Rafaela Prifti – Page 50 – Dielli

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

VATRA’S QUEENS BRANCH PAYS TRIBUTE TO MITHAT FRASHERI

October 22, 2018 by dgreca

By Rafaela Prifti/

The announcement by the Queens branch of Vatra to commemorate Mithat Frasheri on October 3 at the Roger Smith was designed to honor the nationalist activist on the date and the likely place of his passing, namely October 3 at the Roger Smith Hotel on Lexington Avenue. As the participants started to walk in, Dielli spoke briefly with the Chairman of the local branch Dr. Myrtezani, who set off the affiliate with a meeting dedicated to Mithat Frasheri in 2013.

DIELLI : In the fifth commemorating event since its beginning, what new facts are coming to light at tonight’s presentation?

Dr. Myrtezani: There are publications that reveal information on meetings between Frashëri and Dick White, a British Intelligence Officer at the time, which indicate the coordinated efforts and competing interest of UK and US to organize the anti-communist forces in the early period of the cold war.

DIELLI: How do you define the purpose of the annual commemorative event ?
Dr. Myrtezani: Year after year we continue to increase our knowledge of the various dimensions of Mithat Frasheri’s life and work in diplomacy, politics, culture and much more. It is particularly relevant in our understanding of the question of the Albanian nationalism.

The event proceeded with a slide presentation by Dr. Myrtezani followed by historic and literary references provided by the Editor in Chief Dalip Greca. Chairman of the Pan-Albanian Federation Dritan Mishto congratulated the branch on continuing the initiative. He denounced the smearing campaign towards our national figures and called for endorsing to honor them for their contribution. Towards that end, he said that Vatra will be part of a remembrance ceremony coming up in mid November. The diaspora jointly with the official Albanian authorities will take part in the repatriation of Mithat Frashëri’s remains. Dr. Myrtezani concluded the evening by thanking the participants and inviting them to the next event of the local branch in November.

VATRA WILL MISS HER ROSE

October 1, 2018 by dgreca

VATRA WILL MISS HER ROSE/

By Rafaela Prifti/

On the last Thursday in September, Rose Karagjozi was laid to rest at the Pine Lawn Cemetery, next to her husband, the late chairman of Varta, Agim Karagjozi. She combined the best values of the Albanian traditions and the fine qualities of the American feminism while always adhering to her own convictions. At an early age, she and her family joined a number of anti-communist dissidents who fled Albania at the end of World War II. They were all forced to live temporarily in refugee camps in Europe. During this impressionable period in Rose’s young life, her parents and family members were close to prominent figures such as Mithat Frasheri and others who campaigned for the national Albanian movement.

In 1949, Rose and the Peshkopia family had crossed the Atlantic Ocean to live permanently as free citizens in the United States. Her earlier experiences of fleeing the tight grip of communism, and then gaining awareness of the national ideals had already shaped her political outlook. The introduction to American culture must have provided the opportune conditions for her to become the woman she was meant to be. In her public schooling as well as the community life, she embraced the qualities that best describe an era that brought the fight for human rights and civil liberties on the forefront of US political and cultural life. Although still a young adult at the time of her union with Agim Karagjozi, she was a determined and out-spoken woman.

Soon after the marriage, the young couple joined the ranks of Vatra as an unaffiliated and apolitical organization founded on the ideals of the Albanian patriotic spirit. Their partnership with Vatra was a lifetime commitment. When Agim Karagjozi began the duties of the Chairman, it was Rose who took on the responsibilities of a growing family and hosted the meetings of Vatra at their house in Floral Park. The Pan-Albanian Federation had moved from Boston to New York where there was no office space available for a number of years. During that time, my father Naum Prifti, who was Vatra’s Secretary for over a decade, recalls that Rose graciously welcomed the members of Vatra and fellow countrymen who visited with the Karagjozis and spoke passionately about her roots and childhood years in Gjirokaster. In his notes, he writes, “It was remarkable to see her extend the same hospitality to her husband’s partners and Vatra’s colleagues, as she did to the friends of their children and even grandchildren.”

Rose Karagjozi was more than a supportive wife, and a reliable partner of Vatra’s Chairman for close to two decades. She was a valuable contributing member of the Pan-Albanian Federation with which she had aligned her personal mission of ending the reign of communism, and with which she shared her husband, her family and her life.

Vatra was Rose’s second family and Vatra will forever miss her ROSE!