Kosovo President Says He Has Lung Cancer, Raising Doubt Over Talks
By NICHOLAS WOOD
Published: September 6, 2005
The president of the United Nations-administered province of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova, said yesterday that he was suffering from lung cancer, putting in doubt his participation in negotiations on the future of the region scheduled to begin this fall.
Looking frail, the 61-year-old leader of Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority appeared on the three main regional TV stations at midday to announce that he has "localized lung cancer."
His appearance ended a week of speculation about his health, prompted by his flight to the United States military base in Landstuhl, Germany, for medical tests on Aug. 27. Despite the seriousness of the diagnosis, Mr. Rugova gave no indication that he planned to step down.
"The doctors found that my health is improving and they are optimistic on my recovery in the near future," he said, seated in a chair at his official residence and wearing his customary silk scarf.
The talks are expected to start as soon as next month. Ethnic Albanians hope they will lead to Kosovo's becoming an independent state.
Local analysts said Mr. Rugova's death or incapacitation would leave his party, the Democratic League of Kosovo, the largest Albanian political group in Kosovo, divided and without any obvious replacement as the talks started.
The United Nations is considering whether relations between the ethnic Albanians and the minority Serbs have improved sufficiently for the talks to take place.
The province has been administered by the United Nations since Yugoslav security forces, accused of committing widespread atrocities against Kosovo Albanians, were forced to withdraw from the region in June 1999. Kosovo is still officially a part of Serbia, although the Serbian government no longer exercises authority over it.
"I am convinced that with the help of God I will win this battle, too, and we will continue to work together even more strongly for the recognition of independence for our country," said Mr. Rugova. He thanked American and Albanian doctors for his treatment during the past week.
An official in his office said he was unable to give further details about Mr. Rugova's cancer or the length of treatment that would be required.
In case of Mr. Rugova's death, Kosovo law provides for the speaker of the parliament to take over until new elections are held, said Muhamet Hamiti, the president's spokesman. Mr. Rugova has remained the most popular ethnic Albanian political figure in the region. The Democratic League of Kosovo has won both general elections since Kosovo was placed under the control of the United Nations six years ago.
New York Times
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