Gucati: Convicting former KLA leaders would strike at the war, not only individuals

Hysni Gucati, chairman of the Organization of KLA War Veterans, said that a conviction of the former KLA leaders by the Special Court in The Hague would, in his view, constitute a far broader blow than one against the individuals involved in the proceedings.

Speaking to participants at the “March for Freedom” in Pristina, Gucati said citizens had not gathered to defend specific individuals, but to support what he called the truth about Kosovo and the war for liberation.

“We are not here to defend an individual, but the truth of a people who fought for freedom. We have gathered to defend the truth about Kosovo,” Gucati said.

He said the KLA had been established in response to oppression and stressed the need for judicial proceedings against the accused to be conducted fairly and impartially, while guaranteeing respect for their rights.

“Oppression was not created by the KLA; it was established to confront it. We demand a fair and impartial process in which the rights of every accused person are respected,” he said.

Gucati also recalled the assistance Kosovo had received during the war from the United States of America and NATO.

“We know that convicting the KLA leaders would not be only a blow against individuals, but against the KLA’s war itself. Serbia and Russia would be the only beneficiaries of such a conviction,” Gucati said.