ENVER HOXHA

The Anglo - American Threat to Albania

Memoirs of the National

Liberation

War

THE AT

INSTITUTE THE

OF

MARXIST-LENINIST COMMITTEE OF OF THE ALBANIA

STUDIES PARTY

CENTRAL

OF LABOUR

T H E 8 NNTORI P U B L I S H I N G HOUSE TIRANA 1982

THE ANGLO-AMERICAN THREAT TO ALBANIA is another book in the series of Comrade Enver Hoxha's memoirs from the time of the National Liberation War. It reflects events he lived through, his personal impressions, and gives conclusions, which provide lessons for all periods, drawn from the hostile activity carried out openly or behind the scenes, against our National Liberation Movement, our people's revolution and socialist Albania by the Anglo-American bourgeoisie. It brings out clearly the clash between the diabolical plans, attempts, manoeuvres and concrete activities of Anglo-American imperialism to put Albania under its sway, on the one hand, and the vigilance, the blow for blow struggle of the Communist Party of Albania and its General Secretary, the leader of the Army and the National Liberation Front and the whole patriotic Albanian people, Comrade Enver Hoxha, on the other hand, to discover, unmask, defeat and destroy the imperialist strategy and tactics in regard to Albania. These memoirs now being published, were written in 1975. The book is available in Albanian and several foreign languages.

I A LITTLE HISTORY
Albania a token for barter for the British Lion. Disraeli and Bismarck: We are not interested in a few Albanian cottages. Zog the open-door policy. Chamberlain and the fascist occupation of Albania. The anti-fascist coalition. Vigilance of the C P A . Intelligence Service prepares its contingents for Albania. Section D and the SOE. Alarm in London. New plans, old aims.

B o t h the i m p e r i a l g o v e r n m e n t s o f G r e a t B r i t a i n of past centuries a n d its r o y a l g o v e r n m e n t s in recent years h a v e a l w a y s been hostile to the A l b a n i a n people. T h e T o r i e s a n d the d i f f e r e n t p o l i t i c a l currents that k e p t the E m p i r e going, a n d the t w o parties, the T o r y P a r t y a n d the L a b o u r P a r t y , w h i c h h a v e t a k e n t u r n s i n r u n n i n g the c o u n t r y more recently, have a l w a y s regarded A l b a n i a as a t o k e n f o r b a r t e r in t h e i r countless 5

deals w i t h the other great p o w e r s to m a i n t a i n the w o r l d hegemony of the B r i t i s h L i o n . L i k e m a n y other countries, A l b a n i a has not been recognized by a n y of those d i f f e r e n t B r i t i s h governments w h i c h have safeguarded the d o m i nation of B r i t i s h c a p i t a l over the peoples a n d the w o r l d , as a state a n d a c o u n t r y w h i c h , t h r o u g h i n n u m e r a b l e efforts a n d sacrifices t h r o u g h the centuries, have fought against v a r i o u s invaders, to be free a n d sovereign, b u t on the c o n t r a r y , the inhabitants of this L a n d of the Eagles h a v e been considered a savage, b a r b a r o u s people, w i t h o u t culture, at a t i m e w h e n , despite t h e i r s m a l l n u m bers, these people have been i n d o m i t a b l e a n d no less c u l t u r e d t h a n the people of S c o t l a n d or Cornwall. It took a long t i m e before a f e w publicists, some occasional a m a t e u r scholar or great poet of the r o m a n t i c era, such as B y r o n , spread a little light among the B r i t i s h people about A l b a n i a a n d the A l b a n i a n s , about t h e i r culture, t h e i r strong a n d generous character, t h e i r h o s p i t a l i t y a n d kindness towards friends, as w e l l as about the stern, u n y i e l d i n g f i g h t i n g s p i r i t in the face of m a n y savage enemies w h i c h has a l w a y s characterized them. T h e e n s l a v i n g i m p e r i a l i s t colonial p o l i c y of B r i t a i n p r e v a i l e d over m a n y countries a n d peoples. B r i t a i n engaged in a thousand a n d one m a n o 6

euvres to get the riches of the w o r l d into its clutches, in order to fatten the lords a n d the barons a n d b u i l d u p the g l o r y a n d p o w e r o f the E m p i r e . B r i t a i n encroached on other countries, e x t e n d i n g its i n f l u e n c e l i k e a n o x i o u s w e e d . U n d e r the cloak of science, teams w e r e sent to discover A f r i c a , a n d w h e r e v e r t h e y went, the B r i t i s h scientists p l a n t e d the f l a g o f J o h n B u l l , a n d after t h e m came the lords w i t h t h e i r soldiers, w h o p u t d o w n the m u t i n y of the Sepoys ( 1 ) a n d occupied India, people l i k e K i t c h e n e r ( 2 ) , w h o e x t e r m i n a t e d the B o e r s w i t h f i r e a n d steel. Indeed L o r d B e a c o n s f i e l d (Disraeli) a n d Gladstone added the title of E m p r e s s of I n d i a to the other titles of Q u e e n V i c t o r i a . T h i s w a s colonialism, w h i c h p l u n d e r e d the f a b u l o u s riches of India, the rubies a n d emeralds of B u r m a a n d the d i a m o n d s of S o u t h A f r i c a , looted the gold of those countries a n d enslaved t h e i r peoples s p i r i tually, e c o n o m i c a l l y a n d p h y s i c a l l y . T h e i n h a b i tants of the countries w h i c h came u n d e r its yoke, B r i t a i n used as c a n n o n fodder f o r its o w n aims. I n the v a r i o u s c o l o n i a l w a r s w h i c h B r i t a i n w a g e d against other i m p e r i a l i s t powers, it p u t the I n d i a n detachments, the B e n g a l Lancers, the A f g h a n s a n d other oppressed peoples in the f r o n t
___________________________ 1 N a t i o n a l uprising in I n d i a (1857-1859) against the B r i t i s h overlords in w h i c h the I n d i a n peasants, craftsmen and especially soldiers (Sepoys), etc. took part. 2 H. Kitchener (1850-1916) British earl and field-marshal, w a r minister (1914-1916), savage colonizer of A f r i c a .

l i n e to deal the first b l o w f o r the benefit of t h e i r masters. A l l these colonial w a r s w e r e fought so t h a t the fields of E n g l a n d c o u l d be t u r n e d into golf courses for the lords, so that the food f o r the B r i t i s h Isles a n d a l l the r a w m a t e r i a l s f o r i n d u s t r y there w o u l d come f r o m these colonies a n d the e n t i r e E m p i r e o n w h i c h , a s K i p l i n g , that ardent supporter o f B r i t i s h e x p a n s i o n a n d c o l o n i a l i s m , the b a r d of this Empire and a u t h o r of the Jungle Books w r o t e , the s u n never sets. T h e l a w of the j u n g l e was a p p l i e d in this e m p i r e . E v e r y t h i n g h a d to serve it. T h e B r i t i s h bourgeoisie e v e n used D a r w i n ' s scientific t h e o r y to j u s t i f y the monstrous crimes it c o m m i t t e d . D i s t o r t i n g this theory, it i n v e n t e d social D a r w i n i s m to prove t h a t a bigger a n d m o r e p o w e r f u l people s h o u l d e l i m i n a t e or assimilate a s m a l l e r people, hence, it supported the r e a c t i o n a r y concept that the b i g f i s h eats the small. I n such conditions a n d w i t h s u c h methods B r i t a i n insinuated herself e v e r y w h e r e b y means of its Intelligence S e r v i c e (SIS), discovered o i l fields, captured P e r s i a a n d other countries, c o u n t e r e d the a m b i t i o n s of C z a r i s t R u s s i a , defended t h e O t t o m a n E m p i r e , a n d w h e n the latter t r u l y became the S i c k M a n o f the Bosporus, collaborated w i t h B i s m a r c k ' s G e r m a n y a t the Congress of B e r l i n in 1878, attacked the Peace 8

T r e a t y of S a n Stefano, jealously g u a r d e d the strategic positions of the M e d i t e r r a n e a n such as the Dardanelles, S u e z a n d G i b r a l t a r , g u a r d e d the P e r s i a n G u l f a n d m a d e herself the Q u e e n o f the Seas, the protagonist of the gunboat policy. It p r o v o k e d the F a s h o d a i n c i d e n t ( 1 ) and m a n y other s u c h things. W h e n B r i t a i n h a d become one o f the m a i n colonial powers, w h e n the B r i t i s h dukes w e r e w a l l o w i n g i n gold a n d the duchesses c o u l d b a r e l y support the w e i g h t of t h e i r d i a m o n d necklaces, d i a m o n d rings and d i a m o n d tiaras, w h a t i m p o r tance w o u l d they give to A l b a n i a a n d its heroic struggle f o r f r e e d o m a n d independence? A t e v e r y c r u c i a l m o m e n t o f o u r history, and especially w h e n the A l b a n i a n people w e r e f i g h t i n g heroically, a r m s i n h a n d , against the O t t o m a n E m p i r e , B r i t a i n a l w a y s took the side of T u r k e y . A t the Congress o f B e r l i n , the P r i m e M i n i s t e r o f B r i t a i n , Q u e e n V i c t o r i a ' s favourite, L o r d Beaconsfield, who, w h e n he returned to L o n d o n from B e r l i n , made the pompous d e c l a r a t i o n that he h a d b r o u g h t peace w i t h honour, a n d the C h a n c e l l o r of G e r m a n y , P r i n c e B i s m a r c k , the f o u n d e r of
_______________________________ 1 In September 1898, the B r i t i s h army, a i m i n g to occupy the w h o l e of the N i l e V a l l e y , threatened the F r e n c h army at Fashoda, the Sudan, and demanded its immediate evacuation of that inhabited centre. In M a r c h 1899, the B r i t i s h and F r e n c h governments reached agreement that B r i t a i n would hold the N i l e V a l l e y and F r a n c e the western regions of the Sudan.

the Second R e i c h , d i d not even d e i g n to listen to the A l b a n i a n delegation w h i c h the A l b a n i a n L e a gue of P r i z r e n ( 1 ) h a d sent to B e r l i n to d e m a n d and defend the rights of our people. At those d i f f i c u l t moments, w h e n our l o n g - s u f f e r i n g people h a d taken up arms in the i n s u r r e c t i o n against the T u r k s and the S e r b i a n c h a u v i n i s t r u n n i n g - d o g s in the service of imperialists, to oppose the p a r t i t i o n i n g of our H o m e l a n d amongst the Serbs, Montenegrins, T u r k s a n d others, t o w i n their autonomy, B i s m a r c k a n d D i s r a e l i d i s d a i n f u l l y told our glorious forebears: W e are not interested in a few A l b a n i a n cottages. L a t e r the delegates of o u r people, I s m a i l Q e m a l i and Isa B o l e t i n i , w e n t to L o n d o n a n d demanded of the F o r e i g n Secretary, E d w a r d G r e y , that A l b a n i a s h o u l d be defended. W e shall not a l l o w y o u to p a r t i t i o n A l b a n i a . our great diplomat Ismail Q e m a l i t o l d h i m . W e s h a l l take up arms a n d fight, as we have a l w a y s done. T h e B r i t i s h minister t u r n e d a deaf ear.
________________________________ 1 On the eve of the Congress of B e r l i n , w h i c h was to revise the decisions of the Treaty of San Stefano, delegates f r o m a l l the A l b a n i a n regions gathered in the t o w n of P r i z r e n on J u n e 10, 1878, and decided to form a p o l i t i c a l and m i l i t a r y union w h i c h took the name The A l b a n i a n League of Prizren and fought for self-government, national unity and for the defence of the territorial integrity of A l b a n i a w h i c h was threatened by the chauvinist ambitions of the neighbouring states.

10

L a t e r a t Versailles, L l o y d George w i t h his h e n c h m e n , a c t i n g l i k e his predecessors i n L o n d o n , p a r t i t i o n e d A l b a n i a a n d so, our parents were, as always, obliged to take up arms to fight the invaders o f our c o u n t r y . A f t e r the F i r s t W o r l d W a r , too, the B r i t i s h took the lead i n i n t r i g u i n g against o u r c o u n t r y , m e d d l i n g i n our a f f a i r s and i n f i l t r a t i n g the spies of t h e i r Intelligence S e r v i c e into A l b a n i a . T h e y w e r e u n a b l e to change the direction o f the V l o r a u p r i s i n g i n 1920 w h i c h drove the I t a l i a n occupation troops into the sea. T h e B r i t i s h Intelligence Service, together w i t h E y r e s , the m i n i s t e r o f G r e a t B r i t a i n i n A l b a nia, d i d e v e r y t h i n g in its p o w e r to w e a k e n the D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n m e n t o f F a n N o l i i n 1924 a n d to secure f r o m it the concession over the o i l at Patos, A r d e n i c a a n d elsewhere. T h e s e l f - p r o c l a i m e d K i n g o f the A l b a n i a n s , A h m e t Zog, w h o came t o p o w e r w i t h the a i d o f imperialists, p u r s u e d a n open-door p o l i c y w i t h G r e a t B r i t a i n a n d the U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a , as w i t h m a n y other countries, a n d signed treaties and agreements w i t h t h e m . T h e aims of these t w o i m p e r i a l i s t states w e r e to get possession of our coastline w h i c h d o m i n a t e s the S t r a i g h t s of O t r a n t o , to t r a n s f o r m A l b a n i a into a bridgehead f o r penet r a t i o n into the B a l k a n s , to exploit our n a t u r a l riches, etc. Z o g g r a n t e d these states most f a v o u r e d nation status, a n d this greatly facilitated the penetration o f t h e i r c a p i t a l into A l b a n i a . H e w e n t 11

even f u r t h e r i n this d i r e c t i o n b y g r a n t i n g the A n g l o - P e r s i a n O i l C o m p a n y a l m o s t a complete m o n o p o l y for the e x p l o i t a t i o n o f o i l i n A l b a n i a a n d c o n c l u d i n g a p r o v i s i o n a l trade agreement w i t h B r i t a i n , w h i c h i n 1931 w a s replaced w i t h a n a v i gation a n d c o m m e r c i a l t r e a t y on the basis of reciprocity a n d the most f a v o u r e d n a t i o n clause. As to w h a t r e c i p r o c i t y this i m p l i e d , it is sufficient t o m e n t i o n that i n 1932, A l b a n i a i m p o r t ed f r o m B r i t a i n goods to a v a l u e of 1,586,200 g o l d francs a n d e x p o r t e d goods w o r t h a s u m of o n l y 6,665 gold francs to B r i t a i n . T h e B r i t i s h m i n i s t e r i n A l b a n i a , S i r R o b e r t H o d g s o n , w h o became Zog's i n t i m a t e adviser in the 30's, f a i t h f u l l y c a r r i e d out the a n t i - A l b a n i a n p o l i c y of his g o v e r n ment. T h r o u g h its officers, P e r c y , S t i r l i n g , H i l l , C r i p p s a n d others seconded to Zog, B r i t i s h i m p e r i a l i s m , together w i t h Zog, k e p t the club, the p r i son a n d the hangman's noose ready to suppress any m o v e m e n t o f the A l b a n i a n people. W i t h t h e aid of its friends, as w e l l as t h r o u g h the i n t e r v e n t i o n of the B r i t i s h , w h e n they reached agreement w i t h the Italians over the d i v i s i o n of t h e i r spheres of influence, M u s s o l i n i ' s Italy secured the concession over the A l b a n i a n oil w h i c h was i n the hands o f the A n g l o - P e r s i a n O i l C o m p a n y . A s i m i l a r situation existed in Zog's relations w i t h the U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a also. H e gave legislative endorsement to the letter sent by the A l b a n i a n g o v e r n m e n t i n J u n e 1922 t o the g o v e r n 12

m e n t o f the U S A t h r o u g h w h i c h the U S A was g r a n t e d most f a v o u r e d n a t i o n status, hence in practice was g i v e n the keys to A l b a n i a . T h i s was one of the most d i s g r a c e f u l documents, one of the most dangerous to the independence of o u r country. F o r its part, the U S A n e v e r g r a n t e d A l b a n i a most f a v o u r e d n a t i o n rights. Six months after c o m i n g to power, Z o g leased 51,000 hectares o f l a n d t o the S t a n d a r d O i l C o m p a n y o f N e w Y o r k f o r t w o years, f o r 30,000 dollars a n d reduced customs tariffs o n A m e r i c a n imports. A p a r t f r o m this, Z o g also opened the doors to agents of the A m e r i c a n espionage service w h o came as missionaries, l i k e K e n n e d y , as p h i l a n thropists a n d educators, l i k e E r i k s o n a n d H a r r y F u l t z . T h e latter became d i r e c t o r of the T e c h n i c a l S c h o o l i n T i r a n a a n d w a s a n i m p o r t a n t cadre i n the A m e r i c a n intelligence service. A l l these people a n d others not o n l y gathered i n f o r m a t i o n , b u t as was p r o v e d later w i t h the sabotage i n M a l i q a n d K u o v a (today S t a l i n C i t y ) , a n d the t r i a l o f the t r a i t o r deputies, etc., t h e y h a d p r e p a r e d t h e i r agents w h o w o u l d w o r k i n the f u t u r e , openly o r u n d e r cover, against the A l b a n i a n people a n d the people's state p o w e r w h i c h t h e y w o u l d set u p . The Anglo-American imperialists, those savage a n d d e t e r m i n e d enemies of the A l b a n i a n people, have a l w a y s used o u r c o u n t r y as a means of exchange in t h e i r i n t e r n a t i o n a l transactions. W h e n the despotic b r i g a n d , Zog, was i n power, 13

they t r i e d to m a k e A l b a n i a d i r e c t l y dependent on them, politically, economically a n d m i l i t a r i l y , b u t r a n up against the c o m p e t i t i o n of other capitalist countries, especially fascist Italy. In the 30's, because of the general crisis in the capitalist w o r l d and the d i v i s i o n of the spheres of i n f l u e n c e amongst the great i m p e r i a l i s t powers, a n d espec i a l l y as a result of the massive p e n e t r a t i o n of Italian capital into A l b a n i a , the economic l i n k s o f A l b a n i a w i t h G r e a t B r i t a i n a n d the U n i t e d States w e r e w e a k e n e d . Z o g became a direct tool of Italian fascism a n d t h r e w the doors w i d e open for its colonization o f A l b a n i a w h i c h led l a t e r to its occupation. H o w e v e r , t i m e w a s to p r o v e that the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s n e v e r r e l i n q u i s h e d t h e i r o w n ambitions t o w a r d s our c o u n t r y , a l t h o u g h they a l l o w e d Italy t o operate f r e e l y i n A l b a n i a , n a t u r a l l y f o r definite aims. Nevertheless, the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t w a s pleased to see that Z o g was b e c o m i n g a l a c k e y and agent of M u s s o l i n i . B r i t a i n w a n t e d Italy to occupy A l b a n i a , because it p l a n n e d to set I t a l i a n fascism a n d G e r m a n nazism, w h i c h i t w a s f i n a n c i n g , l i k e dogs to attack the Soviet U n i o n . P r o o f that this p l a n existed can be seen in the i n d i f f e r e n t attitude of C h a m b e r l a i n w h e n M u s s o l i n i ' s Italy attacked o u r c o u n t r y o n A p r i l 7, 1939. C h a m b e r l a i n , w h o k n e w in advance w h a t was g o i n g to occur, w e n t f i s h i n g that day. T h i s was the same C h a m b e r l a i n w h o h a d a p p r o v e d the 14

Anschluss, w h o h a d signed the M u n i c h A g r e e ment selling out C z e c h o s l o v a k i a , and finally handed over the keys of the defence of the E m p i r e to C h u r c h i l l . T h e statement w h i c h the British prime m i n i s t e r m a d e i n the House o f C o m m o n s o n A p r i l 6, that G r e a t B r i t a i n h a d no direct interests in A l b a n i a , gave M u s s o l i n i a free h a n d to c a r r y out his plans t o w a r d s o u r c o u n t r y . T h i s stand b y B r i t a i n was greatly in f a v o u r of Italy because it gave legal sanction to its special interests in Albania. On the day of the i n v a s i o n of A l b a n i a by the Italian blackshirts, M u s s o l i n i sent a t e l e g r a m to his colleague i n B r i t a i n , C h a m b e r l a i n , i n w h i c h h e w r o t e that the events i n connection w i t h A l b a n i a w o u l d not affect relations b e t w e e n t h e i r t w o countries and w o u l d h a v e no repercussions on the status quo i n E u r o p e a n d the w o r l d . T h i s o c c u r r e d one year after the t i m e w h e n , in the context of their i m p e r i a l i s t r i v a l r y , w i t h w a r i m m i n e n t , a n agreement h a d been signed b e t w e e n G r e a t B r i t a i n and Italy on the m a i n t e n a n c e of the status quo i n the M e d i t e r r a n e a n . B u t w h a t was the w o r t h of such an agreement b e t w e e n i m p e r i a l i s t w o l v e s ! H i s t o r y provides m a n y examples w h i c h s h o w that agreements a n d treaties b e t w e e n i m p e r i a l i s t powers are expedients, compromises to reconcile t h e m f o r a certain time, but w h i c h are violated as 15

soon as the s i t u a t i o n changes a n d other interests dictate. I m m e d i a t e l y after the aggression against A l b a n i a , the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t made a deal w i t h Italy to the d e t r i m e n t of the A l b a n i a n people. In r e t u r n f o r the w i t h d r a w a l o f I t a l i a n troops f r o m S p a i n a n d a guarantee of the independence of Greece, G r e a t B r i t a i n recognized the fascist o c c u pation of A l b a n i a . It is unnecessary to d w e l l at l e n g t h on h o w the S e c o n d W o r l d W a r developed, b u t I t h i n k it necessary to m e n t i o n c e r t a i n k e y m o m e n t s to give a better u n d e r s t a n d i n g of the a c t i v i t y of the B r i t i s h missions in A l b a n i a at the t i m e of the National Liberation War. It is k n o w n that the efforts of B r i t a i n u n d e r C h a m b e r l a i n a n d F r a n c e u n d e r D a l a d i e r allegedly to appease H i t l e r a n d reduce his appetite f o r l i v i n g space w e r e i n v a i n . T h e M u n i c h C o n f e rence a n d the worthless d o c u m e n t that emerged f r o m it, w h i c h C h a m b e r l a i n w a v e d before the B r i t i s h people w h e n he came off the a i r c r a f t as a n historic document w h i c h allegedly m e a n t peace in our time, was n o t h i n g b u t the w h i t e f l a g o f surrender w h i c h B r i t a i n w a v e d before the n a z i aggressor. T h e hopes of the B r i t i s h a n d F r e n c h b o u r geoisie w e r e that the H i t l e r i t e w a r m a c h i n e w o u l d be t u r n e d against the Soviet U n i o n a n d they d i d 16

e v e r y t h i n g i n t h e i r p o w e r t o urge H i t l e r i n this direction. B r i t a i n i n t e n d e d t o k i l l t w o b i r d s w i t h one stone: b o t h the S o v i e t U n i o n a n d the T h i r d R e i c h . H o w e v e r , things d i d not t u r n out a s L o n d o n intended. Bourgeois F r a n c e refused the d e m a n d of the Soviet U n i o n that C z e c h o s l o v a k i a s h o u l d b e d e f e n ded w i t h a r m s a c c o r d i n g to the e x i s t i n g treaties. F a c e d w i t h the threat o f H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y , S t a l i n proposed t o B r i t a i n a n d F r a n c e that t h e y s h o u l d f o r m a j o i n t front, b u t these t w o capitalist p o w e r s scorned this proposal, w h i c h c o u l d have saved the situation, because, as I p o i n t e d out above, t h e y hoped that H i t l e r w o u l d attack the S o v i e t U n i o n . T h i s b e i n g the case, the Soviet U n i o n signed a non-aggression pact w i t h G e r m a n y . T h i s w a s a necessary pact w h i c h gave it t i m e to m a k e f u r t h e r preparations f o r defence. H i t l e r ' s w a r took a d i r e c t i o n d i f f e r e n t f r o m w h a t the B r i t i s h a n d F r e n c h i m p e r i a l i s t s i n t e n d ed, because, after the attack on P o l a n d a n d its occupation, h e t u r n e d o n F r a n c e w h i c h capitulated almost w i t h o u t fight. G e r m a n y w a s p r e p a r i n g t o attack B r i t a i n , too, w h i c h r e m a i n e d alone i n the w a r against H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y . T h e latter sized u p its strength, especially its a i r a n d n a v a l forces, and v i o l a t i n g the non-aggression pact, t u r n e d a n d launched a f u r i o u s a n d p e r f i d i o u s attack on the l a n d of the Soviets. 17

U n d e r the conditions i n w h i c h H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y was getting a l l the capitalist countries of E u r o p e into its clutches a n d the B r i t i s h Isles themselves were u n d e r i m m i n e n t threat, w h e n the B r i t i s h colonies a n d the A m e r i c a n possessions i n the P a c i f i c w e r e f a l l i n g one after another into the hands of m i l i t a r i s t J a p a n , f o r fear of the dangerous proportions w h i c h the H i t l e r i t e b l i t z krieg had assumed, f o r f e a r t h a t if the S o v i e t U n i o n were defeated, too, G e r m a n y w o u l d emerge more p o w e r f u l a n d i t w o u l d become even m o r e d i f f i c u l t to w i t h s t a n d its attacks, the i m p e r i a l i s t chiefs considered that the need h a d arisen to balance forces, therefore, B r i t a i n a n d l a t e r the U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a , w e r e o b l i g e d t o t u r n to the Soviet U n i o n f o r a c o m m o n f i g h t against fascism, but seriously this time. In this w a y , the anti-fascist A n g l o - S o v i e t - A m e r i c a n C o a l i t i o n was created against the n a z i plague, w h i c h attacked a n d occupied Y u g o s l a v i a a n d Greece as w e l l . M e a n w h i l e the A l b a n i a n people h a d risen t o f i g h t fascist Italy w h i c h had a l r e a d y attacked a n d o c c u p i e d our country. In their Anti-fascist National Liberation W a r the A l b a n i a n people w e r e not alone. L i n e d u p beside t h e m n o w w e r e the Soviet U n i o n , headed by S t a l i n , in the first place, a n d a l l the peoples o f the w o r l d w h o w e r e f i g h t i n g fascism, i n c l u d i n g the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n peoples. W e w e r e p a r t i 18

cipants in the great A n t i - f a s c i s t C o a l i t i o n , in the alliance between the Soviet U n i o n , the U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a a n d G r e a t B r i t a i n . W e h a d t o consider this alliance u s e f u l a n d necessary, a n d support it f o r the d e s t r u c t i o n of the n a z i beast, and therefore we e x p l a i n e d its i m p o r t a n c e to the P a r t y a n d the people. In our assessment of this alliance we h a d to be neither sectarian n o r l i b e r a l , b u t w h i l e consideri n g it f r u i t f u l in the context of the f i g h t against n a z i s m , it was necessary that we s h o u l d n e v e r forget w h a t the governments of the U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a a n d G r e a t B r i t a i n represented f o r o u r people, that we s h o u l d n e v e r forget their savage nature as capitalists a n d colonialist oppressors, that we should n e v e r forget the countless w o u n d s they h a d i n f l i c t e d on the b o d y of o u r H o m e l a n d . W e h a d t o p u t our trust i n our P a r t y , o u r people, our rifles, i n the S o v i e t U n i o n a n d S t a l i n . W e h a d t o f i g h t t o w i n our f r e e d o m w i t h sacrifice a n d bloodshed, a n d w e m u s t n e v e r a l l o w f o r e i g n e n emies to gamble w i t h the fate of o u r c o u n t r y a n d our people as in the past. In one of his speeches C h u r c h i l l l a u n c h e d the slogan: Set E u r o p e ablaze. In l a u n c h i n g this slogan, he h a d t w o a i m s : first, G e r m a n fascism was to be fought by the peoples, assisted w i t h arms a n d m i l i t a r y missions, a n d second, these missions, w h e r e v e r they w e r e sent, w e r e to o r g a 19

nize p r o - B r i t i s h reaction a n d f i g h t the c o m m u n i s t parties a n d the n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n fronts w h i c h w e r e led b y these parties. I n other w o r d s , w h i l e he declared Set E u r o p e ablaze, his r e a l a i m w a s t o e x t i n g u i s h the f i r e that h a d been k i n d l e d a n d ensure that the missions sent e v e r y w h e r e achieve those objectives w h i c h the W a r O f f i c e , the F o r e i g n O f f i c e a n d the Intelligence S e r v i c e dictated to t h e m . H e w a n t e d t h e peoples a n d the c o m m u n ists to be w e a k e n e d by the w a r a n d reaction to emerge f r o m it strong, hence, the f i g w a s to r i p e n a n d f a l l into the m o u t h o f the B r i t i s h . T h e reader w i l l a l l o w me to present a v e r y short h i s t o r y of the plans w h i c h w e r e concocted i n L o n d o n against o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r before the B r i t i s h missions came to A l b a n i a . I n October 1939, w i t h the a i m o f s e c u r i n g f i r s t - h a n d i n f o r m a t i o n about the s i t u a t i o n i n o u r c o u n t r y , the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t appointed a c o n sul-general based i n D u r r s . H o w e v e r , L o n d o n was not content w i t h this act alone w h i c h , in fact, was recognition of the n e w status of A l b a n i a . In the s p r i n g of 1940, it asked the people of its secret i n f o r m a t i o n service in B e l g r a d e to p r e p a r e a report about the development o f events i n A l b a n i a a n d o r d e r e d the creation of an office f o r A l b a n i a u n d e r Section D . J u l i a n A m e r y , w h o u p t i l l t h a t t i m e h a d been press a n d p r o p a g a n d a secreta r y i n the B r i t i s h L e g a t i o n i n Y u g o s l a v i a , w a s 20

charged w i t h this task. H e p r e p a r e d this report w i t h the help o f G a n i a n d Seit K r y e z i u , degenerate elements of the f e u d a l K r y e z i u f a m i l y of K o s o v a , inveterate spies w h o h a d f r e q u e n t l y changed t h e i r bosses a n d n o w placed t h e m selves in the service of the B r i t i s h . S i m i l a r sections f o r A l b a n i a w e r e established i n A t h e n s w i t h the l o n g - t e r m B r i t i s h agent, M r s . H a s l u c k as adviser, a n d in C a i r o , attached to the A l l i e d Headquarters, w i t h M a j o r C r i p p s , a f o r m e r instructor of Zog's gendarmerie, as its chief. Thus, the B r i t i s h Intelligence S e r v i c e created its n e t w o r k all a r o u n d A l b a n i a a n d was p r e p a r i n g to send its agents here. T h e office f o r A l b a n i a , S e c t i o n D, made direct contact w i t h v a r i o u s elements, A l b a n i a n emigrants, old f r i e n d s o f B r i t a i n , m o n a r c h ists, republicans, l i b e r a l intellectuals, etc. w h o l i v e d i n Y u g o s l a v i a , gathered t h e m r o u n d itself a n d created a k i n d of o r g a n i z a t i o n , the socalled U n i t e d F r o n t w i t h a l l these elements w h o dreamed of a repetition of 1924, w h e n e x t e r n a l and i n t e r n a l reaction o r g a n i z e d Zog's r e t u r n to Albania. A t this time, after h a v i n g s l u n k f r o m one capital of E u r o p e to another, l i k e a thief w i t h his stolen gold, Z o g a r r i v e d i n L o n d o n w i t h a l l his suite. T h e B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t r e g a r d e d h i m as a valueless c a r d , because he h a d been discredited, d i d not e n j o y the s y m p a t h y o f the A l b a n i a n people and h a d n o p a r t y i n support o f h i m i n the 21

c o u n t r y . Its consul-general i n D u r r s h a d i n f o r m e d it of this fact. Therefore, it w a n t e d to e x p e l Z o g f r o m B r i t a i n , b u t sensing the danger, Z o g i n f o r m e d the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t that it was his i n t e n t i o n to place himself at the head of the A l b a nians abroad in the service of the a l l i e d m i l i t a r y plans. A f t e r this, the F o r e i g n O f f i c e changed its m i n d . I t a l l o w e d h i m t o stay i n E n g l a n d o n c o n d i tion that he d i d not engage in p o l i t i c a l a c t i v i t y w i t h o u t its permission. P o s s i b l y the chests of gold w h i c h Zog had w i t h h i m m a y have played their part i n this change o f m i n d i n the F o r e i g n O f f i c e . In a n y case, the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t reserved the r i g h t to use Z o g as a c a r d to be p l a y e d if some f a v o u r a b l e o p p o r t u n i t y presented itself. It c o n sidered that Z o g m i g h t serve as a f i g u r e r o u n d w h o m to gather v a r i o u s elements to be used f o r its o w n interests i f G e r m a n n a z i s m w e r e defeated a n d f a v o u r a b l e conditions created as in the past. F o r the time being, h o w e v e r , the B r i t i s h c o u l d not use h i m . T h e y h a d t o w o r k u n d e r cover w i t h someone else to reach the point w h e r e he c o u l d b e used. A p a r t f r o m the K r y e z i u s , the B r i t i s h h a d t h e i r eyes o n A b a z K u p i , w h o w a s against the Italians a n d p r o - Z o g , as a suitable person w i t h w h o m t o manoeuvre. T o t h i s end, L o n d o n o r dered S e c t i o n D i n B e l g r a d e , w h i c h w a s n o w called the S p e c i a l Operations E x e c u t i v e (SOE), to m a k e contact w i t h h i m . A m e r y w e n t t o I s t a n b u l a n d together w i t h S t i r l i n g , another f o r m e r i n s t r u c 22

tor of Zog's gendarmerie, w h o was n o w operating i n T u r k e y , met A b a z K u p i . A f t e r a l i t t l e b a r g a i n ing, A m e r y left w i t h h i m f o r Y u g o s l a v i a w h e n c e , w i t h m a n y other patriots a n d politicians, A b a z K u p i was t o b e smuggled into A l b a n i a i n order to organize Zog's f o r m e r officers, bajraktars* a n d others, in the w a r against the o c c u p iers! M e a n w h i l e Zog, a f r a i d that he m i g h t be expelled, a n d not b e i n g i n f o r m e d of the plans w h i c h w e r e being hatched up, proposed to L o n d o n , as a proof of his l o y a l t y to the allies, that he should open a f i g h t i n g f r o n t f r o m S a l o n i c a , at the head o f the A l b a n i a n s w h o w e r e i n I s t a n b u l . A f r a i d of a p o l i t i c a l c o n f r o n t a t i o n w i t h Greece, the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t sought the a p p r o v a l of the G r e e k g o v e r n m e n t . T h e G r e e k p r i m e m i n i s ter M e t a x a s refused a n d torpedoed Zog's p l a n . Thus, Zog, that servile l a c k e y of G r e a t B r i t a i n , remained i n cold storage. I n the S O E o f B e l g r a d e matters w e r e proceeding more r a p i d l y t h a n before. M a n y elements h a d been gathered a r o u n d it, i n c l u d i n g , a p a r t f r o m the K r y e z i u brothers a n d A b a z K u p i , M u h a r r e m B a j r a k t a r i , X h e m a l H e r r i a n d others. M o s t o f t h e m were supporters of Z o g . O n e f i n e d a y even the communist M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i t u r n e d u p a t the S O E and his presence was a m a t t e r of great rejoic__________________________ * C l a n chiefs (Alb.).

23

i n g f o r the B r i t i s h . O a k l e y - H i l l , w h o f o r eight years on end h a d been in A l b a n i a as organizer of Zog's gendarmerie, w a s n o w r u n n i n g the office f o r A l b a n i a u n d e r the S O E i n B e l g r a d e . C o n s i d e r i n g the s i t u a t i o n suitable f o r o p e r a tions i n A l b a n i a , H i l l entered A l b a n i a i n A p r i l 1941, at the head of a s m a l l force c o m p r i s e d of elements w h i c h h e h a d gathered together a n d financed. A l l t h i s w a s done allegedly t o save A l b a n i a f r o m the I t a l i a n fascists, but, i n fact, was a i m e d to create the conditions in w h i c h o u r c o u n t r y w o u l d enter the sphere o f B r i t i s h i n f l u ence in the f u t u r e a n d to a v o i d the creation of a n y other resistance centre outside B r i t i s h control, w h i c h m i g h t f i g h t the occupiers a n d e l i m i n a t e the i n f l u e n c e o f G r e a t B r i t a i n . H o w e v e r , i n the d i f f i cult situation w h i c h w a s created, especially w i t h the G e r m a n i n v a s i o n of Y u g o s l a v i a , the a r m y of w h i c h resisted no m o r e t h a n a week, the p l a n of L t . - C o l . H i l l w a s foiled. T h i s c o m p e l l e d h i m t o gather together the heads of the s m a l l force w i t h w h i c h h e h a d entered A l b a n i a f o r the last t i m e in T r o p o j a a n d charge each of t h e m w i t h a special task: G a n i K r y e z i u was t o operate i n K o s o v a , A b a z K u p i w a s to go to K r u j a , close to the g o v e r n m e n t i n T i r a n a , w h i l e M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i w a s t o enter the r a n k s o f the A l b a n i a n c o m m u n i s t leaders. F o r the t i m e being, t h e i r task was to f i g h t u n d e r the disguise of ardent patriotism, and as soon as 24

the conditions w e r e ripe, they w e r e to come out in the open l i k e snails after a shower. W h i l e these patriots, each w i t h a bag of gold sovereigns, dispersed w i t h i n A l b a n i a , the B r i t i s h officer r e t u r n e d to B e l g r a d e w h e r e he surrendered w i t h h o n o u r t o the G e r m a n s and, t h r o u g h the m e d i a t i o n o f the A m e r i c a n legation in Y u g o s l a v i a , a l i t t l e w h i l e later r e t u r n e d safe and sound to L o n d o n . T h e resistance a n d a r m e d struggle of our people against the fascist occupiers, w h i c h began on A p r i l 7, 1939, c o n t i n u e d u n i n t e r r u p t e d l y a n d w a s f u r t h e r e x t e n d e d a n d strengthened, especially after the f o r m a t i o n of the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of A l b a n i a on N o v e m b e r 8, 1941. A f t e r this historic date, t h e fight of the A l b a n i a n people entered a n e w phase, i n w h i c h i t w a s fiercer, w e l l o r g a n i z e d a n d b e c o m i n g devastating f o r the occupiers, quislings a n d traitors. T h i s aroused concern in the bourgeois world. D u r i n g 1942 the F o r e i g n O f f i c e displayed greater interest in the A l b a n i a n question. It h a d heard that the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a h a d been f o r m e d . At the e n d of 1942, its interest t u r n e d to a l a r m , especially w h e n it received the n e w s that the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a h a d o r g a nized the C o n f e r e n c e of P e z a , w a s l e a d i n g the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t a n d that the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t was a s s u m i n g w i d e p r o p o r tions. A n d a l l these things h a d o c c u r r e d after 25

C h u r c h i l l ' s statement that H i s M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n ment, have the cause of A l b a n i a v e r y m u c h at heart. The a l a r m w a s sounded. T h e S O E i n Ist a n b u l proposed that a n A l b a n i a n g o v e r n m e n t should be created w i t h the a i d of the B r i t i s h ; the S O E insisted that G a n i B e y K r y e z i u a n d M e h m e t K o n i c a should be i n c l u d e d in this g o v e r n m e n t . A letter was sent t o M u h a r r e m B a j r a k t a r i t h r o u g h M i h a j l o v i c , w i t h w h o m h e collaborated, i n w h i c h he was told, It is up to y o u to l e a d the w a r , a n d he was assured that Z o g w a s not g o i n g to return to Albania. Events were moving rapidly. In November 1942 the allies l a n d e d i n N o r t h A f r i c a . O n D e c e m b e r 17, the B r i t i s h f o r e i g n secretary m a d e a statem e n t in the House of C o m m o n s , w h i c h h a d been a p p r o v e d by the W a r C a b i n e t at the b e g i n n i n g of December, in w h i c h he spoke of the desire of the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t that A l b a n i a s h o u l d b e liberated, its independence re-established a n d the question of its borders e x a m i n e d at the Peace Conference. The Soviet g o v e r n m e n t also made a statement in w h i c h it expressed its sincere desire f o r the l i b e r a t i o n of A l b a n i a a n d the re-establishm e n t of its independence a n d spoke in terms of a d m i r a t i o n about our f i g h t against the occupiers. T h e g o v e r n m e n t of the U S A also made a statem e n t on this question. U n d o u b t e d l y these statements w e r e m o r a l - p o l i t i c a l support f o r o u r N a t i o 26

n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r , p r o m i s e d the independence o f the c o u n t r y w h e n the w a r w a s over a n d helped to strengthen the i n t e r n a t i o n a l position of A l b a n i a at a time w h e n a l l the peoples h a d r i s e n to their feet to fight fascism a n d n a z i s m . The revolutionary situation in Albania aroused debates a m o n g the circles in L o n d o n w h i c h were involved w i t h A l b a n i a . However, their hearts w e r e w a r m e d a n d t h e i r hopes raised by the fact that their friends, A b a z K u p i a n d M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , h a d managed, in the m e a n t i m e , to enter the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , w h i l e outside this F r o n t , and as a c o u n t e r - w e i g h t to it, an o r g a n i zation had been created w h i c h called itself the B a l l i K o m b t a r , at the head of w h i c h w e r e people k n o w n to the B r i t i s h Intelligence S e r v i c e feudal lords, big l a n d o w n e r s a n d merchants, b a j r a k t a r s , bourgeois intellectuals, senior clergy a n d other s w o r n enemies of the communists. In these circumstances, B r i t a i n decided to dispatch its m i l i t a r y missions to A l b a n i a . T h e i r purpose w o u l d be to sound out the situation on the spot, to give t h e i r centre accurate i n f o r m a t i o n about w h i c h w a y the w i n d w a s b l o w i n g , t o l e a r n w h a t the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t r e a l l y was, t o establish l i n k s w i t h the B a l l i K o m b t a r , to assist the friends sent in by t h e S O E , a n d most important, to do t h e i r utmost to ensure, under the disguise of aid, that the people's 27

r e v o l u t i o n w o u l d f a i l , both i n A l b a n i a a n d e v e r y w h e r e else. These w e r e the m a i n aims w i t h w h i c h t h e B r i t i s h missions w e r e sent to A l b a n i a , some of t h e m t h r o u g h Greece a n d others b y a i r . In these reminiscences of m i n e I am r e v e a l i n g precisely the u n d e r h a n d struggle w h i c h these m i s sions waged, a l t h o u g h they h a d no success, b e cause our P a r t y a n d people f o i l e d t h e i r e v e r y a c t i o n a n d p l a n . W e c o u l d not a l l o w the b i t t e r history of the past to be repeated, a n d it w a s not repeated. O u r P a r t y a n d people defeated the I t a l i a n fascists a n d the G e r m a n nazis w i t h the rifle, w h i l e defeating Anglo-American imperialism with heroic resistance a n d resolute a n d i n t e l l i g e n t diplomacy, w h i c h w a s i n s p i r e d b y M a r x i s m L e n i n i s m a n d based on the great experience of t h e people and t h e i r great leaders t h r o u g h the ages.

28

II A N U N I N V I T E D M I L I T A R Y MISSION

Extension of our National Liberation Movement. Manoeuvres of reaction. The first British military mission in Albania McLean. The partisan zones are not inns with open doors. Empty promises. The trips of British officers seeking friends. Reaction enlivened. McLean's urgent request for a meeting a general will come to head the mission. Where is your centre, Major? Measures to paralyze the diabolical plans of the British War Office.

T h e P a r t y a n d the A l b a n i a n people w e r e w a g i n g not o n l y a fierce w a r against the I t a l i a n occupiers a n d the quislings, but also a s h a r p p o l i tical struggle against the B a l l i K o m b t a r . A l l over the c o u n t r y p a r t i s a n etas a n d battalions h a d been created and w e r e a t t a c k i n g the I t a l i a n a r m y o n the roads, i n the b a r r a c k s a n d e v e r y w h e r e . T h e p a r tisans w e r e a r m i n g themselves in the course of the 29

fight b y d i s a r m i n g the gendarmes i n the q u i s l i n g posts e v e r y w h e r e . O u r w a r h a d developed b e y o n d the phase of g u e r r i l l a actions in the cities, a l t h o u g h these never ceased even w h e n the a r m e d struggle i n the m o u n t a i n s assumed m a j o r proportions w i t h etas a n d battalions. O u r P a r t y w a s g r o w i n g , e x t e n d i n g i n the m i l i t a r y u n i t s a n d a m o n g the v i llages, w h e r e its cells a n d the n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n councils w e r e being created. T h e w o r k o f p r o paganda f o r the w a r against the occupiers a s sumed b r o a d proportions. T h e c i t y a n d v i l l a g e y o u t h w e r e f i l l i n g the r a n k s o f the p a r t i s a n f i g h t i n g units. W h o l e zones h a d been liberated, t h e people of these zones p a i d taxes to nobody, a n d tithes w e r e abolished. In the l i b e r a t e d zones the l a n d belonging t o the q u i s l i n g s a n d traitors w a s made available free f o r t h e peasants w h o w a n t e d to t i l l it. T h e Italian e n e m y m a d e great efforts t o suppress the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t i n o u r country, especially by s p l i t t i n g it. To this end t h e I t a l i a n fascists began to collaborate m o r e i n t e n sively w i t h the B a l l i K o m b t a r . I n F e b r u a r y 1943, M u s a K r a n j a , one o f the heads o f the B a l l i K o m btar in the K o r a region, on the instructions of Faslli Frashri and Stavri Skndi, accompanied the I t a l i a n officer A n g e l o d e Mateis, i n m a k i n g contact w i t h Safet B u t k a t o ensure that h e c o l l a 30

borated w i t h the occupiers against the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t . O n e m o n t h later, the c o m m a n d e r - i n - c h i e f of the I t a l i a n troops in A l b a n i a , Dalmazzo, together w i t h A l i K l c y r a signed the notorious D a l m a z z o - K l c y r a p r o t o c o l i n w h i c h the B a l l i K o m b t a r p r o m i s e d the occupiers that it w o u l d exert a l l its i n f l u e n c e to p r e v e n t acts of sabotage a n d attacks u p o n t h e m . T h e y of the B a l l i K o m b t a r acted i n the same w a y w i t h the Germans, too. I t w a s M i t h a t F r a s h r i w h o o n behalf of the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e of the B a l l i K o m b t a r signed the c i r c u l a r w h i c h said among other things: Since the most u r g e n t need of o u r country today is f o r o r d e r a n d discipline, a l l the committees, c o m m a n d s a n d etas of the B a l l i K o m b t a r are ordered to cancel a n y o p e r a t i o n against the G e r m a n forces. T h e r e are m a n y such documents w h i c h speak of the p a t r i o t i s m of the chiefs of the B a l l i K o m b t a r , b u t this is not the place to d w e l l on t h e m at l e n g t h . A t the e n d o f A p r i l 1943, the P a r t y C o m mittee of G j i r o k a s t r a r e g i o n i n f o r m e d me that a group of B r i t i s h m i l i t a r y m e n headed by a certain M a j o r B i l l M c L e a n , e q u i p p e d w i t h a r m s and radio, h a d entered o u r l i b e r a t e d zones f r o m across the G r e e k border, c l a i m i n g that t h e y w e r e an official m i l i t a r y m i s s i o n sent to the A l b a n i a n partisans f r o m the H e a d q u a r t e r s of the A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n Forces, based i n C a i r o . 31

I i n s t r u c t e d the comrades of the P a r t y C o m mittee of G j i r o k a s t r a r e g i o n to h o l d the B r i t i s h , w h o h a d come f r o m Greece, i n Z a g o r i a a n d t o f i n d out i n detail w h o t h e y w e r e , w h a t they called themselves (proving t h e i r i d e n t i t y w i t h o f f i c i a l documents), w h e r e t h e y came f r o m , w h o led t h e m , w h a t w a s t h e i r r e a l task, etc. I i n s t r u c t e d the comrades: Y o u m u s t i n t e r rogate t h e m p r o p e r l y , so that they t h o r o u g h l y u n d e r s t a n d that it is not so easy to enter the p a r t i s a n zones, because t h e y are not i n n s w i t h o p e n doors, therefore, i n o r d e r t o m o v e w i t h i n t h e m , t h e y m u s t have special p e r m i t s f r o m the P a r t i s a n G e n e r a l C o m m a n d . I t o l d the comrades, Y o u m u s t do a l l these things so that the B r i t i s h see r i g h t n o w that we are not going to p e r m i t t h e m t o d o w h a t e v e r they w a n t . B e h a v e v e r y c o r r e c t l y w i t h t h e m a n d see that t h e y are f e d if t h e y don't h a v e t h e i r o w n food. D o not accept m o n e y f o r the f o o d if they attempt to p a y you. T h e comrades d i d as t h e y w e r e i n s t r u c t e d . A f t e r the g r o u p o f B r i t i s h a r m y m e n , b l o c k e d b y the partisans in a zone of G j i r o k a s t r a , saw that this c o u n t r y h a d a master, on M a y 1, 1943 t h e y w e r e obliged to send a letter signed by B i l l M c L e a n to the supreme a u t h o r i t y of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r i n A l b a n i a the G e n e r a l C o u n c i l , i n w h i c h , after s a y i n g t h a t h e h a d been sent f r o m his H e a d q u a r t e r s in C a i r o as senior l i a i s o n o f f i c e r to establish contact w i t h the resistance m o v e m e n t 32

in A l b a n i a , he w r o t e : I v e r y m u c h w a n t to meet y o u r C o u n c i l as q u i c k l y as possible a n d receive i n f o r m a t i o n to t r a n s m i t to C a i r o so that supplies can b e sent t o y o u f r o m there. Y o u r m o v e m e n t w i l l be supplied w i t h materials f r o m Cairo. We shall discuss matters of i m p o r t a n c e . My desire is to enter into the centre of A l b a n i a . A p p a r e n t l y , S O E , w i t h its centre i n C a i r o , h a d f o u n d the disguise to get into A l b a n i a : the dispatch of its agents as representatives of the H e a d q u a r t e r s of the A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n Forces, whose a i m w a s t o enter into the centre of A l b a n i a in order to m a k e contact w i t h its old agents, to e x t e n d t h e i r r a n k s w i t h n e w ones, t o receive i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m t h e m , and set t h e m n e w tasks, a n d to organize a m o v e ment i n A l b a n i a u n d e r the d i r e c t i o n a n d c o n t r o l of B r i t i s h missions, in the interests of the p o l i c y and strategic plans of G r e a t B r i t a i n . I n o u r r e p l y w e t o l d t h e m that w e agreed that such a m i s s i o n s h o u l d come to the N a t i o n a l L i b e r ation G e n e r a l C o u n c i l , b u t w e c o u l d not accept it in the centre of A l b a n i a in p a r t i c u l a r , if it w e r e not p r o v i d e d w i t h p r o p e r o f f i c i a l documents f r o m the H e a d q u a r t e r s of the A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n Forces. The members of McLean's mission remained there u n t i l t h e y w e r e p r o v i d e d b y t h e i r H e a d quarters w i t h documents as o f f i c i a l representatives. O n o u r orders, i n J u n e the comrades i n G j i r o k a s t r a sent t h e m t o u s i n L a b i n o t w i t h strict 33

security measures so that n o t h i n g c o u l d occur on t h e w a y . T h e y a r r i v e d e x h a u s t e d f r o m the t r i p . I received t h e m the n e x t day. M c L e a n , w h o p r e sented himself as the c h i e f of the mission, seemed quite y o u n g , no m o r e t h a n 30 years of age, s l i m , not short, r a t h e r t a l l , w i t h v e r y r e g u l a r features, a n d a cold, intelligent, clean-shaven face. He was f a i r - h a i r e d , w i t h intelligent blue eyes, w i t h the look of a savage cat about t h e m . As we l e a r n e d later, M c L e a n w a s o f the Scots G r e y s R e g i m e n t a n d w a s a t r a i n e d agent w h o h a d served in t h e colonial w a r s i n Palestine a n d elsewhere. I asked h i m h o w he h a d t r a v e l l e d . Like a partisan, he t o l d me. B u t the p a r tisans i n G j i r o k a s t r a h e l d m e u p a n d m a d e m e lose valuable time. O u r Headquarters in C a i r o is dist u r b e d about this. Y o u are a n officer a n d k n o w the w a r t i m e regulations, I said. It's not so easy f o r a stranger to cross the b o r d e r w h e r e m i l i t a r y forces are o p e r a t i n g . The e n e m y a l w a y s tries to penetrate, to gather i n f o r m a t i o n about our situation, to c a r r y out acts of sabotage, or l a u n c h surprise a t t a c k s on us, but we A l b a n i a n partisans are not asleep. Y o u have p r o v e d this f o r yourselves w h e n y o u entered our zones. Of course y o u are not enemies, b u t since y o u w e r e not k n o w n , first of a l l , it h a d t o b e p r o v e d w h o y o u w e r e . Y o u h a d not i n f o r m e d us beforehand that y o u w e r e going to come, t h e r e fore, o u r comrades i n G j i r o k a s t r a w e r e o n l y d o i n g 34

their duty. W e beg y o u r p a r d o n f o r the delay w e caused y o u . Reassure y o u r H e a d q u a r t e r s that y o u are in safe hands, amongst y o u r allies, w i t h the P a r t i s a n G e n e r a l C o m m a n d . T h a t settled this question. N o w he h a d to e x p l a i n to me the purpose of his c o m i n g , w h a t he w a n t e d a n d w h a t he w a s going to do, etc. I a s k e d : W h a t is y o u r mission? I n essence M a j o r M c L e a n (later h e was p r o moted to colonel a n d after the w a r he became a Conservative M P ) s a i d : W e are the first B r i t i s h m i l i t a r y mission sent to the A l b a n i a n partisans. T h e purpose of the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t w h i c h has sent us to y o u is that we s h o u l d i n f o r m it about the situation in the country a n d the w a r of y o u r people against the Italian occupiers, a n d after we h a v e done this, to t r a n s m i t t o o u r H e a d q u a r t e r s y o u r v i e w s about the w a r a n d y o u r needs a n d r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r the purpose o f w a g i n g the w a r , w h i c h y o u w i l l present to me. W h a t d o y o u k n o w about the A l b a n i a n people's w a r against the occupiers a n d quislings i n our c o u n t r y ? I asked. W e k n o w n o t h i n g at all, he said s m i l i n g . T h e n , since y o u k n o w n o t h i n g a t a l l , i n regard to A l b a n i a , y o u are s t i l l in the t i m e of C h a m b e r l a i n , I said. M c L e a n ' s eyes n a r r o w e d . F r o m A p r i l 7 , 1939, w h e n C h a m b e r l a i n 35

spent the w e e k e n d f i s h i n g , to this day, I told h i m , the A l b a n i a n people have been w a g i n g a ceaseless w a r against the I t a l i a n fascists, the q u i s lings and the traitors. I told h i m in detail about the titanic w a r of our s m a l l but v a l i a n t people. I told h i m of the heroic deeds of the people a n d the partisans, as w e l l as of the atrocities, m u r d e r s , the b u r n i n g of villages c o m m i t t e d b y the Italians a n d t h e i r c o l l a b orators. I spoke of the methods of the fascist propaganda to s p l i t us a n d d e m o r a l i z e us, b u t w h i c h h a d n o success i n o u r c o u n t r y , because the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t a n d the p a r t i s a n forces h a d consistently exposed a n d f o i l e d the plans of the enemies. B u t w h e r e d o y o u f i n d the weapons, M r . H o x h a ? asked M c L e a n . R u s s i a is a l o n g w a y off a n d cannot s u p p l y y o u . D o y o u have factories here i n the m o u n t a i n s ? No, w e have n o a r m s factories i n the m o u n tains, but we f i n d a r m s amongst the people. It is t r u e that ten days after he came to p o w e r in 1924, the b r i g a n d Z o g p r o c l a i m e d the l a w o n general d i s a r m a m e n t of the p o p u l a t i o n , b u t in fact the A l b a n i a n s h i d a w a y t h e i r weapons, as t h e y have a l w a y s done, because no one has ever been able to d i s a r m t h e m . T h i s is a t r a d i t i o n amongst the A l b a n i a n s w h i c h has been h a n d e d d o w n f r o m generation to generation. In connection w i t h this. I continued, they say that something interesting 36

occurred b e t w e e n y o u r f o r m e r F o r e i g n M i n i s t e r E d w a r d G r e y , a n d o u r great patriot a n d f i g h t e r Isa B o l e t i n i . It w a s a t i m e w h e n b l a c k clouds h a d gathered a g a i n i n the A l b a n i a n sky, w h e n A l b a n i a had been caught up in the m a e l s t r o m of the p r e d a tory a m b i t i o n s of its c h a u v i n i s t neighbours, and w h e n the A m b a s s a d o r s ' Conference of 1913 was u n j u s t l y l e a v i n g h a l f of A l b a n i a outside its state borders. A n d w h i c h h a l f ? K o s o v a a n d other regions, every i n c h o f w h i c h the A l b a n i a n s have d r e n c h e d w i t h t h e i r blood, f i g h t i n g f o r l i b e r a t i o n f r o m T u r k e y . T h e patriots I s m a i l Q e m a l i a n d Isa B o l e t i n i w e n t t o L o n d o n t o meet G r e y , w h o a t that time w a s c h a i r m a n of the A m b a s s a d o r s ' C o n f e r ence, to express to h i m t h e i r protest over the injustice that w a s b e i n g done to o u r c o u n t r y and to t r a n s m i t to h i m the u n b r e a k a b l e v o w of the A l b a n i a n s that t h e y w o u l d f i g h t t o the e n d f o r the u n i t y of a l l the territories h a n d e d d o w n to t h e m b y t h e i r forefathers. B e f o r e h e entered S i r E d w a r d G r e y ' s office, at the request of the guards, Isa B o l e t i n i left his pistol in the a n t e - r o o m . A f t e r the talks, G r e y in a h a l f - j o v i a l f a s h i o n said to Isa: ' M r . B o l e t i n i , w e have done here i n L o n d o n w h a t the T u r k i s h pashas w e r e n e v e r able to do.' U n d e r s t a n d i n g that G r e y w a s r e f e r r i n g t o his being disarmed, Isa l o o k e d y o u r m i n i s t e r r i g h t i n the eye a n d a n s w e r e d w i t h a l a u g h : ' N o , n e v e r o n m y honour, not e v e n i n L o n d o n . ' A n d h e d r e w a loaded r e v o l v e r f r o m inside his vest. 37

So, y o u see, this t r a d i t i o n is one of the ' f a c tories' w h e r e w e get o u r weapons, M a j o r . O t h e r 'factories' s u p p l y i n g o u r w e a p o n s are the I t a l ians' depots in t h e i r posts a n d in the cities, our actions on the n a t i o n a l roads a n d on the battlefields. W h e n w e started the w a r w e d i d not h a v e sufficient weapons, but o u r people sing a song: 'If y o u have n o weapons, f i n d t h e m , f r o m the hands of the e n e m y seize t h e m . ' A n d this is w h a t we have done a l l along. W e seize the w e a p o n s f r o m the hands of the Italians in action, we attack a n d c a p ture t h e m . Y o u m e n t i o n e d R u s s i a . I t e l l y o u t h a t if R u s s i a w e r e close, we are c o n v i n c e d that it w o u l d have s u p p l i e d us w i t h weapons, because it is o u r ally, just as y o u are. A n d y o u ought to give us weapons, because we need t h e m . O n e cannot eat weapons, but can o n l y f i g h t w i t h t h e m . A n d w e want them to fight with. I am a u t h o r i z e d to t e l l y o u , M r . H o x h a , that w i t h i n our possibilities w e s h a l l s u p p l y a r m s t o a l l those w h o fight, r e p l i e d M c L e a n . This is good news y o u b r i n g me, I t o l d h i m . H e r e i n A l b a n i a o n l y the partisans a n d the people organized i n the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r ation F r o n t are fighting. But, M r . H o x h a , i t seems t o m e there i s a n other o r g a n i z a t i o n that i s f i g h t i n g here i n A l b a n i a , called the B a l l i K o m b t a r , said the B r i t i s h M a j o r . Y o u see, M a j o r , I said, y o u do k n o w some38

t h i n g about A l b a n i a . A p p a r e n t l y y o u have been i n f o r m e d about the B a l l i s t s ( 1 ) , a n d since y o u ask me, I s h a l l t e l l y o u : it is t r u e that the B a l l i K o m btar exists, b u t its leaders are l i n k e d w i t h the Italians. T h e y do not f i g h t the Italians, b u t are o r g a n i z i n g f o r w a r against us. T h e o n l y ' w a r ' they wage is against the roast c h i c k e n s a n d lambs, w h i c h they steal f r o m the s u f f e r i n g peasants. I e x p l a i n e d the situation t h o r o u g h l y to the B r i t i s h officer w h o , w i t h o u t doubt, k n e w w h a t the B a l l i K o m b t a r was. In case y o u do not k n o w , I said in an i r o n i c a l tone, I m u s t i n f o r m y o u that there are also Zogites, whose chief i s A b a z K u p i , alias B a z i i Cans, w h o even takes p a r t in our N a t i o n a l Liberation Front. Of course he k n e w about this, b u t I persisted: D o y o u k n o w this, M a j o r ? T h i s t i m e h e w a s obliged to a d m i t it. T h a t closed this chapter. M c L e a n continued: M r . H o x h a , w e are not going t o i n v o l v e ourselves in politics here, because we are s i m p l y soldiers, a n d e v e r y t h i n g m i l i t a r y is of interest to us. In w h a t sense do y o u use the expression ' e v e r y t h i n g m i l i t a r y ' ? I asked h i m . H i s eyes l o o k e d savage again.
__________________________ 1 M e m b e r s of the B a l l i Kombtar.

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 W e are interested in e v e r y t h i n g of a m i l i t a r y n a t u r e connected w i t h the I t a l i a n a n d G e r m a n armies. We are interested in the forces deployed against y o u here in A l b a n i a , the names of the detachments, t h e i r a r m a m e n t , the tactics w h i c h t h e y use in m o u n t a i n w a r f a r e , etc., he r e p l i e d . N o w I understand, I said. A n d we are ready to i n f o r m y o u about a l l these things. M r . Hoxha, continued M c L e a n , you u n d e r s t a n d that A l b a n i a i s s m a l l o n the map, b u t it is b i g w h e n y o u have to t r a v e l it on foot, t h e r e fore it is d i f f i c u l t f o r us to f u l f i l the task charged to us p r o p e r l y , w i t h o u t h a v i n g comrades to help us. W e are allies against the same enemy, I said, hence we are y o u r comrades-in-arms. I k n e w w h a t he w a s getting at, therefore I took the o p p o r t u n i t y to speak about the situation o n the f i g h t i n g fronts a n d asked h i m t o e x p l a i n t o m e h o w the w a r w a s g o i n g i n other countries, h o w the G r e e k a n d Y u g o s l a v partisans w e r e f i g h t i n g (I was a c q u a i n t e d w i t h the situation, but w a n t e d t o k n o w his o p i n i o n o f t h e i r struggle). H o w e v e r , the w i l y o f f i c e r gave me a v e r y short s u m m a r y of his opinions a n d f i n a l l y s a i d : I have been out of t o u c h f o r some t i m e w h i l e t r a v e l l i n g t h r o u g h the m o u n t a i n s on foot a n d I'm not in a position to e x p l a i n things to you. A n d he came to his m a i n purpose. It is d i f f i c u l t to do t h i s job p r o p e r l y alone. It is t r u e that w i t h o u t 40

y o u r a i d w e c a n d o n o t h i n g , b u t w e have been charged to ask y o u to study the possibility of d r o p p i n g i n s e v e r a l other missions s o that w e can assist y o u r partisan forces better. T h i s is a p r o b l e m w h i c h we s h a l l study a n d we shall t a l k about it again. H o w e v e r , I t o l d the B r i t i s h major, w h i l e e n d o r s i n g w h a t y o u said, about y o u r not b e i n g i n v o l v e d in politics, I w a n t to m a k e it clear to y o u , in the first place, that in our r a n k s we do not p e r m i t a n y politics pro the o c c u piers a n d t h e i r tools. W e d o not p e r m i t a n y p r o p a ganda in f a v o u r of the enemies, u n d e r w h a t e v e r mask i t m a y b e disguised. O n the other h a n d , w e a l l o w a n y a m o u n t of p o l i t i c a l a n d ideological struggle against the fascist occupiers a n d t h e i r tools. The second question w h i c h I must m a k e clear to y o u is that y o u r m i s s i o n m u s t not meddle i n our i n t e r n a l affairs. Y o u must request a n y t h i n g y o u need t h r o u g h o u r C o m m a n d o r t h r o u g h o u r delegates in the regions w h e r e y o u are located. T h e other m a i n question i s i n connection w i t h the a i m f o r w h i c h y o u have come: y o u m u s t supply u s w i t h arms, m u n i t i o n s a n d c l o t h i n g . W e shall present o u r r e q u i r e m e n t s t o y o u w i t h o u t delay, a n d I concluded by s a y i n g : I ' m c o n v i n c e d that e v e r y t h i n g w i l l g o w e l l between us, M a j o r . As y o u see, the conditions f o r good u n d e r s t a n d i n g are not complicated, t h e y are acceptable a n d applicable, p r o v i d e d the good w i l l exists. 41

Major M c L e a n replied: W e agree. L e t us get d o w n to w o r k . A l l o w us to drop in some other missions a n d y o u allocate the places a n d regions in w h i c h to d r o p them. All right, I said, we s h a l l study this a n d decide the places f o r the parachute drops, but, first of all, trials s h o u l d be c a r r i e d out in these places by a i r - d r o p s of m i l i t a r y m a t e r i a l a n d after that the B r i t i s h officers can be dropped, because h u m a n life is m o r e v a l u a b l e t h a n weapons, is it n o t ? W h a t c o u l d M c L e a n say? W e ended our discussion a n d agreed to meet again later. I i m m e d i a t e l y i n f o r m e d the r e g i o n a l c o m m i t tees of the P a r t y a n d the p a r t i s a n c o m m a n d s and u n i t s about the a r r i v a l o f the B r i t i s h m i l i t a r y m i s s i o n to o u r P a r t i s a n H e a d q u a r t e r s . I e x p l a i n e d u n d e r w h a t disguise they h a d come, d e s c r i b i n g t h e m as allies against the same enemy, b u t pointed out that their class nature, t h e i r aims opposed to o u r w a r , the Soviet U n i o n , c o m m u n i s m , must n e v e r be forgotten. I i n f o r m e d t h e m that r i g h t f r o m the first meeting w i t h the B r i t i s h I h a d p u t a tight r e i n on t h e i r desires w h i c h w e r e s i m p l y to gather i n f o r m a t i o n a n d c a r r y out espionage against our N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r , our P a r t y a n d the Partisan National Liberation A r m y . They wanted to gather i n f o r m a t i o n about e v e r y t h i n g , to l e a r n o u r strength, tactics a n d strategy. T h e y c l a i m e d the r i g h t to this i n f o r m a t i o n in a f r i e n d l y w a y , 42

as o u r great allies in the struggle against the same enemy nazi-fascism, boasted that they h a d come to assist us w i t h weapons a n d clothing, a n d since it w a s impossible to s u p p l y us w i t h food, to put at our disposal f r o m t i m e to time s m a l l c o n tingents of St. George's c a v a l r y (i. e., gold sovereigns) t o enable u s t o b u y food locally. O n the other h a n d , t h e y p r o m i s e d that they w o u l d publicize our National Liberation War. However, we accepted a l l these fine w o r d s w i t h considerable reserve, I t o l d the comrades. W e d i d not r e a d i l y s w a l l o w these 'promises'. T h e chief o f the mission, B i l l M c L e a n , w a s i n d i g n a n t w h e n we set strict l i m i t s to w h a t he c o u l d do a n d s u r r o u n d e d h i m w i t h l o y a l a n d v i g i l a n t partisans, so that he c o u l d not m o v e w h e r e v e r it pleased h i m and w o u l d h a v e to gather o n l y the c r u m b s that our comrades a l l o w e d h i m , a n d not w h a t h e w a n t ed himself. T h e r e f o r e , I advised t h e m to be correct a n d v e r y v i g i l a n t t o w a r d s the B r i t i s h . Possibly, I t o l d t h e m , several such B r i t i s h missions w i l l come w i t h o u r p e r m i s s i o n t o o u r d i f f e r e n t zones. A correct and vigilant s t a n d m u s t be m a i n t a i n e d e v e r y w h e r e ! In no instance, I instructed, must the B r i t i s h be p e r m i t t e d to poke their noses into o u r i n t e r n a l affairs. T i g h t security must be m a i n t a i n e d on a l l matters r e l a t i n g to the P a r t y , its o r g a n i z a t i o n , orders a n d directives, and none of t h e m , w h e t h e r p r o - c o m m u n i s t or not, s h o u l d k n o w w h e n , w h e r e a n d w h y its meetings 43

are held. For them we are all partisans. M i l i t a r y matters such as the o r g a n i z a t i o n of the p a r t i s a n a r m y , the n u m b e r a n d c o m p o s i t i o n of its units, its orders f o r actions, supplies, q u a n t i t y a n d types of armament, a l l these a n d other data of an i n t e r n a l character m u s t be k e p t secret. If they w i s h to be present at a battle take t h e m along, but inform them at the last moment and never disclose to them in advance your operational plan for the fighting. P r o v i d e t h e m w i t h o u t hesitation w i t h any i n f o r m a t i o n that y o u h a v e about the e n e m y occupier. A v o i d a l l o w i n g t h e m t o m i x f r e e l y w i t h the mass of the partisans so that they can i n d u l g e in loose talk, m a k e promises or get up to d i r t y work. Urge them to drop us arms and demand this persistently. In this w a y , I p r e p a r e d the comrades to take care and be f o r e a r m e d against a n y m a n o e u v r e s of the agents of the Intelligence S e r v i c e w h o , w i t h o u t doubt, w o u l d e v e n t u a l l y t r y t o c o r r u p t weak and wavering individuals. At a m e e t i n g I i n t r o d u c e d B a b ( 1 ) M y s l i m to M c L e a n . T h e first w o r d s t h a t B a b said t o the B r i t i s h officer w e r e : I i y o u are good friends, y o u must drop us arms, a n d added d i p l o m a t i c a l l y , and I believe y o u are good friends. M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i played the role of interpreter.
_____________________________ 1 Dad a title i m p l y i n g respect and affection.

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I n the end, w e presented M c L e a n w i t h our list o f requests f o r a r m s a n d t o l d h i m , Y o u should begin to d r o p a r m s in P e z a before a n y w h e r e else, because this is w h e r e the f i r s t p a r t i s a n r i f l e was f i r e d against the fascist occupiers. M c L e a n p r o m i s e d . A f t e r some time they d r o p p e d us about a f i f t h of the weapons we asked for, a l l o f t h e m l i g h t weapons w i t h l i t t l e a m m u n i tion, as w e l l as a f e w jackets a n d socks. A l o n g w i t h t h e m t h e y also d r o p p e d a n e w B r i t i s h mission for w h i c h we had given permission. W i t h y o u r permission, w e s h a l l send this m i s s i o n t o D i b r a , t o B a b a F a j a a n d H a x h i Lleshi, said M c L e a n . I discussed this m a t t e r w i t h B a b M y s l i m a n d we decided to give o u r p e r m i s s i o n . H a x h i a n d B a b a F a j a w i l l k n o w h o w t o look after this 'guest' w i t h his moustache w h i c h seems to be d y e d w i t h henna, w h o is to go to them, r e marked Myslim. W e ought to have another m i s s i o n attached t o M r . M y s l i m Peza, said M c L e a n , because this is the most i m p o r t a n t centre of the partisans. If M y s l i m w a n t s it, let h i m decide, I said. I agree, C o m r a d e E n v e r , said M y s l i m and, t u r n i n g t o M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , s a i d : Translate t o the g e n t l e m a n that I agree to a mission's coming, b u t not m o r e t h a n three people a n d on condition that it doesn't m e d d l e in o u r i n t e r n a l affairs; it is to have contact o n l y w i t h me a n d the commissar, 45

m u s t have no contact w i t h the reactionaries or w i t h our enemies, a n d they m u s t d r o p u s arms. If the g e n t l e m a n accepts these conditions, said M y s l i m t u r n i n g to me, I agree, C o m r a d e E n v e r , that a m i s s i o n s h o u l d come. In translating Bab M y s l i m ' s words into E n g l i s h , M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i s w a l l o w e d , blushed, g r i p p e d the point of his nose b e t w e e n his t w o f i n gers a n d cleared his throat f r o m t i m e to time. Of course, we accept these conditions, d e clared the B r i t i s h M a j o r , w h o w a s i n w a r d l y seething w i t h indignation. W h e n I w e n t to the K o r a region to m a k e contact w i t h the p a r t y comrades there a n d t h e p a r t i s a n forces that w e r e c o m m a n d e d b y T e k i Kolaneci, Riza Kodheli, Josif Pashko, A g u s h G j e r g j e v i c a , A s l l a n G u r r a a n d other c o m m a n d e r s a n d commissars of etas a n d battalions, I h e a r d M c L e a n h a d a p p e a r e d i n those zones. A t t h a t t i m e the B a l l i s t eta of Safet B u t k a a n d t h e Z j a r r i s t ( 1 ) F e t a h B u t k a , h i d i n g u n d e r the r e p u t a t i o n of the patriots of the past, S a l i a n d G a n i B u t k a , w e r e m o v i n g a r o u n d the villages o f K o l o n j a and, w h i l e they abused o u r P a r t y a n d the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , t h e y
_______________________________ 1 T h i s term was applied to the members of the Trotskyite Zjarri (Fire) G r o u p w h i c h called itself the A l b a n i a n C o m munist Party. It was smashed by our P a r t y in M a r c h 1943.

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collaborated w i t h fascist Italy. T h e B a l l i s t s a n d t h e i r several n e w l y - f o r m e d etas d i d s u c h things e v e r y w h e r e . A l i K l c y r a i n several regions o f the South, Z e n e l G j o l e k a i n K u o f K u r v e l e s h , people l i k e K o o M u k a o n the Coast a n d Q a z i m K o c u l i in V l o r a a n d elsewhere acted in the same w a y . A certain R a h m a n Z v a r i s h t i , a v a c i l l a t i n g i n d i v i d u a l w h o h a d been a c o m m a n d e r of a p a r t i s a n eta, but ended u p w i t h the B a l l i K o m b t a r , s l i t h e r e d a r o u n d i n the r e g i o n o f K o r a . F o r the Ballists, w i t h those b r i m l e s s w h i t e conical felt hats b e a r i n g the eagle e m b l e m on t h e i r heads, this w a s the phase of t h e i r appearance allegedly as a n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n . H o w e v e r m u c h t h e y posed as p a triots, i t w a s c l e a r l y e v i d e n t that t h e y r e l i e d o n the beys, aghas a n d c o r r u p t intellectuals, w h o h a d n o t h i n g a t a l l i n c o m m o n w i t h the people and their war, but were linked in every w a y w i t h the I t a l i a n occupiers a n d against the people. O n e d a y t h a t I was i n V i t h k u q , h o l d i n g a m e e t i n g w i t h J o s i f P a s h k o a n d other comrades, M c L e a n came a n d f o u n d me there. I i n s t r u c t e d the comrades to take h i m as f a r as possible into the m o u n t a i n s , w h e r e he w o u l d be close to the L e s h n j a F l a t f o r a reason w h i c h I w i l l e x p l a i n below. T h e y took h i m to the v i l l a g e of S h t y l l a . I w e n t up to S h t y l l a , met h i m a n d saw that t h e y h a d g i v e n h i m t w o c o m f o r t a b l e rooms, suitable f o r h i m t o w o r k i n a n d t o establish his 47

radio communications. I invited h i m to dinner in B e h a r S h t y l l a ' s house w h e r e I w a s s t a y i n g . A t d i n n e r , of course, the conversation came r o u n d to weapons. S u c h a m i l i t a n t region as K o r a does not have a single B r i t i s h automatic, I told h i m . The partisans are c o m p l a i n i n g a n d d e m a n d i n g that y o u drop t h e m weapons w i t h o u t fail. A s u s u a l M c L e a n h a d p l e n t y o f excuses. If y o u d o n ' t d r o p weapons here, the people o f K o r a w o n ' t let y o u go. T h e y ' l l h o l d y o u prisoner, I c o n t i n u e d j o k i n g l y . T u r n i n g to T e k i a n d B e h a r , I said to t h e m , T o m o r r o w take the M a j o r to see the L e s h n j a F l a t w h i c h is close by a n d v e r y suitable f o r d r o p p i n g arms. T h e f o l l o w i n g day the M a j o r w e n t to see it a n d w h e n he r e t u r n e d I asked h i m : W e l l , w h a t d i d y o u t h i n k o f it? Fine, he r e p l i e d . T h e n , give M a j o r M c L e a n the list of the a r m s y o u need, I addressed m y s e l f to T e k i . T e k i had o v e r l o o k e d n o t h i n g i n w h a t h e asked f r o m the B r i t i s h . We m i g h t as w e l l ask f o r them, h e told me, a l t h o u g h w e k n o w t h e y w o n ' t send them. W h e n he saw the list of requests M c L e a n ' s eyes opened w i d e a n d he s a i d : To b r i n g a l l these things w e ' d need at least 30 aircraft. S e n d 10, I said. B u t y o u ' d better discuss 48

the m a t t e r w i t h c o m m a n d e r T e k i , M a j o r , a n d reach agreement w i t h h i m . T h e i n t e r p r e t e r ' s s u r n a m e w a s P l a k u . ( 1 ) H e was f r o m D e v o l l a n d had gone t o the A m e r i c a n T e c h n i c a l S c h o o l i n T i r a n a i n the t i m e o f Z o g . I n the e n d some a r m s w e r e d r o p p e d a t Leshnja. We h a d decided to attack the Italians on the J a n i n a - K o r a - M a n a s t i r r o a d w i t h o u r forces. W e c a r r i e d t h i s a c t i o n out w i t h success. M a n y e n emies w e r e k i l l e d , t r u c k s w e r e b u r n e d a n d rifles captured. Those w e r e the times w h e n w e w e r e t r y i n g to get the etas of the B a l l i K o m b t a r engaged in the f i g h t against the occupiers. S o m e of our representatives w e n t to t a l k about this w i t h Safet B u t k a . H o w e v e r , Safet refused. T h e B r i t i s h officer h e a r d of his stand a n d begged me to let h i m go, together w i t h C o m m a n d e r T e k i , t o persuade h i m . Y o u ' r e w a s t i n g y o u r time, I said. They w o n ' t fight, b u t nevertheless, w e s h a l l c o m p l y w i t h y o u r wishes. M c L e a n went, t a l k e d w i t h Safet B u t k a , but he s t i l l d i d n ' t w a n t to fight. W e l l , are y o u c o n v i n c e d n o w about w h a t I t o l d y o u ? I asked the M a j o r , w h o was s i t t i n g disconsolately before me after he r e t u r n e d f r o m meeting Safet. They are not going to fight.
_______________________________ 1 Jorgo P l a k u martyr of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n War.

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B y this time there w e r e f o u r o r f i v e groups o f the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n i n o u r c o u n t r y . M c L e a n w a s t h e i r leader a n d M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i his f r i e n d . One f i n e day, M c L e a n came out w i t h a n interesting! proposal. I have been t h i n k i n g , M r . H o x h a , he said to me, that to e l i m i n a t e b u r e a u c r a c y , the requests for arms a n d m u n i t i o n s s h o u l d not b e m a d e d i r e c t l y f r o m y o u r G e n e r a l Staff, b u t f r o m t h e m i l i t a r y zones w h e r e o u r missions are located. As w e l l as that, he added in a tone of p r i d e as if he h a d discovered A m e r i c a , the supplies s h o u l d b e delivered d i r e c t l y , w i t h o u t going t h r o u g h t h e G e n e r a l Staff. T h i s w i l l speed u p . . . No, I i n t e r r u p t e d . I s h a l l n e v e r a l l o w such a thing. T h i s took h i m by surprise a n d he stared at me in astonishment. T h e n , recognizing the utter f a i l u r e o f the scheme h e h a d hatched u p i n his fertile m i n d , he d r o p p e d his head and, after a pause, changed the conversation. H i s c u n n i n g a i m was foiled e v e n before the w o r d s w e r e out of his m o u t h . W i t h this subtle tactic he w a n t e d me to give h i m o f f i c i a l leave to take o v e r the reins of leadership of o u r people's w a r in a r o u n d about w a y and to e l i m i n a t e it. M o r e o v e r , by this means he w a n t e d to c o r r u p t o u r r a n k s f r o m below, t o compromise i m m a t u r e people w i t h gold and, h o w e v e r things t u r n e d out, h e w o u l d have t h e m u n d e r his c o n t r o l . H o w e v e r , A l b i o n s u f fered defeat on t h i s road, too. 50

W h e n w e o r g a n i z e d the 1st B r i g a d e a t V i t h k u q , w e i n v i t e d M c L e a n t o b e there. H e was present at the celebration a n d the ceremony of h a n d i n g o v e r the b a t t l e - f l a g of the brigade. M c L e a n once m a d e a v i s i t to S h p i r a g . We a p p o i n t e d K o o T a s h k o a s his interpreter. H e had gone d o w n f r o m t h e r e to observe the positions of K u o v a . W h e n they r e t u r n e d , a f r i g h t e n e d and i n d i g n a n t K o o came t o m e a n d s a i d : F i n d a n o t h e r i n t e r p r e t e r f o r the M a j o r , C o m r a d e E n v e r , because I'll n o t g o w i t h h i m again. D o y o u k n o w w h a t h e d i d ? H e stood o n a n exposed h i l l , w e a r i n g his r e d sash, a n d looked a l l r o u n d w i t h his b i n o c u l a r s . If he goes on e x p o s i n g h i m s e l f i n this w a y , the G e r m a n s w i l l k i l l u s one day. B u t w h y d i d h e p u t o n the r e d sash? I said. To s h o w he is an officer, said K o o , so that i n case o f danger they w i l l not k i l l h i m , but take h i m prisoner. T h e y m i g h t not k i l l h i m , b u t t h e y w o u l d shoot me on the spot. T h e comrades sent me a great d e a l of i n f o r m a t i o n s h o w i n g that w h e r e v e r the B r i t i s h missions w e r e , t h e y d i d t h e i r utmost t o l i n k u p w i t h reaction, t r i e d t o poke t h e i r noses into o u r affairs a n d q u a r r e l l e d w i t h o u r comrades. Seeing the attempts of the B r i t i s h missions to inject t h e i r p o i s o n into o u r people and the 51

danger o f t h e i r interference i n o u r i n t e r n a l affairs, in A u g u s t 1943, I considered it necessary to instruct o u r comrades at the base once again t h r o u g h a letter a n d m a k e clear to t h e m that the B r i t i s h h a d come f o r t h e i r o w n purposes, t o p o k e t h e i r noses into o u r i n t e r n a l affairs, that they d i d not keep the promises t h e y h a d m a d e us about sending u s a r m s a n d m o n e y . T h e i r t e n dency is to ask questions of a n y b o d y , a n y p a r t i s a n or eta c o m m a n d e r , a n d f r o m this to l e a r n w h a t is going on a n d get our a r m y a n d o u r m o v e m e n t into t h e i r clutches. Y o u m u s t place several good comrades i n t h e i r service, a n d they m u s t stay w i t h t h e m w h e r e v e r they go, a v o i d i n g contacts w i t h people that y o u consider undesirable f o r t h e m to meet.* I repeatedly i n s t r u c t e d t h e m that they should not give t h e m a n y i n f o r m a t i o n about our i n t e r n a l affairs. M a n y times I h a d fierce arguments w i t h M c L e a n , not o n l y o v e r t h e i r f a i l u r e to send us arms, but also o v e r the m a n y efforts of the B r i t i s h here t o l i n k u p a t a l l costs w i t h the B a l l i K o m b t a r , w i t h reaction i n N o r t h e r n A l b a n i a a n d w i t h the chiefs o f reaction i n D i b r a a n d M a c e d o n i a . N e w s reached m e f r o m M a t that the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n was m a k i n g the l a w there and that ample weapons w e r e b e i n g d r o p p e d to the Zogites.
_____________________________ * Enver H o x h a , Works, v o l . 1, p. 342, A l b . e d .

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I m m e d i a t e l y after the 2 n d N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n C o n f e r e n c e of L a b i n o t , some comrades a n d I w e n t to P e z a . O n l y a f e w days h a d gone by since the c a p i t u l a t i o n of fascist Italy, a n d we h a d to f o l l o w the events in the c a p i t a l closely w h a t w o u l d b e done w i t h the I t a l i a n a r m y there, w h a t t u r n w o u l d the s i t u a t i o n i n the B a l k a n s take after this event, w h a t w o u l d the allies do, w o u l d they l a n d in these parts, as reports suggested. T h e pressure a n d interference of the B r i t i s h officers became intense this t i m e . H o w e v e r , the P a r t y f o u g h t a n d w a s v i g i l a n t . M a n y comrades f r o m the r e g i o n a l committees a n d o u r m i l i t a r y units sent us i n d i g n a n t reports about the activities o f o u r allies. F r o m V l o r a they w r o t e that the B r i t i s h o f f i c e r there insisted that his orders m u s t be obeyed, because he received t h e m f r o m the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t ! D o n ' t attack a n d d i s a r m the Italians, he t o l d t h e m , a m b u s h only G e r m a n columns. If y o u attack the Italians I shall not give y o u m y a i d a n y ,more. T h e report c o n t i n u e d w i t h the B r i t i s h officer's threats, D o n ' t attack V l o r a , because the B r i t i s h forces w i l l come, or if y o u ' r e g o i n g to act, a delegate s h o u l d come f r o m t h e F r o n t a n d one f r o m the B a l l i K o m b t a r , a n d w e s h a l l t a l k about c o m b i n ing, so that V l o r a is a t t a c k e d by the F r o n t and the B a l l i K o m b t a r simultaneously. These were orders w h i c h r a n counter to the line of our 53

P a r t y a n d to the i n s t r u c t i o n s of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n c i l . H o w e v e r , the c o m rades of V l o r a p a i d no heed to the B r i t i s h officer. T h e y applied o u r i n s t r u c t i o n s w i t h o u t hesitation. F r o m Pogradec, l i k e w i s e , they reported that the B r i t i s h officer, C a p t a i n S m i l e y , h a d ordered the partisan c o m m a n d there not to open f i r e on the Italians a n d to w i t h d r a w the p a r t i s a n s f r o m the v i c i n i t y of the b a r r a c k s . F o r these reasons, a n d to r e m i n d the B r i t i s h officers once again that there w a s a strict l i m i t to w h a t t h e y w e r e a l l o w e d to do, at the b e g i n n i n g of October 1943 I sent the r e g i o n a l c o m m i t tees of the C P A a letter in w h i c h , a m o n g other things, I w r o t e that the B r i t i s h missions w e r e s i m p l y representatives o f the B r i t i s h a r m y a n d as such t h e y ought to s u p p o r t those w h o w e r e f i g h t i n g the occupiers; they h a d no r i g h t to meddle i n a n y w a y i n o u r i n t e r n a l affairs. I i n structed that they s h o u l d be t o l d o p e n l y of o u r stand t o w a r d s the B a l l i s t s a n d other traitors, a n d that they w o u l d be responsible to t h e i r g o v e r n ment a n d t o u s f o r a n y t h i n g t h e y d i d i n f a v o u r of t h e m a n d to the d e t r i m e n t of the A l b a n i a n people's w a r . I w r o t e to the p a r t y r e g i o n a l c o m mittees: In no w a y s h o u l d t h e y be accepted as arbiters to solve p r o b l e m s b e t w e e n us a n d the B a l l i K o m b t a r ; we settle these things ourselves, w e are i n our o w n c o u n t r y a n d i t i s w e w h o 54

m a k e the l a w here as the interests of our c o u n try, o u r people a n d o u r w a r r e q u i r e . W e k n o w w h o the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s are, I stressed in the letter, a n d n e v e r f o r a m o m e n t forget that t h e y are capitalists, that t h e y are against c o m m u n i s m a n d socialism; t h e y do not forget w h o we are, b u t n e i t h e r do we forget w h o they are. A t present w e are i n alliance w i t h t h e m against I t a l i a n fascism a n d G e r m a n n a z i s m , a n d w e s h a l l r e m a i n l o y a l t o this alliance. H o w e v e r , w e have not a l l o w e d a n d n e v e r w i l l a l l o w t h e m t o i n t e r f e r e i n the i n t e r n a l affairs o f A l b a n i a . T h e b i t t e r past of o u r people is not to be repeated again. T h e C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a a n d the A l b a n i a n people w i l l not a l l o w this.* W h e n t h e i r s a w s t r u c k a n a i l , the B r i t i s h abandoned the direct a p p r o a c h a n d operated by stealth, t r y i n g t o d i v i d e a n d deceive o u r people i n devious w a y s . M c L e a n a n d his m e n strove t o probe a r o u n d the t e r r a i n , but made no h e a d w a y a n y w h e r e . O n e O c t o b e r day, w h e n I w a s t a l k i n g to B a b M y s l i m , a b a t t a l i o n c o m m a n d e r came in f l o u r i s h i n g a s m a l l purse. W h a t ' s i n i t ? asked M y s l i m . G o l d sovereigns, he replied. W h e r e d i d y o u f i n d it? I asked.
______________________________ * E n v e r H o x h a , Works, v o l . 1, pp. 435-436, A l b . e d .

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In a corner of my tent. It came on to r a i n a n d the B r i t i s h M a j o r w h o w a s passing b y came i n for shelter. W h e n the r a i n stopped h e w e n t away, but I f o u n d t h i s w h i c h he left in the tent. Look, I said, take the i n t e r p r e t e r a n d go to the house w h e r e he is staying, give h i m b a c k the m o n e y a n d say t o h i m : ' N e x t time, M a j o r , don't 'forget' y o u r sovereigns in a partisan's tent, because it m i g h t have unpleasant consequences f o r y o u ' The rotters! snorted B a b . T h e y ' v e done this once before. Yes, I remember, I said. We w e r e in a v i l l a g e of the P e z a zone. W h i l e M y s l i m , I a n d several o t h e r comrades w e r e sitting a r o u n d the f i r e in a p o o r peasant's home, a p a r t i s a n came r u n n i n g up, p a n t i n g h a r d f r o m exertion. The B r i t i s h officer, w h o has just set out for G r e c a , has left this bag w h e r e his tent w a s pitched, Bab, he said to M y s l i m . W h a t ' s inside i t ? L e t me have a look! M y s l i m took the bag, opened it a n d p o u r e d out a n u m b e r of sovereigns on the goatskin mat. M y s l i m f r o w n e d , stood u p a n d ordered the partisan curtly: Take these, go q u i c k l y , catch up w i t h that dog a n d t e l l h i m : ' D o n ' t p l a n t m o n e y o n the road. W e don't s w a l l o w such things. T h e A l b a n i a n doesn't sell himself f o r money.' 56

 W e l l said, Bab, I said. The B r i t i s h o f f i c e r m u s t be taught that true A l b a n i a n s can't be bought f o r gold. T h i s was not the first t i m e that M y s l i m P e z a had t a k e n such a resolute, stern a n d w i d e - a w a k e stand. F r o m the v i l l a g e o f G r e c a , the B r i t i s h M a j o r S e y m o u r once sent a letter to C o m r a d e M y s l i m P e z a t o w h o m h e c o m p l a i n e d that n o one w o u l d give h i m i n f o r m a t i o n , that n o one w o u l d listen t o his orders, or t e l l h i m of our plans to attack the G e r m a n s , etc. and, seeking to f i n d out these p l a n s f r o m M y s l i m , he w r o t e c r a f t i l y , I have addressed this letter to y o u , because y o u are a m i l i t a r y m a n , as I a m , a n d I hope that y o u u n d e r s t a n d this d i f f i c u l t p o s i t i o n better t h a n the others w h o d o not h a v e t h a t e x p e r i e n c e i n w a r a n d other things. A n d t o w h o m d i d the B r i t i s h M a j o r a d dress his p r a y e r s ? To B a b M y s l i m , an outs t a n d i n g patriot a n d v a l i a n t f i g h t e r of o u r people. M y s l i m r e p l i e d w i t h s u c h a blast that the c u n n i n g f o x of the Intelligence S e r v i c e n e v e r d a r e d r e t u r n to this course. W h e r e v e r t h e y went, especially w h e n they c a r r i e d out actions, w h e n they b l e w u p bridges or roads, t h e y carelessly left b e h i n d t h e m such things as cigarette packets, meat tins and so on, b r a n d e d Made in England, so that the occupiers w o u l d u n d e r s t a n d that the authors w e r e 57

B r i t i s h and p u r s u e t h e m , quite u n c o n c e r n e d t h a t villages w e r e b u r n t a n d reprisals c a r r i e d o u t against the p o p u l a t i o n in the zones w h e r e t h e y operated. T h e c u l m i n a t i o n of t h e i r actions c a m e i n the m i d d l e o f O c t o b e r 1943 w h e n B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n a i r c r a f t b o m b e d the Tirana a i r f i e l d . A s our comrades f r o m T i r a n a reported, t h e y h a d bombed a w h o l e section of the city, k i l l i n g and w o u n d i n g h u n d r e d s of residents a n d causing i n c a l c u l a b l e m a t e r i a l damage. I m m e d i a t e l y w e l e a r n e d of this, we sent a protest to the B r i t i s h m i l i t a r y mission, w h i c h w e c o n c l u d e d a s f o l l o w s : R e p o r t this m a t t e r to C a i r o so that o u r c o m p l a i n t is m a d e k n o w n in the p r o p e r quarter, so that these unacceptable acts against the c i v i l i a n p o p u l a t i o n are not repeated b u t attacks are made w i t h even greater s e v e r i t y against e n e m y m i l i t a r y objectives. I n r e p l y t o this the B r i t i s h m i s sion sent t h e i r f r i e n d , M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , a leaflet w r i t t e n i n E n g l i s h t o translate, f o r d u p l i c a t i o n a n d d i s t r i b u t i o n i n T i r a n a . A m o n g other things, i t read, O u r a i r m e n w i l l take a l l possible care not to cause y o u accidental h a r m , but y o u , f o r y o u r part, must assist t h e m b y not r e m a i n i n g near m i l i t a r y objectives. W h a t l o g i c ! T h i s is the sort of c o n t r i b u t i o n the B r i t i s h made w i t h t h e i r actions i n A l b a n i a ! In the first week of October 1943 B i l l M c L e a n had sought a m e e t i n g w i t h me, g i v i n g 58

as his reason a v e r y u r g e n t m a t t e r w h i c h he h a d to c o m m u n i c a t e to me f r o m his centre in London. I d e l i b e r a t e l y kept h i m w a i t i n g t w o days to let h i m k n o w that I was i n n o h u r r y t o d e a l w i t h t h i s very u r g e n t m a t t e r f r o m L o n d o n , just a s L o n d o n w a s i n n o h u r r y t o f u l f i l o u r v e r y u r g e n t requests f o r a r m s a n d a m m u n i t i o n . T h e B r i t i s h a n d t h e chief o f the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n attached to us, B i l l M c L e a n , told us a w h o l e s t r i n g of lies. T h e y m a d e lots of promises, b u t t h e i r a i r c r a f t d i d not come because of b a d w e a ther, because B r i t a i n was s u p p l y i n g weapons to the w h o l e of E u r o p e , because the people w h o w e r e supposed to f u l f i l the requests of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t w e r e none too careful, a n d other such tales, w h i c h h a d become v e r y stale. U p t o that t i m e the B r i t i s h h a d d r o p p e d us n o t h i n g , apart f r o m a f e w h u n d r e d rifles, a v e r y s m a l l q u a n t i t y o f a m m u n i t i o n , a n d some used c l o t h i n g , just e n o u g h to be able to say, Y o u are not left w i t h o u t b e i n g sent something. H o w e v e r , those f e w rifles that w e received f r o m t h e m q u i c k l y t u r n e d i n t o s c r a p - i r o n , because the a m m u n i t i o n f o r t h e m r a n out. As I said p r e v i o u s l y , the depots of the occupiers w h i c h we attacked, the battlefields a n d the d i s a r m i n g of prisoners w e r e the sources of our arms. W e h a d f r e q u e n t q u a r r e l s a n d confrontations 59

w i t h the B r i t i s h . W e d e m a n d e d a r m s f r o m t h e m , they t o l d us lies, a n d on r a r e occasions, after fights and squabbles, t h e y gave us a f e w simple used automatics a n d sent one or t w o a i r c r a f t to drop us a l i t t l e c l o t h i n g . We also q u a r r e l l e d o v e r the question of the B B C , w h i c h v e r y r a r e l y spoke about the w a r w h i c h was b e i n g w a g e d against the occupier i n our c o u n t r y , o r w h e n i t d i d m e n t i o n it, a t t r i b u t e d i t t o the B a l l i K o m b t a r . In this situation we tightened up our control over t h e m a n d made i t d i f f i c u l t f o r t h e m t o m o v e about. T h r o u g h great efforts they m a d e contact w i t h people sent in disguise by the heads of t h e B a l l i K o m b t a r , i n the districts o f K o r a , T i r a n a a n d D i b r a . O f course t h e y h a d special contact w i t h A b a z K u p i (later B i l l M c L e a n was attached to him), a n d t h r o u g h h i m m a d e contact, in secret f r o m us, w i t h the quislings i n T i r a n a , w i t h the chiefs o f reaction i n the N o r t h , especially i n D i bra, a n d w i t h M u h a r r e m B a j r a k t a r i . T h e p o l i c y of the B r i t i s h w a s clear to us. T h e y w e r e o r g a n i z i n g reaction against us, t r y i n g to get reaction to declare w a r on us a n d to s t r i k e a m o r t a l b l o w at us, in collaboration w i t h the Italians and, later, w i t h the G e r m a n s , so t h a t the B r i t i s h forces w o u l d intervene as liberators in the l i b e r a t i o n o f A l b a n i a a n d the n e w B a l l i s t quislings w o u l d take power. H o w e v e r , things d i d not w o r k out that w a y . T h e P a r t y w a s stronger t h a n the I t a 60

lians, the G e r m a n s , the Ballists, the Zogites a n d the B r i t i s h . F o r these reasons, the meetings w h i c h I h a d w i t h the B r i t i s h f r o m t i m e t o t i m e began a n d e n d e d w i t h quarrels, began w i t h o u r demands a n d ended w i t h t h e i r false promises. I w a s c o n v i n c e d that B i l l M c L e a n , w h o w a s seeking a m e e t i n g w i t h me, h a d n o t h i n g to t e l l me apart f r o m some other false promise. I received h i m in a correct but cool m a n n e r . T h e B r i t i s h officer, on the contrary, was a l l smiles as he squeezed my h a n d . He laughed, his eyes gleamed l i k e those of a f o x ; he w a s intelligent, but he h a d a b l a c k heart. T h i s time the cat h a d h i d d e n its c l a w s a n d was p u r r i n g sweetly. I h a d f o r m e d the o p i n i o n that w h e n M c L e a n , the agent of the Intelligence Service, s m i l e d , I s h o u l d be o n m y g u a r d , because his smiles h i d perfidious aims. I asked B i l l M c L e a n to sit d o w n a n d offered h i m my t i n of tobacco to r o l l a cigarette, a l t h o u g h I k n e w that he d i d not smoke, a n d n e v e r touched o u r r a k i . H e was c o n t i n u a l l y m u n c h i n g chocolate, w h i c h the a i r c r a f t d r o p p e d h i m along w i t h his personal supplies. P e r f i d i o u s A l b i o n had a i r c r a f t f o r s u c h things, but w h e n it came to d r o p p i n g w e a p o n s t o u s w h o w e r e f i g h t i n g fascism, a i r c r a f t w e r e not a v a i l a b l e ! Y o u h a v e asked to meet me, because y o u have a v e r y urgent m a t t e r f r o m L o n d o n to c o m 61

m u n i c a t e t o me, M r . M c L e a n . Please t e l l m e w h a t y o u have to say, I am listening, I s a i d . Two days ago, M r . H o x h a , I received an urgent telegram f r o m L o n d o n , b u t i t w a s i m p o s sible f o r y o u to receive me q u i c k l y , because y o u are v e r y busy a n d I u n d e r s t a n d this. I have some news, v e r y pleasant b o t h f o r y o u a n d f o r us, he t o l d me. A r e the a i r c r a f t c o m i n g w i t h the a r m s w h i c h we need so b a d l y ? I asked h i m . No, M r . H o x h a , even better n e w s t h a n that. A general is c o m i n g , together w i t h his p e r s o n a l staff. W h e n h e has come, said B i l l M c L e a n s m i l i n g , u n d o u b t e d l y a l l y o u r requests w i l l b e fulfilled. I w a i t e d f o r h i m to continue. The general's n a m e is Davies. He is an outstanding a n d capable soldier, w h o k n o w s A l b a n i a w e l l a n d loves i t sincerely. A n d h e w e n t o n a n d o n i n the same tone, boosting the general i n o r d e r t o convince m e . H i s chief of staff is a colonel called N i cholls, a n d he began to boost h i m , too. I w o u l d l i k e y o u , M r . H o x h a , t o issue the necessary o r ders to the p a r t i s a n c o m m a n d of the r e g i o n w h i c h is allocated for his l a n d i n g , so that a l l the necess a r y measures are taken, c o n t i n u e d M c L e a n . W h e n M c L e a n f i n i s h e d , I h a d m y say: Can y o u t e l l m e t o w h o m this general a n d his staff are being sent? 62

To y o u , M r . H o x h a . I u n d e r s t a n d that. B u t I w a n t to k n o w w h e t h e r he is b e i n g sent to the G e n e r a l Staff of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y o r t o the N a t i o n a l Liberation General Council? T h e w i l y M c L e a n understood w h a t I w a s d r i v i n g at, t h o u g h t f o r a m o m e n t a n d r e p l i e d : To the G e n e r a l S t a f f of the A l b a n i a n p a r t i sans. T h a t ' s w h y a general is b e i n g sent. He is a m i l i t a r y personality, not a p o l i t i c a l one. H o w d i f f i c u l t it is to separate m i l i t a r y questions f r o m p o l i t i c a l questions, I said. W e do not separate t h e m , b u t y o u h a v e y o u r o w n p r i n ciples a n d regulations. I have a question f o r you. Please ask it, M r . H o x h a . F r o m w h o m is he sent to us? F r o m o u r centre. W h i c h i s y o u r centre? He w a s in a tight spot a n d h a d to t h i n k w h e t h e r t o say L o n d o n o r C a i r o . A f t e r some m o ments he s a i d : London. T h a t means to say f r o m the W a r O f f i c e of the B r i t i s h E m p i r e ? I asked again. Yes, he a d m i t t e d in a r e l u c t a n t m u m b l e . N o w I h a v e the m a t t e r clear a n d I am glad that y o u e x p l a i n e d this to me, I said, because our l i n k s a n d c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h B r i t a i n , a s a n 63

a l l y i n the c o m m o n f i g h t against the same e n emies, are i m p o r t a n t to us. B i l l M c L e a n ' s face set in a f r o w n at these w o r d s of m i n e . He h a d been obliged to a d m i t things w h i c h h e d i d not w a n t t o say. W e w e r e clear that the B r i t i s h d i d n o t w a n t these l i n k s to be t a k e n as o f f i c i a l r e c o g n i t i o n by the g o v e r n m e n t i n L o n d o n , b u t s i m p l y a s m i l i t a r y collaboration w i t h the A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n H e a d q u a r t e r s established in C a i r o . T h a t is precisely w h y I pressed h i m o n this m a t t e r f r o m the outset. M r . M c L e a n , I said, I have a c o m p l a i n t . F r i e n d s h i p a n d correctness between allies r e q u i r e that, before we decide the place w h e r e the general a n d his staff are to l a n d a n d n o t i f y the partisan c o m m a n d in the zone to take the p r o p e r measures, y o u r W a r O f f i c e s h o u l d have sought the p e r m i s s i o n of the G e n e r a l S t a f f o f o u r N a t i o n a l L i b r a t i o n A r m y f o r the c o m i n g of this m i s s i o n ; y o u s h o u l d first have sought o u r a p p r o v a l to see w h e t h e r we agree that the group o f the B r i t i s h officers w i t h G e n e r a l D a v i e s should come to o u r c o u n t r y a n d be attached to us. This, y o u w i l l understand, is not a f o r m a l requirement, but a n i m p o r t a n t m a t t e r of principle. T h e agent of the Intelligence S e r v i c e thought f o r a moment, but, losing no t i m e a n d s m i l i n g u n d e r his a u b u r n moustache, h e r e p l i e d : O f course, y o u are quite right, M r . H o x h a . 64

T h i s i s precisely w h a t o u r W a r O f f i c e h a d i n m i n d , b u t I w a s so overjoyed a n d e x c i t e d that I m a d e the m i s t a k e of not presenting the c o n tent of the message f r o m L o n d o n u n t i l the end, and, u n f o l d i n g a letter he was h o l d i n g , he began to r e a d w h a t w a s allegedly a request f o r my a p proval. In that case e v e r y t h i n g is in order, I told M c L e a n . A s t o the competences, rights a n d duties of G e n e r a l D a v i e s a n d his staff, I assume I a m t o discuss these w i t h h i m w h e n h e comes. If this is so (and M c L e a n n o d d e d his head in agreement), o n w h a t date w i l l h e come a n d where do you think he should land? M c L e a n said that h e w o u l d i n f o r m m e o f the precise date later. F o r the m o m e n t I am unable to i n f o r m y o u about the date, b u t as to the place f o r his l a n d i n g , y o u decide that yourselves, h e c o n t i n u e d . Y o u k n o w y o u r zones better t h a n anyone else. H o w m a n y a i r c r a f t w i l l come? I asked. I cannot say, b u t possibly m o r e t h a n one. T h e y b r o u g h t us coffee, a n d w h i l e r o l l i n g a cigarette, I w a s t h i n k i n g about a suitable safe place f o r t h e m to l a n d so that n o t h i n g u n t o w a r d w o u l d h a p p e n , because w e w o u l d bear responsibility. A f t e r some consideration, I said to B i l l McLean: 65

 H e w i l l l a n d o n the B i z a Plateau. W h e r e is this plateau? he asked, as if he d i d not k n o w . I opened the m a p w h i c h I h a d in my b a g a n d pointed i t out t o h i m . A f t e r t e l l i n g h i m that a l t h o u g h the place was close to T i r a n a a n d E l b a san, it was secure, because the w h o l e zone w a s liberated, there w e r e p a r t i s a n detachments e v e r y w h e r e a n d the w h o l e p o p u l a t i o n of the region w a s w i t h us, I c o n t i n u e d : Y o u c a n assure y o u r W a r O f f i c e that e v e r y thing w i l l go well. W h e n e v e r I m e n t i o n e d the W a r O f f i c e I n o ticed that h e w a s embarrassed a n d w r i n k l e d his b r o w . It w a s obvious that he h a d m a d e a m i s t a k e i n a d m i t t i n g t o m e that t h e i r centre w a s the B r i tish W a r Office, a n d I c o n t i n u e d to m e n t i o n it to a n n o y h i m , just as he h a d a n n o y e d us by deceivi n g us h o u r after h o u r about the supplies of weapons a n d a m m u n i t i o n . Do y o u agree about the place? I asked. Yes, r e p l i e d M c L e a n , I shall i n f o r m the centre. A n d I shall s u m m o n the local c o m m a n d e r a n d commissar w h e r e the l a n d i n g is to be m a d e a n d t e l l t h e m to take the a p p r o p r i a t e measures. I shall t e l l t h e m to m a k e contact w i t h y o u , b u t please go to e r m e n i k a f o r some days to t a l k to them. 66

T h i s w a s the last m e e t i n g that I h a d w i t h M a j o r M c L e a n a s chief o f the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n . W h e n the general came t o replace h i m , h e w e n t t o L o n d o n , a n d after being t h o r o u g h l y b r i e f e d there, i n A p r i l 1944 h e w a s d r o p p e d into A l b a n i a again, w h e r e h e l i n k e d u p w i t h B a z i i Cans. T h r o u g h B a z i i Cans a n d reaction he became a secret f r i e n d of the G e r m a n s w i t h w h o m he came to terms. M c L e a n , the leader of this pack of wolves, came out in his t r u e colours as o u r s w o r n e n e m y . I s h a l l speak a b o u t his a c t i v i t y a m o n g t h i s p a c k of w o l v e s a n d about its leaders, headed b y A b a z K u p i , i n a separate chapter. T h e B r i t i s h G e n e r a l ' s g r o u p w a s not going t o sneak into A l b a n i a l i k e a g a n g of thieves, as M c L e a n ' s g r o u p h a d done. A t least, the B r i t i s h w e r e n o w obliged to i n f o r m us, to go m o r e t h a n h a l f - w a y t o w a r d s seeking o u r p e r m i s s i o n t o enter A l b a n i a , b u t t h e y s t i l l m a d e e v e r y effort t o a v o i d g i v i n g the slightest sign that t h e y m i g h t o f f i c i a l l y recognize o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r . O f course, t h e y h a d t h e i r p r e d e t e r m i n e d plans and came to us to l e a r n o u r plans, to h i n d e r the r e a l i z a t i o n of t h e m a n d to create the i m p r e s s i o n that t h e y w e r e the m a i n factors i n o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r a n d that o u r w a r a n d v i c t o r y depended o n t h e m . G u i d e d b y such aims, t h e y t r i e d to p r e p a r e a t e r r a i n f a v o u r a b l e to t h e i r intrigues. 67

N a t u r a l l y , w e h i n d e r e d t h e m i n these d i a b o l i c a l aims. A f t e r M c L e a n left, I s u m m o n e d K a d r i H o x h a , c o m m a n d e r o f the P a r t i s a n G r o u p H e a d quarters o f E l b a s a n , a n d t a l k e d w i t h h i m p e r s o n a l l y a n d at l e n g t h to m a k e absolutely sure that he understood e v e r y t h i n g clearly. I i n f o r m e d h i m about the fact that B r i g a d i e r G e n e r a l Davies, w h o m h e called s i m p l y B r i g a d i e r Davies, w a s to be l a n d e d at B i z a . T h e c o m m a n d e r o f the p a r t i s a n g r o u p k n e w E n g l i s h , because h e h a d attended the A m e r i c a n T e c h n i c a l S c h o o l in T i r a n a . Therefore, I said to him, with a laugh: Y o u c a l l D a v i e s 'brigadier', b u t w h e n the B r i t i s h e v e n t u a l l y l e a r n that a m o n g u s the w o r d ' b r i g a d i e r ' means a n N.C.O., t h e y w o n ' t l i k e this title a n d w i l l ask y o u t o c a l l h i m general. K a d r i , w i t h that sardonic smile o f his, said to me w i t h a w i n k : D o n ' t w o r r y , I k n o w that. Nevertheless, I advised h i m to b e h a v e corr e c t l y w i t h the G e n e r a l , t o t a l k t o h i m i n f r i e n d l y fashion, w i t h o u t t e l l i n g h i m a n y t h i n g concrete about our partisan forces in the region, o u r d e tachments, our bases f o r assembly a n d supplies, i n other w o r d s , I a d v i s e d K a d r i t o t e l l h i m n o t h i n g w h i c h constituted m i l i t a r y secrets. I i n s t r u c t e d h i m t o t a l k t o the G e n e r a l about o u r w a r against the occupiers, about the t r e a c h e r y of the 68

B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d its c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h the e n e m y forces, about the trust the N a t i o n a l L i b eration F r o n t h a d placed i n the great S o v i e t B r i t i s h - A m e r i c a n alliance, a n d to keep on t e l l i n g h i m that w e needed weapons, w h i c h t h e y w e r e not sending us, a n d so on. I u n d e r s t a n d y o u , ' m y d e a r friend', he r e p l i e d (it w a s his custom to use this expression). I s h a l l do just w h a t y o u say. Y o u s h o u l d let h i m t a l k a n d not say too m u c h yourself. If the G e n e r a l does not talk, stir h i m up a bit so that he does. I gave h i m these instructions a l t h o u g h I w a s sure that the B r i t i s h w e r e s k i l l e d i n d e a l i n g w i t h the tactic I r e c o m m e n d e d . B u t m y c o n c e r n w a s t o ensure that o u r people gave a w a y the m i n i m u m a n d gathered the m a x i m u m . I t o l d h i m that w h e n the G e n e r a l came he was t o c o n v e y t o h i m m y w e l c o m e a n d best wishes a n d i n s t r u c t e d h i m t o f u l f i l the needs the G e n e r a l m i g h t have, b u t w i t h a correct i n d i f f e r ence, so that o u r guest w o u l d not get the idea that w e w e r e his servants, b u t allies i n the w a r . As soon as the G e n e r a l l a n d e d , he s h o u l d l e a r n that o u r t r a d i t i o n a l h o s p i t a l i t y inspires the generosity of the host a m o n g the A l b a n i a n s . H e w i l l need some people to serve h i m , a cook a n d someone t o s u p p l y h i m w i t h vegetables, but, first of all, I i n s t r u c t e d , he must be f o u n d 69

s o m e w h e r e t o stay. A l l this m u s t b e p a i d f o r i n h a r d cash. It's w a r t i m e , t h e y h a v e m o n e y a n d o u r people are poor. I understand, ' m y d e a r f r i e n d ' , w a s K a d r i Hoxha's refrain. Later, w e s h a l l e x a m i n e his attitude t o w a r d s our w a r , t o w a r d s the p o l i c y o f the N a t i o n a l L i b eration F r o n t a n d t o w a r d s the B a l l i s t s a n d reaction, I said, and d e p e n d i n g on t h i s stand, we s h a l l define o u r c o n d u c t t o w a r d s h i m . All the people w h o are to associate w i t h h i m must be sound, intelligent, prudent, closem o u t h e d , a n d a h u n d r e d per cent l o y a l to our cause, I i n s t r u c t e d the c o m m a n d e r . I h a v e e v e r y t h i n g clear, ' m y dear friend'. W h e r e d o y o u t h i n k w e m i g h t b i l l e t the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l f o r the t i m e b e i n g ? I asked K a d r i H o x h a , p r e t e n d i n g that I c o u l d not guess the place he w o u l d name. In O r e n j a , ' m y d e a r f r i e n d ' , he r e p l i e d w i t h a w i n k of his eye, s m i l i n g his sardonic s m i l e a n d s t r o k i n g his d a p p e r moustache. The G e n e r a l w i l l b e n i c e l y caged u p there. I agree, I said. E s t a b l i s h h i m in O r e n j a w i t h y o u r f r i e n d B e g B a l l a . T h e y t e l l m e that the G e n e r a l i s getting o n i n years. S i n c e B e g i s e l d e r l y , too, it m i g h t please h i m to t a l k to the G e n e r a l , but m i n d y o u don't let B e g gossip w i t h h i m much. 70

The group commander smiled. I w a s o n l y p u l l i n g y o u r leg, as he is y o u r friend, I said. Because B e g B a l l a is a s y m p a t h i z e r o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r . First of all, I c o n t i n u e d , we must p r o v i d e the G e n e r a l w i t h a liaison officer, one of our comrades w h o k n o w s E n g l i s h w e l l , w h o w i l l r e m a i n w i t h h i m c o n t i n u o u s l y a n d act a s the l i n k between h i m a n d his staff a n d the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n c i l a n d the G e n e r a l Staff of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y . I thought of C o m r a d e F r e d e r i k Nosi. Y o u r idea is a good one, he r e p l i e d . F r e d e r i k N o s i came f r o m the same f a m i l y as L e f N o s i , a person w h o h a d i n f l u e n c e w i t h i n E l b a s a n a n d a l l o v e r the district, especially in S h p a t . L e f w a s notorious as a c u n n i n g bourgeois i n t e l l e c t u a l opposed to the people; he h a d been against the peasant u p r i s i n g of H a x h i Q a m i l i . In the t i m e of Z o g he c o n t i n u e d to e n r i c h himself. H e w a s respected b y the regime as a person w i t h tendencies opposed to V r l a c i . L a t e r he became a p r o m i n e n t f i g u r e in the B a l l i K o m b t a r against our P a r t y a n d the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t . Consistent i n his treachery, L e f N o s i w e n t so f a r as to collaborate w i t h the G e r m a n s also, but w e c a p t u r e d h i m a n d t r i e d h i m for his crimes. D u r i n g the Z o g regime L e f N o s i must have been an agent of the Intelligence Service, because h e l i v e d a n d collaborated w i t h a n E n g 71

l i s h w o m a n , M r s . H a s l u c k , w h o l i v e d f o r some t i m e in E l b a s a n w h e r e she occupied a house a n d h a d become his mistress. S h e w a s allegedly e n gaged i n a n t h r o p o l o g i c a l research, i n collecting flowers, butterflies a n d folklore, b u t in fact, as w a s p r o v e d later, she w a s w o r k i n g f o r the B r i t i s h Secret S e r v i c e . M r s . H a s l u c k r e m a i n e d i n E l b a s a n u n t i l the occupation o f A l b a n i a i n 1939 b y fascist Italy. A f t e r l e a v i n g A l b a n i a , this l o n g time agent of the B r i t i s h Intelligence S e r v i c e t u r n e d u p i n C a i r o a n d s e r v e d a s i n s t r u c t o r there f o r the B r i t i s h missions that w e r e sent t o A l b a n i a d u r i n g the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r . F r e d e r i k was a p a t r i o t i c i n t e l l e c t u a l , w h o h a d done his p r i m a r y schooling i n E l b a s a n and w e n t o n t o R o b e r t College i n Istanbul, w h e r e the lessons w e r e g i v e n i n the E n g l i s h language w h i c h h e mastered w e l l . L a t e r h e g r a d u a t e d f o r l a w i n I t a l y and, o n the eve o f the o c c u p a t i o n of A l b a n i a by fascist Italy, w a s a p p o i n t e d a judge. F r e d e r i k hated Lef, w a s opposed t o h i m . H e w a s a progressive m a n w i t h r e v o l u t i o n a r y views, w a n t e d to become a c o m m u n i s t a n d j o i n e d the Z j a r r i G r o u p . W h e n this g r o u p w a s expose d a n d demolished b y the P a r t y , F r e d e r i k was one of those honest comrades w h o abandoned the group, j o i n e d the Party and fought and still fights l o y a l l y w i t h i n its r a n k s , w i t h o u t ever w a vering. 72

I r e m e m b e r that after I h a d w r i t t e n in the newspaper Zri i popullit, the article, A Few

Words about Some Lackeys of Fascism: the Zja-

rri Group, the essence of w h i c h w a s : open f i r e against t h e Z j a r r i G r o u p , a n d the g r o u p h a d been c o m p l e t e l y smashed, w h e n I was o n m y w a y back f r o m K o r a t o L a b i n o t , a t P o l i s , i n the h o m e of M y f t a r H o x h a I m e t a y o u n g m a n c a r r y i n g a satchel. W h o are y o u ? I asked h i m . F r e d e r i k Nosi, he r e p l i e d . I've j o i n e d the partisans a n d h a v e been a d m i t t e d to the P a r t y , too, a n d he t o l d me about his a c t i v i t y . I h a d h e a r d the n a m e of F r e d e r i k N o s i . because we h a d it in the list of names of the members of t h e Z j a r r i G r o u p . B u t I f o r m e d a good i m p r e s s i o n of h i m f r o m the t i m e I f i r s t met h i m i n M y f t a r ' s house a n d I w a s not m i s t a k e n . This, i n a f e w w o r d s , w a s F r e d e r i k N o s i w h o m I w a s to appoint as the l i a i s o n officer attached to G e n e r a l Davies. I k n e w Frederik's record and was convinced that he w a s l o y a l to the P a r t y . I t h o u g h t that w h e n this person w a s proposed t o G e n e r a l D a vies as l i a i s o n officer, the G e n e r a l w o u l d be i n the seventh heaven, a n d , w h i l e k e e p i n g his face as impassive as B u d d h a , w o u l d t h i n k , W h a t an unsuspected blessing! T h e n e p h e w o f L e f N o s i , M r s . H a s l u c k ' s acquaintance, is to be w i t h m e ? ! Later, w h e n I proposed F r e d e r i k to the G e n e r a l ,
73

he was unable to hide his delight. B u t he was w r o n g . F r e d e r i k N o s i w a s not a n d n e v e r became his man. I s u m m o n e d F r e d e r i k , t o l d h i m of the m i s sion w i t h w h i c h w e w e r e c h a r g i n g h i m , d e f i n e d his duties, spoke about the i m p o r t a n c e of the job, its dangers a n d the benefits w e w o u l d h a v e f r o m it, a n d asked h i m w h e t h e r he agreed to accept the task. I f u l l y agree, he said, I am a soldier of the P a r t y a n d w i l l go w h e r e v e r it sends m e . I w i l l d o m y d u t y h o n o u r a b l y . A n d h e d i d , too, h o n o u r a b l y , as a patriot a n d a l o y a l s o n of the Party. R i g h t f r o m the start I was c o n v i n c e d that the c o m i n g of this B r i t i s h mission, headed by a general, t o A l b a n i a w o u l d not b r i n g a n y notable benefit t o o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r . T h e G e n e r a l w o u l d c e r t a i n l y f o l l o w the same strategy a n d tactics t o w a r d s us as his predecessors, t h a t is, he w o u l d assist us w i t h a f e w weapons, a l i t t l e ammunition and c l o t h i n g , the m i n i m u m t o j u s t i f y his c o m i n g a n d s t a y i n g here, w o u l d give us a f e w h u n d r e d sovereigns, in order to say, T r y t o b u y weapons f r o m the o c c u p a t i o n soldiers o n the black m a r k e t , etc. A s w e h a d understood f r o m w h a t they a t t e m p t e d to do secretly, the r e a l task of the B r i t i s h m i l i t a r y missions w a s to gather 74

i n f o r m a t i o n about the situation, organization, size a n d changes in t h e e n e m y forces, as w e l l as about the situation, organization, activities a n d n u m b e r s of o u r p a r t i s a n forces, a n d about the strategy a n d tactics o f o u r leadership i n the w a r . T h e i r task w a s to a c q u a i n t themselves w i t h the s i t u a t i o n , strength, a n d i n f l u e n c e o f the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d other r e a c t i o n a r y groups w h i c h w e r e o p e r a t i n g in o u r c o u n t r y , a n d on the basis of this i n f o r m a t i o n , t o b u i l d u p t h e i r strategy and tactics f o r i n t e r v e n t i o n i n A l b a n i a . W h a t conclusions h a d I reached in r e g a r d to t h e a c t i v i t y of the B r i t i s h ? Regardless of the fact that t h e y w e r e f i g h t i n g against fascist I t a l y a n d H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y , regardless of the fact that they w e r e a l l i e d w i t h u s w h o w e r e f i g h t i n g the same enemy, t h e y w a n t e d t o w e a k e n our N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r , t o w e a k e n a n d , i f possible, e l i m i n a t e the i n f l u e n c e of o u r P a r t y , to r e c r u i t agents a n d spies in the r a n k s of the F r o n t , a n d especially i n the r a n k s o f the communists, i n order to w e a k e n a n d destroy us, to create groups a n d factions, a n d thus p r e p a r e a t e r r a i n in w h i c h the B r i t i s h officers w o u l d m a k e the l a w i n the r a n k s o f o u r detachments a n d t u r n t h e m into c o m mandos to c a r r y out sabotage actions a n d gather i n f o r m a t i o n i n the interests o f the B r i t i s h E m p i r e a n d to the d e t r i m e n t of the independence of our country. 75

T h e i r p l a n w a s to get to k n o w , to meet a n d l i n k up w i t h the supporters of Zog, the heads of the B a l l i K o m b t a r , w i t h the b a j r a k t a r s a n d quislings, a n d together w i t h t h e m , to create a m i l i t a r y - p o l i t i c a l force i n A l b a n i a opposed t o the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y a n d the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t . T h e y w a n t e d t o h a v e this force, w h i c h they w o u l d lead p o l i t i c a l l y a n d m i l i t a r i l y , ready to engage in direct f i g h t i n g against us d u r i n g the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r a n d especially o n the eve o f L i b e r a t i o n , i n o r d e r t o seize p o w e r f r o m o u r hands, or at least, to force us to share power w i t h them. It was the sacred d u t y of the P a r t y a n d of me personally, as its G e n e r a l S e c r e t a r y a n d r e s ponsible f o r the p a r t i s a n a r m e d forces, to block, p a r a l y z e a n d destroy these d i a b o l i c a l plans of the B r i t i s h . W e w e r e t o c a r r y out this sacred d u t y w i t h complete success. W i t h its heroic struggle a n d r e v o l u t i o n a r y vigilance, the P a r t y saved t h e people a n d the H o m e l a n d f r o m f a l l i n g into m a n y dangerous traps w h i c h the B r i t i s h pseudo-allies w e r e secretly p r e p a r i n g . T h e B r i t i s h i m p e r i a l i s t s w e r e unable to achieve a n y of t h e i r objectives. P r e c i s e l y f o r these reasons, the c o m i n g of G e n e r a l D a v i e s a n d his g r o u p p u t us on the alert. H e was not being sent here f o r n o t h i n g . W i t h o u t doubt his centre considered that the conditions w e r e ripe f o r f u r t h e r actions. W h a t w e r e these actions? It w a s our d u t y to discover t h e m . 76

H i s centre w a s c e r t a i n l y s e n d i n g this G e n e r a l to co-ordinate the a c t i v i t y of the B r i t i s h missions here better, or to t r y to e x t e n d a n d increase t h e i r n u m b e r f o r n e w tasks i n n e w situations. Hence, it was o u r d u t y to discover these aims, too. O u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r h a d assumed m a j o r p r o p o r t i o n s a n d w a s g a t h e r i n g strength. O u r p a r t i s a n etas, detachments, a n d battalions w e r e d e a l i n g h e a v y b l o w s to the I t a l i a n fascists in our country. The National Liberation Front h a d become a reality, a b r o a d , p o w e r f u l , p o l i t i c a l o r g a n i z a t i o n w h i c h was e x t e n d i n g d a y b y d a y a n d getting the people into the f i g h t against the occupiers. T h e quislings w e r e b e i n g exposed a n d replaced one after the other. T h e B a l l i K o m btar w a s c o m i n g out i n its t r u e colours, because it d i d not f i g h t the enemy, b u t collaborated w i t h it a n d the quislings, a n d in fact, it f o u g h t us w i t h a r m s a n d w i t h p r o p a g a n d a . A l l the b a j r a k tars o f the N o r t h w e r e w i t h the occupiers a n d i n open a r m e d struggle against the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y a n d the people. F o r fascist I t a l y the end h a d come, w h i l e H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y was r e c e i v i n g h e a v y b l o w s a n d s u f f e r i n g one defeat after another. P r e c i s e l y i n this s i t u a t i o n this B r i t i s h G e n eral l a n d e d i n A l b a n i a . W i t h o u t doubt h e came to f i s h in t r o u b l e d waters. F o r a l l these reasons, a l o n g w i t h the measures to receive h i m in the zone of E l b a s a n , I i m 77

mediately took other p o l i t i c a l , o r g a n i z a t i o n a l and security measures. I s u m m o n e d to P e z a the P o l i t i c a l Secretary of the R e g i o n a l C o m m i t t e e of the C P A f o r T i r a n a , G o g o N u s h i , w h o m , a f t e r i n f o r m i n g h i m of developments, I i n s t r u c t e d to organize and set in m o t i o n o u r i n f o r m a t i o n service in the d i r e c t i o n of p r o - B r i t i s h democratic circles, o r leaders o f the B a l l i K o m b t a r , t o f i n d out w h e t h e r they, too, h a d been i n f o r m e d about the c o m i n g of this m i s s i o n headed by a general, and w h y it was coming. I instructed h i m to i n f o r m me as q u i c k l y as possible about e v e r y t h i n g they might learn, directly or indirectly. Likewise, I notified Comrade H a x h i Lleshi to keep his ears open a n d set people in m o t i o n t o gather i n f o r m a t i o n o n these matters b y p e n e t r a t i n g into the c i r c l e o f the b a j r a k t a r s o f D i b r a . I sent a c o u r i e r to B a b a F a j a a n d i n f o r m e d h i m that, apart f r o m the above task, after the G e n e r a l l a n d e d , h e w i t h his m e n m u s t k e e p w a t c h on a l l the roads a n d paths of M a r t a n e s h a n d not a l l o w a n y dubious c h a r a c t e r to enter B i z a a n d contact the B r i t i s h . I also i n f o r m e d the c o m m u n i s t comrades i n S h n g j e r g j about t h e same t h i n g , a n d i n s t r u c t e d t h e m t o w a t c h the movements o f the Ballists, the M e m a j f a m i l y a n d company. I h a d a long, specially detailed t a l k w i t h M u s t a f a K a a i , commissar of the p a r t i s a n eta 78

of M a t , w h o m I i n s t r u c t e d to pay attention to a n y t h i n g he m i g h t hear a n d to m o v e m e n t s of the Zogites i n M a t , especially those a r o u n d B a z i i Cans. B e f o r e G e n e r a l D a v i e s l a n d e d i n our c o u n try, I received t w o pieces of i n f o r m a t i o n , one f r o m M a t a n d one f r o m S h n g j e r g j . T h e i n f o r m a tion f r o m M a t w a s that at a feast the b a j r a k t a r B i l a l K o l a had said: His Majesty K i n g Zog I is w o r k i n g f o r A l b a n i a , he is t h i n k i n g about us, and is g o i n g to send somebody i m p o r t a n t here soon. T h e i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m S h n g j e r g j related that some chiefs o f the B a l l i K o m b t a r i n S h m r i village h a d s a i d : T h e E n g l i s h m a n i s going t o h e l p us because he is w i t h us a n d not w i t h the c o m munists. It w a s possible that the B r i t i s h secret service h a d i n f o r m e d its people here. T h i s w a s to be v e r i f i e d later. T h u s , t h e phase of p r e p a r i n g f o r the a r r i v a l i n A l b a n i a o f the g r o u p l e d b y the B r i t i s h G e n eral Davies, d u r i n g the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r , came to an end.

79

III T H E COMING A N D T H E INGLORIOUS END OF GENERAL DAVIES

Biza the residence of the British General. Why? The old refrain promises. Two hours of fruitless talk. Not Zog but the Zogites! They have deceived you about the 'battles' of the Balli Kombtar, General. I want to show the Balli Kombtar the way . The smog the games of the B B C . The five true reasons for his coming. Dinner with the Englishman. His meetings with the heads of the Balli Kombtar and the Zogites. Attempts to cross to the South. The crest-fallen General. Who has lost the war? Who should surrender, we? Never. You, General, are a defeatist, a capitulationist. The end: the General surrenders.

O n e m o o n l i g h t n i g h t G e n e r a l D a v i e s a n d his t e a m l a n d e d w i t h o u t i n c i d e n t o n the B i z a P l a t e a u . As w a s r e p o r t e d to me, as soon as he l a n d e d , 80

he h a d boasted to our comrades: I am the first B r i t i s h G e n e r a l t o l a n d i n A l b a n i a b y parachute. On the f o l l o w i n g day, together w i t h his chief of staff C o l o n e l N i c h o l l s he h a d gone h u n t i n g but was disappointed because he h a d k i l l e d n o t h i n g . So, G e n e r a l , I said to myself, w h i l e o u r people are being k i l l e d , y o u go h u n t i n g ! Those days he ordered t h e m t o f i n d h i m a dog a n d v e r y q u i c k l y a bulldog, w h i c h he n a m e d B i z a , w a s b r o u g h t f r o m T i r a n a , o r somewhere. L a t e r a n a i r c r a f t f r o m C a i r o d r o p p e d h i m a b e a u t i f u l collar f o r the dog a n d it used to please a n d amuse the G e n e r a l to see the dog catch the peasants by their baggy trousers, w h e n he took it f o r a w a l k . It c o u l d n ' t be h e l p e d this w a s h o w the G e n e r a l h a d been b r o u g h t u p a n d h e was incapable o f b r e a k i n g a w a y f r o m his bourgeois w o r l d . T h e y i n f o r m e d m e f r o m E l b a s a n also that the E n g l i s h m a n h a d p r e f e r r e d t o establish himself o n the B i z a P l a t e a u a n d not at O r e n j a , as o u r comrades proposed. H e h a d asked w h e t h e r this m a t t e r c o u l d possibly be e x a m i n e d later. A s instructed, o u r comrades h a d g i v e n h i m every assistance to erect huts a n d tents a n d to f u l f i l his other needs f o r people to help h i m , transport a n i m a l s a n d food. A l l the e x p e n d i t u r e was charged to the E n g l i s h m a n ' s account. T h e G e n e r a l ' s desire to r e m a i n at the B i z a P l a t e a u , w h i c h i s exposed t o the w i n d a n d the snow, I thought, was i n s p i r e d neither by love 81

of n a t u r e and the forest, n o r by r o m a n t i c f e e l ings, because c e r t a i n l y this G e n e r a l w a s no B y r o n o r Shelley. O t h e r aims m u s t h a v e i m p e l l e d h i m t o stay a t B i z a . W i t h o u t doubt M c L e a n h a d been l y i n g w h e n h e pretended not t o k n o w w h e r e the B i z a P l a t e a u was. A s s u r e d l y h e p r e f e r r e d the B i z a P l a t e a u f o r his residence because of its strategic position. T h e r e the B r i t i s h a i r c r a f t c o u l d d r o p m a t e r i a l s f o r the t e a m a t a n y t i m e . O n the other h a n d , this place, w h i c h w a s i n o u r l i b e r a t e d zones, w a s suitable f o r the G e n e r a l ' s purposes, because it w a s close to T i r a n a , close to S h n g j e r g j a n d S h m r i , w h e r e the B a l l i s t s h a d t h e i r lairs, a n d because, regardless of the fact that the E n g l i s h m a n pretended to be attached to us, he c o u l d c o m m u n i c a t e m o r e easily w i t h the zones of the N o r t h , a n d especially w i t h M a t a n d D i b r a . F r o m this i t c o u l d b e deduced that the G e n e r a l h a d the task to. l i n k u p w i t h the B r i t i s h missions a l r e a d y in our c o u n t r y , or those w h o s e c o m i n g h e m i g h t request later, a n d t h r o u g h t h e m t o m a k e contact a n d collaborate w i t h the traitors, the quislings, w i t h the Zogite reaction a n d the b a j r a k t a r s o f the N o r t h , w h o h a d sold themselves to the occupiers. T h e r e f o r e , I w a r n e d the c o m rades to keep a v i g i l a n t w a t c h a r o u n d B i z a , to i d e n t i f y those w h o m the B r i t i s h met a n d t o m a k e the G e n e r a l u n d e r s t a n d c l e a r l y that, since he w a s to stay w i t h the G e n e r a l S t a f f of the 82

N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y a n d i n the zones l i b erated by the partisans, he m u s t not m o v e f r o m B i z a w i t h o u t h a v i n g m a d e o f f i c i a l contact w i t h the delegates of the Staff. L a t e r the comrades i n f o r m e d me that he h a d agreed to receive the delegates of our S t a f f and h a d also asked to meet me, a n d that f o r the t i m e being h e w a s concerned w i t h o r g a n i z i n g the w o r k to establish his quarters a n d his stables, a n d supplies of meat a n d vegetables. He's a glutton, o u r c o m m a n d e r of the zone i n f o r m e d me, w h i l e as f o r d r o p p i n g arms to us, he's c o n t i n u i n g the old r e f r a i n of the other B r i t i s h officers: promises! V e r y w e l l then, let the G e n e r a l eat a n d d r i n k , let h i m cool himself in the springs a n d the breezes of B i z a . I w o u l d n o t i f y h i m to come to meet m e w h e n i t suited me, o n m y w a y t o L a binot. S i n c e he, too, h a d o n l y promises, we d i d not w o r r y about k e e p i n g h i m w a i t i n g , because we h a d p l e n t y of other p r o b l e m s on our hands. W e h a d n o t i m e t o waste o n e m p t y w o r d s w h e n the w a r w i t h the enemies a n d the traitors was raging f i e r c e l y . W h e n I f i n i s h e d my w o r k in P e z a I w e n t on to the E l b a s a n region to m a k e contact w i t h the organization o f the P a r t y there, w i t h the l e a d i n g comrades a n d the battalions a n d etas of that region. W e h a d t o f u r t h e r e n l i v e n the organization of the P a r t y , to e x t e n d it to m a n y villages, w h e r e 83

the conditions w e r e b e c o m i n g more f a v o u r a b l e day by day for the extension of the w o r k of the P a r t y . In such districts of E l b a s a n as D u m r e , e r m e n i ka a n d P o l i s we h a d good bases w h i c h h a d to be extended into L i b r a z h d , S h p a t a n d elsewhere. T h e p a r t y o r g a n i z a t i o n i n the city h a d t o p l a y a n even greater r e v o l u t i o n a r y role i n m o b i l i z i n g the people, a n d especially i n a c t i v a t i n g the y o u t h w h o w e r e s w i f t - a c t i n g a n d m i l i t a n t . I h a d p l a n n e d to enter the c i t y m y s e l f several times to meet a n u m b e r of patriots personally in o r d e r to get t h e m into action a n d l i n k t h e m m o r e f i r m l y w i t h the P a r t y and the w a r , as w e l l as to h o l d some meetings w i t h the leaders of the y o u t h in the c i t y a n d possibly also w i t h groups of boys a n d girls. A s i s k n o w n , the centre f r o m w h i c h w e organized contacts w i t h E l b a s a n a n d the other cities most q u i c k l y a n d r e a d i l y was Labinot. W h e n w e w e r e threatened b y some e n e m y attack we w i t h d r e w deeper into the m o u n t a i n s to the region of S h m i l . I h a d p l a n n e d to meet G e n e r a l D a v i e s in L a binot, too. I thought I s h o u l d h o l d this m e e t i n g w i t h h i m not o n l y as the leader of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r , b u t also o n behalf o f the A n t i fascist N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , therefore. I took w i t h m e D r . N i s h a n i , S e j f u l l a M a l s h o v a , Spiro Moisiu, Kostandin Boshnjaku, Nako Spiru, S p i r o K o l e k a , a n d M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i . T h e latter was also to serve as interpreter. He w a s h a p p y 84

that I took h i m w i t h me a n d s h o w e d this, but even if he h a d t r i e d to hide it, I h a d sensed that he w a s a k e e n supporter of the B r i t i s h . On this occasion I w o u l d h a v e the possibility to observe M u s t a f a ' s reaction t o w a r d s the B r i t i s h m o r e carefully. G e n e r a l D a v i e s came to the m e e t i n g in the afternoon of O c t o b e r 31, r i g h t on time. He was accompanied by his chief of staff, C o l o n e l N i c h olls. I shook hands w i t h h i m a n d a s k e d : How are you? How do you feel in Albania? I said this in E n g l i s h , because, w h e n I was in the L y c e u m I h a d learned a l i t t l e E n g l i s h as a f o r e i g n language w i t h B a b a L o n i . T h e G e n e r a l s m i l e d a n d said t o m e : I didn't know you spoke English, you speak it... Y o u r i n f o r m a t i o n is correct, I don't speak English, I i n t e r r u p t e d h i m , but these are a f e w w o r d s I r e m e m b e r f r o m my secondary school days. I speak F r e n c h . We can speak in the language of V o l t a i r e if y o u k n o w it. He replied w i t h a laugh: I h a v e r e a d V o l t a i r e but I don't k n o w the language. D a v i e s was a m i d d l e - a g e d m a n , a bit portly, w i t h a r o u n d face a n d a bulbous r e d nose (app a r e n t l y he l i k e d his w h i s k y ) . H i s eyes were not as h a r d a n d c u n n i n g as M c L e a n ' s . He laughed 85

f r e q u e n t l y a n d k n e w h o w to conceal his thoughts a n d feelings. T h e most h a r d - w o r k e d w o r d of his v o c a b u l a r y was I. H e w a s w e a r i n g battledress w i t h gaiters a n d h e a v y t a n w i n t e r boots. H e h a d on a t h i c k k h a k i f i e l d jacket l i k e those they h a d d r o p p e d us for the partisans. On his head he w o r e a b l a c k beret w i t h a n R A F badge a n d there w e r e t w o or three m e d a l r i b b o n s on his jacket. He was c a r r y i n g a stick, a r e a l w a l k i n g stick a n d not one of those f a n c y batons B r i t i s h officers l i k e to c a r r y . As to his age, he must have been w e l l o n i n his fifties. B r i g a d i e r Davies, I said, y o u are the h o n o u r e d representative of one of our allies, B r i t a i n , i n the w a r against the I t a l i a n fascists a n d the G e r m a n nazis, a n d I am eager to hear w h a t y o u have to say to us. F i r s t of all, began the G e n e r a l , I w a n t to pay homage to the f i g h t of the A l b a n i a n patriots w h o have v o l u n t a r i l y sacrificed t h e i r comfort, t h e i r p r o p e r t y a n d t h e i r lives f o r t h e i r cause. T h e A l l i e d P o w e r s consider the A l b a n i a n movement, along w i t h the m o v e m e n t s of other peoples, of great importance, especially in the Balkans. T h e n , assuming a grave pose, as if to say, L o o k w i t h w h o m y o u have t o do, h e c o n t i n u e d in a pompous tone: I am h a p p y that I was chosen to head the 86

a l l i e d m i s s i o n . . . I w a s chosen on the basis of my past as a soldier. (What i r o n y ! He m i g h t as w e l l have said f o r m e r i t s in suppressing the l i b e r a t i o n m o v e m e n t against the B r i t i s h colonial y o k e i n M e s o p o t a m i a a n d Palestine.) I n L o n d o n a n d i n C a i r o I have h a d discussions w i t h senior officers a n d l e a d i n g statesmen. C h u r c h i l l h i m s e l f w o u l d have met me w h e n I w a s p r e p a r i n g to leave f o r here, h a d he not been at the Quebec C o n f e r e n c e i n C a n a d a . I n C a i r o , M r . Casey, m i n i s t e r o f state for the M i d d l e East, a n d c o m m a n d e r - i n - c h i e f , W i l s o n , h a d meetings w i t h me. A t this time, M r . E d e n , M r . H u l l a n d M r . M o l o t o v are m e e t i n g i n M o s c o w just l i k e y o u a n d I h e r e . . . In order to cut short this arrogant prattle, I interrupted: W e are eager a n d w i l l i n g t o hear w h a t y o u r concrete tasks are a n d w h a t y o u r purpose i n c o m i n g t o o u r c o u n t r y is. W e w o u l d l i k e t o hear f r o m y o u , as an a u t h o r i z e d senior officer, about the w a r s i t u a t i o n i n o t h e r countries, about the ratio of forces b e t w e e n o u r c o m m o n enemies a n d o u r great allies. E v e r y t h i n g t h a t y o u m a y t e l l u s w i l l interest us, because i t w i l l i n f o r m u s about the s i t u a t i o n o f the anti-fascist w a r a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l policy. W e are w a g i n g a c o m m o n w a r against the same e n e m y , therefore, I assure y o u t h a t we s h a l l speak sincerely a n d o p e n l y just as we w i s h y o u to do. We m u s t assist one another 87

in this great w a r to defeat fascism, both in the m i l i t a r y f i e l d a n d i n the p o l i t i c a l field. I ' m a soldier and not a politician, said Davies. Indeed, I must say that I'm not i n v o l v e d in politics at a l l , because as y o u k n o w , M r . H o x h a , our a r m y i s apolitical. I've h e a r d this f r o m y o u r colleague also, I said, but it w o u l d be better to say that y o u t r y 'to keep the soldier outside polities', or m o r e correctly, to ensure that he u n q u e s t i o n i n g l y c a r ries out the p o l i c y of his officers, w h o are not apolitical, but l o y a l l y f o l l o w the p o l i c y of t h e i r government. E x c u s e me, I don't m e a n to offend you, I said to Davies, but w h a t y o u said cannot be true a n y w a y , because m i l i t a r y questions c a n not be separated f r o m p o l i t i c a l questions. As a soldier, y o u must k n o w the famous statement of C l a u s e w i t z of P r u s s i a on this p r o b l e m , because he w a s a soldier, too: ' W a r is the c o n t i n u a t i o n of politics w i t h other means'. In a n y case, d u r i n g our talks a n d our c o l l a b o r a t i o n t o gether y o u w i l l see f o r yourself that politics are l i n k e d v e r y closely w i t h the w a r . W i l l y - n i l l y , y o u yourself w i l l be i n v o l v e d in politics. It cannot be otherwise. G e n e r a l D a v i e s s m i l e d as he c o n t i n u e d : Y o u communists m i x these t w o questions together. Of course, that is y o u r business, b u t we B r i t i s h do not do this, because otherwise we w o u l d be accused of i n t e r f e r i n g in the i n t e r n a l 88

affairs of others, w h i l e we do not w a n t to i n t e r fere. T h i s statement pleases me, I said. A p p a r ently the B r i t i s h E m p i r e has changed its p o l i c y and this is as it s h o u l d be, because n o w the peoples are a w a k e n i n g a n d the era of interference in the i n t e r n a l affairs of others is almost over. Nevertheless, I c o n t i n u e d w i t h o u t e n t e r i n g into academic discussion, I ' m pleased to note that G e n e r a l D a v i e s a n d a l l the other B r i t i s h officers subordinate t o h i m w i l l not interfere i n our i n ternal affairs. I begged his p a r d o n f o r i n t e r r u p t i n g a n d G e n eral D a v i e s c o n t i n u e d : W e are w a g i n g a joint w a r , because we have the same enemy. T h e e n e m y is v e r y strong and, as y o u k n o w , has i n v a d e d the territories of R u s s i a , has occupied F r a n c e a n d the w h o l e continent. H i t l e r w a s u n a b l e t o occupy our c o u n t r y a n d n o w we are f i g h t i n g on the seas a n d oceans a n d in the air a n d assisting a l l the peoples of the w o r l d w h o are f i g h t i n g n a z i s m , w i t h a l l o u r strength. W e also have A m e r i c a , w h i c h is a great m i l i t a r y , p o l itical a n d economic power, as an ally. W i t h o u t its aid, it w o u l d be d i f f i c u l t to w i n the w a r . A n d the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l c o n t i n u e d i n this strain f o r some t w e n t y minutes. T h e n he got on to the m a i n t h e m e : I have been sent to y o u so that, w i t h i n our possibilities, I can assist the w a r of the A l b a n i a n 89

people w h o are o u r allies, a n d f o r w h o m w e have a l w a y s had feelings of good w i l l . I s h a l l lead a l l the groups of officers of the B r i t i s h missions in y o u r c o u n t r y a n d t h e y w i l l take orders f r o m me. I'm sure that I w i l l have the support of the P a r tisan C o m m a n d w h i c h y o u lead, a n d w i l l b e assisted to a c q u a i n t m y s e l f w i t h the s i t u a t i o n in the c o u n t r y , so that I c a n i n f o r m my superiors w h o w a n t m o r e complete k n o w l e d g e o f the s i tuation here in order to be able to organize a n d co-ordinate a i d f o r the A l b a n i a n fighters. I w a n t to m a k e it clear to y o u a n d I t e l l y o u frankly. M r . Hoxha, continued the General, that b o t h i n C a i r o a n d L o n d o n there's c o n f u sion about the question of A l b a n i a . T h e r e they are not r e a l l y c e r t a i n w h e t h e r the w a r is b e i n g fought, h o w it is b e i n g f o u g h t a n d w h o is f i g h t i n g i n A l b a n i a . I n L o n d o n they say that the Z o g ites are f i g h t i n g the w a r , some say that there is an o r g a n i z a t i o n of nationalist patriots called the B a l l i K o m b t a r , w h i l e others say that those w h o are f i g h t i n g are communists, the partisans that y o u lead. I believe that one of the causes f o r this confusion is that o u r missions here are few, a n d thus, for one reason or another, t h e y have not h a d the possibility to a c q u a i n t themselves p r o p e r l y w i t h the s i t u a t i o n . The reason that t h e y h a v e sent me here to the P a r t i s a n C o m m a n d , M r . H o x h a , c o n t i n u e d 90

this agent of the B r i t i s h Intelligence Service, G e n e r a l D a v i e s w i t h the R A F badge o n his beret, is to clear a w a y the smog in L o n d o n a n d send a r a y of sunshine there f r o m A l b a n i a . Y o u ' r e s p e a k i n g l i k e Shelley, B r i g a d i e r , I said. It seems to me that y o u r i n s p i r a t i o n and the poetic phrases that y o u use have t h e i r source i n the heavens, since y o u are a n R A F officer. O h , no, M r . H o x h a , he said, this is just a n h o n o r a r y R A F badge w h i c h they gave m e because I am a paratrooper. C a r r y on, I t h o u g h t to myself, I k n o w none of w h a t y o u ' r e t e l l i n g me is true. Brigadier Davies continued: W h i l e l o o k i n g at matters f r o m the angle of the p a r t i s a n w a r , since I have been sent to y o u for this purpose, I w o u l d l i k e , w i t h y o u r p e r m i s sion, to m a k e contact also w i t h the other a n t i fascist c u r r e n t s w h i c h are f i g h t i n g against the occupiers, f o r e x a m p l e , w i t h the B a l l i K o m b t a r , the Zogites or a n y other current, if s u c h exists. Y o u m u s t u n d e r s t a n d that I s h a l l do this, c o n t i n u e d the G e n e r a l , in the interests of our c o m m o n fight, b u t also i n the interest o f A l b a n i a i t self. In this u n d e r t a k i n g , I am g u i d e d by no i n terests other t h a n those of the w a r against n a z i G e r m a n y . T h a t is a l l I have to say, M r . H o x h a , concluded G e n e r a l D a v i e s w i t h a smile. I have listened to y o u w i t h attention, G e n eral, I said. N o w please listen to me. I shall 91

speak at somewhat greater l e n g t h , regardless of the fact that I am the representative of a s m a l l people. O u r people, s m a l l i n n u m b e r s , h a v e fought d u r i n g t h e i r w h o l e existence. Y o u r people have fought, too, b u t the w a r s of o u r t w o peoples have been of d i f f e r e n t characters. O u r c o u n t r y has been i n v a d e d m a n y times, b u t w e h a v e a l w a y s f o u g h t the enemies, w e h a v e d r i v e n t h e m out a n d w e have n e v e r m i x e d o u r blood w i t h them. The A l b a n i a n people h a v e a n ancient h i s tory. T h e y are a m o n g the most ancient peoples o f the B a l k a n s and, a l t h o u g h s m a l l i n n u m b e r s , a t every p e r i o d t h e y have d i s p l a y e d t h e i r v i t a l i t y by resisting attempts to w i p e t h e m out, at a l l costs, a n d have m a t c h e d t h e i r strength i n w a r w i t h m a n y savage enemies w h o h a v e been u n able to overcome t h e i r sentiments f o r f r e e d o m . The Ottoman feudal-military regime prevailed for 500 years on end. T h e i n v a d e r s b r o u g h t death a n d destruction, t r i e d t o d r o w n the A l b a n i a n s i n blood, b u t they n e v e r y i e l d e d . T h e A l b a n i a n people preserved t h e i r language, t h e i r c u l t u r e a n d t h e i r b r i l l i a n t ancient traditions. T h e i r w h o l e h i s t o r y has been w r i t t e n i n b l o o d a n d t h e y are s h e d d i n g t h e i r blood today t o w i n t h e i r f r e e d o m . T h a n k s to bloody w a r s , t h a n k s to the r i f l e a n d the pen, in 1912 independence w a s p r o c l a i m e d i n V l o r a , w h e r e the patriot I s m a i l Q e m a l i raised the n a t i o n a l flag, the f l a g of o u r N a t i o n a l H e r o 92

S k a n d e r b e g , w h o i n the 15th c e n t u r y fought for 25 years on e n d against the O t t o m a n i n v a d e r s . B u t even after this, l i t t l e A l b a n i a became a b a t t l e f i e l d a n d an object of the p r e d a t o r y aims o f the G r e a t P o w e r s a n d t h e i r satellites. N e v e r theless, o u r people w i t h s t o o d these aims a n d intrigues. In the W a r of V l o r a of 1920 they drove the I t a l i a n occupiers into the sea. I w e n t on to speak about the regime of Z o g a n d h o w the e x t e r n a l a n d i n t e r n a l enemies o f the A l b a n i a n people b r o u g h t h i m t o power. U n d e r his r e g i m e the c o u n t r y was u t t e r l y ruined, I c o n t i n u e d . Its independence existed o n l y on paper a n d the people suffered every sort o f h a r d s h i p . A l b a n i a w a s completely dependent p o l i t i c a l l y a n d e c o n o m i c a l l y o n the G r e a t P o w e r s , w h i c h used it as a t o k e n f o r barter. T h e r e w e r e v e r y f e w schools, 85 per cent of the p o p u l a t i o n w a s illiterate. T h e i n t e r n a l p o l i c y of the despot Z o g w a s a p o l i c y of suppression of h u m a n rights, a p o l i c y of c o r r u p t i o n , of the c l u b a n d the noose, against a n y o r d i n a r y p a t r i o t i c person, against a n y t h i n g n e w a n d progressive. A g r i c u l t u r e was c o m p l e t e l y neglected, a n d the peasants w e r e e x ploited to the bone by most ferocious m e d i a e v a l methods. H u n g e r , disease a n d ignorance p r e v a i l e d e v e r y w h e r e . S u c h i n d u s t r y as there was, was quite negligible o n l y a f e w w o r k s h o p s , w h e r e the w o r k e r s toiled t o e x h a u s t i o n f o r v e r y little pay. O u r c o u n t r y w a s left w i t h o u t one metre of railway. 93

There w a s great u n e m p l o y m e n t a n d the A l banians w e r e c o m p e l l e d to take the r o a d of e m i gration t o E g y p t , the U S A , A r g e n t i n a a n d A u s t r a l i a , and in spite of that, t h e y h a d ' o n l y an e m p t y purse', as a j u p , the poet of o u r N a t i o n a l Renaissance, w r o t e . U n d e r the r e g i m e o f Z o g the I t a l i a n fascists became masters of the c o u n try. O u r underground wealth was exploited by t h e m , too. Fascist Italy, w i t h the s u p p o r t o f the l o cal gentry, b r o u g h t i n I t a l i a n settlers a n d d r o v e the peasants f r o m t h e i r l a n d . T h r o u g h a p o l i c y o f d u m p i n g , i t s w a m p e d the A l b a n i a n m a r k e t and absorbed a l l o u r r a w materials. T h i s r e g i m e opened the doors to the occupation. Z o g d i d not a l l o w the people to fight, sabotaged the a r m y , stole the gold the b l o o d a n d sweat of the A l b a n i a n people, abandoned the c o u n t r y a n d today i s l i v i n g i n l u x u r y w i t h his w i f e , his son a n d h i s servants i n L o n d o n . T h e sufferings o f this w a r w e r e added to those the people w e r e a l r e a d y experiencing. H o w e v e r , a s y o u h a v e h e a r d a n d w i l l see w i t h y o u r o w n eyes n o w that y o u are here, the A l b a n i a n people rose against the invaders, as has a l w a y s been t h e i r custom, a n d are f i g h t i n g selfs a c r i f i c i n g l y besides the great allies. T h e y are d e t e r m i n e d a n d c o n f i d e n t that, just as t h e y defeated I t a l i a n fascism, t h e y w i l l s t r i k e a m o r t a l b l o w a t 94

the H i t l e r i t e a r m y a n d w i n t h e i r f r e e d o m . T h e y are c o n v i n c e d that, together w i t h this, they w i l l d o a w a y w i t h i n t e r n a l e x p l o i t a t i o n a n d oppression. A h a p p y f u t u r e awaits t h e m . A l l the w e a l t h above a n d b e l o w the g r o u n d w i l l b e i n the hands of the people. Do y o u see these forests? T h e r e w i l l come a d a y w h e n t h e y w i l l b e e x p l o i t e d t o b u i l d factories, blocks of flats, schools and hospitals a n d w i l l p r o v i d e sleepers for our r a i l w a y s , there w i l l come a time w h e n r e s o r t s , w h e r e the w o r k i n g people w i l l pass t h e i r holidays, w i l l be established here a n d in other places w i t h c r y s t a l springs... F o r e i g n e r s have occupied y o u r c o u n t r y , too. W a r s h a v e been w a g e d there, too. W h o hasn't i n v a d e d y o u r i s l a n d : the Celts, the R o m a n s , the V i k i n g s , the so-called ' N o r t h m e n ' , a n d others but the k i n g s a n d queens of E n g l a n d , the u p p e r strata of the c o u n t r y , have accepted the occupiers and m a d e peace w i t h t h e m , have coexisted a n d i n t e r m a r r i e d w i t h t h e m , have adopted the foreigners' w a y of l i f e a n d even t a k e n over the expansionist p o l i c y of R o m a n emperors a n d others. D i a l e c t i c a l l y , h o w e v e r , the old dies out a n d the n e w t r i u m p h s , hence, w i t h the passage of time, old, a n t i - p o p u l a r ideas are rejected a n d in place of t h e m n e w ideas are b o r n a n d t h e i r correctness i s c o n f i r m e d b y t i m e a n d science. The h i s t o r y of the existence a n d w o r k of 95

my people is not l i k e that of the P h o e n i x , because, a l t h o u g h after e a c h o c c u p a t i o n it seemed f r o m the outside that e v e r y t h i n g h a d been lost and a n y hope of f r e e d o m h a d been e x t i n g u i s h e d , t h e y were n e v e r t u r n e d t o ashes. T h e A l b a n i a n w a s an eagle a n d r e m a i n e d an eagle t h r o u g h the centuries. Y o u said, G e n e r a l , that B r i t a i n has a l w a y s w i s h e d A l b a n i a w e l l . F r i e n d s speak f r a n k l y a n d I regret to t e l l y o u that I cannot agree w i t h y o u on this question. I don't w a n t to go into a l o n g history, b u t everyone k n o w s that d u r i n g the F i r s t W o r l d W a r a n d a t the T r e a t y o f V e r s a i l l e s B r i t a i n considered A l b a n i a a savage c o u n t r y a n d a t o k e n f o r barter, a l l o t t i n g a piece to Italy, a piece to Greece a n d a piece to Y u g o s l a v i a . A l b a n i a a n d the A l b a n i a n people, w h o f o u g h t f o r existence o n t h e i r o w n l a n d , w e r e sold off t h r o u g h open a n d secret treaties. B u t w h y go so f a r b a c k ? W h e n fascist I t a l y attacked us, y o u r p r i m e minister, C h a m b e r l a i n , d i d not l i f t a f i n ger to help us, he w a s too b u s y w i t h his f i s h i n g r o d . B u t c o u l d i t b e i m a g i n e d that C h a m b e r l a i n , w h o sold out C z e c h o s l o v a k i a a n d A u s t r i a , w h o signed the M u n i c h A g r e e m e n t a n d endangered the B r i t i s h Isles themselves, w o u l d not sell out A l b a n i a ? T h i s is w h a t happened. Of course, o u r o p i n i o n of the B r i t i s h people is different f r o m t h a t of their rulers. W e have respect f o r the B r i t i s h people w h o 96

are f i g h t i n g courageously beside the glorious peoples of the S o v i e t U n i o n , a n d m a k i n g an outstanding c o n t r i b u t i o n to the defeat of H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y . T h e B r i t i s h people are o u r allies. W e have a h i g h o p i n i o n of the w a r they are w a g i n g . O f a l l the m a j o r states o f W e s t e r n E u r o p e , B r i t a i n i s the o n l y one w h i c h resisted H i t l e r v a l i a n t y a n d w i t h great sacrifice. B r i t a i n d i d not y i e l d . It k n e w h o w to retreat a n d also h o w to attack. T h i s fact w e have never denied. W i n s t o n C h u r c h i l l , w h o leads the w a r o f y o u r people, w h i c h saved the B r i t i s h Isles, i s not l i k e C h a m b e r l a i n . B u t i n o u r o p i n i o n , the w a r i s v e r y c o m plex a n d v e r y d i f f i c u l t . P o l i t i c s cannot b e separated f r o m the w a r , G e n e r a l . A w r o n g a n d treacherous p o l i c y led F r a n c e to catastrophe. We cannot consider the p o l i c y of the U n i t e d States of A m e r i c a at that period good, because w h e n F r a n c e h a d been b r o u g h t t o its knees b y n a z i G e r m a n y a n d y o u r islands w e r e threatened, the A m e r i c a n embassy r e m a i n e d i n V i c h y , accredited t o the F r e n c h t r a i tor, M a r s h a l l P e t a i n . N o w that w e are f i g h t i n g together o n one front against the one savage enemy, we s h a l l smash it, because w e are m o r e p o w e r f u l . Y o u made passing reference t o the w a r o f the S o v i e t U n i o n . I w i s h to stress t h a t the Soviet U n i o n is w a g i n g a heroic w a r a n d its R e d A r m y i s i n v i n c i b l e . T o lose one or even f i v e battles does not m e a n that 97

y o u have lost the w a r . B o n a p a r t e w o n e v e r y battle but it was the R u s s i a n people w h o b r o u g h t h i m d o w n f r o m his h i g h horse. N a z i s m w i l l b e smashed a n d destroyed b y the Soviet U n i o n a n d a l l of us the peoples w h o are f i g h t i n g a n d are its allies. I m u s t stress, G e n e r a l , that it is good that y o u are g o i n g to clear a w a y the smog about the A l b a n i a n question w h i c h has a p p a r e n t l y shrouded L o n d o n . T h i s w i l l d e p e n d o n the reports y o u m a k e . Regardless of this, h o w e v e r , I can assure y o u that events i n o u r c o u n t r y w i l l develop a c c o r d i n g t o t h e w i l l o f the A l b a n i a n people, w h o this t i m e are going to decide t h e i r o w n f u t u r e by means of the r i f l e . I cannot agree w i t h w h a t y o u said, G e n e r a l , I continued, that M a j o r M c L e a n a n d the other B r i t i s h officers, w h o have been in our c o u n t r y , have been u n a b l e to l e a r n the t r u e situation, have not understood h o w the anti-fascist w a r i s d e v e l o p i n g here, w h o i s f i g h t i n g a n d w h o i s not f i g h t i n g , w h o f o u g h t against u s i n c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h the I t a l i a n f a s cists, w h o are a t t a c k i n g u s side b y side w i t h the G e r m a n nazis and w h o are those others w h o are p r e p a r i n g t o attack u s together w i t h the G e r mans. O n m a n y occasions w e h a v e m a d e these matters clear t o M a j o r M c L e a n a n d other B r i t i s h officers a n d moreover, at his request, we a l l o w e d M a j o r M c L e a n t o g o t o u r g e some B a l l i s t etas i n K o r a t o u n i t e w i t h u s i n f i g h t i n g against 98

the enemy, a n d t h e y not o n l y d i d not w a n t to do this, b u t e v e n w e n t so f a r as to attack o u r f o r ces. T h i s is my a n s w e r to y o u r statement that the B r i t i s h missions here ' m a y not h a v e been p r o p e r l y i n f o r m e d . ' T h e t r u t h i s that t h e y h a v e not r e p o r t e d the r e a l s i t u a t i o n accurately, because t h i s has been t h e i r predisposition. N o w w e are h a p p y that y o u w i l l deal w i t h this question properly. G e n e r a l D a v i e s b o w e d a n d said, Thank you! G e n e r a l , I c o n t i n u e d , y o u spoke of t h e Zogites a n d said that they are f i g h t i n g ! S u c h a t h i n g has n e v e r been true, either n o w o r i n t h e past. As I said earlier, the Zogites headed by Z o g h a v e oppressed the A l b a n i a n people f o r years on end, h a v e m u r d e r e d a n d sucked the blood of o u r people. Z o g w a s a m u r d e r e r , a h a n g m a n , a thief, an a d v e n t u r e r a n d t r a i t o r w h o l i n k e d u p w i t h Italy against o u r people, w h o sold the c o u n t r y to I t a l y a n d p r e p a r e d the occupation o f A l b a n i a . I repeat: A t t h e t r a g i c m o m e n t t h e t r a i t o r K i n g stole the people's g o l d a n d r a n f o r shelter t o y o u r c o u n t r y . T h i s c r u e l f e u d a l l o r d , agent of A u s t r i a - H u n g a r y , agent of the Serbs a n d W r a n g e l ' s w h i t e Russians, agent of M u s s o l i n i , and executioner of the A l b a n i a n people, pretends t o b e K i n g o f the A l b a n i a n s ! Z o g a n d his o b e d i ent h o u n d , A b a z K u p i , constitute a f i l t h y ' d y n asty'. H o w l u d i c r o u s is t h e position of those 99

abroad w h o s u p p o r t Z o g a n d t h i n k that t h e y w i l l use h i m as a t r u m p c a r d in the game they w a n t to p l a y to the d e t r i m e n t of the A l b a n i a n people! A h m e t Z o g is a c a r d that w i l l n e v e r again have a n y value, G e n e r a l . I n our c o u n t r y the v e r y stones of the r o a d see Z o g as an enemy, let alone t h e A l b a n i a n s w h o w i l l tear h i m t o bits if t h e y c a t c h h i m . I f i n d it regrettable, G e n e r a l , that y o u even m e n t i o n e d the n a m e of this b a n dit. E x c u s e me, M r . H o x h a , i n t e r r u p t e d the G e n e r a l , I d i d not speak about Z o g , b u t about the Zogites. General, I replied, if y o u speak of the Zogites, y o u are s p e a k i n g of Zog, too. It is a m i s t a k e to t h i n k that the Zogites are f i g h t i n g . T h e y have n e v e r fought the occupiers a n d do not w a n t to fight them. The National Liberation F r o n t has appealed t o t h e m t o rise i n the w a r , a n d m o r e o v e r t h e i r chief, t o w h o m one o f y o u r missions i s attached, a n d who t o o k part i n the Conference of P e z a a n d w a s elected to the G e n e r a l Staff, not o n l y d i d not f i r e a single shot against the occupiers e v e n 'by accident', b u t w i t h d r e w f r o m t h e F r o n t a n d i s o r g a n i z i n g the reactionary forces to f i g h t us. B r i g a d i e r Davies, I c o n t i n u e d , the t i m e has come f o r the representatives of the b i g c a p i talist states to change t h e i r o p i n i o n a n d s t a n d 100

t o w a r d s o t h e r peoples, especially t o w a r d s the s m a l l peoples. T h e y m u s t accept t h a t the peoples can no l o n g e r tolerate oppression a n d e x p l o i t a t i o n by the capitalist colonial forces a n d do their b i d d i n g , in a w o r d , obey the orders a n d desires of those forces a n d w a i t f o r a L o r d Beaconsfield, a B i s m a r c k , a L l o y d George, a C l e menceau, a S o n n i n o , a C h a m b e r l a i n or a D a l a d i e r t o d e t e r m i n e t h e i r fate. N o , t h i s w i l l n e v e r occur again. A n y i l l u s i o n s h o u l d b e dispelled t h a t the G r e a t P o w e r s w i l l e v e r again a p p o i n t a P r i n c e W i e d o r a n A h m e t Z o g a s r u l e r o f A l b a n i a and that the A l b a n i a n people w i l l f a l l o n t h e i r knees and s a y : 'So b e it'. A n y o n e w h o k n o w s the history of the w a r s of the A l b a n i a n people t h r o u g h the centuries is c o n v i n c e d that our forebears have n e v e r b o w e d i n submission. A n d we, t h e i r descendants, w i l l not bow, either. E x c u s e m e f o r r e f e r r i n g to the past, b u t I am obliged to do so. I do t h i s not because y o u do not k n o w history, but, since y o u h a v e come to o u r c o u n t r y f o r the first time, i t i s m y d u t y t o speak f r a n k l y t o y o u , as the representative of an a l l i e d country, in o r d e r t o dispel the illusions w h i c h y o u m i g h t have f o r m e d f r o m r e a d i n g the books o r reports o f B r i t i s h authors of e a r l i e r or m o r e recent times. One of these 'authors' is M r s . H a s l u c k , the m i s tress of a l e a d i n g s p o k e s m a n f o r the B a l l i K o m btar, L e f N o s i , a w o m a n w h o t r a v e l l e d a l l over A l b a n i a i n the t i m e o f Z o g ' i n order t o acquaint 101

h e r s e l f ' w i t h the c o u n t r y a n d gathered ' f l o w e r s a n d butterflies' f o r the collections, w h i l e n o w she delivers 'lectures' to officers of the B r i t i s h m i s sions before t h e y come t o A l b a n i a . Y o u , G e n e r a l , are free t o t h i n k w h a t y o u l i k e , t o have a n d stick t o y o u r o w n v i e w s , b u t w e have the r i g h t t o have ours, too; w e are i n o u r o w n c o u n t r y . Y o u are o u r f r i e n d s a n d o u r allies i n the w a r against the G e r m a n nazis a n d it is o u r joint a n t i fascist w a r w h i c h b r i n g s u s together. It is precisely t h i s w a r that unites us, therefore, we m u s t collaborate, said G e n e r a l Davies. In that case, I said, a l l o w me, G e n e r a l , to give y o u a b r i e f s u m m a r y of o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r a n d its aims. I w e n t on to give h i m a v i v i d d e s c r i p t i o n of the w a r w h i c h o u r etas. battalions a n d brigades w e r e w a g i n g a l l o v e r the c o u n t r y against t h e a r m y of the G e r m a n occupiers. I t o l d h i m the h i s t o r y of the fierce battles against the Italians a n d the q u i s l i n g g o v e r n m e n t s in the service of the enemy, about the i n n u m e r a b l e intrigues, the open and secret agreements of the nationalist heads of b o t h the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d the Zogites w i t h the V i c e r o y , w i t h General Dalmazzo, and their collaboration w i t h the occupiers in a r m e d struggle against us. I t o l d the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l , w h o l o o k e d a s i f this w a s m a k i n g some i m p r e s s i o n on h i m a n d as if he w e r e h e a r i n g these things f o r t h e f i r s t time, about 102

the correct p o l i c y of o u r A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t a n d its appeal t o a l l honest A l banians t o u n i t e a n d f i g h t i n this c o m m o n F r o n t , w i t h o u t d i s t i n c t i o n as to class, r e l i g i o n , p o l i t i c a l convictions a n d ideas. I n r e g a r d t o the B a l l i K o m b t a r a s a n o r g a n i z a t i o n of nationalists, y o u have been m i s i n f o r m e d , G e n e r a l , I t o l d h i m . T h e y d i d not h a v e an o r g a n i z a t i o n , b u t created it l a t e r as reaction against the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t . F r o m the p r o g r a m w h i c h it p r o c l a i m e d , as w e l l as the name B a l l i K o m b t a r w h i c h i t assumed, i t i s i m p l i e d t h a t this ' o r g a n i z a t i o n ' is a u n i o n of m a n y p o l i t i c a l shades, b u t there w a s no reason for t h i s to be created, at a t i m e w h e n o u r people had t h e i r o w n leadership a n d w e r e f i g h t i n g t o liberate themselves. B o t h its n a m e a n d its ' D e calogue' came f r o m t h e offices of the V i c e r o y and the q u i s l i n g traitors. N e i t h e r the p r o g r a m n o r the n a m e of this ' o r g a n i z a t i o n ' f r i g h t e n the occupiers. M o r e o v e r , the n a m e B a l l i K o m b t a r means n o t h i n g , because the quislings, the e x e c u tioners a n d t h e spies can t a k e p a r t i n that ' o r g a n i z a t i o n ' w h e n e v e r t h e y like. M r . H o x h a , said the G e n e r a l , the B a l l i K o m b t a r m i g h t b e reaction against the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y w h i c h y o u lead, b u t not against the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t . It is reaction against b o t h , General, I replied, against b o t h the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of 103

A l b a n i a and the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , w h i c h are f i g h t i n g together against the occupiers. T h e B a l l i K o m b t a r i s against those w h o f i g h t the e n e m y a n d f o r those w h o do not f i g h t it. W h a t I say is p r o v e d in p r a c t i c e w i t h concrete facts. T h e B a l l i K o m b t a r has not f i r e d a shot against the occupiers, b u t has f i r e d on us. T h e N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t called o n the B a l l i K o m b t a r to f i g h t against t h e occupiers e v e n as a separate body, because the w a r w o u l d u n i t e us regardless of the fact that the B a l l i K o m b t a r was not i n agreement w i t h us. H o w e v e r , the B a l l i s t s s t i l l d i d not agree to fight, because they w e r e l i n k e d w i t h the enemy h a n d a n d foot. T o m a k e this more clear to y o u , G e n e r a l , it is as t h o u g h y o u B r i t i s h w e r e to say that y o u do not agree to take p a r t in the anti-fascist f r o n t a n d fight n a z i G e r m a n y because the Soviet U n i o n , w h i c h is communist, is in this anti-fascist f r o n t ! Hence, it is just as if y o u w e r e to reason this w a y : 'Since the Soviet U n i o n is a c o m m u n i s t state, we s h a l l fight shoulder t o shoulder w i t h H i t l e r ' ! O u r people have a n expression w h i c h sums u p this hostile, p r o - o c c u p i e r stand of the B a l l i K o m b t a r . It goes l i k e this: 'To spite m y m o t h e r - i n - l a w I ' m g o i n g t o sleep w i t h the m i l l e r . ' A n d t o spite the c o m m u n i s t s and the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , the B a l l i K o m b t a r has u n i t e d w i t h G e r m a n n a z i s m against its o w n A l b a n i a n people. T h a t i s h o w matters stand w i t h the B a l l i K o m b t a r , G e n e r a l . 104

F o r these good reasons that I have outlined, we are a t w a r w i t h this t r a i t o r o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d its t r a i t o r chiefs. T h e y are f i g h t i n g against us, s h o u l der to shoulde, w i t h the G e r m a n s , hence, t h e y are on the other side of the barricade. We a d m i t the elements t h a t b r e a k a w a y f r o m t h i s o r g a n i z a tion into t h e F r o n t o n c o n d i t i o n t h a t they fight. If they do not f i g h t the G e r m a n s a n d we c a p t u r e t h e m a r m s i n h a n d , w e consider t h e m t h e i r m e r cenaries a n d treat t h e m as such. A l t h o u g h they see that t h e i r cause is lost, t h e traitor heads of the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d t h e i r q u i s l i n g friends, a c t i n g on the instructions of t h e i r masters, t h i n k that b y o p e r a t i n g i n this w a y they are w o r k i n g f o r the f u t u r e . T h e y are the blackest reaction, representatives of the beys, aghas a n d merchants w h o have oppressed the people a n d d r e a m of oppressing t h e m again t o m o r r o w , b u t u n d e r the ' n a t i o n a l ' label, as 'nationalists' and 'democrats', a n d w h a t i s most i m p o r t a n t f o r t h e m , u n d e r the ' a n t i - c o m m u n i s t ' l a b e l . H o w e v e r , the A l b a n i a n people cannot be l e d by the nose. T h e y see c l e a r l y t h a t t h e A l b a n i a n c o m m u n i s t s have p u t t h e i r lives in the service of the interests of the people. T h e A l b a n i a n people are l i n k e d l i k e f l e s h t o bone w i t h the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y that leads t h e m . T h e q u i s l i n g , Ballist and Zogite reaction are quite u n a b l e to conceive this close u n i t y ; t h e y do not a n d n e v e r c o u l d t h i n k of it p r o p e r l y a n d realistically, because they cannot 105

i m a g i n e w h e r e its roots lie. I n t e r n a l reaction has a l w a y s relied on f o r e i g n r e a c t i o n a n d the occupiers o f o u r c o u n t r y . T h i s t r a d i t i o n a l r e liance has become second n a t u r e to those w h o have managed t o r u l e i n this w a y a n d cannot imagine a n y other w a y i n w h i c h they c a n rule the people. O n the one h a n d , t h e reactionaries t h i n k the people are ignorant, s t u p i d a n d destined to r e m a i n oppressed f o r ever, a n d this, a c c o r d i n g t o t h e m , i s b e y o n d dispute. O n t h e other h a n d , they i m a g i n e that t h e y h a v e i n f l u e n c e a m o n g the people, that the people w i l l say to the traitors, f e u d a l lords, beys a n d b l o o d - s u c k i n g usurers: ' C o m e on, w e c a n h a r d l y w a i t f o r y o u t o c l i m b on o u r backs again, to steal the crust of b r e a d f r o m o u r mouths, t o suck o u r b l o o d a n d k i l l us.' T h e s e are the i l l u s i o n s that guide A l b a n i a n react i o n . D o y o u u n d e r s t a n d me, G e n e r a l ? Not v e r y w e l l , h e r e p l i e d . T h e n I s h a l l m a k e it e v e n clearer, I s a i d . A l b a n i a n reaction, m a d e up of quislings, B a l l i s t s a n d Zogites, etc., is e x p l o i t i n g its c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h the G e r m a n nazis, t h e i r offensives against us, i n o r d e r t o destroy o u r l i n k s w i t h the people, to liquidate us and tomorrow, w h e n nazism is f i n a l l y smashed, to h a v e an organized fascist a r m y a n d seize p o w e r . It is h o p i n g f o r t w o t h i n g s : t h a t G e r m a n a r m s w i l l l i q u i d a t e the people's w a r , a n d that w i t h the support of w o r l d reaction 106

i t w i l l h o l d p o w e r after the defeat o f G e r m a n y . U n f o r t u n a t e l y f o r reaction, h o w e v e r , 'it i s r e c k o n i n g its account without the innkeeper', as o u r people say. It is not capable of l i q u i d a t i n g our people's w a r , the people w i l l n e v e r a l l o w i t to take p o w e r , because t h e y are going to smash it to smithereens. T h e e x t e r n a l reaction, on w h i c h it is p i n n i n g its hopes, w h e n it changes its coat, w i l l not be able to come to its aid, because our a r m e d people w i l l have p u t i t i n its place. W h e n we took a b r e a k to d r i n k a cup of tea, D r . N i s h a n i a n d the others j o i n e d i n the conversation, a d d i n g t h e i r v i e w s i n the s p i r i t of the m a t t e r s I raised. A f t e r the b r e a k w e c o n t i n u e d the talk. General, I resumed, we believe t h a t w i t h y o u r c o m i n g the relations between u s w i l l b e strengthened. A s y o u can i m a g i n e , t h e w a r has been a n d is fierce f r o m e v e r y v i e w p o i n t f o r us A l b a n i a n partisans. O u r p r i n c i p l e is: relentless, fierce, u n c o m p r o m i s i n g w a r against the occupiers. We are a people w h o in the past have been f l a y e d , i m p o v e r i s h e d , b u r n e d and robbed o f e v e r y t h i n g . W h a t w e have w e d e f e n d tooth and n a i l . W e h a d n o w e a p o n s t o f i g h t w i t h , but these w e h a v e w e c a p t u r e d f r o m the e n e m y a n d w e ' l l c o n t i n u e to do so, a n d we are s p a r i n g n o t h i n g in the f i g h t against it. F o r food w e have the maize bread a n d onions of the poor w h o share t h e m 107

w i t h u s w i l l i n g l y . Despite these conditions o u r partisans are i n d o m i t a b l e . A s y o u k n o w w a r r e quires arms a n d a m m u n i t i o n t o w i p e out t h e m a x i m u m n u m b e r o f enemies. W e are allies a n d a s such w e have sought a n d are seeking f r o m y o u a r m s a n d some c l o t h i n g a n d n o t h i n g else. U n f o r tunately y o u r officers, w h o c l a i m t h e y have come to assist us excuse me, G e n e r a l , b u t I m u s t tell y o u f r a n k l y have g i v e n us m o r e promises t h a n assistance. T h i s is not a serious attitude. At the most, the occasional a i r c r a f t has d r o p p e d us a f e w weapons a n d a r i d i c u l o u s l y s m a l l q u a n t i t y of ammunition. This aid in armaments is so small t h a t it doesn't count at a l l . T h e r e is a w i s e s a y i n g , G e n e r a l , w h i c h goes: ' Y o u k n o w y o u r f r i e n d s i n t r o u b l e d times.' We are a people w h o n e v e r ask for c h a r i t y . W e d o not ask f o r chocolate o r b i s cuits, b u t o n l y f o r w e a p o n s t o liberate o u r H o m e l a n d f r o m o u r c o m m o n e n e m y . Y o u came t o o u r c o u n t r y a n d p r o m i s e d u s arms, t h e n keep y o u r w o r d a n d give t h e m to us. A l l o w m e t o t e l l y o u the o p i n i o n o f o u r partisans. T h e y say: 'The B r i t i s h officers w h o have come, say that t h e y w i l l h e l p u s w i t h w e a pons, b u t w h e r e are the w e a p o n s ? W h y don't they give t h e m t o us? T h e n , w h y have t h e y come here, or is it just to b l o w up the i n t e r n a l bridges l i n k i n g the p a r t i s a n zones?' A n d i n fact, this i s just w h a t the B r i t i s h o f f i c e r S m i l e y d i d . O n his o w n i n i t i a t i v e h e b l e w u p the H a x h i 108

B e q a r i B r i d g e w h i c h h a d n o strategic v a l u e for the enemy, w h i l e b l o w i n g i t u p caused great difficulties f o r t h e people of the t w o regions w h i c h this b r i d g e l i n k e d a n d f o r the partisans. The p a r t i s a n s h a v e e v e r y r i g h t to ask such questions. T h e r e f o r e , G e n e r a l , we believe that w i t h y o u r c o m i n g here this state o f affairs w i l l come t o a n e n d a n d f r o m n o w o n y o u w i l l send us arms a n d a m m u n i t i o n . A t t h e same time, w e t h i n k y o u ought t o stop d r o p p i n g weapons to the A l b a n i a n reactionaries, collaborators w i t h the G e r m a n s , w h o use these weapons to f i g h t us. I t e l l y o u that o u r G e n e r a l S t a f f a n d our partisans, w h o are s a c r i f i c i n g t h e i r lives f o r the l i b e r a t i o n of our H o m e l a n d , are i n d i g n a n t at these irresponsible acts of the B r i t i s h officers here. The last m a t t e r that I w a n t to raise w i t h y o u i s t h a t o f the B B C . W h e n i t h a d n o i n f o r m a t i o n about h o w events were developing i n our c o u n t r y , w e h a d n o g r o u n d s f o r c o m p l a i n t i n r e g a r d t o the B B C , but n o w t h a t the B r i t i s h missions have come here we cannot accept its e q u i v o c a l stand. N o t o n l y does this R a d i o speak v e r y r a r e l y about the heroic w a r w h i c h the A l b a n i a n partisans are w a g i n g , b u t w h e n it does m e n t i o n it, it i m p l i e s t h a t the B a l l i s t s a n d the Zogites are f i g h t i n g n a z i s m . T h i s is scandalous, G e n e r a l . T h i s is deceit a n d a great insult to us w h o are d o i n g the f i g h t i n g . Instead 109

o f t e l l i n g the t r u t h about us, y o u r R a d i o t a l k s about those w h o are u n i t e d w i t h the G e r m a n s ! Therefore, we protest e n e r g e t i c a l l y about these lies o f the B B C , w h i c h , b y s p r e a d i n g p r o p a ganda i n f a v o u r o f reaction, i s s i m p l y t r y i n g t o confuse the A l b a n i a n people. T h a t is a l l I h a v e to say, G e n e r a l , a n d I t h a n k y o u f o r the a t t e n t i o n w i t h w h i c h y o u have listened t o me. D u r i n g the w h o l e t i m e that M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i was translating, the B r i t i s h o f f i c e r N i c h o l l s , w h o accompanied Davies, took notes. T h e G e n e r a l spoke a g a i n i n r e p l y . H e s a i d : Y o u m u s t excuse me, M r . H o x h a , f o r b e i n g u n a b l e t o r e p l y t o y o u r c o m p l a i n t a b o u t the B B C , because, in the first place, I h a v e not h e a r d its broadcasts i n the A l b a n i a n language and, as y o u k n o w , n e i t h e r I n o r my officers k n o w y o u r language a n d , in t h e second place, as I t o l d y o u , I a m a m i l i t a r y m a n a n d the B B C i s a c i v i l i n s t i t u t i o n i n w h i c h m i l i t a r y m e n cannot meddle. I n o u r country, M r . H o x h a , there i s d e m o c r a c y a n d d i v i s i o n of labour. O f course, there is d i v i s i o n of labour, I said, but c a n y o u t e l l m e w h o i n f o r m e d the B B C about the f i g h t i n g i n V l o r a , w h i c h w a s w a g e d b y the partisans a n d w h i c h , astonishingly, was broadcast as f i g h t i n g by the B a l l i s t s ? It is y o u r officers, w i t h t h e i r p o w e r f u l r a d i o t r a n s m i t ters, t h a t s u p p l y t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n . M r . H o x h a , the G e n e r a l hastened t o e x p l a i n , our officers send t h e i r i n f o r m a t i o n to the 110

W a r Office. (This w a s out of the f r y i n g - p a n i n t o the fire.) A n d t h a t the W a r O f f i c e h a n d s i t o n t o the B B C , I u n d e r s t a n d . B u t I u n d e r s t a n d also that the W a r O f f i c e receives distorted reports f r o m y o u r officers, I said, c u t t i n g h i m short. O h , no, M r . H o x h a , said the G e n e r a l . Possibly t h e y are distorted b y the A l b a n i a n s w h o w o r k i n the B B C . T h e n t h r o w t h e m out! I retorted. H o w e v e r , I s h a l l r e p o r t w h a t y o u t o l d me, he said a n d c o n t i n u e d : I n r e g a r d to sending arms, we w a n t to h e l p a l l those w h o are f i g h t i n g , but y o u u n d e r s t a n d there are m a n y o f t h e m . W e are d r o p p i n g a r m s e v e r y w h e r e : i n F r a n c e , Y u goslavia, Greece, H o l l a n d , etc., etc., as w e l l as in A l b a n i a . I u n d e r s t a n d t h a t y o u m a y not have been d r o p p e d m a n y w e a p o n s a n d the reason f o r this is not because we don't w a n t to, b u t because w e d o not h a v e a l l w e need, a n d t h e m a i n o b stacles are the l a c k of a i r c r a f t , b a d w e a t h e r a n d the enemies' a n t i - a i r c r a f t defences. I u n d e r s t a n d y o u r u r g e n t need, because weapons are the m a i n things in o r d e r to f i g h t a n d I assure y o u that we s h a l l d r o p w e a p o n s o n l y to those w h o are f i g h t i n g t h e G e r m a n nazis a n d not t o others. Nevertheless, said the G e n e r a l c u t t i n g short this question so v e r y i m p o r t a n t to us, I s h a l l e x a m i n e y o u r r e q u i r e m e n t s c a r e f u l l y , i n detail, and i n f o r m the W a r O f f i c e i n L o n d o n about this. 111

 H o w e v e r , M r . H o x h a , I h a d one f i n a l quest i o n 1 w a n t e d to discuss w i t h y o u . G o ahead, I said, I am listening. I k n e w that w h a t he w a s going to say c o n stituted the w h o l e purpose f o r w h i c h h e h a d come to A l b a n i a . M r . H o x h a , began the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l , I listened c a r e f u l l y to a l l y o u r a r g u m e n t s in connection w i t h the w a r against I t a l i a n a n d G e r m a n fascism. W e i n L o n d o n have been c o n v i n c e d that the A l b a n i a n people are f i g h t i n g against the occupiers of t h e i r c o u n t r y a n d that this f i g h t has extended a n d g r o w n stronger. B o t h w e a n d y o u are interested in b r i n g i n g the w a r to an end as q u i c k l y as possible, b u t this cannot be achieved w i t h o u t smashing H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y , w i t h o u t s h e d d i n g blood a n d m a k i n g sacrifices. I agree w i t h y o u t h a t the w h o l e people s h o u l d b e u n i t e d i n this anti-fascist w a r a n d , i n o r d e r t o achieve this, it is necessary to convince e v e r y b o d y of the need to f i g h t this w a r . I u n d e r s t a n d v e r y w e l l w h a t t r e m e n d o u s efforts the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t has made i n this d i r e c t i o n a n d the successes w h i c h i t has achieved, b u t i n L o n d o n i t is thought that even greater efforts must be made. L o n d o n believes t h a t i n A l b a n i a there i s a large n u m b e r of nationalists, n o n - c o m m u n i s t s , w h o f o r one reason or another h a v e s t i l l not j o i n e d in the w a r . P e r h a p s these people are not yet t h o r o u g h l y c o n v i n c e d about w h a t is the h o n 112

ourable course, w h i c h is to f i g h t the occupiers. S h o u l d w e not s h o w t h e m this course, M r . Hoxha? W e h a v e been d o i n g t h i s e v e r since Italy i n v a d e d us on A p r i l 7, 1939, I r e p l i e d to this general-cum-diplomat, who was nothing but an old fox. W e have m a d e a t h o u s a n d a n d one efforts, have t a l k e d to these people i n d i v i d u a l l y , have i n v i t e d t h e m to come to meetings a n d rallies, indeed even to i m p o r t a n t meetings, w h e r e t h e y could speak a n d express t h e i r v i e w s w i t h o u t being obliged t o u n d e r t a k e a n y c o m m i t m e n t , a n d w e have also decided to c a r r y out joint actions, as y o u r predecessor, M r . M c L e a n , i s w e l l a w a r e of, but none of those things w h i c h we have proposed has been accepted b y those i n w h o m y o u are i n terested. W h y is this so? Because those w h o y o u describe a s h a v i n g A l b a n i a n blood i n t h e i r veins, or as democrats, are b u t collaborators w i t h the enemy, b r a n d e d fascists a n d a n t i - A l b a n i a n s . A n d I listed the f i l t h y acts of the B a l l i K o m b t a r one by one. It w a s they w h o t u r n e d t h e i r weapons against us, I t o l d h i m , w h o c o n c l u d e d t h e D a l m a z z o - K l c y r a A g r e e m e n t t o suppress the N a tional Liberation Movement and be in friendship w i t h the Italians; w h o i n F e b r u a r y 1943 w e n t w i t h a senior o f f i c e r of the I t a l i a n M i l i t a r y Intelligence ( S I M ) t o the B a l l i s t Safet B u t k a to persuade h i m to u n i t e w i t h t h e m against us, 113

a n d w h o , together w i t h the fascists, p u t w h o l e regions t o the t o r c h a n d m u r d e r e d c h i l d r e n a n d o l d folk. W h e n the G e r m a n s came, G e n e r a l , t h e i r hopes, w h i c h w e r e dashed by the c a p i t u l a t i o n of Italy, r e v i v e d , a n d thus they became tools of the nazis, too. W e h a v e documents i n o u r possession w h i c h prove t h e i r c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h the nazis. W e can give t h e m t o y o u i f y o u l i k e . T o u s a l l this is quite clear. Therefore, we have w r i t t e n off this appendage of the Gestapo a n d the G e r m a n W e h r m a c h t . W e have a d u t y o n l y t o w a r d s misled Albanians in their ranks to w h o m we address c o n t i n u a l appeals to a b a n d o n t h e i r l e a ders' course of betrayal. Precisely, M r . H o x h a . W e s h o u l d m a k e one f i n a l effort so that it w i l l be possible f o r me to convince L o n d o n p r o p e r l y that these elements are not f o r w a r against the G e r m a n nazis, i n t e r r u p t e d the G e n e r a l . Y o u w i l l u n d e r s t a n d that I ought to hear t h e i r reasons a n d t r y to c o n v i n c e t h e m to fight. Therefore, I w o u l d l i k e y o u r o p i n i o n a n d y o u r permission t o h o l d a m e e t i n g w i t h the nationalist chiefs to convince t h e m to a b a n d o n the w r o n g course t h e y h a v e t a k e n . I assure y o u that I s h a l l come to give y o u an accurate account of the results of the talks. A s y o u y o u r s e l f declared, G e n e r a l , I said, you have been attached to us, therefore, I d i d not expect such a proposal f r o m a senior a l l i e d 114

officer. (In fact, I n o t o n l y expected it, but I k n e w that t h i s was the m a i n purpose o f his c o m i n g here.) S i n c e y o u have been a t t a c h e d to us, y o u are not p e r m i t t e d to go outside o u r l i b erated territories to h o l d t a l k s w i t h the enemies of the A l b a n i a n people. S u c h a t h i n g is n e i t h e r right n o r p r i n c i p l e d . T h e a l l i e d governments h a v e declared that they w i l l m a k e n o compromise w i t h H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y . W e consider y o u r c o m i n g t o the G e n e r a l S t a f f o f the P a r t i s a n A r m y a s a n a i d i n order t o d r o p u s weapons, m u n i t i o n s a n d c l o t h i n g i n the service o f o u r c o m m o n w a r , a s y o u yourself have stated. B u t M r . H o x h a , objected the G e n e r a l , I consider w h a t I proposed to y o u as an a i d to our c o m m o n w a r . N o , G e n e r a l , I c u t h i m short, y o u are mistaken. We have not sought a n d do not accept such an ' a i d ' , because we have no need f o r it. I w a n t to emphasize that y o u are t a k i n g u p o n yourself the role of mediator, of c o n c i l i a t o r b e tween u s a n d t r a i t o r s t o o u r H o m e l a n d . W e c a n not accept s u c h a t h i n g , f r o m y o u or f r o m anyone else. I t o l d y o u a n d I repeat that there is not and w i l l n e v e r b e a n y c o m p r o m i s e w i t h the Ballists, the Zogites, a n d the o t h e r collaborators w i t h the G e r m a n s . W h o e v e r attempts t o m a k e a compromise w i t h t h e m w i l l b e the s w o r n e n e m y o f the A l b a n i a n people. A t the b e g i n n i n g , G e neral, y o u t o l d m e that y o u are not i n v o l v e d i n 115

politics, that y o u are s i m p l y a soldier, but now, c o n t r a r y t o w h a t y o u said, y o u w a n t t o c a r r y out p o l i t i c a l activities w i t h collaborators o f t h e G e r m a n s ! Y o u asked for my opinion and p e r m i s s i o n a n d our a n s w e r i s t h i s : Y o u r p r o p o s a l i? regarded as unacceptable f o r the reasons w h i c h I gave y o u above, that is, because we have no need to make peace with those who are our enemies to the end and we do not accept mediation. Y o u r v i e w p o i n t i s quite clear t o me, M r . H o x h a , the E n g l i s h m a n hastened to say, but I ask y o u to a l l o w me to have just one m e e t i n g w i t h them, sufficient to tell them that they must fight the G e r m a n s , a n d I assure y o u that I w i l l say n o t h i n g about a n y 'agreement f o r c o n c i l i a t i o n ' . T h a t i s not m y affair. In p r i n c i p l e , G e n e r a l , I do not agree, either, that y o u s h o u l d go f r o m o u r l i b e r a t e d zones to them, I added. Y o u c o u l d have gone d i r e c t l y to t h e m , b u t that w o u l d be another question. H o w e v e r , I am not g o i n g to keep y o u prisoner. S i n c e y o u insist, y o u m a y h o l d just one m e e t i n g w i t h t h e m , b u t we s h a l l not a l l o w a second meeti n g . Y o u m u s t choose w h e t h e r y o u w i l l stay w i t h u s o r w i t h t h e m . I f y o u are g o i n g t o stay w i t h us you w i l l remain in our territories; if y o u w a n t to stay w i t h t h e m , go to the t e r r i t o r i e s controlled b y the G e r m a n s , b u t w e s h a l l not a l l o w y o u to come b a c k here. I t e l l y o u once again, a n d 116

I am a h u n d r e d p e r cent c e r t a i n of this, that reaction w i l l n e v e r j o i n i n the w a r against the G e r m a n s . Y o u said that y o u w o u l d i n f o r m m e about y o u r t a l k w i t h the B a l l i s t chiefs. I t h a n k y o u for this, b u t it does not interest me in the least, because I k n o w a l r e a d y w h a t y o u w i l l t a l k about. T h i s b r o u g h t the f i r s t t a l k w i t h the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l to a close. He stayed to d i n n e r w i t h us and n e x t d a y M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i a n d several p a r tisans escorted h i m t o his l a i r i n B i z a . N o w the m a n o e u v r e s a n d aims o f the B r i t i s h government w i t h its allegedly m i l i t a r y missions, w h i c h i t w a s s e n d i n g t o A l b a n i a u n d e r the p r e text o f h e l p i n g the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r , w e r e becoming e v e n clearer. T h e call f o r v i g i l a n c e w h i c h I addressed to a l l the communists, the i n d i v i d u a l letters w h i c h I sent to H a x h i L l e s h i , B a b a F a j a , a n d the comrades o f V l o r a , E l b a s a n and G j i r o k a s t r a , as w e l l as the discussions I h e l d w i t h M y s l i m about the question o f the B r i t i s h officers, h a d been v e r y necessary. B r i t a i n h a d t e m p o r a r i l y changed its coat, b u t it w a s the same old B r i t a i n that w e h a d k n o w n i m perialist, r e a c t i o n a r y a n d an oppressor of the peoples. N a t u r a l l y , it h a d neither the economic nor the m i l i t a r y strength that i t h a d h a d i n the past, b u t it w a s p r a c t i s i n g the same t r i c k e r y , i n trigues a n d deception, indeed i n m o r e r e f i n e d ways. True, B r i t a i n was f i g h t i n g against the G e r m a n s , 117

was one of the members of the A n t i - f a s c i s t B l o c , b u t i t was clear a n d u n w a v e r i n g i n b o t h its w a r t i m e a n d its p o s t - w a r aims. B r i t a i n a n d A m e r i c a w a n t e d G e r m a n y t o b e smashed d u r i n g the w a r , but they w a n t e d to benefit f r o m the w a r , w a n t e d the S o v i e t U n i o n t o emerge w e a k ened, a n d d i d not w a n t reaction i n a l l the countries occupied by the nazis to be l i q u i d a t e d by the people's forces, but on the c o n t r a r y , w a n t e d it to come out w i t h the least possible damage a n d to take p o w e r after the l i b e r a t i o n u n d e r democratic a n d other labels and, if this p r o v e d impossible, to c o m p e l the people to share p o w e r w i t h i t b y c l a i m i n g that i t f i r e d a couple of shots at the e l e v e n t h h o u r . T h i s was one of the m a i n a i m s of the B r i t i s h a n d the A m e r i c a n s . A l r e a d y d u r i n g the w a r they were s u p p o r t i n g r e a c t i o n i n v a r i o u s countries, a d v i s i n g it to be careful, to organize itself w i t h the aid of the occupiers, to step up the attacks t o gether w i t h the e n e m y against the c o m m u n i s t s a n d the people's forces, to come out in the f i g h t u n d e r allegedly n a t i o n a l slogans a n d to seize p o w e r o n the eve o f l i b e r a t i o n , w h i l e p r o m i s i n g that i t w o u l d h a v e t h e i r p o w e r f u l a i d . T h i s i s w h y the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n s w e r e t r y i n g i n e v e r y w a y t o get into the o c c u p i e d countries, so that on the one h a n d , u n d e r the disguise of g i v i n g m i l i t a r y a i d , they c o u l d create t h e i r agencies w i t h i n the n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n 118

movements to sabotage these m o v e m e n t s and their w a r , a n d on the other h a n d , to assist reaction w i t h weapons, gold, o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d advice. It was p r e c i s e l y because I feared that this was w h a t t h e y w e r e up to that I devoted such attention to the t r u e aims of the B r i t i s h a n d gave the organizations of the P a r t y a n d the p a r t i s a n detachments such detailed instructions as soon as the f i r s t B r i t i s h m i s s i o n headed by M c L e a n entered A l b a n i a . Everything which we heard from General D a v i e s f u l l y c o n f i r m e d o u r beliefs. W e s h o u l d not have t h e slightest i l l u s i o n that B r i t a i n was going t o assist o u r w a r . N o . T h i s mission, i n p a r t i c u l a r , l i k e a l l the other missions, h a d o n l y the aims I m e n t i o n e d above. Its a i m was p u r e l y political. T h e reason B r i g a d i e r G e n e r a l Davies and his g r o u p came to us was, first, that we w e r e the biggest a n d indeed the o n l y organized p o l i t i cal a n d ideological f i g h t i n g force i n A l b a n i a ; t h e y c o u l d not send h i m e i t h e r t o the B a l l i K o m b t a r or to the Zogites, because they k n e w that they represented n o t h i n g m u c h . Second, they sent the G e n e r a l a n d his staff to us, as I said p r e v i o u s l y , t o l e a r n about o u r p o l i t i c a l a n d m i l i t a r y o r g a n i z a tion, to discover o u r s t r o n g a n d w e a k points so that they c o u l d f i g h t us m o r e effectively, in order t o p u t o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r u n d e r t h e i r p o l i t i c a l a n d m i l i t a r y leadership and, i f 119

this p r o v e d impossible, to c o m p r o m i s e a n d c o r r u p t cadres a n d staffs w i t h a f e w weapons, a f e w clothes or a f e w h u n d r e d sovereigns, in order to destroy us f r o m w i t h i n . H o w e v e r , our P a r t y w a s v i g i l a n t t o w a r d s them, e v e n after the v i c t o r y o v e r the occupiers, and this was one of its greatest m e r i t s . T h e P a r t y fought against the occupier of t h a t time, as w e l l as against the c a m o u f l a g e d enemies of the f u t u r e . N a t u r a l l y , the plans o f the B r i t i s h i n A l b a n i a w e r e f a i l i n g . L o n d o n was a l a r m e d , r a d i o g r a m s w e r e sent back a n d f o r t h ; u n d o u b t e d l y things w e r e not in order at e i t h e r end, therefore it sent G e n e r a l D a v i e s as head of the mission. L o n d o n sent h i m t o t e l l u s that they v a l u e d o u r w a r h i g h l y a n d p u t us to sleep, t h a t allegedly the G e n e r a l had a u t h o r i t y to settle the disagreements w h i c h m i g h t have emerged b e t w e e n u s a n d the B r i t i s h mission, a n d f i n a l l y , that w i t h his c o m i n g they w o u l d send u s m o r e weapons. W e d i d not believe a n y of this. A f t e r G e n e r a l D a v i e s left, the comrades a n d I sat t a l k i n g t i l l late into the n i g h t . F i n a l l y I d r e w the f o l l o w i n g conclusions about the aims f o r w h i c h he h a d been sent h e r e : First , to m a k e contact w i t h the heads of the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d the Zogites and, t h r o u g h t h e m , w i t h the quislings, to advise t h e m on b e 120

half of L o n d o n on h o w they s h o u l d organize themselves t o b e r e a d y w h e n G e r m a n y capitulated i n the n e a r f u t u r e , t o assure t h e m t h a t they w o u l d a l w a y s have t h e f u l l s u p p o r t o f B r i t a i n and A m e r i c a . Second , to i n s t r u c t t h e m that on no account must t h e y a l l o w the c o m m u n i s t s t o take p o w e r i n the f u t u r e . Third , t o i n s t r u c t t h e m h o w t h e y should organize t h e i r forces i l l e g a l l y a n d c a r r y out some s h a m actions. T o this e n d , h e w o u l d attach some B r i t i s h missions t o t h e m a n d m i g h t a l s o send others to organize a n d direct these activities. The G e n e r a l w o u l d p r o m i s e t h e m weapons a n d money. W e k n o w that a l l the traitors h a v e always been ready to sell t h e i r souls a n d t h e i r H o m e l a n d f o r l i r e a n d pounds, a n d the B r i t i s h k n o w a n d e x p l o i t t h i s w e a k n e s s o f theirs. Fourth , to s t u d y the s i t u a t i o n a n d s t r e n g t h of different chiefs of reaction, to sound out the t e r r a i n , to g a i n f i r s t - h a n d k n o w l e d g e of the t e n dencies of the v a r i o u s groups, the p o s s i b i l i t y of alliances b e t w e e n t h e m a n d of g a t h e r i n g t h e m a r o u n d some p a r t i c u l a r i n d i v i d u a l or some n e w , less c o m p r o m i s e d group, as the B r i t i s h p u t it. H o w e v e r , I t h i n k that the B r i t i s h are t r y i n g to r a l l y r e a c t i o n a r o u n d Z o g as a constitutional m o n a r c h , a r e f o r m e r a n d democrat, a n d undoubtedly, the G e n e r a l has come to see w h a t 121

the t r a i t o r chiefs t h i n k of this b r i l l i a n t idea ( 1 ) o f the B r i t i s h . T h e special c o n c e r n w h i c h t h e y are d i s p l a y i n g f o r the Zogites u n w i t t i n g l y betrays this p l a n . We s a w that B a z i i Cans, the Zogite w h o came to the C o n f e r e n c e of P e z a a n d was elected to the G e n e r a l Staff, d i d not f i r e a single shot, or c a r r y out a n y of the joint decisions. Nevertheless, i t w a s o n h i m that M c L e a n ' s eyes w e r e f i x e d . W e must c o n t i n u e t o m a k e this clear t o the P a r t y , the a r m y a n d the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t so that no cadre makes a false step out of n a i v e trust. Fifth , G e n e r a l D a v i e s has c e r t a i n l y come also to give n e w i n s t r u c t i o n s to a l l the missions i n o u r country, t o check u p o n t h e i r w o r k , t o l e a r n about the s i t u a t i o n a n d the possibilities f o r action as t h e y see t h e m a n d to reach the necess a r y conclusions about the m e e t i n g w i t h the heads of the B a l l i K o m b t a r , a n d after a l l these things a r e done, he w i l l set his missions f u r t h e r tasks f o r the n e w situations w h i c h w i l l b e created. H o w e v e r , in o r d e r to achieve a l l these
_____________________________ 1 On November 19, 1943, G e n e r a l Davies sent Cairo a r a d i o g r a m to be passed on to L o n d o n in w h i c h amongst other things he said: d)...They [ L N C the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n Movement] are dead against Zog. T h e B a l l i K o m b t a r approves of such a [government in exile] a n d Zog's association w i t h (FO 371/37145-3741. PRO. Taken from the photocopy of the original in the Archives of the Institute of History, (AIH), Tirana.) it. committee

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things, t h e y are obliged to do something, even if o n l y f o r m a l l y , to give the i m p r e s s i o n that they are f i g h t i n g the e n e m y a n d h e l p i n g us, f o r otherwise, it w i l l not be easy f o r t h e m to p u t t h e i r plans i n t o operation t o m o r r o w . Therefore, w e m u s t keep t h e i r aims c l e a r l y i n m i n d a n d t i m e w i l l p r o v e that w e are r i g h t , I told the comrades. W e m u s t take a l l measures to ensure that we c r u s h t h e e n e m y occupiers a n d f o i l the secret m i l i t a r y a n d p o l i t i c a l plans of the B r i t i s h a n d t h e i r lackeys, the Ballists, the Zogites a n d the b a j r a k t a r s . O n l y t h r o u g h a fierce a r m e d struggle a n d ideological struggle, guided b y o u r P a r t y , w i l l a l l the e n e m y intrigues be exposed a n d defeated. We are g o i n g to smash t h e m , g o i n g to liberate the country, a n d the people, u n d e r the leadership of the P a r t y , w i l l take p o w e r into t h e i r o w n hands, I w o u n d up m y r e m a r k s t o the comrades w h o f u l l y endorsed the p o l i t i c a l a n d o r g a n i z a t i o n a l conclusions I p u t before t h e m . On the same d a y I s u m m o n e d comrades in charge of o u r p a r t i s a n u n i t s to i n f o r m t h e m about the t a l k s w i t h G e n e r a l D a v i e s a n d i n s t r u c t t h e m to step up the struggle against the occupiers a n d the t r a i t o r s a n d increase t h e i r v i g i l a n c e t o w a r d s any action of the B r i t i s h . Next morning Mustafa Gjinishi returned f r o m B i z a . A s h e related t o us, the G e n e r a l h a d g i v e n h i m cocoa, chocolate, cake a n d fresh butter f o r breakfast. 123

 W h a t d i d the G e n e r a l have to say, w h a t w e r e his impressions w h e n he left? I asked Mustafa. O h , h e was v e r y impressed a n d h a p p y that y o u spoke openly to h i m , he replied, a n d he told me, ' M r . H o x h a strongly defended the interests o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t . ' T h e G e n e r a l said, 'I hope I s h a l l a l w a y s be able to talk w i t h y o u i n this w a y ' , added M u s t a f a . Of course, M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i w a s a l i a r a n d w e h a d l o n g h a d suspicions o f h i m , b u t l a t e r it w o u l d be p r o v e d c l e a r l y t h a t he was an agent of the B r i t i s h . O u r p a r t i s a n w a r against the G e r m a n s a n d t h e i r tools continued f i e r c e l y a n d w i t h o u t i n terruption. T h e B B C s t i l l r e m a i n e d silent about this w a r and churned out reports about the w a r that the B a l l i s t s a n d the Zogites w e r e w a g i n g . T h e w e e k s and m o n t h s w e n t b y and the B r i t i s h d r o p p e d us some a u t o m a t i c rifles, b u t w i t h o u t sufficient a m m u n i t i o n , occasionally dropped some c l o t h i n g or a f e w boots, a l t h o u g h these w e r e often o n l y f o r one foot, a t h i n g w h i c h m a d e the partisans l a u g h a n d say: A p p a r e n t l y the B r i t i s h w a n t u s t o m a r c h a n d fight o n one f o o t . . . b u t w e ' l l get b y w i t h o u r opinga ( 1 ) w i t h w h i c h o u r ancestors h a v e fought. T h e q u a n t i t y o f weapons, a m m u n i t i o n a n d c l o t h __________________________ 1 opinga home-made greenhide sandals.

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i n g w h i c h t h e y sent u s w a s r i d i c u l o u s l y s m a l l . U n d e r the p r e t e x t o f s u p p l y i n g u s w i t h weapons, the B r i t i s h officers t r i e d t o get i n t o o u r d e t a c h ments t o l e a r n w h a t forces w e h a d , h o w t h e y w e r e organized, w h e r e t h e y w e r e stationed a n d w h e r e t h e y operated a n d s o o n . B u t t h e y r a n u p against a b r i c k w a l l e v e r y w h e r e . A l l that the p a r tisans w o u l d say t o the B r i t i s h officers w a s : W h y don't y o u d r o p u s weapons? A s usual, the B r i t i s h made a l l sorts of l y i n g excuses. T h e B r i t i s h officers asked f o r i n f o r m a t i o n o n the G e r m a n forces, w a n t e d u s t o give t h e m the e m b l e m s a n d n u m b e r s of the detachments to w h i c h the G e r m a n s k i l l e d i n battle belonged, a n d w e gave t h e m a n y a m o u n t o f these. T h e y w a n t e d to go a l l o v e r the place, to check up on things, to m a k e contact w i t h o u r units a n d we, of course, d i d not keep t h e m on a c h a i n . We a l l o w e d t h e m t o t r a v e l t h r o u g h the m o u n t a i n s a n d gorges, but t h e y w e r e u n a b l e t o l e a r n w h a t they w a n t e d . T h e y w e r e a l w a y s a c c o m p a n i e d b y t w o o r three partisans, a n i n t e r p r e t e r a n d one o r t w o o f o u r trusted peasants to look after t h e i r mules. Hence, i n this d i r e c t i o n o u r comrades w e r e v e r y v i g i l ant. H o w e v e r , sometimes t h e v i g i l a n c e slackened a n d there w e r e instances w h e n the B r i t i s h officers sent to the p a r t i s a n forces in D i b r a escaped f r o m t h e i r s u p e r v i s i o n a n d managed t o l i n k u p w i t h the chiefs o f reaction i n D i b r a , f o r instance, F i q r i D i n e a n d X h e m Gostivari, 125

a n d even attacked o u r forces i n P e s h k o p i a t o gether w i t h t h e m . I w r o t e a letter to C o m r a d e H a x h i L l e s h i , i n s t r u c t i n g h i m t o give the B r i t i s h a f i n a l w a r n i n g a n d t e l l t h e m that o u r b u l l e t s w o u l d m a k e n o d i s t i n c t i o n b e t w e e n the e n e m y a n d those w h o u n i t e d w i t h the e n e m y t o attack us. Once again it was clear that the B r i t i s h m i s sions w e r e o p e r a t i n g to assist the g e n t r y against us, p u t t i n g into p r a c t i c e the directives that t h e y received f r o m L o n d o n . O u r p r e d i c t i o n that they chose t o reside i n B i z a , because it was a m o r e suitable place f r o m w h i c h the G e n e r a l c o u l d m a k e intensive contacts w i t h the B r i t i s h missions i n the N o r t h a n d w o u l d h a v e f r e q u e n t contacts w i t h M a t , D i b r a a n d C e n t r a l A l b a n i a , w a s p r o v e d correct. N a t u r a l l y , w e kept a l l t h e i r m o v e m e n t s u n d e r observation w h y s h o u l d we h i d e t h i s ? b u t w h a t t h e y t a l k e d about a n d w h a t they decided w e d i d not k n o w . W e w a t c h e d a n d discovered t h e i r decisions during their practical application. T h i s i s h o w G e n e r a l D a v i e s w o r k e d against us, b u t we w e r e not asleep. Some t i m e h a d passed since I h a d m e t t h e G e n e r a l , w h e n F r e d e r i k N o s i came one day a n d i n f o r m e d m e that the G e n e r a l h a d told h i m that he h a d f i n a l l y m a n a g e d to contact the heads o f the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d t h e y h a d agreed t o come to a m e e t i n g w i t h h i m in S h n g j e r g j . I 126

believe that L u m o S k n d o ( 1 ) , B e g e j a a n d some others w i l l be at this meeting, the G e n e r a l h a d told h i m . Therefore, he had instructed Frederik t o i n f o r m o u r G e n e r a l S t a f f about this m a t t e r . I t o l d F r e d e r i k to t r a n s m i t to the G e n e r a l that o u r S t a f f w o u l d p u t ten partisans at his disposal t o protect h i m f r o m any G e r m a n attack, but the G e n e r a l h i m s e l f m u s t bear responsibility f o r this m e e t i n g w i t h the Ballists, because he h a d w a n t e d a n d p r e p a r e d it c o n t r a r y to the desire of the p o l i t i c a l commissar of the G e n e r a l S t a f f of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y . I i n s t r u c t ed F r e d e r i k , w h o k n e w about the t a l k I h a d h a d w i t h the G e n e r a l , Y o u m u s t adopt a s t a n d of i n d i f f e r e n c e . T a k e c o m m a n d of the partisans, g o t o A l i S h t p a n i a n d t e l l h i m t o h a v e his m e n ready f o r a n y e v e n t u a l i t y , take u p y o u r positions, listen c a r e f u l l y t o a n y t h i n g w h i c h the G e n e r a l m a y say a f t e r w a r d s , b u t give the i m p r e s s i o n that y o u are n o t greatly interested. If he tells y o u t o t r a n s m i t his w o r d s t o me, t e l l h i m , 'It w o u l d b e better t o t e l l h i m yourself'. G e n e r a l D a v i e s h e l d the m e e t i n g w i t h L u m o Skndo and returned to B i z a immediately. He t o l d F r e d e r i k , It w a s a f i e r y m e e t i n g a n d M r . H o x h a w a s absolutely r i g h t about c e r t a i n things, but in the e n d I m a n a g e d to convince t h e m that they m u s t fight. A n d , as f a r as I remember, he
____________________________ 1 M i t h a t Frashri, c h a i r m a n of the CC of B a l l i Kombtar.

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h a d e v e n received a d o c u m e n t w i t h t h i s p r o m i s e i n w r i t i n g . F r e d e r i k h a d listened t o h i m w i t h indifference and told h i m : The B a l l i K o m b t a r w o n ' t fight, it is up to its n e c k in treachery, they are d e c e i v i n g you. B r i g a d i e r D a v i e s d i d not ask F r e d e r i k to report to me, because I had t o l d h i m t h a t the t a l k s w h i c h h e w o u l d hold w i t h the B a l l i s t s d i d not interest me. H o w ever, h e k n e w F r e d e r i k w o u l d i n f o r m m e . A l i t t l e later F r e d e r i k came a n d t o l d me that the G e n e r a l h a d i n v i t e d m e a n d the comrades w i t h me to go to d i n n e r at his quarters in B i z a . I accepted the i n v i t a t i o n a n d in the a f t e r n o o n of N o v e m b e r 11, accompanied b y partisans a n d t a k ing Mustafa G j i n i s h i as interpreter and member of the Staff, I set out f r o m O r e n j a . I a r r i v e d at B i z a i n the e v e n i n g . T h e r e , i n f r o n t o f the m a i n tent, I received a s m i l i n g w e l c o m e f r o m the G e n e r a l a c c o m p a n i e d b y his a d j u t a n t , C o l o n e l N i c h o l l s of the Coldstream Guards, if I ' m not m i s t a k e n . We shook hands a n d entered the tent because it was v e r y cool. It was w i n d y at n i g h t o n that open plateau. T h e G e n e r a l was c o m f o r t a b l y set u p i n his f i e l d tent. E v e r y t h i n g , f r o m the table i n the m i d d l e , to the u p h o l s t e r e d stools, could be folded u p f o r p a c k i n g . T h e b u l l d o g w i t h the b e a u t i f u l c o l l a r r o u n d its neck was c u r l e d u p o n his bed. D i n n e r w a s a cold m e a l w i t h t i n n e d meat and 128

fish, i m p o r t e d a n d local cheese, several k i n d s of local f r u i t , chocolate, E n g l i s h cigarettes, r a k i , whisky and wine. The General invited me to sit at the head of the table a n d we a l l took our places. H e f i l l e d o u r glasses w i t h w h i s k y . I said to h i m : J u s t a little f o r me, because I've n e v e r d r u n k it before, but I shall do so in y o u r h o n o u r as my host. P o u r me a glass of r a k i because this i s w h a t m y ancestors, g r a n d f a t h e r a n d f a t h e r have d r u n k . Y o u are conservative, M r . H o x h a , h e said. I cannot f a i l to f a v o u r the f i n e things of my people, I said. W e m u s t love o u r H o m e l a n d more t h a n o u r lives. F o r instance, y o u G e n e r a l b r i n g y o u r w h i s k y f r o m B r i t a i n b y aircraft. W h i s k y is a v e r y f i n e d r i n k . I l i k e it v e r y m u c h , said M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i . T h e n d r i n k it, I said, but w a t c h out it doesn't go to y o u r head, because I ' m not g o i n g to c a r r y y o u to Orenja. T h e r e w a s general l a u g h t e r a n d w e began a free conversation, b u t as the people say, the tongue a u t o m a t i c a l l y goes to the t o o t h that's a c h i n g . A l l o f u s w e r e t h i n k i n g about politics, the m a i n p r o b l e m w a s h a m m e r i n g a w a y i n a l l o u r heads, b u t we k e p t off it, because we k n e w w e w o u l d q u a r r e l , since o n this o u r interests d i f f e r e d completely. F i r s t w e t a l k e d about l i t e r a 129

ture. I t a l k e d about ours a n d he t a l k e d about his. H e k n e w n o t h i n g a t a l l about our l i t e r a t u r e . T h e culture w h i c h I h a d a c q u i r e d i n F r a n c e and the m a n y books w h i c h I h a d r e a d h a d g i v e n m e some k n o w l e d g e about a series of B r i t i s h authors. W e ' r e w e l l a c q u a i n t e d w i t h Shakespeare, I said, not o n l y f r o m school, b u t especially f r o m the b r i l l i a n t translations w h i c h o u r poet, h i s t o r i a n a n d r e v o l u t i o n a r y democrat F a n N o l i has m a d e of his w o r k s . J u s t as F i t z g e r a l d made O m a r K h a y y a m 'speak' E n g l i s h , o u r N o l i m a d e the great Shakespeare 'speak' A l b a n i a n . T h a t n i g h t i n B i z a , w i t h the n o r t h w i n d b l o w i n g , I t a l k e d to the G e n e r a l about the w i n t e r nights of David Copperfield, about the h u m o u r o f J e r o m e K . J e r o m e , about S w i f t a n d B y r o n , Shelley and K i p l i n g . Y o u r e g a r d K i p l i n g as a great w r i t e r , General, I said, but I hate h i m because he i s one o f y o u r w r i t e r s w h o sings h y m n s i n praise of the c o l o n i a l conquests of the B r i t i s h E m p i r e i n his w o r k s . I p r e f e r y o u r great B y r o n , w h o m the n e w generation o f E n g l i s h people has neglected, p r e f e r r i n g poets a n d w r i t e r s of little v a l u e . I l i k e B y r o n , not because I am a romantic, but because h e sincerely l o v e d m y people, has sung t h e i r praises w i t h p u r e feelings a n d has, as I have read somewhere, e v e n n a m e d his d a u g h t e r A l b a , thus e x p r e s s i n g his a d m i r a t i o n f o r the A l b a n i a n people. A s y o u k n o w , i n 130

his famous Childe Harold he sings, to the valour, manliness a n d m a t u r i t y of the A l b a n i a n s :

Fierce are Albania's children, yet they lack Not virtues, were these virtues more mature. Where is the foe that ever saw their back? Who can so well the toil of war endure? ************ Their their friendship sure, When gratitude or valour bids them bleed, Unshaken rushing on wherever their chief may lead. wrath how deadly! but

These characteristics of o u r ancestors we have kept alive. W e love our f r i e n d s a n d w e l c o m e t h e m w i t h hospitality, w h i l e f o r enemies w e have bullets. Y o u , G e n e r a l Davies, are our f r i e n d and ally. T h e G e n e r a l b o w e d , s m i l i n g as he said, Thank you. B y r o n loved the peoples w h o fought f o r freedom. T h i s he p r i z e d above a l l a n d he sang of i t :

Brightest in dungeons, Liberty! thou art, For there thy habitation is the heart The heart which love of thee alone can bind;
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And when thy sons to fetters are consigned To fetters, and the damp valut's dayless gloom, Their country conquers with their martyrdom, And freedom's fame finds wings on every wind.
Do y o u k n o w , G e n e r a l , w h o w e r e B y r o n ' s most f a i t h f u l f o l l o w e r s a n d his inseparable c o m panions? T w o A l b a n i a n b o d y g u a r d s w h o m his f r i e n d , A l i P a s h a Tepelena, h a d g i v e n h i m . T h e y l o v e d B y r o n so m u c h that, as I h a v e r e a d somew h e r e , once, w h e n he w a s in the throes of a t e r r i b l e fever, t h e y w e r e so desperately w o r r i e d about h i m that t h e y s u m m o n e d the doctor a n d told h i m , ' C u r e h i m o r w e s h a l l k i l l y o u ! ' W e l i k e B y r o n a n d w e w a n t the B r i t i s h people to love the A l b a n i a n people as he did. Y o u ' v e w o n m y heart, M r . H o x h a , said the G e n e r a l . I k n e w that y o u w e r e a c q u a i n t e d w i t h F r e n c h literature, but y o u seem t o b e w e l l a c q u a i n t e d w i t h ours, too. We Albanians, General, have a thirst for freedom and for knowledge. We have fought for t h e m both t h r o u g h the centuries. W e are f i g h t i n g f o r t h e m n o w a n d w i l l f i g h t t o m o r r o w , too, i f n e e d be, I said, a n d we both raised o u r glasses, m i n e w i t h r a k i a n d his w i t h w h i s k y , a n d G j i n i s h i , w h o was deep i n pleasant c o n v e r s a t i o n 132

w i t h C o l o n e l N i c h o l l s , d i d not lag b e h i n d w i t h his glass. H a v e y o u been through any military schools? the G e n e r a l asked me. Yes, I have, I a n s w e r e d . W h e r e ? asked the G e n e r a l . I've been t h r o u g h the m i l i t a r y school of my people, w h i c h is a school of great experience. Y o u have h e a r d o f G j e r g j K a s t r i o t i , Skanderbeg, I said. H e became famous t h r o u g h o u t the w o r l d because he f o u g h t against the O t t o m a n T u r k s , against t w o of t h e i r greatest sultans. He l e d 22 battles a n d n e v e r lost one. S u l t a n M e h m e t F a t i h c a p t u r e d Constantinople, b u t as l o n g as S k a n d e r b e g w a s alive, h e c o u l d not take K r u j a . H e was f r o m the N o r t h , r e m a r k e d the General cunningly. H e was an A l b a n i a n , I r e p l i e d c u r t l y , u n d e r s t a n d i n g the G e n e r a l ' s a l l u s i o n ( 1 ), a n d he was a p r i n c e w h o r e l i e d on the people. He l o v e d the people a n d t h e y l o v e d h i m . Y o u r s is a b e a u t i f u l c o u n t r y , said the G e n e r a l , c h a n g i n g the d i r e c t i o n of the c o n versation, t h a t i s w h y B y r o n l o v e d it. I n E n g l a n d we have a p i c t u r e in w h i c h he is p o r t r a y e d i n A l b a n i a n dress. W h e n w e w i n the war, M r . H o x h a . I hope y o u w i l l i n v i t e m e t o
_______________________________ 1 To A. Zog and A. K u p i w h o were f r o m the N o r t h , too.

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come to visit y o u r c o u n t r y , said the G e n e r a l , t r y i n g to give the c o n v e r s a t i o n a pleasant a n d i n t i m a t e tone. O f course, y o u m u s t come a n d get to k n o w i t w e l l , because b o t h o u r c o u n t r y a n d o u r people are m a r v e l l o u s . Y o u m u s t not b e left w i t h the outdated i m p r e s s i o n y o u have f o r m e d f r o m the tendentious reports of B r i t i s h consuls w h o w r o t e things t o y o u r F o r e i g n O f f i c e , w h i c h w e r e not t r u e a n d w h i c h h a d u l t e r i o r motives, o r f r o m the reports of 'collectors' of f l o w e r s a n d butterflies, w h o i n r e a l i t y w e r e d o i n g other w o r k . O f course, I'm not r e f e r r i n g to scholars s u c h as M i s s D u r h a m w h o t r a v e l l e d A l b a n i a , especially the N o r t h , t o study t h e life i n the N o r t h e r n H i g h l a n d s and d i d not w r i t e b a d l y about it. B u t the times have changed, G e n e r a l . T h e B r i t i s h E m p i r e n o l o n g e r has its f o r m e r strength a n d p o w e r , w h i l e i n our c o u n t r y , the p o w e r of the beys a n d the b a j r a k t a r s i s d e c l i n i n g a n d the end o f this w a r w i l l p u t the l i d o n t h e i r grave. M r . H o x h a , r e p l i e d the G e n e r a l , it is t r u e that our E m p i r e is not w h a t it w a s in V i c t o r i a n times, b u t we are a d e m o c r a t i c m o n archy, y o u m i g h t say. I n o u r c o u n t r y there i s not one p a r t y b u t t w o , one of w h i c h is of the Labourites, i.e., of the w o r k e r s , the other of the Conservatives. In our c o u n t r y we have free elections. I k n o w about y o u r system of democracy, I 134

said, b u t i n that s y s t e m the w o r k e r s ' h o l d keys of s t r a w ' , as an e x p r e s s i o n of ours puts it. It is d e m o c r a c y f o r the capitalists, f o r the lords, but not f o r the w o r k e r s . W h e n w e w i n w e shall establish democracy, b u t not l i k e that d e m o cracy of yours. In our c o u n t r y there w i l l be d e m o c r a c y o n l y f o r the people, w h i l e the 'keys of straw', I said w i t h a l a u g h , w i l l be in the hands of the beys, aghas a n d the b a j r a k t a r s , w h o h a v e a l w a y s oppressed and b e t r a y e d the people. D o y o u m e a n y o u ' r e going t o take a l l t h e i r p r o p e r t y f r o m t h e m , M r . H o x h a ? asked the General. O f course, G e n e r a l . T h e evil-doers, the enemies, those w h o h a v e stained t h e i r hands w i t h blood, w i l l c e r t a i n l y be h a n d e d over to the people's courts, w h i l e w e ' l l p u t the rest of t h e m to w o r k , t o sweat a n d l e a r n h o w tasty food i s w h e n y o u ' v e e a r n e d i t w i t h y o u r o w n toil. That i s w h y t h e y d o not w a n t t o u n i t e w i t h y o u , M r . H o x h a , because t h e y are a f r a i d o f you, said the G e n e r a l . T h e y have good reason to be a f r a i d . T h e y k n o w w h a t t h e y have i n f l i c t e d o n o u r people t h r o u g h o u t a l l t h e i r existence, t h a t i s w h y they are a f r a i d of us. Nevertheless, we a n d the people have appealed to t h e m to a b a n d o n t h e i r course o f b e t r a y a l . T h e y have not listened a n d w i l l 135

suffer the consequences. I n the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t w e have people f r o m the w e a l t h y strata, w h o are patriots, a n d w e a n d the people respect t h e m f o r t h e i r p a t r i o t i c anti-fascist stand. M r . H o x h a , said the G e n e r a l , I h a d a t a l k w i t h M r . L u m o S k n d o a n d others and I spoke to t h e m straight f r o m the shoulder. I reproached t h e m a n d said to t h e m , ' A s f a r as I can see, o n l y the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t is f i g h t i n g against the G e r m a n s , w h i l e y o u are not f i g h t i n g . ' B u t t h e y denied this, a n d a l l b u t accused me of b e i n g a c o m m u n i s t . H o w e v e r , I persisted i n m y a r g u m e n t and, i n the e n d , I believe I c o n v i n c e d t h e m a n d t h e y gave me t h e i r w o r d that they w o u l d fight. T h e y ' l l f i g h t against us, I t o l d h i m . O h , no, M r . H o x h a , said the G e n e r a l , against the G e r m a n s . In that case, let me assure y o u that t h e y have deceived y o u . T h e y have not f o u g h t a n d n e v e r w i l l fight the G e r m a n s . R e m e m b e r these w o r d s I'm s a y i n g t o y o u . T h e y w i l l continue t h e i r b e t r a y a l of the people to the end, w i t h weapons a n d every other means, in close c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h the G e r m a n s . U p t i l l the t i m e h e f e l l i n the hands o f the G e r m a n s as a prisoner, G e n e r a l D a v i e s s a w f o r 136

himself ( 1 ) the fact that the B a l l i s t s a n d the Zogites d i d not f i r e one shot against the e n e m y occupier. The t r a i t o r o r g a n i z a t i o n o f L u m o S k n d o a n d A l i K l c y r a c o n t i n u e d t h e i r treachery at a savage level and that i s w h y the B r i t i s h p i n n e d greater hopes on the gang of A b a z K u p i , attached to w h o m w e r e the w i l y officers M c L e a n a n d A m e r y ,
______________________________ 1 In regard to this he wrote to his centre on December 17, 1943 as f o l l o w s : 1. Now recommend a change. Situation developed recently so m u c h imperative n o w denounce Regency C o u n c i l collectively and b y name. A l s o B A L K O M and Z O G I S T S . 2. A l l are cooperating with Germans, who are exploiting them w i t h arms in large quantities, setting them to guard m a i n roads, police towns and lead patrols thus freeing G e r m a n troops. 3. All recent Balkom actions bodies fought well by LNC have met mixed Battles German armed German-trained.

P E Z A a n d D I B R A areas, closest collaboration. 4. B A L K O M and ABAS

especially latter, KUPI both

have ample proof me fight

promised

Germans actively, but not one action have they fought this past month, although there have been many chances for them to resist the G e r m a n s . . . 5. Both the BALKOM and ZOGISTS now publish expensive parties ambitious newspapers obviously G e r m a n set-up. In eight editions there has not been one a n t i - G e r m a n reference. Both boasting A L L I E S w i l l cooperate w i t h them after Germans g o quoting as evidence Britain's failure to name the Regency C o u n cil or any p o l i t i c a l party [in A l b a n i a ] . E x a m p l e : B.B.C. Director's speech to A L B A N I A on 28th November. G. I w o u l d have preferred to explain personally w h e n I come

137

of w h o m the latter, if I'm not m i s t a k e n , has been a m i n i s t e r in several C o n s e r v a t i v e g o v e r n ments since t h e w a r . W i t h such c o n v e r s a t i o n w e passed the d i n n e r w i t h the E n g l i s h m a n D a v i e s . A b o u t 1 1 o'clock at n i g h t we t h a n k e d the G e n e r a l f o r his hospitality, took o u r leave a n d d e p a r t e d f r o m B i z a . T h e w i n d h a d freshened and the rustle o f t h e forest seemed to m a k e it even stronger. M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i h a d a great g l o w f r o m a l l the w h i s k y h e h a d d r u n k a n d n o doubt also f r o m that conversation b y the stove w i t h C o l o n e l N i c h o l l s , w h i c h seemed to have been pleasant. H e v o l u n t e e r e d n o t h i n g about w h a t they h a d discussed, so I s t i r r e d h i m up a little. M u s t a f a , I said, y o u speak E n g l i s h v e r y w e l l . It seems to me y o u ' v e i m p r o v e d on w h a t y o u learned at the T e c h n i c a l S c h o o l . I don't u n d e r s t a n d E n g l i s h , b u t I have the i m p r e s s i o n t h a t y o u speak i t m o r e r e a d i l y a n d easily t h a n
________________________________ out, but I may be delayed, and am u n l i k e l y to reach you before m i d - J a n u a r y at the earliest. 7. I consider the ALLIES' attitude should be made public f o r t h w i t h , showing Quislings, traitors and non-resisters to G e r mans w i l l receive appropriate punitive treatment f r o m the A l l i e s in due c o u r s e . . . Therefore, I recommend an open declaration for the L.N.C.

(Telegram FO in the

No.

3 to

SOE in Taken

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PRO. Tirana.)

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138

F r e d e r i k . W h e n y o u are t r a n s l a t i n g I believe y o u translate m y expressions f a i t h f u l l y . T h i s e v e n i n g y o u left m e w i t h F r e d e r i k a n d got the C o l o n e l going. W h a t d i d h e say, M u s t a f a ? O h , he was t a l k i n g to me about the w a r . I asked h i m about the life a n d b i o g r a p h y of some B r i t i s h generals a n d ministers l i k e M o n t gomery, B e a v e r b r o o k , E d e n a n d so on, he replied. B o t h the G e n e r a l a n d the C o l o n e l seem good fellows. T h e G e n e r a l looks a bit d u l l - w i t t e d , but he f i n d s the w a y to say the things he w a n t s to. A n y w a y , I said, the i m p o r t a n t t h i n g f o r us is that t h e y d r o p us w e a p o n s a n d stop t h e i r propaganda f r o m the B B C w h i c h attributes o u r fight to the B a l l i s t s a n d the Zogites. W e w a l k e d together t h r o u g h the forest, accompanied b y o u r partisans. T h e w i n d w h i s t l e d a r o u n d our ears. O u r a u t o m a t i c rifles w e r e s l u n g f r o m our shoulders. I h a d a n A m e r i c a n T h o m p son, w h i c h one of the comrades h a d b r o u g h t me as a gift after an action against the G e r m a n s and the B a l l i s t s . W e w a l k e d i n silence. The c o m b i n a t i o n of the w h i s k y he h a d d r u n k , the e n t h u s i a s m seething inside h i m , a n d t h a t n i g h t j o u r n e y amidst the s i g h i n g of the w i n d in the forest, a p p a r e n t l y encouraged M u s t a f a , w h o began to t e l l me about a p r o p o s a l w h i c h the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l h a d m a d e t o h i m t h r o u g h the C o l o n e l , t h a t representatives of the N a t i o n a l 139

Liberation Front should go to London for talks w i t h the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t . ( I s h a l l not d w e l l on this question here, because I s h a l l do so in the n e x t chapter.) What Mustafa told me highlighted and conf i r m e d m y suppositions about the tasks a n d a i m o f the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l . L i k e w i s e , i t p r o v e d m o r e clearly that M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i w a s a n agent o f the Intelligence S e r v i c e i n the G e n e r a l S t a f f o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y . T h e l i a i s o n officer o f o u r S t a f f w i t h t h e B r i t i s h officers h a d i n f o r m e d m e about some questions w h i c h the G e n e r a l h a d p u t t o h i m some days e a r l i e r : H o w s t r o n g i s the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y ? Does i t h a v e l i n k s w i t h M o s c o w ? W h a t position has i t i n the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t ? A r e the A l b a n i a n p a r t i s a n s l i n k e d w i t h Tito's partisans i n Y u g o s l a v i a ? To a l l these questions o u r comrade h a d g i v e n the agent of the Intelligence S e r v i c e the a n s w e r he deserved. So this was w h a t the soldier, w h o was not i n v o l v e d i n politics w a n t e d to d i s c o v e r ! He also i n f o r m e d me about the q u a r r e l s t h e General had had w i t h Baba F a j a in connection w i t h his excursions. B a b a F a j a h a d w a r n e d h i m several times not to v e n t u r e outside his t e r r i t o r y , because he m i g h t s t r i k e some B a l l i s t v i l l a g e a n d , if a n y t h i n g occurred, he w o u l d be to blame. H o w e v e r , the G e n e r a l h a d r e p l i e d w i t h great 140

i n d i g n a t i o n : W h e r e v e r I go is my responsib i l i t y , not yours. I s h a l l go even to the villages w h e r e the B a l l i K o m b t a r has i n f l u e n c e w i t h o u t r u n n i n g into a n y danger. H i s m e e t i n g w i t h the chiefs of the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d w i t h A b a z K u p i , the questions h e had asked a n d the excursions w h i c h he t r i e d to make, spoke c l e a r l y of w h a t this delegate of the B r i t i s h L i o n , w h o posed as a p r o p e r gentleman*, r e a l l y was. I advised the comrades of E l b a s a n to keep G e n e r a l D a v i e s a n d his staff u n d e r special superv i s i o n . I i n s t r u c t e d F r e d e r i k to be v e r y v i g i l a n t d u r i n g t h e i r m o v e m e n t s a n d meetings. I i n s t r u c t ed the c o m m a n d e r a n d c o m m i s s a r of the zone, w h o b o t h k n e w E n g l i s h , to be v i g i l a n t , to visit the G e n e r a l sometimes, to encourage h i m to talk, but to give n o t h i n g a w a y . I n o t i f i e d M a t , D i b r a , M a r t a n e s h a n d S h n g j e r g j once again that the orders w h i c h I h a d sent t h e m in r e g a r d to the B r i t i s h officers, r e m a i n e d in force. I p e r s o n a l l y w e n t t o T i r a n a a n d f r o m there t o B a b M y s l i m in P e z a . I inspected the forces of the 3 r d S h o c k B r i g a d e , t a l k e d w i t h the comrades of its staff, ordered t h e m to speed up a n d strengthen its o r ganization a n d to be in f u l l readiness to go into action in w h a t e v e r zone t h e y w e r e allocated to, as soon as I sent t h e m the order.
__________________________________ * E n g l i s h in the o r i g i n a l .

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A m m u n i t i o n was short i n P e z a . T h e r e presentative of the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n there, a m a j o r as t a l l as a bean-pole, w i t h a b r i s t l i n g l i t t l e moustache, w a s t e l l i n g the same old lies that t h e arms and a m m u n i t i o n w o u l d b e c o m i n g , p e r h a p s today, perhaps t o m o r r o w . I gave M y s l i m a s u m of m o n e y to b u y a l i t t l e maize, salt a n d a f e w weapons. I h e l d v a r i o u s meetings w i t h the o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d r e g i o n a l committee of the P a r t y , s u m m o n e d G o g o N u s h i , a n d the f o u r of us, M y s l i m , Gogo, S h u l e a n d I, took decisions on t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n of fiercer f i g h t i n g actions in the d i r e c t i o n of T i r a n a a n d the roads l e a d i n g to it, on the question of supplies a n d on the d i s p a t c h of commissars to other units. W h e n I f i n i s h e d my w o r k in the zone of P e z a , I w e n t up the left side of the E r z e n R i v e r to P e t r e l a , crossed the river, and passed into t h e zone of E l b a s a n t h r o u g h Q a f a e P l l u m b a s i t . In E l b a s a n I met the comrades of the R e g i o n a l C o m mittee of the P a r t y , w h o i n f o r m e d me of t h e s i t u a t i o n there. I saw that morale was v e r y h i g h everywhere. On N o v e m b e r 28, 1943, I w e n t to S h n giergj of T i r a n a district to take p a r t in the c e r e m o n y of the f o r m a t i o n of the 2 n d S h o c k B r i g a d e . G e n e r a l D a v i e s h a d come there, too, on t h e i n v i t a t i o n o f our G e n e r a l Staff. W i t h his o w n eyes he saw h o w p o o r l y the partisans w e r e clothed and a r m e d , and also saw t h e i r e n t h u s i a s m , 142

drive a n d d e t e r m i n a t i o n o n the course o n w h i c h the P a r t y w a s l e a d i n g t h e m . B u t w i t h his m i serable bourgeois s p i r i t h e w a s c o m p l e t e l y u n moved. M y patience r a n out a n d I said t o h i m : Y o u see, M i s t e r Representative of the A l l i e d mission, v e r y f e w o f t h e m have great-coats, a n d n e a r l y a l l o f t h e m are w i t h o u t boots, have o n l y sandals m a d e of o l d t y r e s or greenhide. W i n t e r i s c o m i n g a n d great battles a w a i t t h e m . A s y o u see, t h e y are p o o r l y a r m e d , too. Y o u are d r o p p i n g u s n o t h i n g . W h a t are y o u d o i n g about a l l those promises? I've t o l d y o u before, he r e p l i e d . W e are not g o i n g t o s u p p l y y o u w i t h c l o t h i n g a n d a r maments as l o n g as y o u are f i g h t i n g amongst yourselves. B o i l i n g w i t h i n d i g n a t i o n I no longer cared w h a t I said to h i m . I w e n t so f a r as to w a r n h i m : E i t h e r keep y o u r promises o r clear o u t ! I n the face o f m y protest, w h i c h w a s a n e x p r e s sion of the anger of a l l the comrades, of a l l t h e partisans, the G e n e r a l felt himself in a v e r y t i g h t spot. I left the n e w l y formed_brigade a n d w i t h a few comrades w e n t t o A l i S h t p a n i ' s house. T h e r e w e t a l k e d over the question o f A b a z K u p i . H e had come, too, accompanied by about 100 m e n , t o the B a l l i s t O s m a n M e m a . O n D e c e m b e r 7 w e had a m e e t i n g w i t h h i m there. He insisted that we should recognize L e g a l i t e t i a n d the despot 143

Zog as king. We were well aware what B a z i i Cans was, but we w e r e c o n c e r n e d about people deceived b y h i m . T h e r e w e saw t h a t w e h a d come t o the end o f the r o a d w i t h h i m . T h e C o u n c i l expelled h i m f r o m its r a n k s de jure. T h i s w a s a slap in the face f o r his friends, the B r i t i s h , too. F r o m S h n g j e r g j I w e n t to L a b i n o t a n d f r o m there to the cottages of S h m i l . T h e r e we decided to proceed to the r e g i o n o f K o r a together w i t h the 3 r d B r i g a d e w h i c h w a s to c a r r y out attacks on the roads to B i l i s h t a n d K o l o n j a , w h i c h w e r e used b y G e r m a n c o l u m n s . I h a d also to c h e c k up on t h e s i t u a t i o n of the p a r t i s a n forces of K o r a a n d the a c t i v i t y of the p a r t y o r g a n i z a t i o n in that region, a n d to discuss the course f o r p a r t y cadres w h i c h w e w e r e to open in the v i l l a g e of P a n a r i t . T h u s , w e w o u l d have t o cross the S h k u m b i n R i v e r before the h e a v y r a i n a n d s n o w began, a n d w h i l e a t t a c k i n g the G e r m a n forces o n the L i b r a z h d road, m a k e a route m a r c h t h r o u g h Polis. Shpat, the d i s t r i c t south of L i b r a z h d , to come out at O p a r , a n d f r o m there go on to V o s k o p o j a , etc. We set the s t a r t i n g t i m e . I i n f o r m e d the 3 r d B r i g a d e t o b e g i n the m a r c h a n d to be at L o w e r L a b i n o t on the a p p o i n t e d day. I ordered the battalions of D u m r e a n d e r m e n i k a to be in readiness f o r the n i g h t w h e n the forces w o u l d m a k e the crossing o f the S h k u m b i n R i v e r . I also i n f o r m e d the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l a n d his S t a f f 144

that t h e y c o u l d come w i t h our S t a f f t o the region o f K o r a i f they w i s h e d . T h e G e n e r a l j u m p e d at this p r o p o s a l a n d r e p l i e d that he w o u l d be ready the m o m e n t I i n f o r m e d h i m . W e w e r e p r e v e n t e d f r o m starting out o n the set date t h r o u g h the f a u l t of the c o m m a n d e r of the 3 r d B r i g a d e , H u l u s i S p a h i u , w h o p r o v e d t o be an a d v e n t u r e r , a n d later, after L i b e r a t i o n , ended up an agent of the Y u g o s l a v s a n d was condemned to i m p r i s o n m e n t . T h e c o m m a n d of the 3 r d B r i g a d e h a d not t a k e n a n y organizational measures*, the brigade d a w d l e d on the j o u r n e y and was c a u g h t in a b l i z z a r d , h a d not kept its movements secret a n d r a n into a c l a s h w i t h the G e r m a n s , a n d thus w a s i n d i s a r r a y w h e n i t a r r i v e d at the a r r a n g e d place. It w a s necessary to rest a n d organize the partisans. O u r crossing to the S o u t h f a i l e d also because the i n f o r m a t i o n w h i c h K a d r i H o x h a , c o m m a n d e r of the S t a f f of t h e E l b a s a n G r o u p , gave us was completely w r o n g . H e h a d neglected the i m p o r t ance of this u n d e r t a k i n g , stayed at O r e n j a quite unconcerned i d l i n g a w a y his t i m e t a l k i n g w i t h B e g B a l l a a n d the B r i t i s h , w h i l e the e n e m y w e n t into a c t i o n a n d k i l l e d some of o u r m e n . I sent h i m a letter** in w h i c h I said b l u n t l y t h a t the zone of E l b a s a n w a s s t i l l v e r y w e a k m i l i t a r i l y a n d that res_______________________ * See E n v e r H o x h a , Works, v o l . 2, p. 95, A l b . ed. ** Ibidem.

145

p o n s i b i l i t y f o r this state of a f f a i r s a n d f o r the f a i l u r e of the attempt of the S t a f f to cross to t h e S o u t h f e l l on h i m , f i r s t of a l l . I p o i n t e d out in the letter that I h a d several times s t r i v e n to help a n d advised h i m that h e s h o u l d take m e a sures and get m o v i n g a n d that n o w I h a d no other course b u t to report the s i t u a t i o n to t h e proper quarters, because w h e n e v e r I h a d c r i t i cized h i m a n d i n s t r u c t e d h i m to act, he repeated the same w o r d s : Y o u don't k n o w m e w e l l . W h e n y o u are s u m m o n e d , y o u w i l l have t o e x p l a i n these things to the p r o p e r quarters, b e cause y o u e i t h e r neglect y o u r w o r k o r d o not do it at a l l , a n d the r u m o u r s that y o u h a v e been spreading, that w e have t u r n e d y o u r b a t talion into couriers, are not true, I w r o t e to h i m . L a t e r , after L i b e r a t i o n , this person, too. came out in his t r u e colours. He s h o w e d his r e a l features b y c a r r y i n g o n anti-state a n d a n t i - P a r t y activity and for this he was condemned and e x p e l l e d f r o m the P a r t y . A f t e r a l l preparations h a d been made, w e w e r e ready to cross the r i v e r at the f o r d because, as I have w r i t t e n , the H a x h i B e q a r i b r i d g e had been b l o w n u p b y a n o f f i c e r o f the B r i t i s h m i s sion. We sent some comrades to r e c o n n o i t r e t h e f o r d . It w a s passable. T h e crossing w o u l d be made q u i c k l y a t night. W e got d o w n there a t the set time, b u t just as we reached the r o a d the couriers of o u r v a n g u a r d c a m e to i n f o r m 146

us that the S h k u m b i n w a s in flood. I w e n t myself to the f o r d a n d saw that it w a s impassable. We r e t u r n e d to o u r base. T h e r e we w e r e to stay u n t i l w e received r e l i a b l e i n f o r m a t i o n o n w h i c h w a y it was possible to go. Since we h a d t i m e at o u r disposal, I h a d a talk w i t h the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l . I spoke about our war, w h i l e he asked some questions: Is the N a t i o n a l Liberation Movement a communist movement, M r . H o x h a ? I n the end the B r i t i s h f o x f i r e d his b l a n k cartridge. I k n e w that this was w h a t was i n w a r d l y b u r n i n g h i m up, therefore I r e p l i e d v e r y tersely: Its a i m is to defeat the occupiers a n d the traitors w h o have u n i t e d w i t h t h e m . T h i s i s also the objective of the A l l i e s , G e n e r a l , is it not? N o t content w i t h this, he asked another, more insidious question: If y o u take p o w e r after L i b e r a t i o n , do y o u i n t e n d to establish a regime l i k e that of M o s cow i n A l b a n i a ? T h i s was a question w h i c h c o u l d be i n f e r r e d in every action a n d thought of the B r i t i s h , therefore it made no great i m p r e s s i o n on me. The free people w i l l decide that, I told h i m , a n d repeated: free f r o m the occupiers and their lackeys, the Ballists, the Zogites a n d others. The people themselves w i l l establish the regime they want, a n d this we have stated p u b l i c l y . I am astonished, G e n e r a l , that y o u d i d not k n o w this. 147

W h a t is more, the t i m e to m a k e this a r e a l i t y i s a p p r o a c h i n g . T h e n our people w i l l l i v e h a p p y days. T h e w o r k e r w i l l w o r k w i t h o u t e x p l o i t e r s and the peasant w i l l enjoy his o w n l a n d . L i f e w i l l b e pleasant f o r t h e m . T h e i r sons a n d d a u g h ters w i l l go to school. T o f i l l the silence w h i c h ensued f o l l o w i n g m y reply, the G e n e r a l m u m b l e d : W i t h the a p p o i n t m e n t o f p o l i t i c a l c o m m i s sars i n the a r m y , the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e ment is f o l l o w i n g the e x a m p l e of the R u s sians. T h i s f o r m o f o r g a n i z a t i o n has g i v e n s p l e n d i d results i n the Soviet U n i o n a n d i s y i e l d i n g good results here in A l b a n i a , too, I r e p l i e d . W h y s h o u l d w e not benefit f r o m the e x perience of the Soviet U n i o n ? It is one of o u r great A l l i e s , is it not? D a v i e s h a d no m o r e to say. T h u s , in silence, w e j o i n e d the comrades w h o w e r e w a i t i n g f o r us. R e p o r t s h a d a r r i v e d . It w a s impossible to cross by the M u r r a s h B r i d g e because the e n e m y w e r e g u a r d i n g it. M e a n w h i l e , the G e r m a n nazis h a d massed large forces r o u n d the regions of e r m e n i k a , Shngjergj and Martanesh, and were prepari n g t o begin t h e i r o p e r a t i o n against t h e m . B e fore l o n g the e n e m y l a u n c h e d t h e i r o p e r a t i o n . Serious danger threatened us. In these conditions it w a s impossible to cross the L i b r a z h d - E l b a s a n 148

road or to stay w h e r e we w e r e a n y longer. So we thought w e s h o u l d cross t o t h e S o u t h t h r o u g h G o l l o b o r d a , e r m e n i k a e V o g l , H o t o l i s h t and come out i n M o k r a o r Brzeshta, a n d f r o m there go over to the K o r a region. T h i s is w h a t we decided. T h e B r i t i s h G e n e r a l was w i t h us, together w i t h his colonel. H e w a s c h e e r f u l a n d i m p a t i e n t to get to K o r a . I r e m e m b e r that d u r i n g a c o n versation he asked m e : Is it easy to get to Greece f r o m K o r a ? Yes, I said, b u t y o u ' d best ask M c L e a n about that. H e came i n that w a y himself w i t h two companions w i t h o u t o u r k n o w i n g a n y t h i n g about it. No doubt the G e n e r a l w a s overjoyed that he was getting closer to Greece. A p p a r e n t l y the G e r m a n s h a d detected our movements t o w a r d E l b a s a n a n d the S h k u m b i n R i v e r a n d back, a n d q u i c k l y p r e p a r e d a n o f f e n sive to w i p e us out in the r e g i o n of L a b i n o t . S h m i l , etc. T h e G e r m a n s w e r e engaged b y our partisan forces of the 2 n d a n d 3 r d B r i g a d e s and the t e r r i t o r i a l battalions o f e r m e n i k a , D u m re, etc. T h e e n e m y offensive of D e c e m b e r 19 f o u n d us at O r e n j a . T h a t e v e n i n g we left O r e n j a and headed n o r t h w a r d s t h r o u g h the beech forest. Since D r . N i s h a n i a n d B o s h n j a k u w e r e elderly and the r o a d was long, d i f f i c u l t a n d f u l l of 149

dangers, w e p a r t e d w i t h t h e m i n the forest. W e left t h e m at G u r i i M u z h a q i t in a cave w h i c h we had set up as a r o o m w i t h a fire-place, beds, reserves of food, etc. T h e r e w a s n o m o r e t a l k about the 3 r d B r i gade. T h e G e n e r a l S t a f f h a d to t r a v e l alone, escorted b y the partisans w h o g u a r d e d the m e m bers o f the Staff. W e w e r e led b y the c o m m a n d e r of the S t a f f of the P a r t i s a n G r o u p of Elbasan, K a d r i H o x h a , a n d a eta c o m m a n d e r o f B a b a F a j a ' s b a t t a l i o n . T h e f o r m e r h a d come in person, as someone f a m i l i a r w i t h the t e r r a i n , to p l a y the role of guide, b u t at the same t i m e also t o display his a b i l i t y w h i c h w e allegedly d i d not a c k n o w l e d g e ! W e t r a v e l l e d a l l n i g h t i n the forest i n O r e n j a t h r o u g h the darkness a n d the snow. O n the f o l l o w i n g day w e c o n t i n u e d the m a r c h a n d came out at K a p t i n a of M a r t a n e s h . N i g h t f a l l caught u s there b u t w e d i d not stop u n t i l w e entered the forest of O k s h t u n . There, after great efforts, we managed to l i g h t a f i r e a n d spent the w h o l e night h u d d l e d a r o u n d it. A t d a y b r e a k w e set out again a n d reached O k s h t u n w h e r e w e stayed one night. A f t e r c o n s u l t i n g w i t h the comrades f r o m D i b r a , w e decided t o g o o n f r o m O k s h t u n t h r o u g h the forests to descend to S t u d a F l a t a n d to cross into the L i b r a z h d zone v i a L e t m w h e r e the G e r mans h a d s t i l l not stationed troops. 150

We set off a g a i n amidst the s n o w and the cold t o w a r d s S t u d a F l a t . W e t h o u g h t l o n g i n g l y about that pleasant n i g h t w e passed i n the w a r m house in O k s h t u n . M o m e n t s l i k e those we passed that n i g h t w e r e r a r e f o r us. H o w e v e r , w e w e r e at w a r a n d there are no l o n g rests f o r fighters. Hence, let the B r i t i s h o f f i c e r see once again w h a t great m o r a l a n d p h y s i c a l strength, w h a t i r o n e n d u r a n c e the partisans had, let h i m g a i n f i r s t - h a n d k n o w l e d g e o f the s t r e n g t h o f c o m m u n ists w h o t h r o u g h self-sacrifice h a d w i t h s t o o d a n d were w i t h s t a n d i n g the Italians, the G e r m a n s , the cold a n d h u n g e r . W e crossed the L i b r a z h d - D i b r a r o a d a t S t u d a F l a t a n d began the c l i m b u p L e t m M o u n t a i n . N i g h t f e l l w h e n w e w e r e i n the forest o n L e t m M o u n t a i n w h e r e w e slept h u d d l e d together. W e and the B r i t i s h h a d one tent. T h e y ate chocolate and biscuits w h i l e we ate m a i z e bread, a morsel of cheese a n d an onion, b u t e v e n those supplies w e had w e r e r u n n i n g out. T h e y d r a n k w h i s k y t o w a r m themselves u p ; w e m e l t e d s n o w and d r a n k w a t e r t o q u e n c h our thirst. T h e f o l l o w i n g day w e m o v e d i n the d i r e c t i o n o f Q a r r i s h t a . A n other l o n g m a r c h t h r o u g h the s n o w a n d the b i t i n g n o r t h w i n d . D u r i n g the m a r c h I f r e q u e n t l y gave a w o r d of encouragement to the G e n e r a l w h o was r e d i n the face a n d f r o m t i m e t o t i m e took out a s m a l l f l a s k to d r i n k a m o u t h f u l of w h i s k y . A t n o t i m e w a s h e generous e n o u g h t o say: 151

 H a v e a m o u t h f u l t o w a r m yourself u p , M r . H o x h a ! H e a n d his colonel w e r e c o n t i n u a l l y m u n c h i n g chocolate. By w a y of a j o k e I s a i d to h i m : D o n ' t eat it a l l at once, G e n e r a l , because nobody k n o w s h o w l o n g the partisans' r o a d m a y be. See, we don't eat on the m a r c h . In fact we h a d n o t h i n g to eat. W h e n w e reached the forest o f Q a r r i s h t a , the v a n g u a r d i n f o r m e d u s that w e c o u l d g o n o f u r t h e r t o w a r d s e r m e n i k a e V o g l in the d i r e c t i o n of M o k r a o r t o w a r d s Brzeshta, because r e a c t i o n w a s e x t r e m e l y strong there. T h e B a l l i s t etas o f A z i z B i a k u a n d others w e r e o n the alert a n d h a d b l o c k e d a l l the roads, passes a n d tracks. We h a d no option but to t u r n back towards Okshtun. I i n f o r m e d the G e n e r a l , w h o h a d lagged behind, t h a t we c o u l d not go on because of the B a l l i s t - G e r m a n a r m e d reaction a n d that w e h a d to change course. A p p a r e n t l y the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l h a d r u n out of patience, lost his t e m p e r a n d b e g u n to be f r i g h t e n e d . He sent his o r d e r l y to me to say that the G e n e r a l w a n t e d me to w a i t so that he c o u l d t a l k to me. All right, let h i m come, I s h a l l w a i t f o r h i m , I said. W e stopped a n d erected the tent. T h e G e n e r a l came, a c c o m p a n i e d b y F r e d e r i k . He's a n g r y a n d scared to death, F r e d e r i k told me. 152

 W e are g i v i n g h i m some b i t t e r m e d i c i n e t o swallow, I s a i d . As soon as he a r r i v e d , I e x p l a i n e d q u i e t l y that we c o u l d not get t h r o u g h in this d i r e c t i o n . We shall return to our starting-point and get out in some o t h e r direction, I e x p l a i n e d . We s h a l l take measures a n d i n f o r m B a b a F a j a , too. I ' m losing m y patience, M r . H o x h a , said the G e n e r a l , r e d - f a c e d a n d a n g r y . It seems y o u h a v e forgotten the advice that K i p l i n g gives his son in one of his poems: 'If y o u can keep y o u r head w h e n a l l about y o u are losing theirs... Y o u w i l l b e a m a n , m y son!' W h y h a v e y o u lost y o u r patience? I asked. W e have been a l l these days a n d nights in the darkness a n d the s n o w w h i c h r e m i n d me of nights i n the m o u n t a i n s o f S c o t l a n d , r o a m i n g t h r o u g h m o u n t a i n s a n d forests a n d m a k i n g n o headway. T h i s is w a r , G e n e r a l , I continued, our road is not s t r e w n w i t h rose petals. B u t I w a n t to b r e a k t h r o u g h , to get out of this, he persisted. W h e r e w i l l y o u go? I asked. W i l l y o u g o alone? W h a t impels y o u to go? The General replied angrily: I do not account f o r w h a t I do to anyone except m y superiors. I said to h i m c a l m l y : 153

I do not w a n t y o u to r e n d e r account to me, but y o u must u n d e r s t a n d that w e are allies. Y o u have been sent to o u r S t a f f a n d w e ' r e responsi b l e for y o u r safety. W h a t e v e r occurs must occur to us together, but I assure y o u t h a t n o t h i n g w i l l occur. No, said the G e n e r a l h a u g h t i l y , I s h a l l go to K o r a w i t h o u t you. Y o u m a y w a n t to do so, but I shall not a l l o w it, I said. W h y , am I y o u r prisoner? e x c l a i m e d the G e n e r a l r a i s i n g his voice. No, y o u are not o u r prisoner, b u t y o u are o u r a l l y a n d f r i e n d and I cannot a l l o w the G e r m a n s t o k i l l you. Since I am not y o u r prisoner a n d am a representative of G r e a t B r i t a i n , I s h a l l go even w i t h o u t y o u r permission, the G e n e r a l r e p l i e d . Keep y o u r temper, G e n e r a l , I said, if y o u put the question in this w a y , I shall not stop y o u f r o m going, but o n l y o n c e r t a i n conditions: y o u must give me a signed d o c u m e n t w h i c h says that y o u yourself took the r e s p o n s i b i l i t y a n d left the G e n e r a l S t a f f o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y w i t h o u t the a p p r o v a l a n d against the desire of me and o u r Staff. I am c e r t a i n that y o u are going to y o u r death or c a p t i v i t y , therefore I cannot a l l o w y o u t o take F r e d e r i k o r a n y other partisan, because I am responsible to the people f o r the safety of t h e i r sons. 154

T h e G e n e r a l w a s t a k e n a b a c k and, seeing n o w a y out, snorted f u r i o u s l y : I s h a l l issue n o s u c h document, M r . H o x h a . A s anyone c a n see, i t i s a l l u p w i t h y o u . Y o u are lost. T h e G e r m a n s have staged a big, c o - o r d i n a t e d offensive a n d y o u r forces have been routed. N o w there is n o t h i n g for it except f o r us to leave and y o u t o s u r r e n d e r . B u t y o u r eyes are b l i n d e d and y o u c a n see n o t h i n g . Y o u have n o hope; y o u have lost the w a r , y o u are encircled a n d are left w i t h o n l y t w o courses: either t o k i l l yourselves o r to surrender. T h i s w a s too m u c h f o r m y self-control. I j u m p e d to my feet ( F r e d e r i k stood up, too) a n d I said: L i s t e n , G e n e r a l ! W h a t y o u h a v e dared t o say i s the c u l m i n a t i o n o f y o u r treachery a n d v i l lainy. H o w e v e r , y o u s h o u l d k n o w that w e s h a l l not s u r r e n d e r a n d don't t h i n k that we have lost the w a r . We have treated y o u as allies, but a p p a r e n t l y y o u d o not w a n t those w h o fight fascism a s allies. W e s h a l l c o n t i n u e o u r w a r t o total v i c tory. Y o u w i l l have t o a n s w e r f o r the b e t r a y a l y o u are c o m m i t t i n g against o u r people's w a r . Y o u are deserting u n d e r f i r e a n d y o u k n o w w h a t awaits deserters i n the a r m y . A p a r t f r o m a n y t h i n g else t h e y are c a l l e d traitors. W h a t y o u ' r e about to do is deserting u n d e r fire, b e t r a y a l . Who has lost the w a r ? W h o s h o u l d s u r r e n der, w e ? N e v e r ! Y o u G e n e r a l are a defeatist, 155

a capitulationist. T h e A l b a n i a n partisans have not lost a n y w a r a n d w i l l not d o so. W e c r u s h e d the Italians and b r o u g h t t h e m t o t h e i r knees w i t h o u t the a i d o f a n y o n e else. L i k e w i s e , w e are a t t a c k i n g the G e r m a n s ceaselessly a n d w e s h a l l c r u s h t h e m a n d b r i n g t h e m t o t h e i r knees w i t h o u t the a i d of anyone else. S h o u l d the A l b a n i a n s u r r e n d e r to the e n e m y ? T h i s has not happened a n d n e v e r w i l l happen. W e have smashed a l l the e n e m y offensives. T h e attacks against us have ended w i t h losses f o r the enemies a n d victories f o r us. D o y o u t h i n k , G e n e r a l , that the partisans are i n despair because they have to stay in the forests? Y o u are w r o n g . O u r w h o l e existence has been ceaseless w a r against the e n e m y . We attack the cities, the roads, b l o w up the bridges a n d depots, k i l l the soldiers of the occupiers a n d t h e i r agents. We are masters of these m o u n t a i n s a n d these f o rests a n d also of houses w i t h i n the cities. A n d y o u advise u s t o s u r r e n d e r because w e h a v e a l legedly lost the w a r ? ! S u r r e n d e r i s a n act u n w o r t h y o f a n a r m y w h i c h has n e v e r s u r r e n d e r e d to the G e r m a n s . T h i s is an insult to us, G e n e r a l . T h e A l b a n i a n w i l l n e v e r tolerate insults. E x c u s e me, b u t it seems to me that y o u h a v e lost y o u r sense of l o g i c T h e G e n e r a l looked crest-fallen. H e stood u p , told F r e d e r i k t o t e l l m e that h e begged m y p a r d o n a n d h a d not i n t e n d e d t o insult u s a n d w e n t 156

off to r e j o i n his g r o u p w i t h a n o d of his head to me. I r e t u r n e d his n o d e q u a l l y coldly. I gathered up the comrades a n d related to t h e m w h a t h a d happened. H e got w h a t h e deserved, t h e y a l l s a i d u n a n i m o u s l y . We set out again. T h e G e n e r a l a n d his suite f o l l o w e d a l i t t l e b e h i n d us. H e a v y s n o w c o n t i n u e d to f a l l . It was b i t terly cold. T h e n o r t h w i n d w a s l i k e a w h i p l a s h o n o u r faces. W e m a d e s l o w progress. I n the m i d d l e of the forest we m a d e a longer stop u n d e r the shelter of a tree. As w a s his custom, K o l e k a sliced up a loaf a n d gave each of us a slice of bread a n d an o n i o n . We ate the food a n d started out again. T h e s n o w was f a l l i n g so t h i c k l y that w e c o u l d n o t f i n d the p a t h t o S t u d a F l a t . W e w a n d e r e d f o r h o u r s i n the forest a n d suddenly f o u n d ourselves b a c k i n the place w h e r e w e h a d stopped to eat, because we saw the o n i o n skins. O u r guide, w h o h a d beaten his breast boasting that he k n e w e v e r y i n c h of the t e r r a i n , h a d lost his bearings, b u t as u s u a l he t r i e d to a v o i d a d m i t t i n g it. T h e n w e took the s i t u a t i o n i n h a n d ourselves and, u s i n g a m a p a n d a compass, after m a n y w e a r i s o m e efforts at last m a n a g e d to f i n d o u r bearings. I n t h e e n d w e s t r u c k the r i g h t road, but the s n o w c o n t i n u e d relentlessly. N i g h t o v e r took u s before w e reached S t u d a F l a t . W e had been o n the m a r c h f o r m o r e t h a n t e n hours. W e crossed the f l a t a n d began to c l i m b the m o u n 157

t a i n o n the f a r side. I t w a s h a r d going. W e stopped. A l l the food that r e m a i n e d w a s one loaf o f maize bread and t w o tins o f N e s t l e m i l k . W i t h great d i f f i c u l t y the partisans l i t a f i r e w h i c h w a s the s a v i n g of us, put on the d i x y , m e l t e d snow i n i t a n d t i p p e d i n the m i l k . W h i l e they w e r e m i x i n g i t the o r d e r l y o f the G e n e r a l , w h o w a s used to eating chocolate a n d biscuits, b u t n o w had n o t h i n g left, came a n d s a i d : Please, c o u l d y o u give me a r a t i o n f o r t h e General? O f course, one of the comrades t o l d h i m a n d f i l l e d a flask w i t h m i l k a n d gave h i m t w o good slices of m a i z e bread to take to the General. W e spent that night o n the m o u n t a i n . W h e n day d a w n e d we c o u l d see O k s h t u n ahead of us. O n l y t h e n d i d w e realize that w e w e r e o n O k shtun Mountain. I n the m o r n i n g the G e n e r a l came. W e shook hands a n d I s m i l e d at h i m as if I h a d forgotten the q u a r r e l of the d a y before. We set out f o r O k s h t u n . T h e s n o w w a s f r o z e n h a r d a n d both c l i m b i n g a n d descending the slopes w a s difficult. The north w i n d continued. W e are almost there, G e n e r a l , I said to give h i m courage. W e are almost there. J u s t a l i t t l e more patience a n d don't lose y o u r good spirits. 158

O u r bases i n O k s h t u n h a d been i n f o r m e d and t h e y w e r e e x p e c t i n g us, a n d indeed, w h e n they saw t h a t we w e r e delayed, t h e y sent out some people w h o met o u r partisan v a n g u a r d . N i g h t h a d f a l l e n b y the t i m e w e reached the base w h e r e we w e r e to stay a n d o u r hosts had come out i n t h e s n o w i n the d a r k n e s s t o welcome us. T h e y e m b r a c e d us a n d took us inside. We took off our d r i p p i n g coats a n d h a n d e d our rifles to the head of the house, w h o h u n g t h e m on the w a l l , one beside the other. T h e small a n t e - r o o m w a s w a r m . A great sense of satisfaction stole over us. T h e G e n e r a l w a t c h e d w i t h pleasure a n d c u r i o s i t y h o w w e e m b r a c e d t h e people of the house, h o w we h a n d e d o v e r our rifles, took off o u r boots a n d shoes at the entrance to the r o o m , a n d he d i d his best to follow suit. O u r host opened the door of the b i g r o o m w i t h the f i r e - p l a c e a n d i n v i t e d u s i n . Please, come i n , m y home i s yours. Y o u go first, I said, g i v i n g the G e n e r a l the h o n o u r . We entered the r o o m . It was t r u l y a miracle, not o n l y f o r the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l , b u t also f o r us, w h o w e r e the sons of this l a n d a n d this people. A f t e r such a w e a r y i n g j o u r n e y t h r o u g h the forest, sometimes on a n d sometimes off the track, t h r o u g h snow a n d b l i z z a r d , w e entered a r o o m of a peasant's h o m e w h i c h m a d e 159

the E n g l i s h m a n e x c l a i m : W h a t a m i r a c l e ! C a n 1 be d r e a m i n g ? O u r host asked m e w h e r e the G e n e r a l w a s f r o m and w h a t language he spoke. I i n t r o d u c e d the G e n e r a l t o h i m . At the head of the r o o m there was a b i g fire-place, w i t h a b l a z i n g f i r e w h i c h s p r e a d w a r m t h a n d l i g h t f r o m e n d t o end. T w o o r three kerosene l a m p s h a d been l i t a n d at the one e n d of the room, s n o w - w h i t e sheep-skin rugs h a d been l a i d out, w i t h p i l l o w s i n clean p i l l o w - s l i p s to rest on. In the m i d d l e of the r o o m w a s a b i g D i b r a carpet, w h i l e corncobs in regular rows l i k e soldiers w e r e h a n g i n g f r o m the rafters o v e r head. N e i t h e r beams n o r roof c o u l d be seen, o n l y t h e corncobs g l o w i n g l i k e gold i n the l i g h t o f the f i r e . T h i s i s m a r v e l l o u s ! T h i s i s paradise! m u r m u r e d the G e n e r a l . E v e n in dreams I c o u l d not have i m a g i n e d s u c h a C h r i s t m a s night. Y o u see w h a t the homes a n d hearts of the o r d i n a r y A l b a n i a n s are l i k e , G e n e r a l , I said. T h e y t r u l y are paradise w i t h o u t M a m m o n o r G o d , as in y o u r M i l t o n ' s Paradise Lost. P e r h a p s y o u r e m e m b e r L o r d B y r o n ' s b e a u t i f u l verses f u l l of feeling. In his Childe Harold he p o i n t e d out t h e fine v i r t u e s o f the A l b a n i a n a n d w r o t e : T h e Suliotes stretched the w e l c o m e hand,/ A n d p i l e d t h e hearth, a n d w r u n g t h e i r garments damp,/ 160

A n d f i l l e d the b o w l , a n d t r i m m e d the c h e e r f u l lamp, / A n d spread t h e i r f a r e ; t h o u g h h o m e l y a l l they h a d . / S u c h conduct bears P h i l a n t h r o p y ' s rare stamp, / Yes, M r . H o x h a , said the G e n e r a l , w h a t B y r o n w r o t e about y o u A l b a n i a n s I a m seeing i n reality a n d i n d i f f i c u l t times w h i c h the w o r l d i s going t h r o u g h . G e n e r a l , I said, this hospitable atmosphere w h i c h o u r host has created r e m i n d s me of w h a t I h a v e read about the life of B y r o n . It was in s u c h an atmosphere that the great E n g l i s h poet w h o h a d gone to Greece to fight f o r the freedom of the G r e e k people l a y on his death bed. W h e n the A l b a n i a n s a n d t h e i r v a l i a n t l e a d ers M a r k o B o a r i , K o l o k o t r o n i a n d others, were f i g h t i n g a l l a r o u n d M i s s o l o n g h i , those w h o were s e r v i n g the poet on his death bed w e r e A l b a n i a n s the Suliotes. In f i n d y o u r w o r d s v e r y m o v i n g , M r . Hoxha, the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l r e p l i e d . B y r o n has w r i t t e n about this generosity and hospitality of our people, too. S o m e w h e r e he relates h o w , w h i l e h e w a s t r a v e l l i n g i n A l b a n i a and night overtook h i m in a village, he w a s obliged to seek shelter in a house w h e r e he w a s welcomed w i t h a l l the good things t h e y h a d . B e fore he left the n e x t day, B y r o n b r o u g h t out his money to pay. H i s host said i n d i g n a n t l y : 'No, the 161

A l b a n i a n does not w a n t m o n e y b u t friends.' A n d B y r o n r e m a i n e d a t r u e f r i e n d of the A l b a n i a n s . O u r host loaded the table w i t h food, as is the custom of the people of D i b r a . T h e G e n e r a l rose to his knees, p u t his h a n d on his h e a r t to express t h a n k s w h e n e v e r his host offered h i m cigarettes, o r c l i n k e d glasses w i t h h i m . O u r weariness disappeared i m m e d i a t e l y . T h e G e n e r a l opened his eyes i n astonishment a n d asked m e : I cannot u n d e r s t a n d w h e r e we are here, in the city or in the c o u n t r y s i d e ? W e ' r e in a village, the i n h a b i t a n t s of w h i c h have fought f o r f r e e d o m since ancient times. T h e y are poor, b u t w h e n f r i e n d s a n d comrades come they do e v e r y t h i n g possible to a v o i d b e i n g disgraced. T h i s i s h o w o u r w h o l e people preserve the t r a d i t i o n s of o u r ancestors, G e n e r a l , I t o l d him. W h a t a n astonishing c u l t u r e y o u h a v e ! W h a t politeness! e x c l a i m e d the G e n e r a l . H e a r i n g the G e n e r a l s a y i n g these w o r d s r e m i n d e d me of another i n c i d e n t t h a t h a d occ u r r e d d u r i n g those d i f f i c u l t days, about w h i c h the comrades h a d t o l d me in detail. As I h a v e mentioned, we h a d been obliged to spend the n i g h t i n the forest o f O k s h t u n . E v e r y t h i n g was covered w i t h snow. W e c o u l d f i n d n o d r y w o o d a n y w h e r e i n the forest. W i t h d i f f i c u l t y w e 162

managed to l i g h t the f i r e by t e a r i n g strips f r o m our shirts. A little w a y off, the G e n e r a l ' s group lit another f i r e . W h a t h a d o c c u r r e d ? O n e of our guides h a d approached the E n g l i s h m e n ' s f i r e to w a r m himself. C o l o n e l N i c h o l l s , d i s p l a y i n g his miserable spirit, h a d not p e r m i t t e d this a n d had d r i v e n h i m a w a y w i t h most i n s u l t i n g w o r d s . Thus, on that cold w i n t e r ' s n i g h t in that house in D i b r a , f o r a f e w m o m e n t s we forgot the great d i f f i c u l t i e s of the w a r , t a l k i n g about literature, p o e t r y and poets, a n d the lessons of history. The f o l l o w i n g day, w h i l e we w e r e at the table, our dear comrade, t h e f i g h t e r a n d w r i t e r H a k i S t r m i l l i , came to see us, dressed in o l d clothes, l o o k i n g e x a c t l y l i k e a peasant. I i n t r o duced h i m t o the G e n e r a l . Y o u see t h i s m a n ? He is a w r i t e r . He has left his home, his f a m i l y a n d his comfort and t h r o w n himself i n t o the w a r . He is not a c o m munist, b u t a great p a t r i o t a n d r e v o l u t i o n a r y democrat. A f t e r the o v e r t h r o w of the bourgeoisdemocratic g o v e r n m e n t o f F a n N o l i i n 1924 b y the r e a c t i o n a r y forces of Zog, H a k i S t r m i l l i was obliged to leave his H o m e l a n d a n d w a n d e r through E u r o p e as a p o l i t i c a l e m i g r a n t . In Y u g o slavia the police arrested h i m a n d h a n d e d h i m over t o Z o g w h o i m p r i s o n e d h i m . H e has described his l i f e in p r i s o n , the sufferings and t o r 163

tures there, in his d i a r y The Prison. L a t e r , he wrote a novel w h i c h made a big impression, called If I Were a Boy, about the double oppression in the f a m i l y a n d society, a n d the e m a n c i p a t i o n of the A l b a n i a n w o m e n w h o , as y o u h a v e seen, h a v e t a k e n up a r m s today a n d are f i g h t i n g v a l i a n t l y shoulder t o shoulder w i t h m e n . T h i s comrade f u l l y e m b r a c e d the decisions of the Conference of P e z a a n d n o w he is a m e m b e r o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n c i l , the organizer o f the l i b e r a t i o n w a r i n this zone. H e goes f r o m v i l l a g e to village, speaks to the peasants, e x p l a i n s the i m p o r t a n c e of o u r w a r , a n d organizes t h e m , a n d the peasants, i n s p i r e d by the i d e a l o f d e f e n d i n g the H o m e l a n d , h u r l themselves into the f i g h t against the G e r m a n s . T h e nazis, together w i t h the heads of reaction i n D i b r a , p u r s u e h i m , b u t they cannot c a p t u r e h i m , because he is closely l i n k e d w i t h the people, w i t h the communists. We love each other as c o m rades a n d brothers. W e passed the time v e r y w e l l w i t h H a k i . He t a l k e d to the G e n e r a l about the d r e a d f u l l i f e i n w h i c h the f e u d a l lords, the g e n t r y a n d r e l i gion kept the people, told h i m about the b l o o d t h i r s t y regime of Zog, a n d gave h i m a short account of his n o v e l If I Were a Boy. O u r stay i n O k s h t u n was r e a l l y pleasant. T h e hospitality a n d the p a t r i o t i s m of the people 164

of D i b r a drove a w a y o u r great fatigue a n d for a f e w m o m e n t s we forgot the great p r o b l e m s of the w a r . We h a d a good sleep a n d a t h o r o u g h rest. B u t a c c o r d i n g to the reports w h i c h I received, the G e r m a n offensive, supported b y the m e r cenaries o f F i q r i D i n e a n d other b a j r a k t a r s , w a s c o n t i n u i n g . To stay longer there was dangerous. Therefore, we decided to go to K o s t e n j a . I met the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l a n d t o l d h i m w e w o u l d c l i m b up to some houses at K o s t e n j a w h e r e we w o u l d be m o r e secure, c o u l d rest a n d w o u l d certainly soon f i n d the w a y t o c a r r y o n w i t h o u r plan. Thus, we r e t u r n e d to the sheepfolds of K o s t e n j a . We settled the G e n e r a l a n d his staff in a separate house, w h i l e we stayed in the home of Q a z i m P e s h k u , a c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r in the eta of M a r t a n e s h . T h e r e we stayed some days, rested a n d regained o u r strength. T h e G e n e r a l now h a d no cause f o r c o m p l a i n t about the food. O u r base area s u p p l i e d h i m w e l l w i t h w a l n u t s , potatoes, quinces, grape conserve, meat a n d raki. W e m a d e contact w i t h t h e p a r t y o r g a n i z a tion a n d o u r forces at S h m i l , L a b i n o t , etc., a n d learned that the operation h a d e n d e d w i t h n o success f o r the G e r m a n s . I i n s t r u c t e d the c o m rades of the P a r t y to n o t i f y t h e 1st B r i g a d e to cross to L e t m , K o s t e n j a , M a r t a n e s h , O r e n j a and S h m i l , t o m o p u p the G e r m a n s a n d Ballists 165

i n these zones a n d meet u p w i t h the G e n e r a l Staff. I decided we s h o u l d go f r o m K o s t e n j a to S h m i l a n d f r o m there f i n d some c o r r i d o r i n the d i r e c t i o n of the zone of K o r a . I i n f o r m e d the G e n e r a l about this project a n d asked h i m w h e t h e r h e w a n t e d t o continue the j o u r n e y w i t h us, because if not, we w o u l d f i n d some secure place f o r h i m f r o m w h i c h h e c o u l d m o v e in the d i r e c t i o n of the r e g i o n of K o r a w h e n h e w a n t e d to. H e r e p l i e d that h e w o u l d t h i n k about this a n d i n f o r m m e later. D u r i n g this t i m e C o m r a d e S a m i B a h o l l i a n d other comrades of the P a r t y in those areas p r e p a r e d bases f o r a l l of us in S h m i l f r o m w h i c h the n e w i t i n e r a r y f o r o u r j o u r n e y w o u l d start. S a m i i n f o r m e d us that e v e r y t h i n g was ready. A f t e r w e h a d completed a l l o u r p r e p a r a tions f o r the m a r c h , t h r o u g h the s n o w a n d w i n t e r b l i z z a r d , I w e n t to the house w h e r e the G e n e r a l w a s staying. I sat d o w n . He offered me a cigarette and I t a l k e d to h i m about the p l a n . He was w o r r i e d , kept l o o k i n g at the C o l o n e l a n d seemed as if he w a n t e d his p e r m i s s i o n . Let the C o l o n e l decide, he said. T h e C o l o n e l w a s s i t t i n g on a stool. I said w i t h a l a u g h , W h e t h e r or not the C o l o n e l likes the i d e a . . . A n d I reached over to w h e r e he w a s s i t t i n g a n d slapped h i m on the 166

knee. I c o u l d not f i n i s h my sentence, because he gave a l o u d c r y f o l l o w e d by a deep groan. E x c u s e me, I said. D i d I h u r t y o u ? W h a t ' s the m a t t e r ? I am v e r y i l l , M r . H o x h a , he said. I can't move. I am a f r a i d my leg is b e c o m i n g g a n g r e n ous. W h a t ? H o w is it possible, C o l o n e l ? I said i n surprise. W h y d i d n ' t y o u i n f o r m m e earlier, so that we c o u l d take u r g e n t measures? G e n e r a l , w e must save the Colonel's life. H a v e w e y o u r p e r m i s s i o n to act? D o y o u have a n y possibilities? he asked me. D r . D i s h n i c a must see h i m i n the first place, a n d t h e n I t h i n k we must t r a n s f e r h i m as q u i c k l y as possible to T i r a n a . We have o u r doctors there, I r e p l i e d . B u t is this possible? asked the G e n e r a l i n astonishment. W e can get h i m to T i r a n a w i t h i n a f e w days a n d the operation can be done i m m e d i a t e l y , I said. A f t e r c o n s u l t i n g w i t h N i c h o l l s , the G e n e r a l told me t h e y w o u l d be g r a t e f u l if we c o u l d get this u n d e r w a y q u i c k l y a n d expressed the desire that N i c h o l l s s h o u l d be sheltered in the home of one of t h e i r m e n , a bey of J e l l a , if I am not mistaken. W h e r e v e r y o u like, I replied, a n d w i t h o u t 167

delay sent couriers u r g e n t l y to i n s t r u c t the c o m rades of M a t a n d T i r a n a to organize a refuge f o r the C o l o n e l a n d the o p e r a t i o n o n h i m a s q u i c k l y as possible. T h e G e n e r a l t h a n k e d me f o r o u r concern a n d the speed w i t h w h i c h w e w e r e acting to save the C o l o n e l a n d said that in these conditions he c o u l d not leave the v i c i n i t y of T i r a n a u n t i l the C o l o n e l was better. That is understandable, I said. Then y o u s h a l l stay w i t h B a b a F a j a . H e i s o n the w a y here i f h e hasn't come already, a n d y o u w i l l stay w i t h h i m a n d his forces here, o r perhaps i n some other n e a r b y zone. B a b a F a j a came a n d m e t the G e n e r a l . W e said goodbye. I shook the G e n e r a l by the h a n d s a y i n g : I'll see y o u again in the zone of K o r a , b u t w e n e v e r met again. D u r i n g those days a B r i t i s h L i e u t e n a n t called T r a y h o r n h a d s u r r e n d e r e d to the G e r m a n s . It seems he had told t h e m e v e r y t h i n g about the G e n e r a l , w h e r e he w a s s t a y i n g and his plans. On the day after we left, J a n u a r y 8, the B a l l i s t s of A z i s B i a k u a n d a p l a t o o n of G e r m a n s o l diers m o v e d in on the sheepfolds of K o s t e n j a , w h e r e the partisans w i t h the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l a n d f o u r other people w e r e located. T h e partisans, led by B a b a F a j a , began to fight off the attacks f r o m the f o u r sides. B a b a F a j a led the f i g h t i n g , d i r e c t i n g the attacks on the e n e m y in order to break t h r o u g h the e n c i r c l e m e n t a n d enter a 168

nearby forest a n d at the same t i m e protected and opened the w a y f o r the G e n e r a l . S h o u t i n g , Take care of the G e n e r a l ! B a b a F a j a c o n t i n u e d t o f i g h t i n the v a n g u a r d t o cover t h e i r w i t h d r a w a l . N i c h o l l s a n d a n o t h e r B r i t i s h o f f i c e r also fought together w i t h the partisans to b r e a k t h r o u g h the e n c i r c l e m e n t . In the heat of the battle the p a r t i s a n s saw that the G e n e r a l w a s not m o v i n g . S o m e of t h e m w e n t back to get h i m , b u t to t h e i r astonishment saw that he w a s leaning against the t r u n k of a tree w i t h a r e d silk sash d r a p e d across his chest a n d s h o u t i n g and g e s t u r i n g to t h e m to go a w a y . M e a n w h i l e F r e d e r i k , w h i l e f i g h t i n g alongside N i c h o l l s , h e a r d the G e n e r a l say to the C o l o n e l :

Go on, I am hit. You take charge! Very good, sir, goodbye! replied the Colonel. A n u m b e r of B a l l i s t s a n d G e r m a n s w e r e k i l l e d a n d the f i r i n g stopped. T h e e n e m y w i t h drew. A f t e r the battle, the partisans discovered that the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l w a s m i s s i n g . E x h a u s t e d , completely discouraged, h e h a d t h r o w n a w a y his weapons a n d s u r r e n d e r e d w i t h o u t f i r i n g a shot. T h e report about the event reached me at S h m i l , w h e n w e h a d m a d e a l l the p r e p a r a t i o n s for o u r j o u r n e y a n d w e r e almost ready to start for the K o r a zone. T h e G e n e r a l w h o h a d a d 169

v i s e d us to s u r r e n d e r had l o n g been p l a n n i n g to s u r r e n d e r himself. T h u s , he f o u n d the m o m e n t a n d made his p l a n a r e a l i t y . Despite his i n j u r e d leg, the C o l o n e l d i d not surrender, but b r o k e t h r o u g h the e n c i r c l e m e n t and entered the forest, because he k n e w w h a t a w a i t e d a senior officer of the S O E at the hands of the Gestapo. T h e G e n e r a l h i m s e l f h a d expressed this to F r e d e r i k in the course of c o n versation. T h e r e w a s also a n o t h e r reason w h y he d i d not surrender. A c c o r d i n g to a t r a d i t i o n in the B r i t i s h a r m y , if a senior o f f i c e r is captured, his i m m e d i a t e subordinate takes his position. Hence, N i c h o l l s w o u l d a u t o m a t i c a l l y become a G e n e r a l and head o f the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n i n A l b a nia, and, in fact, d i d so. H o w e v e r , this was o n l y f o r a f e w days. W i t h his leg gangrenous, he b r o k e off a l l contact w i t h the representative o f the S t a f f o f o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y a n d , t h r o u g h the i n t e r v e n t i o n o f the B a l l i K o m btar a n d Legaliteti, he f o u n d shelter in the v i c i n i t y of T i r a n a in the h o m e of one of the Toptani family, a Ballist and Anglophile. As we l e a r n e d later, h e died there a n d was b u r i e d i n cognito. T h e B a l l i s t s d i s p l a y e d a l l this care f o r the C o l o n e l i n atonement f o r the s i n they h a d c o m m i t t e d against the B r i t i s h , b y h a n d i n g o v e r G e n e r a l Davies to the G e r m a n s . Nevertheless, 170

the B r i t i s h d i d not p u b l i c l y c o n d e m n the Ballists, because they d i d not w a n t to totally discredit t h e m a n d t h e y c o n t i n u e d t h e i r contacts w i t h t h e m . H o w e v e r , the G e r m a n s b r o u g h t his w h o l e f i l t h y business to light. In order to s h o w that the B a l l i s t s w e r e w i t h t h e m , t h e y p u b l i c i z e d the capture of the G e n e r a l by the Ballists, a n d f o r this they a w a r d e d A z i z B i a k u the I r o n Cross. L a t e r , w h e n I w a s in the S o u t h , I was i n f o r m e d that the comrades of T i r a n a had m a d e a n a t t e m p t t o release the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l f r o m the clutches of the Gestapo, but h a d failed, a l t h o u g h f o u r people h a d s a c r i f i c e d t h e i r lives i n the attempt. In S e p t e m b e r 1944, the C o m m a n d of the 1st A r m y C o r p s o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y i n f o r m e d me that the partisans h a d captured three G e r m a n w o m e n , dangerous spies, on the K u k s - P r i z r e n road. I sent an urgent r a d i o g r a m , o r d e r i n g the comrades to t r y to e x h a n g e t h e m for G e n e r a l Davies. H o w e v e r , the G e r m a n C o m m a n d r e p l i e d that w h e n they asked G e n e r a l Davies w h e t h e r he w a n t e d to be exchanged he had not accepted the proposal. W e d i d o u r d u t y t o w a r d s h i m , but the B r i t i s h General Davies preferred G e r m a n i m p r i s o n m e n t to f r e e d o m w i t h the partisans in the m o u n t a i n s of A l b a n i a , w h e r e he w o u l d have had 171

to share the countless sacrifices ( 1 ) they e n d u r e d . T h i s was the s h a m e f u l e n d of a s e n i o r B r i t i s h officer, the agent of the Intelligence Service, G e n e r a l D a v i e s . W i t h o u t doubt, the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l , p r i s o n e r of the G e r m a n s , w h o refused to be released on exchange as we proposed, h a d been o r d e r e d b y L o n d o n t o e n t e r into discussions w i t h the G e r m a n s about the f u t u r e o f A l b a n i a over w h i c h L o n d o n was so concerned. I h a v e presented facts about this concern t h r o u g h o u t m y d e s c r i p t i o n o f the events.

______________________________ 1 In his book

Illyrian

Venture

Davies

admits

that

in

the G e r m a n prisoner of w a r camp, It was a better Christmas than the last, w h e n we were struggling against a b l i z z a r d on top of a mountain, w i t h no food and no prospects. (Brigadier Trotsky Davies,

Illyrian

Venture.

The

Bodley

Head,

London

1952, p. 219.)

172

IV M U S T A F A GJINISHI A G E N T O F T H E BRITISH
The two Mustafas. Kaai loyal son of the Party. Gjinishi's links and contacts with the nationalists. Bab Myslim's reply. The plan for the Peqin-Darsia military domain. A valuable proposal: Let us send representatives to London. The B B C Ras Tafari. Tafari's confession: Cungu put me in contact with the Turkish consulate. Caught red-handed.

I h a d not k n o w n M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , n o r even h e a r d his name, I k n e w n o t h i n g at a l l about w h o he was, w h a t w o r k he d i d , w h e r e he l i v e d and w h a t he had been doing before the occupation of A l b a n i a by Italy. I had h e a r d of his f a t h e r w h o h a d a good r e p u t a t i o n . He h a d been a d e m o crat, a s u p p o r t e r of F a n N o l i , against the beys, against V r l a c i a n d Z o g a n d h a d been assassinated by t h e m . He w a s a f r i e n d of M y s l i m and S h y q r i P e z a w h o w e r e enemies o f the V r l a c i s and other beys, a n d h a d a l w a y s been persecuted 173

a n d w e r e sometimes i n p r i s o n , sometimes f u g i tives and sometimes obliged to l i v e in e x i l e in Y u g o s l a v i a . I d i d not even k n o w that this d e m o crat, w h o h a d been persecuted a n d assassinated by V r l a c i ' s m e n , h a d a son called M u s t a f a w h o , it seems, h a d attended the A m e r i c a n T e c h n i c a l School in Tirana. A f t e r the occupation o f our c o u n t r y b y t h e Italians, M u s t a f a entered A l b a n i a f r o m Y u g o slavia together w i t h M u s t a f a K a a i a n d A b a z K u p i . O f course, t h e y entered the c o u n t r y i l legally, crossing the b o r d e r i n D i b r a , i f I ' m not m i s t a k e n . T h e y made contact w i t h H a x h i L l e s h i , w h o was i n the u n d e r g r o u n d m o v e m e n t , a n d came t o T i r a n a secretly. M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i m a d e contact w i t h M y s l i m P e z a w h o w a s p u r s u e d b y the Italians a n d h a d also gone u n d e r g r o u n d . I had never met M u s t a f a Kaai, either, b u t I k n e w his n a m e a n d something of his s t r u g gle against the regime of Z o g . K a a i h a d been one of the leaders of the F i e r u p r i s i n g in 1935. He w a s sentenced to death as an a n t i - Z o g i t e democrat, b u t m a i n t a i n e d a v e r y good stand before the court. L a t e r his d e a t h sentence w a s c o m m u t e d a n d after a p e r i o d of i m p r i s o n m e n t he w a s released a n d f l e d to Y u g o s l a v i a w i t h the a i d o f f r i e n d s a n d comrades. I n e x i l e h e s y m p a t h i z e d w i t h c o m m u n i s m and called h i m self a c o m m u n i s t . G j i n i s h i , l i k e w i s e , c l a i m e d to be a c o m m u n i s t . 174

A f t e r some time w e met the t w o M u s t a f a s . The P a r t y h a d n o t been f o r m e d a t this t i m e and I m a d e contact w i t h these t w o on behalf of the K o r a G r o u p . I w a s s t i l l legal at that t i m e . A t the f i r s t m e e t i n g I h a d w i t h these t w o comrades, w e t a l k e d about the s i t u a t i o n i n the c o u n t r y a n d the w a r w h i c h w e h a d t o organize against the occupiers. I t o l d t h e m b r i e f l y , w i t h o u t going i n t o detail (and especially w i t h o u t t a l k i n g about the o r g a n i z a t i o n of o u r K o r a G r o u p ) , about the disagreements b e t w e e n the c o m m u n i s t groups. I e x p l a i n e d to t h e m the m i s t a k e n v i e w s of the other groups, w h i l e , of course, p o i n t i n g out that the l i n e of o u r g r o u p was correct, w a s t r u l y a c o m m u n i s t line, that o u r g r o u p was l i n k e d w i t h the C o m i n t e r n , etc., etc. We are f o r w a r against the occupier, I told t h e m . W e are f o r w a r , too, they said. W e have come here to f i g h t and w a n t to l i n k up with your Group. Of course, I w a s pleased at t h i s a n d agreed that t h e y s h o u l d m a k e contact w i t h the leaders of other groups a n d t r y to persuade t h e m to reach agreement. T h e y promised, but d i d n o thing. I met K a a i several times. He r e p o r t e d to m e o n his activities a n d f i n a l l y t o l d m e : L i s t e n , E n v e r . W i t h Q o r r i (Anastas L u l a ) 175

n o t h i n g can be done. Therefore, allocate me my w o r k , the cell I am to belong to a n d my contact. B e a r in m i n d my game leg, because I cannot r u n a n d m i g h t be spotted. K a a i was v e r y good as a person a n d as a c o m m u n i s t . He was sincere, j o i n e d the K o r a G r o u p and, w h e n the P a r t y was f o u n d e d , became a m e m b e r of it. L a t e r he was appointed p o l i t i c a l commissar of the p a r t i s a n b a t t a l i o n of M a t a n d fought and gave leadership as a resolute c o m m u n i s t u n t i l the m o m e n t h e was k i l l e d , f i g h t i n g h e r o i c a l l y f o r the l i b e r a t i o n o f K r u j a . A f t e r L i b e r a t i o n the P a r t y a w a r d e d h i m the l o f t y title H e r o of the People. M a t t e r s w e r e totally d i f f e r e n t w i t h M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , let alone w i t h H a s a n R e i , a l t h o u g h the latter, too, posed as a c o m m u n i s t , b u t we n e v e r trusted h i m . He w a s a c h a r l a t a n , a l i a r , a v e r y dubious i n d i v i d u a l . T i m e p r o v e d this completely. He was an agent in the service of the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s , and after L i b e r a t i o n h e was exposed a n d condemned. B u t let u s r e t u r n t o M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i . H e was a clever, d y n a m i c , active fellow, b u t c o n ceited, w a r y w i t h u s a n d insincere. H e spoke w i t h gestures as t h o u g h to give himself a u t h o r i t y . H e w a n t e d t o s h o w that h e h a d l i n k s a n d great influence w i t h M y s l i m Peza, as well as w i t h many circles of nationalists a n d anti-fascists, a n d gave the i m p r e s s i o n that his w o r d s a n d advice 176

were listened t o i n those circles. H e t o l d u s n o t h i n g concrete. W h e r e a n d w h o these bases a n d supporters of his w e r e , we discovered later. A l l e g e d l y illegal, h e w e n t a l l o v e r T i r a n a w e a r i n g d a r k glasses a n d a blue suit, sometimes w i t h a felt hat, sometimes w e a r i n g p l u s - f o u r s and a cap a n d a w h i t e gabardine coat, a n d c a r r y i n g a b l a c k satchel c o n t a i n i n g papers, a T u r k i s h r e v o l v e r a n d t w o Y u g o s l a v grenades. O u r people reported that he w e n t a n d met Irfan O h r i , L u m o Skndo, Sheh K a r b u n a r a , K a m b e r Q a f m o l l a , A b a z K u p i a n d others. H e h a d meetings w i t h a great m i x t u r e of people, i n c l u d i n g beys, some o f w h o m h a d declared t h e i r l i n k s w i t h the occupiers, others w h o h a d not done so at that time, a n d some other c a n didates, sympathizers w i t h the movement, some of t h e m inveterate a n d resolute a n t i - c o m munists. M u s t a f a t o l d u s v e r y little about w h a t he discussed, a n d w h a t i n t r i g u e s he hatched up w i t h t h e m , e v e n l a t e r w h e n the P a r t y was formed, a n d indeed, e v e n after w e a d m i t t e d h i m as a m e m b e r of the P a r t y . P r i o r t o the f o r m a t i o n o f the P a r t y , w e h a d m a n a g e d to create a sort of l i a i s o n committee w i t h the v a r i o u s groups f o r joint actions, a n d I remember that we summoned Mustafa K a a i and M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i to a m e e t i n g of this c o m mittee at w h i c h V a s i l Shanto, I a n d A n a s t a s L u l a w e r e present. At this m e e t i n g I proposed 177

that we s h o u l d come out in a d e m o n s t r a t i o n in the streets of T i r a n a precisely on t h a t d a y w h i c h later became k n o w n as the day of the b i g demonstration i n T i r a n a , w h e n w e c a m e t o b l o w s w i t h the forces o f the occupier i n the M i n i s t r i e s ' Square. A n a s t a s p r e t e n d e d not to oppose the proposal f o r a d e m o n s t r a t i o n b u t d i d not f a i l to i n v o k e the t h e o r y of cadres a n d to say t h a t the e n e m y w i l l d i s c o v e r us a n d attack us, etc., a n d secretely f o u g h t to sabotage the proposal through X h e p i (Sadik Premte). Vasil, a brave p r o l e t a r i a n comrade, w h o r e m a i n e d a resolute c o m m u n i s t i n the r a n k s o f the P a r t y f r o m t h e t i m e i t was f o r m e d u n t i l h e w a s k i l l e d i n p e r f o r m i n g his duty, d i d not raise a n y opposition, b u t said, I m u s t consult my comrades, a n d q u i c k l y b r o u g h t a positive r e p l y . M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i began t o i n d u l g e i n r h e t o r i c , d e m a g o g y a n d to obscure the issue, so that n o t h i n g w o u l d be decided. T h e n I asked M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i b l u n t l y : Are y o u f o r o r against demonstrations? I support V a s i l ' s v i e w , he said. B u t V a s i l gave c e r t a i n reasons, I s a i d . He's g o i n g t o ask his comrades. B u t w h a t comrades are y o u g o i n g to ask? As f a r as I k n o w a n d a s y o u have said yourself, y o u are w i t h our G r o u p , a n d a s such y o u ought t o b e disciplined. No, objected M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i i n d i g n a n t l y , I h a v e t h e r i g h t to t h i n k outside the d i s c i p l i n e 178

of the G r o u p , because I have a series of n a t i o n a l ist f r i e n d s w h o are assisting t h e w a r a n d w e s h o u l d not c o m p r o m i s e t h e m so soon. We need more p r e p a r a t i o n . T h e n , M u s t a f a , I said, tell me straight, y o u are n e i t h e r w i t h u s n o r w i t h V a s i l . I f M y s l i m P e z a h a d listened t o y o u , h e w o u l d not have a t t a c k e d the a r m i e s of the occupier. W e ' l l come out in the d e m o n s t r a t i o n a n d j o i n o u r efforts w i t h those o f M y s l i m P e z a , regardless o f w h e t h e r y o u o r X h e p i l i k e i t o r not. M u s t a f a K a a i i m m e d i a t e l y associated h i m self w i t h m e a n d said t o G j i n i s h i : M u s t a f a , d o n ' t get u p t o t r i c k s l i k e y o u d i d w h e n w e w e r e i n Y u g o s l a v i a . W e ' v e come here to f i g h t those w h o h a v e occupied the country. G j i n i s h i j u m p e d t o his feet, red-faced a n d a n g r y a n d said t o K a a i : D o n ' t i n s u l t me, I w o n ' t a l l o w y o u to insult me. I am in f a v o u r b u t we m u s t be c a r e f u l n o t to become the target of attack. W h a t do y o u m e a n w i t h t h e t r i c k s I got up to in Yugoslavia? I i n t e r v e n e d to stop t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n t a k i n g this t u r n a n d w e p a r t e d . T h e d e m o n s t r a t i o n w a s h e l d . Regardless of the fact that t h e heads of the Y o u t h G r o u p w e r e against it, the r a n k - a n d - f i l e of the three groups came out in the d e m o n s t r a t i o n w i t h o u t 179

hesitation a n d fought the m i l i t i a a n d the c a r a b i n i e r i of the occupier in the streets a n d squares. A considerable t i m e w e n t by, f i l l e d w i t h historic events, the m a i n one of w h i c h w a s the f o u n d i n g o f o u r C o m m u n i s t P a r t y , our struggle to b u i l d a n d consolidate it, f o r its u n i t y a n d to p u r g e it of the s p i r i t a n d old methods of w o r k of the groups. T h e P a r t y t h r e w itself a n d its active forces h e r o i c a l l y i n t o the w a r , into actions, a t h i n g w h i c h raised h i g h its prestige a m o n g the people a n d b u i l t u p t h e i r confidence i n the P a r t y . T h e u n h e a l t h y T r o t s k y i t e heads, such as Q o r r i , X h e p i a n d those o f the Z j a r r i G r o u p w e r e being isolated step by step. W h e n the P a r t y w a s f o r m e d , I s u m m o n e d M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i t o report o n the w o r k h e h a d done, as the other m e m b e r s of the groups w h i c h f o r m e d the P a r t y d i d . I k n o w that as soon as y o u came here, y o u ' l i n k e d u p ' w i t h the K o r a G r o u p , M u s t a f a , but n o w that the P a r t y has been f o r m e d , since y o u call yourself a c o m m u n i s t , y o u w i l l u n d e r stand that y o u m u s t t e l l us the connections y o u have w i t h v a r i o u s people a n d the w o r k y o u have done w i t h t h e m , so that the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e can m a k e its j u d g e m e n t of this a n d of y o u , a n d about h o w y o u s h o u l d act i n the f u t u r e , i n other words, give y o u directives, I t o l d h i m . He was in a tight spot, a n d I r e m e m b e r this reply: 180

I am a c o m m u n i s t , C o m r a d e E n v e r , b u t y o u have not g i v e n me contacts, a l t h o u g h I m a i n t a i n contact w i t h m a n y comrades o f the P a r t y and w o r k w i t h them. Y o u are on a w r o n g course, I t o l d h i m , and y o u must i m m e d i a t e l y b r e a k off y o u r o r g a n i z a t i o n a l l i n k s w i t h other comrades, because w e ' v e f i n i s h e d w i t h these methods o f f a c t i o n a l w o r k once a n d f o r a l l . It's not t r u e that y o u have been left w i t h o u t contact. Y o u r contact is w i t h me. I told y o u this a l o n g t i m e ago, b u t it has been to y o u r l i k i n g t o m a i n t a i n contacts w i t h e v e r y b o d y . The f i r m d i s c i p l i n e a n d rules o f the P a r t y i n these times of w a r do not p e r m i t s u c h a thing. Y o u s t i l l w a n t proofs of w h a t I a m ? he asked. I have s u m m o n e d y o u precisely to discuss w i t h y o u the w o r k y o u h a v e done s o t h a t w e can k n o w y o u better a n d the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e can judge y o u r w o r k . He w a s obliged to say something, p u t t i n g the emphasis o n the f i g h t o f M y s l i m P e z a w i t h w h i c h we were very w e l l acquainted. However, M u s t a f a w a n t e d to escape r e n d e r i n g account to the P a r t y , a n d at the same t i m e t r i e d to give us the i m p r e s s i o n that it w a s he w h o guided M y s l i m P e z a a n d that, if we took a different v i e w of the question of M u s t a f a , t h e n the l i n k s o f the P a r t y w i t h M y s l i m w o u l d b e j e o p a r d i z e d ! T h e i m p r e s s i o n h e gave m e i n this talk w a r 181

a b a d one. Nevertheless, I h a d to proceed cautiously. It was essential to f i n d out e v e r y t h i n g about the a c t i v i t y o f M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , a n d this w o u l d take t i m e . A t t h a t p e r i o d I h a d n o suspicions that M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i was l i n k e d w i t h foreigners, but a c o m m u n i s t he w a s not. He was an a m b i t i o u s nationalist, an a d v e n t u r e r a n d m i g h t become a source of d a n g e r to us on m a n y counts, if we w e r e not v i g i l a n t a n d d i d not keep a tight r e i n o n his u n o r g a n i z e d activities. W e p a r t e d f r o m that m e e t i n g in a r e l a t i v e l y f r i e n d l y fashion, b u t it was c l e a r that n e i t h e r he nor I w a s satisfied w i t h each other a n d b o t h of us u n d e r s t o o d this. I h a d to continue to w o r k w i t h h i m p a t i e n t ly, not because of his threats that w i t h o u t h i m the l i n k s o f the P a r t y w i t h M y s l i m P e z a m i g h t be jeopardized, because these l i n k s w e r e s t r o n g a n d sincere a n d we w e r e g o i n g to s t r e n g t h e n t h e m e v e n more, but because we w a n t e d to r e s t r a i n h i m i n his mistakes a n d his a d v e n t u r e s a n d m a k e h i m a good f i g h t e r f o r the cause of the l i b e r a t i o n . To this e n d , we h a d to set about w o r k together w i t h M y s l i m P e z a , s o t h a t w e c o u l d become better a c q u a i n t e d w i t h M u s t a f a . W e c o u l d not u n d e r r a t e the t r a d i t i o n o f f a m i l y f r i e n d s h i p b e t w e e n the Pezas a n d the G j i n i s h i s and the s y m p a t h y of M y s l i m f o r M u s t a f a as the son of his f r i e n d , as an a n t i - I t a l i a n f i g h t e r a n d as a communist, w h i c h he p r e t e n d e d to be. M u s t a f a w a s a glib talker, gathered up a n d 182

spread a r o u n d i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m m a n y quarters a n d m i g h t become a sort of newspaper or source of n e w s f o r M y s l i m . T h i s w a s w h a t I was a f r a i d of, b u t I h a d great f a i t h in the s t r o n g character, the sense of justice a n d u n p r e t e n t i o u s ness of M y s l i m P e z a . A n d I was not m i s t a k e n . Let us return to Mustafa Gjinishi. N a t u r a l l y , it is not my object here to desc r i b e i n d e t a i l his l i f e a n d a c t i v i t y i n the p e r i o d o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r , b u t o n l y c e r t a i n events a n d occurrences i n w h i c h w e r a n i n t o his hostile a c t i v i t y a i m e d against the P a r t y a n d the people's n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n state power. O n e n i g h t , s h o r t l y a f t e r the f o r m a t i o n of the P a r t y , I s u m m o n e d M u s t a f a K a a i to a meeti n g i n a n u n d e r g r o u n d base i n T i r a n a . A t that time we h a d b o t h gone u n d e r g r o u n d . I t a l k e d to h i m . I questioned h i m about G j i n i s h i a n d asked h i m to speak to me openly as a c o m m u n i s t , p o i n t i n g out sincerely that the P a r t y was c o n v i n c e d t h a t G j i n i s h i w a s an anti-fascist, a determ i n e d f i g h t e r against the occupiers. H e m a k e s great c l a i m s to be a c o m m u n i s t , poses as a c o m m u n i s t w h e r e v e r he goes, to w h o e v e r he meets, I said, however, we are not c o n v i n c e d about this a n d m u s t p u t h i m t o f u r t h e r tests in o r d e r to a d m i t h i m to the r a n k s of t h e P a r t y . G j i n i s h i displays great l a c k of discipline in c a r r y i n g out the rules a n d d i r e c t i v e s of the P a r t y , does w h a t e v e r he himself t h i n k s fit, does 183

not r e p o r t on the connections he has or about the w o r k he does, a n d it f r e q u e n t l y occurs that w h e n w e w a n t t o meet p a t r i o t i c elements they say to us: ' T h e r e is no need because we have contact w i t h M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i . ' C a n y o u t e l l m e y o u r o p i n i o n about these judgements of m i n e on the c h a r a c t e r a n d m e t h o d of w o r k of M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , I asked K a a i , because I m a y be w r o n g , w h i l e y o u are better a c q u a i n t e d w i t h h i m a n d also k n e w h i m w h e n y o u w e r e a b r o a d ? In brief K a a i told me: O v e r a l l , y o u are not m i s t a k e n . G j i n i s h i i s active, capable of f o r m i n g combinations, there is no doubt that he is anti-fascist a n d a n t i - I t a l i a n a n d w a n t s t o fight, b u t i n his o w n w a y . T h i s i s w h a t h e d i d w h e n w e w e r e i n Y u g o s l a v i a , too. Y o u c o u l d f i n d h i m e v e r y w h e r e . H e d i d n ' t stay m u c h w i t h us, b u t h e m e t a l l those w h o w e r e anti-Zogites, regardless of w h o t h e y were, beys, aghas, A l b a n i a n s o r Y u g o s l a v officials. H e w a s i n f o r m e d about e v e r y t h i n g a n d h a d p l e n t y o f money, w h i l e w e c o u l d h a r d l y get b y f r o m m o n t h t o m o n t h b y b o r r o w i n g f r o m one another. O n e day he came to me a n d said t h a t we w e r e going to enter A l b a n i a together illegally, because the w o r k against fascism there h a d begun. 'How a n d f r o m w h e r e are we going to go?' I asked h i m . ' W h o is going to p u t us across the border?' 'Don't w o r r y , ' he t o l d me, 'I've reached 184

agreement w i t h G a n i B e y K r y e z i u . H i s m e n w i l l get u s into A l b a n i a a n d there w e s h a l l f i n d w a y s t o meet A q i f L l e s h i , H a x h i L l e s h i a n d others. A s f o r m o n e y , don't w o r r y about that, because I've got some f r o m the ' C o m m i t t e e ' a n d some f r o m G a n i B e y ' . 'There's no one l i k e y o u , M u s t a f a , ' I said, continued K a a i , 'the m a i n t h i n g i s that w e must get to A l b a n i a a n d die there, in our o w n c o u n t r y , because a b r o a d w e ' r e d y i n g of b o r e d o m . ' So we set out. I m u s t t e l l y o u , C o m rade E n v e r , that before we crossed the border, G j i n i s h i gave me a b a g of gold napoleons w h i c h I was to keep in the saddle bag of my m u l e and w h e n we got to the H o m e l a n d he took it f r o m me s a y i n g , 'These w i l l serve us to f i n a n c e the w a r . ' H e w i l l h a v e t o l d y o u this, said K a a i i n conclusion. No, I replied, H e m u s t have forgotten or perhaps the occasion hasn't arisen! B u t this aroused m y suspicions. M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i h a d come f r o m a b r o a d w i t h g o l d ! W h o h a d g i v e n i t t o h i m ? W h a t connections h a d h e w i t h the f e u d a l Gani B e y K r y e z i u , and who was behind them? W a s i t S e r b i a n reaction o r the B r i t i s h ? P e r h a p s neither. . . . a n d he h a d p l e n t y of m o n e y , w h i l e w e c o u l d h a r d l y get b y f r o m m o n t h t o m o n t h b y b o r r o w i n g . . . K a a i h a d t o l d m e . W h a t should be done? I h a d to proceed cautiously a n d w i t h great v i g i l a n c s , because G j i n i s h i w a s w i l y . 185

T h e fight of the P a r t y a n d the people against the occupier a n d the q u i s l i n g s w a s b e c o m i n g m o r e a n d m o r e fierce. I t w a s e x t e n d i n g i n the capital a n d other cities. M y s l i m Peza's eta w a s being strengthened w i t h c o m m u n i s t s a n d e n l a r g e d w i t h partisans f r o m the c i t y a n d the villages o f P e z a . M y s l i m , l i n k e d closely w i t h the P a r t y , stood h e r o i c a l l y . W h e n I w e n t w i t h h i m t o d i f ferent villages, Bab's w o r d s revealed his trust i n the P a r t y a n d his f a i t h i n c o m m u n i s m . P e z a had been t u r n e d into a n i m p o r t a n t f i g h t i n g centre f o r us a n d a great danger to the occupiers a n d the q u i s l i n g V r l a c i . A l o n g w i t h the f i g h t against t h e occupiers a n d the traitors, the P a r t y , t h r o u g h its m e m b e r s and others w h o m i t appointed, also h e l d t a l k s and meetings w i t h people k n o w n f o r t h e i r o p position t o Z o g i n the past, w i t h nationalists, a s w e called t h e m . W e sounded t h e m out about their p o l i t i c a l attitudes, t h e i r i n f l u e n c e a n d circles, as w e l l as about the possibilities of i n v o l v i n g t h e m in the struggle against the occupiers a n d u n i t i n g t h e m w i t h the P a r t y i n the w a r f o r the l i b e r a t i o n of the c o u n t r y . A l t h o u g h w e s t i l l h a d not a d m i t t e d G j i n i s h i t o the P a r t y , w e h a d allocated h i m t o this w o r k f o r w h i c h he was allegedly suitable. S o m e t i m e s he reported a n d sometimes he d i d not r e p o r t to us, but d i d not give up his tactics. He w a s r e s e n t f u l of the fact that M y s l i m , on w h o m he 186

had p i n n e d great hopes, was f i r m l y l i n k e d w i t h t h e P a r t y t h r o u g h m e a n d Q e m a l S t a f a . H e saw that B a b l i k e d u s a n d that w e h a d great l o v e a n d respect f o r h i m , sought his o p i n i o n a n d k e p t h i m i n f o r m e d about e v e r y t h i n g , regardless o f t h e fact that he was not yet a m e m b e r of the Communist Party. G j i n i s h i began to react against this connect i o n : his visits t o P e z a became m o r e f r e q u e n t and m o r e p r o l o n g e d a n d he t r i e d to confuse the comrades. T h e y i n f o r m e d us about these things, but we a d v i s e d t h e m to be patient a n d to c o n t i n u e t o w a t c h out. T h e contacts a n d meetings o f M u s t a f a w i t h the nationalists not o n l y d i d not p r o d u c e a n y concrete result, b u t also came i n t o opposition w i t h the ardent a n d p u r e p a t r i o t i s m o f M y s l i m P e z a . M y s l i m P e z a was l i n k e d i r r e v o c a b l y w i t h the p o o r peasants a n d hated the beys a n d s w i n dlers. M a n y of these w e r e the nationalists of Mustafa Gjinishi and S h y q r i Peza. Mustafa and S h y q r i got a l o n g w e l l w i t h t h e m a n d w a n t e d t o take advantage o f M y s l i m f o r t h e i r o w n purposes. In conversation, b o t h of t h e m t a l k e d about I r f a n O h r i , Q a z i m M u l l e t i a n d the beys o f N d r o q , w h o m M y s l i m detested. M u s t a f a w a s o n i n t i m a t e terms w i t h A g P e t r e l a whose house i n T i r a n a was his base. T h i s agha h a d secret connections w i t h the beys of N d r o q a n d other enemies of M y s l i m ' s . A l l these actions a n d stands o f M u s t a f a d i d 187

n o t increase b u t r e d u c e d Bab's trust i n h i m . H e r e is one event amongst m a n y others. Q e m a l a n d I left T i r a n a secretly, because w e w e r e both illegal, a n d w e n t t o P e z a , g u i d e d on the T i r a n a - P e z a r o a d by the p a r t i s a n courier, the l o y a l peasant M u r a t M a l l a . W e w e n t t o the v i l l a g e o f D u r a k j a w h e r e B a b was s t a y i n g . W e w e r e t o t a l k w i t h h i m about s t r e n g t h e n i n g the l e a d i n g role of the P a r t y in the eta, the r e o r g a n ization of the eta, the a p p o i n t m e n t of a p o l i t i c a l commissar, supplies of arms, c l o t h i n g , etc. T h e three of us sat a r o u n d the f i r e a n d we presented t h e p r o b l e m . M y s l i m listened t o u s a n d said, I agree w i t h the P a r t y , we s h o u l d do w h a t it says. T a k e the necessary measures as soon as y o u can. I t was getting d a r k . T h e d a y w a s fine b u t cold a n d the f i r e w a s v e r y pleasant. F r o m t i m e to t i m e B a b took a sip f r o m the r a k i flask a n d h a n d e d i t t o us. W e d r a n k , too, a l t h o u g h w e w e r e m o r e interested i n the p i c k l e d f r i e d peppers t h a n the r a k i . W e just f i n i s h e d o u r w o r k w h e n a p a r t i s a n came a n d s a i d : Bab, S h y q r i has come w i t h M u s t a f a G j i nishi. W e l l , let t h e m come i n , w h a t are t h e y w a i t i n g f o r ? said M y s l i m . P e r h a p s w e s h o u l d go. Y o u m i g h t h a v e some business w i t h them, I s a i d . 188

No, said M y s l i m , I've n o business w h i c h y o u m u s t not k n o w , therefore don't move. W h e n t h e y came i n , w e shook hands and Q e m a l a n d I sat d o w n on one side of the f i r e beside M y s l i m . It w a s clear f r o m the e x p r e s s i o n on his face t h a t S h y q r i P e z a was not pleased that we were there. S h y q r i w a s as b u r l y as M y s l i m was slim. H e was a n i m p r e s s i v e f i g u r e w i t h his b r o a d face, l o n g hair, w i d e shoulders a n d baggy trousers w h i c h m a d e h i m look even bigger t h a n he was. S h y q r i was i n t e l l i g e n t b u t quite the opposite o f M y s l i m i n character. H a v e y o u a n y news? asked M y s l i m , a d dressing S h y q r i w h o was toasting his hands at the f i r e . I came f r o m T i r a n a , M y s l i m . In P e z a e V o g l I m e t M u s t a f a a n d we came here together. W h a t ' s the n e w s f r o m T i r a n a ? M y s l i m asked a g a i n . I r f a n B e y O h r i sends y o u his regards, said S h y q r i . H e h a d h a d a m e e t i n g w i t h Q a z i m M u l l e t i . Q a z i m a n d I r f a n w a n t t o meet y o u , i n w h a t e v e r place y o u decide, i n o r d e r t o speak openly, because n e i t h e r Q a z i m n o r I r f a n w a n t the Italians t o attack a n d b u r n P e z a , b u t o n the c o n d i t i o n that y o u don't molest t h e Italians. A n d w h a t d i d y o u say? asked M y s l i m i n a q u i e t voice. Q e m a l a n d I w e r e l i s t e n i n g attentively. 189

I c o u l d not give t h e m a n y r e p l y , b u t M u s t a f a a n d I t h i n k that i t w o u l d not h u r t i f y o u met them, S h y q r i c o n t i n u e d . W e w o u l d not b e s u r r e n d e r i n g o u r w e a pons, added M u s t a f a . A t this M y s l i m rose a n g r i l y t o his k n e e s a n d said b l u n t l y : You, S h y q r i Peza, and you, Mustafa G j i n i shi g o a n d meet the t r a i t o r s a n d t a l k w i t h t h e m i f y o u w i s h , b u t n e v e r a g a i n set foot b a c k here i n the base o f M y s l i m P e z a . A n d t e l l t h e m t h e y can bring an army if they wish, but I shall fight them. I jumped up and embraced M y s l i m and afterwards Qemal did likewise. W e m a d e M y s l i m sit d o w n . S h y q r i w a s s i t t i n g flabbergasted, w h i l e M u s t a f a h u n g h i s head. Y o u m u s t n o t do such a t h i n g , M r . S h y q r i , I said. B a b M y s l i m a n d o u r P a r t y w i l l n e v e r accept it. W e f u l l y agree w i t h B a b , b u t believe that y o u h a v e not g i v e n this idea p r o p e r c o n s i d eration. It is w r o n g , a n d we are c o n v i n c e d that y o u w i l l a b a n d o n it. A s f o r M u s t a f a , h e ought t o h a v e advised y o u to refuse this p r o p o s a l of t r a i tors, w i t h o u t c o m i n g to B a b about it. To c a l m the s i t u a t i o n I said to B a b M y s l i m : W e must trust S h y q r i P e z a , w h o i s o u r brother, that h e w i l l not m a k e s u c h mistakes again f r o m n o w o n a n d w i l l n e v e r b e split a w a y f r o m Bab. 190

W e s u m m o n e d M u s t a f a separately later and c r i t i c i z e d h i m severely. H e m a d e some sort o f s e l f - c r i t i c i s m a n d w e t h o u g h t that f r o m n o w o n he w o u l d come to his senses. He took p a r t in several actions w i t h the eta of P e z a against the Italians a n d a c c o m p a n i e d K a j o i n several d a n gerous actions to e l i m i n a t e spies. In this d i r e c tion M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i s h o w e d himself t o b e n o coward. F r o m the p o l i t i c a l v i e w p o i n t S h y q r i P e z a , M y s l i m ' s b r o t h e r , was v a c i l l a t i n g a n d not as determined a n d m i l i t a n t a s B a b M y s l i m , b u t his d a u g h t e r a n d his s o n - i n - l a w , K a j o K a r a f i l i , were l i n k e d w i t h B a b , w i t h the P a r t y a n d the war. Thus, f r o m that t i m e o n , S h y q r i was never parted f r o m B a b o r u s a n d f o l l o w e d M y s l i m l o y a l l y . W h e n I w e n t to P e z a , he w o u l d come out to shake h a n d s a n d e x c h a n g e a f e w w o r d s w i t h me. W h e n w e organized the Conference of P e z a , S h y q r i , of course, d i d not p a r t i c i p a t e in it, b u t he s t a y e d in P e z a , out of the w a y , w i t h o u t i n t e r f e r i n g . I n one b r e a k d u r i n g the meeting, he came out of his house, shook hands w i t h u s a n d sat d o w n o n a c h a i r n e a r m e . H e could h a v e sat n e a r B a z i i Cans, b u t he d i d not do so out of respect f o r a n d s o l i d a r i t y w i t h M y s l i m in the eyes of strangers. I t h o u g h t that at least we h a d n e u t r a l i z e d h i m . I asked h i m : W h a t d o y o u t h i n k , S h y q r i P e z a , about w h a t w e are d o i n g ? 191

H e looked m e i n the eye a n d s a i d : A s long as M y s l i m agrees w i t h it, I am with Myslim. T h a n k y o u , S h y q r i Peza, I said, because the w a r against the I t a l i a n occupier needs the support o f e v e r y t r u e A l b a n i a n . S h y q r i P e z a was k i l l e d i n a n exchange o f f i r e w h i c h the b a t t a l i o n o f P e z a h a d w i t h the I t a l i a n occupiers. M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i w a s c o n t i n u a l l y a s k i n g the comrades a n d m e t o p u t h i m into the P a r t y . T h e comrades said to h i m : Y o u h a v e to get the approval of E n v e r w i t h w h o m you have contact, because he alone c a n m a k e the r e c o m mendation. H o w e v e r , I hesitated. Mustafa, I said to h i m one day, y o u h a v e positive aspects, but y o u also h a v e m a n y negative aspects, w h i c h I have c o n t i n u a l l y p o i n t e d out to y o u , as a comrade. T h e P a r t y w a n t s modest, sincere, d i s c i p l i n e d people. If y o u give me y o u r w o r d that y o u w i l l correct yourself. I s h a l l give y o u m y r e c o m m e n d a t i o n . H e said that h e w o u l d do so and p r o m i s e d that he w o u l d keep his w o r d . Thus, M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i was a d m i t t e d as a p a r t y m e m b e r i n the o r g a n i z a t i o n o f P e z a . A f t e r h a v i n g secured a d m i s s i o n t o the P a r t y , M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i set t o w o r k t o c l i m b i n its l e a d e r s h i p ! H e r e a n d there he expressed his discontent that he was not in the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e or the 192

regional committee. H e w h i s p e r e d t o others: W h y can o n l y w o r k e r s get into the committee and not intellectuals? T o w i n o v e r t h e n a t i o n a l ists a n d incite dissatisfaction w i t h the P a r t y amongst t h e m , he c r i t i c i z e d the p r o c l a m a t i o n s w h i c h w e d i s t r i b u t e d , because allegedly they contained i n s u f f i c i e n t n a t i o n a l i s m ! These a n d o t h e r activities o f M u s t a f a G j i n i shi w e r e attacked at t h e 1st C o n s u l t a t i v e C o n ference w i t h p a r t y activists ( A p r i l 12-14, 1942). M a j o r events w e r e t a k i n g place. T h e historic C o n f e r e n c e o f P e z a , a t w h i c h the p o l i t i c a l and o r g a n i z a t i o n a l f o u n d a t i o n s of the u n i t y of the A l b a n i a n people i n the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t a n d the people's state p o w e r were l a i d , h a d been h e l d . T h e N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r w a s e x t e n d i n g . P e z a w a s attacked. J u s t t w o days before the fascists attacked it, M u s t a f a and I left P e z a f o r T i r a n a w i t h several bags of leaflets. W e stopped a t a n old i n n , w h i c h was a base of ours, w h e r e we left the leaflets a n d got a w a y v e r y q u i c k l y , because I saw some m o v e ments i n our d i r e c t i o n f r o m the n e a r b y I t a l i a n b a r r a c k s . T h e i n n w a s r a i d e d , the leaflets capt u r e d , a n d the i n n - k e e p e r arrested. N a k o S p i r u a n d some other comrades h a d set out f r o m P e z a i n the d i r e c t i o n o f D u r r s . O n the way, t h e y r a n into the I t a l i a n troops w h o w e r e m a r c h i n g t o w a r d s P e z a a n d w e r e arrested. 193

A b o u t t w o m o n t h s later, the B a l l i K o m b t a r w a s f o r m e d as reaction opposed to the A n t i fascist N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , a n o r g a n i z a t i o n of reactionaries, of pseudo-democrats, of so-called l i b e r a l beys a n d aghas, who h a d fed f r o m every t r o u g h in the past a n d w h o , some openly, some i n d i r e c t l y f o r the t i m e being, w e r e l i n k e d w i t h the I t a l i a n occupiers a n d the q u i s l i n g s i n power, headed b y M u s t a f a K r u j a . T h e B a l l i K o m b t a r openly p u b l i c i z e d its p r o g r a m against the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a a n d against the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , w h i c h i t described a s a cloak f o r the C o m m u n i s t P a r ty. T h e heads of this o r g a n i z a t i o n issued t h e i r Decalogue w h i c h c i r c u l a t e d freely. It advocated w a r against t h e N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r a n d a r m e d actions. Nevertheless, o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r against the occupier h a d surged u p v i g o r o u s l y a l l o v e r the country. T h e C o m m u n i s t P a r t y h a d become the i n s p i r e r a n d the b a n n e r bearer of l i b e r a t i o n . T h e s p r i n g of 1943 a r r i v e d and, together w i t h it, the f i r s t B r i t i s h m i l i t a r y missions began to c o m e to A l b a n i a . W i t h the a r r i v a l o f the B r i t i s h missions, M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i w a s s t r u t t i n g l i k e a f i g h t i n g cock, a l t h o u g h b o t h h e a n d the B r i t i s h k e p t u p a p pearances. M u s t a f a , that c h e e r f u l , i n t e r e s t i n g a n d f r a n k person, a s the B r i t i s h described h i m , had the advantage t h a t h e k n e w E n g l i s h . E v e n 194

when some of us w h o k n e w F r e n c h but not English, w e r e present, M u s t a f a w a s able to speak freely w i t h t h e m , or to translate as he w i s h e d . I did not l i k e this, b u t t h e r e w a s n o t h i n g we could do about it. We t r i e d to see if there w a s any connection b e t w e e n some meetings of t h e B r i t i s h w i t h nationalist personalities a n d t h e meetings w h i c h M u s t a f a h a d h a d p r e v i o u s l y w i t h these i n d i v i d u a l s , w h o w e r e n o w o p e n l y w i t h the B a l l i K o m b t a r , b u t w e w e r e s t i l l u n a b le to f i n d the c o n n e c t i n g t h r e a d in this tangle. W i t h a i d o f the B r i t i s h , a k i n d o f F r e n c h g o v ernment, called the C o m m i t t e e of F r e e France headed b y D e G a u l l e , h a d been created i n L o n d o n ; the government of K i n g Peter, the k i n g of Y u g o s l a v i a w i t h o u t a k i n g d o m , w h o h a d f l e d the country before the G e r m a n attack, the D u t c h government, t h e B e l g i a n government a n d others also h a d t h e i r seats there. T h e g o v e r n ment i n e x i l e o f K i n g P a u l o f Greece w a s also under the w i n g o f the B r i t i s h . L o n d o n , together w i t h the A l b a n i a n reactionaries a n d traitors, also tried to create a r o y a l g o v e r n m e n t f o r A l b a n i a w i t h i n the c o u n t r y o r a b r o a d . A p p a r e n t l y i t h a d its attention focussed on the restoration of t h e m o n a r c h y because it t h o u g h t that the A l b a n i a n people w e r e longing f o r this and f o r the h a n g man Zog. T h e B r i t i s h Intelligence S e r v i c e w a s c a r r y ing these cartridges in its b a n d o l i e r against the 195

peoples w h o w e r e f i g h t i n g . T h e r e f o r e w e h a d t o be v e r y v i g i l a n t t o w a r d s the m a n o e u v r e s of the British. Despite t h e i r efforts they w e r e u n a b l e to create a g o v e r n m e n t in exile headed by Z o g . T h e fierce, far-sighted, resolute a n d u n c o m p r o m i s i n g fight of our P a r t y i n f l i c t e d this defeat on t h e m . T h i s was the m a i n factor. Besides this there w a s the G r e e k question. The Greek government in exile claimed Southern A l b a n i a a n d d i d not recognize the status quo of A l b a n i a before the occupation. It w o u l d consider the creation of a r o y a l A l b a n i a n g o v e r n m e n t in e x i l e an attack of the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t against this c l a i m . ( 1 ) A t t h a t t i m e B r i t a i n h a d r e l a t i v e l y greater interest i n G r e e c e t h a n i n A l b a n i a . T h i s d i d not m e a n it h a d f i n a l l y g i v e n up hope of u s i n g Z o g ( 2 ) f o r its plans.
_____________________________________ 1 In connection w i t h the recognition of a government in e x i l e headed by Zog, a F o r e i g n O f f i c e document, N o . E 48 says that It w o u l d certainly do considerable h a r m to our relations with the Greek Government.

(FO

371/37138-3690. in the

PRO.

Taken

from

the

photocopy

of

the

original

found

AIH,

Tirana.)

2 On August 9, 1944, A. D e w of the Foreign O f f i c e w r o t e to the Secretary of the A n g l o - A l b a n i a n Association among other things: 2. T h e suggestion that an A l b a n i a n Government in exile should be recognised has been kept constantly under review, but it is not felt that the appropriate moment for this step has yet arrived.

(FO ginal

371/43555-3278. found in the

PRO. AIH,

Taken Tirana.)

from

the

photocopy

of

the

ori-

196

S u c h m a n o e u v r e s of the B r i t i s h to create a g o v e r n m e n t i n e x i l e a n d t o re-establish the r e gime of Z o g against the w i l l of the people w e r e v e r y dangerous. S u c h a people, w h o h a d a h i s tory f u l l of sufferings, a people h a r d e n e d to w a n t and d i f f i c u l t i e s , u n d e r t h e leadership o f the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y , w o u l d k n o w h o w t o defend t h e i r rights against w h o e v e r m i g h t dare to engage in t r i c k e r y at t h e i r expense, w o u l d be capable of establishing t h e i r o w n f o r m o f government, w h i c h w o u l d ensure a l l the freedoms a n d democratic r i g h t s f o r t h e m . H a d w e m a d e one s m a l l m i s t a k e i n this d i rection, w e w o u l d h a v e j e o p a r d i z e d e v e r y t h i n g just as the Y u g o s l a v C o m m u n i s t P a r t y , the F r e n c h C o m m u n i s t P a r t y , the G r e e k C o m m u n i s t P a r t y a n d m a n y other c o m m u n i s t parties j e o p a r d ized a n d lost e v e r y t h i n g . T h e B r i t i s h had A h m e t Zog, A b a z K u p i o r the K r y e z i u s ready. B u t o u r Party showed exemplary determination, v i g i l ance a n d M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t p o l i t i c a l m a t u r i t y , l o y alty to the people a n d to its ideology, M a r x i s m L e n i n i s m . N o concession w a s made t o t h e m a n d t h e i r plans w e r e smashed to smithereens. In one m e e t i n g w h i c h I h a d w i t h the head of the B r i t i s h mission, G e n e r a l Davies, I h a d M u s t a f a w i t h me, to serve also as i n t e r p r e t e r on this occasion. W h e n w e w e r e r e t u r n i n g t h r o u g h the forest to o u r base, on the w a y M u s t a f a said to m e : 197

 W e are w a g i n g a heroic w a r , f u l l of s a c r i fices, and nobody a b r o a d hears about it, w h i l e the Y u g o s l a v s have a special station of t h e i r o w n w h i c h broadcasts, of course, f r o m Moscow. There's n o t h i n g we can do about this, G j i n i shi, I said. I n this d i r e c t i o n o n l y M o s c o w can t a l k about us, but we have no Soviet m i s s i o n here. Nevertheless, w e s h a l l continue the w a r a n d e v e n t u a l l y the w o r l d w i l l l e a r n w h a t a great fight our people, led by the P a r t y , h a v e p u t up. T h a t is so, said G j i n i s h i . These B r i t i s h we have here aren't h e l p i n g us. P e r h a p s they have orders, but m a y b e they are just d u l l - w i t t e d a n d l a c k i n g i n i t i a t i v e . T h e y don't u n d e r s t a n d the great i m p o r t a n c e o f A l b a n i a i n the B a l k a n s . W e ought to f i n d the w a y to interest the g o v e r n ment of our B r i t i s h allies in our war. T h i s alerted a l l m y senses. I am a bit t i r e d , Mustafa, I said. Let's sit d o w n a n d have a cigarette. A n d w e l i t u p . H o w c o u l d w e interest the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t ? H a v e y o u thought about this? I c o n t i n u e d the conversation. W e s h o u l d send one or t w o comrades to L o n d o n o n behalf o f the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , he replied, to p u t f o r w a r d our v i e w s there, o u r requests f o r arms, f o r aid, for p r o p a g a n d a o n l y about our N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r , and f o r the exposure of the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d the quislings, because we are getting n o 198

w h e r e w i t h these people of the B r i t i s h mission and m e r e l y q u a r r e l l i n g a l l the time. In order to discover more of M u s t a f a ' s p l a n I continued: It w o u l d be d i f f i c u l t . These people of the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n have presented u s t o t h e i r s u p e r iors as savage enemies of the B r i t i s h . I don't t h i n k it can be done. If we d e m a n d it, c o n t i n u e d M u s t a f a , these people are obliged to present o u r requests. L e t ' s t r y it, w h a t h a v e we to lose? M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i w a s quite shameless! I understood this at the t i m e he proposed to M y s l i m P e z a that h e s h o u l d meet a n d t a l k w i t h Q a z i m M u l l e t i a n d I r f a n O h r i . N o w h e was proposing that we s h o u l d send a delegation to L o n d o n . N o , M u s t a f a , we must not do such a t h i n g . I don't agree w i t h this idea, I said, in order to a v o i d p u t t i n g h i m o n his g u a r d . F o r g e t about it, because it w o u l d do us no good. V e r y well, said M u s t a f a . but discuss it w i t h the comrades in any case. W h e n I met the comrades I i n f o r m e d t h e m h o w M u s t a f a h a d f a l l e n into the t r a p a n d related what had happened: T h e s c o u n d r e l ! A n agent o f the Intelligence Service, e x c l a i m e d one of the comrades, a n d in fact, he w a s not m i s t a k e n . Patience, I advised. W e m u s t not be hasty. W e m u s t w a t c h h i m a n d get f u r t h e r proof. 199

 Y o u are s t i l l l i k e S a i n t Thomas, the c o m rade said to me. W h e n I say that, I am not concerned about h i m personally, I replied, but I t h i n k we s t i l l need proof a n d facts to convince the circle of people a r o u n d h i m , t o w h o m w e must m a k e i t clear w h a t sort of a person he is. D o n ' t w o r r y , I told the comrades. Despite o u r c o n t i n u a l a d vice he w i l l not a b a n d o n his dangerous course. W e ' l l be here a n d we s h a l l see the results of his w o r k again. W h o k n o w s h o w m a n y times other matters cropped u p i n connection w i t h h i m . Once, I don't r e m e m b e r w h e r e , M u s t a f a h a d just come f r o m P e z a a n d I s u m m o n e d h i m to report to me. A m o n g s t other t h i n g s he s a i d : I have a proposal w h i c h I t h i n k is i m p o r t ant f o r the f u r t h e r development of the w a r in C e n t r a l Albania. M a k e the proposal, I said, we s h a l l study it. Well, he said, I've been w o r k i n g f o r some time since we last met to organize up to t w o shock brigades a n d have a c h i e v e d satisfactory r e sults in the region of D a r s i a . I've also been in some villages across the S h k u m b i n , on the e r m a side. If y o u ' l l sign the order, I s h a l l go a n d raise these brigades, but there's s o m e t h i n g else I w a n t f r o m y o u : I w a n t y o u t o give m e K a j o K a r a f i l i as c o m m a n d e r f o r one brigade, w h i l e f o r the 200

other we s h o u l d propose a l o c a l c o m r a d e . T h u s , I, K a j o a n d the other c o m m a n d e r to be a p p o i n t e d , w i l l cover a w h o l e zone a n d w i l l a t t a c k t h e roads a n d m a n y m i l i t a r y objects there. T o w h o m w i l l they b e s u b o r d i n a t e ? I asked. D i r e c t l y to the G e n e r a l Staff, to you, he replied. I s h a l l l e a d the actions a n d a p p l y t h e orders as a m e m b e r of the G e n e r a l Staff. W h a t becomes of M y s l i m in this p l a n ? I asked, because to me M u s t a f a ' s a i m w a s q u i t e clear: to separate h i m s e l f f r o m the c o m m a n d of the f i g h t i n g zone of P e z a , hence f r o m the l e a d ership of Bab, a n d to f o r m a separate zone by creating brigades u n d e r his leadership. W e s h a l l m a i n t a i n close l i n k s w i t h B a b , co-operate w i t h h i m a n d co-ordinate o u r actions, he a n s w e r e d . H a v e y o u discussed this p l a n w i t h B a b M y s l i m ? I asked h i m . The cunning Mustafa blushed and replied: No, I've not discussed it yet. I t h o u g h t we s h o u l d discuss it a n d reach agreement first a n d t h e n inform him. Y o u h a v e n ' t acted w e l l , I said. N o t o n l y should y o u have i n f o r m e d M y s l i m f r o m the m o ment y o u began this w o r k , b u t y o u s h o u l d have received his consent before c o m i n g to me. I c a n not agree w i t h y o u , not about setting up t w o brigades, because I agree that we s h o u l d o r g a n i z e 201

t h e m as soon as possible, but over the creation of another f i g h t i n g zone, alongside that of P e za, at a time w h e n the zone of P e z a extends to the zone w h e r e y o u propose a n e w one and w h e r e the i n f l u e n c e of M y s l i m is great. T h i s is neither advisable n o r correct. A s f o r K a j o K a r a f i l i , I cannot give h i m to y o u . He is one of Bab's outstanding commanders. M y s l i m can n e v e r p e r m i t the r e m o v a l o f K a j o f r o m P e z a . In conclusion, I t o l d M u s t a f a , first, y o u m u s t go and t a l k to B a b a n d report that there's t h e possibility, a n d prove it, that t w o brigades c a n b e set up, w h i c h w i l l operate u n d e r the l e a d ership o f M y s l i m P e z a . A s f o r the c r e a t i o n o f another f i g h t i n g zone a n d a l l the other things y o u proposed to me, they are not accepted. M u s t a f a d i d not say a n y t h i n g t o M y s l i m a b o u t this event a n d n o r w e r e the separate b r i gades f o r m e d , because the partisans of the region o f P e q i n and D a r s i a h a d been a l r e a d y i n c o r p o rated i n the p a r t i s a n force o f P e z a a n d D u m r e a n d some of t h e m in the battalions of L u s h n j a . M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , w i t h his i n c l i n a t i o n s to be a b i g shot, w a n t e d to create his o w n m i l i t a r y d o m a i n of Peqin-Darsia. A t a subsequent m e e t i n g i n L a b i n o t o f E l b a san, at w h i c h several m e m b e r s of the G e n e r a l S t a f f h a d gathered t o r e - e x a m i n e the p o l i t i c a l m i l i t a r y situation a n d t o take f u r t h e r measures 202

i n r e g a r d t o the f i g h t i n g , M y s l i m took m e aside and said: C o m r a d e E n v e r , the G e n e r a l S t a f f has p r o m ised m e a i d i n m o n e y t o b u y some weapons, a m m u n i t i o n a n d reserve c l o t h i n g f o r w i n t e r , because w e need t h e m badly, b u t u p t i l l n o w w e have received n o t h i n g . Please look into this m a t ter, a l t h o u g h I k n o w h o w hard-pressed y o u are a n d w h a t other great needs o u r a r m y has, w h i c h y o u h a v e to cope w i t h . I ' m astonished at w h a t y o u are t e l l i n g me, Bab, I said. It's o n l y t w o months since I sent y o u t h e t w o h u n d r e d napoleons w h i c h w e r e p r o m ised t o P e z a , t h r o u g h M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i . I t e l l y o u I h a v e n ' t received a penny, said Myslim. T e l l M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i to come here, I t o l d a partisan, a n d M u s t a f a came w i t h that selfconfident w a l k , his face smooth-shaven a n d p o w dered. S i t d o w n , m y f r i e n d ! M y s l i m said t o h i m . Mustafa, I said, I gave y o u t w o h u n d r e d napoleons f o r M y s l i m . W h y h a v e y o u not h a n d e d t h e m o v e r ? W h a t h a v e y o u done w i t h t h e m ? T h e f e l l o w t r i e d to b r a z e n it out as usual, he began to j u s t i f y himself. Yes, B a b , it's true, I took the t w o h u n d r e d napoleons, but I d i d not h a n d it over, because 203

k n o w i n g the needs o f P e z a . . . ( A n d h e r e l a t e d h o w he had distributed it, s a y i n g that he g a v e so m u c h to Hasan, so m u c h to H y s e n , so m u c h to Sefer, to b u y this, that a n d the o t h e r thing.) This was more than what M y s l i m could tolerate and he shouted: Stop beating about the bush, M u s t a f a , don't t r y t o put m e off w i t h these excuses. T h e m o n e y was h a n d e d t o y o u f o r m e a n d y o u s h o u l d have come a n d g i v e n it to me. H o w I w a s g o i n g to spend it, w h o I w a s to charge w i t h this, t h i s I w o u l d have a r r a n g e d myself, b u t y o u d i d n ' t even i n f o r m m e a n d that i s not honest. A s soon as I get back to P e z a , either the w e a p o n s m u s t come, or y o u must r e t u r n the money. These w e r e the sort o f things M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i d i d . B u t other even m o r e dangerous actions of his w e r e to come a n d these w o u l d f i l l t h e cup. E v e r y e v e n i n g L o n d o n broadcast messages over the B B C f o r the w h o l e n e t w o r k o f agents of the B r i t i s h Intelligence S e r v i c e , stationed in E u r o p e a n d other continents w h e r e f i g h t i n g w a s going on. O n e n i g h t it began to broadcast m e s sages for A l b a n i a , too. These i n c o m p r e h e n s i b l e messages w e r e g i v e n p e r i o d i c a l l y . N a t u r a l l y , t h e y w e r e understandable o n l y b y those w h o expected t h e m . T h e y spoke about the f r u i t s w h i c h are 204

r i p e n i n g a n d other things w h i c h I h a r d l y r e m e m b e r n o w . F o r u s the i m p o r t a n t t h i n g was to discover to w h o m these messages w e r e a d dressed a n d t h e n to t r y to f i n d out the content. It was d i f f i c u l t . W h e n the m e m b e r s o f the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n w e r e asked d i r e c t l y or i n d i r e c t l y , of course, t h e y m a i n t a i n e d a g r a v e y a r d silence. We had grave suspicions that the messages m i g h t be addressed to the Ballists. O n e night, w h e n several comrades a n d I w e r e l i s t e n i n g t o the B B C , i t gave another message f o r A l b a n i a . T h i s time, if I am not m i s t a k e n , the message spoke about the figs or w i l d cherries w h i c h w e r e r i p e n i n g . T h e message w a s a d dressed to T a f a r i . I s p r a n g to my feet. W h a t ' s w r o n g ? said the comrades. T a f a r i is M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , I said. Is t h a t a guess? they asked me. No, I r e p l i e d a n d w e n t on to t e l l t h e m about s o m e t h i n g that h a d h a p p e n e d in the past. S h o r t l y after w e h a d f o r m e d the P a r t y a n d w e r e w o r k i n g t o strengthen i t organizationally, w e saw that A n a s t a s L u l a a n d S a d i k P r e m t e w e r e c o n t i n u i n g t h e i r f a c t i o n a l w o r k w i t h i n the P a r t y a n d t h e i r sabotage a m o n g progressive elements close to the P a r t y . Because of this we h e l d the E x t r a o r d i n a r y P a r t y C o n f e r e n c e i n w h i c h w e put these t w o i n the d o c k a n d e l i m i n a t e d the abscess, a s i s w e l l k n o w n . W e h a d called M u s t a f a 205

G j i n i s h i to attend this meeting, too, because he w a s not w i t h o u t i n v o l v e m e n t , a l t h o u g h Q o r r i a n d X h e p i w e r e the p r o b l e m . It was a l o n g m e e t i n g in the h o m e of Z e q i A g o l l i . W e w e r e a l l i l l e g a l . H o w e v e r , i t w a s not easy to get the t r u t h out of Q o r r i a n d X h e p i . A l m o s t s t u p i f i e d b y the t h i c k fog o f tobacco smoke w e w e r e obliged t o take repeated b r e a k s to rest in the other r o o m w h e r e , besides d r i n k i n g coffee, we c o n t i n u e d to s m o k e tobacco. D u r i n g one of these breaks, Q o r r i h a d sat d o w n near me, h a n g i n g his head w i t h his face l i k e a cobra and s m o k i n g in silence. M u s t a f a came i n , stood in f r o n t of A n a s t a s a n d said to him: Q o r r i , t e l l u s w h a t y o u have t o tell, because y o u are m a k i n g u s tired. A n a s t a s raised his head, l o o k e d G j i n i s h i i n the eye, slapped his t h i g h a n d s a i d : Listen, M u s t a f a , l i s t e n y o u , ' T a f a r i ' . D o n ' t t r y to come the b i g m a n over me, because I've done n o t h i n g . B e t t e r confess y o u r o w n sins w h i c h even a r i v e r c o u l d not w a s h a w a y . T h a t is w h e r e I h e a r d f o r the first time t h a t A n a s t a s L u l a called M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i T a f a r i . I gave it no i m p o r t a n c e , because the n a m e R a s T a f a r i or H a i l Selassie I h a d become f a m i l i a r to us at the t i m e of the w a r in A b y s s i n i a . H o w e v e r , w h e n the B B C m e n t i o n e d t h e 206

name T a f a r i i n its message, m y m e m o r y c l i c k e d at once a n d I made the connection. I'm sure of this, I t o l d the comrades. W e must c a l l M u s t a f a a n d persuade h i m t o a d m i t it. D o n ' t be hasty, said someone, we s h a l l certainly ask h i m , b u t we must act so that we get the b i r d i n t o the cage, because there's a danger he m a y give us the slip. N o w he has heard the messages, he m a y suspect that we a r e on his trail. D u r i n g those days M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i was i n T i r a n a . F o r some t i m e h e h a d been n a g g i n g m e for p e r m i s s i o n to go there, in order to meet C u n g u w h o h a d c o n t r o l of the t r u c k s of a m i n istry i n order t o a r r a n g e w i t h h i m the t r a n s p o r t of the g r a i n w h i c h we w e r e to b u y to store as a reserve, as w e l l as to do c e r t a i n other jobs, a s h e p u t i t himself. W e h a d g i v e n h i m t w o days leave, b u t f o u r days h a d gone by a n d he had not r e t u r n e d . I w a s c o n v i n c e d that he w o u l d achieve n o t h i n g , because the question of the transport of g r a i n was s i m p l y a pretext f o r h i m to go to T i r a n a . I sent N a k o [Spiru], w h o w a s in T i r a n a , a letter* in w h i c h , amongst other things, I w r o t e : W e are not h a p p y about the business of
___________________________ * Enver H o x h a , Works, v o l . 1, p. 454, A l b . ed.

207

M u s t a f a . T h e ' M u k j e question', ( 1 ) a n d the leaflet w h i c h was issued, h a v e m a d e us t h i n k a great d e a l about the message f r o m L o n d o n f o r T a f a r i a n d the A l b a n i a n g o v e r n m e n t w h i c h the B B C m e n tions, a n d w h i c h it regrets that we do not have, etc. I told h i m also that these things ought to m a k e t h e m reflect a little, too, because t h e a t t i t u d e of M u s t a f a seemed to me precisely the a t t i t u d e of someone w i t h a w o r r y on his m i n d , w h o is constantly h a u n t e d by the fear he m i g h t be e x posed. W e m u s t check up on his connections a n d movements w i t h o u t fail, I advised N a k o , hence, w e must p l a y our h a n d v e r y c a r e f u l l y u n t i l we discover the d i r t y l i n e n he is t r y i n g to hide. T h a t i s h o w w e acted. W e w a i t e d f o r M u s t a __________________________________ 1 On August 1-2, 1943, the 2nd meeting of representatives of the B a l l i K o m b t a r and the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n c i l was held i n the village o f M u k j e . T h e r e Y m e r D i s h n i c a and M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , f a i l i n g to adhere to the instructions w h i c h they had been given, f e l l into the positions of reaction. T h e y c a p i tulated to the B a l l i Kombtar, treating it as an anti-fascist organization, and agreed to share the leadership of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r and the p o l i t i c a l power w i t h the representatives of this traitor organization and accepted the proposal of the Ballists to create a so-called committee for the salvation of A l b a nia w i t h equal numbers of representatives, w h i c h w o u l d have meant the l i q u i d a t i o n of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n c i l and violation of the interests of the people and the H o m e l a n d . On the initiative of Comrade Enver H o x h a , the CC of the C P A , and the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n c i l rejected the M u k j e Agreement as a dangerous and u n p r i n c i p l e d compromise

208

fa to r e t u r n to L a b i n o t . I s u m m o n e d h i m to the r o o m w h e r e I w o r k e d . It was a d r a m a t i c n i g h t . M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , I said, w h a t was that message the B B C broadcast a f e w days ago? W h a t c o n n e c t i o n has this broadcast w i t h you? I k n o w n o t h i n g about it, C o m r a d e E n v e r , he r e p l i e d v e r y red-faced, a n d to give me the impression that he w a s i n d i g n a n t at this question, a l t h o u g h he was u n a b l e to hide his a l a r m , he c o n t i n u e d : W h y d o y o u ask me? W h a t d o y o u suspect? I am a patriot, a c o m m u n i s t . W h a t sort of question is this that y o u ' r e a s k i n g me? H e w a s i l l a t ease and, l i k e the w i l y d e v i l he was, he t r i e d to w r i g g l e l i k e an eel. G j i n i s h i , I said, tonight y o u are g o i n g to tell the P a r t y e v e r y t h i n g , or otherwise I shall t e l l it, a n d I reeled off one by one the things w e h a d observed: the v e r y c o r d i a l t a l k s w i t h C o l o n e l N i c h o l l s i n B i z a , the proposal t o send r e p resentatives to L o n d o n , the b a g of gold that he had g i v e n K a a i , a n d so on. Come on, speak, w h a t have y o u to t e l l the P a r t y ? I said in a stern tone. Instead of r e p l y i n g he l i t a cigarette. I l i t one, too, as if I w a n t e d to take the c o n versation m o r e c a l m l y . Tell me h o w matters stand? I said. W h a t connection h a v e y o u w i t h the B r i t i s h ? W h a t mischief h a v e y o u been up to? Because the l e v e l o f the p u n i s h m e n t , w h i c h the P a r t y w i l l mete 209

out to you, depends on y o u r e x p l a n a t i o n of this matter. T h i s has great i m p o r t a n c e f o r o u r P a r t y . Therefore, e x p l a i n e v e r y t h i n g to us. F o r h o u r s o n end M u s t a f a t u r n e d a n d t w i s t e d l i k e a snake caught by the head a n d t r i e d to deny e v e r y t h i n g . F i n a l l y , hard-pressed in the face of m a n y facts, w i l l y - n i l l y he w a s obliged to confess and, b r i e f l y , this is w h a t he a d m i t t e d : he said he w a s not a spy of the B r i t i s h , b u t h a d collaborated w i t h t h e m for the good o f A l b a n i a ! H e h a d f i r s t m a d e contact w i t h the B r i t ish i n Y u g o s l a v i a , w h e r e h e h a d met L t . - C o l . O a k l e y - H i l l . H e h a d sent h i m t o A l b a n i a together with Abaz Kupi. M y crime, said M u s t a f a , is that I d i d not i n f o r m the P a r t y about this, a n d about w h a t o c c u r r e d later. T h e P a r t y d i d its u t m o s t t o h e l p me, b u t I t h o u g h t a n d acted on my o w n responsib i l i t y a n d a c c o r d i n g to the decisions we took w i t h Hill. W h a t w e r e these decisions? These decisions, he continued, were that I should organize the w a r i n A l b a n i a w i t h the patriots, a n d possibly also w i t h the c o m m u n i s t s . Y o u k n o w something o f m y a c t i v i t y here, b u t y o u do not k n o w that a certain C u n g u , sent f r o m L o n d o n , entered a n d left the c o u n t r y secretly i n order to m a k e contact w i t h me. I r e p o r t e d to h i m o n the situation, m y a c t i v i t y a n d w h a t I i n t e n d e d to do. 210

 W h a t instructions d i d C u n g u give y o u ? H e encouraged me. He told me to continue on this course a n d opened the prospect that later w e w o u l d h a v e greater possibilities f o r w o r k . I n confidence, he t o l d me that I s h o u l d w o r k w i t h great care a n d persistence to m a k e contact w i t h M e h d i F r a s h r i a n d convince h i m t o g o a b r o a d . ' N a t u r a l l y , ' c o n t i n u e d C u n g u , 'later w e shall o r ganize his d e p a r t u r e a n d y o u r s f o r L o n d o n a n d there M e h d i w i l l f o r m a n A l b a n i a n g o v e r n m e n t in exile. W i t h or w i t h o u t Z o g at the head, this we s h a l l study because it w i l l depend on the circumstances e x i s t i n g at that time.' A n d w h a t else? I p u t i n . H e , C u n g u , p u t m e i n contact w i t h the T u r k i s h consulate, c o n t i n u e d M u s t a f a , because it h a d s t i l l not been w i t h d r a w n a n d he gave me a contact w i t h a person f r o m T i r a n a . We decided that w e w o u l d send the n e w s f r o m the country, i n f o r m a t i o n a n d reports t h r o u g h this channel. He also gave me the passwords w h i c h y o u h a v e h e a r d f r o m the B B C , ' w h i c h , ' C u n g u told me, ' y o u w i l l hear o n l y w h e n w e have reached conclusions i n connection w i t h several m a j o r p r o b l e m s about w h i c h w e have t a l k e d . D o n ' t w o r r y , ' h e t o l d me, 'because w e s h a l l f i n d the w a y t o i n f o r m y o u w h e n y o u s h o u l d listen'. T h i s w a s the essence of the matter. T h e r e a n d t h e n I s u m m o n e d several c o m 211

rades w h o were in L a b i n o t at that t i m e a n d related t o t h e m a l l that M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i h a d t o l d me. A f t e r s h o w i n g that we took a v e r y stern v i e w of his a c t i v i t y , I said to M u s t a f a : W h a t p u n i s h m e n t d o y o u deserve f r o m the P a r t y f o r these things y o u have done, f o r this treachery in the service of a f o r e i g n capitalist power? Shooting, said G j i n i s h i a n d he took out his r e v o l v e r a n d l a i d i t o n the table. L e t the P a r t y m a k e its decision, I shall w a i t in the y a r d , he said and w e n t outside. A f t e r several hours of t h r a s h i n g the m a t t e r out amongst ourselves, w e i g h i n g u p e v e r y t h i n g : the circumstances of the w a r , G j i n i s h i ' s social circle a n d acquaintances, the danger he represented, his treacherous a c t i v i t y , his arrogant, b i g shot character, his complete confession of his activity, we decided not to c o n d e m n h i m to death. W e s u m m o n e d h i m a n d after once m o r e l i s t i n g a l l the faults of w h i c h he w a s guilty, one by one, we asked h i m again if he h a d a n y t h i n g else to say, w h e t h e r he felt r e m o r s e f u l a n d w h e t h e r he w o u l d give the P a r t y his w o r d that h e w o u l d a b a n d o n this course forever. H e r e p l i e d that f r o m n o w on he w o u l d r e m a i n l o y a l to death to the P a r t y a n d the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r . T h e n w e t o l d h i m that the P a r t y w a s m a g n a n i m o u s a n d w a s going t o p a r d o n h i m once again, but that he must u n d e r s t a n d c l e a r l y that he m u s t atone 212

for these e v i l things he h a d done t h r o u g h deeds, through fighting. Thus we parted w i t h Mustafa Gjinishi on this occasion. H o w e v e r , even in the f u t u r e he never became a good m a n , b u t c o n t i n u e d his course of b e t r a y a l a n d r e m a i n e d an agent of the British. T h i s was a dangerous a n d d i a b o l i c a l a c t i v i t y w h i c h w o u l d h a v e b r o u g h t colossal damage t o the people, the H o m e l a n d a n d o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r , i f w e h a d not cut a l l the threads of it. N o t h i n g h a d escaped or w o u l d escape the v i g i l a n t eye o f the P a r t y . T h e B r i t i s h a n d t h e i r agents w e r e not g o i n g t o have t h e i r w a y i n A l bania as they hoped. Of course, we also uncovered the details of this m a t t e r w h i c h M u s t a f a was compelled to admit, i n c l u d i n g the detail that Q o r r i k n e w his p s e u d o n y m . A l l this helped u s greatly because it made us even m o r e v i g i l a n t . M a y 1944. W e w e r e i n H e l m s o f S k r a p a r , engaged in preparations f o r the Congress of P r met. I h a d f i n i s h e d the general outline of the report, the statement a n d the other m a i n d o c u ments of this i m p o r t a n t congress w h i c h w a s to m a r k a stage of historic i m p o r t a n c e in o u r N a tional L i b e r a t i o n W a r a n d the people's power. I t was a n h i s t o r i c event w h i c h our P a r t y h a d caref u l l y p r e p a r e d t h r o u g h its correct a n d consistent M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t line a n d t h r o u g h the course of 213

the w a r . T h e h o l d i n g of the Congress w o u l d have m a j o r repercussions b o t h inside a n d outside the country, a n d w o u l d give a f u r t h e r great i m p u l s e to the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r against the occupiers a n d the traitors. H o w e v e r , o u r enemies, both open a n d secret, w h o w e r e n o w seized w i t h panic, w o u l d not sit idle, b u t on the c o n t r a r y , w o u l d strive w i t h e v e r y means to sabotage the congress. P r e c i s e l y on the eve of this historic event, the B r i t i s h officer L t . - C o l . L e a k e ( 1 ) w a s d r o p p e d in at Staravecka. A f e w days after his a r r i v a l , he sent his b a t m a n to ask p e r m i s s i o n to pay me a courtesy visit. I gave h i m a positive a n s w e r a n d the L t . - C o l o n e l was not l o n g in c o m i n g . I received h i m at our headquarters w h i c h w e h a d established i n old M e h m e t ' s house. A f t e r I h a d asked h i m some questions about the development of the w a r on the fronts against G e r m a n y i n E u r o p e , about w h i c h h e t o l d me n o t h i n g concrete (the B r i t i s h officers w h o w e r e sent to us w e r e a l l experts in t a l k i n g about e v e r y t h i n g a n d s a y i n g n o t h i n g concrete), he asked me about the w a r in A l b a n i a . I r e p l i e d in a s i m i l a r fashion a n d took the o p p o r t u n i t y , as usual, to t e l l h i m that o u r great B r i t i s h allies w e r e not assisting us w i t h weapons. He r e p l i e d that he w a s
__________________________________ 1 Chief of the section for A l b a n i a at Headquarters.

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not au fait w i t h this question a n d that he had come here to assist the w a r against the c o m m o n enemy. L i k e the others, he made us some false promises, but the fact was, a n d this we learned later, that he h a d come for purposes completely the opposite of those he expressed to us, that is, not to assist us, b u t to sabotage the N a t i o n a l Liberation War. I gathered that he h a d been i n f o r m e d that we w e r e going to h o l d a congress. This is a n o t h e r sign, I thought, w h i c h shows that the B r i t i s h must have a n i n f o r m e r i n our ranks. A n d this i n f o r m e r was M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i . F o r some t i m e this h a d become m o r e t h a n clear to me. W h e n the day f o r o u r d e p a r t u r e f o r P r m e t was a p p r o a c h i n g , I sent this B r i t i s h officer an i n v i t a t i o n f r o m the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t t o attend the Congress of P r m e t as a representative of our great ally, B r i t a i n . In the r e p l y w h i c h he sent me, in w h i c h he also sought another meeti n g w i t h me, he said that he w o u l d not come to the congress, because he h a d no a u t h o r i z a t i o n f r o m his g o v e r n m e n t . At the meeting, after the u s u a l exchange of greetings, amongst other things I expressed my regret that he was not going to attend the congress. I n m y o p i n i o n , L t . - C o l o n e l , the reasons y o u give us are u n f o u n d e d . Y o u h a v e p l e n t y of time to seek the a u t h o r i z a t i o n of y o u r g o v e r n m e n t 215

A f t e r the question of the non-attendance of the B r i t i s h L t . - C o l o n e l at the c o m i n g congress w a s closed i n this w a y , h e l a u n c h e d into a n o l d theme, the r e f r a i n o n w h i c h the B r i t i s h m i l i t a r y missions a l l h a r p e d , a l t h o u g h they m u s t have l o n g been clear on the a n s w e r they w o u l d get f r o m us on this. Those a r r o g a n t people of old E n g l a n d s t i l l h a d not come to t h e i r senses. M r . H o x h a , I h a v e a request to put to y o u , or y o u m i g h t say, to let y o u k n o w that I w a n t t o meet M r . T e f i k C f i r i a n d his fighters i n M a l l a k a s t r a a n d I w a n t y o u to help me in this, because I w a n t to hear w h a t he t h i n k s a n d w h a t he is d o i n g in order to report to my g o v e r n m e n t the t r u t h about the B a l l i K o m b t a r . I felt the blood begin to m o u n t in my head. I strove to keep my temper, b u t in the e n d I c o u l d not c o n t r o l m y s e l f : T h i s r e f r a i n of y o u r s is an old one, L t . - C o lonel, I said. I've h e a r d it so f r e q u e n t l y f r o m y o u B r i t i s h that it has become s i c k e n i n g to me. I n short, y o u w a n t t o h o l d meetings w i t h the enemies of the A l b a n i a n people, w i t h the s w o r n enemies of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t ; y o u ask to meet the collaborators w i t h the nazi-fascist occupiers. T h i s is a disgrace for y o u a n d u n a c ceptable to us. M r . H o x h a , he snapped back, red-faced, y o u cannot dictate t o m y g o v e r n m e n t w h a t i t s h o u l d do. 216

 A t present, M r . Representative o f the gove r n m e n t of E n g l a n d , y o u are in the p a r t i s a n zones. The A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t a n d its p a r t i s a n a r m y r u l e here a n d not y o u r g o v e r n ment. Y o u m a y g o t o the B a l l i s t a n d c r i m i n a l T e f i k C f i r i , a collaborator of the occupiers, y o u m a y also g o w i t h h i m t o T i r a n a , i f y o u w i s h , b u t u n d e r s t a n d clearly, if y o u go outside our l i b e r a t e d territory, y o u c a n n e v e r come back here to us. The People's N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , w h i c h we represent, is the master here. I put the m a t t e r c l e a r l y : e i t h e r w i t h u s o r w i t h o u r enemies, take y o u r choice! a n d I i m m e d i a t e l y rose to my feet g i v i n g the i m p r e s s i o n that the t a l k was over. T h e Lt.-Colonel was d u m b f o u n d e d b y this r e p l y w h i c h he h a d not expected. He put on his cap, t u c k e d his b a t o n u n d e r his a r m a n d took his leave red-faced. N i k o , see the L t . - C o l o n e l out, I said to a p a r t i s a n a n d he a n d old M e h m e t escorted h i m to the gate. D u r i n g these days, M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i h a d come to H e l m s . Of course, I t o l d the comrades w h a t h a d o c c u r r e d w i t h the B r i t i s h L t . - C o l o n e l and a l l o f t h e m w e r e i n d i g n a n t w h e n they h e a r d of his a i m s a n d told me that I h a d acted v e r y w e l l , just as he deserved. M u s t a f a , too, expressed the same o p i n i o n . T h e day came f o r us to leave f o r P r m e t . E a r l y i n the m o r n i n g w e m a d e r e a d y a n d the c a r a v a n of partisans a n d horses left H e l m s and 217

t o o k the road d o w n t o w a r d s S t a r a v e c k a . A n o t h e r comrade a n d I d e l a y e d a little in the house of N e v r u z and N u r i h a n where we were staying. M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i w a s the last to leave old M e h m e t ' s house after the w h o l e c a r a v a n h a d gone, a n d he t h o u g h t that we, too, h a d gone w i t h it. Hence, he w a s sure there w a s no one b e h i n d h i m . W e came out w h e n h e h a d gone r o u n d the bend f r o m w h i c h H e l m s c o u l d n o longer b e seen, a n d a s w e w e r e going d o w n the h i l l , w e saw a B r i t i s h soldier h u r r y i n g t o w a r d s the b e n d . We stepped up our pace a n d a r r i v e d in t i m e to see w h a t they w o u l d do. T h e B r i t i s h soldier q u i c k l y h a n d e d G j i n i s h i a letter a n d left i m m e d i a t e l y . M u s t a f a t u r n e d his head, realized that w e h a d seen e v e r y t h i n g , p u t the letter in his pocket a n d c o n t i n u e d o n his w a y . W h e n w e caught u p w i t h h i m a n d demanded that he h a n d over the letter, he t o l d us: I shall not s u r r e n d e r the letter alive. A n d he d i d not s u r r e n d e r it. W e abused h i m , c a l l i n g h i m e v e r y t h i n g , w h i l e a l l he said w a s : D o as y o u l i k e . I am w h a t I am a n d this is w h a t I s h a l l r e m a i n . W e ' l l t a l k t o y o u again i n P r m e t , w e said a n d ended the conversation w i t h this s c o u n d rel w h o h a d c e r t a i n l y received a n order f r o m the B r i t i s h to sabotage the Congress of P r m e t . H o w ever he was unable to do so, because by n o w he was a valueless card. As soon as we got to Prmet, I immediately informed Spiro M o i s i u and 218

that n i g h t I w e n t to B a b M y s l i m a n d told h i m e v e r y t h i n g . M y s l i m was absolutely r e v o l t e d . W h e n I told h i m that if G j i n i s h i c o n t i n u e d in this w a y , w e w o u l d arrest h i m a n d h a n d h i m o v e r t o the m i l i t a r y court, M y s l i m said t o m e : A p p o i n t m e president of the court. I also i n f o r m e d M e d a r S h t y l l a w h o , f o r his part, i n f o r m e d a n u m b e r of other comrades a m o n g w h o m M u s t a f a m i g h t h a v e some i n f l u e n c e . In fact he approached some of them, b u t got a hostile reception f r o m a l l . He t r i e d to sabotage the decisions w h i c h w e r e to be t a k e n about our government, about Z o g . etc. a n d t o m a k e people discontented. B u t w e d i d not a l l o w h i m to do so a n d f o l l o w e d close on his heels at e v e r y step. F i n a l l y , w h e n the cup w a s filled I summoned h i m and told h i m bluntly: This is the last t i m e that I shall w a r n y o u . W a t c h out! D o n ' t sabotage o u r w o r k , because I s h a l l give the order to arrest y o u a n d p u t y o u on t r i a l . I saw t h a t he w a s r e a l l y f r i g h t e n e d , because he w e n t pale, his eyes shifted f r o m here to there, he t r i e d to m u t t e r some sort of protest, b u t c o u l d not d o so. H e w e n t w i t h his head d o w n a n d shoulders d r o o p i n g . O n the l a s t d a y o f the Congress, w h e n w e w e r e eating a m e a l w i t h a n u m b e r of delegates, I was i n f o r m e d that a B r i t i s h L t . - C o l o n e l h a d come a n d was a s k i n g to see me. B r i n g h i m here, I said. It w a s the famous L t . - C o l o n e l w i t h w h o m I h a d q u a r r e l l e d at H e l m s , because 219

h e w a n t e d t o meet T e f i k C f i r i . F o l l o w i n g the custom, I i n v i t e d h i m to j o i n us in the m e a l . Y o u h a v e come late, L t . - C o l o n e l , I s a i d . N o w e v e r y t h i n g is over. T h e proceedings of the Congress h a d been brought to a successful conclusion. Its decisions, w h i c h emerged f r o m the b a r r e l o f the p a r t i s a n rifle, w e r e v i t a l f o r the A l b a n i a n people w h o i n the past, too, h a d h a d to h o l d historic congresses l i k e the C o n v e n t i o n o f L e z h a ( 1 ) , the A l b a n i a n L e a gue of P r i z r e n , the Congress of L u s h n j a ( 2 ), etc. f r o m w h i c h appeals f o r a i d w e r e addressed t o the G r e a t P o w e r s , w h e r e a s w i t h the C o n g r e s s of P r m e t things w e r e different. It asked n o body f o r a i d . F r o m n o w on, the people t h e m selves w o u l d decide the fate of A l b a n i a . T h e t i m e w h e n A l b a n i a w a s called a g e o g r a p h i c a l e x p r e s sion or w a s considered a t o k e n f o r b a r t e r w a s over. T h e Congress o f P r m e t w a r n e d the i m perialist G r e a t P o w e r s that history w a s not to be repeated, the A l b a n i a n delegates w o u l d no l o n g e r be h u m i l i a t e d as they w e r e in the past by
_____________________________ 1 On M a r c h 2, 1444, the leaders of the A l b a n i a n insurgents, under the leadership of Skanderbeg, held an assembly in L e z h a and pleged to unite the A l b a n i a n forces in the fight against the Ottoman invaders. 2 It was held on J a n u a r y 28, 1920, and rejected the Secret Treaty of L o n d o n of 1915 on the partitioning of the A l b a n i a n territory. T h e delegates f r o m almost a l l parts of A l b a n i a decided that its complete independence must be preserved a n d elected a national government, etc.

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B i s m a r c k a n d L o r d B e a c o n s f i e l d a n d t h e i r successors w h o tore K o s o v a f r o m A l b a n i a a n d gave it to the K i n g s of S e r b i a , that n o b o d y w o u l d ever again be p e r m i t t e d to act l i k e Sazonov, the f o r e i g n m i n i s t e r of the C z a r of Russia, w h o c a l l e d S h k o d r a a n omelette f o r the P r i n c e N i c o l a o f M o n t e n e g r o . T h e Congress of P r m e t t o l d the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s t s u n e q u i v o c a l l y that t h e i r ships c o u l d n e v e r l a n d K i n g Z o g i n D u r r s , as the G r e a t P o w e r s d i d in the past w i t h the G e r m a n P r i n c e W i e d , w h o became a p l a y t h i n g in t h e i r hands, that the f l a g of S k a n d e r b e g , the flag of A l b a n i a , w o u l d wave proudly over V l o r a and S a z a n . T h e Congress t o l d the imperialists that the t i m e h a d passed w h e n they c o u l d sentence A l b a n i a n patriots to death because they raised t h e i r f l a g i n K o r a , that the f l a g o f A l b a n i a w o u l d never again b e raised i n G j i r o k a s t r a u n d e r the protection of the bayonets of the I t a l i a n G e n e r a l F e r r e r o ( 1 ) a n d u n d e r the threats of the supporters of V e n i z e l o s . T h e delegates to the Congress of P r m e t signed these decisions, t r a n s m i t t e d t h e m to the w o r l d a n d these w e r e the decisions that p r o u d , m i l i t a n t , r e v o l u t i o n a r y A l b a n i a , l e d b y its g l o r i ous P a r t y , p r o c l a i m e d there t o the A n g l o - A m e r icans a n d t h e i r lackeys.
_______________________ 1 In J u n e 1917, for its o w n imperialist aims, Italy staged in G j i r o k a s t r a the proclamation of independence of A l b a n i a under the shield and protection of the K i n g d o m of Italy.

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I thought y o u said y o u w e r e not going to j o i n us, I said to the B r i t i s h officer. I've not come f o r the Congress, he said, I came o n l y to say goodbye to you. W h e r e do y o u i n t e n d to go? I asked h i m . I'm leaving for England, he answered. A h , goodbye then, I said. D o y o u n e e d any assistance? I w a n t to go to the Coast. A ship w i l l come there to take me to Italy. Therefore, please g i v e me one or t w o partisans as an escort. Of course, I said a n d issued the o r d e r f o r t w o partisans to escort h i m to P o l i a n of G j i r o kastra. Do y o u w a n t a n y t h i n g else? I asked him. No, he r e p l i e d a n d left. A p p a r e n t l y L e a k e h a d t h o u g h t h e s h o u l d pass this w a y i n order t o discover s o m e t h i n g about the proceedings of the Congress, perhaps to m a k e contact w i t h G j i n i s h i and, i f t h i s p r o v e d i m p o s sible, to f i n d out w h a t h a d happened about the orders w h i c h h e must have g i v e n i n the letter w h i c h he sent by the E n g l i s h soldier a n d about G j i n i s h i himself after the event o n the w a y . T h e B r i t i s h L t . - C o l o n e l d i d not reach the Coast, because he w a s k i l l e d at S h e p e r of Z a g o r i a d u r ing a German bombing raid. He was killed in his sleep by a direct h i t on a w h i t e tent w h i c h his colleague, M a j o r T i l l m a n , h a d erected against the advice of the P a r t i s a n S t a f f of the V l o r a 222

G j i r o k a s t r a 1st O p e r a t i o n a l Zone. T h u s , the delegate of G r e a t B r i t a i n w a s unable to report to his centre about w h a t w a s o c c u r r i n g i n A l b a n i a w h e r e a l l the plans of the B r i t i s h w e r e f a i l i n g , one after the other. A f t e r the Congress o f P r m e t w e sent M u s tafa G j i n i s h i to the N o r t h to the partisan d e t a c h ments. Once a g a i n w e treated that person w i t h indulgence. H o w e v e r , the w o l f m a y change his s k i n but does not forget his habits. Regardless of the h e a v y b l o w he h a d received, even there h e d i d not give u p his m a n o e u v r e s a n d e v i l doing t o attack the P a r t y a n d w i n people t o his side. I received a report f r o m the staff of the 1st D i v i s i o n w h i c h said that one day M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i h a d t a k e n H a x h i Seseri aside, a s was his habit, a n d after c o m p l a i n i n g to h i m , h a d said to h i m a m o n g other things, Since M u k j e , the P a r t y has not l o o k e d o n m e a n d D r . D i s h n i c a w i t h a k i n d l y eye. T h e y h a v e n ' t g i v e n me t h e responsibility that is due to me, w h i l e t h e y ' v e made H a x h i L l e s h i M i n i s t e r o f the Interior. T h e P a r t y is a f r a i d , because I h a v e a great deal of i n f l u e n c e a n d s u p p o r t a m o n g the p e o p l e . . . , t h e y are a f r a i d of me because I s y m p a t h i z e w i t h the B r i t i s h . R e c e n t l y I've h a d a t a l k w i t h C o m r a d e Enver H o x h a w i t h w h o m I had a big quarrel. A n d h e h a d asked H a x h i , c o n t i n u e d the report, t o t e l l M y s i m P e z a that h e s h o u l d intervene w i t h the comrades to h a v e T a f a r i r e t u r n e d to P e z a 223

as q u i c k l y as possible. T h e f e l l o w w a s so s h a m e less as to ask M y s l i m to i n t e r v e n e ! B u t after a l l that M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i h a d done, B a b M y s l i m never w a n t e d to set eyes on h i m again, let alone take h i m t o P e z a . In A u g u s t 1944, a B r i t i s h o f f i c e r sent me a message t r a n s m i t t e d f r o m his H e a d q u a r t ers ( 1 ) w h i c h s a i d : F o r G e n e r a l H o x h a . I r e gret t o i n f o r m y o u that M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i w a s k i l l e d on the f r o n t of the 1st D i v i s i o n . He a n d S m i t h f e l l into a n a m b u s h b y a G e r m a n p a t r o l . S m i t h escaped unscathed. G r e a t loss f o r the a l l i e d cause. F i n a l l y the officer added on his o w n behalf: M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i w a s a l w a y s a great f r i e n d of ours. I t e m e r g e d more t h a n c l e a r l y f r o m t h i s d o c u m e n t w h a t a loss the death of M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i was to the B r i t i s h . B u t f o r us it emerged just as c l e a r l y that up to the m o m e n t he d i e d beside M r . S m i t h , h e r e m a i n e d a n agent a n d l a c k e y of the B r i t i s h .
______________________________ 1 T h e Headquarters of the S O E in B a r i , Italy, transmitted to M i s s i o n Consensus I I : Smith reported August 28 as f o l l o w s : M u s t a f a and self separated from escort, ambushed by H u n patrol at range 10 yards. F i r s t fire w o u n d e d G j i n i s h i but w h i l e assisting h i m to cover, burst k i l l e d h i m . Self unhurt. (Signals from SOE Headquarters in Bari, Italy, to Mission Consensus II, May-Oct. 1944; No. 202, p. 53). second

224

V T H E BRITISH A N D A B A Z K U P I
McLean: What is Mr. K u p i saying? Bazi i Cans his games. The leaflet and Legaliteti. The Kupi-Davies meeting: the apprentice renders account to his master. The underhand deals of the minor Zog with the British, the Germans, the Ballists and the quislings. McLean in Albania again. General Wilson's note. Ultimatum to the ultimatum. Order: Abaz K u p i and his gangs must be routed. The end? The shepherds board ships, the flock left in disarray.

In the f i r s t days of J u l y 1943 we gathered at L a b i n o t a n d f o r m e d the G e n e r a l S t a f f of the National Liberation A r m y . A f t e r w e h a d f i n i s h e d the meeting, M c L e a n came there, too, to congratulate us on the success achieved. H e k n e w some o f those w h o took part i n the Conference, b u t d i d not k n o w others. H e pretended to be m e e t i n g B a z i i Cans f o r the first 225

time, but I noticed that the eyes of the t w o of t h e m w e r e g l e a m i n g w i t h joy w h e n they met. W i t h o u t doubt t h e y h a d f o u n d the w a y t o c o m m u n i c a t e w i t h each other p r e v i o u s l y . B a z i i Cans, w i t h that c u n n i n g crooked face of his, was a l l smiles a n d spoke sweetly to the Major. Standing pompously behind B a z i was M u rat B a s h a , f o r m e r l y one of Zog's senior officers, a n i g n o r a n t p a r o d y o f a n officer. H e presented himself a s the a d j u t a n t engaged w i t h A b a z K u p i ' s w a r plans, stood there at a t t e n t i o n just b e h i n d the m i n o r Z o g w i t h a p a i r of b i n o c u l a r s w h i c h seemed to be p e r m a n e n t l y s l u n g r o u n d his neck, i n fact h e m i g h t e v e n have slept w i t h t h e m . I e x p l a i n e d to M c L e a n that the G e n e r a l S t a f f o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y w o u l d greatly e x t e n d the w a r against the occupiers, w o u l d create brigades a n d later, divisions. Therefore, I added, we present to y o u our request f o r a r m s a n d a m m u n i t i o n , because the q u a n t i t y y o u have d r o p p e d us so f a r is so s m a l l as to be h a r d l y w o r t h m e n t i o n i n g . Is that not so, comrades? I asked those a r o u n d m e . That is so! t h e y a l l r e p l i e d at once, apart f r o m B a z i i Cans w h o addressed the f o l l o w i n g words to me: T h e y s h o u l d also d r o p a r m s i n M a t a n d a B r i t i s h m i s s i o n s h o u l d come there, too, just as they have gone t o M r . M y s l i m a n d M r . H a x h i . 226

 W h a t i s M r . K u p i s a y i n g ? asked the B r i tish M a j o r , w h o c o u l d not conceal his p a r t i c u l a r interest. E x p l a i n , I s a i d to M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i . A f t e r M u s t a f a h a d translated, the B r i t i s h M a j o r s a i d : We s h a l l be v e r y h a p p y to f u l f i l his desire if the G e n e r a l S t a f f p e r m i t s us. D o we p e r m i t i t ? I asked C o m r a d e S p i r o Moisiu. I say yes, r e p l i e d S p i r o , a n d a d d e d : N o w , M r . B a z i , y o u have no further grounds f o r delay, because y o u w i l l have w e a pons a n d w i l l be able to f i g h t . That's w h a t I ' m here for, said B a z i , g i v i n g h i m a sour look. W h a t i s M r . K u p i saying? asked the B r i tish M a j o r again. E x p l a i n the s o l e m n promise M r . A b a z has made. I t o l d M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i again. B u t what was Mr. K u p i ? W e k n e w h i m w e l l , b u t the u n f o r t u n a t e people o f K r u j a a n d Ishm, D u r r s a n d K a v a j a k n e w h i m even better. U n d e r the regime o f Z o g this illiterate rose to the r a n k of g e n d a r m e r i e commander. H e was the strong a r m of the despot Z o g . T h r o u g h crimes, u n d e r h a n d deals a n d robbery of the c o m m o n people, B a z i i Cans enriched h i m s e l f a n d was p r o m o t e d t o the r a n k of m a j o r . He k i l l e d a n d t o r t u r e d the poor peas227

ants and e x t e r m i n a t e d a l l his opponents, m a d e himself o m n i p o t e n t a n d the executor of the deeds of his p a t r o n . F o r these merits, in the first days of A p r i l 1939, after the f a i l u r e of efforts t o come t o t e r m s w i t h the D u c e , A h m e t Z o g entrusted B a z i w i t h p r o t e c t i n g his retreat to Greece. T h e sons of the people f o u g h t the b l a c k s h i r t s i n D u r r s . M u j o U l q i n a k u a n d other sons of the people whose hearts b l e d f o r A l b a n i a w e r e k i l l e d , w h i l e B a z i i Cans f i r e d a f e w shots, but f o r purposes quite the opposite of those of the o r d i n a r y fighters w h o shed t h e i r b l o o d f o r the H o m e l a n d . B a z i i Cans f o u g h t to protect t h e departure of his p a t r o n and, as soon as he h e a r d t h a t H i s M a j e s t y h a d crossed the b o r d e r safe a n d sound, took to his heels h i m s e l f . H e r a n a w a y t o T u r k e y a n d there, l i k e his master, l i v e d v e r y c o m f o r t a b l y o n the w e a l t h h e h a d squeezed f r o m the enslaved people. F r o m T u r k e y A b a z K u p i was enticed t o Y u g o s l a v i a b y the agents of S e c t i o n D of the Intelligence S e r v i c e precisely w h e n the resistance of o u r people was o n the upsurge. T h e r e t h e y p r e p a r e d h i m to return to A l b a n i a in order to fish in troubled waters. F i n a l l y B a z i i Cans entered A l b a n i a w i t h his pockets f u l l o f gold sovereigns a n d l a y l o w i n the villages o f K r u j a l i k e a h u n t e r a w a i t i n g the m o m e n t w h e n the p r e y comes his way. 228

S h e v q e t V r l a c i , w h o was q u i s l i n g p r i m e m i n i s t e r at t h a t time, l e a r n e d of his a r r i v a l and, on the u r g i n g of the Italians, sent T a h s i m B i s h q e m i as his agent to m a k e approaches to h i m . H o w e v e r , B a z i i Cans w a s a c u n n i n g f o x a n d not to be s n a r e d easily. He w a s w e l l acquainted w i t h the c h a r a c t e r o f Z o g ' s f o r m e r f a t h e r - i n - l a w , his r i v a l a n d f a m i l y enemy, w h o m , o n Zog's orders, he h a d attempted to m u r d e r . T h e bey of E l b a s a n n e v e r forgot this. Nevertheless, B i s h q e m i carried to his bosses the r e p l y that B a z i w o u l d not annoy the Italians p r o v i d e d t h e y left h i m i n peace. T h i s pleased the I t a l i a n fascists, because for the t i m e b e i n g it w a s not to t h e i r advantage t o m a k e t r o u b l e w i t h A b a z K u p i , a n d thus the question of his presence there w a s passed o v e r in silence to be t a k e n up again w h e n the conditions were r i p e . T h e m o m e n t came. V r l a c i f e l l a n d was r e placed b y M u s t a f a K r u j a ( M e r l i k a ) , a n even more savage executioner of o u r people, l o n g - t i m e agent o f the S I M a n d a n old f r i e n d o f A b a z . T h i s was a good chance f o r B a z i to emerge f r o m his lair. T h r o u g h the m e d i a t i o n of t h e i r hirelings, these t w o scoundrels h e l d a m e e t i n g in a remote c o r n e r of K r u j a . l i k e thieves in the darkness of the night, far f r o m the eyes o f the w o r l d . E a c h k n e w the other w e l l . B a z i i Cans t r i e d to convince M u s t a f a K r u j a about the need f o r Z o g t o r e t u r n , but M u s t a f a K r u j a , w h o h a d sold his soul t o the 229

f o r e i g n e r s to achieve his dreams, w o u l d not s u r render the throne so easily. He r e c k o n e d his o w n accounts, w h i c h w e r e different f r o m those o f A b a z K u p i a n d Z o g , w h o was l i v i n g i n the l u x u r y hotels of L o n d o n . So they w e r e unable to reach a n agreement, a s t h e y d i d i n 1920, w h e n t h r o u g h t h e i r t r i c k e r y t h e y p r e v e n t e d the r e g i o n o f K r u j a f r o m being represented at the Congress of L u s h n j a . M e r l i k a a t t a c k e d B a z i i Cans a n d f o r c e d h i m t o leave the l a i r w h e r e h e was l y i n g i n w a i t f o r his p r e y . T h e chameleon t h o u g h t the m o m e n t h a d come to change his colour t e m p o r a r i l y . B a z i a n d his h e n c h m e n e x p l o i t e d this attack to present themselves as opponents of the occupiers a n d t h e quislings. T h e y began t o p u b l i c i z e l o u d l y that t h e patriot A b a z K u p i w a s f i g h t i n g f a s c i s m ! I n t h i s w a y h e deceived a n d r a l l i e d a r o u n d h i m self m a n y people w h o t r u l y w a n t e d t o fight the occupier. I n these circumstances the N a t i o n a l L i b e r ation M o v e m e n t i n v i t e d A b a z K u p i t o the C o n f e r ence of P e z a . He postponed his r e p l y f o r a short t i m e u n t i l he received the a p p r o v a l of the B r i t i s h S p e c i a l Operations E x e c u t i v e , w h i c h i n s t r u c t e d h i m t o j o i n this m o v e m e n t a n d erode a n d u n d e r mine it from within. B a z i i Cans w o u l d have l i k e d the C o n f e r ence of P e z a to be a m e e t i n g of s w i n d l i n g b a j r a k tars t o s k i n t h e people, a s i n the past. A t P e z a i t w o u l d have pleased h i m t o f i n d the o l d w o r l d , 230

the w o r l d of pseudo-democrats, m e n of c o m p r o mise a n d traitors, those w h o changed t h e i r f l a g a h u n d r e d times, those w h o sold t h e i r h o n o u r and t h e H o m e l a n d f o r f i v e pieces of silver, those w h o t r i e d t o keep the people i n darkness i n order to lead t h e m by the nose m o r e easily, to m a k e t h e m serfs a n d t o m i l k t h e m dry. T h e r e h e w o u l d have l i k e d t o have h a d his o w n friends. H o w e v e r , f o r h i m a n d his bosses these things r e m a i n e d o n l y desires. Those w h o h a d gathered at P e z a w e r e v a l i a n t a n d resolute m e n , the c r e a m of the people, the c o m m u n i s t s together w i t h genuine u n w a v e r i n g democrats, stern opponents of u n p r i n c i p l e d c o m p r o m i s e a n d of fascism, w h o represented a w h o l e people w h o h a d risen to t h e i r feet f o r f r e e d o m . B a z i d i d not suspect that the sound p o l i t i c a l a n d o r g a n i z a t i o n a l f o u n d ations of a great m o v e m e n t w h i c h w o u l d unite the people in the struggle, w e r e b e i n g l a i d there, the f o u n d a t i o n s of a progressive democratic state, of a p o w e r f u l a r m y w h i c h w o u l d withstand any storm a n d tempest and w o u l d defeat the savagest enemies w h i c h m a n k i n d h a d seen a n d d r i v e t h e m f r o m the H o m e l a n d . A l t h o u g h A b a z K u p i w a s faced w i t h somet h i n g u n e x p e c t e d at P e z a , he j o i n e d in the dance and, as t h e c u n n i n g rogue he was, in order to f u l f i l the task closest to his heart a n d the desire of his patrons, he decided to keep in step u n t i l the o p p o r t u n e m o m e n t a r r i v e d . H e pretended t o 231

accept the historic decisions, of the C o n f e r e n c e of P e z a , w h i l e r e a l l y b e l i e v i n g that w h a t w a s decided a n d the pledge w h i c h w a s m a d e there w o u l d r e m a i n o n paper, a n d that those y o u n g f e l l o w s w h o h a d gathered there, those resolute c o m m u n ists and patriots w h o were l i n k e d b y the blood a n d s u f f e r i n g of a w h o l e people, w o u l d n e v e r be able to achieve the things w h i c h t h e y pledged to achieve. T h i s ignorant a n d ruthless b a j r a k t a r w a s not a m a n of his w o r d , n o r a f i g h t i n g m a n ; he was always a creature of t r e a c h e r y h a t c h e d up in d a r k holes a n d corners, a n d a slave to f o r e i g n m o n e y . W e k n e w this, therefore w e kept v i g i l a n t w a t c h o n his e v e r y step. F o r appearances' sake A b a z K u p i pledged that h e w o u l d f i g h t the enemy, w h i l e i n r e a l i t y h e avoided a n y clash w i t h the e n e m y a n d , l i k e the t r i c k s t e r he was, t r i e d to take the credit f o r the heroic deeds and the b l o o d shed of the v a l i a n t fighters w h o f e l l in battle in the t o w n s a n d villages. B u t this w a s not to go for long, either. Despite his manoeuvres, in the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t he c o u l d see no r a y of hope f o r the sinister plans h e w a s h a t c h i n g u p and indeed, in it he saw the d o o m of his a m b i tions a n d those of his p a t r o n s b e h i n d the scenes. A b a z K u p i also l o o k e d askance a t the B a l l i K o m b t a r . H e c o u l d not r e g a r d i t a s a n y basis f o r his purposes. He k n e w that this basket of crabs c o n t a i n e d a m o t l e y of characters: there 232

were some w h o h a d once been opponents of Z o g because he h a d r o b b e d t h e m of t h e i r soft p o s i tions; there w e r e some w h o posed as opponents, but t h e i r opposition was o n l y i n w o r d s ; t h e r e were others l i k e N u r e d i n B e y V l o r a , w h o m Z o g had c o n d e m n e d to death in the past because t h e y had a t t e m p t e d to seize his t h r o n e ; a n d there w e r e also those, l i k e M u s t a f a K r u j a and Shevqet V r laci, o p e n l y l i n k e d w i t h fascism, w h o kept i n t h e b a c k g r o u n d , i n the B a l l i K o m b t a r ; hence, every k i n d of r e a c t i o n a r y p o l i t i c i a n and hardened c r i m i n a l , b o t h p o l i t i c a l a n d c o m m o n , had f o u n d shelter i n the B a l l i K o m b t a r . A b o v e a l l B a z i k n e w that great a n a r c h y p r e v a i l e d i n that o r g a n ization, hence he p u t no stock on it. He h a d e x pressed t h i s l a c k of f a i t h to G e n e r a l Davies. B a z i i Cans h a d d i s p l a y e d his d i s d a i n f o r the B a l l i K o m b t a r at S h n g j e r g j , too, at the meeting w h i c h h e a n d D a v i e s h e l d w i t h the chiefs o f the B a l l i K o m b t a r , w h o h a d made the G e n e r a l ' s head r i n g w i t h t h e i r t a l k about ethnic A l b a n i a a n d the j u r i d i c a l a r g u m e n t s t h e y reeled off to let h i m k n o w w h a t great t h i n k e r s t h e y w e r e . The G e n e r a l h i m s e l f h a d t o l d F r e d e r i k N o s i this. D u r i n g the discussions b e t w e e n the G e n e r a l and the chiefs of the B a l l i K o m b t a r , the soldier A b a z K u p i c o u l d not keep s t i l l ; h e w e n t i n and out of the r o o m w h e r e the m e e t i n g w a s being h e l d . H e was i m p a t i e n t w i t h t h e i r stand 233

a n d frequently w i n k e d at Colonel Nicholls to deride them. T h i s was the person o n w h o m G r e a t B r i t a i n p i n n e d its hopes to get c o n t r o l of l i t t l e A l b a n i a . In L o n d o n they thought, Italy w i l l be a defeated c o u n t r y ; we c a n be sure we s h a l l get c o n t r o l of Y u g o s l a v i a t h r o u g h the g o v e r n m e n t of Subasic, w h i c h w i l l m a n o e u v r e w i t h T i t o a n d the p a r t i sans; in Greece we hope to establish a g o v e r n m e n t u n d e r o u r i n f l u e n c e , w h i c h w i l l restore the monarchy. B u t w h a t were t h e y t o d o about A l b a n i a ? O v e r a l o n g p e r i o d the B r i t i s h m i n i s t e r s and consuls h a d c o n t i n u a l l y served u p t o t h e i r g o v e r n m e n t the idea that A l b a n i a w a s a c o u n t r y w i t h a b a c k w a r d , illiterate p o p u l a t i o n , w i t h o u t c u l ture, incapable of g o v e r n i n g itself a n d that it c o u l d not exist as a free a n d independent state, therefore it h a d to be t a k e n u n d e r the w i n g of a great power, w h i c h , a c c o r d i n g to the taste of the B r i t i s h politicians, ought to be none other t h a n B r i t a i n itself! I n the o p i n i o n o f B r i t i s h d i p l o m a c y A l b a n i a was n o w a p r e y w h i c h h a d n o w a y of escape, h o w e v e r m u c h it t r i e d , c o u l d not l i v e alone a n d , therefore, i n one w a y o r another w o u l d f a l l into the m o u t h o f the B r i t i s h L i o n . A l t h o u g h B r i t i s h d i p l o m a c y was fed u p w i t h the tale of the regime of Z o g , in t h i s regime it f o u n d a modus vivendi f o r its plans. In the past Z o g h a d been brought to p o w e r by W r a n g e l ' s forces, 234

but i n L o n d o n t h e y thought, T h i s t i m e w e s h a l l take h i m t o A l b a n i a . I t was G e n e r a l P e r c y a n d L t . - C o l . H i l l w h o organized the g e n d a r m e r i e for Zog. T h e so-called opposition t o Z o g h a d m e l t e d a w a y l i k e s n o w f l a k e s i n the w a t e r . T h i s f o r m e r Opposition h a d n o w become the q u i s l i n g g o v e r n ment, the B a l l i K o m b t a r , etc. The r e a l o p p o s i t i o n today, t h o u g h t L o n d o n , is c o m p r i s e d of the c o m m u n i s t s a n d the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , b u t w e s h a l l sweep t h e m a w a y . H o w could t h e y sweep t h e m a w a y ? B r i t i s h d i p l o m a c y thought that c o m m u n i s m was something i m p o r t e d into A l b a n i a f r o m a b r o a d a n d a s such i t h a d n o basis w i t h i n the c o u n t r y . I n its o p i n i o n , the A l b a n i a n people m i g h t accept almost a n y t h i n g , b u t c o m m u n i s m n e v e r ! L o n d o n w a s c o n v i n c e d o f this, also, because it proceeded f r o m w h a t it w a s h a t c h ing up in Greece and Yugoslavia. The British b e l i e v e d that it w o u l d be no great p r o b l e m to get A l b a n i a into the bag, a l t h o u g h t h e y c o u l d see w i t h t h e i r o w n eyes the heroic resistance of the A l b a n i a n people. T h e i r f i r s t attempt was the i n f i l t r a t i o n o f t h e i r agents, M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , A b a z K u p i a n d other t w o - f a c e d i n d i v i d u a l s i n t o the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t i n order t o u n d e r m i n e it from within. W h e n they s a w that this p l a n w a s f a i l i n g , the B r i t i s h started o n another p l a n . T h e y thought that the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t a n d the p a r t i 235

s a n w a r were s i m p l y a p h e n o m e n o n of the Tosks, o f S o u t h e r n A l b a n i a , therefore i n the e x i s t i n g conditions they believed A l b a n i a m u s t be split into t w o parts d i v i d e d by a w i d e g u l f : into T o s k r i a a n d G e g r i a . A c c o r d i n g t o t h e m , the N o r t h w a s the cradle of the m o n a r c h y , that was the place of v a l o u r a n d b r a v e r y , hence the N o r t h w o u l d become a b a r r i c a d e against the communists. T h e i r tools w o u l d b u i l d this b a r ricade, the strong m a n , A b a z K u p i , w h o w o u l d w i n over the other chiefs, w o u l d f i g h t together w i t h t h e m , w o u l d seize p o w e r a n d e v e n t u a l l y establish the m o n a r c h y a n d Zog, the K i n g o f the A l b a n i a n s , w o u l d be restored to his l e g i t i mate t h r o n e ! T h e w h o l e people w o u l d r a l l y r o u n d the r e f o r m e r K i n g w h o w o u l d have B r i t a i n and A m e r i c a as his great b a c k e r s ! ( 1 )
________________________________ 1 In a report on the situation in A l b a n i a w r i t t e n on A u g u s t 25, 1944, an A m e r i c a n w r o t e : If the idea of d i v i d i n g the country into spheres of i n f l u ence on a T o s k - G h e g basis (as s h o w n above) seems sensible, the A l l i e s should give it moral and even m i l i t a r y support. They should forbid L N C to occupy by force northern towns held by Nationalists and they should have means available to d r i v e them out if L N C should seize those towns. 6. At the very earliest moment that

American
is

troops interested

to in

the her

number of 5000 should be sent to T i r a n a and Durazzo in order: a. To reassure fate. Albanians America [Albania's]

b. To forestall possible occupation by a Russian task f o r c e . . . c. To forestall the possibility that L N C might (if it conquered

236

P r o c e e d i n g f r o m these aims a n d plans L o n d o n set t o w o r k w i t h a l l its energy, o n the one h a n d , to t h r e a t e n a n d i n t i m i d a t e us a n d , on the other h a n d , to s t r e n g t h e n the positions of A b a z K u p i i n C e n t r a l a n d N o r t h e r n A l b a n i a . T o assist the r e a l i z a t i o n of these aims, C h u r c h i l l w o u l d send J u l i a n A m e r y , the son of a m e m b e r of his Cabinet, as t u t o r to the m i n o r Zog in the m o u n t a i n s of A l b a n i a , just as he h a d sent his o w n son, R a n d o l p h , t o T i t o . T h e f i r s t attempt of B a z i i Cans a n d c o m p a n y t o b u r y the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t was m a d e at the m e e t i n g in M u k j e . T h e r e he t r i e d t o m a k e the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t f a l l prey to the B a l l i K o m b t a r . T h e role of the p i m p s i n getting B a z i into bed w i t h the B a l l i K o m b t a r was p l a y e d b y the B r i t i s h officers w i t h M c L e a n a t the head a n d his f r i e n d M e h d i F r a s h r i , w h o w a s to m a k e his debut later on the stage of the G e r m a n theatre. T h e p o l i t i c a l adventurers of the B a l l i K o m b t a r such as A l i B e y K l c y r a , M i t h a t B e y F r a s h r i , N u r e d i n B e y V l o r a a n d others forgot t h e i r h o s t i l i t y to Z o g . F a c e d w i t h the danger of
_____________________________ the opponents) deny the right of the A l l i e s to occupy A l b a n i a . T h i s is not an u n l i k e l y contingency. d. To prevent f i g h t i n g between the Nationalists and Partisans on the border of those territories assigned to each. e. To have a force ready to invade Kossova if things get out h a n d there. (The Albanian situation Comments of August 25; 1944. FO 371/43554-3370. PRO: (From the photocopy of the original in the AIH; Tirana.) of

237

the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t , they w e r e ready to sell t h e i r o w n mothers, let alone to collaborate w i t h A b a z K u p i o r anyone else, just so l o n g as they w e r e against the M o v e m e n t . F o r the time being t h e i r a i m was t o strangle this m o v e m e n t a n d a f t e r w a r d s t h e y w o u l d come t o terms amongst themselves at the expense of t h e i r permanent v i c t i m , s u f f e r i n g A l b a n i a . B a z i i Cans a i m e d t o p a r a l y z e o u r w a r t h r o u g h this u n i o n o n rotten foundations. T o accept the M u k j e A g r e e m e n t w o u l d m e a n t o c a pitulate t o i n t e r n a l a n d e x t e r n a l reaction, t o sanction the i n e v i t a b l e defeat of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t . M u k j e w o u l d h a v e been the A l b a n i a n V a r k i z a . B u t the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y was not asleep. It i m m e d i a t e l y attacked the b e trayal of Y m e r Dishnica, A b a z K u p i and M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i a n d d i d not a l l o w the fathers o f the n a t i o n to take over the reins, a n d t h e n the soft seats, a n d l o r d it o v e r the people again. T h e c a p i t u l a t i o n of Italy w h e t t e d the a p petite o f both B a z i a n d the B a l l i K o m b t a r . T h e y s a w that Italy's ship h a d a l r e a d y sunk, its horse h a d cast its shoes so they q u i c k l y changed t h e i r tune. T h e y decided to go to the m o u n tains, to f i g h t the I t a l i a n occupiers, to s h o w the people t h e i r heroic deeds a n d sacrifices, because t h e y deceived themselves that i n t h i s w a y t h e y c o u l d g a i n the soft seats. O n e S e p t e m b e r day in 1943, we came across 238

a leaflet w h i c h spoke of this i m p o r t a n t d e c i s i o n w h i c h h a d been t a k e n i n the m o u n t a i n s o f free A l b a n i a by the v a l i a n t fighters of the h i g h lands w h o h a d risen again, as at other times w h e n b l a c k clouds h a d appeared i n the s k y o f A l b a n i a ! T h e chiefs o f the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d A b a z K u p i , w h o signed that leaflet, h a d sounded the a l a r m a n d the m e n of the highlands, those m e n w h o h a d r e m a i n e d unaffected b y f o r e i g n propaganda, h a d gathered in a c o n v e n t i o n a n d had pledged to unite for the s a l v a t i o n of A l b a n i a ! O tempora! O mores! I do not i n t e n d to d w e l l a t l e n g t h o n this q u e s t i o n i n m y m e m o i r s because our w e l l - k n o w n w r i t e r Shevqet M u s a r a j has p o r t r a y e d the fight, the v a l o u r , a n d the other deeds of the chiefs of the B a l l i K o m b t a r b e a u t i f u l l y in his s a t i r i c a l p o e m The Epic of the Balli Kombtar. W i t h the c a p i t u l a t i o n of fascist Italy, A b a z K u p i a n d his h e n c h m e n f e l l u p o n the dead horse l i k e hyenas. T h e y s t r i p p e d a n d robbed the Italian soldiers a n d a r m e d t h e i r mercenaries w i t h the weapons t h e y took. N o t w i t h o u t purpose, the B r i t i s h officers, H a n d s a n d R i d d l e , i n D i b r a d i d not w a n t to d i s a r m the I t a l i a n d i v i s i o n there, b u t sent it to M a t . W h e r e v e r it s u i t e d h i m , B a z i i Cans. w h o s t i l l h a d not f o r m a l l y b r o k e n his c o n nections w i t h the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t , used its n a m e a n d gave orders in the name of the G e n e r a l Staff. He h a d done this several t i m e s 239

a n d d i d i t a g a i n i n D i b r a w h e n h e came out i n support of the B r i t i s h officers' o r d e r that the Italians s h o u l d b e d i s a r m e d i n his s t r o n g h o l d , M a t . B y this t i m e the G e r m a n s h a d entered A l bania. A m o n g the t r a i t o r chiefs, L u m o S k n d o , A l i K l c y r a a n d others, whose m a n o e u v r e o f going t o the m o u n t a i n s h a d t u r n e d out a n u t t e r failure, the n a z i occupation gave rise to another p l a n : to d r a w the chestnuts out of the f i r e w i t h the bayonets of the H i t l e r i t e a r m y . B a z i i Cans also w a n t e d to do this f o r his o w n aims, b u t he d i d not w a n t t o b e associated w i t h the B a l l i K o m btar, because he w a n t e d to be in the f o r e f r o n t himself a n d p e r s o n a l l y l i n k e d w i t h the G e r m a n s , but, a c c o r d i n g to the advice of the B r i t i s h , w i t h out a p p e a r i n g as t h e i r tool, as the B a l l i K o m b t a r was d o i n g . W h i l e h e w a s t h i n k i n g u p f r e s h plans, according t o his i n s t r u c t i o n s f r o m L o n d o n , i n S e p t e m b e r 1943, w e s u m m o n e d h i m t o take part in the C o n f e r e n c e of L a b i n o t a n d at the same t i m e t o e x p l a i n his attitude t o w a r d s the w a r a n d the movement. B a z i d i d not come. He sent a b r i e f note in w h i c h he w r o t e : I agree w i t h a l l the decisions w h i c h w i l l b e t a k e n a t t h e C o n f e r e n c e ; w o r k prevents m e f r o m coming. T h e s w i n d l i n g b a j r a k t a r d i d not come to that m e e t i n g that w a s so i m p o r t a n t to o u r people, u n d e r the pretext that he was engaged in other w o r k , because together w i t h M c L e a n , h e w a s p r e p a r i n g f o r the creation of the N a t i o n a l - Z o g i t e P a r t y as a 240

p a r t y outside the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t a n d opposed t o it. I t m e a n t n o t h i n g t o h i m that he w a s v i o l a t i n g his pledge to the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n C o u n c i l t a k e n before the f l a g . O f course this w a s not the f i r s t t i m e he h a d t r a m p l e d on this f l a g ! We s a w that B a z i i Cans w a s on the move, m a k i n g f r e q u e n t t r i p s t o the N o r t h , sometimes alone a n d sometimes w i t h the B r i t i s h officers, M c L e a n , H a n d s a n d R i d d l e . T h e y w e n t f r o m one district to another, made contact w i t h the react i o n a r y chiefs o f D i b r a , w i t h M u h a r r e m B a j r a k tari, w i t h G j o n M a r k a g j o n i o f M i r d i t a a n d w i t h N i k S o k o l i of M a l s i a e M a d h e . T h e y spread t h e i r web to K o s o v a also, to the K r y e z i u s , w h o had just r e t u r n e d f r o m Italy, a n d o t h e r reactionaries. E v e r y w h e r e t h e y t a l k e d a n d made plans w i t h i n d i v i d u a l s sold b o d y a n d soul to the enemy, and w i t h B r i t i s h m o n e y f o r m e d alliances amongst t h e m i n the m a n n e r o f the old r e g i m e a n d bought the s w i n d l i n g b a j r a k t a r s w i t h m o n e y a n d p r o m i s es of posts. T h i s w a s precisely h o w Z o g operated in the past. A b a z K u p i t h o u g h t that the t i m e h a d come for the c a r d of Z o g , that w a s in the hands of reaction a n d the B r i t i s h , t o b e p l a y e d openly. T o this end on S e p t e m b e r 18, 1943, a leaflet was issued, w h i c h a n n o u n c e d t h e f o r m a t i o n of the N a t i o n a l Zogite P a r t y , w h i c h a little later w o u l d b e christened L e g a l i t e t i , headed b y A b a z K u p i 241

a n d a certain X h e m a l H e r r i , w h o m the people called X h e m a l H o r r i (Rogue i n A l b a n i a n ) . L e galiteti l a u n c h e d a great p r o p a g a n d a c a m p a i g n about the r o y a l genius, his w o r k , a n d the care w h i c h he a n d the princesses d i s p l a y e d f o r the A l b a n i a n y o u t h a n d the A l b a n i a n people! The British brought Abaz K u p i photographs s h o w i n g H i s M a j e s t y a n d the r o y a l f a m i l y w a l k i n g i n H y d e P a r k i n L o n d o n a n d these w e r e p u b l i s h e d i n the w r e t c h e d n e w s p a p e r A t d h e u , which wrote nostalgically about the time of the legal regime of Zog b u t said n o t one w o r d against the occupiers. A f t e r he created L e g a l i t e t i , B a z i w o u l d have t o d e a l w i t h t h e G e r m a n s , not to f i g h t t h e m , b u t to collaborate w i t h t h e m . A c c o r d i n g t o h i m , the G e r m a n s w e r e in A l b a n i a temporarily. They merely wanted a secure passage t h r o u g h the c o u n t r y , w h i l e the d a n g e r c a m e f r o m the R e d s w h o w e r e l i n k e d w i t h foreigners! T h i s w a s also the thesis of the q u i s l i n g M e h d i F r a s h r i , that b l i n d tool o f t h e Gestapo, w h o m the G e r m a n occupiers placed a t the head of the R e g e n c y ( w h i c h w o u l d gov e r n the c o u n t r y i n the n a m e o f the k i n g t i l l his return), and w h o became the sponsor of B a z i i Cans at t h e G e r m a n C o m m a n d . W h o was this person w i t h the s u r n a m e F r a shri? H e h a d been a P a s h a o f T u r k e y i n E g y p t a n d L e b a n o n . U n d e r the r e g i m e o f Z o g h e b e 242

came p r i m e m i n i s t e r . W i t h the o c c u p a t i o n o f A l bania b y I t a l y the fascists took h i m t o R o m e a n d established h i m i n the l u x u r i o u s V i c t o r i a H o t e l where t h e y k e p t h i m , t h i n k i n g that one d a y h e w o u l d be needed. T h e day came f o r h i m to be used, but not b y M u s s o l i n i w h o h a d b r o k e n his neck, b u t b y the n a z i C o m m a n d i n o u r c o u n t r y . T h r o u g h the i n f l u e n c e of N e u b a c h e r , H i t l e r ' s special representative for South-east E u r o p e , M e h d i F r a s h r i w a s b r o u g h t back t o A l b a n i a i n September 1943. F r o m the t r i b u n e o f the A s sembly this patriot, w h o h a d put himself c o m pletely in the service of G e r m a n policy, sent A b a z K u p i congratulations o n the war w h i c h he w a s w a g i n g . N o w B a z i i Cans h a d to p l a y t w o roles: as a collaborator w i t h the G e r m a n s a n d the q u i s l i n g g o v e r n m e n t a n d a s a c o l l a b o r a t o r w i t h the B r i tish ( 1 ). T h r o u g h these roles he a i m e d to m a k e a reality of his d r e a m s of re-establishing the m o n __________________________ 1 On M a r c h 15, 1944 B o x s h a l l sent M i c h a e l Rose at Foreign Office the copy of a telegram f r o m Istanbul, i n f o r m i n g that R a k i p Frashri, son of M e h d i , had brought a letter f r o m M E H D I F R A S H R I t o T U R K I S H P R E S I D E N T declaring A l b a n i a though occupied by G e r m a n troops n o w independent and requesting T u r k i s h patronage enable her participate post w a r international conferences on Balkans especially concerning federation. Letter thought also to request T u r k i s h recognition of present A l b a n i a n Government... Stated G o v e r n m e n t opposed to Germans but unable to expel them and u n w i l l i n g involve country in further sacrifices u n t i l

243

a r c h i c regime o f Z o g after L i b e r a t i o n . T o this end h e h e l d several secret meetings w i t h G e r m a n m i l i t a r y representatives a n d representatives o f the q u i s l i n g p r i m e minister, M e h d i B e y F r a s h r i . H e established close accord w i t h t h e m o n c o n d i t i o n that t h e y d i d not expose h i m . B u t i t w a s i n v a i n f o r B a z i to t r y to a v o i d b e i n g seen as a collaborator w i t h the G e r m a n s , w h o s u p p l i e d h i m w i t h weapons a n d m o n e y a n d openly p e r m i t t e d h i m t o p r i n t his w r e t c h e d newspaper A t d h e u i n Malosmani's printery in Tirana. This organ of the Zogite L e g a l i t e t i c i r c u l a t e d e v e r y w h e r e w i t h out h i n d r a n c e . Hence, i n p r i n c i p l e the G e r m a n s a n d M e h d i B e y a n d c o m p a n y h a d agreed that Z o g s h o u l d b e r e t u r n e d t o A l b a n i a . B r i t a i n , too, supported this a i m , indeed it w a s its idea. A s became apparent later, B r i t a i n h a d c e r t a i n l y been n e g o t i a t i n g w i t h Z o g f o r some t i m e . M a j o r
_____________________________ A l l i e d landing. M E H D I constant touch w i t h A B A S K U P I a n d entire country would support A l l i e d to convey Forces... messages... He and R A G I P said M E H D I w i s h e d t o assist A l l i e s secretly and expressed alleges readiness any special Germans totally ignorant of letter to President

requests greatest secrecy. A n d B o x s h a l l adds: Cairo authorized Istanbul to pass a message back to M e h d i F r a s h r i to the effect that a B r i t i s h liaison officer c o n versant w i t h A l b a n i a n matters w o u l d shortly be sent to A l b a n i a . M e h d i Frashri w o u l d be at liberty to communicate w i t h this officer through photocopy of Kupi.

the

the

(FO 371/43550-3372, PRO. original in the AIH, Tirana.)

Taken

from

244

M c L e a n ' s d e p a r t u r e f r o m the G e n e r a l S t a f f o f our N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y a n d his subsequent attachment incognito to B a z i i Cans c o n f i r m e d this. M c L e a n became B a z i ' s direct l i n k w i t h L o n don a n d Z o g . H e g u i d e d B a z i a n d operated w i t h h i m a n d the o t h e r b a j r a k t a r s against o u r m o v e ment and army. M c L e a n supplied the Zogite reaction w i t h St. George's c a v a l r y ( 1 ) , w i t h w e a pons, m u n i t i o n s , c l o t h i n g a n d food. O u r G e n e r a l Staff h a d i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t a B r i t i s h m i l i t a r y m i s sion headed b y M c L e a n a n d A m e r y was attached t o the b a n d o f A b a z K u p i a n d the b a j r a k t a r s round him. We observed also, that B a z i i Cans, l i k e a bandit, l i k e a b a j r a k t a r , w a s creating c e r t a i n m i l i t a r y a n d p o l i t i c a l organs. He created a so-called S u p r e m e S t a f f a n d placed at the head of it one of Zog's ex-officers, a c e r t a i n J a h j a a i , w h o had been on o u r side at first, b u t l a t e r w e n t over t o B a z i . T o g o w i t h this f o r m a l organ, f o r m a l because this S u p r e m e S t a f f w a s not f o r w a r against the G e r m a n s but a S u p r e m e S t a f f f o r k i l l i n g chickens, B a z i i Cans also created a so-called p o l i t i c a l base. W i t h some reactionary chiefs a n d b a j r a k t a r s he h e l d the congress of L e g a l i t e t i in N o v e m b e r 1943, w h i c h set itself the task of a l i e n a t i n g the people f r o m the C o m m u n ist P a r t y , u n i t i n g t h e m a r o u n d itself a n d re-estab l i s h i n g the m o n a r c h y headed b y Z o g . T h i s so__________________________ 1 G o l d sovereigns.

245

called congress w a s h e l d at Z a l l - H e r r u n d e r the nose of t h e G e r m a n Gestapo, w h i c h closed its eyes to this a c t i v i t y . At that so-called congress, w h i c h h a d been hatched u p b y the B r i t i s h a n d the G e r m a n s in silent collaboration, a fact that is more t h a n clear to us, M c L e a n was present. B a z i i Cans, this representative of the Z o gites, n o w began o p e n l y t o h o l d meetings w i t h the b a j r a k t a r s of the N o r t h , n a t u r a l l y to u n i t e t h e m against us a n d have t h e m r e a d y to support Z o g i n the near f u t u r e . T h i s was the task w h i c h the B r i t i s h Intelligence S e r v i c e h a d set h i m . T h e p l a n h a d been w o r k e d out c a r e f u l l y . M y forebodings about the B r i t i s h missions were b e i n g p r o v e d correct, one after the other. T h e B r i t i s h G e n e r a l D a v i e s h a d come t o arrange c o m p r o m i s e a n d c o n c i l i a t i o n b e t w e e n us, o n the one h a n d , a n d the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d the Zogites, on the other. I rejected a n d denounced this p l a n . A n d I was not m i s t a k e n i n m y j u d g e ment. A l t h o u g h the G e n e r a l e n c o u n t e r e d the resolute s t a n d o f o u r P a r t y a n d the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , h e d i d not l a y d o w n his arms, but d i d e v e r y t h i n g possible to realize his plans. It was absolutely essential f o r h i m to meet the agent of the B r i t i s h , M r . K u p i . I received r e ports that a scion of the M e m a j f a m i l y h a d come t o G e n e r a l D a v i e s allegedly t o b r i n g h i m eggs and in the basket of eggs he also h a d a letter f r o m A b a z K u p i f o r the G e n e r a l . A t this t i m e 246

F r e d e r i k h a d gone w i t h N i c h o l l s t o O r e n j a t o arrange t h e i r w i n t e r quarters and, since o u r l i a i son o f f i c e r w a s not there to h i n d e r h i m , the G e n e r a l w e n t s t e a l t h i l y t o meet A b a z K u p i i n Shngjergj. T h e i r m e e t i n g h a d not lasted l o n g . T h e a p prentice r e n d e r e d account to his master a n d r e ported to h i m on his v a l i a n t deeds and his plans for the f u t u r e . A f t e r tossing h i m a bag of gold coins, the G e n e r a l gave the m i n o r Z o g fresh instructions. O n e of the m a i n d e m a n d s of B a z i i Cans was t h a t Z o g s h o u l d send a message of congratulations f r o m L o n d o n o n the w o r k w h i c h was b e i n g done i n his n a m e a n d f o r h i m . B a z i i Cans a n d a l l the r e a c t i o n i n A l b a n i a needed this b a d l y to encourage t h e i r f o l l o w e r s a n d i n t i midate us. A p p a r e n t l y t h e y also agreed there that they s h o u l d go together to t a l k w i t h the chiefs of the B a l l i K o m b t a r , a l t h o u g h B a z i i Cans placed no hopes in t h e m . I n the t a l k s w h i c h the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l had w i t h the chiefs o f the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d B a z i , u n d o u b t e d l y he r e a c h e d some conclusions of i n t e rest to h i m . O n e of t h e m w a s that these t w o groups must be reconciled, o r g a n i z e d a n d s t r e n g thened f o r the sake of the f u t u r e . Thus, those w h o w o u l d collaborate w i t h the G e r m a n s a n d those w h o w e r e u n d e r the d i r e c t i o n o f the B r i tish w e r e to co-ordinate t h e i r activities in order to fight the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t more 247

effectively. Of course, the decisive role in the f u t u r e w o u l d b e p l a y e d b y B r i t a i n a n d those w h o were u n d e r its d i r e c t i o n , that is, Z o g w o u l d be the decisive t r u m p c a r d . W h a t the agent o f the B r i t i s h , M u s t a f a G j i nishi, said to me, t h a t the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t s h o u l d send representatives t o L o n d o n t o t a l k w i t h the B r i t i s h government, made the s i t u a t i o n even clearer to us. D a v i e s ' p l a n w a s that a coalition b e t w e e n the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n Front and black reaction should be formed in London. As I have e x p l a i n e d , the G e n e r a l a n d his superiors i n L o n d o n took a k n o c k - b a c k w i t h o u r reply, since t h e i r agent M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i h a d c e r t a i n l y made his report t o t h e m . T h e w a y i n w h i c h the G e n e r a l w o r k e d d i d not s u r p r i s e us. He considered us enemies, w h i l e he considered the quislings, the Zogites a n d the B a l l i K o m b t a r allies o f B r i t a i n , a n d i t w a s o n t h e m that B r i t a i n hoped t o r e l y i n the f u t u r e t o establish its i n fluence i n o u r c o u n t r y . T h e s i t u a t i o n created i n A l b a n i a c o m p e l l e d G e n e r a l D a v i e s to decide to go to L o n d o n to report on the w o r k he h a d done, a n d that is w h y he was so insistent on g o i n g to K o r a . I have s p o k e n e a r l i e r i n these m e m o i r s about this a n d about the fierce q u a r r e l w e h a d . W i t h o u t doubt the G e n e r a l w a n t e d t o g o f r o m K o r a t o Greece a n d t h e n t o L o n d o n . T h i s w a s m y i n i t i a l 248

deduction. S e e i n g h o w events developed later, I a r r i v e d a t the c o n c l u s i o n that the G e r m a n o f f e n sive t o encircle o u r G e n e r a l S t a f f a n d w i p e out the leadership o f the P a r t y a n d o u r a r m y a n d the s u r r e n d e r o f the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l w i t h o u t f i r i n g a shot, a l t h o u g h the partisans l e d by B a b a F a j a d i d e v e r y t h i n g possible to get h i m out of the e n c i r c l e m e n t , m i g h t have been a p l a n hatched u p b y the B r i t i s h , the G e r m a n s a n d i n t e r n a l reaction. T h e r e is no other e x p l a n a t i o n f o r the G e neral's w o r d s : Y o u are f i n i s h e d , y o u have lost the w a r , s u r r e n d e r ! H o w e v e r , w e foiled t h e i r p l a n a n d acted in s u c h a w a y that we broke t h r o u g h the encirclement w i t h o u t great losses. A b a z K u p i h a d h a d e n o u g h o f operating against us u n d e r cover a n d w a s n o w c o m i n g out openly. T h r e e times w e called h i m t o meetings and he d i d not come. It w a s t i m e to settle m a t ters w i t h h i m because the c u p w a s f i l l e d t o o v e r f l o w i n g . We sent h i m a f i n a l w a r n i n g to come to a m e e t i n g in S h n g j e r g j of T i r a n a district in the first w e e k of D e c e m b e r . F i n a l l y he agreed. We decided that I s h o u l d go to the meeti n g w i t h t w o or three comrades. Regardless of the danger w e w e n t a n d met h i m . I n order t o show that we w e r e f r i e n d s a n d h a d no reason to be a f r a i d o f h i m , w e took along o n l y f i v e o r six people. T h i s w a s r i s k y because w e k n e w w h a t a c r i m i n a l he was, but it was necessary to do this for the sake of his r a n k - a n d - f i l e followers. If 249

B a z i w a s not going t o change his course, w e h a d t o expose h i m . I n fact, the w a y i n w h i c h w e acted was bold, because a l l a r o u n d the house w h e r e w e h e l d the meeting, the o l d w o l f h a d placed m a n y h a r d e n e d c r i m i n a l s a n d k i l l e r s w h o were m e m b e r s o f his bands. B u t after a l l w e h a d o u r t w o hands t o defend ourselves. T h e talks, w h i c h I w i l l t r y t o r e p r o d u c e here, a l t h o u g h I m i g h t leave s o m e t h i n g out b e cause it is a l o n g t i m e ago, began a n d ended in a tense atmosphere. A b a z K u p i began, I come to t h i s m e e t i n g w i t h t h e N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n P a r t y as a patriot, as representative of the ' L e g a l i t e t i M o v e m e n t ' , w h i c h is the p a r t y of H i s M a j e s t y Z o g I. H e d i d not e v e n b l u s h o r g o pale. H e t h o u g h t that w i t h s u c h a p o m p o u s d e c l a r a t i o n he w o u l d convince u s t h a t w e h a d t o t a l k w i t h h i m a s a n e q u a l . H e forgot t h a t w e h a d l o n g since w r i t ten h i m off, b u t w e r e concerned about the others w h o w e r e s t i l l deceived b y his words. The K i n g is a c o n v i n c e d democrat of u n r i v a l l e d generosity since he p e r m i t s other d e m o c r a t i c parties a n d e v e n deigns to recognize the so-called ' N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n P a r t y ' w i t h i n the 'Legaliteti M o v e m e n t ' , he said. So he h a d gone as f a r as that. He w a n t e d to p u t us in o u r place. B u t w h a t does this m e a n ? Y o u are s t i l l a m e m b e r o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n 250

c i l , M r . A b a z , w e said. D o y o u realize that y o u are v i o l a t i n g the o a t h w h i c h y o u have t a k e n before the f l a g a n d the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n C o u n c i l ? D o n ' t forget that the A l b a n i a n n e v e r breaks his w o r d . We s a w that he w a s stuck for a r e p l y a n d shot a q u i c k glance a r o u n d his associates. As usual M u r a t Basha was sitting a little behind h i m t o his left. O n his r i g h t sat the b a j r a k t a r B i l a l K o l a , whose expression changed f r o m time t o time, b u t h e d i d not o p e n his m o u t h d u r i n g the w h o l e m e e t i n g . I o f f i c i a l l y left t h a t C o u n c i l since N o v e m ber. T h i s y o u m u s t k n o w because I h a v e p r o c l a i m e d it openly a n d honestly, he r e p l i e d . Y o u e x c l u d e d y o u r s e l f de facto l o n g ago, A b a z K u p i , a n d y o u have been operating b y stealth, especially f o l l o w i n g the c a p i t u l a t i o n of Italy, w e t o l d h i m . That's n o t true, he protested, and w h a t ' s more, after the c a p i t u l a t i o n of Italy it was I w h o fought a t K r u j a . A b a z K u p i w a s t e l l i n g u n a s h a m e d lies. H e thought t h a t w i t h protest a n d w i t h s u c h proofs he c o u l d u n d e r m i n e o u r position. A s t o w h e r e y o u w e r e w h e n the f i g h t i n g w a s g o i n g o n i n K r u j a , t h a t y o u k n o w yourself, w e said. The people s a w w i t h t h e i r o w n eyes w h o d i d the f i g h t i n g there. I t was the partisan 251

etas led b y H a x h i L l e s h i that shed t h e i r b l o o d . Y o u a r r i v e d at the end just to a p p e a r as a ' l i b e rator'. A l t h o u g h B a z i i Cans w a s a m a n w i t h o u t schooling a n d w i t h o u t c u l t u r e , h e h a d a c q u i r e d the a b i l i t y of a f o x that senses i m m i n e n t danger a n d tries to dodge it. D u r i n g the t a l k he t w i s t e d and t u r n e d just as he h a d done t h r o u g h o u t his w h o l e life. B u t this t i m e the f o x was caught i n the t r a p a n d c o u l d not get a w a y . A l l h e c o u l d d o was t o t r y t o j u m p f r o m p o i n t t o p o i n t . It is t r u e that I have been cool t o w a r d s the C o u n c i l , he j u m p e d f r o m the t h e m e of the f i g h t i n g i n K r u j a t o that o f his s t a n d t o w a r d s the C o u n c i l , but I have h a d reasons f o r this. T h i s has been the case since the m e e t i n g at L a b i n o t , because I saw there that it w a s g u i d e d s i m p l y by c o m m u n i s t principles. T h i s I c o u l d not accept. That is not the reason, we said. W h y d i d y o u not come a n d open y o u r heart to us? T h r e e times we have asked y o u to come a n d talk, b u t y o u have made no m o v e to do so. W h a t do y o u c a l l this? In o u r r a n k s there are nationalists, too. T h e y are not c o m m u n i s t s , b u t t h e y certainly fight, not alone, b u t together w i t h us. A l b a n i a does not belong o n l y to the c o m m u n i s t s b u t also to the patriotic nationalists a n d the w h o l e people. W e must a l l rise a n d fight. B u t i n order t o w i n , we must be u n i t e d l i k e a fist. D o n ' t forget w h a t y o u d i d i n M u k j e . T h e honest nationalists are 252

not dodgers l i k e some; they do not collaborate w i t h the e n e m y l i k e some others. Y o u ought t o k n o w w h a t i s i n store f o r the collaborators. T h e o l d f o x understood the a l l u s i o n and j u m p e d up as if he h a d been p r i c k e d : I have helped y o u w i t h m o n e y w h i c h I received f r o m m y f r i e n d s a n d collaborators, f r o m officers a n d N.C.O.'s of the gendarmerie, a n d others, h o w e v e r y o u have r e w a r d e d this a i d w i t h bullets to the head, as y o u d i d w i t h Idhomene Kosturi. H o w f a r a w a y f r o m the a i m o f our w a r was A b a z K u p i ! H e came out i n defence o f elements w h o w e r e patriots o n l y i n name, b u t w h o , i n fact, w e r e collaborators w i t h the occupiers. I n short h e a d m i t t e d f r o m his o w n m o u t h w h a t h e w a s a n d w h a t c o m p a n y h e kept. B a z i i Cans, we said, you are t u r n i n g out t o b e d i f f e r e n t f r o m w h a t w e thought y o u were. H o w dare y o u defend those w h o cannot be defended, t r y to w a s h those w h o cannot be w a s h e d ? E v e n the sea c o u l d not w a s h t h e m clean. W h a t d o y o u t h i n k , s h o u l d w e not k i l l the spies, the t r a i t o r s a n d the h e n c h m e n o f M e h d i B e y , w h o pursue u s d a y a n d n i g h t ? Y o u say that they are collaborators of yours. H a v e y o u forgotten that t h e y collaborate w i t h the G e r m a n s , too? Idhomene K o s t u r i , w h o m y o u say w a s a patriot, was a p p o i n t e d c h a i r m a n o f the ' A s s e m b l y ' w h i c h was created u n d e r the s h a d o w of H i t l e r i t e b a y o 253

nets. A l l r i g h t then, t e l l u s openly, A b a z , w h i c h side are y o u on? W h i c h side a m I on? W h y d o y o u ask m e ? T h i s is an accusation of betrayal, he s h o u t e d a n d j u m p e d t o his feet. H a v e y o u f o r g o t t e n m y p a t r i o t i s m ? H a v e y o u forgotten A p r i l 7 , 1939, w h e n I greeted the Italians w i t h the r i f l e ? C a l m d o w n , don't be so hasty, A b a z , we said, because w e k n o w about y o u r p a t r i o t i s m . W e k n o w that y o u f i r e d a f e w shots, a l t h o u g h that w a s not f r o m love f o r the H o m e l a n d , b u t t o give y o u r master, A h m e t Z o g , w h o h a d s u c k e d the blood of the people a n d b e t r a y e d t h e m , w h o stole the gold, the sweat a n d the b l o o d of the people, t i m e t o get a w a y . Y o u f o u g h t just l o n g enough f o r h i m to get across the border, t h e n y o u cleared out, too. T h a t is the t r u t h about y o u r ' f i g h t ' a n d e v e r y b o d y k n o w s it. It was the first t i m e t h a t this h a d been said t o his face. W h o d i d not k n o w his p a t r i o t i s m n o w ! H e r e m a i n e d standing, his features c o n t o r ted, a n d f i n a l l y said in a l o w voice as if t a l k i n g to h i m s e l f : I have fought a n d w i l l f i g h t not o n l y u n t i l A l b a n i a i s l i b e r a t e d f r o m the occupiers, b u t u n t i l a l l the territories i n h a b i t e d b y o u r A l b a n i a n brothers are liberated. The A l b a n i a n people have f r e s h i n t h e i r memories h o w the 'legal' regime l i b e r a t e d t h e i r 254

brothers. Y o u r e m e m b e r v e r y w e l l that ' H i s M a jesty', w h o w a s r e t u r n e d t o p o w e r w i t h the a i d o f w h i t e g u a r d mercenaries w h o m S e r b i a gave h i m , handed S h n N a u m a n d V e r m o s h t o the S e r b i a n K i n g as a s i g n of his gratitude. T h a t ' s the sort of ' l i b e r a t i o n ' that y o u o f L e g a l i t e t i m e a n . Y o u . have a l w a y s p u r s u e d a personal p o l i c y as a b a j r a k t a r a n d have n e v e r c a r r i e d out the tasks w i t h which the National Liberation Council h a s charged you. I have declared that I u n i t e d w i t h y o u o n l y to fight the enemy. That's w h a t y o u said. B u t w h e n are y o u going t o f i g h t ? F o r g e t the f i g h t i n g i n K r u j a . I t was not y o u b u t others w h o f o u g h t there. N o t only are y o u not f i g h t i n g , b u t y o u are r a i s i n g obstacles to us. W i t h y o u r s t a n d y o u are p r e v e n t ing a w h o l e zone f r o m b e i n g totally engaged against the enemy. Is this not sabotage? A n d w h a t h a v e y o u to say about the sabotage of n a tional l i b e r a t i o n councils, especially i n K r u j a a n d Mat? W h y do y o u speak to me in s u c h a tone? Y o u speak as if I have done these things. T h e people themselves do not accept the councils because t h e y have realized that they do not h a v e the nationalist spirit, that y o u w a n t to use t h e m t o get p o w e r i n t o y o u r o w n hands. A l b a n i a h a s no need f o r another regime. T h e r e g i m e of the m o n a r c h y , headed by Zog, is legal a n d that is 255

b e y o n d dispute. T h e r e t u r n of H i s M a j e s t y is essential to restore the h o n o u r of A l b a n i a w h i c h a foreign state has v i o l a t e d . D o n ' t forget that the G r e a t P o w e r s are f o r this, too. R e c e n t l y H i s M a jesty has h a d a t w e n t y - m i n u t e m e e t i n g w i t h M r . Churchill. A s to w h a t regime w i l l be established after the w a r i n A l b a n i a , w e have p r o c l a i m e d p u b l i c l y that the people themselves w i l l decide the f o r m of the regime. B u t we w a n t to a d d just this: T h e t i m e o f K i n g Z o g i s over. C a l l h i m y o u r K i n g i f y o u w i s h . T o d a y w e are f i g h t i n g f o r a n i n d e p e n d ent, democratic people's A l b a n i a , free f r o m fascism. H o w a f o r e i g n state, w h i c h y o u don't even name, ousted Z o g a n d h o w he f l e d , these things y o u k n o w v e r y w e l l . A s f o r the m e e t i n g y o u mentioned, y o u a n d everyone else s h o u l d u n d e r stand that Z o g can t a l k day b y day w i t h C h u r c h i l l , if he wishes, about the question of A l b a n i a , b u t neither the one n o r the other can decide its fate. It is the people, o n l y the A l b a n i a n people, i t i s w e w h o w i l l decide, a n d none else, e i t h e r about the w a r o r about the regime i n the future, I said in a l o u d voice. B a z i ' s face w e n t pale a n d m o v e d his r i g h t h a n d a little. H i s a d j u t a n t s sitt i n g o n b o t h sides o f h i m p r e p a r e d themselves for any eventuality, b u t w e d i d not w a v e r . W e h a d t a k e n e v e r y t h i n g into account. Legaliteti has created etas of brigands, I c o n t i n u e d , w h o h a v e n ' t f i r e d a shot against the occupiers, b u t 256

are w a i t i n g ' t i l l the t i m e comes' a n d m e a n w h i l e A l b a n i a is g o i n g t h r o u g h its darkest days. If w e h a d w a i t e d ' t i l l the t i m e comes', w e w o u l d not have f o u g h t at Q a f s h t a m a a n d disa r m e d the Italians there, he t r i e d to object. I n this, too, y o u acted a c c o r d i n g to y o u r o w n desire, to take the l i m e l i g h t and, first of a l l , for prey, f o r booty, I replied. A t Q a f shtama, the Italians w e r e no more t h a n a dead horse a n d y o u a n d y o u r brigands stripped it of its shoes. T h a t ' s the e x t e n t of y o u r 'valour', and even this y o u d i d outside the orders of the Staff. L i k e w i s e , w i t h o u t the k n o w l e d g e or a u t h o r i t y of the P r e s i d i u m of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n c i l a n d t a k i n g advantage of y o u r position as a m e m b e r of it, y o u w e n t to L u r a where, together w i t h M i t h a t F r a s h r i , y o u organized the meeting w i t h the r e a c t i o n a r y b a j r a k t a r s w h o are l i n k e d hand a n d foot w i t h the occupiers. W e s u m m o n e d you to e x p l a i n y o u r actions about this, b u t y o u did not deign to come. M i t h a t F r a s h r i sent me a letter about the meeting at L u r a . I w e n t to L u r a a n d there I w a s charged w i t h m e d i a t i n g a m o n g the gentry o f D i b r a i n o r d e r t o u n i t e t h e m w i t h us. T h e y are patriots a n d w a n t t o f i g h t f o r A l b a n i a , h e s a i d . W h a t sort o f patriots are t h e y w h e n they have u n i t e d w i t h the occupiers? Y o u k n e w this, and despite that y o u met t h e m a n d t a l k e d to t h e m . W h a t sort o f u n i t y can there b e w i t h such 257

people? E v e r y o n e understands c l e a r l y that there can be no u n i t y against the occupier outside the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t . O n l y this M o v e ment represents the A l b a n i a n people. O n l y the n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n councils are organs of the w a r a n d the sole p o w e r that expresses the w i l l of the people. A n y ' g o v e r n m e n t ' o r other o r g a n i z a t i o n outside this M o v e m e n t cannot be other t h a n an i n s t r u m e n t of c o m p r o m i s e a n d betrayal, I said. F r e q u e n t l y , w h e n h e was opposing me, B a z i raised his voice a n d approached the w i n d o w w h i c h h a d been left open deliberately so that the a r m e d peasants o f his b a n d , w h o w e r e outside i n the y a r d , c o u l d hear w h a t he said a n d be c o n v i n c e d about w h a t a great leader he was, and w h a t declarations he made in t h e i r defence. On one occasion, s p e a k i n g in a l o u d voice, B a z i stood up a n d said to m e : Listen. M r . H o x h a . Not you communists but the regime of Z o g w i l l do m a n y good things f o r the people, w i l l open schools, w i l l not l e v y h e a v y taxes a n d w i l l give the peasants land. B u t I, too, stood up a n d r e p l i e d in an e v e n l o u d e r voice, directed t o w a r d s the w i n d o w : Listen, M r . K u p i . T h e poor peasants w i l l get l a n d o n l y f r o m us, f r o m the people's state p o w e r w h i c h w i l l b e established a f t e r l i b e r a t i o n . T h e y w i l l n e v e r get it f r o m the Zogites, because i n a l l the 1 5 years h e w a s i n power, Z o g n e v e r t h o u g h t of d o i n g s u c h a t h i n g f o r t h e m a n d o n l y 258

deceived t h e m by s a y i n g that he w a s going to c a r r y out the ' a g r a r i a n r e f o r m . ' H e c o u l d never have done it because it w o u l d have been suicide for h i m . Those w h o are not on the course of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t are on a course w h i c h sooner o r later w i l l c e r t a i n l y l a n d t h e m i n the lap of the enemies of the M o v e m e n t , the e n emies of o u r people, a n d if t h e y get in o u r w a y , we s h a l l attack t h e m a n d w i p e t h e m out, I concluded. T h i s was a stern t r i a l , w h i c h exposed h i m . T h u s w e ended the m e e t i n g w i t h A b a z K u p i and took o u r departure. Since that t i m e I never again set eyes on h i m . We i m m e d i a t e l y h e l d a special m e e t i n g of the P r e s i d i u m , expelled h i m f r o m its r a n k s and the same d a y d r a f t e d the resolution i n w h i c h w e reported o n the m e e t i n g w i t h A b a z K u p i , about the efforts we m a d e to convince h i m to change his course, a n d f i n a l l y the need to u n m a s k h i m before the people. I m m e d i a t e l y after the m e e t i n g w i t h K u p i , G e n e r a l D a v i e s appeared on the scene. I guessed that he w a n t e d to f i n d out something about the meeting a n d I was not m i s t a k e n . F o r the first time he d i d not beat about the bush b u t i m m e d i a tely got d o w n to business: Y o u have h a d a t a l k w i t h M r . K u p i , said the G e n e r a l . C o u l d y o u t e l l m e h o w i t went, Mr. Hoxha? 259

I e x p l a i n e d to the G e n e r a l : F o r a l o n g t i m e w e had been a s k i n g h i m t o define his a t t i t u d e towards the B a l l i K o m b t a r , the q u i s l i n g g o v e r n ment a n d the G e r m a n occupiers. H o w e v e r , he always refused t o c o n d e m n t h e m . O n the c o n t r a r y , we have accurate i n f o r m a t i o n that he is c o l l a b o r a t i n g w i t h t h e m t o the d e t r i m e n t o f our w a r and m o r e o v e r i n the m e e t i n g w i t h u s h e spoke w e l l of t h e m . M r . K u p i h a d p r o m i s e d m e that h e w o u l d clear up these problems, indeed he t o l d me he w o u l d fight, interjected the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l . Yes, I said. Just as the heads of the B a l l i K o m b t a r p r o m i s e d y o u . Indeed, a s y o u told us, t h e y e v e n m a d e y o u a d e c l a r a t i o n in w r i t i n g , d i d t h e y not? W h a t are t h e i r promises w o r t h ? D o y o u see w h a t they are d o i n g ? A b a z K u p i i s just l i k e t h e m . Therefore, the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n c i l has r e m o v e d h i m f r o m its m i d s t a n d w a r n e d h i m that i f h e continues on the course he has begun, we shall attack h i m . M r . H o x h a , said the G e n e r a l , I m u s t beg y o u to use y o u r i n f l u e n c e in the C o u n c i l so t h a t it gives K u p i a l i t t l e longer to clear up his stand, because I s h a l l t a l k w i t h h i m again. W e have w a i t e d l o n g enough, I cut h i m short. For a l o n g t i m e he has been p u t t i n g f o r w a r d as the i m m e d i a t e issue not the l i b e r a t i o n b u t the regime. T h i s m a t t e r is n o w closed. T h e decision has been t a k e n . W e are left w i t h 260

no a l t e r n a t i v e b u t to w a t c h his a c t i v i t y closely and t o attack h i m a t the first o p p o r t u n i t y . H e ' l l get his deserts. Seeing o u r d e t e r m i n a t i o n , the G e n e r a l took his leave a n d departed. T h e p l a n that t h e i r agent should r e m a i n amongst us to t r i p us up h a d failed. T h e great G e r m a n - B a l l i s t offensive i n t h e severe w i n t e r of 1943-1944 was l a u n c h e d against our forces w h o w e r e i l l - c l a d a n d h u n g r y . T h i s helped A b a z K u p i t o g a i n g r o u n d . F o r h i m this was an Indian s u m m e r amidst the icy w i n t e r . H e d e c e i v e d h i m s e l f that this w a s e v e r y t h i n g and that v i c t o r y was s m i l i n g o n h i m . T h r o u g h the B r i t i s h officers, B a z i once again repeated his requests that H i s M a j e s t y s h o u l d send a message ( 1 ) f r o m L o n d o n i n w h i c h h e w o u l d declare
_________________________ 1 A letter f r o m T a l b o t R i c e sent to H o w a r d on F e b r u a r y 24, 1944, says: Pursuant Thursday, 17th to the decision taken at our meeting on February we approached Zog w i t h a request

for a letter to A b a s K u p i . In the course of the conversation w h i c h M a j o r M c L e a n had w i t h h i m , h e showed himself most willing to help...

(FO

371/43550-3373. in the AIH,

PRO. Tirana).

Taken

from

the
a

photocopy

of

the

original

Meanwhile

report f r o m Sargent sent to the Secretary of State on February 29, 1944, says: ...Maclean went off, saw K i n g Zog a n d obtained the desired l e t t e r . . . Its text is not however entirely satisfactory and if it is to be used we s h a l l have to get it changed. We discussed the text w i t h S.O.E. at another meeting on the 28th February and agreed on a revised draft w h i c h is attached. It

261

t h a t he was ready to r e t u r n to A l b a n i a . Indeed, he propagated f a r a n d w i d e that Z o g I h a d m e t C h u r c h i l l , w h o h a d allegedly p r o m i s e d that t h e most p o w e r f u l m o n a r c h y i n the w o r l d w o u l d d o e v e r y t h i n g in its p o w e r to restore h i m to the throne. T h r o u g h the Z a v a l a n i s ( 1 ) a n d other a n n o u n c ers of his type we heard r u m o u r s that the o p i n i o n o f F a n N o l i h a d been sought about the creation of a g o v e r n m e n t in e x i l e headed by Z o g a n d that N o l i h a d agreed w i t h this a n d p r o m i s e d to act as a d v i s e r to i t ! ( 2 ) T h e y e l l o w newspaper
_________________________________ you agree I should l i k e to tell M a c l e a n that he may n o w go back to Zog and ask h i m to amend the letter on the lines agreed... If after his return to A l b a n i a , M a c l e a n considers that Zog's letter w o u l d be of use, and we authorise h i m to give it to A b a s K u p i , we w i l l consider getting T i t o to use his influence w i t h the L N C at the same time. (FO 371

43550-3372. PRO. Taken from AIH, Tirana.)

the

photocopy

of

the

original

in

the

1 Refers to T. Z a v a l a m , a reactionary A l b a n i a n intellectual in the service of the B r i t i s h . He w o r k e d in the B.B.C. to prepare broadcasts in the A l b a n i a n language. 2 In reply to the letter w h i c h S. M a r t i n i [chamberlain of the court] sent to F a n N o l i in the name of Zog on A p r i l 7, 1943, in connection w i t h the creation of an A l b a n i a n government in w h i c h he said, the K i n g w o u l d be pleased to see your Eminence at the head of this Government. (FO 371/37136-3634.

PRO.

Taken

from

the

photocopy

of

the

original

in

the

AIH,

Tirana.) F a n N o l i w r o t e on M a y 27, 1943: I am ready to do

my f u l l s h a r e . . . under K i n g Zog's l e a d e r s h i p . . . I must m a k e

262

Atdheu even p u b l i s h e d the message w h i c h N o l i sent to C o r d e l l H u l l ( 1 ). W h e n we h e a r d of this, at first we d i d not believe it. It w a s u n b e l i e v a b l e to us that this stern opponent of Z o g c o u l d sit d o w n at the same table w i t h h i m to consider the fate of A l b a n i a ! It seemed to us impossible that N o l i c o u l d reconcile himself to the m u r d e r e r of A v n i Rustemi and B a j r a m C u r r i , Luigj G u r a k u q i a n d R i z a C e r o v a , t o the person w h o h a d caused h u n d r e d s of Sons of the Eagle to w a n d e r t h r o u g h E u r o p e w i t h o u t home or possessions, p u r s u e d by the h e n c h m e n of Z o g . It seemed to us astonishing that N o l i c o u l d t h r o w out a l i f e line to rescue the pitiless f e u d a l despot w h o had sucked the blood of the A l b a n i a n people f o r 15 years on e n d . R e g r e t t a b l y , however, as was proved later, there was some t r u t h i n w h a t w e h e a r d .
________________________________ it quite clear that I can serve only in an advisory capacity on account of my A m e r i c a n citizenship... (FO 371/37137-3643.

Taken

from

the

photocopy
to this

of

the

original

in

the

AIH,

PRO. Tirana.)

1 According

newspaper,

dated

October

12, 1943.

N o l i wrote to H u l l among other things: . . . it w o u l d be to the advantage of the U n i t e d Nations to o f f i c i a l l y recognize K i n g Zog and give h i m the opportunity to play his personal role to accelerate the victory w h i c h we are a l l a w a i t i n g . K i n g Zog is better able to w o r k for the A l l i e s than any other A l b a n i a n or group of A l b a n i a n s . . . Some sincere opponents of K i n g Zog w h o have suffered for years in exile on account of their opposition, think that it is in the interest of both ment i n exile under K i n g Zog... parties, the United Nations and A l b a n i a , to have an o f f i c i a l l y recognized govern-

263

A s t o the circumstances i n w h i c h this h a d come about a n d w h a t motives i m p e l l e d N o l i , this w e do not k n o w . T h e fact is that he d i d such a t h i n g , n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g that the p l a n f o r the f o r m a t i o n of a g o v e r n m e n t in exile c o u l d n e v e r be p u t into p r a c t i c e . W h i l e r e a c t i o n a b r o a d was p r e p a r i n g the bridal party to bring Zog to A l b a n i a , reaction w i t h i n the c o u n t r y was m a k i n g a come-back. G r e a t p u b l i c i t y w a s b u i l t u p a r o u n d the f i g u r e of Z o g . U n d e r the p r o t e c t i o n of H i t l e r i t e bayonets, the g e n d a r m e r i e w a s b e i n g r e o r g a n i z e d as in the p e r i o d p r i o r to A p r i l 7 a n d e v e n adopted the Z o g i t e f o r m of salute. A f t e r a secret m e e t i n g w i t h X h a f e r Deva in a village of K r u j a , A b a z K u p i l i n k e d u p w i t h the n a z i G e n e r a l S c h m o l l i n order t o w i p e out the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y . T h e i r c o l l a b o r a t i o n w e n t s o f a r that w h e n the G e r m a n s took some of o u r m e n prisoner, they advised t h e m t o j o i n the r a n k s o f H e r r K u p i ' s a r m y i f they w a n t e d t o save t h e i r necks. Leaflets, Atdheu and other yellow papers w e r e c i r c u l a t e d in the cities to deceive the people, to boost the Zogites' courage a n d hopes, to arouse p a n i c a m o n g the masses a n d to confuse t h e m w i t h the spectre o f Z o g , w i t h the u l t i m a t e a i m o f d i v e r t i n g t h e m f r o m the r i g h t r o a d . I n r e g a r d t o the r u m o u r s that w e h e a r d f r o m L o n d o n , w e d e m a n d e d insistently that the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n either declare itself i n f a v o u r 264

of t h e m , or if they w e r e not true, i n f o r m L o n d o n that it s h o u l d deny t h e m p u b l i c l y . A f t e r some time L o n d o n t r i e d to deny these r u m o u r s t h r o u g h a leaflet w h i c h M a j o r T i l m a n issued i n G j i r o kastra. I t w a s the e n d o f A p r i l 1944. M u s t a f a K a a i , c o m m i s s a r of the B a t t a l i o n of M a t , i n f o r m e d me by letter t h a t the agent of the B r i t i s h Intelligence Service, M c L e a n , h a d appeared again i n those parts. H e is h e a d i n g a B r i t i s h m i s s i o n attached t o A b a z K u p i , w h o i s being s u p p l i e d b y a i r w i t h so m u c h m a t e r i a l that some of it falls into the hands of gendarmes a n d some is sold on t h e m a r k e t o n w h i c h w e have f r e q u e n t l y bought, he w r o t e . As soon as I read the letter, I r e m e m b e r e d the w o r d s o f D a v i e s a t o u r first m e e t i n g i n L a b i n o t w h e n h e t o l d u s t h a t b y the e n d o f N o v e m b e r M c L e a n w a s t o g o t o C a i r o , f r o m there t o L o n d o n a n d possibly w o u l d p e r s o n a l l y i n f o r m C h u r c h i l l about the s i t u a t i o n i n A l b a n i a . A n d now, h a v i n g completed the course, M c L e a n h a d been d r o p p e d back into A l b a n i a , this t i m e w i t h the r a n k of L i e u t e n a n t - C o l o n e l . He h a d gone to the close f r i e n d o f the B r i t i s h w i t h n e w i n s t r u c tions in o r d e r to give a f u r t h e r i m p u l s e to t h e plans of L o n d o n . T h e fact that a B r i t i s h m i s s i o n was attached to B a z i i Cans, that t h e y w e r e s u p p l y i n g h i m w i t h ample m o n e y a n d m a t e r i a l , that the B r i t i s h p r o p a g a n d a w a s b u i l d i n g u p t h e 265

f i g u r e o f A b a z K u p i , a s w e l l a s the G e r m a n B a l l i s t operation against o u r a r m y , m a d e the m i n o r Zog feel himself at the c u l m i n a t i o n of his p o w e r a n d joy a n d h e c r o w e d a n d s t r u t t e d l i k e a rooster on a d u n g h e a p . N o t content w i t h his u n d e r h a n d deals w i t h the B r i t i s h , A b a z K u p i also attempted t o l i n k u p w i t h G r e e k reaction. Together w i t h the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d the q u i s l i n g officials i n T i r a n a , h e began to d i g another grave f o r o u r c o u n t r y , this t i m e starting not f r o m the n o r t h , as in 1924, but f r o m the south. T o A t h e n s , M i t h a t F r a s h r i sent D h i m i t r F a l l o , M e h d i F r a s h r i sent his p e r s o n a l spokesman, X h e v a t L e s k o v i k u , w h i l e A b a z K u p i authorized as the delegate of L e g a l i t e t i the f o r m e r p r i m e m i n i s t e r of the g o v e r n m e n t of A h m e t Zog, K o o K o t a , t o conclude a n agreement w i t h Ralis and Zervas of Greece under w h i c h they w o u l d j o i n t l y d r o w n i n blood the n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n m o v e m e n t s o f b o t h the A l b a n i a n a n d the G r e e k peoples. T h e i n t e n t i o n was that this agreement w o u l d later be t u r n e d into a G r e e k T u r k i s h - A l b a n i a n alliance. H o w e v e r , t h e i r m i s sion failed. T h e documents, w h e r e b y the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e of the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d the q u i s l i n g g o v e r n m e n t accredited D h i m i t r F a l l o as delegate i n the talks w i t h the G r e e k reactionaries, w e r e captured by o u r partisans, a n d the delegate was p u t o n t r i a l a n d c o n d e m n e d i n the s u m m e r of 1944. 266

T h i s was the situation of Abaz Kupi's heroes a n d headquarters before the offensive of our 1st D i v i s i o n in C e n t r a l a n d N o r t h e r n Albania. Their Indian summer was coming to a n e n d . T h e B r i t i s h l a m p was r u n n i n g out o f o i l . A f t e r the Congress of P r m e t I gave orders f o r the brigades of the 1st D i v i s i o n to cross to the zones b e y o n d the S h k u m b i n , to attack the G e r m a n s a n d together w i t h the p a r t i s a n forces f i g h t i n g in these zones, to clear C e n t r a l and N o r t h e r n A l b a n i a , t o s t r i k e m o r t a l b l o w s a t react i o n , to set up the people's p o w e r of the n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n c o u n c i l s a n d increase the r a n k s of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y w i t h n e w detachments. W i t h this action w e w e r e s t r i k i n g r i g h t a t the heart of the B r i t i s h p l a n s against us. Zogite reaction was at its last gasp. T h e shadow of d e a t h was s p r e a d i n g over it. O u r forces were m a r c h i n g t o w a r d s M a t a n d M i r d i t a w h e r e the Zogites a n d other reactionaries were c o w e r i n g . T h e w h o l e p o p u l a t i o n o f the N o r t h rose i n s u p p o r t o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y . A t the b e g i n n i n g o f J u l y 1944, the B r i t i s h liaison o f f i c e r sought a n u r g e n t m e e t i n g ( 1 ) w i t h me. I received h i m .
______________________________ 1 In the book Sons of the Eagle, w r i t i n g about a meeting w i t h the reactionary chiefs, J. A m e r y says: T h e news of the P a r t i s a n attack had taken the l i f e out

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I have received a message f r o m the A l l i e d Mediterranean Headquarters in w h i c h it demands that y o u stop y o u r attacks against A b a z K u p i a n d others i n the N o r t h , w h o are p a t r i o t s a n d our friends, o r o t h e r w i s e a i d t o y o u w i l l b e cut off, he said. O u r D i v i s i o n has received o r d e r s to clear the N o r t h of the G e r m a n s , m e r c e n a r i e s a n d traitors, to establish the state p o w e r of the n a t i o n al l i b e r a t i o n councils there a n d to engage t h e people in the w a r against the occupiers, I replied. B u t i t i s a p p r o a c h i n g M a t w h i c h i s the t e r r i t o r y i n w h i c h M r . K u p i operates, h e s a i d . M a t i s p a r t o f A l b a n i a , w h y s h o u l d w e not go t h r o u g h it? I r e p l i e d c u r t l y . N o one has the r i g h t t o prevent o u r D i v i s i o n f r o m p e r f o r m i n g its d u t y . T h e r e i s n o reason w h y this s h o u l d b e l i n k e d w i t h the question o f m a t e r i a l a i d f r o m the A l l i e s . A b a z K u p i w a s a m e m b e r o f t h e P r e s i d i u m o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n c i l a n d o u r Staff, but he t u r n e d against t h e
________________________________ of our meeting, but we sat down for a formal discussion beneath a t a l l and spreading oak: A b a z K u p i , M u h a r r e m B a j raktar, Sait K r y e z i u , M a c l e a n ; Smiley; and I. M e a n w h i l e the lesser chiefs and their retainers stood around us in a ring. T h e r e could be no question n o w of calling for a general revolt of the Ghegs, but each of the leaders spoke in t u r n . . - appealing to us to intervene u n d b r i n g about a truce. Sons of the Eagle, London, MacMillan and Co. Ltd., 1948, p. 202.

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N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t , therefore, he has been e x p e l l e d f r o m those bodies a n d has been branded a traitor. This you k n o w very well. M r . K u p i c o m p l a i n s that the D i v i s i o n has g i v e n h i m a n u l t i m a t u m that h e m u s t s u r r e n d e r t o t h e m o r o t h e r w i s e they w i l l attack h i m . He has been g i v e n no p e r i o d of grace. W e gave h i m a y e a r to declare himself f o r or against us. Y o u , too, h a v e been w a i t i n g a l o n g t i m e , b u t n o w w e can w a i t n o longer. H e i s c o l l a b o r a t i n g w i t h the G e r m a n s a n d i s s a botaging the w a r , o u r strategic p l a n a n d that of the allies. T w o days l a t e r the B r i t i s h l i a i s o n officer came to me a g a i n a n d s a i d : M r . H o x h a , A l l i e d H e a d q u a r t e r s has transm i t t e d to me a note f r o m G e n e r a l W i l s o n to you. W h a t does t h e note say? I asked w i t h o u t the slightest sign of concern because I c o u l d guess w h a t that note was l i k e l y to contain. T h e offensive o f o u r D i v i s i o n i n the N o r t h w a s t r e a d i n g on t h e i r corns. The note raises three questions, said the B r i t i s h officer. First, G e n e r a l W i l s o n does not a l l o w y o u r partisans t o b e i n v o l v e d i n his s t r a tegic p l a n s a n d h e w i l l not tolerate c i v i l w a r in his theatre of operations. T h i s is i m p e r m i s s i b l e interference. W h a t makes G e n e r a l W i l s o n t h i n k there i s c i v i l w a r g o i n g o n here? T h e o n l y w a r b e i n g w a g e d i n 269

o u r c o u n t r y is against the occupiers a n d t h e i r collaborators such as the B a l l i K o m b t a r , the reactionary chiefs o f D i b r a and A b a z K u p i w i t h his brigands. N e x t point, please, I said. The second p o i n t has to do w i t h a i d . T h e note says that i f y o u attack M r . K u p i , a i d w i l l be cut off a n d w i t h o u t a l l i e d a i d y o u cannot w i t h s t a n d the G e r m a n s . L e t the G e n e r a l a n d e v e r y b o d y else u n d e r s t a n d thoroughly, I r e p l i e d there a n d then, that we d i d not begin the w a r because the allies w e r e engaged in it. We began it before they e n t e r e d the w a r , moreover, w i t h o u t a i d f r o m t h e m o r anyone else. We s h o u l d be g i v e n t h e i r a i d because this is in the interest of the allies. If t h e i r aid is m a d e c o n d i t i o n a l on o u r attitude t o w a r d s the traitors we s h a l l c o n t i n u e the w a r just as w e started it. B u t c a r r y on, t e l l m e the rest, I said w i t h o u t g l a n c i n g at h i m . Third, the note says also that unless assurances are g i v e n that M r . K u p i w i l l not b e attacked, the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t c a n not send delegates to A l l i e d H e a d q u a r t e r s in Italy, c o n c l u d e d the B r i t i s h l i a i s o n officer. The sending of o u r delegation to meet the representatives o f the A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n H e a d quarters can n e v e r b e l i n k e d w i t h the question o f A b a z K u p i . F o r u s the question o f A b a z K u p i no longer exists. T h i s m a t t e r was decided once and f o r a l l i n D e c e m b e r last y e a r w h e n w e 270

settled accounts w i t h h i m . T h e Congress o f P r met also sealed his doom. O u r delegation w i l l go there to establish a m o r e complete agreement w i t h the allies a n d regardless of y o u r threat, M r . O f f i c e r o f o u r B r i t i s h ally, our d i v i s i o n w i l l c o n t i n u e about its business, I concluded. A t least w a i t f i v e days, pleaded the B r i t i s h officer. No, I replied, w e ' v e w a i t e d long enough. L i k e y o u , we have w a i t e d l o n g enough, I repeated. N o one has the r i g h t to stop us c a r r y i n g on the w a r to clear M a t of collaborators of the G e r m a n s . N o t even G e n e r a l W i l s o n can stop us. T h i s is i m p r o p e r interference, I stressed. Let us suppose that B a z i i Cans is not a traitor, as y o u c l a i m . T h e n w h y does h e sit d o i n g n o t h i n g , a n d does not f i g h t the occupiers, but instead, together w i t h t h e m , has t u r n e d his r i f l e against our N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y ? D o w e not have the r i g h t a n d the d u t y to engage the district of M a t , too, i n the w a r against the G e r m a n s ? W e are i n o u r o w n l a n d a n d w e shall act a c c o r d i n g to the interests of this l a n d . W h y is G e n e r a l W i l s o n i n t e r f e r i n g i n this w a y ? W e shall c o n t i n u e to c a r r y out our strategic p l a n to the letter a n d this is also in f a v o u r of the a l l i e d strategy. These are not just my p e r s o n a l opinions but also the opinions of o u r G e n e r a l Staff, a n d this y o u u n d e r s t a n d v e r y well, I p o i n t e d out to the B r i t i s h officer. H o w e v e r , since this note, w h i c h 271

I w a n t i n w r i t i n g , comes f r o m G e n e r a l W i l s o n , I s h a l l refer it to the P r e s i d i u m of the N a t i o n a l Liberation General Council. The officer h a n d e d m e the w r i t t e n note. I n his presence I glanced over it q u i c k l y a n d n o t i c e d that i n the t h i r d question there w a s some d i f ference f r o m w h a t h e told m e o r a l l y . T h i s a n n o y e d me, but I c o n t r o l l e d m y s e l f a n d said to h i m : Please, w i l l y o u come to receive the r e p l y when I notify you? W h e n e v e r y o u say, he r e p l i e d a n d left. I i m m e d i a t e l y called the P r e s i d i u m together. W e are h o l d i n g this m e e t i n g because of the i n t e r v e n t i o n of the A l l i e d H e a d q u a r t e r s to stop the operations of o u r D i v i s i o n in the N o r t h , I told the comrades. A s y o u k n o w , a f t e r the G e r m a n J u n e operation, o u r forces received orders t o l a u n c h a n offensive i n C e n t r a l a n d N o r t h e r n A l b a n i a a n d t o d a y they are engaged i n f i e r c e f i g h t i n g i n those regions against the G e r mans, mercenaries a n d gendarmes w h o are b e g i n n i n g t o p a n i c . O u r forces are d r i v i n g t o w a r d s D i b r a a n d M a t t o settle accounts f i n a l l y w i t h the e n e m y . A p p a r e n t l y , h o w e v e r , this i s v e r y p a i n f u l to the B r i t i s h . G e n e r a l W i l s o n expresses this in a note w h i c h he has sent me. I read the note a n d t o l d t h e m e v e r y t h i n g the B r i t i s h officer h a d said a n d w h a t I h a d said i n reply. T h e B r i t i s h have m a d e efforts to get B a z i 272

i C a n s i n t o o u r r a n k s again, ( 1 ) I continued, but have r u n into the resistance of reaction, so t h e i r 'sit-on-the-fence' a t t i t u d e continues to this day. N o w B a z i can n o longer b e i n c l u d e d a m o n g s t us, cannot be u n i t e d w i t h us, because he is up to his e l b o w s i n f i l t h . A l l this reaction f r o m the B r i t i s h arises f r o m the fact that t h e i r p l a n s are f a i l i n g . T h e y u r g e d A b a z K u p i t o enter into d i s cussions w i t h o u r Staff, setting the c o n d i t i o n that they s h o u l d b e h e l d w i t h M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , D r . D i s h n i c a a n d S e j f u l l a a n d e v e n t u a l l y even w i t h me, if t h e y c o u l d not a v o i d me. H o w e v e r , we d i d n o t agree, because those talks w o u l d have been a game t h e y w a n t e d to p l a y to the d e t r i m e n t o f o u r w a r . A s y o u k n o w , this game i s being p l a y e d i n G r e e c e i n order t o split the E A M
________________________________ 1 The Foreign Office radiogram No. 174 sent to Steel in Cairo on F e b r u a r y 6, 1944 said: W e have recently seen Maclean's report on A l b a n i a and discussed it w i t h h i m . His His idea main is recommendation that Abas Kupi, is that the L.N.C. movement should should be broadened to i n c l u d e as many nationalists as possible. Zog's representative... return to the L . N . C . . . . 2. As practical steps to this end, M a c l e a n proposes: (1) that we should sound Zog to see if he w o u l d agree; (2) that we should get L i a i s o n officer to put proposal to Abas Kupi; and (3) that we should get T i t o (through Brigadier Maclean) to influence L.N.C. to agree to return of A b a s K u p i . (Outward telegram No. 174, FO 371/43549-3336. PRO. Taken from the photocopy of the original in the AIH, Tirana.)

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a n d i n f i l t r a t e r e a c t i o n a r y elements into its r a n k s . T h e y see clearly w h a t the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t i s a n d w a n t t o h o l d i t back i n o r d e r to a l l o w the r e a c t i o n a r y elements t i m e to b r e a k a w a y f r o m the occupiers a n d e n t e r o u r r a n k s i n disguise. The B r i t i s h have engaged i n another m a noeuvre, too, I c o n t i n u e d . T h e y w a n t to present o u r w a r as a local m o v e m e n t in the S o u t h w h i l e , i n t h e i r v i e w , i n the N o r t h there are o n l y Z o g , B a z i a n d so on, a n d t h e y are t r y i n g to c o m p e l us to accept these elements as co-fighters. T h e B r i tish have done the same sort of t h i n g in G r e e c e ; they have p l a y e d this game w i t h the E A M , too, i n w h i c h they w a n t e d t o p u t Z e r v a s . B u t Z e r v a s r e m a i n e d l i n k e d w i t h R a l i s a n d the occupier. T h e A n g l o - A m e r i c a n allies w a n t e d the E A M t o r e f r a i n f r o m a t t a c k i n g the zones w h e r e Z e r v a s operated because they w a n t e d to have h i m as a reserve force. T h i s is the a i m of the B r i t i s h w i t h B a z i i Cans here, too, a n d in o r d e r to b a c k up this 'argument', they have b e g u n to b r i n g out f r o m the archives a n d t r a n s m i t o v e r the r a d i o our articles w h i c h c a l l f o r u n i t y . H o w e v e r , they forget that the times have changed, that t h e traitors are deep in the m i r e . L o n d o n ' s aim, I t o l d the comrades, is that even i f t h e y can't get A b a z K u p i t o d o some f i g h t i n g just f o r appearances' sake, at least to h o l d h i m i n reserve f o r the f u t u r e . W e are f i g h t 274

i n g B a z i s i m p l y as a t r a i t o r a n d collaborator of the G e r m a n s . T h e f i g h t against h i m a n d the whole of reaction is not a ' c i v i l w a r ' , as G e n e r a l W i l s o n w a n t s t o c a l l i t f o r his o w n s i n i s t e r aims. In no w a y w i l l we allow h i m to interfere in our i n t e r n a l affairs. W e are o n the r i g h t r o a d . N o one can change o u r o p i n i o n about this or t h a t reactionary element l i k e B a z i a n d the others, because we have facts, documents w h i c h we have also sent to the allies in B a r i a n d L o n d o n . T h e y are e x e r t i n g this pressure on us precisely at this t i m e because the h i s t o r i c decisions of the Congress of P r m e t have h u r t t h e m b a d l y . T h i s i s the t r u t h of the matter. We s h a l l not w a v e r even a m i l l i m e t r e f r o m o u r correct line, therefore I t h i n k we s h o u l d send t h e m the a n s w e r they deserve. W e discussed the p r o b l e m a t l e n g t h i n the meeting of t h e P r e s i d i u m . In t h e i r contributions, the comrades i n d i g n a n t l y rejected G e n e r a l W i l son's c l a i m a n d f u l l y s u p p o r t e d w h a t I h a d said. S e j f u l l a M a l s h o v a alone engaged i n some p h i losophizing, advising us that we s h o u l d be more precise in some expressions a n d d i s t i n g u i s h between the p o l i c y o f G r e a t B r i t a i n and the a l lies, a n d t h a t of B r i t i s h reaction in the mission here, in C a i r o a n d elsewhere. In the f o r m of a r e p r o a c h he c o n t i n u e d , W e m u s t c o n v i n c e the allies of w h a t the situation is in A l b a n i a . We have sent t h e m documents, but this is i n s u f ficient. He spoke as if he d i d not k n o w of 275

the repeated clashes w e h a d h a d w i t h t h e m . H e closed his c o n t r i b u t i o n , w h i c h was f u l l o f his arrogance, by assuring us l i k e a great p r o phet that the allies are b o u n d to come to a satisfactory u n d e r s t a n d i n g w i t h us. T h i s p h i l o s o p h i z i n g was the prelude to the p r o - W e s t e r n attitude a n d v i e w s o f S e j f u l l a M a l s h o v a w h i c h w e r e to assume scandalous p r o p o r t i o n s a year later. W e k n o w the p o l i c y o f G r e a t B r i t a i n v e r y w e l l a n d also k n o w its aims, I said i n m y r e p l y t o M a l s h o v a . W e k n o w h o w t o m a k e that d i s t i n c t i o n about w h i c h y o u spoke, b u t u n f o r t u n a t e ly t h e r e is no s u c h d i s t i n c t i o n . T h e r e p r e s e n t a tives o f L o n d o n , here, i n C a i r o o r i n B a r i , c a r r y out the orders of t h e i r centre f a n a t i c a l l y a n d we are a l l witnesses t o that. W e h a v e r e p a i d a n y obligation t o w a r d s t h e m m a n y times over, w h i l e m a k i n g i t clear t o t h e m that t h e y s h o u l d r e m a i n t r u e allies, b u t t h e y have a l w a y s t r i e d to i n t e r fere i n o u r affairs. T h e comrades are w e l l a w a r e of this a n d there is no need to list the facts. C h u r c h i l l a n d his e n v o y s here are p u r s u i n g d i a b o l i c a l aims t o w a r d s o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t but, as the other comrades said, we do not f e a r o r s u b m i t t o t h e i r pressure. W e s h a l l continue t o p e r f o r m o u r d u t y t o the people a n d o u r H o m e l a n d to the end. T h e P r e s i d i u m decided u n a n i m o u s l y that a c l e a r - c u t r e p l y s h o u l d b e d r a f t e d a n d sent t o G e 276

neral Wilson. The document w h i c h we compiled in essence h a d this content: T h e r e are no q u a r rels, let alone c i v i l w a r , in A l b a n i a . T h e r e is o n l y one w a r i n A l b a n i a , the w a r against the occupier a n d its tools, the l o c a l traitors s u c h as the B a l l i K o m b t a r , L e g a l i t e t i , A b a z K u p i , the bands of S h e v q e t V r l a c i a n d the 'chiefs' of D i b r a w h o collaborate d i r e c t l y w i t h the G e r m a n C o m m a n d here. W e d o not accept orders f r o m a n y b o d y about l i b e r a t i n g o u r H o m e l a n d f r o m the occupiers a n d traitors. A l b a n i a i s o u r H o m e l a n d a n d the people are the masters of it. If B r i t a i n has friends, these m u s t be f r o m o u r side; those w h o are w i t h the G e r m a n s are o u r enemies a n d enemies of o u r allies, therefore we shall f i g h t t h e m to the end. We regret to t e l l y o u that we cannot accept y o u r request. T h i s is h o w w e c o n c l u d e d o u r reply. I summoned Palmer, acquainted h i m w i t h the content of o u r letter of r e p l y a n d h a n d e d it to h i m . That's another slap in the face of the B r i t i s h , I said to myself. T h e i r ideas and aims were clear to us and this f l a g r a n t interference i n our affairs, i n p a r t i c u l a r , p r o v e d that w e w e r e right. M e a n w h i l e I w r o t e to the comrades of the 1st D i v i s i o n that G e n e r a l W i l s o n was c o n t i n u i n g his pressure to stop the f i g h t i n g against A b a z K u p i a n d t o b r i n g about r e c o n c i l i a t i o n w i t h h i m a n d that we h a d resolutely rejected his pressure. I 277

also i n f o r m e d t h e m t h a t B a z i h a d been i n v i t e d t o go to Italy. He h a d agreed a n d w a s p r e p a r i n g to go by sea, w h i l e we agreed in p r i n c i p l e to go t o t a l k s i n B a r i about c o l l a b o r a t i n g w i t h the a l lies, b u t i n n o w a y w o u l d w e g o there t o gether w i t h A b a z K u p i . C o n t i n u e y o u r attacks on the forces of Legaliteti, I o r d e r e d t h e m . M a t a n d D i b r a m u s t b e t r a v e r s e d s e v e r a l times a n d the forests t h o r o u g h l y searched, w h i l e the react i o n a r y chiefs of D i b r a m u s t be attacked just as fiercely. We w e r e r e c e i v i n g a great deal of i n f o r m a t i o n about the m o v e m e n t s of B r i t i s h officers. M c L e a n was t r a v e l l i n g a l l o v e r the N o r t h o f A l b a n i a a n d l i k e w i s e S m i t h , w h o was a t t a c h e d t o the S t a f f of t h e 1st D i v i s i o n of o u r a r m y . T h e y gathered i n f o r m a t i o n a n d o r g a n i z e d meetings w i t h the r e a c t i o n a r y chiefs. H o w e v e r , w h a t c o n cerned me most w a s o u r lack of tight security. W e h a d c a p t u r e d G e r m a n documents w h i c h described the positions of our brigades in detail. I w a s also a w a r e that somebody w a s f e e d i n g i n f o r m a t i o n on secret matters to the B r i t i s h officers, especially M a j o r S m i t h . L i r i G e g a was a n a d m i r e r o f S m i t h . A m o n g s t other things, h e e n couraged h e r careerism, w i t h w h i c h she w a s b a d l y infected even w i t h o u t his encouragement, as w e l l as h e r u n h e a l t h y a m b i t i o n , especially f o r p r o m o t i o n t o general o n w h i c h she h a d h e r eye a n d h a d said e x p l i c i t l y : W h y can't w o m e n b e g e n 278

erals, too? L i r i G e g a h a d a c r u s h on S m i t h , about w h o m she f r e q u e n t l y s a i d : He's a clever devil. A p p a r e n t l y , they cried on each other's shoulders. L i r i G e g a h a d the habit o f u s i n g u n c o d e d r a d i o g r a m s w i t h us of the G e n e r a l Staff, i n f o r m i n g us openly w h e r e she was, w h a t she was doing, etc., a n d I took the o p p o r t u n i t y to p o i n t out to h e r w h a t c o u l d occur as a result of carelessness a n d l a c k of secrecy. I w r o t e to h e r : In a top secret r a d i o g r a m I i n f o r m e d y o u about the c r e a t i o n o f the 1st A r m y C o r p s a n d i n s t r u c t e d y o u that this s h o u l d be a n n o u n c e d o n l y w h e n the 6 t h B r i g a d e a n d the staff of the 2 n d D i v i s i o n a r r i v e d there, w h i l e S m i t h , the B r i t i s h officer attached to y o u , l e a r n e d this i m m e d i a t e l y . I asked h e r t o i n f o r m m e u r g e n t l y f r o m w h o m the B r i t i s h o f f i c e r h a d obtained this i n f o r m a t i o n . She d i d not r e p l y . W i t h a second r a d i o g r a m I ordered h e r to r e p l y to me on t h i s m a t t e r . F i n a l l y she i n f o r m e d m e that T u k J a k o v a , the commissar of the 1st D i v i s i o n , h a d g i v e n the B r i t i s h m a j o r the i n f o r m a t i o n about the f o r m a t i o n of the 1st A r m y C o r p s . A s w a s p r o v e d later, however, L i r i had t o l d h i m this first a n d T u k later. O n c e again I issued a clear o r d e r about r e l a tions w i t h the f o r e i g n missions, repeated that only the a u t h o r i z e d persons s h o u l d m a i n t a i n contact w i t h t h e m a n d not a n y b o d y a t a l l , and 279

these a u t h o r i z e d persons m u s t be v e r y cautious in their conversations w i t h t h e m . I i n s t r u c t e d the c o m m a n d of the 1st D i v i s i o n not to enter into conversation w i t h the B r i t i s h officers attached to A b a z K u p i a n d other r e a c t i o n a r y forces, a n d i f they c a p t u r e d t h e m , t o send t h e m u n d e r p a r t i s a n escort to o u r G e n e r a l Staff. I p o i n t e d out t o this C o m m a n d , especially t o L i r i G e g a , w h o without our knowledge had invited M c L e a n to talks, Since y o u have i n v i t e d h i m , don't b r i n g h i m to the S t a f f on this occasion, but cut short y o u r conversation w i t h h i m . A f e w days after o u r r e p l y to the note, A i r V i c e - M a r s h a l E l l i o t , c o m m a n d e r o f the B a l k a n A i r Force, o n behalf o f the S u p r e m e A l l i e d Mediterranean Commander, General Wilson, sent me a message, no l o n g e r in the f o r m of an order a n d a threat l i k e the note, b u t in a d i p l o m a t i c tone, i n w h i c h the question o f c u t t i n g off aid was passed over in silence, w h i l e the s e n d i n g of o u r representatives to B a r i to discuss the situation i n A l b a n i a w i t h his staff was m a d e the c e n t r a l issue. H e n o longer m a d e A b a z K u p i ' s p a r t i c i p a t i o n a c o n d i t i o n f o r the talks, either. F i n a l l y , s t i l l in d i p l o m a t i c language, he asked that I s h o u l d head the delegation. A p p a r e n t l y o u r categorical r e p l y had obliged t h e m t o reflect a n d they h a d made a tactical retreat w h i c h m u s t not p u t us to sleep. The f o x never forgets its craft. We decided to send a delegation to B a r i . We 280

also discussed the questions w h i c h s h o u l d be raised. W e a p p o i n t e d three people headed b y C o lonel B e d r i S p a h i u . W e s u m m o n e d the three a n d gave t h e m clear-cut orders. Y o u are to go there as representatives of the G e n e r a l C o m m a n d of our N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y a n d w i l l f o l l o w t h e i r t a c t i c : y o u w i l l discuss o n l y m i l i t a r y questions a n d not p o l i t i c a l problems, w e t o l d t h e m . We made clear to t h e m on w h a t conditions they should t a l k a n d i n s t r u c t e d t h e m to leave no r o o m f o r a n y e q u i v o c a t i o n . Y o u w i l l conduct y o u r selves as representatives of a w o r t h y a r m y w h i c h has d i s p l a y e d h e r o i s m i n o u r c o m m o n w a r against the A x i s , a n d i n the talks y o u w i l l reflect its p e r fect o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d the strategy and tactics w o r k e d out b y its G e n e r a l C o m m a n d . R i g h t f r o m the start y o u w i l l p u t f o r w a r d these requests: R e c o g n i t i o n by the allies of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a tion F r o n t as the o n l y o r g a n i z a t i o n w h i c h is f i g h t i n g the G e r m a n occupiers i n A l b a n i a ; r e cognition o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y a s the people's a r m y a n d the o n l y one w h i c h is f i g h t i n g the occupiers; recognition of it as an allied a r m y ; r e c o g n i t i o n of the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n C o m m i t t e e a s the P r o v i s i o n a l G o v e r n ment f o r the A l b a n i a n people f o r the p e r i o d of the w a r ; acceptance of a p e r m a n e n t m i l i t a r y delegation of the G e n e r a l Staff of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a tion A r m y a t the A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n H e a d quarters. 281

Insistence o n s u p p l y i n g our a r m y w i t h w a r m a t e r i a l w i l l b e one o f the f u n d a m e n t a l p r o b lems, w e t o l d the delegation. Y o u m u s t m a k e clear to t h e m that we d e m a n d t h i s as an o b l i g a tion w h i c h results f r o m o u r c o n t r i b u t i o n a n d t h e i r promise m a d e p u b l i c l y t o p a r t i c i p a n t s i n the anti-fascist coalition a n d not a s c h a r i t y . Y o u must stress to t h e m once a g a i n t h a t there m u s t be no attempt to use the s u p p l y of m i l i t a r y m a terials i n o r d e r t o p u t pressure o n the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t w i t h the a i m o f d i v e r t i n g i t f r o m its p o l i t i c a l a n d m i l i t a r y line. F i n a l l y , y o u must insist that t h e y w i t h d r a w t h e i r m i s s i o n attached t o A b a z K u p i . These w e r e the tasks w i t h w h i c h t h e N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n c i l a n d the G e n e r a l Staff o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y charged o u r m i l i t a r y delegation. T h e t a l k s a t B a r i b e t w e e n o u r delegation a n d the delegation o f t h e A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n H e a d q u a r t e r s c o m m e n c e d at the e n d of J u l y of 1944 a n d c o n t i n u e d t h r o u g h A u g u s t . I m a i n t a i n e d c o n t i n u o u s c o m m u n i c a t i o n w i t h o u r delegation a n d f o l l o w e d the t a l k s attentively. T h e delegation o f the A l l i e d H e a d q u a r t e r s , w h i c h w a s headed b y the B r i t i s h L o r d , L t . C o l o n e l H a r c o u r t a n d the A m e r i c a n H a r r y F u l t z , avoided o u r demands a n d p u t pressure o n our representatives to m a k e t h e m accept the c o n d i tions w h i c h they presented. G r e a t pressure w a s 282

e x e r t e d o n o u r delegation especially i n connect i o n w i t h the question of the d i s t r i b u t i o n of weapons. T h e y insisted that o n l y the B r i t i s h m i s sions i n A l b a n i a s h o u l d d o this a n d not o u r G e n e r a l Staff. T h e y h a d made a s i m i l a r d e m a n d a y e a r earlier, w h e n M c L e a n was attached t o us. M a t ters reached such a p o i n t that they threatened t h e y w o u l d b r e a k off the talks. U n d e r these threats B e d r i S p a h i u w a v e r e d a n d sent m e a r a d i o g r a m i n w h i c h h e s a i d : W e insist that y o u a u t h o r i z e us to conclude the agreement on the B r i t i s h conditions, because, a c c o r d i n g to h i m , w h a t h a d been achieved w a s w o r t h w h i l e . I r e p l i e d i m m e d i a t e l y , t e l l i n g h i m not to w a v e r i n c a r r y i n g out t h e tasks w i t h w h i c h w e h a d c h a r g e d h i m . The B r i t i s h conditions are not so f a v o u r a b l e t h a t y o u s h o u l d insist so strongly on accepting them, I r e p l i e d to B e d r i . The b r e a k i n g off of relations w o u l d not be good, but f i r s t of all, y o u m u s t f i g h t to safeguard the i n d e pendence of o u r Staff. T r y to have the f o l l o w i n g c o n d i t i o n accepted: S o m e of the m a t e r i a l s h o u l d be d i s t r i b u t e d by o u r Staff, w h e r e its strategy a n d tactics r e q u i r e this, w h i l e the r e m a i n d e r s h o u l d l i k e w i s e be d i s t r i b u t e d by t h i s Staff, but i n consultation w i t h the head o f the m i s s i o n i n A l b a n i a . M e a n w h i l e the actions w i l l be c a r r i e d out after o u r G e n e r a l S t a f f has studied t h e m and f o u n d t h e m possible. M a k e clear t o t h e m once a n d f o r a l l that o n l y o u r G e n e r a l Staff and 283

nobody else makes the decisions here. I a g a i n i n s t r u c t e d h i m t o insist that the B r i t i s h w i t h d r a w their missions attached t o A b a z K u p i a n d the other traitors, a n d t o t e l l t h e m that o n l y i n t h i s w a y c o u l d trust between us be b u i l t . Do n o t accept l e n g t h y discussion on this matter, I stressed. F o l l o w i n g these i n s t r u c t i o n s the talks r e c o m m e n c e d . B e d r i S p a h i u , v e r y pleased w i t h himself, reported that, in the end, the g e n e r a l outline of a n agreement h a d been reached u n d e r w h i c h o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y was recognized a s the o n l y a r m y w h i c h w a s f i g h t i n g t h e G e r m a n s i n A l b a n i a a n d the allies u n d e r t o o k t o s u p p l y i t w i t h a r m a m e n t s a n d other m i l i t a r y materials, a l t h o u g h as is k n o w n , they n e v e r f u l l y c a r r i e d out this agreement. He also reported that the p r o posal that a p e r m a n e n t delegation of the G e n e r a l Staff of the A l b a n i a n National Liberation A r m y s h o u l d be attached to the A l l i e d H e a d q u a r t e r s at B a r i h a d been accepted, w h i l e the d e m a n d f o r r e c o g n i t i o n o f the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n C o m m i t t e e as a P r o v i s i o n a l G o v e r n m e n t h a d not been accepted by the S u p r e m e C o m m a n d e r o f the A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n Forces. I n r e g a r d t o the m i s s i o n attached t o A b a z K u p i t h e y h a d d e m a n d e d f u r t h e r proofs allegedly to c o n v i n c e themselves w h e t h e r or not it s h o u l d be w i t h d r a w n , w h i l e the agreement i n c l u d e d n o decision on the other p r o b l e m s . 284

S i n c e they d i d not w a n t t o w i t h d r a w their m i s s i o n attached t o A b a z K u p i , n o w i t was our t u r n to act. I i m m e d i a t e l y s u m m o n e d the B r i t i s h liaison officer, attached to the G e n e r a l S t a f f of o u r a r m y , Captain Lyon, and communicated to h i m officially: T h e b a n d i t A b a z K u p i a n d his associates, i n c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h the G e r m a n s , are a t t a c k i n g us w i t h arms. T h e y are s w o r n enemies of the people a n d w e s h a l l f i g h t t h e m a s such. W i t h A b a z K u p i there i s a B r i t i s h p o l i t i c a l - m i l i t a r y m i s s i o n headed b y L t . C o l M c L e a n a n d C a p t a i n A m e r y . T h e y have become collaborators w i t h A b a z K u p i a n d other reactionaries i n the o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d leadership of reactionary forces against the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t a n d the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y . T h e i r hostile w o r k i s s o open that M c L e a n a n d his colleagues w e r e present, arms i n h a n d , i n the f i g h t i n g w h i c h the bands o f A b a z K u p i w a g e d against the p a r t i s a n forces. T h i s w e have p o i n t e d out t o y o u m a n y times a n d have d e m a n d e d that y o u put an e n d to such a situation. Y o u do not w a n t to take any measures i n r e g a r d t o this c y n i c a l a n d v i l l a i n o u s act, therefore I am o f f i c i a l l y c o m m u n i c a t i n g to y o u the decision of the G e n e r a l C o m m a n d of the A l b a n i a n N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y : 'If the B r i t i s h officers w h o stay w i t h A b a z K u p i are k i l l e d i n the f i g h t i n g t o w i p e out h i m a n d his b a n d , w e 285

accept n o r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r this. W e s h a l l m a k e n o d i s t i n c t i o n between the B r i t i s h officers a n d b a n d its l i k e A b a z K u p i . I f w e capture y o u r officers, w e shall not h a n d t h e m o v e r t o y o u , b u t w i l l h o l d t h e m a s prisoners o f w a r a n d h a n d t h e m over t o the p a r t i s a n court f o r t r i a l a s w a r c r i m i n a l s w h o h a v e collaborated w i t h the e n e m y ' . I stood up a n d said to the B r i t i s h C a p t a i n : T h a t is a l l I have to c o m m u n i c a t e to you. T h e C a p t a i n ' s face was d e a t h l y pale. G e n e r a l H o x h a , he said, this is a h a r s h a n d v e r y dangerous decision. I t h i n k y o u o u g h t to w i t h d r a w it. I s h a l l not w i t h d r a w one c o m m a f r o m it, I said. It is up to y o u to w i t h d r a w y o u r missions f r o m the t r a i t o r collaborators. M r . H o x h a , I t h i n k y o u have been m i s i n f o r m e d , because M c L e a n ' s m i s s i o n c o u l d n e v e r w o r k against y o u . L e t u s t r y t o clear u p t h e matter. What we say is absolutely true. T h e r e is no question of m i s i n f o r m a t i o n , I t o l d the B r i t i s h officer. T r a n s m i t t h i s t o y o u r c o m m a n d a n d let it t h i n k w h a t it likes, but m a k e clear to it that I s h a l l not budge f r o m m y decision. W h y d o w e not m a k e such a n accusation against M r . P a l m e r , y o u , o r any other B r i t i s h officer? Y o u r c o m m a n d has not t h o r o u g h l y studied the t r u e reasons f o r this decision a n d the real facts w h i c h w e h a v e presented about these persons on several o c c a 286

sions, t h e r e f o r e o u r decision w i l l n o t be altered a n d cannot b e h i n d e r e d . W e s h a l l continue the w a r against o u r c o m m o n enemies. Y o u d o not l i k e w h a t I h a v e said to y o u , because y o u are not used to h a v i n g such things said to y o u about y o u r officers w h o are acting i n this w a y . B u t y o u s h o u l d not forget that n e i t h e r d o w e A l b a n i ans a l l o w a n y b o d y to c l i m b on o u r backs. I agree w i t h y o u that w e s h o u l d m a i n t a i n sincere r e l a tions, because t h i s is in the interests of both sides, b u t I do not accept in a n y w a y that y o u s h o u l d give m o r a l a n d m a t e r i a l support and assistance to o u r enemies, the tools of the occupiers. I s h a l l t r a n s m i t y o u r decision t o m y G e n e r a l H e a d q u a r t e r s i m m e d i a t e l y , said L y o n , and he took his leave a n d left. T h i s was the M c L e a n incident, i f w e can c a l l i t that. A s our delegation a t B a r i reported t o me, C a p t a i n L y o n h a d t r a n s m i t t e d this u l t i m a t u m that v e r y n i g h t to his G e n e r a l H e a d q u a r t e r s , w h i c h was greatly a l a r m e d a n d i m m e d i a t e l y made it the subject of a discussion in the C o m m i s s i o n f o r P o l i t i c a l Questions. T h e day after this n e w s a r r i v e d , A i r V i c e - m a r s h a l E l l i o t had s u m m o n e d o u r delegation a n d i n the presence of representatives of M c M i l l a n , the resident m i n ister, the representative o f M u r p h y i n B a r i , 287

L o r d H a r c o u r t , P a l m e r a n d several others, h a d r e a d the r a d i o g r a m received f r o m C a p t a i n L y o n . H e told o u r delegation that t h i s a n n o u n c e m e n t had s t u n n e d t h e m a n d they s t i l l d i d not u n d e r stand w h y a l l this fuss was b e i n g m a d e at a t i m e w h e n i n the agreement concluded, the question o f A b a z K u p i h a d been left f o r f u r t h e r d i s c u s sion. T h e n h e i n f o r m e d t h e m o f his answer, w i t h the i n s t r u c t i o n that they s h o u l d t r a n s m i t it to me. A m o n g s t other things he said that he c o u l d not p e r m i t such demands f o r the w i t h d r a w a l of a l l i e d officers, a n d e v e n less, that they s h o u l d b e c a p t u r e d b y force a n d b r o u g h t t o t r i a l b y the p a r t i s a n m i l i t a r y court; that I m u s t w i t h d r a w the accusations a n d threats a n d give a f u l l g u a rantee t h a t no measures w o u l d be t a k e n against the a l l i e d officers i n A l b a n i a ; that i f they d i d not get this guarantee they w o u l d not c a r r y out the conditions of the agreement a n d that in operating w i t h K u p i , L t C o l o n e l M c L e a n was simply carr y i n g out the orders he h a d received, a n d f i n a l l y , w i t h a d i p l o m a t i c twist, E l l i o t said that in these circumstances he h a d no a l t e r n a t i v e b u t to keep the A l b a n i a n delegation i n B a r i , w i t h o u t r e s t r i c t i n g its f r e e d o m of m o v e m e n t , u n t i l this question w a s solved satisfactorily. A i r V i c e - m a r s h a l E l l i o t t o l d o u r delegation that C a p t a i n L y o n w o u l d b e i n f o r m e d about these matters i n o r d e r t o m a k e t h e m k n o w n t o G e n e r a l H o x h a , w i t h o u t e n t e r i n g i n t o discussion w i t h 288

h i m , i n o r d e r t o a v o i d g i v i n g rise t o f u r t h e r misunderstanding. Bedri Spahiu briefly transmitt e d a l l this t o m e immediately, and finally, f r i g h t e n e d b y the s i t u a t i o n created, h e w r o t e i n the f o r m o f a r e p r o a c h : Y o u are not f u l l y i n f o r m e d about the c o r d i a l agreement we have concluded here, a n d c o n t i n u e d p e r e m p t o r i l y , if the content of C a p t . L y o n ' s r a d i o g r a m is i d e n t i c a l w i t h what you told him, declare that y o u r d e m a n d is w i t h d r a w n . I issued a clear-cut o r d e r f o r the delegation t o leave i m m e d i a t e l y f o r the H o m e l a n d . T h e A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n C o m m a n d d i d not dare take a n y f u r t h e r action. F a c e d w i t h o u r d e t e r m i n a tion, it w a s obliged to f i n d a modus vivendi: the delegation w o u l d be p e r m i t t e d to leave ( 1 ), b u t P a l m e r w o u l d come, too, to discuss the questions d i r e c t l y w i t h me. T h e y sent t h e delegation b y sea, w h i l e the B r i t i s h o f f i c e r d r o p p e d i n b y p a r a chute the same day that the delegation reached o u r Staff. P a l m e r came a n d t a l k e d w i t h us. H i s o p i n ions w e r e m o r e m o d e r a t e t h a n those E l l i o t e x _______________________________ 1 B a r i sent a very urgent radiogram to Caserta and F o r e i g n Office on A u g u s t 29, 1944, w h i c h among other things said: 4...it was agreed it w o u l d be expedient not to insist on our decision own while L.N.C. delegates here, firstly because Hoxha might use this step on our part as an excuse for action against

from

personnel in A l b a n i a . . . (FO 371/43552-3277, PRO. the photocopy of the original in the AIH, Tirana.)

Taken

289

pressed t o our delegation i n B a r i . H e t o l d m e that M c L e a n a n d A m e r y w o u d b e s u m m o n e d t o B a r i to report on the question that h a d been raised. H o w e v e r , the B r i t i s h d i d not w i t h d r a w M c L e a n ' s m i s s i o n f r o m B a z i i Cans. M c L e a n and A m e r y , w h o p l a y e d the role of the eminence grise* r e m a i n e d w i t h B a z i i Cans u n t i l they w e r e n e a r l y c a p t u r e d b y o u r partisans. At the b e g i n n i n g of the a u t u m n of 1944, the p a r t i s a n forces i n the N o r t h w e r e s c o r i n g one success after another. We w e r e p r e p a r i n g to attack T i r a n a . T h e R e d A r m y w a s d r i v i n g i n t o the B a l k a n s , closing the G e r m a n s ' roads b a c k to t h e i r l a i r . N o w they w e r e i n t h e i r f i n a l decline, and h a v i n g lost a l l hope, w e r e t r y i n g o n l y t o save t h e i r necks. In these conditions r e a c t i o n , u r g e d b y the B r i t i s h , t h o u g h t that i t s h o u l d p l a y the o l d game w h i c h i t h a d t r i e d one y e a r earlier, w h e n fascist Italy capitulated, that is, the f a r c e of going out to the m o u n t a i n s , a n d it h a d been advised to do t h i s by the B r i t i s h officers attached t o A b a z K u p i . E v e n the heads o f the B a l l i K o m btar, the q u i s l i n g regents a n d other reactionaries c o u l d see that the G e r m a n horse w a s at its last gasp a n d t h e y w e r e d o i n g e v e r y t h i n g possible to place themselves u n d e r the w i n g of the A n g l o Americans. A c c o r d i n g t o the i n f o r m a t i o n that r e a c h e d
____________________________ * F r e n c h in the original.

290

us, a t the m e e t i n g w h i c h they h a d w i t h M c L e a n at the M a z h a v i l l a g e of the K r u j a district, he had l a i d d o w n c e r t a i n conditions. F i r s t o f a l l , they m u s t p u t aside t h e i r quarrels w i t h one another a n d create a c o m m o n bloc against the N a t i o n a l L i beration F r o n t , they m u s t go out to the m o u n tains in order to g a i n credit a m o n g the people so t h a t the B r i t i s h c o u l d j u s t i f y the aid t h e y w o u l d give t h e m . A c c o r d i n g t o t h e m , this w o u l d open the prospect of the creation of a n a t i o n a l g o v e r n m e n t , w h i c h w o u l d f i g h t against the G e r m a n s ! T h e f i r s t steps i n this farce were t a k e n . I m m e d i a t e l y after the meeting, F i q r i D i n e r e signed P r e n g P r e v i z i placed himself u n d e r the c o m m a n d o f A b a z K u p i , w h o was t o b e the c o m m a n d e r of the joint forces. T h e y e v e n l a i d out the plan of going to the m o u n t a i n s . A so-called g o v e r n m e n t was f o r m e d in the m o u n t a i n of P r e z a , a n d t h e y shared out the posts: head of government M i t h a t Frashri, foreign minister M e h d i F r a s h r i , m i n i s t e r of justice T h o m a O r o l l o g a i a n d so on. J a n i D i l o a n d other fathers of t h e n a t i o n w e r e appointed to v a r i o u s posts. In this t i l t i n g at w i n d m i l l s a l l t h e i r hopes w e r e p i n n e d o n t h e staff w i t h A b a z K u p i a s the commander-in-chief. T h e B r i t i s h understood that the bold spirits w h o m a d e u p t h i s pack o f r a b b i t s w o u l d not achieve a n y t h i n g , but nevertheless decided to m a k e use of t h e m , because e v e n they m i g h t 291

serve t h e i r plans. It w a s not w i t h o u t a purpose that they chose the K r u j a - D u r r s - I s h m zone in w h i c h to concentrate the a r m y of the j o i n t bloc. It was not w i t h o u t purpose that t h e y o r dered A b a z K u p i a n d his h o r d e t o liberate D u r r s a n d C a p e R o d o n . B y l i b e r a t i n g this zone f r o m the G e r m a n s , w h o w e r e w i t h d r a w i n g , the B r i t i s h w a n t e d to p r e p a r e the t e r r a i n f o r a l a n d i n g f r o m the sea. It w a s not f o r n o t h i n g that the g o v e r n m e n t was established i n P r e z a , w h i c h i s close to Tirana, and in any eventuality, it w o u l d be poised to m a k e a t r i u m p h a l e n t r y to t h e c a pital. I n the N o r t h , the B r i t i s h o f f i c e r S i m c o x w a s p r e p a r i n g a n alternative m o v e w i t h G a n i K r y e z i u , the f e u d a l l o r d of K o s o v a . If the n a t i o n a l g o v e r n m e n t o f P r e z a failed, i t w o u l d b e G a n i K r y e z i u w h o w o u l d f o r m the n a t i o n a l g o v e r n ment i n w h i c h M u h a r r e m Bajraktari, G j o n M a r k a g j o n i a n d other refuse w o u l d take p a r t ; i n the opposite case, this w o u l d be done by r e a c h i n g agreement w i t h A b a z K u p i a n d M i t h a t F r a s h r i . A s the f e u d a l l o r d o f K o s o v a h a d been d i s a r m e d and h a n d e d over to the Y u g o s l a v s , t h e i r o n l y r e m a i n i n g hopes w e r e p i n n e d o n A b a z K u p i . I t m u s t not be left u n m e n t i o n e d , either, that the proposal o f the A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n H e a d q u a r ters to d r o p specialized troops by parachute o n the o u t s k i r t s o f T i r a n a , i n P e z a a n d D a r s i a , w a s part of this co-ordinated p l a n . 292

H o w e v e r , n e i t h e r the B r i t i s h , n o r the reactionaries w h o m they h a d t a k e n u n d e r t h e i r p r o tection, w e r e able to o u t w i t our P a r t y . It w a t c h e d a l l these actions closely a n d took energetic m e a sures. I i n f o r m e d a l l the r e g i o n a l committees, a n d especially C o m r a d e G o g o N u s h i i n T i r a n a , and the C o m m a n d of the 1st A r m y C o r p s about these e n e m y m a n o e u v r e s . I t o l d t h e m that a s i t u a t i o n s i m i l a r to t h a t at the time of the c a p i t u l a t i o n of Italy was b e i n g created. T h e traitors w e r e f i r i n g a f e w shots to give the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s an excuse to s u p p o r t t h e m . I i n s t r u c t e d t h e m to distribute leaflets s a y i n g that M i t h a t F r a s h r i , Abaz K u p i , Mehdi Frashri, A l i Klcyra, Fiqri D i n e , L e f N o s i , a n d t h e i r other collaborators w e r e traitors a n d w o u l d be put on t r i a l as such. I i n structed that leaflets s h o u l d be issued a p p e a l i n g to those w h o h a d been deceived a n d m i s l e d to s u r r e n d e r a n d j o i n t h e r a n k s o f the N a t i o n a l L i beration A r m y . I issued a special o r d e r to the Staff o f the A r m y C o r p s t o attack reaction w i t h out m e r c y . T h e general offensive began. I n e a r l y S e p tember, the 1st B r i g a d e attacked K r u j a , routed the G e r m a n g a r r i s o n a n d the r e a c t i o n a r y bands, b u r n t A b a z K u p i ' s house, a n d together w i t h a b a t t a l i o n of the 3 r d B r i g a d e m a r c h e d on P r e z a to attack the staff of reaction and to p r e v e n t i t f r o m escaping f r o m the rat-holes i n w h i c h i t was c o w e r i n g . A t the e n d o f A u g u s t the 4 t h B r i 293

gade moved into M i r d i t a , b u r n t the m a n o r - h o u s e o f G j o n M a r k a g j o n i , a d v a n c e d into L u r a , a n d cleared this region of reactionaries. A f t e r settling accounts w i t h M u h a r r e m B a j r a k t a r i i n L u m a , the 5th B r i g a d e m a r c h e d t o w a r d s the H i g h l a n d s of G j a k o v a . T h e other brigades in v a r i o u s zones of the c o u n t r y acted s i m i l a r l y . The f u r i o u s attack b y o u r a r m y o n the G e r m a n s a n d reactionaries also caused c o n f u s i o n a m o n g the p o l i t i c a l circles i n L o n d o n that w e r e interested i n A l b a n i a . N o w the B r i t i s h h a d n o alternative but to enter into direct contact w i t h the G e r m a n C o m m a n d s o that its troops w o u l d s u r r e n d e r to t h e m . T h e Intelligence S e r v i c e charged the B r i t i s h M a j o r N e e l , based i n S h k o dra, w i t h this task. W e h a d suspected that they were up to something of this sort, but it w a s the testimony o f the G e r m a n officer H e l m u t h M a u t h , w h o m w e c a p t u r e d , that made the w h o l e game clear to us. A c c o r d i n g to h i m , t h r o u g h an agent of the Gestapo, N e e l h a d made contact w i t h the c o m m a n d o f the G e r m a n 21st A r m y C o r p s a n d h a d proposed on behalf of the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t that the G e r m a n troops s h o u l d not w i t h d r a w u n t i l the B r i t i s h forces h a d l a n d e d , that a joint staff of the t w o armies s h o u l d be created, a n d thus they s h o u l d fight together against the p a r tisans. H e h a d proposed t o the G e r m a n C o m m a n d i n A l b a n i a that after the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y w a s defeated, a l l the possibilities 294

w o u l d b e p r o v i d e d f o r the G e r m a n troops t o return to their country. The G e r m a n General F i t z t u m , w h o considered these promises w e r e based on doomed hopes and m o r e o v e r p u t no trust i n t h e m a g n a n i m i t y o f the B r i t i s h L i o n , h a d sent the B r i t i s h o f f i c e r the s t i f f - n e c k e d r e p l y that he took orders o n l y f r o m his c o m m a n d a n d c a r r i e d out o n l y its orders. T h e B r i t i s h officers made such demands several times, but the A n g l o - G e r m a n l i n k - u p a n d c o l l a b o r a t i o n w a s stopped in its t r a c k s by the p a r t i s a n rifle, w h i c h d i d not a l l o w the A n g l o A m e r i c a n s t i m e to l a n d at C a p e R o d o n or the G e r m a n s t o continue t h e i r resistance. Thus, the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y b l e w u p these plans of the B r i t i s h , too. O u r P a r t y smashed t o smithereens the plans of the i m p e r i a l i s t s w h o a i m e d to enslave A l b a n i a . T h e p l a n s of the fathers of the nation also ended u p i n the r u b b i s h b i n . A l b i o n put these people in a f e w boats a n d took t h e m a b r o a d to save t h e i r n e c k s f r o m the anger of the people, w h o e m e r g e d t r i u m p h a n t over t h e I t a l i a n and G e r m a n occupiers, o v e r the Zogites, Ballists, a n d quislings, and over the agents of the B r i t i s h I n telligence S e r v i c e and the A m e r i c a n O S S , in order to use t h e m later as spies, saboteurs and assassins against A l b a n i a . In his second v e n t u r e in A l b a n i a , as chief o f the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n attached t o A b a z K u p i 295

a n d other traitors, w h o m the B r i t i s h c o u l d not a l l o w t o f a l l i n t h e hands o f o u r forces ( 1 ) , M c L e a n suffered another i g n o m i n i o u s defeat. O n e d a r k October night, a torpedo boat p i c k e d h i m up somewhere on the coast a n d took h i m to Italy, n e v e r t o r e t u r n . H i s d e p a r t u r e a n d the f l i g h t of the chiefs of r e a c t i o n left the f l o c k of L e g a l i teti a n d t h e B a l l i K o m b t a r i n complete d i s a r r a y . Some surrendered, others f l e d , w h i l e s t i l l others l a y l o w in the forests a n d m o u n t a i n s , as i n s t r u c ted by t h e i r shepherds, to a w a i t f u r t h e r orders. T h i s last g r o u p w a s to comprise the contingent of bands w h i c h c o m m i t t e d crimes against the n e w people's p o w e r after L i b e r a t i o n u n t i l t h e y w e r e crushed by the i r o n fist of the people a n d the Defence D i v i s i o n .
_______________________________________ 1. A radiogram f r o m B a r i on October 28, 1944 sent to the Secretary of State at Caserta says: Abas K u p i has asked to be evacuated f r o m A l b a n i a w i t h his 2 sons and 3 personal followers. 2...I submit be granted. 3. He has June since with the strongest of recommendation service to that the his request cause from

been 1940,

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British

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with he loss

August 1943, and his name has come to be closely associated England... to his that I do not believe that could be to British abandoned prestige. fate w i t h o u t considerable

(Telegram photocopy of

N the

372,

FO

371/43566-3517. in the AIH,

PRO. Tirana.)

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VI THREE ATTEMPTS AT LANDING FAILURES THREE

A new head of the British mission with a more sympathetic appearance. A i d : Much ado about nothing. Palmer's first success. Ultimatum: Either supplies of weapons or clear out! Radiogram from the fighting front: the Kryeziu brothers, the British officer Simcox and Fundo prisoners of the partisans. An Anglo-Titoite coincidence. Proposal for concrete aid: Let us drop commandos at Peza, Ishm and Darsia to liberate Tirana! No, Mr. Palmer, never! Second attempt: at Spile. The third failure: at Saranda.

O u r w a r against the G e r m a n occupiers a n d the l o c a l r e a c t i o n a r i e s w h o c o l l a b o r a t e d w i t h t h e m w a s r a g i n g f i e r c e l y a n d h a d assumed w i d e p r o p o r t i o n s . A t t h i s t i m e , the s p r i n g o f 1944, g e n e r a l l y s p e a k i n g , the o p e r a t i o n a l i n i t i a t i v e h a d 297

passed in the hands of o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y . ( 1 ) I t h a d emerged f r o m the fierce f i g h t i n g a n d countless p r i v a t i o n s of the w i n t e r 1943-1944 toughened a n d better p r e p a r e d f o r stern battles against the occupiers a n d t h e i r tools i n A l b a n i a . On the order of the G e n e r a l S t a f f it h a d l a u n c h e d the general offensive w h i c h is k n o w n as the S p r i n g Offensive. Besides the battalions a n d etas, shock brigades p o w e r f u l commands, had been f o r m e d a n d t h e i r operations against the enemy w e r e a l w a y s c r o w n e d w i t h v i c t o r y . I n a l l the l i b e r a t e d zones n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n councils, w h i c h operated vigorously, as organs of the p e o ple's state p o w e r , h a d been f o r m e d . In the occ u p i e d zones, too, a n d even in the cities, u n d e r g r o u n d n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n councils h a d been created as f i g h t i n g organs w h i c h u n i t e d a l l the anti-fascist p o p u l a r forces a n d assisted the N a tional Liberation War. T h e q u i s l i n g g o v e r n m e n t s f e l l one after the other l i k e a u t u m n leaves. T h e place of people
_________________________________ 1 In the weekly report dated M a r c h 8, 1944, on the situation in A l b a n i a it was reported to the Foreign O f f i c e : 9. The partisan revival is a tribute to the flexibility and resilience of the L.N.C. brigades, the m a j o r i t y of w h i c h w e r e reported a month ago to be either dispersed by GERMAN drives or faced w i t h immediate starvation. T h e strength of the Partisans seems to lie in their discipline, energy and clarity of aim, qualities singularly l a c k i n g in their nationalist opponents. of the

(FO 371/43550-3372. PRO. Taken original in the AIH, Tirana.)

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photocopy

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w h o h a d c o m p r o m i s e d themselves w i t h the I t a l ians was t a k e n b y those w h o h a d w o r k e d u n d e r cover, the chiefs of the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d other r e a c t i o n a r y trends, w h o took part i n the R e gency, the g o v e r n m e n t a n d other top q u i s l i n g organs set up by the occupiers, a n d hence became o p e n quislings. H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y k n e w that it had lost the w a r . It h a d to protect the forces w h i c h it h a d i n A l b a n i a f r o m o u r ceaseless attacks. L i k e w i s e , it h a d to w i t h d r a w the forces it had in Greece, a n d hence to keep open the roads f o r t h e i r w i t h d r a w a l , w h i c h w e r e u n d e r attack b y o u r brigades a n d divisions. F o r this reason the G e r m a n s l a u n c h e d p a r t i a l a n d general offensives against us, s p r e a d i n g terror and devastating w h o l e regions. T h e occupiers h a d the support o f the A l b a n i a n r e a c t i o n : the Ballists, the Zogites, the b a j r a k t a r s , the quislings f o r m e r l y pro-Italian, n o w p r o - G e r m a n , w i t h w h o m t h e y h a d reached agreement to j o i n forces a n d w i p e out the c o m m u n i s t s a n d the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y . R e a c t i o n assisted its a l l y G e r m a n y , the n a z i a r m y , a n d at the same t i m e t r i e d to p r e p a r e f o r the future, that is, to seize p o w e r w h e n the G e r m a n forces departed. W h i l e w a g i n g u n r e l e n t i n g w a r o n the e n e m y we k e p t v i g i l a n t w a t c h on the m a n o e u v r e s of the quislings, the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d the Zogites; w e r e p l i e d t o t h e i r actions w i t h arms, w i t h a r m e d 299

counter-attacks, a n d defeated t h e i r plans t h r o u g h intensive p r o p a g a n d a a m o n g the people, i n o p position t o the G e r m a n p r o p a g a n d a w h i c h l o u d l y p r o c l a i m e d that G e r m a n y h a d a l w a y s been a n d always w o u l d be a f r i e n d of the A l b a n i a n people, that the G e r m a n a r m y w a s o n l y here i n t r a n s i t and that a l l of its actions w e r e u n d e r t a k e n to strengthen the f r e e d o m and independence o f A l b a n i a ! T h i s demagogy w a s a c c o m p a n i e d w i t h a l legedly A l b a n i a n measures w i t h the N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y , w i t h the o r g a n i z a t i o n of the A l b a n i a n gendarmerie, because the A l b a n i a n fascist m i l i t i a w a s not A l b a n i a n , etc., etc. T h e B r i t i s h h a d suffered defeats i n t h e i r intrigues. Seeing that t h e i r p l a n s w e r e b e i n g c o n sistently discovered a n d foiled, t h e y thought t h e y c o u l d i m p r o v e the s i t u a t i o n by d r o p p i n g us a f e w m o r e weapons. B u t w e d i d not f a l l f o r t h e i r t r i c k e r y . I advised the commissars a n d the c o m m a n d e r s : Y o u must cherish n o i l l u s i o n , n o hopes, a n d no belief that the B r i t i s h are g o i n g to drop u s weapons. W e m u s t have f a i t h i n o u r selves, i n the P a r t y , i n the people a n d i n o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r . W e must attack t h e enemy, smash i t a n d capture arms, a m m u n i t i o n , c l o t h i n g and food. T h i s is the o n l y w a y that w e w i l l ensure stores o f arms. W e expect n o t h i n g f r o m heaven. W e w i l l continue t o d e m a n d w e a pons f r o m the B r i t i s h as o u r allies, b u t a l l t h e y drop u s count f o r n o t h i n g i n o u r great w a r . 300

In meetings I e x p l a i n e d to the commissars: W h i l e the B r i t i s h a n d the A m e r i c a n s are o u r allies i n this w a r , because t h e y are f i g h t i n g the G e r m a n s , w e m u s t n e v e r t h i n k that they sincerely support o u r w a r . T h e y do not w a n t to a r m us, because t h e y k n o w that by doing so t h e y are d i g g i n g the g r a v e f o r t h e i r r e a l friends. T h e y w a n t u s t o f o l d o u r arms, to stop f i g h t i n g and be weak, so that t h e y can t h o r o u g h l y enslave us t o m o r r o w . T h e r e f o r e I issued the c a l l f o r f i g h t i n g , relentless f i g h t i n g , correct policy, r e v o l u t i o n a r y d i p l o m a c y a n d vigilance, v i g i l a n c e ! T w o o r three m o n t h s after G e n e r a l Davies w a s t a k e n prisoner, B r i t a i n sought p e r m i s s i o n to send a n o t h e r representative to our G e n e r a l Staff, a M a j o r P a l m e r , w h o was p r o m o t e d a little l a t e r t o L t . - C o l o n e l . I a u t h o r i z e d this a n d i n A p r i l 1944 he w a s d r o p p e d by p a r a c h u t e in the region o f K o r a , i f I'm not m i s t a k e n . H e was a c c o m p a n i e d by his chief of staff, a radio operator and some other officer. A s w e s a w later f r o m the attitude P a l m e r adopted, he h a d been i n s t r u c t e d to present a more s y m p a t h e t i c appearance, that is, to a v o i d a p p e a r i n g as c u n n i n g a n d arrogant as M c L e a n , o r allegedly the p l a i n soldier l i k e the G e n e r a l , w h o p r o v e d to be not at a l l the soldier he c l a i m e d to be up t i l l the m o m e n t he s u r r e n d e r e d to the G e r m a n s . P a l m e r w a s a l l smiles w h e n h e met me. H e 301

was a m a n about 40, f i t - l o o k i n g , w i t h c l e a r - c u t features, and intelligent s m i l i n g eyes. A f t e r w e exchanged greetings, he told me t h a t he h a d c o m e to replace G e n e r a l D a v i e s at the S u p r e m e S t a f f o f the P a r t i s a n A r m y a n d t o c o n t r i b u t e his m a x i m u m to the s t r e n g t h e n i n g of the f r i e n d s h i p b e t w e e n o u r t w o countries and a r m i e s w h i c h w e r e allies against the same enemy, H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y , a n d other such h i g h - f l o w n b u t w o r t h l e s s w o r d s . I r e p l i e d in general terms, too. I also asked h i m if the B r i t i s h i n t e n d e d to assist us w i t h weapons and c l o t h i n g , w h i c h w a s a v e r y i m p o r t a n t issue f o r us, b u t w h i c h , I t o l d P a l m e r , y o u forgot to mention. I also gave h i m a short account of the s m a l l a m o u n t of aid w h i c h they h a d g i v e n us. Y o u r Shakespeare, I t o l d h i m , w r o t e a comedy called Much Ado About Nothing. H o w ever, this p e r f o r m a n c e that is going on today to the d e t r i m e n t of a people t h i r s t i n g f o r f r e e d o m goes b e y o n d the bounds of c o m e d y or d r a m a a n d is a t e r r i b l e tragedy. A s m a l l people, l i k e ours, are f i g h t i n g a n d s a c r i f i c i n g e v e r y t h i n g f o r v i c t o r y i n this w a r . T h e o n l y a i d w e ask f r o m y o u i s i n weapons, n o t h i n g else, w h i l e a l l y o u d o i s t a l k about i t a n d i n fact w e see v e r y v e r y little, almost n o t h i n g of t h i s aid. P a l m e r laughed, a l t h o u g h h e h a d been s m i l i n g the w h o l e t i m e . It seemed t h e y h a d d e l i b e r a tely selected this c h e e r f u l type i n o r d e r t o a v o i d a n y f u r t h e r w o r s e n i n g o f relations w i t h us. 302

 W i t h o u r l a n d i n g i n Italy, I believe w e ' l l adjust this m a t t e r better. Y o u must u n d e r s t a n d o u r difficulties, P a l m e r t r i e d t o e x p l a i n . In his attitude, conduct and w a y of speaki n g , he w a s m u c h m o r e mature, cautious, serious, and s y m p a t h e t i c t h a n a l l the other B r i t i s h officers I m e t d u r i n g the w a r . He posed as if he sympathized w i t h our war, although certainly he a p p r o v e d n e i t h e r of o u r w a r , n o r of our p o l i t i cal stand. H o w e v e r there w a s n o t h i n g he c o u l d do about t h e m and he d i d not display this openly l i k e M c L e a n , n o r t e l l f l a g r a n t lies l i k e G e n e r a l Davies. O n m a n y occasions I h a d arguments w i t h P a l m e r , a n d even spoke a n g r i l y t o h i m about the s t a n d of other B r i t i s h missions, the A l l i e d Mediterranean Headquarters and General W i l son, b u t P a l m e r a l w a y s m a i n t a i n e d his t y p i c a l E n g l i s h aplomb, took notes, t h o u g h t c a r e f u l l y before he spoke a n d r e p l i e d to me t a c t f u l l y a n d diplomatically. N a t u r a l l y the question o f weapons was a l w a y s a source of discord b e t w e e n us. In fact, w e h a d n e v e r p i n n e d any hopes o n getting a r m s f r o m t h e m a n d d i d not r e a l l y expect that they w o u l d d r o p t h e m to us, b u t we insisted on this question in order to b r i n g out the sabotage and o t h e r a c t i v i t i e s w h i c h t h e y t r i e d t o c a r r y out against us. T h e contradictions that w e 303 had with the

B r i t i s h over the inadequate s u p p l y of a r m s became v e r y acute. A t l o n g last P a l m e r came t o me w i t h a p r o p o s a l of the M e d i t e r r a n e a n H e a d quarters o n this p r o b l e m . A s h e p u t it, i n order to solve the p r o b l e m of a r m s supplies f r o m the allies p r o p e r l y a n d q u i c k l y , the M e d i t e r r a n e a n H e a d q u a r t e r s proposed that we s h o u l d send a m i l i t a r y delegation t o B a r i and present o u r r e q u i r e m e n t s there. T h e comrades a n d I e x a m i n e d a n d discussed this p r o p o s a l at l e n g t h . I sent f o r P a l m e r a n d t o l d h i m of o u r d e c i sion. He rejoiced at h a v i n g a c h i e v e d this success a n d said w i t h satisfaction, N o w I believe that e v e r y t h i n g w i l l be settled. I w a s c o n v i n c e d that n o t h i n g w o u l d b e done. A n d i n fact, i t t u r n e d out just as we h a d foreseen. As I w r o t e in the p r e v i o u s chapter, o u r delegation came back w i t h n o t h i n g but promises a n d e m p t y hands. P a l m e r often felt himself hard-pressed a n d c o u l d h a r d l y w a i t f o r the occasion w h e n half a dozen rifles w e r e d r o p p e d in some region so that he c o u l d come to me a l l smiles to b r i n g the good news. The Germans were receiving mortal blows o n t h e Soviet front, w h i c h was the m a i n f r o n t of the w a r a n d sealed the total defeat of H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y . T h e R e d A r m y h a d a d v a n c e d into the B a l k a n s a n d w a s d r i v i n g t o w a r d s the West. T h e A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s h a d l a n d e d i n Italy. T h e G e r m a n forces f o u n d themselves i n d i f f i c u l t i e s i n 304

the A p e n n i n e P e n i n s u l a , w h i l e the allies a d v a n c e d v e r y s l o w l y . K e s s e l r i n g ' s armies w e r e m a k i n g a f i g h t i n g retreat a n d a p p a r e n t l y w a n t e d to t u r n the A l p s into a n impassable defence line. I t h a d become v i r t u a l l y impossible f o r the forces of the G e r m a n a r m y deployed i n Greece t o r e m a i n t h e r e a n y longer. T h e o n l y possible routes f o r their w i t h d r a w a l were through Macedonia and A l b a n i a to l i n k up in Montenegro, Bosnia, S a n djak, S e r b i a , C r o a t i a , a n d S l o v e n i a t o reach A u s tria where they w o u l d unite w i t h Kesselring's forces w i t h d r a w i n g t o w a r d s the A l p s . M a k i n g a t h o r o u g h analysis of the general w a r situation, a n d foreseeing the situations that w o u l d b e created, o u r G e n e r a l S t a f f set the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y the i m p o r t a n t task o f stepping u p its m i l i t a r y attacks o n the G e r m a n B a l l i s t forces. It also set the task that o u r shock brigades m u s t be f u r t h e r toughened a n d better a r m e d , that b i g g e r m i l i t a r y units, d i v i s i o n s a n d e v e n t u a l l y a r m y corps, m u s t be created, because w e a n t i c i p a t e d fierce battles w i t h the G e r m a n nazis, w h o , f i g h t i n g desperately d u r i n g t h e i r retreat, w o u l d l a u n c h savage offensives to w e a k e n us a n d w i p e us out, in o r d e r to keep the routes open f o r t h e i r w i t h d r a w a l . A t the same time, the P a r t y foresaw that the day of v i c t o r y was not f a r off, therefore p r e l i m i n a r y p r e p a r a t i o n s h a d to be made f o r the l i b e r a t i o n o f the H o m e l a n d w h i c h was costing 305

us so m u c h blood, tears a n d sacrifice. T h e n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n councils h a d to be strengthened e v e r y where. It h a d also become i m p e r a t i v e to h o l d a m a j o r congress at w h i c h i m p o r t a n t p o l i t i c a l , o r g a n i z a t i o n a l a n d m i l i t a r y decisions, i n connect i o n w i t h the i n t e r n a l s i t u a t i o n a n d f o r e i g n p o l i c y , w o u l d be t a k e n . T h e congress h a d to d e t e r m i n e the legal f o r m of the people's state p o w e r , to set up the n e w state of people's d e m o c r a c y a n d c o n solidate its leadership. A n y attempt outside the c o u n t r y t o f o r m some so-called A l b a n i a n g o v e r n m e n t in exile, etc. h a d to be b l o c k e d l e g a l l y t h r o u g h the u n a n i m o u s d e c i s i o n of a great ass e m b l y (the first people's assembly) elected d e mocratically. W e p u t these a n d other c u r r e n t p r o b l e m s before the P l e n u m of the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e of the P a r t y w h i c h m e t i n the m i d d l e o f M a y i n H e l m s o f S k r a p a r a n d w h i c h took the respective decisions a n d l a i d d o w n t h e guidelines f o r the f u t u r e . These guidelines h a d t o d o w i t h c o n t i n u i n g the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r against t h e e n e m y occupier a n d traitors m o r e f i e r c e l y i n o r d e r t o d r i v e ahead o n a l l fronts t i l l t h e i r complete d e feat, t i l l the l i b e r a t i o n of the w h o l e of A l b a n i a a n d the setting up a n d consolidation of the state, a d m i n i s t r a t i v e a n d legislative p o l i t i c a l p o w e r , that is, the establishment of t h e state p o w e r of people's d e m o c r a c y t h r o u g h o u t the w h o l e c o u n t r y . These things w e r e also p u t f o r w a r d a n d d i s 306

cussed i n the Congress o f P r m e t a n d w e r e e m b o d i e d i n the decisions w h i c h i t took. These w e r e m a j o r tasks. O f course, w e k n e w a n d the P a r t y h a d m a d e clear t o a l l t h e partisans a n d the people that the r o a d was not s t r e w n w i t h rose petals, t h a t even m o r e blood w o u l d be shed, a n d w e w o u l d h a v e t o overcome m a n y d i f f i c u l t i e s a n d m a k e s t i l l m o r e sacrifices. W e w o u l d achieve a l l these t h i n g s b y f i g h t i n g a n d the v i c t o r y w o u l d come f r o m the b a r r e l of the g u n a n d the correct, p r i n c i p l e d , M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t p o l i c y o f the P a r t y . W e w e r e l o c k e d i n a l i f e - a n d - d e a t h struggle w i t h the H i t l e r i t e a r m y a n d reaction, the t w o m a i n enemies, w h o m w e h a d t o t o t a l l y defeat a n d l i q u i d a t e together, once a n d f o r a l l . As I e x p l a i n e d earlier, the reactionaries, the quislings, the Ballists, the Zogites, the b a j r a k t a r s a n d the pseudo-democrats w e r e f i g h t i n g u s w i t h a r m s together w i t h the G e r m a n s , w i t h the a i m that w h e n w e h a d d r i v e n the latter out o f the c o u n t r y , r e a c t i o n w o u l d be organized a n d able to seize state p o w e r . These w e r e m o m e n t s w h e n o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y h a d become v e r y strong. R e a c t i o n c o u l d see c l e a r l y that we w e r e p u t t i n g an e n d to the o c c u p y i n g forces a n d c o u l d feel the g r o u n d s l i p p i n g f r o m u n d e r its feet. W e w e r e not o n l y d r i v i n g the e n e m y out o f o u r H o m e l a n d , b u t f o l l o w i n g i t i n hot pursuit, c a r r y i n g the f i g h t b e y o n d o u r state borders. T h e m o r e t h e nazis s u f f e r e d defeat a n d the 307

stronger the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r g r e w i n o u r c o u n t r y a n d other countries, the m o r e d a n gerous A n g l o - A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m became. T h i s was a ferocious e n e m y . It w a s disguised w i t h democratic slogans a n d called itself a n t i - f a s c ist, b u t in fact it was p e r f i d i o u s , operated p o w e r f u l l y , a l w a y s i n disguise, a n d sought t o t u r n the s i t u a t i o n to its advantage to establish its hegemony o v e r the peoples of the w o r l d . T h e r e w e r e m a n y w h o forgot this, w h o u n d e r e s t i m a t e d it, w h i l e the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a a n d its leadership n e v e r slackened t h e i r v i g i l a n c e t o w a r d s it. W e w e r e w i d e a w a k e a t e v e r y m o m e n t t o f o i l its p l a n s a n d w e d i d f o i l t h e m , one after the other. T h e B r i t i s h stepped u p t h e i r pressure on us, w h i l e we s t r u c k b a c k at t h e m harder. T h e y h a d h e a r d o f the p r e p a r a t i o n s w h i c h the P a r t y w a s m a k i n g t o organize the Congress of Prmet and were striving feverishly to hinder it, therefore they sent t h e i r senior officer, L t - C o l . Leake, as t h e i r emissary, to meet t h e i r agent, M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , a n d give h i m d i r e c t i v e s t o s a b otage the Congress. (I have w r i t t e n about t h i s episode of the secret w a r of t h e B r i t i s h against us in that part of the m e m o i r s in w h i c h I speak about M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , hence I s h a l l not d w e l l on it here.) T h e pressure, b l a c k m a i l a n d b r u t a l i n t e r ference of the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s against o u r 308

N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t became more i n tense i n the s u m m e r a n d especially the a u t u m n of 1944. T h e r e w e r e reasons f o r this. T h e d e cisions of t h e Congress of P r m e t , especially those p r o h i b i t i n g Zog's r e t u r n to A l b a n i a , on the n o n - r e c o g n i t i o n o f a n y other g o v e r n m e n t w i t h i n the c o u n t r y o r i n exile, the c a n c e l l i n g o f a l l agreements c o n c l u d e d w i t h t h e m b y Z o g t o the d e t r i m e n t of the interests of our people, etc. h u r t t h e m b a d l y . B u t w h a t m a d e the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s most f u r i o u s was, on the one h a n d , the gratitude the delegates expressed to the Soviet U n i o n a n d the R e d A r m y o f S t a l i n , w h i c h h a d t o r n the H i t lerite a r m y t o pieces a n d was a d v a n c i n g t r i u m p h a n t l y t o w a r d s G e r m a n y , a n d o n the other h a n d , the p u b l i c c o n d e m n a t i o n of the efforts of the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n allies to p o k e t h e i r noses i n t o the i n t e r n a l affairs of o u r c o u n t r y . T h e great m o m e n t u m of o u r w a r . the general offensive o f o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y and t h e successful d e v e l o p m e n t of this offensive in the N o r t h a l a r m e d the l e a d i n g circles i n L o n d o n a n d W a s h i n g t o n . W h i l e t h i n g s w e r e going the w a y they w a n t e d w i t h Tito's Y u g o s l a v i a a n d w i t h Greece, t h r o u g h Santos a n d other agents of t h e i r s i n t h e G r e e k C o m m u n i s t P a r t y , n o t h i n g was g o i n g r i g h t f o r t h e m w i t h l i t t l e A l b a n i a , w h i c h they h a d considered a push-over. It w a s s l i p p i n g f r o m t h e i r g r i p . F a c e d w i t h this fact, t h e y w e r e obliged t o sit d o w n and w o r k out even m o r e sophisticated plans. 309

M e a n w h i l e i n the N o r t h , the p a r t i s a n forces w e r e l a u n c h i n g f u r i o u s attacks on the occupiers and reactionaries. O u r brigades h a d clashed w i t h the G e r m a n a n d B a l l i s t troops i n t h e regions o f D i b r a a n d K u k s . T h e c o m m a n d o f the 1st S h o c k D i v i s i o n i n f o r m e d u s that t h e i r a m m u n i t i o n w a s r u n n i n g out. M o r e t h a n ten days h a d passed since the date w h e n P a l m e r h a d p r o m i s e d m e that a r m a m e n t s w o u l d be d e l i v e r e d . I s u m m o n e d the head of the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n to come to the centre of o u r S t a f f at n i g h t . Q u i e t l y , but i n cold a n d clear t e r m s I t o l d h i m : M r . P a l m e r , t w o w e e k s or so ago I presented to y o u a request f o r weapons, a m m u n i t i o n a n d m o r t a r shells. Y o u are w e l l a w a r e w h y w e need these m a t e r i a l s u r g e n t l y , because I also told y o u the purpose of t h e m . I also t o l d y o u w h e r e we i n t e n d e d to operate so that, as we agreed, the weapons w o u l d be d r o p p e d at the place a n d o n the date w e set together. Y o u w e l c o m e d m y request w i t h a smile a n d told me that y o u w o u l d i m m e d i a t e l y i n f o r m the A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n H e a d q u a r t e r s and G e n e r a l W i l s o n about this. F o u r days later y o u c a m e a n d t o l d m e that the request h a d been accepted a n d that the w e a p o n s w o u l d b e d r o p p e d b y p a r a c h u t e a t the t i m e a n d the place set. On the basis of y o u r p r o m i s e we took i m m e d i a t e measures, gave orders f o r o u r forces to go into action a n d t h e y are i n v o l v e d in f i g h t i n g a t present. Y o u are not k e e p i n g y o u r 310

w o r d a n d y o u are causing o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y great damage. I f y o u d o not take i m m e d i a t e measures to d r o p us t h e p r o m i s e d arms, we s h a l l consider this a hostile gesture w h i c h is d a m a g i n g a n d causing losses to an a l l i e d a r m y . If the weapons are not sent i m m e d i a t e l y , not o n l y s h a l l w e m a k e y o u responsible f o r this before w o r l d anti-fascist o p i n i o n , b u t w e s h a l l take severe measures against a l l the B r i t i s h missions o n o u r side. P a l m e r f r o w n e d , w h i c h w a s something rare f o r h i m , b u t w i t h his E n g l i s h i m p e r t u r b a b i l i t y , q u i c k l y assumed a smile a n d said in self-defence, as if to c a l m m e : Mr. H o x h a , y o u are d i s p l a y i n g hot t e m per... I c o u l d tolerate no m o r e a n d cut h i m short: W h a t do y o u expect, s h o u l d I l a u g h , s h o u l d I not be i n d i g n a n t , not be h o t - t e m p e r e d w h e n m y comrades are b e i n g k i l l e d i n the f i g h t i n g ? I u n d e r s t a n d the d i f f i c u l t situation, b o t h f o r y o u r forces a n d f o r us, b u t I believe, a n d I a m sure o f this, that o u r M e d i t e r r a n e a n H e a d q u a r t e r s does not lack the w i l l to assist y o u , but it m u s t be the w e a t h e r conditions w h i c h are h i n d e r i n g us. Nevertheless, M r . H o x h a , i t i s m y d u t y t o report once again w h a t y o u have told m e . a n d f o r m y p a r t I shall insist that t h e m u n i tions are sent, said P a l m e r . T h i s w a s an u l t i m a t u m w h i c h I gave the 311

head of the B r i t i s h mission. I w o u l d a v o i d meeti n g h i m u n t i l h e came t o i n f o r m m e w h e t h e r o r not the a r m s h a d been sent a n d that is w h a t I d i d . W e h a d decided that i f they d i d not d r o p u s the weapons, w e w o u l d e x p e l the B r i t i s h m i s sion f r o m o u r Staff. S u c h a t h i n g w a s not i n t h e i r interest a n d they w e r e a f r a i d w e m i g h t d o this, because t h e y h a d b e g u n to u n d e r s t a n d the w a y w e thought. N o m o r e t h a n t h r e e o r f o u r days w e n t b y w h e n I w a s i n f o r m e d t h a t P a l m e r h a d sought a m e e t i n g . F r o m the comrades I h a d received the news that the a r m s h a d been d r o p p e d (after w e h a d smashed t h e G e r m a n a n d B a l l i s t forces). T h e L t . - C o l o n e l came and, s m i l i n g as usual, t o l d m e : M r . H o x h a , the desire of b o t h of us has been f u l f i l l e d , the a r m s h a v e been dropped. The comrades t o l d me, I said. T h a n k y o u , i n p a r t i c u l a r , f o r y o u r efforts. Y o u w h o are here k n o w the s i t u a t i o n better t h a n those w h o are i n Italy, I added. T h i s pleased P a l m e r greatly a n d after he h a d d r u n k the tea a n d eaten the f r u i t w h i c h I offered h i m , he w e n t off r e j o i c i n g . The A n g l o - A m e r i c a n imperialists were still h o l d i n g t w o or three cards to be used at the a p p r o p r i a t e m o m e n t . A t this t i m e the c a r d w h i c h seemed to t h e m to h a v e the most chance was that o f G a n i K r y e z i u , the f e u d a l l o r d o f K o s o v a , w h o , it was w h i s p e r e d , was p r e p a r i n g to f o r m a g o v 312

e r n m e n t , a t least f o r N o r t h e r n A l b a n i a . W e v e r y q u i c k l y m a d e t h i s c a r d worthless. We were in Odrian of Prmet. The m a i n forces o f o u r a r m y w e r e engaged i n successful actions i n C e n t r a l a n d N o r t h e r n A l b a n i a . O n S e p t e m b e r 20, 1944, I received an u r g e n t r a d i o gram i n w h i c h Comrade M a n u s h M y f t i u reported t h a t the forces of the 5 t h B r i g a d e h a d s u r r o u n d e d G a n i K r y e z i u ' s eta, h a d captured Seit K r y e z i u , L l a z a r F u n d o , alias Z a i F u n d o , a n d the B r i t i s h o f f i c e r attached t o t h e m , S i m c o x , a n d w e r e h o l d i n g t h e m u n d e r arrest, a w a i t i n g o u r instructions as to w h a t to do w i t h t h e m . O n e day later, G a n i K r y e z i u w a s also c a p t u r e d . O f course t h i s w a s good n e w s f o r us. A t last these enemies of the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r , the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o m m u n i s m , w o u l d r e n d e r account. As I r e a d t h e r a d i o g r a m I c o u l d see in my m i n d ' s eye, as on a c i n e m a screen, a l l the e v i l deeds and hostile a c t i v i t y of these i n d i v i d u a l s d u r i n g their lives, a n d I recalled e v e r y t h i n g that I h a d seen a n d h e a r d about t h e m . Z a i F u n d o w a s the son of a m e r c h a n t f r o m K o r a , f r o m a f a m i l y w h i c h posed as gentry. As a y o u n g democrat he h a d been a m e m b e r of the progressive association Bashkimi and at the b e g i n n i n g of the 20's h a d t a k e n p a r t in the anti-feudal movement. Z a i w a s caught u p i n the w a v e o f p o l i t i c a l 313

a c t i v i t y and it seemed as if he h a d t a k e n a d i f ferent road f r o m that of his f a m i l y , as if he h a d t a k e n the side of d e m o c r a c y against the f e u d a l lords. W h e n Z o g r e t u r n e d t o T i r a n a w i t h the a i d of f o r e i g n powers, the m a i n supporters of the F a n N o l i g o v e r n m e n t e m i g r a t e d abroad. Z a i F u n d o went, too. E v e n t u a l l y h e e n d e d u p i n the Soviet U n i o n w i t h a g r o u p of A l b a n i a n s , amongst w h o m were A l i Kelmendi, Koo Tashko and others. Some years later w e h e a r d f r o m A l i K e l m e n d i that Z a i F u n d o h a d b e t r a y e d c o m m u n i s m , hence h a d become a renegade a dangerous a n d v e r y c u n n i n g T r o t s k y i t e , b u t h a d escaped the p u r g e of the Trotskyites, B u k h a r i n i t e s , a n d other r e n egades, because w h e n his T r o t s k y i t e a c t i v i t y a n d v i e w s w e r e discovered, h e w a s not i n t h e Soviet U n i o n . N o w h e was t o b e f o u n d sometimes i n S w i t z e r l a n d , sometimes i n F r a n c e , o r elsewhere, w o r k i n g f u r i o u s l y a n d openly against c o m m u n ism, against S t a l i n a n d against the S o v i e t U n i o n , as a l e a d i n g f i g u r e in the r a n k s of the T r o t s k y i t e 4 t h I n t e r n a t i o n a l , a n d h a d p l a c e d h i m s e l f i n the serv i c e o f w h o k n o w s w h i c h o f the i m p e r i a l i s t states w h i c h w e r e o r g a n i z i n g the sabotage a n d the f i g h t against the Soviet U n i o n . T h e r e f o r e , w e w e r e not s u r p r i s e d w h e n h e w a s f o u n d i n the service o f the B r i t i s h . On the eve of the fascist o c c u p a t i o n h e r e t u r n e d t o A l b a n i a w i t h the p e r m i s s i o n o f 314

the Z o g government, after h a v i n g g i v e n assurances that h e w o u l d not engage i n politics. Z a i F u n d o d i d not come w i t h o u t u l t e r i o r motives. H e was not a n economic e m i g r a n t n o r a n y o r d i n a r y political emigrant, but renowned as an a n t i Zogite a n d a n t i - f e u d a l a n d especially as a c o m munist. T h e resistance of o u r people against the desp o t i c r e g i m e o f Z o g w a s b u i l d i n g up, the c o m m u n i s t groups w e r e e x t e n d i n g t h e i r r a n k s a n d a c t i v i t y , fascist I t a l y h a d got o u r H o m e l a n d into its clutches a n d was p r e p a r i n g f o r its occupation. The situation in Europe was disturbed. The tramp of the jackboots a n d the clash of the bayonets of G e r m a n n a z i s m a n d I t a l i a n fascism w e r e bec o m i n g l o u d a n d ominous. T h e w a r s o f p l u n d e r had begun. P r e c i s e l y in these t r o u b l e d times, l i k e a w o l f seeking cover i n the fog, Z a i F u n d o r e t u r n e d t o A l b a n i a , u n d o u b t e d l y sent by f o r e i g n agencies to p r e p a r e the t e r r a i n f o r the enemy, to sabotage t h e c r e a t i o n o f the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a a n d the a r m e d resistance of the A l b a n i a n people. We u n d e r s t o o d the danger of this renegade, hence we took the necessary measures to fight h i m to the f i n i s h . I undertook to u n m a s k h i m a m o n g the teachers, professors a n d students and at the same t i m e to discover his m a n o e u v r e s a n d methods of w o r k , w h e r e he w o u l d create his bases a n d h o w h e w o u l d e x t e n d his n e t w o r k . T h e 315

other comrades undertook the task to m a k e clear t o w o r k e r s a n d the peasant e l e m e n t w h o t h i s traitor was. R i g h t f r o m the start w e w a t c h e d the a c t i v i t y o f this notorious i n d i v i d u a l a m o n g t h e m e r c h a n t bourgeoisie a n d l i b e r a l a n d d e m o cratic intelligentsia o f K o r a . I t w o u l d b e d i f f i c u l t f o r h i m t o penetrate amongst the w o r k e r s o f K o r a because they h a d l o n g k n o w n w h a t h e was, w h e r e a s if he w e r e to attempt to establish l i n k s w i t h the countryside, h e w o u l d d o t h i s t h r o u g h the l i b e r a l beys a n d aghas. T h i s is h o w w e began the w o r k against h i m , w i t h the old g u a r d o f the C o m m u n i s t G r o u p o f K o r a i n the forefront. Z a i F u n d o set t o w o r k s y s t e m a t i c a l l y . H e made contact w i t h a l l those about w h o m the prefect a n d his agents h a d not t h e slightest trace of doubt, hence he w a s l e g a l i z i n g his a c t i v i t y a c c o r d i n g to the promises m a d e before his return to Albania. H e established l i n k s w i t h the leaders o f the m e r c h a n t bourgeoisie o f K o r a w h o w e r e l i n k e d w i t h the M o s l e m beys a n d aghas, w h o w e r e m o r e i n contact w i t h the c o u n t r y s i d e a n d a m o n g the most t r u s t e d supporters of Z o g a n d his h e n c h m e n . H e l i n k e d up, also, w i t h those w h o f o r m e d the o p i n i o n of the Moslem elite of K o r a , w h o became his closest f r i e n d s . C e r t a i n intellectuals of K o r a , especially the pro-fascist ones, also became supporters o f Z a i F u n d o . W e discovered 316

these things v e r y q u i c k l y because w e k e p t his meetings out i n the t o w n a n d his f r e q u e n t visits to individual families under careful surveillance. It was d i f f i c u l t f o r us to l e a r n w h a t he t a l k e d about w i t h these people, but sometimes we h e a r d o f i t t h r o u g h t h e i r boasting. Z a i preened himself as an able p o l i t i c i a n , as a m a n of great c u l ture. H e t o l d t h e m t h a t he was f o r reforms, but in a m o d e r a t e w a y because it was not t i m e yet f o r f a r - r e a c h i n g reforms, that the c o u n t r y w a s b a c k w a r d f r o m the aspect of education, etc., etc., b u t he n e v e r w e n t deeply into w h a t s h o u l d be done. He spoke fine w o r d s about the y o u t h , a v o i d e d t a l k i n g d i r e c t l y about t h e Soviet U n i o n a n d S t a l i n a n d s a i d : I am a communist, as the w h o l e w o r l d , i n c l u d i n g the prefect, k n o w s , a n d there is no w a y I can h i d e this.(!) W e m e t f r o m t i m e t o time, reported o n his a c t i v i t y a n d , a f t e r discussion, took decisions to expose h i m f u r t h e r as an e n e m y of the w o r k e r s , as an e n e m y of the g e n u i n e l a n d r e f o r m w h i c h w o u l d be the s a l v a t i o n of the peasantry, etc. N a t u r a l l y , Z a i and his f r i e n d s d i d not l i k e this struggle w h i c h the B o l s h e v i k s , as t h e y called us, w a g e d against h i m . K o o T a s h k o , w h o posed a s the head of o u r group, d i d not l i k e it either. H e . too, t r i e d to force us n o t to struggle against Z a i F u n d o . because he allegedly h a d anti-fascist sentiments! H o w e v e r , w e c a r r i e d o n w i t h o u r work. 317

Z a i F u n d o expressed his anti-fascist s e n t i ments t o m e one t i m e w h e n h e stopped m e i n the street in K o r a . T h e r e I seized the o p p o r t u n i t y a n d p o u r e d out e v e r y t h i n g I h a d against h i m . W h a t d i d I not c a l l h i m ! E v e r y e p i t h e t that fitted h i m : T r o t s k y i t e , e n e m y o f s o c i a l i s m a n d S t a l i n , enemy o f the A l b a n i a n people, etc. F r o m that day on I n e v e r set eyes on h i m a g a i n . S o o n after the I t a l i a n o c c u p a t i o n he d i s a p peared f r o m sight. N o t h i n g was h e a r d about w h e r e h e was, w h a t h e w a s d o i n g , w h e t h e r h e was legal or i l l e g a l . C o u l d he have been allocated some secret m i s s i o n by the occupier, or some nationalist o r T r o t s k y i t e g r o u p ? W e h a d t o f i n d out. F i n a l l y t h e n e w s reached u s that Z a i F u n d o was u n d e r g r o u n d i n K o s o v a w h e r e h e h a d l i n k e d u p w i t h the chiefs o f r e a c t i o n i n K o s o v a , the brothers o f C e n o B e y K r y e z i u f r o m G j a k o v a , G a n i a n d Seit K r y e z i u . T h e y h a d f o r m e d a eta and, a c c o r d i n g to o u r i n f o r m a t i o n , there w a s a B r i t i s h mission w i t h them. This mission was not subordinate t o the B r i t i s h missions located i n other zones of A l b a n i a , or if it w a s s u b o r d i n a t e to t h e m , this t h e y k e p t v e r y secret. A s i s k n o w n , d u r i n g the I t a l i a n occupation t h e territories o f K o s o v a came u n d e r the d o m i n a t i o n of the Italians a n d , f o r purposes of demagogy, G r e a t e r A l b a n i a , o r E t h n i c A l b a n i a was created in this w a y . It w a s clear to us t h a t 318

fascism was n o t t h i n k i n g of the benefit of A l b a n i a a n d the A l b a n i a n s , but o f its o w n interests. T h i s was a n i n c i t e m e n t t o A l b a n i a n r e a c t i o n t o serve t h e i r I t a l i a n fascist patrons better a n d to d r a w greater e c o n o m i c gains, a n d i n fact, the A l b a n i a n quislings, i n collaboration w i t h the fascist reaction i n K o s o v a , organized the s y s t e m a t i c p l u n d e r of K o s o v a u n d e r the d i r e c t i o n of the Italians. H o w e v e r , t h r o u g h the slogan, i n the e n d K o s o v a has been u n i t e d w i t h A l b a n i a , the I t a l i a n fascists, l i k e the G e r m a n nazis later, r e c k o n e d t o deceive the A l b a n i a n people a n d the A l b a n i a n s o f K o s o v a b y t e l l i n g t h e m that t h e i r d r e a m s h a d been realized a n d that o n l y I t a l i a n fascism h a d b r o u g h t this about, therefore they s h o u l d not f i g h t against Italy, but against the c o m m u n i s t s . We a n d the people of K o s o v a w i t h the e x c e p t i o n of some chiefs whose hearts w e r e not b l e e d i n g f o r A l b a n i a , fought this d e m a gogy of fascism. T h e A l b a n i a n people w e r e n e v e r t a k e n i n b y t h i s v i l e a n d v e r y dangerous d e m a gogy. O u r P a r t y a n d the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t adopted clear a n d correct stands on this p r o b l e m . T h e people understood u s a n d f o l l o w e d us, w h i l e reaction a n d its chiefs f o u g h t us to the end. T h e K r y e z i u f a m i l y o f K o s o v a came w i t h i n this l a t t e r category, t h a t is, a m o n g the chiefs of reaction. T h e K r y e z i u s w e r e notorious i n K o s o v a a s reactionary f e u d a l lords, oppressors a n d exploiters 319

of t h e peasants a n d opponents of the p o w e r f u l l i b e r a t i o n m o v e m e n t s of the people of K o s o v a against the T u r k s a n d the G r e a t - S e r b s . T h e K r y e z i u s , D r a g a s a n d others w e r e a l w a y s not just i n opposition, not just i n secret struggle, b u t in open struggle against the r e v o l u t i o n a r y efforts and struggles o f Isa B o l e t i n i , B a j r a m C u r r i , Hasan Prishtina, A z e m and Shote Galica, and others f o r the l i b e r a t i o n of A l b a n i a . C e n o B e y K r y e z i u , the oldest of the brothers and chief of the c l a n , was a f r i e n d a n d agent of the G r e a t - S e r b s , of the K i n g of the Serbs, C r o a t s a n d Slovenes w h o r u l e d i n K o s o v a , too, a f r i e n d a n d agent of Pasic, at t h a t t i m e t h e Y u g o s l a v p r i m e m i n i s t e r . H e served his S e r b i a n p a t r o n s w e l l t o the d e t r i m e n t o f A l b a n i a . H e w a s one of the m a i n assistants a n d i n t e r m e d i a r i e s of A h m e t Zog, w h o w a s another agent o f the Serbs a t t h a t t i m e . Z o g , d r i v e n f r o m A l b a n i a b y the r e v o l u t i o n of J u n e 1924, d i d not waste his t i m e i n Y u g o s l a v i a . W i t h the a p p r o v a l a n d direct assistance o f P a s i c a n d K i n g A l e x a n d e r , h e r e t u r n e d t o A l b a n i a together w i t h C e n o B e y . I n r e t u r n f o r this, Z o g gave the Serbs the A l b a n i a n t e r r i t o r i e s o f V e r m o s h a n d S h n N a u m , a s I said earlier, w h i l e h e gave C e n o B e y K r y e z i u one o f his sisters as his w i f e . T h u s , w i t h the r e t u r n o f A h m e t Z o g , C e n o B e y , the agent of the Serbs, also e n t e r e d A l b a n i a a n d Zog's f a m i l y a s a n h o n o u r e d s o n - i n - l a w 320

to keep an eye on the p o l i t i c a l moves of his outstanding b r o t h e r - i n - l a w a n d t o keep h i m u n d e r the c o n t r o l of the Serbs. H o w e v e r , there w e r e no b o u n d s to the p e r f i d y of the f u t u r e c a r n i v a l k i n g . H e w a s c h a n g i n g the t r o u g h h e fed f r o m . C o m p a r e d w i t h the b r i l l i a n t p e r spectives, w h i c h t h e talks w i t h fascist Italy offered h i m , S e r b i a no l o n g e r served his purposes. Indeed, it became an obstacle, as d i d the agent of the Serbs, C e n o B e y , the beloved b r o t h e r - i n l a w w h o w e n t i n a n d out o f Zog's palace w i t h s u c h self-assurance. Therefore, one m o r n i n g i n P r a g u e , C e n o B e y w a s assassinated b y u n k n o w n persons. Z o g w a s v e r y grieved a n d his court w e n t into m o u r n i n g ! H o w e v e r n o one w a s t a k e n i n b y this farce, least of a l l t h e Serbs a n d the K r y e z i u s . A f t e r the m u r d e r , Ceno's place w a s t a k e n b y G a n i B e y , a n o t h e r agent o f the Serbs, a n a n t i A l b a n i a n f e u d a l l o r d , r e a d y to serve every Kralj* o r w h o e v e r w o u l d p a y h i m most. In the t i m e of t h e G e r m a n occupation, one fine d a y G a n i B e y K r y e z i u , p o s i n g as a patriot, took to the m o u n t a i n s w i t h his eta against the occupiers, w h o were o n l y i m a g i n a r y occupiers, i n p r i n c i p l e , to h i m , because in fact his eta n e v e r f i r e d a shot against t h e m . H o w e v e r , w h a t astonished u s w a s that the B B C and the
___________________________________ * Serbian for king.

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newspaper Mundimi ( 1 ) of B a r i h a d a great deal to say about the i m a g i n a r y fighting of this eta and its c o m m a n d e r . H e h a d t w o commissars w i t h h i m : the B r i t i s h o f f i c e r S i m c o x , a n agent of the Intelligence Service, a n d the T r o t s k y i t e o f the 4 t h I n t e r n a t i o n a l , Z a i F u n d o . T h u s , G a n i , Z a i and S i m c o x comprised a t r i o of the I n t e l ligence S e r v i c e . T h e r e w a s also G a n i ' s b r o t h e r , Seit, w h o posed as a social-democrat a n d w a s b o u n d h a n d and foot t o the B r i t i s h agency. W h e n things seemed to be going b a d l y f o r t h e m in K o s o v a , G a n i K r y e z i u ' s eta crossed i n t o the districts o f T r o p o j a a n d K u k s . T h e task o f G a n i , Z a i a n d the B r i t i s h w a s to f i g h t against the partisans, to sabotage o u r A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r a n d establ i s h a n d s t r e n g t h e n connections w i t h M u h a r r e m Bajraktari, Cen Elezi, F i q r i Dine and other reactionary chiefs i n N o r t h e r n A l b a n i a . Together w i t h t h e m t h e y p r e p a r e d the t e r r a i n f o r t h e f u t u r e , so that, w i t h the defeat of G e r m a n y , t h e y w o u l d take power. O f course, t h e y p i n n e d t h e i r hopes o n B r i t a i n , because t h e y n u r t u r e d t h e belief that i t w o u l d i n t e r v e n e i n the B a l k a n s w i t h its a r m y and, since the p a r t i s a n forces w o u l d be exhausted f r o m f i g h t i n g the G e r m a n s , t h e y w o u l d be easily liquidated. According to
_________________________________ 1 P u b l i s h e d by the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s in the A l b a n i a n l a n guage. It engaged in propaganda by distorting the facts in their interest. It was dropped into A l b a n i a f r o m the air.

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them, h i s t o r y w o u l d repeat itself. T h e y w o u l d also create a g o v e r n m e n t and, in the e n d , the f e u d a l lords w o u l d r u l e o u r c o u n t r y a n d people again. Therefore, they thought, we m u s t hold back, conserve o u r strength, m u s t not i n v o l v e ourselves i n f i g h t i n g a n d b e f r e s h a n d vigorous w h e n the day comes to take power. T h i s was the idea a n d p l a n of reaction a n d the B r i t i s h . H o w e v e r , t h e i r r e c k o n i n g was astray. O u r P a r t y foiled t h e i r plans. G a n i K r y e z i u ' s eta c o u l d not operate freely, undetected b y o u r forces, w h i c h w e r e c o n t i n u a l l y p u r s u i n g a n d a t t a c k i n g the G e r m a n s and the chiefs of i n t e r n a l reaction. W e discovered t h a t G a n i a n d Z a i w i t h a s m a l l eta a n d w i t h the B r i t i s h officer attached to t h e m , e q u i p p e d w i t h a radio transmitter, w e r e t r y i n g to create a m o v e m e n t against o u r P a r t y and the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r , b y means of the reactionaries of K o s o v a a n d the b a j r a k t a r s o f N o r t h e r n A l b a n i a . W e gave our forces orders to t r a c k t h e m d o w n , pursue t h e m , capture t h e m a n d defeat t h e i r a c t i v i t y before it had r e a l l y got going. G a n i K r y e z i u operated u n d e r g r o u n d , h i d d e n f r o m u s and, w h e n h e was hard-pressed by o u r partisans, crossed over to K o s o v a w h e r e h e h a d his bases. W e w e r e unable to m o v e f r e e l y in K o s o v a on account of the i n trigues of the Y u g o s l a v s a n d of V u k m a n o v i c T e m p o , i n p a r t i c u l a r , a n d w e r e obliged t o w a t c h 323

f o r w h e n the K r y e z i u ' s eta r e t u r n e d w i t h i n o u r borders. Therefore, we h a d issued special top secret orders to o u r forces to f o l l o w t h e i r m o vements c a r e f u l l y a n d to capture t h e m as soon as they entered A l b a n i a n t e r r i t o r y . T h e order h a d been c a r r i e d out a n d the traitors w e r e c a p t u r e d . Z a i F u n d o , Seit K r y e z i u a n d the B r i t i s h M a j o r S i m c o x w e r e c a p t u r e d i n the D o b r e j M o u n t a i n , w h i l e G a n i B e y a t the B y t y i F l a t , w h e r e the tents b r o u g h t f r o m E n g l a n d for the w a r headquarters h a d been put u p . I learned the h i s t o r y of his capture later, b u t this is not the place to describe it. M e a n w h i l e , C o l o n e l V e l i m i r Stojni, a c c o m panied by a m a j o r called N i j a z D i z d a r e v i , and one or t w o others of l o w e r r a n k , h a d come to o u r c o u n t r y . T h e y came t o the C C o f o u r P a r t y a n d the G e n e r a l S t a f f as delegates of T i t o , the C C o f C P Y a n d the Y u g o s l a v G e n e r a l Staff, a s a liaison g r o u p in order to give us t h e i r experience a n d exchange experience w i t h us o n the w a r a n d the p a r t y . A t that t i m e w e considered t h e m friends, because t h e y posed as c o m m u n i s t s a n d h a d s t i l l not been exposed a n d come out as renegades f r o m M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m . Nevertheless, i n t h e i r activities, we noticed c e r t a i n i n d i c a t i o n s that t h e y w e r e not i n order. Indeed, w e h a d h a d c o n t r a dictions w i t h t h e m o v e r matters o f p r i n c i p l e , but it h a d n e v e r crossed o u r m i n d s t h a t t h e y 324

h a d gone so f a r and f a l l e n so l o w as to collaborate w i t h the B r i t i s h b e h i n d the scenes to o u r detriment. W e h a d our first meeting w i t h t h e m i n H e l ms. T h e y i n f o r m e d us about the s i t u a t i o n in Y u g o s l a v i a a n d w e l i k e w i s e spoke about the s i t u a t i o n i n o u r c o u n t r y . T h e impressions, w h i c h I a n d M i l a d i n P o p o v i , w h o m w e called A l i , f o r m e d at the f i r s t m e e t i n g and after a series of talks w i t h t h e m , w e r e not p a r t i c u l a r y favourable. It seems to me t h a t t h e y d i d not t e l l us m u c h , I said to A l i , e v e r y t h i n g t h e y t o l d us w e k n o w a n d have put into practice. Not o n l y that, r e p l i e d M i l a d i n , but the a u t h o r i t a t i v e air, arrogance a n d conceit of V e l o (Stojni) d i d not please me one bit. He pretends to k n o w e v e r y t h i n g and seems as if he w a n t s to say that he has to feed us on the bottle. B u t we don't s w a l l o w that, therefore t h e y have to treat us as comrades. It seems to me that the other one (meaning N i j a z D i z d a r e v i ) is cleverer and more cunning, I told A l i . Y o u are not mistaken, he said, but we s h a l l see. K e e p y o u r head, I advised M i l a d i n , b e cause y o u w i l l have the o p p o r t u n i t y t o t a l k w i t h t h e m a l l the time, therefore, w h e n y o u feel that y o u are hard-pressed, break off the conversation and say t h a t ' E n v e r must decide and not we'. 325

T h i s was the agreement w e reached w i t h M i l a d i n P o p o v i , that genuine c o m m u n i s t and beloved Y u g o s l a v comrade, w h o n u r t u r e d a n ardent a n d p u r e love f o r o u r P a r t y a n d people. H o w e v e r , there is a l o n g h i s t o r y to o u r relations w i t h V e l i m i r S t o j n i . F o r the m o m e n t I s h a l l deal o n l y w i t h w h a t o c c u r r e d b e t w e e n u s i n c o n nection w i t h the question o f G a n i a n d Seit K r y e z i u , Z a i F u n d o a n d the B r i t i s h officer. A s soon a s w e received the r a d i o g r a m w h i c h the comrades sent us about t h e i r capture, we met, discussed the question a n d took o u r decision. T h e facts w e r e f l a g r a n t f o r a l l to see. We sent a r a d i o g r a m to the comrades in the N o r t h i n w h i c h w e i n s t r u c t e d t h e m t o t r y Z a i a n d the K r y e z i u s before a m i l i t a r y court w h i c h they s h o u l d set u p . T h e y w e r e to d i s a r m t h e i r eta and, after d o i n g p o l i t i c a l w o r k w i t h the m e m b e r s o f it, they w e r e t o send t h e m home, w h i l e M a j o r S i m cox t h e y w e r e t o h a n d o v e r t o some B r i t i s h m i s sion i n our t e r r i t o r y . A l i w e n t t o the house w h e r e V e l i m i r S t o j n i was s t a y i n g t o i n f o r m h i m about w h a t h a d o c c u r r e d a n d o u r decision. I w a i t e d f o r hours on e n d f o r A l i to come back f o r l u n c h a n d w h e n h e f i n a l l y a r r i v e d , h e was f u m i n g w i t h anger. W h a t ' s w r o n g w i t h y o u ? I asked h i m . W h a t ' s w r o n g w i t h m e ! h e said. T h e y are rotters! T h e y don't agree w i t h the decision a n d said if it is not rescinded, t h e y w i l l b r e a k 326

off relations w i t h us, pack t h e i r bags a n d r e t u r n to Y u g o s l a v i a . H o w is it possible f o r t h e m to do s u c h a t h i n g o v e r a renegade a n d these t r a i t o r f e u d a l lords? I a s k e d h i m . It's possible a l l right, said M i l a d i n , I c o u l d n ' t come t o agreement w i t h t h e m i n a n y w a y a n d left t e l l i n g t h e m : ' T h i s is a p r o b l e m that is up to the A l b a n i a n s , come and t a l k w i t h E n v e r a n d convince h i m . ' S o they are going t o come a n d t a l k w i t h you. All r i g h t , I said. V e l i m i r S t o j n i a n d N i j a z D i z d a r e v i came at the a p p o i n t e d t i m e . M i l a d i n a n d I w e r e there. We greeted t h e m , shook hands, a n d offered t h e m cigarettes. V e l o s m o k e d b u t D i z d a r e v i d i d not. W e w e r e c a l m a n d they t r i e d t o appear c a l m . I opened the conversation by s a y i n g that A l i h a d i n f o r m e d m e about t h e i r v i e w s i n connection w i t h the prisoners c a p t u r e d i n the N o r t h . T h i s astonished me, I told t h e m , because the interests of o u r t w o parties a n d our c o m m o n w a r r e q u i r e that these enemies s h o u l d get the severe p u n i s h m e n t t h e y deserve. I r e m e m b e r as if it w e r e today that V e l i m i r S t o i n i . w h o h a d a pale face and looked e v e n p a l e r f r o m the p o w d e r h e used, f l u s h e d w i t h anger a n d rose to his feet w i t h his eyes l o o k i n g savage a n d said to m e : W e Y u g o s l a v s , the representatives of T i t o 327

a n d the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e of the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of Y u g o s l a v i a , do not p e r m i t t h e m to be shot. Y o u astonish me greatly, I said, that y o u defend these enemies. E x c u s e me, b u t p e r h a p s y o u d o not r e a l l y k n o w w h o they are. W e shall h a n d t h e m over to the m i l i t a r y court a n d leave it to the court to decide. S u c h people deserve a bullet, a n d I began to speak about t h e i r b i o g r a p h y . V e l i m i r Stojni interrupted me saying: There is no need f o r y o u to t e l l us about them, because w e k n o w w h o t h e y are, a n d i f y o u give the order for t h e m to be put on t r i a l a n d shot, w e s h a l l break off relations w i t h y o u a n d leave f o r Y u g o s l a v i a . Y o u are m a k i n g a b i g m i s t a k e i n p u t t i n g our f r a t e r n a l a n d c o m m u n i s t relations i n the balance against o u r s t a n d t o w a r d s these enemies, w h o are f e u d a l lords w h o have s u c k e d the blood of the people of K o s o v a , a n d a renegade f r o m the C o m m u n i s t I n t e r n a t i o n a l , a T r o t s k y i t e , an e n e m y of the Soviet U n i o n a n d S t a l i n , an e n e m y of o u r people a n d o u r P a r t y , I t o l d V e l i m i r S t o j n i . I ' m not discussing w h o t h e y are, said V e l i m i r Stojni, but h a n d t h e m over to us because they are K o s o v a r s , hence this is an issue of p r i n ciple. W e have o u r party, o u r front, o u r l a w s a n d o u r courts. T h e y must be h a n d e d over to us and we shall do what we think fit w i t h them. O t h e r w i s e , we s h a l l leave. 328

We are not b r e a k i n g off relations w i t h the peoples of Y u g o s l a v i a w h o are f i g h t i n g against the nazis, I said, but y o u are w r o n g w h e n y o u say that they are K o s o v a r s . O n l y G a n i a n d Seit K r y e z i u are f r o m K o s o v a a n d since y o u are a p p a r e n t l y so f o n d of these notorious beys of K o s o v a , take t h e m , let t h e m b e yours, w h i l e Z a i F u n d o , w h o is not a Y u g o s l a v citizen, n o r resident in Y u g o s l a v i a , n o r of Y u g o s l a v o r i g i n , but is f r o m K o r a , does not belong to y o u , a c c o r d i n g to y o u r o w n thesis, I t o l d V e l i m i r S t o j n i . T h e y are together, said V e l i m i r Stojni, and have t h e i r centre i n K o s o v a . But y o u see, we captured t h e m operating against o u r P a r t y a n d our F r o n t i n A l b a n i a n t e r r i t o r y ! A c c o r d i n g to y o u r thesis, I replied, if we capture the q u i s l i n g X h a f e r D e v a , since he is a K o s o v a r , we s h o u l d h a n d h i m o v e r to y o u to b e t r i e d f o r the crimes h e has c o m m i t t e d i n A l b a n i a ! S u c h reasoning w o n ' t h o l d w a t e r . H o w ever, I c o n t i n u e d s p e a k i n g to V e l i m i r Stojni, I d o not t h i n k t h a t the C P o f Y u g o s l a v i a a n d T i t o (at that t i m e we h a d no suspicions about h i m , on the contrary) w i l l t h i n k as y o u do, but since y o u w e i g h o u r f r a t e r n a l relations against the stand w h i c h s h o u l d b e adopted t o w a r d s traitors and f e u d a l lords, w e s h a l l h a n d t h e m o v e r t o y o u and I s h a l l give the order f o r this i m m e d i a t e l y . Z a i F u n d o , the e n e m y of the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of A l b a n i a a n d the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f Y u g o s l a v i a 329

w i l l be t r i e d a n d if the p a r t i s a n court sentences h i m t o death, h e w i l l b e shot i m m e d i a t e l y . V e l i m i r S t o j n i left the house of o l d M e h m e t , w h e r e I h a d p u t up, h a v i n g saved the f e u d a l lords G a n i a n d Seit K r y e z i u , agents of the S e r b i a n c h a u v i n i s t s a n d the B r i t i s h a n d enemies o f o u r w a r , f r o m death. A f t e r h i m P a l m e r ( 1 ) came t o me. A p p a r e n t l y , the delegates of T i t o a n d the B r i t i s h E m p i r e had come to agreement w i t h each other. P a l m e r , too, a l t h o u g h in more moderate terms, asked me to release the K r y e z i u s , F u n d o a n d S i m c o x . I n order to persuade me he a d d e d : Release t h e m , G e n e r a l , a n d we s h a l l assist y o u w i t h arms. As f o r y o u r 'aid', I r e p l i e d , we have l o n g been a w a r e that it is n o t h i n g b u t w o r d s . Y o u personally have i n f o r m e d m e several times on e n d that the B r i t i s h a i r c r a f t are to d r o p w a r
_________________________________ 1 T h e headquarters of the S O E in B a r i , Italy, on October 8, 1944, sent its mission Consensus II in A l b a n i a the f o l l o w ing message: ...Lazar Fundo was captured with Simcox and Said... He may therefore be in grave danger and strongly recommend y o u should do utmost secure his liberation and evacuation to Italy. Convinced F u n d o sincerely p r o - B r i t i s h and believe that his intimate knowledge of Balkans and C e n t r a l E U R O P E and C o m m u n i s t P a r t y organization might make h i m most valuable to I.S.L.D. (Signals from SOE Headquarters in Mission Consensus II, May-Oct. 1944, No. 60, pp.

Bari, Italy, 122-123.)

to

330

m a t e r i a l s at S t a r a v e c k a a n d elsewhere. In fact, the a i r c r a f t have f l o w n over o u r c o u n t r y , not to b r i n g us a i d , however, but f o r other purposes. W e see t h e m cross o u r borders f r o m K o r a e n route to Greece. Yes, b u t they have r u n into resistance a n d have been f o r c e d to change course, he said in justification. I u n d e r s t a n d c l e a r l y w h y they have changed course, I said, but nevertheless, we are fed u p w i t h s u c h tales. Y o u w e r e s p e a k i n g about those that w e h a v e c a p t u r e d i n the N o r t h . O n the question of the t w o prisoners f r o m K o s o v a , I have g i v e n the Y u g o s l a v representative m y r e p l y . As for Zai Fundo, what we shall do w i t h h i m is o u r business, w h i l e as to y o u r officer, I have issued the o r d e r to h a n d h i m over to y o u . I believe the m a t t e r is n o w clear to y o u . T h a t is a l l I have to say, I said a n d stood up to let h i m k n o w I h a d n o f u r t h e r t i m e t o waste w i t h h i m . I w a s astonished o v e r this coincidence. W e d i d not k n o w that T i t o h a d l o n g been l i n k e d w i t h C h u r c h i l l . W e k n e w that C h u r c h i l l ' s son had been attached to T i t o a n d also k n e w about Tito's l i n k s w i t h Subai, as w e l l as about his v i s i t to Italy and that he had held talks w i t h British personalities, but w e d i d not k n o w w h a t h e h a d cooked u p and was c o o k i n g u p w i t h the British. T h u s , this question ended i n disgrace f o r 331

the Y u g o s l a v s a n d t h e B r i t i s h . I issued the o r d e r f o r the comrades t o h a n d o v e r G a n i a n d Seit t o the Y u g o s l a v p a r t i s a n forces, a n d this w a s done, w h i l e they w e r e t o p u t Z a i F u n d o o n t r i a l a n d p u n i s h h i m severely, a n d this w a s done. T h i s was o n l y one aspect of a l l that h o s t i l e w o r k w h i c h the Y u g o s l a v s w e r e t o c a r r y o n a gainst our P a r t y , against the People's R e p u b l i c o f A l b a n i a a n d against socialism i n A l b a n i a , b o t h on the eve of the l i b e r a t i o n of o u r c o u n t r y a n d later. T h i s same V e l i m i r S t o j n i a n d his associate, N i j a z D i z d a r e v i , w h o h a d been e n trusted b y T i t o w i t h c a r r y i n g out t h e i r hostile a c t i v i t y , w e r e to c a r r y it f u r t h e r at B e r a t , b u t that is another l o n g story w h i c h w i l l be dealt w i t h in a separate book. H o w e v e r , let us r e t u r n b r i e f l y to the quest i o n of the K r y e z i u s , because there was a sequel to it. W h e n w e w e n t t o B e r a t t o h o l d the i m portant m e e t i n g o f the 2 n d P l e n u m o f the C C o f the P a r t y , at a time w h e n V e l i m i r S t o j n i a n d N i j a z D i z d a r e v i , together w i t h N a k o S p i r u , K o i Xoxe, Sejfulla Malshova, Pandi Kristo and others, in a conspiracy b e h i n d the scenes, w e r e p r e p a r i n g the attack on the correct line of the P a r t y , V e l i m i r S t o j n i came t o m e i n m y office, together w i t h Seit K r y e z i u . V e l i m i r i n t r o d u c e d h i m t o me. I k n e w Seit K r y e z i u w h e n I was a student 332

in P a r i s , I s a i d . I don't k n o w w h e t h e r he r e m e m b e r s me. Yes, r e p l i e d Seit, I r e m e m b e r you. T h e n V e l i m i r S t o j n i told m e : Seit has come here on the r e c o m m e n d a t i o n of T i t o w h o asks y o u to assist h i m to get to B a r i in Italy, because he has been e n t r u s t e d w i t h the task o f s e c u r i n g weapons f o r K o s o v a f r o m the allies (obviously f r o m the British). T h e t h i n g was clear. G a n i K r y e z i u a n d the B r i t i s h w e r e w a s t i n g n o t i m e . T h e y left one K r y e z i u w i t h T i t o a n d w e r e t a k i n g the other abroad, p e r haps to L o n d o n . H o w is he going to t r a v e l , w h a t help do y o u w a n t f r o m us? I asked. W e have no connection w i t h Bari. E v e r y t h i n g has been a r r a n g e d by the G e n e r a l S t a f f o f the Y u g o s l a v a r m y a n d the A l l i e d Mediterranean Headquarters, Stojni replied. V e r y well, I t o l d Tito's representative, since this business has a p p a r e n t l y been a r ranged, there is n o t h i n g f o r it b u t we m u s t help h i m r e a c h the Coast. T h i s w h o l e business became clearer later, w h e n it came out w h a t a dangerous e n e m y a n d active agency of i m p e r i a l i s m Y u g o s l a v T i t o i s m was. H o w e v e r , w e h a d sensed a n d detected their savage h o s t i l i t y t o w a r d s us l o n g before this 333

t h r o u g h their actions, w h i c h w e n t f r o m bad t o worse. T h e r e w e r e m a n y w h o w e r e not a w a r e o f the fierce struggle w h i c h w e w e r e w a g i n g a gainst the B r i t i s h , against t h e i r secret w a r a n d u n d e r h a n d plans against us, therefore great det e r m i n a t i o n and k e e n v i g i l a n c e w e r e r e q u i r e d a n d there m u s t be no hesitation on the p a r t of o u r P a r t y i n its actions. O u r P a r t y c a r r i e d out its d i f f i c u l t but glorious m i s s i o n w i t h h o n o u r a n d success a n d overcame the n u m e r o u s dangers w i t h w h i c h i t was c o n f r o n t e d . F o l l o w i n g t h e u l t i m a t u m w h i c h G e n e r a l W i l s o n sent m e a n d the r e p l y that I gave h i m , we w e r e a w a i t i n g t h e i r reaction, therefore w e w e r e w i d e a w a k e , ready to take counter-measures. It w a s not l o n g before the B r i t i s h m a d e a move. T h e y began to e x e r t other pressures, even more dangerous, to the independence of o u r c o u n t r y . A s everyone k n o w s , the W e s t e r n allies h a d p r o m i s e d that they w o u l d o p e n the second front i n E u r o p e i n 1942. H o w e v e r , t h e y d i d not do this in 1942 n o r in 1943, b u t o n l y in J u n e 1944, w h e n H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y w a s o n its last legs. U n d e r the pretext of o p e n i n g this f r o n t , they w a n t e d t o l a n d i n A l b a n i a , too. T o t h i s e n d they began t h e i r attempts to l a n d an a r m y . O u r P a r t y understood that t h e i r attempts t o l a n d an a r m y were not f o r the p u r p o s e of f i g h t i n g the G e r m a n s i n A l b a n i a , because this w a s b e i n g 334

done successfully b y the A l b a n i a n N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y , w h i c h was completely c a p a b l e o f l i b e r a t i n g its o w n c o u n t r y w i t h o u t the a i d of the a r m e d forces of the friends, but f o r the p u r p o s e of getting A l b a n i a into t h e i r clutches. O u r P a r t y d i d not p e r m i t this, a n d as I s h a l l describe below, refused and rejected t h e i r r e p e a t ed proposals to l a n d allied troops in our c o u n t r y w h e r e , w h e n a n d i n the n u m b e r s a n d w i t h t h e means they w a n t e d . T h i s was a t e r r i b l e danger w h i c h threatened o u r c o u n t r y . O u r clear decision w a s that w e must resist this danger resolutely, even if this m e a n t b e c o m i n g i n v o l v e d i n a r m e d clashes w i t h o u r sincere allies. O u r P a r t y c o u l d not p e r m i t a repetition of A p r i l 7, 1939, or the massacre of m a r t y r e d B o r o v a . N o f o r e i g n a r m y , w h e t h e r allied o r not, w i l l b e p e r m i t t e d t o d o w h a t i t l i k e s i n o u r c o u n t r y , w a s o u r decision. N o w the people, w i t h t h e i r P a r t y a t the head a n d t h e i r o w n N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y , w e r e the masters o f the c o u n t r y . T h e s i t u a t i o n w a s c h a n g i n g day b y day. T h e G e r m a n nazis w e r e l i v i n g t h e i r last moments. O u r a r m e d forces w e r e a t t a c k i n g t h e m e v e r y w h e r e . R e a c t i o n d i d not k n o w w h e r e t o g o f o r shelter. E v e r y n i g h t T i r a n a was u n d e r attack by our forces a n d the o n l y escape route f o r the G e r m a n s w a s t h r o u g h S h k o d r a . I t w a s also the escape route f o r the reactionaries, but a v e r y dangerous route f o r t h e m . 335

The first attempt. As I have pointed out, the B r i t i s h suffered a defeat w i t h the r e p l y of o u r G e n e r a l S t a f f t o the pressures t h e y exerted a n d in the u l t i m a t u m w h i c h they sent us about not attacking their friends in Albania. N e x t they t h o u g h t they w o u l d b r i n g troops t o the v i c i n i t y of T i r a n a on the eve if its l i b e r a t i o n . By this means the B r i t i s h , together w i t h the r e a c t i o n a r ies, a i m e d to impose themselves on us in order to realize t h e i r m a j o r purpose. I f this p r o v e d i m possible, at least they m i g h t be able to take the t r a i t o r chiefs L u m o S k n d o , A b a z K u p i a n d others, together w i t h t h e i r forces, to some of o u r ports f r o m w h i c h t h e y c o u l d b e w i t h d r a w n to Italy a n d elsewhere. To this end, P a l m e r c a m e to me at o u r base i n O d r i a n and, w i t h his u s u a l smile, began t o t e l l m e that the H u n s (the B r i t i s h f r e q u e n t l y called the G e r m a n s this) w e r e on t h e i r last legs, t h a t the a l l i e d f r o n t w a s e x t e n d i n g a n d so on a n d so f o r t h . I w a i t e d f o r h i m to get r o u n d to the m a i n point, because I r e a l i z e d that a l l this was l e a d i n g up to something, therefore I s i m p l y listened a n d said n o t h i n g . At last he got a r o u n d t o his t h e m e : M r . H o x h a , h e said, up t i l l n o w there has been good c o l l a b o r a t i o n b e t w e e n us. Of course, w e ' v e h a d some disagreements, but s u c h t h i n g s occur e v e n b e t w e e n friends, nevertheless, we are allies f o r a great cause and o u r t w o sides have 336

been f i g h t i n g f o r years on the same f r o n t against the same e n e m y . B o t h w e a n d y o u h a v e fought h a r d a n d h a v e assisted each other i n t h i s w a r . W e have t r i e d t o assist y o u w i t h o u r w e a p o n s a n d a m m u n i t i o n , a l t h o u g h of course this a i d has been i n s u f f i c i e n t . O u r H e a d q u a r t e r s t h i n k s , h e c o n t i n u e d that f r o m n o w o n i t s h o u l d give y o u greater assistance a n d proposes, apart f r o m a i d w i t h weapons, to s e n d y o u a i d w i t h tommies, w h o m , w i t h y o u r permission, w e c o u l d d r o p a s c o m m a n d o forces i n the r e g i o n o f P e z a , Ishm a n d D a r s i a . I n this w a y , o u r t w o a l l i e d armies w i l l j o i n together l i k e b r o t h e r s to a t t a c k this plague and put a n e n d t o i t m o r e q u i c k l y . W i t h this a i d w h i c h w e propose, w h a t w e have i n m i n d i s t o assist y o u a n d y o u r friends a n d ours, the Y u g o slavs, because i n t h i s w a y f e w e r G e r m a n s w i l l pass t h r o u g h t h e i r t e r r i t o r y . P a l m e r h a d come to the e n d of his speech. H i s face w a s set in that p e r p e t u a l s m i l e of w h i c h I w a s h e a r t i l y sick a n d w h i c h seemed to i m p l y t o say: L o o k w h a t w o n d e r f u l tidings I'm b r i n g ing you?! I l i t a cigarette as I t h o u g h t : A c c e p t a n c e of his p r o p o s a l w o u l d lead to the i n i t i a l f o r m of a B r i t i s h i n v a s i o n . Nevertheless, I h a d to r e p l y t o h i m i n the same c o i n : smile f o r smile. T h a n k y o u v e r y m u c h , I said s m i l i n g at h i m , I t h a n k y o u r H e a d q u a r t e r s a n d y o u for b r i n g i n g me this p r o p o s a l of concrete aid, even 337

w i t h tommies w h o m y o u w a n t t o d r o p b y p a r a chute a r o u n d T i r a n a . It is t r u e that we have been and are allies in a great c o m m o n cause. It is l i k e w i s e t r u e that B r i t a i n is f i g h t i n g , a n d I agree w i t h y o u o n this, b u t the A l b a n i a n people are f i g h t i n g , too, a n d they began the w a r against the A x i s p o w e r s before G r e a t B r i t a i n , i n d e e d they began it and are c o n t i n u i n g it alone. W h e n Italy i n v a d e d us B r i t a i n t u r n e d a deaf ear. We f o u g h t o n barefooted, ragged a n d h u n g r y , b u t u n y i e l d i n g . T h e e n e m y has d e s t r o y e d villages, t o w n s and w h o l e regions, has k i l l e d m a n y people, b u t we, too, have w r e a k e d havoc on the e n e m y . We fought the Italians tooth a n d n a i l a n d b r o u g h t t h e m to t h e i r knees. We are d o i n g the same t h i n g w i t h the nazis, too. Y o u a n d o u r other allies have fought o n other fronts, too. W e k n o w this. But here, a n d I raised my voice, on our soil, only the Albanian people have fought and only they will fight till the end. Y o u d i d not believe u s w h e n w e told y o u that the people were w i t h the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , that they w e r e a n d are w i t h us because we are t h e i r t r u e sons. B u t y o u see w h a t is o c c u r r i n g n o w ? T h e w h o l e people have risen to t h e i r feet. In the course of battles, we b u i l t up a p o w e r f u l , i n v i n cible a r m y , a n d n o w that w e are b e g i n n i n g t o call the tune, y o u propose t o b r i n g a n a r m y i n t o o u r t e r r i t o r y ! It is a bit late in the d a y f o r this. No, M r . P a l m e r , w e d o n o t accept y o u r proposal, 338

because t h e r e is no reason f o r y o u to d r o p troops here. Y o u can see w i t h y o u r o w n eyes w h a t p r o p o r t i o n s o u r w a r has assumed, t h a t w e have l o n g since gone b e y o n d the phase of isolated actions a n d are n o w on the offensive against the nazis a n d t h e i r collaborators o n a l l fronts. I s this not so? It is so b u t . . . He w a n t e d to say something, b u t I c o n t i n u e d a n d d i d not let h i m speak. W e h a v e a m p l e forces i n P e z a , D a r s i a , I s h m a n d e v e r y w h e r e else a n d w e have n o need f o r a i d i n m e n , i n commandos, therefore w e d o not a l l o w y o u t o d r o p t h e m . T h e missions y o u have here are sufficient. W e have n e v e r c o n cealed f r o m y o u a n y i n f o r m a t i o n about our f i g h t i n g o r a n y t h i n g i n connection w i t h the e n emy. Therefore, please t r a n s m i t m y t h a n k s t o y o u r H e a d q u a r t e r s a n d o u r categorical refusal of the p r o p o s a l y o u m a d e to us. P a l m e r left w i t h o u t another w o r d . I i m m e d i a t e l y n o t i f i e d P e z a that if they discovered p a r a t r o o p s b e i n g dropped, they s h o u l d open f i r e o n t h e m a n d w i p e t h e m out. T h i s d i a b o l i c a l p l a n o f the B r i t i s h w a s l i n k e d w i t h the proposal w h i c h Mustafa G j i n i s h i had made to me earlier, t h a t he s h o u l d be a l l o w e d to f o r m brigades i n P e q i n , D a r s i a a n d elsewhere outside the orders a n d c o m m a n d of M y s l i m P e z a . I rejected this proposal. T h e pieces of the p u z z l e 339

w e r e f a l l i n g into place. These forces of G j i n i s h i w o u l d have collaborated w i t h t h e B r i t i s h p a r a troops. The second attempt. S o m e t i m e later, P a l m e r came back again w i t h the p r o p o s a l to m a k e a s m a l l s y m b o l i c l a n d i n g w i t h a c o m m a n d o force, this t i m e on the Coast, at S p i l e of H i m a r a . W h y d o y o u w a n t t o m a k e this l a n d i n g ? I asked h i m . For t w o reasons, he said. To s h o w o u r collaboration w i t h y o u a n d t o w i p e o u t the G e r m a n g a r r i s o n a t S p i l e o f H i m a r a , w h i c h has n o m i l i t a r y i m p o r t a n c e but observes t h e m o v e m e n t s of o u r ships. I k n o w that the g a r r i s o n is u n i m p o r t a n t , I t o l d P a l m e r , however, I s h a l l give y o u my r e p l y in t w o or three days' time, w h e n I have m o r e detailed i n f o r m a t i o n o n the situation. I discussed the m a t t e r w i t h the comrades a n d w e decided t h a t this t i m e w e w o u l d give t h e B r i t i s h a satisfaction w h i c h e n t a i l e d no danger f o r us. I o r d e r e d o u r forces on the Coast t o take u p positions a t P i l u r , N i v i c a - B u b a r , L l o gara a n d to go to the a i d of t h e B r i t i s h troops i f they r a n into a n y d a n g e r d u r i n g t h e i r attack o n the G e r m a n g a r r i s o n . I sent f o r P a l m e r a n d i n f o r m e d h i m that we accepted his proposal. I also w a r n e d h i m that the G e r m a n g a r r i s o n m u s t be the o n l y objective 340

of the o p e r a t i o n and, after it w a s w i p e d out, the B r i t i s h forces m u s t r e - e m b a r k i n t h e i r boats a n d go a w a y . T h e y w o u l d not be p e r m i t t e d to l i n g e r a n d settle in here. T h i s w a s a categorical order. L e t us c a r r y out this action jointly, I p r o posed to P a l m e r . T h a n k you, he said, but we s h a l l do it ourselves. Nevertheless, I t o l d h i m , our m e n w i l l take u p s u r r o u n d i n g positions a n d w i l l g u a r d the roads to ensure that none of the nazis escapes f r o m the t r a p a n d w e w i p e t h e m out l i k e rats. We s h a l l be there to protect y o u r l a n d i n g a n d y o u r w i t h d r a w a l after the action, I added to let h i m k n o w t h a t h e m u s t take o u r orders v e r y seriously, because we w e r e not j o k i n g . T h e action w a s c a r r i e d out. T h e G e r m a n s c a p t u r e d 9 B r i t i s h prisoners a n d w e r e on the point o f completely l i q u i d a t i n g the B r i t i s h c o m mando. H o w e v e r , o u r 12th B r i g a d e i n t e r v e n e d , routed the G e r m a n garrison, l i b e r a t e d H i m a r a and f r e e d the prisoners. W h a t r e m a i n e d of t h e B r i t i s h c o m m a n d o c l i m b e d b a c k into t h e i r boats and w i t h d r e w to the place they started f r o m . I t w a s o n l y later, w i t h t h e i r n e x t attempt, w i t h the o p e r a t i o n t o l a n d B r i t i s h commandos at K a k o m e , Saranda, that we were to understand w h y the B r i t i s h u n d e r t o o k this action, 341

w h i c h was of no interest to t h e m a n d w i t h o u t a n y strategic i m p o r t a n c e . The third attempt. T h e same o l d r e f r a i n this time, too. P a l m e r came, l a u n c h e d into his i n t r o d u c t i o n and t h e n m a d e the proposal. I asked h i m : W h a t is the interest t h a t i m p e l s y o u to propose s u c h a t h i n g ? T h e s m a l l G e r m a n force in S a r a n d a is doomed to be w i p e d out, its o n l y escape route is by sea, a n d we p l a n to t h r o w t h e m into the sea v e r y soon, thus l i b e r a t i n g the w h o l e of the South. Precisely, said P a l m e r . Therefore, y o u should agree to c a r r y out this action j o i n t l y , because i n this w a y w e block the road for the defeated G e r m a n forces w h i c h m i g h t e n t e r f r o m Greece. T h i s attempt, too, w a s to e n d l i k e that in Spile. As soon as we took the decision in the G e n e r a l Staff, w e i n f o r m e d comrades K a h r e m a n Y l l i a n d G a f u r u i , g i v i n g t h e m clear orders o n h o w t o enter into discussion w i t h the B r i t i s h , w h a t t o say t o t h e m a n d h o w t o act. W e i n s t r u c t e d t h e m that i n the talks, t h e y m u s t present o u r a r m y as it was, a r e g u l a r a r m y . D o not a l l o w the B r i t i s h t o m a k e a n y advance outside these orders, w a s the i n s t r u c t i o n w e gave t h e m . A f t e r this, I sent f o r P a l m e r . W e agree that we s h o u l d attack the G e r m a n g a r r i s o n in S a r a n d a together, I t o l d h i m , 342

but w e s h a l l attack f r o m the l a n d a n d y o u f r o m t h e sea, a n d once the action is over, y o u r forces must w i t h d r a w immediately. H e nodded his head. H e seemed dissatisfied, b u t nevertheless considered it a success that w e h a d agreed that t h i s action s h o u l d b e c a r r i e d out j o i n t l y . A n d that i s w h a t was done. P a r t i s a n forces of the 14th, 12th a n d 19th B r i g a d e s of o u r a r m y l a u n c h e d a f u r i o u s assault on the enemy. A f t e r three d a y s of fierce f i g h t i n g , they w i p e d out the G e r m a n s a n d S a r a n d a w a s liberated. M o r e t h a n 150 G e r m a n s w e r e t a k e n prisoner, i n c l u d i n g the colonel w h o c o m m a n d e d t h e m . T h e B r i t i s h c o m mandos, whose f i g h t i n g a m o u n t e d m e r e l y to f i r i n g some salvos of a r t i l l e r y at the L k u r s fortress a n d the B u t r i n t M o n a s t e r y , also entered the l i b e r a t e d t o w n as victors. Nevertheless, since most of the B r i t i s h l a n d e d f r o m the sea, t h e y h a d m a n y casualties, w h i l e w e h a d few. H o w e v e r , after the operation w a s completed, o u r c o m m a n d i n S a r a n d a reported t o m e that t h e c o m m a n d o f the B r i t i s h troops h a d asked f o r the G e r m a n colonel to be h a n d e d o v e r to t h e m to be sent to Italy, alleging that in this w a y more p u b l i c i t y w o u l d be g i v e n to the fight for the l i b e r a t i o n of S a r a n d a ; o u r c o m m a n d also reported that the B r i t i s h soldiers w e r e b e h a v i n g badly, b r e a k i n g shop w i n d o w s , stealing the goods a n d t a k i n g t h e m t o t h e i r ships a n d that there 343

w a s a danger of a r m e d clashes between the B r i t i s h a n d the partisans. T h e B r i t i s h c o m m a n d h a d w a n t e d to continue the attack i n l a n d to D e l v i n a a n d G j i r o k a s t r a s o t h a t the B r i t i s h s o l diers c o u l d p a r a d e as liberators before the people there! H o w e v e r , o u r comrades h a d t o l d t h e m that these t o w n s h a d been l i b e r a t e d a n d n o w the B r i t i s h m u s t leave. A f t e r t h i s the B r i t i s h c o m m a n d h a d proposed t o the p a r t i s a n c o m m a n d that they s h o u l d m a k e a j o i n t attack on Corfu. These w e r e v e r y serious a n d dangerous m a t ters. W e n o t i f i e d o u r c o m m a n d t o o r d e r the p a r tisans to keep t h e i r tempers a n d protect the t o w n , to consolidate t h e i r positions at Q a f a e Gjashts, B u t r i n t a n d Bogaza, to keep the a r t i l l e r y on the h i l l s above S a r a n d a a n d a t the B u t r i n t m o n a s t e r y in readiness, to be v i g i l a n t a n d keep m o v e m e n t on the sea u n d e r close observation a n d to i n f o r m us i m m e d i a t e l y if other B r i t i s h ships appeared and, if they m o v e d t o w a r d s the shore, to a w a i t orders f r o m us a n d to f i r e a r t i l l e r y shots to w a r n t h e m off. I ordered t h e m to send the G e r m a n colonel u n d e r escort to B e r a t . O n the o t h e r h a n d , I s u m m o n e d P a l m e r u r gently a n d m a d e an energetic protest about the requests of the B r i t i s h c o m m a n d , as w e l l as about the unpleasant b e h a v i o u r of the B r i t i s h soldiers. I t o l d h i m that the j o i n t task h a d been c a r r i e d out, S a r a n d a h a d been l i b e r a t e d a n d , i n 344

the terms of the decision, the B r i t i s h forces m u s t be w i t h d r a w n as q u i c k l y as possible. P a l m e r p r e t e n d e d to be i n d i g n a n t about the b a d b e h a v i o u r o f the B r i t i s h soldiers a n d t o l d m e that h e w o u l d report that the forces m u s t b e w i t h d r a w n immediately. W e w a i t e d f o r the B r i t i s h t o w i t h d r a w , but n o t h i n g w a s b e i n g done. T h e y postponed t h e i r d e p a r t u r e f r o m day t o day. A p p a r e n t l y , t h e i r a i m w a s t o r e m a i n there a n d have S a r a n d a a s t h e i r base on the Coast a n d in the t e r r i t o r y of A l b a n i a . ( 1 ) M u s s o l i n i also h a d l i k e d this p e a r l of o u r c o u n t r y so m u c h t h a t he h a d n a m e d it P o r t o E d d a , after his o w n daughter. B u t t h e times h a d changed. T h e p e a r l h a d a n owner. S e v e r a l times I sent f o r P a l m e r to protest t o h i m a n d h e assured m e t h a t h e w o u l d n o t i f y his centre to o r d e r the w i t h d r a w a l . In the end, the cup w a s f u l l . O u r patience w a s a t a n end. I issued h i m a n u l t i m a t u m , i n s t r u c t i n g h i m t o t r a n s m i t i t i m m e d i a t e l y t o the A l l i e d M e d i t e r ____________________________ 1 Immediately after the l a n d i n g of the B r i t i s h commandos in the Saranda zone, on September 29, 1944, B a r i reported to the F o r e i g n O f f i c e amongst other things: 2. Subsequent development of the operation depends upon a number of factors w h i c h cannot at present be assessed. B u t it is possible that if everything goes w e l l we may be able to m a i n t a i n a permanent footing on A l b a n i a n soil as w e l l as in Corfu.

photocopy

(Telegram No 722. FO of the original in the

371/43572-3584. A1H, Tirana.)

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the

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r a n e a n Headquarters. If the B r i t i s h c o m m a n d o s are not w i t h d r a w n f r o m S a r a n d a b y the g i v e n date, t h e n w a r w i l l b r e a k out b e t w e e n the p a r t i s ans a n d the B r i t i s h , I i n f o r m e d h i m . I i n s t r u c t e d o u r forces there to be in r e a diness, a w a i t i n g an o r d e r to a t t a c k the B r i t i s h w i t h arms a n d t o let t h e m k n o w that w e h a d t a k e n a l l measures a n d w e r e d e t e r m i n e d t o t h r o w t h e m i n t o the sea. A t this t h e y b e g a n t o panic. P a l m e r a r r i v e d a n d proposed t o m e : O u r forces are ready t o w i t h d r a w , b u t w e ask y o u r p e r m i s s i o n to w i t h d r a w , not by sea, but t h r o u g h D e l v i n a , M u z i n a , D r o p u l l a n d Pogon. T h e d i a b o l i c a l p l a n o f the B r i t i s h w a s o b v i ous. T h e y w a n t e d to s h o w themselves off as liberators, to create disturbances a m o n g the m i n o r i t y people, t o l i n k u p w i t h the forces o f Z e r v a , t o r o a m a t w i l l t h r o u g h o u r free zones, etc. I n n o w a y w i l l w e p e r m i t y o u r brigade t o g o by this route, I t o l d h i m . It m u s t go back w h e r e it came f r o m , i m m e d i a t e l y , by sea. It is m y d u t y t o i n f o r m y o u : m a k e n o attempt t o g o past o u r f o r t i f i e d places otherwise y o u w i l l b e a t tacked. If this occurs, y o u m u s t b e a r the r e s p o n s i b i l i t y . W e are d e t e r m i n e d t o defend ourselves a n d to defend the sovereignty of o u r c o u n t r y . We have considered y o u f r i e n d s a n d w e w a n t y o u t o c o n t i n u e t o b e f r i e n d s . Therefore, y o u m u s t c a r r y out i m m e d i a t e l y the decision w h i c h w e took j o i n t l y . 346

E v e n t u a l l y the B r i t i s h c l i m b e d into their boats a n d . . . w e w e r e r i d o f t h e m . J u s t a t this t i m e , i n October, t h e y l a n d e d i n Greece, w h e r e the s i t u a t i o n w a s s i m i l a r t o that i n o u r c o u n t r y the eve of l i b e r a t i o n . T h e y entered that c o u n t r y freely, u n d e r the agreement signed at C a s e r ta, w h i c h was the d e a t h w a r r a n t f o r the v i c t o r y o f t h e G r e e k C P , the E A M and the f r e e d o m of the G r e e k people. Because of the v i g i l a n c e and d e t e r m i n a t i o n of o u r glorious P a r t y , a l l the plans to l a n d troops in o u r c o u n t r y f a i l e d one after the other. A l t h o u g h they f a i l e d i n these attempts, the B r i t i s h d i d not give u p t h e i r efforts t o i n t e r v e n e i n o u r c o u n t r y . A f t e r the f o r m a t i o n o f the D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n m e n t of A l b a n i a on October 22, 1944, we stayed in B e r a t f o r a brief p e r i o d . T h e A l l i e d missions w e r e there, too. T h e houses w h e r e t h e A n g l o - A m e r i c a n missions w e r e q u a r t e r e d h a d been t u r n e d i n t o hornets' nests. A l l sorts of people w e n t i n a n d out t h e i r doors. Secret i n f o r m a t i o n w a s g i v e n a n d received. N e w plans w e r e concocted. T h e B r i t i s h officer came to see me, C o m r a d e S p i r o M o i s i u i n f o r m e d me. W h a t d i d h e say? D i d h e have a n y news about the r e c o g n i t i o n of o u r G o v e r n m e n t ? I asked. It w a s several days since we h a d handed the f o r e i g n missions o u r request to t h e i r g o v e r n 347

merits f o r recognition o f o u r D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n ment. ( 1 ) B u t this h a d f a l l e n o n deaf ears. No, r e p l i e d G e n e r a l M o i s i u , he d i d not t o u c h o n t h a t p r o b l e m , b u t t o l d m e that w e should r e p a i r the a i r f i e l d at K u o v a , because they are going to order a i r c r a f t to b r i n g a i d f o r the people! W h a t d i d y o u say to h i m ? I asked. W e can't r e p a i r it at the m o m e n t , I t o l d h i m , because w e have o t h e r m o r e u r g e n t p r o b lems. ' W e s h a l l help y o u , ' the E n g l i s h m a n said, a n d the m a t t e r w a s left f o r m e t o discuss w i t h you. I agree, I said, but we m u s t take a good look a t w h a t t h e i r a i m is. A s f o r w h a t h e t o l d y o u about b r i n g i n g u s 'aid', w e k n o w v e r y w e l l h o w m u c h they w o r r y about the interests o f o u r people. It's m o r e l i k e l y t h e y ' r e w o r r i e d about our o i l . A p p a r e n t l y they t h i n k t h e y w i l l give us a f e w p o u n d s a n d consider that they h a v e bought t h e oil-field. T h i s d a n g e r existed. A t one t i m e K u o v a h a d been h e l d as a concession by the A n g l o P e r s i a n O i l C o m p a n y , w h i c h h a d s o l d i t t o the Italian company A I P A , w i t h rights to exploit it f o r 9 9 years. N o w that I t a l y h a d been r e d u c e d
___________________________ 1 T h e letter w h i c h the B r i t i s h ambassador to M o s c o w A r c h i bald C l a r k K e r r sent to M o l o t o v on October 30, 1944, says: Dear M r . Molotov, 1. I have been instructed by my government to i n f o r m the Soviet Government that in the present confused situation in

348

to such a feeble c o n d i t i o n , t h e y m i g h t t h i n k that t h e t i m e h a d c o m e to take it back, t h i s t i m e for nothing. C o m r a d e S p i r o came back again, v e r y angry, and told me: It t u r n e d out just as y o u said, C o m r a d e E n v e r . T h e B r i t i s h officer met m e a n d said w i t h out a b l u s h : ' H e r e is o u r a i d , 40 pounds. I n f o r m u s w h e n y o u f i n i s h r e p a i r i n g the f i e l d s o that the a i r c r a f t c a n come!' D o n ' t distress yourself, C o m r a d e Spiro, I said, w e k n o w e x a c t l y w h a t they are a n d we are sick a n d t i r e d of t h e i r 'aid'. I t o l d the E n g l i s h m a n : ' T h i s isn't e n o u g h t o feed the people w h o w i l l w o r k there f o r t w o days, so p u t it b a c k in y o u r pocket,' c o n t i n u e d S p i r o . W e s h a l l r e p a i r the a i r f i e l d w h e n w e need it a n d w h e n it suits us.' W i t h t h i s p a r t i n g shot, h e b i d the B r i t i s h p h i l a n t h r o p i s t goodbye. W e s t i l l d i d not k n o w that L t . - C o l . P a l m e r , through Tarasconi, the m a n a g e r of AIPA in K u o v a , h a d got c o n t r o l of the o i l . T h i s act, too, w o u l d be discovered a n d dealt w i t h later.
_____________________________ they do not Albania propose to recognise the Provisional Government in this course. 3. A similar c o m m u n i c a t i o n is being addressed to the G o v e r n ment of the U n i t e d States. (FO 371/43564-3530, No. 2179: PRO. photocopy of the original in the AIH, Tirana.) set up there by the F . N . C . party.

2. My government hope that the Soviet Government w i l l concur

Taken

from

349

T h e B r i t i s h also sought the assistance of t h e U n i t e d States of A m e r i c a as an a l l y to a c h i e v e t h e i r p r e d a t o r y aims. W e h a d i n f o r m a t i o n that a n A m e r i c a n m i l i tary mission was s t a y i n g w i t h S k n d e r M u o , a leader of the B a l l i K o m b t a r , in D u k a t of V l o r a . S k n d e r M u o posed as a p a t r i o t a n d it was r u m o u r e d that he w a s g o i n g to create a social-democratic p a r t y w h i c h never came t o anything. He was a two-faced individual. He had placed h i m s e l f in the service of b o t h the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s a n d the G e r m a n s . T h e latter became a w a r e o f this a n d k i l l e d h i m . A b o u t t h e end of A p r i l or the b e g i n n i n g of M a y 1944, I don't r e m e m b e r clearly, T h o m a s S t e f a n i , w i t h t w o others, presented h i m s e l f t o o u r Staff at Helms. He w a s about 30 years of age, a short, thick-set m a n . S o m e t i m e s he spoke E n g l i s h , sometimes A l b a n i a n . B u t h e spoke n e i t h e r of t h e m w e l l a n d w i t h an accent as t h o u g h he h a d a m o u t h f u l of p o r r i d g e . He h a d p l e n t y to say but not w i t h m u c h sense. I've been sent to the A l b a n i a n p a r t i s a n s b y A i r F o r c e H e a d q u a r t e r s a s l i a i s o n officer, this A m e r i c a n l i e u t e n a n t told us at the f i r s t m e e t ing we had with him. W h e n w e r e y o u sent? w e asked h i m . It's w a r t i m e , gentlemen, he said. W e set out some time ago, b u t we w e r e obliged to spend 350

several m o n t h s , f i r s t a t K a r a b u r u n o f D u k a t a n d later as guests of M r . M u o , b u t h e . . . . We k n e w he w a s b o u n d to come to a b a d end, w e t o l d h i m . S e v e r a l times w e appealed t o h i m t o j o i n the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t but he d i d n ' t w a n t to a n d . . . he was shot l i k e a stray dog... W e t h r e e are o f A l b a n i a n origin, T h o m a s S t e f a n i hastened to say, to get off the subject o f S k n d e r M u o , w e are f r o m K o r a . T h a t i s good t o hear. A s A l b a n i a n s w e s h a l l get on w e l l , I said. First, I am an A m e r i c a n , then an A l b a n i a n , gentlemen. S u c h is my duty. But w h a t is y o u r d u t y ? I asked. A s l i a i s o n officer, I shall ensure c o m m u n i cations b e t w e e n y o u a n d m y H e a d q u a r t e r s a n d w i l l r e p o r t f r o m t i m e to t i m e as the need arises. I have special i n s t r u c t i o n s f r o m G e n e r a l S t a w e l l to gather intelligence i n f o r m a t i o n on the e n e m y , especially n u m b e r - p l a t e s a n d other i n f o r m a t i o n w h i c h w i l l help support the actions o f y o u r m i l i t a r y forces against the occupier. T h i s w a s the d u t y o f this degenerate A l b a n i a n , w h o so f o o l i s h l y boasted to us that he was first a n A m e r i c a n . H o w e v e r , w e k n e w that he h a d been sent to t h r o w dust in the eyes of the A l b a n i a n f a m i l i e s o f economic e m i g r a n t s i n A m e r ica in o r d e r to say to t h e m : Y o u see, we too. 351

have come t o h e l p the A l b a n i a n people. H e h a d come to p r e p a r e the g r o u n d a n d the premises f o r the notorious M r . F u l t z , w h o was t o organize plots a n d b l a c k m a i l against o u r people's state p o w e r f r o m the f i r s t m o n t h s of the l i b e r a t i o n of Albania. H e w a s a n e x - p o l i c e m a n w h o m the A m e r i cans l a t e r p r o m o t e d to c a p t a i n a n d became the guide o f the p u p i l s a n d boys o f F u l t z , w h o h a d opened a n office o f t h e A m e r i c a n O S S f o r A l b a n i a i n B a r i i n Italy. T h e B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n s t h o u g h t that everything w o u l d go smoothly for them and they a c t e d . H o w e v e r , the P a r t y countered t h e i r plans, f o u g h t t h e m b l o w f o r b l o w a n d f o i l e d t h e m one after the another. T h e P a r t y w o r k e d t o ensure that e v e r y t h i n g w o u l d go completely in f a v o u r of t h e A l b a n i a n people a n d o f the freedom, i n d e p e n dence a n d sovereignty of o u r beloved H o m e l a n d . W i t h the l i b e r a t i o n o f A l b a n i a , t h e missions o f P a l m e r a n d T h o m a s S t e f a n i disappeared, along w i t h the heads of reaction. T h e i r place w a s t a k e n b y t h e missions o f t h e B r i t i s h G e n e r a l H o d g s o n a n d the A m e r i c a n s Jacobs a n d F u l t z , A n g l o A m e r i c a n missions w h i c h h a d a s t h e i r objective to organize t h e p o l i t i c a l opposition, e c o n o m i c i n t e r f e r e n c e t h r o u g h U N R R A a n d sabotage o f the r e c o n s t r u c t i o n of o u r c o u n t r y . 352

VII UNSUCCESSFUL MANOEUVRES

November 29, 1944. Victory the whole country celebrates. Revolutionary measures. Missions for the recognition of our Democratic Government! Fultz: the pupils and the boys. Philanthropic instruments ML and U N R R A . We accept no conditions. We allow not even one officer to set foot on the wharf. The Opposition unfortunate actors in a drama that was a flap. Nobody can impose conditions on Albania. Paris: Let the whole world know that the Albanian people do not permit any discussion of their borders... The saboteurs on trial. Why did Mr. Fultz leave? The Corfu Channel incident. At the Hague the innocent guilty. Why was the gold frozen? Plunder. The crabs in action. Life is struggle vigilance! O n N o v e m b e r 28, 1944, t h e D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n m e n t of A l b a n i a entered liberated T i r a n a w h i c h had been t u r n e d into a heap of ruins. The smell of powder smoke still lingered. The Gov353

e r n m e n t w a s w e l c o m e d w i t h indescribable e n thusiasm, w i t h songs, dances a n d flowers, b y the masses of the c a p i t a l city. It was the first g o v e r n ment to emerge f r o m the bosom of the people, f r o m the b a r r e l of the p a r t i s a n r i f l e . S h k o d r a , the m a i n centre of T e u t a of the I l l y r i a n s i n ancient times, w a s l i b e r a t e d o n the f o l l o w i n g day, N o v e m b e r 29. T h i s d a y m a r k e d the complete l i b e r a t i o n of A l b a n i a . T h e f l a g of Skanderbeg and Ismail Qemali waved proudly over the w h o l e of A l b a n i a . T h i s was the greatest v i c t o r y in the h i s t o r y of the A l b a n i a n people. It was dedicated to t h e i r u n r i v a l l e d h e r o i s m , to the resolute a n d f a r - s i g h t e d l e a d e r s h i p of the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of A l b a n i a , to the sons of this people w h o pressed f o r w a r d t h r o u g h storms a n d tempests a n d w e r e n e v e r conquered, b u t r e m a i n e d indomitable, f a c i n g the g a l l o w s a n d bullets o n the battlefield, f a c i n g the intrigues, u n d e r h a n d plots a n d d i a b o l i c a l plans of the imperialists, a n d w o u l d a l w a y s r e m a i n i n d o m i t a b l e i n the f u t u r e , too. T h e A l b a n i a n people's w a r i n f l i c t e d great m a t e r i a l a n d h u m a n damage o n the nazi-fascist occupiers. O n o u r t e r r i t o r y 26,594 enemies w e r e k i l l e d , 20,800 w e r e captured, a n d tens of thousands of others w e r e w o u n d e d . T h e v i c t o r y cost A l b a n i a v e r y dear. F o r this d a y 28,000 o f its sons a n d daughters s a c r i f i c e d t h e i r lives i n t h e f l o w e r of t h e i r y o u t h , that is, one m a r t y r f o r 354

e v e r y square k i l o m e t r e ; 12,600 people w e r e w o u n d e d , w h i l e 10,000 others w e r e i n t e r n e d i n c o n c e n t r a t i o n camps. W h o l e regions, towns and villages w e r e d e vastated. T h e serious damage caused b y the w a r added to the d i f f i c u l t i e s of the economy, w h i c h h a d been left c o m p l e t e l y b a c k w a r d a n d at t h e m e r c y o f fate u n d e r the f e u d a l regime o f K i n g Z o g . A g r i c u l t u r e w a s almost totally r u i n e d . W h o l e tracts of l a n d h a d been left u n p l a n t e d . E n o r m o u s damage h a d been done t o livestock f a r m i n g . A l l the bridges h a d been b l o w n up. The roads, the f e w e x i s t i n g schools, the p o w e r stations, a n d w a t e r s u p p l y systems, the ports, a n d especially the mines, h a d been made unusable. T h e c o u n t r y w a s threatened w i t h f a m i n e . T r a d e h a d been p a r a l y z e d , the t r e a s u r y w a s e m p t y . T h i s w a s the s i t u a t i o n the A l b a n i a n people a n d the D e m o c r a t i c g o v e r n m e n t w h i c h e m e r ged f r o m f i v e years o f u n e q u a l w a r , i n h e r i t e d f r o m the past r e a c t i o n a r y regimes a n d the n a z i fascist occupation. T h e P a r t y , the people a n d the G o v e r n m e n t faced m a j o r tasks. A n e w fight, just as d i f f i c u l t , if not m o r e so, a w a i t e d us the struggle f o r the r e c o n s t r u c t i o n of the c o u n t r y , to heal t h e w o u n d s w h i c h the e n e m y a n d the black past had i n f l i c t e d o n us. W e w e r e conscious that w e w e r e g o i n g t o t r i u m p h i n this fight, too, a n d w e w o u l d 355

achieve this, f i r s t of a l l , by s t r e n g t h e n i n g the P a r t y a n d the people's state p o w e r , b y steeling the u n i t y of a l l the w o r k i n g masses a r o u n d the P a r t y a n d the government. T h e v i c t o r y over the occupiers a n d the traitors h a d been a c h i e v e d because blood w a s shed, a n d n o w i t w o u l d b e defended a n d secured once again w i t h bloodshed a n d torrents of sweat. T h e s t r e n g t h e n i n g of the D e m o c r a t i c F r o n t w a s also on t h e agenda of the P a r t y . It w o u l d be a r e v o l u t i o n a r y o r g a n i z a t i o n w h i c h in the construction of the n e w A l b a n i a , just as y e s t e r day i n the w a r , w o u l d p l a y a decisive r o l e i n the m i l i t a n t u n i t y of the masses to c a r r y out n e w historic tasks. U n d e r the l e a d e r s h i p o f the P a r t y i t w o u l d become the m a i n s u p p o r t o f t h e n e w state in defeating the attempts of enemies to create democratic parties as opposition parties in order to split the u n i t y of the people a n d seize state p o w e r f r o m t h e i r hands. We set to w o r k f o r t h e r e c o n s t r u c t i o n of o u r H o m e l a n d . E v e r y t h i n g h a d t o b e started f r o m scratch, f r o m the smallest t h i n g u p t o i n d u s t r y , w h i c h w e d i d not have i n t h e true sense o f the w o r d . W e h a d t o set i t u p ourselves. W e m a d e t h e r e c o n s t r u c t i o n a p r o b l e m of a l l t h e masses, especially of the y o u t h , w h o p l a c e d themselves a t the head o f actions. A n u n p r e c e d e n t e d e n t h u s i a s m b u r s t out e v e r y w h e r e . T h e r e v o l u t i o n 356

a r y tide was m o u n t i n g d a y b y day. W e were s c o r i n g successes in e v e r y sector. As a result the grave w o u n d s w e r e healed r e l a t i v e l y q u i c k l y . T h e r u i n e d houses w e r e r e b u i l t , w o r k began i n the mines, the p o w e r stations, the f e w factories w e i n h e r i t e d , the e d u c a t i o n a l a n d c u l t u r a l institutions. A g r i c u l t u r e began its n o r m a l life. B u t a n e w economic base, an a d v a n c e d e c o n omy, w a s r e q u i r e d to respond to the p o l i t i c a l regime w h i c h was n e w i n f o r m and content. W i t h o u t s u c h a base it w o u l d be a castle b u i l t on sand. T h e g o v e r n m e n t solved the e c o n o m i c - f i n a n cial p r o b l e m w i t h r e v o l u t i o n a r y measures w h i c h had t o d o not o n l y w i t h the r e v i v a l o f the c o u n t r y but also w i t h the w e a k e n i n g of the economic positions of the m e r c a n t i l e capitalist bourgeoisie. A s a result o f the l a w o n the special t a x o n w a r profits, a good p a r t of the b i g c a p i t a l w h i c h the capitalists h a d seized d u r i n g the w a r was placed in the service of the people a n d the r e c o n s t r u c tion of the c o u n t r y . W i t h this measure the P a r t y s t r u c k a h e a v y b l o w at the b i g merchants, the usurers a n d t h e speculators. A l o n g w i t h this i t carried out the n a t i o n a l i z a t i o n of the m a i n means of p r o d u c t i o n , the mines, The B a n k , the assets of p o l i t i c a l f u g i t i v e s a n d f o r e i g n capitalist c o m panies. T h e economic dependence o n the i m perialist p o w e r s w a s e n d e d a n d the p o l i t i c a l i n d e 357

pendence o f A l b a n i a w a s strengthened. T h e L a n d R e f o r m was m a d e a r e a l i t y u n d e r the slogan of the P a r t y , T h e l a n d t o those w h o t i l l i t ! L a t e r the socio-economic t r a n s f o r m a t i o n s w e r e to assume e v e n greater p r o p o r t i o n s . In the course of the struggle a n d w o r k to m a r c h ahead the P a r t y a n d the A l b a n i a n people w e r e b o u n d t o a n d d i d r u n u p against i n t e r n a l reaction w h i c h , i n the n e w conditions, h a d p l a c e d a l l its hopes o n the s u p p o r t o f the A n g l o - A m e r icans, w h o h a d l o n g been w a g i n g a n u n d e r c o v e r struggle against us t h r o u g h t h e i r agents a n d the elements w h o m t h e y r e c r u i t e d . T h e A n g l o - A m e r icans themselves h a d not g i v e n u p t h e i r plans, either. W h a t they h a d been u n a b l e to achieve d u r i n g the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r t h e y t r i e d t o achieve after the L i b e r a t i o n b y f i g h t i n g u s i n the most v a r i e d w a y s a n d w i t h d i f f e r e n t m e a n s i n the i n t e r n a t i o n a l a r e n a and w i t h i n the country, i n order to d e n y o u r n e w state of people's d e m o c r a c y a n y s u p p o r t a n d t o o v e r t h r o w it. W i t h the l i b e r a t i o n o f A l b a n i a b y the people themselves a n d t h e i r a r m y , w e t h o u g h t t h a t the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n officers, w h o h a d been d e p l o y e d d u r i n g the p e r i o d o f the w a r i n different regions of o u r c o u n t r y , h a d come to the e n d of t h e i r mission. D u r i n g the w a r t h e i r a i m h a d been q u i t e apparent: t h e y h a d come not to assist o u r w a r but f o r espionage against it, to sabotage it, to 358

organize a n d strengthen i n t e r n a l A l b a n i a n react i o n a n d to help it seize p o w e r after the nazis left. B u t the w a r b u r i e d t h e i r dreams. N e v e r theless, they d i d not cease concocting other plans t o realize t h e i r old aims. O u r victories w e r e t o m a k e t h e m e v e n m o r e f u r i o u s a n d t h e i r struggle against us w a s b e c o m i n g m o r e open a n d fierce. I n F e b r u a r y - M a r c h 1945, the B r i t i s h mission was enlarged a n d G e n e r a l H o d g s o n came to head it. A l i t t l e later the A m e r i c a n s , f o r t h e i r part, sent a c i v i l i a n mission, headed by Jacobs, w i t h the old A m e r i c a n agent i n A l b a n i a , H a r r y F u l t z , as his assistant. G e n e r a l H o d g s o n h a d his eye on the house i n w h i c h Zog's u n c l e h a d l i v e d , a b u i l d i n g near the p r e s e n t - d a y Qemal Stafa s t a d i u m . We gave it to h i m . He came to p a y us a v i s i t at H o t e l D a j t i because we still h a d no offices. I w e n t w i t h Dr. O m e r Nishani to pay h i m a return visit at his residence. I t r u s t t h a t the day w i l l not be f a r off w h e n the embassy o f G r e a t B r i t a i n w i l l b e established in this house, G e n e r a l , I said to h i m . It is the custom of o u r g o v e r n m e n t not to b e hasty i n these matters, M r . H o x h a , said H o d g son. L e t us w a i t u n t i l a constituent assembly, elected i n t h e most democratic m a n n e r , determines the f o r m of the regime of the n e w A l b a n i a n state. T h i s w i l l be done v e r y soon, I said. The 359

Congress o f P r m e t decided this: ' A n e w people's democratic A l b a n i a w i l l b e b u i l t a c c o r d i n g t o the w i l l of the people.' As y o u k n o w , I c o n t i n u e d , the foundations of the n e w p o l i t i c a l p o w e r were l a i d there i n f a v o u r o f t h e i n s u r g e n t people; the people themselves decided t h e i r o w n f u t u r e . The Democratic Government w h i c h emerged f r o m the M e e t i n g of B e r a t a n d w h i c h is the a u t h e n t i c expression of the aspirations of the people, has the question of the elections to the C o n s t i t u e n t A s s e m b l y as a f u n d a m e n t a l task of its p u b l i c l y p r o c l a i m e d p r o g r a m a n d I assure y o u that o u r elections w i l l b e most democratic. T h e v o t i n g w i l l be free, direct a n d by secret ballot, on the basis of the e l e c t o r a l l a w . T h e C o n s t i t u e n t A s s e m b l y , expressing the w i l l a n d aspirations of the people, w i l l decide the f o r m of the state. B u t i n y o u r c o u n t r y , G e n e r a l H o x h a , there is o n l y one p a r t y o n l y your Communist P a r t y ! said H o d g s o n . It is t r u e that there is o n l y one p a r t y in o u r country, the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a . It is v e r y s t r o n g a n d its p r o g r a m expresses the desires a n d aspirations of o u r people w h o are a people t h i r s t i n g f o r freedom, I r e p l i e d . l t w a s created in the heat of the most ferocious w a r w h i c h m a n k i n d , a n d o u r people, i n p a r t i c u l a r , have e v e r seen. T h e C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a h e r o i c a l l y defended the interests of its o w n people, w h o are w i t h i t a n d have great l o v e f o r this 360

P a r t y . T h e y f o l l o w e d i t o n the most d i f f i c u l t road and the m a i n t h i n g i s that t h e y s a w w i t h t h e i r o w n eyes that this P a r t y w a s in the f o r e f r o n t of t h e great N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r a n d gave fearless leadership, a n d that i s w h y they f o r m e d t h e i r unshakeable f a i t h i n it. W h y d i d the people not f o l l o w the Ballists, Zogites a n d other r e a c t i o n aries, b u t recognized the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y as t h e i r sole l e a d e r s h i p ? I asked h i m . Because y o u d i d not a l l o w t h e m , M r , H o x h a , said the G e n e r a l , s p e a k i n g in a tone of d i s a p p r o v a l a n d f i x i n g me w i t h a b a l e f u l gaze as he awaited my reply. T h a t i s y o u r o p i n i o n , G e n e r a l , but i t i s w i t h out f o u n d a t i o n , I t o l d h i m . A s s u m e f o r a m i n u t e t h a t we accept y o u r idea, t h e n I ask y o u : W h y d i d the Italians, the G e r m a n s , the Ballists, the Zogites a n d others, w h o c o m m i t t e d a l l those crimes against o u r people, not stop t h e m f r o m c o m i n g w i t h us? T h e a n s w e r i s v e r y s i m p l e : the people h a t e d t h e m f o r the v i l e deeds t h e y perpetrated against t h e m a n d fought t h e m h e r o i c a l l y a n d w i t h self-sacrifice. T h e y u n i t e d a l l t h e i r p h y s i c a l a n d s p i r i t u a l forces a r o u n d the Communist P a r t y of Albania, told it to lead them and it d i d lead them, led t h e m to victory, and n o w , G e n e r a l , the people are i n p o w e r a n d the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y the defender of t h e i r interests w i t h u n w a v e r i n g loyalty, i s i n the l e a d ership. 361

The people have t h e i r o w n opinions w h i c h t h e y w a n t t o express, M r . H o x h a , c o n t i n u e d the General. No one k n o w s better t h a n the c o m m u n i s t s that the people have t h e i r o w n opinions, I r e plied, Indeed, y o u are quite u n a b l e to conceive the strength of o u r people's opinions. If we h a d not listened to t h e i r opinions a n d t h e i r voice t h e y w o u l d not h a v e l o v e d u s a n d w o u l d not love u s n o w , t h e y w o u l d not h a v e f o l l o w e d u s a n d w o u l d not be f o l l o w i n g us step by step, as t h e y are d o i n g . C o m m u n i s t s are a l w a y s g u i d e d by a great p r i n c i p l e w h i c h t h e y a p p l y : i t i s not e n o u g h s i m p l y to l i s t e n to the o p i n i o n s a n d the desires of the people, b u t y o u must realize t h e m i n p r a c tice. W e c o m m u n i s t s have done t h i s a n d are c o n t i n u i n g to do it. B u t , M r . H o x h a , y o u d o not p e r m i t other p o l i t i c a l parties to be formed, objected the G e n eral. The people can express t h e i r w i l l f r e e l y o n l y if t h e y have other parties. It seems, M r . Hodgson, I t o l d h i m w i t h a smile, that y o u c a n n o t sleep at n i g h t because the ' u n f o r t u n a t e ' A l b a n i a n people cannot speak b e cause t h e y do not have a n u m b e r of parties. B u t h a v e the officers of y o u r missions reported to y o u h o w the r i f l e o f o u r people sang a n d against w h o m i t sang? A r e y o u concerned that there s h o u l d be other p o l i t i c a l parties f o r t h e people, 362

or f o r the beys, the f e u d a l lords, the Zogites, the t r a i t o r s a n d the speculators?. O h , no, parties f o r the people a n d the democrats, r e p l i e d the G e n e r a l . T h e people themselves are in power, t h e y have t h e i r great o r g a n i z a t i o n , the D e m o c r a t i c F r o n t , i n w h i c h t h e y f r e e l y express t h e i r opinions. T h r o u g h t h i s o r g a n i z a t i o n t h e y are r e a l i z i n g e v e r y t h i n g t h e i r hearts desire, i n c l u d i n g the c o n f i s c a t i o n of the c a p i t a l of w e a l t h y merchants w h o h a v e s u c k e d t h e i r blood t h r o u g h o u t t h e i r e x i s t ence, the c a r r y i n g o u t o f the L a n d R e f o r m and o t h e r m a j o r r e f o r m s as q u i c k l y as possible, as w e l l a s the p u n i s h m e n t o f traitors. T h e T r a d e U n i o n O r g a n i z a t i o n has been set u p . T h e y o u t h a n d w o m e n h a v e t h e i r o w n organizations, I told the G e n e r a l , B u t a l l these are r u n b y the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y , said the G e n e r a l . W h o d o y o u t h i n k t h e y ought t o b e r u n by, G e n e r a l , b y Z o g a n d B a z i i Cans? No, said the G e n e r a l f r o w n i n g , because I w a s t r e a d i n g on his corns. I t h i n k , by some dem o c r a t i c p a r t y t h a t m i g h t e v e n b e i n opposition. Oh, I said, y o u are v e r y concerned about a 'democratic' party. Y o u r concern is unnecessary. D o n ' t w o r r y yourself s o m u c h , leave u s A l b a n i a n s to settle this m a t t e r ourselves. I t e l l y o u , G e n e r a l , w e have n o need f o r anyone f r o m outside t o h e l p us. T h e r e are ' f r i e n d s ' i n the w o r l d w h o m a k e 363

the accusation against us t h a t 'there is no d e m o c r a c y ' i n our c o u n t r y ! I f these 'friends', G e n e r a l , u n d e r s t a n d the t e r m d e m o c r a c y as f r e e d o m f o r the collaborators w i t h the o c c u piers, as f r e e d o m f o r the c r i m i n a l s , s p e c u l a tors a n d usurers, w h o fattened o n the b l o o d of the people in t h e i r darkest days, as f r e e d o m f o r the suppressors of the r i g h t s a n d freedoms of the c o m m o n masses, let these g e n t l e m e n u n d e r stand c l e a r l y that there i s not a n d n e v e r w i l l b e s u c h f r e e d o m i n the n e w d e m o c r a t i c A l b a n i a . P e r h a p s t h r o u g h the press y o u h a v e f o l l o w e d the t r i a l s w h i c h the people's courts i n o u r c o u n t r y have conducted against the r e m n a n t s of fascism, the quislings a n d traitors r e c e n t l y . T h e people h e a r d f r o m the m o u t h s o f these c r i m i n a l s w h a t v i l e deeds t h e y h a d c o m m i t t e d at the expense of the s u f f e r i n g people. T h e people's courts cleared a w a y the b r a m b l e s a n d t h o r n bushes so t h a t the tree c o u l d f l o u r i s h a n d g r o w u p healthy. T h e i r o n fist o f t h e people's d e m o c r a c y w i l l a l w a y s f a l l mercilessly o n s u c h elements. F r o m the t i m e o f the w a r the people a n d t h e i r G o v e r n m e n t have appealed t o m i s l e d i n d i v i d u a l s to change t h e i r course, I c o n t i n u e d . Reasonable c l e m e n c y has been s h o w n t o w a r d s t h e m , but t h e y m u s t not abuse t h i s c l e m e n c y a n d t h e y w i l l b e g r a v e l y m i s t a k e n i f t h e y take i t f o r weakness. These i n d i v i d u a l s must honestly adopt the course of the people. T h i s w i l l save them. 364

T h i s was the essence of o u r t a l k w i t h the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l o n p o l i t i c a l questions. H e c o u l d not h a v e expressed his opinions, w h i c h w e r e not u n k n o w n t o us, m o r e openly. The important thing was that we must always b e v i g i l a n t , because the B r i t i s h a n d the A m e r icans w o u l d t r y t o organize the r e m n a n t s o f reaction as a force to f i g h t us, step by step, in our w o r k of construction. W e w o u l d reply t o manoeuvres w i t h m a noeuvres, w i t h o u t ever f a l l i n g into o p p o r t u n i s m or m a k i n g a n y concession to the d e t r i m e n t of the interests o f the people. T o m a n o e u v r e i n the i n terests of the people means to strengthen t h e i r position a n d w e a k e n that o f the e n e m y . T h i s was the angle f r o m w h i c h w e w o u l d v i e w the line o f o u r f o r e i g n p o l i c y . H o w e v e r , the p r i m a r y t h i n g w a s to s t r e n g t h e n the i n t e r n a l position of the c o u n t r y . W e s a w c l e a r l y t h a t w h a t the i m perialists h a d been unable to achieve d u r i n g the w a r , t h e y w o u l d t r y t o achieve n o w , after the w a r , w i t h the r e m n a n t s o f the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d L e g a l i t e t i w h i c h w o u l d represent i n t e r n a l reaction. H e n c e the s t r e n g t h e n i n g of the i n t e r n a l p o s i t i o n o f the c o u n t r y w a s closely l i n k e d w i t h the s t r e n g t h e n i n g of the F r o n t , the state a n d the economy, w h i c h w o u l d ensure the f a i l u r e o f a l l the enemies' efforts. I m m e d i a t e l y after L i b e r a t i o n , i n t e r n a l a n d 365

e x t e r n a l reaction began a v e r y w i d e range of manoeuvres. A l t h o u g h the attempts o f the B r i t i s h , i n p a r ticular, t o m a k e landings i n A l b a n i a u n d e r t h e cloak o f a i d h a d f a i l e d repeatedly d u r i n g t h e war, t h e y d i d not give u p this a i m e v e n a f t e r L i b e r a t i o n . T h i s t i m e t h e y t r i e d t o achieve i t t h r o u g h a n o r g a n i z a t i o n called M i l i t a r y L i a i s o n ( M L ) , w h i c h t h e y h a d created some y e a r s e a r l i e r allegedly to assist the B a l k a n countries. A s w a s revealed later, t h e y h a d p r o v i d e d M L w i t h t w o possible v a r i a n t s f o r a c t i o n i n regard to A l b a n i a . T h e first envisaged that, t o t a l l y disregarding our government and without asking its permission, i t w o u l d d i s e m b a r k its m i l i t a r y personnel i n a l l o u r ports. B e h i n d t h e m , r e a d y t o give support, w o u l d be the n a v y . If the officers o f M L e n c o u n t e r e d a r m e d resistance f r o m the A l b a n i a n forces t h e y w o u l d f i g h t a n d t h i s w o u l d be a casus belli, a good excuse f o r i n t e r v e n t i o n b y the troops o f the n a v y . I n this w a y the o c c u p a t i o n w o u l d be m a d e a fait accompli. H o w e v e r , seeing t h a t the D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n m e n t a n d the A l b a n i a n people w e r e o n the alert, the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s r e a l i z e d t h a t t h i s w a s impossible a n d w e r e obliged t o t r y the other v a r i a n t , t h a t of talks about aid. T h e y set t w o conditions f o r g i v i n g us this a i d : 1,500-1,700 officers a n d specialists w e r e to be b r o u g h t in to d i s t r i b u t e i t a n d M L centres w o u l d b e set u p 366

i n a l l our ports, f r o m w h i c h t h e i r m e n w o u l d b e allowed to travel everywhere. We could never accept s u c h a t h i n g . It w o u l d have been v e r y dangerous. To accept 1,500-1,700 officers w o u l d m e a n to accept the T r o j a n Horse, a s m a l l a r m y , inside the c o u n t r y a n d the b i g a r m y w o u l d f o l l o w it. T h e r e f o r e , o u r r e p l y was a categ o r i c a l no. W h e n t h e y f a i l e d w i t h the p l a n o f M L t h e y offered A l b a n i a the other side o f the same m e d a l U N R R A . To this end, Colonel Oakley-Hill arrived in A l b a n i a . T h i s w a s t h e t h i r d t i m e that this senior officer, whose heart ached f o r A l b a n i a , h a d come to o u r c o u n t r y . T h e f i r s t time, he came to organize K i n g Zog's g e n d a r m e r i e ; the second t i m e w i t h a g r o u p o f A l b a n i a n patriots, v i a Y u g o slavia, a n d a t t e m p t e d to organize the people against fascism; w h i l e here h e w a s n o w f o r the t h i r d t i m e in the role of the representative of U N R R A to assist A l b a n i a i n its r e h a b i l i t a t i o n ! As soon as he a r r i v e d in T i r a n a he sought a meeting w i t h m e t o discuss the agreement w i t h U N R R A . I left h i m w a i t i n g f o r a w e e k o r t w o because I h a d no t i m e to see h i m . In the end I received h i m . H e spoke a t l e n g t h about U N R R A , its purpose a n d its r o l e ! Y o u ask t h a t the agreement s h o u l d be signed b y m e a s G e n e r a l C o m m a n d e r o f the National Liberation A r m y , or Prime Minister of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G o v e r n m e n t , I s a i d . 367

 A p p a r e n t l y y o u r chiefs are s t i l l u s i n g the w a r t i m e terms. I cannot i m a g i n e that t h e y do not k n o w that A l b a n i a has h a d a D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n ment f o r almost one y e a r n o w . W h y i s the r e quest f o r m u l a t e d in these t e r m s ? ! I asked. That will be just a lapsus linguae G e n e r a l . T h e m a i n t h i n g is acceptance of the personnel that w e w a n t t o b r i n g t o A l b a n i a t o distribute the m a t e r i a l a m o n g the people, he replied. W e s h a l l d i s t r i b u t e the m a t e r i a l ourselves, M r . H i l l , I t o l d h i m . Y o u m a y send people just to h a n d o v e r the goods a n d t h a t is a l l . It is our task to d i s t r i b u t e it to the people a c c o r d i n g to t h e i r needs. T h i s cannot be done o t h e r wise. V e r y w e l l , I s h a l l r e f e r this to the centre, said Hill. F i n a l l y there's the question of the personnel o f the M L . T h e y m u s t b e w i t h d r a w n i m m e d i a t e l y , I added. I beg y o u t o p e r m i t some o f t h e M L t o stay t o assist U N R R A , said H i l l . In n o w a y . A l l t h e M L personnel must b e w i t h d r a w n , I r e p l i e d categorically. V e r y w e l l , I s h a l l refer this to the centre, replied H i l l . It w a s not l o n g before Jacobs came to me t o t a l k sweetly, w i t h the i n t e n t i o n o f getting as m u c h as he c o u l d out of us. 368

H e started b y t e l l i n g m e the reasons f o r the c o m i n g of the m i s s i o n a n d the delay in the r e c o g n i t i o n of the D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n m e n t of A l b a n i a , w h i c h f o r me w e r e s i m p l y lieux communs,* a r e p e t i t i o n of w h a t I h a d h e a r d f r o m his colleague, H o d g s o n . T h e e x p l a n a t i o n s w h i c h y o u have g i v e n me about y o u r mission a n d the postponement of the r e c o g n i t i o n of o u r g o v e r n m e n t seem to us u n c o n v i n c i n g , M r . Jacobs. Y o u r f o r m u l a that 'recognition m u s t come after the s i t u a t i o n i n A l bania becomes clear', is a b s u r d . R e c o g n i t i o n should result f r o m the w a r w e have waged against the nazi-fascists. H o w e v e r , that is y o u r affair. T h e A l b a n i a n people are p r o f o u n d l y i n d i g n a n t a n d f u r i o u s also about the injustice w h i c h was done t h e m i n d e n y i n g t h e i r legitimate r i g h t t o send t h e i r representatives to the S a n F r a n c i s c o Conference. O t h e r countries, too, d i d not take part in that conference, M r . H o x h a , h e s a i d . B u t A l b a n i a has occupied a n i m p o r t a n t place in the bloc of anti-fascist nations. T h i s has been a d m i t t e d even b y the personalities o f y o u r c o u n try. A m o n g s t those w h o attended there w e r e some w h o not o n l y d i d not c o n t r i b u t e t o this w a r but, o n the contrary, collaborated w i t h the Hitlerites directly or indirectly, while A l b a n i a
____________________________ * trite phrases.

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r e m a i n s outside the U N O to this day. It does not ask this f r o m a n y b o d y as a f a v o u r . It is a r i g h t i t has e a r n e d w i t h bloodshed a n d s u p e r h u m a n sacrifices, by h u r l i n g itself u n r e s e r v e d l y into the fight f o r its o w n f r e e d o m a n d the f r e e d o m o f other peoples, f o r the rights of m a n k i n d . N e v e r theless, the A l b a n i a n people, l o y a l to the e n d to the anti-fascist alliance, w i l l continue to m a k e t h e i r c o n t r i b u t i o n to the just s o l u t i o n of p r o b l e m s w h i c h have to do w i t h the f u t u r e of the peoples. I am of the same o p i n i o n as y o u , G e n e r a l , said Jacobs d i p l o m a t i c a l l y , a n d I am c o n v i n c e d that this m a t t e r w i l l be r e - e x a m i n e d . B u t I also w a n t to t a l k to y o u about the question of U N R R A . A s y o u k n o w , i t has been created t o assist the peoples w h o have fought. I k n o w this, I said. I h a v e h e a r d it f r o m others, too. A h a , 'ally', I t h o u g h t to myself, I k n o w w h a t y o u have i n m i n d . H o w e v e r , h e w a s right. As a servant of i m p e r i a l i s m , he w a s b o u n d to t r y to get this i n s t r u m e n t of the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s established i n A l b a n i a because they hoped b y this means to put pressure on o u r g o v e r n m e n t and t o erode o u r people's p o w e r f r o m w i t h i n . H o w e v e r , I w a n t to t e l l y o u t h a t y o u cannot m a k e yourself a n exception f r o m the other c o u n tries, M r . H o x h a . U N R R A has its o w n regulations a n d they m u s t be applied, he c o n t i n u e d . W h e r e ever U N R R A has sent aid, i t has d i s t r i b u t e d 370

the goods itself in each centre, t o w n a n d village. T h i s i s h o w i t operates i n Y u g o s l a v i a a n d elsew h e r e . H o w e v e r , I hear that y o u do not agree w i t h this. W i t h o u t doubt H i l l h a d i n f o r m e d h i m about the t a l k h e h a d h a d w i t h me. T h e general v i e w was that the i n f l u e n c e of the A m e r i c a n s w a s b e c o m i n g p r e d o m i n a n t o v e r that of the B r i t i s h i n U N R R A a n d a l r e a d y the contours o f the t e n tacles of A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m w e r e b e c o m i n g more obvious. U n c l e S a m was t a k i n g over the reins f r o m J o h n B u l l , i f h e h a d not already done so, a n d the w h i p w o u l d c r a c k even more h e a v i l y on the b a c k s of the peoples. M r . Jacobs, y o u are i n A l b a n i a a n d A l b a n i a has its o w n l a w s . F o r y o u r benefit, I s h a l l repeat w h a t y o u have a p p a r e n t l y been i n f o r m e d about: I f y o u t r u l y w a n t t o b r i n g u s the a i d o f U N R R A , we are here. S e n d it to the port of D u r r s and h a n d i t o v e r t o the p o r t authorities. D o n ' t c o n cern yourselves about w h e r e w e s h a l l d i s t r i b u t e it. We are the g o v e r n m e n t of the people a n d we strive on the people's behalf. We s h a l l take the aid to its destination w h e r e v e r the needs are greatest. U N R R A is neither a British nor A m e r i c a n organization, a n d t h i s y o u k n o w v e r y w e l l . I t i s an i n t e r n a t i o n a l organization, he said w i t h a b e g u i l i n g smile. N e i t h e r y o u nor I, n o r a n y other p a r t y has the r i g h t to violate its rules. 371

Stuff a n d nonsense! I said a n g r i l y . L e t us not beat a b o u t the b u s h : we do not p e r m i t a l l those officers to enter A l b a n i a . We agree that the goods s h o u l d come a n d be h a n d e d o v e r to o u r authorities i n the presence o f one o r t w o officers o f y o u r m i s s i o n i n T i r a n a , a n d the r e presentative o f U N R R A w i l l b e g i v e n receipts f o r the goods w h i c h are d e l i v e r e d . T h a t w i l l b e the e n d of its w o r k a n d y o u r s on t h i s question. O h , n o ! T h a t is not acceptable, said Jacobs. V e r y w e l l . I n t h a t case w e d o not w a n t the a i d of U N R R A , I s a i d . W e do not accept the conditions. W e d o not p e r m i t e v e n one o f f i c e r to set foot on the w h a r f . O n previous occasions, d u r i n g the w a r , a l lies a n d friends o f t h i s k i n d h a d come, s m i l e d at us a n d snarled, b r o u g h t us u l t i m a t u m s a n d good t i d i n g s a n d left u s o n l y w i t h t a l k about t h e i r so-called aid. M c L e a n , Davies, P a l m e r , T h o m a s S t e f a n i a n d n o w H o d g s o n a n d H i l l , Jacobs a n d F u l t z w e r e a l l b i r d s of a feather, h a d the same plans and w e r e p u r s u i n g the same course. W i t h the f e w rags t h e y w e r e g o i n g t o send us as aid A m e r i c a a n d B r i t a i n w a n t e d to t e l l the A l b a n i a n s : It i s w e w h o are k e e p i n g y o u alive. Y o u r g o v e r n m e n t is going b a n k r u p t , it cannot get along w i t h o u t us, therefore p r e p a r e to oppose it, if not w i t h revolts at least w i t h y o u r votes in the elections to the C o n s t i t u e n t 372

A s s e m b l y . A n d t h i s propaganda, o f course, w o u l d b e s p r e a d b y t h e i r officers w h o w e r e a l l e gedly t o d i s t r i b u t e the U N R R A aid, the s e c o n d h a n d c l o t h i n g a n d w e e v i l y beans, a n d w o u l d att e m p t to engage in espionage a n d e x t e n d t h e i r n e t w o r k of spies a n d saboteurs. P r o c e e d i n g f r o m t h e i r i m p e r i a l i s t logic, t h e y believed that o u r people w o u l d sell t h e i r f r e e d o m a n d i n d e p e n dence f o r some m a t e r i a l a i d they m i g h t send us. T h e m a n o e u v r e w a s clear. H o w e v e r , they d i d not fool us, t h e i r aims w e r e v e r y obvious to us. W e reached agreement t h a t the aid w o u l d come, not u n d e r t h e i r conditions but u n d e r ours. Nevertheless, w e k e p t o u r eyes open a n d w e foiled a n y a t t e m p t t o d o u s h a r m . F i n a l l y , almost as if by accident, Jacobs asked m e : I n the d o c u m e n t s y o u have p u b l i s h e d y o u say that a l l the political, economic a n d m i l i t a r y agreements w h i c h K i n g Z o g h a d w i t h other states are to be r e - e x a m i n e d a n d a n n u l l e d . Does this also a p p l y t o those w i t h the A m e r i c a n government? Yes, I r e p l i e d . These agreements are l i k e Nasredin's n a i l , ( 1 ) M r . Jacobs, but o u r people p u l l e d out this n a i l at the Congress of P r m e t .
______________________________ 1 A popular expression to show h o w someone, by trickery, ensures his o w n e r s h i p of some m i n o r unimportant thing w i t h i n the property of someone else in order to use it as a pretext to gradually seize the w h o l e property.

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W i t h o u t doubt y o u have been i n f o r m e d about t h i s Congress a n d the h i s t o r i c decisions t a k e n there by the representatives of the people. T h e head o f y o u r m i l i t a r y m i s s i o n w a s present there a s a n observer a n d h e a r d w i t h his o w n ears w h a t w a s said, w h a t w a s decided, a n d w h o decided on this question. S p e a k i n g of this, we also i n v i t e d a n observer f r o m the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n t o P r m e t . i n s t r u c t i n g h i m not to p u b l i s h the date a n d place a t w h i c h i t w o u l d b e h e l d . H e d e s c r i b e d the C o n gress as ' u n l a w f u l ' a n d d i d not come. B u t the G e r m a n s a n d t r a i t o r s w o u l d have come i f o u r p a r t i s a n brigades h a d not o r g a n i z e d a n heroic defence. T h a t is a separate issue, b u t let us r e t u r n t o y o u r question. T h e decision o n the m a t t e r y o u m e n t i o n e d was t a k e n a t this Congress. A t B e r a t the D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n m e n t pledged t o c a r r y t h r o u g h t o the end the tasks w i t h w h i c h i t w a s charged, a m o n g w h i c h i s the e x a m i n a t i o n a n d c a n c e l l i n g of the agreements w h i c h the ' c l o w n of progress', A h m e t Zog, concluded. T h i s is the decision a n d desire o f the people a n d w i l l c e r t a i n l y be c a r r i e d out, irrespective of w h e t h e r those affected are great or s m a l l . H o w e v e r , in m e n t i o n i n g it, M r . Jacobs, y o u 'forgot' the f i n a l phrase of t h i s decision: ' . . . t h o s e w h i c h are to the d e t r i m e n t of the A l b a n i a n people a n d state.' T h i s means that some of t h e m , especially the b i l a t e r a l ones, can b e r e - e x a m i n e d w i t h the A m e r i c a n g o v e r n m e n t after the establishment o f d i 374

p l o m a t i c relations w i t h it, m a k i n g the necessary changes in the s p i r i t of e q u a l i t y a n d r e c i p r o c i t y a n d s t r i p p i n g t h e m o f a n y content w h i c h violates the p o l i t i c a l a n d economic independence o f A l bania. G i v e the green l i g h t s of r e c o g n i t i o n a n d the establishment of d i p l o m a t i c relations, M r . Jacobs, a n d t h e n w e s h a l l look into these m a t ters in detail. L e t us w a i t a n d hope, he r e p l i e d . These w e r e allegedly peaceful, a l l i e d m i s sions, w h i c h w e r e to i n f o r m t h e i r governments about the development of the situation in A l b a nia, about the l e v e l of d e m o c r a c y w h i c h w o u l d be established in this country, a n d about the c h a r a c t e r o f the r e f o r m s w h i c h the n e w A l b a n i a n g o v e r n m e n t w o u l d c a r r y out, i n order t o prepare its r e c o g n i t i o n b y the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n governments. T h i s w a s the appearance t h e y assumed. I n essence t h e y h a d other aims. B u t w e w e r e not g o i n g to s w a l l o w the tales of G e n e r a l Hodgson, or of Jacobs or F u l t z . T h e i r aims had become clear to us d u r i n g the t i m e of the w a r w h e n t h e y t o l d u s that, first w e m u s t acquaint ourselves w i t h the s i t u a t i o n a n d t h e n w e s h a l l s u p p l y y o u w i t h weapons. T h e old aims w e r e h i d d e n b e h i n d n e w phrases, s t i l l presented u n d e r the disguise o f allies, b u t n o w w i t h n e w people and other methods. B o t h sides s m i l e d at each 375

other, but b o t h kept t h e i r eyes open, because t h e y were m a k i n g plans to attack us a n d we to defend ourselves; t h e y w e r e p l o t t i n g w h i l e w e w e r e v i g i l a n t , we h a d to d i s c o v e r t h e i r secret agents a n d defeat t h e i r subversive a c t i v i t y . T h e A n g l o - A m e r i c a n missions q u i c k l y u n derstood the v i t a l i t y of o u r people's state p o w e r a n d the u n w a v e r i n g , u n y i e l d i n g s t a n d o f o u r g o v e r n m e n t t o w a r d s t h e i r t r i c k e r y . T h e y were t e r r i f i e d w h e n t h e y s a w w i t h t h e i r o w n eyes that the l i n k s of the people w i t h the g o v e r n m e n t w e r e b e c o m i n g e v e r stronger, that the people's state p o w e r w a s being consolidated and the first s i g n i f i c a n t victories w e r e being a c h i e v e d i n the w o r k o f r e c o n s t r u c t i o n i n o u r c o u n t r y . T h e y set about t h e i r w o r k o f sabotage i n e v e r y possible f i e l d of the n e w life that w a s e m e r g i n g i n A l b a n i a , i n order t o l o w e r the prestige o f the D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n m e n t a n d o v e r t h r o w the people's state power. T h e i r first task was to establish contact w i t h a n d organize a l l the enemies of the p e o p l e : the w a r c r i m i n a l s , the beys, the m e r c h a n t s h i t b y our reforms, the r e a c t i o n a r y intellectuals, the spies a n d i m m o r a l w o m e n , i n brief, a l l the s c u m . T h e y collected up t h e i r agents a n d began to finance t h e m , t o encourage t h e m a n d sool t h e m on to attack t h e people's state p o w e r . T h e h e a d quarters of the missions q u i c k l y became centres of espionage, sabotage a n d a r m e d plots. 376

T h e m a i n d i r e c t i o n i n w h i c h t h e y started t h e i r w o r k w a s t h a t o f creating p o l i t i c a l c o n fusion, b u t here they r a n up against the s t r e n g t h o f the P a r t y a n d o u r people. T h e y a i m e d t o create a m o n g the masses the o p i n i o n t h a t A l b a n i a c o u l d not exist o n its o w n , w i t h o u t the political and material aid of B r i t a i n and A m e r i c a . These t w o b i g states c o u l d not tolerate the e x i s tence of a c o m m u n i s t state l i k e A l b a n i a in w h i c h the people, l e d b y the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y , w e r e i n p o w e r . T h e y spread t h e i r p r o p a g a n d a o p e n l y a n d i n disguised f o r m s . W i t h o u t doubt, the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n missions h a d created t h e i r agency a m o n g the r e a c t i o n a r y elements o f the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d L e g a l i t e t i d u r i n g the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r and after L i b e r a t i o n these elements r e m a i n e d c a m o u f l a g e d a n d c o n t i n u e d t h e i r hostile w o r k u n d e r the lap. I n o r d e r t o f i g h t us, the B r i t i s h mission, headed b y G e n e r a l H o d g s o n , used this agency to spread s u c h r u m o u r s as, these boys f r o m the m o u n t a i n s have n o e x p e r i e n c e i n g o v e r n i n g the c o u n t r y o r r u n n i n g the economy, they w i l l go b a n k r u p t , it w o n ' t be l o n g before t h e y need us, this w a v e w i l l pass a n d t h e n w e shall b e back i n p o w e r , B r i t a i n a n d A m e r i c a cannot p e r m i t t h i s situation, etc. F o r his p a r t , F u l t z hoped that a l l the f o r m e r p u p i l s o f the T e c h n i c a l S c h o o l i n T i r a n a , o f w h i c h 377

he h a d been d i r e c t o r f o r a l o n g t i m e d u r i n g the regime o f Zog, w o u l d b e w i t h h i m . I t n e v e r occurred t o h i m that the o v e r w h e l m i n g m a j o r i t y o f those f o r m e r pupils, l i k e a l l the A l b a n i a n y o u t h , h a d been i n the f r o n t l i n e o f t h e f i g h t a gainst the occupiers. H o w e v e r , in the r a n k s of these f o r m e r students there w e r e some w h o m he h a d t r i e d to r e c r u i t as agents years before, by r u n n i n g a special course f o r t h e m at n i g h t in the home of the v i c e - p r i n c i p a l of the T e c h n i c a l School, H o l l i n g s t a n d . H e w a s sure t h a t these pupils w o u l d not have forgotten t h e i r teacher. Indeed, F u l t z h a d i n f o r m a t i o n that t h e y w e r e engaged i n hostile a c t i v i t y . T h i s t h e n w a s t o b e M r . F u l t z ' s m a i n contingent i n his efforts to c a r r y out the tasks entrusted to h i m by his chiefs i n W a s h i n g t o n . T h e A m e r i c a n m i s s i o n also believed that the f a m i l i e s of A l b a n i a n economic e m i g r a n t s in the U S A w o u l d become a support a n d a source o f i n f o r m a t i o n a n d agents. H o w e v e r , F u l t z w a s w r o n g i n this. He also h a d expectations of another source. D u r i n g the t i m e o f the w a r , F u l t z h a d t r a i n e d his boys in the special espionage course w h i c h the S B S * h a d set u p i n Italy w i t h f o r m e r A l b a n i a n internees after they w e r e released. S o m e of these elements m a n a g e d to penetrate into the
__________________________ * Secret B a l k a n Service, a branch of the OSS.

378

r a n k s of the p a r t i s a n a r m y a n d some e v e n became m e m b e r s of our P a r t y . A f u r t h e r source of i n f o r m a t i o n f o r the A m e r i c a n m i s s i o n w o u l d b e some f o r m e r students w h o h a d b e g u n t h e i r i n s t r u c t i o n i n espionage i n v a r i o u s schools a b r o a d , s u c h a s R o b e r t C o l lege in Istanbul, u n d e r the d i r e c t i o n of a c e r t a i n F i s h e r , etc. W i t h these contingents he set to w o r k to ensure that A l b a n i a t u r n e d its eyes to the d e m o c r a t i c West, to A m e r i c a . He h a d n e w tasks to give his boys and students. T h e y h a d to get into positions in the n e w state p o w e r a n d w o r k secretly f o r a coup d'tat, or if n o t h i n g came of this, i n t e r n a l disturbances or b o r d e r provocations w o u l d be created i n order t o b r i n g about a n a r m e d i n t e r v e n t i o n . T h e y w e r e to c a r r y out sabotage e v e r y w h e r e a n d spread r u m o u r s against the people's state p o w e r , w h i s p e r i n g that the A t l a n t i c C h a r t e r w a s not respected i n A l b a n i a , that here there w a s n o other p a r t y besides the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y a n d no newspapers to represent different p o l i t i c a l tendencies. T h e A n g l o - A m e r i c a n agency was ordered into action. T h e B r i t i s h M a j o r , N e e l , c o n t i n u e d his m i s sion b e g u n d u r i n g the w a r f o r the organization o f the r e a c t i o n a r y clergy i n S h k o d r a . H e i n c i t e d t h e m to cause serious disturbances w h i c h w e r e 379

m e a n t to lead to c i v i l w a r a n d t h i s w a s to be t h e excuse f o r the b i g democracies to u n d e r take m i l i t a r y i n t e r v e n t i o n t o q u e l l this w a r . F o l l o w i n g the i n s t r u c t i o n s of the o f f i c e r of t h e B r i t i s h mission, the r e a c t i o n a r y clergy h a d l i n k e d u p w i t h the f u g i t i v e s i n the m o u n t a i n s a n d d i s contented elements and h a d b e g u n t o w o r k o n t h e i r believers to create discontent a m o n g t h e m a n d spread hostile, c o n f u s i n g r u m o u r s . T h e a r m e d actions b u r s t out. C a r r y i n g out the orders of t h e V a t i c a n , too, the residence of the A r c h b i s h o p in S h k o d r a w a s m a d e the H e a d q u a r t e r s of the reactionary insurgents. H o w e v e r , the d e t a c h ments o f o u r a r m y defeated the u p r i s i n g w i t h i n t w o days. T h e p l a n f o r the l a n d i n g f a i l e d again, just as it h a d done d u r i n g the w a r . I n K u o v a , the B r i t i s h mission, w o r k i n g t h r o u g h its agent T a r a s c o n i , an I t a l i a n fascist left i n A l b a n i a , a t t e m p t e d t o destroy the o i l w e l l s a n d the r e f i n e r y . T h e agent was discovered. A t his t r i a l h e s p i l l e d the beans about o u r friends. T h e agents o f the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n s encouraged the b l a c k m a r k e t in order to create p o v e r t y a n d discontent a m o n g the masses. T h e o v e r t h r o w n classes w e r e r e a c t i v i z e d a n d i n f u r i a t e d because they c o u l d not reconcile themselves to the m a j o r t r a n s f o r m a t i o n s being c a r r i e d out by the people's state power. T h e y c o u l d not sto380

m a c h the L a n d R e f o r m , the nationalizations, t h e special taxes on w a r t i m e profits, the developm e n t o f e d u c a t i o n a n d c u l t u r e , hence they f o u g h t t h e m , sometimes arrogantly, sometimes b y t r i c k e r y ; they sent appeals a n d c o m p l a i n t s t o t h e i r umbrellas, the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n m i s sions, to i n t e r v e n e against these injustices w h i c h t h e people w e r e i m p o s i n g o n t h e m . Despite t h e i r desires a n d efforts, h o w e v e r , the u m b r e l l a s a w t h a t it was impossible to come to t h e i r rescue d i r e c t l y . T h e y h a d to continue the struggle against us u n d e r cover. W h i l e not r e l i n q u i s h i n g the above forms, the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n s concentrated t h e i r a t t e n t i o n on the creation of the opposition. T h i s w a s essential f o r t h e m because the time of the election c a m p a i g n w a s a p p r o a c h i n g . T h e y established connections w i t h r e a c t i o n a r y elements a n d disguised traitors i n the D e m o c r a t i c F r o n t , s u c h a s Shefqet B e j a , R i z a D a n i , G j e r g j K o k o s h i , S e l a u d i n Toto, S a m i Q e r i b a s h i , S u a t A s l l a n i a n d others. S o m e of these w e r e i n s t r u c t e d to come out o p e n l y at suitable moments, w h i l e others w e r e t o r e m a i n l i k e the m e n concealed i n the T r o j a n Horse, so that at the opportune m o m e n t t h e y c o u l d be released to u n d e r m i n e the F r o n t f r o m w i t h i n a n d s u d d e n l y stab u s i n the back. T h i s was a w i d e - r a n g i n g p l a n , d r a w n up a n d c o - o r d i n a t e d b y L o n d o n a n d its transatlantic ally. 381

W e heard r u m o u r s that reaction was m a k i n g f r a n t i c afforts to create a p a r t y w h i c h w o u l d come out against the p r o g r a m of the F r o n t a n d as the people say, There is no s m o k e w i t h o u t fire. T h e questions w h i c h G e n e r a l H o d g s o n asked in a t a l k we h a d w h e n he came to A l b a n i a w e r e not w i t h o u t significance. W i l l a n y g r o u p take p a r t i n the elections as an opposition outside the F r o n t ? the G e n e r a l w a n t e d to k n o w , after I h a d r e p l i e d to his quest i o n about p o l i t i c a l parties. T h e i n d i c a t i o n s up to the present, G e n e r a l , are that there is no such g r o u p a n d there is no reason for one, I r e p l i e d . D o y o u k n o w w h y ? T h e w a r o f the A l b a n i a n people solved this p r o b l e m . T h e w a r , the people's r e v o l u t i o n , got r i d of the 'Opposition', because it f e l l i n t o the l a p of the occupiers a n d c o m p r o m i s e d itself. Nevertheless, M r . H o x h a , are there not at least, independent candidates w h o w i l l c o m pete in the election c a m p a i g n ? the G e n e r a l asked me. There m a y be i n d i v i d u a l s w h o do not l i k e the p o l i c y of the n e w people's state p o w e r , G e n e r a l , a n d this is l o g i c a l . In o u r c o u n t r y the F r o n t includes the o v e r w h e l m i n g m a j o r i t y o f the A l b a n i a n people. T h i s is a great v i c t o r y f o r democracy. It has not been o r d a i n e d that w i t h o u t an opposition there is no democracy. Indeed, t h i s 382

is the broadest democracy, the d e m o c r a c y of the m a j o r i t y , I c o n t i n u e d . I w a s s p e a k i n g of independent candidates, i n t e r r u p t e d the G e n e r a l . The electoral l a w guarantees e v e r y o n e the r i g h t t o p u t f o r w a r d his o w n candidature. I n o u r c o u n t r y , the r i g h t to elect and be elected exists f o r a l l those w h o have reached the age r e q u i r e d b y the l a w , apart f r o m the f o r m e r q u i s l i n g m i n i s t e r s a n d those w h o have been sentenced t o d e p r i v a t i o n o f c i v i l rights. F o r e x a m ple, if independent candidates are to emerge in the election c a m p a i g n , in an electoral district of 10 to 12 t h o u s a n d voters, t h e y must f i n d at least 20 people to endorse t h e i r independent c a n d i d a t u r e . It w i l l be no f a u l t of ours, or of the electoral l a w , if such i n d i v i d u a l s are unable to f i n d e v e n so f e w people to support t h e m in the election. T h e fault w i l l be t h e i r o w n , because they have aroused the people's h a t r e d a n d c a n not get t h e i r support. Is there no press apart f r o m the o f f i c i a l one? asked the G e n e r a l , as if he d i d not k n o w . It is t r u e that there are no press organs apart f r o m the o f f i c i a l ones, b u t everyone, w i t h the e x c e p t i o n of enemies, G e n e r a l , has the r i g h t to w r i t e in the o f f i c i a l press, I t o l d h i m . It w a s not l o n g before we were h e a r i n g these things that this representative of f o r e i g n 383

r e a c t i o n said t o m e d i p l o m a t i c a l l y , i n other, more aggressive forms, f r o m i n t e r n a l reaction. O t h e r parties c o u l d not b e created i n A l b a nia, n o t o n l y because the bourgeoisie was w e a k e c o n o m i c a l l y a n d h a d s t i l l not f o r m e d its t r a d i t i o n i n this f i e l d , b u t because the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y consolidated itself q u i c k l y d u r i n g the w a r , a n d the people accepted it as t h e i r sole leadership. A f t e r L i b e r a t i o n the social base of the bourgeoisie w a s e l i m i n a t e d b y t h e r e f o r m s o f the n e w state p o w e r , thus the basis f o r its parties w a s l i q u i d a t e d , too. I n j e c t i o n f r o m a b r o a d r e m a i n e d the o n l y course open, a n d the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n s t r i e d to give it this. To this e n d the representatives of reaction o r g a n i z e d meetings in the presence of foreigners and these foreigners w e r e n o n e o t h e r t h a n m e m bers of allied missions a n d journalists. H e n c e , the m i n i - p a r t i e s , a n d these of course on crutches, c o u l d be created o n l y on the i n i t i a t i v e a n d u r g i n g of the imperialists, a n d t h i s is w h a t o c c u r r e d . G r o u p s t o w h i c h t h e i r authors attached such labels as the monarchist group, the resistance group, the social-democratic group, s p r a n g u p l i k e m u s h r o o m s after the r a i n a n d e m e r g e d on the stage to p l a y t h e i r role as u n f o r t u n a t e actors in a d r a m a t h a t w a s a f l o p . O n instructions f r o m H o d g s o n a n d F u l t z , the chiefs of the O p p o s i t i o n w e r e to openly 384

oppose the E l e c t o r a l L a w w h i c h w a s t o b e discussed b y the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n C o u n c i l ( A N L C ) . T h i s act w o u l d close the r a n k s of reaction, confuse the w a v e r e r s a n d w o u l d also give the f r i e n d s the o p p o r t u n i t y to have t h e i r say i n one f o r m o r another. T h e d a y w h e n the m e e t i n g o f the A n t i fascist N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n C o u n c i l was h e l d i n the K o s o v a C i n e m a , G e n e r a l H o d g s o n a n d M r . F u l t z f o l l o w e d its proceedings attentively, e x p e c t i n g the c h i c k e n to emerge f r o m the egg w h i c h t h e y a n d t h e i r colleagues h a d been h a t c h i n g w i t h s u c h care. R e a c t i o n began to raise its head p r e c i s e l y w h e n the draft of the E l e c t o r a l L a w w a s presented a n d the debate commenced. G j e r g j K o k o s h i , p r i m e d b y the B r i t i s h , openly expressed the v i e w of reaction opposed to the draft. T h e other m e m b e r s of the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n C o u n c i l rejected the thesis o f the e n e m y a n d G j e r g j K o k o s h i d e m o n s t r a t i v e l y w a l k e d out of the F r o n t in o r d e r to become the leader of the O p p o s i t i o n outside the F r o n t , a c c o r d i n g to the plans of the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n s . T h i s was a s i g n a l f o r reaction to operate out i n the open. W e k n e w about its movements, k e p t o u r eyes open, h a d no illusions that a l l the nationalists i n t h e F r o n t w i t h o u t e x c e p t i o n were honest, because some of t h e m h a d been p u t into i t t o u n d e r m i n e i t f r o m w i t h i n . Nevertheless, 385

o u r a i m was t o u n c o v e r the e n e m y a n d w i n a l l the w a v e r i n g elements to o u r side. We marched forward. The Anti-fascist National Liberation Council decided t h a t the elections w o u l d b e h e l d o n D e c e m b e r 2, 1945. T h e D e m o c r a t i c F r o n t issued the p r o c l a m a t i o n on the elections. T h e great p o l i t i c a l action t h e e l e c t i o n c a m p a i g n , c o m m e n c e d . I n t e r n a l reaction m a d e strenuous efforts t o t a k e p a r t i n the elections w i t h its o w n lists. H o w e v e r , i t f o u n d n o s u p p o r t a m o n g the people a n d f a i l e d . T h e lists of candidates of the F r o n t w e r e p r o c l a i m e d . T h e people h e l d b i g rallies e v e r y w h e r e a n d amongst great e n t h u s i a s m a n d rejoicing, a p p r o v e d the lists presented. T h e elect i o n c a m p a i g n w a s t u r n i n g into a great p o p u l a r plebiscite. T h i s was m a d d e n i n g to the enemies. T h e y t r i e d t o have the elections postponed. A n d w h e n t h i s f a i l e d , too, they set to w o r k to t r y to organize a boycott of the elections by s p r e a d i n g r u m o u r s like, there is no democracy, the E l e c t o r a l L a w is anti-democratic, there is a o n e - p a r t y d i c t a torship, a n d s o o n , w h i c h w e h a d h e a r d d i r e c t l y o r i n d i r e c t l y f r o m H o d g s o n , Jacobs a n d C o . T w o audiences w i t h i n one day. T w o d i a m e t r i c a l l y opposed stands. On N o v e m b e r 10, 1945, the head of t h e Soviet M i l i t a r y M i s s i o n , came t o m e a n d h a n d e d me the note of the Soviet g o v e r n m e n t i n f o r m i n g 386

us that it h a d t a k e n a decision to recognize the A l b a n i a n g o v e r n m e n t a n d establish d i p l o m a t i c relations w i t h it. T h i s is a f r e s h proof of the sincere f r i e n d s h i p of the S o v i e t people, t h e i r government, a n d G e n e r a l i s s i m o S t a l i n f o r our people a n d t h e i r g o v e r n m e n t , I said to S o k o l o v . T h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f these d i p l o m a t i c relations w i l l f u r t h e r strengthen the f r i e n d s h i p of o u r people w i t h the S o v i e t people. T h i s is the desire of the Soviet people, too, said the C o l o n e l . W e are overjoyed at the h i g h assessment that y o u r g o v e r n m e n t has m a d e of the c o n t r i b u t i o n o f the A l b a n i a n people t o the w a r against the I t a l i a n a n d G e r m a n occupiers, as w e l l as of the w o r k of r e c o n s t r u c t i o n of the country. It is the d u t y of o u r g o v e r n m e n t to do this, because the A l b a n i a n people deserve it, said the S o v i e t officer. Please t r a n s m i t to the Soviet people, their g o v e r n m e n t a n d G e n e r a l i s s i m o S t a l i n the greetings a n d p r o f o u n d g r a t i t u d e o f the A l b a n i a n people a n d t h e i r D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n m e n t f o r this l o f t y gesture of friendship, I said in conclusion. T w o o r three hours later, H o d g s o n and F u l t z came. I n t h i s h e a l t h y r e v o l u t i o n a r y situation, the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n governments understood that t h e y w e r e being exposed t h r o u g h this delay 387

i n g r a n t i n g recognition. T o escape f u r t h e r e x p o sure, they w e r e o b l i g e d to t r y a p o l i t i c a l m a noeuvre. G e n e r a l H o d g s o n spoke f i r s t : H i s M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t , he said, has t a k e n the d e c i s i o n to accord r e c o g n i t i o n to y o u r G o v e r n m e n t a n d is r e a d y to send its d i p l o m a t i c representatives... W e are v e r y pleased that at last the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t has been c o n v i n c e d of the great t r u t h w h i c h exists i n m y c o u n t r y . . . T h e B r i t i s h G e n e r a l i n t e r r u p t e d me, H o w ever, this is on c o n d i t i o n that y o u r g o v e r n m e n t w i l l guarantee t h a t the elections are conducted in a free and secret m a n n e r . F u l t z n o d d e d his head i n a p p r o v a l and i m m e d i a t e l y looked a t m e a w a i t i n g m y r e p l y . The D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n m e n t o f A l b a n i a , G e n t l e m e n , is v e r y concerned about the o b s e r v a t i o n of these p r i n c i p l e s . It has defended t h e m a n d w i l l d e f e n d t h e m w i t h a l l its strength, because they are consecrated i n l a w b y the meetings of representatives of the A l b a n i a n people w h o have shed t h e i r blood to establish a n d protect t h e m . T h i s is the most reliable guarantee that these freedoms a n d rights w i l l b e a p p l i e d i n practice. T h e E l e c t o r a l L a w ensures the r i g h t s of a l l i n d i v i d u a l s a n d groups, apart f r o m fascists, t o take p a r t i n this i m p o r t a n t event i n t h e history o f o u r people. W e s h a l l respect the 388

secrecy a n d f r e e d o m of v o t i n g w i t h the greatest seriousness, I stressed. H i s M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t also demands that the press m u s t be free, added the G e n e r a l . I assure y o u , G e n e r a l , that the f r e e d o m of the press has been a n d w i l l a l w a y s r e m a i n one of t h e basic p r i n c i p l e s of o u r democracy, I replied. T h e f i n a l request, G e n e r a l H o x h a , said H o d g s o n , is that f o r e i g n correspondents should be p e r m i t t e d to observe the p r o c e d u r e of the elections i n A l b a n i a . F u l t z n o d d e d again. F o r e i g n correspondents are not p r o h i b i t e d f r o m e n t e r i n g A l b a n i a , G e n e r a l , a n d the g o v e r n m e n t has p r o v i d e d a l l facilities f o r t h e m . L e t t h e m come a n d see de visu h o w b r o a d and genuine o u r d e m o c r a c y is. The A m e r i c a n g o v e r n m e n t has also decided to recognize y o u r government, said F u l t z at last. I am e x p e c t i n g the a r r i v a l of the note from moment to moment. B u t according to my instructions, besides the conditions w h i c h M r . H o d g s o n has presented, the A m e r i c a n g o v e r n m e n t also d e m a n d s the i m p l e m e n t a t i o n of the treaties or agreements that w e r e concluded bet w e e n the t w o countries before A p r i l 7, 1939. M r . F u l t z , I h a v e a l r e a d y m a d e this m a t t e r clear in a m e e t i n g w h i c h I h a d earlier w i t h M r . 389

Jacobs. I do not w i t h d r a w one c o m m a f r o m w h a t I said then. A f t e r r e p l y i n g to F u l t z , I c o n t i n u e d : G e n t l e m e n , I s h a l l t r a n s m i t w h a t y o u have c o m m u n i c a t e d to me to o u r government, b u t I w a n t t o say t o y o u i n advance that the question of the r e c o g n i t i o n of the D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n m e n t of A l b a n i a s h o u l d not be dragged on so l o n g a n d , moreover, conditions should not be attached to it. T h e Soviet U n i o n , Y u g o s l a v i a a n d P o l a n d have recognized o u r g o v e r n m e n t w h i c h emerged f r o m the w a r a n d the bosom of this l o n g - s u f f e r i n g people. T h i s is a great satisfaction f o r the A l b a n i a n people w h i c h they f u l l y deserve. T h e other countries, a n d in the f i r s t place, the great allies, B r i t a i n a n d A m e r i c a , w h i c h are the closest witnesses of t h e i r w a r , s h o u l d have done this, too. T h e fact that conditions are p l a c e d on the recognition a n d establishment of d i p l o m a t i c r e l a tions astonishes us. H o w can conditions be placed on the r e c o g n i t i o n of the g o v e r n m e n t of a heroic people w h o p o u r e d out a l l t h e i r energies f o r freedom, f o r the great c o m m o n cause of the allies? H o w can doubts be cast on the f r e e d o m and democracy of this c o u n t r y w h e n the c h a r a c ter of the regime is democratic, w h e n the d e c i s i ons a n d l a w s are m a d e and p u t into p r a c t i c e i n the most d e m o c r a t i c w a y ? It seems to me that these things are c o m pletely unreasonable. B o t h yesterday i n the w a r 390

a n d today i n peace, e v e r y t h i n g i n o u r c o u n t r y is decided by the people. I do not w i s h to d w e l l on this. T h e people say: ' Y o u don't need a guide to the v i l l a g e in sight.' T h e people themselves have solved a n d are s o l v i n g t h e i r i n t e r n a l p r o b lems as masters of t h e i r o w n fate a n d categorically do not p e r m i t a n y o n e else, great or s m a l l , to i n t e r f e r e i n t h e i r i n t e r n a l affairs. T h e A l b a n i a n people w i l l not w e l c o m e this k i n d of r e c o g n i t i o n of t h e i r g o v e r n m e n t by the allies, G e n t l e m e n , I continued, a n d at other times, too, t h e y have expressed t h e i r dissatisfact i o n over c e r t a i n stands of the allies t o w a r d s t h e i r representation i n i n t e r n a t i o n a l forums. T h e y have regretted a n d s t i l l regret that t h e i r r i g h t t o m e m b e r s h i p i n the U N O continues t o b e denied t h e m . T h e A l b a n i a n s see this as a d e n i a l of the p r i n c i p l e s f o r w h i c h the anti-fascist w a r w a s f o u g h t a n d f o r w h i c h the U N O w a s created. T h e A l b a n i a n people are h e a r i n g r u m o u r s about p r e p a r a t i o n s f o r a conference at w h i c h the peace treaties w i t h G e r m a n y a n d I t a l y w i l l b e considered. O u r country, l i k e a l l the other v i c t o r ious nations, ought to be an active p a r t i c i p a n t in this conference. R e g r e t t a b l y , h o w e v e r , it seems that this right, too, is being denied it. Up t i l l n o w w e h a v e received n o i n f o r m a t i o n a n d n o i n v i t a t i o n . I w a n t to ask y o u , G e n t l e m e n : w h o m o r e t h a n o u r people ought to d e m a n d a r e c k o n i n g f r o m fascist I t a l y ? W a s i t not the A l b a n i a n 391

people w h o fought a n d p i n n e d d o w n m o r e t h a n 15 I t a l i a n a n d G e r m a n d i v i s i o n s ? W a s this not a v e r y h e a v y b u r d e n o n t h e i r b a c k ? D i d they not m a k e a n outstanding c o n t r i b u t i o n , i n p r o p o r t i o n to the size of the t e r r i t o r y a n d p o p u l a t i o n of the c o u n t r y , to the h i s t o r i c v i c t o r y o v e r fascism? E v e r y honest person i n the w o r l d n o w recognizes these m e r i t s of the A l b a n i a n people. T h e r e f o r e Italy and G e r m a n y owe t h e m a great d e a l . T h e y m u s t p a y f o r a l l the countless hideous atrocities w h i c h they c o m m i t t e d . T h e A l b a n i a n people w i l l persistently d e m a n d reparations. T h i s is t h e i r legitimate r i g h t and they regret that absurd obstacles are being raised, the m o r e so w h e n they hear that these obstacles come f r o m c e r t a i n allies. So, G e n t l e m e n , as I told y o u at the b e g i n n i n g , I shall present w h a t y o u h a v e t o l d me to the g o v e r n m e n t a n d w e s h a l l give y o u o u r reply. I i n f o r m e d the g o v e r n m e n t about the c o m m u n i c a t i o n w h i c h the representatives of the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n missions m a d e t o m e a n d the t a l k I h a d w i t h t h e m . T h e comrades discussed these things, d i s t i n g u i s h e d b e t w e e n the r e c o g n i t i o n b y the Soviet g o v e r n m e n t a n d the r e c o g n i t i o n b y the g o v e r n m e n t s o f B r i t a i n a n d A m e r i c a a n d w e sent t h e m notes i n r e p l y . ( 1 )
_____________________________ 1 T h e Democratic Government of A l b a n i a sent notes in reply to the B r i t i s h and A m e r i c a n governments on November 11 a n d

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S e j f u l l a M a l s h o v a alone took a different v i e w of these recognitions. He considered the notes presented b y G r e a t B r i t a i n a n d the U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a recognition, w h e r e a s i n fact t h e y w e r e p o l i t i c a l m a n o e u v r e s t o encourage i n t e r n a l reaction. H e put f o r w a r d the theses: O f f i c i a l l y , w e m u s t put the Soviet U n i o n , B r i t a i n a n d the U S A o n the one footing, the question of the r e c o g n i t i o n of the g o v e r n m e n t by the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s is a c o n d i t i o n sine qua non f o r the people's regime i n A l b a n i a , the s e c u r i n g o f r e c o g n i t i o n b y the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s and a d m i s s i o n t o the U N O a t a l l costs, e v e n w i t h some concession in t h e i r f a v o u r , etc. A c c e p t a n c e of these theses w o u l d have constituted a great danger to the f r e e d o m a n d independence of our c o u n t r y . P o s i n g as a great theoretician, he advised us, We must understand the dialectical d e v e l o p m e n t of events, because o n l y t h e n w i l l we be able to u n d e r s t a n d the concessions, and we m u s t not b e a f r a i d o f them. H e i m p l a n t e d c a p i t u l a t i o n a n d fear o f A n g l o - A m e r i c a n strength in c e r t a i n elements predisposed to o p p o r t u n i s m , w h o expressed themselves l i k e t h i s : A s a s m a l l c o u n t r y , A l b a n i a cannot l i v e o n its o w n , i t w i l l depend on them. H i s directives, w h i c h began and ended
______________________________ 17, 1945, in the spirit of the replies w h i c h Comrade Enver H o x h a gave them there and then, and the discussions in this meeting. (See: E n v e r H o x h a , Works, v o l . 3, p p . 174, 177, A l b ed.)

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w i t h must, d i d not f a i l to leave some traces. T h e y h a d been the cause of signs of o p p o r t u n i s m in regard to i n c l u d i n g representatives of reaction i n the lists o f candidates o f the F r o n t a n d i n regard to proposals f o r a c o a l i t i o n w i t h the C a t h o l i c c l e r g y i n the elections. L a t e r , h e t r i e d to ensure t h a t the f o r e i g n p o l i c y a n d the econ o m i c p o l i c y o f o u r c o u n t r y w e r e orientated t o w a r d s the West. H o w e v e r , these traces w e r e s h o r t - l i v e d . T h e 5 t h P l e n u m o f the C e n t r a l C o m mittee of the P a r t y f i n a l l y silenced his discordant voice i n F e b r u a r y 1946. Regardless of the manoeuvres, efforts a n d p l a n s of e x t e r n a l a n d i n t e r n a l enemies, the elect i o n c a m p a i g n took place a c c o r d i n g to the p r o g r a m p r o c l a i m e d b y the D e m o c r a t i c F r o n t . T h e P a r t y c a r r i e d out intensive p r o p a g a n d a to expose a n d defeat these plans, dealt t h e m a m o r t a l b l o w a n d f u r t h e r strengthened the p o l i t i c a l u n i t y of t h e masses a r o u n d itself. T h e elections to the C o n s t i t u e n t A s s e m b l y ended w i t h success. O f the eligible electors, 90 per cent took p a r t in the elections a n d 93 p e r cent of t h e m v o t e d f o r the candidates of the D e m o c r a t i c F r o n t . T h e f i r s t elections on a d e m o c r a t i c basis, which our c o u n t r y h a d n e v e r k n o w n before, w e r e a colossal t r i u m p h f o r the u n w a v e r i n g M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t p o l i c y of the P a r t y a n d the correct p o l i t i c a l l i n e of the F r o n t a n d a c r u s h i n g b l o w to i n t e r n a l a n d e x t e r n a l reaction. 394

A t the f i r s t m e e t i n g o f the A s s e m b l y , C o m rade H y s n i K a p o , o n behalf o f the deputies o f V l o r a , m o v e d the m o t i o n that A l b a n i a s h o u l d be p r o c l a m i e d a People's R e p u b l i c . T h e m e m b e r s of the A s s e m b l y u n a n i m o u s l y a p p r o v e d this a n d elected the n e w government, the People's D e m o cratic G o v e r n m e n t . T h e g o v e r n m e n t was c h a r g e d w i t h p r e p a r i n g the draft o f the C o n s t i t u t i o n , w h i c h w a s p u t before the masses for discussion. T h i s d i s cussion w e n t o n f o r t w o m o n t h s . T h e suggestions a n d proposals m a d e strengthened the r e v o l u t i o n a r y content of the d r a f t . T a k i n g i n t o consideration the o p i n i o n of the masses, the A s s e m b l y t u r n e d this i n t o the C o n s t i t u t i o n . T h e n e w d e m o c r a t i c C o n s t i t u t i o n based the structure a n d a c t i v i t y of the n e w state p o w e r on the p r i n c i p l e : p o w e r stems f r o m the people a n d belongs to t h e m . E v e n after these events, w h i c h w e r e s o i m p o r t a n t in the l i f e of o u r people, e v e n after the election of the n e w government, w h i c h was a c o n s t i t u t i o n a l government, the W e s t e r n allies s t i l l d i d not establish d i p l o m a t i c relations. O n the contrary, t h e y abandoned the disguise of allies a n d fought us o p e n l y w i t h the gloves off on the i n t e r n a t i o n a l plane, too. W h e n the a p p l i c a t i o n f o r the admission of o u r c o u n t r y w a s presented i n the U n i t e d N a t i o n s O r g a n i z a t i o n , m a n y delegates supported it. H o w ever, the A m e r i c a n delegate Stettinius, and the F o r e i g n S e c r e t a r y o f G r e a t B r i t a i n B e v i n , the 395

b e t r a y e r o f the m i n e r s i n 1926, spoke i n f a v o u r of postponement of discussion of this a p p l i c a t i o n t i l l later. A c c o r d i n g t o t h e m , this w a s a serious question w h i c h must b e e x a m i n e d w i t h great care, as t h o u g h it w e r e n o t the same B e v i n w h o , i n the past, h a d m a d e the h y p o c r i t i c a l dec l a r a t i o n : The s m a l l states m u s t be defended, a n d this same S t e t t i n i u s w h o , i n M a y 1945, sent me a message in w h i c h he w r o t e : I am v e r y conscious o f the ceaseless f i g h t w h i c h the A l b a n i a n people have waged, I f u l l y appreciate the sacrifices they have made, a n d I k n o w that i n the f u t u r e A l b a n i a w i l l m a k e the same c o n t r i b u t i o n to the cause of peace. I k n o w . . . , I k n o w . . . In the past they k n e w e v e r y t h i n g but n o w , apparently, o u r w a r t i m e allies w e r e afflicted w i t h amnesia! A t the m e e t i n g o f the S e c u r i t y C o u n c i l i n L o n d o n i n F e b r u a r y 1946, w h i c h discussed the admission o f A l b a n i a t o the U N O f o r the f i r s t time, C a d o g a n spoke in s u p p o r t of t h e false claims of G r e e k reaction against o u r c o u n t r y . Greece has interests in A l b a n i a , he said, w h i l e B e v i n d e c l a r e d : If I am f o r c e d to h a v e my say in this m e e t i n g tonight, I s h a l l have to vote against the admission o f A l b a n i a . T w i c e i n succession, in A u g u s t 1946 a n d A u g u s t 1947, C a d o g a n used the v e t o against the a d m i s s i o n of A l b a n i a to the U N O . I n A u g u s t 1946, J o h n s o n , the delegate o f W a l l Street, d e m a n d e d that the S e c u r i t y 396

C o u n c i l s h o u l d not take a n y decision about A l bania. Albania, they said, does not have d i p l o m a t i c relations w i t h G r e a t B r i t a i n a n d the U n i t e d States of A m e r i c a , does not recognize the o l d treaties, G r e e c e is in a state of w a r w i t h it a n d has t e r r i t o r i a l claims against it, it is d a m a g i n g peace i n the B a l k a n s etc.! These w e r e the so-called a r g u m e n t s of the i m p e r i a l i s t gentlemen t o deny A l b a n i a m e m b e r ship i n the U N O . T h e Peace C o n f e r e n c e i n P a r i s w a s a p proaching. The participation of Albania in it w a s a l e g i t i m a t e r i g h t . B u t w h a t happened? It is impossible f o r us to i n v i t e A l b a n i a , said the A m e r i c a n delegate B y r n e s . T h e B r i t i s h delegate L o r d A l e x a n d e r also f u l l y supported this v i e w . A s t h o u g h this w e r e not b a d enough, in the debates, the representatives of B r i t a i n a n d A m e r i c a spoke o f A l b a n i a a s a collaborator w i t h Italy, a defeated c o u n t r y , not an ally, a n d so o n . T w i c e i n succession w e protested against these injustices. O u r People's A s s e m b l y p u b l i s h e d a r e s o l u t i o n w h i c h rejected w i t h disgust the m o n strous accusations raised against A l b a n i a a n d dem a n d e d the r i g h t o f representation i n the C o n f e r ence as a f u l l m e m b e r , w i t h the same r i g h t s as other v i c t o r i o u s nations. T h e struggle b e t w e e n the representatives of t h e i m p e r i a l i s t countries a n d the Soviet delegate V i s h i n s k y , o v e r the A l b a n i a n 397

question f l a r e d u p e v e n m o r e f i e r c e l y N e v e r theless, t h r o u g h the v o t i n g m e c h a n i s m , t h e A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s achieved t h e i r a i m . A l b a n i a was not i n v i t e d as a m e m b e r of the conference, but was called o n l y to present its v i e w s on t h e Peace T r e a t y w i t h Italy. We sent a delegation there, headed p r o v i s i o n a l l y b y C o m r a d e H y s n i K a p o . A l i t t l e later, i n v i e w o f the i m p o r t a n c e o f t h e matter, i t w a s considered necessary that I s h o u l d go p e r s o n a l l y to head the delegation. T h e people of F r a n c e welcomed us w i t h their traditional hospitality. On A u g u s t 21, 1946, I spoke in the p l e n a r y session o f the Conference. N o t w i t h o u t purpose, i n my speech, I presented a short account, s u p p o r t e d w i t h figures a n d facts, o f o u r people's w a r a n d after this, in a tone of protest, p o i n t e d out the injustice w h i c h w a s b e i n g done t o o u r people b y d e n y i n g the blood t h e y h a d shed a n d the countless sacrifices they h a d m a d e against fascism. F r o m t h e t r i b u n e o f the C o n f e r e n c e I presented documents a n d statements of t h e B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n s , w h i c h expressed r e c o g n i t i o n o f o u r w a r a n d o u r efforts, i n r e f u t a t i o n o f w h a t they h a d declared recently. T h e c o n f r o n t a t i o n of t h e i r c o n t r a d i c t o r y statements exposed them badly. T h e n I d w e l t on the pretensions of the delegate of the G r e e k monarcho-fascists, the G r e e k p r i m e m i n i s t e r o f that time, T s a l d a r i s , 398

w h o , w h i l e accusing A l b a n i a a s a n aggressor a gainst G r e e c e ( 1 ) (simply because fascist I t a l y att a c k e d G r e e c e f r o m A l b a n i a n t e r r i t o r y ) , stressed that Greece w a s in a state of w a r w i t h A l b a n i a a n d c l a i m e d S o u t h e r n A l b a n i a , o n the p r e t e x t t h a t this was G r e e k t e r r i t o r y . To reject his theses, f r o m the t r i b u n e of the conference I asked h i m t w o questions: I n r e g a r d to the v a r i o u s peoples of E u r o p e whose quislings not o n l y sent battalions, b u t o r g a n i z e d w h o l e expeditions against the heroic R e d A r m y , does h e consider t h e m aggressors, as he has done in the case of A l b a n i a . . . ? W o u l d M r . T s a l d a r i s consider F r a n c e , f r o m w h i c h H i t l e r i n t e n d e d t o u n d e r t a k e his offensive against B r i t a i n , a n aggressor? T h e representative of G r e e k reaction w a s
_________________________________ 1 A telegram sent to the Foreign O f f i c e on November 10, 1944, showed clearly w h a t aims the Greek monarcho-fascists pursued towards our country since the time of the w a r : T h e State Department have i n f o r m e d member of my staff that they received a m e m o r a n d u m of August Greek Embassy asking whether they would 15th be f r o m the to prepared

agree that A l b a n i a should be considered and dealt w i t h as an enemy State, a n d that Greek troops should participate in occ u p y i n g A l b a n i a up to the S k u m b i River. (War Cabinet Distri-

bution, Nr. from the

From

Washington 10, of the

to 1944

Foreign FO original in

Office. the

Earl AIH,

of PRO. Tirana.)

Halifax, Taken

6064,

November photocopy

371/43554-3370.

399

unable to a n s w e r these questions. T h e y p i n n e d d o w n his patrons, too. At the e n d of my speech I spoke of the grievous h a r d s h i p s w h i c h o u r people h a d suffered d u r i n g the nazi-fascist occupation, the h u m a n a n d m a t e r i a l losses w h i c h the w a r h a d caused o u r people a n d presented o u r d e m a n d s f o r reparations f r o m Italy. W i t h u t t e r shamelessness the B r i t i s h delegate H o o d d e c l a r e d : A l b a n i a s h o u l d receive zero dollars. A t each i n t e r n a t i o n a l f o r u m o u r cause was defended resolutely b y M o l o t o v , V i s h i n s k y a n d M a n u i l s k y , the representatives of the S o v i e t U n i o n a n d the great S t a l i n , w h o s y m p a t h i z e d s o greatly w i t h o u r people o n account o f t h e i r l o f t y virtues, v a l o u r a n d l o y a l t y , the great s a c r i f i ces they h a d made a n d the just a n d p e a c e f u l course they f o l l o w e d . T h e y gave us p o w e r f u l support i n t h i s m a t t e r , too. H o w e v e r , the A n g l o Americans and their lackeys continued their struggle against o u r c o u n t r y , by means of t h e voting mechanism and other trickery. Nevertheless, w e w e r e not discouraged. O n the c o n t r a r y , we fought harder. At a press conference in P a r i s , I d e c l a r e d : N e i t h e r the P a r i s Conference, the B i g F o u r Conference, n o r a n y o t h e r conference can discuss t h e borders o f o u r c o u n t r y , w i t h i n w h i c h there i s not a n i n c h o f f o r e i g n t e r r i t o r y . O u r borders cannot be discussed a n d let no one dare t o u c h 400

t h e m . T o t r y t o take a n i n c h o f the t e r r i t o r y of o u r c o u n t r y , the G r e e k s w i l l h a v e to set in m o t i o n o t h e r m e c h a n i s m s apart f r o m the vote o f t h e P a r i s Conference. L e t the w h o l e w o r l d k n o w that the A l b a n i a n people d o not p e r m i t a n y discussion o f t h e i r borders o r t h e i r t e r r i t o r y . O n the other h a n d , I protest against the decision t a k e n at the p l e n a r y session of the P a r i s C o n f e r e n c e . T h e A l b a n i a n people h a v e not sent t h e i r delegation to P a r i s to render account, but to d e m a n d a r e c k o n i n g f r o m those w h o have caused t h e m severe d a m a g e a n d w h o m they h a v e f o u g h t f i e r c e l y to the e n d . We have done o u r d u t y , just as the G r e a t P o w e r s have done theirs. O u r m a r t y r s a n d o u r sacrifices are just as sacred to us as the m a r t y r s a n d the sacrifices o f the G r e a t P o w e r s ; o u r rights are just as sacred as theirs.* In fact, the P a r i s C o n f e r e n c e was a t r i b u n e f o r u s f r o m w h i c h i n t e r n a t i o n a l o p i n i o n learned of the struggle a n d heroic deeds of a s m a l l people w h o w e r e u n f l i n c h i n g , regardless o f the fact that the i m p e r i a l i s t p o w e r s w a n t e d t o t r a m p l e t h e m underfoot. T h i s w a s a p o l i t i c a l a n d m o r a l success w h i c h raised the courage a n d d e t e r m i n a t i o n of the A l b a n i a n people to p u r s u e the just course o n w h i c h t h e y h a d set out, t o a n even higher level.
_______________________________ * See: E n v e r H o x h a , Works, v o l . 3, pp. 448-449, A l b . ed.

401

C o n t r a r y t o w h a t t h e y h a d d e c l a r e d o n the occasion of the p r e p a r a t i o n of the Peace T r e a t y w i t h G e r m a n y , the A m e r i c a n delegate M u r p h y said w i t h o u t a b l u s h , A l b a n i a d i d not take p a r t i n the w a r against G e r m a n y . P e r h a p s a f e w i n d i v i d u a l A l b a n i a n s took p a r t i n this w a r , b u t apart f r o m t h e m , there w e r e other A l b a n i a n s w h o fought alongside the G e r m a n s . Of course, there w e r e A l b a n i a n s w h o f o u g h t s h o u l d e r t o shoulder w i t h the occupiers, b u t these w e r e t h e i r friends, the B a l l i s t s a n d the Zogites. W h e n the g o v e r n m e n t s o f the U S A , G r e a t B r i t a i n a n d F r a n c e signed the agreement o n reparations f r o m G e r m a n y , the A m e r i c a n and B r i t i s h representatives t r i e d t o d e n y A l b a n i a o n this occasion, too, the r i g h t to receive r e p a r a t i o n s as a m e m b e r of the anti-fascist coalition, a t h i n g w h i c h n o b o d y c o u l d d e n y . A l t h o u g h the C o n f e rence o n R e p a r a t i o n s f r o m G e r m a n y recognized o u r c o u n t r y ' s r i g h t to receive reparations f o r the losses w h i c h w e s u f f e r e d d u r i n g the Second W o r l d W a r , these have s t i l l not been p a i d to us, at a t i m e w h e n reparations have been p a i d to others. A c c o r d i n g t o a n o f f i c i a l a n n o u n c e m e n t , the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t h a d completed the f o r m a l i t y o f r e c o g n i t i o n a n d , moreover, h a d appointed T h o mas C e c i l R a p p a s its m i n i s t e r i n T i r a n a , b u t he n e v e r a r r i v e d . It raised one p r e t e x t after another t o a v o i d s e n d i n g its m i n i s t e r t o T i r a n a . 402

O n e of these was that we h a d allegedly ordered a B r i t i s h officer, w h o was engaged i n i d e n t i f y i n g the graves o f B r i t i s h a i r m e n shot d o w n over o u r t e r r i t o r y d u r i n g the w a r , t o leave A l b a n i a . This was absurd. We granted h i m permission, but he n e v e r appeared to c a r r y out the task he c l a i m e d to have. A n o t h e r p r e t e x t for the f a i l u r e of the m i n i s t e r to come w a s the alleged l a c k of c o n d i tions f o r the n o r m a l w o r k o f the mission. W e b e h a v e d c o r r e c t l y t o w a r d s the A m e r i c a n a n d B r i t i s h missions, w h i l e they p r o v e d t o b e h y p o crites a n d a l w a y s t r i e d secretly to u n d e r m i n e us. G e n e r a l H o d g s o n , M r . Jacobs a n d M r . F u l t z , as w e l l as o t h e r m e m b e r s of these missions m o v e d f r e e l y a l l o v e r A l b a n i a a n d m a d e contact w i t h a l l those t h e y w a n t e d t o meet. G e n e r a l H o d g s o n several times t o l d m e o f the good i m pression w h i c h our people m a d e o n h i m d u r i n g the visits he made. C o n t r a r y to w h a t t h e y said to us, o u r g o v e r n m e n t w a s accused of h i n d e r i n g the m e m b e r s o f the B r i t i s h military mission i n t h e i r w o r k , b y not p e r m i t t i n g t h e m t o circulate f r e e l y a n d of c o n f i n i n g t h e m to the offices of t h e i r m i s s i o n in T i r a n a , etc., etc. T h e B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t i n v o l v e d itself i n a r i d i c u l o u s act on M a y 18, w h e n its representative in B e l g r a d e h a n d e d o u r legation there a note a n n o u n c i n g that the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t w o u l d send its m i n i s t e r t o A l b a n i a i m m e d i a t e l y . 403

Less t h a n 20 m i n u t e s later the B r i t i s h representat i v e showed u p a g a i n a t o u r legation i n B e l g r a d e a n d announced the w i t h d r a w a l of the note, because on M a y 15 the B r i t i s h w a r s h p i s Superb a n d Orion h a d been u n j u s t l y a n d d e l i b e r a t e l y f i r e d o n b y the A l b a n i a n coastal batteries n e a r S a r a n d a . T h i s was the fate of the m i n i s t e r w h o was to come to T i r a n a . A f t e r these events the class struggle w i t h i n the c o u n t r y became e v e n m o r e severe. R e a c t i o n was i n v o l v e d i n w i d e - s p r e a d activities, especially after the c o m i n g of F u l t z . H o w e v e r , the sons of M o t h e r A l b a n i a w e r e not asleep. The enemy groups, u r g e d a n d o r g a n i z e d b y t h e A m e r i c a n a n d B r i t i s h missions, w e r e u n c o v e r e d one a f t e r the other. T h e i l l e g a l a c t i v i t y i n t e n d e d to destroy the people's p o w e r a n d the independence and sovereignty of the c o u n t r y w a s u n m a s k e d . The trial of Gjergj Kokoshi, S a m i Qeribashi a n d c o m p a n y s t r i p p e d the peaceful missions of the allies n a k e d . T h e hostile a c t i v i t y of the so-called g r o u p o f deputies headed b y Shefqet B e j a w a s u n covered r i g h t to its roots. T h e y h a d t r i e d to use t h e i r positions as deputies to destroy the people's state p o w e r f r o m w i t h i n . J u s t before the l i b e r a t i o n of A l b a n i a , a certain L l a z a r Papapostoli, w i t h the A m e r i c a n i z e d n a m e o f L a r r y Post, h a d a r r i v e d i n A l b a n i a . He w a s to serve as p o l i t i c a l a d v i s e r to the A m e r 404

i c a n m i s s i o n and, a t the same time, l i n k u p w i t h the old agents in o r d e r to l a y the i n i t i a l bases for the groups of spies a n d saboteurs. H o w e v e r , these groups assumed t h e i r organized f o r m espec i a l l y after the a r r i v a l i n M a y 1945 o f M r . F u l t z w h o p e r s o n a l l y took o v e r the leadership of t h e m . A s soon a s h e a r r i v e d , L a r r y Post h a d organized a m e e t i n g f o r h i m w i t h the m a i n agents. T h e y r e p o r t e d t o h i m o n t h e i r a c t i v i t y a n d plans, a l t h o u g h h e w a s f u l l y i n f o r m e d about t h e m . T h e y also i n f o r m e d h i m about t h e i r first meeting ( 1 ) a n d the m e m o r a n d u m t h e y h a d sent to the A n g l o A m e r i c a n missions i n A p r i l , i n w h i c h they said, a m o n g other t h i n g s : W e nationalists (read traitors) have met a n d decided t o fight the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y a n d its dictatorship (read the people's state power), a n d f o r this w e w a n t y o u r help. F u l t z also k n e w about the request sent to the B r i t i s h b y S a m i Q e r i b a s h i i n the name o f the
_____________________________ 1 After the first meeting w h i c h was held in M a r c h 1945, at w h i c h the central committee of our organization, consisting of me, Selaudin Toto, Shefqet Beja, Gjergj K o k o s h i and others, w a s formed, testified one of the accused (K.K.) at the trial, I w e n t to the A m e r i c a n mission w h e r e I reported on a l l the w o r k of our organization and sought their a i d . T h e y promised me unsparing a i d and that after the conditions had been created, they w o u l d l a n d troops in A l b a n i a . T h e y instructed me to tell my associates this so that they w o u l d its w o r k even harder to increase the bases of the organization and fight the state in an organized w a y u n t i l (From the newspaper forceable overthrow was achieved. Bashkimi, September 18, 1947.)

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so-called Resistance G r o u p : We are v e r y strong a n d one s p a r k is e n o u g h to set things ablaze a n d f i n i s h the business. If the B r i t i s h troops were l a n d e d i n D u r r s t h e w h o l e t h i n g w o u l d b e o v e r w i t h i n 2 4 hours. I n h i s meetings w i t h t h e m , F u l t z h a d i n s t r u c t e d the groups t o c o l l a b o rate a n d i n t e n s i f y n o t o n l y t h e p o l i t i c a l struggle but also the economic struggle, because in t h i s w a y the g o v e r n m e n t w i l l be obliged to seek aid f r o m A m e r i c a , a n d this w i l l b e p r o v i d e d w i t h h e a v y conditions attached. T h e p r o g r a m of the e n e m y groups also included terrorism. They did everything in their p o w e r t o k i l l leaders a n d cadres o f the P a r t y a n d the state. S a m i Q e r i b a s h i h a d i n s t r u c t e d his group, We m u s t k i l l M y s l i m P e z a a n d spread w o r d a m o n g the people t h a t the c o m m u n i s t s have k i l l e d h i m , in o r d e r to arouse a w a v e of anger a n d split the F r o n t . A c c o r d i n g t o i n f o r m a t i o n w h i c h reached us, t h e y h a d s i m i l a r designs on me a n d other leaders, also. H o w e v e r , t h e y could d o n o t h i n g t o B a b M y s l i m a n d the others, because the P a r t y a n d a n entire people p r o t e c t e d them. A t t h e i r t r i a l these enemies a d m i t t e d those aims f r o m t h e i r o w n mouths, a d m i t t e d p u b l i c l y that the premises of the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n missions h a d been t u r n e d i n t o w o r k s h o p s w h e r e plots f o r assassinations a n d sabotage w e r e h a t c h e d u p , w h e r e plans w e r e d r a f t e d f o r a r m e d a t t a c k s a n d 406

l a n d i n g o f troops f r o m a b r o a d . T h e i r t r i a l b r o u g h t to l i g h t t h e w h o l e s u b v e r s i v e p o l i c y of A n g l o - A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m , i n c l u d i n g the plans, the tactics a n d the methods e m p l o y e d against o u r democracy. T h e u n c o v e r i n g o f the saboteurs i n t h e d r a i n i n g o f the M a l i q s w a m p was i m p o r t a n t . T h e e v i l weeds p l a n t e d b y F u l t z n e v e r succeeded i n establishing themselves. T h e i r a c t i v i t y was defeated. T h e m a s k w a s t o r n f r o m F u l t z , that a u t h o r i ty on Albania, w h o w a s defeated along w i t h t h e m . S e v e r a l o f his f o r m e r pupils, w h o , o n his instructions, h a d l o n g been c a r r y i n g out sabotage i n t h e w o r k o f d r a i n i n g the s w a m p , w e r e u n c o v e r e d . T h e t r i a l w o u l d completely expose t h e m . T h i s w a s a great b l o w to the A m e r i c a n m i s s i o n a n d especially t o F u l t z . Jacobs a n d F u l t z w e r e t e r r i f i e d a n d t h e y left A l b a n i a before the t r i a l of the saboteurs at t h e M a l i q s w a m p began. S o m e m e m b e r s o f the A m e r i c a n m i s s i o n r e m a i n e d t o f o l l o w t h e events. T h e B r i t i s h m i s sion h a d left p r e v i o u s l y . On the eve of its d e p a r t u r e , the A m e r i c a n m i s s i o n d e m a n d e d t h a t we p e r m i t a c r u i s e r a n d a destroyer to enter the p o r t of D u r r s to e m b a r k t h e m . T h e request was m a d e at a t i m e w h e n the B r i t i s h w a r s h i p s w e r e c o n t i n u i n g t h e i r p r o vocative activities off o u r s o u t h e r n coast. We protested t o the U N O because w e k n e w that monstrous aims w e r e h i d d e n b e h i n d this proposal 407

at those m o m e n t s of p r o v o c a t i o n s against us. T h e mission d e p a r t e d i n the m i d d l e o f N o v e m b e r 1946, after being t r a n s p o r t e d by o u r ships to the t w o A m e r i c a n ships w h i c h w a i t e d outside o u r t e r r i t o r i a l waters. T h i s closed the chapter of this allegedly peaceful m i s s i o n w h i c h was, i n fact, subversive a n d came to A l b a n i a to cause us damage r a t h e r t h a n to h e l p us. It emerged f r o m the testimony of the a c cused that, apart f r o m F u l t z a n d the m e m b e r s o f his mission, t w o responsible m e m b e r s of the U N R R A mission, W o o d a r d a n d Jones, also had a h a n d in the a c t i v i t y to sabotage the w o r k of d r a i n i n g the M a l i q s w a m p . W e sent the mission a note in w h i c h we declared these t w o members of the m i s s i o n personae n o n gratae. T h e head of the mission F l o u d was v e r y i n d i g n a n t about this. He sent me a letter seeking a m e e t i n g to protest about this a n d to i n f o r m me of a decision of his. I understood that they, too, w e r e p a c k i n g to leave. The sooner the better, I said to myself. W e had h a d m o r e t h a n e n o u g h o f t h e m . M e a n w h i l e I received a r a d i o g r a m f r o m K o i X o x e and N a k o S p i r u w h o w e r e i n B e l g r a d e . A s t h o u g h f r o m the peak o f M o u n t O l y m p u s , they w r o t e , it i s not good that U N R R A s h o u l d leave or that we s h o u l d m a k e p o l i t i c a l issues out of m i n o r questions of espionage. T h e r e f o r e , we t h i n k that at the t r i a l one eye s h o u l d be closed 408

t o U N R R A a n d the m a t t e r settled i n one w a y o r another e v e n by m a k i n g some concession.* I i n f o r m e d the comrades about this r a d i o g r a m . W e d e c i d e d : N o concession! L e t the U N R R A m i s s i o n clear out i f i t likes. W e w o u l d b e r i d o f a n o t h e r t h o r n i n o u r flesh. I sent f o r F l o u d . As f a r as I r e m e m b e r the m e e t i n g w a s h e l d in the first half of N o v e m b e r 1946. F l o u d seemed i l l a t ease. A f t e r t h a n k i n g m e f o r f u l f i l l i n g his request, he w e n t straight into his t h e m e : I sought a m e e t i n g w i t h y o u , M r . P r i m e M i n i s t e r , to clear up a m a t t e r w h i c h is v e r y serious a n d w o r r y i n g for us. Y o u r G o v e r n m e n t has d e m a n d e d that M r . W o o r d a r d s h o u l d leave A l b a n i a a n d M r . Jones w h o i s o n service outside A l b a n i a at present, s h o u l d not r e t u r n to his duties here. I have i n f o r m e d M r . L a G u a r d i a ( 1 ) about this. I also i n f o r m e d h i m that the m i s s i o n s h o u l d b e w i t h d r a w n f r o m A l b a n i a n e x t week. I h a v e ordered the d e l i v e r y of supplies to be suspended. W h a t w o r r i e s me most is the fact that the A l b a n i a n G o v e r n m e n t has based its decision on c e r t a i n things said by the engineers and technicians accused of acts of sabotage at the t r i a l w h i c h i s b e i n g h e l d here i n T i r a n a . I f these
_________________________________ * R a d i o g r a m sent to Comrade Enver H o x h a , November 12, 1946, C P A . 1 At that time director general of U N R R A .

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t w o members o f m y m i s s i o n h a d r e a l l y w a n t e d t o sabotage the economic d e v e l o p m e n t o f A l bania, i t w o u l d h a v e been v e r y easy f o r t h e m t o r e c o m m e n d the c u t t i n g off o f supplies. U N R R A is also g i v i n g assistance in c a r r y i n g out the l a n d r e c l a m a t i o n projects a n d this is due to the r e commendations m a d e b y M r . Jones a n d M r . Woodard. T h e o n l y c o n d i t i o n on w h i c h the m i s s i o n can c a r r y out its w o r k i n these circumstances o f distrust t o w a r d s U N R R A , h e c o n t i n u e d , is the p u b l i c a t i o n of a d e c l a r a t i o n by y o u r G o v e r n ment w h i c h states categorically that U N R R A a n d its m e m b e r s h a v e n o t h i n g at a l l to do w i t h the slanderous accusations m a d e at the t r i a l . O t h e r wise, as I said a l i t t l e earlier, I h a v e no a l t e r n a t i v e but t o w i t h d r a w the m i s s i o n a n d t o t h i s end I h a v e asked t h e m to send a ship to e m b a r k it n e x t week. I t was self-evident w h a t M r . F l o u d w a s d r i v i n g a t w i t h his i n t r o d u c t i o n i n the f o r m o f a n u l t i m a t u m . H e a n d his bosses t h o u g h t that i n the face of t h e i r pressure a n d the d i f f i c u l t i e s w h i c h w e w e r e e n c o u n t e r i n g i n the r e c o n s t r u c tion of the c o u n t r y , we w o u l d be forced to s u b m i t t o t h e m . O n the basis o f i n f o r m a t i o n w h i c h we h a d a n d the t e s t i m o n y of the accused at the t r i a l w h i c h w a s p u b l i s h e d i n the n e w s p a p e r B a s h k i m i and w h i c h I f o l l o w e d c a r e f u l l y e v e r y 410

day, the a i m of the i m p e r i a l i s t s a n d t h e i r agents, foreign or A l b a n i a n , w i t h i n A l b a n i a , was to slow d o w n the w o r k o n the r e c l a m a t i o n a n d other projects, to l o w e r the m o r a l e of the w o r k e r s by c r e a t i n g d i f f i c u l t i e s w h i c h c o u l d be avoided, so that t h e y w o u l d w a l k off the job a n d people w o u l d t h i n k that w i t h o u t a i d f r o m abroad through U N R R A we would fail i n the great task w e h a d u n d e r t a k e n . U n d e r the d i r e c t i o n o f H a r r y F u l t z , m e m b e r s o f the U N R R A m i s sion, too, h a d w o r k e d t o w a r d s this objective of sabotaging o u r w o r k . I am s u r p r i s e d at w h a t y o u are t e l l i n g me, M r . F l o u d , I said. It seems to me y o u r d e c i sion has not been c a r e f u l l y w e i g h e d . H o w e v e r , do as y o u w i s h . O u r note refers to t w o persons w h o h o l d responsible positions i n y o u r mission, w h o h a v e engaged i n a c t i v i t y h a r m f u l t o o u r people's state p o w e r , w h i c h damages its policy and violates o u r democracy. Y o u c l a i m that y o u have come to assist us, b u t the facts testify to the opposite. S i m i l a r things h a v e o c c u r r e d w i t h y o u r p e r s o n n e l at other times, too. W a s it not a journalist, M r s . C u l l e n , w h o w i t h e v i l aims gathered i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m degenerate i n d i v i d uals? W a s i t n o t M r s . P e n n i n g t o n w h o expressed great h o s t i l i t y t o w a r d s us w h e n she t o l d our people that 'the g o v e r n m e n t i s k i l l i n g good A l b a n i a n s ' ? ! T o w h a t 'good' A l b a n i a n s was she 411

r e f e r r i n g the w a r c r i m i n a l s a n d the quislings? Y o u are w e l l a w a r e of these facts, M r . F l o u d , I c o n t i n u e d W e have i n f o r m e d y o u of each s u c h occurrence, b u t y o u h a v e not adopted the stand necessary to prevent s u c h actions f r o m b e c o m i n g a continuous p a t t e r n . These officials of y o u r m i s s i o n have o p e n l y j o i n e d i n the c h o i r o f Hodgson, w h o w e n t s o f a r a s t o say, ' O u t w i t h H o x h a ! ' Y o u , personally, have declared that U N R R A is a non-political organization. M r . J a cobs has expressed his regret to me that s o m e times the U S A looks a t U N R R A o n l y f r o m the p o l i t i c a l angle. Indeed, d u r i n g his visit here, M r . R o o k s expressed the same o p i n i o n t o me. Nevertheless, M r . H o x h a , the d e m a n d f o r the w i t h d r a w a l o f M r . W o o d a r d , said F l o u d , means t h a t the G o v e r n m e n t o f A l b a n i a agrees w i t h w h a t the accused h a v e said a n d this forces me to the conclusion t h a t this stand on its part creates a s i t u a t i o n in w h i c h it is impossible f o r o u r m i s s i o n t o stay here a n y longer. A m I r i g h t , Mr. Hoxha? N o t at all, I r e p l i e d . T h i s m a t t e r is k n o w n w o r l d - w i d e a n d w e have n o a l t e r n a t i v e but to advise y o u to act as o u r note says. W i t h the p u b l i c a t i o n of the statements of the accused in the A l b a n i a n press, a t h i n g f o r w h i c h no b l a m e falls on us, y o u ought to take m e a s u r e s to a v o i d the f u r t h e r d i s c r e d i t i n g of y o u r m i s s i o n . 412

In my o p i n i o n , the m a t t e r is urgent, it needs a solution now. I ' m a f r a i d the A l b a n i a n s m a k e n o d i s t i n c t i o n b e t w e e n the m e m b e r s o f U N R R A a n d the m e m b e r s of the A m e r i c a n mission. Is it not the case that the relations b e t w e e n the G o v e r n m e n t o f the U S A a n d y o u r G o v e r n m e n t , w h i c h have not been good recently, have h a d an i n f l u e n c e on this? he r e p l i e d . The state of relations b e t w e e n o u r G o v e r n m e n t a n d the A m e r i c a n G o v e r n m e n t c o u l d not i n fluence o u r s t a n d t o w a r d s y o u r mission. O n the c o n t r a r y , I suspect that our relations w i t h the A m e r i c a n a n d B r i t i s h G o v e r n m e n t s m a y have i n f l u e n c e d the stand of y o u r m i s s i o n t o w a r d s us. As f a r as we are concerned, the state of these relations in no w a y affects the good feelings of the A l b a n i a n G o v e r n m e n t a n d people f o r the A m e r i c a n people. Regardless of the activities of M r . F u l t z , t h e A l b a n i a n people a n d t h e i r G o v e r n ment s t i l l n u r t u r e s y m p a t h y f o r the A m e r i c a n people, I t o l d h i m . Nevertheless, began F l o u d , after the e n gineers' statements, n o A l b a n i a n w i l l associate w i t h the m e m b e r s of our m i s s i o n a n d indeed the A l b a n i a n officials do not speak to our observers or give t h e m a n y i n f o r m a t i o n . Therefore, it must be m a d e clear to the A l b a n i a n s that the relations between the A m e r i c a n G o v e r n m e n t a n d the A l 413

b a n i a n G o v e r n m e n t d o not i n a n y w a y affect the s t a n d o f the latter t o w a r d s the U N R R A m i s s i o n , a n d that this m i s s i o n i s e x o n e r a t e d f r o m the accusations m a d e in court. T h i s c a n be done o n l y by means of a p u b l i c d e c l a r a t i o n by y o u r G o v e r n ment, said F l o u d repeating h i s e a r l i e r d e m a n d . T h a t is impossible, I t o l d h i m b l u n t l y . I e x p l a i n e d t o y o u w h y w e took this step. O u r people's state p o w e r is so s t r o n g that it w i l l cut off the hands of anyone w h o dare l a y a f i n g e r on the interests of the c o u n t r y a n d is not a f r a i d of the presence here of t w o exposed agents. Y o u have no r i g h t at a l l to state a priori that the accusation made at the t r i a l is not true. S l a n d e r s a n d false accusations are not f a b r i c a t e d there, M r . F l o u d . I t i s the agents i n the service o f foreigners, caught r e d - h a n d e d , w h o w i l l y n i l l y are s p i l l i n g the beans about those w h o i n c i t ed, i n s p i r e d a n d f i n a n c e d t h e m . W h y d i d M r . F u l t z leave a t t h i s time, w h e n the t r i a l was p r o ceeding? H i s n a m e figures at the head of the list of those w h o are accused of a c t i v i t y against o u r n e w state. M r . F l o u d d i d not k n o w w h a t t o say! S o ended m y f i n a l m e e t i n g w i t h the head of the m i s s i o n of t h i s p h i l a n t h r o p i c o r g a n i z a t i o n w h i c h t r i e d t o assist us. E v e n later, aid w a s offered to us f r o m across the A t l a n t i c , this t i m e b y P r e s i d e n t E i s e n hower, p e r s o n a l l y ! The A l b a n i a n people are not 414

s u f f e r i n g f o r l a c k of the A m e r i c a n president's beans, we r e p l i e d . H e w o u l d do better to feed the m i l l i o n s a n d m i l l i o n s o f u n e m p l o y e d i n the U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a . Since t h e y f a i l e d w i t h this f o r m , too, the i m p e r i a l i s t s began to d r o p aid f o r the people f r o m a i r c r a f t : s m a l l cellophane bags w i t h t w o l u m p s of sugar, a reel of cotton a n d a couple of needles! W h a t a c o m e - d o w n f o r t h e m ! said our people, d e r i d i n g the manoeuvres of the A m e r icans a n d the B r i t i s h . A n unprecedented p r o v o c a t i o n t o w a r d s our c o u n t r y w a s that o f G r e a t B r i t a i n w i t h the socalled C o r f u C h a n n e l i n c i d e n t . A f t e r the S e c o n d W o r l d W a r , the M e d i t e rranean Zone Mine Clearance Board was f o r m e d . S u c h a n u n d e r t a k i n g w a s correct a n d necessary. R e g r e t t a b l y , A l b a n i a , whose shores are w a s h e d by t w o seas, w a s d e p r i v e d of r e p r e sentation in this i n t e r n a t i o n a l f o r u m , even as an observer. T h e A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s w h o made the l a w i n the B o a r d , j u s t i f i e d this o n the grou n d s that we h a d no m i n e - s w e e p e r s ! It is true that w e h a d n o mine-sweepers b u t w e h a d e x t e n sive t e r r i t o r i a l w a t e r s m i n e d b y the G e r m a n s , and the decisions on c l e a r i n g this area should h a v e been t a k e n w i t h o u r p a r t i c i p a t i o n . O n the u r g i n g o f the B r i t i s h a n d the A m e r i c a n s , the B o a r d h a d decided t h a t the G r e e k N a v y s h o u l d clear 415

the mines f r o m o u r t e r r i t o r i a l waters. H o w e v e r , i n the situation w h e n the G r e e k monarcho-fascist government h a d p u b l i c l y declared that i t w a s i n a state of w a r w i t h A l b a n i a , w h e n the ships of its fleet, w i t h a n d w i t h o u t flags, c o m m i t t e d r e peated b r u t a l provocations, penetrated into our ports a n d seized A l b a n i a n citizens a n d boats, w h e n i t was c l a i m i n g our K o r a a n d G j i r o k a s t r a , t o send the G r e e k n a v y t o clear t h e m i n e fields was t a n t a m o u n t to t h r o w i n g benzine on the f i r e . T h i s w o u l d h a v e m e a n t that w e w e r e t o open the door of o u r sheepfold to the w o l f . S u c h a t h i n g w e w o u l d n e v e r do. T h e r e f o r e w e k e p t v i g i l a n t w a t c h day a n d n i g h t . I n this v e r y c o m p l i c a t e d situation, i n M a y 1946, t w o f o r e i g n ships, f l y i n g n o flags, w i t h o u t w a r n i n g entered A l b a n i a n t e r r i t o r i a l w a t e r s i n the v i c i n i t y o f S a r a n d a . O u r coastal batteries, w h i c h w e r e o n f u l l alert f o r t h e reasons I m e n tioned, signalled t o t h e m t o w i t h d r a w , b u t the ships c o n t i n u e d o n t h e i r course. T h e n , t h i n k i n g that this w a s a p r o v o c a t i o n by G r e e k ships, o u r batteries f i r e d a w a r n i n g salvo. O n l y after this the ships raised the B r i t i s h f l a g a n d w i t h d r e w . It was not l o n g before the B r i t i s h g o v e r n ment t r i e d to b l a m e us f o r this i n c i d e n t a n d insisted that we apologize p u b l i c l y . In a v e r y c o r rect m a n n e r w e expressed our regret t o the B r i tish g o v e r n m e n t over w h a t h a d o c c u r r e d . A t the same time, we pointed out to it that the f a u l t 416

w a s i n n o w a y ours, because i n such c i r c u m stances the coastal batteries of a n y other c o u n t r y w o u l d have done w h a t ours d i d , w i t h o u t i n a n y w a y v i o l a t i n g the i n t e r n a t i o n a l n o r m s o f n a v i g a t i o n . F i n a l l y w e advised the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t that its ships m u s t not enter A l b a n i a n t e r r i t o r i a l w a t e r s w i t h o u t t h e k n o w l e d g e and p e r m i s s i o n of o u r government, not o n l y because this was a v i o l a t i o n of o u r sovereignty, but also because our demands w e r e w i t h i n the i n t e r n a t i o n a l n o r m s of navigation, w h i c h must be applied rigorously in a n y situation, a n d especially i n the existing c i r cumstances of o u r c o u n t r y . Dissatisfied w i t h this reply, the B r i t i s h gove r n m e n t persisted w i t h its d e m a n d a n d retorted w i t h the allegation that w e h a d n o r i g h t t o m a k e a u n i t e r a l d e c l a r a t i o n of a state of emergency(!). T h i s was greatly to the l i k i n g of the G r e e k P r i m e M i n i s t e r Tsaldaris. M e a n w h i l e , w e heard that L o r d A l e x a n d e r h a d d e m a n d e d that his gove r n m e n t s h o u l d b o m b a r d A l b a n i a i n retaliation. It d i d not accept this proposal, but M r . A t t l e e r e c o m m e n d e d t o the B r i t i s h Admiralty that if t h e y open fire, y o u s h o u l d r e t u r n the fire. B r i t a i n w a s d e c e i v i n g itself that it w a s still Queen of the Seas* a n d c o u l d a p p l y its gun-boat p o l i c y as easily as in the past. H o w e v e r , times h a d changed. T h e t e r r i t o r i a l w a t e r s o f A l b a n i a ___________________________
* E n g l i s h in the original.

417

w e r e u n d e r the c o n t r o l of a w h o l e people on the alert. Some months passed a n d B r i t i s h ships d i d not appear again i n o u r t e r r i t o r i a l waters. W e thought that the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t h a d l e a r n e d its lesson, b u t as the people say, the f o x n e v e r forgets its craft. On O c t o b e r 22, 1946, f o u r B r i t i s h w a r s h i p s emerged f r o m the C o r f u C h a n n e l , sailing t o w a r d s the n o r t h . T h e y left the i n t e r n a t i o n a l waters o n the port side a n d again, w i t h o u t i n f o r m i n g us, entered o u r waters. I t w a s c l e a r that B r i t a i n was seeking a p r e t e x t f o r an i n t e r n a t i o n a l conflict. I gave orders to keep c a l m a n d open f i r e o n l y if they t r i e d to m a k e a l a n d i n g . A n o t h e r report reached m e f r o m S a r a n d a : W h e n the w a r s h i p s w e r e a p p r o a c h i n g the coast, there w a s a sudden e x p l o s i o n a n d t w o of t h e m w e n t o n fire. A n A l b a n i a n m o t o r - b o a t h a d gone to give a i d a n d to clear up the reason for the v i o l a t i o n o f o u r t e r r i t o r i a l waters. T h e B r i t i s h h a d not deigned to give a n y e x p l a n a t i o n for this f l a g r a n t v i o l a t i o n of o u r t e r r i t o r i a l i n t e g r i t y a n d had d r i v e n off our people w i t h abuse. The Anglo-Americans wanted to exploit this incident as a p r e t e x t f o r a l a n d i n g . As we learned later, the f o u r ships, t w o cruisers to create a provocation, a n d t w o destroyers w e r e s a i l i n g t o the B a y o f A r g o s t o l i i n the south o f C o r f u . W h y d i d they pass t o the n o r t h w h e n t h e i r destination w a s in the south? It is quite a b s u r d 418

to go f r o m the n o r t h to that bay, t r a v e l l i n g r i g h t round C o r f u . This is like trying to reach behind y o u r head t o grasp y o u r r i g h t ear w i t h y o u r left h a n d . W h y d i d t h e y come so close to o u r coast a n d so f a r f r o m i n t e r n a t i o n a l w a t e r s ? A r e p r e sentative o f the B r i t i s h A d m i r a l t y declared that w i t h this cruise the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t w a n t e d to test w h e t h e r the A l b a n i a n government h a d l e a r n e d to behave itself yet. P o s s i b l y the m i n e s h a d been l a i d b y the G e r m a n s d u r i n g the w a r , b u t the p r o b a b i l i t y cannot be e x c l u d e d that t h e y h a d been p u t there b y the B r i t i s h t h e m selves to create a conflict. T h e bosses of the B r i t i s h A d m i r a l t y c o u l d have sent the ships there k n o w i n g f u l l w e l l that t h e y w e r e c o f f i n ships. O f course the sailors on b o a r d t h e m c o u l d not have k n o w n t h a t t h e y w e r e s a i l i n g t o t h e i r death. S e v e r a l days later the B r i t i s h government informed u s i n v e r y h a r s h a n d threatening language that soon they w o u l d clear the mines f r o m the C o r f u C h a n n e l . Agreed, w e replied. but in i n t e r n a t i o n a l waters, a n d not in ours. A g a i n in a b r u t a l t h r e a t e n i n g tone they i n f o r m e d u s that they w o u l d enter A l b a n i a n t e r r i t o r i a l waters, too. We p u b l i c l y denounced this decision as a v i o l a t i o n of i n t e r n a t i o n a l norms, an i m p e r m i s sible v i o l a t i o n of the t e r r i t o r i a l i n t e g r i t y a n d independence o f o u r c o u n t r y . W e asked the U N O t o i n t e r v e n e i m m e d i a t e l y a n d to stop this p i r a t i c a l act o f G r e a t B r i t a i n . T h e U N O d i d n o t h i n g . 419

O n N o v e m b e r 12, t h i r t y B r i t i s h w a r s h i p s , accompanied b y aircraft, appeared, e n t e r e d A l b a n i a n waters a n d sailed i n battle f o r m a t i o n t o w a r d s the S a r a n d a coast. T h e s i t u a t i o n w a s e x t r e m e l y c r i t i c a l . W e w e r e a l l eyes a n d ears a n d a n x i o u s l y f o l l o w e d the reports w h i c h came i n . W e repeated the decision to open f i r e on t h e m o n l y if t h e y a t tempted to l a n d . T h e w a r s h i p s cruised back a n d f o r t h i n our waters. T h e y are c l e a r i n g mines, the comrades r e ported f r o m S a r a n d a . T h e same activities w e r e repeated o n N o v e m ber 13. O p e n f i r e on them, one of T i t o ' s generals told us. B u t we, being genuine M a r x i s t s , took no notice of the order of the Y u g o s l a v general, instead we c a r r i e d out the a d v i c e of the people: Measure seven times before y o u cut. O n the one h a n d , w e f o l l o w e d a l l the actions of the t h i r t y B r i t i s h w a r s h i p s v i g i l a n t l y , a n d on the other h a n d , w e m a d e stern protests t o the B r i tish g o v e r n m e n t a n d the U n i t e d N a t i o n s O r g a n i z a t i o n over this open p r o v o c a t i o n , this f u r t h e r f l a grant v i o l a t i o n of o u r t e r r i t o r i a l i n t e g r i t y . R e g r e t tably, as on the other occasions, the U n i t e d N a t i o n s O r g a n i z a t i o n t u r n e d a deaf ear a n d a b l i n d eye to these dangerous events. It not o n l y took no measure against B r i t a i n , b u t on the c o n t r a r y , came out in its support. 420

C o m p l e t e l y w i t h o u t f o u n d a t i o n , B r i t a i n accused A l b a n i a in the i n t e r n a t i o n a l f o r u m s of resp o n s i b i l i t y f o r the C o r f u C h a n n e l incident, a l l e g i n g that either it h a d m i n e d this region itself, o r i t k n e w w h o h a d l a i d the mines, a n d f o r this d e m a n d e d compensation. W e protested energetica l l y against this accusation. It was a repetition of the story of the w o l f a n d the lamb, as in La F o n t a i n e ' s fable. A t the b e g i n n i n g o f 1947, the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t raised the question i n the S e c u r i t y C o u n c i l o f the U n i t e d N a t i o n s O r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e S e c u r i t y C o u n c i l asked f o r a n A l b a n i a n delegation t o clear up the matter. A delegation, headed by C o m r a d e H y s n i K a p o , w e n t there a n d defended the t r u t h w i t h d i g n i t y . Regardless of the protests of our delegation, h o w e v e r , the S e c u r i t y C o u n c i l , b y m a j o r i t y of votes l a i d the b l a m e on A l b a n i a ! T h e representative of the S o v i e t U n i o n used the veto a n d t h e n the S e c u r i t y C o u n c i l , u n d e r the pressure a n d i n f l u e n c e of B r i t a i n , w a s compelled to d r a f t a resolution, w h i c h r e c o m m e n d e d that the question s h o u l d be placed before the I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o u r t at the H a g u e . O n c e again the innocent p a r t y was placed in the dock. A t the H a g u e w e p u b l i c l y declared once again that the A l b a n i a n G o v e r n m e n t k n e w n o t h i n g about the l a y i n g of mines, that it h a d at its disposal n e i t h e r mines, n o r means, n o r experts to lay 421

them. O u r delegation presented facts to p r o v e this there. T h e o u t s t a n d i n g F r e n c h j u r i s t a n d p o l i tician, M r . P i e r r e Cot, w h o rose i n defence o f our rights, f o u n d the roots of this event in the f o r m u l a of the B r i t i s h r e a c t i o n a r y circles to teach others h o w t h e y s h o u l d behave. T h e r e f o r e , before the court, he stated that not o n l y the s m a l l a n d the w e a k , b u t the b i g a n d the p o w e r f u l , too, must l e a r n to behave themselves. F r o m the facts w h i c h the A l b a n i a n delegation presented, a n d the defence of o u r r i g h t by well-disposed f r i e n d s of o u r c o u n t r y , the court at the H a g u e was obliged to reject the possibility that the mines h a d been l a i d by us, b u t u n d e r the pressure a n d t h r o u g h the m a c h i n a t i o n s of G r e a t B r i t a i n , i n A p r i l 1949, i t decided t o c o n sider A l b a n i a to blame, because it k n e w about t h e m a n d h a d not r e p o r t e d t h e m ! T h i s was a f l a g r a n t i n j u s t i c e by an i n s t i t u tion of justice. T h e court came out w i t h the conclusion, u n s u p p o r t e d b y facts, that o n N o v e m b e r 12-13 B r i t a i n h a d v i o l a t e d the sovereignty of A l b a n i a , but h a d not done so on October 22! It w a s quite o b v i o u s that A l b a n i a h a d to be described as the g u i l t y party, because this was the order a n d the desire of the greater p o w e r . M o r e o v e r , in D e c e m b e r 1949, the court at the H a g u e decided i n the n a m e o f justice, that A l bania s h o u l d pay B r i t a i n 843,947 pounds s t e r l i n g in compensation. We refused to accept this d e c i 422

sion, not o n l y because we w e r e not to blame, but also because the decision on the s u m of c o m p e n sation w a s not w i t h i n the competence of that court. W e d i d not p a y i t a n d n e v e r w i l l p a y it. I t i s not w e w h o s h o u l d p a y . B u t w h a t o c c u r r e d over this compensation? As I w r o t e above, we d i d not accept the decision a n d refused t o pay. T h e n , i n a n a r b i t r a r y m a n n e r , B r i t a i n f o u n d another w a y to secure it. A n d here begins the h i s t o r y o f our q u a r r e l w i t h B r i t a i n o v e r the question of the stolen gold. W i t h the c a p i t u l a t i o n of fascist Italy in S e p t e m b e r 1943, the n a z i a r m y stole the A l b a n i a n gold deposited i n the B a n c a d'Italia i n R o m e . T h e A l b a n i a n state's o w n e r s h i p of this q u a n t i t y of gold w a s recognized in the protocol signed in the s p r i n g of 1944 b e t w e e n representatives of the F o r e i g n M i n i s t r y o f G e r m a n y a n d representatives of the A l b a n i a n q u i s l i n g government. As if this w e r e not sufficient, the c o m m a n d e r of the H i t l e r i t e troops in T i r a n a , in October 1944 also seized the gold w h i c h h a d r e m a i n e d i n the N a t i o n a l B a n k i n A l b a n i a , c l a i m i n g that h e w o u l d deposit it in the B a n k of S h k o d r a . A f t e r the end of the Second W o r l d W a r , a considerable q u a n t i t y of gold h i d d e n by the G e r m a n nazis, w h o h a d looted it f r o m other peoples, i n c l u d i n g the A l b a n i a n people, was discovered i n the M e r k e r s salt-pans of G e r m a n y . A t r i p a r t i t e 423

commission w a s set up to r e t u r n this w e a l t h to the countries it belonged to. T h e A l b a n i a n government presented to this c o m m i s s i o n its c l a i m supported by documents f o r the r e t u r n of 2,454 kg 874.5 g of p u r e gold. O u r c l a i m w a s considered just. Nevertheless, the c o m m i s s i o n i n f o r m e d us that it w o u l d r e t u r n o n l y about h a l f the gold c l a i m e d to A l b a n i a , as an i n i t i a l share. H o w e v e r , not one g r a m was g i v e n us. G r e a t B r i t a i n , w h i c h h a d both the w a l n u t a n d the h a m m e r i n its h a n d , h e l d this gold w h i c h h a d been deposited i n the B a n k of E n g l a n d , as compensation f o r w h a t h a d occurred i n the C o r f u C h a n n e l . W e protested energetically, a n d as a result, an a r b i t r a t i o n c o m mission was set up to study the question again. T h e a r b i t r a t i o n commission e x a m i n e d it, and a l t h o u g h it came to the conclusion that the gold belonged to A l b a n i a , decided not to h a n d it over, on the p r e t e x t t h a t it w a s subject to a c l a i m by a third party. O u r persistent struggle f o r justice c o n t i n u e d . Later, too, the t r i p a r t i t e c o m m i s s i o n declared that o u r c l a i m f o r 2,454 kg 874.5 g of p u r e gold was just a n d that 1,121 kg 451.7 g s h o u l d be r e t u r n e d to us. B u t as this same c o m m i s s i o n i n f o r m e d us again, this q u a n t i t y was subject to a c l a i m by a t h i r d p a r t y a n d the dispute o v e r this m a t t e r w a s in the process of settlement. W e have w a i t e d a l o n g t i m e f o r this l a w f u l p r o p e r t y of the A l b a n i a n people to be d e l i v e r e d 424

to us, but to this day it r e m a i n s in the claws of the l i o n . T h e reparations due to t h e m w e r e p a i d to a l l the countries of the anti-fascist coalition, w h i l e we were given an extremely small sum from Italy a n d not a p e n n y f r o m G e r m a n y i n c o m p e n sation f o r a l l the colossal h u m a n a n d m a t e r i a l damage the H i t l e r i t e R e i c h caused us. T h e decision on the r e t u r n of the gold stolen by the nazis has been c a r r i e d out f o r a l l the respective countries w i t h the e x c e p t i o n o f A l b a n i a . T h i s is an u n p a r d o n a b l e injustice, a m o n s t r o u s r o b bery, a n d a f l a g r a n t v i o l a t i o n of i n t e r n a t i o n a l r i g h t s a n d decisions. A l l the gold must b e r e t u r n e d to the A l b a n i a n people u n c o n d i t i o n ally, together w i t h the interest accrued in the i n t e r v e n i n g years a n d demurrage, because this gold represents t h e i r sweat a n d blood. T h i s m a t t e r cannot b e l i n k e d w i t h the so-called compensat i o n over the C o r f u C h a n n e l incident, either. T h i s is a p r e t e x t w h i c h A l b a n i a has never recogn i z e d a n d n e v e r w i l l recognize. T h e attempts o f the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t t o l i n k these t w o questions are out of order. T h e y are s i m p l y t r i c k e r y a n d p i r a t i c a l actions. W e h a v e p u b l i c l y declared more t h a n once that we w i l l not enter into discussion about the establishment o f d i p l o m a t i c relations w i t h B r i t a i n if that state does not r e t u r n this w e a l t h to the A l b a n i a n people. If the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t 425

r e a l l y desires the establishment of relations w i t h socialist A l b a n i a , in the first place, it must h o n o u r the obligations it has t o w a r d s A l b a n i a a n d r e t u r n the gold it is h o l d i n g . O n l y after it has p u t an e n d to this arrogant, hostile, p i r a t i c a l s t a n d t o w a r d s us, can it expect to sit d o w n at the r o u n d table w i t h A l b a n i a . O t h e r w i s e w e s h a l l never agree t o sit d o w n a n d t a l k w i t h a n y B r i t i s h government, a n d a l l the progressive forces a n d the B r i t i s h people m u s t u n d e r s t a n d t h o r o u g h l y t h a t the blame f o r this does not lie w i t h us. R i g h t i s o n o u r side a n d h o w e v e r l o n g i t m a y b e delayed, i t w i l l t r i u m p h . The Anglo-American military, civilian, and p h i l a n t h r o p i c missions b r o k e t h e i r necks. H o w ever, the struggle of the i m p e r i a l i s t s against our c o u n t r y has n e v e r ceased. W h e n they w e r e l e a v i n g A l b a n i a , the B r i t i s h officer N e e l and the A m e r i c a n H e n d e r s o n dec l a r e d : W e shall come back i n another w a y . A n d t r u l y they c o n t i n u e d the struggle i n other w a y s . T h e o r g a n i z a t i o n of a l l the r e m n a n t s of the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d L e g a l i t e t i i n e x i l e began u n der the patronage of officers of the C I A a n d S I S . T h e A m e r i c a n colonel H e r b e r t a n d the B r i t i s h officers A m e r y , M c L e a n a n d others, w h o w e r e charged w i t h this task, f o u n d i t v e r y d i f f i c u l t . T h e y understood that they h a d to deal w i t h a pack of jackals and a h e r d of rabbits, b u t . . . it 426

h a d to be done. E a c h of the heads of reaction in e x i l e defended the interests of the e m p l o y e r w h o fed h i m . R i g h t f r o m the start they began to q u a r r e l , abuse one another and come to blows. N e v e r theless, a c e r t a i n u n i t y was achieved in a so-called F r e e A l b a n i a C o m m i t t e e , attached to w h i c h a m i l i t a r y staff w a s set up, headed by the strategist A b a z K u p i . H o w e v e r , the quarrels c o n t i n u e d a n d the contradictions became more acute. In exile, the crabs w e r e t e a r i n g one another to pieces. Q u a r r e l s ( 1 ) existed not o n l y between the chiefs, b u t also b e t w e e n the chiefs a n d the misled i n d i v i d u a l s , w h o got caught u p i n the c u r r e n t o f b e t r a y a l a n d w h o h a d been p r o m i s e d p a r a __________________________________ 1 These quarrels had their origin d u r i n g the war. In his book, A m e r y says: T h e common danger had united Republicans w i t h M o n archists, but their feud was revived by their common catastrophe. Abaz Kupi accused the Ballists of discrediting the Nationalist cause in the eyes of the B r i t i s h by their association w i t h the G e r m a n s : M i d h a t F r a s h r i maintained that the C o m munists might still recriminations natural and might urgent have been suppressed if the Zogists appear conflict academic, of but they The had joined forces w i t h h i m at the beginning of the c i v i l w a r . Such disguised a two parties interests.

could no longer help each other in A l b a n i a ; they might soon rend each other in exile; and, n o w that resistance had ceased, Zogists and Ballists appeared as rivals for B r i t i s h favour, rather than as allies Macmillan against the Partisans.

London,

and

Co.

Ltd,

1948,

pp.

(Sons of 320-321.)

the

Eagle,

427

dise by the fathers of the nation. T h e y w e r e b e g i n n i n g t o u n d e r s t a n d w h a t t h e y h a d been r e duced t o a n d w e r e beating t h e i r heads w i t h t h e i r o w n fists. T h e r e w e r e some w h o repented a n d w a n t e d to r e t u r n a n d a f e w d i d so, w h i l e the m a j o r i t y , poisoned by bourgeois demagogy, w e n t even f u r t h e r o n t h e i r course a n d ended u p i n the t r a i n i n g camps to be used as c a n n o n fodder in the interests of the a m b i t i o n s of the i m p e r i a l ists a n d the heads of A l b a n i a n reaction. It w a s logical that this w o u l d occur. T h e h i s t o r y of the w a r h a d taught u s this. Nevertheless, w e made o f f i c i a l requests t o the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n governments for the e x t r a d i t i o n of w a r c r i m i n a l s , not o n l y A l b a n i a n s , b u t also Italians a n d G e r mans, w h o h a d stained t h e i r h a n d s w i t h blood i n A l b a n i a and w e r e n o w u n d e r t h e i r j u r i s d i c t i o n . C o n t r a r y to the declarations a n d the j o i n t c o m m i t m e n t s of the allies d u r i n g the w a r a n d the decisions w h i c h w e r e t a k e n later o n this question, they t u r n e d a deaf ear a n d d i d not h a n d t h e m over to us. On the contrary, they k e p t t h e chiefs i n l u x u r y hotels, w h i l e they t r a i n e d t h e i r f i g h t i n g m e n i n special camps a n d courses i n R o m e , M u n i c h , L o n d o n , A t h e n s a n d elsewhere. A t first, t h e y used a i r c r a f t t o d r o p leaflets against us, w h i c h the people gathered up, h a n d e d over, or b u r n t . T h e i m p e r i a l i s t s d i d this to p r e pare the t e r r a i n f o r d r o p p i n g i n A l b a n i a n c r i m inals b y parachute o r i n f i l t r a t i n g t h e m into o u r 428

c o u n t r y t h r o u g h I t a l y o r some other n e i g h b o u r i n g c o u n t r y , to c a r r y out sabotage, assassinations, etc. T h e i m p e r i a l i s t s h a d p i n n e d a l l t h e i r hopes on these degenerate elements w h o , w i t h a dagger i n one h a n d a n d g o l d i n the other, t r i e d t o i n t i m i d a t e o u r people o r b r i b e t h e m into b e c o m i n g t h e i r followers. D e c e i v i n g themselves that A l b a n i a at that t i m e w a s the weakest l i n k of the countries of people's democracy, the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n i m perialists t r i e d to u n d e r m i n e our people's state p o w e r . T h e y h a d not r e c k o n e d on its strength, w h i c h w a s based on the people, on the cleverness, d e t e r m i n a t i o n , v i g i l a n c e and swiftness i n action of o u r organs of security a n d people's defence. B l i n d e d b y t h e i r h o s t i l i t y t o w a r d s our c o u n t r y , a n d h a v i n g no accurate k n o w l e d g e of the A l b a n i a n reality, the i m p e r i a l i s t s soon f o u n d themselves i n great difficulties. A s the c r i m i n a l s themselves testified i n court, O a k l e y - H i l l , S t i r l i n g a n d others reappeared on the scene at these m o m e n t s w h e n things w e r e h o t t i n g up. W e forced the c a p t u r e d agents to m a k e radio contact w i t h t h e i r espionage centres i n Italy a n d elsew h e r e , hence to p l a y o u r game, totally d e c e i v i n g these centres, w h i c h showed themselves to be completely incompetent a n d short-sighted. T h i n g s w e n t so f a r that they d r o p p e d us w h a t e v e r we dictated to t h e i r agents w h o h a d f a l l e n into the t r a p . T h e bands o f the c r i m i n a l s w h o w e r e 429

d r o p p e d in by parachute or i n f i l t r a t e d across the border at o u r request, came l i k e l a m b s to the slaughter, w h i l e the a r m a m e n t s a n d other m a terials w h i c h they d r o p p e d o r b r o u g h t w i t h t h e m w e n t to o u r account. In a w o r d , t h e y came a n d w e w e r e w a i t i n g for t h e m . W e p u t t h e m o n t r i a l a n d after a l l t h e i r f i l t h y deeds h a d been exposed, we gave t h e m the p u n i s h m e n t t h e y deserved. T h e espionage centres w h i c h sent these bands became a l a r m e d a n d t r i e d to alter t h e i r methods of action against the n e w A l b a n i a a n d its glorious leadership the P a r t y of L a b o u r . B u t up t i l l n o w , events have p r o v e d that e v e r y t h i n g t h e y h a v e attempted against us has r u n into a g r a n i t e r o c k a n d been smashed to smithereens. H i s t o r y has the same fate in store f o r t h e m in the f u t u r e , too. O u r famous radio game, the w i s d o m , justice a n d the r e v o l u t i o n a r y v i g i l a n c e of the A l b a n i a n people b r o u g h t about the i g n o m i n i o u s f a i l u r e of the plans of the f o r e i g n enemy, a n d not the m e rits of a certain K i m P h i l b y ( 1 ), as some h a v e c l a i m e d . Those w h o t r i e d to bite A l b a n i a left not o n l y t h e i r teeth, but also t h e i r bones in this sacred l a n d . T h e security organs a n d our people's defence forces w e r e a l w a y s in readiness a n d , assisted by the people, c r u s h e d the c r i m i n a l s a n d assassins. A f e w escaped by crossing the b o r d e r to c a r r y the sad tidings to t h e i r mentors, w h i l e
______________________________ 1 He w o r k e d intelligence. in SIS but was in the service of S o v i e t

430

the others w e r e c r u s h e d in the vice of the people. A l t h o u g h the A l b a n i a n reactionaries i n e x i l e w e r e reduced to a d r e a d f u l state, w h e n e v e r t h e class struggle inside or outside o u r c o u n t r y b e came m o r e acute, they raised t h e i r heads. I m p e r i a l i s m gave t h e m the necessary i n j e c t i o n a n d t h e y r e a c t i v i z e d themselves. T h i s i s w h a t occurred after the b e t r a y a l of Titoite r e v i s i o n i s m e m e r g e d o p e n l y i n 1948 a n d i t w a s repeated a g a i n i n 1961 a n d later. P r e c i s e l y w h e n o u r c o u n t r y was f i g h t i n g tooth a n d n a i l against K h r u s h c h e v i n 1961, A b a z K u p i was invited to London and welcomed w i t h h o n o u r s b y A m e r y , the B r i t i s h M i n i s t e r o f A v i a t i o n , b y the M . P . M c L e a n , the retired C o l o n e l S m i l e y a n d the j o u r n a l i s t K e m p , w h i l e A m e r y ' s w i f e , the d a u g h t e r o f P r i m e M i n i s t e r M c M i l l a n , w a s present at every activity w h i c h w a s o r g a n i z e d f o r B a z i i Cans b y his o l d f r i e n d s d u r i n g his t h r e e - d a y visit. T h a t same year, react i o n p r e p a r e d yet another f a r c e : it approved the i n i t i a t i v e of Zog's son to p r o c l a i m h i m s e l f k i n g , a n d the A m e r i c a n s appointed G e n e r a l B l o m b e r g a n d the B r i t i s h a p p o i n t e d K e m p a s his aides-de-camp. A l l this interference a n d pressure, the u n scrupulous provocations, l i k e that i n the C o r f u C h a n n e l , the use of the veto against the rights of o u r R e p u b l i c in the i n t e r n a t i o n a l arena, the h o l d i n g of the gold, a n d m a n y other hostile acts, are the c o n t i n u a t i o n of the savage struggle w h i c h 431

the A m e r i c a n , B r i t i s h a n d other i m p e r i a l i s t s a n d w o r l d reaction have never ceased f o r one day or even one m i n u t e against our c o u n t r y . T h e s t o r y o f h o w w e dealt w i t h this long, continuous c h a i n of hostile activities, w h i c h w e r e c a r r i e d out b y e x t e r n a l enemies i n c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h A l b a n i a n reaction, a n d w h i c h I have done my best to outline b r i e f l y here, constitutes o n l y a f r a g m e n t of the m i l i t a n t h i s t o r y of o u r heroic P a r t y . T h e struggle against a n d t r i u m p h o v e r this a c t i v i t y r e t a i n t h e i r v a l u e as great lessons, both about the p e r i o d i n w h i c h the events w h i c h I m e n t i o n took place, a n d about the subsequent course of the P a r t y to defend o u r f r e e d o m a n d independence, the d i c t a t o r s h i p of the proletariat, and socialism i n A l b a n i a . T h e bitter lessons of h i s t o r y h a v e a l w a y s a d ded to our vigilance, a n d that is w h y we have been able to detect, to u n m a s k a n d to defeat the d i a b o l i c a l plans of false friends. T h e consistently correct r e v o l u t i o n a r y stand o f the C P A d u r i n g the w a r a n d i n the first postL i b e r a t i o n years, t o w a r d s the hostile a n t i - A l b a n i a n p o l i c y and interference of the A n g l o - A m e r icans and t o w a r d s e v e r y other p r o b l e m p l a y e d its v i t a l role i n the achievement a n d consolidation of the complete independence of o u r c o u n t r y . L a t e r , the experience of this s t a n d was to serve us in d e t e r m i n i n g a n d p u r s u i n g a correct p r i n 432

cipled, open a n d consistent p o l i c y t o w a r d s friends a n d enemies of e v e r y type. W h e n it placed itself at the head of the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r our P a r t y w a s y o u n g , n e w l y f o r m e d . I t g r e w bigger a n d stronger, t e m p e r e d itself in battle, gained a w e a l t h of e x p e r i e n c e a n d assimilated the science of M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m . T h i s m a d e it i n v i n c i b l e , able to discover a n d cope successfully w i t h the dangers w h i c h threatened i t i n a l l stages of the r e v o l u t i o n . If it h a d gone to sleep, if it h a d rested on its laurels, n e i t h e r the P a r t y n o r socialist A l b a n i a w o u l d b e i n existence today. T h e N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r is one of the most glorious chapters in the h i s t o r y of our people, b u t it is also one of the greatest proofs of the p o l i t i c a l a n d ideological m a t u r i t y of our P a r t y a n d of the correctness of its M a r x i s t - L e ninist line. T h e P a r t y i n s p i r e d the w o r k i n g m a s ses of t o w n a n d countryside a n d made t h e m conscious that they m u s t unite, take up arms against the nazi-fascist occupiers a n d the local t r a i t o r s a n d t r i u m p h over t h e m . A f t e r countless sacrifices o u r people, u n d e r the leadership of the P a r t y , drove out the f o r e i g n occupiers, discovered and unmasked the behind-the-scenes m a n o e u v r e s a n d raised i n s u r m o u n t a b l e b a r r i e r s to the secret plans of allies a n d t h e i r friends, o v e r t h r e w the r e a c t i o n a r y classes a n d established t h e i r 433

o w n p o w e r f o r the first t i m e i n h i s t o r y . T h a t w h i c h is w o n t h r o u g h blood, sweat a n d sacrifice is cherished dearly, a n d so we h a v e b e a u t i f i e d a n d strengthened the p o v e r t y - s t r i c k e n a n d battered A l b a n i a of the past, have made it h o n o u r e d throughout the w o r l d , an u n c o n q u e r a b l e fortress of socialism and c o m m u n i s m on the shores of the A d r i a t i c . Its i n v i n c i b l e strength has been a n d is based on the just cause it champions. O u r P a r t y took up this cause a n d has p r o v e d to h a v e the a b i l i t y a n d foresight to defend it. T h i s is a cause of a people w h o are l i v i n g a n d b u i l d i n g t h e i r o w n life a n d f r e e d o m . O u r c o u n t r y does not i n t e r f e r e w i t h any other c o u n t r y , but it has n e v e r p e r m i t t e d a n d never w i l l p e r m i t anyone t o i n t e r f e r e a n d m e d d l e in our i n t e r n a l affairs a n d to damage the free and h a p p y life w h i c h w e are b u i l d i n g a n d enjoy. T h e r e are h u n d r e d s of m i l l i o n s of people w h o admire, respect and support socialist A l b a n i a , because it defends and adheres to such a policy. H o w e v e r , there are some, the i m p e r i a l i s t s a n d their lackeys, w h o say that we have isolated o u r selves f r o m the civilized w o r l d . These gentlem e n are m i s t a k e n . B o t h t h e b i t t e r h i s t o r y o f our o w n c o u n t r y in the past a n d the r e a l i t y of the w o r l d w h i c h they advertize, have c o n v i n c e d us that it is by no means a c i v i l i z e d w o r l d , but a w o r l d in w h i c h the bigger a n d the stronger oppresses a n d s k i n s the s m a l l e r a n d the w e a k e r , 434

i n w h i c h m o n e y a n d c o r r u p t i o n m a k e t h e l a w , and injustice, p e r f i d y a n d b a c k s t a b b i n g t r i u m p h . T h e t r a n s f o r m a t i o n s i n socialist A l b a n i a are v e r y p r o f o u n d , the victories are magnificent, o u r strength is i n v i n c i b l e , b u t we m u s t n e v e r forget the lessons of history. O u r P a r t y a n d people m u s t a l w a y s bear i n m i n d the hostile a c t i v i t y f r o m a b r o a d or f r o m w i t h i n this they must n e v e r forget. T h e y m u s t n e v e r n u r t u r e the slightest i l lusion that the i m p e r i a l i s t s a n d the capitalists change their nature, become reasonable, peaceful a n d r e l i n q u i s h t h e i r aims. T h e r e m u s t n e v e r be any idea that the class struggle b e t w e e n us and the e x t e r n a l a n d i n t e r n a l enemies can be toned d o w n in the least. We have suffered at the hands of invaders, we have suffered at the hands of false friends, b u t this has not m a d e a n d does not m a k e us isolate ourselves, as they accuse us. We are v i g i l a n t a n d take s t r o n g defence measures against e x t e r n a l a n d i n t e r n a l enemies. W e have been d i s i l lusioned by false friends, too, but we have c o n f i dence in the h u n d r e d s of thousands of f r i e n d s and w e l l - w i s h e r s o f socialist A l b a n i a . W e have a l w a y s had m a n y f r i e n d s a n d w e l l - w i s h e r s a l l over the w o r l d . T h e l o n g a n d irreconcilable struggle w i t h perfidious friends, t h e i r savage a c t i v i t y a n d s u b versive aims, have never caused us to lose o u r trust i n t r u e f r i e n d s . A t a l l times o u r f r i e n d s have e x p e r i e n c e d the strength of the A l b a n i a n s ' 435

g i v e n w o r d , w h i l e the enemies have e x p e r i e n c e d t h e i r boundless anger a n d merciless fight. W e are f u l l y c o n v i n c e d that w i t h a c o u r a geous r e v o l u t i o n a r y stand, in u n i t y of t h o u g h t a n d deed w i t h the genuine M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t s , i n f r i e n d s h i p w i t h the oppressed a n d e x p l o i t e d peoples a n d w i t h the honest a n d progressive folk t h r o u g h o u t the w o r l d , we s h a l l be able to cope w i t h blockades a n d storms w h e r e v e r they m a y come f r o m . R i g h t is on o u r side, the f u t u r e belongs to us. T h i s gives us courage a n d s t r e n g t h to speak the t r u t h openly a n d sincerely, to r e p l y resolutely to w h o e v e r smiles at us h y p o c r i t i c a l l y , to w h o e v e r conceals the dagger a n d has v e n o m in his heart. O u r p o l i c y is consistent. It does not s w i n g to the c h a n g i n g breezes of i n t e r n a t i o n a l events. Its basis is not the secret d i p l o m a c y of faceless m e n , not bargains s t r u c k b e h i n d the scenes, not the r u b l e or the dollar. It is not a p o l i c y of o p e n i n g the doors to f r i e n d s a n d enemies i n d i s c r i m i nately. W e have not a l l o w e d a n d w i l l not a l l o w the w o l f to get into our sheepfold. We h a v e d i s posed o f the w o l f w i t h the b u l l e t a n d w e shall continue to do so, a l t h o u g h t h e y accuse us of isolating ourselves f r o m the c i v i l i z e d w o r l d . A people a n d a p a r t y w h o are b u i l d i n g socialism, w h o are d e f e n d i n g a cause w h i c h is the cause of a l l the peoples of the w o r l d , cannot be isolated s i m p l y because they do not a l l o w a n y o n e to d a 436

mage the f r e e d o m a n d independence w o n at the cost of t h e i r o w n blood. T h e people, w i t h the P a r t y o f the w o r k i n g class at the head, are a n d m u s t be v i g i l a n t at e v e r y moment, m u s t n e v e r be deceived by some sweet w o r d f r o m reaction, m u s t n e v e r t h i n k that the enemies are t o n i n g d o w n the struggle against us, must n e v e r be deceived by the t e m p o r a r y changes i n i n t e r n a t i o n a l circumstances, but m u s t take a n d judge t h e m f o r n o t h i n g other t h a n w h a t t h e y are, w e m u s t take advantage o f t h e m a n d w i l l continue t o d o s o w i t h o u t m a k i n g any concession to enemies, to r e a c t i o n a r y bourgeoisrevisionist circles, so that o u r correct r e v o l u t i o n a r y M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t s t a n d i s n e v e r liberalized. W h i l e p u t t i n g enemies o f every k i n d i n their place, at the same time, we m u s t a l w a y s love, honour a n d assist the f r i e n d s of socialist A l b a n i a a n d w e s h o u l d d o this w i t h u n e r r i n g M a r x i s t L e n i n i s t judgement, w i t h i r o n logic, a n d n e v e r s i m p l y because they are our friends. In life there are f r i e n d s a n d friends, therefore we m u s t k n o w how to distinguish between them. A l b a n i a is a s m a l l state, l i k e a ship s a i l i n g in an ocean w i t h m i g h t y waves, therefore w e must h a v e i t tight a n d t r i m , must steer it w e l l , m u s t not lose o u r bearings, otherwise w e s h a l l f o u n d e r i n the savage w a v e s of this f u r i o u s ocean. T h e w o r k i n g class a n d its P a r t y must r e l y 437

on their o w n strength first of a l l , must never forget the interests of the people, m u s t a l w a y s r e l y on the people's abilities a n d judgement, must a l w a y s consult the people's o p i n i o n , b u t never as a mere f o r m a l i t y . T h e guarantees f o r our present a n d f u t u r e , to m a k e socialist A l b a n i a u n c o n q u e r a b l e a n d impassable to o u r enemies, are the continuous s t r e n g t h e n i n g of the state of the d i c t a t o r s h i p of the proletariat, the extension a n d consolidation of o u r socialist democracy, a n d a l l - r o u n d a n d u n c e a sing economic a n d social development. T h e c r e a t i o n of a strong independent economy, capable of s o l v i n g a l l the complicated p r o b l e m s of socialist a n d c o m m u n i s t construction w i t h its o w n forces, capable of successfully w i t h s t a n d i n g the i m p e r i a l ist a n d revisionist pressures a n d blockades a n d k e e p i n g itself u n d a m a g e d by the d e a t h - d e a l i n g crisis w h i c h has seized the capitalist a n d r e v i s i o n ist w o r l d , is indispensable in order to h a v e a free a n d independent socialist A l b a n i a . O u r strength is based on the correct r e v o l u t i o n a r y line of the P a r t y , on the u n b r e a k a b l e P a r t y - p e o p l e u n i t y , w h i c h is based on o u r r e v o l u t i o n a r y doctrine, M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m . A g a i n s t this strength a l l the plots a n d attacks of enemies w i l l b e defeated a n d a l l the disguises w i l l b e torn f r o m false friends o f A l b a n i a . O u r people m u s t a l w a y s b e realistic i n e v e r y t h i n g , i n policy, i n 438

the economy, i n investments a n d i n expenditure. T h e y must a l w a y s keep i n m i n d that i n order t o cope w i t h this danger measures must be t a k e n in advance so that we are not t a k e n by surprise. A n d one is not t a k e n by surprise w h e n he fights against euphoria, self-satisfaction a n d u n f o u n d e d optimism. L e t the enemies b e w a i l the fact that our people are a l w a y s i n struggle! L i f e itself i s struggle, a n d w h e n this struggle is w o n life becomes b e a u t i f u l a n d prosperous, w h e n it is defended w i t h struggle, it never becomes g l o o m y a n d it is w o r t h w h i l e l i v i n g . T h i s is a great lesson f r o m o u r history. T h i s is also my unshakeable belief w h i c h the P a r t y w i t h its ideology, M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m , has e m b u e d in me a n d w h i c h has been i m p l a n t e d i n m e b y m y people, w h o m I have served a n d w i l l continue to serve, sparing n o t h i n g , d u r i n g m y w h o l e life, b y f i g h t i n g a s their l o y a l soldier, a r m s i n h a n d , w i t h r e v o l u t i o n a r y f i r e i n m y heart, w i t h the M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t ideology in my head, against every type of e x t e r n a l a n d i n t e r n a l e n e m y of the P a r t y , the w o r k i n g class, the people, socialism and c o m m u n i s m . I am f u l l y confident that the P a r t y , the w o r k i n g class a n d the people w i l l a l w a y s be on the alert, a l w a y s v i g i l a n t , a l w a y s on the r e v o l u t i o n a r y offensive to overcome the difficulties of 439

g r o w t h a n d to avert a n d overcome the possible dangers. I n this w a y t h e i r present a n d f u t u r e w i l l b e unshakeable a n d b r i l l i a n t . 1975

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C O N T E N T S

I Page A L I T T L E HISTORY A l b a n i a a t o k e n for barter for the B r i t i s h L i o n . D i s r a e l i and B i s m a r c k : We are not interested in a f e w A l b a n i a n cottages. Z o g the open door policy. C h a m b e r l a i n a n d the fascist occupation of A l b a n i a . T h e anti-fascist coalition. V i g i l ance of the C P A . Intelligence Service prepares its contingents f o r A l b a n i a . Section D and the S O E . A l a r m in L o n d o n . N e w Plans, old aims. 5

II AN U N I N V I T E D M I L I T A R Y MISSION E x t e n s i o n of our N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t . M a n o e u v r e s of reaction. T h e 29

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Page first B r i t i s h m i l i t a r y mission in A l b a n i a M c L e a n . T h e partisan zones are not inns w i t h open doors. E m p t y promises. T h e trips of B r i t i s h officers seeking friends. Reaction enlivened. Mclean's urgent request for a meeting a general w i l l come to head the mission. Where is y o u r centre, M a j o r ? Measures to p a r a lyse the diabolical plans of the B r i t i s h W a r Office.

III T H E C O M I N G A N D T H E INGLORIOUS E N D OF G E N E R A L D A V I E S B i z a the residence of the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l . W h y ? T h e old r e f r a i n p r o m i ses. T w o hours of fruitless talk. Not Zog but the Zogites! They have deceived y o u about the 'battles' of the B a l l i K o m b t a r , General. I want to show the B a l l i K o m btar the way. T h e smog the games of the B B C . T h e f i v e true reasons for his coming. D i n n e r w i t h the E n g l i s h m a n .

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Page H i s meetings w i t h the heads of the B a l l i K o m b t a r and the Zogites. A t t e m p t s to cross to the south. T h e crestfallen General. Who has lost the w a r ? W h o should surrender, w e ? Never. Y o u , General, are a defeatist, a capitulationist. The e n d : the G e n e r a l surrenders.

IV M U S T A F A GJINISHI A G E N T OF T H E BRITISH The two M u s t a f a s : K a a i l o y a l son of the P a r t y . G j i n i s h i ' s l i n k s and contacts w i t h the nationalists. Bab M y s l i m ' s reply. T h e plan for the P e q i n - D a r s i a m i l i t a r y domain. A v a l u a b l e - proposal: Let us send representatives to London. T h e B B C Ras T a f a r i . Tafari's confession: C u n g u put me in contact w i t h the T u r k i s h consulate. Caught red-handed.

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V Page 225

T H E BRITISH A N D A B A Z K U P I M c L e a n : What i s M r . K u p i saying? B a z i i Cans his games. The leaflet and Legaliteti. T h e K u p i - D a v i e s m e e t i n g : T h e apprentice renders account to his master. T h e u n d e r h a n d deals of the m i n o r Zog w i t h the B r i t i s h , the Germans, the Ballists and the quislings. M c L e a n i n A l b a n i a again. G e n e r a l Wilson's note. U l t i m a t u m to the u l t i m a t u m . O r d e r : Abaz K u p i and his gangs m u s t be routed. T h e e n d ? T h e shepherds board ships, the flock left i n disarray.

VI THREE ATTEMPTS THREE FAILURES AT LANDING 297

A new head of the B r i t i s h mission w i t h a more sympathetic appearance. A i d : M u c h ado about nothing. P a l m e r ' s first success. U l t i m a t u m : E i t h e r s u p plies of weapons or clear out! R a d i o g r a m f r o m the f i g h t i n g f r o n t : the K r y e z i u

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Page brothers, the B r i t i s h officer S i m c o x and F u n d o prisoners of the partisans. An A n g l o - T i t o i t e coincidence. Proposal for concrete a i d : Let us drop commandos at Peza, Ishm and D a r s i a to liberate Tirana! No, M r . Palmer, never! Second attempt: at Spile. T h e t h i r d f a i l u r e : at Saranda.

VII UNSUCCESSFUL MANOEUVRES N o v e m b e r 29, 1944. V i c t o r y the w h o l e c o u n t r y celebrates. R e v o l u t i o n a r y measures. Missions for the recognition of our Democratic G o v e r n m e n t ! F u l t z : the pupils and the boys. Philanthropic instruments M L and U N R R A . We accept no conditions. We a l l o w not even one officer to set foot on the wharf. T h e Opposition unfortunate actors in a d r a m a that was a flop. N o b o d y can impose conditions on A l b a n i a . P a r i s : Let the whole w o r l d k n o w that the A l b a n i a n people do not p e r m i t any discussion of their b o r d e r s . . . T h e saboteurs o n t r i a l . W h y did 353

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Page M r . F u l t z leave? T h e C o r f u C h a n n e l I n c i dent. At the Hague the innocent g u i l t y . W h y was the gold frozen? P l u n d e r . T h e crabs in action. L i f e is struggle v i g i l ance!

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