Memorie.al / April 11, 1985, has been recorded by the propaganda of the time only through official footage. The most invisible part remains the reaction of anti-communists or the disgruntled, which is found in the reports of the State Security. Today I have chosen some comments from the Vlora district. In the reports of April–July 1985 by the head of the Vlora Internal Affairs Branch, Raqi Iftica, addressed to the 8th Department of the First Directorate of State Security at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, regarding slogans thrown in the first and second quarters of the year, concerning the death of Enver Hoxha, among other things it is stated:
“The hostile element and those with an anti-socialist stance, through hostile activity developed during this three-month period in the form of agitation and propaganda, have aimed to strike at Ramiz Alia, at the unity within its ranks, to obscure the work of Comrade Enver Hoxha, and to voice demands for a change of situation in our country.
Some of the slogans on the occasion of Enver Hoxha’s death:
– “A people’s assembly was held for the death of Comrade Enver Hoxha and some people fainted. But I didn’t feel sorry at all because he took our spirit and our livestock.”
– “We need to put some pepper in our eyes so that some tears come out, because my daughters died, the tears don’t come. But thank God that he died. God willing, the rest of us will be saved. Those who invented this system changed it, while he wanted to keep it until the end…! Brother, on the day Enver Hoxha died, he told me to go home because these have become like beasts, so that this wave wouldn’t kidnap me.”
– “I knew in advance that he would die, but with Enver Hoxha’s death we are saved, because he had taken our breath away.”
– “Enver Hoxha denied the comrades he worked and fought with his entire life. When Ramiz Alia spoke, he did not mention the class struggle at all…”
– “Ramiz Alia won’t last more than 2-3 years. If he is smart, he will change the course, otherwise he will capitulate.”
– “Don’t pay attention to the loud noise and the shouts, because back then in Russia, for Stalin, they did the same, then they sang a different tune. Therefore, slowly, slowly, because this one who was placed now (Ramiz Alia), he is from the highlands and his eyes will be towards Serbia.”
– “The last one is gone, Enver Hoxha died. Now there is no one to hold it together. These will start eating each other’s heads…”
“I am very glad that Enver Hoxha died. I have been waiting for this death for 15 years, because he was a killer…! Now it is not known who will take the government in hand. In the government, they will kill each other for power and the division will begin. That way, people will be free to go where they want.”
– “The situation in our country after the death of Enver Hoxha will change, because only 3 months have passed. Khrushchev changed it after 3 years. Khrushchev took an oath, but he later turned the situation around. This will happen with us as well, because historically it has never been seen that a system lasts so long.
Even this one who was chosen now as first secretary, if he continues like the first one, there is nothing in store. Ramiz Alia cannot make an immediate turn; at least a year will pass. Now he is trying to consolidate his position, to create support among the people and everywhere. Enver Hoxha was very cunning, he eliminated Mehmet Shehu overnight.”
“We have no economy. The people are dying for food. Like the water here in Albania, we Cham Albanians had olive oil…! Many people are pleased with Enver Hoxha’s death, because people used to have 300-400 head of livestock, while today they wait for meat day like it’s something special. We are suffering a lot from the economic situation, but the salary doesn’t come out. They all lie. I’d rather be in prison than be free.”
– “Enver Hoxha died. Now we will be better off, because the one who will come to power will open the prison doors and they will release us from internment. I am certain that the system will be destroyed and one won’t recognize the other…!
By the internment that our government did, it would show how strong it was, but if there were 5 armed men, I know how strong these would be. They talk about the progress of the country, but what progress is there here, when this is the most backward countries in the world…! Even for us internees, our time will come.”
– “Even Ramiz Alia, if he continues like the one who died, there is nothing in store. But why doesn’t he connect with America, because it has abundance…?! I have seen on television that abroad people live well, while these give us the opposite…”
– “No big deal that Enver Hoxha died. I am now enjoying the view because it’s not getting late for me. Next year, you will see the smoke from these at the 9th Party Congress… there will soon be a change of the situation (system) and even the prisoners will be released…! We are suffering a lot economically. The salary no longer comes out. I’d rather be in prison than free.”
– “Enver Hoxha only built palaces and the shops remained empty and we have nothing to eat…! It’s good that Enver Hoxha died. If he had died earlier, Mehmet Shehu would be alive and he would distribute the livestock again…! The people are dying for food…! Ramiz Alia won’t last more than 2-3 months.”
– “It was beautiful to see how fear entered the hearts of all these and they became like rabbits, because all their strength was in the one who died.” / Memorie.al
