P l a t f o r m a
of Albania
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The Platform for Natural Albania is compiled in harmony with the new
regional/international reality and the new reality of the Albanian
nation; the latter is living in two and a half states - Albania, Kosovo,
Macedonia and in the form of national minorities in Montenegro and
Serbia.
The Platform is a 200 – page document. It will be released in 50 thosand
copies in the Serbian, Greek, Macedonian and English languages.
The Foundations of the Platform for Natural Albania
- The Platform for Natural Albania is based on the pozitive heritage of
Albanians from the Skanderbeg epoch onwards and on the experience of the
League of Prizreni. The Lezha Convention in 1444 and the League of
Prizreni in 1878 are considered and remain two milestones of the
endeavours of Albanians to join one another and their own territory.
- In addition, the Platform is based on the decisions of the Assembly of
Vlora that proclaimed the Independence of Natural Albania, but which is
not current Albania. The present – day Albania, with the area of 28748
square km is a product of the Ambassadors‘ London Conference in 1913.
As far as its composition is concerned, the Assembly of Vlora and the
subsequent emerging Provisional Government represented almost all
Albanian lands, including the territories occupied by the armies of
Balkan countries; this gave an all - Albanian nature to this Assembly.
During the election of the Provisional Government, on 4 December 1912
and in the next two - three days, among the 63 delegates, 16 were from
Kosovo, from its main center, Skopia and other towns, whereas 7 were
came from Çamëria. Apart from Isa Boletini, who although had no state
office was one of the closest associates for Ismail Qemali, members of
this Government were also other personalities from Kosovo and other
Albanian occupied lands - Vehbi Dibra (Agolli) in his capacity as
Chairman of the Committee of the Wise, Mehmet Pashë Dërralla, Minister
of Defence and Hasan Prishtina; the latter was afterwards appointed as
Minister of Agriculture. Whereas in the Committee of the Wise of the
Assembly of Albania, apart from Vehbi Agolli, the rest three members -
Bedri Pejani, Sali Gjuka and Ajdin Draga were chosen from Kosovo and
other eastern Albanian territories. In the Statements released and
addressed to the Big Powers on 28 and 29 November 1912, I. Qemali, not
unintentionally, laid the emphasis on this particular reality, declaring
that the proclamation of Independence and the establishment of the
Provisional Government were an Act by the National Assembly, with the
participation of representatives from all Albanian lands, without
distinction on the account of religion, region and ideas.
- The Platform is also based on the Documents of the Conference of Bujan
held in 31 December 1943, which proclaimed that the unification of
Kosovo with Albania would occur after the Second World War. The major
points of this Conference are shown below:
1. Kosovo and Rrafshi i Dukagjinit ( The Plane of Dukagjin) are largely inhabited by Albanians.
2. The everlasting aspiration for the Albanians in Kosovo and in Rrafshi i Dukagjinit is to join Albania.
3. The best way for Albanians to join Albania is the shared fight with other peoples of Yugoslavia.
4. The Albanian people of Kosovo will have the opportunity to determine
its own destiny as an outcome of the shared struggle against the
occupier.
5. The determination of their own destiny does also include the right of self-determination to the breakaway point.
6. This right was granted by the great anti-fascist allies, thanks to
the National – Liberation Struggle of Yugoslavia and Albania and in
keeping with the pledges given by the Atlantic Charter as well as by the
Moscow and Teheran Meetings.
- The Platform relies on the Oath of the fighters of the National
Liberation Army (UÇK) in Kosovo, in their lands in the FYROM, and the
Prescevo Valley. The oath considers the unification of Albanian lands as
the hard core of their own struggle. The swear text of the UÇK fighter
is as follows: „ I, the soldier of the National Liberation Army of
Kosovo, swear to fight for the liberation of Albanian lands and their
unification.“
- The Platform complies with the Constitution of the Republic of
Albania, which considers the unification of Albanians as a legitimate
and a century- long aspiration. Its Preambule states the following: „
We, the people of Albania..............sharing the century –long
aspiration of the Albanian people for national identity and
unification..... the enshrinment of the right for national unification
by Albania‘s Constitution, the endorsement of this right through a
popular referendum, its acceptance even by the experts of the Venice
Commission and lately by the NATO experts constitutes the underlying
foundation for the project of the unfinished business of Albanians.
Why now?
- Because now the Albanian question succeeded to break out from the
folkloristic frames, becoming Real Politik; it is only now that the
Albanian question came out from the Big Power archives, being considered
as a geopolitical reality, which needs a comprehensively reformatting
and reconfiguration.
- Because Albanians have not accomplished their major mission yet. The
Albanian League of Prizren has essentially remained unfinished business.
The Uprising of Albanians in 1911-1912 is also Unfinished. The
Independence of Albania was acknowledged and realized as such, only in a
part of the Albanian territory. The other parts of the Albanian space
have either remained, or they were annexed by other neighbour states of
Albania and Albanians.
Likewise, what is called „ The National – Liberation Struggle“ during
the World War II 1939-1945, has remained Unfinished Business; only that
part of the war related to the notion „ liberation“ was finished; but
the part related to the notion «national» has also remained Unfinished
Business. Over half of the nation remains outside the borders of
Albania.
- The Uprising of Albanians in Kosovo, which took its impetus early in
1998, has also remained Unfinished. It has succeeded only with Kosovo’s
break from Serbia; however, it has failed in its second part, i.e.
unification with the national mainland - Albania.
- The Uprising of Albanians in Macedonia in 2001 had the same destiny.
It started as as a National – Liberation Uprising but ended up to human
rights and freedoms for Albanians instead, accepting another state as
Motherland for Albanians.
- Actually, the accomplishment of the mission by the Albanian political
elite in the triangle Tiranë –Prishtinë -Tetovë has a strong supportive
core; it is also a European notion.
Which is the historical supportive core for Natural Albania?
For almost a century, Albanians have been celebrating 28 November 1912
as their Independence Day. Meanwhile, the administrative boundaries were
defined afterwards by the Ambassadors’ London Conference in July 1913;
through its decisions, it broke up the Albanian soil into five parts.
All the following leaders - Ahmet Zogu, Enver Hoxha, Fadil Hoxha, Shaban
Polluzha, Bedri Pejani, Ali Ahmeti, Menduh Thaci, Ibrahim Rugova,
Fatmir Sejdiu, Mustafa Kruja, Mehdi Frasheri, Sali Berisha, Fatos Nano,
Hashim Thaci, Alfred Moisiu Ramush Haradinaj, Agim Ceku and others have
not recognized the London Conference 1913 but only 28 November 1912.
In its turn, the International Community did not recognize 28 November
1912 and it defined the Albanian boundaries on 29 July; Albanians in
their turn have not recognized the London Conference 1913; they
acknoweledge only Natural Albania. However, they have not spoken out.
Therefore, time has come to speak out, to provide arguements and to act
NOW!
The Platform for Natural Albania takes account of the regional political reality.
At the current momentum, the Big Powers are also rectifying their own
mistakes vis á vis the Balkan peoples and Albanians, in particular. Here
are some of the corrections for the earlier mistakes that the big
powers have made:
- Montenegro has regained the independence, which the Conference of Versailles violently denied in 1919;
- Bosnia has also regained the independence that the Conference of Versailles denied in 1919;
- It takes account of the fact that there are no taboo themes among
regional political and democratic governments, including themes related
to the hard core of the nations.
- The Platform for Natural Albania makes an in - depth analysis and
takes into consideration the changes in the regional geo- politics -
changes that go in favour of the Albanian nation, the re-adjustments to
deviations produced by the conflicting past or even the corrections by
the Big Powers themelseves.
What are the Instruments for Natural Albania?
- The instruments to make Natural Albania are dialogue and democratic debate.
- During a century, Albanians have shed as much blood as to make several
„Albanias.“ Therefore, there is no need for more blood. The Platform
relies on the motto: A dialogue with each and every one, a dialogue for
everything and without prior decision on any issue.
Today, when the force of right takes priority over the force of might,
it is high time for Albanians to demand their own national rights.
Accordingly, the Platform attaches priority to debate, dialogue, to
respect for the essence of democracy, i.e. people’s self-determination
and the need for a popular referendum, in particular.
Relations with Neighbours
- No one from the neighbours should have any fear from Natural Albania.
Albanian nationalism respects the culture and traditions of neighbours;
this nationalism does neither insult nor ignore ethnic nations and
minorities; on the contrary, it respects them. Due to this single major
ground, the nationalism of Albanians is nice, desirable,
non-controversial and indispensable for regional stability; this sort of
nationalism is a „Must“ for the future of our children, nephews and
nieces. The Platform for Natural Albania accepts nationalism, but it
rejects ethnocentrism. Natural Albania is a progressive and western
european notion versus Ottoman reminiscences, which still survive in the
space of the Albanian nation. The current situation of the state
organization for Albanians is similiar to the Villajetes and feudal
principalities dating to the Ottoman Empire period. While as a notion,
Natural Albania follows the principles of the EU organization.
Therefore, Natural Albania is a contemporary notion, whereas the present
– day situation of Albanian territories is similiar to Ottomanism.
Natural Albania lies beyond political convictions
- Natural Albania requires a new unification - a unification unknown by
Albanians before. Nonetheless, it does not seek this unification for the
sake of power, but for the nation and the state. The demand for
unification, both for the nation and the state, lies beyond political
convictions; it goes beyond the right and the left; Natural Albania lies
beyond political associations or different groupings. The power and its
rotation need only debates on political alternatives among various
parties.
- The partisans of Natural Albania do not cherish their longing or
nostalgia for Ahmet Zogu but for the thousands of his followers; they do
not cherish their longing or nostalgia for Enver Hoxha but for
thousands of his supporters; they do not have a longing or nostalgia for
Mitat Frasheri, but for the thousands of his supporters. They do not
have a longing for Xhaferr Deva but for his supporters. They do not
cherish any longing for Fadil Hoxha, but for his supporters instead.
What they are so keen on, is Natural Albania, the unification of the
alive; that is why they respect their myths of the dead. Through the
lessons of history they want to set right the mistakes of yesterday and
today and to ensure a future free from mistakes for their own nation.
What are the goals of Natural Albania?
- Natural Albania is designed to turn the Albanian nation, from a
fire-fighter, as it is today, into a major peacemaker for the region of
the Balkans. Regional peace and stability need peacemakers, not
firefighters. Reducing the role of Albanian nation to that of a
firefighter implies that one is predicting other fires in the region.
Natural Albania needs a London - 2
The Platform provides arguments on the need for another international
Conference London – 2, aimed at correcting the mistakes of London – 1
vis á vis the Albanian nation, mistakes which the Big Powers have also
acknowledged.
Today, there are a series of international agreements with a juridical
power on the Albanian nation; yet, they are far from being natural.
Thus, the following treaties remain artificial - The London Treaty 1913;
The Treaty of Versailles 1919; The Yalta Accord 1945; the Agreement of
Rambouillet 1999, The Agreement of Kumanova 1999; The Agreement of
Koncul 2001, the Ohrid Agreement 2001. Seven agreements for a single
nation!!! Their essence is to break up and simply „patch“ the Albanian
question; yet, none of these agreements has sought a comprehensive
settlement.
With these agreements, the Big Powers have devised an artificial region
named Balkans. Afterwards, the artificiality of the region produced the
political label for the Balkans - a Power – Keg. The two most artificial
offsprings of this region are shown below:
The first was the establishemnt of the Serbo - Croatian – Slovenian Kingdom – Yugoslavia as it was called later.
The break–up of the Albanian nation, dividing it by five was the second most artificial offspring for this region.
Meanwhile, Yugoslavia’s dismemberment and disintegration was the first
step in shifting from artificiality to naturalness. The founding of six
permanent states and a provisional state - Kosovo is the first stage in
transforming the Balkans from an artificial to a natural region. Its
violent dissolution that reached its climax with the inter-ethnic war in
Bosnia and with the Serbian genocide against Albanians in Kosovo is
explained with the ultra-nationalistic character of the Serbian state
and the political ill - sensitiveness of the Big Powers equally; the
latter found it difficult to admit that their offspring named Yugoslavia
was a débâcle.
The second stage is the unification of the Albanian nation, which now
constitutes the second major artifice in the region. This stage is
approaching the end of its first major act – the provisional state of
Kosovo for Albanians.
Reformatting rather than “Patching” the Region
Natural Albania needs an International Conference. Nevertheless, it
should not follow the pattern of Rambouillet, Koncul, Ohrid and others
alike; the latter have simply attempted “patchwork ” for the Albanian
nation. The region where the Albanian nation plays a major role needs
reformatting and not just patching”. Therefore, only an international
conference approching closer and more comprehensively to the problematic
of the region can meet this goal. In terms of decision – making, this
kind of Conference should be similiar to the London Ambassadors’
Conference 1913.
What is the significance of Natural Albania?
Natural Albania signifies welfare, dignity, peace and stability in the
region. We owe all these to our children, nephews and nieces. Therefore,
on their behalf and life, let us make it. Natural Albania means less
and less Greeks, Macedonians, Italians, Albanian– originated Turks; it
means more and more albanians with a European mentality.
Hence, on behalf of Albanians with European mentality, let us translate
Natural Albania into a reality in the quickest possible terms.
The stages towards Natural Albania
- The formation of Natural Albania will go through a series of the following stages:
- The first stage is the initiation, on the part of the Presidency of
the Republic of Albania of unification procedures under the Constitution
of Albania. The Constitution is not disputable, it is binding for
implementation. The President of the Republic of Albania and the
President of the Republic of Kosovo should co-chair the Council of the
Wise, composed with scholars and experts from all waks of life.
The first stage will be finalized with a request by the Assemblies of
Kosovo and Albania on the necessity of unification through peaceful
means.
- The second stage would be the founding of the Confederation Albania – Kosovo and consent for the right of Referendum.
At the same time, the request for the federalization of Macedonia should
proceed. It should start with the modification of its name, calling it
the Republic of Northern Macedonia and Eastern Albania.
As to the issue of the Albanians of the region of Çamëria, the sole and
lasting solution is that the Greek state acknowledges the genocide over
Albanians, implement the decisions of the Potsdam Conference 1945 and
permit Albanians to turn back to their own territories.
- The final stage would be the unification of Albanians into a single
state; it will have some ethnic minorities within its own territory, and
some national minorities outside the territory of Natural Albania.
- after the publication of this Platform, in view of assisting the
implementation of the above-mentioned stages, the Committee for Natural
Albania will be set up, as a democratic association, with the
participation of Albanians from the entire Albanian nation. The
Committee will provide arguments and raise publik awareness on Natural
Albania in the space of the Albanian nation, on the basis of democratic
dialogue and debate.
The Committee of Natural Albania will also have its own newspaper named “
Populli” ( The People) The main motto of the Committee activity will
be: “ If we do not unite today, we shall be watching the national
disintegration tomorrow!!! All Albanian unification implies European
spirit, regional peace and stability, equally. In the name of our
children and their descenders, let us leave to them the motherland they
merit, worthy to develop, live and multiply!”
Koco Danaj - Doctor of Political ScienceDirector of the Institute for Regional Forecast
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