Fatmir Limaj addresses Kosovo Assembly

OSCE Mission in Kosovo Media Monitor, 16 December 2005

 

LIMAJ ADDRESSES KOSOVO ASSEMBLY (Most dailies)

 

Most dailies report that Fatmir Limaj, the former PDK chief of caucus, who was declared innocent by The Hague Tribunal recently and free of all charges in a trial long almost three years, called on all Kosovo MPs in Kosovo Assembly and on all politicians to be united and leave the political differences aside, at the time when the definition of Kosovo status ha started.

 

"I am especially honored that two weeks before I came here, the parliamentary groups of this Assembly reached an agreement, and unity through which they reached the resolution of three years ago. I congratulate you on this resolution, which will be important on the talks on Kosovo status," said Limaj.

 

"Kosovo needs close cooperation and we as citizens, as a political class should support Kosovo Delegation, elected by this Assembly, a delegation that represents the votes of Kosovo citizens in the negotiations," said Limaj.

 

Limaj called on Kosovo institutions to participate and help in what he called "a battle for justice." "We should not be afraid to tell Kosovo citizens that Kosovo cannot be happy if citizens of other ethnicities feel unsafe, ignored, suppressed, as a result of majority. Nobody has more reasons to understand this more than the Albanian majority, which knows very well what it went through ten years ago," said Limaj.

 

He was welcomed by all MPs. His speech was followed with a long applause. Kosovo MPs said that they were convinced in Limaj's innocence.

 

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UNMIK Media Monitoring, 16 December 2005

 

Fatmir Limaj addresses Kosovo Assembly members (dailies)

 

All dailies cover the speech that former PDK Parliamentary Group chief Fatmir Limaj gave before members of the Kosovo Assembly. Koha Ditore highlights that Limaj has asked for support for the Negotiations Team. "The position of Kosovo and the delegation of Kosovo can only be strong if all of us engage on the ground by working to create democratic values, which are not for the international community but for our own citizens," Limaj said.

 

In a full page article on Limaj's address, Zëri quotes him as saying, "Let us be united for the independence of Kosovo. I am convinced that the Assembly will have the honour or the responsibility to very soon declare or accept the international recognition of the independent and sovereign state of Kosovo," he added.