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Arb · 21-01-06, 15:57

Ibrahim Rugova, President of Kosova, Dies at 61

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: January 21, 2006
Filed at 7:43 a.m. ET

Leonhard Foeger/Reuters

Rugova seen at a news conference in Vienna, on October 14, 2003.
PRISHTINE, Kosove (AP) -- Kosova President Ibrahim Rugova died Saturday, his spokesman said. The 61-year-old Rugova had been suffering from lung cancer.

Rugova died in his residence in Prishtina at midday Saturday surrounded by his family, said Muhamet Hamiti.

Rugova, who came to embody ethnic Albanians' struggle for independence from Serbia, was diagnosed with lung cancer last September. He had been a chain-smoker until he was diagnosed with the illness.

Rugova had been at the forefront of ethnic Albanian demand for independence from Serbia since the early 1990s, when he started leading a nonviolent movement against the policies of Slobodan Milosevic, then president of Yugoslavia.

His death comes at a sensitive time for the province, which is about to start negotiations on whether to become independent or remain part of Serbia. The ethnic Albanian majority want full independence, but Serbs want Kosovo to remain part of Serbia-Montenegro, the union that replaced Yugoslavia.

The first formal U.N.-mediated talks between Kosovo and Serbia officials were expected Wednesday in Vienna, Austria. Rugova had not been expected to attend, but it was not immediately clear whether the meeting would go ahead as planned.

His death also leaves the province grappling with possible succession battles.

The head of parliament, Nexhat Daci, is expected to named acting president until the parliament chooses a new leader.

No other Kosova politician has been held in as much regard as Rugova. He won international respect through the peaceful nature of his opposition to Serb dominance.

21-01-06, 15:57	#7
Arb Anëtarësuar: 09-10-04 Vendndodhja: Little Dardania, NEW YORK Postime: 11,439	Ibrahim Rugova, President of Kosova, Dies at 61 By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: January 21, 2006 Filed at 7:43 a.m. ET Leonhard Foeger/Reuters Rugova seen at a news conference in Vienna, on October 14, 2003. PRISHTINE, Kosove (AP) -- Kosova President Ibrahim Rugova died Saturday, his spokesman said. The 61-year-old Rugova had been suffering from lung cancer. Rugova died in his residence in Prishtina at midday Saturday surrounded by his family, said Muhamet Hamiti. Rugova, who came to embody ethnic Albanians' struggle for independence from Serbia, was diagnosed with lung cancer last September. He had been a chain-smoker until he was diagnosed with the illness. Rugova had been at the forefront of ethnic Albanian demand for independence from Serbia since the early 1990s, when he started leading a nonviolent movement against the policies of Slobodan Milosevic, then president of Yugoslavia. His death comes at a sensitive time for the province, which is about to start negotiations on whether to become independent or remain part of Serbia. The ethnic Albanian majority want full independence, but Serbs want Kosovo to remain part of Serbia-Montenegro, the union that replaced Yugoslavia. The first formal U.N.-mediated talks between Kosovo and Serbia officials were expected Wednesday in Vienna, Austria. Rugova had not been expected to attend, but it was not immediately clear whether the meeting would go ahead as planned. His death also leaves the province grappling with possible succession battles. The head of parliament, Nexhat Daci, is expected to named acting president until the parliament chooses a new leader. No other Kosova politician has been held in as much regard as Rugova. He won international respect through the peaceful nature of his opposition to Serb dominance.