Dashnor Kaloçi
Memorie.al publishes some archival documents extracted from a voluminous file of the Central State Archive (fund of the former Central Committee of the ALP), with the logo “Top secret” and long declassified, where there is a record of the meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the ALP held in January 1989, where the extraordinary event that took place on January 6 of that year was analyzed, where the trawler “DukatI”, while going out to sea to openly in the Adriatic, was taken hostage by its captain, Enver Meta, who, after holding seven of its crew hostage, arrived at the port of Brindisi in Italy, along with eight of his comrades who had hidden them in the barns. of the ship since the Port of Durres. All the heated debates between the members of the Politburo in that marathon meeting that took place under the leadership of Ramiz Alia, where the “comrades of the leadership” have made mutual accusations, up to their internal family problems, which caused a a real storm, with drastic measures being taken with the arrests and dismissals of about 30 officials and senior officials, starting with the non-commissioned officer who had not properly exercised control over the ship, the director of the Seaport, the Chairman of the Branch of the Interior Agron Tafa, the first secretary of the Durrës Party Committee, Qirjako Mihali, the Director of State Security, Zylyftar Ramizi, and even the Minister of Interior, Hekuran Isai.
“I have information that your children Qirjako, even your driver, enter the port freely, take boats and go hunting at sea? Anyone can enter the port, Qirjako? Why should your children and others enter from the port to go out to sea for fish or for a walk? The port is a border area ”?! This is what Ramiz Alia said, addressing, among others, Qirjako Mihali, the first secretary of the Durrës District Party committee, at a meeting of the Politburo held in January 1989, after the extraordinary event that took place in on January 6 of that year, when the fisherman “Dukati”, while going hunting in the waters of the Adriatic Sea, was taken hostage by its captain, Enver Meta, and eight of his friends who had hidden in the barns of the ship, arrived at the port of Brindisi, with seven members of its crew held hostage. Regarding this serious event that not only caused great problems between official Tirana and the Italian state, but also shook the communist regime by making drastic measures with arrests, dismissals, and convictions of about 30 officials and senior officials, starting with the non-commissioned officer who had not properly exercised control over the ship, the director of the Seaport, the Chairman of the Internal Affairs Branch Agron Tafa, the first secretary of the Durrës Party Committee, Qirjako Mihali, the Director of State Security, Zylyftar Ramizi, up to the Minister of Interior, Hekuran Isai, etc., are known in five consecutive issues published by Memorie.al. While in some of the following issues, we are publishing the minutes of the meeting of the Politburo, which was held and analyzed that serious event (even the most unusual until then for the communist regime of Tirana), where the comrades of leadership ”, not only have they discussed“ with partisanship and a high sense of responsibility ”for the problem they had gathered, but they have also made mutual accusations about their family problems.
Meeting of the Politburo for the event of the escape of the ship “Dukati”
FOURTH ISSUE: “DIFFERENT” (DURRËS EVENT)
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: Good. Now Agron Tafa has the floor.
COMRADE AGRON TAFA: I am answering questions that belong to me. As for…., There was no data that there was a tendency to escape, as we pulled him into interaction.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: Clear! Do not go into details!
COMRADE AGRON TAFA: I have a heavy responsibility for the event that happened now, I am aware of that. I am saddened that, after a year of analysis by the Secretariat of the Central Committee for the Escape to Hani i Hotit, I come to be tried again in the Politburo, for the same worrying problem.
Yet I have been and will always be exact in the judgment and attitudes of the Party. I openly tell the Politburo that I have reflected and fought to implement the remarks, messages and measures taken by the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Party for the escape of Minella Andoni’s gang in Hani i Hotit.
I have tried to understand your fair criticism and messages, comrade Ramiz, correctly and to reflect on the improvement of the work. I have tried to reward the warm and kind attitude of the Party towards me with work. For this I fought in two directions:
First, as a member of the Central Committee of the Party, after the analysis made by the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Party for the event in Hani i Hotit, fully convinced of the fair assessments and judgments of the Party, I have tried to lead by example in my work. personal and justify the trust the Party gave me. At first, I tried to get acquainted as soon as possible with the problems of the Durrës district and get a job. I immediately took the family with me. I felt in my heart that I had obligations to the Party and I was in debt. By personal example, I have influenced my subordinates to mobilize them at work. I have been in contact with the authorities and the Party in the district and I have tried to communicate directly with them to identify problems and concerns at work, to provide their help and guidance. In this view I think I have not held reservations and, as a communist, I have made efforts to justify the Party faith and name as a communist.
Secondly, as chairman of the Internal Affairs Branch I have made efforts and will put all efforts to carry out the orders of the Party and yours. Comrade Ramiz, to act more skillfully and cleverly in detecting hostile and malicious activity. The conclusions drawn after the escape to Hani i Hotit and the special messages given to the port, as a possible channel for hostile activity, I tried to work with all cadres and links and organize the work to close the paths that can were exploited by the enemy element, as used in the present case. For the problems of the port we have made a special analysis with comrade Qirjako, we have made special plans, setting concrete tasks for each staff.
We have taken some measures for the port. Measures have been taken to remove people with bad biographies who do not deserve to work in the port, to strengthen the entry regime, to secure foreign ships with two soldiers from one that had before. This was done due to the great pressures that foreigners put on their compromising and the barricades we have had recently.
Taking into account the analysis made in the collegium of the ministry with Comrade Simon, we took some general measures for the port, with concrete work plans. We aptly judged the construction of operational work in the port, especially in the brigades working in contact with foreigners. But despite the measures taken, it must be said that the event that took place does not justify them.
The responsibility for these two events is in two directions: firstly as oragn, Security did not provide information about all this hostile activity that took place in the port and, secondly, for lack of control over …… who turned out to be a traitor.
From the data we are providing now, it is clear that this activity is not random. These elements have manifested foreign performances, they liked the debauched life, foreign music, some I have interesting connections with people in Italy or with visitors who have been there. They have gathered to organize this escape, but our Security has not sniffed their activity. We are following this work carefully with the sense of discovering the hand of foreign Intelligence, especially the Italian one, whose activity is not only early, but also current in the district of Durrës.
As always and this time, the event is a direct consequence of the pronounced manifestations of liberalism. They have existed, the event clearly evidenced. The enemies had sniffed that there was no control, so they had the courage and boarded the ship. The non-commissioned officer of the checkpoint knew that the control of the port command was weak, so he did not control the ships in accordance with the regulation. The company and the fishermen saw that there was no complete control over the boats and agreed with the situation. These shortcomings were also evidenced in the accountability meeting. Lack of control cultivated arrogance and ambition with the situation. The concept that fishermen are border guards and do not go to other countries has taken root in the Fisheries Enterprise, so control and control was weak.
The signal for this escape was the attempted escape of the person who boarded the ship “February 16”, which was going to Ravena. Some measures we took to strengthen the work in the ward command. Police services, even by duplicating the guards, especially for cargo ships, such as the ship “February 16”.
However, to put it bluntly, we are far from what the Party demands, that the implementation of regulations and norms enter the blood of the people. The work of the Party has a strong influence on this problem, but also the personal example of the cadres.
The pressure on cadres and effectives for concessions and compromise is strong. The spirit of justification, hesitation or self-critical attitude towards oneself and one’s friend are not without influence.
Nevertheless, I understand that the event is serious and I feel responsible for this before the Party. But I have unwavering confidence in the judgment of the Party and will not care anything for its interests.
These were my friend Ramiz.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: Now Comrade Kiço Mustaqi has the floor.
COMRADE KIÇO MUSTAQI: The escape of the fishing boat is a serious event. From the three reports I read, it turns out that: if the rules we set for the border were implemented, this would not happen.
It seems to me that the organizational, administrative measures that were taken after the event in the party and state line, are more complete, but this issue needs to be looked deeper. And we, as the minister, for this event took our responsibility for the Fleet Command, and the operational directorate, as well as took the appropriate measures, demobilized two officers, dismissed one from duty, and the other. From this event we concluded that the Navy should monitor the situation at sea and interact with the Merchant Navy and the Fishing Fleet.
The military has many subtle points, that due to carelessness in enforcing the rules or by a hostile action, serious political and military events can occur.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: The cinema “Partizani” in Tirana burned us with a cigarette.
COMRADE KIÇO MUSTAQI: We are seeing the implementation of the rules, the strengthening of discipline and control in every direction and link of the Army.
For all these shortcomings I have my responsibility before the Politburo and the General Staff. I will look deeper into these problems to increase accountability and be stricter to any manifestation of liberalism in breaking the rules in the Army.
In Comrade Ferit’s discussion, I think there is bias. You, as the Commander of the Border, Comrade Ferit, should have read the order well. The order states that the Fisheries Enterprise must notify the port checkpoint every two hours. This order is from when the border was the Ministry of People’s Defense. If it is a point that a four should come out. The Navy has taken them out and will take them out. But the problem is not here. The problem is to strictly enforce the rules and norms in the Army, in the Internal Affairs bodies and in the civil sector. Therefore, the implementation of the rules, Comrade Ferit, must follow closely.
In the report of the Party Committee, Comrade Qirjako had to go deeper into the analysis of this event, to take responsibility for the apparatus of the Party Committee and his personally for the low level of party work in the district.
It should be reflected now, we note that orders with four signatures are not needed. Therefore, we must review the orders we have issued. Orders must be cut.
I have divided the sea into squares to control it, so that no foreign ships enter for a general aggression and I do not look at it from another angle. The main problem is that the rules have not been enforced, starting with me. I have not held my deputy accountable for enforcing the rules, so that he, too, can hold his subordinates accountable. I did not hold the Commander of the Fleet, Skënder Doçi and Ndue Jaku, accountable with the force that must report in due time for the implementation of the combat duty. The demand for the account has been weak and for other issues that the divisions have had, therefore I am responsible together with the General Staff and for these phenomena that have occurred. These were me, Comrade Ramiz.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: Good. Now comrade Zylyftar Ramizi has the floor.
COMRADE ZYLYFTAR RAMIZI: The event of the ship “Dukati” is serious. This, as well as the event in Shkodra, have as a common factor the violation of norms and rules by the Security and Border bodies, where I, comrade Ferit Zeneli and Agron Tafa lead.
This event is made even more serious by the fact that a year ago an analysis was made in the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Party for the escape to Hani i Hotit. Comrade Ramiz in his speech held at the meeting of the Secretariat stressed: “The bodies of Internal Affairs should understand this event as an alarm bell and through its analysis, to better identify the weaknesses that are observed in the organizational aspect, in the implementation of rules and in the fight against foreign performances and familiarity and liberalism. This always requires the establishment of a strict discipline in the implementation of the rules.
The facts show that these phenomena have occurred that there have been violations of rules and norms. Here is my responsibility.
For the implementation of a military order it is not necessary to do a political job and have professional training. You enter the border post and the checkpoint at the port only with the permission of the border authorities accompanied by a passport. The chairman and deputy chairman of the Internal Affairs Branch do not need political work and professional training to require the implementation of one of the basic norms, that of certification with all types of operational work, of the secret information network and, in particular, of the work of the accomplice who has emerged from hostile and mischievous activity.
I, Comrade Ferit and Comrade Agron are directly to blame for this.
Without denying the results that have been achieved during this period in the work of the Ministry and the grassroots bodies, as defined by the Party and you, Comrade Ramiz, there have been shortcomings and weaknesses in the internal affairs bodies. So, the remarks made about the bodies of internal affairs, remain. But, in addition to the weaknesses that still exist in the organs of internal affairs, from time to time there are also manifestations of arrogance, which, in my opinion, have their source in the past. Manifestations of arrogance are also expressed in the operational activity, in the violation of norms, in receiving, following and processing. Despite the fight that has been done against such performances, we still find unfounded elaborations, overdue pursuits. These are rare cases, but with serious consequences, that have their basis in the past. Likewise, despite the great work done in the ministry against this concept, there are cases when the chairman and deputy chairman of the Internal Affairs Branch measure the work of the Operational Worker by the number of elaborations and not by the work done to detect and prevent activity. hostile. This is a wrong concept and with very serious consequences.
There are still key cadres who do not burden themselves with work, who do not participate directly to solve concrete work. They want to protect themselves and fire the base staff.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: Is there familiarity in the bodies of internal affairs, starting from the staff of the Ministry?
COMRADE ZYLYFTAR RAMIZI: The Minister and the Deputy Ministers have made direct and open criticism in the meetings of the collegium and in the meetings of the directorates of the ministry. I say this responsibly.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: I have no doubt that Hekuran does not criticize, that he has familiarity with subordinates. I am talking about the family in general that has existed for many years in the State Security bodies and that stems from the nature of the closed work of these bodies. Familiarity with Security employees is just like the intellectual arrogance that characterizes people of mental work.
COMRADE ZYLYFTAR RAMIZI: I can not absolutize that the rules are violated, but there are cases. Exactly this rule has been violated in this case. If he had not been violated, he would have been in a hostile position. But… has provided data until the last month.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: Pal Mëlyshi’s father, Zylyftar, also came to you.
Our ambassador in Italy calls Hekuran and tells him to come or not to come John. This John was the father of Pal Mëlyshi. But the Security Officer of our embassy in Italy, did not take the trouble to say that this is the father of Pal Mëlyshi, who has been one of the exponents of the reaction and a furious enemy of our popular power. And the director of the Third Directorate in the Ministry is not worried at all. Hekuran took him for another John and told him to come. Now to protect you, even though he felt responsible, Hekuran said I did. The ambassador should not have called the minister and asked if so-and-so would come to Albania. But even Hekuran had no right to pick up the ambassador on the phone and tell him to give the visa to someone. That is the rule. But it is precisely because the rules are not enforced that such things happen. No action was taken against the Security Officer in Rome and the Director of the Third Directorate.
Here, these are what I mean, comrade Zylyftar, when I say that there is familiarity in the internal affairs bodies. In the case I mentioned, the rule was violated by both Comrade Hekuran and the ministry. So let’s follow the rules and norms we have set. This is the basic problem.
COMRADE HEKURAN ISAI: For the implementation of the rules, you are completely right Comrade Ramiz. We can not claim that there is no familiarity and liberalism in the bodies of internal affairs and Security. Familiarity and liberalism are manifested, first and foremost, in the violation of the rules and regulations of the discipline, from the military chain to the command staff. If the rules and norms are applied by the command and the superior cadres and if there is an effective control by us, as the minister, the soldier can not abuse, he can not tolerate either the border command or the Security. But the effectiveness of control leaves much to be desired, and serious events occur, which cost us in every direction.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: Good, Hekuran! What do your friends think?
COMRADE RITA MARKO: The event on the ship “Dukati” is very serious and charges the Party Committee in the district of Durrës and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The two escapes that took place years ago in Shkodra, in Vermosh and in Hani e Hotit, and the events that took place this year in the Port of Durrës, in the ship “16 Shkurti” of Ravenna and in that of “Dukat”, are related to the issue of Popaj . These, in my opinion, open up a lot of problems for the party.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: They have opened a foreign political problem.
COMRADE RITA MARKO: The events that have taken place in these situations are an organized activity of the enemy against our country. But the comrades of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and those of the district of Durrës, did not have this in mind.
Now another canal was opened, they also escape us by boats. There is a risk of escaping even by export cars.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: And by plane.
COMRADE RITA MARKO: From all this that has happened, it turns out that the enemy element at the border point, especially in some such centers, has the ability, ground and opportunity to organize. It is organized not only in small groups, but also in large groups. But apparently, we do not know the situation in this regard./Memorie.al
Continues tomorrow
