“the Republic of Tanushevci” - another FT innuendo

[Bratot]

Balkan disputes simmer under surface
By Neil MacDonald in Tanushevci, Macedonia-Kosovo border area

Published: June 2 2010 16:01 | Last updated: June 2 2010 16:01

In the jagged highlands where Macedonia meets Kosovo, Kommandant Hoxha has declared his home area “the Republic of Tanushevci”. His men fired shots at a police helicopter two weeks ago and have placed a heavy machine gun at the front door of the decrepit village school that serves as his office.

While larger towns enjoy paved roads, high-speed internet access and modern shopping malls, places like Tanushevci fit old-fashioned Balkan stereotypes. “The Macedonian state has only brought us trouble,” said the ethnic Albanian insurgency veteran and former member of parliament, who is also known as Xhezair Shaqiri.
His followers want the Macedonian police to stay out of their lives. “I’ve kept a gun in my hand,” Mr Shaqiri told the Financial Times. “Many ethnic Albanian villages guard themselves these days. They’re very upset.”

Western Balkan foreign ministers, gathered at a European Union-led summit in Sarajevo on Tuesday, heard their counterparts from the bloc reiterate past promises of enlargement.

Bosnia and Kosovo, as usual, upstaged Macedonia as regional trouble spots. For Spain, which holds the EU presidency until the end of June, the most urgent concern was persuading Kosovo’s and Serbia’s chief diplomats to sit in the same room.

Yet ex-Yugoslavian Macedonia – after achieving EU candidacy in 2005 – looks shakier than ever since the 2001 insurgency. Integration with Brussels – the main carrot that enticed ethnic Albanian fighters to lay down their arms – has lost momentum.

Greece, with a northern province also called Macedonia, has prevented the country of 2m from joining Nato and would also veto EU membership. The “name dispute”, while whipping up Macedonian nationalism, frustrates the sizable ethnic Albanian minority, which is thought to form between a quarter and a third of citizens.

“The longer delay, the greater the overall uncertainty, and this will weigh on ethnic relations,” said Erwan Fouere, EU special representative.

Police special forces – drawn overwhelmingly from the Macedonian ethnic majority – last month killed four alleged arms smugglers in a gun battle that ethnic Albanian politicians said looked like “an execution”.

The interior minister, Gordana Jankuloska, said the seizure of hundreds of weapons proved otherwise. “Use of force was the last resort,” she said. “Crime is crime, and police see no division on ethnic lines.”

The centre-right government, intent on asserting Macedonian identity, has poured money into refurbishing the capital, Skopje, with statues of Alexander the Great and other historic heroes. The “Hellenic” theme seems irrelevant to ethnic minorities.

The prime minister, Nikola Gruevski, can point to pro-EU achievements. Macedonia is the first ex-Yugoslav country to resolve all its borders. The last agreement came with Kosovo, the ethnic Albanian-dominated neighbour that declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Mr Shaqiri’s men last year helped to demarcate 39km – without being reimbursed for petrol, he added.

Still, state authority remains thin on the ground. Normal police patrols never venture this far uphill. When special forces last came through, they molested local women, Mr Shaqiri said.

His birthplace – a cluster of houses 20km up a bumpy track from the next town – suffers frequent electrical outages. A few hundred residents survive on goat herding, vegetable gardening and, as he admits, small-time smuggling. The police, rather than locals, control serious drug and human trafficking, he claimed.

The villagers would have preferred to be in Kosovo, although separatism is not their cause. “We don’t mind which state we live in, and Kosovo neglected us too,” said a man with a Soviet-type sniper rifle. “We want a paved road and jobs here.”

Neglect keeps the border “porous”, Mr Fouere said. “A long-term solution must include economic investment and confidence building in those remote villages,” he said.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/38c3b02c-6e46-11df-ab79-00144feabdc0.html

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010.

[777Bitola]

This should be a threat to the nation, and this should level the village to the ground after giving warning to them. Hopefully theirs going to be some military action to kill these terrorists and arrest their supporters. There was alot of police activity earlier this month, seems like their gathering more intel and possibly hopefully another mission like in Brodec will happen.

[Bratot]

Something else is pissing me off actually... this:

Integration with Brussels – the main carrot that enticed ethnic Albanian fighters to lay down their arms – has lost momentum.

Greece, with a northern province also called Macedonia, has prevented the country of 2m from joining Nato and would also veto EU membership. The “name dispute”, while whipping up Macedonian nationalism, frustrates the sizable ethnic Albanian minority, which is thought to form between a quarter and a third of citizens.

“The longer delay, the greater the overall uncertainty, and this will weigh on ethnic relations,” said Erwan Fouere, EU special representative.

I think we all see the message behind this lines.

The “Hellenic” theme seems irrelevant to ethnic minorities

I guess nobody heard about "Illyrida" claims and the "descendants of Illyrians" coming from the same terrorist giving the interview.

[Frank]

Has this person got a letter box I also cant see a complaints section

This article was terrible ignorant and frankly insulting

[Frank]

A whole front page spread devoted to a ignorant goat herder holding an illegal arm and crying foul for wanting a job whilst brandeshing a mounted machine gun on a hill top, wonderfull stuff.

[Big Bad Sven]

Ok so the Police are having some trouble with a few illiterate Gheg goat farmers, why dont we just send the army up their and end this in like 10 minutes? Problem solved.

[Prolet]

Tanusevci is a mountainis village, it will need alot of air support. I think a few Napalm bombs would do the trick, that place is a haven for terrorism.

[sf.]

The issue is not this guy, but that foreigners are still stirring up trouble to pressure the Government.

[julie]

what a pro Albanian sensationalist peice of journalistic crap.
neka gi zakolat tseli shiptari, maychino nino, i da vidime na koya natsia pirfakya seloto.

[johnMKD]

What do the Albanians want to do this time? Create a new "Kosovo" within Macedonia this time? This is absurd....

[julie]

that has always been the shiptari's intentions, with the full support of yankee doodle land to destabilise the Republic, John

[johnMKD]

that has always been the shiptari's intentions, with the full support of yankee doodle land to destabilise the Republic, John

Yeah, they want to create the Great Albania at the expense of Macedonia, just like they did with Serbia. And US/EU support is the best they can have....

[Bratot]

The issue is not this guy, but that foreigners are still stirring up trouble to pressure the Government.

Exactly as SF. pointed to you, that's not the issue.

The issue is pretty much twisted, pervertly.

They are presenting the Albanian terrorists as some high valued peace lovers and pro-european oriented but clearly threatening to us if we don't accept a quick name change in order this "peacefull" minority to gain access in EU.

I haven't seen such absurdity for a long time, but here FT strikes again and doesn't surpise me.

1. They present the integration in EU as main goal for Albanian fighters.
2. The "name issue" and Macedonian "nationalism" is frustrating the sizable ethnic Albanian minority.


" The longer delay, the greater the overall uncertainty, and this will weigh on ethnic relations,” said Erwan Fouere, EU special representative"

The message is clear, the blackmailing is obvious.

While forcing statues of UCK fighters and maps of the claimed Albanian ethnic boundaries within acient province of "Illyrida" they dare to add smt like "The “Hellenic” theme seems irrelevant to ethnic minorities " so I would ask what in their opinion should be imporant for the ethnic Macedonian majority.

I guess the Western propaganda and their Albanian puppets got on polotting some scenario of their.

[Frank]

Bratot you hit the nail on the head fantastic observation

It appears no matter how they morph the situation Macedonians are always the stumbling block and a man with a gun clearly can never be seen as nothing more then a huminist

It stinks it is so un fair

Macedonians display Nationlism by resisting the attack on our National Idenity by another, arresting and dealing with arm smuglers is not warrented whilst Albanins are still hard done never to be criticised for displaying different motives which they make so obvious.

[Big Bad Sven]

From a shiptar site that is pro "republic of Tabushevci"

"Republic of Tanushës" does not preclude a conflict in Macedonia

http://www.koha.net/index.php?cid=1,24,20815

Google translate below:



Tanusevci, Macedonia, May 6 - There are more than three years Xhezair Shaqiri is adjacent to the village of Tanusevci in Macedonia. Skopje to seem remote, although not many miles from there. Former Commander Hoxha, since he ended the mandate of a Member of Parliament of Macedonia lives in a small hut, surrounded by many former Kosovo Liberation Army soldiers armed to the teeth.
The former commander of the luxury life and left Skopje to live in a village across the border with Kosovo, whose paths at the easily udhëtohet saddle horse or Samaria. In this village where many years now living the ex-commander who remains commander called life even more difficult during the winter months, when snow reaches the roofs of houses.
Hoxha has authority not only on Tanushën. It controls the villages Llukar, Goshicë, Brest mountains stretching across over a thousand three hundred meters altitude. In these parts is the sole authority.
"Since the last time when the Slav-Macedonian police in 2007 had taken an offensive against the village, with over 600 elite force was organized and in half an hour of qitëm of the village. Since then no police walk into this village ", showing Hoxha to add that after that zmbrapsjeje police forces had set conditions on the government to seek forgiveness.
"We are not against the arrest of a person who has violated the law because we need a professional police officer, who will fight organized crime and not in that order. Just since we agreed in 2001 not to use force. It was intolerable that more than 600 elite forces unit 'Tigers' to attack the village of Tanusevci on the pretext of looking for weapons, "he says.
The road about 10 kilometers from the Kosovo village Dëbelldeh to Macedonia Tanuse kalueshme is difficult. Cars can not go, but a great xhipi. The tractors carry passengers and goods there and around the border. Walking on foot of this street full of potholes and stones is not so easy. Dust covers the shoes of the horses droppings are numerous as evidence that this form of transport is most appropriate.
Somewhere mid-way in a valley, a spring flush of beech roots, the cold water which hit the face. Very few can go there and not drink the water of this spring. His drink water and Shout to the Lord, 15, from the village Dëbelldeh, who without sloth leads the team standing of the paper to the borders. Across the border risks not opened any more to turn back with a tractor which is currently heading towards Kosovo.

The invisible frontier

In that part that "the government" Commander Hoxha no sign indicative that you enter the Macedonian territory. On the left side on a hill is a Macedonian karakoll in a different hill is a point of armed Albanians. In the air flying a plane that is not seen.
"We have today ballan qiki ba bang. S'pe know whether it is KFOR that Macedonians, that is the day that we Macedonians Place on earth ", says a new commander Hoxha sent from host to journalists.
He seems to be familiar with a "Kalashnikov", which is easily borne. "Kalashnikov" his seems to be used over time are determined by three rounds with 30 rounds ready to volley.
Commander Hoxha envoy did not talk much. Not even the name shows, but occasionally shows how weapons clashed with Macedonian soldiers.
"We Feb ni day we found lying on the ground will be soldiers. I have not shoot but we love to kill. Just have injured "by revealing character indicates the" enemies "of their calling the league's afraid. "Many are flliqtë. In the nite di thousand have cause to Skopje.
The house in which the basis of these armed men is small, painted and smoked out the inside. After the door is a bunch of different caliber weapons. The Chamber is full of men who listen to what speaks Hoxha.
"Slav-Macedonians are seen genuine deliberately took successive offensive against Albanians and since then have not seen the path to apologize to those depths that are created by Albanians and Tanusevci is where it is today out of control Police . In addition to school work here, nothing else ", says Xhezair Shaqiri - Hoxha.
He says the country is very backward and that state investments have not occurred for decades. Hoxha said that "his republic" has many problems, which are ignored by the Macedonian government.
"No government has had to take into account the demands of Albanian villages Tanusevci, Lukar, Morin, Goshicë, Brest, villages around the border relating to the villages of Kosovo relatives who are grandson and uncle," he says explaining krushqitë in these villages: "A girl from Pristina from Skopje do not come to marry here."

Offensives

Video commands for the current situation in some regions of Macedonia to the Albanian-inhabited blames Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, and two Albanian leaders, Ali Ahmeti and Menduh Thaci.
"The State of Macedonia has done nothing to overcome this situation has not interested or concerned that the situation has to be so. The worst is that neither the international community have done nothing to regulate the situation, "said Shaqiri, adding that prevents the maltretohet Albanian population.
"Since when is the VMRO-DPMNE ruling has been made very offensive against Albanians. One of them are Brodeci, Sopot, many former KLA members have over 300 soldiers found in prisons without any evidence, although there is agreement on amnesty, "he says recalling the anti-Albanian project, according to him, to Gruevski , such as the encyclopedia and the project "Skopje 2014".
"It is obvious that the Ohrid Agreement is curtailed and faced major obstacles. We have many laws of this agreement that have not passed in Parliament, while the deadline was in 2004-a. We have a problem with many boys who followed the war and are not rehabilitated in society, "says Commander Hoxha. "Take the road to return abroad and when they fletarrestime arrested because" he adds, was amazed by the international reacting as a signatory and guarantor of the Framework Agreement, this Agreement that ended the armed conflict in Macedonia.

Reorganization of the KLA

Former MP Xhezair Shaqiri currently leads the National Democratic Party, says it is just gathering Tanuse former KLA soldiers, but there are other villages. These armed groups, according to him, are made in order to escape imprisonment without actually ex-combatants.
"Thaci and Ahmeti's inability to sit and create a strategy and to make joint applications to achieve the rights of Albanians, is used by Gruevski, specify Hoxha.
He recalls that it is crazy to stay there armed, but is required.
"We're not crazy to stay here, I have wife and three children, but we wish we perspective as Slav-Macedonians have been more offensive against the Albanian people, against the commanders and soldiers, I am among them, no solution that works" .
Seated on a sofa, Commander Hoxha occasionally remember before you answer. Some of his soldiers to look into the mouth of what some sleep. Among them is one from Kosovo, participated in many wars. Seem disappointed by the developments in Kosovo, while the rest of this gene in Tanusevci.
Plane that flies over the mountains breaks silence Anamorava in this house but with men. There is still no doubt that KFOR that were shed on Macedonian soil. Fighters argue that as meters and height can be that gun from behind stogu can arrive door.
Commander Hoxha mention the appearance on stage once the KLA, but denies links with them. Even for this Thaci blames the Ahmeti. First appearance occurred last week in the village of Blace in Macedonia, where there were clashes between Macedonian police forces and some armed men. This attack took the KLA.
"Now we have a little work out of control because Thaci Ahmeti are not able to protect the rights of Albanians. Has released a communique of the National Liberation Army, I do not know, but someone certainly are, "said Hoxha stating that it would not be against them.
"Personally I am very concerned that many people call me and ask whether the KLA was formed and I'm wondering whether this game, but unfortunately I do not know what to say." Xhezair Shaqiri said that there were proposals to reorganize the KLA, but that does not want to take such a burden on the shoulder. "We just are organized and whether it is someone that can be reshaped better than we even start we have no conflict without getting broken in the KLA.
He says he has no information on the reorganization of the KLA in Macedonia, but if armed conflict occurs guilty to outfox the Macedonians.
"Did you disappoint, but my opinion is that we just put in a conflict, Macedonia has been introduced in a conflict. Albanians have had much earlier due to be held especially to mobilize KLA. According to him, has created an organizational mechanism to protect the Albanians on the ground, mainly in Tetovo, Kumanovo, Skopje, Gostivar.

Arms Delivery Price

Video excludes taking the leadership of the KLA, because no one wants to take over the burden so great. While awaiting a new conflict, he does not know the outcome. This means that only the internationally know. Commander Hoxha says the best solution is federalism Macedonia. This thing is in the party program.
"In our program we Macedonia federalism, but would not say that again split the international community to respond united. But Macedonia's federalism is necessary, due to problems, "he reveals intent. "It is excessive to the Albanians of Macedonia to the international community complained, to say that attacked us, did us harm, respect s'po Ohrid Agreement and the internationals are deaf in this regard or can not convince Nikola Gruevski.
It shows that there are contacts with politicians in Kosovo and those of Albania, but did not specify with whom. Councils to take from them means they are preserving the stability of Macedonia and the Ohrid Agreement is implemented.
"They do not pressure us to Gruevski.
Video and now live in a forgotten village inhabited mainly by Albanians say that life there is terribly difficult. The latest investment, he said, was made 20 years ago in a school. By then there is no cash allocated for these parts.
"Electricity is not winter, because of the old installation of wire cut off during the winter and no one governs. Two meters of snow, no movement, no investment, horror, "he says without knowing how much longer will live in those conditions.