Fehmi Ajvazi, an eminent author from Kosovo, has shared his book ‘In the Kingdom of Death’ published in Albanian in 2012 in Pristina, and in Romanian in 2019, and was translated from Albanian to English. Sindh Courier is starting its episodes for the readers
[In March 1999, the Serbian regime blanketed Kosovo with a contingent of 120,000 regular police, military, and civilian paramilitary forces. Just about two weeks before NATO’s intervention in Kosovo began, the region was surrounded on all sides, while pockets of the interior (villages and towns) were hit with arrests, liquidations, and massacres. Kosovo became a reservation. A kingdom called the “Kingdom of Death” established authority everywhere! However, some areas were controlled by insurgent liberation forces, and in some places, Serbian forces couldn’t penetrate. Well, the hatred between Serbs and Albanians was the same, but the bullets were the same too: they brought death to everyone, and it was no problem for the “bullet” whether the target was Albanian or Serbian. I mean, the forces of the Kosovo Liberation Army held some territory and kept it free! But about ten days before NATO planes launched their attack in their battle for Kosovo, Albanian insurgents managed to have the world’s most powerful force as their ally: the NATO alliance.
Well, the hatred between Serbs and Albanians was the same, but the bullets were the same too: they brought death to everyone, and it was no problem for the “bullet” whether the target was Albanian or Serbian.
However, no one had managed to master a pact with death. Just a few days before March 24th, the “Lady of Death” was the ruler of Kosovo, in reality, she was the ruler of the Albanian citizens of this extremely small territory! And for the third time in history, the state of Serbia wanted nothing more and nothing less than: the ethnic cleansing of Kosovo. Over 1 million residents before March 24, 1999, challenged “this kingdom” by saying, “Here we are, your power is not the power of God!” I had decided to stay, not to leave. I was a journalist, but also a creator. And so, I had no idea what dilemmas lay in this direction, despite the open threats from the Serbs, and I knew well that they would try to wash their hands of us like Pontius Pilate! Regardless of every situation and circumstance, I sacrificed to be a witness to a time and a history without parallel! Yes, a witness…! And everything I have said and written about literary-historical conditions is in this book – a testimony. Therefore, this book is a source and my personal experience of a time I pray will never be repeated – anywhere. Just as I pray for the souls of those who did not come out alive in this “kingdom of death” in the third millennium! Read the truth about Kosovo… Author]
JOURNAL OF THE SOUL
March, 17th
This is somewhat my fate, just like the fate of my fellow villagers. This is our social and national fate in Kosovo. It’s enough to be Albanian today, and your death is assured. If not death, then immense hatred, contempt, threats, imprisonment, torture, and so on. Today, more or less, we have consciously accepted this “fate,” and we will not reproach it. Personally, I could have abandoned Kosovo a thousand times and found a completely different life, a happier or at least a safer life for myself, a life physically and materially secure. I could have secured refugee status, even back in the early ’90s. I was once in Switzerland in 1986, and I didn’t hesitate to return to Kosovo, fully aware that this is my place, and I have no moral or spiritual right to abandon it, just as I have no energy or love to exchange my Kosovo with any other place. I could have been in this ominous season in Geneva, London, Paris, Oslo, Washington, Berlin, or anywhere else, in any case, with a secured well-being, perhaps even with a university degree, a doctorate, and so on.
Read: The Liberation and Independence of Kosovo
But I have never wanted such a path, such “comfort” for myself. With full consciousness, I have decided to share my personal and family fate with the fate of my people and my country: to live and cooperate here in Kosovo with all those who have done such a thing, that is, with all those who have not abandoned the country. Perhaps I have had some social reasons to leave to find a more comfortable life, driven by poverty and lack of prospects, but I haven’t done it. I have also had political and security reasons to disappear from the scene, but I haven’t done so. I won’t dwell here to write more about the past, except, since we’re on the subject. Here, in this book, it’s neither the place nor the time to talk about personal biography because almost every other Albanian in Kosovo has experienced various, unpleasant things in the recent past, suffering under the Yugoslav-Serb regime and the punitive, oppressive policies of Belgrade.
The challenges for life and survival have been significant in the past, and now they have become issues upon issues…!
Kosovo today is an occupied, suppressed, ignored, shattered, and in danger of being obliterated on an unpredictable scale. Imagine what these life and survival challenges mean for every Albanian of any age and gender these days in March, these days when our existence is threatened by extermination?
People always do what they know, what they want, and what they can, for themselves and especially for their country, for the freedom of their people and their country. It’s not said in vain: you only live once.
March, 20
The potential onset of NATO airstrikes is rapidly approaching. Despite the Serbian forces fortifying themselves throughout the territory of Kosovo, and there is no doubt that the main battle (involving all three parties: Albanians, Serbs, and NATO) will take place within Kosovo’s borders, NATO is likely to attack not only within the territory of Kosovo but also across the so-called “FRY,” which includes Serbia, Montenegro, and Vojvodina.
What’s peculiar is that Serbian forces, or more accurately, Serbs themselves, are preparing to challenge NATO, the so-called “Western Aggressor.” Beyond all the military preparations, Belgrade is propagating a militant aggressiveness in public opinion, instilling domestic political courage, and spreading propaganda. However, it should be noted in advance: Belgrade cannot withstand NATO. So where does Belgrade base its “resistance”? Belgrade bases its own resistance on the spirit of hatred and the centuries-old accumulated goal—to essentially burn and depopulate Kosovo.
March, 21
The crimes being committed in Kosovo (predicted by the Serbs and Serbia for some time now), the extent and monstrosity of these crimes, are causing harsh reactions all over Europe and beyond. Around Belgrade, everyone has started to lose patience. Even those who, in one way or another, have been political supporters of the Serbs or old friends of theirs, are losing patience.
NATO (in the second half of March) has shifted from days to hours of readiness for an attack. The political establishment in almost all Western countries is on the verge of containment. While they are gently seeking Russia’s “Yes,” Western countries are already prepared to strike. And if there is no ultimate withdrawal by Milosevic, it seems there will be no NATO withdrawal either.
Afternoon of March 21st. Today I was at work, as usual. It’s the first day of the week. I work as a journalist. There was no work atmosphere at the office. Some of my colleagues hadn’t shown up at all. Others were physically present but not mentally. Only sad news had come within the walls of the newsroom, while in the spirits of my colleagues, there was only concern and sorrow.
I spent some time in the newsroom. In fact, just enough time to greet those who were there, exchanging a few words with them. During the day, naturally starting in the morning, I had a coffee at “Gurra” café with Rexhe, Bujar, and Bajram. Likewise, at lunchtime, I had another “express” coffee with some other friends. And then another… Everyone, without exception, is only talking about the current situation. Everyone: revealing everything, analyzing everything, and imagining everything. Why? The situation, indeed, is dreadful. Serbs are committing violence everywhere. On the other hand, NATO’s attack is becoming inevitable. There is no room left for political-diplomatic calculations. Negotiations have simply stalled, like a donkey in the sweltering days of summer. All that remains are our prayers for the days to come and the anticipation of bombings. There is no doubt anymore: as soon as NATO receives the order from Mr. Solana, it will unleash on Belgrade.
“We will not give up Kosovo at any cost. Not even at the cost of bombings…,” Milosevic openly declared. And with his order, the entire territory of Kosovo is filled with various military and paramilitary forces. From his statement, everything “political and diplomatic” has evaporated like land does in the face of a devastating earthquake.
March, 22
Even the last one is vanishing: hope. Bombings are on the doorstep. The withdrawal of the OSCE mission from Kosovo has begun. Part of the personnel has already left. The mission is gradually departing for Skopje, and this clear sign indicates that the possibility of NATO intervention is no longer just speculation but a possible reality.
In addition to them, teams and individuals from foreign countries, such as journalists, diplomatic missions, various humanitarian organizations, etc., have also started to leave. Richard Holbrooke’s diplomatic mission has not been successful. More than five hours of face-to-face talks with Milosevic in Belgrade have yielded no results. Holbrooke, as the special envoy of Washington, has been ordered to leave Belgrade. Also, from Belgrade and from the entire territory of the so-called “FRY,” accredited ambassadors, diplomats, consuls, journalists, and foreign citizens, among others, are leaving.
Prishtina, Podgorica, and Belgrade are being emptied of foreigners. This removes all doubts: NATO is on the verge of action. (Continues)
Click here for Part-1, Part-2, Part-3, Part-4,
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