Second part
Memorie.al / When a little more than a year had passed since the end of the Second World War, at the end of August 1946, a delegation of the Albanian government, headed by Colonel Tuk Jakova, (who at that time held the post of the President of the Assembly of the People’s Republic of Albania), made a visit to the USA, where he held a series of meetings with State Department officials and the focus of their conversations was the review of some official agreements concluded between the two countries before April 7, 1939 , as well as some still unresolved problems of the Albanian state, with its neighbors of the Balkan peninsula, mainly Greece, or with the Italian state, for war reparations, etc. But in addition to these meetings with American government officials, the Albanian delegation also had several meetings with Monsignor Fan S. Nolin, the Bishop of the Albanian Orthodox Church in the USA, who at that time offered himself to help the Albanian delegation and the government, which they represented in different problems, which they would present in the meetings they would hold at the American Department of State, etc. As we will see in several letters that Bishop Fan S. Noli would later send to Prime Minister Enver Hoxha, he was very disappointed by the meetings with the Albanian delegation and mainly with the head of the delegation, Colonel Tuk Jakova, for whom he expresses with very negative grades, even reaching the level of abuse from the lowest. All this is revealed in the book ‘Noli – Work 6’, which was published in 1996, under the auspices of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Albania, where, in addition to the correspondence with Enver Hoxha, there are Noli’s interviews, speeches and various conversations, his biography, etc., parts of which we are publishing in this article.
Continues from last issue
The messages and telegrams of Bishop Fan S. Noli, sent to Prime Minister Enver Hoxha, in 1946, for the postponement of Albania’s admission to the UN
The special resolution of the American delegate, Stettinius, which postponed the discussion of the membership issue until August, was unanimously accepted by the Security Council at the meeting of May 17. /stop/
Bishop Fan S. Noli
Message to Enver Hoxha
From the speeches with officials of the Secretariat of the United Nations (UNO) in New York, regarding the presentation for discussion of Albania’s membership before the Security Council, which will take place at the end of May or on June 2, 46: As after the conversation, the acceptance of membership will be effected in the General Assembly, by the recommendation that the Security Council will make.
This recommendation will be made with an affirmative vote by seven members of the Security Council, including the five permanent members: the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, France and China.
An Albanian delegation near the United Nations Secretariat in New York would help him more than enough. Please apply to the United States Minister in Tirana and let me know the results.
I regret to add that State Department officials are waiting for your long silence regarding the issue of treaties between the United States and the former regime of Albania.
In some circles, your silence for many months is interpreted as an act of defiance. They also complain that various members of the American Mission are prohibited from moving and this is in other words considered as opposition.
In connection with this, it is said that as a protest for these measures, the American diplomatic mission located in Tirana will be withdrawn. I suggest that you take immediate steps to remedy the situation and improve relations with the United States, which I consider good for solving your international problems.
Bishop Fan Noli,
26 Blagden St. Boston March 16.
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Message to Enver Hoxha
On April 20, 1946
From the conversation with the head of the British delegation in New-York, I deduce that; if the disputes will be settled and diplomatic relations will resume, the British Government will support Albania’s admission to the UN. Please give me detailed information on this matter.
Bishop Fan Noli
Blegden St. Boston March 16.
* * *
Message to Enver Hoxha
On May 13, 1946
The head of the American delegation, Eduard Stettinius, in a draft resolution that he sent yesterday to the general secretary, Lie, and that circulated among the delegates, proposed that the Security Council should delay the debate on Albania’s admission until the general meeting in August in which all admission conditions will be laid out. Stettinius asks that his motion be on the agenda of the discussion at the Council meeting next week.
Bishop Fan Noli
* * *
Telegram to Enver Hoxha
On May 19, 1946
The special resolution of the American delegate, Stettinius, which postponed the discussion of the membership issue until August, was unanimously accepted by the Security Council at the meeting of May 17. /stop/.
The placement of Albania in the formal membership rank remains pending. /stop/.
The delegate of the Soviet Union, Gromiko, in voting on this resolution, said that he considered it unnecessary since, according to his view, it duplicates the rules of general membership, which have been approved by the Council. /stop/.
The Polish delegate, Lange, reminded the Council that Poland will support Albania’s cause, as it did in London, firstly because the Albanian people fought bravely against fascism and secondly, because the acceptance of Albania… (Is supported from the ally Yugoslavia? /stop/
I hope the delay of two months can have good results. /stop/.
This may give you an opportunity to adjust your views with the United States and Britain, thus gaining their support. /stop/.
This may also give you time to send the delegation from Albania to New York. /stop/.
I would greatly appreciate any information on further development.
Bishop Fan Noli
26 Bladgen St. Boston March 16.
* * *
The Prime Minister of Albania, General Enver Hoxha
Tirana Albania
Boston January 28, 1948
Mr. Prime Minister,
Mr. Filip Nini (Konstandin Dhimitri), born in Luarasi town of Kolonja and now resident in Boston, Massachusetts, America, whose children live in Korça, as an old soldier of the National Church, appeared in this office and asked me give you the following information: Philip Nini came to America in 1922 and worked as an apprentice in a small shop as a shoe shiner in Taunton Mass.
Then he came to Boston Mass., as a laborer in an iron factory, later took a job in a small restaurant, as a dishwasher, and now works in a popular restaurant as an assistant cook, at a salary of $35.00 a week. With this salary, which is very small here, the reason for the high cost, he lives in great poverty to be able to support his family in Korça.
Now we learn that it happened in the court that he lost the claim for half of the house, allegedly as a usurer, and the disgruntled claimant has appealed the claim and wants to seize the other half of the house, owned by his wife in Korça. In this trial, the plaintiff’s lawyer described Philip as a capitalist who receives hundreds of dollars a month. All of this has no basis in truth and I am writing this letter to inform you that Philip is a poor worker, who collapses at work to earn a piece of bread for himself and the child.
To these I must add that he has a long record as a patriot, since he came to America, like all Luarasil people, they have had patriotism as a tradition. Hopefully information will shed light on his case and will help the court of Korça, look at Filip Nini as a humble worker and give him the right within the law; I remain your Uronje with God.
Bishop F. S. Noli
* * *
General-Colonel Enver Hoxha
Dr. Omer Nishani
Tirana, February 1946
On behalf of the annual meeting of the Albanian Orthodox Churches in America, held on February 24 in Boston, I wish to send you my warmest greetings and express our admiration for the excellent work of reconstruction you are doing.
Bishop Fan S. Noli
* * *
Telegram to Enver Hoxha
March 1946
Two Albanians, called Dr. Ali Kuçi and Stavro Skëndi arrived in the United States last Monday. /stop/.
Please advise us on trust and loyalty to these people. /stop/.
Upon arriving here, Dr. Ali Kuçi got in touch with the “Free Albania” gangster group. /stop/.
The Albanians here complain about the heavy taxes that have been put on all the used clothes that are sent from the United States to their relatives and friends in Albania. /stop/.
Please be aware that if this is the case, the shipment of goods from here will be reduced or completely stopped since no one from here wants to create financial difficulties for their relatives and friends in Albania. /stop/.
This is a vital issue /stop/. Please let me know the exact situation. /stop/.
Telegraph us by “The Sun,” 30 Huntington Are Boston.
Bishop Fan Noli
* * *
Message to Enver Hoxha
21.3.1946
I find out from the talks I had with officials of the Department of State, that the acceptance of the treaties concluded by the previous regime is a necessary condition for the recognition of the Albanian Government by the USA. I believe that now any delay will prejudice our case at a critical time.
Taking into account the upcoming discussion in the UNO, of Albania’s request for membership and the agitation of the Greek interest, on Northern Epirus, I suggest that the said treaty be accepted immediately. This acceptance will automatically bring the American recognition, will eliminate the obstacles to the admission to the UNO and will facilitate our work of successfully protecting the territorial integrity of Albania.
Bishop Fan Noli
* * *
Message to Enver Hoxha
25.03.1946
The Bulgarian diplomatic mission has been operating in Washington since last October, although the Bulgarian government has not been officially recognized by the US. In case the recognition of Albania is delayed even more, I suggest you use this precedent to request a visa for a similar mission here and for specific reasons, to present the Albanian case before the UN.
Bishop Fan Noli
* * *
Message to Enver Hoxha
March 27, 1946
According to the “New-York-Times” dated March 25, Albania was denied admission to UNRRA, with 23 votes against 6. Some of our countries voted against, because Albania is not a member of UNRO. The Greek delegate stood up against the acceptance of Albania, saying that Albania is still at war with Greece, and some delegates said that a country that is still at war with one of the members of the United Nations cannot be accepted.
Assistant-Secretary of State, Bill Clayton, said that America is against the acceptance of Albania, only because America has not recognized Albania, due to the fact that Albania does not ensure that it has the ability to respect the treaties with America. We are afraid that the Albanian request for admission to the UNO will have the same fate, unless a decision is made to win the support of America, giving it complete satisfaction, in the matter of treaties.
Bishop Fan Noli
* * *
Message to Enver Hoxha
- 04.1946
According to the speeches with officials of the Secretary of the UNO in New York, the discussion of Albania’s membership before the Security Council will take place at the end of May or on June 2, 1946. This will have an effect on the General Assembly from the recommendation that the Security Council will make. An Albanian delegation near the UNO secretariat in New York would help a lot. Officials of the Department of State are waiting, regarding the treaties about which you are silent…!
Bishop Fan Noli
* * *
Message to Enver Hoxha
1.04.1946
Despite our repeated protests, the Committee on Foreign Relations of the US Senate voted for a resolution to award South Albania to Greece. We tend to believe that this is related to the rejection by Albania, in Atlantic City, before the UNRRA Council and in Washington.
Fan Noli
* * *
Message to Enver Hoxha
20.04.1946
From the conversation with the head of the British delegation in New York, I draw the /conclusion/ that if the agreements will be adjusted and diplomatic relations will resume, the British government will support Albania’s admission to the UN.
Bishop Fan Noli
* * *
Message to Enver Hoxha
27.04.1946
A letter I received now from the State Department in Washington states that the US opposed Albania’s participation as a member of UNRRA, that Albania is not a member of the United Nations and have refused to accept the obligations of previous treaties. On the other hand, from the speeches with delegates in New York, I understand that there is no hope of admission to the membership of the United Nations, before the diplomatic relations with the USA and Britain are repaired. Memorie.al
Bishop Fan Noli
