Prishtina, 30 January 2009
Honorable families Pajaziti, Zejnullahu and Hoxha,
Honorable participants at the Memorial Academy,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
An important day in the recent history of Kosovo has gathered us here today; it is the 12th anniversary of the heroic fall of Commander Zahir Pajaziti and his fellow fighters, Hakif Zejnullahu and Edmond Hoxha.
Unlike previous anniversaries, the Memorial Academy this year is organized in a free, independent, sovereign and democratic Kosovo.
The Republic of Kosovo has become a reality.
This dream of many generations has successfully come true, accomplishing the living goals of all those who never stopped their efforts for the liberation of Kosovo, ready to pay any price.
Zahir Pajaziti, Hakif Zejnullahu and Edmond Hoxha were amongst the first pioneers of the Kosovo Liberation Army to fall in the line of duty like many other activists.
They dedicated their entire lives to organizing political activities, fighting in different forms against the apparatus ruling and repressing the people of Kosovo.
While still young, in the spring of 1981, they participated in the demonstrations that marked a historical cornerstone with the key demand to advance the political status of Kosovo at the level to a Republic.
Despite the continuous presence of repressive politics and systematic violence after 1981, there existed an organized political movement, which never ceased its liberation activities.
The spirit of this movement, with different stages and moments, was kept alive by idealistic brave young men determined to move things ahead and change the reality.
They believed in the just cause of the Kosovo issue, although they were facing with an aggressive state with oppressive machinery at their disposal and with few hundred years’ experience in anti-Albanian politics.
Zahir Pajaziti, Hakif Zejnullahu and Edmond Hoxha had embodied a rebellious spirit and an unbroken character nourished by the noble idea for freedom and the firm will to be liberated from slavery.
They represent a generation embodied with ideals of freedom and with an ultimate resistance against the slavery of their homeland.
The dimensions of the greatness of people sometimes cannot be noticed on the surface of ordinary developments.
Personalities are great when in dark times they see the light of freedom, when in the kingdom of doubts; they build up a philosophy of trust.
They challenge the power of their character and the rightfulness of their vision at a time when they are still in a minority. Then the others keep joining them and their time eventually comes.
This commitment gave a meaning to the lives of Zahir, Hakif and Edmond and many other martyrs who embarked on the path of freedom, but could not make it to see the liberation and the freedom of Kosovo.
Zahir Pajaziti was characterized by a Commander’s spirit. Not to command but to be at the forefront of KLA formations wherever needed.
To be where the trodden dignity was to be restored.
To be where trust was to be restored and fear to be removed.
Zahir Pajaziti was known by his co-fighters for his pragmatic approach, his bravery and extraordinary skills and the enemy could notice this anywhere on the ground.
Until the day of the fall of the freedom martyrs, January 31st 1997, Kosovo was going through a very difficult decade of police repression and political depression.
The Serbian criminal police segments attacked three young men of Kosovo, who were spoiling every day their and their collaborators’ comfort and the entire system of ruling Kosovo.
That day in January confirmed one more time to the world the unshakable determination of the brave men of Kosovo to start the fight for liberation, despite the strength of the enemy and irrespective of the political climate Kosovo was going through.
It was less than ten months after the fall of Zahir, Hakif and Edmond, when the Kosovo Liberation Army was becoming more and more visible on the ground until it presented itself publicly on November 28th, 1997.
The Kosovo Liberation Army was gaining wide support from the people and became a force to make history, following the heroic fall of the Legendary Commander, Adem Jashari.
Facing heavy Serbian military, police and paramilitary offensives, the KLA showed, in 1998, Kosovo’s determination to win the political and the military battle against Serbia.
And this battle was won on the ground, and in the international aspect at the Rambouillet conference, as a result of Kosovo’s maturity and western-oriented vision.
On June 12th, 1999 Kosovo was finally liberated from age-long rule. The blood of the martyrs, of Commander Zahir, Hakif, Edmond and thousands of other martyrs lays at the foundation of this freedom. Kosovo entered a new era, a transition era, of promotion of genuine democracy and state-building.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At a time when KLA units were strongly resisting in the Llapi region, the name of Commander Zahir became an inspiration for the fighters of the KLA 151 Brigade.
This was a name that gave trust and courage to the freedom fighters.
Today, a square at the center of the capital of the Republic of Kosovo bears the name of Commander Zahir.
The names of Zahir, Hakif and Edmond also figure on military garrisons and schools where our free children learn; institutions, squares and streets in which our citizens breathe freely.
Kosovo is soon marking the first anniversary of the declaration of independence.
A historical year marking the crowning of the dreams of many generations that sacrificed for better days.
Kosovo is an independent state today, internationally recognized by most of the powerful states of the globe and by many other democratic states in the world. Other states are expected to recognize Kosovo as well.
Today when we have these things, we say to our citizens, to the honorable families of the martyrs, and to the freedom martyrs, that the dream for which they sacrificed themselves has come true.
Being at the helm of the institutions of the country, with legitimacy from the will of the people of Kosovo, we feel proud to have had great co-fighters in Kosovo’s liberation journey, freedom martyrs like the Legendary Commander Adem Jashari, Commander Zahir Pajaziti and many other martyrs throughout Kosovo.
Having institutional legitimacy, we are also responsible to build a Kosovo that is truly free, democratic and sovereign, in which our citizens can leave with pride and in dignity.
At a time when Kosovo is facing huge challenges in the field of economic development and improving of living quality, and in the Euro-Atlantic integration, we, in order to carry out the last will of the martyrs, have an obligation, with a vision, honesty and institutional commitment to foster civil unity in Kosovo.
We will not let down the ideals of those who sacrificed for the state of Kosovo; we will not let down our friends that helped us in the most difficult days.
Glory upon KLA martyrs.
Last modified: July 31, 2022