The Albanian National Question toward the “Greek calends”
Nano–Milošević meeting: diplomacy surrenders unconditionally
Kosovar students threaten to resume their protests, while Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano is burning with desire for a bilateral meeting with Milošević without prior conditions. Resolving the problem of Albanian-language education in Kosovo through implementation of the Education Agreement, ending the police regime and creating space for the exercise of national rights will constitute the core of Albanian diplomatic concern in relations with the Serbian side. A few days ago, the UN delegation for Human Rights, headed by special envoy Elizabet Ren, stated that it is very concerned about the situation in Kosovo and that Albanians are losing even the little faith they have in the policy of dialogue. The Republic of Albania, through its senior representatives, has also signaled that it will support the idea of institutionalizing the Albanian issues left unresolved in Kosovo. Although he did not comment much on it, President Meidani’s audience with Pope John Paul II, during which Mr. Meidani asked the Pope to intervene to organize talks between Serbian President Milošević and the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Rugova, to resolve the problem of Albanian-language education, remains at odds with Nano’s current position, as he is evidently yielding to the Greek diplomacy initiative to meet with Milošević. Meeting with the President of Serbia without taking into account the wishes of our compatriots in Kosovo places the Albanian Prime Minister face to face with the dubious precedents that prevail in the diplomatic arena of the Balkans. At the Crete Summit, a joint declaration by the Balkan leaders is expected to be signed which, according to analysts, may push the Albanian national question toward the “Greek calends.” “Tomorrow will be too late” is the slogan of the students of Kosovo, who are also leading the rally organized in Tirana by the Independent Student Union “Dardania.”