Former American Senator Joseph Lieberman dies, supporter of KLA and Kosovo independence

He died at 82-year-old ex-American Senator Joseph Lieberman.

In 2000 he was the vice president of the United States of America of the Democratic Party. It was the first time a Jew-American rose to such a high level of American politics.

As Senator from the state of Connecticut, Lieberman made many friends in the Albanian-American community, especially because of his stances in supporting Kosovo.

In 1999, when they saw that NATO bombings were not producing the right result, together with Republican John McCain publicly called for the Kosovo Liberation Army's arm to operate NATO from the ground.

By contrast, they argued that NATO should take into account land intervention in Serbia on its own. Lieberman and McCain presented a resolution in the American Senate that set aside a budget of $25m to arm and transform The KLA to free Kosovo itself from land, with NATO air support.

Kosovo Liberation Army stands for the same human principles and values, and fight for The KLA is to fight for human rights for American rights”, he declared at the time.

Lieberman was first elected in the American Senate in 1988 and then re-elected twice as Democrat in 1994 and 2000.

However, he was never left enough for the Democratic Party. In the preliminary elections in 2006, the Democrats preferred businessman Ned Lamont to run to the American Senate. In a tight race that closed with Lampnt 52% Lieberman 48%.

But Lieberman had no intention of giving up his post in the Senate. He resumed in November as an independent. Many Albanians, Democrats and Republicans remained faithful, campaigned, raised funds, and voted for it.

They were not alone. Many Democrats and Republicans decided to vote for it instead of their party candidates. In fact, a third of the state Democrats and two-thirds of the republics voted for him.

In the end, Lieberman was re-elected by 50% of the vote, Democrat Ned Lamont received 40%, while Republican Alan Schlestinger.

Although Independent, Lieberman often voted with Democrats during his last term in the Senate.

In 2008, Lieberman backed his old friend Republican candidate for president, Senator John McCain. He was often told at the time that McCain would choose him as the candidate for the Vice President to create a double that would unite the republic and Democrats from all over America. Finally, McCain chose the governor of Alaska, Sarah Paul.

Lieberman was especially known for his support against Israel and favoured an engaged American who plays a leading role in international affairs.

His death was sudden and resulted from injuries suffered from an accidental crash.

Many Albanians will remember the support they gave Kosovo, which it visited even after the war, when independence had not been declared and called for its secession from Serbia to be supported.

“The country must move towards the status deserved as an independent country”, he said during that visit.