VETĖVENDOSJE is a group of young people in Kosovo who advocate self-determination for Kosovo. They have organized ongoing demonstrations against negotiations and against the Ahtisaari plan for "supervised independence." They opposed the negotiation process because they saw their representatives as selling out Kosovo, allowing extraterritoriality, division of Kosovo, compromising Kosovo's sovereignty, and perpetuating occupation by the international community. One of their points is that Ahtisaari's "supervised independence" is not independence at all. Kosovo is getting a new protectorate - under the EU instead of the UN - not independence, regardless of the fact that big players have recognized Kosovo's independence.
The group's stated position on the Declaration of Independence is as follows:
This Declaration of independence is considered as an issue of agreement between some local politicians with some internationals and not as the independence of a country of a free people. Only self-determination will bring true independence for each and all in Kosova, because such an independence would be the decision of the people.
The Declaration of the 17th February is one step forward for Kosova in the aspect of external self-determination. But not for internal self-determination. In this aspect nothing has changed. Kosova will continue to be a country governed by an un-democratic mission installed from outside and not chosen from inside.
(From VETĖVENDOSJE Newsletter 82, February 18, 2008, PDF)
VETĖVENDOSJE newsletter #81. Explains the group's problems with the Kosovo Declaration of Independence. February 11, 2008 (PDF)
VETĖVENDOSJE other newsletters.
VETĖVENDOSJE articles in English.
12:44 TIME'S UP UNMIK GO HOME! VETEVENDOSJE
Photo: Peter Lippman, August 2006, Prizren
(Refers to UN Resolution 1244, adopted on June 10, 1999, authorizing the establishment of an international civil and security presence in Kosovo. UNMIK=UN Mission in Kosovo)