Albanian Club Hosts Kosovo Forum

The newly formed Harvard Albanian Club invited people to learn more about the state of Albanians in Kosovo during their kickoff event in the Dunster House Junior Common Room yesterday afternoon.

Asti Pilika '99, one of the two cofounders of the club, said he feels there is a need for an Albanian Club on campus to educate people.

"After the current crisis started we noticed there was a lack of awareness about what was going on," he said. "We found misinformation and misinterpretation the information."

Pilika said he envisions the club as an organization to promote awareness.

"For now, our current concern is Kosovo and to provide students with the accurate information," co-founder Eriola Kruja '02 said.

There are only four Albanian undergraduates at Harvard, and of them only Pilika and Kruja are affiliated with the club. Pilika said their membership of 15 crosses lines of national origin.

"Even though there are not a lot of Albanians, there are people who are interested in knowing what is going on," he said.

Yesterday's event, which attracted about 20 people, featured four panelists who spoke on different aspects of the Kosovo situation.

The top-billed speaker was Department of Government Visiting Lecturer Noel R. Malcolm, author of The First History of Kosovo.

Kruja said the club was extremely pleased to have someone as knowledgeable and well respected as Malcolm speak at its first meeting.

Several audience members said they attended because they were interested in hearing Malcolm speak.

"I wanted to meet him," Ante Skrabalo '98-'99 said. "Of all of the scholars in this area, he is by far the best."

Malcolm addressed his area of expertise: historical myths.

He said the largest legend is that the Serbs and the Albanians have always been at war.

"Propaganda persuaded [Westerners] that you couldn't do anything about it because it's like a fire that's been going on for thousands of years anyway," Malcolm said.

But Malcolm said evidence shows that the two groups often fought on the same sides in wars and were not enemies until the 19th and 20th centuries.

Malcolm said the concept that Serbians deserved Kosovo because of a historical precedent is unfounded.

"It makes no sense to form political decisions based on this," Malcolm said. "If so, the English would have to give London back to the Welsh."

He added that comparisons to Jerusalem as a Holy Land do not apply to Kosovo.

In addition to discussing Serbian myths, Malcolm spoke briefly on Albanian myths, but said Serbians have caused the real problems with understanding.

"In quantitative numbers, there are more Serbian myths," he said. "It's their manipulation of history that has been a part of the problem."

Malcolm concluded his remarks by discussing possibilities for the future.

Other speakers added their expertise to the panel.

Scientist Veton Z. Kepuska spoke of the family members he has lost and recounted the emotional story of his parents leaving the country.

Lawyer Agron Alibali, co-author of the book Kombi (The Nation), discussed the legal issues involved in the Kosovo situation.

The third panelist was Pilika's sister, Iris Pilika, a junior at Wellesley College, who discussed the force of religion.

Kruja said she was pleased with the meeting,but wished more Harvard students had come. Lessthan half of the audience were undergraduates, thegroup the club had hoped to target.

"I guess it's a sunny summer afternoon andmaybe they would rather be doing something else,"she said.

But Kruja said she believed they weresuccessful and looks forward to next semester whenthe Harvard Albanian Club can hold more events.

"This crisis is not going to disappear over thesummer," Kruja said.

Pilika said the club plans to go beyond itsprimary purpose of educating the Harvardcommunity.

The club will also hold fundraisers and work atlobbying on a national and state level, accordingto Pilika.

"We'd like it to be a cultural club as well,"he said. "At this time with the situation of thewar and all, culture is going to take secondpriority to history and politics.

Kruja said she was pleased with the meeting,but wished more Harvard students had come. Lessthan half of the audience were undergraduates, thegroup the club had hoped to target.

"I guess it's a sunny summer afternoon andmaybe they would rather be doing something else,"she said.

But Kruja said she believed they weresuccessful and looks forward to next semester whenthe Harvard Albanian Club can hold more events.

"This crisis is not going to disappear over thesummer," Kruja said.

Pilika said the club plans to go beyond itsprimary purpose of educating the Harvardcommunity.

The club will also hold fundraisers and work atlobbying on a national and state level, accordingto Pilika.

"We'd like it to be a cultural club as well,"he said. "At this time with the situation of thewar and all, culture is going to take secondpriority to history and politics.