Kosovo Bosniaks back independence bid

Text of report by M.M. entitled "Balic: Bosniaks were and are in favour of Kosova's independence" published by the Kosovo Albanian newspaper Koha Ditore on 17 December

Mitrovice [Kosovska Mitrovica], 16 December: Party for Democratic Action [SDA] leader Numan Balic rejected the possibility of Bosniaks being against the independence of Kosova [Kosovo] in Mitrovice on Friday [16 December]. He emphasized that some media misquoted him deliberately.

"From the beginning on, Kosova's SDA has supported the historic goals of our Albanian brothers and their right to self-determination," Balic said.

"Also now, the SDA supports the independence of Kosova and there are no dilemmas here ... When I spoke about the Bosniaks' fear, perhaps I used a harsh term with regards to the events that happened after the war. After the war, a large number of Bosniaks had to encounter the pressure of violence, which was used also against the Albanians. Many Bosniaks suffered and their wealth, homes, and shops were seized. A large number of them left Kosova. But there are also those who were expelled."

Balic said that the security that the Bosniaks have expected has not been achieved so far. "We call on the Kosovar institutions to show readiness and help us. This has not happened so far," Numan Balic outlined.

"Our message is: do not ask us (Bosniaks) if we support independence or not, because we have proved this since the 90s. But will you gentlemen, [Kosovo President Ibrahim] Rugova, [Kosovo Assembly Speaker Nexhat] Daci, and [Kosovo Prime Minister Bajram] Kosumi, support us to bring back the lost faith," Balic said.

Source: Koha Ditore, Pristina, in Albanian 17 Dec 05 p2