The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani has announced that on July 16th, a few days after the world, and in particular us in Kosovo, marked the World Refugee Day, was contacted by the US Ambassador to Kosovo Philip Kosnett, who conveyed a request from President Biden and Secretary of State, Blinken.
The head of state further added that the request had to do with the temporary sheltering of Afghanis, innocent civilians, who were now targeted by the Taliban just because they had sided with our allies, on the side of peace and democracy, on the side of equality and justice.
Following is President Osmani's post in its entirety:
On July 16th, a few days after the world, and in particular us in Kosovo, marked the World Refugee Day, I was contacted by the US Ambassador to Kosovo Philip Kosnett, who conveyed a request from President Biden and Secretary of State, Blinken. The request had to do with the temporary sheltering of Afghanis, innocent civilians, who were now targeted by the Taliban just because they had sided with our allies, on the side of peace and democracy, on the side of equality and justice. They were local workers who had worked alongside U.S. forces, as well as their families, including children.
Without a moment of hesitation or conditioning, I gave my consent to such a humanitarian operation, starting initially from the human principle that the doors are not closed to those who through no fault of their own are forced to leave their homes in order to escape persecution and to save their lives; second, because as a worthy member of the community of free states, Kosovo respects international law and its obligation not to close the door to refugees; and third, because we must stand by our friends, especially the United States, as they stood by us in good times and bad times.
Afghan citizens will have undergone a complete security assessment by the United States, and as they will only stay reside temporarily in Kosovo until their immigration visa documentation to the US is sorted, where they will then be placed. The Government of Kosovo, immediately after the request, discussed it and institutionally agreed to it and formed a working group tasked to deal with organizational issues together with our American partners. It was a request of the United States of America that this issue remains confidential for reasons of security and evacuation process of the Afghan citizens from Afghanistan. We have complied with this request, but we have continued with the task.
Dear citizens,
No one knows better than us what it means to be expelled and forcibly removed from the place where you grew up, to be separated from your loved ones, to be forced to flee to save your life. At the time, many countries around the world opened their doors to us without any requirement or condition. They saved us. 22 years after that horror, now Kosovo will prove that we never lose the humanity inside every one of us.
Our wise people say, “The house belongs to God and to the Friend.” With this welcome, we must await our friends and save lives, just as the democratic world saved us in times of our dire need.
Kosovo will always be on the side of humanity, peace and democracy.