Former Albanian ambassador criticises Kosovo state leaders for demarcation

Albania's former ambassador to Kosovo, Islam Lauka, has criticised Kosovo institutions leaders, President Hashim Thaci and Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj for ratifying the Demarcing Agreement with Montenegro by the Kosovo Parliament.

Lauka has said that with the ratification of the Agreement, the Qafa of Cackorri, Belluha and Tower are neither going to be part of Kosovo anymore.

Regarding the declaration signed by the presidents of Kosovo and Montenegro, Lauka says it has been devised to serve as fig leaves for covering the unconstitutional alienation of state territory.

No correction will take place, because it was, simply, a political statement, linked to low and meski interest, without any international legal effect”, highlighted Islam Lauka in a post in his account at “Facebook”

The former ambassador criticises “basic arguments” of ratification supporters that “is in the interest of Kosovo, because it paves the way for visa liberalisation”, that “is required by our strategic allies, against whom we cannot stand because we have relied on every step of our way towards freedom and independence”.

The first “Argument” logically does not stand, Lauka points out, because, according to him, a decision can't be in favour of the country that cuts him off part of his territory. “Visa liberalisation, even if it occurred immediately after ratification -- which is very suspicious, however welcome -- does not solve the serious problems facing Kosovo. Free travel does not mean employment opportunities. Kosovo Albanians are not suffering to see the Eiffel Tower, but for work”, he added.

As for the second argument, Lauka stressed that it is true that on the road to freedom and independence we have had the help of our strategic friends and allies.

However, Hashim Thaci and Ramush Haradinaj, as Kosovo Liberation Army leaders, know any other truth, such as the US's announcement as a terrorist organisation, in early 1998. If our ally had been heard at that moment, he would have to destroy the KLA, and Kosovo's freedom was validated with him. History is already known. The Kosovo Liberation Army was not discouraged but continued the war, heroicly, telling the whole world that Albanians are ready to die for their freedom. Not long ago, Washington changed its position on the KLA, viewing it as its ally against Milosevic's oppressive regime”, the former ambassador stressed.

Also, the Albanian diplomat recalls that in the first years after the war, strategic allies had nowhere in their agenda Kosovo's independence.

Our “determination not to accept any reverse, any co-existence with Serbia, of course, with the support of our allies, made it possible to declare Kosovo's independence on February 17th 2008”, he estimates.

“It seems that the unencumbered thirst for unlimited power has overshadowed former war commanders Hashim Thaci and Ramush Haradinaj's eyes and blunted their minds, drying them from their roots, each sap of the war for freedom. For the sake of the powers and of the tribal interests are violating the trusts of fellow fighters and the first to be sacrificed for the protection of these lands that bequeathed to us”, Islamic Lauka points out.

The unconstitutionalness of Kosovo's territory in favour of Montenegro, according to him, is the last link in the long chain of transformation of generals, war heroes, to the Puibozuka soldiers, who only plunder and oppress the people.

For President Thaci and Prime Minister Haradinaj, Lauka says that apart from the thirst for power, they have serious problems even with political decision-making.

In my judgment, Hashim Thaci's creative potential and Ramush Haradinaj, in behalf of Kosovo, has been exhausted and, currently, they have turned into an obstacle to Kosovo's development. In this context, the best solution would be their resignation, in contrast, the people have its legitimate right that, using all democratic opportunities and means to force them to leave power, to leave the country to other political forces, more capable, more responsible and more creative”, the former Albanian ambassador to Kosovo points out.

Currently, Islam Lauka heads the Albanian Institute of Political Studies.