DioGuardi, a former Republican congressman, proposed Faton Bislimi for the presidency in a letter addressed to the leaders of Kosovo’s four largest political parties – Vetëvendosje (LVV), PDK, LDK and the Alliance.

He urged political leaders to consider Bislimi’s candidacy on its merits rather than on political or personal preferences.

“Kosovo deserves better. It deserves functioning institutions, political leaders willing to put the interests of the Republic above party priorities, and a president capable of uniting the country rather than deepening its divisions,” DioGuardi wrote.

He said Kosovo needed a president able to win the trust of more than one political camp, engage with both the government and opposition without becoming an instrument of either, represent all citizens and communities, and represent the country with credibility and dignity in Washington, Brussels and other international capitals.

DioGuardi said he had known Bislimi for more than two decades and had followed his commitment to Kosovo and his development as a public servant.

Bislimi’s background includes education in North America, including a degree from Harvard, experience with U.S. democratic institutions and service as a member of Kosovo’s parliament. He has also worked in political, academic, civic and international fields to strengthen Kosovo and its ties with the United States, DioGuardi said.

“A president must be more than a professional biography. A president must have character, independence and sound judgment. The presidency must belong to the Republic, not to a party,” he wrote, adding that he believed Bislimi possessed those qualities.

DioGuardi also praised Bislimi’s ability to build bridges between generations, Kosovo and its diaspora, Pristina and Washington, and political forces that are currently divided.

He urged party leaders to put Bislimi’s name on the table and assess his candidacy on its merits.

“Kosovo does not need another president who becomes the trophy at the end of a political contest. Kosovo needs a president who can become a symbol of the end of that contest,” DioGuardi wrote.

He said Bislimi had the education, experience, political acumen and commitment needed to serve as president, describing him as the candidate best prepared to lead the country at a time when consensus was most needed.

/Telegrafi/u.sh/

Speaking after a ceremony at which he and his wife, former Kosovo activist Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi, received Kosovo citizenship on Monday, DioGuardi said it was important for him to be in the country at a critical time.

“I am here to make sure that you have a president, and I hope it happens before I leave. If one is not elected by then, you will be in serious trouble, because you have enemies ready to disrupt the balance in the Balkans,” DioGuardi said.

He urged Kosovo’s political leaders to act quickly, saying now was not the time for the country to become complacent.

Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi, a longtime advocate for Kosovo, said her husband and Albanian-American activists had worked on the Kosovo issue since 1989, including by highlighting abuses against Kosovo Albanians under former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic.

Acting President Albulena Haxhiu described the DioGuardis as among the strongest voices in the United States in support of Kosovo and its independence. She said they had been friends and supporters of Kosovo long before it became an independent state and were now also its citizens.

Haxhiu presented citizenship decrees to Joe and Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi at a ceremony ahead of the news conference.

The DioGuardis have campaigned for Kosovo in the United States, raising the issue in Congress and advocating international action against Milosevic’s government during the 1998-99 war. They also supported NATO intervention and continued to lobby for Kosovo’s international recognition and independence after the war.

/KosovaPress/u.sh/