Memorie.al / There are certain key points in a country’s history about which it is thought that much is known, but in reality, there is still much to discover. One of these events is also the Conference of the PPSH (Party of Labour of Albania) in Tirana, in 1956. The historian Ana Lalaj returns once more to this moment, seen in the light of documentation supplemented by Albanian and foreign archives, and freed from any kind of prejudice.
“The False Spring of ’56” is one of the historian’s most recent works, which brings this event back to the reader’s attention, 70 years later. How it happened, who took part, who was those exponents of the PPSH who dared to raise their voices, what were the consequences? The historian’s analysis becomes even more tangible through documents. Two of them shed light on the difficult situation in which Albania found itself at that time.
On one hand, there is the internal crisis within the Party of Labour of Albania. Enver Hoxha reports to the Soviet Union’s ambassador in Tirana, Krylov, on the Tirana Conference, the questions of the “demagogues,” the issue of punishing Koçi Xoxe, and relations with Yugoslavia. Meanwhile, another document shows the financial crisis that Albania was experiencing.
In a meeting where Enver Hoxha, Mehmet Shehu, Liri Belishova, etc., were present, it was revealed that in 1956, Albania owed the Soviet Union 900 million rubles and that this amount would reach one billion six hundred thousand rubles. Enver Hoxha hoped to persuade Khrushchev to forgive half of Albania’s debts. While Khrushchev, for his part, had stated that Albania was a catastrophe.
NIKITA KHRUSHCHEV: ALBANIA IS IN A CATASTROPHE
The following material shows that in 1956, the credits that the Communist Bloc countries were giving to Albania had become a burden on the country’s economy, due to its low payment capacity. The party’s leading forums acknowledge the difficult economic situation, while for Nikita Khrushchev this situation is a catastrophe.
Excerpts from the discussions at the Political Bureau meeting, regarding the information to be presented to the participating countries in the Economic Council, for the coordination of the five-year plan.
Tirana, 18 June 1956
COMRADE SPIRO KOLEKA: Here I have presented information on the work of the Economic Council for the 1956-1960 five-year plans and, to cope with our difficulties, we propose:
– That Albania should not be charged any interest, meaning that an exception should be made for us.
– That until 1970, for these credits we have taken so far and for those we will take, we should be discharged from paying obligations, and in this way we can commit that in the third and fourth five-year plans, we will not request credits.
I think it is not right for us, on one hand, to ask for credits and, on the other hand, to pay interest.
I say that we are in special conditions, compared to other participating countries in the Economic Council.
COMRADE MEHMET SHEHU: I spoke with Krylov about the issue of our debts, and he told me that the Soviet Government postponed them until 1980, while regarding the 2 percent; he told me that it is the standard rate for everyone. Then I told him that China gives to us at 1% and the other [country] at 0.5%. He told me he did not know that.
…Our predicament must be discussed, because we have to pay the debts, starting from 1958. This is a matter of principle: on one hand, we postpone the dates, and on the other hand, we take credits.
COMRADE ENVER HOXHA: No, that is not right.
COMRADE MEHMET SHEHU: I am of the opinion that the interest for us should be 1% and half of the debts should be forgiven.
COMRADE SPIRO KOLEKA: I say they will demand that the debts be paid.
COMRADE ENVER HOXHA: Well, but they must know that I am taking it out of the people’s mouths.
COMRADE MEHMET SHEHU: For our specific conditions, it is not a shame to have half of the debts forgiven.
COMRADE SPIRO KOLEKA: I say that Albania, within our camp, should not be considered the same as the other countries.
COMRADE LIRI BELISHOVA: It is clear that our situation is very difficult; therefore it is good that we take advantage of this opportunity, since the comrades will gather there.
COMRADE ENVER HOXHA: Our situation is very difficult, but they will not throw a noose around our necks. Now is a good opportunity to write these issues.
COMRADE RRAPO DERVISHI: How come we are in a difficult situation?
COMRADE ENVER HOXHA: The question you ask is right, since you are not aware of the issues, therefore comrade Spiro should inform the comrades regarding the January meeting and the Moscow one.
COMRADE SPIRO KOLEKA: (Reports on the Economic Council meeting held in January 1956 and on the Moscow meeting, in which the first secretaries of the communist and workers’ parties of the member countries of the Economic Council also participated.)
COMRADE LIRI BELISHOVA: I say that our situation is difficult; therefore since this meeting is taking place, we can take advantage of this opportunity. But how to take advantage of it? It would be good to have a preliminary discussion with comrade Khrushchev first, showing him that we have these variants, and perhaps you may have other variants that could be raised at that meeting. I think we should raise only the issue of the five-year plan. They did favors for Korea, China, Yugoslavia, so they can do them for us as well.
COMRADE RRAPO DERVISHI: I still do not understand why we are in a difficult situation.
COMRADE MEHMET SHEHU: We are in a difficult situation because we have 900 million rubles in debts, and by the time these are cleared, they become one billion six hundred thousand rubles. In 1965, the installments reach 120 million rubles. Thus we will be in a very difficult situation, because if they do not give us credits, then we will have to give our entire export just for the debt, and that will be the end of the people’s economy.
This difficulty is not visible now, but it will begin to be felt in 1958, when the payment deadline ends. Comrade Enver raised this issue at the meeting held in Moscow, so much so that comrade Khrushchev said that Albania is in a catastrophe, therefore it must be helped.
COMRADE ENVER HOXHA: I can ask to speak with comrade Khrushchev.
COMRADE RRAPO DERVISHI: Now the issue has become concrete. I agree as comrade Enver said. We cannot say such a thing in a meeting where so many states are present, but we can say openly to comrade Khrushchev that we have these opinions and these difficulties.
COMRADE ENVER HOXHA: Then, do we agree to act like this?
(All comrades agree.) / Memorie.al
