Albanians lobbiing in Washington before NATO intervention

He writes that the Albanian National Council was the most surprising organisation because of its composition, modern organisation, recognition and connections in Washington.

He did so today in marking two decades since NATO's intervention in Kosovo.

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Today, 20 years after the start of NATO military intervention in Kosovo, the Albanians of America have reason to take pride in their role in the fates of the nation.

Mars 1999 was the crowning of more than a decade of lobbying and educational work in the capital of the world's most powerful country. The Albanian National Council (NAAC), on the other hand, was the crowning of lessons and experiences derived from victories and losses suffered throughout this time.

In the weeks, months and years preceding NATO's intervention under the leadership of the United States, NAAC had emerged as the best and most professional mediator among the Albanian-American community's views and knowledge and American stances and policies for Kosovo and the Balkans.

When NAAC was established a spring afternoon in 1996 in New York, Kosovo had just been left out of the peace process in Dayton, and its independence seemed to be a sacrifice on the altar of great Balkan peace.

Writing a book on this organisation I've had the pleasure of following the growth and empowerment of along the evolution of American views on Kosovo in that critical year of our work in Washington.

NAAC was born of nothing. The council stood on high shoulders of organisations and examples to follow, from the Vetra of Noli and Konica, Kosovar Youth in the World, the Albanian Civic League, the LDK branch for the United States, the Friends of Albania and dozens of other organisations that worked over the years perfecting ways of influence and education on the American foreign policy machine.

However, the Albanian National Council was undoubtedly the most surprising organisation due to the composition, modern organisation, recognition and connections in Washington, understanding American politics and the necessary language of time, transparency and rotation of the team. After a little over two years at the top of NAAC, Prof.D. Sami Repisth had left the country for Ilir Zherka. An organisation primarily American in shape, organisation and action, but Albanian in heart and interests, NAC was the strength we needed at the right time and place.

That fateful day of March 23, 1999, had coincided with the day of Congress that NAAC hosted every year in Washington. After the morning meetings with a number of renowned conventioners at their offices, prominent Albanian-American activists had gathered for a joint lunch.

At one point, Aferdita Rakipi, the daughter of Albanian exiles from Macedonia, the 27-year-old Communication Director, who was the fighting spirit of the NAAC office in Washington, set up two things: First because of changes in the agenda, lunch would end 10 minutes earlier, and the second that NATO had begun shelling military objects in Yugoslavia.

The emotions were extraordinary. Albanian activists, many of whom had devoted their whole lives to the cause since there was no solution on the horizon, began to embrace with tears in their eyes.

On the first television screen, they stopped to watch the news from CNN. The effort had not been in vain.

More than a month ago, while talks in Rambouillet were stalled in the country, NAC leaders were part of a large group of Albanian-Americans traveling to be close to their countrymen representing Kosovo in the most difficult talks of the century.

Aferdita Rakipi had only traveled ahead of the group to establish ties and prepare working conditions. He had talked to diplomats and officials engaged in negotiations and reporters in charge of covering them.

Speaking to the newspaper “: The account” about those days, she points out how different the time was, because the new technologic revolution had not yet dawned. Today, you can deliver a message anywhere with a click. At the time, it was supposed to be present at meetings, you often had to have statements printed with you at all times.

When I arrived in Paris, I had to rent a cell phone that was still a rare thing to talk to America. The cell phone came with a suitcase because of the many components that had”, Aferdita relates. This is impressive, given that we can speak to each other today, simply using the watch we hold in our hand, or a cell phone so small that we can easily dip it into our pockets”.

One of the NAC leaders, Harry Bajraktari, shows that before leaving for France, they had had a close meeting with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Upon arriving in Rambouilles, they had met with Ambassador Chris Hill, who was the US official who followed closely the developments in the talks.

The group from NAC also traveled with conventioners Eliot Engel and Sue Kelly, one Democrat, the other Republican, both of whom were co-chairmen of Albanian Affairs at the American Congress.

Albanians were rightly afraid to sign the agreement. On the one hand, they risked being held hostage to a document that did not foresee independence from Kosovo. On the other hand, this was a rare case that could pave the way for NATO's military intervention for Kosovo's liberation.

Kosovo representatives who were divided at the time needed a testimony of confidence in Americans. This witness came in the strongest form through NAAC, the closest organisation to the American administration in history.

The NAC Albanians, in co-operation with Congresswoman Engel, were the strongest signal coming from the US that Kosovo's independence would not drown in Rambouille.

Following the departure of the group and congressers, two NAC leaders, Avni Mustafaj and Ekrem Bardha, stayed in Rambouillet for another two weeks.

Ekrem Bardha had engaged the prominent Albanian writer Ismail Kadare.

To influence the talks, Ekrem Bardha also hosted a dinner with the participation of writer, Ambassador Hill and Avni Mustafaj, who describes his autobiography, “Preservably and away from Albania”.

Every day, along with Ekrem White, we met at the Albanian Embassy in Paris with Ismail Kadare”, relates Avni Mustafaji, recalling the efforts of those days. “Finally, we also attended the official ceremony in which Kosovo representatives signed the Rambouillet Agreement in Paris”.

Congested calendar of NAAC event, in days before the start of war

Aferdita Rakipi, director of Communication of the Albanian National Council, lists the series of NAC activities in the days before the attack began. I am very grateful for this precious information on the history of our community.

Although at the time, the greater work of the Albanian community was done, the intensity and diversity of NAAC activities is an extraordinary window in the work the Council carried out in those years.

On March 3, 1999, NAAC meets at the White House with Jim Steinberg, President Bill Clinton's Deputy Adviser for National Security, Army General George Casey, US Special Envoy for the Balkans Jim Dobbins and other officials to discuss U.S. policy towards Kosovo, including scenarios for land troops and bombings.

March 4ʹ NAAC attends the conference organised by the US Institute for Peace.

March 7th NAAC hosts the Kosovo Crisis Conference in Chicago. The two main speeches are delivered by Professor Nicholas Pano and prominent analyst Janusz Bugajski. Over 500 Albanian-Americans from Chicago and suburbs attend conference developments.

“was an evening not only rich enough with the latest information on developments from Kosovo”, says Venus Rakipi, “was also a beautiful presentation of the work NAC was doing for the Chicago Albanian community”.

March 9, Ilir Zherka and Aferdita Rakipi attend the Republican National Convention Committee in Washington, DC. Turnout was important that support for Kosovo did not come only from the Clinton administration. At that dinner, one of the best friends of Albanians in Washington DC -- former Senator Robert Dole -- would be honoured.

March 10th Ilir Zherka witnessed at the American Congress in front of the House of Representatives Foreign Relations Committee as part of the second panel of experts.

The first panel consisted of major American foreign policy figures such as Henry Kissinger, Robert Dole and Gene Kirkpatrick.

March 13th, the most serious newspaper in the American capital, “, byington Post”, published an opinion by Ilir Zherka in response to an earlier article written by Henry Kissinger.

At the time, an article was published in the Serbian newspaper “Dnevnik” in which, The NAAC was accused of being an organization founded and funded by the US CIA.

The next period was filled with preparation for the Annual Day of Congress. The night before, on March 23rd, Ilir Zherka appeared on the popular television channel M SNBC to talk about possible US war entry into Kosovo.

A few hours later, the scenario was no longer speculation.

Every spring NAAC organized Congress Day. For everyone involved, it has been unforgettable events. Aferdita Rakipi says they started with the initiative of Ilir Zherka, who took advantage of his experience as congressional assistant, adviser to two members of the American Congress.

On March 24th, 1999, over 100 Albanian-Americans had arrived in Washington from various states in the country. Aferdita Rakipi communicated with the agenda and group division, as well as the list of conventioners and their advisers that each group and schedule would meet.

It was during lunch that day that Albanian-American activists would learn the attack had begun. A television screen at one of the restaurants would follow the latest news and then the day would follow with another breath.

In the evening, NAC had arranged a dinner at the Russell Building of the American Senate.

“We were very proud”, tells of the newspaper “lyria”, Ilir Zherka, then Executive Director of the Albanian National Council. “NAAC had been one of the leading supporters of American involvement. All day long, we had been visiting the Capitol Hill”.

At dinner dinner at the Russell Building of the American Senate, members of Congress were lined up to give support talks. There had never been so many American politicians interested in speaking at an Albanian event. It was one of the highlights of the history of the Albanian-American community.

Among those who spoke were U.S. Senators Mitch McConnel and Gordon Smith, Congressers Sam Gaydenson, Elliot Engel, Sue Kelly, James Moran. Joseph Croeley, Peter King and others. Jonathan Levitsky, Special Adviser of the Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, also gave a speech. Kosovo was at the heart of all speeches, though The NAC also spoke of problems facing Albanians in Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro. However, the war in Kosovo had left everything in the background.

“I trust you”

Just a few days later, after a powerful manifestation of Albanian-Americans in Washington DC, a group representative led by the NAAC was hosted at a special meeting at the White House by President Bill Clinton himself.

Albanians demanded that the war not be stopped until the end, even using ground troops or arming the Kosovo Liberation Army, and President Clinton promised he would accept nothing but victory. He asked for his help in sharing the truth with Americans.

For this, a press conference was organised on the lawn of the White House, where US presidents themselves often speak to the media.

Facing international media, Albanian-American leaders of the NAAC, mainly Ilir Zherka, Avni Mustafaj, Ekrem Bardha and Harry Bajraktari answered journalists' questions, spoke about talking with President Clinton about Kosovo, about the NATO war, etc.

There remains an extraordinary moment for our community, even today when you see it 20 years later.

On March 24th 1999, the history of Albanians in the Balkans began to change forever, in ways that until recently seemed impossible, the most powerful Alliance in human history, was coming to the defense of the Albanian people, his fair struggle for freedom.

This would not have been possible without the Albanians of America, but in the first place it would not have been possible without great and historical resistance, full of sacrifices to the heroic people of Kosovo. Fortunately at the top of the civilized world, it was a place that chose to act principledly at the right time. That's why we're forever grateful to America.

That day, extraordinary on March 24, 1999, as he ran to give an interview, Avni Mustafaj, president of NAAC was exchanged in one of the Capitol Hill corridors with the U.S. Senator Joe Biden.

I stopped to thank him for saving our people”, says Avni Mustafa, 20 years later. “Biden stopped and listened to me and said: Look here, young man. It's up to us to do what's right, but we don't want you to be like them then. I told him, Senator Biden, we're not that kind of people. He quickly departed, and from far away I heard him scream to me: I have faith in you!

20 years later, this story of Avni is one of the most impressive memories. History gave us a chance that many generations before us could not even dream of. What we have done with this opportunity is still at stake. The anniversary of this great event should make us think about it.