Rugova, Ibraim

Rugova, Ibraim (b. 2 Dec. 1944). Albanian leader Born in Cerce, he studied Albanian literature at the University of Priština, where he continued his studies up to postdoctoral level. In 1981 he was given a Chair at the Albanian Institute of the University of Priština, and in 1988 Rugova became the President of the Kosovan writers' association. In 1989 he co-founded the Kosovan Democratic League (KDL), which won the elections of 1992, even though these had not been recognized by the Serb authorities. Rugova now became President of a self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo, and propagated passive resistance against the oppression of the Serb police forces and army units. He was briefly imprisoned during the Kosovan War in 1999. He was greatly supported by the Allied powers, however, because of his relative moderation and his democratic credentials, in contrast to the leaders of the various Albanian rebel brigands. After the war, he became the head of a transitional governing council in a liberated Kosovo. In the municipal elections of 2000, the KDL was confirmed as the strongest political force in the province.