Dashnor Kaloçi
Part thirteen
Memorie.al publishes a voluminous archival file issued by the institution of the Authority for Information of Former State Security Files, where there are hundreds of documents with the logo “Top secret” belonging to the former political prisoner, Xhavit Qesja, originally from the city of Kruja, whose family during the period of occupation of the country, 1939-1944, was closely associated with the Anti-Fascist Movement, being one of its main bases and made available all the wealth it had, as Xhavit was one of the first members of the Albanian Communist Party for the Kruja district, leading the Kruja-Ishëm partisan battalion and the 22nd Assault Brigade. Xhavit Qese’s political career after the end of the War, where he was appointed and served in senior positions in the Albanian Army, the apparatus of the Central Committee of the ALP, and several districts of the country, from where he was sent to study in the Soviet Union, where stayed until 1957, when he was announced to return to Albania urgently, after openly expressing his views in favor of the political line being pursued by the main Kremlin leader, Nikita Khrushchev, condemning the Stalin cult. Enver Hoxha’s conversation with Xhavit Qesen in his office in the Central Committee, where he sharply criticized him for the wrong views he had expressed during his studies in Moscow, urging him to reflect and make self-criticism, but Xhavit rejected the suggestion of the first secretary of the Albanian Labor Party, which caused him to no longer be allowed to go to the Soviet Union to complete his studies, but to be sent to work as deputy chairman of the Elbasan Executive Committee, from where a year later, he was expelled from the Party and exiled to Zvërnec Island, where the communist regime kept isolated some of the former senior party and state cadres whom he had condemned for their anti-party views. Xhavit Qesva’s long ordeal and persecution from 1957 to 1990, where he spent a full 32 years in prison and internment, being one of the few convicts in Burrell Prison who went on long hunger strikes in protest of the treatment and savage attitude of the communist regime of Enver Hoxha towards him. The complete form, investigative and judicial file in charge of Xhavit Qeses, which is published for the first time by Memorie.al, which contains the documents of the former State Security that reflect the prosecution and wiretapping against him, the reports of Security collaborators with pseudonyms their correspondence with the letters he sent to the highest party and state instances, as well as the highest leaders of the ALP, until 1991 when he was released from prison!
Continued from the previous issue
Information report of the State Security Operational Worker, Captain Maliq Mersini, with the data of the Security collaborator with the nickname “Vigilant”, regarding the conversations that the internees had on the Island of Zvërnec
Taken from P.O. Captain M. Mersini
Given by B.p. The “Observer”
Vlora on 18 / II / 1959
R A P O R T
During the proceedings of the 21st Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, issues of lack of political reprisals in the USSR were discussed here in particular, linking this to the measures that can be taken here in Albania, after the return of our delegation, especially our release, the issue of the proposal, to remove the expulsion from the party as a punitive measure, commenting on this, as a true expression of democracy, the issue of the fact that no other person has joined Malenkov’s anti-party group with friends like and the issue of soft-spookiness, in relation to Yugoslavia and the condemnation of revisionism in general.
Gjovalin Luka, speaking to me about the Tirana Conference, told me that: before Enver Hoxha came with Mehmet Shehu, the Conference had applauded all the discussions that spoke against the party line and that it had cut off the speech, to all those who had appeared, but that Beqir Balluku had been cut off, several times when he had intervened, like Ndoc Mazi’s brother, when he had answered Enver, telling him that I was not the master. The conference had applauded and that the people were stunned, as the Commander had said that as some women, of some comrades in Korça, had said, this hostile work is organized. When I asked him if Ndoc Mazi’s brother had been interned, he said: This has been massive, against who measures should have been taken before!
Peço Fidhi, told me that everyone lapped at that time, but we ate it, which exposed us more. For example, he said that Mehmet Terihati, Petro Tako, Skënder Malile, Isan Budo, Agron Çela have gathered several times, but no measures were taken for them. Speaking about Sejfulla Malëshova in Fier, Peçoja told me that Sejfulla had shown his biography in Fier and that he added that he had heard that he had been removed from Ballshi in Fier, that he had gone on a hunger strike, when I told him that these were anti-manifestations -power, told me that strikes have occurred in China and Poland, other than that they were not published. Speaking one day about Dali Ndreu and Liri Gega, he told me that they were very popular and how they had chosen Peço, the fabric for the costume. When once the case of Hulusi Spahiu’s son fell, he said that he is a boy who does not have a friend, that he had met him in Fier with 50,000 all in his hands.
Gjovalin Luka and Pëllumb Dishnica, talking about the posts, said that they are Lekaxhij, that they do not work with inspiration, that why nothing of theirs attracts you. Gjovalini told with a laugh how Luan Qafzezi, Mark Gurakuqi and Llazar Siliqi had made jokes in Pogradec, writing poems when they lacked money, and even publishing the poems of their friends, with their names. Speaking about the N.Çl war, in the Shkodra Region, Gjovalini said: The war was damaged by the directive of the Central Committee that gave, to leave the terrain of Shkodra and to be thrown in Kosovo, where the liberation found us.
Taking Nako Spiro by the mouth, Gjovalini said that: he was a great feminist, on the occasion of his birthday, an artist had come to Gjovalin’s house, who was Nako’s lover, who after getting drunk with brandy, started crying with him big, for Nako and lay down on the mattress.
Speaking about the gastronomy of Moscow, Peço Fidhi and Xhavit Qesja said that “it is only for professors and senior officials”, that their salaries are excessive. Peço, talking about the self-service restaurant, where his bread was stolen, added that in Moscow and Leningrad, you have to look four, that there were many thefts.
Xhaviti, speaking of the Party school in Moscow, said that Soviet students did not study, read novels at the time of study, and that they said openly that they had been forcibly brought to school. Talking about Meserejen (the resident of the novel ‘History of Man’), who after graduating from the Party school, was enrolled in the University of Mathematics, said that there are many people who do so, go to school and then grow old and retire , miracle added, find more comfortable.
Xhafer Vokshi and Xhavit, talking about Aqif Lleshi as a traitor, mercenary of any regime, etc., pointed out that although he was unmasked as a tool of the Yugoslav Trotskyists, he took refuge in Albania, he is comfortable in Tirana. Xhaviti added that, even his son, was an officer of UDB and according to our press, he committed crimes, while now he is in the middle of Tirana, even better than Eshref Ruço, who has crossed the border 10 times and even took his wife, there illegally. The pigeon was better said that way, with everyone and with no one. Often jokingly, Xhavit and Pëllumbi play the role of the dalkauk and the servile, saying: How to order lords, and Pëllumbi responds, Aqif Aga is fine (making an illusion for Aqif Lleshi). When Xhaferi told him that it is not known what card is being played with him, Xhaviti replied, I know that in our press, Xhaferi was considered a criminal and a traitor, he replied: O hu, what does the press say! The same joke is made with Rasim Tahiri.
When Peço Fidhi’s wife, Sabaheti, came and said to her husband: You have many greetings from Fiqret in Fier, he told me that when I left I would go to him, to get some packs of cigarettes, which he would send to you, but he did not I wanted to get myself in trouble. Peçoja told him I know, stop these conversations and blushed.
There are two months that only in the evening and in the morning, when we eat bread we gather together, because they walk and young people are separated in groups. In one group, they always stay together: Rasim Tahiri, Peço Fidhi and Xhafer Vokshi, while Pëllumb Dishnica stays with Xhavit Qesen, while Gjovalin Luka and Nuri Huta stay alone.
On New Year’s Eve, we bought wine and brandy, Xhaferi and Gjovalini had prepared satirical poems about each of us.
One morning, Rasim hid the marmalade ration, saying that the command had not brought us marmalade, and then when we lay down at the table, he took it out. Then Peçoja said to him, in front of everyone: He does not do well with these jokes, because out of dissatisfaction, we can say a word and there may be someone among us who is ready to report to Vlora and then to Vlora in Tirana.
The “observer”
Operating mast:
To be printed in 6 copies, one to be given to Colonel Jonuz, the others to be placed in the files of each.
Operational Workshop
N / Colonel (Raqi Zavalani)
Information report of the State Security Operational Worker, Captain Maliq Mersini, with the data of the Security collaborator with the nickname “Vigilant”, regarding the conversations that the internees had on the Island of Zvërnec
Taken from P.O. Captain M. Mersini
Given by B.p. “Vigilant”
Tirana, on 18 / II / 1959
R A P O R T
From 11 to 18 / II / 1959
During this time, the following issues were discussed by the following persons:
Xhavit Qesja, his attitude regarding the divorce from his wife, Xhavit is a little shocked, but he does not show the shock in words, but he does not speak, he smokes more and he has started to suffer from insomnia. But regarding the separation with his wife, Xhaviti, he was prepared for this, this is confirmed by his attitude, when he was communicated by Captain Maliq Mersini, to whom he said that, I am ready, if you want even now, to make the statement, I do not need a deadline and finally said, and if I am to appear in court, I do not appear. Xhavit’s stay, that the day he was isolated in Zvërnec, made only a telegram to his wife, where he told her that he was in the district of Vlora, this telegram was without an address, with this he made it clear that he should not be interested and his wife for him, but to look after the children and himself, that if he is interested, there will be consequences, on the other hand, the very time of 7 months, without connection with the family, shows that Xhaviti was prepared for the separation and welcomed him such a thing, therefore he has not so far uttered any word, to condemn the attitude of his wife, for this action. So far, Xhavit’s attitude is a little more upset than before when he had not received communication.
Other comments about Xhavit’s divorce from his wife are as follows:
Pëllumb Dishnica, I condemn the attitude of Xhavit’s friend, he felt very sorry for Xhavit and says that he was left alone, because even with the old man, Xhavit was separated. Pellumbi also told Rasim Tahiri, on 12 / II / 1959, that there were dirty people who did not leave him alone, but asked for them either with the Party or with Xhavit.
Gjovalin Luka, told Rasim Tahiri, on 12 / II / 1959, on this issue, that the separation of the woman with Xhavit, is prepared, that is, that Xhavit has talked to Meriban before, that in case you see work badly, you will decide to separate, you condemn Meriban’s attitude.
Peço Fidhi, talking to Rasim and Xhafer Vokshi, on the issue of Xhavit’s divorce from his wife, said: Xhavit was prepared for this issue and this is confirmed by the response he gave to the Captain for the statement. It is understood that now 7 months, he has no connection with the family, from no expenses, he does not spend any money, and therefore he has been prepared. He is very sorry for Xhavit, who came out of this case, saying that now he is left alone and it is to mourn him. Regarding the separation, Peço says that it does not make sense for Xhavit to be interned and his wife in the Party, therefore for the separation made by his wife, he was encouraged by the Party, either in the Party or with Xhavit, because that is what Peço says, they also acted with Sabahet, but neither Xhavit nor Meriban was impressed by the separation, that Xhavit was also separated from his father. Peçoja said that Xhavit approves of Meriban’s decision, that while staying in the Party, Meriban supports himself and his children; Xhavit agrees that they should not suffer anything for Xhavit and this is shown by Xhavit’s attitude, now 7 months.
Xhafer Vokshi, also talking to Peço Fidhi and Rasim Tahiri, made such comments as you did Peçoja, said that Xhavit was prepared for this job, Xhavit’s own stay, now 7 months, not even writing Xhaviti and she did not send any letter, this shows that they both talked from the beginning when the first measures were taken against Xhaviti, especially since he was removed as Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee, therefore they have regulated the matters that first. Xhavit has been complaining about his wife for 7 months now, why he is not interested in her, it means that he approves every decision she will make, therefore everyone’s opinion is that Xhavit has been prepared for this job, therefore he does not get upset, he does not make political conversations, but he walks in the forest by himself.
Gjovalini Luka, when he was ill for the first and second time, the words were reported that Gjovalini insulted the leadership of the Ministry of Interior and all Security organs, regarding the last time, that he insulted all organs of Security, regarding the last time Gjovalini used, banal words are these: Everyone is humiliated, starting from the Captain to the Minister. They do not believe that I am sick, they make fun of my illness, they have no human soul at all, they are barbarians, and then he used many banal words swearing. That these do not want to know at all about my illness.
On the evening of the 11th, Gjovalini wanted to send a telegram to the Minister of Interior, in which you say: I have been ill for 7 months now, I need tests, order the Vlora Branch to do the tests, the cures I also do it at my own expense, but he did not, after consulting with Nuri Huta. In this case, being upset, he spoke again such words: Captain nor Branch, are not scratching their heads for me, do not believe that I am sick, until they look at me in the last degree, dying.
During this time, Rasim Tahiri was also present; these issues were discussed by Peço Fidhi and Xhafer Vokshi. Peço Fidhi, talking to Rasim, says that: The Tirana Conference was not prepared and organized by the Yugoslavs, as the Party says, but the Party is interested in saying that it was organized by the Yugoslavs, as those issues that were raised at the Conference of Tirana, the Party Members had their own opinions. Not pushed by the Yugoslavs, Peço told Rasim that they had discussed anti-party issues with about 50-60 people, but did not name them.
Peçoja, says that in the spirit of the 21st Congress of P.K. of B.S. in which it was said that revisionism was crushed, I believe they will set us free. Peçoja says that the Party itself is to blame, which led me to become an enemy of the party, because it does not treat me well. As for Xhavit’s coronation, I give that opinion.
Meriban’s decision to separate Xhavit is right, but in addition, Meriban must decide to tell the Party what they know about Xhavit, if he does not tell the Party, it means that the decision to separate Xhavit , has this purpose: That the Party does not ask Meriban what they know about Xhavit, but only what coronation. By dividing Xhavit, Meribani should stay in the Party and in the state responsibility that he has today, in a word, no action should be taken, in case Meribani, I will not tell the Party, it means that Xhavit and Meribani are prepared for the separation in time, therefore Xhavit’s wife, Meriban, should be asked what she knows about Xhavit. And I am of the opinion that Meribani, you know, after they went well, what would happen on Saturday, Xhaviti went home from Elbasan. Memorie.al
“VIGILANT”
The next issue follows
