Independence Now, Calls Kosovo Democratic League

The Kosovo Democratic League, ethnic Albanians' most influential political party, is calling to grant province independence as soon as possible. It favours Kosovo integration into NATO and the European Union, and close links with the USA, Ibrahim Rugova, league president, said to his initial pre-election rally at the Pristina sports centre. The Kosovo population have always stood for independence, and won the fight in team with the world community. A pre-election programme the league introduced today for the provincial parliamentary poll of November 17 is, in fact, a Kosovo state strategy, pointed out Mr. Rugova. The Democratic League pledges compliance with the rights of all ethnic communities--especially minorities, and their political, economic and social integration in national life, with guarantees of cultural identity and the utmost respect for ethnic customs and traditions. The league will promote, as before, a spirit of understanding and tolerance among all ethnic communities, he promised. The Democratic League scored 70% of votes in an October 2000 Kosovo election of local self-government bodies.