Haradinaj: “With my Head Held High and Untroubled I’ll Appear” before Hague-based War Court

Ramus Haradinaj (Beta/Armenija Zajmi Besevic)

Kosovo outgoing Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said on July 23 that he would appear before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (KSC), located in The Hague, with his “head held high and untroubled.”   

Before departing for The Hague, Haradinaj posted on his Facebook page that Kosovo was ready to resume the dialogue with Serbia until a final legally binding agreement was reached on mutual recognition within the existing borders.

“Today, as Ramush Haradinaj, a citizen of the Republic of Kosovo, I will respond to the Special Court’s summons for questioning. Entirely for the right of Kosovo, unwavering my life decisions, undisturbed, and with my head held high,” Haradinaj wrote.

According to him, Kosovo has moved forward on its Euro-Atlantic path, while remaining committed to peace and continuing friendship with the U.S.

“Kosovo is ready to talk with Serbia until a final and legally binding agreement is reached, which should include mutual recognition within the existing borders. But we will open our market only in exchange for Kosovo’s recognition (by Serbia),” Haradinaj said, stressing that he had been and would continue to protect Kosovo’s rights with honor.  

He arrived at the Pristina airport around noon on July 23.

According to unofficial reports, Haradinaj will fly to The Hague via Vienna. He is scheduled to be interviewed as a suspect on July 24.

Haradinaj resigned on July 19 after being summoned for questioning by The Hague court, investigating crimes allegedly committed by the so-called Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), particularly against ethnic Serbs, Romas and Kosovo Albanian political opponents during and after the 1998-99 war. Haradinaj served as a KLA wartime commander.