MANHATANN (New York)
Representatives of the National Albanian American Council (NAAC) and members of the Albanian American community met recently with Musa Xhaferi, Deputy Prime Minister of Macedonia, to discuss developments in the tiny republic, most particularly the progress that has been made in implementing the Oher Peace Agreement and challenges remaining ahead in the Albanian population’s quest for greater civil liberties.
Mr. Xhaferi, who has spent roughly 20 years studying and living abroad, hails from Ali Ahmeti’s Democratic Union for Integration which is largely made up by members of the now disbanded National Liberation Army (NLA). Speaking of a new era for the Albanians in Macedonia, he emphasized that finally the Albanians population there will no longer allow to be treated as second class citizens.
Mr. Xhaferi made time to address a significant crowd of Albanians that attended the meeting organized by NAAC on May 6, 2003 at the Manhattan-based Bruno’s Restaurant. Among the participants were members of the Dibra Association, including the newly elected president Muharrem Shehu, and members of the Dede Gjo’ Luli and Malesia Foundations, including Prelë Siniashtaj, former member of the Atlantic Brigade Nikollë Junçaj and John Dedvukaj. At the gathering Mr. Xhaferi stated that with the signing of the Oher Peace Agreement in August 2001 – which brought an end to the armed conflict between Albanian freedom fighters and the Macedonian military forces – Albanians are now working for their long-denied rights through political and democratic channels. He called on the Albanian Diaspora to maintain its active involvement, adding that the millions of the Albanians living abroad will undoubtly play a crucial role in determining the future of their keen in Macedonia and the country’s overall democratic development.
The Deputy Prime Minister echoed his party’s resolve to “take the processes all the way to the end”. Stating that in the past the Albanians in Macedonia were subjected to grave injustices, which according to him became a catalyst in bringing about the military struggle, Mr. Xhaferi stressed that positive change has been very slow. However, he added that the Oher Peace Accord, the involvement of the international community, and the reality in Macedonia “dictate us to use all the institutional means to achieve the progress that is necessary for Macedonia to integrate in the European family”.
NAAC Executive Director Martin Vulaj pointed out the importance of focusing on the achievements or the lack of since the signing of the Peace Agreement. Referring to the fact that several arrests have been carried out against former members of the NLA despite the Macedonian Parliament’s approval of the Amnesty Law, which guarantees former NLA fighters immunity from prosecution, Mr. Vulaj called on the Macedonian government to fully carry out this important piece of legislature.
“Countries that do not respect their laws have no future,” said Mr. Vulaj, adding that Macedonia’s future as a state depends largely on the implementation of the Oher Agreement and in the equipment of the Albanian population with the civil liberties guaranteed by international conventions.
Mr. Vulaj also stated that in addition to playing a critical role in the Balkans by promoting democracy, developing future leaders, and providing humanitarian assistance, NAAC has been working actively in Washington, D.C. to assure the complete implementation of the Oher Accord and the release of the Albanians that are being held illegally in Macedonian prisons.
Deputy Prime Minister Xhaferi recognized that “getting things done in paper is not the same as implementing them”. According to him, Macedonia has resorted to political games that make the country look good in front of the international community while in fact it has yet to implement the internationally-brokered agreement and provide greater rights to the significant Albanian population.
The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that serious challenges remain ahead of the Albanians living in Macedonia, but at the same time stated that change takes time. Mr. Xhaferi pledged to keep working for a better future for the Albanian population in his country, while calling on the international community to stay involved and assure the full and rapid implementation of the Oher Agreement.
Responding to an inquiry by Shpend Ambari, an Albanian from Dibra, on the changes that the University of Tetova has undergone within the framework of the Peace Accord, Mr. Xhaferi pointed out that that the educational institution in questions is a priority for the political group he represents in Macedonia’s government. “We have raised the issue of the University of Tetova not only as a political party, but also as part of the ruling coalition… We have informed our governmental partners that the university should be recognized and have made our intentions clear that we will insist on realizing this important goal,” Mr. Xhaferi stated.
He added that, “There have been no political objections so far and soon we will approve a law on higher education which will allow the usage of the Albanian language in the institutions of higher learning. This law will also legally pave the way for the official recognition of the University of Tetova”.
The Deputy Prime Minister added that the Albanian experts of education should meanwhile do their part in meeting all the academic requirements set forth by the university system in Western Europe and prepare all necessary documentation that is needed to put a concrete proposal in front of the government and ask the latter to legally recognize the University of Tetova.
Mr. Xhaferi also underlined the pivotal role that a strong educational system can play in preparing the Albanian population in Macedonia to “overcome all challenges” and vowed to work toward meeting that goal.
In his first official visit to the United States he is accompanied by Fatmir Besimi, general director of the Shkup and Oher Airports and personal assistant Enver Ipçja. During the visit, Mr. Xhaferi met with 27 ambassadors at the United Nations, including ambassadors from permanent members of the Security Council, officials of the U.S. Department of State, White House officials, and with members of the U.S. Congress.
Before heading back to Macedonia, Mr. Xhaferi and Mr. Vulaj will be holding several meetings and public forums in Chicago, which is home to a large community of Albanians from Macedonia.