Dielli | The Sun

Albanian American Newspaper Devoted to the Intellectual and Cultural Advancement of the Albanians in America | Since 1909

KUJTESE-INDRIT CARA, BALLI I TRIMËRISË

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Shkruan :EugenShehu/

  Ne Foto: „Ushtar Kavaja“ 1971-1999/  

Në mbijetesën epokale të kombit tonë, shtjellë te trazuar erërash dhe fatesh ka patur një ngjashmeri të çuditshme midis kozminës ate së fatit dhe jetës fizike.Sa here që ka dhembur një gjymturë e trupit,gjymtyret e tjera janë përmbledhur për të  përballuar dhembjen dhe per të parë më tej se vetë dhimbja.A nuk ngarenden fiset arberore nga Veriu ne Jug,nen udheheqjen e legjendarit,Gjergj Kastriotit Skenderbeut te mblidhen ne Lezhe dhe te japin besen e burrit?.A nuk shkuan burrat e Çamerise te merrnin pjese ne Kuvendin e Lidhjes Shqiptare te Prizrenit? A nuk ishin Lumjanët dhe Dibranët që ranë me pushkë në dorë në Jugun e Shqiperise Etnike? Pamvaresisht se eshte kërcenuar vetem nje pjese e trupit,pamvaresisht se ka dhembur diku ne lindje a perendim,veri apo jug,gjaku arberor ka gurgulluar duke dashur të pushoje menjëherë gjdo dhimbje apo tragjedi.Kështu ndodhi edhe ne fundshekullin e kaluar,atëhere kur në Kosovën martire,makina e dhunes serbosllave nisi marrshimin e saj gjakatar duke perdhosur dhe njëhere e pergjithmone imazhin e nje Evrope qe ishte ne prag te qyteterimit modern.Nder ata bij të shqipes,të cilët ngarendën në fush të lirisë,nder ata trima, të cilet shperfillin edhe vetë vdekjen fizike,padyshim Indrit Cara ze vendin e vet te merituar.
Lindi ne qytetin e Kavajes me 11 korrik 1971.U rrit nepër ato rrugë të bukura dhe të vjetra të qytetit me dashuri per atdheun dhe flamurin,te cilen dashuri gjeneratat e Carajve e patën percjellë nga brezi ne brez,nga vitet e para te krijimit te shtetit shqiptar e deri ne ditet e mevonshme.Mustafa Cara ka qene i shquar ne Kavaje per perpjekjet e tij ne rrafsh kombetar.Duke iu bashkuar grupit te atdhetarëve shqiptarë,te cilët në vitet 1907- 1909 luftuan per shkrimin e gjuhës shqipe me alfabet latin,Mustafa Cara jo vetem propogandoj ne qytetin e Kavajes këte alfabet, por edhe u vu në konflikt të drejtpërdrejtë me një pjesë të klerit mysliman, te cilet perkrahnin ne popull idene e rrejshme se keto germa ishin te mallkuara nga Zoti. Ne vitet qe erdhën me pas,Mustafa Cara ne bashkepunim te ngushte me atdhetaret e tjere te Shqiperise se Mesme,iu bashkengjit levizjes autonomiste kombetare me c’rast fitoi simpatine e gjithe qytetit.Ne marrshimin epokal te Ismail Qemal Vlores drejt ngritjes se flamurit ne vjeshten e trete te vitit 1912, pikerisht ne qytetin e Kavajes ky u prit nga burrat me te shquar te qytetit.Aty,midis te tjerave,iu uroi mirseardhjen edhe Mustafa Cara duke e siguruar plakun e urtë se flamuri kuqezi do te valvitej ne Kavajë e rrethina ,në të mirë të ardhmerise të shqiptarëve.Ende sot ,ne memorien historike te ketij qyteti ka mbetur ne kujtese fakti qe me 28 nendor 1912,ate dite kur flamuri kuqezi u ngrit në Kavajë në qendër të qytetit,po aq madheshtor ai valoi edhe në shtëpinë e Mustafa Carës. Më tej ,traditat e shquara te familjes Cara do t’i çonte më perpara djali i Mustafait,Ymeri(gjyshi i Indritit)i cili do te dallohej për frymën nacionaliste dhe ëndrën per ta parë token arbërore brenda kufijve Etnike te saj.Janë disa figura të shquara te kësaj familjeje,të cilat duke jetuar me idenë e Shqiperise Etnike u renditën në formacionet antifashiste ne vitet 1943-1944,por që më pas u ndodhen të zhgenjyer prej internacionalizmit proletar të trumbetuar me aq forcë nga Tirana e Beogradi. Dihet tanime drama e madhe e viteve 1945-1990,jo vetem per familjen Cara por për gjithë familjet nacionaliste shqiptare,te cilat jetuan natën e gjate dhe të urryer të komunizmit pansllav.Ende i vogel,Indrit Cara do të rritej me deshirën për të qenë  një ushtar i devotshem i atdheut.Ai,duke u nisur drejt Tirane,per te vazhduar mësimet në shkollën e mesme ushtarake “Skenderbej”,nuk mund ta kuptonte se diktatura komuniste shqiptare përgatiste kuadro për të zgjatur jeten e saj dhe aspak per idealin e shenjtë të Shqipërise Etnike.Megjithate Indrit Cara,tanime 16-17 vjecar ndihej krenar pasi thirrej skenderbegas dhe ky simbol i kryetrimit legjendar e mbushte me gezim.Poligonet e stervitjeve taktike dhe ato te perdorimit te armëve,u shndruan sakaq ne dimensione të reja për jeten e Indrit Carës. Ai do të ndronte pa asnjë mëdyshje jetën plot privacione në male me borë e mjergulla,me dëshirat e tjera të një adoleshenti. Ne shtator te vitit 1989,Indrit Cara fillon studimet e larta ushtarake ne Tirane.Tanime nuk ishte me ai djaloshi ënderimtar nga Kavaja por studenti truphedhur,i dashur e mbi të gjitha njohës i shkelqyer i Artit Ushtarak mbi luften popullore.Nderkaq erëra të tjera po frynin në gjithe Evropen Lindore,erëra që çonin stuhi ne Shqipërinë e kryqëzuar nga diktatura ortodokse sllave.Bashkimi i dy Gjermanive, menjëherë pas rrëzimit të murit të Berlinit,zgjoi tek mijëra shqiptarë ëndren e madhe të rrëzimit të murit midis shtetit amë dhe Kosoves.Indrit Cara ishte ndër të parët që shpresonte për ketë dhe nuk nguroi t’ua tregonte edhe shokëve të tij studentë. Por diktatura komuniste në Shqipëri i ngjante asaj bishës së plagosur,e cila pikërisht në çastet e agonisë tërhiqet zvarrë per të kafshuar deri në vdekje.Ne komanden e shkolles ushtarake,Indrit Cares i’u terhoq vëmendja pasi kishte komentuar hapur rënien e murit të Berlinit.Ndersa trimi nga Kavaja i ishte pergjegjur se ky ishte jo vetem nje lajm ogurbardhë por edhe shansi për shqiptarët.Në korrik të vitit 1990,në qytetin djep të demokracisë shqiptare,në Kavajë bie dëshmori i parë i demokracisë  i riu Josif Buda.Plumbat e diktaturës nuk kursyen as jetën e një te riu, i cili pat ëndërruar kombin e vet të çliruar nga diktatura komuniste.Kjo ngjarje do ta hidhëronte pa masë Indrit Carën,i cili rendi drejt qytetit të lindjes,për të marre pjesë në varrimin e të parit dëshmor të demokracisë. Vjeshta e vitit 1990 do të vinte e trazuar përmes ngjarjeve të tjera politike në Shqipëri.Indrit Cara ,tanimë i rritur e burëruar do të fliste hapur midis shokësh se ata nuk mund të shndroheshin në ushtarë të verbër të diktaturës por në yje qe të ndrinin rrugën e ardhme të kombit.

Me 20 dhjetor të vitit 1990,atehere kur studentët e Tiranës u ngriten në demonstratë kunder regjimit të urryer komunist,komanda e shkollës së lartë ushtarake,si vegel e bindur e krimit komunist, urdhëroi armatosjen e studentëve ushtarak dhe dergimin e tyre për të shtypur demostratën.Kjo do të ishte një gjakderdhje e mbrame e komunistëve të Tiranës ,andaj Indrit Cara në mënyre demostrative flaku pushken dhe nuk pranoi t’i bindej këtij urdhri të verbër. Shembullin e studentit Indrit Cara ndoqën edhe dhjetra të tjerë, me ç’rast në mbrëmjen e 20 dhjetorit 1990 ,klika komuniste shqiptare po goditej aty,ne strofkën e vet.Tri ditë me pas, Indrit Carën dhe studentët e tjere ushtarak që i shkuan pas, e perjashtojnë nga shkolla.Ende sot ,ne arkivin e Ministrise se Mbrojtjes gjendet akti i firmosur për përjashtimin e Indrit Carës ,ai akt i turpshëm i bishës komuniste në agoni. “Studenti i vitit te dyte  Indrit Cara ,përjashtohet nga shkolla sepse në vazhdimësi ka dashur te fyej udhëheqësin tonë legjendar shokun Enver Hoxha, ndërsa më 20 djetor 1990 nuk ka zbatuar urdhërin për të shkuar në qytetin “Studenti” pë të shtypur demostratën(Arkivi i Ministrisë së Mbrojtjes –Tiranë .”Akademia e F.T “Skënderbej”viti1990) .

Për gjashtë vjet rresht , sapo zbriste nga stacioni i trenit në Kavajë ,Indrit Cara kishte dëshirë të dilte në bulevardin kryesor të qytetit dhe i veshur me uniformën ushtarake të bashkëbisedonte me moshatarët e vet.Kesaj radhe uniformen nuk ia dhane dhe me nje xhakete te vjeter te nje miku,ai donte te shkonte sa me pare ne shtepi.Por veprimi prej shqiptari i studentit Cara kishte ngarendur ne krejt Shqiperine, ndaj ate e rrethuan per ne shtepine e vet dhjetra djem demokrate te Kavajes.Shtepia e Lulezim Cares u mbush sakaq me miq te rinj dhe akti i perjashtimit nga studimet e larta ushtarake u shndrua sakaq ne feste te vertete per gjithe rrugen ku ndodhet familja Cara.Ate e bir,ndonese nuk folen gjate u kuptuan me se mire.Dera e Carajve do te shendriste pas kesaj prej nje kombi te ri lirije. Ne pranveren e vitit 1991,zgjedhjet e reja ne Shqiperi u rrethuan prej zinxhirave te tankeve.Qyteti i Kavajes me voten e vet deshmoi guximin per te pare se si endra e vet per demokraci e prosperitet u shndrua ne nje realitet,ndonese te dhimbshem.Indrit Cara ishte ne radhet e para te qytetareve,te cilet luftonin dite dhe nate per te shporrur njehere e pergjithmone naten e gjate komuniste.Ai thirret disa here ne policine e qytetit dhe viret kesisoj ne shenjester te organeve policore-vegla te diktatures ne renie.Ka qene kjo aresyeja qe ne veren e vitit 1991,Indrit Cara largohet nga qyteti i lindje drejt Italise,per te ndertuar nje jetese te re,per t’iu larguar sadopak sketerres komuniste.Shpirti i tij,i ngjante shpirtit te nje zogu,te dashuruar kurdohere me dimensionet paskaj te lirise.Punon gati dy vjet ne Itali dhe prej andej shkon ne Londer.Ketu, krahas puneve te veshtira ndjek kursin e gjuhes engleze si dhe disa kurse kompjuteri.Ndjek me vemendje zhvillimet ne Shqiperi dhe gjithsesi ndihet i lumtur qe Kavaja,qyteti ku u lind dhe rrit,mbeti deri ne fund bashkeudhetare e demokracise se brishte shqiptare.Ne marsin e vitit 1997 merr kontaktet e para me disa djelmoshë te Kosoves,me c’rast meson per maltretimet e serbve si edhe vullkanin mbarepopullor qe po pergatitej te shperthente.Tashme Indrit Cara vendoset plotesisht prane qendres per grumbullimin e ndihmave per Kosoven duke kontribuar personalisht.Per me tej,fale shkalles se njohjes me shume bashkeatdhetare prej shtetit ame,Indriti mund te mbledhe sasi te konsiderueshme vlerash monetare dhe materiale qe merrnin udhen drejt Kosoves martire.Kredon e vet,besimin tek bashkekombasit,shpresen e madhe te lirise,Indrit Cara i ka percjelle ne nje leter derguar redaktoreve te gazetes’’Zeri i kosoves”,nga Londra me 8 dhjetor 1997.Ne kete leter shkruhet tekstualisht:”Eshte hera e pare qe po i drejtohem shtypit dhe kete po e nis me gazeten tuaj,te cilen e lexoj rregullisht.Ju lumshin duart juve, qe me punen tuaj te arte perpiqeni te rizgjoni ndergjegjen,shpresen dhe krenarine e kombit tone te shumevuajtur.Gjithashtu u lumte dora trimave te UCK-se qe vendit po i dalin zot me arme ne dore dhe jo me llafe.Aksionet e UCK-se e ngrene lart moralin dhe na bejne optimiste per te ardhmen e neve,shqiptareve,kudo qe jemi.Per 7 vjet me radhe populli i Kosoves priti me durim te madh nje zgjidhje me ane te bisedimeve,por me kot,se bota deshiren e madhe te popullit tone per paqe e mori per frike; po keshtu,me sa duket,do te jete interpretuar edhe nga serbet.Sic shihet,kane me teper efekt neper bote aksionet e UCK-se,se sa politika paqesore,perulese e nenshtrimit…. Franca dhe Gjermania jane te shqetesuara me te drejte,sepse e dine mire qe shqiptaret kane zore sa ta ngrihen,por,po u ngriten shqiptaret,dihet,flaka ka per ti dale Ballkanit. Shqiptareve dhe sidomos pjeses me nacionaliste te kombit tone,kudo qe ndodhen,iu them qe nuk eshte terrorizem te luftosh kunder pushtuesit,por nje detyrim i madh ndaj vetes,familjes dhe atdheut,per te gjithe ata,qe ne venat e tyre kane gjak shqiptari.Prandaj eshte obligim per ne qe te ndihmojme kete lufte clirimtare me c’te mundemi. Siç u pa ne ngjarjet e shkurt- marsit,Shqiperia eshte plot me arme,per te cilat populli i Shqiperise ka derdhur djerse.Ato armatime,sic edhe u pa,ishin te llogaritura per t’u armatosur te gjithe shqiptaret,bile edhe ato te Kosoves dhe viseve te saj.Kjo tregon se sa e interesuar ka qene,eshte dhe do te jete Shqiperia. Kete e them me bindje te plote per vete faktin se doktrina ushtarake shqiptare e asaj kohe e parashikonte nje lufte te mundshme me Jugosllavine dhe strategjia e taktikat qe do te ndiqte ushtria jone,nuk kishin vetem karakter mbrojtes por edhe teper sulmues karshi ushtrive te fqinjeve tane toksore“ Per te gjithe ne liria e Kosoves dhe bashkimi kombetar do te jene celesi i prosperitetit dhe i fuqizimit te kombit shqiptar.Me shpresen tek Zoti dhe me besim tek e ardhmja te punojme te gjithe ne shqiptaret si brenda dhe jashte kufijve,qe kete enderr te rilindasve tane ta bejme realitet.Eshte koha per veprim,mobilizim dhe bashkepunim,sakrifica dhe guxim,i cili kur nuk na ka munguar. Te ndihmojmeUCK-ne,kete filiz shprese,force dhe krenarie,qe te rritet e forcohet dhe si nje lis madheshtor t’i beje balle shtrengates serbe. Rrofte UCK-ja! (Gazeta Zeri i Kosoves” 12 dhjetor 1997).

C’prej ketij momenti e deri ne fund te jetes se vet fizike, Indrit Cara e vendosi veten e tij pikerisht ne ngjarjet dhe veprimtarine kryesore te luftetareve te lirise.Populli yne ndofta me i harruari ne kontinentin e vjeter,u vu befas ne qender te vemendjes se botes.Bota i ktheu syte nga ne vetem atehere kur mediat vizive shfaqen ne mes te dites viktimizimin e Kosoves,prej te fundit regjimin stalinist te Evropes.Ne kete vemendje te botes,djaloshi nga Kavaja nuk mund te rinte duke medituar.Ai takohet permallshem ne dhjetorin e vitit 1998 me vellane me te vogel,ne Londer duke i dhene porosi qe gjithcka qe te ndodhe ai duhet te ndjeke rrugen e vellait me te madh.Pas disa vitesh mergimi kthehet ne Kavajen e vet aq te dashur,se bashku me 3-4 luftetare te tjere nga Kosova. Ai nuk mund te shmallet gjate me prinderit dhe miqte pasi lufta ka ligjet e veta.Ne ditet e para te janarit 1999,Indriti pasi perqafohet permallshem me prinderit niset drejt Kukesit ne pikepjekje me eprore te UCK-se.Qendron aty vetem dy nete dhe me pas, ilegalisht futet ne token e pergjakur te Kosoves martire.Emocionet qe pati ndjere kur shkeli per te paren here ne Kosove,ia percolli te vellait,ne Londer me telefon.Ne komanden eprore te Pashtrikut,luftetaret kosovare ndenjen vetem pak dite per t’u larguar ne drejtim te zones operative te Llapit.Ndersa Indrit Cara, me deshiren e vet u caktua si instruktor i pergatitjes ne repartin e sigurimit te shtabit epror.Cilesite e larta prej ushtaraku te vertete,fryma e ngrohte e bashkepunimit,bene qe luftetaret e rinj te UCK-se te degjonin dhe percillnin me respekt cdo fjale te Indrit Cares.’’gjate dy muajve te qendrimit te tij ne kompanine e shtabit,Indriti u hyri ne zemer jo vetem bashkeluftetareve(mjaft prej te cileve u shpetoi jeten ne raste te ndryshme) por edhe te gjithe atyre qe e njohen ne krejt zonen ku vepronte kompania.E therrisnin ushtar ”Kavaja” (‘’Ushtar”Kavaja”-nderi,i ,kombit” Tirane2000,faqe20)
Ne menyre te vecante, ne marsin e vitit 1999 makina ushtarake serbe u leshua e verber ne synimet e saj per pastrimin etnik ne vise te Kosoves.Akademia e Shkencave ne Beograd,pati pergatitur opinionin e eproreve te larte jugosllave se kjo do te ishte padyshim beteja e fundit,pas se ciles asnje kembe shqiptari nuk duhej te gjallonte ne Kosove.Me 29 dhe 30 mars 1999 zona operative e Pagarushes u sulmua nga serbet ne tri drejtime kryesore, duke rrezikuar pos te tjerave vrasjen e qindra femijeve,grave dhe pleqve,si edhe djegien e shtepive.Pikerisht ne keto momente shtabi epror i UCK-se ne kete zone mendoi te jepte disa kundersulme deri ne arritjen e forcave te tjera.”Kur zhvilloheshin luftimet ne zonen e Pagarushes,mbaj mend se ne 31 mars kishin kerkuar perforcime dhe ishte vendosur qe te dergohej nje toge e kompanise se shtabit,pasi shtabi ishte shperndare neper zonat operative,per te qene sa me afer vijes se luftes qe te jepte ndihmesen e vet.Ushtar “Kavaja” nuk ishte pjestar i asaj toge por ishte lutur qe te shkonte me ta,sepse, sic thoshte vete “ishte merzitur pa luftuar”.(Gazeta “Shekulli” Tirane,14.prill.1999).
Ligjet e luftes jane te rrepte,por ushtaraket eprore,duke njohur aftesite luftarake dhe trimerine e ushtar ‘’Kavajes” jo vetem e pranuan ate te marre pjese ne aksion,por edhe e besuan ne misionin shume te veshtire.Se bashku me 7-8 luftetare te tjere te UÇK-se ai duhej te depertonte shume afer vijes se rethimit serb duke mundesuar çarjen e menjehershme te ketij rrethimi.Trim siç ishte,Indrit Cara zuri nje nga pozicionet me te veshtire duke dashur te lehtesonte sa te mundete veprimet luftarake te shokeve te vet.Ai vazhdoi ta mbroj me heroizem ate pozicion edhe atehere kur ne ate drejtim armiku ne erresiren e nates se 31marsit vazhdonttegodistemeartileri.
Pothuaj ishin mbyllur luftimet kur luftetaret e UÇK-se ngarenden ne pozicionin e ushtar “kavajes”.Ky,me gjokesin tere plage prej predhash serbe ishte shtrire ne boren e bardhe te malit,e cila nuk kishte pushuar se reni gjate gjithe dites.Dhimbja ne kete rast qe e madhe.Ata e muaren trupin pa jete te prijesit te tyre dhe u nisen drejt nje vendi me te sigurtë ku e mbuluan trimin e shtetit ame me batare pushkesh e lote te nxehte.Qajne edhe trimat ne dhimbje te medha.
Me 10 tetor 1999,avioni luftarak me trupin e Indrit Cares rrethohet ne Prizren nga dhjetra mijra vete.Prizrenasit dhe gjithe populli i Kosoves,perkedhelnin arkivolin ku flinte ushtar “Kavaja”.Pas disa ore homazhesh,avioni u ngrit fluturimthi per t’u ulur ne stadiumin e qytetit te Kavajes.Pat qene amaneti i Indritit që çfardo te ndodhte,ai donte te prehej ne qytetin ku u lind.Edhe ketu,mijra qytetare te Kavajes priten me nderime birin e tyre,engjellin e lirise,ballin etrimerise,IndritCaren.

Bern-Zvicër

CHAMERIA ETHNIC ALBANIAN REGION

by

By Sali BOLLATI*/

The Albanian Region of Chameria comprises the Southern part of the Albanian ethnic territories, inhabited by Albanians since the ancient times (Pellasgo-Illyrian times) until today. Even the ancient historians Straboni and Plutarch wrote that the inhabitants of Epir-Chameria spoke a “barbarian” language, because their mother tongue wasn’t Greek. The Cham dialect is one of the oldest of the Albanian language. The Chams (both Muslim and Christian believers) are ethnic Albanians in the area of north-western of present-day Greece known to the Albanians as Chameria and to Greeks as Thesprotia. The name Cham comes from the antic Thamis-Chams river (now Kalama) that flows through central Chameria. Historically, the Chams had to struggle to save their unique Albanian ethnic identity. Fr the creation of the new state of Greece in 1821-1832, the majority of leaders and heroes of the Greek uprising were Albanians-Chams and Arvanites. In spite of the fact that the Congress of Berlin in 1878 revoked its earlier decision to give the Chameria region to Greece, the London Conference in 1913 decided for the partitioning the Albanian territories leaving outside of the new-born Albanian state more than half of Albanian lands and population; that included Kosova, Chameria, etc. Immediately, after the occupation of Chameria by the Greek Army in March 1913 (three months after the declaration of the Albanian independence), the Greek authorities started atrocities against Albanians., for example, in early March, 72 notables leaders of Chameria were executed by Greek Army on the banks of Selani river, near Paramithia. In this manner, applying a policy of genocide and assimilation, Greece did everything within her powers to wipe out the Albanian population of Chameria. It didn’t permit the opening of the schools in their mother tongue, destroyed their mosques and worship places. Athens pursued an unchanged policy towards Chameria, a policy that aimed at the ethnic cleansing of the Albanians from their own territory. The Albanian population of Chameria is comprised of both Christian and Moslem believers, who use Albanian language at home. In reality the Greek government denies the existence of this in particular for Christian Chams. The Greek historian Spiro Muselimi in his book ”A historic journey through Thesprotia”, edited in Ioannina in 1974, quoted as follows: “In the year of 1877, the Bishop of the Orthodox Church of Thesprotia had to translate the New Testament in Albanian language, because the Christian Chams did not understand what was predicated during masses in Greek language”. In the same book, it is also written that in 1910 all Orthodox and Moslem inhabitants of Chameria spoke only Albanian. Starting on 27 June 1944, ruthless gangs headed by Greek General Napoleon Zerva (himslef a Cham of orthodox faith, who collaborated with the German Army and fascist Mihajlloviç of Serbia) massacred and killed more than 2900 innocent Cham women, children and elderly and expelled to inner Albania more than 30000 Chams, of whom more than 2000 died from hunger. A document of the U.S Department of State Nr. 84/3, Tirana Mission, 1945-1946, reports that: “According to all information I have been able to gather on the Cham Issue, in 1944 and during the first months of 1945, the Greek authorities in north-western Greece perpetrated savage brutality by evicting 25000 Chams, residents of Chameria, from their homes, where they had been living for centuries, chasing them cross the border after having robbed them of their land and properties. Most of the young people were killed because the majority of the refugees were old folk and children”. The British official in the British Mission in Albania, Major Palmer, in his investigations tried to highlight the motives of those massacres by giving an interesting explanation which was closer to the truth. He reported to his superiors that “…the region of where Albanian minority lived was rich. And there were feelings of hatred and envy from Greeks toward Chams”. For those Chams of orthodox faith who remained in Greece after 1945, their Albanian identity was suppressed by a harsh repressive policy of assimilation and the Albanian language was not allowed to be spoken in public, nor taught at schools. Greece wanted the demographic structure of the region changed because it did not trust the rest of the Albanian population who remained there, even though they were of the orthodox faith. As an estimation, more than 60’000 Christian Orthodox Albanians live today in Chameria region. The atrocities that took place against the Moslem Albanian population and those orthodox Albanians who had the Albanian identity first are not mentioned in any official documents. Those are absent even from confidential documents exchanged between the administrative bodies themselves. This does not only demonstrate that the Cham issue is intentionally a closed case for the Greek state but it also suggests that the Greek state has tried to completely eradicate any evidence of what had happened during that period. Following their expulsion from Greece to Albania, chams first were organized under the direction of the Cham Anti-Fascist Committee. They protested and sent memorandums to Soviet, British, American and French Military Missions in Albania, to the Allied Foreign Ministers Conference in London (September 1945) and to UN Assembly in New York (October 1946), trying to exhibit the plight of Cham refuges through the following demands:

1. Trial and condemnation of all of those who were responsible for the crimes they had perpetrated. 2. Adoption of immediate measures to halt the settlement of aliens in their native land. 3. Repatriation of all the Chams. 4. Restitution of their property and remuneration of damage in liquid and fixed capital. 5. Assistance to rebuild their homes and resettlement. 6. Safeguards and guaranteed emanation from the international treaties and mandates, such as guaranteed civil, political, cultural rights and personal safety. Unfortunately, these demands were never answered, except that USA allocated 1.2 million dollars from UNRRA specifically towards Cham refugees. The Cham Issue laid dormant until 1990. After the collapse of communism in Albania in 1991, a series of events took place: In January 1991, it was founded in Tirana the Chameria National Political Association to express and defend the interests of the people of Chameria. In June 1994, the Albanian government passed the law Nr.7839 in Parliament, proclaiming the 27 June 1944 as “The Day of Greek Chauvinist Genocide Against Albanians of Chameria”. The Fourth General Assembly of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) in Hague 1995 passed the following Resolution: “Relating to the Right Solution to the Problems of the Cham Demands that the Greek Government must Recognize the Historical Realty of the Chams’ Problem and work seriously to give it a right and full solution”. In June 2002, at a meeting about the Greek terrorism, US Congressman Christopher H. Smith declared that “there exists in Greece Albanian and Macedonian Minorities”. In November 2010, the Albanian American Organization Chameria (AAOC) organized an International Conference on Human Rights for Chameria at New Jersey University. In July 2012, Columbia University with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington organized a conference in Tirana on “The Albanian Neighbourhood Initiative”, where AAOC presented its views. On 23 October 2012, AAOC together with the United Macedonian Diaspora organized in the Department of State in Washington DC a Debate on “The Rise of Extremism in Greece and its Impact on Minorities”. On 10 December 2012, a Petition entitled “Greece must Respect the Human Rights for Cham-Albanians” was delivered to Navy Pillay, the High Commissioner of the UN for Human Rights. Recently, AOC sent a Memorandum to different world institutions with concerns on Albanian-Greek relations today. Even today, the Chams issue is not mentioned on the statements of any Greek officials. On the other side, some Albanian politicians are some time supported by the Greek circles speak with low voice about Chameria legal rights. The Albanians in Chameria of the Christian orthodox faith are not recognized by “democratic” Greece and Chams born in Chameria and presently living in Albania are not allowed to enter Greece by Shengen visa. In December 2012, the Party for Justice, Integration and Unity (PDIU) presented the following Resolution for approval to the Albanian Parliament.

THE CHAM RESOLUTION

Pursuant to the Constitution of the Republic of Albania; Taking into consideration the purposes and principles of the European Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, of the principle against collective punishment, as well as other relevant international acts; Referring to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, particularly articles 1.2.6, 9,13 and 15; General Assembly Resolution of the United Nations no. 4780 on “Ethnic Cleansing” and racial hatred; Article 1 of the supplemented Protocol no. 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Freedoms; Pursuant to law nr. 7839, date 30.06.1994 “On the annunciation of the date 27th of June on the national calendar as a commemoration of the genocide made by the Greek chauvinist against the Albanians of Chameria”, enacted with the decree of the President of the Republic of Albania no. 885, date 12.7.1994. Under the spirit of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, Good Neighborliness and Security between Republic of Albania and the Republic of Greece (hereinafter referred as “The Treaty of Friendship”); According to article 15 and the whole text of the Treaty of Friendship, between the two countries, the spirit of international acts mentioned above, imposes the removal of barriers to the restoration of the rights of Albanians in the Republic of Greece through an appropriate legal framework for the whole prejudiced community rather than individual trial processes, 1. Recognizes and supports the restoration need of all the rights of Albanians of Chameria, former Greek nationals, according to the new circumstances, pursuant to the international legal principles on genocide, ethnic cleansing, and due process, non discrimination based on ethnicity, other relevant principles, and the spirit of the Treaty of Friendship between the two countries. 2. Claims the reinstatement of the fundamental rights of Albanian citizens, former Greek citizens, including the return of their property, acknowledgment of their repatriation rights, the right of regaining the citizenship, and other rights of national minorities. 3. Asks for the abrogation of the Greek Law of War nr. 2636 and 2637/1940, enacted through royal decree on 1940, still into force, especially the part of the law that provides for seizure of Albanian property. 4. Asks for the effects of the Greek law nr. 1540/1985 “On refugees” to extend to all Greek citizens that departed as a consequence of the civil conflict, without discrimination based on ethnic origins. A law that contradicts many international acts against discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, race, religion etc. 5. Asks the Government of the Republic of Albania that in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Greece, to reactivate the Bipartisan Special Commissions provided on the Treaty of Friendship, to examine the issue, to recognize its dimensions, and to work on the necessary solutions on the matter. 6. Charges the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to safeguard the rights of Albanians, not deported from their original land, and to demand the recognition of ethnic minority status for them. 7. Demands the construction of two monuments in Paramithia and Filates to commemorate women, the elderly and children, innocent victims of crimes perpetrated by the Greek militia. 8. Demands the option to construct or maintain cemeteries of Chams, former Greek citizens, killed during the Greek genocide. 9. Charges the Ministry of Education and Science to reflect in an adequate and proportional manner the history of this part of the Albanian population in school textbooks. 10. Charges the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports to, according to the mutual agreement with the counterpart Ministry of the Republic of Greece, promote their cultural values and objects located outside of the territory of the Republic of Albania. Also demands the Ministry of Education and Science to request its counterpart Greek Ministry to prompt removal of Greek texts of offensive and discriminatory nature against the Cham population. 11. Charges the Government of the Republic of Albania, in compliance with this Resolution, to express to the Greek authorities, through its diplomatic channels, the position of the Republic of Albania regarding this matter. 12. Charges the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make known this Resolution to governments and parliaments of the member countries of the European Union and NATO, and to those international bodies of which Albania is a member. 13. Reserves the right that in case of a refusal from the Greek authorities to consider this matter under the light of international acts on discrimination, free movement, and fundamental human rights in general, to represent this matter to the relevant international agencies. We as a part of Cham Albanians living in the USA are organized under the Albanian American Organization Chameria (AAOC). Its purpose is to achieve an optimal and effective solution to the Cham Albanian human rights issues and strengthening the friendship ties between Americans and Cham Albanians. We ask for justice via the American democratic standards of citizenship for they return and resettlement into Chameria. AAOC is determined to promote social justice, tolerance and achieve resolution for the Cham Issue. The only hope for us as Chams is the American citizenship. We are very proud to live here and we were free to march on the Fifth Ave in Manhattan unfolding the truth: CHAMERIA IS ALBANIAN.

*Sali Bollati New York, April 2013 Survivor of the Genocide in 1944 Human Rights activist Secretary General of AAOC

28 nëntor 1939

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SHKROI: Bardhyl   Pogoni*/

Kur gjëmoi topi i armikut në Durrës. Kur klithmat tona “armë, armë” u tretën në zhurmën e aeroplanëve që dukeshin në qiellin e Tiranës, ne mbetëm vetëm dhe qëndruam. Qëndruam se na mbante një shpirt i vetëm. Qëndruam në Durrës me kapter Mujon. Qëndruam në brigjet e Vlorës, Sarandës dhe Shëngjinit. Qëndruam të gjithë, vetëm, me pak armë. Qëndruam, gjersa ramë.

Menjëherë pamë dhe njohëm të gjithë. Njohëm tregëtarë flamujsh. Njohëm trimat e ballovet dhe të shampanjavet. Njohëm të shiturit, liparakët e çdo kohe. Përmbi të gjitha, njohëm shqiptarët e mirë. I pamë dhe i njohëm të gjithë. I pamë dhe flamujt e armikut mbi kryet tanë. Dëgjuam dhe këngët e tyre. Por qëndruam të gjallë. Qëndruam se na mbante një shpirt i vetëm. Na mbante flaka e Naimit. Na mbante qëndrimi i patundur i Safet Butkës. Na mbante Lumo Skëndua.

28 nëntor 1939

Dita e parë e Flamurit të Vlorës, në turp, në skllavëri. Atë ditë shqiptarët e shitur varrosën flamurin. Atë ditë zbriste nga shtiza e lartë Flamuri i madh i Skënderbeut. Shqiptar ai që zbret në pluhur Flamurin e Vlorës? Shqiptar ai që puth e ngre lart Flamurin e Liktorit? Ne pamë në atë puthje të dridhen ndërgjegjet. Ne pamë dhe në heshtje qamë.

Por dhamë një betim:

A do të varrosnim këtë ditë të përzierë me flamujt e këngët e armikut? A do të dëgjonim në heshtje profkat e tradhëtarve?  Jo! Jo, thanë të gjithë shqiptarët e mirë! Jo, doli fjala nga shtëpia e Lumo Skëndos dhe vesh më vesh në gjithë Shqipërinë! Jo, tha Safet Butka! Jo, tha Hysni Lepenica! Jo, gjëmuan malet dhe zëri i djalërisë tha: Jo!

Atëherë vendosëm. S’e lamë armikun të tallet me ne, të tallet me lirinë tonë. S’i lamë tradhëtarët të ngrinin kupat atë mbrëmje të qetë, të qeshur. Vendosëm t’i flasim turmës, t’i flasim armikut dhe t’i flasim tradhëtarve.

U nisëm të gjithë më të ngrysur.  Atje në sheshin Skënderbej, ku një mot më parë këndonim lirisht, u mblodhëm në heshtje.

– Le të ecim djema, le të ecim vëllezër – tha Safet Butka, – te varri i Naimit le të vemi!

Dhe ne të gjithë dëgjuam, dhe ne të gjithë kryet ulur u nisëm. Ramazan Jarani para dhe ne të gjithë pas.  Turma na pa dhe kuptoi.  Dëgjoi zërin tonë dhe të gjithë pas nesh, të gjithë me ne.

“Eja mblidhuni këtu!” – ja krisi kënga dhe asnjë nuk tha “përse?” Qe klithma e dhëmbjes së kombit, qe zëri i ndërgjegjes që kërkonte shpërthim, liri.  Armiku na pa, dëgjoi por s’lëvizi. Asgjë s’na ndante, ne ecnim të gjithë. Turma e bashkuar me një ideal të vetëm drejt varrit të Naimit. Atje larg, mbi një breg të vetmuar, u mblodhëm rreth. Flamurin me zhgabë e mbanim lart. Dhe vasha shtatëvjeçarë që ndoqi pas t’anë, Ramazan Jaranin, qëndronte zbathur, veshur me të  zeza. Vendosëm lule mbi varrin e ftohtë dhe, kryeulur, qamë. Qante në heshtje, Safet Butka! Qante në heshtje, Ramazan Jarani! Qanim të gjithë ne dhe vasha me të zeza qante…

Mbrëmja më të ngrysur.Dhe aty me frymën e perëndimit, me pëshpëritjen e gjetheve, me tingullin e fikur të një fyelli të largët, ne dëgjuam këngët e Naimit, ne ndjemë flakën të na ngrohë zemrat.

– Kurrë jo, vëllezër! – ngrihet Ramazan Jarani dhe flet: – Sonte kujtojmë me dhimbje Flamurin e Vlorës… Le të qëndrojmë të patundur, vëllezër, se shpesh u shkelëm, se shpesh ne pamë kuajt e ushtrive armike të pijnë ujët e Shkumbinit por, kurrë s’u përmbys shpirti i qëndresës, kurrë s’u shua flaka e lirisë! Edhe këtë herë, vëllëzër, do ta hedhim,  do ta hedhim!

Kështu foli Ramazan Jarani dhe aty ne bëmë betimin, te varri i Naimit, te varri i madh i kombit. Aty ne lidhëm bashkë: Varr, Turmë e Flamur! Aty ne u shkrimë, u bëmë një! Aty ne krijuam Ritin e Fesë së Kombit.

Klithmën  e  zjarrtë  s’e  mbante  më  as  varri  i  Naimit,  as  zemrat  tona.   Ne  donim  shpërthim. Shpërthim nëpër rrugët, shpërthim me këngë e britma, shpërthim me flamur përpara. Kërkonim që britmat tona t’i dëgjonin të gjithë, armiq dhe shqiptarë, të huaj dhe mbarë bota dhe i dëgjoi.

Ne u nisëm andej. Nga gjiri i vashave u shpalosën flamuj, flamuj të Vlorës. Ne i ndoqëm pas flamujt. I ndoqëm me këngë e britma gjer në qiell. Rrugët e Tiranës u tronditën. Rrugët e Tiranës u ringjallën. Dritare e ballkone u mbushën me flamuj të papritur. Shumë lagën me lot udhët e kalimit tonë. Shumë morën zemër dhe u vunë pas flamurit kryengritës. Asgjë s’e ndalte vrullin e klithmës sonë. Flakë u ndezën zemrat tona. E gjithë Tirana dëgjoi. E gjithë Tirana gjëmoi. E gjithë Tirana përzjeu zërin e vet me këngët tona.

Kënduam sa deshëm. Kënduam gjer në mesnatë.  I thamë armikut: “Jemi gjallë”! I thamë tradhëtarve: “Dridhuni”! Armiku gjithë natën hapi sytë. Tradhëtarët s’i la ndërgjegja e turmës të mbyllin sy. Atë natë kënduam lirisht. Lirisht mes bajonetash. Nuk kishte tradhëtar të ngrinte dorën. Nuk kishte armik të thonte: “ndal”! Qe flaka që djeg në sy, vrulli i këtij sulmit tonë. Qe shpirti shkëmb i djalërisë.

Atë natë ne kënduam me zjarr. Atë natë ne folëm me zjarr. Atë natë ne ndezëm një zjarr, zjarrin e shqiptarve të lirë. Atë natë nuk kishte as komunistë dhe as “çlirimtarë” me yll…

* NE FOTO: BARDHYL POGONI

*Ky shkrim i kushtohet demostratës së zhvilluar në Tiranë nga nacionalistët shqiptarë, më 28 nëntor 1939. Botuar për herë të parë në gazetën “Flamuri”, organ i Partisë së Ballit Kombëtar Demokrat, në Itali në vitin 1946.

U ZBULUA FLAMURI I REGJIMENTIT 6 I VULLNETARËVE SHQIPTARË NË USHTRINË AUSTRO-HUNGAREZE

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                Shkruan: Frederik Stamati/

Ajo që dëshëroj të tregoj më poshtë nuk është një përshkrim, apo shtjellim i një teme historike, siҫ ndoshta mund ta prisnin shumë lexues, por vetëm një njoftim, një njoftim i thjeshtë, i bazuar në disa dokumente shumë nxitës dhe impresionues, nga ata që të ngrënë mëndjen. Nuk mund të thomi se dokumentet u zbuluan, ata ishin në Arkivin e Shtetit, vetëm se në kërkim të origjinës së flamujve më historikë të Shqipërisë lexova para tre javëve një raport për veprimtarinë e Biblotekës dhe Muzeut Kombëtar gjatë vitit 1930, ku në zërin DHURATA,  ndër të tjera, shkruhej:

“Z Dr. Rainholld (Reinhold) – Vjenë

1 flamur të Vullnetarëvet Shqipëtarë në ushtërin e Austrijës gjatë luftës së madhe; flamuri ka shkabën me dy krerë dhe numërin 6 të regjimentit të Shqipëtarëvetë”

Ky dokument ndodhet në Fondin 149, Dosja IV-285, e vitit1931.

Githashtu është një shkresë e datës 6 korrik 1930, si më poshtë:

“M.A.

­­Ni 126/289

Sende të falura

Muzejës’ Kombëtare

Mënistërijës’ së Arësimitë

Qytet

Për dijënijë të së Shkëlq. Mënistërijë shënojëm’ këtu pas sendet’ të falura Muzejës’ Kombëtare ndë këto kohë të funditë.

(Mbasi rreshtohen sendet e dhuruara dhe emrat e dhuruesve, vazhdon):

Z. Dr. Rheinhold-Vjenë

1 flamur’ të të 6 tit’ Regjiment vullnetarësh Shqipëtarë ndë ushtërijën’ Ajshtro-

Hungare gjatë luftës së madhe; këtë flamur’ i-a pat’ lënë i ungji’ tijë Z. Richard

Dimmel,  Kumandanti i Regjimentitë; Na u dorëzua me anën e Z. Izet Bebeziqitë.”

#                          #                        #

Ky flamur ruhet në Fondin Etnografik të Qendrës së Studimeve Albanologjike. Është prej pëlhure të leshtë, i kuq me një shqiponjë të zezë në mes, një shqiponjë disi e ҫuditëshme për nga forma, që nuk ngjason me format e shqiponjave që jemi mësuar të shohim në periudhën e pavarësisë dhe fare ndryshe nga forma e shqiponjës së batalioneve të ushtrisë shqiptare të asaj kohe. Poshtë shqiponjës është numuri 6. Anash konturohet nga një varg trekënëshash, në ide të përafërt për nga forma, me flamujt e batalioneve. Në krahë të majtë është vendi ku futej shtiza, apo liatari.  Kjo është prej pëlhure pambuku, ngjyrë gri në të kaltërt. Dimensionet janw 120cm me 85 cm.(Te plote mund ta lexoni ne Dielline printuar)

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE PAN-ALBANIAN FEDERATION OF AMERICA VATRA

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Purpose of the Federation/

This federation was founded and organized with the following purpose and program:

1. To promote among Albanians in America, and through them among the Albanians in Albania, the spirit of helping one another and of loving their nationality, through conferences and publications.

2. To  promote among them the sense of honor and love for the laws and institutions of the United States of America, and to strengthen the bond of friendship between American citizens and Albanians

3. To help in the learning of English and Albanian languages and to spread education and moral doctrines among Albanians in America.

4. To help morally for the amelioration of the members of the Federation and to protect, as much as it can, Albanian immigrants and workers.

The spirit of the Federation

5. VATRA should take no part in politics

Membership

6. Any Albanian, living in the United States of America, eighteen year s or older, of good behavior, of normal mentality, may seek to become a member of VATRA.

7. A person, who believes in the overthrow of the American government by revolutionary or criminal means, or by some illegal means no matter how, cannot become a member of VATRA, and if he has been accepted as a member through a mistake or ignorance of some members, his name will be deleted from the membership list.

8. A person that has revolutionary connections, which he supports with money or articles or conferences or in any other way, cannot be admitted as a member of VATRA, even if he himself is honest and wise and can be blamed only because of his misunderstanding. If a person of this sort has been admitted once as a member of VATRA, his name will be deleted from the membership list.

9. A person, no matter how honest he is, if he has the habit of contradicting always, of complaining, of heaping calumny on the officers of the Federation, and through his behavior and his speech manages to cool and drive ways people from VATRA, and plunges the Federation into expenses by increasing or lengthening meetings-such a person cannot be admitted as a member; or if he is admitted once, his name will be deleted from the membership list.

Income

10. VATRA’s income comes from these sources: a) annual dues, the number and amount of which is to be resolved each year by the Convention of VATRA; and when no new resolution is made on this point, the system of previous year continues in effect, b) from publications (books and newspaper) of VATRA; c) from voluntary gifts of members, or friends outside of VATRA

Officers

11. The officers of VATRA are as follows: a president, a secretary, a treasurer and four board members. These officers together form the Central Committee and are elected for one year by VATRA’s convention which takes place annually at a meeting held by the Delegates id the chapters of VATRA.

The duties and rights of the Central Committee

12. The Committee organizes branches, accepts them in the Federation, or deletes them from the list of membership if they do not obey the Constitution and the by-laws, the directives of the Convention or the resolutions of the Committee.

13. The Committee appoints and removes form duty agents, lecturers, and other representatives and delegates of VATRA, as the need may be, whether they are paid or not.

14. The Committee examines the books of the Federation every four months, and through the President and the Treasurer publishes in the official bulletin of the Federation the income of the period.

 

15. Through the President, the Central Committee puts into effect the resolutions voted at the Convention and helps the president to fulfill his duties as prescribed by the Constitution and the by-laws.

 

16. The Committee holds a meeting at least six times a year; and if the President deems it necessary, the Committee may meet more than six times during the year.

 

17. The President calls the meetings, fixing the day and the hour of every meeting.

 

18. Four members of the Committee, if they think it necessary, may call upon the President to hold an extraordinary committee meeting. Such a demand upon the President should be made in writing and should note clearly the reasons that make the extraordinary meeting necessary.

 

The President of VATRA

 

19. The Central Committee like the Federation, is headed by the President of VATRA

 

20. The President is elected by the Convention of VATRA, and he can be removed only through a similar convention.

 

21. The President prepares and brings before the Central Committee every undertaking of importance, especially when it involves expenses of the branches of VATRA

 

22. At the end of the year, and with the help of the Central Committee, the President gives the convention an account of the expenses and the activities of the Committee.

 

The Secretary

 

23. The Secretary of the Headquarters is the second officer of VATRA, takes the place of the President when he is absent, keeps the books and correspondence of the Headquarters with the branches, with the members and other outside persons, keeps the records of the meetings of the Central Committee, keeps the archives, the keys to the office and the safe.

 

The Treasurer

 

24. The Treasurer keeps the funds of the Federation for which he is responsible. All sums that come to him should be deposited at the regular bank on the day they are received. He has no right to keep on his person more than one hundred dollars of the organization’s money.

 

25. The Treasurer pays out all the sums resolved upon the Convention or by the Central Committee. All payments are made by check, signed both by the President and the Treasurer.

 

26. The Treasurer prepares the books every four months for the Central Committee, and annually for the Convention.

 

Members of the Board

 

27. The members of the Board should be present at every meeting of the Committee, unless they must be absent through illness or some other unexpected cause.

 

The Convention

 

28. VATRA holds its convention once a year, composed of delegates from each regular branch that is recognized by Headquarters as in god order, and which has the necessary number of members.

 

29. The place and date of the convention are fixed by the previous convention, or, if necessary, by a vote sought from and sent by post by the boards of the branches. If neither the previous convention nor the vote of the various boards gave set a date, it is understood that the convention will be held in Boston in the first week of July.

 

30. No one will be admitted as delegate to the convention unless he has been a regular member for the last two years and has paid at least six membership dues.

 

31. Proof for the delegate’s being a regular member of VATRA for the last two years will be sought in the archives of VATRA.

 

32. A regular member for more than two years, in the event that he leaves America, retains the rights of an old member as soon as he pays his dues and joins the Federation again the first month he returns to America.

 

33. A regular member who is sick in a hospital is not deprived of his membership even if he pays no dues while he is in the hospital, but he loses the rights to membership as soon as he is out of the hospital and does not begin paying dues that may fall due at the time.

 

34. The credentials of the convention delegates are examined by the President and the Central Committee in VATRA’s offices before the Convention opens, and determines whether they are in good order or not. A delegate, in the event that he is not accepted as such, should abide by this decision at least provisionally, but has the right to bring his case before the Convention, which may reverse the decision of the Central Committee. Such a step should be brought before the convention in writing, and the rejected delegate may be called by the Convention so that he can present his case; but he cannot enter the convention without having been authorized to do so, and should he try to force his way in, h will be penalized by the loss of his membership in VATRA, as a person that disturbs the peace, does not obey regulations and is uncivilized.

 

35. The temporary chairman of the convention is the President of VATRA, who opens the convention in a speech summarizing the activities of the Federation. Then, the regular chairman of the convention is elected by open vote, as are the secretary and the reported of the convention.

 

36. The Central Committee participates in the convention, but has no vote and participated only for the purpose of offering necessary explanations.

 

37. The Convention examines the books and the activities of the previous year, investigates them, asks questions from the President and the other members of the Central Committee, and then takes a vote or approval or disapproval of the accounts and activities.

 

38. The Convention, after it makes resolutions and changes for the coming year, selects the members of the new Board or Central Committee which presents before the Convention to be approved for the coming year.

 

The Branches of VATRA

 

39. VATRA is composed of different branches, which cannot be called members of the Federation if they have not been recognized or are not recognized by the board.

 

40. The branches should observe strict obedience to the Board; have the right to oppose the Board at the Convention through their delegate; but in no other way.

 

41. Each branch has a President, a Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, a Treasurer and three board members.

 

42. Each branch, as soon as it is recognized by VATRA’s board, takes a seal, two books (one for the records and the other for the list of its members) and receipt forms. It should be understood that these are the property of VATRA, although the branch gets them free of charge and should be returned promptly to the board of VATRA when the board asks for their return, be it because it has expelled the branch form the Federation or because it simply wishes to examine them. Later, the branch has the right to complain to the Convention and to have its rights restored, if its rights have been nullified by the Board. But there can be no discussion about the return of the property of the Federation.

 

43. The branches hold two meetings a year, one for the purpose of looking over the books and for the election of a Board, and the other for the purpose of selecting a delegate for the Convention. Other meetings may be held if the Board or a majority of the members fined it advisable. The meeting should be announced in DIELLI at least a week before, and has the power to act from the first no matter how few of the members present are.

 

Publications of VATRA

 

44. VATRA publishes DIELLI, a newspaper with the purpose of giving its members news and education in general.

 

45. The spirit of the paper will be progressive and anti-revolutionary.

 

46. The editor and his assistants are appointed by the Board if necessary, an officer of VATRA may also serve as editor of DIELLI.

 

47. Advertising for the paper may be acceptable as space permits, with a charge stipulated by the Board. Advertisements may be accepted or rejected by the Manager.

 

Salaries, Dues and Income

 

48. Which officers, delegates, lecturers or other workers of VATRA shall receive a salary or remunerations, and what the sum shall be, will be voted each year by the Convention when it prepares the regular budget.

 

49. The Board has the right to spend small sums not voted in the budget by the Convention, if the Board decides to do so unanimously.

 

50. All payments made by VATRA are made by check, signed by the President and the Treasurer.

 

51. Every receipt given by VATRA for money received is noted by the secretary and the treasurer.

 

Relations of Headquarters with the Branches

 

52. Every branch obeys Headquarters until the Convention. A branch does not have the right to criticize or to attempt to frighten the President or the Board through articles, meetings, resolutions or pamphlets.

 

53. Every branch can advise, or complain to the Board, but it has no right to demand the publication of everything it sends.

 

54. Reports of the meetings of the branches are published in VATRA’s organ, but these reports should not be polemical in nature, or should they have the purpose of attacking indirectly the resolutions of the Convention.

 

55. Headquarters keeps in contact with the branches through its Official Bulletin published in DIELLI and through circular letters.

 

Various regulations

 

56. Every regular delegate sent to the Convention has 1 (one) vote for every 15 (fifteen) to 30 (thirty) members he represents; has 2(two) votes for every 41(forty one) to 71 (seventy one) members he represents; has 3 (three) votes for every 71 (seventy one) to 100 (one hundred) members he represents; has 4 (four) votes for every 101 (one hundred one) to 130 (one hundred thirty) members he represents; and 1(one) extra vote for every 30(thrity) members over 131(one hundred thirty one).

 

57. The number of the members for the purpose of fixing the votes of the delegates is determined by taking the average of the past three dues as they have been paid to the Headquarters’ treasury. For example, if a branch had 15 members when dues became due in June, 25 members when dues were due in October, and 110 members when dues became due on February, which added together make a total vote of 150 for the year, we get 50 by dividing 150 by 3, and on the basis of this average the branch has the votes that the number of 50 allows it.

 

58. Members of VATRA wear the pin specified from the beginning of the organization. When they are no longer members, they have no right to wear this pin.

 

59. A member who breaks the rules of the organization or works against its spirit, or detracts from the organization through his conduct, will be removed from membership by the branch after he has been asked for a proper explanation at a meeting of the branch. Such a member may complain to the Board, but the judgment of the Board will be final.

 

60. A member, who is undesirable for the reasons enumerated above, may be removed from membership by the Board if the Federation if the Branch has delayed in performing its duty or has not had sufficient information to make possible the ejection of the said member from the organization. Such action is communicated to the Branch by Headquarters through the organ of VATRA or by letter. The member has the right, through a delegate, to complain at the 7

 

61. The Board has the right, without any limitation whatsoever to drop from the list of membership any branch that breaks one or more rules of the Constitution and By-Laws The branch removed from membership may be reorganized by Headquarters if it is possible.

 

62. Every member is obliged to become a member of the branch in the city where he lives, except as noted in paragraph 63 and 64.

 

63. A person who lives in a city where there is no branch may become a member at large.

 

64. The officers and workers of Headquarters ma y become members, if they wish of the branch at large, so as to escape from local influence. When they cease to be officers, they may continue, if they like, as members of the branch at large.

 

65. The branch at large has for Board the Central Committee of VATRA, and has archives and a seal like the other branches.

 

66. The branch at large, like the other branches, sends a delegate to the convention. This delegate is appointed by the Central Committee.

 

67. In the meetings of the Convention, the Central Committee, and the branches, the usual rules of all meetings in the US are in force- as regards the selection of a chairman, for the right of the chairman to allow people to speak or to stop them and even to ask them to leave the meeting for a while or for the duration anyone who disturbs unduly the meeting, for his voting on the side of the majority, etc. but if a regulation of the constitution and the by-laws note a change in this respect, the constitution and the by-laws have the last word.

 

68. A member penalized by the Headquarters or the branch for misbehavior may be admitted again as a member by a two-thirds vote, but he should not have the right to become an officer of the branch, at Headquarters or a delegate to the convention for at least two years.

 

69. VATRA should have a book of honor in which it should write the names of the officers of the branches, as well as the names of all those who support it morally. From time to time, or whenever dues are paid, it should publish an account of the activities of the officials of each branch, the increase or decrease of members, as well as the reason for the increase or decrease of membership.

 

70. The reports of the branches and their announcements should be sent to the secretary of the Board and their publication should be the responsibility of the secretary and not the editor.

 

71. Every publication connected with the Branch should be published with the approval of the secretary.

 

72. If the secretary and the editor cannot see their way clear to publish a certain report or article, this should be brought to the attention of the Board, on condition that when it discussed the editor should participate.

 

73. Every person who decides to become a member of VATRA promises to obey the constitution and the by-laws without question.

 

73. A delegate may represent as many as three branches and combine the votes thereof. But the votes this combined should not come to more than three.

 

74. Albanian women may be admitted as members of VATRA with all the rights of other members.

 

75. Bona fide students pay only half of the membership fee.

 

76. Every change made in the constitution and the by-laws by a convention, can be made only by a two-thirds vote of the convention.

 

77. This constitution and by-laws was voted on by the branches of VATRA on the 2nd of October, 1926.

 

78. This constitution and by-laws will be translated and published in English also, and a copy of it will be deposited with the authorities of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

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Shenim: Eshte ngritur nje komision pune qe po studion mundesine e aktualizimit te kesaj Kanunoreje, pa prekur frymen dhe parimet e saj. Jane disa juriste, anetare te Vatres, qe po terheqin edhe mendimete  vatraneve dhe te degeve, me qellim qe ne Kuvend te diskutohet dhe te miratohen me votim. Kush ka mendime, propozime, vrejtje te lidhet me drejtuesin e  ketij Komisioni, z. Bashkim Musabelliu dhe t’ia percjelle me shkrim mendimet. Emaili I z. Musabelliu: musabeu@yahoo.com