INTERVIEW: Rexhep SELIMI, member of the general headquarters of the Kosova Liberation Army
EVERY WAR RELIES ON THE READINESS OF THE PEOPLE TO LIBERATE ITSELF
By Nuhi BYTYCI

ZERI: When did you start your activity in the Kosova Liberation Army? SELIMI: My activity in the KLA begun in 1993, and it was crowned with concrete actions in 1994.
ZERI: When did you meet Adem Jashari and first KLA soldiers?
SELIMI: I have known Adem Jashari since 1994; at that time I was appointed by the KLA general headquarters to contact Adem, Hamiz and Sahit Jashari in Prekaz. At that time we started coordinated KLA actions, particularly in Prishtina, Drenica, Llap and Dukagjin.
ZERI: You were the first person to appear publicly before masses, at the burial ceremony of teacher Halit Geci, on November 28, 1997, so you could prove before the national and international public that KLA exists and acts as an army for the freedom of Kosova. How did you feel in those moments?
SELIMI: After a successful action against the Serb police, of November 25-26, 1997 in Vojnik and Lludeviq of Drenica, as well as after many previous actions, there was a need to publicly appear as a regular army, even though KLA was emerging in many places and in many actions, and had become a real force that strongly confronted the invader. The first public appearance, even though at a ceremonial gathering - at the burial ceremony of teacher Halit Geci in Llausha, killed by the Serb police, coincided with the our national Flag Day - November 28. It was, of course, surprising, in particular to those who did not have the opportunity to contact KLA directly. At those moments, during the speech, masses started chanting for the KLA and, of course, you can imagine that I felt myself carrying out an important obligation for my motherland.
ZERI: How did you experience the reactions of the public after the first public appearance of the KLA, in particular the accusation that KLA is Serbia's extended hand, and other?
SELIMI: Public reactions following KLA's first appearance were different. The international public now turned its awareness more toward Kosova and its question, and its evaluations of our question were a bit more objective.
ZERI: You are the general inspector of the KLA's General Headquarters. How do you value the war preparedness of the KLA, the results achieved until now, and eventual deficiencies in the operational aspect?
SELIMI: The readiness of KLA's operational units is constant and the operational aspect is the number one task. This preparedness is characterized by the general mobilization of soldiers and superior at any time and wherever our units may be positioned. Therefore, we could be ready in any time, we are conditioned by the fact of the state of war. And we are, thus, aware of the cost we could pay if our preparedness was lowered, as low as it may be, therefore we regard that as our main, though not the only, task. KLA has had moments which could have set it in such positions, which could have been regarded as a weakness or weakening. Time proved that even in most difficult moments KLA is able to consolidate and organize, prepare for new battles.
ZERI: Do you cooperate with Kosova's Defense Ministry, with the government and prime minister Bukoshi for a more successful organizing of the struggle for freedom and independence.
SELIMI: That very term "cooperation" is a deficiency in this matter. This straightforwardly shows that we are not in relations in which a government should be with an army. KLA has already made necessary steps for structuring and professionalism, it has already constructed the tactical-strategic and political line, it has established the organizational line in modern standards, and other, and those who want and should help, have the means and where to help the KLA. You won't help the war by creating parallel formations from the bottom, as is the phantom FARK, which is a product of the Defence Ministry, you won't help the war by blocking financial means which people gave for war.
ZERI: Is it true that Kosova government, in various forms, has attempted to "buy" you and some other influential individuals in the KLA?
SELIMI: Unfortunately, such attempts have not ceased, and can be put in the course of destructive attempts cooked in already known cuisines. Bearing in mind what means can be used for such manipulations, and in whose hands, unfortunately, these means are currently, these attempts, at the same time, unveil the tragic facade of the current reality. With the failed attempts to "buy", such forces did not hesitate to use other means, too, all the way up to organizing the physical execution behind the back. Sabotage and blackmail from this address is not directed only against the KLA, but against the future of this people.