By DASHNOR KALOÇI
Part Four
Memorie.al/ Full 36 years ago, in the last week of September 1990, the head of communist Albania at that time, Ramiz Alia – who held the functions of Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the PPSh (Party of Labour of Albania), and also Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania – at the head of a large delegation, set off to participate in the meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Ramiz Alia’s participation in the 45th session of the UN had a great echo at the time, not only within the country but also in the international arena, since it was the first time that one of the main leaders of communist Albania took part in the proceedings of the UN Assembly – something that had not happened since 1961, when official Tirana was represented at that high forum of world politics and diplomacy by the prime minister of that time, Mehmet Shehu.
Even though 36 years have passed since that time, it continues even today to remain shrouded in mystery, since – with the exception of some testimonies of 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 head of the Albanian state of that time, Ramiz Alia, to the 45th session of the United Nations in New York, which held its proceedings for about three consecutive weeks, until mid-October 1990.
For example: When did the preparation and drafting of the relevant protocol for the participation of the Albanian delegation in that high forum of world politics begin; who were the other members of the delegation who accompanied Ramiz Alia on that long journey across the Atlantic and what functions did they hold; of how many persons did the support staff that accompanied the Albanian delegation consist and who were they?! When did the preparation begin and what did the program of visits and meetings of Ramiz Alia contain throughout the period they would stay in the USA? Was that entire program realized 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 at those meetings, and were there any incidents with the “reactionary Albanian diaspora,” those who had fled Albania after 1945? Who organized the reception that Ramiz Alia gave for compatriots in Boston, who were some of the exponents of the Albanian diaspora who assisted there, and how did that meeting go?
What was the itinerary of the Albanian delegation’s travel from Tirana to the USA, why were they divided into several groups, and what were the reasons for staying one night in Switzerland? Why was Arben Alia, the son of the head of state Ramiz Alia, also part of the Albanian delegation, and how was his participation in the composition of the said delegation “justified”? How many and what were the gifts that the Albanian delegation, headed by Ramiz Alia, took with them, and to whom were they given in Switzerland and the USA? Why was the Hotel “Plaza” (the hotel owned by the current president of the USA, Donald Trump) chosen for the accommodation of Ramiz Alia and some other members of that delegation? How much did that entire visit cost financially, why were other 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 give Ramiz Alia an accurate floor plan of the hall where the 45th session of the UN would be held, specifying even the place where the chief representative of the delegation of the Federal 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 armaments and ammunition with them? Who were the members of the Albanian Radio-Television filming crew who accompanied the delegation, and what tasks were assigned to them? Regarding these and other matters, we are made familiar by the archival documents extracted from the Central State Archive (the fund of the former Central Committee of the PPSh), which are published for the first time with the relevant facsimiles by Memorie.al
Continued from the previous issue
ARCHIVAL DOCUMENT REGARDING THE ACCOMMODATION OF THE DELEGATION HEADED BY RAMIZ ALIA, WITH THE RESPECTIVE ROOMS AT THE “INTERNATIONAL” HOTEL IN ZURICH AND THE “PLAZA” HOTEL IN NEW YORK
Placement at the Hotel – Zurich
HOTEL INTERNATIONAL ZÜRICH
Sh. Reis 2905
Sh. Sofo 2911
Sh. Behar 2904
Sh. Sinan 2906
Sh. Arben 2904
Sh. Vahid 2917
Sh. Zef 2906
Room service 86180 (for tonight)
2902 (Sh. Ramiz)
Placement at the Hotel – New York
The Plaza (New York)
Sh. Ramiz 427 – 441
Sh. Reis 449
Sh. Sofo 451
Sh. Behar + Beci 444
Sh. Sinan + Zefi 435
Sh. Mikel + Vehidi 445
Sh. Dasho 434
Hotel police 447
FIFTH AVENUE AT CENTRAL PARK SOUTH NEW YORK, N.Y. 10019 – 212 PLAZA 9-3000
ARCHIVAL DOCUMENT WITH THE SPEECH OF THE ALBANIAN-AMERICAN SHPEND HAXHAJ, WHICH WAS TO BE DELIVERED IN BOSTON ON OCTOBER 1, ON THE OCCASION OF THE RECEPTION OF THE ALBANIAN DELEGATION, WHICH WAS GIVEN IN ADVANCE TO BE APPROVED BY RAMIZ ALIA AND REIZ MALILE
For Sh. Ramiz and the comrades accompanying him in Boston
Prepared by Shpend Haxhaj
New York, October 1, 1990
SPEECH OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION “ISUF GËRVALLA” ON THE OCCASION OF THE RECEPTION OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE PARTY OF LABOUR OF ALBANIA, MR. RAMIZ ALIA, IN BOSTON, USA
Mr. Chairman, allow me, in my personal name and in the name of the National Association “I. Gërvalla,” to express our great pleasure for your presence here among us. For us and for all Albanians in exile living in every corner of the USA, these days of Your stay among us, You, Mr. Chairman, have turned into days of celebration.
Your speech at the 45th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, your views—just and beneficial for the resolution of the very complicated international situation—will also be a contribution beneficial for the affirmation of Albania in the international arena. For us, your people who are in exile, your strong speech and beneficial for the just resolution of the Kosovo question strengthens our conviction that the words of the great Naim:
“You, Albania, give me honor, give me the Albanian name,” have found their full expression during these last 45 years of New Albania, which with work and successes achieved thus far in every field of social-political life, made us say with more pride that we are Albanians.
Mr. Chairman, although in Kosovo an unprecedented tragedy is occurring in the civilized world thus far, nevertheless the Kosovar people are strong and this time too cannot be defeated by the striking storms of the Greater-Serbian police power, which is coming to an end.
The Kosovar people have decided to swallow the numerous defeats, but this shows a political maturity because such defeats in the long term are transformed into victories, and this means that there is hope for the Kosovar people, who will be fully equal with the other peoples of Yugoslavia.
To exclude a nation is not nobility but primitivism which brings greater harm to one’s own people, in this case the Serbian people. Mr. Chairman, we exiled Albanians have placed ourselves in the service of the declaration that derives from the meeting of the delegates of the Assembly of Kosovo of July 2 of this year.
For the quite fruitful work in our difficult conditions, which is done in Kosovo and in the diaspora, the Greater-Serbian government of Belgrade has shown and is showing great concern, and this is being reflected also here in the diaspora where a tendency of action according to Pashićian principles is seen:
That the situation be confused or muddied as much as possible and then from that muddle be extracted that solution which most suits the party, but the Albanian people have strength, have will, and have knowledge to successfully counter every action that is in contradiction with the interests of our nation. Mr. Chairman, I wish you a pleasant stay among us and further successes beneficial to the national interests.
We thank with respect our great patriot Mr. Antonio Athanasi and his family for the brotherly reception.
LONG LIVE THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE.
WITH THE MOST SINCERE GREETINGS
PREPARED BY SHPEND HAXHIAJ
ACTING CHAIRMAN
OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION “ISUF GËRVALLA” IN NEW YORK.
ADDRESS: 5118 14TH AVE APT. 1C
BROOKLYN N.Y. 11219 USA
Received and reviewed by Sh. Ramiz and by Sh. Reiz Malile
ARCHIVAL DOCUMENT WITH THE INVITATION OF UNICEF DIRECTORS LISABET PALME AND JAMES P. GRANT, SENT TO THE HEAD OF THE ALBANIAN DELEGATION RAMIZ ALIA, AT THE RECEPTION OF THE WORLD SUMMIT FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR SPEECH AT THAT ACTIVITY
UNICEF
Chair of the Executive Board
Mrs. Lisbet Palme
and Executive Director
Mr. James P. Grant
Request the honor of your presence at a Reception on the occasion of the World Summit for Children
Sunday, September 30, 1990
United Nations Headquarters
New York
From 17:00 to 19:00
Please bring this invitation with you, together with a World Summit identification card. This invitation is not transferable.
“For the survival of future generations”
At the initiative of the Prime Minister of Canada, the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the President of the Republic of Mali, the President of the United Mexican States, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden, a World Summit for Children has been convened, which will be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on September 29–30, 1990, to increase political commitment beneficial to children, at the national and international level. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney of Canada and President Moussa Traoré of Mali will co-chair this unprecedented global North-South-East-West summit.
The purpose of the World Summit for Children is to draw attention and promote commitment, at the highest political level, to the goals and strategies for ensuring the survival, protection, and development of children as key elements in the socio-economic development of all countries and human society. The aim is to stimulate new initiatives in all countries and in the international community, to address those issues that most critically affect children for the coming decades. The meeting will adopt a Declaration and Plan of Action for achieving these goals in the 1990s. The Initiators’ belief that the Summit can also accelerate the ratification and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child is confirmed by its entry into force on September 2, 1990, in less than a year since its ratification by the United Nations General Assembly.
In the process of preparing for the Summit, the Initiators have encouraged all sectors of society to examine their possibilities for contributing to the improvement of the survival, protection, and development of children. Important work in this field is done by international organizations and institutions, non-governmental organizations, the media and professional associations, community organizations and public leaders, as well as governmental authorities at various levels.
The Initiators sought the help of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to convene the World Summit and requested that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) serve as the Secretariat. Since the beginning of September, over 80 Heads of State or Government had confirmed their intention to participate personally in the World Summit for Children, making it the largest gathering of world leaders in history.
GLOBAL ACTION CENTER of Japan, USA, and Africa
Express their most sincere and warm welcome to the Heads of State and Heads of Government who have come to this summit meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the sole purpose of improving the quality of life for children. We applaud your efforts and are ready to support this cause in partnership with you.
Singo Nomura
President
GLOBAL ACTION
ARCHIVAL DOCUMENT WITH SHORT BIOGRAPHIES OF THE HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATING IN THE 45TH SESSION OF THE UN ASSEMBLY IN NEW YORK, 30. IX. 1990
“Diplomatic World Bulletin” –
Sunday, September 30, 1990
Heads of State and Heads of Government
(short biographies)
DENMARK
Prime Minister Poul Schluter
Poul Holmskov Schlüter was born on April 3, 1929, in Tønder. He is the son of Johannes and Else Schlüter. He married Lisbeth Schlüter for the first time in 1979 (she died in 1988); he has two sons and one daughter. He married Anne Marie Vessel Schlüter for the second time in 1989. He graduated in law from the Universities of Aarhus and Copenhagen. Schlüter became Prime Minister in September 1982.
EGYPT
President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak
Muhammad Hosni Mubarak was born on May 4, 1928, in Kafr El-Moselha, Minufiya Governorate. He was educated at the Military Academy, the Air Academy, and joined the Air Force in 1950. He became President of Egypt in October 1981.
DOMINICA
Prime Minister Mary E. Charles
Mary Eugenia Charles was born on May 15, 1919, in Pointe Michel. She is the daughter of John B. and Josephine (maiden name Lablanche) Charles. She became Prime Minister of Dominica and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Development in July 1980.
EL SALVADOR
President Alfredo F. Cristiani
Alfredo Cristiani was born in 1948. He is married to Margarita Cristiani. He was educated at Georgetown University, Washington D.C., USA. He became President of El Salvador in June 1989.
ECUADOR
President Rodrigo Borja-Cevallos
Rodrigo Borja-Cevallos was born in 1937. He is married to Carmen Caliste de Borja; he has one son and three daughters. He was educated at the Central University of Ecuador. He became President of Ecuador in 1988.
FINLAND
Prime Minister Harri Holkeri
Harri Hermanni Holkeri was born on January 6, 1937, in Oripää. He is the son of Antti Edvard Holkeri and Marie Kyllikki Ahlgren. He has been married to Marja-Liisa Lepisto since 1960. He has two daughters. He became Prime Minister of Finland in April 1987.
FRANCE
Prime Minister Michel Rocard
Michel Louis Léon Rocard was born on August 23, 1930, in Courbevoie. He is married for the second time to Michèle Legendre in 1972 and has three sons and one daughter. He was educated at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand, Paris; the University of Paris, Ecole Nat. d’Admin. He became Prime Minister of France in May 1988.
GAMBIA
Alhaji Sir Dawda (Kairaba) Jawara was born on May 16, 1924, in Barajally. He is the son of Almami and the late Mama Jawara. He was educated at Achimoto College, the University of Glasgow. He became President of the Republic of Gambia in April 1970.
GERMANY, FEDERAL REPUBLIC
Richard von Weizsäcker was born on April 15, 1920. He is the son of Ernst von Weizsäcker. He has been married to Marianne von Kretschmann since 1953. He has three sons and one daughter. He was educated in Berlin; legal studies at Oxford, Grenoble, Göttingen. He became President of the Federal Republic of Germany in July 1984.
GUATEMALA
Mario Vinicio Cerezo Arévalo was born on December 26, 1942. He is the son of Marco Vinicio Cerezo. He has been married since 1965. He has four children. He was educated at the University of San Carlos. He became President of Guatemala in January 1986.
BYELORUSSIAN SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLIC
Chairman of the Supreme Soviet N.I. Dementeí
KAMPUCHEA
Prime Minister Son Sann
Son Sann was born in 1911 in Phnom-Penh. He has been married to Nema Machhwa since 1940. He has five sons and two daughters. He was educated at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales de Paris. He has been Prime Minister of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea since June 1982.
CANADA
Prime Minister Brian Mulroney
Brian (Martin) Mulroney was born on March 20, 1930, in Baie Comeau, Quebec. He is the son of Benedict and Irene (O’Shea) Mulroney. He has been married to Mila Pivnicki since 1973 and has three daughters and one son. He became Prime Minister of Canada in September 1984.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
President Andre Kolingba
Andre Kolingba, former Chief of General Staff. He overthrew President David Dacko (see) by coup in September 1981. He became President of the Central African Republic on September 21, 1981. He has also been Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of War Veterans since October 1985.
CHILE
President Patricio Aylwin
Patricio Aylwin was born in 1919. President of the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) in 1973 and again from August 1987 onward. Aylwin became President of Chile in March 1990.
COLOMBIA
President Cesar Gaviria
César Gaviria Trujillo was born in 1947 in Pereira, Risaralda. He is married to Ana Milena Muñoz, a Colombian economist. They have two children, Simon, 9, and Maria Paz, 7. Dr. Gaviria graduated at the top of his class from the University of the Andes. Colombian voters elected Cesar Gaviria Trujillo, a 43-year-old economist, as President on May 27, 1990.
COSTA RICA
President Rafael Angel Calderon-Fournier
Dr. Rafael Angel Calderón-Fournier was born on March 14, 1949. He is married to Gloria Bejarano Almada, of Mexican origin. He has two sons and two daughters. He became President of Costa Rica in 1990.
CZECH AND SLOVAK FEDERAL REPUBLIC
President Vaclav Havel
Václav Havel was born on October 5, 1936, in Prague. He is the son of Vaclav M. Havel and Bozena (Vavreckova) Havel. He has been married to Olga Splichalova since 1964. He was educated at the Academy of Arts, Department of Drama, Prague. He became President of Czechoslovakia in December 1989.
DJIBOUTI
Barkad Gourad Hamadou, former member of the French Senate. Former Minister of Health and has been Prime Minister of Djibouti since September 1978.
ISRAEL
Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir
Yitzhak Shamir was born (as Yitzhak Yezernitsky) on October 15, 1915, in Ruzimir, Poland. He is married and has one son and one daughter. He was educated at the Hebrew High School, Bialystok, the University of Warsaw, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has been Prime Minister of Israel since October 1986.
KUWAIT
H.H. Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jabar al-Sabah was born in 1928 in Kuwait. He was educated at the Almubarakiya School, Kuwait, and privately. He became Emir in January 1978.
ITALY
Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti
Giulio Andreotti was born on January 14, 1919, in Rome. He is the son of Philip Andreotti. He has been married to Livia Danese since 1945 and has two sons and two daughters. He was educated at the University of Rome. He has been Prime Minister since July 1989.
LEBANON
Prime Minister Selim El-Hoss
Dr. Selim el-Hoss was born in 1930. He is a Lebanese professor of Economics. Acting Prime Minister since June 1987 onward, as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants; Chairman of Compagnie Maritime Internationale d’Investissement 1981 onward. He is also Director of Banque Arabe et Int. d’Investissement since 1983.
JAPAN
Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu
Toshiki Kaifu was born in 1931. He is married to Sachiyo Kaifu. He became Prime Minister of Japan in August 1989.
LUXEMBOURG
H.R.H. Grand Duke Jean
Jean Benoit Guillaume Marie Robert Louis Antoine Adolphe Marc D’Aviano, H.R.H. was born on January 5, 1921. He has been married to Princess Josephine Charlotte of Belgium since 1953. He has three sons and two daughters. He became Grand Duke of Luxembourg with the abdication of Grand Duchess Charlotte in November 1964.
MALDIVES
H.E. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was born on December 29, 1937. He is married to Nasreena Ibrahim and has two sons and two daughters. He was educated at Al-Azhar University in Cairo. He became President of the Republic of Maldives in November 1978 and Minister of Defense and National Security, and Finance in 1989.
MALI
Moussa Traore was born on September 25, 1936, in Kayes. He was educated at the Training College in Kati and the Fréjus College in Kati. He led the coup to overthrow President Modibo Keita in November 1968. He became President of the Military Committee for National Liberation (CMLN) and President of the Armed Forces Committee in November 1968. He became President of Mali in 1979.
MALTA
Edward Fenech-Adami was born on February 7, 1934, in Birkirkara. He is the son of Luigi Fenech Adami and Josephine Pace. He has been married to Mary Sciberras since 1965 and has three sons and one daughter. He was educated at St. Aloysius College, University of Malta. He became Prime Minister in May 1987.
MEXICO
Carlos Salinas de Gortari was born in 1948 in Mexico City. He was educated at the National University of Mexico and Harvard University. He became President of Mexico in December 1988.
GAMBIA
President Alhaji Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara
Joao Bernardo Vieira was born in 1939 in Bissau. He joined the Partido Africano da Independencia da Guine e Cabo Verde (PAIGC) in 1960. He has been Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Interior since 1982. He led the coup to overthrow President Luiz Cabral and was Secretary-General of the Revolutionary Council since November 1980. He became President of Guinea Bissau in 1980.
HOLY SEE
Secretary of State (Head of Government) Cardinal Agostino Casaroli
Cardinal Agostino Casaroli was born on November 24, 1914, in Castel S. Giovanni, Piacenza. He is the son of Giovanni Emilio and Guiditta Casaroli. He was ordained a priest in 1937. He became Secretary of State and Prefect of the Council for the Public Affairs of the Church in July 1979.
GERMANY, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
President Richard von Weizsäcker
HONDURAS
President Rafael Leonardo Callejas
GUATEMALA
President Marco Vinicio Cerezo Arevalo
ICELAND
Prime Minister Steingrimur Hermannsson
Steingrimur Hermannsson was born on June 22, 1928. He is the son of Hermann Jonasson and Vigdis Steingrimsdottir. He married first (divorced) Ragnheidur Hermannsson, and secondly Gudlaugur Hermannsson in 1962. He has four sons and two daughters. He was educated at the Technological Institutes of Illinois and California. He became Prime Minister of Iceland, 1983–1988 and again in September 1988 onward.
GUINEA BISSAU
President Joao Bernardo Vieira
IRELAND
Prime Minister Charles J. Haughey
Charles James Haughey was born on September 16, 1925, in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. He is the son of Commandant John Haughey and Sarah Anne McWilliams. He has been married to Maureen Lemass since 1951 and has three sons and one daughter. He has been Prime Minister since February 1987. / Memorie.al
Continued in the next issue
