Flying for Kosovo

Friends, as you can imagine, there have been many, many volunteers, officials, governments, etc. who have worked throughout the past few months in attempts to obtain the release of James Berisha.   Although Flying for Kosovo has always maintained a non-p0litical, humanitarian focus within its mission, the release of James Berisha is due to all of the hard work and dedication of many individuals, from many influential positions in many countries.   Here in American, Congressmen Engel has maintained his presence and dedication to obtaining the release of James.   Here is his latest press released that he requested we post to show his support and gratitude that James is alive and freed from Eritrea.

Congressman Eliot Engel

Representing the Bronx, Rockland, and Westchester Counties, Offices in the Bronx, West Nyack and Mount Vernon 161 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515
Contact:   Joseph O’Brien 718 796-9700, 917 880-0392 (cell);  Jason Steinbaum 202-226-6684; Jeremy Tomasulo 202 225-2464

For release: Wednesday, January 18, 2012

KOSOVAR-AMERICAN PILOT RELEASED FROM ERITREA PRISON TODAY; FREEDOM ADVOCATED BY REP. ENGEL

 Congressman Eliot L. Engel (D-NY) today released the following statement on the release of pilot James Berisha from prison in Eritrea.

“It is a great relief that James has been released from prison and has left Eritrea.  This is a belated holiday present for the Berisha family, and I wish for a quick reunion for James with his loved ones.

“I have been working behind the scenes for James Barisha’s release for several months and thank the Eritrean authorities for granting my humanitarian request to have him set free.  Many others helped to persuade the Eritreans to let James come home, and, to all who have worked to gain his freedom, I say thank you.”

James Berisha is a pilot who was visiting countries all over the world in his “Flying for Kosovo” (www.flyingforkosovo.com) mission to persuade governments to recognize the Republic of Kosovo.  After his aircraft had technical difficulties in Sudan, he continued to Eritrea via commercial aircraft, and was later arrested and detained shortly after his arrival in Eritrea, where he was planning to meet with the government.  He was held largely incommunicado, and the US Consular staff in Eritrea had limited access to him.

11-22-11 Ltr to Pres Afewerki of Eritrea urging release of James BerishaAttached is a letter Reps. Engel and Jean Schmidt (R-OH), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Albanian Issues Caucus, wrote to the government of Eritrea on November 22, 2012 calling for James Berisha’s release.

Source: http://engel.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=24&sectiontree=6,24&itemid=3022