A plan that would have swallowed Albania PPSH archives: Hoxha’s letter to Tito TIRANA - A plan for the unification of Albania, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, if not in fact, had been put forward and implemented in 1948. The plan — which Stalin had been briefed on in good faith — envisaged the unification of the Balkan states into a single confederation. Enver Hoxha had not only embraced this idea but had also taken the first steps toward bringing it about. That is the truth revealed by a document-letter written in his own hand and signed by PPSH. It is an archival letter (a page of Enver Hoxha — from which, in the obscurity of the escapes — was sent to Tito in March 1948. In this letter Hoxha himself states that he was already ready to take further steps to realize unification with Yugoslavia. Meanwhile the economy was wholly in the hands of the Yugoslavs, and the army was likewise completely under Belgrade’s control; everything else had taken on a “formal” path, as he himself calls it. The version contained in the letter is at odds with what Hoxha wrote years later in his works. According to Hoxha, it was he himself who had become an energetic collaborator with Tito. A version that collapses completely under the weight of the facts contained in this document. Thus more and more light begins to be shed on Enver Hoxha’s true position in the dark years 1945-48, a period that until now had remained covered by a veil of mystery. LUAN MALTEZI TIRANA — “We must work concretely for the Federation, and for this purpose everyone in our country is working with all their strength,” are Enver Hoxha’s words addressed to Marshal Tito in a letter recently discovered among the documents of the former secret archives of the PPSH. It is the second copy of a letter Hoxha sent to the Yugoslav leader in March 1948. The entire letter reveals several facts that until now had been hidden by the dust of years. The plan to unite Albania with Yugoslavia had been ready and had failed only because of the quarrel between Tito and Stalin. For this unification — as the letter makes clear — Hoxha had also given his approval, following a letter he had in hand when the dispatch was being closed. Such a plan would have swallowed Albania, ultimately, under Belgrade’s control. The letter also reveals a second plan. In it Enver Hoxha describes a conversation that the Egyptian ambassador in Sofia had at the time with Georgi Dimitrov. According to Hoxha, Dimitrov had said that the new Federation with the other countries would have Stalin at its head and would include councils, for example such as the creation of the Bulgarian Party, which would be aligned with the Central Committee of the Yugoslav Party and then with the Central Committee of the Albanian Party, and from June the parliament could be convened and the three countries would be the first to decide and create the federation. The end of 1948 would be the final deadline by which the three states would be together. The Yugoslavs, it seems, were confident in all their possibilities. They believed that everything would be accomplished without much difficulty, whether through economic means or through political pressure. For this reason they were insisting strongly on speeding up the unification. Hoxha, for his part, appears completely ready to take further concrete steps. “Apart from the strong support of our great friends” — meaning the Soviet Union — “we must consider the question of unification” and move “as quickly as possible” in the way he deems reasonable in relation to the other factors of this problem. Thus Albania’s inclusion in the political map is clearly demonstrated. The first steps had already been taken and the union would have been a completely achievable formality. “On the basis of our rights,” Hoxha writes in the same conclusion, “I myself am of the opinion that this means the realization of our common goals for the brotherhood and unity of our two peoples.” Fortunately, a few months later the split between Stalin and Tito occurs. Enver Hoxha of course lines up alongside the stronger side. Only thus was Albania’s absorption by Yugoslavia avoided. Director General of the State Archives A historical document from the same era and, on the right, Enver Hoxha and Marshal Tito

Electric shocks, rapes in the cells of Kostur 1,600 expelled in just one day KAPSHTICE — New complaints are being raised by Albanian refugees, forcibly expelled again by the Greek authorities. Just one week after the harsh statement by the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — which denounced the killing of a young Albanian by Greek border guards — many Albanian refugees pushed back toward Greece report inhumane crimes committed against them. After a threatening pause and mass returns of Albanians, on 29 March a new “sweeping” operation had begun by the Greek authorities. Thus, among the 1,600 Albanians returned on that day — whereas normal returns average around 200 refugees per day — most testified before the Albanian border authorities that they had been tortured, taken in, and provoked in vulgar ways. The list of Greek-Albanian methods was added to by the 30 March statement in the Albanian Parliament, where the PBDNJ deputy protested against the public order forces that — according to him — had prevented minorities from returning for the 25 March celebration, the anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821. Nearly 1,000 refugees returned from the Kapshtice border crossing point — immediately after entering Albanian territory — confirmed crimes previously unheard of. This contingent had arrived from the special police of Kostur, in whose cells more than 30 refugees had remained for four to five days without any food. Among the harrowing stories, the cases of Albanian women being raped by Greek soldiers stand out, even in the presence of other men who were detained in isolation with them. Meanwhile, more than 100 of those returned had confirmed at the border that in other cases of torture they had been subjected to electric shocks on their bodies. For the contingent returned on 29 March, the authorities also informed the Albanian authorities that in Kostur they had left dozens of other Albanians in a distressed condition. Meanwhile, the provocations by Greek soldiers coming from Macedonia were often accompanied by rubber truncheons, beatings, seizure of drachmas and food, as well as taking away passports with valid visas from those who had them. Once again the climate of Albanian-Greek interstate relations becomes tense, even though at times it seemed that everything was moving toward normalization. The EC presidency by Greece — as the current holder — as well as the recent visit to Tirana by a senior Greek Interior Ministry official had given new positive signals, not only for interstate relations but also for the delicate issue of Albanian emigrants and the regulation of their status in Greece. Edmond Laçi Checks at the Greek-Albanian border

— Four more people have been sent to prison by the authorities’ crackdown on illegal activities at customs. This time, among those organized — in addition to customs officers — are also police service employees at the Qafë Thana customs post in the district of Korçë. Meanwhile, the motives are repeated cigarette smuggling. The four arrested — according to the initial investigations — are now accused of the unlawful declaration of nearly 700 crates of “Jugoslavia” brand cigarettes. For the illegal declaration dated 26 March, the Korçë Prosecutor’s Office has now also opened a criminal case (e.l.)

“Nissan” market in Albania DURRËS — Car showrooms are appearing for the first time in Albania. It was the cars produced by the well-known Japanese brand “Nissan” that launched this new initiative in the car market. The showroom — inaugurated these days in Durrës — has opened on one of the city’s main streets. In a spacious, well-lit venue several models of “Nissan” cars were exhibited, and they will also be available for sale. In addition to these vehicles, several different catalogues have also been made available to customers, on the basis of which they can place their orders. The opening of this showroom was made possible through cooperation between the company Adria, based in Tirana, and another Slovenian company, “Nissan Adria”. With this initiative they are also bringing, for the first time, a new way to the vehicle market. Thus, in Albania too, brands are beginning to be sold in closed, modern premises, abandoning the unorganized market that exists in the squares and disorderly areas of Albanian cities.

— The advertising of pornography remains prohibited in Albania. That is precisely why a painter from Leskovik had been arrested by the Ersekë police. P.P., 28 years old, was caught red-handed on 30 March, while according to the police officers he was showing pornographic films with several people present. In fact, in the last two years the cinemas of the capital, but also of many other districts, have been using “secretly” forbidden films “for screening” in empty halls. Some have also been selling this “success” privately from Leskovik. (p.c.)

— The fight that took place between detainees in the cells of the Burrel Police Station sent two people to the city hospital. Immediately afterward, the District Prosecutor’s Office sent two police officers who had been on duty at the station that evening to those same cells — as detainees. According to the statement, the detainees — in order for the clash between them to occur — still for unknown reasons had escaped the supervision of the police officers. After this, the detainees Kula and Balu were taken to the city hospital. (u.d.a.)

Today is the biggest feast of Catholics Easter, news on what it represents and how it is celebrated ON THE LAST PAGE The Copper Plant in Elbasan goes bankrupt The Restructuring Agency completes the study ON PAGE 3

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? DO YOU WANT TO BUY SOMETHING? DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? DO YOU WANT TO BUY SOMETHING? This space is free for your classified ads. Send your message, no longer than 15 words, to our editorial office. In Tirana: Rruga Bajram Curri, 370. Or in Bari: Viale Scipione l'Africano, 264. State in the message what you are looking for and offering, your name and address. FOR SALE — two houses together with the land, 1,000 square meters. Interested parties should contact this address: Rruga e “Durrësit” No. 30 in Tirana (next to the gasoline distributor, at the former Party School, opposite the Tirana Factory). FOR RENT — an apartment with one room and kitchen in Tirana. The house is also equipped with a telephone. Interested parties should call 20807 (in the evening). FOR SALE — a 2-room and 1-kitchen apartment, with balcony and telephone, near a city center in Vlorë. Interested parties should call 62056. FOR SALE — a dishwashing machine, model [?.] FOR RENT — premises for a shop or warehouse with these dimensions: width 3.7 meters, length 4.2 meters and height 4.3 meters. The premises are in the center, has a basement with about 9 cubic meters of volume and is located at the beginning of Rruga “Hoxha Tasim” near Sheshi “Avni Rustemi” (Pazari i Ri). Further information can be obtained by phone at 26259 from 7:00-10:00 and 14:00-16:00. FOR RENT — a two-storey house. It is type R-6, professional. Interested parties should call in Rome at no. 0039 6859792 (after 10 a.m.). FOR RENT — premises for a shop or warehouse with these dimensions: width 3.7 meters, length 4.2 meters and height 4.3 meters. The premises are in the center, has a basement with about 9 cubic meters of volume and is located at the beginning of Rruga “Hoxha Tasim” near Sheshi “Avni Rustemi” (Pazari i Ri). Further information can be obtained by phone at 26259 from 7:00-10:00 and 14:00-16:00. FOR RENT — a villa with 8 rooms, two bathrooms, two toilets, 3 rooms in the basement, one room outside. Address: Rruga “4 Dëshmorët” No. 44. Phone 0406 or 25018 (from 16:00 to 17:00 and after 20:00). FOR RENT — a kitchen (living room, bedroom and dining room, children’s room and bedroom). Address: Rruga “Thana Ziko” No. 94/1 Tirana. Telephone number 26280 from 13:00 to 19:00. FOR RENT — a house with a yard, one room and one kitchen (corridor, bathroom, telephone). There is space for several cars. Address: Rruga “Besim Imami”, No. 20 in Tirana. Telephone number 27169. FOR RENT — a villa with 8 rooms, two bathrooms, two toilets, 3 rooms in the basement, one room outside. Address: Rruga “4 Dëshmorët” No. 44. Phone 0406 or 25018 (from 16:00 to 17:00 and after 20:00).

TIRANA AND SARANDA WILL ALSO BE CONNECTED BY AIR ROUTE — Soon Saranda too will be able to be connected by plane with the capital. This was the issue discussed by local representatives of Saranda and those from the Ministry of Agriculture. The Kristina Humatare of American Flights (MAI), according to the bilateral agreement, was in it. In Vlorë — it will be ready for such a route. Meanwhile, flights — with a six-seat aircraft — will begin in July. IN DURRËS THE AUCTION FOR COMMERCIAL FLEET EQUIPMENT BEGINS — The auction process has also started for the ships of the Commercial Fleet in Durrës. Priority in this process — the first ships have now come forward, while in the second phase 11 other ships — will be assigned to ownership use and their recipients. If they cannot be bought outright, the ships will be subject to rent under a renewable contract — by a possible new owner [.] [v?]e. IF EXPROPRIATED KUKËS WILL BECOME THE LARGEST — Kukës will become the largest city. A study carried out by the city’s urban-planning specialists has projected its expansion onto a new area of 285 hectares. This study began with the aim of better controlling the many illegal constructions here as well. For this purpose, another area of 186 hectares is expected to be made available for the construction of tourist facilities.

Zattere 1411 - Tel. 0039/41/781611 - Fax 781805 - Tlx 410045 Passenger, car and truck ferries DURRËS - BARI - ANKONA TRIESTE - DURRËS From DURRËS to BARI: every Tuesday departs at 22:00 every Thursday departs at 12:00 From DURRËS to ANKONA: every Sunday departs at 12:00 From DURRËS to TRIESTE: every Wednesday departs at 19:00 every Saturday departs at 20:00 Agency in ALBANIA DURRËS: DETARET SHQETERORE Tel. 052/22235 - Fax 22911 - Tlx 4148 Agency in ITALY BARI: AGESTEA Srl - via Leida, 4 Tel. 0039/80/331555 - Fax 330628 - Tlx 810043 ANKONA: MARITIME AGENCY Srl - Via XXIV Settembre, 20 Tel. 0039/71/204915 - Fax 202296 - Tlx 560022 TRIESTE: AGEMAR Srl - Piazza Duca degli Abruzzi, 2/a Tel. 0039/40/363222 - Fax 77723 - Tlx 460059