Former OSCE Ambassador, William Walker, visited Racak today, on the 21^st anniversary of the massacre committed in the village by the Serbian forces.

Walker, who had also awakened international attention to what was happening in Kosovo during the war, says today that he have the same experiences each time he visits Recak.

According to him, people should remember the events of the war in Kosovo, as what happened in Recak is the evidence of what happened throughout Kosovo.

“Each year I feel the same. I’m glad that each year more people come here to see what happened in this village, as this represents what happened throughout Kosovo. I’m somewhat familiar with Reçak, but hundreds of other massacres have also happened in Kosovo and I hope people will remember all,” he said.

As he said, each visit here fosters unpleasant memories.

“The massacre that took place here led to freedom and to the independence of Kosovo. However, each time I came here I remember January 15, 1999, when I was here, and I have bad memories. However I’m very pleased by the reception of the people for me,” he added.

Twenty one years ago, on January 15, 1999, 45 ethnic Albanian civilians were killed by Serbian security forces in the village of Recak, near the city of Shtimje, in central Kosovo. This massacre sparked international outrage and was one of the key factors that led to the NATO bombing campaign against Serbia. The campaign resulted in ending the bloody two-year war for Kosovo independence.