By DASHNOR KALOÇI
Part Seven
Memorie.al / About 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 and also Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Socialist People’s Republic of Albania, at the head of a large delegation, set off to participate in the meeting of the United Nations Assembly in New York. Ramiz Alia’s participation in the 45th session of the UN had a great echo at that time, not only within the country, but also in the international arena, since it was the first time that one of the main leaders of communist Albania took part in the proceedings 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 continues even today to remain shrouded in mystery, since with the exception of some testimonies of the members of that delegation (the memoirs of Reiz Mailes, 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 proceedings for about three consecutive weeks, until the middle of October 1990.
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 across the Atlantic and what functions did they hold; of how many persons consisted the auxiliary staff that accompanied the Albanian delegation 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 all that 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 diaspora”, 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 diaspora”, who had fled from Albania after 1945? Who organized the reception that Ramiz Alia gave for the compatriots in Boston, who were some of the exponents of the Albanian diaspora who assisted there and how did that meeting go?
What was the itinerary of the journey of the Albanian delegation 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 delegation in question “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 all that 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 also the place where the main representative of the delegation of the Socialist 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 the Albanian Radio-Television that accompanied the delegation and what tasks 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) acquaint us, which are published for the first time and with the relevant facsimiles by Memorie.al
ARCHIVAL DOCUMENT WITH THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE HEAD OF THE ALBANIAN STATE, RAMIZ ALIA, WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE SOVIET UNION, EDUARD SHEVARNADZE, NEW YORK 1990
IT IS IN THE GOOD OF THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE AND THE SOVIET PEOPLE
THAT THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES BE STRENGTHENED
On 27.9.1990, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, comrade Ramiz Alia, met at the “Plaza” hotel in New York with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union, Eduard Shevardnadze.
Between comrade Ramiz Alia and Eduard Shevardnadze the following conversation took place:
Comrade Ramiz Alia: I am very glad to meet you. It turned out very well that our relations were settled.
Eduard Shevardnadze: I am very glad that I am given the occasion to meet you. This meeting has a special meaning. I convey to you the warm greetings from comrade Gorbachev and I want to assure you that in the Soviet people there are friendly feelings for the Albanian people. What happened between us is bitter. It should not have happened, but I belong to a younger generation. With great pleasure I invite you to come to the Soviet Union, to talk concretely about our relations.
Comrade Ramiz Alia: I am very glad to meet you. I also agree with you about the thoughts you expressed. A quite abnormal time passed between our two countries. Now it is important that we do not recall how the events between our two countries were caused. I have read comrade Shevardnadze’s statement at the time of the establishment of our diplomatic relations and we have assessed it as correct. Therefore with this much I will close this point.
It is of great importance to go forward. The normalization of our diplomatic relations coincides with the new developments of relations in Europe and in the world. Without doubt, in these circumstances, the Soviet Union and Albania have no reason to remain far from each other, on the contrary, all possibilities should be found so that between our two countries relations develop as well as possible.
I fully agree with comrade Shevardnadze’s thought that in the Soviet people and in the Albanian people, regardless of the events that have occurred, friendship and love for each other have been preserved. But, we must be realistic that some stains have also remained. Our task is to remove them. We should not sit with arms crossed, but act with a new mentality, adapting to the new conditions. The lessons of history should be kept in mind, because there have also been many good things between our two countries.
From this point of view we think that there is a possibility to find ways for the development of political relations between our two countries, of economic, cultural relations, etc. I do not have any concrete program, nor is it the occasion for such a concrete conversation. I think that today our acquaintance is sufficient, but it would be good to agree to give a push forward to the relations between us.
Comrade Ramiz Alia (continued): From our side we are disposed to cooperate with each other, we are interested that the relations with the Soviet Union be improved and expanded. I do not want to show myself selfish, but Albania is a small country, therefore it is understood that we are more interested in having good relations with the Soviet Union. On this occasion I wish to assure you that no harm has come to you and never will come to you from Albania, on the contrary, good things will come to you. These roads we wish to open.
Eduard Shevardnadze: All these as much as you said I will transmit to comrade Gorbachev. I fully agree with your thoughts. From what happened we have drawn lessons. It is a shame. It should not have happened. The heavy consequences we know. We forgot the truth, how relations should have been arranged. They were very difficult times, nevertheless we are glad that now things are being put in place and relations are being normalized. There is a good basis for the development of relations between our two countries.
Times have changed. Europe is no longer what it was. It is changing. Every state, big or small, has its value. In a conversation with Baker the word also fell about Albania. It too will enter the European family. It may be delayed a month or a year, this does not matter, but it will enter. The relations with Albania we will develop. Gorbachev is clear that the relations between our two countries must move forward.
Comrade Ramiz Alia: I think that there is a possibility that the relations develop well and further. But much work will be needed. For this the good will exists. As for the general atmosphere in Europe, I will not make analyses. There is no doubt that for countries like Albania, the situation is not simple. Here I have in mind the pressures that are exerted. I speak to you openly, I hold no reserves. The pressures are many, in the sense that Albania make changes, for human rights, to have this or that type of social system, etc.
Even, I would say, the pressures go as far as blockades being set up. It is understood not as against Iraq since those are visible, there go armies, ships, etc. In Albania these do not come, but it reaches the point that from the side of Italy, of the FRG and of France all relations are blocked. So, the political, economic relations are blocked almost as with Iraq, with only one difference, that when we meet with the Italians and the French, they smile, and both sides shrug their shoulders as if nothing has happened.
Until a short time ago it was said that Albania must make a declaration for the CSCE. We made this declaration, while now they say that Albania must do other things too. I would wish to read a document as to what conditions there are for being accepted in the CSCE. Such a document does not exist. And it cannot exist, because it would be an absurdity.
Even when someone is to be accepted into a party (Communist Party), there is a statute which must be adhered to, but the member who is accepted does not fulfill all the conditions. He promises that being a party member he will become a good communist. Nevertheless, the statute of a party is a more rigorous document, than a process of development of the countries that you characterized “stravo…”.
Comrade Ramiz Alia (continued 2): We will not fall into such positions of pressures. We know well what we must do. We do not seek what does not belong to us, but we will do what is of interest. Mr. Baker may decide to postpone by one or two years our full participation in the CSCE. But it does not ruin our work. Albania has over three thousand years that it exists and where it is it will exist also in the future. I said that the moment is not simple. Let us take, for example, the Balkans. The Greek deputy prime minister makes an official declaration that now with the unification of Germany conditions are created to change the borders, therefore it may be that Korça and Gjirokastra are taken by the Greek, although Greece is a participant of the Helsinki process.
Kosovo is a tragedy with extremely dangerous consequences. There live three million Albanians, who in this Europe that is no longer in the stage of projects, but has begun to raise the floors of apartments, are being killed and imprisoned. The television in the Albanian language was closed, the press in the Albanian language was closed, the Albanian government was dissolved, and the Albanian parliament in Kosovo was dissolved and arrested.
You are highlanders like us and you know well what happens when the knife goes to the bone, therefore I say that the situation is dangerous. I am Albanian and I know the character of the Albanian people in Kosovo. Yugoslavia is also a participant of the Helsinki process. So there are two boxes for the assessment of events: one for Albania and one for the others.
Eduard Shevardnadze: Europe is in process. Steps forward are being made towards the creation of a new Europe. It is important that there be no war. The new rules in Europe are not easy to implement. I believe in peace in Europe. Albania too will be included in the CSCE. Entering the CSCE and all the European processes seems easier than for the Soviet Union which is passing difficulties. The fundamental element that is raised in the CSCE is the respect of free elections.
Comrade Ramiz Alia: As for the relations between our two countries, I agree that our diplomats, ambassadors, deal more concretely with this work. Of course there is a technical difficulty for the Soviet embassy in Tirana. Comrade Reis is telling me that Soviet specialists have come to find a building for the embassy, and that ours will go soon to Moscow. But, I think that even without finding a building, there is no reason for this matter to last long. For example, even in the political aspect the lack of the embassy building has no reason to hinder us. Between our two countries let there be more frequent meetings and consultations.
Eduard Shevardnadze: Let the relations between our two countries move forward. For this thing things need to be concretized. With pleasure I invite the Foreign Minister to visit the Soviet Union. Then I too will come to Albania. Let a joint commission be created and let our relations move forward.
Comrade Ramiz Alia: From my side I wish to greet comrade Gorbachev and all the comrades of the Soviet leadership. There is no doubt that the time will come also for the exchange of visits about which you spoke. In principle I fully agree. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has it easier. We have a word that comrade Shevardnadze too will visit Albania, not now quickly, of course. I know that you have much work because I see that the plane flies often, even near Albania.
Therefore, I do not say that this visit be realized quickly, but have it in the calendar, because it will be a good thing. One thing we must keep in mind. The Albanian people and the Soviet peoples have sympathy for each other. Confidence must be given to this friendship. This is necessary. All this time passed and, to be realistic, some stains, as I said, have remained. We may not agree on some things, but still communication continues, the conversation. While the simple man from his side, if he does not agree, his trust is broken. You will forgive me that I entered into psychology.
So, why it is in our hands we must make it so that trust is gained. Albania has been the best friend of the Soviet Union. The Albanian people have been the people that loved the Soviet Union more than anyone else. I do not say this because I am Albanian, but because it is a reality. For us what has happened has been painful. Therefore I say that trust must be created. If you allow me, I want to give you a very small piece of advice: when TASS gives news about Kosovo, let it be careful, not to insult the Albanians. That was it; I do not want anything else.
Comrade Ramiz Alia (continued): Many epithets are used for the Albanians in Kosovo, like separatists, nationalists, irredentists, which are Serbian epithets. I cannot interfere in Soviet-Yugoslav relations. This is your work, but towards the Albanians in Yugoslavia care must be taken, because it also influences Albania.
Eduard Shevardnadze: Do not pay much attention to the press. The opinion of some correspondent is not the opinion of the leadership of the Soviet Union. Those of the press have begun to write all sorts of things, and sometimes backwards.
Comrade Ramiz Alia: It is in the good of our people and the Soviet one, and I believe that all the premises are there, that our relations be strengthened. I believe that today’s meeting too was useful. It is good when we speak openly, between comrades. One of the bad things has been that in the past there was no open speaking. Other things the mind said and another thing the mouth brought out.
Eduard Shevardnadze: Many thanks; it was a pleasure that we met together, comrade Ramiz. Thank you! / Memorie.al
(Taken with stenography)
Continues next issue
