Diplomats propose “relocation” of terror group memorial

BELGRADE, PRESEVO Western diplomats have proposed political parties of ethnic Albanians to relocate a controversial from downtown Presevo. Daily Danas has learnt that the foreign diplomats this way want to “prevent an intervention of Serbian state bodies” that have announced that the monument honoring members of the so-called Liberation Army of Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja (UCPMB) will be removed by January 17 when the Belgrade-Pristina negotiations should continue. Diplomats propose “relocation” of terror group memorial According to the daily’s sources, the western diplomats have suggested that the Albanian National Council should urgently adopt a proposal for the flag of the Albanian community in southern Serbia in order to avoid flying of the flag of the state of Albania. A session of municipal councilors from Bujanovac, Presevo and Medvedja will be held on Saturday and it is expected that the proposals will be discussed. However, representatives of ethnic Albanians do not agree on the issue. “The problem has been solved and do not expect the monument to be removed. The international diplomats need to understand that we respect our compatriots who fought in UCPMB units for freedom of the people in southern Serbia,” Democratic Progress Movement (PDK) leader Jonuz Musliu told Danas. He stressed that the monument “certainly will not be removed” from downtown Presevo. Democratic Union of the Valley (DUD) Skender Destani told the daily that he would not rule out a possibility of a compromise “that will do good to everybody except for radical political elements”. Party for Democratic Action (PDD) deputy leader Shaip Kamberi said that his party believed that “the memorial should stay where it is and that there is no compromise on its relocation”. “Forcible removal of the monument to the UCPMB members could cause tensions in the entire Balkans,” Albanian Foreign Minister Edmond Panariti has warned and called on the Belgrade authorities to “ease the tensions”. The controversial monument in the southern town of Presevo (Beta, file) Danas

Diplomats propose “relocation” of terror group memorial

According to the daily’s sources, the western diplomats have suggested that the Albanian National Council should urgently adopt a proposal for the flag of the Albanian community in southern Serbia in order to avoid flying of the flag of the state of Albania.

A session of municipal councilors from Bujanovac, Preševo and Medveđa will be held on Saturday and it is expected that the proposals will be discussed.

However, representatives of ethnic Albanians do not agree on the issue.

“The problem has been solved and do not expect the monument to be removed. The international diplomats need to understand that we respect our compatriots who fought in UCPMB units for freedom of the people in southern Serbia,” Democratic Progress Movement (PDK) leader Jonuz Musliu told Danas.

He stressed that the monument “certainly will not be removed” from downtown Preševo.

Democratic Union of the Valley (DUD) Skender Destani told the daily that he would not rule out a possibility of a compromise “that will do good to everybody except for radical political elements”.

Party for Democratic Action (PDD) deputy leader Shaip Kamberi said that his party believed that “the memorial should stay where it is and that there is no compromise on its relocation”.

“Forcible removal of the monument to the UCPMB members could cause tensions in the entire Balkans,” Albanian Foreign Minister Edmond Panariti has warned and called on the Belgrade authorities to “ease the tensions”.