http://www.kosovapress.com/english/communique/kosova_liberation_army.htmThe Kosova Liberation Army
The General Staff
For immediate releaseCommunique
The migration of Serbs from Kosova, the uncivil actions of a number of persons from different ethnic backgrounds against the life and the property of some citizens of Kosova, as well as attacks on various buildings have been represented as actions committed by individuals and persons affiliated with the KLA and it has been insinuated that these actions have been committed by the KLA itself. Once again we wish to affirm our conviction that those individuals that have committed these crimes are not soldiers of th KLA. Regretfully, therre are individuals who, taking advantage from the current situation, attack the life and the property of other individuals.
In many cases, such actions have been committed to distract the attention of the international community from what is really happening in Kosova. Such actions are intended to throw a shadow over the extraordinary efforts of the people of Kosova to build a normal life and a democratic and a multiethnic society. Also, due to such uncivil actions, the serious and continuous efforts of all the KLA effective to become a part of these processes have not been properly appreciated.
Whille the KLA rejects these accusations and forcefully condemns these actions, at the same time, it invites all the Kosova citizens that belong to the Serb and other minorities not involved in crimes committed against other people, to stay in Kosova, so we altogether could work for the building of a safe future for all its citizens.The KLA is the army of all the citizens of Kosova. The KLA belongs to all the people of Kosova. The KLA considers that its mission, in close cooperation with other authorities, is to guarantee security and protection for all the citizens of Kosova. During the war, we did respect to a letter all the international conventions on war, and in no case have we failed to respect the rights of the innocent civilians, regardless of their ethnic background. It is a duty and an obligation for all the KLA effective to respect the human rights and the international conventions that regulate them even in peace time.
The KLA invites all the citizens of Kosova, regardless of their ethnic background to stay in Kosova so that they can contribute to the building of free and democratic society based on respect for human rights, tolerance, and diversity. The General Staff of the KLA assures all the citizens of Kosova that the KLA is an institution that belongs to all the people of Kosova, that its soldiers and officers are committed to the establishment of peace and ethnic harmony in Kosova. The KLA will do whatever is necessary so that the cooperation with the international authorities in their mission is fruitful and contributes to the peace and security in Kosova.Gen. Agim Çeku
Chief of General Staff
Prishtinë, August 18, 1999
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