By DASHNOR KALOÇI
Part Five
Memorie.al / Exactly 36 years ago, in the last week of September 1990, the head of communist Albania at that time, Ramiz Alia – who held the positions of Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the PLA (Party of Labor of Albania), and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania – at the head of a large delegation, departed to attend the meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The participation of Ramiz Alia in the 45th session of the UN had a major resonance at the time, not only domestically but also in the international arena, as it was the first time that one of the main leaders of communist Albania participated in the proceedings of the UN Assembly – something that had not occurred since 1961, when official Tirana was represented in that high forum of world policy and diplomacy by the prime minister of that era, Mehmet Shehu.
Even though 36 years have passed since then, it continues to remain shrouded in mystery, because apart from occasional testimonies by members of that delegation (the memoirs 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 Albanian head of state of that time, Ramiz Alia, to the 45th session of the United Nations Organization in New York, which conducted its proceedings for about three consecutive weeks, until mid-October 1990.
Such as, for example: When did the preparation and drafting of the relevant protocol begin for the participation of the Albanian delegation in that high forum of world politics; who were the other members of the delegation who accompanied Ramiz Alia on that long journey across the Atlantic and what positions did they hold; how many people comprised the support staff that accompanied the Albanian delegation and who were they?! When did the preparation begin and what did the program of visits and meetings for Ramiz Alia contain throughout the period they were to stay in the USA? Was that entire program carried out according to the relevant protocol, and who were the heads of foreign delegations that Ramiz Alia met during all the days of his 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 fled Albania after 1945? Who organized the reception given by Ramiz Alia for compatriots in Boston, who were some of the figures of the Albanian diaspora who attended there, and how did that meeting go?
What was the travel itinerary of the Albanian delegation from Tirana to the USA, why were they divided into several groups, and what were the reasons for staying one night in Switzerland? Why were Arben Alia, the son of the head of state Ramiz Alia, also part of the Albanian delegation, and how was his participation in said delegation “justified”? How many and what were the gifts that the Albanian delegation led by Ramiz Alia took along, and to whom were they presented in Switzerland and the USA? Why was Hotel “Plaza” (the hotel owned by today’s President of the USA, Donald Trump) selected for the accommodation of Ramiz Alia and several other members of that delegation? How much did that entire visit cost financially, why were additional funds added during the period the delegation was in the USA, and how were those expenses justified?
Why did the staff of Albanian diplomats serving at the UN Mission take care to provide Ramiz Alia with an accurate layout plan of the hall where the 45th session of the UN was to be held, also designating the seat where the primary representative of the delegation of the Federal Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia would sit?! Who were the two bodyguards (the doctor and the driver) who accompanied Ramiz Alia throughout that visit, and how was it possible for them to travel on the plane with weapons and ammunition on them? Who were the members of the film crew from Radio-Television Shqiptar who accompanied the delegation and what duties were assigned to them? Regarding these and more, we are introduced by the archival documents retrieved from the Central State Archive (the fund of the former Central Committee of the PLA), which are published for the first time along with the relevant facsimiles by Memorie.al.
Continued from the previous issue
ARCHIVAL DOCUMENT WITH THE PROTOCOL DRAFTED BY THE ALBANIAN MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS, REGARDING THE VISITS AND AGENDA OF MEETINGS OF THE ALBANIAN HEAD OF STATE, RAMIZ ALIA, IN THE USA, SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER 1990
PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PEOPLE’S SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
320 EAST 79TH STREET
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10021
PROGRAM OF MEETINGS OF COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1990
- 15:00 – Reception at New York’s “J. F. Kennedy” International Airport. Comrades according to List No. 1 and invitees from the Albanian-American Committee according to List No. 2 go out to welcome him at the airport.
- In the VIP lounge, the persons who came to welcome him meet Comrade Ramiz and the accompanying delegation. Three children from the community present them with flowers.
- Also present at the airport to welcome him is the Under-Secretary-General and Chief of Protocol of the UN, or another high-ranking official from the UN Secretariat.
- 15:30 – Departure for Comrade Ramiz Alia’s residence at “The Plaza” Hotel. Accompanied by comrades according to List No. 3.
Boarding vehicles according to the order in List No. 4.
- Arrival at the residence. Welcomed by the manager of the Hotel and the chief of diplomatic services of the hotel.
Dinner at the Hotel.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1990
- Time – Visit to the Metropolitan Museum and a drive around New York City.
- Time – Possible meetings with heads of state or government.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1990
- 15:30 – Meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union.
Location of meeting: “The Plaza” Hotel, in the hotel’s meeting lounge.
- 18:00 – Meeting with the President of Turkey.
Location of meeting: At the residence of the President of Turkey, at the “Peninsula” Hotel (Address: 5th Ave., 55 St.).
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1990
- 09:55 – [Viewing of the President’s hall]
- 12:30 – Meeting with the Secretary-General of the UN. (After the speech of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China).
Location of meeting: The Secretary-General’s reception lounge, near the General Assembly hall (GA – 200).
- 09:55 – Meeting with the President of the General Assembly.
Location of meeting: The President’s lounge, near the General Assembly hall.
- 16:00 – Meeting with the President of Romania.
Location of meeting: At “The Plaza” Hotel. Confirmed.
UN General Assembly Hall in New York. Source: Images Press / Getty Images
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1990
- 10:00 – Meeting with the Prime Minister of Finland.
Location of meeting: At “The Plaza” Hotel.
- 11:30 – Meeting with the President of Tanzania.
Location of meeting: At the residence of the President of Tanzania, at the “Intercontinental” Hotel (Address: 111 East, 48 St.).
NOTE:
- The meeting with the President of Zimbabwe was proposed by us to take place on October 1, 1990, at 10:00. We await confirmation from the other party.
- For meetings with the Presidents of Argentina and Bulgaria, it was agreed that efforts be made to organize brief meetings in the lounge areas during breaks between sessions of the Summit for Children on September 29 and 30, 1990. The same procedure will be followed for organizing meetings with the President of Argentina, the Prime Minister of Italy, the Prime Minister of Japan, and the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- For the meeting with the President of Brazil, it was agreed with the Brazilian side to find a suitable time to organize it within the dates September 26 to 29 at “The Plaza” Hotel, which is also the residence of the President of Brazil.
- For the meeting with the Foreign Minister of China, we have proposed September 26 or 27, 1990 to the Chinese side. We await their response. The Italian Prime Minister (awaiting confirmation of our request) and other heads of state or government.
- 11:30 – Comrade Ramiz Alia, accompanied by the UN Chief of Protocol, will enter the General Assembly hall and, after being given the floor by the President of the GA, delivers his address before the Assembly. After delivering the speech, he sits back in the armchair placed on the GA podium until thanked by the President of the GA. Then, accompanied by the President of the Assembly, the Secretary-General, and the Chief of Protocol, he exits the hall and is escorted to the door of the General Assembly offices. The Chief of Protocol accompanies Comrade Ramiz Alia to the lounge reserved for meeting representatives of member states. Line-up takes place in the “Indonesian Lounge”. Handshakes are extended to permanent representatives of member states or heads of delegations that come to greet him. They are introduced by the Chief of Protocol. A short break is taken in the reception lounge (“Indonesian Lounge”).
- 12:30 – Meeting takes place with the Secretary-General of the UN in his reception lounge, near the General Assembly hall.
- 13:00 – Comrade Ramiz Alia departs UN headquarters accompanied by the UN Chief of Protocol. Departure for the hotel.
- 18:30 – A short visit by Comrade Ramiz Alia to the mission of the PSR of Albania to the UN.
- 19:45 – Departure for UN headquarters to participate in the Secretary-General’s dinner for heads of state.
- 20:15 – Arrival at UN headquarters. At the main entrance, Comrade Ramiz Alia is met by the UN Chief of Protocol or his deputy, who escorts him to the reception lounge (“Indonesian Lounge”).
- 20:30 – The Secretary-General’s dinner begins.
- 21:50 – Conclusion of dinner and departure for the hotel.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1990
- 07:00 – Departure for UN headquarters to participate in the Summit for Children.
- 07:30 – 18:30 – Activities within the framework of the Summit for Children.
- 18:30 – Departure from the UN for the hotel.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1990
- 09:30 – Departure for the residence of the President of Zimbabwe.
- 10:00 – Meeting with the President of Zimbabwe. (Confirmation waited from the Zimbabwe mission.)
- 10:45 – Return to hotel.
- 12:45 – Departure from hotel for “LaGuardia” airport.
- 13:45 – Arrival at “LaGuardia” airport and send-off of Comrade Ramiz Alia and the delegation to Boston.
(Traveling together with Comrade Ramiz Alia to Boston are the comrades on List No. 5.)
- 14:00 – Departure for Boston.
- 15:00 – Arrival at Boston International Airport.
At Boston airport, leaders and activists of the patriotic organization “Free Albania” come out to welcome him, according to List No. 6. In the VIP lounge, a brief meeting is held and refreshments are served.
- 15:30 – Departure for the city of Boston. Visit to the Albanian cemetery and placing of wreaths on the grave of Fan S. Noli.
- 16:15 – Departure for “Anthony’s Pier 4” restaurant at Boston airport, where the reception for Albanians will be held.
Anthony’s Pier 4 Restaurant in Boston. Source: Boston Globe / Boston Globe via Getty Images
- 17:15 – In the small lounge, a short meeting is held with several leaders and activists of the Albanian economic emigrants, and drinks are served. Comrade Ramiz Alia steps into A. Athanas’s office for a brief rest.
- 17:30 – Meeting of Comrade Ramiz Alia with a group of leaders and patriotic activists of the colony and Albanian associations in the small cocktail lounge. Drinks, etc., are served.
- 18:00 – Reception with invitees from the Albanian Community in the USA.
- 18:30 – Conclusion of the reception.
- 19:00 – Dinner. Speeches are held during dinner and a short artistic performance is presented.
- 20:30 – Conclusion of dinner. Comrade Ramiz Alia and accompanying comrades move to lounge areas and prepare for departure to the airport.
- 21:15 – Departure for Boston International Airport.
- 22:00 – Send-off of Comrade Ramiz and the delegation back to the homeland. Activists of the Albanian Committee, who came to welcome him, as well as comrades from the Mission, come out to see him off at the airport.
- 22:20 – Departure of Comrade Ramiz Alia and his accompanying delegation back to the homeland.
- 22:20 – Departure for Zurich.
Note:
This is a preliminary general program for the stay and activities of Comrade Ramiz Alia in New York and Boston.
N o t e:
At the entrance of the restaurant hall where the reception with Albanians will take place, several activists and leaders of the colony and patriotic Albanian associations will line up to shake hands with Comrade Ramiz Alia.
On both sides of the main reception table, national flags of the PSR of Albania and the USA will be placed. Small national flags of both countries will be placed on the tables. Before the opening remarks of the reception, the national anthems of the PSR of Albania and the USA will be played and sung. Following Comrade Ramiz Alia’s speech, Anthony Athanas will deliver a welcoming address on behalf of the Albanian-American committee in the USA.
During the reception, a small group of folk singers and rapsodes from the Albanian diaspora in the USA will deliver a very brief concert of Albanian patriotic and folk songs. Shortly before the end of the reception, Comrade Ramiz Alia will walk around the tables to meet the guests, accompanied by comrades Reis Malile, Sofokli Lazri, Muhamet Kapllani, and Arben Alia.
New York, September 22, 1990
Lunch
13:30 – 15:00
Prime Minister Mulroney invites Heads of State/Government (HS/G) to proceed to the North Room for lunch.
HS/G: Proceed through the north doors of the ECOSOC Chamber into the North Room; guided to seats across 6-7 tables.
Official Delegates: After HS/G has exited the ECOSOC Chamber, Delegates and Observers of various States and in the Gallery exit through the 3rd-floor doors and proceed to the Delegates’ Dining Room on the 4th floor via stairs/escalator/elevator.
Seating: A cold lunch plate will await HS/G in the North Room. Buffet will be available in the Delegates’ Dining Room.
Media: No media will be present during lunch.
Afternoon Working Session
15:00 – 16:00
Presiding: President Traoré
Fourth Topic: Implementation and Follow-up
5-minute presentation by President Diouf (Senegal)
5-minute presentation by Prime Minister Andreotti (Italy)
4-minute comments by Prime Minister Mugabe (Zimbabwe)
4-minute comments by King Birendra (Nepal)
4-minute comments by President Borja-Cevallos (Ecuador)
4-minute comments by President Gayoom (Maldives)
President Traoré leads the general discussion and invites interventions.
Media: Coverage by UNTV pool. Media with tickets seated in the ECOSOC gallery section. Still photographers of the pool on rotating base on visual bridge/booths.
Transfer to the General Assembly (GA) Hall
16:00
HS/G pauses in the corridor of the Conference Building for light refreshments. Initiators lead HS/G from the Conference Building corridor into the eastern entrance of the General Assembly Hall accompanied by Delegates, assisted by Protocol; enter the main floor through the main aisle; guided to seats. Co-Chairs, the Secretary-General, and speakers take seats near/on stage. / Memorie.al
To be continued in the next issue
