Ibrahim Rugova
Ibrahim Rugova
Ibrahim Rugova; 2 December 1944 – 21 January 2006) was the first President of the partially recognised Republic of Kosova, serving from 1992 to 2000 and again from 2002 to 2006, and a prominent Kosovo Albanian political leader, scholar, and writer. He oversaw a popular struggle for independence, advocating a peaceful resistance to Yugoslav rule and lobbying for U.S. and European support, especially during the Kosovo War. Owing to his role in Kosovo's history, Rugova has been dubbed "Father of...
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth2 December 1944
difficult forces kosovo military offensive parts police repression situation villages
The situation in Kosovo is very difficult and dangerous. The offensive by Serbian police and military forces continues, as well as the shelling of Albanian villages ... In other parts of Kosovo, repression continues.
appeared armed behave best bring contacts control environment eventually groups isolated keeping people police specific trying
These armed groups of people have appeared in a very specific environment, and we have been trying and doing our best to bring them under control and eventually make them behave in a disciplined way, ... But the Serbian police are deliberately keeping them isolated so as to make any contacts impossible.
european states united united-states
especially the United States and the European Union.
climate confidence create help
will be here to help us create a climate of confidence and a climate of peace.
again call formal independence kosovo opportunity soon
We take this opportunity once again to call for the formal recognition of the independence of Kosovo as soon as possible.
conditions create forces major objective people personally return security
To make conditions for ... international security forces in Kosovo, to create security for the people, and to return the people to Kosovo, is the major objective for us now, for me personally and for the people of Kosovo,
achieved decision democracy further great half kosovo success towards
For two and a half years we have achieved a great development and the decision to go further towards the democracy of Kosovo was a success too.
agreement assure believe cooperate everybody interested kosovo people presence protect
I believe that we can assure that everybody will take part in this agreement and cooperate with the OSCE mission. The people of Kosovo are interested in an international presence that will protect them.
accept camps days elected respect speak
I am two times (their) elected leader, I have a right to speak ... and even these days ... the (refugee) camps of Macedonia, Albania accept me, respect me.
empty extremists force
If we don't have an international force there, there will be an empty Kosovo, and that is what the extremists in Belgrade want.
arrival citizens conditions create ensure forces nato peaceful security solution
Only the arrival of NATO forces can ensure security of all citizens (in Kosovo) and create conditions for a peaceful solution of the crisis.
accept albanians country flee rule
make Albanians flee their country or accept the Serb rule and give up their demands.
accept agree albanians cannot isolate madame
Madame Albright put it plainly, ... If the Albanians cannot accept to cooperate, we will isolate them. If Belgrade cannot agree to cooperate, they will be bombed. There was no diplomacy.
best kosovo neutral solution
We also reiterated that the best solution for Kosovo is to be an independent and neutral country,