Gazmend Syla, vice-chairman of the Organization of Veterans of the Kosovo Liberation Army War (OVL-UÇK), stated that he does not expect the situation to become tense on September 16, when the Specialist Chambers in The Hague will announce the verdict for former KLA leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi.
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In a statement to KosovaPress, Syla said that the OVL-UÇK has no information about any possible worsening, while calling on veterans to maintain calm and restraint.
The United States Embassy in Prishtina has warned of a possible security risk, as large protests are expected on September 16. For this reason, U.S. government personnel have been advised to avoid non-essential travel near demonstrations and not to send their children to school.
Syla assessed that there is no reason for the OVL-UÇK to contribute to any escalation, saying that even former KLA members are ‘American soldiers’.
Syla: KLA soldiers are also American soldiers
‘We have seen the reaction of the American Embassy and this has occurred based on their own analysis. As the OVL, we do not have any information about a possible worsening of the situation. They should know that KLA soldiers are also American soldiers, therefore we do not see any worsening or incident; I am speaking on behalf of those we represent. As for the Police, that is their matter. We have called on veterans to be calm and restrained,’ said Syla.
He also addressed the situation with the Serb community in Kosovo, asking that this community also remain calm on September 16.
According to information he relayed, the Serb community in Kosovo had requested that celebrations for Serbian national unity be extended until September 16.
The vice-chairman of the OVL-UÇK stressed that for the veterans’ organization, the only acceptable decision would be the release of the former KLA leaders.
Likewise, he said that no judicial verdict can declare the Kosovo Liberation Army a criminal organization.
Syla: It would be good for Kosovo’s Serbs to also remain calm
‘We also have other information that on September 15 Serbia has its flag day and will celebrate. There are indications that the celebration may be extended a bit further, therefore from our side we do not see any provocation of the situation. If anything happens, it would be good for Kosovo’s Serbs to also be calm on that day. They too should not provoke the situation, especially if the verdict turns out to be negative. For us, any other decision would be unacceptable and we will oppose it as much as the law and the Constitution of our country allow, but without harming this state. No judicial decision can declare the KLA a criminal organization; everyone should know this, because the war was just, as we defended our country,’ stated Syla.
Meanwhile, the director of the organization ‘Octapus’, Arben Fetoshi, described September 16 as a date of special importance for Kosovo. According to him, the measures taken by security institutions should not be seen as prejudging the court’s decision.
Fetoshi: It is about increased caution regarding what may happen
‘I do not believe we are dealing with a prejudgment of the verdict, but with increased caution regarding what may happen on September 16, especially if we take into account Serbia’s ongoing intentions to eventually provoke within the framework of its hybrid strategy. Referring to the Police announcement, every relevant security institution in Kosovo should mobilize and coordinate well. Due to Serbia’s hybrid strategy, we must always account for the possibility of infiltrations that would aim to provoke and destabilize the country,’ said Fetoshi.
Fetoshi stated that he does not expect a guilty verdict against the former KLA leaders. He argued that such a verdict would affect how the 1999 war would be interpreted.
He added that a guilty verdict would support Serbia’s theses on the criminalization of the KLA, as well as claims regarding NATO’s decision to help the people of Kosovo.
Fetoshi: A conviction would reinforce the thesis on the criminalization of the KLA and NATO’s decision
‘I rule out the possibility that the verdict will be convicting, because this would put international justice to a severe test, but it would also push the West toward confirming the continuous Serbian-Russian theses on what happened in 1999. If we take into account their narratives about an unjust West and NATO’s aggression in the war, a guilty verdict would confirm that thesis on the criminalization of the KLA and NATO’s decision,’ he said.
The United States Embassy in Prishtina has announced security measures and has drawn the attention of American citizens regarding the announced demonstrations in Prishtina and other cities of Kosovo.
The Kosovo Police also announced that on the day of the verdict announcement there will be increased security measures. According to it, these measures are part of institutional planning and engagement for maintaining public order and safety.
On Monday, the Kosovo Police held a coordination meeting with international partners, including KFOR, EULEX, representatives of the American Embassy, the EU Office, and the OSCE.
