There should be no opposition when it comes to Kosovo
Berisha plays the Kosovo card
Recent events in Serbia and the support that the international community is giving the Serbian opposition have shaken Milosheviç’s communist regime. In 18 days, the Serbian opposition put on a show of strength and unity, fostering hope for peace and democracy in the troubled region of the southern Slavs. On the other hand, reports of a meeting between Serbs and Albanians on December 18–20 in the USA (postponed indefinitely because of recent events in Serbia) increase the likelihood that the tightening noose around Serbia’s neck could lead to the beginning of a resolution of the Kosovo issue. According to reports, the Serbs will be represented not only by Milosheviç’s representatives, but also by representatives of the Serbian opposition. Likewise, the Albanian side is expected to include not only the LDK representative, but also representatives of currents opposed to Rugova on resolving the Kosovo problem. It is clear that the organizers have envisioned a broader spectrum of parties in order to secure a unanimous political position. Apparently, the map of Kosovo that Berisha presented at the Lisbon meeting was a sound move. The time has come for the Kosovo issue to be forcefully raised at the tables of world politics and diplomacy. The Milosheviç regime has been placed by the USA and the European community in such a position that it must either meet the conditions imposed or [unclear]. The Albanian political class will not be forgiven for delay or for missing this opportunity. The presentation of the map of Kosovo, although the opposition commented that it was Berisha’s map, intended to protect his own position, is accurate and timely, but incomplete. The time has come for the government and opposition to take the same position, at least on Kosovo. The tongues of politicians who have not left a world chancellery without spitting at one another must come together. On Kosovo there should be no opposition or quarrelling, but unity. Albanian political forces, regardless of their political spectrum, must set aside their clashes and sit down to define a common position and a joint strategy for action. Hopes that the Kosovo issue will be resolved appropriately when the Serbian opposition comes to power would be political naivety. Serbian politicians, left-wing or right-wing, have long declared that they share the same position on Kosovo. Therefore, it is the Albanians, and the Albanians alone, who must bring about a just resolution of this issue. Our history has shown that our defeats have repeatedly been followed by [unclear] for our freedom. No political force can or should take it upon itself to act independently and according to its own opinion on Kosovo. The responsibility is great, and the Albanian political class must bear it. It is up to the President of the Republic to urge the governing party to begin consultations with the political forces urgently, in order to establish a common position. Only in this way will our voice be heard. Only in this way will it be taken to heart. [The end of the column is unclear]