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
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.
increased kosovo people presence protection states united
increased U.S. presence in Kosovo and for more protection on the part of the United States for the people of Kosovo.
became built decided destroy lost nerve time
In all this time that we built our state, that in time became more powerful, Belgrade lost its nerve and decided to destroy everything,
bullets magic offer solutions
I have no magic solutions to offer you, no magic bullets for peace,
european states united united-states
especially the United States and the European Union.
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.
democracy elections free independence kosovo step toward
This is a big day for Kosovo. These are the first free elections in free Kosovo and they are an important step toward freedom, independence and democracy for Kosovo.
companies comply far follow foreign
As far as privatization is concerned, we will follow the international norms, and all foreign companies have to comply with international standards.
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.
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.
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.
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.