February 9th elections, Alush Gashi speaks from the US: LDK examines post-election coalitions only

Mr. Gashi spoke on strategy in this position of this political force, which, in previous elections, suffered great losses, ranking third political force in the country.

During the interview for Voice of America, Mr. Gashi speaks and on the issue of reopening the main bridge over the Iber River in Mitrovica, issues that have provoked tensions among the government in Kosovo with its international partners.

Voice of America: Mr. Gashi, today is the third day of the Democratic Kuvedi, other prominent figures that this party will talk about and give their support to Mrs. Harris, who will ultimately accept the candidacy for president tomorrow. Can you share with us your impressions from this assembly?

Alush Gashi: Initially, let me stress that invitation from the National Democratic Institute for the chairman of the Democratic League of Kosovo, Dr. Abdixhiku is a reaffirmation of long-term and container co-operation between the National Democratic Institute and the Democratic League of Kosovo. For the Democratic League of Kosovo, this is an extraordinary event, which has a global impact. The atmosphere in all the assemblies is festive. The talks are conservative, hopeful, and I wish that these elections in November to ensure stability not only in America but also global.

Voice of America: Mr. Gashi during these days in Kosovo at the centre of attention is the issue of reopening the main bridge over the Iber River in Mitrovica, which has affected, as American officials have repeatedly highlighted, the relations between Kosovo and the United States, but other Western allies. Are you concerned with such a development?

Alush Gashi: We have all invested together in more than 20 years for the integration of the Serb minority into all institutions of our republic, and with little difficulty it has worked until recently, when they withdrew from all institutions. There are now no Serb representatives in those institutions. The bridge issue and all bridges in the cities are a matter of local power. I believe that the bridge should be taken, cared for, made decisions to the mayors of neighbouring municipalities, namely, the mayor of the southern municipality and the mayor of the northern municipality. These are issues of resolving problems within Kosovo's territory, which perhaps due to lack of good institutional care, has raised this issue even beyond Kosovo's borders.

Voice of America: Mr. Gashi, after six months in Kosovo, general elections will be held. Your party in the previous race suffered major losses, ranking third force in parliament. What strategy will the Democratic League pursue to change its position?

Alush Gashi: The Democratic League of Kosovo has made all preparations for the upcoming elections, both central and local. In the past three years, it has been working intensively at all levels, holding hundreds of citizens' meetings across the country -- meetings with nongovernmental organisations, business leaders, students, the country's best experts. The LDK is also committed to empowering the woman and giving space to the forum of democratic youth. We hope that more than a victory is the sharing of our country's institutional sustainability and keeping reports with key factors for the stability of our country and those who have supported it in the 1990s, in the transition process and co-ordinated declaration of Kosovo independence. We're ready for choice. We believe that we offer Kosovo a professional, reliable and very transparent government. I believe citizens of these three years have seen how life develops if there are no good professionals in key positions. The Democratic League of Kosovo guarantees a good government, guarantees correct local and international reports and I believe that under our leadership we will contribute, in addition to internal stability, to the outside.

Voice of America: As part of these preparations, Mr. Gashi, are you also considering the possibility of pre-election alliances with other opposition factors, and what condition would you predetermine for their formation?

Alush Gashi: The Democratic League is very active in its internal debate at all levels, and there is full compliance that the Democratic League must work intensively to get the first political party out so that the country can give a good government.

Given that we are in a parliamentary system where a single party is hard to create the government, all organisations, arrangements will take place after the election results are declared.