Chronology of Kosova

Chronology Of Major Events

January 2, 1944

The antifascist Council of the National Liberation Movement for Kosova resolved to unite with Albania after Hitler's defeat. Known as the Bujan Resolution, this legislative act was rebuffed by Tito (March 1944).

December 1944 - May 1945

The military occupation of Kosova by Yugoslav Communists met with stiff armed resistance by the local Albanian population.

July 10, 1945

A hastily organized Assembly of Communist faithful reversed the Bujan Resolution and declared Kosova a component part of Serbia.

January 1946

The Yugoslav Constitution recognizes the political autonomy of Kosova within the Republic of Serbia.

Winter 1955 - Spring 1966

A wave of repressive measures, including killings, torture and expulsion of Albanians covered the entire province of Kosova and Metohia, under the excuse of collecting illegal weapons. This was the culmination of the Rankovic era (1947 - 1966) known for its inhuman treatment of Albanians.

April 1963

The new Serbian Constitution reduces the status of Kosova to that of a simple district of Serbia.

November 1968

Huge Albanian demonstrations are met with Serbian police brutality, causing the death of several Albanians.

January 1969

Kosova receives its first constitution and is given more freedom of action within the Serbian framework.

April 1974

Kosova is recognized as a political autonomous province with greater representation and participation on the Federal level.

1974 -1981

Over 600 Albanians are arrested and sent to jail for "nationalistic activities".

March 11, 1981

Huge demonstrations by students turned out to be bloody. Serbian sources admit killing of at least 300 Albanians. Massive arrests are made, especially among the youth. In Macedonia, local Albanians joined in demonstrations of solidarity. From April 1-7, 1981, a curfew was imposed. Clashes with the Serbian police left at least 22 dead, and several hundred wounded. The arrests were in the thousands.

1981 -1987

A process of systematic dismantling of the Kosova autonomy continued unabated. By the end of 1987 over 600,000 Albanians had passed through the hands of the police (incredibly about 1/3 of the Albanian population).

1987

Yugoslav police clashes in Kosova. Serbs cheer Slobodan Milosevic who promises to deliver Kosova to Serbian minority. Albanians are accused of terrorism. On August 24th, Senator Dole and Senator Paul Simon sponsor a Resolution asserting that Albanians are persecuted. In October, Yugoslavia sends special police forces to strife-torn Kosova.

1988

In July, Yugoslav leadership threatens to take tougher actions against Albanians demanding greater autonomy. In August, huge Serbian demonstrations threaten to take arms against Albanians. Franc Setinc of Slovenia and Bosko Krunic of Voivodina resign to protest Serbian agitation against Albanians. Communist leadership protests Serbian rallies against Albanians. U.S. officials express concern and fear that Serbia's Milosevic could create unbridgeable antagonisms in reaching for national power.

October 17, 1988

Vice President Bush sends letter of concern about situation of ethnic Albanians in Yugoslavia to Congressman Joseph DioGuardi. Yugoslav leadership accuses Serbia of fanning flames of nationalism.

October 23, 1988

The Yugoslav Parliament approves changes giving Serbia more control on Kosova. Four Albanian leaders resign under pressure from Serbia. About 500,000 Albanians demonstrate defying the Serbian authorities trying to regain total control of Kosova. Serbia calls for the arrest of Albanian leaders.

November 23, 1988

Kosova is placed under state of emergency.

February 25, 1989

Yugoslavia sends paramilitary police reinforcement to Kosova after leaders fail to break the strike, including an 8 day hunger strike of the miners in Trepca mine complex.

March 21-28, 1989

Violent demonstrations in Kosova to protest constitutional changes limiting their autonomy. A curfew is imposed. At least 21 Albanians are killed, including 2 policemen. The "new" constitution, called "the constitution of tanks" was approved (March 23).

August 1989

New political miners' strikes in Kosova.

November 2, 1989

At least 4 Albanians are killed protesting the trial of their leaders. Huge demonstrations are held all over Kosova.

December 23, 1989

The formation of the first democratic party of Kosova: The Democratic Alliance of Kosova, led by Dr. Ibrahim Rugova.

January 24-31, 1990

Tens of thousands of Albanians demonstrate asking the lifting of emergency rule in Kosova and free elections. The situation approaches civil war. At least 35 Albanians are killed. Yugoslavia deploys troops, tanks and warplanes in Kosova. Albanians continue to ask for free elections, resignation of provincial leaders and release of political prisoners. Albanians declare conflict is not religious or ethnic, but a struggle for freedom and democracy, and they do not want unification with Albania, but equality within Yugoslavia.

February 6, 1990

Serbian leader Milosevic threatens to send 300,000 Serbs to Kosova. A new curfew is imposed on many cities of Kosova. Albanians live in siege imposed by Federal and Serbian military and police units.

March 23, 1990

More than 400 Albanian children, "mysteriously" poisoned while in schools, are taken to hospitals. Later the number reached 6000. Yugoslav government sends troops to quell Albanian protests.

April 22, 1990

Prime Minister and five ministers of Kosova resign citing Serbian pressure. U.S. Congressional delegation and Senator DeConcini condemn Serbia's leaders for human rights abuses against Albanians in Kosova.

July 2, 1990

Albanians boycott Serbian voting and approve the Declaration of Independence of Kosova. Serbia's Parliament rejects it and orders the Assembly of Kosova abolished, the Government dissolved and the closing of the only Albanian newspaper. The radio and T.V. services are taken over by the Serbian minority. A Serbian "Gauleiter" sets up a new government with nine Serbs and one Albanian. The action extinguishes what remained of Kosova's autonomy.

August 30,1990

Serbian police use clubs and tear gas to disperse thousands of Albanians waiting for the U.S. Delegation headed by Senator Dole to complain about human rights abuses in Kosova.

September 3,1990

A general strike by Albanians paralyzed the province. Action is in protest of Serbia's takeover of 250 formerly Albanian controlled enterprises and dismissals of over 50,000 Albanian workers since Serbia assumed complete control of Kosova.

September 7,1990

Members of the Assembly of Kosova meet clandestinely and adopt an alternative constitution for Kosova and extend mandate of Kosova's Assembly until new elections are held.

October 13,1990

Resolution by the European Parliament condemning abuses of human rights in Kosova.

October 30,1990

U.S. Congress passes an amendment to the foreign aid bill to prohibit aid to Yugoslavia. President Bush signed it into law as part of the foreign aid appropriations bill shortly later.

November 25,1990

Voters in Macedonia elect 23 Albanian delegates to the new Macedonian Parliament under the Party of Democratic Prosperity led by Professor Nevzat HaIiIi.

December 9,1990

Total boycott of Serbia's elections by Albanians in Kosova. Albanians in Montenegro gain some representation under the Democratic Party of Albanians in Montenegro led by Professor Mehmet Bardhi.

January 7, 1991

A Joint Declaration of the Inter Parliamentary Group for Human Rights and Democracy in Kosova was signed by representatives of the U.S. Congress, the European Parliament and the Assembly of Kosova, in Luxembourg.

September 26-30,1991

A popular Referendum for a free and independent Republic of Kosova was held (83 percent of the registered voters participated). 99 percent of the voters cast their ballots for the Republic of Kosova.

October 17,1991

The Parliament of the Republic of Kosova, (in exile) authorized the Formation of the Government of the Republic of Kosova. Dr. Bujar Bukoshi, a physician, was selected to be the new Prime Minister.

December 23,1991

The Parliament and the Government of the Republic of Kosova, apply formally with the Peace Conference on Yugoslavia held in Hague, Netherlands, requesting the recognition of the Republic of Kosova as an equal and independent member-participant in the Conference.

May 24,1992

The first free elections ever held in Kosova took place orderly and in relative quiet (a few volunteers at the polls were arrested by Serbian police). 87 percent of the registered voters showed up at the polls to elect 100 representatives for the new Parliament of Kosova. There were 23 political parties and organizations, with over 5000 candidates, participating.

At the same time, by popular vote, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, was elected the first President of the Republic of Kosova (99 percent of the vote). Dr Rugova was endorsed by all the parties. Elections were held under constant fear of a Serbian military attack. International pressure did prevent it.

1992-1995

War rages in Bosnia. Kosova continues to be occupied and brutally repressed by Serbian military and police.

1995-1998

Dayton peace accords are signed without any Albanian representation. Milosevic, who started the wars in Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia, is made a partner in peace by our State Department. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, as the chief architect and executor of the Dayton peace accords, deliberately engaged in a partnership with a reputed war criminal. This strategy, has failed miserably for all to see, with thousands of American troops still in Bosnia at cost of 8 billion with no end in sight. In appeasing Milosevic at Dayton, Holbrooke emboldened him to commit "ethnic cleansing" in Kosova which erupted with a fullscale genocidal war in February 1998 when Serbian military and police attacked Drenica. Today after ten years of brutal Serbia occupation, Kosova is a battleground as the Kosova Liberation Army attempts to defend the long suffering Albanian people from the brutal Serbian military onslaught.