Dashnor Kaloçi
Memorie.al publishes an archival document issued by the Central State Archive in Tirana (the fund of the former Central Committee of the ALP, which bears the logo “Secret” and belongs to 1970, where the senior official of the State Security, Haki Keta, informs his superiors about the Kosovar Shyqëri Kastrati, who that day had come to Tirana, as a representative of a company from Bosnia.All State Security report-information, regarding Kastrati’s stay in Tirana, the movements and all the meetings and conversations he had in those days, starting from Enver Hoxha’s visit to the district of Tropoja, its echo in Yugoslavia, the problems and economic, trade, cultural, artistic, sports and political relations of Albania with Yugoslavia, Kosovo, Macedonia, etc., which were recorded from the surveillance and wiretapping of Shyqëri Kastrati in Tirana, where as a result, he was a “seasoned UDB agent, disguised as a trader from Kosovo…”!
Throughout the existence of the communist regime of Enver Hoxha, from the beginning of December 1944, until the spring of 1991, after every foreigner who came to Albania, as a visitor, tourist, for trade problems, etc., it seemed that was hiding a foreign intelligence agent?! Due to this paranoia that had been fabricated and encouraged by the official political line and propaganda of the top communist leadership of Tirana, it seems that our compatriots from Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro, who were given the opportunity to come to motherland.
Even the Albanians living in their areas on the other side of the border were more exposed to this paranoia and the specialized bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, such as the State Security and those disguised under the guise of a diplomat, were always ” vigilant guard” against every Albanian in these areas who came to Albania. This, among other things, is clearly seen from this short archival document that bears the logo “Secret”, where one of the senior leaders of the State Security, informs the top leadership, regarding the visit to Albania’s stay of an Albanian from Kosovo, Shyqyri Kastrati, who had come to Tirana for trade problems, as a representative of a Bosnian firm from Sarajevo.
As it appears from the document in question that is published for the first time exclusively by Memorie.al, the Kosovar Kastrati, not only was followed in every step where he went and moved during his stay of several days in Tirana, but was also intercepted for every which he has said and expressed. This can be done either with T.O. (Operational Technician, eavesdropping), from the relevant sector of the State Security Directorate (‘Leaf House’), or from the people who accompanied him during his stay in Albania, after all the meetings, movements and conversations he has had during those days of his stay in Albania, have been clearly reflected by the senior head of the State Security, (Haki Keta), who in the final conclusions that have come after the clarification of those wiretaps, among others, states: “Shyqëri Kastrati is a qualified Yugoslav intelligence agent.” What is noticed in this document, is the fact that there is no note from the “comrades” of the top leadership to whom this report-information was addressed?! “?!
Report-Information of the State Security official, Haki Keta, on the activity of the Kosovar Shyqëri Kastrati
SECRET
Specimens No. 1
Temporary 5 years
Tirana, on 5.7.1970
I N F O R M A C I O N
From 19-26.1970 I stayed in our country the Kosovar trader Shyqëri Kastrati, together with four others (two Serbs, a Bosniak and a Kosovar Ismail Juniku). Shyqëri Kastrati came as an intermediary for the Sarajevo ferro-electro firm, which would sell televisions and tankers for liquid bitumen, a request made by the friends of Makina Import in May this year, which he used to come together with them, not only that from such mediation he has a good percentage of profit, but that he minimizes it a lot, saying that he does this as an Albanian, understanding our needs.
On 20.7. 1970, an appointment was made at Agroexsport. He spent all his time in Tirana, without being accompanied by his friends. From the first conversations until the end of the talks, he only talked about
the speech and problems raised by Comrade Enver in Bajram Curri. According to him, the speech was well received by all and resonated in Yugoslavia. As a result of this speech, “after a marked softening of the climate”, in the relations between the two countries. After this speech, many people in Kosovo said that such a thing has been expected for a long time and you know that it would happen one day, because “the silence, the prudent attitude of the Yugoslavs and their constant attempts to improve relations” will one day they found a favorable answer from Albania. And that day came.
Regarding the problems raised by Comrade Enver, Shyqëri Kastrati tried to explain: “how he understood this speech and what could be undertaken by Yugoslavia and Kosovo, to go to this speech with practical measures”. Immediately after Comrade Enver’s speech, many cadres of Kosovo were invited to Belgrade, among them the rector of the University of Prishtina, with his deputies, the secretary of the League of Communists of the University, Kurtes Saliu, and discussed issues of this institution related to Albania… The visit to Kosovo of the Presidents for Education and Culture of the Federal Assembly also served the same purpose.
The possibility of not only expanding trade and extending payment times is being explored, but both countries should no longer trade with commodity lists, but according to the demands and needs of their respective firms and institutions, developing countries should help each other. each other, for any goods and materials available. He hinted that negative or positive balances between our two countries should not become an obstacle for the development, expansion and improvement of relations, emphasizing that the negative balance of Albania should not be considered.
It is envisaged that after the Import-Export enterprise in Kosovo is organized, its permanent representatives will be sent to Tirana, which according to him have nothing to do with the diplomatic mission, having, according to him, separate offices and residential houses.
There are opinions in the people of the Provincial Chamber of Commerce that now is the time to find out about the possibility of exchanging goods in the border area as well. Thus, our trade bodies go to Prizren, Gjakova and elsewhere on certain days, to trade Albanian goods and the commercial organizations of these municipalities near the border do the same.
In the future, the possibility of establishing joint land study groups in border areas may be studied and the two countries may have cooperation in the construction of industrial facilities, irrigation, energy, etc. According to them, this way Albania will concretely help in the development of Kosovo and that only in this way, the influx of others there can be limited to some extent, such as Czechs, Hungarians, Germans, Russians, who are making frequent visits to Kosovo. and that they are researching sources where they can make capital investments!
Many companies from Croatia, Bosnia, etc., are making efforts to send permanent representatives to Tirana.
In the context of improving relations, it will be required that through Radio Prishtina and that of Tirana, to exchange information and programs, and maybe special shows. The same should be done in the future with TV stations. There should also be exchanges of journalists, ensembles, groups of soloists and folk singers, tourist groups, sports, etc.
Many people in Kosovo find that Albania trades more with Macedonia than with Kosovo and that they are dissatisfied with this. He spoke ill of the Macedonian trade representative in Tirana, as well as the translator of the diplomatic mission.
Again, raised the problem that the Ferro-Electro Company of Sarajevo, has asked for his opinion to send as its permanent representative in Tirana. I add that “no one” in Kosovo knew about this and that the general director of this firm, wants to do “a good and honorable” for his interest that connected him with Cars-Import.
He constantly stayed in Cafe ‘Rinia’, ‘Tirana’ and the Palace of Culture, where he went out and asked for a meeting. He was interested in meeting Ali Buletini, as an old friend of his. He had several meetings with various citizens who came to meet Ismail Junik, who for 8 days in a row, never appeared in trade talks. Apart from the above it did not raise any other problem.
Studying his attitude and care to look like a “good Kosovar”, during all these years he has come to our country, we are convinced that we are dealing with a qualified Yugoslav Intelligence agent, who has since been treated warmly. by Trade comrades, has made an impression on the bodies of UDB, that it can be accepted to come to Albania, as a representative of a firm in Bosnia, that according to him he has gained the trust and credit of our people, to perform the tasks provided by the Yugoslav Intelligence to our country. All that he raised during these days, without teasing him for the slightest thing, are orientations and line given by UDB.
CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL BRANCH
Kon. dat. M.Z. (HAKI KETA)
Memorie.al
