“The Mission in New York is to be instructed regarding the reception that comrade Ramiz will hold in Boston with the old and Kosovar emigration, while Antoni Athanas…”/ Ramiz Ali’s visit to the UN, September-October 1990

By DASHNOR KALOÇI

Part Three

Memorie.al / Full 36 years ago, in the last week of September 1990, the head of communist Albania at that time, Ramiz Alia, who held the functions of Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the PPSh (Party of Labour of Albania) and also Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, at the head of a large delegation, set off to participate in the meeting of the Assembly of the United Nations in New York. Ramiz Alia’s participation in the 45th session of the UN had a great echo at the time, not only within the country but also in the international arena, as it was the first time that one of the main leaders of communist Albania participated in the works of the UN Assembly, something which had not happened since 1961, when official Tirana was represented in that high forum of world politics and diplomacy by the prime minister of that time, Mehmet Shehu.

Even though 36 years have passed since that time, it still remains shrouded in mystery today, since with the exception of some testimony of members of that delegation (the memories of Reiz Malile, or Lisen Bashkurti), as well as very few archival documents published in the press, nothing else is known about the visit of the head of the Albanian state of that time, Ramiz Alia, to the 45th session of the United Nations in New York, which held its works for about three consecutive weeks, until the middle of October 1990.

Such as, for example: When did the preparation and drafting of the relevant protocol for the participation of the Albanian delegation in that high forum of world politics begin, who were the other members of the delegation who accompanied Ramiz Alia on that long journey beyond the Atlantic and what functions did they hold; of how many persons the auxiliary staff that accompanied the Albanian delegation consisted and who were they?! When did the preparation begin and what did the program of visits and meetings of Ramiz Alia contain during the entire period that they would stay in the USA? Was that entire program realized according to the relevant protocol and who were the heads of foreign delegations that Ramiz Alia met during all the days of the stay in the USA, and what did he discuss with them? Who were the Albanians of the “old emigration” with whom the head of communist Albania met during that visit, what was discussed in those meetings and were there incidents with the “reactionary Albanian emigration,” who had fled from Albania after 1945? Who organized the reception that Ramiz Alia gave for compatriots in Boston, who were some of the exponents of the Albanian emigration who assisted there and how did that meeting go?

What was the itinerary of the Albanian delegation’s travel from Tirana to the USA, why were they divided into several groups and the reasons for staying one night in Switzerland? Why was Arben Alia, the son of the head of state Ramiz Alia, also part of the Albanian delegation and how was his participation in the composition of the said delegation “justified”? How many and which were the gifts that the Albanian delegation headed by Ramiz Alia took with them and to whom were they given in Switzerland and the USA? Why was Hotel “Plaza” (the hotel owned by the current president of the USA, Donald Trump) designated for the accommodation of Ramiz Alia and some other members of that delegation? How much did that entire visit cost financially, why were other funds added during the period that the delegation was in the USA and how were those expenses justified?

Why did the staff of Albanian diplomats serving in the UN Mission take care to give Ramiz Alia also an exact floor plan of the hall where the 45th session of the UN would be held, specifying even the place where the main representative of the delegation of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia would sit?! Who were the two bodyguards (the doctor and the driver) who accompanied Ramiz Alia during that entire visit and how was it possible for them to travel on the plane with weaponry and ammunition with them? Who were the members of the filming group of Albanian Radio-Television that accompanied the delegation and what duties were given to them? Regarding these etc., the archival documents extracted from the Central State Archive (the fund of the former Central Committee of the PPSh) make us known, which are published for the first time and with the relevant facsimiles by Memorie.al.

                                      Continues from the previous issue

ARCHIVAL DOCUMENT WITH THE PROGRAM DRAFTED BY THE PROTOCOL OFFICE OF THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT, REGARDING THE PREPARATIONS OF THE VISIT OF THE DELEGATION HEADED BY RAMIZ ALIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 1990

WORK-PROGRAM REGARDING THE VISIT OF COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA TO THE UN AND SWITZERLAND

1. The list of the delegation is to be sent to the Mission in New York, with the instruction that the UN Secretariat be notified.
2. The full powers of the delegation are to be prepared.
3. The full powers are to be signed, after the stamp has been placed on them.
4. The full powers are to be sealed.
5. The passports of the members of the delegation and other comrades are to be issued.
6. The photographs and personal details of the comrades of the delegation are to be collected.
7. The passports are to be sent to Belgrade, for the American and Swiss visas.
8. The passports are to be collected in Belgrade.
9. Comrade Petrit Bushati is to be notified that he will be in the delegation and instructed to obtain the American visa in Vienna.
10. The Mission in New York is to be notified, to intervene for the granting of the American visa for the delegation in Belgrade and for comrade Petrit Bushati in Vienna.
11. The New York Mission is to be notified to inform by letter the Secretary-General of the UN that our delegation is headed by comrade Ramiz Alia.
12. The Mission is to be instructed regarding the accommodation of comrade Ramiz Alia in New York.
13. The New York Mission is to be notified about the accommodation of the other comrades of the delegation.
14. The Mission is to be instructed to reconfirm the date 15 (and the position), when the speech will be delivered by comrade Ramiz Alia at the UN General Assembly.
15. The Mission is to be instructed to notify the American Mission there about comrade Ramiz’s going to the UN, with the aim that they take the necessary measures for his security.
16. Instruction to the New York Mission regarding the movements of comrade Ramiz Alia, with the “Limousine” car that will be placed at his disposal by the Americans.
17. All our representations are to be notified that our delegation at the UN will be headed by comrade Ramiz Alia.
18. The New York Mission is to be instructed regarding the organization of the meetings of comrade Ramiz Alia with the Secretary-General, with the President of the General Assembly, with the presidents of Turkey, Egypt, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina (if he comes), as well as with the Prime Minister of Japan, the Soviet Foreign Minister Shevardnadze and the Foreign Minister of the FRG, Genscher. The meetings are to be scheduled for the dates 26-30 September in the morning. The Mission is to notify us of the dates of the meetings and all other activities.
19. Instruction to the Bonn embassy, that through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the FRG, Genscher be informed about comrade Ramiz’s visit to the UN.
20. Instruction to the New York Mission to organize the meetings with the Foreign Ministers, with the exception of the countries whose presidents will be met.
21. Instruction to the New York Mission regarding the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Balkan countries and the lunch that will be held on 3 October 1990, at our Mission.
22. Notification to the New York and Geneva Missions of the travel itinerary of comrade Ramiz from Tirana to Zurich and then to New York.
23. Instruction to the New York Mission for the travel of comrade Ramiz from New York to Boston, on 1 October 1990.
24. Notification to the Mission in New York of the list of comrades who will travel with comrade Ramiz by plane from New York to Boston.
25. Notification to the New York Mission of the list of comrades who will travel with comrade Ramiz on the return from Boston to Zurich, in… October.
26. Notification of the itinerary of the group that will travel to New York on 19 September 1990.
27. Notification of the itinerary of the group that will travel to New York on 21 September 1990.
28. Instruction to the New York Mission regarding the reception that comrade Ramiz will give in Boston with persons from the old emigration and the Kosovo one. To be discussed with A. Athanas. The expenses will be ours.
29. The New York Mission is to be instructed that on the day comrade Ramiz will speak at the Assembly, there should also be patriotic Albanian elements in the hall, invited by our Mission.
30. Instruction to the New York Mission that at the airport, comrade Ramiz may also be received by activists and leaders of the organization “Free Albania” of the “Naim Frashëri” branch, such as A. Athanas, Th. Laska and others.
31. Instruction to the Mission regarding the protocol side. Comrade Ramiz will receive congratulations after the speech at the Assembly, as is done with other presidents.
32. The New York Mission is to be requested for the Curriculum Vitae of the next president of the Assembly, the Foreign Minister of Malta.
33. The forms for the Children’s Summit are to be filled out and sent to the New York Mission, with the instruction to forward them to the UN.

– With comrade Mikel, the forms as well as 4-5 photographs of all comrades are to be sent to the Mission.

34. 5 folders are to be ordered at our embassy in Italy.
35. The ordered folders are to be collected.
36. Confirmation of the travel tickets according to the groups is to be made by our representations in the countries through which transit will be made.
37. The gifts, drinks and cigarettes that will be taken from the Presidium are to be prepared (in good boxes).

The gifts for Switzerland.

38. The gifts and drinks that will be taken from the MFA are to be prepared.
39. Currency for expenses is to be obtained, in value checks from the MFA or by fund transfer, through the Bank.
40. Currency for expenses is to be obtained, in value checks from the Presidium, or by fund transfer through the Bank.

– Reserve funds are to be obtained from the MFA and from the Presidium.

– The delegation, at the hotel, will eat with invoices.

– The delegation is to be equipped with pocket money, here.

41. The folder with the materials of the Children’s Summit is to be prepared.

– The main documents are to be translated

42. A draft speech for the children is to be prepared.
43. The folder for the meetings of comrade Ramiz Alia – in the USA – in Switzerland is to be prepared.
44. The folder for the meetings of comrade Reis Malile with the Foreign Ministers is to be prepared.
45. The folder for the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the CSCE is to be prepared.
46. The folder of the speeches for the Assembly and the Commissions is to be prepared.
47. A draft resolution on Balkan Cooperation that may be presented by us is to be prepared.
48. The folders for special issues, such as for Kosovo, human rights etc., are to be prepared.
49. The mail that will be taken to the Mission is to be prepared.
50. The declaration of the carrying of weapons and cartridges by the escorts of comrade Ramiz is to be formulated, signed and sealed.
51. The Geneva Mission is to be given instructions for receiving the delegation during the transit passage to New York.

– For the hotels, security, etc., (apartment for comrade Ramiz).

52. The Geneva Mission is to be given instructions for receiving the delegation on return and the stay in Switzerland, as well as possible meetings.
53. The biography of comrade Ramiz Alia is to be prepared, which may be given to the UN and journalists.
54. Official photographs of comrade Ramiz are to be prepared, which may be distributed.

– Comrade Ramiz’s business cards are to be prepared (English-French).

55. An article is to be prepared for the newspaper “Zëri i popullit,” regarding the activity of the UN since the past session and the problems that will be addressed in this session.
56. The New York Mission is to be notified that comrade Dasho be placed at the disposal at the hotel, for the delegation.
57. The Mission in Geneva is to be notified that an apartment with two rooms is to be reserved for comrade Ramiz for the date 24 September. If Swissair does not secure the apartment at its own expense, the difference is to be paid by our side.
58. Our Mission in New York is to be notified that comrade Ramiz’s speech at the UN on 28 September be recorded, prepared on videocassette and photographs be taken.
59. Comrade Alfons, Gazmir and Mikel are to take photographs of the delegation during the stay in the USA and Switzerland.
60. The press releases are to be prepared for:

– The departure of the delegation

– The meetings of comrade Ramiz

– The speech of comrade Ramiz at the UN, on 28 September 1990

– The speech of comrade Ramiz at the Children’s Summit

– The reception with the Albanians in Boston

– The visit and meetings in Switzerland

– The meetings of comrade Reis

– The other speeches at the UN and in the Commissions

– The chronicle for TV

61. Short notifications for the movements of the delegation.

ARCHIVAL DOCUMENT OF THE UN PROTOCOL OFFICE, WITH THE PROGRAM OF THE VISIT OF THE HEAD OF THE ALBANIAN STATE, RAMIZ ALIA, TO THE UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK

Protocol and Liaison Office of the UN

PROGRAM OF THE VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY, MR. RAMIZ ALIA,

CHAIRMAN OF THE PRESIDIUM OF THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY OF THE PEOPLE’S SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS

Friday, 28 September 1990

9:50 – His Excellency, Mr. Ramiz Alia, Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the PSR of Albania, arrives together with the members of his group at the Delegates’ entrance, where he is received by the Secretary-General.

The visit is filmed by the media.

His Excellency, the president, is accompanied by the Secretary-General and the Chief of Protocol to the second floor, using a special elevator and from there through ASP-200, continues to the office of the Secretary-General.

The visit will be filmed by the information media.

His Excellency, the president, converses with the Secretary-General in his Office.

His Excellency, the president, will pay a courtesy visit to the President of the General Assembly in his office at AP-200.

At the invitation of the President of the Assembly, His Excellency, the president, accompanied by the Chief of Protocol, enters the hall of the General Assembly and sits in the chair of the heads of states.

His Excellency, the president, delivers his speech at the General Assembly.

After the speech, His Excellency, the president, accompanied by the President of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General, as well as by the Chief of Protocol, go to AP-200.

At this point, the President of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General ask permission of His Excellency, the president.

His Excellency, the President, accompanied by the Chief of Protocol, continues to the Western Hall, where he will be greeted by the heads of delegations and permanent representatives to the United Nations.

His Excellency, the president, accompanied by the Chief of Protocol, descends to the first floor by means of a special elevator and leaves the United Nations Headquarters, at the Delegates’ entrance.

20:15 – His Excellency, the president, arrives together with the members of his group at the Delegates’ entrance, where he is received by the Chief of Protocol.

His Excellency, the president, accompanied by the Chief of Protocol, ascend to the second floor by means of a special elevator and go toward the Western Hall, to join the other heads of states and governments, who will participate in the dinner given in their honor by the Secretary-General.

His Excellency, the president, accompanied by the Secretary-General and the Chief of Protocol, pass to the Northern Hall.

20:30 – Dinner is served.

21:50 – The dinner ends.

His Excellency, the president, accompanied by Protocol, descends to the first floor by means of a special elevator and leaves the United Nations Headquarters, at the Delegates’ entrance.

TENTATIVE PROGRAM OF THE PRESIDENT’S FREE VISITS IN NEW YORK CITY

26.9.1990

Visit to the Metropolitan Museum = 10:00 to 12:00 pm

Visit to Rockefeller Center = 5:00 to 6:30 PM

28.9.1990

Visit to Lincoln Center = 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM

29.9.1990

Visit to the World Trade Center and Battery Park = 11:45-13:00 PM

General tourist visit around the city = Will be done during free time, between the sessions of meetings and those of the Children’s Summit.

P R O G R A M

OF THE MEETINGS AND VISITS OF COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA

Wednesday, 26 September 1990

10:00 – Meeting with the well-known American businessman, Armand Hammer.

11:00 – Visit to the Metropolitan Museum.

– Visit around the city.

Thursday, 27 September 1990.

– Visit around the city.

15:30 – Meeting with the Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union at Hotel “Plaza”.

18:00 – Meeting with the President of Turkey at Hotel “Peninsula”.

Friday, 28 September 1990

9:50 – Arrival at the UN

9:55 – Meeting with the President of the UN General Assembly.

After the speech, meeting with the UN Secretary-General De Cuellar.

16:00 – Meeting with the President of Romania at Hotel “Plaza”.

20:15 – Arrival at the UN for the dinner given by the Secretary-General.

20:30 – Dinner

21:50 – The Dinner ends

Saturday, 29 September 1990

10:00 – Meeting with the Prime Minister of Finland at Hotel “Plaza”.

11:30 – Meeting with the President of Tanzania at Hotel “Intercontinental”.

Note: For the program of the high-level meeting for Children, there is a separate sheet. (Date 29 September – 1 October 1990).

Note: We are awaiting confirmations for the meetings with:

The President of Zimbabwe

The President of Argentina

The President of Brazil

The Prime Minister of Japan

The Prime Minister of Italy

The Foreign Minister of China

The President of Bulgaria

III. Note: The program for Boston is on a separate sheet. (1 October 1990)/ Memorie.al

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