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Draft:The First Republic of Kosova 1989-1999: A Political History

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  • Comment: To show that this book meets the criteria at WP:NBOOK, please include two independent, published book reviews. (It's OK if the reviews are not in English.) Ordinarily, this review in TemA would count as one of the two needed, but in this instance I am uncomfortable counting it as "independent" because that newspaper was founded by this book's author. ~ L 🌸 (talk) 23:46, 4 September 2024 (UTC)
The First Republic of Kosova 1989-1999: A Political History
AuthorMero Baze [sq]
Publication date
2022
Published in English
2024

The First Republic of Kosova 1989-1999: A Political History[1] is a historical account by Albanian journalist Mero Baze [sq]. First published in Albanian in 2022 and later in English in April 2024, the book details the political history of the First Republic of Kosova, a self-declared proto-state in Southeast Europe established in 1991. It examines the decade-long struggle for sovereignty amid the tensions in the Balkans during the early 1990s.

Synopsis

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Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous Balkans, "The First Republic of Kosova" examines the efforts to establish Kosova as an independent state.[2] The book is divided into four parts.

Part one outlines how Kosova remained under the Kingdom of Yugoslavia following the creation of the independent Albanian state. It then discusses the establishment of the Autonomous Province of Kosova and Metohija under SFR Yugoslavia and the loss of this autonomy in 1989.[3] This loss sparked the movement toward independence under Ibrahim Rugova, who would become Kosova's first president. Rugova's strategy of peaceful resistance is also explored, emphasizing his efforts to achieve independence through non-violent means.[4]

Part two covers Kosova's quest for international recognition and the efforts of Albanian diplomats to elevate the region's struggle on the global stage. It includes analyses of diplomatic efforts with the Council of Europe, CSCE, the London Conference, the European Community's First Peace Conference on Yugoslavia, and the Badinter Committee. This part also discusses the increasing involvement of the United States in the Kosova issue.

Part three focuses on the rise of the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) following fading hopes for peaceful resistance.[5] It analyzes the West's dilemma in choosing between supporting Ibrahim Rugova or the KLA, as well as the growing support for armed resistance following the Drenica Massacre and indiscriminate attacks by Serbian and Yugoslav security forces against the Albanian population.

Part four highlights NATO's intervention in Kosova in 1999, detailing the major events leading to this decision. It begins with the Račak massacre in January 1999, where 45 Kosovar Albanians were killed by Serbian security forces in response to Albanian separatist activity.[6] This section also covers the peace efforts facilitated by the international community, including the talks in Rambouillet, France, and the eventual peace agreement signed at the Paris Conference. While the Kosovar Albanian, American, and British delegations co-signed the agreement, it was refused by the Serb delegation.[7] The part concludes with NATO's bombing of Serbia and the exodus of Kosova's civilian population, who sought refuge in neighboring Albania and North Macedonia.

Author

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Mero Baze is an Albanian journalist, publisher, and editor-in-chief of the daily newspaper TemA. Based in Tirana, Albania since 1999, Baze is known for his political analyses and editorials. Baze began his journalism career while studying Engineering at the University of Tirana, Albania. From 1985 to 1990, he honed his skills at the student newspaper Studenti and contributed to other Albanian newspapers such as Zëri i Rinisë. In the 1990s, following the collapse of communism in Albania, Baze worked with various emerging opposition newspapers. He later served as the chief editor for the Albanian Telegraphic Agency and worked as a radio correspondent for the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe from Tirana. In 1999, Baze founded the daily newspaper TemA. Since 1992, he has been a regular contributor to Kosovar newspapers, including Bujku and Bota Sot. Baze has authored six books and continues to influence Albanian journalism with his daily political commentaries and editorials.

References

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  1. ^ Baze, Mero (2024). The First Republic of Kosova 1989-1999: A Political History. ISBN 979-8323118663.
  2. ^ "Unveiling the Struggle: 'The First Republic of Kosova' by Mero Baze".
  3. ^ Nelsson, Richard (26 November 1998). "How Milosevic stripped Kosovo's autonomy".
  4. ^ Isufi, Perparim (21 January 2020). "Ibrahim Rugova: Pacifist Father of Kosovo's Independence".
  5. ^ 1st Marsavelski, 2nd Sheremeti, 3rd Braithwaite, 1st Aleksandar, 2nd Furtuna, 3rd John (2016). "Did nonviolent resistance fail in Kosovo?". RegNet School of Regulation & Global Governance Australian National University.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Smith, Jeffrey (27 January 1999). "SERBS TRIED TO COVER UP MASSACRE". The Washington Post.
  7. ^ 1st Black, 2nd Daly, 3rd Beaumont, 1st Ian, 2nd Emma, 3rd Peter (21 Feb 1999). "War looms as Serbia rejects deal". The Guardian.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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