Evolution and Growth of Kosovo Liberation Army
February 23rd, 2008
by D.B.S.Jeyaraj
The fledgling state of Kosovo came into being one week ago. It’s 39 year old Prime Minister Hashim Thaci read out the break – away Serbian Province’s declaration of of Independence on February 17th. This was followed by a musilcal rendering of Beethoven’s “ode to joy”. The blue and yellow national flag of the new state was raised .
It was indeed a time of joy for Kosovo’s ethnic Albanians. After decades of non – violent and violent struggle the Kosovars had gained a country of their own.
At a personal level it was a glorious triumph for Prime Minister Thaci. The political commissar of the Kosovo Liberation Army had for long been the driving force behind Kosovo’s quest for independence.
[From Left to Right:
Hashim Thaci, Head of the KLA, Bernard Kouchner, Head of United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) in Kosovo (July 1999- January 2001), General Michael Jackson, Commander of KFOR Troops in Kosovo, General Agim Ceku, Military Commander of the KPC, investigated by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) "for alleged war crimes committed against ethnic Serbs in Croatia between 1993 and 1995." ( AFP 13 Oct 1999), General Wesley Clark, NATO Supreme Commander.]
There was a time when Hashim Thaci was perceived as a terrorist. A Serbian court once tried him in absentia and imposed a ten years jail term on him. The elusive Thaci was never caught.
By learning to “bend” before US – UN might at the appropriate time and through hitching the KLA wagon to the NATO star Thaci had realised his objective of Kosovo independence.
The Kosovo Liberation Army is known in Albanian as the Ushtra Chrimtare e Kosoves or UCK. In a sense it is the most successful guerilla movement in recent times because it has accomplished the first of its twin goals namely the secession of Kosovo province from Serbia.
It remains to be seen how far it would advance with regard to its other goal of establishing a greater Albania..
What is remarkable if not commendable about the KLA’s feat is the fact that it is weak and unsucessful “militarily”when compared to some other liberation movements around the world.
Despite its nomenclature of “army” the KLA was never a powerful militia.. The few times it engaged in positional warfare with the Serbian forces the KLA was routed decisively
Yet the KLA has scored when organizations more powerful than it are yet to succeed or have failed. That geo-strategic considerations favoured the KLA cannot be denied. But other groups have failed miserably to achieve their goals even when the conditions were conducive.
The KLA’s victory is due to its pragmatism. It knew the limits of the armed struggle it was waging and called it quits at the correct time. It played ball with the powers that be and made a show of surrendering weapons.
It adhered to International diktat and plunged into protracted negotiations. The KLA knew when and how to transform itself.
The KLA displayed admirable patience even when the opponent was not acting in good faith. Instead of abandoning negotiations and resorting to armed struggle at the drop of a hat, the KLA stayed the course.
It also chose the right side to support internationally. Thus the USA which spearheads the global war against terror is now the patron of the KLA that reportedly had links with Osama bin Laden.
Kosovo was a province of Serbia within Yugoslavia. Historically Kosovo was seen as the cradle of Serbian culture.The province that had a Serbian majority at one time borders present day Albania. It was pre-dominantly Christian during the middle ages.
D- day was June 28th 1389 when the historic battle of Kosovo was fought. Thus began the 523 year Turkish rule of the Ottoman empire.After five centuries Serbia gained control of Kosovo in 1912 through the Balkan wars. The 1913 treaty of London endorsed this change formally.
When the first world war was over, Kosovo was incorporated legally in 1918 as part of the Serbian kingdom . During the second world war much of Kosovo was under Italian occupation. After the war was over Kosovo was absorbed into the Yugoslavian federation in 1946 as a Serbian province.
In the sixties legendary Yugoslavian head of state Marshall Tito began encouraging greater autonomy for Kosovo as part of his strategic effort to curn Serbian ultra – nationalism. The 1974 Constitution granted autonomus status for the Province and provided a certain amount of self – government.
Kosovo had undergone much demographic change over the years. The Serbian population decreased and Albanian numbers increased. Christianity declined and Islam flourished.
In the 20th century the Serbs were a minority in Kosovo. The dominant entity were the Albanians. Most Albanians were Muslims while Serbians were Christian.
There was simmering tension between the Serbs/Christians and Albanian/Muslims.Ethno – nationalist feelings were on the rise.
The KLA has its origins in the Popular movememt for the Republic of Kosovo that was founded in 1979 by former Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha. Albania’s encouragement led to a rise in Kosovar nationalism.
In 1981 there were wide – spread separatist riots resulting in a crackdown.The army was brought in.
Many Kosovar members of the popular movement fled the country.Some Emigre’s based in Switzerland adopted Marxist – Leniinist ideology as their creed. In 1982 they formed the People’s Movement of Kosovo in Switzerland.
The people’s movement of Kosovo modelled itself on the Irish Republican Army (IRA) striving for Irish re-unification.The primary objective was to form an Albanian national republic within the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia..The secondary goal was the gradual reation of a Greater Albania.
The advent of Serbian ultra – nationalist Slobodan Milosevic was a watershed as far as Kosovo was concerned. Milosevic took away the autonomy for Kosovo enshrined in the 1974 Constitution. This led to much heartburn. In 1989 July Albanian leaders declared independence from Serbia. Belgrade dissolved the Kosovo government.
In September more than 100,000 Albanians were dismissed from work.This resulted in a general strike that was suppressed.
1991 saw Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia breaking away from Yugoslavia and declaring independence.War erupted.
Albanian leaders also made a unilateral declaration of independence in 1991. Only Albania recognized it.In 1992 September the academic – writer Ibrahim Rugova was elected president of the self – proclaimed republic.
Rugova was a “Gandhian” who launched a non – violent movement of passive resistance to secure independence or at least get autonomy restored. This Gandhian strategy did not fare well with Milosevic who unleashed brute force.
An ethnic cleansing campaign against Kosovo Albanians was conducted by Serb armed forces to make the province Serb – majority again.Thousands died . Hundreds of thousands of Kosovo refugees fled to Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro.
Disillusioned with Rugova’s non – violent tactics the younger elements of the Peoples Movement for Kosovo resolved to develop a military wing and pursue armed resistance. In 1993 the KLA came into existence clandestinely in Macedonia.
The KLA structured itself on the lines of the IRA. The strategy was to provoke a major conflict between Serbia and Kosovo. The leading lights among KLA founders were Zahir Pajazti and Adem Jashari.
Interestingly the KLA received aid and support from three different sources. Both the USA and Germany provided arms, funds and training for strategic “realpolitik” reasons of their own.
Ironically the US state depattment proscribed the KLA for a while as a foreign terrorist movement. At another level the US provided covert assistance.
The third source was Bin Laden’s Al Quaeda. Of course it had not made the headlines then.Some KLA cadres reportedly trained in Afghanistan .
The KLA began attacks in 1995 by targeting Police and military personnel . It was in 1996 that the KLA became known as an Armed Albanian outfit.
The KLA set up training camps in North – Eastern Albania. Many Albanian officers of the Yugoslavian armed forces deserted and joined the KLA. They began training the new recruits. Even a military academy was established.
The KLA had a central command structure of 16 – 20 members. Kosovo province was divided into seven military – operation zones. Each zone had semi – autonomous commanders known by their nom de guerres.There was also a political wing known as ” Drejtoria Politike”.This was headed by Hashim Thaci the present Kosovo Premier.
The KLA grew rapidly in 1997 – 99. Initially it attacked security personnel as well as civilian collaborators. Roadblocks were set up and movement of Government forces restricted.
By mid 1998 the KLA controlled around a quarter of Kosovo province.The KLA stronghold was the Drenica region and its headquarters was in the village of Prekaz.
While Belgrade placed KLA strength at a few hundreds , the movement claimed it to be over 20,000. The KLA had AK – 47’s and RPG – 7 weapons. It also had SA – 7 and Stinger missiles.
Initially the Serbian forces suspended patrolling KLA controlled territory.It was mainly through default that the KLA maintained control of some areas. The KLA was no match for Serbian forces in direct confrontation.
The KLA bluff was called when it overreached itself by launching an offensive to capture Orahovac town. It was a fiasco. But Serbian state forces now began a counter – offensive against the KLA.
The guerillas were defeated decisively and chased away from the regions it controlled.Kosovo came under Belgrade’s writ again except for the border area of Junik.
The Serbian offensive though successful in dislodging the KLA resulted in unintended consequences. The Albanian diaspora was electrified. Fund raising for KLA peaked in the west. Thousands of youths left Europe and returned home to join the KLA. The KLA found it difficult to cope with the numbers.
One factor which fuelled large – scale support for the KLA among Albanian ethnics was the massacre of innocents. When four Serb policemen were killed by KLA guerillas the security forces retailated by attacking the villages of Likoshan and Cirez.
There was no armed resistance but in one place 12 members of a single extended family were killed. Another family lost four of five sons, and one family saw their seven-months-pregnant daughter-in-law shot in the head.
In another incident Police wanted to arrest Adem Jashari, the leader of the KLA .. The police assault on Prekaz lasted two days and Jashari died fighting. More than 60 people were killed of whom 45 were civilians.
The KLA adopted refined propaganda methods and publicised the anti – civilian acts of the Serbs. The whole world became aware of Serb attempts at ethnic cleansing. Bosnia situation provided added impetus.
Full-scale war broke out in Kosovo in March 1999. The Serbian and Yugoslav forces launched an offensive against the KLA. The KLA suffered heavy losses and was driven back into Albania, with only a few thousand fighters remaining in Kosovo itself.
The KLA actively collaborated with NATO personnel. When NATO commenced its 78 day aerial bombardment the KLA provided much informaation to identify targets.
KLA commander, Sylejman Selimi was removed in May 1999 and replaced with Agim Ceku an ethnic Albanian who had previously served in the Croatian Army as brigadier-general. After Çeku took over the KLA began to take a much more aggressive stance by attacking security force units frequently.
When the war ended, NATO and Serbian leaders agreed to a peace settlement that would see Kosovo governed by the UN .There was to be de – commissioning of KLA arms. The KLA was not a signatory to the peace accords. Instead of revolting the KLA showed great political acumen by agreeing to to be disarmed.
A much gratified NATO brought the KLA nto the peace process by establishing a 3,000-strong Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC)drawn from KLA ranks and entrusted with duties like disaster response, search and rescue, assistin de – mining, providing humanitarian assistance, and helping to rebuild infrastructure and communities.
The KPC’s operational sectors were very similar to those established by the KLA, illustrating the continuity between the two organizations. The KPC occupied former Yugoslav Army barracks and established battalions in each zone
Hashim Thaci, as head of the Albanian delegation, was invited to Rambouillet pour parleys in Paris. Initially Thaci refused to accept the Western proposal for the autonomy of Kosovo. Then in a volte – face Thaci agreed. and ratified the accord. This was a turning point.
It resulted in international recognition for the KLA’s political party known then as the Democratic party of Kosovo. It envisaged an interim government of Kosovo including the three major parties: the Democratic league of Kosovo (LDK) of Rugova, the United Democratic League (LBD) allied with the KLA and of course the KLA’s party. itself.
The interim Prime Minister was going to be Hashim Thaci.
Now began reverse ethnic cleansing. While dispersed Albanians returned ethnic Serbs began moving out. Systemic violence against them was unleashed. The Roma or Gypsy community was cruelly victimised.
The UN administration gave the ultra-nationalists a free hand. A report published by Amnesty International provides a devastatingly negative balance sheet.
“The UN mission either did not investigate adequately or completely failed to investigate hundreds of crimes such as murders, rapes, kidnappings and expulsions,” wrote Jan Digel, the Kosovo expert for Amnesty.
According to the European Roma Rights Centre in Budapest, over two thirds of the 120,000 Roma and Ashkali living in Kosovo were driven out of the province following the NATO bombardment.
It was the most comprehensive ethnic cleansing of Roma since the Second World War. Many thousands of Serbs were also forced to leave Kosovo, with the remaining 120,000 living in isolated Serbian enclaves.
The Thaci period of interim rule was a human rights disaster.. In four months 348 murders, 116 kidnappings, 1070 lootings and 1106 arson incidents occurred. .On the 15th of December, 1999, The provisional Administrative Council of Kosovo was set up and Thaci’s interim rule ended.Thaci’s DPK suffered defeat in municipal polls
Hashim Thaçi was born in Buroja in the municipality of Srbica northwest of Drenica valley, in Kosovo on April 24th 1968.. During his university years, he was one of the Albanian student leaders, and the first student president of the parallel Albanian University of Prishtina that was set apart from the real University due to Kosovar Albanians’ boycott of Milosevic’s new imposed status of Kosovo and Metohija.
Thaçi emigrated to Switzerland By 1993 , Thaçi had become a member of the inner circle of the KLA His nom de guerre was “Gjarpëri” [the Snake]) .
Hewas responsible fortraining recruits in Albania under the auspices of its Kosovar-sympathetic government. In March 1999, Hashim Thaçi was promoted into a political leader of the KLA .
According to media reports , Although the government in Pristina now professes adherence to the rights of minorities–whose ranks include Turks, Bosnjaks and other smaller groups alongside the Serbs and Roma–there has been no let-up in the attacks on national minorities in the province.
The declaration of independence last Sunday took place in close cooperation with the so-called Contact Group, consisting of the US, France, Germany, Britain and Italy. It was prepared over a long time. it is reported.
One year ago, the former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari submitted a plan for independence, which met with resolute opposition from Serbia and Russia.
Although Ahtisaari’s proposal was rejected at the time, it served as a framework and set a timetable for independence. Every step in the process–including a date for independence–was then coordinated between Kosovan Prime Minister Thaci and the Contact Group.
The alleged refusal of Serbia to agree to comprehensive autonomy for Kosovo is depicted as the rationale for total independence. The right of national self – determination has been given primacy over the concept of state sovereignty.
Elections in Kosovo were held on 17 November 2007. The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), political successors to the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), secured 34 percent (about 220,000 votes) as against 22 percent for the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), in power since the NATO intervention in 1998.
There was a record low turnout–43 percent of the province’s 1.5 million voters–down from 80 percent in elections soon after the Kosovo war. Doris Pack, head of the European Parliament team observing the poll, noted that “the worryingly low turn-out reflected the population’s disappointment in the performance of their elected representatives and the uncertainty regarding their future.” In addition, most of the 120,000 members of Kosovo’s Serb minority followed appeals from Serbia to boycott the election.
Nevertheless, Hashim Thaci, , declared his party’s vote of less than 15 percent of the population as a mandate for independence from Serbia. “The citizens of Kosovo sent the world a message…. The strongest message was that Kosovo is ready [for] independence,” he declared.
Hashim Thaci was designated as the next leader of Kosovo’s government on Decemner 11th 2007 by Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu and was asked to form a government “as soon as possible”.
On January 9th 2008 Thaçi was elected as Prime Minister by parliament, with 85 votes in favor and 22 against.
On that occasion he stated his intention to achieve independence for Kosovo in the first half of 2008.On February 16th Thaçi announced that the next day, February 17, would be key for “implementing the will of the citizens of Kosovo”, strongly implying the region would declare independence.
On February 17th Kosovo declared independence unilaterally.
“We, the democratically elected leaders of our people, hereby declare Kosovo to be an independent and sovereign state. This declaration reflects the will of our people and it is in full accordance with the recommendations of UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari and his Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo Status Settlement. “proclaimed Prime Minister Thaci.
“We declare Kosovo to be a democratic, secular and multiethnic republic, guided by the principles of non-discrimination and equal protection under the law. We shall protect and promote the rights of all communities in Kosovo and create the conditions necessary for their effective participation in political and decision-making processes”.
The USA and the big players of the EU have recognized the new state.
The Kosovo Liberation Army has fulfilled its ambition.
Tamil Translation of this article:
- கொசோவோ விடுதலை இராணுவத்தின் பரிணாம வளர்ச்சி
Entry Filed under: transCurrents NewsFeatures
23 Comments Add your own
1. anpu | February 24th, 2008 at 12:48 am
An occupying force, the Ottoman Empire, forcefully thrust the population into assuming another identity that is totally separate from the original population, and within 500 years an enclave was created that has now declared a UDI. Kosovo is essentially a religious state, just as Pakistan came into being in 1947. A clear separation of State from the religion is a pre-requisite for a modern nation. A State based on a religious grouping is always something to be concerned with.
KLA was successful due to contiguous nature of Albania and Kosovo Province. UDI are known for failures, just as Ian Smith of Rhodesia came to understand, and regrettably, Zimbabwe is the classic case of from the pan into the fire.
Due to contiguous nature Albanian-Kosovo territories a more stable reconfiguration would have been a better entity in the long run. Serbians, their ill-considered aggressiveness notwithstanding at the beginning of Yugoslav de-confederation, are deprived of their cradle civilization and it is unlikely to be a source of stability. Russia will never allow Kosovo to be member of the UN unless there is significant territorial adjustments are made for the Kosovo-Serbians.
2. Thamil | February 24th, 2008 at 5:42 am
KLA was fighting against a civilized country where negotiations, impasses and idle period will work, but fighting a rough state is a different ball game they will always looking ways for the annihilation of the Tamil race and also trying to find new definitions where Tamils originate from where they belongs to.
KLA is lucky, everything worked out well for them, good luck to them, and our day will also come soon.
3. Chennai_Analyst | February 24th, 2008 at 6:04 am
The KLA ‘Independence’ is an eye-opener and a pathway for Freedom for the Tamils of SriLanka after East Timor. It is but natural for the Racist SriLankans to oppose Tamils having a separate country. It has sent down jitters to Mahinda and his Gang of Thugs aided and abetted by the Sinister Hindians! Now that Kosovo is independent it will only be a matter of time for freedom under UN Auspices for the Tamils!
Ex-President Lee-Kwan Yew of Singapore predicted this long ago! The UN will undergo change in the next 2 years with India(Hindia) coming into the foray. But the Hindians too are worried now after Kosovo Independence! Here’s why?
India actually “Hindia” is 60 years old, with the 50% Hindians dominating and ruling all other groups in the country. Hindia is an artificial setup wherein in 1947, some 700 Kings and Maharajas and Princes were forced to join (in majority of the cases) the so-called Indian(Hindian) Union! It is like a house of cards, with non-Hindi people hating the Hindians not only within Hindia but all over, even outside Hindia, as the pigdin Hindians try to impose their crazy language and culture on others and trample them!
In 1947, in Hyderabad and Junagadh, which opted to join Pakistan, HIndia sent troops to take it. In Kashmir, the people wanted to join Pakistan and the Raja wanted to be Independent. Nehru, the weak minded womaniser, did not know what to do when Pakistan attacked. And Hindia used force to grab Kashmir. It was Hindia which went to the UN when Pakistan attacked. Since then Hindia and Pakis have been at the Jugular with a stalemate, with Hindians using Bribes and force to keep going their agenda over a restless populace. But for how long? Now the Kashmiris have seen the light of freedom after Kosavars!
Take the NE Hindia: the Assamese, Nagas, Manipuris, Gurkhas, the whole lot, all want freedom. They have seen enough of these Hindians, who are using their land as resource fodder!
Take Tamilnad. Hindians are using hard-working Tamils as fodder and as a manufacturing and power base. They keep it as far from Pakistani Bombers as possible. Also, many western companies do not want to invest in with the stupid North Hindia, brainless fellows!
Few years back, US Ambassador Frank Wisner was asked to talk in a Industry forum in Bengaloor about the state of India: He said he saw a good future only for South India which has about 300 Million people almost like Europe, but saw nothing for North India(Hindia)! The Hindians were totally annoyed and pissed!
Coming to Ilangkai and TN, Hindians gave Katchatheevu to the Singhalas as a Bribe. They want to grab Trinco as has always been. Hindians, are using all means to subdue Tamils both in TamilNad and Ilangkai. They don’t even bother to protect TN fishermen from Singala Thugs and hundreds have been killed and thousands injured. Hindia is giving arms to Singalas to wipe-out the Tamils so that they can get NE Ilangkai as their base! How long will it go on?
The Kosavars Independence is a good augury for Tamil freedom. It is only a matter of time for freedom to dawn. Tamils have to be united and wait it out.
4. velu | February 24th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Thanks for Your Kosovo chronicle which is clearly explained the path of freedom for Kosovo people .
Through KLA played the game according to the US , EC interest, they finally have set the goal with multi track approach .
why international community is dancing with two faces . one side they are happy with armed groups who waged the freedom struggle through violent ways , other side , they are accusing the armed group which is following what KLA did, has been labeled as Terrorist Group . ?
This shows the vested tactics of Power based countries to deal the issues for their shake of own benefits .
any how, your article on KLA , clearly shows that one day , Tamils – aspiration would be achievable if we play the game with rules . because KLA is a success case .
5. Indian Tamil | February 24th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
#3
Maharaja of Kashmir signed the Instrument of Accession.Pakistan launched a guerilla onslaught meant to frighten its ruler into submission. Indian Army chased the Pak militants out of Kashmir.But Nehru referred the issue to UN.Nehru didnot annex forcibly.
Similarly India faces counter insurgency situation in Assam,Nagaland,Mizo and Manipur.The Indian military is the only organization familiar with operating in moutain terrain and that has a track record of successful counterinsurgencies. Indian military’s ultimate test was the decade-long insurgency in Kashmir and Punjab, where the Indian military faced a steep learning curve but eventually managed to employ an effective strategy.
The Indian experience commends approaching a counterinsurgency campaign with an emphasis on both military and non-military means. For India, success was based on three critical elements: a sustained, large military presence; effective civil administration; and development.
According to the level of Industrialisation based on gross value output Maharashtra and Gujarat are leading followed by TN,UP,HARYANA ,MADHYA PRADESH,PUNJAB AND KARNATAKA.Donot trust Frank Wisner.Hindians are doing very well too.
It is Indian tamils who rule India which ever party comes to power.Hindians listen ,value tamil politicians by sheer majority of our MPs.One look at list of cabinet ministers will reveal the power we hold over the so called Hindians.They are not pissed off and too happy to share the power with us.Today Chidambaram becomes the Finanace Minister who has announced max no of budgets.
There is nothing to worry for India,due to the above facts.Yes,India will take its place in security council.Donot misguide SL tamils for Kosova type freedom and suffer for few more decades.Best way is to negotiate with SL govt for max devolution of powers and enjoy progress like Indian tamils.
Decades long fighting has brought in misery to them.India will go allout to stop the birth of kosovo type hostile tamil eelam.You must know the damage India caused to LTTE by banning them.
6. Chennai_Analyst | February 25th, 2008 at 12:45 am
To Indian Tamil:
Regarding Kashmir, read carefully what I wrote. True the Raja signed accession to India after he was threatened by Pakistan. But why? This Raja was a tyrant and his people fed up of his BS wanted to join Pakistan while he wanted to be independent of both countries. Yes India threatened the Raja and said unless you sign, we wont send troops! He was forced to sign. And what did India do after that? They gave Kashmir a special status, with a Flag for Kashmir, a Parliament, a Prime-Minister officially called Sadar-i-Riyasat and huge bribes in the Billions and what not? When the real power in Kashmir, Shekh Abdullah did not see reason to be with India(Hindia), Nehru and later Indira simply imprisoned the Sheikh! So it was and continues to be unwanted and unwelcome Hindians in Kashmir ruling with extreme brutality. And see the double-standards of Hindia..They put it the History texts that Kashmir is in HIndia! See any UN map or World map, it shows Kashmir as disputed!
What about the current Hyderabad in Andhra. The King wanted to join Pakistan and India used force to annex Hyderabad as was Junagadh. You cannot have one rule for HIndia and another for Pakistan! Similarly many Princes and Maharajas were threatened and forced to join by Sardar Patel!
As regards the NE of Hindia, true the Indian Army has done Great in curbing extremism but at what cost? The Army is tired of this BS counter-insurgency, coz. the Politicians screwd up. You talk of Development there, there is very little there to show, except Resource Plunder by Hindia. Why do you have Assam speaking ULFA kicking Hindi people out of Assam? After all Assamese is almost like Hindi? Hindia uses up their resources and gives them pittance like throwing some bones to a dog! Any answers my friend???
Regarding your talk of Industralization, Gujarat is the Richest and has something to show. The Rest: BIMARU(Bihar, MP, Rajastan, UP) are almost zero in everything! Total White Elephants and they are like Black Holes, any money thrown in disappears, the only production is the numbers of people yearly! And the Punjabis: hardworking guys but not proud to be with Hindia. The world knows that!
Like hell, I will trust the words of Frank Wisner. Truth hurts sometimes!
Tamils dont rule India! Never have! Never want to! Not worth it! Wed like our autonomy and are proud of our language and heritage with a 2000 year old History. Look at Hindi, 400 year history with a pidgin culture and they want to impose it on others! Chidambaram is there in Delhi as Finance Minister, coz. the Hindians are too dumb to find one as intelligent enough to run their affairs. Sonia or Vajpayee are using Tamils to sit in Power running Minority governments!
I am not misguiding Tamils for any power grab. Who the hell is Hindia to dictate terms to the Tamils of Ilangkai, who are being ethnically cleansed out by Singalas with weapons given by Hindia? Tamils are not asking for any Hindian land? They want their simple rights to live as humans which is in the UN Charter? Hindians dont even care for TN fishermen? So you guys can back off! If you cannot help fine, why harm others? Ask any Nepali youth about Hindia. Theirs is a Hindu country with a language similar to Hindi! But they simply dont like Hindia! Coz. they think Hindians are arrogant guys! Hindia must mind its own business and let others to live with freedom!
7. Sinhalese | February 25th, 2008 at 4:58 am
Kosovo would never have won the independence should there not be a support from Nato who tooth and nail oppose to Serbs and German Nazis still in German Governments who were upset in 1945 defeats from Serbians and Russians. Why USA going after them is a mystery but I can attribute that to classical neo Colonialism. In that case Tamils have more claim to Independent state in North becaus they had the Jaffna Kingdom prior to European’s arrival. And also Palestenians.That’s classic western duplicity.
8. Dingiri | February 25th, 2008 at 8:41 am
I believe the reason for the UK and US recognising Kosovo is merely to show Moslems that they are not uniformly anti-moslem in all their transactions with Mosolem peoples around the world.
Obviously, there is no harm if the Kosovans could break away without affecting Serbs who either live there or have historical ties with Kosovo. However if the breakaway impacts the Serbs it becomes a lot more complecated.
In determining if a country has the right to breakaway there are many factors that should be considered. Lets take the hypothetical case of the UK breaking up into a two Nations with Pakistani Moslems claiming a large chunk of it which includes Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.
1. How large a proportion of the population wish to break away. If the British Moslems constituted 10% of the population would it be fair? If they constituted only 1% of the population would it be fair?
2. Is the landmass divided fairly between the 2 states? If the 10% of British Moslems lived in a sparsely populated cluster of counties that together constituted 35% of the land mass would it be fair?
3. The demographics of the new state. If the British Moslems constituted only 35% of the population of the new state, with the rest being white would it be fair?
4. If most of Britain’s archaelogical heritage lay in this new state. e.g. Sotnehenge, Cantebury Cathedral, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court etc. would it be fair?
5. The history of the secessionist population:
If the Moslems arrived in the 1950s would it be fair? If they arrived in 1700 would it be fair? How about 1066?
6. What if the new state also occupies the best agricultural land or the only oil reserves in the UK?
The case in Sri Lanka is of two provinces wanting to breakaway or rather the Tamils of one province (Northern Province)wanting theirs plus another province (Eastern Province)of which they constitute only a third of the population.
Tamils had a state in most of the Northern Province since the 13th century. However in the Eastern Province which large but sparsely populated, Full of Significant Sinhalese Buddhist archaelogical sites that date back to about 175 BC they not only constitute only 33% of the population but also arived there from South India only in the 18th century, during colonial times. So how fair is their land claim?
Should the significant Indian populations in Malaysia, Fiji, South Africa and Kenya also have the right to break away?
9. Suresh M | February 25th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Indian Tamil,
You said “India will go allout to stop the birth of Kosovo type hostile Tamil Eelam”.. Even mighty Russia couldn’t stop Kosovo. Unlike India, Western powers have a long tradition of respecting freedom, and equality. For an example, in India, you have institutionalized inequality based on Caste. You still have mandatory space for identifying your caste on your birth certificate. Fix this fundamental inequality before lecturing Ilankai Tamils.
Yes, Kosovo is a wake up call for you Indians too. Live and let live.
10. Ram the 2nd | February 25th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Let me be short and blunt.
No matter how crazy it is to declare unilateral independance, Kosovo militants are wise enough to convert themselves to be followers of democracy. .
That is the lesson here to learn.
11. a sl voter | February 26th, 2008 at 12:16 am
Hi Dingiri,
On you comment after point #6, you claimed that Tamils do not have right over the east as there are “Significant Sinhalese Buddist Archaeological sites that back date ro about 175 bc” Do you know according to same Sinhala Buddist Cultural books veddhas have more claim over Sri Lanka? If you are genuine you should pack your bag and move out fo Sri Lanka and go not to any other country but to Gujarath, India. (A Place where a state sponcered violence occured against Muslims)
Additionally, You claim that Tamils were here only from 18th Century. I feel sory for you.
The point is this: Tamils are living here for years, from birth. They feel it as their country. They have the right over the land where they live.
If Sinhalese live intrincomalee for generations, they have the right over the land they live. Same to the Muslims, Burgers and Veddhas.
If a group of people have a common identity to idnetify themselves – by religion, culture, language, land – they have the right to deteremine their own.
What will you say, if India invades over Sri Lanka and declares it as a part of India? we (all Sri lankan including Sinhalese, Muslims, NE-Tamils, and Upcountry Tamils) togeather will not constiture even 2% of Indian population. Will it give power over India to decide on our future?
12. KTR | February 26th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Unlike in Kosovo, where NATO presence virtually eliminated the paramillitary aided killing, like Karuna and Pilayan did in tamil areas and Military inteligence aided killing of Tamils in the Military control areas.
13. Eelam net | February 26th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Comment 8,
Dont forget Toronto & Tooting also traditional Tamil homeland,
14. velu | February 26th, 2008 at 11:10 am
level of Pain , suffering ,humiliation, historical injustice ,finally state of oppression are the determining factors to decide the integration ,co existence or separation.
we know the pain of the Kosovo people ,so they have right to go their own way .
UN , Russia, US or India can not decide what they should do ? argument on whether Russia ,India approve or not unnecessary ?
Under the R2P , if people feel that they have no place for dignity in one country , they are entitle to claim to get UN intervention .to create their own safety .
Srilanka has clearly demonstrated the safety Tamils by bombing , displacing and preparing long list of disappearing.
In srilanka , International community and India are making big mistake by not safe guarding the innocent civilians from militarization ,
we can not expect whether India or other will support , we – Tamils should mobilize and work hard to expose the oppression on Tamils to the people of the other countries .
one of the reasons of Vietnam people victory was support of the people America.
when we touch the hearts and minds of people of the powerful countries that will leads to make difference .
we are only talking about Governments who can support to us . but we missed to communicate with the people who are watching to support us .
i would suggest that Tamils from NE , have to develop link with India based civil societies for solidarity ,
when we think out of box , we can really make difference .
i think KOSOVO leaders did good job on expose the Serbian . That is the secret of success .
this is good lesson to apply .
Velu .
15. Indian Tamil | February 26th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
#9
Suresh M,
I thought the western powers waged war against terrorists.
The social structure in India is historically based on hierarchical caste system, inculcating a sense of ascending scale of respect and descending scale of discrimination and denigration of the people. Due to untouchability which was given social and religious sanctions for its perpetuation, the Dalits have been kept as outcastes, inflicting indignity; inhumanity and denigration have been heaped on them for millenniums. In 1947, the Constitution of India prohibit caste-based discrimination, in particular, by Articles 14, 15 and 16 and abolished untouchability by Article 17, life has been protected under Article 21, and equality of status and dignity has been given in equal measure to the Dalits and Adivasis. By this the so called low castes get equal opportunity in education, basic human right for intellectual excellence, cultural pursuits and economic empowerment, social justice, equality of status and of dignity .
Because of the spread of education in post-Independence era among Dalit children, they became conscious of exercising their fundamental freedoms and human rights, especially the right to dignity and equality of status. Otherwise how do you think Thiruma is supporting LTTE.They have all freedom to say anything.
A militant caste-based ‘reservation’ (or, affirmative action) policy that led to, at one point, reservation of almost 70 % of the seats in professional courses (50 % for Most Backward/Backward commnunities, and the rest for Scheduled Castes and Tribes)
ONE of the first decisions of the newly elected Tamil Nadu government was to pass orders facilitating the appointment of people from any caste as archakas (priests) in temples provided they have the required qualifications. The path-breaking decision is expected to put an end to the monopoly of caste Hindus in temples. Also construction of Samathuvapuram across TN turned out tobe a success.
Undemocratic LTTE may not understand the kind of reforms Indian constitution brings in for equality.We are improving and setting right the century old castes discrimination.
Iam not lecturing SL tamils but spelt Indian policy on kosovo style UDI by LTTE.It is for SL tamils to renounce terrorism and obtain max devolution of powers from SL govt by engaging and negotiating before LTTE destroys tamil children and women in protecting their egoistic leaders.
16. Argonot | February 27th, 2008 at 2:24 am
Has Serbia had a sensible policy towards the minority Albanians,Kosovo independence would have never happened. The lesson for Sri Lanka is that to accept that there are communities other than Sinhalese who are also Sri Lankans.
Devolve power and respect the cultural heritage of the minorities. If a sensible policy is implemented the demand for seperation will die a natural death.
17. GANGA | February 27th, 2008 at 7:03 am
there is a regular visitor in this site always try to impose Indian will and design on tamils in lanka. why is this? why should we tamils in lanka live according to the indian set tune?
if there is a logical discussion it is good. we can part take. but there cannot be blind following to some stupid mantra of some ‘avatar’. look at the arrogance in the statement of ‘india will go all out to stop the kosovo type birth of eelam’.
there already new conflict opinings in india like the anti north indian sentiments in maharashtra. until recently we were under the impression of maharashtrians as north indians. but now it is changing.
so let these indians or hindians put there house in order, we in lanka will manage us. we will go for udi and eelam or settle with sinhalese. we will defeat or change ltte. please dont make us sick by this overdose india syndrome.
if india does not learn to behave with the smaller states and people arround it we will be forced to look beyond.
18. Indian Tamil | February 27th, 2008 at 10:19 am
#16
Dear Ma’am,
Try to be democratic.How long you will push your militant envelope in all walks of your life.If you are sickened to read, just skip the para.simple solution.
You cannot ban me from writing.That decision rests with the editor of the site.I think,what is lacking overall is tolerance and democracy in accepting opposite views.
I welcome your criticism on Maharashtrians fight with north indians.what is hilarious here is the same party opposed south indians a decade ago.After the success of south indian, they consider themselves as southies.But they are not above law.They are arrested and are battling with supreme court.
I will not like to preach you on how to lead your life.our only major concern is ltte infiltrating in TN and destroy our society too. ltte funded side kicks disrupt peace and threaten our society with yet another militancy in otherwise a peaceful state.your refugees too are a major security concern.Am I so mean?
We are behaving well with small states.Ask SL govt.
DBSJ RESPONDS: Dear “Indian Tamil” your comments and responses are most welcome. We think you provide much needed insight about India’s current position vis a vis Sri Lanka and the reasons for it.Many Sri Lankan Tamils are in a state of denial about current realities and underlying causes. Your input therefore gives at least this website a different and informed perspective. Please continue to write here
19. Suresh M | February 27th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
# 15,
Indian Tamil,
Yes, Western powers waged war against terrorists. They also recognize terror is a tact employed by weaker section of the society to free themselves from oppression. I am sure you know that.
Indian policy is purely to promote their own agenda in SL, not helping Sinhalese, or Tamils in SL. I call it ‘Monkey Justice’ . It is one of the ‘Panchathanthira’ stories.
Your answer is similar to a typical Indian politician’s. Gave us a long list of what anti-caste (or anti-Brahmin to be exact ) policies brought forwarded by Dravidian parties in TN. They are not applicable in other parts of India. i.e. Gujarat.
In India identifying your caste on your birth certificate is a must, that is what I called institutionalized inequality. You should fight to remove this fundamental unjust.
Other think is not SL tamil, SL Tamil.
20. Gee | February 28th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
“There is always a case for freedom struggle and self determination,” the British Foreign Minister said.
21. Gayan | February 29th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Today the US congras has adoted a resolution stoping anymore unilateral declaration of independence .Though this is most welcome i dont think SL had anything to worry about in the first place.The historical and more importantly the political atmosphire is very contrast in Serbia/kosovo than in SL.
“Whereas, in light of NATO’s military intervention in Kosovo and the United Nations trusteeship established in Kosovo pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999), the international community has recognized the political circumstances in Kosovo as unique, and the settlement of Kosovo’s status therefore does not establish a precedent for the resolution of other conflicts; ***states the resolution
22. Indian Tamil | February 29th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
#19,Suresh M
The policy of reservations in the public sector is being used as a strategy to overcome discrimination and act as a compensatory exercise. A large section of the society OBCs was historically denied right to property, education, business and civil rights because of the practice of untouchability. In order to compensate for the historical denial and have safeguards against discrimination, we have the reservation policy.
The reservation policy in the public sector has benefited a lot of people. The Central government alone has 14 lakh employees. The proportion of Scheduled castes in class III and IV is well above the quota of 16 per cent and in class I and II, the proportion is around 812 per cent. So, the middle and the lower middle class that we see today from the Dalit community is because of reservation. With no reservation, the entry of these people in government services would have been doubtful.
The situation is similar in education. An article in the EPW (Economic and Political Weekly) estimates that there are seven lakh SC /ST students in higher education and about half of them are there because of reservation. Reservation has certainly helped .
The method of implementing these reservation policies varies across states . The Indian quota system is good, but is confined to the public sector.
The SC/ST commission had asked for reservation in the private sector .State of UP implemented this reservation whereas TN is still deliberating.Many states have better reservation system than TN.Besides BC,MBC also has % allotment similar to SC/ST through out India.
Do you still ask why we have caste on birth certificate? .Who will fight to remove this reservation system.?It is Brahmins who are most affected.They are forced to fight in the open category which is very less.Removal will benefit the brahmins.But who really cares about them.Till then this caste system will continue.Because it benefits all and sundry except brahmins.
23. Dingiri | March 4th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Dear sl voter,
“….you claimed that Tamils do not have right over the east as there are “Significant Sinhalese Buddist Archaeological sites that back date ro about 175 bc”
I think what I said was that Tamils dont have an exclusive right to the east. It is the Sinhalese and Moslem’s traditional homeland too. It is only the LTTE and its supporters who claim all of the East as part of its Exclusive Tamil Homeland regardless of the views of the Sinhalese and Moslems who live there.
I would be quite comfortable with a partition of the country on a basis that all its citizens have an equal share of it regardless of when they arrived.
History is a different issue. Its interesting when and where we all came from but that is a purely academic pursuit. However when Tamils claim a disproportionately large chunk of the country on the basis that only they have a historical claim to it we Sinhalese feel we need to point out the holes in your argument. However I too believe that History shouldnt get in the way of sharing out our country FAIRLY. Everyone whos made it their home should have an equal say and an equal claim to it. If Tamils or Moslems want to secede, the Sinhalese have no right to object as long as the sessionists secede with a proportionate portion of the land and no more.
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