Citaku on appeal strategy in Hague proceedings: Work confidential; Ukshini: Lobby European capitals

The working group comprising representatives of institutions and political parties and tasked with developing a strategy for the appeal proceedings before the Specialist Chambers in the case of the convicted former KLA leaders has so far held two meetings. Acting President of the Democratic Party of Kosovo Vlora Citaku, who is a member of the group, says its members agreed that the process would remain confidential and signed a declaration to that effect.

“We agreed that the process would be confidential. We signed a declaration, an oath. The group would not be particularly strategic if we spoke publicly about every step we have taken. There is good coordination and a serious approach among all the parties involved, and I believe that the work and actions of this group should speak for it, rather than statements,” she said.

Alliance Secretary-General Avni Arifi confirmed that the political parties had taken the necessary steps as part of the process, but did not disclose their substance.

He stressed the importance of ensuring that the working group was fully operational and cooperated with the defense teams in order to secure the logistical and financial resources required for the defense of the former KLA leaders.

“I want them to be fully operational, to cooperate with the defense teams and to secure all the logistical and financial resources, as well as everything else required to achieve the judgment that the people want. They have met and said that they have taken certain steps. I am speaking on behalf of the political parties, which have undertaken the necessary and required activities, but I cannot discuss them publicly,” he said.

Former ambassador Sylje Ukshini believes that the strategy should place particular emphasis on diplomacy.

“The strategy should not be disclosed too extensively to the public. Several members of the working group have spoken, and the initial impression is that serious work is being done. That is good news because this is in Kosovo’s national interest. There is no doubt that the defense teams are handling the legal aspect, while this group should focus on the diplomatic aspect and lobby in European capitals. The findings concerning where the Specialist Court committed violations should be presented publicly. In this context, the final appointment of the US ambassador may not be far off either, which would give us Washington’s voice in Pristina. The Americans should also be told that the Specialist Court has deviated from the course for which it was established,” he said.

The working group tasked with developing a strategy for the appeal proceedings involving the former KLA leaders was established on October 14 and is headed by Kosovo’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca.

On September 16, the Specialist Court in The Hague convicted Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi of the war crimes of arbitrary arrest and detention, cruel treatment, torture and murder. Thaci and Krasniqi were each sentenced to 25 years in prison, Veseli to 18 years and Selimi to 13 years.