A new book on the atrocities of Serbian forces in Kosovo in 1844-1999 entitled "Never Forget!" and an updated version of the book "The Terror of Occupying Serbia Against Albanians" were donated to the Library of Congress. The researcher from Kosovo, Dr. Nusret Pllana and Albanian-American activist Agim Alickaj said their commitment to documenting these crimes is an attempt at justice.
Two more publications were added to the Kosovo Book Collection at the Library of Congress of the United States.
The researcher from Kosovo, Dr.
Nusret Pllana and Albanian-American activist Agim Alickaj donated to Washington a 45-page pocket-sized book entitled "Never Forget" and an updated version of the book "The Terror of Occupying Serbia Against Albanians."
The acts bring evidence of atrocities committed by Serbian forces against the Albanian population in the period 1844-1999.
The facts and pictures in the books that speak in detail about almost every massacre committed in Kosovo, are difficult to see.
"Only in the big book is argued the murder of more than 570 thousand Albanians",
says Mr. Pllana while adding that publications like these should be used to fight the harsh propaganda of Serbia against the state of Kosovo.
"They remain on the diplomatic and propaganda offensive, investing millions of dollars to deposit these materials, books, films and others throughout Europe and the world and to convince Europe and the world that they are victims. "Imagine all the murders and genocide they have committed today and play the role of victim," he added.
Albanian-American Nevila Pahumi is a specialist for Kosovo and Albania in the European Sector of the Library of Congress.
She says that the two new books enrich the space of Kosovo in the library which consists of about 5 thousand materials, mainly dedicated to the war of '98 -'99 and state building.
"For us, it has multiple values because it enables the information of the researchers who come here to learn something from the war. "It will help expand our collection as a library, as well as the interest and awareness of the American public, who became acquainted with the war thanks to NATO intervention in late 1999,
" she told VOA.
It is estimated that over 10,000 Albanians were killed during the war in Kosovo, and the bodies of about 1,600 of them are still wanted.
According to human rights organizations, about 20,000 women and girls have been raped and over 800,000 Albanians have been evicted from their homes.
Albanian-American activist Agim Alickaj says publications like these represent the Albanians' fight for justice.
"It is not our intention to take revenge. Our goal is to seek justice. Bring criminals to justice and punish Serbia. Serbia was bombed, left Kosovo, but was not convicted and pleaded not guilty. "It's the same mentality as Russia today,"
said Mr Alickaj.
Mr. Alickaj is the co-author and financier of the new book with a few pages "Never Forget!".
He says that this work will help the Albanian-American lobby towards the realization of national goals.
"In every conversation, in every meeting, we can present it, because it speaks for itself. In 30 minutes you can understand what happened to the Albanian nation for 200 years. Because even lawmakers, senators, all politicians and diplomats do not have much time. "Therefore, in order to penetrate them, we need to find an easier form."
Through the Albanian-American Civic League, Mr. Alickaj helped raise American public awareness of the Kosovo issue in the 1990s.
The activist says that after the creation of the state of Kosovo he thought that the engagement of the Albanian-American lobby would be unnecessary, but today the reality seems different, he adds.
"With the declaration of independence, to be honest, we were all liberated. Because we hoped that now we have the state with a functioning diplomacy. However, we are not satisfied with these 22 years of diplomacy and governance of Kosovo. "Not only did they not do a good job, but they did a bad job."
Last year, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, announced that the government of the country was preparing a lawsuit for genocide against Serbia, which, as he had said, would prevent the recurrence of events similar to those of the 1990s in the Balkans./VOA