Former communist president visits Kosova

PRISHTINA, Oct. 8 – Former and last communist president in Albania Ramiz Alia, 81, visited Kosova last weekend where he met with all the top politicians and officials there and welcomed with all the due honors. Alia was invited from a private television station. He was warmly welcomed the moment he put his feet in Kosova at the airport. He started the visit with a wreath of flowers in Decan for the KLA fighters. In the second day of his visit Alia started private meetings with Kosova President Fatmir Sejdiu, to continue with Prime Minister Agim Ceku and political leaders Hashim Thaci, Veton Surroi and Ramush Haradinaj. Alia made no statement after the meetings. It was learnt however that he talked on Kosova’s final steps toward independence. He also talked to the KTV private television station. Alia was elected as the country’s president since 1982 when late dictator Enver Hoxha was still living, and then became his successor in 1985 upon his death. Alia was also re-elected as president in 1991 but resigned a year later. He also served some prison years for abuse of post. Alia’s old family origin is from Kosova, from where his family moved to Shkodra.