Part Twenty-eight
Memorie.al/ The American secret service delivered a heavy blow to Mehmet Shehu during the communist regime. In a declassified document, criticisms are expressed regarding the misery of the people. It states that he promises citizens corn by rations, even though at one time he expressed that this food was only for pigs. On the other hand, it is stated that the heads of politics themselves lived luxurious lives and left the people in misery. Criticisms have likewise been made of Enver Hoxha, where it is said that he agreed to cooperate with the Soviet Union for food aid, and this brought about the ruin of the country. In another document, the Americans’ fear of the occupation that would come to Albanians from their neighbors is shown. It states that in the event of the collapse of the communist regime in Albania, Yugoslavia and Greece could intervene militarily, and for this reason, in 1951, the plan to incite rebellion was initially suspended.
Continued from the previous issue
Economic misery reigns in Albania
Sixty percent of the arable land in Albania will be planted with corn, within the framework of the second five-year plan, according to the orders of Mehmet Shehu.
This is progress according to the communist style! According to the same man, Mehmet, who has previously said that corn is food for pigs, today he presents it to the people and tells them that this is what you will eat.
The people must endure insurmountable difficulties and sacrifice everything to realize the five-year plan, and in return they are promised corn bread, and even that by rations!
The right to abundance, with good food and clothing shops, is reserved only for the leadership elite … while the workers must endure the suffering for what the communists promise will come “better days.”
Misery, suffering, and sacrifices are the basis of the workers’ existence, because such is the will of the oppressors, of those who refused the food aid of the American people, at a time when the same offer was accepted by the Hungarian, Czechoslovak, or East German people.
The tie with the Kremlin
The subjugation of the Hoxha-Shehu clique to the Kremlin is leading the country toward ruin. The economic and political reform of Albania has been sold in exchange for food donated by Russia and broken tractors and machinery. People are given subjugation, work, and bankruptcy, while Russia takes the cream of Albanian products.
Whereas in the nations of the free world, the economic system is based on the freedom of private initiative, ensuring the abundance that man deserves. Free nations have benefited from the noble aid of the United States, without selling their freedom.
The colossal economic progress of free countries such as West Germany or Japan, with the interest-free aid of the United States, is a living proof of the right of man who works for an ever-better life.
Albanian people!
Defend your right to better living standards! Defend the right to your word in the economic plan. Adequate food and clothing for you and your children are an obligation! Speak out against the Russian oppressors, who are stealing your food!
The partition of Albania
It has been emphasized that the partition of Albania is inevitable if no force opposes the Yugoslav and Greek efforts in the event of intervention in Albania.
The consequences of a partition would be catastrophic, not only for the political problems that would arise, but also because it would raise accusations that the USA stands and watches while a small country is swallowed by its imperialist neighbors.
The psychological reaction would be highly undesirable, both inside and outside Albania, damaging the image and prestige of the USA.
The Albanian problem would be resolved satisfactorily from the American point of view if the overthrow of the regime could be achieved before a possible attack by the Soviets, and if a democratic government were established before Yugoslavia had the time and pretext to act.
This is the original concept of the OPC branch’s plan, which was revised due to the risks of Soviet action against Yugoslavia, or of the “protective” occupation of Albania.
If no effort is made for the presence of a US-sponsored force in Albania, there is a risk of the partition of Albania between Greece and Yugoslavia, where the USA would then be faced with a fait accompli that opposes American policy, bringing about a situation that is very difficult to correct.
The danger from Greece
Since the Yugoslav occupation of Albania does not serve the latter in the event of an occupation by the Soviet Union, but would only bring a pretext for Greek intervention in Northern Epirus, it is important to introduce into Albania armed elements capable of overthrowing Hoxha’s regime and capable of preserving the name of the Albanian emigration groups sponsored by the USA.
Tito must be encouraged not to intervene in Albania, and the force recruited by the CIA/OPC must be masked behind the National Committee of “Free Albania.”
It will be the main pillar of the rebellion against Hoxha. If we cannot obtain assurances from Tito, the USA must at least insist on participation in the rebel force against the regime, so that we have our voice in the creation of the political elements for the new post-communist government.
Taking into consideration the risk of aggression against Yugoslavia, it is essential that the OPC be ready to act in Albania as soon as the opportunity is given. This action will be required in Albania regardless of the behavior of the Yugoslavs, Italians, Greeks, or British.
Therefore it is important to prepare the ground for the intensification of activities in Albania, through the training of the invading strike force, when it is time for large-scale operations against Hoxha’s regime.
The timing of this operation will also be the determining factor of success, and this can only be resolved during the development of the situation. The decision to use it must be based on future policies, but the preparation must be made immediately.
Recommendations
To achieve the objectives of the above paragraph, the following actions are recommended:
The pace of OPC operations against Albania should be accelerated to create the conditions for armed force intervention, with the following aims:
- Facilitating the provision of aid to Yugoslavia in the event of an attack against it, through the intervention of armed force in Albania, which would shake the stability of the Hoxha regime.
- Prevention of Soviet activities against Yugoslavia or Greece, with a starting point from Albania.
- Activation of the Albanian nationalist movement to emphasize Albanian independence and the formation of a democratic government, and to counteract the influences of Greek and Yugoslav circles that seek the partition of the country between them.
Finding the political justification for the support of independence by the USA and possibly giving temporary support to Tito.
The strike force for Albania should be created and trained without delay, and kept ready for use as stated above. / Memorie.al
Continued in the next issue
