Yugoslavia would not have disintegrated without war” – What was discussed at the LPK meeting with Ibrahim Rugova about weapons and armed conflict?

Meetings held in the early 1990s between representatives of the Kosovo People’s Movement and President Ibrahim Rugova have returned to the spotlight through the “Files” series on the Debat Plus program.

Ramadan Avdiu, an activist of the LPK, has provided details about one of the discussions with Rugova, during which the relationship between the underground movement and the Democratic League of Kosovo was discussed.

According to Avdiu, those present at the meeting were Ramadan Avdiu, Xhavit Haziri and Azem Syla.

Avdiu recounted that the conversation with Rugova lasted a long time and also addressed the issue of stigmatization and disqualification.

Nevertheless, one of the first topics raised by Rugova concerned the supply of weapons.

“His first words were: ‘Do you have any iron at all?’ We told him that we were not completely without it, but that we did not have as much as we needed,” Avdiu said.

According to his explanation, by the term “iron,” Rugova was referring to weapons. During the same meeting, Azem Syla had assessed that the disintegration of Yugoslavia was inevitable and that this process would not take place without war.

Ali Ahmeti has also spoken about communications with Ibrahim Rugova, in another account included in the “Files” series.

Ahmeti said that Rugova had made it clear to the LPK representatives that he would continue following his own approach to political action.

According to Ahmeti, Rugova told them: “I am committed to this way of doing politics… this meeting remains a meeting between us. But going forward, meet with Fehmi Agani.”

The LPK had also been in contact with Bujar Bukoshi, not only with Rugova. At one stage, its representatives had also expressed their willingness to become involved in the governing structures of that time.

Ramadan Avdiu explained that the movement was seeking a clearly defined responsibility, primarily in the defense sector.

“Exclusively in the Ministry of Defense,” he said.

During that period, discussions within the LPK were increasingly focused on military organization and preparations for a possible conflict.