NDI Chairman Madeleine K. Albright
Address to Kosovo Central Assembly July 5, 2005 Thank you very much. I am grateful to President Rugova and Prime Minister Kosumi, to President Daci and to the Presidency of the Assembly for their hospitality and for the honor of being the first person invited to address a special session of this democratic body. I deeply appreciate your welcome. You have made me feel at home and given me an opportunity to renew the acquaintance of some cherished friends. I also want to acknowledge your other distinguished guests, including Phil Goldberg, chief of the U.S. diplomatic mission, and the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General Larry Rossin; their presence today and their hard work every day reflect the world's ongoing interest in the well-being and future of Kosovo. As you know, I am here in Pristina this week in a private capacity, as chairman of America's National Democratic Institute. I no longer speak for the government of the United States. But I will never forget my visit here six years ago as America's Secretary of State. I spoke to a large crowd assembled in this capital city's central square. Everywhere there were signs and banners. It was a time of great emotion, of grief and joy, anger and hope. The years of grinding repression and the horror of ethnic cleansing were over. The fighting had ended. Refugees were returning. The displaced were reclaiming their homes. At long last, Kosovo was free. Together we pledged that never again in Kosovo would people with guns come in the night; never again would houses and villages be burned; never again would there be terror and mass graves. Never again would the people of Kosovo have to live in fear. The time had come to begin a new era in this storied land as part of a new start for the entire region. Much has changed since that July day six years ago. I spoke then surrounded by soldiers, protected by a bullet-proof van. I spoke last night at a concert surrounded by young people who could have been from anywhere in Europe; their eyes full of life; their hearts full of hope. I speak today before this newly-born but august democratic institution - tangible evidence of Kosovo's commitment to liberty. During these past six years, you have shown the world that the people of Kosovo are builders; not only world-famous builders of houses and public structures, but builders of new and democratic institutions. Men and women of every age and ethnicity have worked to lay the groundwork for democracy. You have formed political parties and held elections. You have developed independent media and established a judicial system. You have created governments at the central and local level and worked constructively with the international community. And you have moved closer to the long-awaited day when Kosovo's final status will be determined. I congratulate you on what you have accomplished. The credit for those accomplishments belongs to all the people of Kosovo, to Albanians, Serbs, Roma, Bosniaks, Ashkali, Gorani, Egyptian, Turk and other, who have helped to build a better society. You have many reasons for pride. And those accomplishments make your friends proud; I should know because I am one, and always will be. When you take a step forward, I am pleased. You know me as your friend. You also know I am frank. As a friend I have a responsibility to tell you what I think about the tasks that remain uncompleted and to caution you about the challenges ahead. You face, first of all, the challenge of creating a healthy economy that generates good jobs and gives people confidence that they will be able to build a future for themselves here in their ancestral home. Kosovo has the youngest population and also the highest unemployment rate in Europe. I cannot help but wonder about the young people I saw last night. What are they doing today? Are they getting the education they will need to provide for their families and to compete in the world economy? Will they have the opportunities they deserve to make full use of their energy and skills? I wonder especially about the young women in the audience last night. Will they be given an equal chance to excel in the classroom, to succeed in the workplace, and to pursue their dreams in whatever field of endeavor they might choose - to become businesspeople or doctors, journalists or computer programmers, even future presidents and prime ministers of Kosovo? We know that success in any society is not possible if half the population is left behind. I am encouraged to see not only how many women there are in this parliament, but also to see that women are beginning to move into leadership positions in their parties, though less so in the leadership of this Assembly, in government and in the municipalities. I hope to see you all at the gathering of the women members of parliament later today. Kosovo faces a second challenge and that is to build a society governed by the rule of law. It's no secret that corruption and crime are problems here, as they are in many other parts of the world. It is tempting to deny it because no society wants a reputation for corruption. But the problem cannot be addressed unless it is openly recognized and confronted. And it cannot be solved unless police and judicial authorities are independent and nonpartisan; above suspicion; and committed to investigating crimes thoroughly regardless of the rank or position of those accused; regardless of whether they come from the government or from the opposition. The rule of law comes when the public demands it. The people of Kosovo deserve no less. Your third challenge is the most basic. And that is to build a united society in which people from every ethnic group can participate and contribute. When I was here six years ago, I said that there were some people who wanted Kosovo to fail. These were cynics who predicted that the majority in Kosovo would make it impossible for others to live normal lives. They were sure that the new Kosovo would be an intolerant and violent place and that minorities would be discriminated against and made to feel unwelcome. I predicted then that you would prove those critics wrong. Despite the shameful events of March 2004, and notwithstanding the extremists who insist on stirring up hate, I still believe that you will prove your critics wrong. But you cannot do that simply by saying that Serbs can live in Kosovo. You must be able to say that everyone -- including Albanians, Serbs, Roma, Bosniaks, Ashkali, Gorani, Egyptian or Turk -- can live anywhere in Kosovo safely and peaceably. As I flew in I saw mosques rebuilt, but I also saw Serb churches falling apart and surrounded by barbed wire. You must be able to say that the cultural heritage and historic shrines sacred to every ethnic community of Kosovo are being honored and respected by every other community. That will be the day you truly prove your critics wrong. That will be the day your victory over Slobodan Milosevic and everything he stood for will be complete. That will be the day you show the world that the people of Kosovo are secure and confident, clearly focused on the future and free from the ghosts and burdens of the past. And that will be a giant step toward the creation of true and lasting democracy here in Kosovo. For this is your ultimate test, to make democracy work. As you have learned these past few years, democracy is a test for everyone. It requires that each contribute in his or her own way to the success of society. But you, as political leaders, have a special obligation to ask yourselves: What is my duty to Kosovo? What can I do to help build a democratic and prosperous Kosovo? The answer I offer is that you can work to develop a political culture that enables all who live here to participate in the decisions that affect their lives, regardless of ethnicity, gender or confession. And you can lead by example. This requires more than just going along with the crowd; sometimes, it means standing up to the crowd; for even in a democracy, the crowd may be wrong, especially when it is inspired not by reason but by bitter passions. A true leader must do more than reflect public opinion; he or she must work to shape public opinion in ways that strengthen and broaden democracy. The work of this Central Assembly will play a vital role in that effort and in shaping Kosovo's future. This is the stage upon which the drama of Kosovo's democracy will be presented. And those of you who are members will be in the starring roles, debating, discussing, even arguing passionately about the specific actions and policies your government should take. And ultimately compromise. Because when you act, you will act not simply for yourself and the interests of your own party; you will act for all those you represent and for the interests of all Kosovo. The members of this Assembly have been given a great trust. You have the opportunity to make this Assembly a model of its kind: effective and responsive, democratic and fair. For that to happen, you must first agree on what this Assembly should and should not be. If you were to ask me, I would say it should be a place where all segments of Kosovo's population are represented and all are able to work together for the common good. That means that all elected representatives should take their seats and be welcomed. This means it should be a place where the majority meets its obligation to lead while establishing rules that allow opposing voices to be heard, whether in committee or in plenary. It should be a place where official policies may be defended and criticized in an atmosphere free from intimidation or threat. It should be a place connected to and dedicated to serving the people; a place which holds public hearings and whose members meet regularly with public representatives. It should be a place that is open to the people, where ordinary Kosovars can come to see and evaluate the work of this institution and its members. It should also be a professional place, where legislation is considered carefully and the implementation of laws is monitored closely to ensure that public needs are met. The responsibilities of those in the governing coalition are many. But those who are in the opposition also have a responsibility. As a member of the Democratic Party in the United States, believe me, I know what it is like to be in the opposition. As an adult, I have spent much more time outside the government than inside it. I hate to lose, but I have also learned that times change and so do the minds of voters. New leaders come forward. And some of those now in opposition will one day find themselves leading the government. That is why those in opposition have a responsibility not simply to criticize, but also to put forward their own ideas. And it is why both the majority and the opposition have an interest in honoring the rights of the other. In closing, let me just say that I know, as does the entire international community, that the people of Kosovo inherited a huge challenge in 1999. You have made remarkable progress toward fulfilling your dream. And because you have made such an effort, you have not had to face these problems alone. You have had the support of the UN and the EU, the United States and many nongovernmental organizations. I am proud that the National Democratic Institute has been able to work with many of you in helping to strengthen political parties, to support this Central Assembly and build civil society. And I can assure you that we will continue to assist you in every way we can. We have a particular interest in the new generation of leaders, the young men and women who will carry on the tasks thus far begun and whose own children will begin life in freedom in a new century with a future of unlimited promise and hope. Six years ago, you gained your liberty. In the time since, you have made good use of that freedom. In the years to come, you will be tested continually by the demands of democracy. In the months immediately ahead, the international community will be looking closely at your progress in forging a government that serves the people, at the depth of your commitment to democracy, and at your success in creating a Kosovo that is open and safe for all. These are high standards and the scrutiny you face will be intrusive and critical. But you should not forget how far Kosovo has come, nor in what direction a truly democratic Kosovo needs to go. Your future is up to you, as it should be. Your friends are confident that you will succeed, and that we will see emerge here in Kosovo a society that respects the rights of all and has therefore earned the respect of people and governments in every corner of the Earth. Thank you once again for your welcome and for your attention. May Kosovo prosper and live forever in freedom and peace. Note: Remarks as prepared for delivery. |