WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 29 – The National Albanian American Council (NAAC) said that Kosova had to work hard to achieve the forthcoming independence status, making achieving that status a fait d’accomplit. “After more than 7 years of governance by the United Nations Mission In Kosova (UNMIK), indications are that Kosova will be an independent country, with certain oversight responsibilities by an international presence during a transition period,” said a statement of the council. The organization hailed the Contact Group meeting held in New York during the U.N. Security Council session in September reaffirming “that the status talks would be completed by the end of 2006.” The Council also denounced the Belgrade stand to disrupt the process and not be cooperative in the status talks. “They are trying to prevent negotiations by discouraging the Kosova Serbs from participating, and have a strategy to delay the final status decision in the hope that they will reverse Kosova’s independence,” according to the NAAC. It said that the international community was concerned about the security of the minorities, in particular the Serbian minority. “The security of all of the people of Kosova cannot be guaranteed by the politicians, police and military presence but by people themselves. It is the people of Kosova, especially the ethnic Albanians, who must understand that it is in their interest to ensure that there is no violence. This means not only maintaining calm but also speaking out against violence,” said the statement.
“It is important to remember that the people of Kosova earned their independence with honor and dignity after many years of struggle under the Milosevic repression. The price for independence was a collective commitment, whereas the price for liberty must be paid by individuals. Each and single every person who wants Kosova to become a modern democratic nation,” said he council. “Having endured so much to come so far, the people of Kosova must maintain their resolve to determine their sovereign independence to join the community of democratic nations.”
The National Albanian American Council is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advocating for Albanians and promoting peace and economic development in the Balkans by fostering democratic policy, promoting respect for human rights, and conducting educational and developmental programs. For more information on the National Albanian American Council visit us on the web at www.naac.org.
