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Year 1981: Republic, Constitution, here's the hater, here's the war

Year 1981: Republic, Constitution, here's the hater, here's the war
Ali Lajçi among the students in front of the Dormitories (March 26, 1981). In the 1981 demonstrations, no citizen was allowed to be photographed. All the photographs from that time were taken by the Yugoslav secret services.

What are the events that marked Albanians and the world in 1981?

Primaryists still gave the "pioneer's word of honor", citizens were waiting for the Relay to pass through their town and everyone declared that they were determined on "Tito's path". But, in fact, on the eve of the New Year 19812, many people predicted the end of the former Yugoslavia. This was also the beginning of the end of stale calendars from factories and apple and grape harvest events.

DeLorean car in the movie "Back to the Future"

The main events in the world in 1981 are: Australian magnate Rupert Murdock buys the daily "London Times"; slavery is abolished in Mauritania; American President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II were injured in two assassination attempts; Prince Charles marries Diana Spencer (the wedding is broadcast live on many world television channels); "Solidarity" Polish holds the first Congress in Gdansk; Mao Zedong's widow, Jiang Qing, is sentenced to death (sentence commuted to life imprisonment); François Mitterrand is the first socialist president of the Fifth Republic of France; the president of Bangladesh, Ziaur Rahman, is killed, as well as that of Egypt, Anwar Sadat (his place will be taken by Hosni Mubarak).


In 1981, the DeLorean car goes on sale, a commercial failure but an iconic car thanks to the movies "Back to the Future"; the video game "Donkey Kong" is launched, which together with "Mario" makes Nintendo one of the most successful companies in the world; and, for musicians, the revolutionary synthesizer, E-Mu Emulator, is on sale.

In 1981, many well-known actors of today were born: Elijah Wood, Justin Timberlake, Tom Hiddleston, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jessica Alba, Rami Malek, Natalie Portman, Chris Evans... Meanwhile, music legends die - Bill Haley and Bob Marley; actress Natalie Wood, as well as Adolf Hitler's close associate, Albert Speer. In 1981, the Croatian intellectual Miroslav Kërlezha, the main ideologist of neo-Albanianism, Branko Merxhani, and the composer from Arbër, Shime Deshpali, also died.

Hosni Mubarak and Anwar Sadat

The main events in Kosovo were related to ... the Albanian demonstrations - one of the biggest events in the history of Kosovo that mark the beginning of the dominance of Serbian politics in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the beginning of the suppression of the autonomy of Kosovo and the Constitution of the year 1974 that advanced the political and social statute of the Albanians, but also the beginning of the end of this federation and the Yugoslav communist state. The exact course of the events of March 1981 is dominated by many "mysteries", however the final result is that they will strengthen Albanian nationalism and their demand for a republic and independence.

The demonstrations first broke out in the Student Center in Pristina, on the evening of Wednesday, March 11, 1981, when the dishes "with beans" were broken. As a pretext, the reasonable dissatisfaction of the students with the conditions of food and housing.

That day, the football match between Pristina and Partizan Belgrade was held in the Stadium of Pristina, so the citizens did not know what was happening, thinking that the demonstrators were football fans. Pajazit Nushi - then vice-president of the Executive Council of Kosovo - tried to talk to the demonstrators, but in vain. The crowd is joined by Ali Lajçi who gives a speech that "ignites" the participants even more.

April 1, 1981, Hydajet Hyseni (with a megaphone), addresses the demonstrators in the center of Pristina, in front of the former Provincial Committee. Next to him was Kadri Batusha. About the third person "nothing is known"!

This protest - which began in the Student Canteen - was planned on the night of March 10, 1981, in room 312 of the Student Dormitory. The conversation about a reaction for better conditions for learning, housing and food for students continues in room 310. There were: Kadri Kryeziu, Ramadan Gashi, Bedri Deliu, Murat Musliu, Jonuz Jonuzi and Gani Koci.

The March 11 demonstrations lasted until the early hours of the morning, when they were interrupted by the intervention of the Militia forces.

In the demonstrations of other days (March 25 and 26, 1981), Albanian political illegals, such as the group of Mehmet Hajrizi and Hydajet Hysen (Marxist-Leninist Organization of Kosovo - OMLK), were involved. Thus, on March 25, there were again student gatherings in Pristina. while in Prizren, primary and secondary school students are organized. There will be arrests in both these cities.

At that time, the magazines of the illegal press in exile, which were read by students, such as: "Liria", "Lajmtari i lirisi", "Bashkimi" and others, gave encouragement at that time. Also, the illegal groups, which were quite organized, printed tracts that they distributed almost all over Kosovo.

One of the plaques published in the illegal press, "Liria" magazine, 1981

On March 26, 1981, the day when the Youth Relay arrived in Pristina (an organization honoring the figure of Tito, his birthday and the Youth Day of the former Yugoslavia), students took to the streets and squares. There were students among them. This day follows the brutal reaction of the special forces of the Militia, in the Student Center, where they beat many young men and women in the dormitories. This means that on April 1, the demonstrations will have a universal character and that the student revolt will spread throughout Kosovo. On April 1 and 2, 1981, demonstrations - apart from Prishtina - were also held in Podujevë, Vushtrri, Viti, Lipjan, Ferizaj, Mitrovica, Gjakovë, Gjilan, Prizren, etc.

On April 2, 1981, students Naser Hajrizi and Asllan Pireva, who were organizers of the students of the Electrotechnical High School, were killed in Pristina. Both of them were members of the illegal organization (OMLK). After their fall, the Secretariat's bodies continued to mistreat their family members with so-called "information talks".

Naser Hajrizi in 1970

During the demonstrations, the demonstrators carried banners with social and economic slogans. But there were also political ones. The main slogans, which often conflicted with each other, were: those of an economic nature - "Someone in the armchair, someone without bread", "Until when in the basement", "We are looking for better conditions", "Trepça works, Belgrade" builds”; political ones - "Republic, Constitution, here's to hate, here's to war", "We are Albanians, not Yugoslavs", "Kosova of Kosovars", "We love our fellow prisoners", "Long live Adem Demaçi", "Long live the brotherhood of the Albanian people" ", "Union of Albanian lands"; and those of Albania's Enverist ideology: "Long live Marxism-Leninism", "Down with revisionism", "No talks with the red bourgeoisie", "Long live the working class" and "Long live Enver Hoxha".

Since in these demonstrations Albanian nationalism takes on an ideological character - that is, the solution of national problems was also seen through the communist utopia (which was normal for those circumstances, since hopes depended on Albania, as it was) - there were accusations from Yugoslav state leaders that they were organized from the services of Albania.

Scenes from the 1981 demonstrations

The first qualifications of the then Provincial Committee of the Communist League of Kosovo for the March 11 demonstrations were that they have the character of a social revolt. But, in the meeting of March 28, 1981, the demonstrations of March 11 and 26 were described as "hostile". Meanwhile, on April 2, at the joint meeting of the Presidency of the Central Committee of the Communist League of Serbia and the Presidency of the Republic of Serbia, the demonstrations were described as "destructive" that "are aimed at destabilizing the constitutional system", "undermining brotherhood- unification" and "the overthrow of the political system". A day later, on April 3, 1981, at the joint meeting of the Presidency of the Federal Executive Council and the Presidency of the Central Committee of the Communist League of Yugoslavia, the demonstrations were described as "irredentist", "nationalist" and even "counter-revolutionary".

"Liberty" magazine, 1981

After that, the mass arrests of the organizers and active participants begin, their trial and sentence with up to 20 years in prison. Also, from these demonstrations, the process of ideopolitical differentiation starts in all structures and levels of Albanian social, political and intellectual life.

Regarding these demonstrations and slogans, the British ambassador in Belgrade, Sir E. Bolland, has drawn up a report on their effect on the political system of Yugoslavia. He does not have good words for these demonstrations because the slogans showed the Marxist-Leninist demand for a more ferocious communism than the one in the RSFJ. He even praises the state's intervention in Kosovo, calling it cautious and moderate. The ambassador is in defense of the integrity of the SFRY, mainly because this country implemented "a liberal communism and was not under the influence of Soviet (Russian) communism." However, according to researcher Daut Dauti, he does not deny the political rights of Albanians in Yugoslavia.

"According to any logical criteria, Kosovo, within its current borders, should have equal status in Yugoslavia as the republics of Montenegro, Slovenia and Macedonia, since its population is as large and as ethnically homogeneous as any republic. other. But, the Yugoslav leadership persistently refuses to surrender to this logic for reasons of internal politics and the issue of security". it says in his report. "Someone, somewhere must let go: it is a problem for which Yugoslavia must decide what to do. In the past, Yugoslavia has succeeded after every outburst of nationalism in Kosovo as it calmed the situation by offering constitutional concessions, which, cumulatively, have virtually given Kosovo the status of a republic.

Finally, without giving too many judgments, it would be good to know the opinion of the Italian student Demetrio Delifera, who was in Pristina at the time of these demonstrations for studies on Albanian culture. In the newspaper "Espresso" of Italy, he will publish parts of his diary. His description from a neutral, best breaks down whether Kosovo Albanians were in good or bad condition in 1981.

"The right to study for Kosovar students is still much more limited than what is given to other universities in the country. Public services in Pristina are of the lowest level. Although lessons are also taught in Albanian, there are no books in this language. To secure them from Tirana, when possible, a high surcharge must be paid. The other point that pushed the students to demonstrate was the low standard of living and unemployment (80 percent of graduates do not find work, many of them have emigrated to Germany, France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Sweden)". he wrote. "No Yugoslav who was not in Pristina could imagine from the official data the coldness and determination of the Police units brought by plane from Belgrade. However, not even the residents of Pristina really know what happened on the evening of March 26. It took five days for it to spread in the city, at first surprise, then hatred for the policemen and those who sent them. Also, there is growing concern for the many arrested citizens who are in danger of never getting out of prison, as happened in 1968", wrote, among other things, this Italian who testifies - as the most famous singer of that time had said in ex-Yugoslavia, Zana Nimani - that the Albanians "certainly had some reason" for the demonstrations!

At the District Court in Pristina, July 10, 1982 (from right to left): Jakup Krasniqi, Mehmet Hajrizi, Gani Sylaj, Nezir Myrtaj and Berat Luzha. This is the first group of 19 members of OMLK. Missing from the photo is Hydajet Hyseni, who did not appear at the trial on the grounds of the Trial Panel that he is ill. The leaders of the group protested, making it impossible to hold the first session, since it was suspected that Hydajeti was killed! In this judicial process, the following activists were sentenced: 1. Hydajet Hyseni, with 15 years in prison; 2. Jakup Krasniqi, with 15 years in prison; 3. Mehmet Hajrizi, with 12 years in prison; 4. Gani Syla, with 15 years in prison; 5. Nezir Myrtaj, with 12 years in prison; 6. Berta Luzha, with 12 years in prison; 7. Sherafedin Berisha, with 5 years in prison; 8. Ismail Syla, with 12 years in prison; 9. Jahir Hajrizi, with 11 years in prison; 10. Sheqir Zeneli, with 4 years in prison; 11. Fehmi Plakiqi, with 5 years in prison; 12. Azem Syla, with 5 years in prison; 13. Xhevdet Syla, with 4 years in prison; 14. Fatmir Krasniqi, with 4 years in prison; 15. Ferid Çollaku, with 8 years in prison; 16. Hysni Hoti, with 6 years in prison; 17. Kadri Luzha, with 5 years in prison; 18. Mustafa Ademi, with 6 years in prison; 19. Jashar Alijaj, with 6 years in prison.

In 1981, in this difficult year, Kosovo's magazines and newspapers published pictures of Berlin and the wall that separated the two sides of the city. But the Albanian-Albanian wall was much bigger and more vicious than the Berlin one. Articles were also published about the suffering of blacks in America, and we were the blacks of Europe.

In Kosovo, women's emancipation, sex and problems with schools were still being talked about and written about, especially at the university, which had turned into a pretty big "problem" after the Albanian student demonstrations. Therefore, it was appealed to "general mobilization, for the preservation and strengthening of unity among all our nations and nationalities". Sanije Hyseni, the girl who handed over the baton to Tito for the last time, said in an article: "Youth does not allow jeopardizing the fruits of the revolution." While others: "Telegrams arrive from all parts of Kosovo: The demonstrations are strongly condemned", "We have a historic responsibility to make it impossible - the further action of the enemy." And, blah, blah, more blah...

In 1981, it is said that the prime minister of Albania, Mehmet Shehu, committed suicide. According to some theories, it is said that between Enver and Mehmet, from March 1981, there was a controversy about Kosovo, which has reached the limits of conflict. This was said by Ali Çeno, Shehu's bodyguard, who was present. "Around March or the beginning of April 1981, Enveri and Mehmeti had just left the KQ building. They stood in front of the party house, arguing with each other so loudly that their words could be heard not only by us officers of the escort groups, but even further away. Mehmeti turned to Enver: 'Today let's announce the general mobilization and start the tanks towards the North, on the border with Yugoslavia. We here cannot sit idly by when people are being killed there. A general mobilization would attract the attention of the West and the Kosovo problem would be easier to solve. If the need arises, we can start the war. We have no more expectations. After these words, Enveri answered you in that high tone: 'No, we can never do this. We cannot destroy in one day what we have built for forty years'…”, Ceno said.

But the most reliable truth is that dictators in old age become distrustful of everyone, even their closest friends and associates.

File 1981: The events that changed the course of history (Photo)
Read too File 1981: The events that changed the course of history (Photo)

New Year 1981 was heavy and full of pain. Many Albanians were killed, thousands more were arrested and mistreated. Reactions were published in the media "Voices of the people" in Tirana, which "disinformed about the causes of hostile demonstrations in Kosovo". This is the time when people went to prison even for the word "eho" (E-nver HO-xha).

"It didn't take us long", the Albanians said then, who after the 1974 constitution had begun to enjoy a little freedom and progress.

Tito with strong Albanians from former Yugoslavia: Xhavit Nimani, Mahmut Bakalli and Fadil Hoxha. After 1981, Serbia no longer wanted persistent Albanian politicians...

The most popular films in the world were: "Chariot's of Fire", "Neighbors", "An American Werewolf in London", "On Golden Pond" ... and in Kosovo, TV projects and films were still being talked about and written about: "Three people cross the mountain ", "Fidani", "White Footprints", "Era and Lisi"...

The world trembled under the rhythm of Human League, Queen, 45 Starsound, Elkie Brooks, Foreigner, Journey, Styx, Stevie Nicks, Duran Duran... Meanwhile, Kosovo under the rhythms of: Irfan Blakçor, Arian Kerli, Gazmend Pallaska, Bedri Islamit, Valentina Saraqini, Hilmi Obërtinca, Shaban Kelmendi, Fontana, Trixi, Iliri, Aida, Rokmasa, TNT, etc.

In the rock of Kosovo and throughout Kosovo, a "new wave" entered! /Telegraph/

Mehmet Shehu after "suicide"

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