evidence: Serbia dissolves the Kosovo assembly. In response ethnic Albanian legislators in the province declare a republic. A secret referendum is held in which the Republic of Kosovo is created. Only Albania's Parliament recognizes this self-declared Republic. [...] In defiance of the Serbian authorities, ethnic Albanians elect writer Ibrahim Rugova as president of the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosova and set up a provincial assembly. Serbia declares the election to be illegal. The Kosovo Albanians begin non-violent resistance to the oppressive rule from Belgrade.