By Alma Mile
Part One
Memorie.al / Although he had declared that he had withdrawn from politics and was dedicated to church activity, Fan Noli never really separated from it. We see this in the years ’45, ’46, ’47, in a correspondence that he had with Enver Hoxha. From what we read, Noli was an intermediary between Albania and the United States, so that Albania could be accepted into the United Nations Organization, into UNRRA, or in establishing relations with the United States. Noli reports to Enver Hoxha, all the latest actions in the United States, regarding these issues, but also others. It was clear that he was a supporter of Hoxha’s policy, but he was very interested in establishing Albania’s relations with America.
This correspondence is part of a work that is undoubtedly one of the most interesting entries in the book market recently. It is about “Fan Noli’s Correspondence”, a work prepared by the researcher Nasho Jorgaqi and published by the publishing house “Erik”. There are 544 letters that Fan Noli sent to various personalities, Albanians and foreigners, politicians and clergy, friends and family, but also their responses, which speak volumes about his personality. According to the researcher Jorgaqi, the realization of this work required many years of work and research in archives.
Telegram of Colonel General Enver Hoxha, Dr. Omer Nishani
February, 1946
On behalf of the annual meeting of the Albanian Orthodox churches in America, held on February 24 in Boston, I would like to send you my warmest greetings and express our admiration for the excellent work of reconstruction that you are doing.
Bishop Fan S. Noli
Fan Noli’s Telegram to Hysni Kapo
March 21, 1946
Hysni Kapos
Albanian Legation, Belgrade-Yugoslavia
Please convey the following message to Prime Minister Hoxha: from discussions with State Department officials, I understand that acceptance of the treaties concluded by previous regimes is a necessary condition for recognition of the Albanian government by the United States. Believe me, any delay now will further prejudice our case, at a very critical time.
In connection with the recent discussion of Albania’s request for UNO membership and the intense Greek agitation over Northern Epirus, I suggest immediate acceptance of the treaties in question. This will automatically lead to American recognition moving the obstacles to the UNO and giving the United States the opportunity to more successfully defend the territorial integrity of Albania.
Bishop Fan Noli
Fan Noli’s Message to Enver Hoxha
25.3.1946
The Bulgarian diplomatic mission has been operating in Washington since last October, although the Bulgarian government has not been officially recognized by the US. In case the recognition of Albania is delayed further, I suggest using this precedent to request visas for a similar mission here and for specific reasons to present the Albanian issue before the UN.
Bishop Fan Noli
Fan Noli’s Message to Enver Hoxha
28/III/1946
In a note in the “New York Herald Tribune” on March 23, it is written that despite the request of Albania presented by its Yugoslav neighbor, assisted by Czechoslovakia and pushed by the Soviets, Philip Noel Baker, British Minister of State, seized the opportunity at the meeting of the UNRRA council, to announce to the Soviet delegation in this abrupt manner, that the Security Council will not consider a similar request for membership in the UNO, because it has other important business and will probably not act until September; In this regard, it is whispered that England will withdraw the recognition previously given to Albania.
Bishop Fan Noli
Fan Noli’s Message to Enver Hoxha
1.4.1946
Despite our repeated requests, the Committee on Foreign Relations of the American Senate voted for a resolution to grant Southern Albania to Greece. We are inclined to believe that this is related to the refusal by Albania in Atlantic City, before the UNRRA Council and in Washington.
Fan Noli’s Message to Enver Hoxha
16/IV/1946
From the joint speeches with officials of the United Nations Secretariat (UNO) in New York regarding the presentation for discussion of Albania’s membership before the Security Council, which will take place at the end of May or on June 2, 1946: As after the conversation, the acceptance of membership will be effected in the General Assembly, by the recommendation that the Security Council will make. This recommendation will be made by an affirmative vote of seven members of the Security Council, including the five permanent members; the United States (3/54), Great Britain, the Soviet Union, France, and China.
An Albanian delegation to the United Nations Secretariat in New York would be of great assistance. Please make a visa to the United States Minister in Tirana and inform me of the conclusions reached. I add with regret that State Department officials are awaiting (4/50) your long silence regarding matters between the United States and the former regime in Albania. In some quarters, your silence for many months is interpreted as an act of defiance.
They also complain that various members of the American mission have been prevented from moving and this is in other words considered as defiance. In (5/56) connection with this it is said that in protest of these measures, the American diplomatic mission in Tirana will be withdrawn. I suggest immediate steps to rectify the situation and improve relations with the United States, which I consider good, for the solution of your international problems.
Bishop Fan Noli
Fan Noli’s message to Enver Hoxha
From my conversation with the head of the British delegation in New York, I gather that if the differences are settled and diplomatic relations are resumed, the British government will support Albania’s admission to the UNO. Please give me detailed information on this matter.
Bishop Fan Noli
Fan Noli’s Telegram to Enver Hoxha
Two Albanians, named Dr. Ali Kuçi and Stavro Skëndi, have recently arrived in the United States. Please advise us of the trust and loyalty of these persons. Upon his arrival here, Dr. Ali Kuçi established contact with the gangster group of “Free Albania”. The Albanians here complain of the heavy taxes that have been imposed on all used clothing sent from the United States to their relatives and friends in Albania. Please be aware that if this is the case, the shipment of clothing from here will be reduced or completely stopped, since no one from here wants to create financial difficulties for his relatives and friends in Albania. This is a vital matter. Please be kind enough to inform us of the exact situation.
Telegraph us by ‘Dielli’, 30 Huntington Street Boston.
Bishop Fan Noli
Fan Noli’s Message to Enver Hoxha
To Prime Minister Enver Hoxha
Tirana Albania, 1946
Please give me detailed information on Dr. Ali Kuçi, former editor of the fascist newspaper “Fascio” of Korça, who recently arrived in Boston and was appointed editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Liria” by convention of the so-called organization of Free Albania.
Bishop Fan Noli
Near the Albanian Orthodox Church, New York City
Fan Noli’s Message to Enver Hoxha
To Prime Minister Enver Hoxha
Tirana Albania, 1946
I had a conversation with the acting head of the United States delegation, Mr. Herschel Johnson, formerly ambassador to Sweden. To my abrupt question whether the United States government would support the Albanian application for membership in the United Nations, he gave an evasive and non-committal answer. In the course of the talks, he mentioned the reputation of your government for treaties, which gave me the opportunity to explain your point of view on the basis of the resolution issued by the Congress of Përmet.
Finally, I drew his attention to the absurdity of the Greek claims on Northern Epirus. I take this opportunity to remind you again whether or not you are prepared to receive in the near future the remains of Faik Konica, since he is being held in a cell here, expenses paid… Please respond on this point before July 4, when the annual Assembly of the Hearth convenes. Your answer will enable the Assembly to decide one way or the other.
Bishop Fan Noli
Message from Enver Hoxha to Fan Noli
April 1946
To Mr. Fan Noli
I have received the messages and I greatly appreciate your efforts and those of all Albanians in America. Our concern and desire has been and continues to be to strengthen good relations and friendship with all the great allies. We are bound by an old friendship with the American people. We have wanted and wish to strengthen this friendship, on sound and sincere grounds.
Our efforts to contact our brothers in America and to make known to American opinion the heroic struggle of our country, our steadfast stance for the Allied cause, have been rejected in various ways, but, despite the great obstacles that have been placed before us by American officials in Albania, we have hoped that our issue would be resolved in a manner satisfactory to both countries.
The condition of recognition of our government, imposed by the United States government, has surprised and grieved us because we consider this as a denial of the sovereignty and self-determination of our people for which the Albanian people shed so much blood. The decisions of the Congress of Përmet, based on the principle of self-determination, order us to annul all treaties concluded with foreign states by previous anti-popular governments and to sign new treaties in the interest of our nation.
This is an elementary right of the Albanian people, oppressed by tyrannical regimes, who fought to gain every right and every freedom and who will live independently and sovereignly within the bosom of the united nations and will walk proudly with the new international spirit. As for the treaties that exist with the United States, we have always been and are willing to review, examine and in a spirit of friendship and parity to sign new treaties in the interest of both our countries, once our government is recognized.
Such a just position of the Albanian people and its government should be appreciated not as obstruction on our part, but as a matter of the most democratic principle. On the other hand, by the just solution of this problem, we are convinced that friendship and good relations on sound and sincere foundations will be ensured between Albania and the United States. Memorie.al
Colonel-General
Enver Hoxha
To be continued in the next issue
