By DASHNOR KALOÇI
Part Three
Memorie.al/ Fully 35 years ago, in early January 1991, when not even two or three weeks had passed since the proclamation of pluralism in Albania and the first opposition parties had been formed, the government of Prime Minister Ylli Bufi, which had almost entirely replaced the “Çarçani” cabinet, within the framework of the reforms undertaken at that time and the opening of Albania to the outside world, had also begun to respond positively to the numerous invitations addressed to official Tirana for the country’s representation in various international activities. Such was the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, which would be held in early February of that year, attended by numerous personalities from political and economic life from all over the world, such as heads of state, prime ministers, ministers, prominent businessmen and entrepreneurs, members of various organizations from five continents, etc.
In this context, the Albanian government of Prime Minister Ylli Bufi had decided to be represented at the highest level, sending there the Secretary General of the Prime Minister’s Office, Fatos Nano, Doctor of Economic Sciences, a well-known economist and lecturer at the State University of Tirana, who, besides being part of the government cabinet from December 1990 and the coordinator and responsible for the economic reform of that cabinet, had also made a great name for himself at that time through several interviews given to Radio “Voice of America,” etc.
But how was it possible for Fatos Nano to go to that international forum where Albania, having just emerged from 45 years of communist rule, was represented for the first time? Who were some of the high-profile personalities that Fatos Nano met at the Davos World Economic Forum, and what were the impressions they had about the small communist country in the Balkans, most of whom hardly knew it at all, or had heard very little about it? What did they suggest and promise to the head of the Albanian delegation, Fatos Nano, and what were the conditions set for Albania in the context of the aid that would be given to it?
How and why did Albania’s further participation in the Davos World Forum fail in June of that year, and what is said in the strained correspondence between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the organizers of that economic activity, regarding the low level at which Albania would be represented there? Regarding this, etc., several archival documents recently extracted from the Archive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs inform us, which are published for the first time with the relevant facsimiles by Memorie.al
Continued from the previous issue
TELEGRAM FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN TIRANA, SENT TO THE ALBANIAN DIPLOMATIC MISSION IN GENEVA, REGARDING THE COMPOSITION OF THE ALBANIAN DELEGATION THAT WOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE DAVOS WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
TELEGRAM ON THE REPRESENTATION OF ALBANIA (MAY 24, 1991)
TO: GENEVA MISSION
No.: 25
From: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Inform the organizers that at the Meeting of the World Economic Forum, our country will be represented by:
Shkëlqim Cani, Vice-Chairman of the Council of Ministers.
Zydi Pepa, Minister, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers.
Tirana, May 24, 1991
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
TELEGRAM FROM THE ALBANIAN DIPLOMATIC MISSION IN GENEVA, SENT TO THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN TIRANA, REGARDING THE REQUEST FROM THE ORGANIZERS OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM TO SEND THE CVs OF SHKËLQIM CANI AND ZYDI PEPS
REQUEST FOR CURRICULUM VITAE (MAY 29, 1991)
TELEX / FAX URGENT
2164 MPJ AB | 412278 MALB CH
Classification: VERY URGENT
TO: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
For: Comrade B. PITARKA
(For information also to comrade Sokrat Plaka)
Lustig, at the World Economic Forum, urgently requests the “Curriculum Vitae” of Comrade Shkëlqim Cani and Zydi Pepa, which they will include in the special publication that comes out on Friday, May 31, 1991.
These can be sent directly by fax to this number: (41 22) 786 27 44 or by telex to number: 413 289, for the attention of Mr. Dirk Lustig. Likewise, send the data for visas to these same numbers.
May 29, 1991
GENEVA MISSION
TELEGRAM FROM THE ORGANIZERS OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM, SENT TO THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN TIRANA, TO SEND THE CVs OF SHKËLQIM CANI AND ZYDI PEPE
DIRECT LETTER FROM THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM (MAY 30, 1991)
REF: 3812
DATE: 910530 (May 30, 1991)
TIME: 15:16
TO: Mr. PITARKA, DIRECTOR FOR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
FROM: WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM, GENEVA (413289 WEF CH)
Dear Mr. Pitarka,
For our Central and Eastern European Economic Summit, we urgently need the Curriculum Vitae of Shkëlqim Cani, Vice-President of the Council of Ministers, and Zydi Pepa, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers (Deadline: Friday morning, 12:00 noon).
Please send them to us by fax. Our fax number is: (41 22) 786 27 44 and our telephone number is: (41 22) 736 92 43.
We were informed by the Albanian Mission in Geneva that you could help us in this matter.
Thanking you for your support, respectfully yours,
DIRK LUSTIG
Summit Coordinator
TELEGRAM FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN TIRANA, SENT TO THE ALBANIAN DIPLOMATIC MISSION IN GENEVA, WITH THE CVs OF SHKËLQIM CANI AND ZYDI PEPE, WHO WOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE DAVOS FORUM
DATA FOR THE CVs SENT FROM TIRANA (MAY 31, 1991)
Protocol No.: 5848
Classification: Urgent
TO: GENEVA MISSION
Inform Mr. Lustig of the “World Economic Forum,” regarding the Curriculum Vitae of the two comrades as follows:
Shkëlqim Cani: Date of birth: May 6, 1956, place of birth: Tirana, profession: economist. Has been General Director of the Bank for Foreign Relations, currently Vice-Chairman of the Council of Ministers.
Zydi Pepa: Date of birth: March 12, 1946, place of birth: Tirana, profession: agricultural economist. Has been a university professor, currently Minister – Secretary General of the Council of Ministers.
Tirana, May 31, 1991
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
TELEGRAM FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN TIRANA, SENT TO THE ALBANIAN DIPLOMATIC MISSION IN GENEVA, REGARDING THE REASONS FOR THE NON-PARTICIPATION OF SHKËLQIM CANI AND ZYDI PEPE IN THE DAVOS WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
INSTRUCTION ON NON-PARTICIPATION DUE TO THE FALL OF THE GOVERNMENT (JUNE 8, 1991)
Protocol No.: 4056
TO: GENEVA MISSION
Due to the resignation of the Government and the fact that the new government has not yet been formed, inform the World Economic Forum that we are unable to participate with the delegation previously notified from Albania.
Ask them to understand our situation. Also notify them of the participation of comrades Kadri Cenko and Vaso Pilo.
Tirana, June 8, 1991
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
TELEGRAM FROM THE ALBANIAN DIPLOMATIC MISSION IN GENEVA, SENT TO THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN TIRANA, REGARDING THE APPROVAL BY THE ORGANIZERS OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM FOR THE LIMITED PARTICIPATION OF THE ALBANIAN DELEGATION IN THE JUNE MEETING
TELEGRAM ON THE APPROVAL OF LIMITED PARTICIPATION (JUNE 8, 1991)
TELEX / FAX
2164 MPJ AB | 412278 MALB CH
Classification: VERY URGENT
TO: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
For: COMRADE MUHAMET KAPLLANI
No.: 3559
According to the instruction received, we informed the World Forum regarding the impossibility of participation of the comrades who were planned for the Forum meeting that begins tomorrow afternoon, and regarding my participation and that of comrade Vaso Pilo.
They showed understanding and approved our partial participation in the Forum’s activities, where the minimum level is that of minister.
We will participate in the dinner given tomorrow, in the informal discussions on Monday, as well as in the official lunch on Monday. Albania’s participation will be officially announced.
The Forum’s representatives told us that under the circumstances created in our country, understanding will also be shown by the participants that Albania cannot be represented at the required level. They said that they could organize a special meeting for Albania in the autumn.
KADRI CENKO
MISSION, GENEVA, JUNE 8, 1991
TELEGRAM FROM THE ALBANIAN DIPLOMATIC MISSION IN GENEVA, SENT TO THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN TIRANA, REGARDING THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
COMPLETE REPORT OF THE DELEGATION AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE FORUM (JUNE 10, 1991)
TELEX / FAX
2164 MPJ AB | 412278 MALB CH
TO: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
For: COMRADE MUHAMET KAPLLANI
On June 9 and 10, 1991, the High-Level Economic Meeting of Central and Eastern Europe, organized by the World Economic Forum, was held in Geneva.
High state personalities from Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, and Romania (mainly ministers of economy, finance, planning, etc.) participated, as well as high representatives of Western states and important economic, commercial, and financial circles of the world. From our country, I and comrade Vaso Pilo participated as invitees, but only in part of the program.
Specifically, in the receptions and working tables, where opinions were exchanged in an organized manner about the situation and problems of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, including Albania, but not in the official discussions where the heads of delegations spoke. Nevertheless, our country’s participation was officially announced. Various participants expressed regret that our country could not be represented at the desired level.
In the activities where we participated, answering various questions, I spoke about the political, economic, and social situation in our country, about the achievements, current difficulties, and the development perspective.
I also answered specific questions regarding the democratization of life, the progress of reform, the short-term and long-term needs of the country, privatization, foreign investments, legal guarantees for foreign activities in Albanian territory, etc. There was also interest in relations with neighbors, in Albania’s political orientation, integration into Europe, etc.
From the contacts I had with various personalities and representatives, the following issues emerged:
Janez Drnovšek (Member of the Presidency of Yugoslavia): Expressed hope that with the creation of the new Albanian government, it would be possible to encourage contacts and develop discussions between our two countries.
Janez Sirše (Head of the Slovenian Cabinet in the Federal Presidency of Yugoslavia): Said it would be useful for Albania to establish contacts with Croatia as well as with Slovenia, which is a friend of Albania.
Dr. Manfred Nayer (Advisor to the Director of the “Daniel Swarovski Corporation” diamond firm, based in Austria): Said they are working with European financiers with the aim of helping to make the Albanian currency convertible. In his opinion, this should be done on the basis of the Swiss franc rather than the dollar or DM, adding that it cannot even be imagined that Switzerland would have colonial aspirations towards Albania.
Åke Lindén (Special Advisor to the Director General of GATT): Told me that Albania remains the only European country that has no contact with GATT. Referring to the current discussions of Bulgaria with GATT regarding its accession, he suggested that Albania act in the same way and encouraged me to establish contacts at GATT. These contacts could lead to the initiation of negotiations for our country’s membership in GATT, and since these negotiations require some time, they should begin as soon as possible.
Rudolf Hoffmann (Deputy Director of UNICEF): Expressed readiness to help our country, especially the most vulnerable layers of society, children and mothers. Damaging these layers today – he said – will have consequences for the future and will require a very high cost. He said they plan to send a mission to Tirana to determine priorities and needs.
We also had contacts with other representatives of states and economic and financial organizations. In discussions with Forum representatives, the idea also emerged to organize a special meeting for Albania in the autumn of 1991 or the following year, like those the Forum has planned for the Soviet Union, China, Hungary, etc.
In my opinion, participation at a high level would have had positive effects for the future of our country, as it would have made possible the establishment of direct contacts with potential investors, with banks and powerful financial and commercial corporations. Although understanding and goodwill were shown both by the Forum and other participants, a gap were felt, therefore I think that in the future, such activities should be followed with care and at the appropriate levels.
Regarding the problems that need to be pursued, we await your opinion for further action. / Memorie.al
KADRI CENKO
MISSION, GENEVA, JUNE 10, 1991
412278 MALB CH | 2164 MPJ ABMT
