DATE=05/11/2002

TYPE=EDITORIAL

NUMBER=0-09877

TITLE=EDITORIAL: ALBANIANS, U.S. AGAINST TERROR

INTERNET=Yes

CONTENT=THIS EDITORIAL IS BEING RELEASED FOR USE BY ALL SERVICES.

Anncr: Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government:

Voice: The Albanian people and the American people are united in the war against terrorism. After the atrocious attacks of September 11th, the people of Albania and Kosovo were among the very first to affirm their solidarity with the United States. Albanian-Americans were killed along with citizens of many other nations in the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

On September 12th, Haxhi Dede Reshat Bardhim (PRON: Hajee DEdeh Reshat Barthim), world leader of two-million Albanian Bektashi Muslims, sent a message to President George W. Bush. Mr. Bardhim called America "the pride of this world," and declared, "May Allah be, as always, on the side of the American people and the American state!"

On October 12th, 2001, in the Kosovo capital of Pristina, Muslim Grand Mufti Rexhep Boja (PRON: Redjep Boya) prayed for the American dead at a commemorative meeting. He led the prayer service jointly with the Roman Catholic bishop of Kosovo, Monsignor Mark Sopi. Chief Imam of the Kosovo Islamic community, Burhan Hashani (ha-SHAN-ee), said, "The people of Kosovo will never forget America and its assistance."

In 1999, the U.S. intervened to alleviate the suffering of Albanians in Kosovo. The U.S. has also worked to assure recognition of Albanian rights in Macedonia. The U.S. has supported the prosecution of accused war criminal Slobodan Milosevic and his confederates.

The United States has, many times in history, helped the Albanian people. Fan Noli, one of the pioneers of Albanian independence, began his struggle in Boston, Massachusetts.

After the First World War, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson prevented the independent country of Albania from being partitioned by its neighbors. The United States provided shelter to Albanian religious and other dissidents during the long night of Communism. And the American way of life has furnished Albanian immigrants with countless opportunities for economic success, citizenship, and cultural development.

The majority of Albanians identify themselves as Muslims. But they have made clear their opposition to the violence of Islamic extremism. The Albanian government has investigated and arrested agents of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, who tried to use Albania as a base for their terrorist operations.

The American people and the U.S. government value the support received from Albanians in the global anti-terror struggle.

Anncr: That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government. If you have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A, Washington, D-C, 20237, U-S-A. You may also comment at www-dot-ibb-dot-gov-slash-editorials, or fax us at (202) 619-1043.