"FATHERLAND SECURITY" ORGANIZATION THREATENS
KOSOVO PARTY "DESERTERS"
BBC Monitoring - July 13, 2004
"Phantom organization threatens those who leave and are against LDK",
published by Kosovo Albanian newspaper Koha Ditore on 13 July
Prishtina (Pristina), 12 July: Edita Tahiri and Edi Shukriu, two former senior
officials of the Democratic League of Kosova (Kosovo; LDK), may be the target of
a threat issued publicly by a phantom organization calling itself "Fatherland
Security" (Sigurimi i Atdheut), which threatens "deserters of the Democratic
League of Kosova and president of Kosova's independence, Dr Ibrahim Rugova, who
have been undermining the LDK activities on the ground."
A communique bearing the serial number 002/12/07/2004, issued in Prishtina and
signed by "Colonel R. Miftari", was circulated to the Kosovar media outlets
yesterday. The communique warns that all those who have left the LDK and have
been working against the interests of this party may suffer consequences.
A while ago, Edita Tahiri and Edi Shukriu left the LDK, expressing
dissatisfaction with the work of the party, and formed a new party, Democratic
Alternative of Kosova (ADK).
"We warn you that if you deserters use any blackmail against LDK branches, you
will pay for it with your lives. For the sake of your families and Kosova,
please think things over and apologize before the start of the election campaign
during which you might disorient and blackmail other LDK personalities, because
we swear we will strike without warning," reads the communique. At the top of
the communique, there is a black emblem with a white two-headed eagle, while, at
the bottom, there is another emblem identical to the seal of the president of
Kosova, which has been promoted by President Rugova himself.
"We feel obliged to advise that one of the rebellious officials of the LDK
maintains contacts with and is supported by the extremists who call themselves
the Albanian National Army (AKSh), and who have been seeking to unify Albania by
resorting to terrorist methods, that is, they seek to unite Kosova and Albania,
so that we would be led by (Albanian Prime Minister) Fatos Nano and Gafurr Adili
(leader of the Front for Albanian National Unification (FBKSh)), who is closely
linked to (late Albanian dictator) Enver Hoxha's successors and is seen as the
'Second Enver'. They have plans for destroying the LDK and for the unification
of Kosova with Albania, while the people of Kosova have voted and will vote for
Ibrahim Rugova, the president of independence," reads the communique, which
suggests that it has been addressed to Edita Tahiri or Edi Shukriu as two
highest-profile "deserters" of the LDK.
The "Fatherland Security" notes that it has information about new "deserters"
planning to leave the LDK. "We have been informed about other 'dissatisfied'
members in the LDK presidency who have been making plans to leave the LDK at the
last minute and to turn their backs on Kosova independence president, Dr Ibrahim
Rugova. We invite them to give up their dirty and futile games, because with
such a strategy they will always be the losers," reads the communique.
Meanwhile, the two LDK "deserters" declined to comment on the threats issued by
this organization.
According to one of her assistants, Edita Tahiri is on a trip outside Kosova.
Edi Shukriu, although in Kosova, had not heard about the threat and declined to
say if she felt threatened.
"I have no comment," she said, declining to admit if she had received any
threat.
On the other hand, while the office of the President of Kosova has not come up
with a reaction or explanation, officials of the Democratic League of Kosova
have rejected any connection with such an organization.
After being presented the "Fatherland Security" communique by Koha Ditore, as he
had not received it, LDK spokesperson Lulzim Zeneli reiterated that his party
considers such practices as utterly unacceptable.
"I have no special comment except what we have said repeatedly that such things
are unacceptable for the LDK," he said, and reiterated, "The LDK has condemned
and condemns such actions."
According to him, anyone could have made such a threat, "but it is widely known
that, during 15 years of activity, the LDK has promoted internal tolerance and
tolerance among all citizens."
Meanwhile, even though this is not the first time that the "Fatherland Security"
has come up with communiques, UNMIK (UN Interim Administration Mission in
Kosovo) Police and Kosova Police Service (ShPK) have said they have no in
information as to what could be behind this organization.
ShPK spokesperson Refki Morina has admitted that a special team has been
investigating a "Fatherland Security" communique issued last year and that they
will compare it with the latest one. However, according to him, it is not known
yet who is behind such communiques.
"A special unit has been investigating the first letter but it has not been able
to conclude who is behind it. Now, with the appearance of the second letter in
the media, they will compare the style of writing and the language they use,"
Morina said.
The ShPK spokesperson did not reveal details as to whether the Democratic League
of Kosova or the President's Office has been contacted by the police in
connection with the phantom organization that claims to be "their protector".
According to Morina, no details will be given until the special team comes up
with its conclusions.
Source: Koha Ditore, Pristina, in Albanian 13 Jul
04 pp 1, 6
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