Albanian, Kosovo leaders send "message of
national identity" - paper
BBC Monitoring Europe (Political) - June 24, 2008, Tuesday
Text of report by Albanian major right-wing pro-PD party newspaper
55Pesedhjetepese, on 21 June
[Commentary by Ndue Ukaj: "Thaci's Visit, Triumph of Identity Over
Distinctions"]
Kosova [Kosovo] Prime Minister Thaci's visit to Albania, apart from its
political message, also conveyed a message to the effect that, having to cope
with a new political situation under the same national umbrella, Kosova and
Albania are cooperating and coordinating their economic and political potentials
for the common good, while at the same time stressing their national Albanian
essence.
In other words, in Kosova's new situation, Thaci's visit strengthens interstate
relations between Albania and Kosova while giving an appropriate answer to the
allegations about a supposed Kosovar identity and, at the same time, stressing
that Albanians, wherever they happen to be, are all part of the Albanian nation.
Among other things, Thaci's visit stressed the national Albanian identity of the
people of both Kosova and Albania, thereby refuting the allegations of those
who, availing themselves of the creation of the state of Kosova, try to push
through their theses about a so-called Kosovar nation.
The two prime ministers - Berisha and Thaci - declared a common national
platform, for they know but too well that, disunited, the Albanians would be
powerless. Theirs was a message of national identity over regional distinctions.
They also came out with joint projects of national importance.
Relations between Albania and Kosova have frequently suffered from divisive
efforts from certain quarters bent on impeding cooperation and coordination of
actions between the two parts of the one nation. These efforts have come up
against the policy carried out by both Tirana and Prishtina [Pristina], a policy
that has the support of the whole of the Albanian nation.
Not infrequently we hear people in Kosova saying that the Kosovars must create
their national identity, making a clear distinction between the Albanians on
this and that side of the border.
Disregarding global developments and also the prospects of Balkan and European
integration, these theses are fraught with dangerous consequences for the
Albanian nation. They are based on naive conceptions that must be fought with
determination and wisdom.
The Albanian press, especially that of Kosova, carries articles to the effect
that nationalism is both obsolete and primitive. This is ridiculous, for the
opposite is true. It is nationalism that makes Western countries so powerful. It
is nationalism that motivates the Italians and French to struggle for major
achievements in the field of culture, sports, and design, that makes Germany
into an economic superpower, or that makes the British or the Americans police
the world order.
The absence of a nationalist sentiment has often made us imitate our enemies,
even identify ourselves with them.
The moment has come for us Albanians to hold our head high and show the world
that we are a people of an ancient civilization, striving to overcome the
consequences of a bitter past. Our future depends on what we do now.
Only united and by preserving our Western tradition will we be able to become
dignified members of the community of civilized nations.
Source: 55Pesedhjetepese, Tirana, in Albanian 21
Jun 08
Posted for Fair Use only.