For immediate release Contact: Joseph J DioGuardi
President
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THE ALBANIAN AMERICAN CIVIC LEAGUE ENDORESES THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF KOSOVA, LED BY HASHIM THACI
NEW YORK, Thursday, April 15, 1999 – The Albanian American Civic League announces today that it recognizes and endorses the provisional Government of Kosova, led by Hashim Thaci, until such time as Albanians can democratic elections in a free, peaceful, unoccupied Kosova.
The Civic League was the first Albanian American organization to announce publicly its support for the Kosova Liberation Army, which has sworn its allegiance to the recently established Thaci Government. Former Congressman, Joseph DioGuardi, President of the Albanian American Civic League and the Executive committee of the Civic League’s board of directors have concluded that Albanian unity behind the KLA and the Thaci Government is essential to stopping Slobodan Milosevic’s genocidal war against the Albanians of Kosova.
Shirley Cloyes, Balkan Affairs Adviser to the Albanian American Civic League, stated today that “with 700.000 Albanian civilians trapped by Serbian Forces and without food and water in Kosova, Albanian Americans must unite behind the KLA and the Thaci Government, and then demand action from the International Community to prevent mass starvation.” She added that the Civic League is supporting the congressional resolution sponsored by Congressman James Traficant (D-OH), “The Kosovar Independence and Justice Act of 1999″ which calls for the arming of the Kosova Liberation Army, and the indictment of Slobodan Milosevic as a war criminal, as the only way to end the crisis in the Balkans.