[ALBSA-Info] Kathimerini's interview

[Agron Alibali]

Idea of a 'greater Albania' is wrong
Albanian opposition leader Sali Berisha argues that the rebels have a just cause, but violence is not the solution

By Stavros Tzimas 
Kathimerini 
Opposition leader and former Albanian President Sali Berisha criticizes the armed Albanians fighting in FYROM for using illegal and unacceptable methods. But he told Kathimerini that he thought their demands were just. He supports the integrity of FYROM and says there is no question of a "greater Albania" or "greater Kosovo." 
Fighting between Albanian rebels and government forces has broken out again in FYROM. What exactly is your position on this? Do you support the armed uprising of your fellow Albanians in that country? 
We categorically do not support any act of violence or any act aimed at breaking up the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. I have always been convinced that the existence and stability of that republic is very important for the southern Balkans and for the whole region. I see a dangerous situation. 
Armed groups 
There is a lot of talk about these armed Albanians. Some say they are invaders from Kosovo, led by former KLA officers, while others say they are local Albanians, described abroad as terrorists. What is your information? 
Let's judge together. If we turn on the television we will see Albanian villages being bombed. Unfortunately this is one way of increasing the ranks of the National Liberation Army, you can't imagine to what extent. 
I respect the democratically elected FYROM government. I believe that President Trajkovski wants to find a democratic solution. But when you use fire to douse fire in your own house, I am afraid that the house burns more quickly. With this in mind I call on both sides to sit down at the table at once for negotiations that include the representatives of these armed groups. 
As for the armed groups, I cannot prove that they had secessionist tendencies at the outset, but the West itself realizes that their demands are just. I agree that we are dealing with armed groups who are using illegal and unacceptable methods to achieve just demands. But violence is not the way to solve problems. I can understand the Trajkovski government asking why it should retreat in the face of violence, and it is not right for a government to give in to violence. But the most important thing is to solve the problem. 
So what should the FYROM government do when it sustains an armed attack and its territory is under threat? Do you think it right that it should sit with folded arms? 
Agreed, but it is fire from within your house, not from outside. Trajkovski and the government are not responsible for the situation which has developed, because it did not create this legacy. But they are responsible for solving the problem. Courageous dialogue is needed, because what will happen if the bombardment continues? Every day the ranks of the fighters increase. What will the consequences of the bombardment be for the Albanians? 
Tragic situation 
In any case there is agitation among Albanians outside Albania, in Kosovo, southern Serbia, and FYROM, with strong irredentist features. Some observers wonder whether the time has come for a general settlement of the Albanian question. Is there such an issue, in your opinion? Will settling it mean a greater Albania or a greater Kosovo? 
The situation of the Albanians is the most tragic in the Balkans. Albania was the last state to become free, and the Kosovars have just been liberated. Indeed I have heard people talking about a greater Albania or a greater Kosovo. Perhaps at some stage they will talk about a greater Presevo. But who was being oppressed? Weren't they Albanians? The problem facing us is as follows: Are the others willing to recognize the rights which the Albanians must enjoy as free people? It is very important for the current view of the Albanian situation to change. If that happens, a new positive balance will be created in the Balkans. 
The idea of a greater Albania is very wrong. I can tell you that, as far as I know, Albania and Kosovo are two different Albanian entities. Some small parties representing 1-2 percent have expressed the idea of uniting Albania and Kosovo. So the issue of a greater Albania or a greater Kosovo does not arise. What is important is for these entities that exist today to be free, for these people to move toward independence and not be afraid. 
Domino effect 
Is this case, why shouldn't the Greeks in Albania or the Hungarians in Romania legitimately claim their own path? Doesn't this start a vicious circle, setting off the so-called domino effect in the Balkans? 
The story of the minorities is a different issue. The Balkans must establish the most progressive standards for the minorities. I am not talking about ethnically pure states. What we have here is a federation which is disintegrating, not a change of borders. Only the internal borders of the federation have changed, not the borders of Albania, Greece, or Bulgaria, because they did not belong to the federation that dissolved. So there cannot be a domino effect. 
Djindjic invites Meta to BelgradeIdea of a 'greater Albania' is wrong
Albanian opposition leader Sali Berisha argues that the rebels have a just cause, but violence is not the solution

By Stavros Tzimas 

Kathimerini 
Opposition leader and former Albanian President Sali Berisha criticizes the armed Albanians fighting in FYROM for using illegal and unacceptable methods. But he told Kathimerini that he thought their demands were just. He supports the integrity of FYROM and says there is no question of a "greater Albania" or "greater Kosovo." 
Fighting between Albanian rebels and government forces has broken out again in FYROM. What exactly is your position on this? Do you support the armed uprising of your fellow Albanians in that country? 
We categorically do not support any act of violence or any act aimed at breaking up the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. I have always been convinced that the existence and stability of that republic is very important for the southern Balkans and for the whole region. I see a dangerous situation. 
Armed groups 
There is a lot of talk about these armed Albanians. Some say they are invaders from Kosovo, led by former KLA officers, while others say they are local Albanians, described abroad as terrorists. What is your information? 
Let's judge together. If we turn on the television we will see Albanian villages being bombed. Unfortunately this is one way of increasing the ranks of the National Liberation Army, you can't imagine to what extent. 
I respect the democratically elected FYROM government. I believe that President Trajkovski wants to find a democratic solution. But when you use fire to douse fire in your own house, I am afraid that the house burns more quickly. With this in mind I call on both sides to sit down at the table at once for negotiations that include the representatives of these armed groups. 
As for the armed groups, I cannot prove that they had secessionist tendencies at the outset, but the West itself realizes that their demands are just. I agree that we are dealing with armed groups who are using illegal and unacceptable methods to achieve just demands. But violence is not the way to solve problems. I can understand the Trajkovski government asking why it should retreat in the face of violence, and it is not right for a government to give in to violence. But the most important thing is to solve the problem. 
So what should the FYROM government do when it sustains an armed attack and its territory is under threat? Do you think it right that it should sit with folded arms? 
Agreed, but it is fire from within your house, not from outside. Trajkovski and the government are not responsible for the situation which has developed, because it did not create this legacy. But they are responsible for solving the problem. Courageous dialogue is needed, because what will happen if the bombardment continues? Every day the ranks of the fighters increase. What will the consequences of the bombardment be for the Albanians? 
Tragic situation 
In any case there is agitation among Albanians outside Albania, in Kosovo, southern Serbia, and FYROM, with strong irredentist features. Some observers wonder whether the time has come for a general settlement of the Albanian question. Is there such an issue, in your opinion? Will settling it mean a greater Albania or a greater Kosovo? 
The situation of the Albanians is the most tragic in the Balkans. Albania was the last state to become free, and the Kosovars have just been liberated. Indeed I have heard people talking about a greater Albania or a greater Kosovo. Perhaps at some stage they will talk about a greater Presevo. But who was being oppressed? Weren't they Albanians? The problem facing us is as follows: Are the others willing to recognize the rights which the Albanians must enjoy as free people? It is very important for the current view of the Albanian situation to change. If that happens, a new positive balance will be created in the Balkans. 
The idea of a greater Albania is very wrong. I can tell you that, as far as I know, Albania and Kosovo are two different Albanian entities. Some small parties representing 1-2 percent have expressed the idea of uniting Albania and Kosovo. So the issue of a greater Albania or a greater Kosovo does not arise. What is important is for these entities that exist today to be free, for these people to move toward independence and not be afraid. 
Domino effect 
Is this case, why shouldn't the Greeks in Albania or the Hungarians in Romania legitimately claim their own path? Doesn't this start a vicious circle, setting off the so-called domino effect in the Balkans? 
The story of the minorities is a different issue. The Balkans must establish the most progressive standards for the minorities. I am not talking about ethnically pure states. What we have here is a federation which is disintegrating, not a change of borders. Only the internal borders of the federation have changed, not the borders of Albania, Greece, or Bulgaria, because they did not belong to the federation that dissolved. So there cannot be a domino effect. 
 


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