Dashnor Kaloçi
Memorie.al publishes some archival documents extracted from a voluminous file of the Central State Archive (fund of the former Central Committee of the ALP), with the logo “Top secret” and long declassified, where there is a record of the meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the ALP held in January 1989, where the extraordinary event that took place on January 6 of that year was analyzed, where the trawler “DukatI”, while going out to sea to openly in the Adriatic, was taken hostage by its captain, Enver Meta, who, after holding seven of its crew hostage, arrived at the port of Brindisi in Italy, along with eight of his comrades who had hidden them in the barns. of the ship since the Port of Durres. All the heated debates between the members of the Politburo in that marathon meeting that took place under the leadership of Ramiz Alia, where the “comrades of the leadership” have made mutual accusations, up to their internal family problems, which caused a a real storm, with drastic measures being taken with the arrests and dismissals of about 30 officials and senior officials, starting with the non-commissioned officer who had not properly exercised control over the ship, the director of the Seaport, the Chairman of the Branch of the Interior Agron Tafa, the first secretary of the Durrës Party Committee, Qirjako Mihali, the Director of State Security, Zylyftar Ramizi, and even the Minister of Interior, Hekuran Isai.
“I have information that your children Qirjako, even your driver, enter the port freely, take boats and go hunting at sea? Anyone can enter the port, Qirjako? Why should your children and others enter from the port to go out to sea for fish or for a walk? The port is a border area ”?! This is what Ramiz Alia said, addressing, among others, Qirjako Mihali, the first secretary of the Durrës District Party committee, at a meeting of the Politburo held in January 1989, after the extraordinary event that took place in on January 6 of that year, when the fisherman “Dukati”, while going hunting in the waters of the Adriatic Sea, was taken hostage by its captain, Enver Meta, and eight of his friends who had hidden in the barns of the ship, arrived at the port of Brindisi, with seven members of its crew held hostage. Regarding this serious event that not only caused great problems between official Tirana and the Italian state, but also shook the communist regime by making drastic measures with arrests, dismissals, and convictions of about 30 officials and senior officials, starting with the non-commissioned officer who had not properly exercised control over the ship, the director of the Seaport, the Chairman of the Internal Affairs Branch Agron Tafa, the first secretary of the Durrës Party Committee, Qirjako Mihali, the Director of State Security, Zylyftar Ramizi, up to the Minister of Interior, Hekuran Isai, etc., are known in five consecutive issues published by Memorie.al. While in some of the following issues, we are publishing the minutes of the meeting of the Politburo, which was held and analyzed that serious event (even the most unusual until then for the communist regime of Tirana), where the comrades of leadership ”, not only have they discussed“ with partisanship and a high sense of responsibility ”for the problem they had gathered, but they have also made mutual accusations about their family problems.
Followed by the last number
Meeting of the Politburo for the event of the escape of the ship “Dukati”
FOURTH ISSUE: “DIFFERENT” (DURRËS EVENT)
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: Comrade Adil has 700 guards in the industrial enterprises of Tirana, and he is being robbed again. What kind of control is this? We have said that if necessary, the guards in economic enterprises should be placed under the direction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
COMRADE ADIL ÇARÇANI: If it has been ascertained that the interconnection is not done properly through PY, as it is said there, why is the proposal not made to be changed. So the guards should be equipped with radios and connect directly with the police and not leave things until the events take place. These friends have a great responsibility for this. They should take measures to strengthen control over economic enterprises.
COMRADE HEKURAN ISAI: From a report given to me by the Ministry of Food Industry on fisheries, it appears that she has only seen the realization of the tasks of the plan and has not exercised any control over the implementation of these rules.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: The relevant bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Army are responsible for the implementation of the rules in the first place. So the border checkpoint at the port should not allow anyone to enter the sea outside the rules, regardless of who they are. Likewise, the BUD commander should not allow ships to cross the square at sea, otherwise draw squares. So follow the rules without making any concessions.
COMRADE ADIL ÇARÇANI: There is no order and discipline in the port. This is because the port is not fenced, we even know that as people come fishing boats from the sea jump off the walls and catch the fish without unloading it. This damages the economy. In conclusion, the non-implementation of the rules causes negative phenomena with serious consequences for the economy and in the political aspect. Other problems are the responsibility of the Party Committee of the Durrës district, the border authorities and the Branch of Internal Affairs with Comrade Agron, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Comrade Hekuran.
I agree with the remark made by comrade Rita about the excesses made by comrades in hunting. And I have sometimes overdone it, but I have not violated the rules of fishing, that I do not fish. In this regard I will be careful.
HEKURAN ISAI COMRADE: Why did anyone break the rules in fishing?
COMRADE ADIL ÇARÇANI: There were excesses, Comrade Hekuran. We also said it about comrade Qirjako, who broke the rule with his speedboat.
COMRADE HEKURAN ISAI: Comrade Rita had a remark about me. He said that the comrades of the Ministry of Internal Affairs have made it a rule to go hunting, we are shooting within the rules.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: Comrade Rita had the remark in general. There is no problem for the friends of the Bureau not to go out hunting, those who are amateurs to go out, but to follow the rules. In addition, Comrade Rita had in mind the lives of the Bureau’s comrades, that there are some members of the Politburo such as Hekurani, Qirjako and Fotua, who go as far as Buna to fish. Buna is on the edge of the border, so there is a risk of an accident, but do not forget that such accidents pose a very big political problem. Therefore, the border posts should not allow anyone to go fishing in Buna, even the comrades of the Politburo. These have responsibilities before the Party, if any danger occurs. Comrade Hekuran is reprimanded for this and not for anything else.
COMRADE RITA MARKO: A scandal may occur.
HEKURAN ISAI COMRADE: The remark is right, we must restrict hunting.
COMRADE ADIL ÇARÇANI: I agree with the other remark made by Comrade Pali, that we should apply in the first place and set our example in this regard with our families and children. Avoid exaggeration, because people look at our every attitude.
The party has made everything available to us, even a lot. Therefore, as our comrades said, we must be careful in this regard. I will keep this in mind in the first place for myself, but I have it as a remark for all my friends. Regarding the measures that are proposed to be taken, this is the third case that the border is violated by organized groups, it was violated in Vermosh, in Han i Hotit and now in Durrës. This shows that we do not have strong border protection properly. Comrade Ferit seemed sincere to me in his self-criticism, though he should be dismissed from the post of border commander. In the first place, this is done for the good of the work, to strengthen the defense of the homeland and there is nothing in the personal aspect.
I did not like Comrade Agron’s discussion. He did not go directly to the heart of the matter to derive his responsibility, but gave an update on the work he has done. Agron should not have passed this case so easily, but apparently the working method, the sense of smell and the professional preparation are not at the right height. The years of escape from Tirana of Minella Andoni’s gang that crossed the border in Hani i Hotit and now in Durrës, have very serious consequences for the state. Agroni bears a great responsibility for these escapes, therefore he should be dismissed from the position of Chairman of the Branch of Internal Affairs in Durrës. And I think Comrade Qirjako should be given a severe reprimand with a warning. Comrade Qirjako to be better placed at work, to raise the level of work of the Party in the district, to mobilize employees to carry out tasks, to raise higher vigilance at work and everywhere, that Durrës has big and very complicated problems.
For Comrade Zylyftar, I agree with the proposed measure. Comrade Hekuran should also go much deeper into the remark made by you, Comrade Ramiz, about the manifestations of familiarity that still exist in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. I am not saying that Hekurani makes many concessions in this regard, but nevertheless in the ministry and in its organs down at the base, this spirit of familiarity has not yet disappeared. Hekuran must therefore analyze this issue in more depth and draw conclusions. And the remarks of friends will be very valuable. For such cases they should not come to the Politburo.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: Good. Do friends have any other remarks? (do not have) Order Comrade Hekuran.
COMRADE HEKURAN ISAI: The Politburo is rightly concerned about this serious event. The analysis made in the Politburo and the remarks made by our comrades based on good intentions, to strengthen the work of the Party in the internal affairs bodies, are a sincere help to us. We deeply understand the responsibility we have for this event. The Ministry of Internal Affairs, unlike other departments, depends on the soldier for the events that take place at the border, so it is a big mistake to take the mind off the soldier. So the main defect is in the contact of the superior staff with the soldiers. The soldier has some officers over his head but, apparently, these do not work with the soldier. And our assistance, as a minister, has not been effective. Here is my responsibility. We must therefore shake well and increase the effectiveness of control in the internal affairs bodies down to the base.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: Pirrua said that there is a large fragmentation of the links in the bodies of internal affairs, so an accomplice may have a large pyramid of officers controlling it. This may be one of the defects that has taken you away from concrete work, Hekuran. Therefore, look at the problem of organization in the bodies of internal affairs.
COMRADE HEKURAN ISAI: There is a place to see him, Comrade Ramiz. We have shortened two links, but there are still links, from the deputy minister, the minister to the collaborator that must be seen.
The event in Durrës is very serious and I am responsible, as a minister, for that. I have reservations about discussing Comrade Rita. It seems to me that Comrade Rita completely denies the work done in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. I do not agree with this.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: I did not create this impression. Have you, friends of the Politburo, created this impression? (All the answers that did not create this impression).
COMRADE HEKURAN ISAI: I have this impression of myself.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: You are wrong.
COMRADE ADIL ÇARÇANI: Comrade Rita’s remark was constructive.
COMRADE HEKURAN ISAI: Comrade Rita said to be reprimanded. I have no objection to this at all.
COMRADE RITA MARKO: With permission, Comrade Ramiz!
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: Order, Comrade Rita!
COMRADE RITA MARKO: Why do you, Comrade Hekuran, come to that conclusion? I criticized the whole work of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. You on the one hand agree with the remarks I made, on the other hand you say I have reservations.
HEKURAN ISAI COMRADE: I have my opinion, with which you do not agree.
COMRADE RITA MARKO: Good. And I have my opinion.
COMRADE HEKURAN ISAI: For the event that happened I accept any kind of measure, until dismissal as Minister of Internal Affairs, in case the Political Bureau deems it appropriate.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: No one said this to Comrade Hekuran.
COMRADE HEKURAN ISAI: I say it, Comrade Ramiz. As my friends said, I am responsible for the method of work, for the tact, that I have not deeply analyzed the problems to get to the end of the work. But desire, will and attitude have not been lacking to me. I am not spared for work neither day nor night.
As for what my son did, which Comrade Rita talked about, so be it. A boy from the army came to the boy and together with another, who is said to be not a good man, they go to the lake bar, drink as much as they can. Then they go to the Faculty of Economics and make a mess, break the windows, the lamps and other actions. I have charged people to pay the damages that have been done to the faculty. I have condemned my son’s act as an act of hooliganism in the full sense of the word. To be held, to be expelled from school. If such things happen in the bar, the police stop the drunk people and release them the next day, when the brandy comes out, if they have not committed a crime. But my son is not a drunkard and a hooligan. That happened now.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: Clearly. Did you have anything else?
COMRADE HEKURAN ISAI: No, I do not, Comrade Ramiz.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: Then I am saying some thoughts. The Durrës event, as the friends said, is probably the most serious that has happened in our country until today. This value is not given by the amount of people who escaped, but by the fact that they formed a group of different people, who managed to organize and realize their hostile goal.
The leaders of the Durrës District Party Committee and those of the Ministry of Internal Affairs have a great responsibility for this event. People worry about such cases, which affect their security. Therefore, they rightly said that no one questions the political loyalty, activity and devotion to the work of the Party leaders and the internal affairs bodies we are discussing, no one denies the positive results that have been achieved, whether in the bodies of internal affairs, whether in the Party Committee of the Durrës District. But I believe that everyone agrees unanimously with the opinion that this escape also shows many weaknesses in the work of the Durrës Party Committee and the bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Analyzing this event, of course with the data we have today, to notice the pronounced lack of control over state rules for border protection. The incident happened in the middle of the day. Every ordinary person has the right to ask: how is it possible for 7 people, not members of the crew, to enter the ship on a sunny day and not be seen by anyone in the port ?! Do we have or do not have organisms that secure the border? Do we have or do we not have rules in this regard?
The answer is clear: we have a lot of rules and regulations, we also do controls, we do not even lack the people and organisms that deal with this work, but nevertheless bitter events happen to us, because there is an impermissible liberalism, which has led to to forget and underestimate the class struggle, to underestimate the existence of enemies, and especially to ignore the work of foreign agents. This is a marked lack of vigilance that is not allowed to either the Party or the internal affairs bodies, which are specialized bodies and charge the apostates with this work.
The analysis of such events should not be seen closely, that is, this or that enemy escaped, the non-commissioned officer did not check or the radio did not work. No, we need to look at the issue more broadly. Events like this shed light on the great weaknesses that appear in the work of the Party and the relevant state bodies. After you have made a detailed analysis of this event and found a number of violations, the question arises: is there complacency in the work of our bodies? There is no doubt at all that in the activity of the Party there is much success; that a steel unity of the Party and the people with the Party has been established in our country; that thanks to the heroic work of the working class, the cooperative peasantry and the patriotic intelligence, great results have been achieved in all fields. Proud are our people who build socialism in extremely difficult conditions, surrounded by numerous and savage enemies and relying only on our forces and capabilities. The fact that Albania moves forward, resists and progresses in these conditions, is enough to say that the Party and its bodies stand at the forefront of affairs, that the people fight with flesh and blood for the homeland and the results are great. But successes should not lead us to complacency or loss of vigilance, nor should they make us forget the weaknesses in the work of the Party as a whole and in this case in the work of the Party in the district of Durrës and the internal affairs bodies on the basis of and middle.
In the district of Durrës, plans have not been implemented for years. This means that the Party organizations are not doing their job properly and that there is a lack of control over the work. Comrade Qirjako, as the first secretary of the district, should stay in charge of affairs, it is not good at all that he goes hunting from time to time.
If we were to confine ourselves to the issue that occurred, we would say that this shows that the Durrës District Party Committee has no control over the internal affairs bodies, no control over the border, over other specific bodies located within the district. , such as the port, which is a rather delicate node. Of course, the reasons for the lack of control must be found by Comrade Qirjako and the Committee of the Durrës Party, but in my opinion, there may be familiarity in the port, which is created in many forms there. The way is opened for this familiarity by the leading comrades of the district Party Committee, starting from comrade Qirjako. They go fishing through the harbor, becoming friends, brothers, and acquaintances with those who need to control them. But when they see Qirjako entering the port outside the rules, they release for the second, for the third, and so on. The district of Durrës is delicate and for several other reasons. At the port or in the Outdoor Transport Park he plays the hobby to get to work. As paradoxical as the issue may seem, this finding is a reality. He who enters the export park earns money, so he who seeks to get such a job, does not even find it difficult to give money. We have never come across this phenomenon, but I am convinced that there are such things not only in Durrës, but also in Tirana or elsewhere. These are serious events that must be fought resolutely because they are dangerous.
Weakness at work also has the State Security. My friends said, I will repeat it for the detection of foreign agencies, of the channels, without mentioning anything special that has been discovered, it is lame. Agency channels exist. Let no one be surprised about this. The Shkodra canal that makes escapes through Buna and Lake Shkodra, or other directions exists. The Saranda canal also exists. It is a fact that people from Tirana have escaped from us in that direction. The Durrës Canal exists. We have 2-3 cases of sea escapes that happen to us. How these channels are organized, what they are related to, who directs them, etc., are problems that need to be clarified by the state security bodies. It is their job to discover what that is and to bring it about.
How is it possible for 7 vtea to escape from Durrës and we hear their names from Radio Bari or Brindizi ?! We did not know who these were, at least me, when they called me they were not able to tell me any name, even at first they told me that 7 sailors left, then they said that there were 9 fishermen, etc. So our bodies did not know either the names or the number, they found out exactly when we listened to Italian television.
Is the Security Control over the activity of the amriqs that they gather, organize, take the ship and escape? The work organized by the Party is this, that people are missing at work and it is not known where they are?
The work of the State Security should not focus only on the agitation and propaganda that has been done, as essential issues. Of course, agitation and propaganda is an activity that warns of great dangers and we must go ahead, but that is not all the job of the State Security, nor is it to deal with some small “fish”.
State insurance should not fall into the trifles. He must discover the agency channels, the organized activity of the enemies, their internal and external connections. But this requires a perfect and more agile organization. Pirrua’s remark that there are many links, bosses, deputy chiefs, managers, etc., may have room to be seen regarding the organization of Security agency work. Perhaps the chain link that exists from the collaborator to the superior Chief of Security should be broken. These are the remaining forms that time has left behind. In this sense I say that the forms of work of the Security must be perfected, and not remain slaves of the old forms. And the enemies have changed the forms of their activity against us. They used to escape from the land, for example, but now they also escape from the sea. This in itself gives rise to the need for better work organization in the coastal border region. If there is any confusion between the army and the border, because the coast used to be the border, and now the border has taken over, you have to arrange these things among you.
The limit of weaknesses is even greater. Border rules should be iron-clad and have both organized and surprise border control. I have said it before, but I find it necessary to emphasize, the border is not protected only in the border line, although we do not have it well in the border line, it is protected in depth.
In my opinion, it is not right what comrade Hekuran told me one day that, if a man, say, from Fier, who is being pursued for an escape tendency, leaves somewhere in another circle, behind him goes the collaborator or worker operating. What is this form of work ?! Anyone who exhibits an escape tendency should follow the operative workshop back? This is a very primitive form. While other measures should be taken, including the organization of information, its speed, alerts, and even the establishment of control rules at specific points that are closer to the border.
Border and Security comrades must carefully study all the existing rules, and on this basis propose the existing changes, and on this basis propose the necessary changes, so that the defense of the homeland is done wisely.
Strengthen the work of the Party which is really crucial as everywhere in the work of the Security and Border bodies. I agree with the remark made by Comrade Rita about the Central Committee apparatus, which presents the reports after the events take place. Reports before events occur, for a defect or weakness in the work of the Police, Security, or Border, we have less. The remark must be accepted, it is constructive for our work.
The propaganda of the Party, as comrade Foto said, plays a special role, but it must be strengthened. Communists in all areas must increase vigilance, which means enforcing rules, norms, and laws to cut off the unexpected. Therefore, the Party and its bodies must work better in this direction.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs, but also the Ministry of National Defense, must attach great importance to the control of regulations. Every auditor, even the one in charge of seeing the uniform worn, should go with regulations in hand and report according to the regulations.
In the military and at the border, we have to be very strict in enforcing regulations. I have the impression that all the comrades who go to control the border, whether they are from the army or the Ministry of Interior, think that “we know all the regulations”. We do not know the regulation. It is the same as with the Party Staus. We all know that accepting a party member requires three recommendations, but the Statute Sector has a duty to look at the materials one by one. If he did not do so, he does not follow the norms of the Party.
From the position of defending the interests of the Party, of society, I think that the fight against family and ill friendship with each other should be strengthened. These performances must be fought in the internal organs, finding the strength for this purpose. Strength is found if everyone is and is required to be correct in enforcing regulations and norms. Familiarity is created where violations are allowed in the name of society, of the trust that the insurance worker has, etc. The most loyal people are those who enforce state laws, party norms, rules and regulations. Loyalty is concrete, not abstract, general.
I agree with the measures proposed by the comrades. Agron and Ferit to be fired from their duties. This is not a question of political belief, nor of a lack of piety. But the lack of ability, control, and organization. Apparently these friends are liberal in terms of control at work. Their guilt is so great and repeated that the people and the Party cannot understand their position in the post they hold. I agree with the proposal made to give a warning to Comrade Qirjako. I also agree with the proposals that Comrade Hekuran and Comrade Zylyftar be reprimanded. Understand correctly friends, it is not the remarks that resolve this situation. Therefore, everyone must put his chest to work, in order to improve and advance the work of the Party. Such events have major political, internal and external effects. These frustrate our people, and give the external enemy arguments to fight against us. These were the issues I had. If you agree, we close it, (friends agree).
Order Comrade Ferit
COMRADE FERIT ZENELI: I am fully convinced of my responsibility for this event and I tell the Politburo that wherever I will be, I will reward him with my blood. Long live the Party, Long live you comrade Ramiz.
COMRADE AGRON TAFA: It is a great satisfaction that the Party has not lost its political trust in us. I also made a commitment for the Shkodra event in the Secretariat, so it is difficult for me to make another commitment, I am fully aware of the positions of the Party. I do not shake my faith in the Party at all.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: We do not question the political faith of any of you.
COMRADE AGRON TAFA: This is very important to me.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: Well then we close it. Invited friends to leave.
Goodbye
PROJECT-FRAMEWORK DECISIONS
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: Do you have any remarks about the draft decision B / 3. There is no. Do you agree with the draft decision 3/1? (Friends agree)
How will we do for Agron?
COMRADE RITA MARKO: Until the measure was taken to dismiss him from office, he can no longer remain Chairman of the Internal Affairs Branch.
COMRADE KIÇO MUSTAQI: If the proposal has been proposed, it would be better to appoint the other one, because he has found out.
COMRADE PROKOP MURRA: I also say so, Comrade Ramiz, that in case the dismissal is discussed, it should be removed because everyone knows.
COMRADE BESNIK BEKTESHI: Agron’s dismissal from duty has been discussed in the Durrës District Party Committee and in the ministry.
COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA: Agreed then. For today we are done. Goodbye and health.
CHIEF OF THE GENERAL SECTOR
Fatmir Zaloshnja
