Leaders, citizens in Presevo obedient to joining Kosovo

“Being the US and the EU well informed of the efforts of Albanians, their goodwill for peaceful resolution of the problem with a huge conviction are supporting Albanians' demand. May this day not be far off. We believe in the next spring's eye this will take its epilogue to completion. Presevo, Bujanovac, Medvedja will be an integral part of the territory of the Republic of Kosovo, perhaps even to permanently end Albanian-Serbian problems in the Western Balkans, to give way to Kosovo and even neighbouring states for Euro-Atlantic integration”, Ragmi Mustafa said, DPA.

Ardita Sinani from the PVD says the extreme discrimination of Albanians by the Serbian government imposes the need for uniting Albanian lands with Kosovo.

“We have no choice but to seek our right to join Kosovo. The Albanian population has expressed its opinion and will in the March 1st and 2nd 1992 referendum and now to live in the interest of Albanians in the Presevo Valley. This is a will that must be strongly experienced”, Ardita Sinani, PVD stated.

Even DPA leader Sami Salihu estimates that joining Kosovo is the best solution for the Valley.

It is the dream of every Albanian living in the Presevo Valley, one day joining Kosovo. This will be the luckiest solution and will somehow save the Presevo Valley, with joining Kosovo. But that comes within our will and will. What the political circumstances will be like, what regional circumstances will be, here it's not like we hold it in our hands as local power”, Sami Salihu, the DPA said.

Unlike his political opponents, Presevo Mayor Shqim Arifi said they are pro-unification, but not at any price. Arifi said against the exchange of territories, stressing that a European Kosovo would be a support force for the Valley if the Valley continued to remain under Serbia.

The “Liders of the Presevo Valley have been very clear in their positions, said “Po” associated with the Republic of Kosovo, saying “Po”, but “not at any price”. If we create instability in the region, “jo”. If they divide us, for example. say Medvedja stays with Serbia, while Bujanoca and Accompany Preseva, “Jo”. If we risk supporting the internationals, namely Germany, then “not”. We do not want to lose our long-term friendship -- said Shqim Arifi, chairman of the Presevo municipality.

And the citizens of the Presevo Valley say that since the 1992 referendum, they have voiced favour to join the Valley with Kosovo, but that their will has not been ignored by the state authorities of Serbia. In a poll about Alsat they say that the desire for unity has not yet faded, and hope that this dream will one day come true.

“must be done, but cannot be done. It has to be because we're living here in a country where the Albanian population is at the highest degree terrorized in all levels”

“Must certainly join all Albanians. It's going to be better if we join together. If they want them “the greats” can do it, if they don't want we can't do it. We're willing, but we're full of”

“Union with the Republic of Kosovo is good to do, but opportunities are different. Now let's see our politicians can achieve that goal. (Can that be done to you?) I guess so. We have expressed this in the referendum. I was present back then. I think it will. Hope dies last”

In the March 1st and March 2nd 1992 referendum, 98% of residents of the Presevo Valley voted in favour of territorial political autonomy, with the right to join Kosovo. Kosovo President Hashim Thaci's idea of joining the Valley with Kosovo came after many demands party leaders, but citizens also made Kosovo's side talk about their rights in talks with Serbia.