Declaration of the International Network of Albanian Student Associations, “Albstudent”

Dear Chancellor Merkel
Dear Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier

By means of this declaration, we want to express our deep concern about the events in Kosova on February 10th, 2007 , the possible consequences, and lessons to be learned. 

After the publication of Mr. Ahtisaari's Plan, general appeals for a calm acceptance of this plan were directed to the people of Kosova and its main political organizations. The argument was that this plan implies in the long term independence for Kosova and that protests could endanger the whole process. On the other hand, it was announced vehemently that the United Nations' forces (the International Police of Kosova) would not tolerate any breach of the public order.

The Kosovar Albanians, who constitute over 90% of Kosova's population, do not consider Ahtisaari's Plan as the best possible. Most of them though, are ready to accept the plan given the current circumstances. We, as Albanian students abroad, support this plan and appeal to the people of Kosova to express their political will through their political parties and not through violent protests.

However, it should be clear that the general acceptance of Ahtisaari's plan does not mean that Kosovars and their political organizations have given up permanelty their right to discuss and highlight the points they deem unfair or dangerous. One of the most worrisome issues for the Kosovar Albanians is the very wide autonomy of the foreseen Serbian communes, which might cause the same recurrent problems Bosnia has been facing since the Dayton Peace Accord.

A kosovar youth organization, "The Movement for Self-Determination - Levizja per Vetevendosje", organized on February 10th a protest expressing its disapproval of the negotiations on the basis of Ahtisaari's plan and advocating the unconditional proclamation of the independence of Kosova. The Movement for Self-Determination has organized other protests in Prishtina and elsewhere in Kosova. Its protests have been characterized from low-level violence with no record of arms usage from the protesters. Albin Kurti, the leader of this movement is well-known in Kosova as a student leader prior to the war. He was beaten up and incarcerated by Serb police forces in Kosova during university students protest.

During the war in Kosova he was transferred in a prison located in Serbia. He was set free only after the war, partly due to the mediation of Kosovar NGOs.

The protests of February 10th were pre-announced (they were not spontaneous),and everyone expected the same level of tension generated in the earlier protests of this youth organization. This was clear for both, the political organizations in Kosova and its police force. We think that the bloody suppression of this protest was wrong and counterproductive.

We believe that the use of bullets (even plastic ones) against unarmed protesters was in this case a dangerous overreaction and a blatant violation of any rational sense of responsibility. The resignations of the Interior Minister of Kosova's Government and of the International Police Force's Chief in Kosova were the immediate political consequences of what happened on February 10th. The legal consequences and responsibilities remain to be clarified by (or in) Kosovar courts. Based on the first reactions one has the impression that certain segments of Kosova's International Administration are hesitant and not really interested to pursue the legal steps for determining who has to be held responsible for the use of excessive violence against unarmed protesters. It's also surprising that Mr. Kurti is being detained without knowing the charges against him.

We hope the state prosecutors in Kosova will begin with a due legal process, otherwise Mr. Kurti must be released. Every error and insensitivity in this aspect will empower extremists among the Albanians and will undermine the credibility of the International Administration and Kosova's political parties.

It is important not to perpetuate the dangerous illusion that Kosova will not experience any more protests. Therefore, the police forces and other structures of the Interior Ministry should prepare themselves to react professionally and to avoid at any cost the use of excessive violence.

In conclusion, we appeal to you to use your influence in order to avoid such tragic events in the future. We wish that the same sensitivity you have declared will be shown toward Serbia (the perpetrator of the massacres and the war in Kosova) will also be shown toward the people of Kosova.

International Network of Albanian Student Associations, “Albstudent”
19.02.2007