– An important event organized by the Albanian American Civic League –
From the moment Senator Booker arrived until the end, there prevailed a warm atmosphere and an open conversation. The entire meeting was dedicated to advancing Albanian and American interests in the Balkans.
The presentation by the leaders of the Civic League—the legendary figures of lobbying in America, Joe DioGuardi and Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi—and others, was at the highest level, marked by sincerity and professionalism.
Kosova was liberated from the claws of the Serbian beast thanks to the centuries-long resistance of the Albanian people, which culminated in the war of the Kosovo Liberation Army, supported from the air by NATO’s bombings led by America.
America helped create the state of Kosova, just as it helped create the state of Albania more than a century ago.
On the other side stands hegemonic Serbia, created by Russia, whose chauvinistic government continues its efforts to destroy Kosova and subjugate the Albanian nation. Unchanged since the time of Milosevic, it continues to act aggressively against neighboring states, destabilizing the Balkans and causing problems for Europe and the democratic world.
Senator Cory Booker, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the Subcommittee on Europe, is committed to peace, justice, and the protection of human rights around the world. In his remarks, he highly praised the close relationship between the two friendly peoples, the Americans and the Albanians.
We know the suffering of the Albanian people under Serbian occupation, the terrible crimes and the attempt at genocide with the aim of exterminating the Albanian people. We are also well aware of the Serbian government’s aggressive actions to undermine Kosova’s achievements, as well as the destructive activities of the current autocratic Serbian government, its ties and cooperation with Russia and other states hostile to America.
The Republic of Kosova is a peaceful, democratic state, with a people of deep tradition and a permanent friendship with America. America has invested greatly in Kosova and will continue to support it in the development and strengthening of its statehood.
I will use all the opportunities available to me, in my position on the Senate Committees and everywhere possible, to contribute to advancing America’s relations with Kosova in all fields, in the interest of peace and stability in the Balkans and Europe. Recognition of Kosova’s independence by all European states and by Serbia, and its integration into the democratic world, have no alternative.
The importance of this meeting was greatly enhanced by the participation of the delegation from the Presheva Valley, including the Member of the Serbian Parliament Shaip Kamberi, and patriotic activists Ragmi Mustafa and Ragmi Mustafi. The cooperation of the AACL with the leaders of Eastern Kosova has been at a very high level for the past three decades.
In his speech, MP Kamberi emphasized the continuous institutional discrimination by Serbia—the deactivation of addresses, denial of basic rights to Albanians—through the so-called “Serbian World” project, which poses a direct threat to peace and stability in the region. The role of the United States remains decisive in maintaining peace and supporting the new democracies in the Balkans.
After my brief remarks, I handed Senator Booker the full written version of my speech and the pocket-sized book by authors Nusret Pllana and Agim Aliçkaj, “Mos harro kurrë” (Never Forget), which summarizes documented information about the Serbian genocide against Albanians, carried out in five phases from 1884 to 1999.
This meeting represents a valuable activity within the historic mission of the Albanian American Civic League in defense of the interests of Kosova and the entire Albanian nation.
Agim Aliçkaj
Executive Director of the Albanian American Civic League
