Welcome to the website of the Albanian American Civic League. The Civic League was founded by former Congressman Joe DioGuardi and a board of Albanian Americans in 1989 as the only registered, volunteer grassroots lobby in Washington, DC, representing the concerns of Albanian Americans about the national cause of seven million Albanians living side by side in Albania, Kosova, Macedonia, Montenegro, Presheve, Medvegje, Bujanoc, and Chameria. The Civic League is registered to lobby the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. government, and it files semi-annual reports with the Secretary of the U.S. Senate and the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives.
For highlights of our twenty-year history click here. To view photos click here.
To visit the website of Albanian Students International click here.
To view Civic League’s proposal for a flag for the independent state of Kosova, please click here for the English version and here for the Albanian. Kliko këtu për shqip.
2007
“Albanians and Jews: An Historic Milestone in Israel” by Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi. This article includes a timeline about the activities of the Albanian American Civic League and Foundation on behalf of Albanian-Jewish relations since 1990. December 2007. Please click here for the English version and here for the Albanian.
New York Times Editorial Letter. Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi publishes a letter in the New York Times on July 17 about the resolution of Kosova’s final status. July 2007. Click here for the English version and here for the Albanian.
“Countdown for Kosova: What’s at Stake at Kennebunkport.” The contents of this article reflect the position of the Albanian American Civic League about the resolution of Kosova’s final status, before, during, and after the inconclusive Bush-Putin summit on July 2. July 2007. Please click here for the English version and here for the Albanian.
THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE FOR KOSOVA WAS PAVED BY THE ALBANIAN AMERICAN CIVIC LEAGUE THROUGH THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. The historic efforts of the Civic League for the past two decades in support of Kosova’s independence are captured here in text and photo. May 2007. Please click here for the English version and here for the Albanian. Kliko ketu per shqip.
“KOSOVA & THE ROAD TO PEACE IN THE BALKANS.” Congressman Tom Lantos, Joe DioGuardi, and Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi participated in a panel discussion at the National Committee on American Foreign Policy in New York City. April 23, 2007. Please click here for the English version of Cloyes’ introductory comments and here for the Albanian. Kliko ketu per shqip.
“THE TERRORS OF JUSTICE IN MONTENEGRO/FREE THE TUZI FOURTEEN.” Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi explains why fourteen Albanians, including three American citizens, who were tortured and jailed in Montenegro in September 2006, are still in prison. April 2007. Please click here for the English version and here for the Albanian. Kliko ketu per shqip.
THE AHTISAARI PLAN: CAVEAT EMPTOR. Shirley Cloyes’ critique of UN Envoy Martti Ahtisaari’s proposal for the resolution of Kosova’s final status. February 2007. Please click here for the English version and here for the Albanian. Kliko këtu për shqip.
“DOCUMENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF CHAM ALBANIANS IN EXILE ON GREEK PERSECUTION OF THE CHAMS”. Excellent English translation by Peter Prifti. This important document, which was originally published in Albanian by Professor Dr. Agron Fico in Diaspora e Rilindur, records the terrible fate of the Chams, from the Greek occupation of Chameria in 1913 to the massacre and expulsion of Cham Albanians by Greek fascists at the end of World War II. February 2007. Click here for the full text in English.
LANTOS AND ROS-LEHTINEN INTRODUCE RESOLUTION FOR KOSOVA’S INDEPENDENCE. Albanian American Civic League is pleased to announce that Congressman Tom Lantos, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the Committee’s Ranking Republican, have introduced H.Res. 36 in support of the independence of Kosova. January 2007. Please click here for the English version of the resolution and our press release and here for the Albanian. Kliko këtu për shqip.
SENATOR JOSEPH BIDEN ON KOSOVA AND MONTENEGRO. Senator Joe Biden continues to make a significant contribution to the cause of lasting peace in Southeast Europe, as the attached documents demonstrate. The first is his January 3rd commentary in The Financial Times of London, entitled “Opponents of a new Kosovo must be stopped.” The second is the letter that he sent last November at the urging of the Civic League to Montenegrin Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic on behalf of the fourteen Albanians tortured and jailed in Montenegro. January 2007. Please click here for the English version and here for the Albanian. Kliko këtu për shqip.
2006
KOSOVA’S LAST CHANCE. Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi examines the international community’s plans for Kosova’s final status in 2007. December 2006. Please click here for the English version and here for the Albanian. Kliko këtu për shqip.
WHY KOSOVA CAN’T WAIT. This article outlines why delaying final status resolution and the independence of Kosova is destructive for Albanians, Serbs, and the international community. November 2006. Please click here for the English version and here for the Albanian. Kliko këtu për shqip.
AACL NEWS ADVISORY, together with the public statement issued on October 12 by the lawyers defending the fourteen Albanians tortured and jailed in Podgorica. October 2006. Please click here for the English version and here for the Albanian. Kliko këtu për shqip.
THE ALBANIAN AMERICAN CIVIC CONDEMNS THE ILLEGAL ARREST AND TORTURE OF 14 ALBANIANS, THREE OF THEM U.S. CITIZENS, IN MONTENEGRO. Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi. October 2006. Click here for English and here for Albanian. Kliko këtu për shqip.
AACL 6th ANNUAL BALKANS PEACE AWARD. In a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol, the Civic League presented Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and John McCain (R-AZ) its Balkans Peace Award. September 2006. Click here for the press release.
AACL WORKS WITH THE NEW BERISHA GOVERNMENT IN WASHINGTON. A report about the Civic League’s work with Albanian Deputy Foreign Minister Edith Harxhi. September 2006. Click here for the English version and here for the Albanian.
THE SERBIAN LOBBY ATTEMPTS TO HIJACK U.S. FOREIGN POLICY ON KOSOVA. Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi demonstrates the ways in which the Serbian lobby in Washington (including the Serbian Unity Congress and representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church) are attempting to derail Kosova’s independence. May 2006. Full text available in English and Albanian.
THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF ALBANIAN RIGHTS IN MONTENEGRO/AFTER THE REFERENDUM. Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi explains why the future of Albanians in Montenegro hinges on whether or not Albanian voices are heard after the referendum. May 2006. Full text available in English and Albanian.
BUILDING A STRONG BRIDGE BETWEEN THE JEWISH AND ALBANIAN PEOPLES. January 2006. Click here for the Albanian translation of “Jewish Survival in Albania and the Ethics of ‘Besa’”—the article that Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi published in the January/February issue of Congress Monthly, the magazine of the American Jewish Congress.
2005
VATRA SYMPOSIUMON ON SKENDERBEG. On the occasion of the 600th anniversary of the birth of Gjergj Kastrioti (Skenderbeg), Vatra held a symposium at Fordham University in The Bronx, New York. November 21, 2005. For Joe DioGuardi’s speech, click here for the English version and here for the Albanian. Kliko këtu për shqip.
CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION IN HONOR OF GJERGJ CASTRIOTI SCANDERBEG. H.Res. 522 was introduced at the Albanian American Civic League’s urging by Congressmen Dana Rohrabacher and Tom Lantos, in honor of the 600th anniversary of the birth of Gjergj Castrioti (Scanderbeg)—the Albanian statesman, diplomat, and military genius, who is a national hero to Albanians throughout the world and a major figure in fifteenth century Europe. October 28, 2005. Please click here for the English version and here for the Albanian. Kliko këtu për shqip.
THE CIVIC LEAGUE DEPLORES THE PASSAGE OF THE CAPITAL CITY BILL BY THE MONTENEGRIN PARLIAMENT/ALBANIANS AS WELL AS MONTENEGRINS ARE RESPONSIBLE. A report by Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi. October 2005. Click here for the English version and here for the Albanian.
DELEGATION WITH CONGRESSMAN DANA ROHRABACHER TO ALBANIA, MONTENEGRO, AND KOSOVA. Report by Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi. September 2005. Full text available in English and Albanian.
CONGRESSMAN LANTOS OPPOSES THE CAPITAL CITY BILL. Lantos writes to Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic to oppose the passage of the Capital City Bill and to call for genuine Albanian self-government in Tuzi-Malesia. August 2005. Click here for the report.
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN ALBANIA. A Report by the AACL delegation. July 2005. Full text available here.
VIDEOTAPE OF THE FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE ALBANIAN AMERICAN CIVIC LEAGUE AND FOUNDATION WITH LEADERS OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY. Sheraton Hotel, New York City. May 15, 2005. Speeches by Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi (AACL Balkan Affairs Adviser and AAF Executive Director), Congressman Tom Lantos, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Congressman Henry Hyde, former Congressman Ben Gilman, Kosova Minister Ardian Gjini, Rabbi Arthur Schneier, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, and Bishop Mark Sopi. Part 1. Part2.
HOUSE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE HEARING ON THE STATUS OF KOSOVA: On May 18, Congressmen Hyde and Lantos cochaired an historic hearing on Kosova’s current and future status. Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi, Kosova Bishop Mark Sopi and his colleague Fr. Lush Gjergji, and the Hon. Ardian Gjini, Kosova’s Minister of Environment, gave testimony. May 2005.
CLOYES TESTIMONY ON THE STATUS OF KOSOVA before the U.S. House of Representatives on May 18, along with a follow-up interview with Bota Sot editor Elida Bucpapaj. Please click here for the English version and here for the Albanian. Kliko këtu për shqip.
THE CIVIC LEAGUE RESPONDS TO THE INDICTMENT OF KOSOVA PRIME MINISTER RAMUSH HARADINAJ. March 10, 2005. Full text available in English and Albanian.
POLITICS AND RELIGION: THE PUBLIC RELATIONS CHALLENGE FOR ALL ALBANIANS. Joe DioGuardi. This article documents the effort of the Albanian American Foundation and Civic League, working with religious and political leaders from the United States and Southeast Europe, to educate the international community about Albanians as a religiously tolerant and pro-Western people. May 2005. Please click here for the English version and here for the Albanian. Kliko këtu për shqip.
RELIGION AND PROPAGANDA IN KOSOVA. Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi responds to Accuracy in Media’s attack on Kosovar Albanians as anti-Serb and anti-Christian. January 2005. Click here for the English version and here for the Albanian. Kliko ketu per shqip.
Joe DioGuardi, the founder of the Albanian American Civic League, and former Congressman. Please click on Joe DioGuardi’s name to view his biography.
Shirley Cloyes, Balkans Affair Adviser of the Albanian American Civic League. Please click on her name to view her biography.
National Geographic, “Albania: A People Undone”—This article, featured in the February 2000 issue of National Geographic, discusses the history and culture of the Albanian people in the Balkans and is accompanied by a beautiful photographic layout.
The Agony of Kosova—Joseph DioGuardi provides in this well-documented resource book a clear picture of the systematic repression and atrocities that Kosovar Albanians suffered in the early years (1989-1992) of Serbia’s decade-long occupation of Kosova, and makes the argument for Kosova’s independence as the only just and lasting solution to the Balkan conflict.
The Expulsion of the Albanians—a memorandum presented on March 7, 1937 (two years before the “final solution” was formulated in Nazi Germany) showing how the Serbian regime planned to brutally repress, expel, and exterminate the Albanians of Kosova.
Rescue in Albania by Harvey Sarner—written by a prominent Jewish American, this book tells how every Jew who was fortunate enough to make it to Albanian lands during WWII was saved from the Holocaust through the heroic deeds of the Albanian people. Albanian translation available here.