AZEM SYLA, THE FIRST CHIEF OF STAFF OF KLA AND MINISTER OF THE THACI GOVERNMENT DEFENSE MINISTRY

HOW DID WE CREATE THE KOSOVA LIBERATION ARMY?

In a first series of interviews for the Albanian public, Azem Syla, the founder of KLA, talks for the readers of ?ZERI.

ZERI: When did you first realize that Kosova Albanians should be organized in military formations so they could push forward the process of liberation?
SYLA: We organized an illegal Consultative Meeting, in Kercova, in March 1993, concluding that we should urgently strengthen our activity in organizing military actions, while the organizers and in charge of groups were myself, Hashim Thaci, Bilal Sherifi and Adnan Asllani.
ZERI: KLA officials have so far stated that KLA had been founded in December 1993. Who participated at that founding meeting?
SYLA: KLA was founded in December 1993. Those who participated at that meeting were: Sokol Bashota, Xhavit Haliti, Xheladin Gashi, Ali Ahmeti, another friend of ours whose name we cannot disclose at this point, and myself. Each unit depended directly on the center, which gave the consent and to which they reported. We had KLA guerrilla units in Drenica, Klina, Podujeva, Dukagjin, Prishtina, Vushtrri, Suhareka, etc.
ZERI: What was your ranking number and your conspiracy name?
SYLA: What ranking number can the Chief Commander have? But, I want to add that Chief Commander's name was kept in deep conspiracy! My conspiracy name was ?Daja (Uncle).
ZERI: What is the relation between the KLA and LPK in early days of KLA's existence?
SYLA: All founders of the KLA were members of the LKP.