Prishtina, 19 April 2012
Under the patronage of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, the Society of War Veterans of Koshare “Brigade 138” organized a ceremony in honor of the Battle of Koshare, as part of the “Eagle Days”. In the ceremony, held in the Hotel Emerald, Commander Sali Çekaj was remembered.
The following is the full text of the speech made by Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi on this occasion.
Respected Baca Rifat,
Respected family Çekaj,
Respected leader of LDK, Mr. Mustafa,
Respected deputies,
Commander Berisha,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am extremely honored to be able to speak at this ceremony about a battle and a hero which are part of the history of my country and people. And I am conscious that battles such as that of Koshare and brave fighters, like Sali Çekaj cannot be summed up in a word or a description, but only by a history.
We have all heard about the acts of men and women of the Liberation Army of Adem Jashari, of brave fighters of the KLA and of Koshare, of the Hero Sali Çekaj. Some have seen and all have been immortalized in Kosovo’s freedom and independence.
The Battle of Koshare gave meaning to the war and KLA oath and this battle gave mythical meaning to the heroes who fell, including Agim Ramadani, Sali Çekaj, Xhemajl Fetahu and 111 other martyrs who fell, as well as fighters who are still living.
In the history of wars for freedom, there are occasions when geographical and residential names, regardless of their significance, transform into historic names.
Koshare is such a name, a location in the Albanian Alps, which entered into the modern history of Kosovo 13 years ago, immortalizing the moment when the Yugoslav pyramid was broken on the violent border between Kosovo and Albania.
This breaking of the border pyramid announced the coming of a new age, when a century old border became less important.
Instead of detention and isolation, the time of freedom of movement, communication and opening up was coming.
The Kosovo Liberation Army opened a chapter of new relations in this part of South Eastern Europe.
Until the Battle of Koshare, the Kosovo Liberation Army passed through many trials and many operational and political challenges.
Under the direction of the General Staff, the KLA became a real force, which shaped Kosovo’s political development.
It expanded and had structures across all Kosovo’s territory.
The KLA successfully confronted all offensives of the Serbian army and police, thus demonstrating its popular, democratic and pro-western character.
After the Rambouillet Conference and the start of NATO bombardment, the Liberation Army did not stop its just and determined struggle for a moment.
The proof of the determination to fight with heroism and great sacrifice, were the soldiers and leaders of Brigade 138 in the days of the battle of Koshare.
Brigade 138 reconfirmed the special quality of KLA leaders, who fell as the leaders and commanders of KLA Brigades.
In the Koshare Battle, senior officers and leaders fell: Agim Ramadani, Sali Çekaj and Xhemajl Fetahu.
They are the pride and honor of the glorious liberation war.
They are part of Kosovo’s freedom.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On the thirteenth anniversary of their fall, we remember with pride, Commander Sali Çekaj.
Commander Sali Çekaj identified his whole life with the fate of his country.
His activity defended all activities which opposed the rule of Serb administration of Kosovo, mobilized the Diaspora and contributed to the organization of military structures within the KLA.
The KLA’s organization and massivization, particularly at the Battle of Koshare, was the crowning of the glory of his life and work.
It was Commander Sali Çekaj’s destiny to work in Brigade 138, which is famous not just for its great number of fighters, but also for the part of the homeland they brought to the Brigade.
Sali Çekaj is a name linked to freedom and justice, it is a name identified with the idea of freedom for independence, but also justice to win freedom, and today, it is not a coincidence that the prize for justice in the Republic of Kosovo, has the title of the Hero Çekaj; and today, this title is held by employees and activists of justice in Kosovo, living and dead, who are building the state which Sali Çekaj was also aiming to do.
There is no town or village of Kosovo and other Albanian lands, which did not have fighters in this Brigade.
Therefore, the martyrs who fell in this battle are also martyrs from all parts of the homeland.
Today, with pride and the highest state and institutional honors, we remember the Battle of Koshare and the fall of Commander Sali Çekaj.
The ideals, for which Commander Sali Çekaj and his co-fighters fell, have become reality.
Kosovo is part of the free world and is a state with law and order, and a clear Euro-Atlantic perspective.
Glory be to the life and work of Commander Sali Çekaj!
Glory be to all martyrs of the nation!
Last modified: July 31, 2022