By Aurenc Bebja
Memorie.al / The French newspaper, “Le Matin”, published on Wednesday, 19 June 1935, on the first and second pages, the interview of the Paris municipal councilor, Mr. Alex Biscarre, with King Zog, in the royal palace located in the Albanian capital. Initially, Mr. Biscarre described the figure of Ahmet Zog, who certainly did not leave him indifferent at all. In fact, we can even note a kind of admiration of his for the King of the Albanians. Further on, the Frenchman recounted the procedure needed to meet the Albanian monarch, the institutions or persons that needed to be contacted to carry out the interview.
While, at the end, we find his full interview with the Albanian sovereign, brought at the time for the French and Francophone public.
What does this interview concretely contain? For more, you will find the full article, brought into Albanian by Aurenc Bebja, Blog “Dars (Klos), Mat – Albania”:
“King Zog has the features of a regular continuity, a broad forehead and a sincere and clear gaze, and all the gentleness of the countries of the East. Tall and thin, without vices, somewhat cold, Zog I, King of the Albanians, received me in his palace in Tirana, surrounded by rose gardens. This true son of Albania, a mountain child, reigns, above all, thanks to his work. He has convinced his people thanks to his dedication and sacrifice.
Although, day and night, the noises from outside reach as far as the Palace, the King, isolated in a large work cabinet, reads, studies and sees himself all the reports (documents) of his ministers. His method is silence. He does not make grand proclamations, theatrical gestures or insistent declarations. The King has no contact with any person and lives surrounded only by his sisters and his nephew, while his two other nephews pursue their studies at Saint-Cyr, in France.
Recently, the Royal Court is in mourning, as a reason for the death of the Queen Mother. To enter the Palace and be received for an audience, it is essential to rely on the diplomacy of our minister in Tirana, Mr. Marcel Ray, and undoubtedly on the courtesy of Mr. Rrok Stani, head of protocol. One must also pass through the military house (academy), from where the King accompanied me together with an employee of the Court.
The tall King responded to my ritual greetings. He extended his long and thin hand to offer me a cigarette. His first words, which he said to me, were:
– I am very happy that a great French newspaper wishes to take an interest in Albania. You will be here to judge the efforts of a young country to modernize it.
The sovereign continued:
– I seek the friendly help of my neighbors because, from an external point of view, my policy is simple. It attempts to preserve the independence of Albania – ultimately a participant in the European concert – and to keep my borders unchanged.
– Your Majesty, your borders protect a wonderful country which I will try to make known among the French.
– For this purpose (replied the sovereign) I was pleased to see the creation of a tourist office, but I wish to multiply the tourist routes and small hotels, to make them available to visitors. The more they learn about our country, the more they will love it.
And King Zog recounted to me:
– I want, for my people, to continue to follow the efforts of the French teachers of the Lyceum of Korça. French education will make it possible to keep alive the friendly feelings of the Albanians since they fought and engaged for France.
The King is referring to the creation of the first movement for independence – preceded by voluntary recruitments – by Sarrail’s troops in 1917 in the city of Korça.
He adds:
– I have encouraged the creation of air lines and I can, in a few hours, go from Tirana to Rome and from Rome to Paris.
Then the sovereign asked me about the cities I had visited and was pleased with the interest they aroused. He has tried to connect (join) them all by roads, and in conclusion, he invites me to return again, after two or three years, to see the further progress. / Memorie.al
Taken from www.darsiani.com
