Building a nation is in many ways similar to building a good house. One of the most important elements for both is the foundation on which they rest. The strength of the foundation will play a big part in the longevity and utility of the entire structure.
The independence of Kosova will be the result of many things, including the democratic aspirations of the Albanian people and the great sacrifice of blood, sweat, and tears made by the Albanian people since Kosova was separated from Albania, western Macedonia, southeast Montenegro, and Presheva, and especially since Milosevic came to power in Serbia. But one main ingredient in the foundation of work leading to the independence of Kosova is the work of the Albanian American Civic League, its members, former Congressman Joe DioGuardi and Balkan Affairs Adviser Shirley Cloyes in Washington from 1985 to the present.
The work of the Albanian American Civic League for Kosova and the Albanian national cause since 1989 is well documented on this web site (please see the AACL ten-year history). But what is not so well known are the many Congressional Resolutions, statements, letters, and hearings that were sponsored and promoted by Congressman Joe DioGuardi from 1985 to 1988 to publicize the terrible plight of the Albanian people of Kosova and to expose the terror imposed on them by Slobodan Milosevic. Below is the first installment of this important part of the foundation on which the independent State of Kosova is being built today.