Dielli | The Sun

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

SULEJMAN GASHI, BELOVED COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND, PASSED AWAY AT 61

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by Rafaela Prifti-

A career journalist, a professional translator and a highly respected colleague, Sulejman Gashi passed away at 61. For those of us, who had the incredible fortune of knowing and working with him, there is a profound sense of loss. Vatra President Elmi Berisha expressed condolences to the Gashi family on behalf of the Executive Council, Board of Directors, branches and all members, describing Sulejman as an exemplary reporter, intelligent mind and a true patriot. His reporting career at TV Prishtina was interrupted, along with his Albanian colleagues, when the Serbian authorities shut down the medium in July 1990.  He and his family migrated to the United States. A year later, Sulejman Gashi was a founding journalist and editor of “Illyria”, the newspaper launched with two main commitments: independence for Kosova and democracy for Albania.
Through the end of 1990s, Mr. Gashi was a correspondent for Bujk, Kosova Information Center and other outlets. Throughout the war, his reporting stood out for its high standards of journalism. In 2001, when OSCE Mission established Radio Television Kosovo as an independent public service broadcaster, they reached out to media professionals with excellent credentials like Sulejman Gashi. He conducted live interviews with the highest government officials and international representatives earning the respect of all of them. Years later, he became US correspondent for Kosova national broadcaster, RTK.
Aside from his career in journalism, Sulejman Gashi was a US State Department Independent Contractor. His extraordinary command of English language won the respect and admiration of his colleagues. I was fortunate to meet him in a DOS language training workshop, which marked the beginning of a friendship that has shaped my life.

In 2016, while on assignment in Salt Lake City, Utah, he suffered a cardiac arrest and slipped into comma. Today, Drilon Gashi, surviving son, announced the passing of his father, stating that the burial will take place in his home country, Kosova:
“It is with great sorrow that we announce that our dearest loved one, Mr. Sulejman Gashi, passed away today on September 11, 2020. He fought very hard to recover from the difficult condition he sustained four years ago. Our loved one’s burial will take place in his country of origin, Kosova, which he loved very dearly. Sulejman Gashi lived a life and left a legacy of great significance for his family, his profession, his country and nation.  In the coming days we will provide more information on the arrangements. We are very grateful for the respect and love that all have for our dearest loved one, Sulejman, but kindly request that we all collectively respect the public health measures in place due to the pandemic.  We greatly appreciate your consideration of the our privacy in this very difficult time for our family and relatives.”

Today, messages of condolences are posted on social media by politicians, media executives, co-workers, friends and community leaders in Kosova and United States. After a few comforting words addressed to his family members earlier, I briefly communicated with former RTK colleagues, DOS interpreters and representatives of the Albanian-American community who join Dielli staff in being saddened by Sulejman Gashi’s departure. Vatra announcement about memorial service details to follow in the coming days. 

CORRUPTION – A CONTINUING PROBLEM FOR DOING BUSINESS IN ALBANIA – DOS REPORT

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by Rafaela Prifti-

The newly released report by the Department of State on the Investment Climate in Albania cites corruption, “particularly in the judiciary, a lack of transparency in public procurement, and poor enforcement of contracts as continuing problems in Albania.”  With regard to foreign investment laws, “US investors receive national treatment and most-favored-nation treatment” pursuant to the 1998 U.S.-Albanian Bilateral Investment Treaty. Yet, the review asserts that U.S. investors are challenged by corruption and the perpetuation of informal business practices. “Several U.S. investors have faced contentious commercial disputes with both public and private entities, including some that went to international arbitration,” according to the document. Without providing the name of the business, the statement indicates that in 2019 and 2020, a U.S. company’s attempted investment was allegedly thwarted by several judicial decisions and questionable actions of stakeholders involved in a dispute over the investment. Such practices have negatively impacted US investments because, based on the Bank of Albania data, “Switzerland, The Netherlands, Canada, Turkey, Austria, and Greece are the largest sources of Foreign Direct Investment”, while “investments are concentrated in the energy sector, extractive industries, banking and insurance, telecommunications, and real estate”.  As the start of the EU accession negotiations loom large, the Department of State considers that “Albania must implement a number of reforms in the justice sector, adopt changes to its electoral code, advance efforts to support minority rights, reduce unfounded asylum claims in EU member states, and show tangible progress in its fight against organized crime and corruption.” While pointing out at some positive legislative steps to promote domestic and foreign investment such as Strategic Investment Law in 2015 and Technical Economic Development Areas -which is yet to begin-, the review indicates that “reports of corruption in government procurement are commonplace. The increasing use of public private partnership (3P) contracts has reduced opportunities for competition, including by foreign investors, in infrastructure and other sectors.  Poor cost-benefit analyses and a lack of technical expertise in drafting and monitoring 3P contracts are ongoing concerns. U.S. investors are challenged by corruption and the perpetuation of informal business practices.” Backing the perception of Albania by the foreign investors,  the country dropped seven places from 2018 in the International Corruption Index, and 19 spots in the World Bank’s 2020 Doing Business Survey.

According to the latest data: “Transparency International’s 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index ranked Albania 16th of 180 countries, a drop of seven places from 2018.  Consequently, Albania and North Macedonia are now perceived as the most corrupt countries in the Western Balkans. Albania also fell 19 spots in the World Bank’s 2020 Doing Business survey, ranking 82nd from 63rd in 2019. Although this change can be partially attributed to the implementation of a new methodology, the country continues to score poorly in the areas of granting construction permits, paying taxes, enforcing contracts, registering property, obtaining electricity, and protecting minority investors.”

The DOS recognizes the efforts by the Government of Albania to improve the rule of law and to reform the country’s judicial system as evidenced in the passing of constitutional amendments. It notes that these steps are underway and are expected to boost the investment chances going forward. “The implementation of judicial reform is ongoing, and its completion is expected to improve the investment climate in the country.”

 
The annual report, which include topics, like: Openness to Investment, Legal and Regulatory Systems, Property Rights, Transparency, Performance Requirements, State-Owned Enterprises, Responsible Business Conduct and Corruption, is prepared by economic officers at US embassies and missions in order to help US companies make informed business decisions. 

Direct Investment from/in Counterpart Economy Data (2018)
From Top Five Sources/To Top Five Destinations (US Dollars, Millions)
Inward Direct InvestmentOutward Direct Investment
Total Inward7,833100%Total Outward563100%
Switzerland1,50519%Kosovo33559.5%
Canada1,13914.5%Italy16529.3%
The Netherlands1,10514%United States213.7%
Greece90311.5%North Macedonia132.3%
Italy6177.9%Greece81.4%
“0” reflects amounts rounded to +/- USD 500,000.
Portfolio Investment Assets
Top Five Partners (Millions, current US Dollars) December 2018
TotalEquity SecuritiesTotal Debt Securities
All Countries846100%All Countries36100%All Countries810100%
Turkey18722%Turkey1747%Turkey17021%
Germany11713.8%Canada822%Germany11714%
Czech9911.7%The Netherlands822%Czech9912%
France728.5%The Bahamas25.5%France728.9X%
Italy475.5%Country #5Italy475.8%

THE VIRTUAL KICK OFF NIGHT OF NEW YORK TRUE VENTURE FILM FESTIVAL

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CONVERSATION WITH THE INITIATORS AND ORGANIZERS OF THE PROJECT, ELONA PAJA AND JULIAN BIBA-

by Rafaela PRIFTI-

Last Sunday NEW YORK TRUE VENTURE FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTED ITS AWARDS ON LINE. Twelve members of the Jury’s Festival with impressive careers in the movie industry, music and media presented the nominations in two dozen categories ranging from Best Music Video, Screenplay, Director to Best Human Rights, Experimental, Documentary Production and Feature Narrative. Can you talk about the categories?
Elona: The festival received a pretty good number of submissions and obviously for the jury it was difficult to select from some really great entries. During the rating process from each jury member, we noticed very small differences and the decision was made to expand the number of categories and consequently the awards. It ultimately shows appreciation for the filmmaker’s work by a professional jury. To borrow a quote from Walt Disney: “We don’t make movies to make money, we make money to make more movies!” And this is what motivates the independent filmmakers.

The official website of NYTVFF described it as an event dedicated to empowering independent filmmaking. Elona Paja, the Executive Director, and you, as Director of the Festival, have decades of experience in the movie business. How strongly do you feel about your stated misssion for this particular project?

Julian: What brought us together is our passion about cinematography. Obviously we both have our previous experiences in this industry – Elona as a journalist and director of documentaries and TV series; while I have been mostly alternating as a screenwriter,  director and producer. Our partnership fitted all the elements of a film festival project. In the meantime we are cooperating in several productions that are in the pipelines. Elona is ambitious and I like this. She is a great reader of people’s abilities, which is a highly valuable asset. She supports talented people and is constantly in search of new and exciting ideas. Our energy and mindset combined are well suited for the common goal of empowering independent filmmakers.


The First Edition of the Festival and the pre-recorded Award Show premiered virtually on Sunday. In previous interviews you had mentioned that the Festival is the high point of hard work, passion and the pursuit of your dream. How did the event play out in your mind as a red carpet award night?

Julian: I’m lucky to work beside a professional of live shows like Elona, so I didn’t have any doubt that our awards night would be fantastic and very entertaining so that the filmmakers and the audience would want to come back for the next edition’s red carpet awards ceremony. The online presentation I think showed we are serious and ambitious on reaching these goals.


The project was launched late November 2019. You knew that any such endeavour is bound to face and deal with obstacles yet the coronavirus pandemic was truly out of the range of predictions. You had to reschedule the deadline for the submissions and push the date of the awards show from May to September 2020. You held out hope for a live show for months. Can you both describe to me the awards ceremony outside of the pandemic reality – the release of the recorded event versus the live one?

Julian: The awards ceremony was to take place at a magnificent Manhattan venue and we had booked the whole list of performers such as musical bands, singers and dancers who would go in front of a live audience, but the pandemic made it impossible.

Elona: Yet we firmly believe that we shall have our chance on our second edition. It will be the triumphant night of the artists that deserve the audience’s applause for their achievements. One of our ideas is to invite the winners of the Festival’s first edition but this is still in the planning stages for now.


How was the awards show and presentations received online according to comments and reactions? I happened to speak by phone with Elona a few times while she was cutting and editing the video in the late night hours and I could hear the exhaustion in her voice.  

Elona: The online event went even better than we thought it would. Naturally, there were several days of hard work to prepare the whole one and a half hours video that premiered online, but it was well worth it. We got numerous congratulatory messages from the posts and privately on our festival’s Facebook page from winning filmmakers and who were thankful for participating and from many colleagues and friends.

Julian: Here is one of the messages sent by a filmmaker: “Hello people I’m Janer Mena, Thank you for the official selection to Uno Más. For me this recognition is very important because with this film I can visibly show my town and the history of my family. Thanks for the best director award, it’s my first prize and this is my motivation to make more films like Uno Más!”

We felt good about Janer’s and other winners’ success because we are ourselves filmmakers and know what a great motivation is a festival’s prize.

How challenging is it to support independent films and be competitive in the business and in a market that has seen no shortage of indies? Since True Venture is New York based, are you part of or affiliated with any Independent Film Centers in the city or around the country?


Julian: I believe that by giving the filmmakers from all over the world the possibility to screen and compete in NYC and network with other filmmakers, we offer an opportunity to increase their compatibility and exposure with local and international filmmakers. This was our first edition but it is our hope that as we go on  the festival will be embraced by many filmmakers and be recognized by important cinematographic entities, although, the festival is an independent organization as most film festivals around the globe are.

As a filmmaker, screenwriter, director, you have said that the deeper you step into the art of film the more there is to discover and the more you wish to explore. Can you share some of the things that you are discovering and want to further explore in your trade?

Julian: I started my involvement in this industry with script writing before I was asked to direct or to produce or even act. It is a good thing I like challenges. My attitude has always been: “I’ll do it if I know how or I will learn how to do it, so I can get it done!” So, I learn constantly starting from my own mistakes, to collaborating with other professionals, trying new styles of writing, directing or producing. Acting helps me understand how to write a better dialogue in my scripts, whereas directing sharpens my skills on what is doable on the set and what is not. I am fully aware that the art of cinematography is vast and worth discovering.

As an International Film Festival, True Venture received entries from Europe, North and South America, Asia etc. You have said you were impressed with the young Albanian filmmakers from Albania and Kosova and the quality of their artistry as being undistinguished by more established names in the business. What can you tell us about their film debut and their work?

Elona: True Venture received submissions from all over the world. Kosova and Albania were also represented with new and talented filmmakers who were award recipients from other festivals. I say “new filmmakers” because they have been known in the last few years. We recognize the difficulties of film production especially back home. We were proud that the jury of mostly American professionals singled some of them out for their creative work. After all we know it is competitive and it is really tough to stand ou0 in the movie business.

Organizing and managing the production of this scale, even though it was moved online due to the pandemic, requires a different set of skills. What was your previous experience? How did you hone in your abilities to bring the idea of an International Film Festival to fruition? 
Julian: I have worked on film festivals projects and in one of them I have been a member of the jury. In the last four years I have participated in several festivals in US, Canada and Europe where my films were screened. All this is an experience on its own but also gave birth to the idea of a festival where filmmakers can mingle and exchange in a friendly and welcoming environment. As filmmakers this is how we learn from each other and expand our network that often leads in collaborations and progressive future works. We are hardworking people who believe that everything is possible if there is a goodwill of getting things done for the common good.

What is the takeaway from the first edition and what do you anticipate for the next edition?

Julian: First of all we hope not to deal with similar situations such as the pandemic. We like to have experienced guest speakers to talk to the audience on the screening days about certain areas of the industry like: how to write a marketable screenplay; how to find funding and distribute films. All these and more are important for a filmmaker and might be of help to them in their future careers.

You both are Albanian filmmakers who initiated the project that could also elevate Albanian culture and artistic identity. Your aim is not just the launching of the Film Festival but to start off an annual event. Can you elaborate more on your vision for the future?

Julian: This is an international festival and welcomes filmmakers from all over the world. Indeed we are pleased to see Albanians participants. This not only elevates our culture and artistic identity but we hope it would help filmmakers in our home country to get proper recognition and support from the governments as well, which would lead to more and better films as a practice that has been proven successful for some countries in the Balkan region. 
Congratulations and Good Luck! 
 
To check out the nominations, winners and the awards night, go to the NYTVFF Facebook link: www.facebook.com/NYTVFF

Or on YouTube: 
https://youtu.be/nmS29UIlDEw

FATOS AND ILIR BYTYQI THANKFUL TO REPRESENTATIVE ZELDININ THEIR FIGHT FOR JUSTICE

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By RAFAELA PRIFTI-Fatos and Ilir Bytyqi are aware of the long road to justice for their three brothers, US citizens who were murdered in the Republic of Serbia in July 1999. Last year,their Representative Lee Zeldin authored House Resolution 32 in partnership with Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The measure was reintroduced byCongressmen Eliot Engel and Lee Zeldin to push the Serbian government and Serbian war crimes prosecutor tocarry out justice and hold the perpetrators accountable.As part of a panel, Ilir Bytyqi testified at a hearing on the House Foreign Affairs Committee in April 2019. On a phone conversation, Fatos Bytyqi told me that he and hisbrother, Ilir have been meeting with Representative Zeldin in New York and Washington DC from the time he entered Congress.Mr. Bytyqi said that “Serbian authorities are aware and in possession of evidence of the crimes in this case, yet they employ maneuvers and spread disinformation to not bring the murderers to justice.” In his view, the Resolution is a strong measure that pressures Serbia’s government to carry out properinvestigations instead of continuing with the pattern of not prosecuting Serbian war criminals responsible for crimes against the people of Kosova. Fatos Bytyqi recalled Representative Engel’s statement delivered on the House flooras Resolution was introduced last year:”Approaching three years ago, the Belgrade-based Humanitarian Law Center released a dossier detailing the murder of nearly 1,000 Kosovars, killed by Serbs in Kosovo, then transported to Serbia and dumped in a mass grave. The US government has raised this atrocity with the Serbian war crimes prosecutor, but – once again – no one has been held accountable.”

On the 20th anniversary of the murders,Representatives Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and Eliot Engel (D, NY-16), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, reintroduced legislation calling for justice in the executions of Congressional District 1 residents, Ylli, Agron and Mehmet Bytyqi, who resided in Hampton Bays, New York, having passed legislation of the House Foreign Affairs Committee last year.Both representatives have strongly supported the measure and its significance in the relations between United States and Serbia. In a statement, Chairman Engel has said: “The United States’ relationship with Serbia depends on Serbia’s adherence to the rule of law and human rights, and commitment to prosecute horrendous criminal cases such as this.”

Ilir Bytyqi, whois actively demandingjustice in this case and advocating for the victims, attended the reception for Ranking Member Zeldin held in midtown Manhattan. Representative Zeldin reaffirmed his commitment that “the Bytyqi brothers gave their lives to fight injustice; now, we must secure justice for them.” He reiterated the position expressed by the US State Department through the Embassythat “Obtaining justice for the Bytyqi brothers remains a priority in our bilateral relationship with Serbia.”In a statement issued by US Embassy in Belgrade, in July 2018, it said: The United States government again calls on Serbian authorities, who have promised to assist in this case over the years, for a resolution to this case. Both brothers expressed gratitude to the representatives of Albanian community and organizations that have rallied demanding justice.

Dielli is publishing the remarks of Ilir Bytyqi at the fundraising reception in honor of Congressman Lee Zeldin hosted by Evi Kokalari at 3 West Club in Manhattan on August 18.

Evi Kokolari friends and family,

I would like to take this moment to thank each and every one for attending this event to support our elected official to be our voice for the voiceless and hope for the hopeless. As you all know, tragedy struck my family at the hands of Serbian government 21 years ago. It has devastated my family all these years. The battle for justice hasn’t been easy, though the support has been there.

Thanks to friends and family the American-Albanian community organizations many of you are here present today and members of Congress as representative in Washington DC Lee Zeldin  we have achieved a great deal of progress 

Congressman Lee Zeldin and his amazing staff have supported my family on each and every aspect. He never knows how to say NO!  He is always on the go and will continue to do so not only for my family but the Suffolk County. I believe that Lee Zeldin is the right Representative to represent Suffolk in Congress.

PS. Dielli received no response to requests for interview with Congressman Lee Zeldin by the time the paper went to print.

“KOSOVA TO HAVE REPRESENTATIVE AT STATE DEPARTMENT” ANNOUNCE MINISTERS HARADINAJ-STUBLLA AND SELIMI

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By Rafaela Prifti-

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosova Meliza Hardinaj – Stublla and the Minister of Justice of Kosova Selim Selimi, have begun a round of meetings with high-level government officials in the nation’s capital. Today both ministers confirmed on Facebook their joint meeting with the US Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at the State Department, Matthew Palmer. Minister Haradinaj-Stublla announced that a representative of Kosova’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be send to the US State Department on her Facebook post:

“The Republic of Kosovo for the first time in political history, will be able to send the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the American State Department. This was confirmed during the meeting of Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Euroasia, Matthew Palmer.

The close coordination of our foreign policy with the US, and the professionalization of the Foreign Service according to the highest international and diplomatic practices remains our common dedication.

We discussed with Mr. Palmer also dialogue with Serbia, where together with Justice Minister Selim Selimi we stressed that only under the American leadership, the dialogue will have the right dynamics and clarity to end with mutual recognition at existing borders, preserving the unitary character and the constitutional orderof Republic of Kosovo.

Kosovo is determined in advance of special relations and permanent friendship with the US and always loyal to the strategic interests of the friend state.”

On his Facebook account, Kosova’s Minister of Justice Selim Selimi called it a “content meeting”:

“Today in Washington, along with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Meliza Haradinaj-Stublla, a content meeting with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Euroasia, Matthew Palmer, for intensification of Kosovo’s state agenda in the approach of our country with Euro-Atlantic family, progress in empowering the rule of law and opening a new dynamic for reaching a comprehensive legally obligatory agreement with recognition at existing borders between Kosovo and Serbia.

Without America’s co-ordination and guarantee, it is difficult to reach any stable agreement. The active role and support of the US, as our strategic allies, is irreplaceable to close all issues open with Serbia.”

Minister Haradinaj-Stublla and Minister Selimi reconfirmed their strong faith in the American leadership to lead Kosova-Serbia dialogue resulting in mutual recognition. Each will continue with a full agenda of high-level meetings in Washington DC.