National Albanian American Council Strongly Condemns the Planned Attack on Fort Dix Army Base in New Jersey

    WASHINGTON, May 8 /CNW/ -- 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

    Contact:  Avni Mustafaj, 202-466-6900, naac@naac.org

For further information: Avni Mustafaj of National Albanian American 
Council, +1-202-466-6900, naac@naac.org Web Site: http://www.naac.org/