Albanian National Army orders mobilization in northern Kosovo
BBC Monitoring Europe (Political) - July 12, 2006, Wednesday

Text of unattributed report entitled "AKSh 'orders mobilization'" published by the Kosovo Albanian newspaper Koha Ditore on 12 July

Prishtina [Pristina], 11 July: Through a statement circulated to the media, the general headquarters of the AKSh [Albanian National Army] has "ordered mobilization", warning that "the Albanian people must be vigilant and in a state of alert" especially in what it referred to as "Zone Number Two" (northern Kosova [Kosovo]) in order, as it stated, to "cope with the difficulties in the circumstances that could be created by the staunch Serb enemy".

"The Serbs have launched a political, diplomatic and military offensive. Their high level of organization is aimed at destabilizing Kosova and influencing the decisionmaking factors to accept their plans to retake Kosova, or at least a part of it. The AKSh general headquarters orders the military forces in Zone Two of Kosova, especially the units operating in the northern parts of the country, to increase to the maximum the level of military preparedness so that we can be ready to successfully respond to the provocations of the Serb phalanges," the statement reads.

The AKSh also calls for such actions that rigorously abide by the orders of the general headquarters and the military hierarchy on the ground.

"There must be cooperation with the population, and everyone should be cautious not to fall into traps and provocations. There has to be order and a special way of moving on the ground in order not to disclose the scheme, and to avoid clashes with allies. No action shall be carried out without the orders of superiors," the statement notes.

"Those who do not respect the national and military strategy of the AKSh, whoever such people may be, will face the military laws of the AKSh," reads the statement, which calls on everyone not to betray the aspiration for the unification of the Albanian lands in one common homeland.

The order, with five specific elements, among other things urges the general mobilization of the AKSh; the movement of units in specific regions; and an increase in the level of preparedness to the maximum degree. The order was issued by Maj-Gen Petrit Alia on behalf of the AKSh general headquarters.

Source: Koha Ditore, Pristina, in Albanian 12 Jul 06

Copyright 2006 British Broadcasting Corporation
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