Who is Hashim “Snake” Thaci?

What is missing from the global media reports dedicated to Kosovo’s independence is the Albanian terrorism.






Photo: Wikipedia/Reuters/freerepublic.com

If we are to judge by individual reactions of countries that responded to Kosovo’s declaration of independence, everybody has their own interests – but what is missing from global media reports dedicated to the precedents and separatism is terrorism, which was a constituent factor in creating the world’s newest nation.

Great Serbia and Great Albania – two sides of the same coin

The fate of the independent Kosovo is closely tied to the person and work by Hashim Thaci, who joined the Albanian political migration in Switzerland in the early nineties, where he founded the “National Movement for Kosovo”, the Marxist-Leninist political party whose only aim was to unite all of the regions where Albanians lived into one country, which in reality is nothing else besides copying the politics of Milosevic’s efforts to create the entity “Greater Serbia” on the regions of the former Yugoslavia.

In 1993, Thaci became a member of the KLA (Kosovo Liberation Army), who according to BBC soon resorted to “the most successful guerrilla movement in modern times” and/or a terrorist organization that reveals to the world the “direct connection between Al Qaeda and Albanians”. Parallel with the foundation of the “rebel guerrillas”, Thaci (war name “Snake”) founded and organized the Drenica Group that soon rose as the dominant and best known criminal organization of the west-Balkans. It concerned itself with (and still does) weapons smuggling, heroin, cocaine and cigarettes, automobile theft, prostitution and other profitable jobs that are common for mafia groups. “Drenica” soon made connections with key organizations in Albania, the Czech Republic, and Macedonia, creating a large-scale criminal organization, which according to Can Karpat’s report, was sealed with a marriage between Thaci’s sister and Sejdij Bajrush, one of the most infamous leaders of the Albanian mafia.

One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter

The first terrorist act that was directly blamed on the current premier of independent Kosovo happened on May 25, 1993. This is when Thaci, together with Rafet Rama, Jakup Nuri, Sami Ljustku and Ilijaz Kadriju, attacked the Serbian police at the railway crossing “Glogovac”, about which the respected Jane’s Information Group reports. During the attack, two police officers were killed, and another five were injured.

In July 1997, the court in Pristina sentenced Thaci (in absence) to ten years in prison, because of which he, a members of the Drenica group hid in the forests. The legal prosecution of him was stopped in 1999 when Hashim was recognized as the political leader of the KLA.

Judging by newspaper reports, Thaci was not only unforgiving towards Kosovo Serbs, but towards mainstream Albanians as well. In June 1999, the New York Times published an article that accuses Hashim and two of his supporters for the murder of somebody that opposed Albanian nationalism. The author of the article Chris Hedges, at the time, interviewed Rifat Haxhijaj who lived with Thaci in Switzerland, who stated: “When the war started (against the Serbian authorities), everybody wanted to be the boss. To get an idea of the kind of battle we are talking about, we only have to mention the murder of the Albanian reporter Alij Uka, a man that showed patriotism when Albanian nationalism/separatism is concerned. However, at the same time, he was a very harsh criticiser of people that were at the head of separatist currents. Uka was killed in his apartment in Tirana, and according to the words of former KLA members, that act was committed by his roommate at the time – Hashim Thaci, in cooperation with the secret police that Albania happily placed “at the disposal of the rebel leaders”. The allegations were rejected by Thaci’s representative in Switzerland, Jasha Salih who said:

- These reports are incorrect. Neither Mr Thaci, nor anyone else in the KLA were not involved in these activities. Our only aim is independent Kosovo.

On the other hand there are the statements by Bujar Bukoshi, the former premier in Ibrahim Rogov’s exiled cabinet, who said in Hashim’s rise:

- Cadavers have never been an obstacle to Thaci’s career.

The inconvenient truth about Albanian ethnic cleansing

The massacre in the village Racak was by far the bloodiest incident that served as a prelude to “Kosovo’s war”. An alleged murder is in question, with 45 Albanian civilians whose death was presented to the West as the Serbian revenge for the actions taken by the KLA against Serbian security forces. “Yugoslavia” then dropped all allegations, claiming that its forces were not responsible for the crime. However the same coalition led by the USA that recognized Kosovo have not backed away from their allegations, so the crime will remain on the conscience of the Serbs.

To make the historical line even more interesting, Thaci himself shocked the press, and then radio Voice of Russia – who first published Hashim’s confession in March 2000. Hashim admitted that the KLA purposely demonised Serbia through its operations, provoking the military intervention of the West.

The Voice of Russia then cited Thaci who talked about a public secret, admitting that the KLA killed four police officers in the village Racak, with the intent of provoking action from the Serbian special forces. The Serbs did react, and the media immediately characterized it as a Serbian massacre of Albanian villagers, which was denied by Thaci himself, explaining that the bodies of KLA members were later found, which was later additionally analysed in great detail by the media.

Thaci talked about the idea of “Greater Albania” until 1998, when Albania met with the “pyramid scheme” which led to mass looting, which together with the war, homogenized the population in Kosovo. This caused Hashim to change to rhetoric, and start talking about the idea of independence for the region.

From a wanted terrorist to a loved premier

The KLA was on the list of the 100 most wanted and dangerous terrorist organizations in the world until 1998, when the US administration together with Bill Clinton, changed course and decided to support the “guerrillas”, by inaugurating Thaci as the “spokesperson” for Albanian interests in Kosovo.

This course was followed by George W. Bush, despite the link between the KLA and Al Qaeda that is well known to the intelligence community.

Thaci and his party reject all of these allegations.

Croatia, Macedonia, Albania discuss NATO bids with US officials

WASHINGTON: The defense ministers of Croatia, Macedonia and Albania were seeking help from the United States on Tuesday for their bids to join NATO.

Branko Vukelic of Croatia, Lazar Elenovski of Macedonia and Fatmir Mediu of Albania were detailing their countries' efforts to meet requirements for change ahead of the alliance's April summit in Bucharest. That is where the members will consider the three bids.

The United States has been supportive of membership for the three countries, but has been encouraging them to step up changes in their practices. It is unclear whether all three countries have the necessary unanimous support of the alliance's 26 members.

The ministers' meetings with officials, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, come at a time of increased misgivings about stability in the Balkans after Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia on Sunday.

On Tuesday in a joint event at the Atlantic Council, a Washington group that promotes close U.S.-European ties, the three ministers argued that membership for all three would promote stability by anchoring the three Balkan countries in an important Western institution. They also said that the necessary changes have been made.

Croatia to Recognise Kosovo with EU Members

Croatian Premier Ivo Sanader repeated today that Croatia will wait for the EU countries to recognise Kosovo first.

- We will examine the whole situation, but I can not give a precise date when it (the recognition of Kosovo) will happen. We will do it together with the majority of EU members – said the PM in Vukovar.

Sanader was then asked if he fears for Croatian businessmen in case Croatia recognises Kosovo that may damage the business in the Serbian market. He stated that the Croatian economy has interests there.

This and the situation in our neighbourhood is the reason why Croatia has carried out a moderate policy, a policy aimed at preserving Croatia’s national interests, said Sanader, reminding that Croatia had a stabilising role in this part of Europe.

Commenting on Serbian President Tadic’s statements at the UN that Croatia still does not return the Serbs their houses, Sanader said that Tadic should have not stated that.

- I think that Boris Tadic used the opportunity to strike back to Croatia due to our decision to take the position of the majority of EU countries on the recognition of Kosovo. I think he should not have said that – Sanader said.

Croatia to move on LNG terminal soon

Croatia should soon define a location for its Adriatic liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and sign an agreement with foreign partners to kick off its building, a top Croatian energy official said on Monday.
"The government should reach a decision on location in a month or so and then an agreement with foreign partners should follow quickly," Assistant Economy Minister in charge of energy policy, Zeljko Tomsic, told Reuters in an interview.
Analysts believe the best location for the terminal is the northern Adriatic island of Krk.
The project was to get under way last year and be completed by 2012, but was delayed due to disagreements over voting rights between Croat and foreign investors and uncertainty about the location.
Tomsic said Croatia could not accept that three foreign parters who will have 61 percent in the Adria LNG consortium -- Germany's E.ON Ruhrgas, Austria's OMV and France's Total -- should have a possibility to outvote other partners.
"We suggested a veto right for the Croatian partners, which was not accepted, or that decisions be taken by a 76-percent majority. But I believe we're now close to a mutually acceptable shareholders' agreement," Tomsic said.
Other foreign partners in the consortium are Germany's RWE and Slovenia's gas company Geoplin.
Croatian companies comprise 25 percent of the consortium and include oil concern INA, in which the state has 44 percent and Hungary's MOL 25 percent, state power board HEP and gas company Plinacro.
The project, estimated at $1 billion and with a capacity of up to 15 billion cubic meters of gas per year, is part of European gas companies' efforts to diversify import resources and reduce dependence on Russian pipeline gas. Croatia will take some 2 billion cubic meters a year.
"I believe the 2012 target date is still reachable, but the (Croatian) state has to intensify its efforts," Tomsic said.
PEOP LAGGING BEHIND
Another important project for Croatia, which seeks to become a regional energy transport hub, is Paneuropean Oil Pipeline (PEOP), to transport Caspian crude from the Romanian port of Contanta to Italy's Trieste, but Tomsic was less optimistic about its speed.
"We have had a delay as Slovenia is reluctant to participate due to environmental concerns, while in northern Italy the pipeline network is fragmented, which makes it more complex to push forward the talks," Tomsic said.
He said the next meeting about the project is scheduled for later this week in Brussels as the European Commission is very keen to see the pipeline come to life.
"If Slovenia remains reluctant, an option is to circumvent it by an undersea connection from Croatia to Italy. I hope we'll have a clearer picture soon," Tomsic said.
The PEOP, also tentatively scheduled to be completed by 2012, should have annual capacity of 60-90 million tonnes (1.2-1.8 million barrels per day) and the investment is worth roughly $3.5 billion.
Tomsic said the PEOP could also revive the doomed Druzhba-Adria oil pipeline which was aimed to connect Russian oilfields to the northern Croatian deep sea port of Omisalj, but never took off because of environmental concerns in Croatia.
"If the PEOP is connected to Genoa or Marseilles, which the European Commission favors, the Russians could become interested to export their crude by tankers to the U.S., which was originally behind the idea of Druzhba-Adria.

Croatia warned in border row

The European Union urged Croatia yesterday to calm a maritime border dispute with Slovenia that has cast a cloud over Croatia's efforts to join the Union.

EU foreign ministers said Croatia should refrain from enforcing a 57,000 sq km fisheries protection zone in the Adriatic sea that it proclaimed on January 1.

Slovenia, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, views Croatia's action as an attempt to predetermine a settlement of the border dispute.

Croatia 2008: holiday planning guide

Where Croatia's coastal mountain range tumbles into the sea the drowned foothills have created ribbon islands covered with pine woods, flower-rich maquis and fields of vines and lavender.

Hvar
Hvar, with its sophisticated bars and clubs, is the most fashionable place on the Dalmatian coast

There are few good sandy beaches, but the sea is crystal-clear and there are often ladders or steps cut into the rock leading to the water.

It's a great place for a seaside holiday.

Some of the monolithic concrete hotels built during the Communist era have scrubbed up well (though others remain eyesores) and Croatia is seeing the rise of the boutique hotel in its lovely Venetian-built ports and cities.

In rural villages deserted buildings are being converted into guesthouses and rental cottages.

Island-hopping using the efficient ferry service is particularly rewarding and, outside July and August, one can always find somewhere to stay on the day.

The Dalmatian coast has four tourist areas: the Istrian peninsula in the north; the Kvarner region, which includes Zadar and the islands of Cres and Rab; Split and the Makarska riviera in central Dalmatia; and, in the south, the historic port of Dubrovnik and its riviera.

Inland, national parks are being developed as multi-activity destinations, especially for trekking, rafting and canoeing.

Here are 10 good reasons to visit Croatia this year:

# It is probably the cheapest country in the Mediterranean for holidaymakers.

A bottle of beer costs £1, a coffee 50p, and a pizza £2.50.

The quality of food and wine has also improved greatly, especially on islands popular with Italians, who won't put up with bad food.

There is now a good choice of local wines on menus for about £4 a bottle.

# The bucolic Istrian countryside is opening up to tourism.

Thanks to government grants, locals have been busy renovating their country properties to rent to tourists and there are some agritourism enterprises, such as the Strakovcic family farm in Gorica, which opened in October.

Most tour operators have a clutch of handsome stone villas with pools on their books, many near the medieval hill towns of Motovun and Groznjan, which provide a focus for arts events and evenings in family-run restaurants.

# The first five-star hotel in Istria, the Kempinski Hotel Adriatic, opens on June 1 on a private beach a few miles north of Umag, which is only a two-hour boat ride from Venice.

It will have a sophisticated spa, gym, golf course, heated outdoor pools and a professionally run children's club with its own villa and pool.

Special opening rates are now available; a deluxe seaview room costs £150 a night in June through www.kempinski.com.

# For eco-warriors over the age of 16, there is a volunteering programme, the Caput Insulae Eco-centre, at Beli on the island of Cres.

Volunteers can stay for a week or three months and work in the mornings repairing dry-stone walls, helping local shepherds, maintaining forest eco-trails and rescuing and caring for the endangered Eurasian griffon vultures.

For more information, see www.supovi.hr. Steve Holland arranges placements at the eco-centre and also runs Essential Croatia (07970 201035, www.essentialcroatia.com), which arranges guided walks and accommodation for others who wish to discover this tranquil island.

# Hoteliers on the island of Krk have spent the winter renovating hotels and apartments and building new places to stay in anticipation of a tourist boom this summer thanks to direct flights from Britain to Rijeka (the airport is actually on Krk) and Zadar.

This is a lovely island, known for its olive oil and wine, and among the new projects are Apartments Baska and Villa Adria, which have kitchenettes but also link into the facilities of a four-star hotel.

# The town of Hvar, on the island of the same name, has become the most fashionable place on the Dalmatian coast to stay and be seen (though there can be too many flashy Italians in August).

Cocktail bars have replaced cheap pizza joints on its Venetian town square and the renovated Riva Hotel is the only place in Croatia to be accepted as a member of the Small Luxury Hotels brand.

# The outlying island of Vis, off-limits to foreigners for nearly 50 years (it was used as a Yugoslav naval base), is Dalmatia away from the day-trippers.

The three-star Paula Hotel has been renovated over the winter and restoration work has finished on cottages in the hamlet or Talez, both ideal bases from which to explore this green hilly island known for its gastronomy and local wines.

There are also boat trips to even more remote islands.

# The newly opened Split-Zagreb and Split-Rijeka motorways are opening up the country's interior. The 235-mile journey from Split to Zagreb, the capital, now takes just three hours.

The motorway has also made it much easier to reach Croatia's mountains and the Plitvice Lakes national park, where 16 lakes connected by rapids and waterfalls are set in beech and fir woods.

Deer, bears and even wolves are said to roam here. There is also excellent rafting and kayaking near Karlovac, south-west of Zagreb.

# The best way to enjoy Croatia's many offshore islands is by boat.

Dalmatian Destinations (020 7730 8007, www.dalmatiandestinations.com) has added eight luxury gulets and sailing schooners to its portfolio, sleeping between eight and 14 people.

Itineraries are tailor-made and boats are fully crewed with a chef and often an owner-captain. New Venice-to-Split sailing weeks have been introduced this summer.

# Dubrovnik has become one of the most stylish cities on the Mediterranean, with a vibrant café society and arts scene.

Most of the big waterfront resorts and boutique hotels have undergone renovation, including the Hotel Excelsior, which reopens in June.

New hotels include the five-star Hotel More on the Lapad peninsula. The city is a good jumping-off point for the southern Dalmatian islands and forays into neighbouring Montenegro and the beautiful Gulf of Kotor.

The Summer Festival runs from July 10 to August 25 and the programme is posted on www.dubrovnik-festival.hr.

There are 20 stages, most of them open-air, for more than 80 productions of drama, music, film and dance.


Waterfalls in Plitvice Lakes National Park
Naturally beautiful: waterfalls in Plitvice Lakes National Park

Expect to pay

The following are rough guides to prices for a week’s holiday in June:

Three-bedroom villa with pool in Istria: £750 rental only

One-bedroom apartment in Dubrovnik old town: £400 rental only

Four-star resort hotel: £650 half board per person including flights

Coach tour of Istria: £650 half board per person including flights

Dalmatian islands cruise: £700 half board per person including flights

Group walking holiday: £700 half board per person including flights