The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, delivered a speech at the solemn session in honour of the US Congressman, Eliot Engel.
On this occasion, Acting President Haxhiu said that today, at this solemn session, we remember and honour a man who left an indelible mark on the history of Kosovo, further adding that today, we honour and remember the loyal friend, but also the righteous US legislator, who, during the most difficult days of our recent history, together with many other US congressmen and senators, raised his voice powerfully against the violation of our rights, repression and persecution by the Serbian-Yugoslav regime.
“For 32 years, 16 consecutive terms, he served with honesty and determination at the US Congress. He chaired the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives. Throughout his entire political career, he never ceased seeking justice for the people of Kosovo, thus demonstrating the high human virtues of a rare politician and a great man,” emphasized Acting President Haxhiu.
She further said that during the dark years, when the Albanians of Kosovo were suffering under the Milosevic regime and the world was still hesitant to act, Eliot Engel raised his voice.
“Between Kosovo and the United States lie oceans and thousands of kilometres. On the map we are far apart, in size and power we are incomparable, but in the life of oppressed nations, the greatest distance is being far from attention and decision-making. Small countries often have to knock long on the doors of the world to be heard. In many cases those doors remain closed until it is too late. Our region knows this waiting well, but when you have friends like Congressman Eliot Engel, opening such doors is possible and is historic,” said Acting President Haxhiu.
In her address at the Kosovo Assembly, Acting President Haxhiu said that on June 11, 1996, the Democrat Congressman managed to secure the support of both Democrats and Republicans on the issue of Kosovo.
Acting President Haxhiu said that they sent President Bill Clinton a letter, which, among other things, stated: “We believe that the time has come for the situation in Kosovo to be given the attention it deserves. This means that the United States must pay the highest level of attention to Kosovo now, so that the situation there does not deteriorate further.”
She further added that a few weeks later, on July 26, 1996, the US House of Representatives discussed Resolution 155 on Kosovo, a text that Engel himself had drafted and which condemned the repression in Kosovo, demanded the restoration of the civil and political rights of our people, and brought Kosovo back to Washington’s attention.
“In relation to the Kosovo issue, Engel understood that just causes require unity and the agreement of both Republicans and Democrats. Therefore, he successfully managed to secure broad support in Congress. Two years after the resolution, on March 17, 1998, Engel spoke about the escalation of violence in Kosovo in the US Congress and demanded that the repression by the genocidal regime of Serbia against the Albanians of Kosovo should not be tolerated in any way. He put Kosovo on the agenda in Washington” said Acting President Haxhiu.
She further added that in those difficult years, Kosovo did not benefit from late reactions, but from people who spoke in time and where their words mattered, and according to Acting President Haxhiu, Engel was one of those people.
“During his visit to Kosovo, in September 1999, he clearly expressed his desire for our people to live free and independent. When we declared independence on February 17, 2008, he was among the most determined supporters of international recognition. But what made him special was not only that historic moment, but the fact that he did not leave after it. He knew and said it openly, that independence is not the end of a road, but the beginning of a difficult task. Thus, he continued to stand by Kosovo, supporting the strengthening of democratic institutions, the development of our security forces and the deepening of the strategic partnership with the United States of America. Even in periods when our path was difficult and the challenges were very great, his voice remained unchanged”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu.
According to her, this was not an ordinary diplomatic engagement, it was loyalty to a heartfelt friendship.
“Eliot Engel did not love Kosovo from afar, with soft statements and ceremonial visits, he defended it with arguments, with votes, with presence and with unwavering faith in the justice of our cause. He was aware of the price of such positions and yet he stood by them,” said Acting President Haxhiu.
She further added that today, when we remember him, we do not only remember Congressman Engel, we remember first and foremost the man who chose to be on the side of justice during very difficult times for our people, but also for our country.
“Engel’s legacy will not remain solely in the archives of our history. It lives on in the strong and strategic friendship between Kosovo and the United States of America, a friendship that he cultivated with patience and conviction. He lives first and foremost in the memory of our citizens, who know that their freedom has had true defenders beyond our borders,” emphasized the Acting President.
She further added that his life ended where it was shaped, in the Bronx, surrounded by his family and loved ones. But, according to the Acting President, his influence will be felt long in the heart of every Albanian and will always be remembered with deep respect and dignity, as a man who stood by Kosovo when it needed him most.
Acting President Haxhiu said that Eliot Engel loved Kosovo, and as such, Kosovo will never forget him.
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