Radio Prishtina and Radio Prizreni speak Albanian again after 9 years. Americans declare a state of emergency
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Republika
29 June 1999
Garuli: Contacts with the grassroots advance the PR’s policies
P. 3
Today Majko abandons Vlora. PD: 8 July, Extraordinary Congress. Koçi–Meta clash begins.
P. 5
NATO abandons Durrës too
No future
Another lost battle is commemorated. The Serbs do not seem to be giving up the absurd idea that “Kosovo is the cradle of Serbian civilization.” Their “Jerusalem.” Patriarch Pavle, head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, held a memorial mass yesterday for the Battle of Kosovo Field at the Gračanica Monastery, near Prishtina. We know how the epic battle of the 14th century, in 1389, between the Turks and the Serbs ended. Nevertheless, the Serbs like to celebrate the lost battle. The purpose of this commemoration was political. In denouncing Milosheviç with the expression “his soul has passed to the other side,” the Orthodox bishops went on to call on the Serbs to remain in Kosovo, in their “land.” The legend of Kosovo Field is regarded as a symbol of the Serbs’ national aspirations. As can be seen, after Milosheviçi’s defeat in the war, religion in Serbia has openly moved to the forefront of nationalism, seeking to restore the Serbs’ ravaged morale. But a people that celebrates a lost battle as a national day cannot have a future. To have a future, one needs a historical tradition. By insisting on invoking a history that is in no way glorious, the Serbian bishops are seeking to critically avoid the baggage of chauvinism and exceptionalism that the Serbs carry from a defeatist past. All the religions of the world, all ideologies and democratic constitutions offer hope, in order to build a culture of peace and democracy. But the Serbian Church does the opposite. It mobilizes against...
Seven killed in Durrës and Shkodër. Gaxhai arrested.
RENEA fails to free 4-year-old Goga
. P. 2
From the State of Independence to Majko’s Imprisoned Government
By Marash HAJATI — The independent Albanian state, founded at the beginning of this century, has sailed through history like a boat on a turbulent sea, without properly fulfilling the hopes of its citizens. Dozens of citizens, and dozens of prime ministers and governments, and dozens of prime ministers have come and gone without leaving a trace of glory in their rule.
Inside:
• Government officials rob the state
• Strike creates confusion at Rinas
• Rinia Park, today without electricity and water
• The secrets of Songs of the Seasons ’99
CLARIFICATION to the newspaper “Shekulli”
Without wishing to call your freedom of expression into question, we hereby inform you that:
The Party Chairman, Fatmir Mediu, represents the political position of the PR, which was adopted unanimously. P. 3
[Illustration with fish; signature: g. Vinca?]