STATEMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE OF KOSOVA ON THE RECENT WAVE OF REPRESSION IN KOSOVA ABOUT DECISION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA TO INTRODUCE PASSPORTS FOR PASSING THE KOSOVA-MACEDONIAN BORDER

Kosova Information Center, Prishtina, 17 august 1993

The Presidency of the Democratic League of Kosova issued today a statement in reference to a recent decision of the government of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to introduce passports for passing Kosova-Macedonian border. The statement goes as follow:

"The introduction of passports for the Kosova-Macedonian border will result in multifarious consequences for the life of the Kosova citizens, as:

- around one third of the Albanians of former Yugoslavia are citizens of Macedonia, with traditional, not only familial, and other communication ties with Kosova;

- with the border passing along the national body, the Albanians have already, for over 80 years now, been reduced to extremely limited opportunities for contact, which have had in turn grave implications for their overall development. Communication within the nation has been impeded since 1912, when the Albanian state was established, and the remaining Albanian ethnic territories were carved up;

- the introduction of passports for passage of this border (Kosova-Macedonia), will further increase difficulties and tensions in the region;

- the Serbian administration - under current control of which Kosova is - using diverse pretexts, has been denying passports to a large number of Kosova citizens;

- in this way, Kosova will be subjected to a most grave possible blockade, It (Kosova) is denied normal communications with Shkup/Skopje and other towns of historical and traditional ties;

- we believe that there were possibilities for the Macedonian officials to have greater understanding for the situation the Kosovars are in, and this border be more open, serving mutual interests".