New York, 2 October 2026

I have devoted a significant part of my life to the freedom, independence, and dignity of the people of Kosova.

I did so because I believed in Kosova. I believed in its people. And I believed that America had a historic responsibility to stand with those who fought for freedom and democracy.

I have never asked Kosova for anything in return.

Today, however, I am asking for one thing. This is my first ask — and it will be my last.

Kosova cannot afford another political crisis, another institutional paralysis, or another election simply because its political leaders cannot agree on a President of the Republic.

I welcome the Declaration adopted by the Assembly of Kosova concerning the recent judgment of the Kosova Specialist Chambers. At a difficult and painful moment for Kosova, it was important for the Assembly to speak with institutional responsibility.

But declarations must be followed by action.

The Constitutional Court has established the framework and deadline for the election of the President. Kosova’s political leaders now have a responsibility to act and to complete this process before October 6, avoiding another unnecessary institutional crisis.

That is why I wrote directly to the leaders of Kosova’s political parties and proposed Faton Bislimi as a consensual candidate for President of the Republic.

Faton does not belong to one political party. He belongs to Kosova.

I have known Faton for more than two decades. I have watched his work, his commitment, and his extraordinary dedication to Kosova and to the Albanian national cause.

His contribution has been particularly important in Washington, where he has worked for Kosovo for more than twenty years and has built relationships across the American political spectrum.

He began this work in the early 2000s, including his service on the staff of the House Foreign Affairs Committee under my dear friend and great Kosova advocate, the late Congressman Tom Lantos. From those early days until today, Faton has built genuine relationships with both Republicans and Democrats and has understood something essential about Washington:

America’s support for Kosova must never belong to one party. It must belong to the enduring relationship between the American people and the people of Kosova.

Faton understands that. He has the education, experience, judgment, international relationships, and knowledge necessary to represent Kosova at this critical moment.

But there is another reason I am speaking now. Kosova is going through a historic moment.

The recent developments in The Hague have touched something much deeper than politics. They have touched the history, dignity, and memory of a people who fought for their freedom.

Kosova must respect the judicial process. But Kosova must also have the courage and responsibility to preserve the truth about its liberation struggle and to defend the legitimate values for which its people sacrificed so much.

I believe Faton Bislimi has the experience and the understanding to help lead that national effort — not as the representative of one party, but as a President who can speak to all Kosovars and represent Kosova with dignity before the United States, Europe, and the world.

I have spent my life fighting for Kosova’s freedom and independence, and together with Shirley and our AACL we made them happen!

I have never expected anything in return.

But today, I am asking the political leaders of Kosova–publicly this time after I sent them letters on August 27–to put the country before party.

I am asking them to look beyond the next political calculation and look instead at what history will ask of them.

Can Kosova find unity when unity is most needed? Can its political leaders prevent another institutional crisis? Can they choose a President who can represent the whole country rather than one political camp?

I believe the answer can be yes. And I believe Faton Bislimi is a person capable of carrying that responsibility.

So this is my first and last ask: Please do not send Kosova back to another election because of a failure to elect its President.

Please put Kosova first.

Please find the courage to choose unity over division, the Republic over party, and the future over political calculation.

I have stood with Kosova for decades. Today, I stand with Kosova once again.

And I ask its leaders — perhaps for the last time — to stand with Kosova too.

For the sake of Kosova. For the sake of its people. And for the sake of the freedom for which so many sacrificed everything.

Joe DioGuardi