Thaci tells whether he fears the Special Court

VOA: Mr. President, the attack on the Special Court appears to have begun you, at least since October last year, before the petition of former KLA veterans associations began. The arguments presented by you are the same as those presented by opponents of the special court in 2015, arguments that were debated and overcome after it was concluded that failure to create the court would harm Kosovo more than its creation. What has changed now that you're bringing in the same arguments that you overcame two years ago?

Thaci: Actually, Kosovo has neither been, nor will it ever be against the justice system. Kosovo has witnessed the best co-operation by all countries of the former Yugoslavia with The Hague Tribunal, surrendering voluntarily to the first charges that have occurred even though they have again testified as innocents to all accused. Therefore, even today Kosovo is not against the justice system, it is not about interfering with the justice system; now the opinions presented in debates must be understood as a spirit of democracy, as an internal debate and as opinions expressed by any one. Even negative opinions that have been both contentious and hostile to 2015 have been understood and respected as democratic debate. This process that I have led with dedication to establishing this court, even though historically unfair, has only been done to preserve partnership with the United States, the European Union and NATO. Therefore, even today the opinions presented by MPs are opinions of elected people, legitimate and representative of the people, systematically legal and constitutionally; I think there is an approach to overblown the opinion of Kosovo MPs, because the same parliament has adopted it in 2015. Representatives of the people today have different opinions on this issue, but from what I read, no one is against the justice system, against the court, but they see it as an alternative option.

VOA: You said you are willing to sign if the Kosovo Parliament votes against the Special Court?

Thaci: I would commit constitutional violations if I did not sign it; I have a constitutional and legal obligation and cannot deny or return the will of MPs.

VOA: Mr. President, when it comes to the border issue with Montenegro you have repeatedly called for the agreement to be approved. Why are these differences given that both the Court and the border agreement are international obligations Kosovo has undertaken to implement?

Thaci: The Special Court is the issue where the Kosovo Parliament has made the decision, and now it is up to political parties represented in parliament to voice their decision; powers are divided and I do not come over parliament, nor do I get involved in parliament, but I respect the decisions of parliament internationally and a hundred percent. I agree politically or not, I have this legal obligation. As for the border issue with Montenegro, this must be done, it is accurate, clear, precise worked by local and international experts and praised by all; any delay, in particular in the coming weeks, will be very striking for the country's European perspective.

VOA: What is your position for the Special Court? Must it function on the basis of existing laws, should laws be changed for it, or should the law be completely abolished?

Thaci: Kosovo must continue to support the justice system. Kosovo should be treated by the international community the same as any country in the former Yugoslavia, Croatia, Bosnia or Serbia has been treated and not treated with discrimination or as a place where the crimes of the former Yugoslavia have occurred. No; the source of crimes in the former Yugoslavia and the genocide was made by Belgrade, which is today represented by the international community and Kosovo's play is overstepped or punished by internationals.

VOA: But you've already supported this court.

ThaciDefinitely. The country's institutions have made the decision, the decision is in effect since these things are being discussed in Kosovo's parliament by MPs; we should also carefully listen to the opinions of MPs, political parties, civil society and the opinions of all, but ultimately the decision belongs to MPs, who have even made it.

VOA: You mean any decision, you'll sign it?

Thaci: Everyone knows my opinion, my commitment, my determination both in the government and in parliament, but even now the powers are divided and I will fulfill my obligations.

VOA: Mr. President, your name is part of the Council of Europe's envoy Dick Marty's report and has often been coveted in the media as one of the possible defendants of this court. For many of the critics, it is your fear and the other leaders of the country that have led to the initiative to abolish the court. How did you respond to such statements?

Thaci: These have also criticised my commitments in 2015 that the founding of the Special Court was taking place because of personal matters. I think that this process should be depersonified and looked at in the prism of the country's strategic interest and not on the personal level or shake hands for any political stake of political failures in Kosovo or any specific political representation.

VOA: Are you afraid of the Court personally?

Thaci: By justice I haven't, and I will never have, and it's good that Kosovo has been the best example in the region for co-operation with justice. Kosovo has nothing to hide, the Kosovo Liberation Army has fought clean as a tear; it is the most successful guerrilla movement that has ever happened in the world; we have not attacked anyone; we have fought to get Serbia out of Kosovo; and this is the nation's greatest victory.

VOA: Mr. President, the initiative to abolish the law was followed by sharp reactions from Western diplomats. The American ambassador, Quinti's countries, and the State Department reacted sharply within a short period of time, warning Kosovo of consequences to integration processes. Are you concerned with these warnings?

Thaci: I am concerned with the exaggeration being made to this process of opinion by Kosovo deputies. It must be understood that the decisions in parliament are taken by MPs, people elected directly by citizens, and not brutal or violent interventions against parliamentary groups, or the calls of any particular ambassador that tonight is the time to shed tear gas in parliament. I think these calls seriously violate democracy in Kosovo.

VOA: But this is an international obligation Kosovo has received.

Thaci: Kosovo is respecting it, so there is no need for these enlargements, which I think have created a completely unnecessary panic among the citizens of the country.

VOA: Aren't you afraid there might be an isolation from Western countries after their reactions?

Thaci: Definitely not. Kosovo is also isolated because there are no visas. The foundation of the Kosovo Army has been delayed; we are not allowed to apply for Interpol, for U n NESTO, for the Council of Europe, was clearly declared. Others can speak, whoever wills and how they wish, because they have not even been in the courses, but the international community has vowed to support it more actively in carrying out the obligations that Kosovo has and has taken. Unfortunately, that never happened.

VOA: But, Mr. President, these are Kosovo's internal tasks that must be completed.

Thaci: We need support for membership in Nesco. But as Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, comes and delivers a speech one day before he is voted in Paris for Iscon against Kosovo, I think the readiness of others has been missing, so that there is a dynamic and high-level commitment to Kosovo's membership in Nesco. It has been a joint project and for me it is completely unfair that it is allowed Serbia to veto the establishment of the Kosovo Army, that is true. On the other hand, it is completely unfair to refuse to apply for membership in the Council of Europe, Interpol and other international mechanisms.

VOA: Mr. President, an issue that the last few days have sparked debate is the failure of the US visa for Prime Minister Haradinaj. Do you think this is related to his opposition to the Special Court?

Thaci: I don't think, I think, and I know that it's not a visa dispute, it's a procedural aspect that everyone has to overcome.