By Hysen Selmani
Part twenty-two
Memorie.al/ European and American press have often addressed the subject of the memories of the Albanian King, Zogu i-r, which he wrote and dictated during his exile from Albania. Considering the notes and syntheses that his assistant, Colonel Hysen Selmani, compiled over the years in his service, – always, next to the King of the Albanians, both at home and in exile, these notes, more or less with parts of detached, without strictly following the usual criteria of memoirs, and without having the definite, final form of an edition, they are prepared by Hysen Selmani himself, who has dedicated most of his life, as in Albania, as well as during the exile, serving the First Zog, the King of the Albanians.
Continues from last issue
“Even Prime Minister Kotta in Athens has not yet made any agreement in the talks with the Greek Prime Minister, Metaksain. This was caused by the new situation, that Italy declared war on Great Britain and France, and that now the Greeks are reserved in the talks”.
Minister Xhaxhuli answered you: “Yes, as far as the Albanian Prime Minister, Kotta, went to Athens, this was with the call made to you by the Greek Prime Minister, Metaksai, for a conversation in the interests of both countries. And, the Prime Minister Kotta, by order of King Zog, was detained in Athens, but at that time he was unable to, because Italy had not declared war on Great Britain, and this prevented Prime Minister Kotta. And without going to France, they are always in the talks, without any conclusion. Well, what is the Greek reason that they don’t conclude? Have they declared anything to Prime Minister Kotta?! Because they want to, or just because of fear. So today, the Greeks are not afraid of the Italians. But here again it is the English fault, because if the English want you, it will be done immediately”.
“There is no other reason,” said the Turkish Prime Minister, Saraxholu, “only that now, the Greeks feel secure and strong. From this, they think they will benefit from their interests. I am not entirely sure about this news, but the Greeks are strange when they find the other in a difficult situation. Thus, they put obstacles in their way, but you must come to a fair agreement, preferably with the Greeks. Because, as we have always told you, he has also repeated to them and the President of the Republic, Ismet Inonue, we are determined to support Albania in all phases, if we are given the opportunity”.
With these words they parted. Minister Asaf Xhaxhuli returned to Istanbul, very satisfied. Textually, he presented these to the Albanian Ministerial Council, where he decided to compile a report on all of them, to present to His Majesty, King Zog, in London. Of course, these, together with the new news, received from Albania.
From the territory of Albania, as it was known for a long time, Italy, on October 28, 1940, has mercy on Greece, on a large scale. The government-in-exile sends a telegram to the Greek Prime Minister, Metaksai, assuring him of its friendship. Meanwhile, the Albanian fighters are organized to face the attack and help the Greeks. There are 5,000 people who are waiting to enter Thessaloniki and from there, under the direction of the adjutant, Hysen Selmani, to obey the orders of the Greek authorities, against fascism.
But the Greeks are hesitant, and with them the English. Both countries officially still do not recognize the government in exile of the Albanians, while they have gone to war against Italy. The King himself makes a call to the Albanian people, who live in Albania, against fascism and the opportunity to leave the propaganda of fascism. A war for all.
While the Italian-Greek war takes place on the Albanian front, one thing is true for everyone: The war that has just started will continue for a long time. But, while Italy is demoralized day by day, due to the defeats, the Greeks find it difficult to become friends with the Albanians, despite achieving victory, every day. In the south of Albania, they make their own propaganda and seem to forget that the stagnation of the fascists is mostly dedicated to the struggle of the Albanians.
In times of war, everyone is known, and even more so, true friends. The Turks remain the friends of the Albanians and are ready to keep the emigrants, who are already having a difficult life in Yugoslavia. The Albanians themselves try in their own way and most eyes are ready to fight. But, the King makes known the fact that they should wait until the moment he decides the policy in England. As it has always been decided, world politics, says the head of the Turkish state, to the exiled Albanians.
Meanwhile, Albanian exiles have started to prepare and they are ready at any moment to show them. In Yugoslavia, they ask the Greek officials to fight in Greece. But, for a cause, which seems not to have been appreciated. Albanians in the 40’s found themselves betrayed in their sentiment. In the part of the memoirs, which we are publishing, the great sabotage that the Albanians did to the Italo-Greek war and their helpers, without any interest, is given.
This is avoided by the Greeks, but also by the Yugoslavs, who seem to be terrified of fascism. While the Greeks, thanks to British help, seem to have raised a lot. They feel like big winners. But the time of the German invasion has come and the Greeks know that it will not be the same as with Italy. For Albanians, it is ‘the same’. They are equally conquered and anyone who passes through their country will be called an enemy.
The Albanian government in exile makes public the sabotage done by the Albanians for the Italian-Greek war. The information came through Albanian messengers, who make the connection between the Yugoslavian Embassy and Albania. The climax was when Murat Basha, Akif Lleshi and Professor Mustafa Gjinishi, with thousands of Albanians, asked to go directly to Greece. The Greek minister, in Belgrade, welcomes them and tells them that he will inform them so that they can go, but later he is silent.
Meanwhile, the whole problem seems to be diplomatic. It is understood a little later that the Greeks are afraid that the Albanians will claim to change the border. On the other hand, the Greeks did not hesitate and showed themselves. They have misbehaved with all Albanians, in every province, where they have set foot. King Zog, comes before the evil and needs to call now, for fraternization with the Greek army.
Istanbul, November 5, 1940
With an urgent report, the Centers in Yugoslavia inform us, and they have sent this report through the Turkish embassy in Belgrade. They say: “Today, the messengers returned, who were tasked with distributing the appeals that were made to the people, as well as with the instructions of the centers and officers, that no action should be taken at all, until a second order. They must to be ready and closely connected with each other, in all groups.
They will receive instructions directly from Colonel Husein Selmani, who is in Greece. The messengers have performed their duty as expected. Where more people have received contact and the news they bring is confirmed. On the first day of the attack, which the Italian army did against Greece, there were much sabotage against the Italian army by several battalions.
Some officers and soldiers even joined the Greeks and another part took the mountains. Today, in Albania, there is complete anarchy, against the Italian army. A lot of traffic has been cut off and sabotage is confirmed in many places. Everywhere, in the highlands, they have our element in hand. Meanwhile, Italians gather in cities. The change of orders has caused dissatisfaction, because it is very difficult to stop it.
Captain Gani Ohri was killed in the match and so were many of the soldiers. Major Fuat Dibra and Major Ndrec Prenga and Zeko Borshi have retreated with all their forces, awaiting orders. Likewise, Lieutenant Tahir Hoxha and Lieutenant Hysni Vula, with a company of soldiers from Bilishti, have passed through Resnje. They state that, on the first day of the lesson, we encountered the Italian divisions in Kapshtica and a large part crossed over to Greece and were taken by the mountains. But, from winter, they crossed the border and came to Yugoslavia”.
The Albanian soldiers, according to their words, received orders that: “at 12 o’clock at night, on October 27-28, 1949, we had orders to approach certain objectives, on the Greek border. We were assigned to the front lines. When the division command would give the signal, at 4 o’clock in the morning, we would immediately learn the Greek border, in Kapshtica. But as soon as we were given the signal, we immediately started the march. The battalion commander gave us the order: Now it is the day of the war against Italy, together with the Greek brothers.
When we took the stand against the fascist division, at this time, the war broke out and the Italians for the first time retreated. The war continued between us for 4 hours, between the Albanians and the Italians, and they withdrew. When the Italians retreated, advanced easily to the heights of Follorina, we found it difficult to quickly join the Greeks and crossed to Prespa, because it was very cold and the country completely bare”.
Albanian newsmen have brought news that: “In all parts of Albania, word has spread that His Majesty, King Zog, is in Athens. Likewise, the commander, Colonel Husein Selmani, is in the districts of Follorina, with 20,000 mobilized soldiers, in the Albanian colony in Turkey. This has taken over the occupation of Korça, Librazhd and Elbasan”.
At this point, the adjutant continues: “Even the Greeks now without measure, develop propaganda in all parts of Albania. By issuing all kinds of anonymous leaflets, with the title: ‘Italy should be thrown into the sea at all costs’; ‘Albanian land should be freed’; ‘Fight the fascist enemy, wherever you can’; ‘liberate your holy country’. These are immeasurable, what the Greeks release in all the Albanian countries, adding that, you have Great Britain and the Greeks with you”.
The newsmen announce about the Albanians fighting in Greece that: “The country we are in is completely shocked. We cannot fix its position, despite the fact that the army and the people are against fascist Italy. But, don’t forget that the government is trembling with fear Nazi, and the country is filled with Nazi-fascist agents everywhere. And if Greece is to be occupied by Italy, they will join Germany.
This is how it is spoken here, among many important people. The day that Italy conquered Greece, according to your (King’s) order, we immediately sent a commission to the Greek embassy here in Belgrade, all three groups: Major Murat Basha, Akif Lleshi, Professor Mustafa Gjinishi, wishing them complete victory against the enemy of common. They asked to be released, to go to Greece, based on the telegram they had from Colonel Husein Selmani”.
Below, it is announced for the same day: “The Greek minister received us very well and told us: I am now telegraphing Athens, as soon as I get the answer, I will let you know. Just leave me an address, he told us. We thanked him and left. But we still gave him an address. After 8 hours, when we received your (adjutant’s) telegram and telephone, to stop any action, until a second order, we did not communicate this to the Greek minister. But, even that, still no he did not give us an answer. It seems that the Greeks do not accept. You know the reason.
As they inform us, some competent friends here, in the Yugoslav Government, that the Greeks feel themselves strong, that Great Britain is not going to let the Italian army advance on Greek soil in any way. So the Greeks have found the time to benefit with an agreement, Vori-Epirit Albanian. And, as far as the affairs of the Albanians are concerned, he is doing it, sending announcements with airplanes everywhere, noting that King Zog is in Athens and that the Albanian army, under the command of Colonel Husein Selman, is fighting side by side with the allied Greek army, for the liberation of Albania. So fight fascism with every sacrifice, free your country.
We, as we informed you, are always ready and again immediately sent messengers and instructions to Albania, with the same advice. So that they are not damaged without an agreement with the Greeks. Many officers, who sabotaged the fascist army and joined the Greek army, do not see them with good eyes. It is said that Zeko Borshi was killed, but the news remains unverified. We are awaiting instructions. Long live the King”.
Versace – Dibër, Valjeva
Prof. Mustafa Gjinishi, Akif Lleshi, Colonel Kucuk Ullogaj
Prof. Hasan Reçi, Shaqir Dema, Major Murat Basha
Agr. Abedin Çiçi, Himçe Kaba, Captain Hamza Drini
Chap. Shaban Tirana, Haxhi Lleshi, Captain Shyqri Baftiari
Versace November 5, 1940
Istanbul, November 20, 1940
On this day, one tries to connect the King with his people. His Majesty King Zog I send a letter of instruction to Colonel Hussein Salman. The letter is this:
“Dear Colonel, I have received all the reports you sent me, and especially the last one, dated November 12, 1940. Although, the details are missing. But, I am very sorry for the actions that are being taken in our country, because, the useless time have not yet come.
You, communicate to all the groups in Yugoslavia, and others, that I am doing everything, for the realization of equal rights with the countries, which today are at war, against the equal enemy. 18 months have passed since the occupation of our country by the common enemy and the democratic peoples.
We have fought the invader and we are still fighting it. But our right should also be included in the international family of the United Nations in War. Why, in no way, is it less than that of others. For some momentary political reasons, we are not in yet.
To believe in the sense of justice, of Great Britain, and to intensify our efforts to ensure the acceptance of Albania, with a Legal Government, as an ally of the States, which today are at war, against the common enemy. Which will be achieved?
I invite all groups in Yugoslavia and Albania, and all Albanians, to stay ready and not despair, because the war has started, but it is not over. And I assure you that Albania will be freed and enjoy independence with its national borders, just as it won 28 years ago, when it was free and happy. So that the Albanians alone can enjoy it, like the united Albanians, in the holy flame of a national brotherhood, purified and untainted.
With that, wait for the instructions that I hope you will receive soon. And, I send you my apologies, to everyone and to you.”
“Ric” Hotel London, November 17, 1940, 1ST ZOG.
Immediately, all groups, both in Yugoslavia and in Albania, were notified in the instructions of our Sovereign August. So, to adhere decently to this action.
Of course, the adjutant continues – the King’s message boosted everyone’s morale, because despair had set in. The reason was a little misunderstanding, due to the fact that we are not accepted in the allied camp, to fight against Fascist Italy, as well as all kinds of inappropriate discussions that circulated as propaganda. Or, that Albania was still being given as a “dowry” and so on. But today, in the 20th century, this could not be done, because the Albanians were fighting for their country and their freedom. Memorie.al
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