4 minutes agoWhen Rugova said: With partitioning Kosovo Serbs seek natural assets, we do not fall prey to these policies
Periskopi(8 years ago)
(8 years ago)It seems that Kosovo's division policy has been old in the Serbian elite circle, and this has circulated since the early 1990s. Ibrahim Rugova was also questioned in the interview given for “Der Spiegel” during June 8, 1992. “Serbs look at this “divisions”, so that each land with its natural resources meets [...]
Der Spiegel: Will Kosovo turn into future Balkan battles?
Ibrahim Rugova: The Yugoslav Army is sick of the severe defeat in Slovenia, wanting to cover it with another war. Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic is uncertain, adding even after UN sanctions. If he were to establish military intervention against Kosovo, then it would be no surprise if the UN joined in militarily. I would personally seek military assistance from abroad if Serbia threatens Kosovo.
Der Spiegel: Croatian President Tudjman has demanded several times that Albanians open the south front against Serbia. Are you attracted to this front?
Rugova: Indirect yes. We have often been asked to support the passive policy of Ghanaian resistance. Unfortunately, the coalition between Slovenians, Croats and Albanians has collapsed. I have no contact with Zagreb for about a year.
Spiegel: Serbia claims Kosovo Albanians are up to the armed teeth?
Rugova: It's the opposite, we don't have guns.
Spiegel: Is there any chance that Serbia will accept Kosovo's independence?
Rugova: Kosovo recognition is better than its opposite, namely, that a permanent crisis at Serbia's borders. We are willing to declare a neutral state and avoid joining Albania. However, joining Albania is our natural goal.
Der Spiegel: Albania's president, Sali Berisha, has declared that the borders of the former Yugoslavia are unprecedented?
Rugova: Albanian leadership is under pressure, as even the economic situation in Tirana is heavy. But that's not good if there is war. They would help us in such a situation.
Der Spiegel: What help is this?
Rugova: In a state of war with us the Albanians of Macedonia will also solidify. There are about 40% and not 20% as claimed by the Skopje regime. Of course I see the danger of internationalising conflict, since Bulgaria could also be locked up in war if “destabilised” Macedonia, appearing as a rescuer.
Der Spiegel: The Serbian intellectual circle has agreed to divide Kosovo between Albanians and Serbs?
Rugova: Then there would still be a million Albanians living outside the country. Also, Serbs look at this <x0nd division”, so that each land with natural wealth belongs to it. Then we'd just leave the lands worthless. We do not fall prey to these policies. We would accept a temporary UN protectorate, because it would be ridiculous to think that 8% of the Serb minority could rule and forcibly beat 2 million Albanians.
Der Spiegel: Kosovo in 1974 de fact had republic status, why it came up to the 1981 violent protests.
Rugova: From the Turkish liberation we wanted our independent state. In Yugoslavia and 1918 we were not represented as part of Serbia, but independent, so Kosovo. It is a tragedy for our nation to be under Serbian oppression.
Der Spiegel: How do you explain this pressure?
Rugova: We've never had the same rights with other nations. Since 1990, 100,000 Albanians have been arrested and imprisoned, from a simple worker to prominent professors. Unemployment among Albanians today totals 90%. The economic situation is catastrophic. Our survival is due to diaspora remittances.
Der Spiegel: The Serbian prime minister has invited you to a meeting in Belgrade. Will you go see him?
Rugova: I have not received agreement from the “all Kosovo parties” to hold talks. Even though Serbs have sunk to their throats, they want to show the world that they are ready for talks. We know from now that police in Kosovo want to suspend Pristina's parliament even with violence. For Kosovo there must be meetings, but best with the mediation of the states of Europe.
Der Spiegel: How long has the peaceful solution remained?
Rugova: The number of radicals rises from day to day. Fortunately, I still keep the situation under control- but with difficulty. Most Kosovo Albanians are patriots, worrying about the future. But I can't promise them someday to return to nationalists. Yugoslavia has been disbanded. All have created their own countries, but what happens to the 2 million Albanians?
