Ermira Babamusta – Page 13 – Dielli

Edon Molla determined to succeed as a basketball player

December 25, 2013 by dgreca

By: Ermira Babamusta, New York/

Albanian-American basketball star Edon Molla was born on March 1994 in Ulqin, Montenegro. His family moved to New York when he was an infant. Playing basketball has been an early dream of his; he started playing basketball when he was 5years old. Edon Molla won two New Jersey State Championships, two Tournaments of Champions Titles, and two U.S.A. National Championships. He also served as Team Captain senior year of high school at St Anthony High School. In 2012 Edon Molla was selected to the New Jersey All Stars Team that played against Connecticut (CT vs. NJ All Stars Game). Edon Molla and his team were honored by the Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie for their first national championship and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium for winning their second national championship, back to back national titles.

Currently Edon is a Division I College basketball player for St. Francis College in New York. He is striving to become the best college basketball player he can be while remaining focused on his academics. His life-long dream is to have a future professional career in the NBA or Europe and to one day represent the Albanian National Team.

Early Life: Dedicated to the sport

Born on March 1994 in Ulqin, Montenegro to Albanian parents, father Xhavit Molla (sports teacher) and mother Merita Xharra (economist). Edon’s father Xhavit was born in Ulqin and at age 14 moved to Gjakova, Kosovo to attend high school, then at age 18 moved to the capital, Prishtina to pursue higher education at the University of Prishtina. His mother, Merita Xharra, was born in the historic city of Prizren, Kosovo. In the summer of 1989 his parents got married and a few years later before the war in Kosovo broke, they moved to America to purse a better life, when Edon was only a baby along with his brother, Admir Molla. Even though Edon moved to the United States as a baby he speaks fluent Albanian and is proud of his Albanian heritage.

“My dad showed me how difficult it is to come as an immigrant to this country and how hard you have to work to succeed. I am grateful for that I had the opportunity to prosper. Being respectful and proper is the key to success. My parents showed me how important culture is and to never forget where you come from. I am proud to be Albanian and have an appreciation for my heritage. It is inspiring to hear stories of successful Albanians like Lorik Cana, who plays for Lazio in Italy. He chose to play for the Albanian National Team and turned down countries like Switzerland and France, both teams are better than Albania but Cana wanted to be a role model for a younger generation of Albanians to give back to Albania and Albanians and help develop a better image for the country which is something I respect greatly”.

“Here in New York people view Albanians as tough kids, who fear nothing. My Coach Glenn Braica tells me Albanians are tough. I play with a little chip on my shoulder knowing that Albanians are viewed as Spartan like kids, without knowing the hardships they go through. I want to show that Albanians can prosper and that Albanians can succeed. I want to be one of those Albanians that kids look up to as a role model.”

Edon Molla began playing basketball when he was 5 years old at a park near his Brooklyn home. At the park he was always one of the better players even amongst kids twice his age. He was simply born to excel on the basketball court.

“I am thankful to my parents and my brother for their wonderful love and support over the years. My family always loved sports. My dad played soccer in Europe. However I chose to play basketball instead. Growing up in New York City basketball is the most popular sport. I love the game of basketball. I would play with my friends and my brother, who is four years older than me. I learned how to play when I was only five playing against kids twice my age or older.”

Edon Molla is deeply passionate about basketball, a passion that started at a very young age, playing at the park near his neighborhood, with his brother Admir. Instead of growing up a typical kid, watching cartoons, playing videogames Edon and his brother would practice and play for hours. At the age 5 Edon was already playing against 17-year-old opponents, learning how to become a great player. All signs were pointing towards a great career ahead of him.

“My brother is my biggest fan. He goes through everything with me. At 12 o’clock at night instead of going out we will be shooting in the park or the gym. When I was a kid I would play videogames, he would throw the remote against the wall and say let’s go practice, don’t be a slacker and you have to work hard. When we were young he told me a quote by John Lennon, ‘A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.’ My brother showed me that we are all in this together as a family. Whatever we do is always going to be together. If we work hard together, we will succeed together. I am very proud of my brother. He is very hard working and I look up to him. He currently attends NYU, one of the top academic schools in the world, working hard to succeed in life.”

At 8 years old, Edon joined his first team, St Columba, where he played until he was 13 years old. By the age of 10 he was playing on the 13-year-old team. When he was 13 years old he led St. Columba to the New York City championship game in which they lost. Although they lost he had gotten the attention of many high school coaches in New York and New Jersey. Edon Molla also appeared on his first newspaper article at the age of 13.

“My mom knew my passion for basketball and she took me to try out for St. Columba, a youth team in order to play organized basketball and get out of the park and not be around kids who may be a bad influence on me. At first I hated it. I wanted to play with my friends at the park. Eventually I learned to play with the team, the context that comes with team work. I played at St. Columba for about 6 years. I really enjoyed playing against better competition and St Columba gave me an opportunity to play against great completion at a young age. My main motivation was to get better and to beat older and more developed players. Competing with older players motivated me to get better when I was a younger.”

“I learned a lot from my parents as well. They showed me if you want to succeed you have got to work harder than everyone else. My mom would take me practices and game using trains and buses. My mother doesn’t drive but to my mother that was no excuse to miss or show up late to a game or practice. We would show up to the game before the gym even opened. So I learned the importance of being on time and work hard.”

Since early on, his parents instilled into him to always be positive, a strong work ethic, good manners and respect for others is the key to success on and off the basketball court.

“For me education comes first and athletics comes second. Growing up, my dad made sure that academics came first. I had to maintain a 90 average or higher then I could play basketball.”

Basketball star on the rise: High School Basketball St. Anthony’s

Edon Molla has played in some of the most prestigious leagues and tournaments in the country including: Hoop Group Elite Camps, Five Star Camp, Nike IS8 League, Nike West 4th League, Rumble in the Bronx Tournament, Naismith Hall of Fame Tournament, Dan Finn Classic, Boast Mobile SNY Invitational Tournament, etc. His basketball prowess wasn’t limited to New York and New Jersey. Since the 6th grade he has traveled across the country and played in tournament, camps and games in over 30 states.

“Since sixth grade I had to miss many family events since I was always traveling around the country. I have been very dedicated to basketball and my teams.”

In 2009 Edon Molla decided to attend St. Anthony High School in Jersey City, New Jersey. St. Anthony high school is considered the greatest high school basketball team in American history and is the most prestigious and most successful. In the past 40 years under legendary head coach Bob Hurley St. Anthony has won 27 state titles more than any other school in U.S. history, 13 tournaments of champions, and four consensus national championships and enjoyed seven undefeated seasons. In 2010 Coach Bob Hurley was inducted into the World Basketball Hall of Fame.

“Coach Bob Hurley set the bar high for me. He always pushed me to work harder and be better. He is one of the greatest coaches of all-time and is a legend. He trained us how to first be good people and secondly how to be good at basketball.

Determined to reach his dream and become the best basketball player he could be, Edon would wake up at 5:00 am every day, travel across state lines from his home in Brooklyn New York to Jersey City New Jersey to attend St Anthony’s. In order to get to school he took the B82 bus to the Q train, to the 2 train, to Fulton St, where he picked up the PATH train. He took the PATH train to Newport, then after about a half-mile walk, he finally arrived at St. Anthony High School. He was also on the honor roll student with 96 percent average in high school.

“The main thing that kept me going was my determination to become the best basketball player I could be. Every day at 5 am I would wake up just to go to school, a trip that took me 2 hours. Having to go there every day and knowing that school is in a different state made me mentally stronger. I knew attending St Anthony’s would be worth it to be coached by one of the greatest coaches ever and to play against every day in practice with the best competition in the country, with players like Kyle Anderson, who is currently at UCLA, Myles Mack at Rutgers, and so many other players at the division one college level who have potential to play professional in the NBA or Europe. It was tremendous to have the opportunity to play with and against these guys.”

While Edon was at St Anthony High School they had tremendous success, the team won back to back New Jersey State Championships, back to back tournament of champions titles and back to back National Championships, champions of the United States of America. In four years of high school Edon’s overall record was 127-5 and 66-0 in the last two years, the school had an 83 game winning streak. Edon last year at St Anthony high school was named the Captain of the Team, a great honor and title to be given by legendary coach Bob Hurley.

“It was an honor to play for Coach Hurley; he was the greatest teacher I have ever encountered. Coach Hurley was very demanding; he did not lower his expectations for anyone. That is why I wanted to attend St. Anthony.”

In 2011 Edon Molla and his teammates were honored by The Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie for their first national championship and by the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium for winning second national championship, back to back national titles. Also the team was on several TV shows such as CBS 60 Minutes ABC 2020 and TLC Cake Boss, and a book “Chasing Perfect” by Daniel Pasner.

College Career: St. Francis College

In 2013 Edon Molla joined St. Francis College to pursue double major in Business & Public Relations. Currently Edon Molla is a Division I College basketball player for St Francis College. Division one is the premier division for college athletics, where the best high school players are chosen to play college basketball. St. Francis has a promising team. This is his first year at St Francis they have a record of 9-5, recently beating the University of Miami.

“College has been a tough adjustment. The players are bigger and the game is faster but we have a good team and we work hard. We won against Miami, Oakland and few other good teams. I think there is an opportunity to win the conference championship this year and hopefully we can make the NCAA tournament. The team is in good hands with Coach Glenn Braica. Coach Braica is a great mentor, very dedicated to the team and getting the best out of us on a daily basis at practice.”

Edon’s favorite athletes are Kobe Bryant and Lorik Cana. He enjoys watching NBA other college basketball games and Albanian sports, including the Albanian National Football team and Kosove basketball league, especially teams such as Trepca, Peja, Sigal Prishtina and Bashkimi. His dream is to become a professional basketball player in the NBA, or in Europe. Edon hopes to one day represent Albania and Kosove on a National Basketball team.

“There is a great quote from Gandhi. First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. At first they ignored and laughed because I was too young to play with the older kids. Then they wanted to fight me because I was showing them on the basketball court. And eventually I started winning. I believe that anything is possible. If you work hard enough you can achieve anything in life”.

“National pride and giving back is important to me. I look up to athletes who give back to their community or country they come from, I have tremendous respect for athletes who go back to play for their national team and represent their country. In the future I can see myself playing for the Albanian National Basketball team and trying to inspire Albanian kids to pursue a basketball dream,” said Edon Molla.

President Obama: 2014 is the year of action

December 20, 2013 by dgreca

By: Ermira Babamusta, Ph.D./

Washington DC, White House (December 20, 2013)- This afternoon, President Obama held a press conference at the Brady Press Briefing Room in the White House, to address the nation. President Obama talked about the accomplishments of 2013 and the challenges ahead. The President emphasized successes such as many as 8 million Americans are employed over the past 45 months and millions more are insured despite the problems on the health care website. Employment rates grew at its strongest paste and that overall unemployment has fallen over the 5 years.

The President stated that the economy is stronger than when he first took office. “For the first time in nearly two decades we produce more oil here at home, than we buy. We are heading to a stronger economy next year, with new business growth and new jobs,” said President Obama.

President Obama stated that 2014 is the ‘year of the action’ and he will focus his agenda on bringing more jobs, secure wages for workers that lead to financial security and provide more education opportunities for workers to get the skills they need to get hired.

Looking ahead the President is hopeful to bring immigration reform on a bipartisan front. “We have the task to fix the broken immigration system,” he said and “I will focus my efforts on boosting our economy, attract more investment and bring better opportunities for the middle class.”

On the question regarding Snowden the President replied: “This is an important conversation we needed to have. United States is a country that abides by the rules of law that cares about our civil liberties and constitution. It is important to keep in mind this has done unnecessary damage to US diplomacy and US intelligence. I will leave it to Attorney General to follow up on the issue”.

President Obama also discussed foreign policy stating, “we are also standing up for our interests around the world. We demonstrated principled diplomacy in pursuing new paths for no nuclear weapons in Iran and destroying the stockpiles in Syria.” The president said that by the end of next year more troops will come home. He ended by thanking the men and women overseas for their service, who are spending the holidays away from their families. “We want to thank you! Your country stands united in being grateful for your service and sacrifice,” said President Barack Obama.

Albania’s film Agon Deserves an Oscar

December 18, 2013 by dgreca

By: Ermira Babamusta, New York/

Synopsis: Two Albanian brothers, Saimir and Vini, migrate to Greece and try, each in his own way, to integrate into their host country by following two different lifestyles, with no way of turning back. Saimir is trying to build a new life with his Greek fiancé, Elektra and also look after his younger brother Vini. Vini, who feels under his brother’s control, does not forgive Saimir for his life choices, thus becomes a victim of the underground world in hopes for quick easy money. The story takes a turn when Vini falls in love with the wife of the mafia boss. An impossible love with tragic regrets and unspeakable measures. How much pain can the human spirit endure before it breaks and ceases to trust, love and hope again?

Recent Screenings: The Samuel Goldwyn Theatre, Berly Hills, CA, SVA Theatres, New York. Upcoming Screenings: Romania, France

Albania’s Academy Award 2014 selection “Agon” by Robert Budina is an ideal top winner for four categories: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. Budina’s Agon sold out movie theatres across United States and around the world for the debut screening in over 15+ prestigious festivals including Hollywood, Chicago, Arizona, France, Poland, Kosovo, Albania, Egypt, Shanghai, Athens, Rome, St. Petersburg, Vienna, New York, etc.

Given all the high praise the movie has the received and all the prizes Agon has already won – “Best Screenplay” by See a Paris (South East European Film Festival); “Best Actor” by Guljem Kotori and “Best Film” of Bloody Hero International Film Festival in Arizona – this incredible film deserves to win an Oscar.

Agon deserves all the awards it can get its hands on including best picture for its outstanding high quality and cinematography. An incredible production collaboration between the superb team of producers: Sabrina Kodra (Albania), Lilette Botassi (Greece), Dan Burlac (Romania) and Guillaume De Seille (France) that delivered an exceptional quality film surely make Agon a potential Oscar favorite for best picture.

What makes Agon worthy of best director and best screenplay is its exemplary writer and director Robert Budina. Already a legend in theatre and short films the award-winning Robert Budina is an incredible and visionary director, who dares to create masterful pieces that are unforgettable.

“I am honored and I appreciate to be chosen for such a prestigious event, the Oscars. Agon has been screened world wide. Critics in LA praised it and loved the movie. It is a big responsibility to represent my nation in this prestigious and historic event, and I am happy to be among the best filmmakers to be chosen by the Academy Award. It is a testament to the hard work put to it. Agon is a very daring project, and I thank the entire cast and crew for making my vision come true with this film,” said award winning director of Agon, Robert Budina.

The most interesting part about this movie is that not only do you fall in love with the outstanding acting of all the main characters ; but you also find yourself falling for the villain. The bad guy, played beautifully by great actor Xhevdet Jashari became your favorite character. All actors were amazing and stood out for the emotions they brought on the bring screen, such as: Marvin Tafaj, Guljem Kotori, Isabella Kogevina, Eglantina Cenomeri, Xhevdet Jashari, Laert Vasili, and Antonis Kafetzopulos.

Agon is a powerful story about unwritten cultural ways of living that lead to conflict. The film is about integration efforts woven into the larger risks of cultural clash. This thought-provoking drama by the brilliant Robert Budina is not a story about immigration, crime or mafia, rather people’s efforts to build a life around two completely different cultures – the preexisting norms one brings versus adapting to the new customs of another community. While Saimir tries hard to fit in by earning an honest living and adapting to the new culture, his younger brother Vini feels alienated in the foreign land. He resists changing habits and behavior because he thinks he lost the trust of the dearest person closest to him and is not respected at the work place. Therefore he feels the need to man up and prove himself.

Agon is hailed as groundbreaking film-making, pioneering techniques that epitomize the perfect artistry in the film industry. Combined with superb acting of a very talented cast, a powerful script and brilliant directing, Agon showcases Albanian talent at its best.

Actors: Main roles

Saimiri – Marvin Tafaj (Albania)
Vini – Guljem Kotori (Albania)
Elektra – Isabela Cogevina (Greece)
Keno – Xhevdet Jashari (FYROM)
Nikos – Andonis Kafexopulos (Greece)
Beni – Laertis Vasili (Albanain, residence Greece)
Majlinda – Eglantina Cenomeri Albanian
Uncle – Nikolla Llambro (Albanain, residence Greece)
Uncle’s wife – Hajrie Rondo Albanian

Crew:

Author, screenplay and director: Robert Budina (Albania)
Producer: Sabina Kodra Albania
Co- producer: Lilette Botassi (Greece) & Dan Burlac (Romania) & Guillaume De Seille (France)
Director of photography: Marius Panduru (Romania)
Sound recordist/ sound editing: Vangelis Zelkas (Greece)
Set designer: Bianca Nikolareizi (Greece)
Cheff Make up: Vicky Tataki (Greece)
Costums: Emir Gramo (Albania)
Editor: Eugen Kelemen (Romania)
Composer: Aldo Shllaku (Albania)

Albania sets example for the world for the rescue of every Jew during Holocaust

December 15, 2013 by dgreca

By Ermira Babamusta, Ph.D./

The Albanian people stood up against the extermination of Jews by the Nazis and rescued every single one of the Jews that lived in Albania and Kosovo or sought refuge there. Albania experienced similar oppression and witnessed a long decade of brutal oppression, expulsion, persecution and extermination of Kosovar Albanians by the Yugoslav regime. Today the Albanian struggle for self-determination continues, as Kosovo seeks from the world the recognition of its independence.

New York – On December 8, 2013 The Albanian American Foundation and the Albanian American Civic League (AACL) hosted “A Celebration and discussion of the unique role that Albanians played in saving Jews during the holocaust and how it applies to genocide prevention in our time” at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York. The event was organized by the honorable Joe J. DioGuardi, former member of the U.S. Congress and founding President of the AACL, Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi, Balkan Affairs Adviser of AACL and Ronald and Karen Rettner.

The significance of this event is that it recognized a nation and people that led by example in the rescue of every single Jew in its borders during Holocaust, setting itself apart from the world – the Albanians of Albania and Kosovo. “There is one country in Europe where at the end of WWII there were more Jewish people than at the beginning of WWII, and that was Albania,” said the honorable Charles Schumer, New York senior Senator. “First, I want to thank the Albanian community for showing such faith in New York. You are the future, this is a hard working community, an industrious community, a community that comes to America, like so many in the past, with very little, and builds, creates and grows. The second thing I want to thank you is this. What a durable community the Albanian community has been in Europe. Set in the midst of the Balkans with so many different people trying to wipe out the community, to exterminate the community, to push it away. And you survived. The Albanian community is one of the oldest communities in Europe. What is so beautiful and why I am so honored to speak here tonight is this, because you know what is was like to be oppressed, you understood what it was like to help others that would be oppressed. And that is what this community did during WWII. Despite the ravages of WWII, despite the dangers that were faced you provided a refuge for the Jewish people. Thank you for what you have done. We share many things the Albanian and the Jewish people: the understanding about hard work, a devotion to family and community, and the love of America and New York. And we will not forget just as you helped us in our time of need, we are here to help you in your time of need. And the two communities will stand shoulder to shoulder together,” senator Schumer added.

The dinner included keynote speeches from Agim Alickaj, who played a key role in the saving of Jews during the Holocaust in Decan, Kosovo, H.E. Herit Hoxha, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Albania to UN, Felicita Jakoel, an Albanian Jew, whose late father survived the Holocaust, Kimberly Mann, manager of the Holocaust and the UN Outreach Programme, Dr. Colette Mazucelli, NYU professor, the honorable Jerrold Nadler, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Leka Rezniqi of the Kosova-Israeli Friendship Association, the honorable Dana Rohrabacher, the honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the honorable Charles Schumer, Dr. Robert Skloot, Robert Sugarman, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, with special guest Rabbi Leonard Guttman and honoree the honorable Benjamin Gilman, a strong advocate of Kosovo’s independence and education of Albanians in Tetova, Macedonia.

“While many countries under Nazi occupation helped deport fellow Jewish countryman, Albania was one of a handful of places in Europe that sheltered and protected their Jewish neighbors, saving them from almost certain death,” said the honorable Ilena Ros-Lehtinen. “I commend the great courage of the Albanian people who risked their own lives and the lives of their loved ones, to help not only their countrymen but Jews from all across Europe survive the Holocaust in Albania and Kosovo.”

Ronald Rettner, president of Rettner Management Corporation thanked the Albanians for setting an example of tolerance and understanding. “The Albanian rescue of Jews is a message to the world to stand up for justice. Albania should be honored for national heroism and individual courage,” said Mr. Ronald Rettner. “I am hopeful that the Albanian message resonates with the world today and suppresses the needless hatred resulting in genocide.” (Read full newspaper printed)

FEDERAT “VATRA” DHE KONSULLATA E KOSOVËS PROMOVUAN LIBRIN E ASTRIT ZEMAJ

December 7, 2013 by dgreca

*Libri me titull ”Intervenimi Ushtarak Humanitar i NATO-s në Kosovë” u që ka për autor konsullin e Kosovës në Frankfurt, diplomatin Astrit Zemaj, u promovua në mjediset e Monroe College në New York/

*Intervenimi i SHBA dhe NATO-s në Kosovë, kan qenë plotësisht të arsyeshme dhe ajo ka qenë një luftë e drejtë në aspektin moral, politik dhe njerëzor/

NGA BEQIR SINA/

BRONX NYC : Në mbrëmjen e 24 marsit, 1999, Aleanca Veriatlantike NATO filloi intervenimin e saj për t’i dhënë fund luftës në Kosovë. Për të parën herë në historinë 50 vjeçare të ekzistimit,u krye “Intervenimi Ushtarak Humanitar i NATO-s në Kosovë” pra, në vitin 1999 liderët perëndimor vendosën të përdornin NATO-n për të parandaluar spastrimin etnik nga forcat e Millosheviqit në Kosovë.

24 mars 1999, padyshim që është nata që ndryshoi historinë jo vetëm të Kosovës por edhe të Aleancës Veriatlantike. NATO filloi sulmet ndaj caqeve serbe, në një sulmë ushtarak ajror që do të zgjaste 78 ditë për të ndaluar operacionet e tyre në Kosovë, dhe, për të parandaluar spastrimin etnik. Edhe pse Këshilli i Sigurimit, nuk kishte autorizuar sulmet, NATO përmes Sekretarit të Përgjithshëm, Havier Solana mbronte arsyeshmërinë e tyre, të intervenimit.

Një intervenim ky që Konuslli i Kosovës në Frankuft – Gjermani, diplomati Astrit Zemaj në librin e tij të parë “Intervenimi Ushtarak Humanitar i NATO-s në Kosovë”, e ka argumentuar me detaje duke na treguar se përse ajo ishte një luftë e tillë, dhe para në historin e aleancës më të madhe dhe më të fushqishme në botë NATO-s dhe SHBA.

Në adituriumin e tepullit të dijes Monroe College në Bronx New York , mbrëmë u promovua libri “Intervenimi Ushtarak Humanitar i NATO-s në Kosovë” të autorit Astrit Zemaj. Në një panel të udhëhequr nga znj Elmira Babamusta, ambasadori Bekim Sejdiu, kryetari i Vatrës Dr. Gjon Buçaj, professor Haxhi Berisha dhe vetë autori Astrit Zemaj.

Ky promovim shembullor, u krye në bashkëpunim me Konsullatën e përgjithshme të Kosovës në Neë York, dhe Federatën Panshqiptare e Amerikës VATRA me seli në Neë York, të Premten me 6 dhetor, në Monroe College, dhe kujdesin e posaçëm të profesorit të këtij kolegji zotit Haxhi Berisha.

Në këtë promovim morën pjesë rreth dhjetëra vetë, të gjithë veprimtarë të njohur të çështjes tonë kombëtare, lider, shumë nga këta intelektualë, gazetar e studentë të të gjitha lëmive. Si dhe vetë autori Astrit Zemaj i cili me këtë rastë u nderua me pllakatën “Nderi i Monroe College” në Neë York së bashku me asambleistin Mark Gjonaj, i cili gjithashtu u nderua me pllakatën “Nderi i Monroe College” në Neë York.

Në promovim mori pjesë edhe Presidenti i “Monroe College”, Mr. Stephen Jerome, asamblesiti shqiptar i Neë Yorkut, Mark Gjonaj, avokati Stiv Kaufman, professor Paulo Palombo, veprimtari Harry Bajraktari, zoti Elmi Berisha, z Musa Daka, z. Musli Mulosmani,z Agim Rexhaj,z. Esad Rizai, Marijan Cubi, dhe Uk Gjonbalaj dhe shumë të tjerë.

Promovimin e librit e hapi me një përshëndetje rasti Kryetari i Vatrës, Dr. Gjon Buçaj. I cili, përshëndeti të pranishmit dhe falënderoj për bashkëpunimin Konusllatën e R. Kosovës në New York, dhe kolegjin Monroe me professor Haxhi Berishën për kujdesin e treguar, por me theks të veçantë, kreu i Vatranëve, falënderoj autorin e këtij libri diplomatin Astrit Zemaj, për promovimin e këtij libri nën kujdesin e Federatës PaShqiptare VATRA.

“Vatra shoqata më e vjetër në SHBA, tha Dr. Buçaj nëpërmes promovimit të këtyre librave, me autor miqt e Vatrës, ka krijuar një kulturë e përvojë të madhe me organizime të ndryshme, çka është edhe në tarditën e kësaj shoqate famëmadhe dhe më e vjetra shqiptare në Amerikë, siç janë:manifestimet, përkujtimet, dhe promovimet e këtyre librave, natyrisht edhe si ky i zotit Astrit Zemaj të cilin gjejë rastin t’a përgëzojë përzemërsisht për linbrin e tij “Intervenimi Ushtarak Humanitar i NATO-s në Kosovë” duke i uruar suksese!’

Promovimin e librit “Intervenimi Ushtarak Humanitar i NATO-s në Kosovë” të autorit Astrit Zemaj, e drejtojë Ermira Babamusta, e cila është eksperte e punëve të jashtme, humanitare dhe atuore. Momentalisht, është kandidate e doktoraturës për Shkenca Politike dhe Diplomaci në Ë. Virginia dhe njekohesisht po ndjek programin në Inteligjence & Sigurim Kombëtar në Harvard.

Drejtuesia Dr. Ermira Babamusta, ka prezantuar personalitetet që folën në këtë promovim nëpërmjet CV së çdo folësi. Më pas ajo u kërkoi të pranishmve që të nderojnë egzekutimin e Hymnit të Shteteve të Bashkuara të Amerikës, Shqipërisë dhe i Kosovës vetëm muzikë pa tekst. Ndërsa, tha znj. Babamusta me një minut heshtje të nderohen dhe t’i japim respekt të gjithë dëshmorëve që ranë për lirinë e pavarësinë e Kosovës

Me nga një përshëndetje rasti për autorin e librit “Intervenimi Ushtarak Humanitar i NATO-s në Kosovë” të autorit Astrit Zemaj – Konsull i Kosovës në Frankfurt Gjermani erdhën në këtë promovim Presidenti i “Monroe College”, Mr. Stephen Jerome, Asemblisti i Shtetit të Neë York-ut, z. Mark Gjonaj, dhe Professor Haxhi Berisha.

Fjala kryesore (Keynote speaker) për librin e diplomatit Zemaj u mbajt nga kolegu i tij, Ambasadori Bekim Sejdiu, Konsull i Përgjithëshëm i Republikës së Kosovës në New York. I cili, është edhe recenzent i këtij botimi, ku trajtohen aspeket politike, juridike e ushtarake të intervenimit të NATOS-s nën udhëheqjen e Shteteve të Bashkuara të Amerikës.

Ambasadori Sejdiu tha se kam një kënaqësi të veçantë të flasë si koleg në këtë promovim të librit të Konusllit Zemaj. Të flasë si një mik i tij dhe si person që e kam parë nga afër ngjarjet për të cilat flet në libër Zemaj dhe të perjtojë këtë kënaqësi të mbajë këtë kumtesë lidhur me librin “Intervenimi Ushtarak Humanitar i NATO-s në Kosovë”. Një libër shumë interesat që mendojë se duhet t’a lexojmë të gjithë për të mësuar më shumë se cili ka qenë roli i NATO-s dhe SHBA në luftën për çlirimin e Kosovës.

“Më duhet të theksojë, shtoi zoti Sejdiu, në vija të përgjithëshme, se intervenimi humanitar ushtarak i Nato-s në rastin e Kosovës shkon shumë përtej dimenzioneve tona nacionale – Kosova nuk është vetëm një rast i rëndësishëm për ne shqiptarët, mbasi intervenimi humanitar si koncept në Kosovë, është njëri prej koncepteve ku shkëmbehet përplasja humanitare ushtarake e një lufte më të fuqishme, si në asnjë rast tjetër në botë.”

Ai sqaroi se në botëkuptime dhe interpretime të ndryshme, kritike dhe politike lidhur me arsyeshmërit për të dalë në një luftë përfundimtare të suksesshme. Dhe, se sa e suksesshme rezultoi një gjë e tillë, autori e përshkruan në të gjitha detajet që jep në libër. Por gjithashtu gërshetohen përplasjet për arsye dhe intersa të ndryshme gjeopolitike që përcjellin ato.

Rasti i Kosovës, për diplomatin kosovar Bekim Sejdiu është një nga rastet më tipike, pavarësisht se për shumë kritere atyre në jetën politike, pluhuri i harresë e të tjera, mund të bjerë mbi “Dosjen e Kosovës 1999” . “Rasti i Kosovës, do të shërbej gjithmon sa herë që në politikën ndërkombëtare do të shfaqet nevoja për ë përdorur forcën ushtarake në emër të jetës së njërëzve dhe dinjitetit njerëzor, kudo në botë. Rasti më i fundit, është ai i Sirisë, por të mos harrojmë edhe Irakun e të tjera raste që kan ndodhur pas intervenimit ushtarak humanitar të Natos – në Kosovë” tha Sejdiu.

“Dhe, për këtë në një farë mënyrë nëpërmjet librit të tij – Konsulli Zemaj në Frankfurt – Gjermani e ka dëshmuar përmes librit dhe ka ofruar argumenta të forta që rikonfirmojnë faktin që Nato dhe Shtetet e Bashkuara me intervenimin e tyre në Kosovë, kan qenë plotësisht të arsyeshme dhe ka qenë një luftë e drjetë në aspektin moral, politik dhe njerëzorë. Andaj ky libër zë një vend të veçantë në të gjitha shkrimet që janë botuar për luftën e Kosovës” ka konkluduar në fjalën e tij Ambasadori Bekim Sejdiu, Konsull i Përgjithëshëm i Republikës së Kosovës në New York..

Me shumë vëmendje të pranishmit ndoqën fjalën e autorit, z. Astrit Zemaj, Konsull i Republikë së Kosovës në Frankfurt, Gjermani i cili përcolli me këtë rast një falemnderim të thellë për këtë promovim

“Kam nderin dhe kanqësinë, tha qysh në fillim të fjalës së tij diplomati Zemaj, që sot të jem në mesin Tuaj, dhe njëkohësisht, është një privilegj i veçantë që së bashku me Ju, të nderuar bashkëatëdhetarë, dhe miq të vendit tonë, që më keni dhënë mundësisnë për të realizuar promovimin e librit tim të ri, Legjitimiteti i Intervenimit Humanitar Ushtarak në Kosovë, pikërisht në vendin e themeleve të demokarcisë dhe të lirisë, SHBA-ve

Prandaj që në fillim përfitoj nga rasti iu drejtua ai pjesëmarrësve, dëshirojë të ju falenderojë të gjithë ju për pjesmarrjen, dhe veçanërisht për oraginizatorët e këtijë promovimi, Shoqatën kombëtare Vatra dhe Konsullatën e Përgjithëshme të RKS/së në New York, nën drejtimin e Ambasadorit Sejdiu.

“Sot, pothuajse 15 vite prapa , tha autori, z. Astrit Zemaj, Konsull i Republikë së Kosovës në Frankfurt, Gjermani, kur NATO nën drejtimin e SHBA-ve, mori vendim dhe veproi me forcë ushtarake për të ndaluar dhunën dhe gjenocidin tmerrues në Evropë, i cili, nuk kishte ndodhur në përmasa të tilla që nga përfundimi i LDB-re, për popullin e Kosovës dhe Shqiptarët në përgjithësi nënkuptonte shpëtimin Biblik apo lindjen përsëri në themelet e ekgzistimit të tijë si komb.”

Në fund u kalua në një forum të hapur pyetje përgjigje me autorin Astrit Zemaj – Konsull i Kosovës në Frankfurt Gjermani si dhe për pjesëmarrësit falas u bë shpërndarja e librit me autografe. U zhvilluan takime dhe biseda të lira me autorin. Televizioni TV21 dhe Albanian Culture, gazeta Dielli, Illyria dhe Bota Sot, biseduan me autorin e librit “Intervenimi Ushtarak Humanitar i NATO-s në Kosovë” të autorit Astrit Zemaj – Konsull i Kosovës në Frankfurt Gjermani.