Rafaela Prifti – Page 37 – Dielli

VATRA MAKES A CASE FOR THE RECOGNITION OF KOSOVA TO THE APOSTOLIC NUNCIO OF ALBANIA

January 9, 2019 by dgreca

By Rafaela PRIFTI/

In his first visit at Vatra’s offices, the diplomatic representative of the Holy See to Albania, Archbishop Charles Brown was warmly received by several members of the Board and the Albanian-American community. On behalf of the Pan-Albanian Federation Vatra, President Dritan Mishto, expressed thanks for the efforts of the papal envoy to improve religious tolerance in Albania and pleaded with him to recognize Kosova’s independence. Archbishop Brown, who is a native New Yorker and served as a priest in a Bronx parish in the late 1980s, served a full term as the Vatican’s Ambassador in Ireland prior to accepting the assignment of Pope Francis to be the Nuncio in Albania in March 2017. During the 1990s he did a lot of work with the Missionary sisters and Mother Teresa personally, which he regards as a spiritual introduction to his current assignment. He spoke fondly about this year and a half in Albania, amidst efforts to know the people and learn the language. Indeed only a few weeks ago, the Archbishop celebrated Catholic mass in Albanian among the Albanian-American community in Washington DC. In his recent assignment, he said that the great discovery of “the preservation of some traditional values of family and respect in Albania that have really disappeared in many other places in the world” is worth-noting. He added that he was with Pope Francis before this last Christmas in Rome, and while talking about Albania, his Holiness reminded him that Albania was the first country in Europe that he visited and “he wanted that to be a sign.” Among the reasons for the Pope’s appreciation for Albania, the apostolic nuncio noted the religious harmony that exists in the country which can be a model for other places and the history of persecution of the faith. Religious believers of different faiths suffered under the time of communism. And that is a great testimony of the triumph of faith over communist materialism. “So for those two reasons, I think Pope Francis has a very special love for Albania and that love is certainly been communicated in a big way to me.” With regard to the issue of Kosova, the papal nuncio reiterated that in the last year or little more than a year, both the Prime Minister and the President of Kosova have visited with the Pope. This is an important issue that we take very, very seriously, he said and opened the floor to questions, most of which focused on Kosova. The successful developer with family origins from Peja, Harry Bajraktari raised the question of Kosova’s recognition by the Vatican and the establishing of diplomatic relations that positively encourage business and development in the country. Zef Balaj of Vatra’s Executive Board pressed for some guidance on the issue of supporting the acceptance of Kosova by the Holy See, which carries significant weight in the diplomatic community. In his response, Archbishop Brown expressed the desire of the Holy See to see a real resolution of the disputes between Serbia and Kosovo, as a condition towards moving forward with a number of issues including recognition. He admitted that at the present time, these are very difficult issues.

On the issue of inter-religious cooperation, the apostolic nuncio singled out the work of a committee of all heads of religious communities, which is very active and has issued joint letters on a number of issues. In the last year, the committee addressed various topics including European integration. When asked about his role, he answered that as the diplomatic link between the Holy See, the Vatican and the government of Albania, his task is to strengthen the relationship between the Vatican and the Catholic Church and the relationship between the Vatican and the government.

Responding to a question on the issue of properties confiscated by communism, he stated that it is a matter that affects the Catholic Church and other religious communities. On this sensitive topic, the Holy See supports and promotes the views of the Albanian Catholic Bishops. The church is not interested in displacing people to try to retain property. Aside from the restitution, there are problems of property title and ownership. The government is working on these complicated issues which are difficult to regulate, added the papal envoy.With regard to opportunities for the young people in Albania, Archbishop Brown said that they are immigrating and have a desire to emigrate in large numbers due to the economic situation. One of the elements certainly is corruption in various sectors of society that needs to be confronted and resolved. The reduction of corruption will produce a situation where there are more opportunities for young people. The government’s efforts to combat the problem of corruption are applauded and supported by the religious communities including the Catholic Church. He added that the European integration is linked to the question of corruption as the integration process moves forward that almost inevitably will require a reduction if not the elimination of corruption.

Bringing the attention back to Kosova, the community activist Harry Bajraktari provided more context to the issue of recognition by the Holy See. He stated that the Serbian Orthodox Church continues to undermine the country alongside the Serbian government supported by their historic allies. In Albania, the Orthodox Church under the influence of the Greek clergy plays a divisive role. Although Albanians are in a great place presently, the undermining efforts coming from various directions are intensifying. While commending the leadership of the Church, he noted that resolving the issue of recognition will help diffuse the rising tensions calling upon the Pope to move this matter forward.

Cezar Ndreu, Executive Council Member of Vatra, brought up to the Archbishop Brown a rare find: photocopied pages from a Benziger publication titled Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano: A History of that Ancient Sanctuary and of the Wonderful Apparition and Miraculous Translation in 1467 of Our Lady’s Sacred Image, from Scutari to Genazzano

While looking at the pages carefully, the Vatican envoy commented with excitement about the history of the church. The selection from the 1888 publication was donated to the papal nuncio along with the November and December 2018 issues of the newspaper Dielli.

DIELLI’S INTERVIEW WITH SARAH-JANE CORKE

January 2, 2019 by dgreca

To continue to appreciate the influence of such an important personality such as Mithat Frasheri, Dielli interviewed the author of the book US Covert Operations and Cold War Strategy. Sarah-Jane Corke is an Associate Professor of History at University of New Brunswick. /

23 sarahjane-corke 23 Libri

DIELLI’S INTERVIEW WITH SARAH-JANE CORKE/

Recent publications with reference to Mithat Frasheri were featured at the commemorative evening hosted by the Queens branch of Vatra to honor the distinguished Albanian figure.

One of them delves into the historical factors and the complex relations between the British and the Americans regarding their efforts to liberate Albania from the communists and the Soviet control after the end of WWII.

DIELLI: In the introduction of your book, you write that it ‘attempts to address the gap in the historiography to offer a more nuanced appreciation of American strategic thinking during Truman’s administration”. What is the importance of addressing such a gap in our knowledge and understanding of history?

The traditional scholarship had for a very, very long time, suggested that US foreign policy during the Cold War was a coherent strategy of containment. The term containment implied that US foreign policy was defensive and reactive. It was, in other words, it was responding to Soviet aggressions. By challenging this notion and focusing on aggressive American actions, the American role in the Cold War is problematized. We begin to understand that American foreign policy was more complicated that we previously understood.

DIELLI: Events such as the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI are moments when remembrance of sacrifice and patriotism take center stage on a wide scale. Your book takes a hard look at another war, namely the Cold War era in the US revealing a political landscape with uncertain goals and redefined front lines of intricate, treacherous and deadly nature. In broad terms, what defines the legacy of the Cold War during the second term of Truman’s presidency?

I would say that the key issue the Truman Administration faced, and an issue that still resonates today, is the difficulty in ensuring that foreign policy and intelligence operations are in sync. The breakdown that occurred at the strategic level greatly hampered the ability of the Truman administration to develop and execute successful covert operations. When a country’s foreign policy remains vague, which happens for a number of reasons, it is difficult for operations personnel to effectively do their jobs.

DIELLI: The declassified documents that were made available over a decade ago illustrate, among other things, a discordance between policy and strategy in the postwar years specifically with regard to Covert Operations by the American Intelligence. What new documents have come to light, if any, since the publication of your book?

There have not been a lot of new declassifications, at least that I am aware of. But there are two important new books Operation Valuable FIEND by Albert Lulushi and The Albanian Operation of the CIA and MI6, 1949-1953 by Nicholas Bethell (edited by Robert Elsie and Bejulla Destani) that add considerable detail to the events that unfolded.

DIELLI: Your presentation of the documents in the chapter ‘A clinical experiment’ expands the understanding of the ‘Anglo-American frictions’ with regard to covert operations that were undertaken in Albania, specifically in Operation Valuable in 1949. According to numerous documents, the British and Americans did not agree on which émigré organization to support nor on the method of insertion of paramilitary teams. How great was the impact of the discordance on the task at hand namely to help the resistance groups inside Albania to overthrow the communists?

It was very significant. The British would withdraw their support for the operation and came to view those who continued the operation in the United States as overly aggressive in their anti-communism. It caused a rift between the intelligence agencies and the two countries.

DIELLI: As it happens the fate of leading Albanian figures such as Mithat Frasheri become intertwined with the policy and strategic planning of a conflicted US administration. Under George Kennan’s plan, which represented the position of the State Department, East European ex patriots would be brought together under so-called ‘Freedom Committees’ financed by the US. One of the first to be set up was the Albanian National Committee which was to provide a nucleus for the Albanian government in exile. Mithat Frasheri became the first president of the organization. As you point out, Mithat Frasheri never lived to see Operation Valuable unfold. He passed away on October 3, 1949. Commemorating him 69 years later, the Pan-Albanian Federation Vatra brought attention to your book for providing new information on the subject and especially his important role during this period of Albania’s history. Would you please share more with our readers?

What happened in Albania was a tragedy. It became very important to me, in the course of writing the book, to point out the way in which the Albanian people, who desired nothing more than the return of their homeland, were treated by the British and Americans who were in charge of the operation. Frank Wisner called it “a clinical experiment.” It was an experiment that cost approximately 1000 lives. This was the tragedy. Frasheri was one of the Albanians who I believe was not well served by the British and the Americans. In short, neither the US nor the Brits accorded the Albanians the respect they deserved.

DIELLI: You mention tensions and serious political divisions within the Free Albania Committee which reflected the deep-rooted fractions within the Albanian society. In the same chapter, you write; ‘…this is important because it compounded the controversy over the structure of Albania’s post-liberation government. What are some of the important lessons that have emerged with respect to a dysfunctional administration during the Cold War?

The key lesson for me was to ensure that policy, strategy and operations were in sync. Within this context, I think administrators have to avoid the tendency to write broad policy statements. Often this happens so that any controversies that exist over a policy can be papered over. If there are controversies I think they need to be resolved before the policy is signed by the President. Without clear policy guidance you can have multiple strategies put into play. Sometimes, as I pointed out in the book, these strategies can contradict each other. The best example which I wrote about in the book was that given that there was no clear objectives on what US policy was, it remained unclear whether it was more important to encourage people to leave Eastern Europe or to stay behind to serve as resistance forces should a possible World War III broke out. Propaganda beamed into East European countries encouraged East Europeans to both leave their countries and to stay and serve as a resistance force. Second, once people did leave, the “West” was not prepared to provide safe places for all the refugees. Some were housed in former concentration camps and eventually returned to the East with only horror stories to tell their friends and relatives.

DIELLI: Where is the Study of Intelligence Series going next?

There have been a lot of newly released documents on American involvement in Iran in 1953 and Cuba in 1960. There will be new histories on both of these topics in the next few years. However, there has been a decline in the number of scholarly intelligence history over the last decade, for a number of reasons. Unfortunately, American intelligence history relies on the willingness of the CIA to declassify its archives. It also depends on the national archives being well funded so that they can do the declassifications in a timely fashion. Documents also come out in fits and starts and those that are declassified do not always appear in any order. Writing intelligence history can be intensely rewarding but it can also be challenging for these reasons.

Those that are interested in intelligence history should contact the North American Society for Intelligence History (NASIH).

Finally, on the anniversary of Albania’s Independence I want to send my sincere best wishes to the people of Albania, both those at home and abroad. Over the course of writing the book I met a number of wonderful Albanians who I still think of warmly today. I hope to be able to visit Albania at some point in the future. I have been told it is an absolutely beautiful country.(Rafaela Prifti)

KOSOVA’S GENERAL CONSULATE AWARDS MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY

December 16, 2018 by dgreca

BY RAFAELA PRIFTI/DIELLI/

Last Thursday, the General Consulate of the Republic of Kosova in New York hosted an evening to recognize the work of several community members involved in media, education, women empowerment and professional networking. The guests were greeted warmly at the entrance by Consul Teuta Sahatqija and staff members. Pianist Elona Muca and flutist Klodina Kabashi Morina set a welcoming tone with the music arrangements of selected works by renowned Albanian composers. As the Ambassador began to deliver her remarks, the attendees gathered quietly in the main hall huddling around the cameras. “The diaspora became our voice at the time when we were not allowed to have a voice,” said the Ambassador referring to the long periods of oppression in Kosova particularly under the Milosevic rule in the 1990s.

She thanked the media outlets operating in the US for their important role in providing information and reporting the news. For the leading role in providing quality journalism, the Head of the Consulate acknowledged the Albanian Language Service at the Voice of America. Speaking on behalf of the service, Laura Konda, a senior journalist, said that VOA will continue to stay focused on the developments in Kosova. The next honoree was Halil Mula, the dedicated Chief Correspondent of Kosova’s RTV 21 since its beginnings. Since Kosova is not a member of the UN, the Consul General acknowledged Halil Mula as the unofficial liaison thanks to his accreditation at the International Organization. The next recipient was Beqir Sina, a well-recognized reporter and contributor with numerous print and online media platforms, ‘who is known for covering the stories with great efficiency’. In his accepting remarks, Beqir Sina noted that the timing of the event coincided rightfully with Kosova’s historic Assembly session concerning the transformation of the Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) into the country’s first military army. The name of TV Director Adem Belliu is synonymous with Televizioni Kultura Shqiptare, established as early as 1997. The station continuous to be a part of the community’s life. Adem Belliu thanked the diplomatic representative and praised the work of the Consulate that is setting an example for the diplomatic corps. The next honoree was the Editor in Chief of Dielli, Dalip Greca. “His role goes beyond the scope of the newspaper” said the General Counselor since he is regarded “as an historian and guardian of tradition”. In his remarks, Dalip Greca acknowledged the work of Dielli’s predecessors and reminded the audience that the oldest newspaper established in 1909 will be commemorating its 110 anniversary in the coming year.

With regards to the area of education, Ambassador Sahatqija provided a brief overview of the restrictions imposed by the Milosevic regime aiming to disrupt education and schooling in Kosova. The outcome was the development of a parallel system of education that went on for years. A decade after Kosova’s proclaiming its independence, the attention on education is ‘a priority’ for the future of the young country. Therefore, Ed Hammel of the Hartsdale Group was recognized for his role with the Kosovo American Education Fund (KAEF) that provides graduate fellowships to students for top level training at select universities in the US. Also Richard Lukaj was credited for his role in setting up the American University Kosova in Prishtina (AUK) that facilitates the integration of its graduates based on the American standards of education.

The third group of recipients were representatives of the organizations that aim to empower women and advocate on their behalf. The President of AAWO Motrat Qiriazi, Beti Beno and the Founder of the Organization Hope and Peace, Mimoza Dajci were recognized for their promotion of women’s activism. The last award of the evening went to APEN, the Albanian Professionals and Entrepreneurs Network. Speaking on behalf of the young Albanian professionals in the US, Leonard Gega said that APEN provides a solid foundation for building personal and professional goals and moving forward as a community.

Ambassador Teuta Sahatqija thanked the hard-working staff of Kosova’s General Consulate and they all joined the event’s honorees in group pictures. The evening continued with the second part of the music program. The contributions of the community members acknowledged by the Consulate serve as a reminder of the current progress and a call to rise up to the challenges ahead.

Kryeparlamentari i Kosovës Kadri Veseli në selinë e Vatrës

December 9, 2018 by dgreca

Kryeparlamentari Veseli: Në Vatrën Shqiptare gjeta të gjallë shpirtin e atdhedashurisë për vendin dhe Kombin; gjeta të ndezur idealin e atyre burrave që themeluan Vatrën dhe i paraprinë shpalljes së Pavarësisë së Shqipërisë, gjeta përpjekjet shekullore të Vatrës për ti shërbyer Kombit, gjeta të ndezur shpirtin Kombëtar për forcimin e demokratizimin e Shtetit të pavarur të Kosovës, ku kontributi i shqiptarëve të Amerikës, mbetet gurë-themeli.

Nga Rafaela Prifti & Dalip Greca*/

Të Shtunën me 8 Dhjetor, Kryetari i Parlamentit të Kosovës ishte mysafir në Vatër. Ai shoqërohej nga ambasadorja e Republikës së Kosovës në Washington Vlora Citaku dhe Konsullja e Përgjithshme e Kosovës në Nju Jork, Teuta Sahatcija.

Kryetari i Vatrës z. Dritan Mishto i uroi mirëseardhjen në Vatër z. Veseli dhe diplomateve të Kosovës, duke e vlerësuar vizitën e kryeparlamentarit si historike, pasi është e para herë që një lider i këtyre përmasave i Kosovës në pushtet viziton Vatrën. Kryetari i Vatrës ka prezantuar qëndrimet e Vatrës rreth cështjeve aktuale që po kalon Kosova dhe Shqipëria, duke prazantuar mospajtimet me votën kundër SHBA-ve, të shtetit shqiptar. Për Kryetarin e Vatrës, miqësia ndaj SHBA-ve, është detyrim moral i Kombit shqiptar.

Kryetari i Parlamentit të Kosovës falenderoi për pritjen e ngrohtë dhe vlerësoi se Federata Panshqiptare e Amerikës Vatrës, sot është vazhduese e punës historike të Vatrës për më shumë se një shekull.

Duke iu referuar zhvillimeve në Kosovë dhe marrdhënieve me SHBA, Veseli tha se pavarësisht sfidave demokratike edhe ekonomike të shtetit të ri,Republika e Kosovës ka vetëm një orientim, atë perëndimor, përkatësisht evropian dhe amerikan. Një nga synimet e zhvillimeve demokratike është mbajtja në Kosovë e kapaciteteve intelektuale dhe vecanërisht rinisë së Kosovës. Për sa i takon arritjeve, Republika e Kosovës është në nivel të ngjashëm ekonomik e jetësor me Ballkanin Perëndimor, por larg standarteve të vendeve të përparuara evropiane.

Shkuarja drejt tyre është synimi i reformave ligjore dhe ekonomike, ndërsa synimi politik është anëtarësimi në OKB me gjithë pengesat e vazhdushme që po vendos në këtë rrugë Serbia. Ai tha se Kosova është e vendosur në rrugëtimin e saj, nuk ka hapa pas, vetëm përpara, ndërsa për Kufijtë e Kosovës, nuk do të lejohet cënimi i tyre.

Kryeparlamentari i Kosovës Veseli informoi edhe për vizitën e tij në shtetin e Iowa-s. Ai tha se Partneriteti me shtetin Iowa, në fushën ushtarake dhe më tej do zgjerohet edhe në fushën bujqësore dhe akademike. Për dijeni, 25 donacione të pajisjeve nga ushtria amerikane do jenë në Kosovë në fund të muajit, pjesa më e madhe e tyre kanë mbërritur. Me 7 dhjetor z. Kadri Veseli vizitoi shtetin e Iwoa. Kryetari i Kuvendit të Kosovës, Kadri Veseli gjatë kësaj vizite është pritë edhe në Gardën Kombëtare të Iowa-s, ku ka parë nga afër mënyrën e organizimit dhe ka diskutuar me ta për mbështetjen që i është dhënë deri më tani Forcës se Sigurisë së Kosovës. Kryetari Veseli informoi se është pritur nga gjenerali Timothy Orr dhe drejtues të tjerë të Gardës se Iowa-s. Gjatë vizitës u konfirmua edhe një herë mbështetja për Forcën e Sigurisë së Kosovës edhe pas transformimit të saj në Ushtri të Kosovës. Kjo mbështetje do të vazhdojë të jepet në trajnime dhe edukim por edhe në aspekte të tjera që kanë të bëjnë me funksionimin e saj si ushtri. Kryetari Veseli rikonfirmoi se Ushtria e Kosovës do të jetë ushtri e paqes në Ballkan, por edhe në zona të tjera kudo qe do të kërkohet angazhimi i saj, në ruajtjen e paqes. Gjenerali Timothy Orr , ka ritheksuar edhe një herë përkrahjen për Kosovën, e në veçanti për Forcën e Sigurisë sa Kosovës.

Sipas Kryetari Veseli, kurrë shqiptarët nuk kanë qenë më mirë se tani, kurrë më të fortë se tani, por kërkohet më shumë organizim dhe bashkëpunim për të ecur përpara.

Duke iu referuar marrdhënieve me SHBA dhe lobimit në SHBA,ai konstatoi se disa nga miqtë tanë të vjetër amerikanë, që na dhanë mbështetje të fuqishme para dhe gjatë luftës, janë larguar nga skena politike, janë plakur apo kanë ndërruar jetë, prandja duhet lobim i fuqishëm për të bërë miq të rinj. Edhe klasa tradicionale e biznesmeneve shqiptare jane plakur dhe prandaj nevojitet riaktivizimi i lobit shqiptar.

Kryeparlamentari Veseli ishte në një mendje me Kryetarin e Vatrës për votimin e Perfaqesueses se Shqiperise ne OKB kunder votes se SHBA. Ky, tha ai, eshte tregues negativ në marrdhëniet me mirëbërsin e shqiptarve, shtetin amerikan. Politika e Republikes se Kosoves eshte nje me ate te SHBA, tah Veseli.

Në mbyllje të fjalës së tij, z. Veseli, iu drejtua Kryetari të Vatrës duke thënë se duhet të jesh krenar për paraardhësit e Vatrës si edhe misionin e saj historik.

Më pas janë bërë pjesë e debatit me pyetje përgjigje disa nga pjesmarërrsit në takim. Pasi i uroi mirëseardhjen z. Asllan Bushati pyeti nëse: Kosova ka plan për të shpëtuar nga zgjedha e Kushtetutës së Kosovës të hartuar nga Ahtisari? Dhe a mendonte Kryeparlamentari se kishte zgjidhje tjetër për taksën e Rrugës së Kombit, e cila më së shumti rëndon mi qytetarët e Kosovës?

Përgjigja e Kryeparlamentarit: Kushtetuta e Ahtisarit e ka kryer funksionin e saj dhe nuk mund të mbajë peng ecjen përpara. Barrierat duhen zvogëluar për të komunikuar më mirë. Rruga e Kombit kërkon mirëmbajtje financiare por vendosja e taksave e vështirëson lehtësinë e komunikacionit të hapur e të lirë.

Anëtari i kryesisë së Vatrës z. Marjan Cubi tha se Demokratë e Republikanë në SHBA pajtohen për Kosovën dhe kjo është pozitive. Me rëndësi është përkrahja për ushtrinë e Kosovës. Shtetet shqiptare duhet që të punojnë më shumë për mbështetjen e Presidentit Trump.

Lekë Përlleshi :-Përkrahja ushtarake për ushtrinë e Kovovës, mendoj se është goditje për Serbinë

Kam mendimin se vendosja 100 per qind taksës për Serbinë është pozitive dhe në kohën e duhur.

-Kam mendimin se punëtorët e arsimit nuk janë kompensuar për punën gjatë që kryen në kohën e okupimit serb, ku u ngrit sistemi paralel i arsimit. A keni ndonjë plan kompensimi?

Përgjigje: Kërkesat për reparacione nuk mund të përmbushen nga shteti i ri i Kosovës,Përvec arsimtarëve, janë policët e minatorët etj

Veprimtari i njohur nga Komuniteti Esad Gjonbalaj, një nga themeluesit e Shoqatës se Plave- Guci në SHBA kërkoi nga kryetari i parlamentit që Jakup Ferri të shpallet hero kombëtar nga shteti i Kosovës.

Gjonbalaj tha: Jakup Ferri është një figurë kombëtare që theu vendimet e kongresit të Berlinit, është një figurë kombëtare që mundi ushtarakisht Malin e Zi dy herë në vij të frontit, është një komandant i shquar i Lidhjes së Prizrenit, që vrau Magjar Pashën në Gjakovë. Stambolli e kishte dërguar atë për të nënshtruar Plavë Gucinë për Malin e Zi. Komandanti që me 4000 ushtarë mundi ushtrinë malazeze me 12000 ushtarë.Mendoj se nuk ka asnjë arsye pse nuk është i shpallur hero kombëtar, komentoi Gjonbalaj.

Kryeparlamentari Veseli deklaroi në Vatër se shumë shpejt kjo kërkesë do të shqyrtohet dhe garantoi se brenda dy muajve Jakup Ferri do të shpallet hero kombëtar nga shteti i Kosovës.
Nga atmosfera e krijuar aty në takim shpërtheu i madhi Gezim Nika duke kënduar një refren të këngës, për Jakup Ferrin, duke ndezur atmosferën e takimit.
Esad Gjonbalaj tha për Diellin se të njëjtën kërkesë do t’ia bëjë edhe shtetit të Shqipërisë. Do t’i drejtohem presidentit Meta sepse gjate kohës se diktuarës Jakup Ferrit i ishte mohuar ky titull, tha Gjonbalaj.

Editori i Diellit e njohu Kryeparlamentarin me historinë e Vatrës.

Kryeparlamentari shënoi në librin e vizitorëve: Në Vatrën Shqiptare gjeta të gjallë shpirtin e atdhedashurisë për vendin dhe Kombin; gjeta të ndezur idealin e atyre burrave që themeluan Vatrën dhe i paraprinë shpalljes së Pavarësisë së Shqipërisë, gjeta përpjekjet shekullore të Vatrës për ti shërbyer Kombit, gjeta të ndezur shpirtin Kombëtar për forcimin e demokratizimin e Shtetit të pavarur të Kosovës, ku kontributi i shqiptarëve të Amerikës, mbetet gurë-themeli. Por asgjë nuk përfundon këtu; Shqiptarët nuk do të ndalen në rrugëtimin e vet të lirë. Shqiptarët do të jenë gjithëmonë mirënjohës vendit të Lirisë dhe demokracisë, Shteteve të Bashkuara të Amerikës. Largohem nga Vatra plot emocione. Faleminderit!

Kryetari i Kuvendit të Republikës së Kosovës

-Kadri Veseli- Firma

Me fotografime me Kryeparlamentarin dhe me një fotografi të përbashkët është mbyllë takimi i Vatrës me Kryeparlamentarin Kadri Veseli.

*Per me shume fotografi shihni ne Facebook

INDEPENDENCE IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY

November 28, 2018 by dgreca

By Rafaela Prifti/

After the second drafting of the Constitution, as Benjamin Franklin was leaving Independence Hall, he was approached by a woman on the street who asked: “Mr. Franklin, what manner of government have you bequeathed us?” Franklin replied “A Republic, if you can keep it!”

The moral of the story is that the responsibilities of the country are in the hands of the citizens. The Albanian-American community has a good understanding of the civic duties because they live in the reality of ‘A Republic’ founded on the principles laid out by the forefathers. In line with the civic responsibilities towards this country and towards the homeland, a group of representatives from our diaspora in Michigan presented a proposal to the highest official authorities in Albania and Kosova to formally declare our National Hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu “The Father of Our Nation”. The Organizing Commission which included members of social and religious organizations as well as renowned historians and professionals circulated a petition around the country which was widely supported. Large numbers of Vatra members and activists were enthusiastic signatories of the petition. There was a perceived sense of answering a higher call and being an actively responsible citizen. Among numerous distinguished names and contributors of the Pan-Albanian Federation Vatra, the contact person and liaison for the Organizing Commission, Valentin Lumaj, reached out to contact my father, Naum Prifti, to sign the petition. As he was signing his name, my father said: Skenderbeu already is “THE FATHER OF THE NATION”. It is a respectable sentiment that we share in terms of our collective pride in our past heritage. Presently our civic duty and sense of historical obligation have called upon us. The Albanian-American community answered soundly and clearly in support of the Members of the Commission stating in its Press Release that the granting of the title to our National Hero will elevate the moral, intellectual and spiritual awareness all over the Albanian lands, in order to strengthen the national integrity, cohesion and unity, which stand as pillars of our identity as Albanians of Illyrian descent and a milestone for the emancipation towards our integration in the European family of nations and even beyond.

At the festivities of Independence Day hosted by Vatra and the community in November 2017, the address of Chairman Dritan Mishto called for naming it ‘Responsibility Day”. From November 2017 to November 2018, among various projects and programs, the initiative that started in Michigan and gathered collective support becomes a form of manifestation of a responsible citizenship.

As the author of the book “Your Turn”, Seth Godin explains: … “If you have the power to make rules, the rules are your responsibility. If you have the freedom to make choices, the choices are your responsibility.

And if you have the ability to change the culture, to connect with others, then what you do with that is your responsibility as well. Doing nothing is a choice. The thing you didn’t say, the project you didn’t launch, the hand you didn’t lend…But whatever we do, if we have the independence to do it (or not) it’s our responsibility.”

In the course of 2018 the initiative to officially name Skenderbeu as the Father of the Nation is a prime example of celebrating independence responsibly and exercising responsible citizenship.

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Please read the Press Release for the Proposal in its entirety.

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PRESS RELEASE

Symposium Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu

Organizing Council – Michigan

The Organizing Council for the Symposium Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu composed of delegates of patriotic and intellectual associations and religious centers in Michigan at the completion of the meeting on 27 January puts forth a proposal to the highest state offices of the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Kosova to officially declare our National Hero Gjergj Kastrioti – Skenderbeu “The Father of the Albanian Nation.”

The initial idea for the proposal emerged during the last sessions of the Symposium and began to take shape during the discussion phase and in group debates with the support of a highly eligible team of historians from Albania who participated at the Symposium, driven by the conviction that the idea expresses the hopes and the free will of the majority of Albanians in their home countries and abroad. The members of the Commission are united in their position that Skenderbeu has been, still is and will continue to be the highest leading figure and personality of the nation. The principal hero of freedom and the independence of Albanians and a symbol of Albanian unification, the founder of a national consciousness of the Albanians and the pioneer of our flag which we honor to this day, a military commander on a worldwide scale, a distinguished politician and strategist, the source of inspiration for freedom and independence for Albanians throughout centuries particularly the Renaissance, as well as the inspiration of the struggle for freedom of many European people, a prized escutcheon that is firmly Albanian, who has received the highest acclaims and appreciation throughout history and to this day is immortalized in textbooks and literature, in monographs and works of art, as well as squares and street names all over Europe.

The Members of the Commission are in agreement that in the new socio-historical period, the official granting of the title to our National Hero will bring a new moral, intellectual and spiritual awareness all over the Albanian lands, to strengthen the national integrity, cohesion and unity, which stand as pillars of our identity as Albanians of Illyrian origins and an emancipating ‘vector’ and a respectable passport for the integration process in the European community and beyond.

The title will send a clear and commendable message to the European Community that the definite orientation of Albanians is Europe and Albanians as successors of Skenderbeu who fought the right fight to liberate not only the native lands but to also safeguard the early European civilization. Consequently, our identification with Skenderbeu’s bloodline will be an added value and emancipating factor for the European community.

The historical argument was prepared by the credited historian Prof. Dr. Jahja Drancolli, in steady consultations with Dr. Pëllumb Xhufi and continues contact with Prof. Dr. Romeo Gurakuqi and others, with the resound contribution of the members of this Commission and an incredible support of the highly-educated members and successful businessmen of the diaspora in the US and Canada; we have completed and delivered the document to respective state offices to ratify it. If it is finalized with success, we believe it represents a highest degree of honor, appreciation and citizenry, which Albanians are in great need off and deservingly accredited to the immortal figure of Skenderbeu on the 550^th anniversary of his death.

The members of the Commission call on the mass media, print and broadcast, social networks and the public opinion in general to come together to support this initiative of pure patriotic nature, without prejudice of regional, political or religious affiliation or influence, to take this document to every media means of communication, to every Albanian home and heart, in so doing rendering a sacred service to yourself and the identity of your predecessors, all of it bonded in an eternal and unbreakable connection with Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu.

On behalf of the Organizing Commission – Dom Ndue Gjergji, Chairman