Thaci: The decline in freedom is the supreme sacrifice

A memorial academy in Pec has been held in which Kosovo heroes Shkelzen Haradinaj and his fellow fighters have been commemorated on the 19th anniversary of the heroic fall in the freedom struggle.

At this academy they were told that their sacrifice would be an example of building a strong state, just as they had dreamed.

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci said the country is proud of the name and work of the martyrs, and today Kosovo is free and sovereign state thanks to them.

Speaking of martyrs remembered today, the president also mentioned boys and other girls who had joined the war for freedom, saying they honored the KLA uniform and never surrendered to the dream of freedom to make it happen.

He has remembered the Shkelzen Haradinaj witness and his fellow fighters, praising their invaluable contribution to the country's freedom struggle.

When you look at the biography of the martyrs we remember today, there's clearly an unbroken thread of the patriotic activity of their families. Shkelzen Haradinaj was among the early members of the UCH that with inexhaustible energy helped move soldiers to Kosovo's territory that were supplied with weapons. Always loyal, vigilant, and inhospitable. Luan Haradinaj had testified in the border war as soon as possible since May 1997. Shkelzen, Famiri, Hasimi and others with their contribution were especially witnessed in the first periods of UCK. These soldiers, commanders and commanders of war in the Dukagjini area and beyond, from the 24 March 1998 battle in Glodjan to the 16 April 1999 resistance held the KLA's” uniform in honour, said President Thaci.

According to him, Kosovo for which these martyrs sacrificed is the successful confession of liberation and peace, witnessing achieved over these 19 years.

Gafurr Elshani has remembered some of the moments and actions of heroes who left a lasting impression on the history of liberation war. While he has also mentioned Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj's contribution to the war for freedom, and his influence on political and military formation on his brother, Shkelzen Haradinaj.

He, along with Glodjani's martyrs, remembered the other 1000 martyrs of the Dukagjin Operative Zone fallen into the freedom fight.

“Ramush Haradinaj worked on extending the military structure in Kosovo, which had set a personal example of sacrifice. First he organized his brothers Schelzen, Daut and Lion, then all those willing to fight for the freedom of the country... the entire village of Gllojan, who gave 27 martyrs, had engaged in armed resistance since her embryo. This village became the center of the Dukagjini Operative Zone, which was distinguished in the liberation war, and we today honor the contribution and freedom sacrifice to beat the 1,000 martyrs who fought in the context of this vital area for resistance and struggle for freedom”, Elshani said.

Xavit Jashar, chairman of the Association of Witness Families, said that the work of those who have fallen and the way they have traveled to freedom is spoken of by the martyrs.

He said that the least that can be done today is recalling those who have fallen into the fight for freedom. Until he added that the best honor is the realisation of their trust to live the historic right as a united nation.

I believe that to write the real story of the Haradinians and all those who have fallen into the glorious era of UCK, not just in war, we remember these giants. We certainly remember all our walking on the road to freedom”, he said.

The warrior of the fallen, the superior of KLA, Ibrahim Selmanaj, said the price of freedom is always high. Confessing part of the recent war history in Kosovo, he has also mentioned the murder of Enver Haradinaj, a murder that had taken place six years after the war, becoming another pain for Hilmi Haradinaj's family.

“remember these large families of Dukagjin, which historically moves towards the Albanian cause. And Hilmi Haradinaj's family carried a heavy burden even after the war. It's six years after the war when even a man of Hilmia is secretly murdered. He is killed under still unexplained circumstances, high-ranking, disabled wartime student at the University of Pristina. Today many soldiers and martyrs are missing, and we must remember and honor them. But today on this date, together we are honoring the heroes of Dukagjin, Shkelzen, Daut, Hasim and The Lion and Fatmir. Eternal glory”, he said.

At the academy prior to those present, Luan Haradinaj, young witness son Shkelzen Haradinaj has spoken.

He said that the example of the fallen in the struggle for freedom will always be a guide for new generations.

The Temple of martyrs of the nation will always be a guide to us. On the road to building a strong country, as they loved it and dreamed of it. Glory to all martyrs”, he said.

Present at this academy were representatives of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, ministers, deputy ministers, family deputies of the martyrs, as well as other representatives. While in honor of their life and contribution to the struggle for freedom, today wreaths of flowers have been placed in the Skelzen Haradinaj bust and tablets with the names of martyrs.