STATE OF VERMONT

 

STATE OF VERMONT

Senator John McClaughry	Senate Chambers
Caledonia-Orange District	Montpellier, VT 05602
Concord, VT 05824	1-800-322-5616
(802) 695-2555	(802) 828-2228

June 15, 1992

Almost thirty years ago, as a young man, I chanced to read a book about the Albanian resistance movement in World War II. I was inspired by its portrayal of the character of the Albanian people — a people who lived in their mountains according to a code of honor passed down for hundreds of years, a people poor in material things, but rich in their strength of character and boundless courage, worthy sons of Scanderbeg who defied the might of the Sultans to preserve Albania’s independence. The Albanians reminded me of the people of another land called Alba, the Scqtland where my ancestors dwelled in ancient times, proudly defying the might of the king of England.

Thus when I met Joseph DioGuardi in the summer of 1989, I had already formed a warm and favorable opinion of the Albanian people. But at the time I knew but little of the repression visited upon the brave people of Kosova by their Serbian overlords.

It was impossible to work with Joe riocuardi on any project — and I came to work with him on many — without constantly witnessing his deep and moving love for the Albanian people, and his never—flagging commitment to the cause of their independence and human rights.

In 1989 I wrote what we believe to be the first column in a national newspaper, the Washington Times, spelling out the obvious design of Serbia’s Stalinist dictator Slobodan Milosevic to strip the Albanian people of Kosova of their autonomy, their democracy, and their human rights. Since then this tragic story has gotten worse, far worse, until today Serbia’s oppression of the Kosovars. has become an outrage that the civilized world must act boldly to set right.

I am proud that I have been able to help the just cause of the Albanian people through the help I have been able to give Joe DioGuardi in his gallant fight for their rights. Now I am a candidate for Governor of Vermont. To the best of my knowledge, there are very few Albanian—Americans in Vermont. But my support for their cause goes far beyond politics. Any man who believes in human freedom and the right must take his stand for justice and self-determination for the brave Albanians of Kosova. As Governor I will speak with an even stronger voice for the cause of the people of Kosova, and will stand with pride with the Albanian American Civic League as it works to defend them and to replace tyranny with liberty.

John McClaughry

Senator and candidate

Gojernor of Vermont