Flying for Kosovo

Recognize Kosovo's Independence!

Archive for the ‘Pictures’ Category

Africa, here we come!

Posted by admin On November - 1 - 2010

Dear Friends and supporters of our mission Flying For Kosovo:

One more time I have decided to continue our mission – this time to the African continent. This portion of our mission is the largest yet and will likely be the most challenging, since there are 56 countries lined up on the agenda.

It has been a great joy to have all of you around, giving your continued support. The great energy that you transmit has kept me going during my hardest times.  I have learned so much from each of you and have enjoyed my time with you all during this past summer in Kosovo.  I want to take a moment, again, to thank you for being there for me.

Thank you for your moral and financial support and all that you have sacrificed for our mission.  You all have become my family during these last two years and have been there for me as I have traveled the globe representing you.

Flying for Kosovo belongs to all of you individually, and I will continue to need your presence during this next phase and throughout the time that I am traveling throughout Africa.

Don’t forget that we all can contribute toward improving our country’s image around the world.  It is our duty to continue to lobby and represent Kosova in the best way that we can – let’s continue to show the world who the people of Kosovo are and share with them the beauty of our country and our people.  Let’s do this so that we can build a better future for all of us and our children.

Kosova needs you all now more than ever.  Let’s build a more prosperous home and share our country with the world.

Stay with us,

James Berisha

Visit to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Posted by admin On April - 7 - 2010

The next stop is St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a country made up of over 30 islands.  I am blessed to have viewed with my own eyes the beauty that these islands have to offer.  I am sure that if I was able to stay longer I would have no problem finding many relaxing and enjoying things to do.  The international airport is also in a very nice location with very friendly people to help you and similar to Grenada in that it was really easy to clear customs and immigration and put my plane ‘to rest’ for the visit.

Since this country is  located in the Caribbean Sea, it is square in the pathway of many hurricanes.  In 2004, Hurricane Ivan devastated these islands. The first countries to offer aide in the aftermath were Cuba and Venezuela.  Both of them sent money and laborers to help with reconstruction and neither of them recognize Kosovo’s independence.  This may make it difficult for St. Vincent to formally recognize our independence since both Cuba and Venezuela are in close geographical proximity and also so substantial in regards to available resources.

On the other hand, this country is a member of regional political and economic organizations such as the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), CARICOM (an organization of 15 Caribbean nations and dependencies whose focus is on economic integration and cooperation of those countries and coordination of their foreign policy), United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).  Most importantly though, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has chosen to recognize Taiwan instead of the People’s Republic of China.

While I was there I was able to conduct interviews with two newspapers and a television broadcasting company which promised to transmit our interview to several islands in the Caribbean.  The media was very responsive and understood the importance of gaining formal recognition as a country as it was only recently (October 27, 1979) that they themselves had gained independence from England. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs opened their door wide as well.  The Hon. Sir Louis Straker, Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council of Ministers and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Trade for St. Vincent and the Grenadines was happy to meet with me and through our discussion I learned that there are forces here that support our independence – including a a school friend of Sir Straker who has asked him many times to recognize our independence.  Eliot Angle, the people of Kosovo thank you for providing consistent reminders to your friend.  Sir Straker also recommended that our the government invite all of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the OECS states to Kosovo for discussions.  Sir Straker’s Permanent Secretary Mr. Andreas Wickham and the Director of Foreign Policy and Research, Maxwell Charles also offered their valuable time and thoughts on the topic.  As usual, I wish I had more time to for discussion with these men and more personal time to experience and learn from their beautiful country.  I appreciate the honesty and openness that I have received and am very hopeful, as I was assured that the topic of our independence would be brought to the forefront of their governmental discussions.

Visit to Grenada

Posted by admin On April - 6 - 2010

It is now after Easter and I have spent a very productive weekend on the island of Grenada.  I knew I would be in good hands there when, upon arrival, the air traffic controller wished me a pleasant stay in her country.  What a difference a warm welcome can make.  Within ten minutes my aeroplane was secured and I had cleared immigrations and customs and was on my way to town.

Like Trinidad, this country is very hot and very dry.  Despite suffering tremendously from hurricane Ivan in 2004 and hurricane Emily in 2005, the country looked very neat and well kept.  The people I met in town matched the welcome that I received at the airport.  Since many tourist come here, they are used to providing a high level of service and comfort.  What I wasn’t prepared for, however, was the further welcome I was about to receive.

After speaking with the media and Simon Andrew, a friend to the people of Kosovo,  a meeting was organized with Mr. Peter David, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.  This particular meeting would prove to be very memorable as it happened on Easter and Mr. David was so kind as to welcome me into his father’s home to spend the holiday with his extended family.  An added bonus was that the Minister of Tourism was there as well.  Words cannot express how honored I am to have spent this Easter in the presence of such a warm and welcoming family.  Grenada has won my heart over and I will always be filled with gratitude for the treatment that I received there.  This country has truly reminded me of how we as humans should treat each other and the great things that can happen when we do.

On the business side, Minister David promised that he will do everything possible to make sure that the topic of Kosovo’s independence will rise to the top of the agenda.  Again, I can’t thank this country and it’s people enough for all of the opened doors that they have shown me.

Visit to Trinidad and Tobago

Posted by admin On April - 5 - 2010

Progress is being made and I am on my second island stop in the Caribbean. After many hours of flying over water, I was glad to see land again. Upon reaching the island, I also noticed that the island has lots of wildfires. After landing, I quickly understood why. In addition to temperatures being 91°F / 33°C, it is also the drought season here which means that it is also very dry. Despite the wildfires, I was still able to view parts of this beautiful island.

Though the international airport of Trinidad presented a few challenges and was unlike Aruba, the people of Trinidad are wonderful. My stay here was short, but I was able to speak with the local press (See article The Trinidad Guardian). Upon return to the airport, it took about six hours of waiting around for paperwork and permits, etc. to be completed. I am now ready to fly to my next stop, which is Grenada.

The Trinidad Guardian

Visit to Aruba

Posted by admin On April - 5 - 2010

After facing many challenges getting out of South America, I have now made my way into the Islands of the Caribbean. What a welcome I received in Aruba. As soon as I walked into the FBO (Fixed Based Operations) building (which was even air-conditioned!), I was struck by the level of hospitality that I am used to and so dearly missed. I will remember forever being greeted by the office workers offering me an ice-cold Coca-Cola. Thank you Aruba. My joy in reaching a world that I am used to cannot be expressed in written words.
Aruba is a beautiful island with wonderful people. Even though I was far away from home, the hospitality of the Arubian people made me feel welcomed right away. The great people at The Morning News opened the doors to their home right away and made me feel extremely comfortable there. I wish that time wasn’t such an issue during this trip. Otherwise, I would have enjoyed spending much more of it on this beautiful island with blue oceans, beautiful sandy beaches and such welcoming shores.

The media in Aruba showed great interest in Kosovo’s issues. They were very pleased to know that someone from a country as far away as Kosovo thinks of them and respects their contributions.
Thank you to Aruba and it’s warm and welcoming people. May we meet again in the future.

Visit to Guyana

Posted by admin On September - 26 - 2009

Today arrived in Georgetown, Guyana.  Guyana is a very diverse and interesting place. The communication has been very good as almost everyone speaks English.  The religious, racial and ethnic diversity is a great characteristic of Guyana which I admire very much, as it makes people more tolerant.  The architecture of housing is very diverse as you can find colorful houses of unique style.

Stebroek News

Stebroak News (Scan)

 

I will update you more regarding the developments about the Independence of Kosovo soon.

Visit to Suriname

Posted by admin On September - 23 - 2009

I visited the capital of Suriname – Paramaribo in September 23, 2009. Suriname is a unique place compared to other countries of South America. In Suriname, people are very friendly and there is a large ethnic, racial and religious diversity  which makes this place tolerant.  I was interviewed by a few newspapers  as well as a TV station where I talked about the Independence of Kosovo.

I visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Suriname, and my presentation about Kosovo was very well received by the Ministry’s representatives. However,  it seems that Suriname doesn’t know the Kosovo problem very well as it seems that there’s a lack of communication between Kosovo and Suriname. I urge the Kosovo Government to increase its diplomatic activity to Suriname and region so that Kosovo Independence is not an unfamiliar matter for this region.

 

Visit to French Guiana

Posted by admin On September - 21 - 2009

Visited Cayenne, French Guiana in September 21, 2009. The route to here from Brasilia was very long – Brazilia, Belem, Macapa, Oiapoque, St Georges, Cayenne. French Guiana is very beautiful and the food is very good.

Visit to Brazil

Posted by admin On September - 18 - 2009

September 18, 2009

James is having a good time in Brazil, despite some language barriers in Portuguese.  He was interviewed by TV Globo, as well as some local newspapers.

James visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil where he stressed the arguments about the independence of Kosovo. On the other hand,  the representatives of the foreign ministry informed James that the ministry is following this issue closely.

September 16, 2009

Today, James arrived in Brasilia, Brazil . He found a very good weather and hopes to have a good time here, and spread the word about the Kosovo Independence.

 

James met ALPA representatives

Posted by admin On September - 14 - 2009

While in Paraguay, James met with the representatives of Libertarian Association of Paraguay (ALPA) where they discussed about different issues including the Kosovo indepenedence. James had a very productive meeting with young libertarians.

In the meantime ALPA released a statement in support of Kosovo independence, and urged the Paraguayan government to recognize the independence of Kosovo due to “the principle of self-determination of individuals, individual freedom and choice to be autonomous for each individual and each group of comity of nations…”

James thanks all his Paraguayan friends from the bottom of his heart for supporting him and the right of Kosovo people to be Independent.

Fundacion Libertad Article
ABC Article

Visit to Paraguay

Posted by admin On September - 11 - 2009

James arrived in Paraguay on September 11, 2009.

As in Urugay James is having a very productive time in Paraguay.

James had a very important meeting with the General Director for the Bilateral Relations of Paraguay, Roberto H. Benitez Fernandez, who showed interest about the issue of Kosovo Independence . Currently, Paraguay is expecting the UN Security Council decision about the Kosovo independence.

James was also interviewed by a number of news agencies.

Visit to Uruguay

Posted by admin On September - 8 - 2009

James arrived in Montevideo, Uruguay on September 8, 2009, and found heavy rains in this coast. He met with a number of journalists, and was interviewed by the Channel 9 (SNT),  Channel 5 (Paravision), as welll as ABC and Ultima Hora.