New York ,July 20, 2020

The Honorable Yuri Kim

Ambassador of the United States of America

Tirana Albania

-Ambassador Kim, we urge you to initiate an investigation to the process of the destruction of the Charles Telford Erickson building in Golem, Kavaja. Doing this will bring some light over the reasons of such government vandalistic act aa it will also will ease our souls…

Dear Ambasador Kim,

On behalf of the Pan-Albanian Federation of America, VATRA-The Hearth, We are prompted to write this letter to share with you our concern and protest about the demolition of the former National College of Agricultural building, in Golem, Kavaja, Albania. This building, initially called the Albanian-American Institute Charles Telford Erickson, and later serving as an agricultural school, was built in 1925 and funded by the government of the United States of America.

To the Pan-Albanian federation Vatra and all pro-American Albanians, this building was a milestone of the bright relationship between Albania and the USA. We consider the act of its demolition as alegal, moral and constitutional crime.

This building has signifiedthe long history of the great efforts ofits founder,Charles Telford Erickson, who dedicated his life for Albania’s prosperity and educational endeavors. Erikson believed that Albanians, in order to succeed as a country and particularly as a democratic country, had to be educated.Erikson went to Albania as a missionary and found himself working  for the betterment of the Albanian nation as an educator, a politician, a diplomat, engineer, geologist,  a historian, a philosopher, and inspired the nation as if he, himself, was a native-Albanian patriot. Therefore, leaving a legacy as one of the most beloved man of Albania. After leaving Albania, Erickson did not forget about the Albanians. Rather as he traveled the world he continued preaching the plight of the Albanian people. 

Ambassador Kim, the destruction of this building addedanother sad day for cultural heritage of the country, as well as democratic governance and the rule of law. Along with this building, a symbol of American heritage inside Albania has collapsed. We believe that this act committed by the government is in violation of every law and order as it was done in complete silence withoutpublic attention. The secrecy behind it was in attempt to hind the interests of the corrupted construction companies that closely work with the government. We, publicly accuse the prime minister, Edi Rama, who continuously has been abusing his power by undertaking acts of in the destruction of Albanian cultural treasures.

Ambassador Kim, this is no longer about the demolition of Charles Telford Erickson building, but the actual undermining of democracy and freedom. Albania is gradually falling into a new camouflaged dictatorship regime. Rama and his cabinet represent for the most part, previous Communist Party descendants, who isolated Albania for 50 years. Prime Minister’ Rama in

accordance with his lineages, has been using vulgar language toward the US President Trump. I bring to your attention his characterization during the 2016 election when he stated:“Donald

Trump is really the shame of our civilization…I pray to God so that the American people would not elect him as president. Because if this were to happen, it would cause a great harm to the United States and it would be a serious threat to the US-Albanian relations.”

Ambassador Kim, we urge you to initiate an investigation to the process of the destruction of the Charles Telford Erickson building in Golem, Kavaja. Doing this will bring some light over the reasons of such government vandalistic act aa it will also will ease our souls.

Ambassador Kim, we remain grateful to you and your staff for your hard work toward the democratic process in Albania. At the same time, we would be happy to see some actions into clarifying the demolition act of Charles Telford Erickson building.

Respectfully,

Pan-Albanian Federation Vatra