Baby America was born into freedom yesterday – the child of a Kosovar refugee mom who went into labor shortly after arriving on the first rescue flight bringing displaced ethnic Albanians to the United States.
The ecstatic father of the healthy 7-pound, 8-ounce baby boy said he wants to name the child “America” – but must discuss it first with the mom and other family members.
“I’m happy it’s a boy and it’s very healthy,” said the proud dad, Naim Karaliju, 28, who is staying with other refugees at Fort Dix, N.J.
“America” was the first child born to Karaliju and his wife Lebibe, 21, who fled their farm in the tiny Kosovar village of Ferizaj as marauding Serbian troops carried out their campaign of ethnic cleansing.
When the stork landed at 2:11 p.m., “America” also became the first baby born to airlifted Kosovar refugees in the United States – and he gained American citizenship as his birthright.
The Kosovar-American bundle of joy was introduced to reporters but he had no comment and answered questions by sucking on his fist and showing off a dark head of hair.
The Karalijus were among 453 refugees on the first flight carrying displaced Kosovars to the United States. from overflowing camps in Macedonia on Wednesday.
The refugees are staying at Fort Dix – but Lebibe was rushed to Virtua-Memorial Hospital in nearby Mount Holly, N.J., after the plane touched down.
She thought she was feeling labor pains on the plane – but doctors said she was dehydrated and didn’t actually go into labor until yesterday morning.
The mother was resting and healthy and did not talk to reporters, but the dad said that he and his wife fled their village about six weeks ago after Serbs killed an aunt and uncle of his.
He said they camped out in the mountains but the Serbs chased them from the area and they wandered through the countryside until they reached Macedonia.
“I’m very happy my son wasn’t born in the mountains somewhere and that he was born here,” Karaliju said through an interpreter.
“And that was my main reason to name him America. But I have to talk to my wife about that.”
Asked about the family’s future, he said: “I would like to go back to my house, back to Kosovo, but as long as NATO doesn’t take over, I’m afraid to go there.
“If the situation settles, I’d love to go back, but if it doesn’t I’d rather stay here.”
The couple has been married for just over a year.
Karaliju said some of his relatives came over on the refugee flight but his wife’s parents are ill and remained behind in Macedonia.
Officials said the mom was at full term – but she told authorities in Macedonia that she was several weeks short of her due date because she feared they might not let her onto the freedom flight if they knew how close she was to the blessed event.
Meanwhile, the other 453 refugees to arrive Wednesday – making up 56 extended families – began to settle into their temporary home at Fort Dix.
There was a picnic atmosphere around their barracks, with old people sitting at outdoor tables and soldiers playing Frisbee with children or pushing kids in swings.
“They do eat a lot,” said food service supervisor Sgt. Jon Underhill. “We’re feeding them pretty heavy plates and they are consuming them.”
He said the refugees are fondest of Coke and bananas.
They had eggs and hash browns for breakfast and Hungarian goulash for dinner last night.
A second Boeing 747 full of more than 400 refugees arrives at Fort Dix today. Tomorrow, a charter planeload of refugees who will be staying with relatives here is due to land at JFK.