recent meeting that NAAC and members of the Albanian-American community had with President Alfred Moisiu who recently spoke on behalf of Albania at the opening of the 58th session of the United Nations. An Albanian version of this release is enclosed at the end of this message. Representatives of the National Albanian American Council (NAAC) and members of the Albanian-American community recently meeting with Albania's President Alfred Moisiu praised the country's positive relationship with the United States, while highlighting the need to overcome a number of tough challenges laying ahead in the Balkan republic's road to integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. Speaking on behalf of about 25 attendees gathered on September 25th at Bruno's Ristorante, an Albanian-owned business in mid-town Manhattan, NAAC Executive Director Martin G. Vulaj congratulated President Moisiu on Albania's concrete contribution to the global war on terrorism, and stated support for the signing of an agreement with the U.S. to exempt each country's citizens from prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC) without the permission of the other government. Mr. Vulaj said that Albania's participation with commando troops in the U.S.-led multinational peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, and its signing of Article 98 on the ICC together with 62 other countries has been received very well in Washington, D.C. and serves as testimony to the strategic alliance between Albania and the U.S. He also applauded the "open skies" agreement reached recently between the two countries, making Albania the third country in Europe to have such an agreement with the U.S. However, the NAAC official stressed the important of Albania taking the next step to build on this strategic relationship. He underlined the significance of an independent judiciary system from political influence, the initiation of comprehensive reforms in the legislation on land rights, and pointed out the necessity to work harder in luring both foreign and domestic investors. All of the above, argued Mr. Vulaj, would help tremendously in strengthening Albania internally. Adding that the Albanian community in the U.S. would be willing to help in the country's development, he pointed out that the relationship between the Albanian Diaspora and the Albanian government must be bilateral, especially with regards to obligations and responsibilities. President Moisiu emphasized his willingness to keep on fighting corruption and spoke of the progress Albania has seen during his one-and-a-half tenure in office. He stated that the country has achieved considerable progress with regards to legislation, but pointed to insufficient capacity to implement legislation passed. NAAC Trustee Richard S. Lukaj inquired on what was being done to repair Albania's image abroad. He also asked whether an economic assessment was being developed to aid in implementing strategies that aim at reducing the heavy import-oriented consumer based economy in Albania, and to transfer parts of the economy into production and export. Mr. Elmi Berisha asked President Moisiu's opinion on the much-debated initiation of talks between Prishtina and Belgrade. Albania's President stated that the official stance of his government is that the talks must take place only on technical issues and with the presence of the U.N., the U.S. and the European Union. President Moisiu also used the forum to call on the Kosova leadership to take the upcoming talks with Belgrade seriously, emphasizing the need for the main Albanian political parties to come together and "speak with one voice." Several NAAC members attended the recent meeting with Albania's president, including the organization's Chairman Ilirjan Rusi, Vice Chairman Martin N. Shkreli, former Chair Richard S. Lukaj, Trustee Al Foundos and Executive Director Martin G. Vulaj. 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 ### You are receiving this message because you have requested information about our organization directly from us or through an internet listserv. If you no longer wish to receive such information and would like to be removed, please notify us at naac at naac.org or the listserv that has distributed this information to you. Keshilli Kombetar Shqiptaro Amerikan 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 Per Shtyp: 30 shtator 2003 Kontakt: Valbona Sherifi (202) 466-6900 Deklarate per Shtyp KKSHA dhe aktivist? t? komunitetit b?jn? thirrje p?r nj? gjyq?sor t? pavarur dhe reform? n? t? drejtat e pron?s n? Shqip?ri Washington, 30 Shtator, 2003: K?shilli Komb?tar Shqiptaro Amerikan (KKSHA) l?shoi k?t? deklarat? p?r shtyp n? lidhje me takimin e fundit q? KKSHA-ja dhe an?tar? t? komunitetit Shqiptaro Amerikan mbajt?n me president Moisiu i cili koh?t e fundit foli n? em?r t? Shqip?ris? n? seanc?n e 58 t? OKB-s? P?rfaq?sues t? KKSHA-s? dhe t? komunitetit shqiptaro amerikan lavd?ruan marr?dh?niet pozitive q? Shqip?ria ka me Shtetet e Bashkuara t? Amerik?s, n? nj? takim q? u mbajt koh?t e fundit n? qytetin e New York-ut, duke theksuar domosdoshm?rine q? republika ballkanase t? kap?rcej? si? duhet nj? s?r? sfidash me t? cilat ajo haset n? rrug?n drejt integrimit n? strukturat euro-atlantike. Duke folur n? em?r t? m?se 25 pjes?marr?sve t? mbledhur m? 25 shtator n? Manhattan n? restorantin "Bruno", drejtori ekzekutiv i KKSHA-s?, Martin G. Vulaj, p?rg?zoi Presidentin p?r kontributin q? ka dh?n? Shqip?ria n? luft?n kund?r terrorizmit si dhe theksoi p?rkrahje p?r n?nshkrimin e nj? marr?veshjeje me SHBA-t? q? p?rjashton shtetasit e secilit vend nga sjellja p?rpara Gjyqit Nd?rkomb?tar Kriminal (GNK) pa lejen e qeverive p?rkat?se. Z. Vulaj tha se pjes?marrja e Shqip?ris? n? forcat paqeruajt?se shum?komb?she n? Afganistan dhe Irak dhe firmosja e Artikullit 98 t? GNK-s?, q? ?sht? n?nshkruar dhe nga 62 vende t? tjera, ?sht? pritur mjaft mir? n? Washington D.C. dhe d?shmon p?r marr?dh?niet e mira nd?rmjet Shqip?ris? dhe SHBA-ve. Ai gjithashtu vler?soi marr?veshjen e "qiejve t? hapur" q? k?to dy vende n?nshkruan koh?t e fundit, duke e b?r? Shqip?rin? shtetin e tret? n? Europ? q? ka nj? marr?veshje t? till? me Amerik?n. Megjithat?, zyrtari i KKSHA-s? vuri n? dukje r?nd?sin? e nd?rmarrjes nga Shqip?ria t? hapit tjet?r p?r t'i ?uar edhe m? p?rpara marr?dh?ninet e mira me SHBA-t?, duke p?rfshier nevoj?n e ruajtjes s? gjyq?sorit nga ndikimet politike, nd?rmarrjen e reformave t? plota n? ligjet mbi t? drejtat e pronave, si dhe punimin m? tep?r p?r t? inkurajuar investimet e huaja dhe vendore. T? gjitha k?to, tha z. Vulaj, do t? ndihmojn? n? forcimin e brendsh?m t? Shqip?ris?. Ai shtoi se komuniteti shqiptar n? SHBA ?sht? i gatsh?m t? p?rkrah? zhvillimin e vendit t? shqiponjave, por nj?koh?sisht vuri n? dukje se marr?dh?niet nd?rmjet qeveris? s? Shqip?ris? dhe diaspor?s duhet t? jen? dypal?she, sidomos p?rsa i p?rket detyrimeve dhe p?rgjegj?sive. Duke nxjerr? n? pah gatishm?rin? e tij p?r t? vazhduar luft?n kund?r korrupsionit, presidenti Moisiu foli p?r p?rparimet q? kan? ndodhur n? Shqip?ri qysh prej em?rimit t? tij n? krye t? shteti nj? vit e gjysm? m? par?. Ai n?nvizoi se Shqip?ria ka arritur p?rmir?sime t? konsiderueshme p?rsa i p?rket legjislacionit, mir?po theksoi nj?koh?sisht se vendi ?sht? mbrapa p?rsa i p?rket zbatimit efikas t? lijgeve. An?tari i Boardit Drejtues t? KKSHA-s?, Richard S. Lukaj, pyeti n?se qeveria ?sht? angazhuar p?r zbatimin e strategjive q? do t? transformojn? ekonomin? e konsumatorit q? ?sht? bazuar n? import n? nj? ekonomi m? produktive dhe eksportuese. Z. Elmi Berisha k?rkoi mendimin e presidentit Moisiu n? lidhje me nisjen e bisedimeve Prishtin?-Beograd, q? koh?t e fundit jan? debatuar shum?. Presidenti i Shqip?ris? vuri n? dukje se q?ndrimi zyrtar i qeveris? s? tij ?sht? se bisedimet duhet t? zhvillohen vet?m p?r ??shtje teknike dhe me pranin? e OKB-s?, SHBA-ve dhe Bashkimit Europian. Presidenti Moisiu nj?koh?sisht e shfryt?zoi k?t? forum p?r t'i b?r? thirrje udh?heqjes s? Kosov?s q? t'i marri seriozisht bisedimet me Beogradin q? pritet t? nisin n? tetor t? k?tij viti. Ai n?nvizoi nevoj?n e mbajtjes s? nj? q?ndrimi t? p?rbashk?t t? partive politike shqiptare n? Kosov?, t? cilat "duhet t? flasin vet?m me nj? z?". N? takimin me presidentin e Shqiperis? mor?n pjes? nj? num?r an?tar?sh t? KKSHA-s?, si kryetari Ilirjan Rusi, zv. Kryetari Martin N. Shkreli, ish-kryetari Richard S. Lukaj, an?tari i Bordit Drejtues Al Foundos dhe drejtori ekzekutiv Martin G. Vulaj. K?shilli Komb?tar Shqiptaro Amerikan (KKSHA) ?sht? nj? organizat? jo p?rfituese dhe jo qeveritare e dedikuar ndaj p?rkrahjes s? ??shtjeve shqiptare, promovimit t? paqes dhe zhvillimit ekonomik n? Ballkan p?r t? forcuar politikat demokratike, p?r t? inkurajuar respektin p?r t? drejtat e njeriut n?p?rmjet ofrimit t? programeve t? zhvillimit dhe edukative. P?r m? shum? informacion mbi KKSHA-n? luteni t? vizitoni k?t? faqe Interneti: www.naac.org. ### -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: winmail.dat Type: application/ms-tnef Size: 7832 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.alb-net.com/pipermail/prishtina-e/attachments/20031001/6bc59c4e/attachment.bin From vsherifi at naac.org Fri Oct 3 18:58:31 2003 From: vsherifi at naac.org (Valbona Sherifi) Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2003 18:58:31 -0400 Subject: [Prishtina-E] English/Albanian: NAAC Reiterates in Washington that an Independent Kosova is the Only Option Message-ID: 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: 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 ### You are receiving this message because you have requested information about our organization directly from us or through an internet listserv. If you no longer wish to receive such information and would like to be removed, please notify us at naac at naac.org or the listserv that has distributed this information to you. K?shilli Komb?tar Shqiptaro Amerikan 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: Email: naac at naac.org ________________________________________________________________________ P?r Shtyp:3 tetor, 2003 Kontakt: Valbona Sherifi (202) 466-6900 Deklarat? p?r Shtyp KKSHA-ja rithekson n? Washington se pavar?sia ?sht? e vetmja zgjidhje p?r Kosov?n Washington DC: 3 tetor 2003: K?shilli Komb?tar Shqiptaro Amerikan (KKSHA) l?shoi k?t? deklarat? p?r shtyp n? lidhje me takimet zyrtare q? kryetari i KKSHA-s?, z. Ilirjan Rusi dhe drejtori ekzekutiv, z. Martin G. Vulaj pat?n koh?t e fundit n? Wasington, D.C. UNMIK-u duhet t? fuqizoj? menj?her? institucionet qeveris?se t? Kosov?s, nd?rsa komuniteti nd?rkomb?tar duhet q? p?rfundimisht t? pranoj? q? pavar?sia e Kosov?s ?sht? e vetmja mund?si, deklaruan dy p?rfaq?sues t? K?shillit Komb?tar Shqiptaro - Amerikan (KKSHA) m? 1 tetor gjat? nj? vizite zyrtare n? Washington, D.C. N? pritje t? nisjes s? bisedimeve teknike Prishtin?-Beograd, q? pritet t? fillojn? m? 14 tetor n? Vjen?, kryetari i KKSHA-s?, z. Ilirjan Rusi dhe drejtori ekzekutiv, z. Martin Vulaj, zhvilluan takime n? kryeqytetin e Amerik?s p?r t? shpalosur q?ndrimin e organizat?s q? ata drejtojn? para zyrtar?ve t? Departamentit Amerikan t? Shteti dhe Kongresit Amerikan. Ata i vun? n? dijeni zyrtar?t e Departamentit Amerikan t? Shtetit, z. Mike Bosshart, z?ved?sdrejtor p?r Kosov?n, dhe z. Joshua Black, zyrtar n? seksionin p?r Kosov?n, n? lidhje me vizit?n e fundit q? KKSHA zhvilloi n? Kosov?. Nd?r t? tjera, KKSHA-ja i informoi zyrtar?t e Departamentit t? Shtetit p?r realizimin e nj? projekti p?r t? cilin kjo organizat? po bashk?punon me Universitetin Harvard. Projekti, q? titullohet "Drejt?si n? Koh? Tranzicioni", synon t? mbledh? n? nj? dhom? udh?heq?sin? e Kosov?s me figura t? tjera politike nga vende q? m? par? kan? qen? t? p?rfshira n? konflikte, si Irlanda e Veriut, Slavadori, Afrika e Jugut, etj. Konferenca ka p?r q?llim t? ndihmoj? q? politikan?t e Kosov?s t? forcojn? e t? konsolidojn? institucionet q? drejtojn? n? p?rgatitje p?r proceset e ardhshme. KKSHA-ja ndjehet optimiste p?r rezultatin e k?saj nisme, e cila n?p?rmjet ballafaqimit t? politikan?ve t? Kosov?s me p?rvojat e politikan?ve t? tjer? q? kan? qen? n? t? nj?jtat rrethana me ata t? Kosov?s, do t'u mund?soj? politikan?ve tan? t? p?rballojn? si? duhet situat?n aktuale, sidomos p?rsa i p?rket mosmarr?veshjeve t? brendshme, konsolidimin e qeveris?, formimin e nj? vizioni, etj. P?r pjes?marrje n? konferenc? deri tani jan? zotur z. John Hume nga Irlanda Veriore, dy nga negociator?t kryesor? t? Nelson Mandel?s, si dhe nj? ekspert nga Universiteti Harvard. Martin Vulaj, i cili sapo u kthye nga nj? vizit? 3-javore n? Kosov? ku fillimisht mb?rriti bashk? me ambasadorin William Walker dhe me z. Tim Philips t? Universitetit Harvard, e informoi z. Bosshart se t? tre udh?heq?sit institucional? t? Kosov?s, Presidenti Ibrahim Rugova, Kryeministri Bajram Rexhepi dhe Kryetari i Parlamentit, z. Nexhat Daci, sikurse dhe dy kryetar? partish, z. Hashim Tha?i i PDK-s? dhe z. Ramush Haradinaj i AAK-s?, jan? zotuar t? marrin pjes? n? k?t? konferenc? q? pritet t? mbahet k?t? muaj n? Cambrige, Angli. Z. Bosshart i Departamentit t? Shtetit shprehu p?rkrahje p?r iden? e m?sip?rme, duke th?n? se Kosova ka shum? nevoj? p?r nj? gj? t? till?. KKSHA-ja vuri n? dukje se suksesi i projektit n? fjal? do t? ishte m? i mundsh?m n?se politikan?t e Kosov?s e p?rvet?sonin at?. Duke i b?r? thirrje UNMIK-ut q? t? fuqizoj? sa m? par? institucionet e Kosov?s, KKSHA-ja argumentoi se n?se kjo arrihet, ?do vendim i marr? nga politikan?t e Kosov?s nuk do t? c?nohet nga vetoja e UNMIK-ut. "Vet?m n? k?t? m?nyr? do t? arrihet q? procesi i nisur t? ket? mandatin e popullit dhe kryeadministratori nuk mund t? jet? autoriteti vendos?s", tha z. Rusi duke shtuar se nj? model si ai aktual patjet?r q? do t? destabilizoj? situat?n. Ata po ashtu theksuan se e vetmja zgjidhje p?r ??shtjen e Kosov?s ?sht? m?vet?simi i saj. Sa m? tep?r q? t? vonohet zgjidhja, aq m? i madh b?het rreziku i destabilizimit t? rajonit dhe m? tep?r hap?sir? krijohet p?r veprime ekstreme. Duke iu referuar raporteve t? fundit n? median nd?rkomb?tare q? b?jn? t? ditur ofert?n e Serbis? p?r t'iu bashkangjitur misioneve paqeruajt?se q? drejtojn? SHBA-t?, KKSHA-ja shprehu mospajtimin e saj, duke theksuar se personeli ushtarak serb q? ishte aktiv n? Kosov? dhe q? dyshohet t? ket? kryer abuzime t? r?nda t? t? drejtave t? njeriut dhe krime lufte, nuk duhet t? p?rfshihet n? asnj? m?nyr? n? misionet paqeruajt?se n? Afganistan dhe Irak. Rusi dhe Vulaj i informuan zyrtar?t e Departamentit Amerikan t? Shtetit se lajme t? tilla kan? l?n? nj? shije tep?r t? hidhur n? komunitetin shqiptaro-amerikan dhe se nj? veprim i till? rrezikon t? d?mtoj? r?nd? imazhin e SHBA-ve dhe t? administrat?s aktuale. Gjat? vizit?s s? fundit n? Washington, D.C., zyrtar?t e KKSHA-s? u takuan me nj? s?r? ligjv?n?sish t? cil?t kan? p?rkrahur prej koh?sh popullin shqiptar, si kongresist?t Mark Kirk, Eliot Engel, Sue Kelly, Vito Fossella, Sander Levin dhe Joseph Crowley. Q?llimi kryesor i k?tyre takimeve ishte p?rgatitja e nj? delegacioni kongresional q? n? fillim t? vitit t? ardhsh?m do t? vizitoj? Maqedonin?, Kosov?n, Shqip?rin? dhe Malin e Zi. T? gjith? zyrtar?t me t? cil?t KKSHA-ja mbajti takime shpreh?n gatishm?ri p?r t? marr? pjes? n? delegacion. KKSHA-ja u ofroi ligjv?n?sve amerikan? t? dh?na q? organizata grumbulloi gjat? vizit?s s? fundit n? Kosov?, p?rfshi trysnin? ekonomike q? vendi po p?rpjeton p?r shkak t? faktit se statusi p?rfundimtar nuk ?sht? p?rcaktuar ende. "Kosova duhet t? b?het e pavarur dhe kjo gj? duhet t? ndodh? sa m? par?", i tha z. Rusi kongresistit Fossella. "Vendit i mungon infrastruktura dhe zor se do t? ket? investime serioze n?se kushtet ekzistuese nuk ndryshojn?". Kryetari i KKSHA-s? theksoi m? tej se SHBA-t? duhet t? vihen n? krye t? zgjidhjes s? ??shtjes s? Kosov?s sepse politika "prit dhe vono" q? ndjek Europa ka b?r? q? t?r? rajoni t? mbetet prapa. Kongresisti Engel, bashk?kryetar i Grupit Kongresional p?r ??shtjet Shqiptare, tha se komuniteti shqiptar duhet ta vazhdoj? angazhimin me p?rqaq?suesit e tyre n? Kongres n? ?do zon? ku banon ai. Ai premtoi t? vazhdoj? e t? ndihmoj? n? realizmin e misionit t? KKSHA-s? dhe shtoi se, "shum? m? tep?r mund t? arrihet n?se komuniteti punon bashkarisht". Kongresistja Kelly, bashk?kryetarja tjet?r e Grupit Kongresional t? ??shtjeve Shqiptare, u zotua t? filloj? menj?her? p?rgatitjen e nj? delegacioni t? Kongresit Amerikan q? m? pas t? vizitoj? zonat e Ballkanit t? populluara nga shqiptar? p?r t? ndjekur situat?n nga af?r. "Detyra jon? n? rajon nuk ka p?rfunduar ende", tha kongresistja. "Kosova duhet t? b?het e pavarur dhe ne duhet t'i forcojm? demokracit? atje p?r t? siguruar interesat amerikane, si lufta kund?r terrorizmit". Z. Rusi e informoi kongresisten se zbatimi i plot? i Marr?veshjes s? Ohrit q? u arrit me ndihm?n e SHBA-ve ?sht? tep?r mbrapa, duke c?nuar k?shtu paqen e brisht? n? Maqedoni. Ai b?ri thirrje q? Kongresi Amerikan t'u b?j? m? tep?r trysni pal?ve p?rkat?se n? Maqedoni n? m?nyr? q? Marr?veshja e Ohrit t? zbatohet plot?sisht e sa m? par?. Kongresisti Kirk, nj? ish-pilot i bombarduesve "F-16", i cili fluturoi me misione ushtarake mbi Serbi gjat? fushat?s ajrore t? NATO's, shprehu krenari p?r at? q? komuniteti shqiptaro-amerikan ka b?r? n? em?r t? bashkadhetar?ve t? tyre n? Ballkan. Kongresisti Crowley shprehu entuzias?m n? lidhje me vajtjen s?rish n? rajon. Ai kujtoi vizit?n e m?parshme fill pas p?rfundimit t? luft?s n? Kosov?, duke kujtuar zona t? t?ra t? mbushura me tenda refugjat?sh dhe njer?z q? ishin d?buar dhunsh?m nga sht?pit? e tyre, dhe tha se d?shiron t? kthehet edhe nj? her? n? Kosov? q? t? ndjek? nga af?r situat?n atje e t? shikoj? se ?far? p?rparimesh kan? ndodhur qysh prej p?rfundimit t? luft?s kat?r vite m? par?. K?shilli Komb?tar Shqiptaro Amerikan (KKSHA) ?sht? nj? organizat? jo p?rfituese dhe jo qeveritare e dedikuar ndaj p?rkrahjes s? ??shtjeve shqiptare, promovimit t? paqes dhe zhvillimit ekonomik n? Ballkan p?r t? forcuar politikat demokratike, p?r t? inkurajuar respektin p?r t? drejtat e njeriut n?p?rmjet ofrimit t? programeve t? zhvillimit dhe edukative. P?r m? shum? informacion mbi KKSHA-n? luteni t? vizitoni k?t? faqe Interneti: . ### -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: winmail.dat Type: application/ms-tnef Size: 11392 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.alb-net.com/pipermail/prishtina-e/attachments/20031003/019a7914/attachment.bin From vsherifi at naac.org Fri Oct 10 19:25:19 2003 From: vsherifi at naac.org (Valbona Sherifi) Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2003 19:25:19 -0400 Subject: [Prishtina-E] FYI: NYT article on American University in Kosova Message-ID: The New York Times October 10, 2003 A Kosovo University With an American Accent By NICHOLAS WOOD PRISTINA, Kosovo, Oct. 9 ? When Kathy Schneider tells a joke, it comes as a surprise to her students. Humor is one of the last thing students expect here in Kosovo when they enter a classroom. That, however, is something Ms. Schneider and her colleagues at the newly opened American University in Kosovo hope to change as they seek to fill a gap left by a state education system still influenced by Yugoslav-style Communism. "I want to see the light bulbs come on," said Ms. Schneider who heads the school's language program, " I want them to come up with ideas." Statements like these are unusual in Kosovo's higher education system, where Ms. Schneider, who is from Springfield, Mass., and has more than a decade of experience teaching English as a foreign language, says students are treated all too often like unruly youths who should be seen and not heard. The university, where classes started Monday, joins dozens of private schools and institutes that have sprung up in Kosovo since the end of the war in the Serbian province in 1999. Many of these schools are looking to the United States as an example, and in particular at institutions that maintain close links to business and industry. "People wanted an American university, both as a model for education but also as a vehicle for economic development" said Louis Sell, the executive director of the American University in Kosovo Foundation, which raises money for the school. The university is financed almost entirely by Kosovo Albanians, and at the start, offers a two-year associates degree in business and economics. Classes are in English. The Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y., is managing the academic program for the school, which is starting with about 60 students. It plans to expand to four-year programs in the next two years. Mr. Sell said one goal is to provide students with an education that is relevant to the workplace. Students can expect to spend substantial time in work-study placements with local businesses. "It was always a dream for people here to study in a world-class university," said Meliza Haradinaj, a 19-year-old entering student from Pristina, the Kosovo capital. "So this is a brilliant opportunity to study without having to go away." The annual fee for the course is $5,500, not inexpensive in Kosovo, where the average wage for those who have a job is about $150 a month. But the costs, Mr. Sell says, are small compared with sending a student to study elsewhere in Europe or the United States. The local state-run university in Pristina, with more than 20,000 students, used to have the monopoly on higher education, but critics say the courses there are increasingly irrelevant to student needs. "I call the University of Pristina a mirage," says Akan Ismaili, 29, a former student. "It was desperate. People didn't analyze anything." Mr. Ismaili said that, when he attended, students in the school's information technology course had little or no access to a computer. Frustrated with his own experience, Mr. Ismaili help set up what is now Kosovo's leading center for computer studies, partly financed by an Internet service provider. Inside their sleekly designed offices in the Pristina national library, nearly five miles of cable enable students to set up and dismantle Internet servers and networks. Courses, most operated in cooperation with Cisco Systems, an American company, cover marketing, graphic design and finance. Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company | Home | Privacy Policy | Search | Corrections | Help | Back to Top From vsherifi at naac.org Wed Oct 15 17:17:37 2003 From: vsherifi at naac.org (Valbona Sherifi) Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2003 17:17:37 -0400 Subject: [Prishtina-E] NAAC to UN: Respect the Will of the People of Kosova Message-ID: 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: Email: naac at naac.org ________________________________________________________________________ For Release: October 15, 2003 Contact: Valbona Sherifi (202) 466-6900 PRESS RELEASE NAAC to UN : Respect the Will of the People of Kosova Washington, DC: October 15, 2003: The National Albanian American Council (NAAC) issued the following statement regarding yesterday's talks in Vienna between Belgrade and Prishtina. The recent difficulties in starting technical talks between Kosova and Serbia illustrate certain prerequisites that must be in place for not only the successful outcome of the technical talks but also for the processes that will determine Kosova's final status. In Iraq, the United Nations and the European Union, while insisting on the rapid transfer of power to local authorities just six months after U.S. forces toppled one brutal dictator, through their administration, is unnecessarily delaying the transfer of power to local institutions in Kosova four years after beginning to administer Kosova and three years since the toppling of another brutal dictator. This despite three sets of free and fair elections that were a model for the Balkans. While the Kosovars must negotiate, they must not be forced to negotiate from an unequal bargaining position going forward. To do otherwise would thwart fundamental principles of democracy and ignore the people of Kosova. The National Albanian American Council will only support those agreements that are built on the bedrock of the will of the people of Kosova. 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 ### K?shilli Komb?tar Shqiptaro Amerikan 2021 L Street, N.?., Suite 402, ?ashington, DC 20036 481 8th Avenue, Suite 922, Ne? York, NY 10001 Brigada e Krajishtes, No. 8, 38000 Prishtina, Kosova Telephone: (202) 466-6900 Fax: (202) 466-5593 ?eb: ???.naac.org Email: naac at naac.org ________________________________________________________________________ P?r Shtyp:15 tetor, 2003 Kontakt: Valbona Sherifi (202) 466-6900 Deklarat? p?r Shtyp KKSHA-ja OKB-s?: Respekto vullnetin e popullit t? Kosov?s ?ashington DC, 15 tetor 2003: K?shilli Komb?tar Shqiptaro Amerikan (KKSHA) l?shoi k?t? deklarat? p?r shtyp n? lidhje me bisedimet q? u mbajt?n ne Vien? nd?rmjet Serbis? dhe Kosov?s. V?shtir?sit? m? t? fundit n? fillimin e bisedimeve teknike nd?rmjet Kosov?s dhe Serbis? ilustrojn? mjaft mir? parakushtet q? duhen plot?suar p?r t? sjell? rezultate t? suksesshme jo vet?m n? bisedimet teknike por gjithashtu edhe p?r suksesin e pro?eseve q? do t? vendosin statusin p?rfundimtar t? Kosov?s. N? Irak Organizata e Kombeve t? Bashkuara (OKB) dhe Bashkimi Europian (BE) kan? insistuar n? transferimin e menj?hersh?m t? pushtetit tek autoritetet lokale vet?m gjasht? muaj pasi forcat amerikane rr?zuan nj? diktator brutal. P?rmes administrat?s s? saj, OKB-ja e drejtuar nga an?tar?t e Bashkimit Europian, ende po e vonon pro?esin e transferimit t? pushtetit tek instucionet e Kosov?s edhe pse po b?hen 4 vjet q? prej fillimit t? administrimit t? saj dhe 3 vjet q? prej rr?zimit t? nj? tjet?r diktatori brutal. P?r m? tep?r, Kosova ka mbajtur tre her? zgjedhje elektorale t? lira dhe t? drejta t? cilat kan? qen? shembullore p?r gjith? Ballkanin. Nd?rkoh? q? Kosovar?t duhet t? negociojn?, ata nuk duhet t? detyrohen t? negociojn? nga pozita t? pabarabarta p?r marr?veshjet e t? ardhmes. Nj? detyrim i till? ?sht? n? kund?rshtim me parimet e demokracis? dhe shp?rfill popullin e Kosov?s. K?shilli Komb?tar Shqiptaro Amerikan do t? p?rkrah? vet?m ato marr?veshje q? bazohen n? themelet e vullnetit t? popullit t? Kosov?s. K?shilli Komb?tar Shqiptaro Amerikan (KKSHA) ?sht? nj? organizat? jo p?rfituese dhe jo qeveritare e dedikuar ndaj p?rkrahjes s? ??shtjeve shqiptare, promovimit t? paqes dhe zhvillimit ekonomik n? Ballkan p?r t? forcuar politikat demokratike, p?r t? inkurajuar respektin p?r t? drejtat e njeriut n?p?rmjet ofrimit t? programeve t? zhvillimit dhe edukative. P?r m? shum? informacion mbi KKSHA-n? luteni t? vizitoni k?t? faqe Interneti: www.naac.org . ### -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: winmail.dat Type: application/ms-tnef Size: 4500 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.alb-net.com/pipermail/prishtina-e/attachments/20031015/a1cb5650/attachment.bin From vsherifi at naac.org Thu Oct 16 14:30:14 2003 From: vsherifi at naac.org (Valbona Sherifi) Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 14:30:14 -0400 Subject: [Prishtina-E] (Corrected) -- NAAC to UN: Respect the Will of the People of Kosova Message-ID: 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: Email: naac at naac.org ________________________________________________________________________ For Release: October 16, 2003 Contact: Valbona Sherifi (202) 466-6900 PRESS RELEASE NAAC to UN: Respect the Will of the People of Kosova Washington, DC: October 16, 2003: The National Albanian American Council (NAAC) issued the following statement regarding the most recent talks in Vienna between Prishtina and Belgrade. The recent difficulties in starting technical talks between Kosova and Serbia illustrate certain prerequisites that must be in place for not only the successful outcome of the technical talks, but also for the processes that will determine Kosova's final status. In Iraq, the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) are insisting on the rapid transfer of power to local authorities just six months after U.S. forces toppled a brutal dictator. In Kosova, the UN through its administration driven by its EU members is unnecessarily delaying the transfer of power to local institutions four years after beginning to administer Kosova and three years since the toppling of another brutal dictator. This despite three sets of free and fair elections that were a model for the Balkans. While Kosova's leaders must negotiate, they must not be forced to negotiate from an unequal bargaining position going forward. To do otherwise would thwart fundamental principles of democracy and ignore the people of Kosova. The National Albanian American Council will only support those agreements that are built on the bedrock of the will of the people of Kosova. 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 ### K?shilli Komb?tar Shqiptaro Amerikan 2021 L Street, N.?., Suite 402, ?ashington, DC 20036 481 8th Avenue, Suite 922, Ne? 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 ________________________________________________________________________ P?r Shtyp:16 tetor, 2003 Kontakt: Valbona Sherifi (202) 466-6900 Deklarat? p?r Shtyp KKSHA-ja OKB-s?: Respekto vullnetin e popullit t? Kosov?s Washington DC, 16 tetor 2003: K?shilli Komb?tar Shqiptaro Amerikan (KKSHA) l?shoi k?t? deklarat? p?r shtyp n? lidhje me bisedimet q? u mbajt?n n? Vien? nd?rmjet Prishtin?s dhe Beogradit. V?shtir?sit? m? t? fundit n? fillimin e bisedimeve teknike nd?rmjet Kosov?s dhe Serbis? ilustrojn? mjaft mir? parakushtet q? duhen plot?suar p?r t? sjell? rezultate t? suksesshme jo vet?m n? bisedimet teknike por gjithashtu edhe p?r suksesin e pro?eseve q? do t? vendosin statusin p?rfundimtar t? Kosov?s. N? Irak, Organizata e Kombeve t? Bashkuara (OKB) dhe Bashkimi Europian (BE) kan? insistuar n? transferimin e menj?hersh?m t? pushtetit tek autoritetet lokale vet?m gjasht? muaj pasi forcat amerikane rr?zuan nj? diktator brutal. N? Kosov?, OKB-ja p?rmes administrat?s s? saj dhe e drejtuar nga an?tar?t e Bashkimit Europian, ende po e vonon pro?esin e transferimit t? pushtetit tek instucionet e Kosov?s edhe pse po b?hen 4 vjet q? prej fillimit t? administrimit t? saj dhe 3 vjet q? prej rr?zimit t? nj? tjet?r diktatori brutal. P?r m? tep?r, Kosova ka mbajtur tre her? zgjedhje elektorale t? lira dhe t? drejta t? cilat kan? qen? shembullore p?r gjith? Ballkanin. Nd?rkoh? q? udh?heq?sit e Kosov?s duhet t? negociojn?, ata nuk duhet t? detyrohen t? negociojn? nga pozita t? pabarabarta p?r marr?veshjet e s? ardhmes. Nj? detyrim i till? ?sht? n? kund?rshtim me parimet e demokracis? dhe shp?rfill popullin e Kosov?s. K?shilli Komb?tar Shqiptaro Amerikan do t? p?rkrah? vet?m ato marr?veshje q? bazohen n? themelet e vullnetit t? popullit t? Kosov?s. K?shilli Komb?tar Shqiptaro Amerikan (KKSHA) ?sht? nj? organizat? jo p?rfituese dhe jo qeveritare e dedikuar ndaj p?rkrahjes s? ??shtjeve shqiptare, promovimit t? paqes dhe zhvillimit ekonomik n? Ballkan p?r t? forcuar politikat demokratike, p?r t? inkurajuar respektin p?r t? drejtat e njeriut n?p?rmjet ofrimit t? programeve t? zhvillimit dhe edukative. P?r m? shum? informacion mbi KKSHA-n? luteni t? vizitoni k?t? faqe Interneti: www.naac.org . ### -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: winmail.dat Type: application/ms-tnef Size: 4564 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.alb-net.com/pipermail/prishtina-e/attachments/20031016/e2c4fed2/attachment.bin From mentor at alb-net.com Sun Oct 19 04:18:08 2003 From: mentor at alb-net.com (Albanians in Macedonia Crisis Center News & Information) Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2003 04:18:08 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Prishtina-E] [AMCC-News] Macedonia: 1) Small Victory in Battle Against Traffickers, 2) School Desegregation Plans Shelved Message-ID: --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMCC http://www.alb-net.com/amcc/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Macedonia: Small Victory in Battle Against Traffickers 2. School Desegregation Plans Shelved ### 1 ### http://www.iwpr.net/index.pl?archive/bcr3/bcr3_200310_464_4_eng.txt Macedonia: Small Victory in Battle Against Traffickers Much trumpeted conviction of human traffickers belies problems in getting successful prosecutions. By Yigal Chazan and Dragana Nikolic-Solomon in London and David Quin in Skopje (BCR 464, 16-Oct-03) Macedonia's battle against people-smuggling was boosted last week with the sentencing of five convicted traffickers to long prison terms, but the country still has much to do if it is to bring more offenders to justice, observers say. A Skopje court sentenced four Macedonians and an ethnic Albanian to a total of 33 years in prison under laws classifying trafficking as a crime, which were introduced in 2002. The verdict came after the court heard harrowing written testimony from the victims, who were not present for the trial. Their statements to investigators, which have been seen by IWPR, show how they were beaten and forced to have sex in brothels across the country. Zan Jovanovski, a Macedonian police liaison officer with the Bucharest-based Southeast European Cooperative Initiative, SECI, tasked with getting countries in the region to do more to combat trans-border crime, commended the authorities' handling of the case, describing it as "an encouraging sign". Vladimir Danailov, senior legal assistant at the International Organisation for Migration in Skopje, said the conviction will have a very "big preventive impact" on traffickers as they will now realise that they face long prison sentences if they are caught. Other similar cases are in the pipeline and the authorities are doing more to combat human trafficking in general: in a first for the region, victims who've returned to their country of origin after escaping their captors or freed by police are encouraged and helped to come back to Macedonia to testify; they are also offered compensation for their suffering, which, it is hoped, will make them more inclined to come forward; and there are plans to try people who are indirectly associated with trafficking gangs. The country, then, is clearly making progress in the battle against people-smuggling - and doing much more than its neighbours in this regard - but, nothwithstanding last week's conviction, it's finding it difficult to bring offenders to justice. Since trafficking was a made a crime, there have been five convictions, with those found guilty receiving short or suspended sentences. Many more have been charged but not successfully prosecuted. The lack of effective protection for witnesses, legislative inconsistencies and limited legal expertise in trafficking cases are thought to have been major stumbling blocks in securing convictions. The IOM in cooperation with the authorities has opened a centre for victims where they are made to feel secure and offered counselling, but more such facilities are required otherwise they simply return to their country of origin and are reluctant to return to testify when their former captors are put on trial. And the fact that under Macedonian law convictions for people-smuggling are based largely on witness testimony, with little or no regard for other material and circumstantial evidence, means that unless victims are prepared to come forward cases simply collapse. Samoil Filipovski, a lawyer specialising in trafficking cases, says there's also a problem with judicial interpretation of the law, " [Trafficking is] a new charge and we do not have any prior court practise in using the legislation." Critics of the authorities' handling of such cases have insisted that recent convictions only came about because the prosecution got lucky, with witnesses fleeing their captors and providing highly detailed evidence, despite inadequate provisions for their safety. Referring to last week's trial, one western diplomat said, "This a step forward but it's mainly due to some very courageous women who testified even though they had no legal protection. If it wasn't for these women, these men would be free." Significantly, diplomatic sources have told IWPR lack of witness testimony is believed to have undermined the authorities attempt to try a leading suspected gang leader Dilaver "Leku" Bojku, currently facing six charges of procuring girls in the south of the country, for trafficking. "Leku is charged for prostitution when everybody knows he is involved in trafficking but nobody dares to step forward as there is no witness protection," said one diplomat. Danailov acknowledges that more should be done to safeguard victims; that the law should be changed so that trafficking convictions are not based just on the testimony of victims; and that judges and prosecutors are better trained to deal with such cases. The IOM official pointed out that efforts are underway to address all the aforementioned problems. The situation, he said, "is not ideal, but getting better and better". Nonetheless, he said the US State Department rates Macedonia as one of the countries doing most to tackle people-smuggling and points out that its efforts to date have actually forced the traffickers to change the way they operate: previously, girls were held in bars and clubs, but increasingly their captors are moving them into rented accommodation making it harder for the police to find them. He says the authorities' attitude towards the problem has changed hugely, as it wasn't long ago that the victims of trafficking were considered little more than illegal migrants and expelled from the country. Yigal Chazan is IWPR managing editor, Dragana Nikolic-Solomon is an IWPR assistant editor and David Quin is an IWPR investigations editor. Saso Dimovski, a journalist with Skopje Sitel TV, also contributed to this report. ------------- ### 2 ### http://www.iwpr.net/index.pl?archive/bcr3/bcr3_200310_462_4_eng.txt Macedonia: School Desegregation Plans Shelved Fierce protests force government to back down over bid to teach Albanians and Macedonian students side by side. By Ana Pteruseva and Boris Georgievski in Skopje (BCR No 462, 03-Oct-03) The Macedonian authorities. controversial attempts to desegregate two schools have been criticised as clumsy and badly-timed by western diplomats and analysts. Plans for an Albanian language class in a Bitola school were halted last week after hundreds of Macedonian students took to the streets in protest, with some insisting that they would never allow an Albanian class in their city. The Macedonian students went back to school, but only after receiving assurances that an Albanian class will not be opened. Protesters threatened to hold further rallies if there is a new attempt to teach students from the two communities side by side. Ethnic tensions also soared last week at the Arseni Jovkov high school in Skopje when Macedonian parents and students rallied against the decision to include seven Albanian classes in the same building. Previously, the Albanian students had been attending a facility in another part of the city. Following the protests, the plan to bring the two groups together was put on hold. Multi-ethnic education has been an explosive issue for more than a decade. Macedonian and Albanian students have been strictly segregated - studying in different schools or, if in the same building, in different shifts - and previous attempts to unite the two have also failed. The latest desegregation initiative was not part of a broader attempt to bring an end to the ethnic divide in the country.s schools, but a goodwill gesture by the governing ethnic Macedonian parties towards their Albanian partners. Education minister Azis Polozani, a member of the Democratic Union for Integration, DUI, the ethnic Albanian party in the ruling coalition, faced calls from the protesters to abandon the desegregation plans or resign. Faced with continuing popular unrest over the reforms, the government appears to have shelved the issue indefinitely. .The decision has been put on ice until ethnic tensions calm down,. said DUI spokesperson Ermira Mehmeti. The trouble began immediately after Polozani announced the changes in early September. The minister has since come under fire for trying to implement the reform after the school year had already started, and for not anticipating the likely reaction, especially in Bitola, which was the scene of riots against the town.s Albanian community during the 2001 conflict. "Polozani should have known that this cannot be done without thorough preparations," one western diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told IWPR. "He should have consulted people on local level. You cannot make an administrative decision and just hope it will be respected. "The timing was also crucial. If the decision had been made before the school year had already started, it would have been a different situation. Maybe there would still have been tensions, but probably not on this scale." A government source also commented on the poor timing of the move, saying tensions could have been avoided had Polozani announced the decision while the students were on their summer break. .However, there is no justification for the acts of the Macedonian students,. the government source said. Gjuner Ismail, director of Forum magazine, told IWPR that a lack of foresight by the education ministry has fuelled Macedonian nationalist feeling in Bitola. .The minister should solve, not generate problems. He did not respect the reality of the situation," Ismail said. "Bitola is a specific city, and one that was very much involved in the war. This way [the minister] has created an opportunity for those who organised the incidents in 2001 to do so again.. The hard line opposition Democratic Party of Albanians has reacted angrily to the government.s climb-down, describing it last week as the result of a .well thought-out and organised action to prevent Albanians from exercising their rights.. Mirjana Najcevska, who heads the local branch of the Helsinki human rights committee, said that the latest events should not be seen as an isolated problem, but rather as the result of the government.s heavy handedness and lack of transparency over reforms. "We have many situations when a school director or a teacher is replaced without local consultation and parents and students protest,. she told IWPR. .As for the ethnic dimension, on the Albanian side there is a belief that things can change overnight, while the Macedonians are building a wall and absolutely refusing to think of the legitimate and unsatisfied needs of others.. The International community has expressed deep concern over the recent upturn in tensions. The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, OSCE, in Macedonia called the Bitola protests .frightening and unacceptable.. OSCE spokesperson Isabelle De Ruyt said, .It is disappointing to see people mobilising against the a common education opportunity for students. The OSCE believes that the students should be able to go to schools close to their homes, and that multi-ethnic education should be encouraged.. Ana Petruseva is IWPR project manager in Macedonia, Boris Georgievski is a journalist with the Skopje daily Utrinski vesnik ______________________________________________________________ If you wish to unsubscribe, send a blank message to: amcc-news-unsubscribe at alb-net.com , or visit AMCC-NEWS's page at: http://www.alb-net.com/mailman/listinfo/amcc-news From vsherifi at naac.org Thu Oct 23 21:05:19 2003 From: vsherifi at naac.org (Valbona Sherifi) Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 21:05:19 -0400 Subject: [Prishtina-E] English/Albanian: NAAC Outraged at the Detention of General Ceku Message-ID: <000001c399ca$e77a47a0$6d01010a@desktop1> 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: Email: naac at naac.org ________________________________________________________________________ For Release: October 23, 2003 Contact: Valbona Sherifi (202) 466-6900 PRESS RELEASE NAAC Outraged at the Detention of General Ceku Washington, D. C. October 23, 2003: The National Albanian American Council (NAAC) issued the following statement regarding the detention of General Ceku by the Slovenian authorities. The Albanian version of this press release is also enclosed below. The National Albanian American Council expresses its outrage at the detention of Lieutenant General Agim Ceku by the Slovenian authorities pursuant to an Interpol warrant lodged by the Serbian government. This incident comes on the heels of the detention of the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Kosova by Hungarian authorities acting on a similar warrant lodged by Milosevic. While both were soon released, these actions insult the people of Kosova, undermine important interlocutors and sew instability into the region. Serbian calls for General Ceku's extradition illustrate that despite their efforts to redefine themselves as reformed Serbia continues to stand much closer to Milosevic's values than to western democratic principles. The international community must ask itself: with whom is Kosova being asked to dialogue? We call on the international community to immediately take all necessary measures to vacate these Milosevic-tainted warrants. We call on the people of Kosova to rally around and strengthen her institutions so they can better protect her citizens and her interests. 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 ### You are receiving this message because you have requested information about our organization directly from us or through an internet listserv. If you no longer wish to receive such information and would like to be removed, please notify us at naac at naac.org or the listserv that has distributed this information to you. K?shilli Komb?tar Shqiptaro Amerikan 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 Telefon: (202) 466-6900 Fax: (202) 466-5593 Web: www.naac.org Email: naac at naac.org ________________________________________________________________________ P?r Shtyp: 23 tetor, 2003 Kontakt: Valbona Sherifi (202) 466-6900 Deklarat? p?r Shtyp KKSHA-ja OKB-s?: Respekto vullnetin e popullit t? Kosov?s Washington DC, 23 tetor 2003: K?shilli Komb?tar Shqiptaro Amerikan (KKSHA) l?shoi k?t? deklarat? p?r shtyp n? lidhje me arrestimin q? iu b? dje Gjeneral Agim Ceku-t nga autoritetet Sllovene. K?shilli Komb?tar Shqiptaro Amerikan (KKSHA) shpreh indinjat? t? thell? n? lidhje me arrestimin e gjeneral Agim ?ekut prej autoriteteve sllovene ne baz? t? nj? urdh?r-arresti t? Interpolit t? nxjerr? nga qeveria serbe. Kjo ngjarje vjen menj?her? pas arrestimit t? Kryetarit t? Partis? Demokratike t? Kosov?s nga autoritet hungareze q? gjithashtu vepruan n? baz? t? nj? urdh?ri t? ngjash?m. Megjith?se t? dy u liruan brenda nj? kohe t? shkurt?r, arrestimet e tyre fyejn? popullin e Kosov?s, denigrojn? interlokutor? t? r?nd?sish?m, dhe mbjellin jostabilitet n? rajon. K?rkesat serbe p?r ekstradimin e gjeneral ?ekut ilustrojn? se megjith? p?rpjekjet p?r t'u ridimensionuar si e reformuar, Serbia vazhdon t? mbetet m? pran? vlerave t? Miloshevi?it sesa parimeve demokratike per?ndimore. Bashk?sia nd?rkomb?tare duhet t'i b?j? vetes k?t? pyetje: me k? po i k?rkohet Kosov?s q? t? ket? dialog? Ne i b?jm? thirrje bashk?sis? nd?rmb?tare q? t? marr? t? gjitha masat e nevojshm? p?r zhvler?simin e k?tyre urdh?r-arrestimeve Miloshevi?iane. Ne i b?jm? thirrje popullit t? Kosov?s q? t? bashkohet dhe t? forcoj? institucionet e saj n? m?nyr? q? k?to institucione t? mund t? mbrojn? sa m? mir? qytetar?t dhe interesat e Kosov?s. K?shilli Komb?tar Shqiptaro Amerikan (KKSHA) ?sht? nj? organizat? jo p?rfituese dhe jo qeveritare e dedikuar ndaj p?rkrahjes s? ??shtjeve shqiptare, promovimit t? paqes dhe zhvillimit ekonomik n? Ballkan p?r t? forcuar politikat demokratike, p?r t? inkurajuar respektin p?r t? drejtat e njeriut n?p?rmjet ofrimit t? programeve t? zhvillimit dhe edukative. P?r m? shum? informacion mbi KKSHA-n? luteni t? vizitoni k?t? faqe Interneti: www.naac.org . ### -------------- next part -------------- HTML attachment scrubbed and removed From vsherifi at naac.org Tue Oct 7 16:47:33 2003 From: vsherifi at naac.org (Valbona Sherifi) Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2003 16:47:33 -0400 Subject: [Prishtina-E] NAAC Journal - Fall 2003 - A Quarterly Report of the National Albanian American Council Message-ID: Dear Friends and Supporters of NAAC: Attached please find the qaurterly report of the National Albanian American Council (NAAC) for the Fall 2003. For more information on our activities or should you have any problems opening the attachement, please contact our offices at the below contact information. Sincerely, Valbona Sherifi Public Relations Coordinator National Albanian American Council 2021 L Street, NW Suite 402 Washington, DC 20036 Telephone: 202-466-6900 Fax: 202-466-5593 Web: www.naac.org -------------- next part -------------- [ The following attachment was DELETED when this message was saved: ] [ A Application/MS-TNEF (Name="winmail.dat") segment of about 386,722 ]