MJAFT! London Club
Promoting Albania's Image in the World

WE NEED YOUR URGENT HELP
APPEAL FOR GERDEC

Greetings,

Another tragedy befalls upon Albanians! Without getting into the polemics why/how-s of the misfortune that occurred in Gerdec, Albania last weekend, these lines are to express our condolences to all that were affected by this misfortune. We express our condolences and deep-felt sympathy to the Albanian families that lost their loved ones, as well as wishing a swift recovery to those injured.

To aid to whatever small extent those affected by this tragedy, we had the idea to organise a donation of a symbolic nature, the details of which follow:

Amount: £100 per person.
Account number for contribution: 67078877
Sort Code: 51-50-14
Account Name: Mjaft London Club .
Registered as an NGO in the United Kingdom , branch of Mjaft!.
Bank: Natwest Victoria
PO Box 1357
169 Victoria Street
London
SW1E 5BT

You may deposit the money at any Natwest branch or via Online Banking, should you have access to one. To ensure a swift accumulation of funds and an efficient transfer, the deadline for the contributions starts on the 19th of March and ends on the 5th April 2008.

After the deadline end, the funds will be transferred in Tirana, where Mjaft will undertake the logistics in the form of: delivery of clothing, food and basic needs to those affected from this misfortune.

Blood supplies are limited in so far as we are informed, and it will be of urgency to aid in the purchase of this.

Responsibility for deliverance and logistics will lie with the MJAFT! Movement in Tirana where the total amount accumulated will be transferred.

Of course, this is a voluntary initiative, and your assistance is irreplaceable. We will keep you informed of the progress in this initiative, hoping to make a change, be it of a modest nature.

Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact Ralf Gjoni on 07910 314694, email  ralf.gjoni@gmail.com or myself .

In addition, I would kindly ask that you forward this email to your friends/acquaintances, that you think might wish to help.

Thanks and Regards

Ella & Ralf
MJAFT! London Club

Pershendetje,

Shqiptareve u shtohet dhe nje tragjedi tjeter! Pa ju perkushtuar polemikave dhe si/perse-ve te fatkeqesise se Gerdecit, qe ndodhi fundjaven e kaluar, keto rreshta jane per te shprehur keqardhje ndaj te gjitheve qe jane prekur drejt-per-drejt nga kjo ndodhi . Ju shprehim ngushellimet familjeve shqiptare, qe humben pjesetaret e tyre, si dhe te plagosurve sherim sa me te shpejte.

Per tu ardhur ne ndihme sadopak personave te prekur nga kjo fatkeqesi, ideja ishte per nje dhurate financiare simbolike, detajet mbi te cilen jane sic vijon:

Shuma £100 per person.
E derdhur ne konton: 67078877
Kodi dallues  i bankes: 51-50-14
Nen emrin e : Mjaft! London Club .
Regjistruar si OJQ ne Britanine e Madhe , dege e Mjaft!.
Banka: Natwest Victoria
PO Box 1357
169 Victoria Street
London
SW1E 5BT

Derdhjen e parave mund ta beni ne cfaredolloj dege te Natwest apo nepermjet Online Banking nese e perdorni/keni akses.
Per te siguruar nje akumulim sa me te shpejte dhe nje transferte sa me efikase, afati per derdhjen nis me 19 Mars dhe perfundon me 5 Prill 2008.

Pas mbylljes se ketij afati, transferta do behet ne Tirane ku Levizja Mjaft! do merret me logjistikat dhe shperndarjen ne forme veshje, ushqim dhe nevoja bazike te te afektuarve nga kjo ndodhi.

Me urgjente eshte dhe blerja e gjakut qe me sa informohemi eshte mjaft e limituar.

Ndermarrja per shperndarjen dhe logjistika pas saj do jete pergjegjesi e Mjaft ne Tirane ku do transferohen dhe fondet e akumuluara.

Normalisht, kjo eshte nje iniciative vullnetare, por ndihma juaj do ishte e pazevendesueshme. Per progresin e kesaj do ju mbajme ne korrent duke shpresuar te bejme nje ndryshim sadopak modest.

Nese keni ndonje pyetje apo kerkoni sqarime te metejshme, mos hezitoni te kontaktoni Ralf Gjonin ne 07910-314694, email: ralf.gjoni@gmail.com ose mua.

Gjithashtu do ju lutesha ta percillni kete email tek miq/te njohur tuaj qe mendoni mund te asistojne.

Me perzemersi,

Ella & Ralf
MJAFT! London Club

INDEPENDENT KOSOVA!
Press Release

Monday, 18 February 2008

Mjaft! London Club congratulates and joins the people of Kosova in celebrations for their newborn state. Now Kosova and the entire region can get on with their lives as the new geo-political reality opens the way for long-standing peace and stability in the region. Mjaft! engaged in a very proactive media campaign during the days leading to the Declaration of Independence in Prishtina. Through a press release sent to all British news outlets, Mjaft! London Club joined the citizens of Kosova in their celebrations for the newborn state and supports Kosovo's independence as the only viable option towards long-term stability in the region and support the efforts of its new government towards Euro-Atlantic integration. In addition, Mjaft! London Club opposes any moves by Serbia and Russia to block any development efforts in the next few months.

In particular, we would like to throw our support behind the newly approved EU Mission in Kosovo and its police and justice force which will ensure operational continuity in the country, taking over from UNMIK.

Ralf Gjoni, Director of MJAFT! London Club was invited as a special guest by SKY NEWS in London to comment during the outlet's full coverage of the Declaration of Independence. MJAFT! was congratulated and recognised by SKY for its efforts in campaigning for Kosovo's independence in international circles through its lobbying and public affairs campaigns. When asked 'why now?' by SKY presenter Samantha Simmonds, Ralf Gjoni responded 'Why not now? This day is 20 years late and is a very special day for us, the Albanian people and the entire region. Kosova should have gained independence in 1989, and it has taken almost 20 years to make that dream reality. This long awaited move will help clarify the messy political instability created by Serbia's political class in the region. Serbia should now start looking towards Brussels not Prishtina.'

Ralf was invited to stay LIVE on TV to comment for over two hours as the events of independence were unfolding in Prishtina. During the interview he added:

'The Government of Kosova will never treat the Serbs the same as Milosevic's regime treated the Albanians. Today, Serbia should wake up and accept the new geo-political reality in the region. Today we have a new Republic of Kosova and the Serbs in the north should make every effort to integrate in this new state. PM Thaci has made it clear that this will be a Kosova of all citizens and communities. The Albanians have clearly made their choice – and that is EU integration. Now it is time for the Serbs to make their choice known to the world: either they want to be in Europe or they stay isolated as a Russian satellite'.

Click here to see video footage

At MJAFT! – we have always been firm believers in Europe and aspire for a common future of the Balkans in Europe. There no reason why the future of our generation should be held hostage by Serbian nationalism anymore.

In addition to SKY NEWS, Mjaft! London Club secured the Press Association's support during the activities in London and generated substantial interest among other major outlets and political audiences.

INDEPENDENCE FOR KOSOVA!
Statement of Support

Press Release
Saturday, 16 February 2008

Kosova deserves independence!

Sunday the 17th of February 2008, will mark the date when the Parliament of Kosova formally declares independence from Serbia . The date has finally been unveiled by Kosova's government as thousands of Albanians prepare to join the festivities in Prishtina. Tomorrow afternoon, ex- KLA commander and speaker of the parliament Jakup Krasniqi will read the declaration of independence which will formally give the Albanian majority what they have been longing for several years.

MJAFT! London Club joins the citizens of Kosova in their celebrations for the new statehood which is about to formally begin. We support Kosovo's independence as the only viable option towards long-term stability in the region and support the efforts of its new government towards Euro-Atlantic integration. In addition, we oppose any moves by Serbia and Russia to block any development efforts in the next few months.

In particular, we would like to throw our support behind the newly approved EU Mission in Kosovo and its police and justice force which will ensure operational continuity in the country, taking over from UNMIK.

Ralf Gjoni, Director of MJAFT! London Club said: ‘this is a special day for us, the Albanian people and the entire region. Kosova should have gained independence in 1989, and it has taken almost 20 years to make that dream reality. This long awaited move will help clarify the messy political instability created by Serbia 's political class in ex-Yugoslavia. Serbia should now start looking towards Brussels not Prishtina.'

About Us

MJAFT! Movement - Recipient of 2004 UN Civil Society Award

The MJAFT! London Club's mission is improve the image of Albania in the world and campaign for Albanian interests across the EU. Mjaft! London Club operates under the umbrella of the Mjaft! Movement, and is instrumental in the long-term construction of a truly democratic society in the Balkans compiled by a civically active citizen base. In the UK and more specifically in London , there are many dedicated and educated Albanians who not only share an optimistic vision of Albania 's future, but are actively working hard to carry out improvements in their communities. Often, these crucial elements of the community lack a broad constituency that can back their initiatives because of a general apathy and resignation in face of difficulties that characterizes a large part of the Albanian diaspora. The goal of the Mjaft! Club London is to tap into what can be considered an invisible potential of the community and transform it into a vibrant force of change.

If you need further information or need to arrange an interview with us please call us on +44-07910-314694

________________________
MJAFT! London Club
PO Box 5037
London , W1A 7XS
United Kingdom

ENOUGH TO XENOPHOBIA!
Albanian Protest at the Greek Embassy in London

During the protest on the 21st June 2007 - Click for full photo album

Letter to the Prime Minister of Greece, Karamanlis

Press Release
In response to the latest video broadcasted by Greek media where two Albanian teenagers are brutally beaten up, MJAFT! London Club staged a peaceful protest today in front of the Greek Embassy in London . The protest aimed at rejecting violence as an institutional practice within state institutions in Greece and was an expression of the Albanian offense caused by such unacceptable acts.

ENGLISH

Njoftim per Shtyp
Në përgjigje të videos së fundit të shfaqur nga mediat greke ku "dy shqiptarë të mitur" rrihen brutalisht nga policia greke, MJAFT! London Club zhvilloi sot një protestë paqësore përpara Ambasadës Greke në Londër. Protesta kishte për qëllim kundërshtimin e dhunës si formë praktike brenda institucioneve shtetërore Greke dhe u konceptua si shprehje e indinjatës shqiptare ndaj këtyre akteve të papranueshme.

SHQIP

Italy & Albania: Book Promotion at the House of Commons

During the reception at the House of Commons - Click on the photo to enlarge

Mjaft! London Club in cooperation with IB Tauris Publishers organised the promotion of 'Italy & Albania: Financial Relations During the Fascist Era' written by Alessandro Roselli. This event was hosted by Mr John Grogan MP from the British-Albania All-Party Parliamentary Group at the House of Commons on the 9th March 2007.

Mjaft! London Club ne bashkepunim me IB Tauris Publishers organizoi promovimin e librit 'Italia & Shqiperia: Maredheniet Financiare ne Epoken Fashiste' te shkruar nga Alesandro Roselli. Ky aktivitet u mundesua nga Z John Grogan MP, perfaqesues i Grupit Gjithepartiak Parlamentar te Shqiperise.

Promotion of Owen Pearson's work at the House of Commons

During the reception at the House of Commons - Click on the photo to enlarge

The promotion of 'Albania As Dictatorship And Democracy: 1946-1998' written by Owen Pearson took place at the House of Commons on the 24th Novermber 2006. The book has been published by I.B. Tauris and the Centre of Albanian Studies and the event was hosted by the Mr John Grogan MP of the All Party Albania Parliamentary Group and was supported by Mjaft! London Club.

Among the guests there were HE Ambassador of Albania Mr Kastriot Robo, Dr Noel Malcolm, Stephanie Siever, Bejtullah Destani, Rachel De Felice, Kreshnik Qato, Lester Crook, Daut Dauti.

Alban Bytyqi, the key organiser of Mjaft! London Club commented: 'This is a great time and place to honour the great work that Owen Pearson has done through his historical writing for the Albanian people. I feel particularly saddened by the fact that Mr Pearson passed away this week in a London hospital. We owe him and his work a deep gratitude as a nation.'

Promovimi i librit 'Albania As Dictatorship And Democracy: 1946-1998' shkruar nga Owen Pearson u organizua me 24 Nentor 2006 ne Parlamentin Britanik. Libri eshte botuar nga I. B. Tauris dhe Qendra e Studimeve Shqiptare dhe mbremja u organizua nga Mjaft! London Club nen patronazhin e Z John Grogan MP nga Grupi Gjithepartiak Parlamentar i Shqiperise.

Midis te ftuarve ishin Ambasadori Shqiptar Z Kastriot Robo, Dr Noel Malcolm, Stephanie Siever, Bejtullah Destani, Rachel De Felice, Kreshnik Qato, Lester Crook, Daut Dauti.

Alban Bytyqi, organizatori i mbremjes nga Klubi Mjaft! i Londres u shpreh se: ' Ky eshte momenti i duhur dhe vend i mrekullueshem per te nderuar punen e madhe qe Owen Pearson ka bere mes librave te tij historike per popullin shqiptar. Sot ndjehem vecanerisht i prekur prej faktit qe kete jave, Z Owen Pearson nderroi jete ne nje shtrat te nje spitali Londinez. Gjithe kombi yne i detyrohet atij dhe punes se tij me mirenjohje te thelle.'

Complaint Letter to The Sunday Times

MJAFT! Demands The Sunday Times for an Official Apology

...we would like to demand an immediate official public apology by your paper to the Albanian community in the UK as well as to the millions of Albanian citizens that have been offended by Mr. Gill's racist language.

Furthermore, we would like to kindly request the ‘right-of-reply' in order to give a more balanced account of Albania and its people to the British readers. MJAFT! rests deeply committed to the democratic principles of free press and freedom of opinion. However, we will not tolerate deliberate attacks on the image of Albanians as a hard working, serious community in the UK without factual evidence provided by the author.

Full Letter

MJAFT! i Kerkon Sunday Times te Kerkoje Falje

...kërkojmë që gazeta juaj t'i kërkojë falje publikisht komunitetit shqiptar në BM si dhe milionave qytetarëve shqiptarë që mbeten të ofenduar nga gjuha raciste e Z. Gill. Gjithashtu do të donim të kërkonim “të drejtën e përgjigjes” për të dhënë një përshkrim më të ekuilibruar të Shqipërisë për lexuesin britanik.

MJAFT! qëndron i përkushtuar ndaj parimeve demokratike të lirisë së shtypit dhe lirisë së fjalës. Sidoqoftë, ne nuk mund të tolerojmë sulme të qëllimshme mbi imazhin e shqiptarëve si një komunitet punëtor dhe serioz në BM pa evidencë faktuale të prodhuar nga autori.

Letra Shqip

Early Day Motion - House of Commons

MJAFT! INITIATES COMMONS MOTION

MJAFT! Movement and its London branch, MJAFT! London Club, have succeded in getting the British Members of Parliament to table an Early Day Motion at the House of Commons. The motion calls on the Albanian government to ensure that both the public service broadcaster (Albanian Radio and Television) and the regulator (the National Council on Radio and Television) are independent of any one political party.

Full English Version

MJAFT! INICION MOCIONIN PARLAMENTAR BRITANIK

Lëvizja MJAFT! dhe dega e saj Londineze, iniciojnë mocionin parlamentar britanik. Duke marrë nën konsideratë reformat e propozuara nëpërmjet ligjit për mediat në Kuvend, mocioni fton qeverinë shqiptare të garantojë që si Radio Televizioni Shqiptar, ashtu edhe Këshilli Kombëtar i Radios dhe Televizionit (KKRT) të jenë të pavarur nga çdo parti politike.

Versioni i Plote Shqip