REFLECTION ON THE EVENTS OF 1981 AMONG ALBANIANS IN MACEDONIA
Minir ADEMI
Abstract
The 1981 protests marked a pivotal moment in the dramatic events of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY), occurring a year after the death of President Tito. These protests represented the initial step toward dismantling the foundations of the Avnoist federation, a process that ultimately culminated in the complete collapse of the Zhablak creation, led by the KLA. These events reverberated globally, generating significant media, political, diplomatic, and multilateral attention. Their impact extended not only within Kosovo but also across Albanian communities worldwide. In Albania, the dictatorial Enverian regime responded forcefully, issuing public denunciations of the Yugoslav Titoists.
Meanwhile, Albanians in the diaspora organized protests in front of embassies in powerful nations, raising awareness and drawing international attention to the Yugoslav reprisals against Albanians.In Kosovo, the federal government unleashed its full force, terrorizing the civilian population through violent measures such as mass arrests, deportations, political purges, job dismissals, and other harsh crackdowns. The Yugoslav regime dealt ruthlessly with dissent, targeting individuals during protests, tear gas escapes, and even military service. Anti-Albanian repression extended beyond Kosovo to other Albanian-populated regions, particularly Macedonia.
Key figures behind these actions included the two Lazars (Mojsov and Kolishevski), Krste Crvenkovski—a close ally of Ranković—and other Macedonian officials within the Yugoslav federation. Their main objective was to displace the Albanian population, initiating provocations such as closing Albanian high schools, demolishing homes, altering place names, and stripping Albanians of their right to use their national flag. In response, Albanians organized a series of protests, which were met with further arrests, injuries, and even fatalities.
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