President Thaci: To The Hague Is Going for Freedom Prize

This Sunday afternoon, Hashim Thaci former political leader UCK today president from Mother Teresa Airport has headed towards The Hague to begin and win a new battle, this time with international justice, which has put him under suspicion as involved in war crimes. Shortly before the launch of President Thaci to The Hague in an exclusive interview for Top Channel journalist Muhamed Veliu broadcasts the Kosovo Clan.

Muhammad Veliu: Mr. President, the last interview we had together was just before your departure to the White House but canceled that visit. Here we are again today on a whole other case under new circumstances after you're heading towards The Hague to face the special prosecutor. How do you expect this confrontation?

President Hashim Thaci: It is true, the day before the public announcement occurred from the specialised chambers for the possibility of setting up the indictment to me and to the president of Wessel has been a journey and our commitment to go to the White House to work closely with the US so that we can reach the peace agreement, understanding and reconciliation that opens a safe perspective for Kosovo and the entire Western Balkans.

So I highlight that path and cut it off or interrupt it, but trust in US values and Western world cannot be shaken.

Muhammad Veliu: Let me insist on how do you see tomorrow's confronting the special prosecutor at The Hague?

President Hashim Thaci: Like all other UCK fighters who responded positively to the call of Specialised Chambers and I am one of those who will answer. I will be fully responsible for the circumstances created with our civic obligations, our constitutional and legal obligations. I know it has been a historic injustice when these specialised rooms have been established, but I want to point out today that it has been a very serious decision of the Republic of Kosovo's Parliament, but a strategicly just decision because we need every circumstance despite the sacrifices we've already paid and that we face today, trust in the Western world especially in our allies that helped us win Kosovo's freedom and independence with the US, NATO and the EU should have steadfast and on the other hand we have had either the opportunity to continue with NATO, the US and the EU or remained in the hands of the countries that have not recognised independence of Kosovo and this Special Chamber of the United Nations Councils of Security. So let me stress that I understand critical opinions about establishing specialised rooms, but I continue to trust firmly and strongly to defend the right decision of the Republic of Kosovo as the right and strategic decision. Now we are all left as co-warsmen and institutions in the country to be at the helm of obligations for institutional stability for good governance to look to the future, while I reiterate that no one will be able to rewrite history. Kosovo is a victim. genocide and ethnic cleansing have occurred in Kosovo, but we face this new circumstance to pay for the price of freedom.

Muhammad Veliu: President who leads your defense team? 

President Hashim Thaci: I haven't defined yet. I will contribute to the truth I believe in justice and by contributing to the truth I think it also contributes to justice. Our war has been clean, the right has been among the civic, armed movements that as the foundation had the peaceful movement one of the most successful movements in the world because it has carried out a battle in the face of a genocide device of ethnic cleansing and at the same time in the face of a regime that had committed massacres of genocide like those in Srebrenica and beyond.

Muhammad Veliu: President, you won the battle for Kosovo's liberation, how confident are you that you will win this battle with international justice?

President Hashim Thaci: The best defense is the justice of the war we've fought and no one will be able to shake it. I want to stress that Kosovo has won many battles. Many other fellow fighters have full confidence in truth and righteousness.

Muhammad Veliu: For all those who have a tiny thread of doubt that Hashim Thaci is involved in war crimes, what is your word?

President Hashim Thaci: I've already stressed it, I might have made political mistakes, made political concessions. It is true that we have violated the laws of Slobodan Milosevic's system, and for that I am very proud as a people and as an individual. No international law under any circumstances but this is the price of freedom.