Acting President Haxhiu: The just war of the Kosovo Liberation Army, the resistance of our people and the support of our international partners made Kosovo liberated, free and independent
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, accompanied by the Acting Minister for Labour, Family and Values of the Liberation War, Andin Hoti, paid homage on the 27th anniversary of the Bukosh Massacre. Acting President Haxhiu said that on May 3rd 1999, 27 years ago, 25 innocent civilians, men and boys ranging in age from 85 to 5 years old, were separated from the flight line of Albanian families. “They were forcibly taken from their families. Their families, on the other hand, were forced to continue the path of deportation. While innocent civilians were brought to this school, placed near the walls of this school and shot. Not in a battle, not in an armed confrontation, but they were killed and shot cruelly, deliberately and in cold blood,” emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. According to her, what happened 27 years ago here in Bukosh is not an isolated case, but is evidence of the genocide and ethnic cleansing that Serbia has committed in the Republic of Kosovo. “But the resistance of the Kosovo Albanians, their courage and also the conviction that we must stand strong, has forced Serbia to retreat. So, the just war of the Kosovo Liberation Army, the resistance of our people and the support of our international partners, have made Kosovo liberated, free and independent”, said Acting President Haxhiu. She further added that today we honour the innocent civilian martyrs, but we are also close to the families, many of whom are survivors of this massacre, and despite the pain they remained strong. This is proof that our people are strong despite the challenges they are going through. Acting President Haxhiu said that as institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, we will continuously engage in addressing the responsibilities we have, especially in cases related to justice, because we cannot continue without justice for war crimes, wherever we go, the request of the families is that justice is served for these sufferers. “You know that recently many actions have been taken, including trials in absentia, because Serbia does not hand over war criminals. Therefore, despite the fact that there has been progress in this regard recently, there have been so many crimes in Kosovo that have been committed by Serbia that the progress seems to be small. Therefore, we call on the justice institutions to continue their work and commitment in the investigation, namely the criminal prosecution and trial of war criminals”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. Afterwards, the Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, and the Acting Minister for Labour, Family and Values of the Liberation War, Andin Hoti, paid homage at the statue of Hero Besim Ndrecaj, in Theranda.
Acting President Haxhiu attended the Memorial Academy on the 27th Anniversary of the Studime Massacre: We will be with you in collecting evidence, during the prosecution, at the court, at the archive, in public memory, in school and in diplomacy
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, attended today the Memorial Academy on the 27th Anniversary of the Studime Massacre. On this occasion, Acting President Haxhiu said that we are gathered here today, in Studime, at the place where on May 2nd 1999, within two hours, the lives of 116 Albanian civilians were cut short. “116 Albanian civilians: children, youth, women, men and elderly. Unarmed people, caught in the column of deportees arriving from the Shala region, through Sllakoc and Cecelia, towards Studime and Vushtrri. They were abandoning the besieged villages to stay alive, but their retreat was cut off by Serbian forces. An entire state had turned its military, police and paramilitary apparatus into a machine for ethnic cleansing, murder and genocide” said Acting President Haxhiu. She further said that after the May 2nd massacre, neither the horror nor the violence ended for the families of Studime. “The massacre was not the end of Serbia’s genocidal operation. It was one of its links. The killed were left behind. The women, children and the elderly were deported to Albania. The men separated from the column were taken to the Smrekonica prison, where they were beaten, interrogated, left in inhumane conditions and tortured. Serbia was not satisfied with the murder. It wanted to empty the country, break up the families, humiliate the survivors and leave the crime without trial. Even today, Serbia shelters war criminals and that’s how a state acts when crime is its policy”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. According to her, when we talk about Studime, we also talk about Nabërgjan, where one day before, 17 Albanian civilians were killed, we also talk about Bukosh, where one day after Studime 25 men and boys were taken from the column of deportees and executed in the schoolyard, we talk about Mejë, Krushë, Izbicë, Poklek, Rezallë, Korenicë, and many other places where Serbia left people killed, left mothers without children and children without parents. “You have lived with the absence longer than with the presence of many of your loved ones. You have lived with memories, with expectations, with many questions, which still have no answers. But you stood. You have preserved the truth when others have tried to distort it. And most importantly, you have spoken when it was necessary to testify about the crimes that Serbia has committed in our country”, stated Acting President Haxhiu. Acting President Albulena Haxhiu, in her speech to the participants, said that the state will be by your side not only on the anniversary. “We will be with you in collecting evidence, during the prosecution, at the court, at the archive, in public memory, in school and in diplomacy. I also feel this responsibility deeply myself, in the office I hold today, and I pledge that the Studime will not only remain in the memory of the families, but also in the daily work of institutions, including the justice institutions, so that war criminals do not go unpunished. Because Studime, in addition to the pain of the families, is part of the political history of the Republic of Kosovo,” said Acting President Haxhiu. She further said that innocent people were killed because they were Albanians and because Serbia wanted a Kosovo without Albanians, adding that today we live in the Republic of Kosovo because that project has failed. According to her, it failed because the resistance was of the people, of our people; it failed because of the liberation war, it failed because of the sacrifice of our fallen and martyrs, it failed because of the intervention of our Western allies, it failed because the will for freedom was stronger than terror. “Today, on the 27th anniversary of the Studime massacre, with humility and respect, we remember the 116 civilians killed on May 2, 1999. We remember the martyrs of Nabërgjan. We remember the men and boys of Bukosh. We remember all those killed, forcibly disappeared, expelled, survivors, prisoners and tortured in the last war in Kosovo. We remember them because they are the foundation of our freedom. We honor them because our Republic was built upon their sacrifice. And we demand justice because without it, memory remains incomplete, family members remain burdened, and peace remains truncated”, said Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu on International Workers’ Day: Today we honor the workers who, through their toiling, responsibility and dignity, keep their families, society and Kosovo on their feet
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, said that today, on International Workers’ Day, it is not enough to look only at the workplace. We must also look at the home. “Where many women start the day before everyone wakes up and end it after everyone has fallen asleep. Where caring for children, the elderly, the sick, food, clothing and family order continues to be taken as a natural duty. But it is not natural. It is engagement, dedication, time and, above all, it is work that is neither paid nor recognized adequately,” said Acting President Haxhiu. She further added that on this May 1st, we must see work in its entirety and give the workers of Kosovo the place they deserve. “Those who go out early to earn their daily bread with sweat, at the construction site, in the factory, in the field, in the office, in the store, on the street corner or as expats, but also those who continue to work inside the house, often without pay, without a schedule and without the recognition they deserve”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. She said that today we honor the workers who, through their toiling, responsibility and dignity, keep their families, society and Kosovo on their feet.
Acting President Haxhiu: I welcome the presentation of the resolution at the US Congress in support of Kosovo’s membership in NATO
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, said that she welcomes the presentation of the resolution in the US Congress in support of Kosovo’s membership in NATO. “Gratitude to Representatives Keith Self, Ritchie Torres and Mike Lawler for their leadership and for their continued support for Kosovo in taking its rightful place in the Euro-Atlantic family,” emphasized Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu: Early elections for the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo will be held on June 7th
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu said that following the failure of the Assembly to elect the President, and based on the adjudication of the Constitutional Court, the Assembly is considered dissolved and elections must be held within 45 days. In line with constitutional responsibilities, Acting President Haxhiu received yesterday the Chairman of the Central Election Commission Mr. Kreshnik Radoniqi, with whom she discussed the organizational aspects of the electoral process. While today, pursuant to the Law on General Elections, she met with leaders and representatives of political entities. At this meeting, she heard the proposals of political parties for the date of the elections. “Following the assessment of the constitutional deadlines, the organizational needs of the Central Election Commission and the importance of the widest possible participation of citizens in the process, I have decided that the early elections for the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo will be held on June 7th ”, said Acting President Haxhiu at a press conference. She further added that Kosovo has proven that it knows how to organize free, democratic and credible electoral processes, which is also confirmed by international observers. Acting President Haxhiu wished the staff of the Central Election Commission successful proceedings and an iron will to protect the will of the citizens. “I am convinced that this time too, citizens will have their say with dignity, calmness and democratic maturity. I wish political entities success in the campaign, and a free and pressureless exercise of their right to vote,” said Acting President Haxhiu. In the end, Acting President Haxhiu wished a correct and responsible electoral campaign, in line with democratic standards, as Kosovo has shown in past electoral processes.
Acting President Haxhiu and Prime Minister Kurti paid homage in Gllobar, Vërboc, Shtuticë and at the Memorial Complex in Marinë
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, together with the Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, today paid homage at the martyrs’ cemeteries in Gllobar, Vërboc, Shtuticë and at the Memorial Complex in Marinë. On this occasion, Acting President Haxhiu said that 27 years ago, Gllobar, Vërboc, Shtuticë, Trestenik, Baksi Polluzha and other villages of Drenica faced the attack of Serbian occupying forces. “276 unarmed and innocent civilians were massacred. Some of the bodies were burned, while others were sent to Rashka in Serbia, in order to hide the traces of the crime. These murders of babies, children, girls, women, and the elderly are evidence of Serbia’s genocide in Kosovo. On April 30th, 1999, that same day, in defense of unarmed and innocent civilians, 42 soldiers of the Kosovo Liberation Army, now martyrs of the nation, fell. Among them, the hero Ilaz Kodra, who led the 114th brigade,” said Acting President Haxhiu. She further added that today, we honour their sublime work, we honour the lives of the martyrs and the work of the nation’s fallen. “Thanks to them, we have the state of Kosovo, freedom and independence, which we must honour with continuous work,” said Acting President Haxhiu. During the day, the Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, and the Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, also paid homage at the Memorial Complex in the Marinë. On this occasion, Acting President Haxhiu said that we are here at the Memorial Complex in the Marinë in Skenderaj, to honour the just war of the Kosovo Liberation Army. “We have just laid fresh flowers in honour of the life and work of the 42 martyrs of the Kosovo Liberation Army, who heroically fell while protecting the innocent civilians of the villages of Drenicë, who were facing fierce attacks by the Serbian occupying forces. Among them was Commander Ilaz Kodra, who grew up in Prekaz, the Prekaz of patriotism. He who in his youth was inspired by brave fighters and idealists who knew that freedom is not won without war,” said Acting President Haxhiu. She also said that Ilaz Kodra was among the first members of the Kosovo Liberation Army. According to her, he served as an inspiration, both in training and in mobilization for the increase in the ranks of the Kosovo Liberation Army. “After the heroic fall of Commander Fehmi Lladrovci, he took over the leadership of Brigade 114 and until the end of his life did everything for freedom and for our country,” said Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu met with the CEC Chairperson, discussed preparations for new elections
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Ms. Albulena Haxhiu, received today in a meeting the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission, Mr. Kreshnik Radoniqi, with whom she discussed the institutional steps in the framework of announcing new elections. The importance of timely preparation of all actions related to the organization of the electoral process, in full compliance with the Constitution, the law and democratic standards. She praised the role of the Central Election Commission in organizing an orderly, credible and inclusive process, emphasizing that the citizens of Kosovo have consistently demonstrated democratic maturity and trust in the electoral process. During the meeting, legal deadlines, administrative preparations, inter-institutional coordination, as well as the need for the electoral process to be conducted without delay and with high professional standards were also discussed.
Acting President Haxhiu: On April 27, 1999, in Mejë and Korenicë, one of the most serious massacres was committed during the last war in Kosovo
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, paid homage today at the Memorial Complex in Mejë. Acting President Haxhiu said on this occasion that on April 27th, 1999, 27 years ago, in Mejë and Korenica, one of the most serious massacres was committed during the last war in Kosovo. “376 unarmed Albanian civilians were killed and in order to hide the traces of the crimes, they were moved to mass graves in Serbia, in Batajnica, Rudnica and other places”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. She further said that today we honour and remember the 376 martyrs of these massacres, today we also honour and remember Mother Pashka, the mother who sacrificed herself, that is, ended her life after the reburial of her two sons. Today we also honour the contribution, sacrifice and resistance of the mothers of Gjakova, as well as all mothers who lost their loved ones during the war. “In this case, as you are aware, two and a half years ago an indictment was filed against over 50 people for this grave massacre”, said Acting President Haxhiu, while calling on “the institutions of justice to deal with this massacre without delay, which as I mentioned is one of the most serious massacres during the last war in Kosovo, but also to address the responsibilities in relation to the numerous crimes that Serbia has committed in Kosovo”, said Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu: Rexhep Qosja as an intellectual, during the decisive years for the people of Kosovo, was a clear voice against oppression, against injustice and against efforts to deny our national identity
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, participated today in the Special Session in honour of Academician Rexhep Qosja. In her speech, Acting President Haxhiu said that today, at this commemorative session, the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo honours Academician Rexhep Qosja, as one of the people who transformed Albanian culture into a space of thought, polemic, awareness and historical responsibility. “Rexhep Qosja lived and created at a time when Albanians were constantly asked to prove their language, history, belonging and political rights. He responded to this time with works, studies, polemics, public positions and an intellectual discipline that is rarely seen in our public life. He built his thinking on the values of the National Renaissance, on the European Enlightenment heritage, on humanism and on the figures that gave Albanians historical direction”, said Acting President Haxhiu. She further added that as a writer, he proved that literature can be both art and conscience, further stating that in his artistic works he brought man face to face with fear, power, injustice and the dilemmas of our time. “Academician Qosja took the study of Albanian literature out of the confines of a narrow discipline and connected it to the greatest question of his time: how to keep alive the consciousness of a divided, oppressed people forced to defend their language, history, and political rights. With his research, profound interpretations, and new readings of our most important authors, Qosja made Albanian literature part of the great debate on the identity, historical continuity, and political rights of Albanians,” affirmed Acting President Haxhiu. As an intellectual, in the decisive years for the people of Kosovo, he was a clear voice against oppression, against injustice, and against efforts to deny our national identity, said Acting president Haxhiu “His contribution also extends to the political processes of the last century, when Kosovo sought freedom and a republic. Rexhep Qosja put his intellectual authority at the service of this right, articulating Kosovo’s freedom as a historical right and as a cause that required international affirmation”, emphasized the Acting President. According to her, in the cultural life of Kosovo, Professor Qosja takes the place of those rare figures who go beyond the institution and mark an entire era of thought. “The Albanological Institute, the University of Pristina, literature, theater, film and public debate are based on his work, courage and presence. For Qosja, culture had a duty. The book had a duty. The intellectual had a duty. Therefore, his work went beyond the library and entered the political history of Kosovo”, said Acting President Haxhiu. According to her, Qosja turned the argument into a means of defending Albanian identity and rights, before these rights took shape at political tables. “As early as the seventies, in his work “Panteoni i rralluar”, he had written about speech and silence as ethical, political and intellectual issues. Later, in the polemics of the eighties, in the journalism of the nineties and in the interviews where he articulated Kosovo’s right to self-determination, he proved that for the Albanian creator, silence could not be a refuge in times of oppression. Speech, for Qosja, was an obligation to the truth and to the people. In 1991, in an interview for the Belgrade press, when Yugoslavia was disintegrating and Kosovo was kept under oppression, academic Qosja declared that the perseverance and determination of the Albanian people would continue in the face of suffering, until Kosovo achieved the right that was due to it: the right to political and territorial self-determination”, said Acting President. She further said that Academician Rexhep Qosja did not seek honours for himself, but the Republic has a duty to honour those who, with their work, have honoured the state and honoured the nation. “The memory of him will remain where he placed all his work: in Albanian culture, in critical thinking, in the Albanian language and in the political and spiritual history of Kosovo,” said Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu expresses her solidarity with the American people following the attack in Washington
Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Ms. Albulena Haxhiu, has reacted to the attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington. In her reaction, Acting President Haxhiu expressed her solidarity with the American people and relief that President Donald Trump, the First Lady, and everyone present are out of danger. “Following the disturbing attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, we stand with the American people. Relieved that President Trump, the First Lady, and everyone present are safe. We wish the injured official a full recovery, and we stand with the United States in this difficult moment,” states the reaction of the Acting President. The Republic of Kosovo condemns every act of violence and stands with the United States of America, its strategic partner and ally.