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]
March, 23
Today is Tuesday, the 23rd of March. It’s a day enveloped not only by the cold images of winter but also by the images of war. The pilgrim of uncertainty and death is enveloping all of Kosovo. Meanwhile, according to our Gregorian calendar, the spring season is beginning.
There are, if Belgrade does not decide to withdraw, twenty-four hours left until the expiration of the ultimatum given, or perhaps even less. But there is no sign whether Belgrade will withdraw in the face of the ultimatum. To withdraw and thus kneel? No. On the contrary. Today, the Assembly of Serbia has convened and has opposed international pressures, dialogue, the withdrawal of Serbian police and army from the territory of Kosovo. It has opposed, especially, the deployment of NATO troops in Kosovo. Milosevic himself has rejected the peace plan.
Bombing seems to have no alternative. No one wants to turn back. Almost everyone is tired of Belgrade and Milosevic. Belgrade has been fighting for years, from Slovenia to Kosovo. The wars led by the Serbs have caused widespread negative effects regionally and in Europe, affecting security, peace, and especially causing significant human and material-economic consequences. The worst part is that the Serbs show no sign of stopping. Their concentration in Kosovo is beyond any prediction. Therefore, major international political centers in Europe and the USA seem determined to stop Belgrade.
But against the cold and blood-soaked Balkan backdrop, a sorrowful question lingers, one to which no one has an answer: what will happen to the Albanians in Kosovo? In truth, what will happen to us? As for us, all of us who are inside Kosovo? Well, we are just as we are. All we can do is prepare to face the bombings in our own way. We are waiting for the bombings, endangered and unmistakably alone. Unlike “solitary death on earth,” we have full faith that the bombings are the best thing that can happen to Kosovo. Regardless, we are isolated. We have faith that the bombings are the best thing that can happen to Kosovo. We have faith that the bombings are the best thing that can happen to Kosovo.
We are endangered and unmistakably alone. Unlike “solitary death on earth,” we have full faith that the bombings are the best thing that can happen to Kosovo. Regardless, we are isolated. We have faith that the bombings are the best thing that can happen to Kosovo. NATO will not intervene on the ground. For the land, certainly, there is no one to protect us. Our political parties don’t know where they have their heads or their feet. The Kosovo Liberation Army is not deployed in all areas of the country. In Pristina, perhaps, even less. People, in general, are not armed. Most of them put their breakfast in their pockets. On the other hand, there are many different Serbian forces stationed everywhere, like mushrooms after the rain. They operate with command and without it. The threat, like a dark cloud, hangs over us. Serbs have been sending us a deadly message for a while now. In their own way, Serbs have prepared for war with NATO as well. Serbian propaganda, both covert and overt, operates continuously in defiance. The state television news diary, edited in the evening at 19:30, includes dozens of interviews with citizens from all corners of the so-called “FRY” territory; it includes dozens of patriotic statements, numerous gatherings, etc. People of various ages and backgrounds and even different nationalities pronounce themselves with pompous patriotic declarations, as well as hateful statements, especially towards NATO. The surveys, statements, and gatherings all have a common goal: to support Milosevic’s regime, to glorify Serbianism, and to praise Serbia, which is preparing to fight the entire world. Those surveyed typically say: “We are strong,” “NATO can’t do anything to us,” “They are criminals, fascists, occupiers,” “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia,” “We will not give up Kosovo,” etc.
Several military transport planes, warplanes of different models, logistics staff, soldiers, motorized vehicles, various ground equipment, agents, and informants are already stationed in various places in the region, including Macedonia, Albania, Croatia, etc. Similarly, at NATO bases, especially at the well-known “Aviano” base in Italy. NATO has likely surrounded the Octopus. We will await the bombings. Some in the mountains with weapons in hand, some at home, some with friends, some with neighbors, some with uncles, etc. Everything has come to an end: Belgrade will be bombed. And let whatever happens happen; my only desire in this world is to witness the beginning of Serbia’s great punishment!
Read: Tale of a Heart Shaped like a Stone – A Bouquet of Poems from Kosovo
I’m not dreaming. I haven’t lost my courage or my consciousness. In every aspect, I know (in advance) that it will be a difficult beginning because everything will be disrupted, severed, saddened. The joy of blood and crime will be the miserable anarchy of their actions. The realm of hatred will begin to establish power in Kosovo. But we have no other way. We are here. We remain here. NATO’s attack is approaching. It is said to be severe and complex. Even though the punishment of the criminal and the crime for the victim is not the best thing in this world. I feel it, oh God! Crime and criminals are many, they are many and everywhere in our vast world. But more than anywhere else in the world, crime and criminals have gathered in Kosovo. (Continues)
Click here for Part-1, Part-2, Part-3, Part-4, Part-5,
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