Gudzic: The verdict came as a “cold shower”, Albanians have not confronted their past

Historian and analyst Aleksandar Gudzic sees the daily protests following the Hague verdict as a result of the myth surrounding the KLA, that is, of the fact that the decision of the Specialist Chambers to convict four KLA leaders came as a “cold shower” and a sobering realization, and he points out that Albanians have not confronted their past.

“I see this as the result, the product of a narrative and a myth that was built around the KLA and its struggle in the 1990s to separate Kosovo and Metohija from Serbia. And the verdict is contrary to that myth and narrative,” Gudzic told Kosovo Online.

He points out that past practice has shown that, when it comes to political leadership, Albanians were acquitted of charges in most cases.

“Let us just remember how the proceedings against Ramush Haradinaj and Fatmir Limaj ended... So, this verdict came as a cold shower, as a sobering realization, and is contrary to the myth and narrative surrounding the KLA,” Gudzic explains.

Commenting on the fact that those gathered during the protests recited the KLA oath, he points out that it is obvious that, in the minds of some people in Kosovo, among Albanians, but also in the region, the idea of “Greater Albania” is still alive, which, he says, in fact never ceased to exist in the minds of the political elites of Kosovo Albanians.

“That is the only way I can interpret the oath and such a performance. I am afraid that the idea of ‘Greater Albania’ will continue to live on and remain present in the media space, for one simple reason – Albanians have not confronted their past. They were not punished in 1945 for collaboration with Nazi Germany, and until the political elites of Kosovo Albanians are punished, they will continue to behave in the same way,” Gudzic said.

He has no doubt that the political forces in power in Kosovo will use the verdict and the emotional reaction of the Albanian public to gain political points.

“But whether, and to what extent, they will use the emotional reaction of the Albanian public for something more, time will tell,” Gudzic added.