By DASHNOR KALOÇI
Second part
Memorie.al / Exactly 35 years ago, in mid-February 1991, thousands of Albanians from various cities and districts across the country flocked in massive crowds toward the ports of Durrës, Shëngjin, Vlorë, Himarë, Sarandë, etc. After forcibly seizing every maritime vessel available – ranging from the smallest motorboats, fishing vessels, and tugboats to large heavy-tonnage transport ships belonging to the Albanian and foreign merchant fleets, and even warships – they sailed into the open sea toward the Italian coasts and ports. These unprecedented events, which had never occurred during the entire 45-year period of Enver Hoxha’s communist regime and that of his successor, Ramiz Alia, made headlines across the globe on most television channels. Their arrival at the ports and shores of the Apennine Peninsula was filmed and broadcast live by major Italian television stations, such as RAI, and subsequently by the most prestigious media outlets across various European nations.
While the entire world watched in astonishment as apocalyptic scenes bordering on madness unfolded on their screens (people were clinging to every part of the ships, like bees in a hive), scenes unseen since World War II, the communist regime led by Ramiz Alia, which was in its death throes, did not see fit to broadcast them on the news programs of the only television channel at the time, Albanian Radio-Television (RTSH). They feared that reflecting such news would further fuel the biblical exodus toward the neighboring country. At least, this was the commonly rumored “official version” at the time and thereafter; in reality, the primary reason Albanian Radio-Television did not cover those events was the parliamentary elections to be held on March 31 of that year! Furthermore, there was the fact that alongside the thousands of citizens who had seized those ships, there were also dozens of military personnel – sailors, officers, police, and civilian employees from military enterprises and installations, such as Pashaliman – which would have severely compromised the position of the Party of Labour, not only domestically but also in the international arena.
These events, which for nearly 35 years have been commonly known as the “first March exodus” (as the event was repeated in August of that year), have remained almost entirely unknown. To this day, no one has accurate information on exactly how many Albanian citizens managed to leave for Italy, which ships and other maritime vessels were forcibly taken by them, how many people lost their lives or drowned attempting to reach their decks and boards, and who were the individuals arrested by the police and military forces.
All of the above has remained shrouded in mystery, as from that time until today, with rare exceptions, no archival documents reflecting the events of February-March 1991 have been published. Given this fact, in this article, we are publishing several archival documents labeled “Secret,” sourced from the Archives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. These contain the operative communiqués of the General Branch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of that time. Alongside other extraordinary events occurring in all districts of the country, these documents detail the “ship exodus,” which originated on February 15, 1991, with the fishing vessels “Hajdar Dushi” and “Jonufra” – the first to be seized from the port of Vlorë – continuing with other ships through the first ten days of March. Memorie.al is publishing all of these and more, along with the respective facsimiles, in two consecutive articles.
Continued from the previous issue..
OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATION OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR OF MARCH 7, 1991, ON THE GATHERING OF PEOPLE IN THE PORT OF SHENGJIN AND THE HIBACK OF EIGHT SHIPS IN WHICH 2000 PEOPLE LEFT TO ITALY, AS WELL AS THE SHIP “MIT’HAT DAUTI” FROM THE PORT OF VLORA
POPULLAR SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA SECRET
MINISTRY OF INTERIOR Copy No. 1
GENERAL BRANCH Tirana, on 7.3.1991
OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATION NO. 55
LEZHA
– On 6.3.1991, in Shëngjin there were gatherings of people coming from Shkodra, Laçi, Lezha etc., and about 2000 people boarded 8 ships and left for Italy.
VLORA
– On 6.3.1991, the fishing vessel “Mit’hat Dauti” was in the bay near Orikum, out of readiness. At 17.00, a group of people were put to work and left for Italy.
MANAGEMENT GROUP RESPONSIBLE
VANGJEL KASAPI
OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATION OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR OF 8 MARCH 1991, REGARDING THE TWO CITIZENS WHO WERE FOUND DROWNED IN ORIKUM AND PORO, AS WELL AS THE DEPARTURE TO ITALY OF SOME SOLDIERS FROM HIMARA ON A SHIP THAT CAME FROM SARANDA
POPULLAR SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA SECRET
MINISTRY OF INTERIOR Copy No. 1
GENERAL BRANCH Tirana, on 8.3.1991
OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATION NO. 56
VLORA
– On 7.3.1991, in the Jonufti sector, the sea washed up on the shore, Robert Hariz Zoto, aged 30, resident of Orikum.
– On 7.3.1991, in the Poro border post sector, the sea washed up on the shore, Resmi Cena from Vlora, aged 34.
– On 7.3.1991, after the morning gatherings in the port of Vlora, the situation generally calmed down. 200 people remained in Orikum.
– On 7.3.1991, a fishing boat from Saranda approached the Himara pier, where it picked up several civilians and the border post non-commissioned officer, Dëfrim Hoxha, and they headed towards Italy. The commander of the police post and 3 soldiers from the post were also with them.
– On 7.3.1991, the situation in the port continues to be tense, despite the intervention of the army. The ship “Partizani” is full of people, although it is defective. There is a shortage of bread in the city.
Some of the bakers have fled to Italy. Bread is expected to arrive from the districts. By 9:00, a car has arrived from Elbasan.
– On 7.3.1991, the prisoners of Bardhori have risen in revolt, broken an interior door, insulted and threw stones. After the intervention of the forces, one prisoner was killed and three others were injured.
LEZHA
– On 7.3.1991, after the morning gatherings, the situation is worrying. After the news at 8:00, many people left. There are 700-800 people left in the port of Shëngjin.
MANAGEMENT GROUP HEAD
ILO MANUSHI
OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATION OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR OF 8 MARCH 1991, REGARDING THE TWO CITIZENS WHO WERE FOUND DROWNED IN ORIKUM AND PORO, AS WELL AS THE DEPARTURE TO ITALY OF SOME SOLDIERS FROM HIMARA ON A SHIP THAT CAME FROM SARANDA
POPULLAR SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA SECRET
MINISTRY OF INTERIOR Copy No. 1
GENERAL BRANCH Tirana, on 8.3.1991
OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATION NO. 64
DURRËSI
– On 16.3.1991, Muharrem Qemal Sirani, aged 25, Sokol Besheku, aged 18, Artur Zarif Jonuzi, aged 30; Muhamet Kiku, Asllan Qemal Gjyra, etc. were arrested for participating in illegal gatherings in front of the port of Durrës.
– On 17.3.1991, in the Bardhori camp in Kavaja, 32 prisoners convicted of illegal border crossings began a hunger strike.
– On 17.3.1991, Flamur Rangon Balla, aged 18, was arrested for participating in illegal gatherings.
LEADERSHIP GROUP RESPONSIBLE
JOSIF OGA
OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATION OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR OF 20 MARCH 1991, CONCERNING THE ARRESTS OF SOME CITIZENS IN THE PORT OF SHENGJINI WHO WERE SEEKING TO LEAVE TO ITALY, AS WELL AS THE INJURY AND ARRESTS OF SOME OTHER CITIZENS IN THE PORT OF DURRES, WHERE THERE WERE CLASHES WITH THE POLICE
POPULLAR SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA SECRET
MINISTRY OF INTERIOR Copy No. 1
GENERAL BRANCH Tirana, on 20.3.1991
OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATION NO. 66
LEZHA
– On 19.3.1991, Tonin Pjetër Paloka, aged 33, a hospital driver, Kastriot Myftar Zenelaj, aged 21, an electrician, Nikoll Gjon Doda, aged 32, a fishing worker, and Tonin Likja, aged 22, were arrested for attempting to hijack ships and flee by sea.
– On 20.3.1991, an unidentified male person, approximately 25 years old, was found drowned near the port of Shëngjin. The criminal case was initiated.
DURRESI
– On 25.3.1991, a large crowd of people from all different districts gathered in the direction of the port, and an attempt was made to enter the port. Law enforcement intervened to repel them, in which 16 citizens and 12 police officers were injured, 2 cars were damaged, a train carriage was burned and several shop windows were broken. /Memorie.al
LEADERSHIP GROUP RESPONSIBLE
NERULLA ZEBI
