Part Two
Memorie.al / The CIA have shown the major role that the Soviet Union played in communist Albania. In several documents classified as “Top Secret” but declassified for years, it is shown that the USSR built several important military bases, especially in the South of the country. There, details are given about the submarines that Moscow had on the island of Sazan and in the Bay of Vlorë, as well as air bases, such as those at Rinas, Kuçova, etc. Then, an overview of political developments is given, where the dismissal of the Minister of Defense, Beqir Balluku, in the summer of 1974, from all his functions in the army and the party, is mentioned. Likewise, a special place in the declassified CIA documents is given to those that discuss Albanian political emigrants in Yugoslavia, who were incorporated into the Committee of Prizren, initially led by Apostol Tanefi, and under the pressures of the UDBA, which recruited them through coercive measures, such as return to Albania, etc.
Continued from the previous issue
Internal Situation in the First Quarter of 1953
The number of Soviet citizens has increased significantly in recent months. The arrivals include male and female workers, drivers, and technicians. The technicians are employed in various activities of the country, including sanitary inspections. Sanitary inspectors have the power to close establishments that do not comply with their orders.
Many of the Soviets have brought their families with them. Among them, no particular reaction was observed after Stalin’s death, nor were there any sudden departures. After Stalin’s death, the Albanian government took additional measures for the maintenance of order, security, and borders.
Bridges and main roads were fortified with anti-tank weapons and heavy machine guns. Among the civilian population, no signs of unrest were observed. In the first part of the year, the Albanian press announced with fanfare the publication of an article by Enver Hoxha in the Russian daily *Pravda*.
The leadership also made great efforts to reassure the people about the strong friendship between Albania and the USSR. But in some cases, certain dependence was noticeable, and it seemed that these reassurances had been requested. That year, several trade and cultural agreements were signed with other communist countries.
These included agreements with Romania, Poland, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, and Hungary. Albania also maintains good relations with other communist countries, and several hundred officials and party members have left for the USSR and satellite countries for advanced training courses in the fields of mining, forestry, agriculture, construction, or other sciences.
State propaganda continues to portray Western countries as aggressors and instigators of wars. It also attacks the recent Balkan Pact, as well as Yugoslavia, for accusations of border violations and the sending of saboteurs and informants into Albania.
The government has reported the capture of a large number of spies and informants coming from Yugoslavia. Recently, the authorities have reported the killing or elimination of about 50 such persons in armed clashes.
Among the non-communist population, tension has been noted regarding Tito’s aims and those of Western countries to use Albania as a bargaining chip in Mediterranean policy. During this time, the communist authorities have placed emphasis on their media campaign for “the protection of state secrets.” This was interpreted by some circles as preparation for an important trial.
August 1950
Yugoslavia Hinders Albanian Repatriations
ATSH
Despite the accusations of the state news agency Tanjug on March 1, that Albania had violated the agreement regarding the repatriation of Yugoslav citizens, our country has continuously issued visas for Yugoslav citizens. Since October 1949, Albania has issued visas for 28 Yugoslav families, a total of 56 persons. Albanian authorities have even provided transport for them to the border.
On the other hand, the Yugoslav government is constantly hindering the repatriation of Albanian citizens there, since until October 1949, Yugoslav authorities had issued visas for only four Albanian citizens. The Yugoslav government is not only hindering repatriations but is also working to persuade Albanians in Yugoslavia to change their minds. The Albanian government has drawn the attention of its counterparts to this on eight occasions.
November 1950
Involvement of Albania in Yugoslavia
A serious disagreement has arisen within the Yugoslav government regarding the Albanian problem. Representatives of the pro-Tito Albanian committee of Kosovo have offended Serbs after their statements regarding Albanians living in Albania. In these, special emphasis was placed on the future borders of Albania and the possibility of its inclusion in the Yugoslav federation.
Serbia claims that the future map of the country should include some Albanian localities that historically and ethnically have been Serbian. The statements have also been opposed by Macedonian representatives. In the last week of July 1950, clashes occurred in Pristina between Serbs and Albanians of the region, during which two people were killed. In Ristovaç, Serbs are reported to have killed an Albanian who had mistreated Serbs during the war, when he had been with the German army.
February 1951
Visit of General Balluku to the Northern Border
General Beqir Balluku, accompanied by three Soviet officers, arrived in Kukës on February 5, 1951, for the purpose of inspecting border military installations. Police operations in the area were somewhat reduced during his visit, in order to provide the general with appropriate protection.
1952
Yugoslavia Denies Unilateral Intentions over Albania
The Yugoslav representative in Athens yesterday assured the Greek government that Yugoslavia will not disturb the current situation in Albania. He said that in the event of an internal revolt there, the Yugoslav government would act only in coordination with other neighbors. The statement is believed to have been accepted by Greek representatives.
Comment: Yugoslavia’s dependence on US aid and its desire to conclude favorable defense agreements with Greece and other NATO countries dictate to it a respect for recommendations regarding Albania. But at the same time, Yugoslavia seeks to strengthen its capabilities in overthrowing the Hoxha regime, for possible dominance in future anti-communist governments in Albania. Despite Greece’s expression of trust in Yugoslav intentions, Albania remains, as always, a delicate point of interest between Greece, Yugoslavia, and Italy.
Albania’s Exports from Hungary
The “Orion” factory delivered on April 5, 1954, 2000 radio tubes for Albania, which were dispatched from Debrecen airport on April 10. The Hungarian optical factory “Magyar Optikai Muvek” has delivered 42 periscopes for Albania, expected at Debrecen airport on April 15, 1954. The Beloianisz factory has delivered 250 radio transmitters in thin metal crates, for use both with batteries and with the main electrical grid in Albania. They were dispatched from Budapest on April 10, 1954, and arrived at Debrecen airport on April 15.
The Chinoin Gyogyszerarugyar pharmaceutical plant has delivered several crates of medicines for Albania, which were loaded from Debrecen on April 10. The Egyesult Izzo factory has delivered 500 electric lamps of various voltages for Albania. The shipment departed from Budapest for Debrecen on April 10. The telephone factory in Budapest has delivered 400 CH46-type telephones for Albania, dispatched to Debrecen on April 10, 1954.
The Gamma factory has delivered 16 wooden crates of precision instruments for Albania, which were dispatched to Debrecen on April 15. The Orvosi Muszergyar medical instrument factory has delivered 23 wooden crates for China, dispatched to Debrecen on April 15.
The Baloianisz factory has dispatched 54 radio transmitters for China, sent to Debrecen on April 14. The Orion factory has delivered radio receivers of the 3-, 4-, and 5-tube type, in 12 wooden crates, to Albania. The cargo was dispatched on April 15 to Debrecen. The Gamma factory has delivered 10 crates of precision instruments for China and 5 for Albania, dispatched to Debrecen airport on April 20. The Beloianiesz factory has delivered a complete radar installation in 24 crates, for China, on April 30, 1954. / Memorie.al
To be continued in the next issue
