Interview: Daut DautiThe beginnings of an eternal friendship
Telegraph: Mr. Schwartz, recognized as a friend of the Albanians. How was your relationship with Albanians?Schwartz: First, let me thank you for the great compliment that brought me saying that I am recognized as a friend of the Albanians. This is of great value to me.
My Reports with Albanians began in 1990, when I met John Sinishtën - publisher exiled Albanian Catholic Bulletin - in San Francisco, where we both lived. I had just visited Croatia, a country that had held the first elections in post-communist. John knew from my writings in The San Francisco Chronicle - where I worked as a journalist for the daily news - that was critical of Slobodan Milosevic, so I was a friend and a potential contributor to his work.
I was not Catholic, but a believer in God in an abstract sense. Then I had no formal religion. In 1997 I became a Muslim, that is my religion and my religion first and last Insha'Allah. However, I was and I remain a friend of Catholics, because in many countries they were most active opponents of communism.
John asked me to work with him in his publication, which I have done for six years, until he died in 1995. During the first year has paid off, but after that I said that there is no need anymore, asking him to teach me everything you know about a Catholic priest culture and our history. John was educated to become a priest, but was never confirmed as such, since he left Albania. He became "my second father," helping me in my personal crisis and bringing stability and inspiration in my life for which I am deeply grateful.
Ideological transformation
Telegraph: You - and most of them were leftists during the 60s and 70s of the last century - have passed the scarcity of neocons. What happened with you and others? How and why you doing this "battalion" and converted to Islam?Schwartz: I am separated from the left and I do neoconservative mainly because of what I saw in Nicaragua in 1984. I went deeper into neoconservatism - from Trotskyism - because I hated the situation in which communism had degenerated to which I believe.
In this aspect should be taken into account and export tyranny in Cuba's communist Grenada, Nicaragua and El Salvador, Cuban and Russian imperialism in Africa, the invasion of Afghanistan; cultural powerlessness of socialist countries - but some sparks in Poland, Czechoslovakia and the former Yugoslavia. Like the end of the Soviet regime and was able to make contact with anyone who has this purpose - but fascists.
Asked political alliance with neoconservatives on foreign policy, refuted him in order to support dictators and intelligent intervention, for what the U.S. reaction to Kosovo was an example.
American and British Conservatives have been the first-line advocates for Bosnia and Kosovo, but also in Kuwait, the Chechens and other Muslims oppressed.
Today only neoconservatives support the Chechens, Uighurs attacked by the Chinese and Muslims who are oppressed by Burma Rohingias.
This does not mean that I agree with all those neoconservatives who believe or do. Political alliances, however, has its limits.
Majtizmi radical movement of neoconservatism has been more common in Europe than in the U.S.. Despite not worry Europeans, Americans are primitive in these matters and political changes have doubts.
Known Spanish journalist, Pablo Pardo, commented on this issue as follows: "American writer and journalist Stephen Schwartz ... is a copy of the ideological evolution of the world in recent decades ... Schwartz intellectual program in a particular reproduces the evolution of the West "(Pablo Pardo, El Mundo [Madrid], November 8, 2007).
Since 1984 they have spent 30 years of that time as a journalist I have reported and studied the collapse of the former Yugoslavia. I am a Muslim in Bosnia in 1997, when vrojtova oath of Muslim Bosnians who swear that they will never make them Serbs what they had done them Muslims. Having read the Koran in a manner relevant to the circumstances Islamic, said: "This is my religion."
I'm not "converted" because conversion means a change of religion. I previously did not have religion, unless considered "religion of Satan" - communism.
Nobel impossible
Telegraph: Have proven knowledge and love for literature and culture in general. What prompted you to have respect and be involved in this field?Schwartz: In a way I answered this question by describing my meeting with John Sinishtën. After working with him, I learned about Catholic writers of Shkodra, the history of literacy slip, the role of the great collectors of ballads, for inspiring events of the Renaissance, to attempt the defense of freedom from fascism and communism during World War II World of groups like the National Balli, the role of liberation and Enlightenment Bektashi in Albania, Kosovo to fight against Serbian imperialism ... In short: everything important to Albanians.
As I have often said, I know that Albanians are grateful to the Americans for their support against foreign occupants, especially for Woodrow Wilson to stop sharing is today Albania from Greece, Serbia and Italy, to Bill Clinton that defended Kosovo and George W. Bush to recognize its independence. While I am grateful Albanians who saved from boredom, the cynicism, and the invalidity of life as a news reporter.
If it were not Albanians, will spend life as a journalist trivial news that people will read them and forget them. I could die as a loser. But, yet not represent failure.
Never in my entire life did I think that I'll have the chance to work for tolerance, for justice, for human understanding. Albanians gave me something to think, to feel and to write to the excess of existential nothingness of everyday life.
Telegraph: Are you known as a fierce critic against Ismail Kadare and as someone who writes articles unfavorable global media whenever Kadare nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature. Where do you base this refusal and why keep this attitude?Schwartz: First, it is inaccurate claim that I write articles about Kadare unfavorable global media whenever he nominated for the Nobel Prize. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize every year, unfortunately by his fans and other ignorant people who do not understand that lobbying for the Nobel Prize is a futile effort and that there was never Nobel prizes are given to potential recipients from "multiple betting lists". They are always surprises. And, if there is anything in the world of literature that is not novel or surprising, it is attempted Ismail Kadare and his gang to receive the Nobel Prize.
I have written to for several years, because I understand that he will never get the Nobel Prize. His work is very poor. However, I understand that many Albanians consider it as their single figure important on the world stage, and they are humiliated by my criticism against him. This is one of the reasons why I ceased to write.
As Enver Hoxha, as Ismail Kadare
However, I consider it as a form of aggression, the Albanians believe that the Nobel Prize bestowed as a colonial medal for unknown writers from poor countries, and that Kadare will get it because inevitably Albanian language and literature are unknown and that Albanians are poor! Theory of Literature Nobel Prizes were awarded to the authors that "many people have not heard", reflects the general illiteracy of world opinion. But it also expresses a racist view that suggests that African writer, or others outside the Euro-American streams, deserve such a price being weird: monkeys to learn to press the typewriter! But we know from Timbuktu (Mali town - vj) that Africans have been writers for a long time and, as I've learned, the Albanian language has produced eminent personalities - for centuries.
Many Nobel prizes have been worthy of criticism, over all data pornografes hyper-modernist Elfriede Jelinej anti-American in 2004 and more worthless as Harold Pinteri 2005. But almost all Nobel winners, have really deserved it, as is the case of my mentor and friend Octavio Paz in 1990, which has a volume of serious offenses.
In contrast to these, mainly scribbling noveleçka Kadare worth reading just for vacation. Equipped with a treasure of the Albanian landscape, culture and history, it is unable to develop characters and build compelling narratives.
He was and is a slaughter of up to a high position by Enver Hoxha. Hoxha acting as saying that "Albania begins with me", and similar Kadare presents himself as that "Albanian literature begins with me". Albania began not with Enver Hoxha and the Albanian literature began not with Kadare. I know equal to Skanderbeg and Peter Bogdani, also know as Hoxha and Kadare.
I learned from John Sinishta disdained to Kadare, not only for the lies he told himself - by portraying himself as a "dissident" under communist rule until he was one of its officials - but also for attacks His numerous and crazy Albanian cultural heritage. He condemned George Fisher Catholic authors, poets Albanian Muslims who reject as "gay" and had incredible arrogance to Faik Konica attacked for his company with Guillaume Apollinairen. Although Apollinaire was one of the greatest poets of the twentieth century, as Kadare light chain dog from pulling Hoxha, labeling Apollinairen as a decadent modernist.
Kadare is a man who is dead and as incapable of bringing more dust will be quickly forgotten and merit. I have recently chosen to treat as if it were dead, and I forget. He has been the person who had once described: a General of the Dead Army, the fans invalid. They are welcome to it.
Kosovo today and dangers of radicalism
Telegraph: You have spent considerable time working in postwar Kosovo and continue to visit Kosovo. What are the changes that you see are made in Kosovo?Schwartz: The Albanians of Kosovo in particular those that are good entrepreneurs, Kosovo has made great strides in the development of small businesses. In addition, there is a wonderful building and intellectual culture in Kosovo. But Kosovo mafia inhibited by international humanitarian imperialist, including the OSCE and EULEX, which treat it as a colony and do little or nothing to alleviate the high rate of unemployment and to improve its schools. However, Kosovo is a quickly developing and interesting - in a beautiful environment.
Telegraph: Are you also director of the Center for Islamic Pluralism. Here you drag the warning against Wahhabism in Albanian lands. Many say that there is no danger and that there is this here Wahhabism. Why your attitude is different?Schwartz: As a Muslim, I agree that there vahabizëm of great importance among the majority of Albanian believers. But it is clear to everyone that supporters of Wahhabism and the Muslim Brotherhood have penetrated the highest strata of Islamic activity in Kosovo. Otherwise, satanic figures as Shefqet Krasniqi and clown as Ramiqi audience would not.
However, the situation in Kosovo is much better than in Macedonia, where radicals have full control of the Islamic Community in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina where they are influential - but fail to establish dominance.
I believe that politicians Slavs in Serbia and Macedonia encourage the entry of radicals among Muslim believers, to divide Muslims, to moderately damaged heritage, traditional, conventional and spiritual Islam in the region, and to project the image of the hated Muslims as extremists. With this method, Serbian and Macedonian politicians hope to mobilize grimcojnë Albanians and Slavs to support policy mafia. This is the classic strategy of provocation and diversion, created by the Russians long ago and that still applied by them in the Caucasus.
The situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, which is much worse than in Kosovo, is not driven by Slavic goals, but the lure of foreign Islamic money from Wahhabi Saudi Arabia in the case - that is reduced - as well as from Qatar Turkey, which is prevalent ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Telegraph: Since you say that risk, which is it?Schwartz: The main risk to the infiltration of radical Islamists in the Balkans communities, it is spirituality. Approval of radicalism in religion, even as a youthful fad, Kosovo Islam can change from being, as it is today, one of the best examples in the world of Islam, in an imitation of talibanizmit - the worst in the world. The second danger is to overthrow the national movement for self-determination.
Albanian Jews returned to their benefits
Telegraph: There is much discussion about the fact the rescue of Jews by Albanians during World War II. However, there is an impression that Israel does not appreciate this and do not intend to recognize Kosovo as an independent state.Schwartz: It is known that Albanians have saved Jews - during World War II - for a reward. One can also say that Israel does not follow its policies and support recognition based on calculations by day. Unfortunately, Israel remains one of the few countries in the world that still harbors a Serbian lobby, as among the Jews and among the Palestinians, of which the latter considered great friends from Belgrade.
In addition, as Spain, Israel fears precedent for the recognition of new states from their former subjects. In this regard, Kosovo is probably more like Catalonia how Palestine.
But Israel has expressed gratitude for saving Jews, and has developed good relations with Albania. If Kosovo seeks recognition of Israel, it will undoubtedly come. Patience is a virtue Albanian Islamic and Jewish.
Finally, though it must be said that if the Jews had a debt to the Albanians for their salvation during World War II, he was paid off in 1998, when Jewish American politicians, like Tom Lantos - a Holocaust survivor - Benjamin Gilman, Eliot Engel and others (Madeleine Albright, James Rubin, Richard Holbrooke ...) - along with Robert Dolen - were in the front row of those who called for intervention to stop the genocide against Albanians. Religious leaders and leaders of the Israeli-American communities have also advocated for aid for Kosovars. Their voice was heard.
There is no reason to require more than what the Jews gave Albanians, whom they knew very little before. Jewish opinion has recently learned of the events of World War II, and I expect an improvement in relations between Kosovo - with all rational states.
From California to Kosovo
Telegraph: In many cases, you said that you plan to move and live in Kosovo. Why do you want to come to a place from which most people would like to go and live somewhere else?Schwartz: Currently live in California, and everyone wants to live in California. Many people may think I'm crazy to want to leave this place. But, I have exhausted my options here. Kosovo remains new to me, and is a place where I can make a big difference and positive, helping Muslims against radicals, supporting the Albanians against foreign occupants and Serbian intrigue, and helping in the process by which wonderful books from around the world and translated into Albanian read - indeed, a unique experience today, unknown anywhere else.
Both the California and the Kosovo realities have "secret". California is tempting, but "secret" is provincial and without inspiration. I know many people here, but I have very few real friends. People in Kosovo are considered by outsiders as distant, suspicious and treacherous, but my experience with the Albanians is the best and most generous cooperation rather than Californian who are pathologically competitive in personal matters.
In California, pleasant success as an author. Kosovo is far from the capitals of the world, but its people "secretly" are involved in the most important issues - anywhere in the world. How would you like a post-communist society if its people are entrepreneurs and backed by a strong diaspora, and have to fight extremely naughty foreign intervention? In this case Kosovars respond better and more clearly than anyone else in the world.
In addition, California is very expensive, as are other countries where Americans want to live. While the good life is less expensive in Kosovo. Also, I love food and local music. A bowl of fresh tarator and a performance of traditional songs are enough for me to keep me happy, along with Kosovo Albanian friendship that I know of for which I have deep respect. I prefer the company of heroes, who are numerous in Kosovo, not the cowards who rule the world today.
Finally, Kosovo Islam, especially its part Sufi, is the best medicine for my heart disease. Chechens have a saying: "Everything we have is God subhanawata'la and mountains, but it is enough." I feel the same for Kosovo. Everything in Kosovo have been Sufism and Rugova Gorge, but this is enough for me.
Telegraph: How do you see the future of Albanians ... over the next three decades?Schwartz: Given the high sense of national solidarity Albanians, high level of competence and positive role of business in public life diaspora, ardhmëninë optimize the Albanians.
Over the next 30 years predict an enhanced role in the life of Macedonian Albanians. Kosovo state institutions will be strengthened and this will improve the country's investment profile. Albania will become a major center of tourism and business in the region - will be Spain's eastern Adriatic, but always hoping that will not make the mistakes that made Spain. / Telegraph /
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Stephen Schwartz is executive director of the Center for Islamic Pluralism in Washington, author of the famous book published in 2008: "The Other Islam: Sufism and the Road to Global Harmony" (other Islam: Sufism and respect for the story). "
In 2002 he published the bestseller "The Two Faces of Islam: Saudi fundamentalism and Its Role In Terrorism" (The Two Faces of Islam: Saudi Fundamentalism and of its role in terrorism. "He is also author of the book" Sarajevo Rose: A Balkan Jewish Notebook "(pink Sarajevo: Journal of a Jewish Balkans." These works, and others, have been translated into various languages of the world.
Stephen Schwartz was born in 1948 and has a long career of successful literaryjournalism. It was for 10 years a member of the editorial board of The San Francisco Chronicle ditores and newspaper union secretary of northern California. In the years 2004-06 was U.S. historian federal agency known as the National Art assistance.
After the attacks of 11 September 2001, his writings on religion, especially Wahhabism, does qualify as world-renowned expert on Islam, its divisions and relations with other religions.
His research reports have encouraged others to be a guest in one of the debates leading U.S. television.
His articles have been published in major newspapers around the world, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The Toronto Globe and Mail, etc.. It is also a regular contributor to The Weekly Standard and The Huffington Post, as well as reform of Mexico City.
Schwartz began studying Islam in 1990, when I first visited the former Yugoslavia. While researching the history of Jews in the Balkans - on the articles published in the daily newspaper The Jewish Daily Forward and several other magazines - established close relations with the Balkan Muslim intellectuals as well as political and religious leaders in the region.
During the 90s of last century, the continued intensive study of comparative religion in the Balkans, while working for the Albanian Catholic Institute in San Francisco. It was also the various missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a representative of the International Federation of Journalists, then to the Council of Europe, as well as USAID program.
In 1999, during the international intervention in Kosovo, labored Schwartz in The San Francisco Chronicle. Once moved to Sarajevo, continued research of synagogues and Jewish cemeteries in the Balkans, while simultaneously working for various NGOs, including the Soros-in and the German Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Institute.
In 2000 he published a book in Bosnian and English on Muslim identity and media issues in the Balkans, "A Dishonest 20th Century Comedy" (Comedy unfair twentieth century ").
He has published two books in Albanian: "Origin issue of a war" in 2000 which was published in English as "Kosovo: Background to a War", as well as publishing in two languages: "Dreaming in Classifieds / Dreaming in English "(2003).