By Erald Kapri
Memorie.al / “America is the best country in the world”! This expression is not even accepted by many Americans, but for Albanians, it is a postulate. At the height of the Cold War and, moreover, in the most uncertain moments for Albania, Americans have always been behind the door, ready to do anything for Albanians. Only one month after the break with the Soviet Union and the possible rapprochement with China, the sitting US President John F. Kennedy and his administration drafted a foreign policy toward Albania. This Kennedy foreign policy had several main pillars.
First, the silent acceptance of Albania’s rapprochement with China, in order to detach it from Soviet influence. Second, opening economic and trade paths toward Albania, whenever it might request them, and bringing Albania closer to non-communist countries.
Third, imposing upon neighboring countries that they abandon the “hands off” (do nothing) policy toward Albania. Fourth, the US would be open to any request for rapprochement from Albania’s side.
Fifth, and most importantly, in case of emergency and if China could not sufficiently support Albania, and if it faced a survival crisis, the Americans would ensure that Albanians would not experience such a thing.
And of course, Enver Hoxha’s communist state had no intention of approaching the historical allies of Albanians, as long as the communist leader’s paranoia dictated that his power was at risk.
The full document of the change in US foreign policy after the breakdown of Albanian-Soviet relations:
Department of State, February 1, 1962
Memorandum for the President
Subject: Foreign policy orientation regarding the situation in Albania.
This document has circulated among members of the National Security Council, and they agreed at the meeting of January 26 on the principles of this recommended policy. These proposals provide guidelines for dealing with the problem raised by the current situation in Albania, as a point of reflection in the conflict between China and the Soviets. The Department of State and Defense have closely followed developments in Albania and have planned for any contingency that may arise.
For your information, these are the relevant points;
“In the interest of our course… The United States of America will not become openly or directly involved with the current regime, or in the relations between the Albanian regime and Moscow or Peking. Therefore, the US should:
A – Tacitly accept the development of relations between Albania and China and leave the burden of Albanian support to China at this stage.
B – Continue to remain formally and publicly cool toward normal or controversial Albanian relations that may arise along the way.
C – Avoid initiatives for establishing diplomatic relations between the US and Albania, and respond cautiously and reservedly to any Albanian initiative.
D – Avoid any propaganda activity on our part toward Albania, as well as any other effort to instigate propaganda in other countries regarding Albania’s controversial stance.
E – Ignore any harshness from Albania toward the US.
F – Quietly allow Albanian trade and any sales to the US under the same conditions as those allowed for other Soviet satellite countries from Eastern Europe, with the exception of Poland.
G – Favor any opportunity for increased trade between NATO member countries and Albania, should the Albanian authorities request it, but at this stage on strict trade bases (no additional trade credits), or if corresponding agreements can be worked out. In this regard, we should work within the NATO Council on trade matters affecting Albania.
H – Favor the expansion of diplomatic relations between Albania and non-communist states, provided that it is not suggested that these countries have any plan to try to gain advantage over Albania. On this matter as well, we should involve the NATO Council.
I – Prepare to consider any emergency that would adopt possible measures toward Albania through a third party if a crisis involves Albania, always provided that Peking does not provide adequate support for Albania’s survival.
J – Continue consultations with the Greek, Yugoslav, and Italian governments regarding the situation in Albania, and in this framework, make clear the US concern regarding any attempt by any of them to abandon any policy toward Albania.” / Memorie.al
Secretary of State
