Veterans warn protests if pensions increase

The chairman of the KLA's Council for the Protection of Veterans, Geevdet Qerici, is also warning protests on the issue.

An interview for Online Economics took place, he said they have expected to line up with the latest raises being made by the Government of Kosovo, but that turned out disappointed.

We've expected to be involved in these last pension hikes. Unfortunately, we've been overlooked by the Government, we've hoped we'd get involved in the Law of Salaries, because we're a category that deserves to be treated more dignified, it hasn't happened, and we're disappointed by the recent decisions the Government has made, and it's never given us an explanation of why this category has been sidelined and we're already discussing with fellow fighters and we're waiting for their decision and their demands in case it's a mood for us to protest we're willing to take a step because we've been put aside from the Kosovo institutions of<16>

“We are hoping that the prime minister will take any step, knowing that he himself was part of the war and they know what importance UCK fighters have, but if he doesn't take any steps in this direction, we without our desire are obliged to protest, that we, as a category of this society, look for a pension raise of”, he said.

Regarding not implementing their request, he said the government of Kosovo had a reason, and it was because veterans' lists were inflated and could not cover the share of expenditures.

But, the blame for these inflated veterans' lists, Qariqi is placing it on the Government of Kosovo itself because it, according to him, has the responsibility to make these lists clean up.

“The reason for the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo is that it is a large number of war veterans, these swells are made by the government commission, and the government is to blame for these swells, they must take steps to clean up these lists and true fighters to be treated as they deserve”, Qrerici said.

The recent war in Kosovo, government left it with health consequences. He suffered several injuries on his feet, where to this day he is still causing problems.

But, for coverage of medical expenses, Currici is having trouble getting out, as he does not get any financial assistance from Kosovo institutions. He says that he has often been forced to leave his family badly, only to pay for his treatment.

I have had and continue to have health problems, I have had several interventions in Albania and Kosovo hospitals, recently I have been in Turkey, thanks to a Turkish government organisation, they have enabled me. I also have an operation expected to end in Turkey, to date as a KLA fighter, with severe wounds I have, not a cent from the Government of Kosovo, except the Fushe-Kosovo municipal assembly on several occasions with small amounts for the streets, and some small expenses have helped me”, he said.

This cost is hard to bear, I have often left my family bad to deal with my health. Even in this case, I am disappointed by the government, as I have seen that in many cases it has separated means, and no case have I seen that it has taken a step for a warrior or a war disability or a family member in need of recovery”, he said.