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By Piro Ahmetaj/ June 12, the date of Kosovo's liberation and gratitude to the USA/NATO!

2023-06-12 09:04:00, Opinione Piro Ahmetaj

By Piro Ahmetaj/ June 12, the date of Kosovo's liberation and gratitude to

June 12, 1999, the day when NATO ground troops began landing on the ground, is engraved in the memory of our national history, as the date of the liberation of Kosovo.

In advance and above all, for every year, I would like to convey to my compatriots, the most heartfelt congratulations for the 24th anniversary of the liberation of Kosovo.

June 12 remains, without any doubt, a date of national humility towards the fallen/martyrs of the Motherland, as well as of the deepest respect for the fighters of Kosovo for the sacrifices for freedom and independence over the centuries.

Having said that, I strongly believe that in the Institutional consciousness and nationwide opinion it will forever remain as clear as crystal, that: "the liberation of Kosovo and the new geopolitical reality", did not come within a single date (June 12, 1999), just like it should be known that: "liberation from the Serbian occupation was not achieved only by the wars, resistance and sacrifices of the people of Kosovo over the centuries".

On the contrary, because of the truths, I hope it remains eternally well-known that, before June 12, that is, after the "failure of diplomacy to avoid war", from February 24 to June 10, 1999 (the date when the Secretary General Mr. Solana, ordered the bombing of Serbia to stop); The US and NATO engaged for the first time in an air campaign or war "outside Article 5" (without the approval of the Security Council/UN) but legitimizing and factoring NATO as: "The most successful alliance of freedom and of trust in democratic values ??worldwide".

Secondly, why is the date June 12, 1999 officialized as the date of liberation of Kosovo from the Serbian invaders?

Three days ago, that is, on June 9, the Military Agreement was signed in Kumanovo between the winning side/NATO and the losing side/FRY, an agreement that entered into force on June 11, 1999.

Thus, with the Kumanovo Agreement (MK), NATO stopped bombing while Serbia was forced to withdraw all its police and military forces from the territory of Kosovo.

The Kumanova Agreement was signed by the well-known British General Jackson, the first commander of KFOR/NATO, and by the former Chief of Staff of Serbia, General Pavkocic, later indicted by The Hague for war crimes and genocide. For the sake of truth, we must add that in Kumanovo there was neither the writing party nor a military representative of the KLA present. In spite of this, the MK decided to merge it and transform it into the Kosovo Security Forces (FSK).

In short, on June 12, 1999, NATO began the landing of infantry troops in Kosovo, while two days before (June 10) the UN Security Council approved Anthisari Resolution no. 1244, to send 37,200 soldiers from 36 countries to Kosovo.

Seen from this perspective, June 12 marked the end of the war and the date of the liberation of Kosovo from the Serbian invaders, but it also deserves to be engraved forever in the historical memory as the date of national gratitude to the military power of the Transatlantic Alliance (USA/NATO) as well as Western values!

Thirdly, why the loss of the war in Ukraine and the "self-abuse or special partnership" of Official Belgrade with Russia, I find not only a danger to peace and democratic stability in the countries of the Region, but also to the interests of NATO, the USA & EU, but also as a strategic opportunity for the national interests of RS?

It must be said that, despite the efforts of the Kremlin, Russia - Putinist badly - failed to ignite a new war front by inspiring criminal groups, the agenda of discreet politicians, the interests of corrupt officials as well as anti-USA extremists to recycle threats of official Belgrade: "up to military aggression under the supervision of the Russian Ambassador to Serbia... !!" not only the territorial sovereignty of Kosovo, but also the increased presence of NATO/KFOR with a mission on the ground?!

Likewise, Mr. Vu?i?'s bravado after the war on: "New state borders in the Balkans or (non) recognition of Kosovo", can never scare the proven power (1999!) of NATO, but only undermine the dialogue and endanger Serbia's integration agenda towards the EU. Therefore, I must repeat it strongly: "as long as there is a US presence on the ground, the military aggression against the territorial integrity of Kosovo, which at the same time is under the responsibility of NATO, apart from the suicidal adventure of Serbia, remains a mission entirely impossible".

Regarding the recycling of nationalist radicals and the roots of instability in the north of Kosovo, but also respectively the approach "without consulting with the strategic allies, USA/NATO/EU) of the Kurti Government", I cannot but express regret and concern for the lack of "a sense of gratitude and of the consultation intuition as well as the Euro-Atlantic sense [USA/NATO/UK/EU)", as well as, unfortunately, for the recycling of populism, patriotism and folklore sovereignty of PM Kurti as well as other actors of Official Pristina.

Fourth, despite the efforts and progress in 24 years, there is still much to be done by the two sovereign countries (Serbia and Kosovo).

Whereas, despite the recycling of the climate/sources of conflict, I believe even more strongly that peace remains the only option and mission, so that security is perceived and consumed beyond the bloody history, in the interest of the security of life, property, prosperity of citizens, interests of companies also in the 6 Balkan countries not yet integrated into the EU.

On the other hand, the post-conflict world history has taught us that Peace and Stability agreements (by any name) cannot function without laying the foundations of mutual trust between peoples. Crimea is a living example, where the achievements of the 2014 Peace Agreement are paying off with the blood of Ukrainian and Russian citizens.

Fifth, with the capacity of experience in matters of national security, the Region, NATO, etc., I would suggest actors and strategists/colleagues in Washington and Brussels, London, etc. to pre-condition the perspective of dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo with only two Mutual Confidence Measures, through which Belgrade and Official Pristina are "imposed by the USA/NATO/EU" that: (1) they will maintain the balance of military power (with military capabilities, MiGs, Missiles, Tanks, etc.) up to the level that mutually not to threaten territorial integrity); (2) will not establish military installations and activities (25 km air distance and 5 land), on the state borders between two sovereign countries, and these two conditions will be monitored by the USA/NATO/EU, which remain a critical factor for peace and the integration agenda of the Region.

On the other hand, I would fraternally advise the political and state factors of Prishtina that: "the stupidity of Belgrade's military threats against the integrity of Kosovo, against the presence of NATO, the USA and Western values", never consider them only as favorable circumstance but a state challenge and additional official responsibility to develop Mutual Trust Measures between the two countries, (beyond the presence of NATO which will certainly not be eternal...) where above all citizens regardless of ethnic, religious and political parties to be guaranteed as equal before the law, as well as the factorization of Kosovo from a consumer to a contributor to peace, democratic stability and integration into NATO and the EU!

At the same time, I would suggest the institutional factors in Tirana and Pristina, that for vital national interests, bow down on their knees before the bloody history and state responsibilities by implementing a Strategic Platform: "Two States, one Nation" and that "Smart" on sovereignty and the protection of national interests, guaranteeing the US and NATO that this "delayed approach" does not threaten but will contribute as a rational balance for long-term peace between the countries of the region.

In summary, June 12 thus remains a glorious date for the liberation of Kosovo from the Serbian invaders and at the same time an event to remind us as a nation that the Transatlantic Alliance (USA/NATO/EU) deserves eternal gratitude from all Albanians.

On this occasion, I re-Confirm that, even in over 35 years in the field of national security & NATO: "I remain a dedicated and humble soldier of the Motherland, for the protection and development of National interests in the Region, the Mediterranean and beyond" .

* Expert for SK, the Region and NATO,

Vice President of the Atlantic Council;

Member of the "Israel House" Board, as well as Former:

Adviser to the President of the Republic of Slovenia & Deputy Prime Minister,

National Military Representative in NATO.