By Alma Mile
Part Two
Memorie.al / Although he had declared that he had withdrawn from politics and was dedicated to church activity, Fan Noli never really separated from it. We see this in the years ’45, ’46, ’47, in a correspondence that he had with Enver Hoxha. From what we read, Noli was an intermediary between Albania and the United States, so that Albania could be accepted into the United Nations Organization, into UNRRA, or in establishing relations with the United States. Noli reports to Enver Hoxha, all the latest actions in the United States, regarding these issues, but also others. It was clear that he was a supporter of Hoxha’s policy, but he was very interested in establishing Albania’s relations with America.
This correspondence is part of a work that is undoubtedly one of the most interesting entries in the book market recently. It is about “Fan Noli’s Correspondence”, a work prepared by the researcher Nasho Jorgaqi and published by the publishing house “Erik”. There are 544 letters that Fan Noli sent to various personalities, Albanians and foreigners, politicians and clergy, friends and family, but also their responses, which speak volumes about his personality. According to the researcher Jorgaqi, the realization of this work required many years of work and research in archives.
Continued from the previous issue
Fan Noli’s telegram to Enver Hoxha
May 28, 1946
Your three messages that Minister Plenipotentiary Hysni Kapo sent me from Belgrade on April 10th reached me today, May 28th. Due to this delay, further explanations are urgently needed. First, whether from your point of view the treaties of the past regimes will remain unchanged.
Second, which treaties in general and which points in particular do you consider unacceptable.
Third, whether you have explained your view of the treaties and points to the United States government in writing. Fourth, whether your three messages are for my guidance only, or whether I may publish them or communicate them to the departments or delegations concerned.
I tell you with regret that John Nasse and his gangsters, of the so-called Committee of “Free Albania,” are conducting secret correspondence and collaborating with reactionaries and fascists abroad, for the overthrow of your democratic regime.
Before the war they tried very hard to bring here the renegade Bishop Pandelimon Kotoko and to place him at the head of the Orthodox Church in America.
The head of the French delegation, Alexandre Parodi, a famous hero of the French resistance, who now serves as president of the Security Council, showed a marked interest in my detailed explanation of your strong struggle against the common enemy and of the agrarian reform which you have carried out after the liberation of your homeland.
He suggested to me the speedy adjustment of your differences with the United States and Great Britain, as a necessary condition for the admission of Albania to membership in the United Nations.
Bishop Fan Noli
Letter from Sejfulla Malëshova to Fan Noli
Tirana, 27-VIII-‘45
Your Grace, Enver Hoxha, I and the entire government are of the opinion that your arrival in Albania would be a great fortune for Albania. Thus, not only would your entire patriotic past be crowned, but our country would have, in the current situation, a great moral and political help.
I am sure that the Albanian people, who today have put their fate in their hands, will honor you properly and will give you the place you deserve.
In the near future, perhaps by the end of October, we will have elections for the Foundation Assembly. It would be very good if you came to Albania on this occasion, even if only temporarily. In any case, please write to me what you think about your arrival in Albania.
I am sending you this letter through a friend of mine, because I am sure that it will reach you. If you wish to reply to me, please send the letter to me by this means.
We all look forward to hearing from you!
Greetings, with respect!
Sejfulla Malëshova
Fan Noli’s Letter to Enver Hoxha
Prime Minister Enver Hoxha
Tirana, Albania, 1945
The Albanians of the United States and I, together with them, have followed your heroic war with deep emotion and are overjoyed beyond words for your brilliant successes. We feel proud of you, because you are the only military leader in this war who managed to liberate the country from foreign occupation, with your own forces, without the help of any friendly liberation army; you are also one of the few governments that can stand on its own two feet, unsupported by friendly armies of occupation.
Furthermore, we wholeheartedly approve of your policy of close cooperation with Yugoslavia and its great leader, Marshal Tito, under whose inspiring leadership we hope to have a Federation of all the peoples of the Balkans, thus establishing a lasting peace on our troubled peninsula.
Please convey my heartfelt greetings to all your colleagues who have participated in your crusade so difficult and so skillfully and to all the Albanian people who have stood steadfastly and faithfully by your side.
May God bless you all?
Bishop F.S. Noli
Letter from Enver Hoxha to Fan Noli
September 25, 1945
Dear Mr. Noli,
The heartfelt message you sent me touched me greatly and I thank you. For me, for my comrades in the war and for the entire Albanian people, your words express the high patriotic feelings and reflect the democratic spirit of our beloved brothers in America and yours, who were their soul and pride.
In the suffering of our people, in the fierce fire for liberation. Where we threw all our strength without reserve for the sacred cause of the homeland and humanity, we kept in our hearts the memory and love for you, our brothers in America, who at every moment fought for our sacred and common homeland.
Our heroic people who gave excellent evidence in this war, with great faith in their own forces, have devoted themselves to the work of building a prosperous future. And in our efforts to achieve this goal, we will be happy that you, as a tireless fighter for Albanian independence and democracy, are in the warm embrace of your people, to provide your invaluable assistance and to crown the valuable efforts in the homeland where the ideals of the people triumphed.
I would like your name to appear alongside ours in the upcoming elections for the Constituent Assembly, and for the Albanian people to freely and democratically sanction our joint efforts and deeds. Just as we have always been united in our struggle, so we will be now and forever for the good of our beloved people and for the protection of the peace of humanity.
General-Colonel
Enver Hoxha
Letter from Fan Noli to Enver Hoxha
I received with great pleasure your warm and generous message, as well as the letter from my good friend and colleague Sejfulla Malëshova. I would very much like to be there with you, but today I cannot, because travel is limited, besides there are other obstacles…! I may visit you after Easter, so I will meet my old friends again.
I have many reasons that prevent me from running for office in Albania. I assure you that you have my full support and that you can use my name in the electoral campaign, so that the people vote for the Front. Along with this, I ask you to contact me for anything I can do on this matter. I wish you and your colleague’s success, as you deserve, in the election for the Constituent Assembly.
God be with you.
Bishop Fan Noli
Letter from Fan Noli to Archbishop Kristofor Kisi
25.X.1945
Now that conditions permit, I am sending my warmest greetings to you and your fellow members of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania as well as to the entire Clergy.
I thank you very much for your valuable assistance that you have given to the Democratic Government of General Enver Hoxha. We are convinced that you will remain loyal to him and the Democratic Front and will help to strengthen the Government, which is with the people and works for the people.
Bishop Fan Noli
Fan Noli’s message to Enver Hoxha
March 27, 1946
According to the “New York Times”, dated March 25, Albania was denied admission to UNRRA by 23 votes to 6. Several countries voted against because Albania is not a member of the UN.
The Greek delegate stood up against Albania’s admission, 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 admitted.
Assistant Secretary of State Bill Clayton said that America is against the admission of Albania, only because America has not recognized Albania, because Albania does not ensure that it has the right to respect treaties with America.
We fear that the Albanian request for admission to the UNO will have the same fate, unless a decision is made to gain America’s support by giving it full satisfaction on the issue of treaties. Memorie.al
Bishop Fan Noli
Continued in the next issue
