The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, mentioned the former KLA leaders currently on trial in The Hague during the solemn session of the Kosovo Assembly held in honor of the 18th anniversary of Kosovo’s Independence.
At the Assembly podium, where the inscription “KLA” was displayed, she stated that Hashim Thaci and others being tried at the Specialist Court rose up for freedom, and therefore any attempt to tarnish the war is unacceptable.
The head of state said that any attempt to equate the liberation war with the crimes of Serbia’s genocidal regime undermines justice and damages the foundations of peace in the region.
“The KLA is the greatest ideal that Albanians have built throughout the centuries. It is the heart of the national resistance and the response of an oppressed people to a genocidal regime. This war was always just, pure, and necessary. Any attempt to tarnish it is not only unjust but also historically wrong and unacceptable. The KLA leaders of Kosovo, who are now in The Hague, together with thousands of other fighters, rose for freedom, dignity, and the right to live freely in their homeland. Therefore, any attempt to equate the liberation war with the crimes of Serbia’s genocidal regime undermines justice and harms the foundations of long-term peace in the region… Today more than ever, we have a duty to stand together. No difference from our past or present should be an obstacle to our unity in defending our liberation war,” she said.
In addition, President Osmani said that Kosovo’s independence rests on the vision of the historic president, Ibrahim Rugova, as well as the struggle of the legendary commander, Adem Jashari.
“Kosovo’s independence was achieved through effort, blood, sacrifice, and centuries of patience. It was built by those who were persecuted, imprisoned, fought, and never submitted. Today, with the deepest respect, we bow before the memory of all the men and women who fell for this day so that Kosovo could be a republic. At the foundations of our state stands the vision of historic president Ibrahim Rugova, the architect of our independence… Our history was further shaped during the period of the war for freedom. It bears the name of legendary commander Adem Jashari, his heroic family, and all the men and women of the Kosovo Liberation Army,” added President Osmani.
