WASHINGTON, May 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The National Albanian American Council (NAAC) issued the following statement.
The National Albanian American Council (NAAC) strongly condemns the planned attack on Fort Dix Army Base by a group of people who reportedly plotted to attack the base, and we congratulate the law enforcement authorities for their swift apprehension of the conspirators, thereby preventing a possible tragedy. While details are still being released, it was reported that these individuals, who plotted the attack on Fort Dix Army Base, included persons with "radical jihadist views" with national origins from Turkey, Jordan, and Macedonia.
"As Albanians, we have lost brethren in the World Trade Center in the 9/11 Tragedy and fought willingly beside US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq during the US-led war on terror, suffering significant casualties. We are particularly sensitive about the actions of these individuals, some of whom seem to originate from the Balkans, as others with unsavory political motives may attempt to ascribe these actions to Albanians but, as Albanians, we remain the most pro-American people in the world," NAAC Executive Director Avni Mustafaj said in an official statement. "As a people, Albanians have significant percentages of our population worshiping all of the major faiths of the world and have never suffered from religious strife among our people. In fact, we have been a role model in Europe and, even represented the only nation in Europe that saved 100 percent of its people of Jewish faith during World War II. Furthermore, we provided safe haven for all the Jews that fled the Holocaust to Albania. We aspire to have Albania join NATO in the coming year and are working with the US and other democratic Western nations to establish an independent Kosova which will be a global role model for religious and ethnic tolerance."
Mr. Mustafaj further stated that, "Fort Dix is a uniquely special place for Albanians for this is where refugees who fled ethnic cleansing from Kosova into Macedonian refugee camps were brought to the US. The refugees were registered and provided numerous services and assistance to begin their new life in America. We are all relieved that this tragedy was avoided and ask that those who sought to harm innocent American service men and women be brought to justice immediately."
American and Albanian relations mark the 85th Anniversary this year and the relations between our two nations have never been stronger. In fact, this coming June President George W. Bush will be making an historic visit to Albania in support of Albania’s bid to join NATO. Thousands of Albanian Americans have and continue to proudly serve in the US military, and soldiers from Albania serve side-by-side with US soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and in numerous other locations.
"We, as the people who gave the world their greatest symbol of peace, Mother Teresa, hope to continue her life’s work as a people and contribute to eliminating religious hatred from the world and promoting peaceful coexistence among all people," added Mr. Mustafaj.
The National Albanian American Council is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advocating for Albanians and promoting peace and economic development in the Balkans by fostering democratic policy, promoting respect for human rights, and conducting educational and developmental programs. For more information on the National Albanian American Council visit us on the web at http://www.naac.org .
