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ENVER HOXHA

The Anglo - American

Threat
to Albania

Memoirs
of the National Liberation War
THE INSTITUTE OF MARXIST-LENINIST STUDIES
AT THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE PARTY
OF LABOUR OF ALBANIA

T H E 8 NNTORI P U B L I S H I N G HOUSE
TIRANA 1982
 THE ANGLO-AMERICAN THREAT TO ALBANIA
is another book in the series of Comrade Enver Hoxha's
memoirs from the time of the National Liberation War.
It reflects events he lived through, his personal
impressions, and gives conclusions, which provide
lessons for all periods, drawn from the hostile activity
carried out openly or behind the scenes, against our
National Liberation Movement, our people's revolution
and socialist Albania by the Anglo-American bourgeoisie.
It brings out clearly the clash between the diabolical
plans, attempts, manoeuvres and concrete activities of
Anglo-American imperialism to put Albania under its
sway, on the one hand, and the vigilance, the blow for
blow struggle of the Communist Party of Albania and
its General Secretary, the leader of the Army and the
National Liberation Front and the whole patriotic Alba-
nian people, Comrade Enver Hoxha, on the other hand,
to discover, unmask, defeat and destroy the imperialist
strategy and tactics in regard to Albania.
These memoirs now being published, were written
in 1975.
The book is available in Albanian and several
foreign languages.

3
 I

A LITTLE HISTORY

Albania a token for barter for the Brit-

ish Lion. Disraeli and Bismarck: We are not
interested in a few Albanian cottages. Zog
the open-door policy. Chamberlain and the
fascist occupation of Albania. The anti-fascist
coalition. Vigilance of the C P A . Intelligence
Service prepares its contingents for Albania.
Section D and the SOE. Alarm in London.
New plans, old aims.

B o t h the i m p e r i a l g o v e r n m e n t s o f G r e a t
B r i t a i n of past centuries a n d its r o y a l g o v e r n m e n t s
in recent years h a v e a l w a y s been hostile to the
A l b a n i a n people. T h e T o r i e s a n d the d i f f e r e n t
p o l i t i c a l currents that k e p t the E m p i r e going, a n d
the t w o parties, the T o r y P a r t y a n d the L a b o u r
P a r t y , w h i c h h a v e t a k e n t u r n s i n r u n n i n g the
c o u n t r y more recently, have a l w a y s regarded
A l b a n i a as a t o k e n f o r b a r t e r in t h e i r countless

5
deals w i t h the other great p o w e r s to m a i n t a i n
the w o r l d hegemony of the B r i t i s h L i o n .
L i k e m a n y other countries, A l b a n i a has not
been recognized by a n y of those d i f f e r e n t B r i t i s h
governments w h i c h have safeguarded the d o m i -
nation of B r i t i s h c a p i t a l over the peoples a n d the
w o r l d , as a state a n d a c o u n t r y w h i c h , t h r o u g h
i n n u m e r a b l e efforts a n d sacrifices t h r o u g h the
centuries, have fought against v a r i o u s invaders,
to be free a n d sovereign, b u t on the c o n t r a r y , the
inhabitants of this L a n d of the Eagles h a v e been
considered a savage, b a r b a r o u s people, w i t h o u t
culture, at a t i m e w h e n , despite t h e i r s m a l l n u m -
bers, these people have been i n d o m i t a b l e a n d no
less c u l t u r e d t h a n the people of S c o t l a n d or
Cornwall.
It took a long t i m e before a f e w publicists,
some occasional a m a t e u r scholar or great poet
of the r o m a n t i c era, such as B y r o n , spread a little
light among the B r i t i s h people about A l b a n i a a n d
the A l b a n i a n s , about t h e i r culture, t h e i r strong
a n d generous character, t h e i r h o s p i t a l i t y a n d
kindness towards friends, as w e l l as about the
stern, u n y i e l d i n g f i g h t i n g s p i r i t in the face of
m a n y savage enemies w h i c h has a l w a y s characte-
rized them.
T h e e n s l a v i n g i m p e r i a l i s t colonial p o l i c y of
B r i t a i n p r e v a i l e d over m a n y countries a n d peo-
ples. B r i t a i n engaged in a thousand a n d one m a n o -

6
euvres to get the riches of the w o r l d into its
clutches, in order to fatten the lords a n d the barons
a n d b u i l d u p the g l o r y a n d p o w e r o f the E m p i r e .
B r i t a i n encroached on other countries, e x t e n d i n g
its i n f l u e n c e l i k e a n o x i o u s w e e d . U n d e r the cloak
of science, teams w e r e sent to discover A f r i c a ,
a n d w h e r e v e r t h e y went, the B r i t i s h scientists
p l a n t e d the f l a g o f J o h n B u l l , a n d after t h e m came
the lords w i t h t h e i r soldiers, w h o p u t d o w n the
m u t i n y of the Sepoys (1) a n d occupied India, people
l i k e K i t c h e n e r ( 2 ) , w h o e x t e r m i n a t e d the B o e r s w i t h
f i r e a n d steel. Indeed L o r d B e a c o n s f i e l d (Disraeli)
a n d Gladstone added the title of E m p r e s s of I n d i a
to the other titles of Q u e e n V i c t o r i a . T h i s w a s
colonialism, w h i c h p l u n d e r e d the f a b u l o u s riches
of India, the rubies a n d emeralds of B u r m a a n d
the d i a m o n d s of S o u t h A f r i c a , looted the gold of
those countries a n d enslaved t h e i r peoples s p i r i -
tually, e c o n o m i c a l l y a n d p h y s i c a l l y . T h e i n h a b i -
tants of the countries w h i c h came u n d e r its yoke,
B r i t a i n used as c a n n o n fodder f o r its o w n aims.
I n the v a r i o u s c o l o n i a l w a r s w h i c h B r i t a i n
w a g e d against other i m p e r i a l i s t powers, it p u t the
I n d i a n detachments, the B e n g a l Lancers, the
A f g h a n s a n d other oppressed peoples in the f r o n t
___________________________
1 N a t i o n a l uprising in I n d i a (1857-1859) against the B r i t i s h
overlords in w h i c h the I n d i a n peasants, craftsmen and espe-
cially soldiers (Sepoys), etc. took part.
2 H. Kitchener (1850-1916) - British earl and field-mar-
shal, w a r minister (1914-1916), savage colonizer of A f r i c a .

7
l i n e to deal the first b l o w f o r the benefit of t h e i r
masters. A l l these colonial w a r s w e r e fought so
t h a t the fields of E n g l a n d c o u l d be t u r n e d into
golf courses for the lords, so that the food f o r the
B r i t i s h Isles a n d a l l the r a w m a t e r i a l s f o r i n d u s t r y
there w o u l d come f r o m these colonies a n d the
e n t i r e E m p i r e o n w h i c h , a s K i p l i n g , that ardent
supporter o f B r i t i s h e x p a n s i o n a n d c o l o n i a l i s m ,
the b a r d of this Empire and a u t h o r of the
Jungle Books w r o t e , the s u n never sets. T h e
l a w of the j u n g l e was a p p l i e d in this e m p i r e .
E v e r y t h i n g h a d to serve it. T h e B r i t i s h bourgeoisie
e v e n used D a r w i n ' s scientific t h e o r y to j u s t i f y
the monstrous crimes it c o m m i t t e d . D i s t o r t i n g this
theory, it i n v e n t e d social D a r w i n i s m to prove
t h a t a bigger a n d m o r e p o w e r f u l people s h o u l d
e l i m i n a t e or assimilate a s m a l l e r people, hence, it
supported the r e a c t i o n a r y concept that the b i g
f i s h eats the small.
I n such conditions a n d w i t h s u c h methods
B r i t a i n insinuated herself e v e r y w h e r e b y means
of its Intelligence S e r v i c e (SIS), discovered o i l
fields, captured P e r s i a a n d other countries, c o u n t -
e r e d the a m b i t i o n s of C z a r i s t R u s s i a , defended
t h e O t t o m a n E m p i r e , a n d w h e n the latter
t r u l y became the S i c k M a n o f the Bosporus,
collaborated w i t h B i s m a r c k ' s G e r m a n y a t the
Congress of B e r l i n in 1878, attacked the Peace

8
T r e a t y of S a n Stefano, jealously g u a r d e d the
strategic positions of the M e d i t e r r a n e a n such as
the Dardanelles, S u e z a n d G i b r a l t a r , g u a r d e d the
P e r s i a n G u l f a n d m a d e herself the Q u e e n o f
the Seas, the protagonist of the gunboat policy.
It p r o v o k e d the F a s h o d a i n c i d e n t (1) and m a n y
other s u c h things.
W h e n B r i t a i n h a d become one o f the m a i n
colonial powers, w h e n the B r i t i s h dukes w e r e
w a l l o w i n g i n gold a n d the duchesses c o u l d b a r e l y
support the w e i g h t of t h e i r d i a m o n d necklaces,
d i a m o n d rings and d i a m o n d tiaras, w h a t i m p o r -
tance w o u l d they give to A l b a n i a a n d its heroic
struggle f o r f r e e d o m a n d independence?
A t e v e r y c r u c i a l m o m e n t o f o u r history, and
especially w h e n the A l b a n i a n people w e r e f i g h t i n g
heroically, a r m s i n h a n d , against the O t t o m a n
E m p i r e , B r i t a i n a l w a y s took the side of T u r k e y .
A t the Congress o f B e r l i n , the P r i m e M i n i s t e r o f
B r i t a i n , Q u e e n V i c t o r i a ' s favourite, L o r d Beacons-
field, who, w h e n he returned to L o n d o n from
B e r l i n , made the pompous d e c l a r a t i o n that he h a d
b r o u g h t peace w i t h honour, a n d the C h a n c e l l o r
of G e r m a n y , P r i n c e B i s m a r c k , the f o u n d e r of
_______________________________
1 In September 1898, the B r i t i s h army, a i m i n g to occupy
the w h o l e of the N i l e V a l l e y , threatened the F r e n c h army at
Fashoda, the Sudan, and demanded its immediate evacuation of
that inhabited centre. In M a r c h 1899, the B r i t i s h and F r e n c h
governments reached agreement that B r i t a i n would hold the
N i l e V a l l e y and F r a n c e the western regions of the Sudan.

9
the Second R e i c h , d i d not even d e i g n to listen to
the A l b a n i a n delegation w h i c h the A l b a n i a n L e a -
gue of P r i z r e n (1) h a d sent to B e r l i n to d e m a n d and
defend the rights of our people. At those d i f f i c u l t
moments, w h e n our l o n g - s u f f e r i n g people h a d
taken up arms in the i n s u r r e c t i o n against the
T u r k s and the S e r b i a n c h a u v i n i s t r u n n i n g - d o g s
in the service of imperialists, to oppose the p a r t i -
t i o n i n g of our H o m e l a n d amongst the Serbs,
Montenegrins, T u r k s a n d others, t o w i n their
autonomy, B i s m a r c k a n d D i s r a e l i d i s d a i n f u l l y told
our glorious forebears: W e are not interested in
a few A l b a n i a n cottages.
L a t e r the delegates of o u r people, I s m a i l
Q e m a l i and Isa B o l e t i n i , w e n t to L o n d o n a n d
demanded of the F o r e i g n Secretary, E d w a r d
G r e y , that A l b a n i a s h o u l d be defended. W e shall
not a l l o w y o u to p a r t i t i o n A l b a n i a . our great
diplomat Ismail Q e m a l i t o l d h i m . W e s h a l l take
up arms a n d fight, as we have a l w a y s done. T h e
B r i t i s h minister t u r n e d a deaf ear.
________________________________

1 On the eve of the Congress of B e r l i n , w h i c h was to revise

the decisions of the Treaty of San Stefano, delegates f r o m a l l
the A l b a n i a n regions gathered in the t o w n of P r i z r e n on J u n e
10, 1878, and decided to form a p o l i t i c a l and m i l i t a r y union
w h i c h took the name The A l b a n i a n League of Prizren and
fought for self-government, national unity and for the defence
of the territorial integrity of A l b a n i a w h i c h was threatened by
the chauvinist ambitions of the neighbouring states.

10
 L a t e r a t Versailles, L l o y d George w i t h his
h e n c h m e n , a c t i n g l i k e his predecessors i n L o n d o n ,
p a r t i t i o n e d A l b a n i a a n d so, our parents were, as
always, obliged to take up arms to fight the
invaders o f our c o u n t r y . A f t e r the F i r s t W o r l d
W a r , too, the B r i t i s h took the lead i n i n t r i g u i n g
against o u r c o u n t r y , m e d d l i n g i n our a f f a i r s and
i n f i l t r a t i n g the spies of t h e i r Intelligence S e r v i c e
into A l b a n i a . T h e y w e r e u n a b l e to change the
direction o f the V l o r a u p r i s i n g i n 1920 w h i c h
drove the I t a l i a n occupation troops into the sea.
T h e B r i t i s h Intelligence Service, together
w i t h E y r e s , the m i n i s t e r o f G r e a t B r i t a i n i n A l b a -
nia, d i d e v e r y t h i n g in its p o w e r to w e a k e n the
D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n m e n t o f F a n N o l i i n 1924 a n d
to secure f r o m it the concession over the o i l at
Patos, A r d e n i c a a n d elsewhere.
T h e s e l f - p r o c l a i m e d K i n g o f the A l b a n i a n s ,
A h m e t Zog, w h o came t o p o w e r w i t h the a i d o f
imperialists, p u r s u e d a n open-door p o l i c y w i t h
G r e a t B r i t a i n a n d the U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a ,
as w i t h m a n y other countries, a n d signed treaties
and agreements w i t h t h e m . T h e aims of these t w o
i m p e r i a l i s t states w e r e to get possession of our
coastline w h i c h d o m i n a t e s the S t r a i g h t s of O t r a n t o ,
to t r a n s f o r m A l b a n i a into a bridgehead f o r pene-
t r a t i o n into the B a l k a n s , to exploit our n a t u r a l
riches, etc. Z o g g r a n t e d these states most f a v -
o u r e d nation status, a n d this greatly facilitated the
penetration o f t h e i r c a p i t a l into A l b a n i a . H e w e n t

11
even f u r t h e r i n this d i r e c t i o n b y g r a n t i n g the
A n g l o - P e r s i a n O i l C o m p a n y a l m o s t a complete
m o n o p o l y for the e x p l o i t a t i o n o f o i l i n A l b a n i a
a n d c o n c l u d i n g a p r o v i s i o n a l trade agreement w i t h
B r i t a i n , w h i c h i n 1931 w a s replaced w i t h a n a v i -
gation a n d c o m m e r c i a l t r e a t y on the basis of
reciprocity a n d the most f a v o u r e d n a t i o n
clause. As to w h a t r e c i p r o c i t y this i m p l i e d , it is
sufficient t o m e n t i o n that i n 1932, A l b a n i a i m p o r t -
ed f r o m B r i t a i n goods to a v a l u e of 1,586,200 g o l d
francs a n d e x p o r t e d goods w o r t h a s u m of o n l y
6,665 gold francs to B r i t a i n . T h e B r i t i s h m i n i s t e r
i n A l b a n i a , S i r R o b e r t H o d g s o n , w h o became
Zog's i n t i m a t e adviser in the 30's, f a i t h f u l l y
c a r r i e d out the a n t i - A l b a n i a n p o l i c y of his g o v e r n -
ment. T h r o u g h its officers, P e r c y , S t i r l i n g , H i l l ,
C r i p p s a n d others seconded to Zog, B r i t i s h i m p e -
r i a l i s m , together w i t h Zog, k e p t the club, the p r i -
son a n d the hangman's noose ready to suppress
any m o v e m e n t o f the A l b a n i a n people. W i t h t h e
aid of its friends, as w e l l as t h r o u g h the i n t e r v e n -
t i o n of the B r i t i s h , w h e n they reached agreement
w i t h the Italians over the d i v i s i o n of t h e i r spheres
of influence, M u s s o l i n i ' s Italy secured the conces-
sion over the A l b a n i a n oil w h i c h was i n the hands
o f the A n g l o - P e r s i a n O i l C o m p a n y .
A s i m i l a r situation existed in Zog's relations
w i t h the U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a also. H e gave
legislative endorsement to the letter sent by the
A l b a n i a n g o v e r n m e n t i n J u n e 1922 t o the g o v e r n -

12
m e n t o f the U S A t h r o u g h w h i c h the U S A was
g r a n t e d most f a v o u r e d n a t i o n status, hence in
practice was g i v e n the keys to A l b a n i a . T h i s was
one of the most d i s g r a c e f u l documents, one of the
most dangerous to the independence of o u r
country. F o r its part, the U S A n e v e r g r a n t e d
A l b a n i a most f a v o u r e d n a t i o n rights. Six
months after c o m i n g to power, Z o g leased 51,000
hectares o f l a n d t o the S t a n d a r d O i l C o m p a n y
o f N e w Y o r k f o r t w o years, f o r 30,000 dollars
a n d reduced customs tariffs o n A m e r i c a n imports.
A p a r t f r o m this, Z o g also opened the doors
to agents of the A m e r i c a n espionage service w h o
came as missionaries, l i k e K e n n e d y , as p h i l a n -
thropists a n d educators, l i k e E r i k s o n a n d H a r r y
F u l t z . T h e latter became d i r e c t o r of the T e c h n i c a l
S c h o o l i n T i r a n a a n d w a s a n i m p o r t a n t cadre i n
the A m e r i c a n intelligence service. A l l these people
a n d others not o n l y gathered i n f o r m a t i o n , b u t as
was p r o v e d later w i t h the sabotage i n M a l i q a n d
K u o v a (today S t a l i n C i t y ) , a n d the t r i a l o f the
t r a i t o r deputies, etc., t h e y h a d p r e p a r e d t h e i r
agents w h o w o u l d w o r k i n the f u t u r e , openly o r
u n d e r cover, against the A l b a n i a n people a n d the
people's state p o w e r w h i c h t h e y w o u l d set u p .
The Anglo-American imperialists, those
savage a n d d e t e r m i n e d enemies of the A l b a n i a n
people, have a l w a y s used o u r c o u n t r y as a means
of exchange in t h e i r i n t e r n a t i o n a l transactions.
W h e n the despotic b r i g a n d , Zog, was i n power,

13
they t r i e d to m a k e A l b a n i a d i r e c t l y dependent on
them, politically, economically a n d m i l i t a r i l y , b u t
r a n up against the c o m p e t i t i o n of other capitalist
countries, especially fascist Italy. In the 30's,
because of the general crisis in the capitalist w o r l d
and the d i v i s i o n of the spheres of i n f l u e n c e
amongst the great i m p e r i a l i s t powers, a n d espe-
c i a l l y as a result of the massive p e n e t r a t i o n of
Italian capital into A l b a n i a , the economic l i n k s
o f A l b a n i a w i t h G r e a t B r i t a i n a n d the U n i t e d
States w e r e w e a k e n e d . Z o g became a direct tool
of Italian fascism a n d t h r e w the doors w i d e open
for its colonization o f A l b a n i a w h i c h led l a t e r
to its occupation. H o w e v e r , t i m e w a s to p r o v e
that the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s n e v e r r e l i n q u i s h e d t h e i r
o w n ambitions t o w a r d s our c o u n t r y , a l t h o u g h they
a l l o w e d Italy t o operate f r e e l y i n A l b a n i a , n a t u -
r a l l y f o r definite aims.
Nevertheless, the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t w a s
pleased to see that Z o g was b e c o m i n g a l a c k e y
and agent of M u s s o l i n i . B r i t a i n w a n t e d Italy to
occupy A l b a n i a , because it p l a n n e d to set I t a l i a n
fascism a n d G e r m a n nazism, w h i c h i t w a s f i n a n c -
i n g , l i k e dogs to attack the Soviet U n i o n .
P r o o f that this p l a n existed can be seen in
the i n d i f f e r e n t attitude of C h a m b e r l a i n w h e n
M u s s o l i n i ' s Italy attacked o u r c o u n t r y o n A p r i l
7, 1939. C h a m b e r l a i n , w h o k n e w in advance w h a t
was g o i n g to occur, w e n t f i s h i n g that day. T h i s
was the same C h a m b e r l a i n w h o h a d a p p r o v e d the

14
Anschluss, w h o h a d signed the M u n i c h A g r e e -
ment selling out C z e c h o s l o v a k i a , and finally
handed over the keys of the defence of the E m p i r e
to C h u r c h i l l .
T h e statement w h i c h the British prime
m i n i s t e r m a d e i n the House o f C o m m o n s o n A p r i l
6, that G r e a t B r i t a i n h a d no direct interests in
A l b a n i a , gave M u s s o l i n i a free h a n d to c a r r y out
his plans t o w a r d s o u r c o u n t r y . T h i s stand b y
B r i t a i n was greatly in f a v o u r of Italy because it
gave legal sanction to its special interests in
Albania.
On the day of the i n v a s i o n of A l b a n i a by the
Italian blackshirts, M u s s o l i n i sent a t e l e g r a m to
his colleague i n B r i t a i n , C h a m b e r l a i n , i n w h i c h
h e w r o t e that the events i n connection w i t h A l b a -
n i a w o u l d not affect relations b e t w e e n t h e i r t w o
countries and w o u l d h a v e no repercussions on the
status quo i n E u r o p e a n d the w o r l d . T h i s o c c u r r e d
one year after the t i m e w h e n , in the context of
their i m p e r i a l i s t r i v a l r y , w i t h w a r i m m i n e n t , a n
agreement h a d been signed b e t w e e n G r e a t B r i t a i n
and Italy on the m a i n t e n a n c e of the status quo
i n the M e d i t e r r a n e a n . B u t w h a t was the w o r t h
of such an agreement b e t w e e n i m p e r i a l i s t w o l v e s !
H i s t o r y provides m a n y examples w h i c h s h o w that
agreements a n d treaties b e t w e e n i m p e r i a l i s t
powers are expedients, compromises to reconcile
t h e m f o r a certain time, but w h i c h are violated as

15
soon as the s i t u a t i o n changes a n d other interests
dictate.
I m m e d i a t e l y after the aggression against
A l b a n i a , the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t made a deal w i t h
Italy to the d e t r i m e n t of the A l b a n i a n people. In
r e t u r n f o r the w i t h d r a w a l o f I t a l i a n troops f r o m
S p a i n a n d a guarantee of the independence of
Greece, G r e a t B r i t a i n recognized the fascist o c c u -
pation of A l b a n i a .
It is unnecessary to d w e l l at l e n g t h on h o w
the S e c o n d W o r l d W a r developed, b u t I t h i n k it
necessary to m e n t i o n c e r t a i n k e y m o m e n t s to give
a better u n d e r s t a n d i n g of the a c t i v i t y of the
B r i t i s h missions in A l b a n i a at the t i m e of the
National Liberation War.
It is k n o w n that the efforts of B r i t a i n u n d e r
C h a m b e r l a i n a n d F r a n c e u n d e r D a l a d i e r allegedly
to appease H i t l e r a n d reduce his appetite f o r
l i v i n g space w e r e i n v a i n . T h e M u n i c h C o n f e -
rence a n d the worthless d o c u m e n t that emerged
f r o m it, w h i c h C h a m b e r l a i n w a v e d before the
B r i t i s h people w h e n he came off the a i r c r a f t as
a n historic document w h i c h allegedly m e a n t
peace in our time, was n o t h i n g b u t the w h i t e
f l a g o f surrender w h i c h B r i t a i n w a v e d before the
n a z i aggressor.
T h e hopes of the B r i t i s h a n d F r e n c h b o u r -
geoisie w e r e that the H i t l e r i t e w a r m a c h i n e w o u l d
be t u r n e d against the Soviet U n i o n a n d they d i d

16
e v e r y t h i n g i n t h e i r p o w e r t o urge H i t l e r i n this
direction.
B r i t a i n i n t e n d e d t o k i l l t w o b i r d s w i t h one
stone: b o t h the S o v i e t U n i o n a n d the T h i r d R e i c h .
H o w e v e r , things d i d not t u r n out a s L o n d o n
intended.
Bourgeois F r a n c e refused the d e m a n d of the
Soviet U n i o n that C z e c h o s l o v a k i a s h o u l d b e d e f e n -
ded w i t h a r m s a c c o r d i n g to the e x i s t i n g treaties.
F a c e d w i t h the threat o f H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y , S t a l i n
proposed t o B r i t a i n a n d F r a n c e that t h e y s h o u l d
f o r m a j o i n t front, b u t these t w o capitalist p o w e r s
scorned this proposal, w h i c h c o u l d have saved
the situation, because, as I p o i n t e d out above, t h e y
hoped that H i t l e r w o u l d attack the S o v i e t U n i o n .
T h i s b e i n g the case, the Soviet U n i o n signed a
non-aggression pact w i t h G e r m a n y . T h i s w a s a
necessary pact w h i c h gave it t i m e to m a k e f u r t h e r
preparations f o r defence.
H i t l e r ' s w a r took a d i r e c t i o n d i f f e r e n t f r o m
w h a t the B r i t i s h a n d F r e n c h i m p e r i a l i s t s i n t e n d -
ed, because, after the attack on P o l a n d a n d its
occupation, h e t u r n e d o n F r a n c e w h i c h capitulated
almost w i t h o u t fight. G e r m a n y w a s p r e p a r i n g t o
attack B r i t a i n , too, w h i c h r e m a i n e d alone i n the
w a r against H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y . T h e latter sized u p
its strength, especially its a i r a n d n a v a l forces,
and v i o l a t i n g the non-aggression pact, t u r n e d a n d
launched a f u r i o u s a n d p e r f i d i o u s attack on the
l a n d of the Soviets.

17
 U n d e r the conditions i n w h i c h H i t l e r i t e
G e r m a n y was getting a l l the capitalist countries of
E u r o p e into its clutches a n d the B r i t i s h Isles
themselves were u n d e r i m m i n e n t threat, w h e n the
B r i t i s h colonies a n d the A m e r i c a n possessions i n
the P a c i f i c w e r e f a l l i n g one after another into
the hands of m i l i t a r i s t J a p a n , f o r fear of the
dangerous proportions w h i c h the H i t l e r i t e b l i t z -
krieg had assumed, f o r f e a r t h a t if the S o v i e t
U n i o n were defeated, too, G e r m a n y w o u l d emerge
more p o w e r f u l a n d i t w o u l d become even m o r e
d i f f i c u l t to w i t h s t a n d its attacks, the i m p e r i a l i s t
chiefs considered that the need h a d arisen to
balance forces, therefore, B r i t a i n a n d l a t e r the
U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a , w e r e o b l i g e d t o t u r n
to the Soviet U n i o n f o r a c o m m o n f i g h t against
fascism, but seriously this time. In this w a y , the
anti-fascist A n g l o - S o v i e t - A m e r i c a n C o a l i t i o n was
created against the n a z i plague, w h i c h attacked
a n d occupied Y u g o s l a v i a a n d Greece as w e l l .
M e a n w h i l e the A l b a n i a n people h a d risen t o f i g h t
fascist Italy w h i c h had a l r e a d y attacked a n d o c -
c u p i e d our country.
In their Anti-fascist National Liberation W a r
the A l b a n i a n people w e r e not alone. L i n e d u p
beside t h e m n o w w e r e the Soviet U n i o n , headed
by S t a l i n , in the first place, a n d a l l the peoples
o f the w o r l d w h o w e r e f i g h t i n g fascism, i n c l u d i n g
the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n peoples. W e w e r e p a r t i -

18
cipants in the great A n t i - f a s c i s t C o a l i t i o n , in the
alliance between the Soviet U n i o n , the U n i t e d
States o f A m e r i c a a n d G r e a t B r i t a i n . W e h a d t o
consider this alliance u s e f u l a n d necessary, a n d
support it f o r the d e s t r u c t i o n of the n a z i beast,
and therefore we e x p l a i n e d its i m p o r t a n c e to the
P a r t y a n d the people.
In our assessment of this alliance we h a d to
be neither sectarian n o r l i b e r a l , b u t w h i l e consider-
i n g it f r u i t f u l in the context of the f i g h t against
n a z i s m , it was necessary that we s h o u l d n e v e r
forget w h a t the governments of the U n i t e d States
o f A m e r i c a a n d G r e a t B r i t a i n represented f o r o u r
people, that we s h o u l d n e v e r forget their savage
nature as capitalists a n d colonialist oppressors,
that we should n e v e r forget the countless w o u n d s
they h a d i n f l i c t e d on the b o d y of o u r H o m e l a n d .
W e h a d t o p u t our trust i n our P a r t y , o u r people,
our rifles, i n the S o v i e t U n i o n a n d S t a l i n . W e h a d
t o f i g h t t o w i n our f r e e d o m w i t h sacrifice a n d
bloodshed, a n d w e m u s t n e v e r a l l o w f o r e i g n e n -
emies to gamble w i t h the fate of o u r c o u n t r y a n d
our people as in the past.
In one of his speeches C h u r c h i l l l a u n c h e d the
slogan: Set E u r o p e ablaze. In l a u n c h i n g this
slogan, he h a d t w o a i m s : first, G e r m a n fascism
was to be fought by the peoples, assisted w i t h
arms a n d m i l i t a r y missions, a n d second, these
missions, w h e r e v e r they w e r e sent, w e r e to o r g a -

19
nize p r o - B r i t i s h reaction a n d f i g h t the c o m m u n i s t
parties a n d the n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n fronts w h i c h
w e r e led b y these parties. I n other w o r d s , w h i l e
he declared Set E u r o p e ablaze, his r e a l a i m w a s
t o e x t i n g u i s h the f i r e that h a d been k i n d l e d a n d
ensure that the missions sent e v e r y w h e r e achieve
those objectives w h i c h the W a r O f f i c e , the F o r e i g n
O f f i c e a n d the Intelligence S e r v i c e dictated to
t h e m . H e w a n t e d t h e peoples a n d the c o m m u n -
ists to be w e a k e n e d by the w a r a n d reaction to
emerge f r o m it strong, hence, the f i g w a s to r i p e n
a n d f a l l into the m o u t h o f the B r i t i s h .

T h e reader w i l l a l l o w me to present a v e r y
short h i s t o r y of the plans w h i c h w e r e concocted
i n L o n d o n against o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r
before the B r i t i s h missions came to A l b a n i a .
I n October 1939, w i t h the a i m o f s e c u r i n g
f i r s t - h a n d i n f o r m a t i o n about the s i t u a t i o n i n o u r
c o u n t r y , the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t appointed a c o n -
sul-general based i n D u r r s . H o w e v e r , L o n d o n
was not content w i t h this act alone w h i c h , in fact,
was recognition of the n e w status of A l b a n i a . In
the s p r i n g of 1940, it asked the people of its secret
i n f o r m a t i o n service in B e l g r a d e to p r e p a r e a report
about the development o f events i n A l b a n i a a n d
o r d e r e d the creation of an office f o r A l b a n i a
u n d e r Section D . J u l i a n A m e r y , w h o u p t i l l
t h a t t i m e h a d been press a n d p r o p a g a n d a secret-
a r y i n the B r i t i s h L e g a t i o n i n Y u g o s l a v i a , w a s

20
charged w i t h this task. H e p r e p a r e d this report
w i t h the help o f G a n i a n d Seit K r y e z i u , degener-
ate elements of the f e u d a l K r y e z i u f a m i l y of
K o s o v a , inveterate spies w h o h a d f r e q u e n t l y
changed t h e i r bosses a n d n o w placed t h e m -
selves in the service of the B r i t i s h .
S i m i l a r sections f o r A l b a n i a w e r e established
i n A t h e n s w i t h the l o n g - t e r m B r i t i s h agent, M r s .
H a s l u c k as adviser, a n d in C a i r o , attached to the
A l l i e d Headquarters, w i t h M a j o r C r i p p s , a f o r m e r
instructor of Zog's gendarmerie, as its chief. Thus,
the B r i t i s h Intelligence S e r v i c e created its n e t w o r k
all a r o u n d A l b a n i a a n d was p r e p a r i n g to send its
agents here. T h e office f o r A l b a n i a , S e c t i o n D,
made direct contact w i t h v a r i o u s elements, A l b a -
n i a n emigrants, old f r i e n d s o f B r i t a i n , m o n a r c h -
ists, republicans, l i b e r a l intellectuals, etc.
w h o l i v e d i n Y u g o s l a v i a , gathered t h e m r o u n d
itself a n d created a k i n d of o r g a n i z a t i o n , the so-
called U n i t e d F r o n t w i t h a l l these elements w h o
dreamed of a repetition of 1924, w h e n e x t e r n a l
and i n t e r n a l reaction o r g a n i z e d Zog's r e t u r n to
Albania.
A t this time, after h a v i n g s l u n k f r o m one
capital of E u r o p e to another, l i k e a thief w i t h
his stolen gold, Z o g a r r i v e d i n L o n d o n w i t h a l l
his suite. T h e B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t r e g a r d e d h i m
as a valueless c a r d , because he h a d been discredit-
ed, d i d not e n j o y the s y m p a t h y o f the A l b a n i a n
people and h a d n o p a r t y i n support o f h i m i n the

21
c o u n t r y . Its consul-general i n D u r r s h a d i n f o r m e d
it of this fact. Therefore, it w a n t e d to e x p e l
Z o g f r o m B r i t a i n , b u t sensing the danger, Z o g
i n f o r m e d the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t that it was his
i n t e n t i o n to place himself at the head of the A l b a -
nians abroad in the service of the a l l i e d m i l i t a r y
plans. A f t e r this, the F o r e i g n O f f i c e changed its
m i n d . I t a l l o w e d h i m t o stay i n E n g l a n d o n c o n d i -
tion that he d i d not engage in p o l i t i c a l a c t i v i t y
w i t h o u t its permission. P o s s i b l y the chests of gold
w h i c h Zog had w i t h h i m m a y have played their
part i n this change o f m i n d i n the F o r e i g n O f f i c e .
In a n y case, the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t reserved the
r i g h t to use Z o g as a c a r d to be p l a y e d if some
f a v o u r a b l e o p p o r t u n i t y presented itself. It c o n -
sidered that Z o g m i g h t serve as a f i g u r e r o u n d
w h o m to gather v a r i o u s elements to be used f o r
its o w n interests i f G e r m a n n a z i s m w e r e defeated
a n d f a v o u r a b l e conditions created as in the past.
F o r the time being, h o w e v e r , the B r i t i s h c o u l d
not use h i m . T h e y h a d t o w o r k u n d e r cover w i t h
someone else to reach the point w h e r e he c o u l d
b e used. A p a r t f r o m the K r y e z i u s , the B r i t i s h h a d
t h e i r eyes o n A b a z K u p i , w h o w a s against the
Italians a n d p r o - Z o g , as a suitable person w i t h
w h o m t o manoeuvre. T o t h i s end, L o n d o n o r -
dered S e c t i o n D i n B e l g r a d e , w h i c h w a s n o w
called the S p e c i a l Operations E x e c u t i v e (SOE), to
m a k e contact w i t h h i m . A m e r y w e n t t o I s t a n b u l
a n d together w i t h S t i r l i n g , another f o r m e r i n s t r u c -

22
tor of Zog's gendarmerie, w h o was n o w operating
i n T u r k e y , met A b a z K u p i . A f t e r a l i t t l e b a r g a i n -
ing, A m e r y left w i t h h i m f o r Y u g o s l a v i a w h e n c e ,
w i t h m a n y other patriots a n d politicians,
A b a z K u p i was t o b e smuggled into A l b a n i a i n
order to organize Zog's f o r m e r officers, bajrak-
tars* a n d others, in the w a r against the o c c u p -
iers!
M e a n w h i l e Zog, a f r a i d that he m i g h t be
expelled, a n d not b e i n g i n f o r m e d of the plans
w h i c h w e r e being hatched up, proposed to L o n d o n ,
as a proof of his l o y a l t y to the allies, that he
should open a f i g h t i n g f r o n t f r o m S a l o n i c a , at
the head o f the A l b a n i a n s w h o w e r e i n I s t a n b u l .
A f r a i d of a p o l i t i c a l c o n f r o n t a t i o n w i t h Greece,
the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t sought the a p p r o v a l of
the G r e e k g o v e r n m e n t . T h e G r e e k p r i m e m i n i s -
ter M e t a x a s refused a n d torpedoed Zog's p l a n .
Thus, Zog, that servile l a c k e y of G r e a t B r i t a i n ,
remained i n cold storage.
I n the S O E o f B e l g r a d e matters w e r e proceed-
ing more r a p i d l y t h a n before. M a n y elements h a d
been gathered a r o u n d it, i n c l u d i n g , a p a r t f r o m the
K r y e z i u brothers a n d A b a z K u p i , M u h a r r e m
B a j r a k t a r i , X h e m a l H e r r i a n d others. M o s t o f t h e m
were supporters of Z o g . O n e f i n e d a y even the
communist M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i t u r n e d u p a t the
S O E and his presence was a m a t t e r of great rejoic-
__________________________
* C l a n chiefs (Alb.).

23
i n g f o r the B r i t i s h . O a k l e y - H i l l , w h o f o r eight
years on end h a d been in A l b a n i a as organizer of
Zog's gendarmerie, w a s n o w r u n n i n g the office f o r
A l b a n i a u n d e r the S O E i n B e l g r a d e .
C o n s i d e r i n g the s i t u a t i o n suitable f o r o p e r a -
tions i n A l b a n i a , H i l l entered A l b a n i a i n A p r i l
1941, at the head of a s m a l l force c o m p r i s e d of
elements w h i c h h e h a d gathered together a n d
financed. A l l t h i s w a s done allegedly t o save
A l b a n i a f r o m the I t a l i a n fascists, but, i n fact,
was a i m e d to create the conditions in w h i c h o u r
c o u n t r y w o u l d enter the sphere o f B r i t i s h i n f l u -
ence in the f u t u r e a n d to a v o i d the creation of
a n y other resistance centre outside B r i t i s h control,
w h i c h m i g h t f i g h t the occupiers a n d e l i m i n a t e the
i n f l u e n c e o f G r e a t B r i t a i n . H o w e v e r , i n the d i f f i -
cult situation w h i c h w a s created, especially w i t h
the G e r m a n i n v a s i o n of Y u g o s l a v i a , the a r m y of
w h i c h resisted no m o r e t h a n a week, the p l a n of
L t . - C o l . H i l l w a s foiled. T h i s c o m p e l l e d h i m t o
gather together the heads of the s m a l l force w i t h
w h i c h h e h a d entered A l b a n i a f o r the last t i m e
in T r o p o j a a n d charge each of t h e m w i t h a special
task: G a n i K r y e z i u was t o operate i n K o s o v a , A b a z
K u p i w a s to go to K r u j a , close to the g o v e r n m e n t
i n T i r a n a , w h i l e M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i w a s t o enter
the r a n k s o f the A l b a n i a n c o m m u n i s t leaders. F o r
the t i m e being, t h e i r task was to f i g h t u n d e r the
disguise of ardent patriotism, and as soon as

24
the conditions w e r e ripe, they w e r e to come out
in the open l i k e snails after a shower.
W h i l e these patriots, each w i t h a bag of
gold sovereigns, dispersed w i t h i n A l b a n i a , the
B r i t i s h officer r e t u r n e d to B e l g r a d e w h e r e he
surrendered w i t h h o n o u r t o the G e r m a n s and,
t h r o u g h the m e d i a t i o n o f the A m e r i c a n legation
in Y u g o s l a v i a , a l i t t l e w h i l e later r e t u r n e d safe
and sound to L o n d o n .
T h e resistance a n d a r m e d struggle of our peo-
ple against the fascist occupiers, w h i c h began on
A p r i l 7, 1939, c o n t i n u e d u n i n t e r r u p t e d l y a n d w a s
f u r t h e r e x t e n d e d a n d strengthened, especially after
the f o r m a t i o n of the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of A l b a n i a
on N o v e m b e r 8, 1941. A f t e r this historic date, t h e
fight of the A l b a n i a n people entered a n e w phase,
i n w h i c h i t w a s fiercer, w e l l o r g a n i z e d a n d b e c o m -
i n g devastating f o r the occupiers, quislings a n d
traitors. T h i s aroused concern in the bourgeois
world.
D u r i n g 1942 the F o r e i g n O f f i c e displayed
greater interest in the A l b a n i a n question. It h a d
heard that the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a h a d
been f o r m e d . At the e n d of 1942, its interest t u r n e d
to a l a r m , especially w h e n it received the n e w s
that the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a h a d o r g a -
nized the C o n f e r e n c e of P e z a , w a s l e a d i n g the
N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t a n d that the N a t i o n a l
L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t was a s s u m i n g w i d e p r o p o r -
tions. A n d a l l these things h a d o c c u r r e d after

25
C h u r c h i l l ' s statement that H i s M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n -
ment, have the cause of A l b a n i a v e r y m u c h at
heart. The a l a r m w a s sounded. T h e S O E i n Is-
t a n b u l proposed that a n A l b a n i a n g o v e r n m e n t
should be created w i t h the a i d of the B r i t i s h ; the
S O E insisted that G a n i B e y K r y e z i u a n d M e h m e t
K o n i c a should be i n c l u d e d in this g o v e r n m e n t . A
letter was sent t o M u h a r r e m B a j r a k t a r i t h r o u g h
M i h a j l o v i c , w i t h w h o m h e collaborated, i n w h i c h
he was told, It is up to y o u to l e a d the w a r ,
a n d he was assured that Z o g w a s not g o i n g to
return to Albania.
Events were moving rapidly. In November
1942 the allies l a n d e d i n N o r t h A f r i c a . O n D e c e m -
b e r 17, the B r i t i s h f o r e i g n secretary m a d e a state-
m e n t in the House of C o m m o n s , w h i c h h a d been
a p p r o v e d by the W a r C a b i n e t at the b e g i n n i n g of
December, in w h i c h he spoke of the desire of
the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t that A l b a n i a s h o u l d b e
liberated, its independence re-established a n d the
question of its borders e x a m i n e d at the Peace
Conference. The Soviet g o v e r n m e n t also made a
statement in w h i c h it expressed its sincere desire
f o r the l i b e r a t i o n of A l b a n i a a n d the re-establish-
m e n t of its independence a n d spoke in terms of
a d m i r a t i o n about our f i g h t against the occupiers.
T h e g o v e r n m e n t of the U S A also made a state-
m e n t on this question. U n d o u b t e d l y these state-
ments w e r e m o r a l - p o l i t i c a l support f o r o u r N a t i o -

26
n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r , p r o m i s e d the independence
o f the c o u n t r y w h e n the w a r w a s over a n d helped
to strengthen the i n t e r n a t i o n a l position of A l b a n i a
at a time w h e n a l l the peoples h a d r i s e n to their
feet to fight fascism a n d n a z i s m .
The revolutionary situation in Albania
aroused debates a m o n g the circles in L o n d o n
w h i c h were involved w i t h A l b a n i a . However, their
hearts w e r e w a r m e d a n d t h e i r hopes raised by the
fact that their friends, A b a z K u p i a n d M u s t a f a
G j i n i s h i , h a d managed, in the m e a n t i m e , to enter
the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , w h i l e outside this
F r o n t , and as a c o u n t e r - w e i g h t to it, an o r g a n i -
zation had been created w h i c h called itself the
B a l l i K o m b t a r , at the head of w h i c h w e r e people
k n o w n to the B r i t i s h Intelligence S e r v i c e feudal
lords, big l a n d o w n e r s a n d merchants, b a j r a k t a r s ,
bourgeois intellectuals, senior clergy a n d other
s w o r n enemies of the communists.
In these circumstances, B r i t a i n decided to
dispatch its m i l i t a r y missions to A l b a n i a . T h e i r
purpose w o u l d be to sound out the situation on
the spot, to give t h e i r centre accurate i n f o r m a t i o n
about w h i c h w a y the w i n d w a s b l o w i n g , t o l e a r n
w h a t the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t r e a l l y
was, t o establish l i n k s w i t h the B a l l i K o m b t a r ,
to assist the friends sent in by t h e S O E , a n d
most important, to do t h e i r utmost to ensure,
under the disguise of aid, that the people's

27
r e v o l u t i o n w o u l d f a i l , both i n A l b a n i a a n d e v e r y -
w h e r e else.
These w e r e the m a i n aims w i t h w h i c h t h e
B r i t i s h missions w e r e sent to A l b a n i a , some of
t h e m t h r o u g h Greece a n d others b y a i r .
In these reminiscences of m i n e I am r e v e a l i n g
precisely the u n d e r h a n d struggle w h i c h these m i s -
sions waged, a l t h o u g h they h a d no success, b e -
cause our P a r t y a n d people f o i l e d t h e i r e v e r y a c -
t i o n a n d p l a n . W e c o u l d not a l l o w the b i t t e r
history of the past to be repeated, a n d it w a s not
repeated.
O u r P a r t y a n d people defeated the I t a l i a n
fascists a n d the G e r m a n nazis w i t h the rifle, w h i l e
defeating Anglo-American imperialism with
heroic resistance a n d resolute a n d i n t e l l i g e n t
diplomacy, w h i c h w a s i n s p i r e d b y M a r x i s m -
L e n i n i s m a n d based on the great experience of t h e
people and t h e i r great leaders t h r o u g h the ages.

28
 II

A N U N I N V I T E D M I L I T A R Y MISSION

Extension of our National Liberation Move-

ment. Manoeuvres of reaction. The first British
military mission in Albania McLean. The
partisan zones are not inns with open doors.
Empty promises. The trips of British officers
seeking friends. Reaction enlivened.
McLean's urgent request for a meeting a
general will come to head the mission. Where
is your centre, Major? Measures to paralyze the
diabolical plans of the British War Office.

T h e P a r t y a n d the A l b a n i a n people w e r e
w a g i n g not o n l y a fierce w a r against the I t a l i a n
occupiers a n d the quislings, but also a s h a r p p o l i -
tical struggle against the B a l l i K o m b t a r . A l l over
the c o u n t r y p a r t i s a n etas a n d battalions h a d been
created and w e r e a t t a c k i n g the I t a l i a n a r m y o n the
roads, i n the b a r r a c k s a n d e v e r y w h e r e . T h e p a r -
tisans w e r e a r m i n g themselves in the course of the

29
fight b y d i s a r m i n g the gendarmes i n the q u i s l i n g
posts e v e r y w h e r e . O u r w a r h a d developed b e y o n d
the phase of g u e r r i l l a actions in the cities, a l t h o u g h
these never ceased even w h e n the a r m e d struggle
i n the m o u n t a i n s assumed m a j o r proportions w i t h
etas a n d battalions. O u r P a r t y w a s g r o w i n g , e x -
t e n d i n g i n the m i l i t a r y u n i t s a n d a m o n g the v i -
llages, w h e r e its cells a n d the n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n
councils w e r e being created. T h e w o r k o f p r o -
paganda f o r the w a r against the occupiers a s -
sumed b r o a d proportions. T h e c i t y a n d v i l l a g e
y o u t h w e r e f i l l i n g the r a n k s o f the p a r t i s a n f i g h t -
i n g units. W h o l e zones h a d been liberated, t h e
people of these zones p a i d taxes to nobody, a n d
tithes w e r e abolished. In the l i b e r a t e d zones the
l a n d belonging t o the q u i s l i n g s a n d traitors w a s
made available free f o r t h e peasants w h o w a n t e d
to t i l l it.
T h e Italian e n e m y m a d e great efforts t o
suppress the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t i n o u r
country, especially by s p l i t t i n g it. To this end t h e
I t a l i a n fascists began to collaborate m o r e i n t e n -
sively w i t h the B a l l i K o m b t a r . I n F e b r u a r y 1943,
M u s a K r a n j a , one o f the heads o f the B a l l i K o m -
btar in the K o r a region, on the instructions of
Faslli Frashri and Stavri Skndi, accompanied
the I t a l i a n officer A n g e l o d e Mateis, i n m a k i n g
contact w i t h Safet B u t k a t o ensure that h e c o l l a -

30
borated w i t h the occupiers against the N a t i o n a l
L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t . O n e m o n t h later, the c o m -
m a n d e r - i n - c h i e f of the I t a l i a n troops in A l b a n i a ,
Dalmazzo, together w i t h A l i K l c y r a signed the
notorious D a l m a z z o - K l c y r a p r o t o c o l i n w h i c h
the B a l l i K o m b t a r p r o m i s e d the occupiers that
it w o u l d exert a l l its i n f l u e n c e to p r e v e n t acts of
sabotage a n d attacks u p o n t h e m . T h e y of the
B a l l i K o m b t a r acted i n the same w a y w i t h the
Germans, too. I t w a s M i t h a t F r a s h r i w h o o n
behalf of the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e of the B a l l i
K o m b t a r signed the c i r c u l a r w h i c h said among
other things: Since the most u r g e n t need of o u r
country today is f o r o r d e r a n d discipline, a l l the
committees, c o m m a n d s a n d etas of the B a l l i
K o m b t a r are ordered to cancel a n y o p e r a t i o n
against the G e r m a n forces. T h e r e are m a n y
such documents w h i c h speak of the p a t r i o t i s m
of the chiefs of the B a l l i K o m b t a r , b u t this
is not the place to d w e l l on t h e m at l e n g t h .

A t the e n d o f A p r i l 1943, the P a r t y C o m -

mittee of G j i r o k a s t r a r e g i o n i n f o r m e d me that
a group of B r i t i s h m i l i t a r y m e n headed by a
certain M a j o r B i l l M c L e a n , e q u i p p e d w i t h a r m s
and radio, h a d entered o u r l i b e r a t e d zones f r o m
across the G r e e k border, c l a i m i n g that t h e y w e r e
an official m i l i t a r y m i s s i o n sent to the A l b a n i a n
partisans f r o m the H e a d q u a r t e r s of the A l l i e d
M e d i t e r r a n e a n Forces, based i n C a i r o .

31
 I i n s t r u c t e d the comrades of the P a r t y C o m -
mittee of G j i r o k a s t r a r e g i o n to h o l d the B r i t i s h ,
w h o h a d come f r o m Greece, i n Z a g o r i a a n d t o f i n d
out i n detail w h o t h e y w e r e , w h a t they called
themselves (proving t h e i r i d e n t i t y w i t h o f f i c i a l
documents), w h e r e t h e y came f r o m , w h o led t h e m ,
w h a t w a s t h e i r r e a l task, etc.
I i n s t r u c t e d the comrades: Y o u m u s t i n t e r -
rogate t h e m p r o p e r l y , so that they t h o r o u g h l y
u n d e r s t a n d that it is not so easy to enter the p a r -
t i s a n zones, because t h e y are not i n n s w i t h o p e n
doors, therefore, i n o r d e r t o m o v e w i t h i n t h e m ,
t h e y m u s t have special p e r m i t s f r o m the P a r t i s a n
G e n e r a l C o m m a n d . I t o l d the comrades, Y o u
m u s t do a l l these things so that the B r i t i s h see
r i g h t n o w that we are not going to p e r m i t t h e m
t o d o w h a t e v e r they w a n t . B e h a v e v e r y c o r r e c t l y
w i t h t h e m a n d see that t h e y are f e d if t h e y don't
h a v e t h e i r o w n food. D o not accept m o n e y f o r the
f o o d if they attempt to p a y you.
T h e comrades d i d as t h e y w e r e i n s t r u c t e d .
A f t e r the g r o u p o f B r i t i s h a r m y m e n , b l o c k e d b y
the partisans in a zone of G j i r o k a s t r a , saw that
this c o u n t r y h a d a master, on M a y 1, 1943 t h e y
w e r e obliged to send a letter signed by B i l l
M c L e a n to the supreme a u t h o r i t y of the N a t i o n a l
L i b e r a t i o n W a r i n A l b a n i a the G e n e r a l C o u n c i l ,
i n w h i c h , after s a y i n g t h a t h e h a d been sent f r o m
his H e a d q u a r t e r s in C a i r o as senior l i a i s o n o f f i c e r
to establish contact w i t h the resistance m o v e m e n t

32
in A l b a n i a , he w r o t e : I v e r y m u c h w a n t to meet
y o u r C o u n c i l as q u i c k l y as possible a n d receive
i n f o r m a t i o n to t r a n s m i t to C a i r o so that supplies
can b e sent t o y o u f r o m there. Y o u r m o v e m e n t w i l l
be supplied w i t h materials f r o m Cairo. We shall
discuss matters of i m p o r t a n c e . My desire is to
enter into the centre of A l b a n i a . A p p a r e n t l y ,
S O E , w i t h its centre i n C a i r o , h a d f o u n d the dis-
guise to get into A l b a n i a : the dispatch of its agents
as representatives of the H e a d q u a r t e r s of the
A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n Forces, whose a i m w a s t o
enter into the centre of A l b a n i a in order to m a k e
contact w i t h its old agents, to e x t e n d t h e i r r a n k s
w i t h n e w ones, t o receive i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m t h e m ,
and set t h e m n e w tasks, a n d to organize a m o v e -
ment i n A l b a n i a u n d e r the d i r e c t i o n a n d c o n t r o l
of B r i t i s h missions, in the interests of the p o l i c y
and strategic plans of G r e a t B r i t a i n .
I n o u r r e p l y w e t o l d t h e m that w e agreed that
such a m i s s i o n s h o u l d come to the N a t i o n a l L i b e r -
ation G e n e r a l C o u n c i l , b u t w e c o u l d not accept
it in the centre of A l b a n i a in p a r t i c u l a r , if it w e r e
not p r o v i d e d w i t h p r o p e r o f f i c i a l documents f r o m
the H e a d q u a r t e r s of the A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n
Forces.
The members of McLean's mission remained
there u n t i l t h e y w e r e p r o v i d e d b y t h e i r H e a d -
quarters w i t h documents as o f f i c i a l representa-
tives. O n o u r orders, i n J u n e the comrades i n
G j i r o k a s t r a sent t h e m t o u s i n L a b i n o t w i t h strict

33
security measures so that n o t h i n g c o u l d occur on
t h e w a y . T h e y a r r i v e d e x h a u s t e d f r o m the t r i p . I
received t h e m the n e x t day. M c L e a n , w h o p r e -
sented himself as the c h i e f of the mission, seemed
quite y o u n g , no m o r e t h a n 30 years of age, s l i m ,
not short, r a t h e r t a l l , w i t h v e r y r e g u l a r features,
a n d a cold, intelligent, clean-shaven face. He
was f a i r - h a i r e d , w i t h intelligent blue eyes, w i t h
the look of a savage cat about t h e m . As we l e a r n e d
later, M c L e a n w a s o f the Scots G r e y s R e g i m e n t
a n d w a s a t r a i n e d agent w h o h a d served in t h e
colonial w a r s i n Palestine a n d elsewhere.
I asked h i m h o w he h a d t r a v e l l e d .
Like a partisan, he t o l d me. B u t the p a r -
tisans i n G j i r o k a s t r a h e l d m e u p a n d m a d e m e lose
valuable time. O u r Headquarters in C a i r o is dis-
t u r b e d about this.
Y o u are a n officer a n d k n o w the w a r t i m e
regulations, I said. It's not so easy f o r a stranger
to cross the b o r d e r w h e r e m i l i t a r y forces are o p e r -
a t i n g . The e n e m y a l w a y s tries to penetrate, to
gather i n f o r m a t i o n about our situation, to c a r r y
out acts of sabotage, or l a u n c h surprise a t t a c k s
on us, but we A l b a n i a n partisans are not asleep.
Y o u have p r o v e d this f o r yourselves w h e n y o u
entered our zones. Of course y o u are not enemies,
b u t since y o u w e r e not k n o w n , first of a l l , it h a d
t o b e p r o v e d w h o y o u w e r e . Y o u h a d not i n f o r m e d
us beforehand that y o u w e r e going to come, t h e r e -
fore, o u r comrades i n G j i r o k a s t r a w e r e o n l y d o i n g

34
their duty. W e beg y o u r p a r d o n f o r the delay w e
caused y o u . Reassure y o u r H e a d q u a r t e r s that y o u
are in safe hands, amongst y o u r allies, w i t h the
P a r t i s a n G e n e r a l C o m m a n d . T h a t settled this
question. N o w he h a d to e x p l a i n to me the purpose
of his c o m i n g , w h a t he w a n t e d a n d w h a t he w a s
going to do, etc.
I a s k e d : W h a t is y o u r mission?
I n essence M a j o r M c L e a n (later h e was p r o -
moted to colonel a n d after the w a r he became a
Conservative M P ) s a i d :
W e are the first B r i t i s h m i l i t a r y mission
sent to the A l b a n i a n partisans. T h e purpose of the
B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t w h i c h has sent us to y o u is
that we s h o u l d i n f o r m it about the situation in the
country a n d the w a r of y o u r people against the
Italian occupiers, a n d after we h a v e done this, to
t r a n s m i t t o o u r H e a d q u a r t e r s y o u r v i e w s about
the w a r a n d y o u r needs a n d r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r the
purpose o f w a g i n g the w a r , w h i c h y o u w i l l
present to me.
W h a t d o y o u k n o w about the A l b a n i a n peo-
ple's w a r against the occupiers a n d quislings i n
our c o u n t r y ? I asked.
W e k n o w n o t h i n g at all, he said s m i l i n g .
T h e n , since y o u k n o w n o t h i n g a t a l l , i n
regard to A l b a n i a , y o u are s t i l l in the t i m e of
C h a m b e r l a i n , I said.
M c L e a n ' s eyes n a r r o w e d .
F r o m A p r i l 7 , 1939, w h e n C h a m b e r l a i n

35
spent the w e e k e n d f i s h i n g , to this day, I told
h i m , the A l b a n i a n people have been w a g i n g a
ceaseless w a r against the I t a l i a n fascists, the q u i s -
lings and the traitors.
I told h i m in detail about the titanic w a r of
our s m a l l but v a l i a n t people. I told h i m of the
heroic deeds of the people a n d the partisans, as
w e l l as of the atrocities, m u r d e r s , the b u r n i n g of
villages c o m m i t t e d b y the Italians a n d t h e i r c o l l a b -
orators. I spoke of the methods of the fascist
propaganda to s p l i t us a n d d e m o r a l i z e us, b u t
w h i c h h a d n o success i n o u r c o u n t r y , because the
A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t a n d the
p a r t i s a n forces h a d consistently exposed a n d
f o i l e d the plans of the enemies.
B u t w h e r e d o y o u f i n d the weapons, M r .
H o x h a ? asked M c L e a n . R u s s i a is a l o n g w a y off
a n d cannot s u p p l y y o u . D o y o u have factories here
i n the m o u n t a i n s ?
No, w e have n o a r m s factories i n the m o u n -
tains, but we f i n d a r m s amongst the people. It is
t r u e that ten days after he came to p o w e r in 1924,
the b r i g a n d Z o g p r o c l a i m e d the l a w o n general
d i s a r m a m e n t of the p o p u l a t i o n , b u t in fact the
A l b a n i a n s h i d a w a y t h e i r weapons, as t h e y have
a l w a y s done, because no one has ever been able
to d i s a r m t h e m . T h i s is a t r a d i t i o n amongst the
A l b a n i a n s w h i c h has been h a n d e d d o w n f r o m
generation to generation. In connection w i t h this.
I continued, they say that something interesting

36
occurred b e t w e e n y o u r f o r m e r F o r e i g n M i n i s t e r
E d w a r d G r e y , a n d o u r great patriot a n d f i g h t e r
Isa B o l e t i n i . It w a s a t i m e w h e n b l a c k clouds h a d
gathered a g a i n i n the A l b a n i a n sky, w h e n A l b a n i a
had been caught up in the m a e l s t r o m of the p r e d a -
tory a m b i t i o n s of its c h a u v i n i s t neighbours, and
w h e n the A m b a s s a d o r s ' Conference of 1913 was
u n j u s t l y l e a v i n g h a l f of A l b a n i a outside its state
borders. A n d w h i c h h a l f ? K o s o v a a n d other regions,
every i n c h o f w h i c h the A l b a n i a n s have d r e n c h e d
w i t h t h e i r blood, f i g h t i n g f o r l i b e r a t i o n f r o m
T u r k e y . T h e patriots I s m a i l Q e m a l i a n d Isa B o l e -
t i n i w e n t t o L o n d o n t o meet G r e y , w h o a t that
time w a s c h a i r m a n of the A m b a s s a d o r s ' C o n f e r -
ence, to express to h i m t h e i r protest over the
injustice that w a s b e i n g done to o u r c o u n t r y and
to t r a n s m i t to h i m the u n b r e a k a b l e v o w of the
A l b a n i a n s that t h e y w o u l d f i g h t t o the e n d f o r
the u n i t y of a l l the territories h a n d e d d o w n to
t h e m b y t h e i r forefathers. B e f o r e h e entered S i r
E d w a r d G r e y ' s office, at the request of the guards,
Isa B o l e t i n i left his pistol in the a n t e - r o o m . A f t e r
the talks, G r e y in a h a l f - j o v i a l f a s h i o n said to
Isa: ' M r . B o l e t i n i , w e have done here i n L o n d o n
w h a t the T u r k i s h pashas w e r e n e v e r able to do.'
U n d e r s t a n d i n g that G r e y w a s r e f e r r i n g t o his
being disarmed, Isa l o o k e d y o u r m i n i s t e r r i g h t
i n the eye a n d a n s w e r e d w i t h a l a u g h : ' N o , n e v e r
o n m y honour, not e v e n i n L o n d o n . ' A n d h e
d r e w a loaded r e v o l v e r f r o m inside his vest.

37
 So, y o u see, this t r a d i t i o n is one of the ' f a c -
tories' w h e r e w e get o u r weapons, M a j o r . O t h e r
'factories' s u p p l y i n g o u r w e a p o n s are the I t a l -
ians' depots in t h e i r posts a n d in the cities,
our actions on the n a t i o n a l roads a n d on the battle-
fields. W h e n w e started the w a r w e d i d not h a v e
sufficient weapons, but o u r people sing a song: 'If
y o u have n o weapons, f i n d t h e m , f r o m the hands
of the e n e m y seize t h e m . ' A n d this is w h a t we have
done a l l along. W e seize the w e a p o n s f r o m the
hands of the Italians in action, we attack a n d c a p -
ture t h e m .
Y o u m e n t i o n e d R u s s i a . I t e l l y o u t h a t if
R u s s i a w e r e close, we are c o n v i n c e d that it w o u l d
have s u p p l i e d us w i t h weapons, because it is o u r
ally, just as y o u are. A n d y o u ought to give us
weapons, because we need t h e m . O n e cannot eat
weapons, but can o n l y f i g h t w i t h t h e m . A n d w e
want them to fight with.
I am a u t h o r i z e d to t e l l y o u , M r . H o x h a , that
w i t h i n our possibilities w e s h a l l s u p p l y a r m s t o a l l
those w h o fight, r e p l i e d M c L e a n .
This is good news y o u b r i n g me, I t o l d h i m .
H e r e i n A l b a n i a o n l y the partisans a n d the peo-
ple organized i n the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r -
ation F r o n t are fighting.
But, M r . H o x h a , i t seems t o m e there i s a n -
other o r g a n i z a t i o n that i s f i g h t i n g here i n A l b a n i a ,
called the B a l l i K o m b t a r , said the B r i t i s h M a j o r .
Y o u see, M a j o r , I said, y o u do k n o w some-

38
t h i n g about A l b a n i a . A p p a r e n t l y y o u have been
i n f o r m e d about the B a l l i s t s ( 1 ) , a n d since y o u ask
me, I s h a l l t e l l y o u : it is t r u e that the B a l l i K o m -
btar exists, b u t its leaders are l i n k e d w i t h the
Italians. T h e y do not f i g h t the Italians, b u t are
o r g a n i z i n g f o r w a r against us. T h e o n l y ' w a r '
they wage is against the roast c h i c k e n s a n d lambs,
w h i c h they steal f r o m the s u f f e r i n g peasants.
I e x p l a i n e d the situation t h o r o u g h l y to the
B r i t i s h officer w h o , w i t h o u t doubt, k n e w w h a t the
B a l l i K o m b t a r was.
In case y o u do not k n o w , I said in an
i r o n i c a l tone, I m u s t i n f o r m y o u that there are
also Zogites, whose chief i s A b a z K u p i , alias B a z i
i Cans, w h o even takes p a r t in our N a t i o n a l
Liberation Front.
Of course he k n e w about this, b u t I persisted:
D o y o u k n o w this, M a j o r ? T h i s t i m e h e w a s
obliged to a d m i t it.
T h a t closed this chapter.
M c L e a n continued:
M r . H o x h a , w e are not going t o i n v o l v e
ourselves in politics here, because we are s i m p l y
soldiers, a n d e v e r y t h i n g m i l i t a r y is of interest to
us.
In w h a t sense do y o u use the expression
' e v e r y t h i n g m i l i t a r y ' ? I asked h i m .
H i s eyes l o o k e d savage again.
__________________________
1 M e m b e r s of the B a l l i Kombtar.

39
 W e are interested in e v e r y t h i n g of a m i l i t a r y
n a t u r e connected w i t h the I t a l i a n a n d G e r m a n
armies. We are interested in the forces deployed
against y o u here in A l b a n i a , the names of the
detachments, t h e i r a r m a m e n t , the tactics w h i c h
t h e y use in m o u n t a i n w a r f a r e , etc., he r e p l i e d .
N o w I understand, I said. A n d we are
ready to i n f o r m y o u about a l l these things.
M r . Hoxha, continued M c L e a n , you
u n d e r s t a n d that A l b a n i a i s s m a l l o n the map, b u t
it is b i g w h e n y o u have to t r a v e l it on foot, t h e r e -
fore it is d i f f i c u l t f o r us to f u l f i l the task charged
to us p r o p e r l y , w i t h o u t h a v i n g comrades to help
us.
W e are allies against the same enemy, I
said, hence we are y o u r comrades-in-arms.
I k n e w w h a t he w a s getting at, therefore I
took the o p p o r t u n i t y to speak about the situation
o n the f i g h t i n g fronts a n d asked h i m t o e x p l a i n
t o m e h o w the w a r w a s g o i n g i n other countries,
h o w the G r e e k a n d Y u g o s l a v partisans w e r e
f i g h t i n g (I was a c q u a i n t e d w i t h the situation,
but w a n t e d t o k n o w his o p i n i o n o f t h e i r struggle).
H o w e v e r , the w i l y o f f i c e r gave me a v e r y
short s u m m a r y of his opinions a n d f i n a l l y s a i d :
I have been out of t o u c h f o r some t i m e w h i l e
t r a v e l l i n g t h r o u g h the m o u n t a i n s on foot a n d I'm
not in a position to e x p l a i n things to you. A n d
he came to his m a i n purpose. It is d i f f i c u l t to
do t h i s job p r o p e r l y alone. It is t r u e that w i t h o u t

40
y o u r a i d w e c a n d o n o t h i n g , b u t w e have been
charged to ask y o u to study the possibility of
d r o p p i n g i n s e v e r a l other missions s o that w e
can assist y o u r partisan forces better.
T h i s is a p r o b l e m w h i c h we s h a l l study a n d
we shall t a l k about it again. H o w e v e r , I t o l d the
B r i t i s h major, w h i l e e n d o r s i n g w h a t y o u said,
about y o u r not b e i n g i n v o l v e d in politics, I w a n t to
m a k e it clear to y o u , in the first place, that in our
r a n k s we do not p e r m i t a n y politics pro the o c c u -
piers a n d t h e i r tools. W e d o not p e r m i t a n y p r o p a -
ganda in f a v o u r of the enemies, u n d e r w h a t e v e r
mask i t m a y b e disguised. O n the other h a n d , w e
a l l o w a n y a m o u n t of p o l i t i c a l a n d ideological
struggle against the fascist occupiers a n d t h e i r
tools.
The second question w h i c h I must m a k e
clear to y o u is that y o u r m i s s i o n m u s t not meddle
i n our i n t e r n a l affairs. Y o u must request a n y t h i n g
y o u need t h r o u g h o u r C o m m a n d o r t h r o u g h o u r
delegates in the regions w h e r e y o u are located.
T h e other m a i n question i s i n connection
w i t h the a i m f o r w h i c h y o u have come: y o u m u s t
supply u s w i t h arms, m u n i t i o n s a n d c l o t h i n g . W e
shall present o u r r e q u i r e m e n t s t o y o u w i t h o u t de-
lay, a n d I concluded by s a y i n g :
I ' m c o n v i n c e d that e v e r y t h i n g w i l l g o w e l l
between us, M a j o r . As y o u see, the conditions f o r
good u n d e r s t a n d i n g are not complicated, t h e y are
acceptable a n d applicable, p r o v i d e d the good w i l l
exists.
41
 Major M c L e a n replied:
W e agree. L e t us get d o w n to w o r k . A l l o w us
to drop in some other missions a n d y o u allocate
the places a n d regions in w h i c h to d r o p them.
All right, I said, we s h a l l study this a n d
decide the places f o r the parachute drops, but, first
of all, trials s h o u l d be c a r r i e d out in these places
by a i r - d r o p s of m i l i t a r y m a t e r i a l a n d after that the
B r i t i s h officers can be dropped, because h u m a n
life is m o r e v a l u a b l e t h a n weapons, is it n o t ?
W h a t c o u l d M c L e a n say? W e ended our
discussion a n d agreed to meet again later.

I i m m e d i a t e l y i n f o r m e d the r e g i o n a l c o m m i t -
tees of the P a r t y a n d the p a r t i s a n c o m m a n d s and
u n i t s about the a r r i v a l o f the B r i t i s h m i l i t a r y
m i s s i o n to o u r P a r t i s a n H e a d q u a r t e r s . I e x p l a i n e d
u n d e r w h a t disguise they h a d come, d e s c r i b i n g
t h e m as allies against the same enemy, b u t pointed
out that their class nature, t h e i r aims opposed to
o u r w a r , the Soviet U n i o n , c o m m u n i s m , must
n e v e r be forgotten. I i n f o r m e d t h e m that r i g h t
f r o m the first meeting w i t h the B r i t i s h I h a d p u t
a tight r e i n on t h e i r desires w h i c h w e r e s i m p l y to
gather i n f o r m a t i o n a n d c a r r y out espionage against
our N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r , our P a r t y a n d the
Partisan National Liberation A r m y . They wanted
to gather i n f o r m a t i o n about e v e r y t h i n g , to l e a r n
o u r strength, tactics a n d strategy. T h e y c l a i m e d
the r i g h t to this i n f o r m a t i o n in a f r i e n d l y w a y ,

42
as o u r great allies in the struggle against the same
enemy nazi-fascism, boasted that they h a d
come to assist us w i t h weapons a n d clothing, a n d
since it w a s impossible to s u p p l y us w i t h food, to
put at our disposal f r o m t i m e to time s m a l l c o n -
tingents of St. George's c a v a l r y (i. e., gold
sovereigns) t o enable u s t o b u y food locally. O n
the other h a n d , t h e y p r o m i s e d that they w o u l d
publicize our National Liberation War.
However, we accepted a l l these fine w o r d s
w i t h considerable reserve, I t o l d the comrades.
W e d i d not r e a d i l y s w a l l o w these 'promises'. T h e
chief o f the mission, B i l l M c L e a n , w a s i n d i g n a n t
w h e n we set strict l i m i t s to w h a t he c o u l d do a n d
s u r r o u n d e d h i m w i t h l o y a l a n d v i g i l a n t partisans,
so that he c o u l d not m o v e w h e r e v e r it pleased h i m
and w o u l d h a v e to gather o n l y the c r u m b s that
our comrades a l l o w e d h i m , a n d not w h a t h e w a n t -
ed himself. T h e r e f o r e , I advised t h e m to be
correct a n d v e r y v i g i l a n t t o w a r d s the B r i t i s h .
Possibly, I t o l d t h e m , several such B r i t i s h
missions w i l l come w i t h o u r p e r m i s s i o n t o o u r
d i f f e r e n t zones. A correct and vigilant s t a n d m u s t
be m a i n t a i n e d e v e r y w h e r e ! In no instance, I
instructed, must the B r i t i s h be p e r m i t t e d to poke
their noses into o u r i n t e r n a l affairs. T i g h t security
must be m a i n t a i n e d on a l l matters r e l a t i n g to the
P a r t y , its o r g a n i z a t i o n , orders a n d directives, and
none of t h e m , w h e t h e r p r o - c o m m u n i s t or not,
s h o u l d k n o w w h e n , w h e r e a n d w h y its meetings

43
are held. For them we are all partisans. M i l i t a r y
matters such as the o r g a n i z a t i o n of the p a r t i s a n
a r m y , the n u m b e r a n d c o m p o s i t i o n of its units,
its orders f o r actions, supplies, q u a n t i t y a n d types
of armament, a l l these a n d other data of an i n t e r -
n a l character m u s t be k e p t secret. If they w i s h to
be present at a battle take t h e m along, but inform
them at the last moment and never disclose to
them in advance your operational plan for the
fighting. P r o v i d e t h e m w i t h o u t hesitation w i t h
any i n f o r m a t i o n that y o u h a v e about the e n e m y
occupier. A v o i d a l l o w i n g t h e m t o m i x f r e e l y w i t h
the mass of the partisans so that they can i n d u l g e
in loose talk, m a k e promises or get up to d i r t y
work. Urge them to drop us arms and demand
this persistently.
In this w a y , I p r e p a r e d the comrades to take
care and be f o r e a r m e d against a n y m a n o e u v r e s
of the agents of the Intelligence S e r v i c e w h o ,
w i t h o u t doubt, w o u l d e v e n t u a l l y t r y t o c o r r u p t
weak and wavering individuals.

At a m e e t i n g I i n t r o d u c e d B a b (1) M y s l i m to
M c L e a n . T h e first w o r d s t h a t B a b said t o the
B r i t i s h officer w e r e : I i y o u are good friends, y o u
must drop us arms, a n d added d i p l o m a t i c a l l y ,
and I believe y o u are good friends. M u s t a f a
G j i n i s h i played the role of interpreter.
_____________________________
1 Dad a title i m p l y i n g respect and affection.

44
 I n the end, w e presented M c L e a n w i t h our
list o f requests f o r a r m s a n d t o l d h i m , Y o u should
begin to d r o p a r m s in P e z a before a n y w h e r e else,
because this is w h e r e the f i r s t p a r t i s a n r i f l e was
f i r e d against the fascist occupiers.
M c L e a n p r o m i s e d . A f t e r some time they
d r o p p e d us about a f i f t h of the weapons we asked
for, a l l o f t h e m l i g h t weapons w i t h l i t t l e a m m u n i -
tion, as w e l l as a f e w jackets a n d socks. A l o n g w i t h
t h e m t h e y also d r o p p e d a n e w B r i t i s h mission for
w h i c h we had given permission.
W i t h y o u r permission, w e s h a l l send this
m i s s i o n t o D i b r a , t o B a b a F a j a a n d H a x h i Lleshi,
said M c L e a n .
I discussed this m a t t e r w i t h B a b M y s l i m a n d
we decided to give o u r p e r m i s s i o n .
H a x h i a n d B a b a F a j a w i l l k n o w h o w t o look
after this 'guest' w i t h his moustache w h i c h seems
to be d y e d w i t h henna, w h o is to go to them, r e -
marked Myslim.
W e ought to have another m i s s i o n attached
t o M r . M y s l i m Peza, said M c L e a n , because this
is the most i m p o r t a n t centre of the partisans.
If M y s l i m w a n t s it, let h i m decide, I said.
I agree, C o m r a d e E n v e r , said M y s l i m and,
t u r n i n g t o M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , s a i d : Translate t o
the g e n t l e m a n that I agree to a mission's coming,
b u t not m o r e t h a n three people a n d on condition
that it doesn't m e d d l e in o u r i n t e r n a l affairs; it
is to have contact o n l y w i t h me a n d the commissar,

45
m u s t have no contact w i t h the reactionaries or
w i t h our enemies, a n d they m u s t d r o p u s arms.
If the g e n t l e m a n accepts these conditions,
said M y s l i m t u r n i n g to me, I agree, C o m r a d e
E n v e r , that a m i s s i o n s h o u l d come.
In translating Bab M y s l i m ' s words into
E n g l i s h , M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i s w a l l o w e d , blushed,
g r i p p e d the point of his nose b e t w e e n his t w o f i n -
gers a n d cleared his throat f r o m t i m e to time.
Of course, we accept these conditions, d e -
clared the B r i t i s h M a j o r , w h o w a s i n w a r d l y seeth-
ing w i t h indignation.

W h e n I w e n t to the K o r a region to m a k e
contact w i t h the p a r t y comrades there a n d t h e
p a r t i s a n forces that w e r e c o m m a n d e d b y T e k i
Kolaneci, Riza Kodheli, Josif Pashko, A g u s h
G j e r g j e v i c a , A s l l a n G u r r a a n d other c o m m a n d e r s
a n d commissars of etas a n d battalions, I h e a r d
M c L e a n h a d a p p e a r e d i n those zones. A t t h a t
t i m e the B a l l i s t eta of Safet B u t k a a n d t h e
Z j a r r i s t ( 1 ) F e t a h B u t k a , h i d i n g u n d e r the r e p u t a -
t i o n of the patriots of the past, S a l i a n d G a n i
B u t k a , w e r e m o v i n g a r o u n d the villages o f
K o l o n j a and, w h i l e they abused o u r P a r t y a n d
the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , t h e y
_______________________________

1 T h i s term was applied to the members of the Trotskyite

Zjarri (Fire) G r o u p w h i c h called itself the A l b a n i a n C o m -
munist Party. It was smashed by our P a r t y in M a r c h 1943.

46
collaborated w i t h fascist Italy. T h e B a l l i s t s a n d
t h e i r several n e w l y - f o r m e d etas d i d s u c h things
e v e r y w h e r e . A l i K l c y r a i n several regions o f the
South, Z e n e l G j o l e k a i n K u o f K u r v e l e s h , people
l i k e K o o M u k a o n the Coast a n d Q a z i m K o c u l i
in V l o r a a n d elsewhere acted in the same w a y . A
certain R a h m a n Z v a r i s h t i , a v a c i l l a t i n g i n d i v i d u a l
w h o h a d been a c o m m a n d e r of a p a r t i s a n eta,
but ended u p w i t h the B a l l i K o m b t a r , s l i t h e r e d
a r o u n d i n the r e g i o n o f K o r a . F o r the Ballists,
w i t h those b r i m l e s s w h i t e conical felt hats b e a r -
i n g the eagle e m b l e m on t h e i r heads, this w a s the
phase of t h e i r appearance allegedly as a n a t i o n a l
o r g a n i z a t i o n . H o w e v e r m u c h t h e y posed as p a -
triots, i t w a s c l e a r l y e v i d e n t that t h e y r e l i e d o n
the beys, aghas a n d c o r r u p t intellectuals, w h o
h a d n o t h i n g a t a l l i n c o m m o n w i t h the people
and their war, but were linked in every w a y
w i t h the I t a l i a n occupiers a n d against the people.
O n e d a y t h a t I was i n V i t h k u q , h o l d i n g
a m e e t i n g w i t h J o s i f P a s h k o a n d other comrades,
M c L e a n came a n d f o u n d me there. I i n s t r u c t e d
the comrades to take h i m as f a r as possible into
the m o u n t a i n s , w h e r e he w o u l d be close to the
L e s h n j a F l a t f o r a reason w h i c h I w i l l e x p l a i n
below. T h e y took h i m to the v i l l a g e of S h t y l l a .
I w e n t up to S h t y l l a , met h i m a n d saw
that t h e y h a d g i v e n h i m t w o c o m f o r t a b l e rooms,
suitable f o r h i m t o w o r k i n a n d t o establish his

47
radio communications. I invited h i m to dinner in
B e h a r S h t y l l a ' s house w h e r e I w a s s t a y i n g . A t
d i n n e r , of course, the conversation came r o u n d
to weapons.
S u c h a m i l i t a n t region as K o r a does not
have a single B r i t i s h automatic, I told h i m . The
partisans are c o m p l a i n i n g a n d d e m a n d i n g that
y o u drop t h e m weapons w i t h o u t fail.
A s u s u a l M c L e a n h a d p l e n t y o f excuses.
If y o u d o n ' t d r o p weapons here, the people
o f K o r a w o n ' t let y o u go. T h e y ' l l h o l d y o u
prisoner, I c o n t i n u e d j o k i n g l y . T u r n i n g to T e k i
a n d B e h a r , I said to t h e m , T o m o r r o w take the
M a j o r to see the L e s h n j a F l a t w h i c h is close by
a n d v e r y suitable f o r d r o p p i n g arms.
T h e f o l l o w i n g day the M a j o r w e n t to see it
a n d w h e n he r e t u r n e d I asked h i m :
W e l l , w h a t d i d y o u t h i n k o f it?
Fine, he r e p l i e d .
T h e n , give M a j o r M c L e a n the list of the
a r m s y o u need, I addressed m y s e l f to T e k i .
T e k i had o v e r l o o k e d n o t h i n g i n w h a t h e
asked f r o m the B r i t i s h . We m i g h t as w e l l ask
f o r them, h e told me, a l t h o u g h w e k n o w t h e y
w o n ' t send them.
W h e n he saw the list of requests M c L e a n ' s
eyes opened w i d e a n d he s a i d :
To b r i n g a l l these things w e ' d need at least
30 aircraft.
S e n d 10, I said. B u t y o u ' d better discuss

48
the m a t t e r w i t h c o m m a n d e r T e k i , M a j o r , a n d
reach agreement w i t h h i m . T h e i n t e r p r e t e r ' s
s u r n a m e w a s P l a k u . ( 1 ) H e was f r o m D e v o l l a n d
had gone t o the A m e r i c a n T e c h n i c a l S c h o o l i n
T i r a n a i n the t i m e o f Z o g .
I n the e n d some a r m s w e r e d r o p p e d a t
Leshnja.
We h a d decided to attack the Italians on the
J a n i n a - K o r a - M a n a s t i r r o a d w i t h o u r forces. W e
c a r r i e d t h i s a c t i o n out w i t h success. M a n y e n -
emies w e r e k i l l e d , t r u c k s w e r e b u r n e d a n d rifles
captured.
Those w e r e the times w h e n w e w e r e t r y i n g
to get the etas of the B a l l i K o m b t a r engaged
in the f i g h t against the occupiers. S o m e of our
representatives w e n t to t a l k about this w i t h
Safet B u t k a . H o w e v e r , Safet refused. T h e B r i t i s h
officer h e a r d of his stand a n d begged me to let
h i m go, together w i t h C o m m a n d e r T e k i , t o
persuade h i m .
Y o u ' r e w a s t i n g y o u r time, I said. They
w o n ' t fight, b u t nevertheless, w e s h a l l c o m p l y
w i t h y o u r wishes.
M c L e a n went, t a l k e d w i t h Safet B u t k a , but
he s t i l l d i d n ' t w a n t to fight.
W e l l , are y o u c o n v i n c e d n o w about w h a t
I t o l d y o u ? I asked the M a j o r , w h o was s i t t i n g
disconsolately before me after he r e t u r n e d f r o m
meeting Safet. They are not going to fight.
_______________________________
1 Jorgo P l a k u martyr of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n War.

49
 B y this time there w e r e f o u r o r f i v e groups
o f the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n i n o u r c o u n t r y . M c L e a n
w a s t h e i r leader a n d M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i his f r i e n d .
One f i n e day, M c L e a n came out w i t h a n
interesting! proposal.
I have been t h i n k i n g , M r . H o x h a , he said
to me, that to e l i m i n a t e b u r e a u c r a c y , the requests
for arms a n d m u n i t i o n s s h o u l d not b e m a d e
d i r e c t l y f r o m y o u r G e n e r a l Staff, b u t f r o m t h e
m i l i t a r y zones w h e r e o u r missions are located.
As w e l l as that, he added in a tone of p r i d e as if
he h a d discovered A m e r i c a , the supplies s h o u l d
b e delivered d i r e c t l y , w i t h o u t going t h r o u g h t h e
G e n e r a l Staff. T h i s w i l l speed u p . . .
No, I i n t e r r u p t e d . I s h a l l n e v e r a l l o w
such a thing. T h i s took h i m by surprise a n d he
stared at me in astonishment. T h e n , recognizing the
utter f a i l u r e o f the scheme h e h a d hatched u p i n
his fertile m i n d , he d r o p p e d his head and, after
a pause, changed the conversation. H i s c u n n i n g
a i m was foiled e v e n before the w o r d s w e r e out
of his m o u t h . W i t h this subtle tactic he w a n t e d
me to give h i m o f f i c i a l leave to take o v e r the
reins of leadership of o u r people's w a r in a r o u n d -
about w a y and to e l i m i n a t e it. M o r e o v e r , by
this means he w a n t e d to c o r r u p t o u r r a n k s f r o m
below, t o compromise i m m a t u r e people w i t h gold
and, h o w e v e r things t u r n e d out, h e w o u l d have
t h e m u n d e r his c o n t r o l . H o w e v e r , A l b i o n s u f -
fered defeat on t h i s road, too.

50
 W h e n w e o r g a n i z e d the 1st B r i g a d e a t V i t h -
k u q , w e i n v i t e d M c L e a n t o b e there. H e was
present at the celebration a n d the ceremony of
h a n d i n g o v e r the b a t t l e - f l a g of the brigade.
M c L e a n once m a d e a v i s i t to S h p i r a g . We
a p p o i n t e d K o o T a s h k o a s his interpreter. H e had
gone d o w n f r o m t h e r e to observe the positions
of K u o v a . W h e n they r e t u r n e d , a f r i g h t e n e d and
i n d i g n a n t K o o came t o m e a n d s a i d :
F i n d a n o t h e r i n t e r p r e t e r f o r the M a j o r ,
C o m r a d e E n v e r , because I'll n o t g o w i t h h i m
again. D o y o u k n o w w h a t h e d i d ? H e stood o n
a n exposed h i l l , w e a r i n g his r e d sash, a n d looked
a l l r o u n d w i t h his b i n o c u l a r s . If he goes on
e x p o s i n g h i m s e l f i n this w a y , the G e r m a n s w i l l
k i l l u s one day.
B u t w h y d i d h e p u t o n the r e d sash?
I said.
To s h o w he is an officer, said K o o , so
that i n case o f danger they w i l l not k i l l h i m ,
but take h i m prisoner. T h e y m i g h t not k i l l h i m ,
b u t t h e y w o u l d shoot me on the spot.
T h e comrades sent me a great d e a l of i n -
f o r m a t i o n s h o w i n g that w h e r e v e r the B r i t i s h
missions w e r e , t h e y d i d t h e i r utmost t o l i n k u p
w i t h reaction, t r i e d t o poke t h e i r noses into
o u r affairs a n d q u a r r e l l e d w i t h o u r comrades.
Seeing the attempts of the B r i t i s h missions
to inject t h e i r p o i s o n into o u r people and the

51
danger o f t h e i r interference i n o u r i n t e r n a l af-
fairs, in A u g u s t 1943, I considered it necessary
to instruct o u r comrades at the base once again
t h r o u g h a letter a n d m a k e clear to t h e m that the
B r i t i s h h a d come f o r t h e i r o w n purposes, t o p o k e
t h e i r noses into o u r i n t e r n a l affairs, that they
d i d not keep the promises t h e y h a d m a d e us
about sending u s a r m s a n d m o n e y . T h e i r t e n -
dency is to ask questions of a n y b o d y , a n y p a r t i s a n
or eta c o m m a n d e r , a n d f r o m this to l e a r n w h a t
is going on a n d get our a r m y a n d o u r m o v e m e n t
into t h e i r clutches. Y o u m u s t place several good
comrades i n t h e i r service, a n d they m u s t stay
w i t h t h e m w h e r e v e r they go, a v o i d i n g contacts
w i t h people that y o u consider undesirable f o r
t h e m to meet.* I repeatedly i n s t r u c t e d t h e m that
they should not give t h e m a n y i n f o r m a t i o n about
our i n t e r n a l affairs.
M a n y times I h a d fierce arguments w i t h
M c L e a n , not o n l y o v e r t h e i r f a i l u r e to send us
arms, but also o v e r the m a n y efforts of the
B r i t i s h here t o l i n k u p a t a l l costs w i t h the B a l l i
K o m b t a r , w i t h reaction i n N o r t h e r n A l b a n i a
a n d w i t h the chiefs o f reaction i n D i b r a a n d
M a c e d o n i a . N e w s reached m e f r o m M a t that the
B r i t i s h m i s s i o n was m a k i n g the l a w there and
that ample weapons w e r e b e i n g d r o p p e d to the
Zogites.
_____________________________
* Enver H o x h a , Works, v o l . 1, p. 342, A l b . e d .

52
 I m m e d i a t e l y after the 2 n d N a t i o n a l L i b e r a -
t i o n C o n f e r e n c e of L a b i n o t , some comrades a n d I
w e n t to P e z a . O n l y a f e w days h a d gone by since
the c a p i t u l a t i o n of fascist Italy, a n d we h a d to
f o l l o w the events in the c a p i t a l closely w h a t
w o u l d b e done w i t h the I t a l i a n a r m y there, w h a t
t u r n w o u l d the s i t u a t i o n i n the B a l k a n s take after
this event, w h a t w o u l d the allies do, w o u l d they
l a n d in these parts, as reports suggested.
T h e pressure a n d interference of the B r i t i s h
officers became intense this t i m e . H o w e v e r , the
P a r t y f o u g h t a n d w a s v i g i l a n t . M a n y comrades
f r o m the r e g i o n a l committees a n d o u r m i l i t a r y
units sent us i n d i g n a n t reports about the activities
o f o u r allies. F r o m V l o r a they w r o t e that the
B r i t i s h o f f i c e r there insisted that his orders m u s t
be obeyed, because he received t h e m f r o m the
B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t ! D o n ' t attack a n d d i s a r m
the Italians, he t o l d t h e m , a m b u s h only
G e r m a n columns. If y o u attack the Italians I shall
not give y o u m y a i d a n y ,more. T h e report
c o n t i n u e d w i t h the B r i t i s h officer's threats,
D o n ' t attack V l o r a , because the B r i t i s h forces
w i l l come, or if y o u ' r e g o i n g to act, a delegate
s h o u l d come f r o m t h e F r o n t a n d one f r o m the
B a l l i K o m b t a r , a n d w e s h a l l t a l k about c o m b i n -
ing, so that V l o r a is a t t a c k e d by the F r o n t and
the B a l l i K o m b t a r simultaneously. These were
orders w h i c h r a n counter to the line of our

53
P a r t y a n d to the i n s t r u c t i o n s of the N a t i o n a l
L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n c i l . H o w e v e r , the c o m -
rades of V l o r a p a i d no heed to the B r i t i s h officer.
T h e y applied o u r i n s t r u c t i o n s w i t h o u t hesitation.
F r o m Pogradec, l i k e w i s e , they reported that
the B r i t i s h officer, C a p t a i n S m i l e y , h a d ordered
the partisan c o m m a n d there not to open f i r e on
the Italians a n d to w i t h d r a w the p a r t i s a n s f r o m
the v i c i n i t y of the b a r r a c k s .
F o r these reasons, a n d to r e m i n d the B r i t i s h
officers once again that there w a s a strict l i m i t
to w h a t t h e y w e r e a l l o w e d to do, at the b e g i n -
n i n g of October 1943 I sent the r e g i o n a l c o m m i t -
tees of the C P A a letter in w h i c h , a m o n g other
things, I w r o t e that the B r i t i s h missions w e r e
s i m p l y representatives o f the B r i t i s h a r m y a n d
as such t h e y ought to s u p p o r t those w h o w e r e
f i g h t i n g the occupiers; they h a d no r i g h t to
meddle i n a n y w a y i n o u r i n t e r n a l affairs. I i n -
structed that they s h o u l d be t o l d o p e n l y of o u r
stand t o w a r d s the B a l l i s t s a n d other traitors, a n d
that they w o u l d be responsible to t h e i r g o v e r n -
ment a n d t o u s f o r a n y t h i n g t h e y d i d i n f a v o u r
of t h e m a n d to the d e t r i m e n t of the A l b a n i a n
people's w a r . I w r o t e to the p a r t y r e g i o n a l c o m -
mittees: In no w a y s h o u l d t h e y be accepted as
arbiters to solve p r o b l e m s b e t w e e n us a n d the
B a l l i K o m b t a r ; we settle these things ourselves,
w e are i n our o w n c o u n t r y a n d i t i s w e w h o

54
m a k e the l a w here as the interests of our c o u n -
try, o u r people a n d o u r w a r r e q u i r e .
W e k n o w w h o the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s are,
I stressed in the letter, a n d n e v e r f o r a m o m e n t
forget that t h e y are capitalists, that t h e y are
against c o m m u n i s m a n d socialism; t h e y do not
forget w h o we are, b u t n e i t h e r do we forget w h o
they are. A t present w e are i n alliance w i t h t h e m
against I t a l i a n fascism a n d G e r m a n n a z i s m , a n d
w e s h a l l r e m a i n l o y a l t o this alliance. H o w e v e r ,
w e have not a l l o w e d a n d n e v e r w i l l a l l o w t h e m
t o i n t e r f e r e i n the i n t e r n a l affairs o f A l b a n i a .
T h e b i t t e r past of o u r people is not to be repeated
again. T h e C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a a n d the
A l b a n i a n people w i l l not a l l o w this.*

W h e n t h e i r s a w s t r u c k a n a i l , the B r i t i s h
abandoned the direct a p p r o a c h a n d operated by
stealth, t r y i n g t o d i v i d e a n d deceive o u r people
i n devious w a y s .
M c L e a n a n d his m e n strove t o probe a r o u n d
the t e r r a i n , but made no h e a d w a y a n y w h e r e .
O n e O c t o b e r day, w h e n I w a s t a l k i n g to
B a b M y s l i m , a b a t t a l i o n c o m m a n d e r came in
f l o u r i s h i n g a s m a l l purse.
W h a t ' s i n i t ? asked M y s l i m .
G o l d sovereigns, he replied.
W h e r e d i d y o u f i n d it? I asked.
______________________________
* E n v e r H o x h a , Works, v o l . 1, pp. 435-436, A l b . e d .

55
 In a corner of my tent. It came on to r a i n
a n d the B r i t i s h M a j o r w h o w a s passing b y came
i n for shelter. W h e n the r a i n stopped h e w e n t
away, but I f o u n d t h i s w h i c h he left in the tent.
Look, I said, take the i n t e r p r e t e r a n d go
to the house w h e r e he is staying, give h i m b a c k
the m o n e y a n d say t o h i m : ' N e x t time, M a j o r ,
don't 'forget' y o u r sovereigns in a partisan's
tent, because it m i g h t have unpleasant conse-
quences f o r y o u '
The rotters! snorted B a b . T h e y ' v e done
this once before.
Yes, I remember, I said.
We w e r e in a v i l l a g e of the P e z a zone.
W h i l e M y s l i m , I a n d several o t h e r comrades w e r e
sitting a r o u n d the f i r e in a p o o r peasant's home,
a p a r t i s a n came r u n n i n g up, p a n t i n g h a r d f r o m
exertion.
The B r i t i s h officer, w h o has just set out
for G r e c a , has left this bag w h e r e his tent w a s
pitched, Bab, he said to M y s l i m .
W h a t ' s inside i t ? L e t me have a look!
M y s l i m took the bag, opened it a n d p o u r e d out
a n u m b e r of sovereigns on the goatskin mat.
M y s l i m f r o w n e d , stood u p a n d ordered the
partisan curtly:
Take these, go q u i c k l y , catch up w i t h that
dog a n d t e l l h i m : ' D o n ' t p l a n t m o n e y o n the
road. W e don't s w a l l o w such things. T h e A l b a n i a n
doesn't sell himself f o r money.'

56
 W e l l said, Bab, I said. The B r i t i s h
o f f i c e r m u s t be taught that true A l b a n i a n s can't
be bought f o r gold.
T h i s was not the first t i m e that M y s l i m P e z a
had t a k e n such a resolute, stern a n d w i d e - a w a k e
stand.
F r o m the v i l l a g e o f G r e c a , the B r i t i s h M a j o r
S e y m o u r once sent a letter to C o m r a d e M y s l i m
P e z a t o w h o m h e c o m p l a i n e d that n o one w o u l d
give h i m i n f o r m a t i o n , that n o one w o u l d listen t o
his orders, or t e l l h i m of our plans to attack the
G e r m a n s , etc. and, seeking to f i n d out these p l a n s
f r o m M y s l i m , he w r o t e c r a f t i l y , I have addressed
this letter to y o u , because y o u are a m i l i t a r y
m a n , as I a m , a n d I hope that y o u u n d e r s t a n d
this d i f f i c u l t p o s i t i o n better t h a n the others w h o
d o not h a v e t h a t e x p e r i e n c e i n w a r a n d other
things. A n d t o w h o m d i d the B r i t i s h M a j o r a d -
dress his p r a y e r s ? To B a b M y s l i m , an out-
s t a n d i n g patriot a n d v a l i a n t f i g h t e r of o u r people.
M y s l i m r e p l i e d w i t h s u c h a blast that the c u n -
n i n g f o x of the Intelligence S e r v i c e n e v e r d a r e d
r e t u r n to this course.
W h e r e v e r t h e y went, especially w h e n they
c a r r i e d out actions, w h e n they b l e w u p bridges
or roads, t h e y carelessly left b e h i n d t h e m such
things as cigarette packets, meat tins and so
on, b r a n d e d Made in England, so that the oc-
cupiers w o u l d u n d e r s t a n d that the authors w e r e

57
B r i t i s h and p u r s u e t h e m , quite u n c o n c e r n e d t h a t
villages w e r e b u r n t a n d reprisals c a r r i e d o u t
against the p o p u l a t i o n in the zones w h e r e t h e y
operated. T h e c u l m i n a t i o n of t h e i r actions c a m e
i n the m i d d l e o f O c t o b e r 1943 w h e n B r i t i s h a n d
A m e r i c a n a i r c r a f t b o m b e d the Tirana a i r f i e l d .
A s our comrades f r o m T i r a n a reported, t h e y
h a d bombed a w h o l e section of the city, k i l l i n g
and w o u n d i n g h u n d r e d s of residents a n d causing
i n c a l c u l a b l e m a t e r i a l damage. I m m e d i a t e l y w e
l e a r n e d of this, we sent a protest to the B r i t i s h
m i l i t a r y mission, w h i c h w e c o n c l u d e d a s f o l l o w s :
R e p o r t this m a t t e r to C a i r o so that o u r c o m -
p l a i n t is m a d e k n o w n in the p r o p e r quarter, so
that these unacceptable acts against the c i v i l i a n
p o p u l a t i o n are not repeated b u t attacks are made
w i t h even greater s e v e r i t y against e n e m y m i l i -
t a r y objectives. I n r e p l y t o this the B r i t i s h m i s -
sion sent t h e i r f r i e n d , M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , a leaflet
w r i t t e n i n E n g l i s h t o translate, f o r d u p l i c a t i o n
a n d d i s t r i b u t i o n i n T i r a n a . A m o n g other things,
i t read, O u r a i r m e n w i l l take a l l possible care
not to cause y o u accidental h a r m , but y o u , f o r
y o u r part, must assist t h e m b y not r e m a i n i n g
near m i l i t a r y objectives. W h a t l o g i c !
T h i s is the sort of c o n t r i b u t i o n the B r i t i s h
made w i t h t h e i r actions i n A l b a n i a !

In the first week of October 1943 B i l l

M c L e a n had sought a m e e t i n g w i t h me, g i v i n g

58
as his reason a v e r y u r g e n t m a t t e r w h i c h he
h a d to c o m m u n i c a t e to me f r o m his centre in
London.
I d e l i b e r a t e l y kept h i m w a i t i n g t w o days to
let h i m k n o w that I was i n n o h u r r y t o d e a l
w i t h t h i s very u r g e n t m a t t e r f r o m L o n d o n ,
just a s L o n d o n w a s i n n o h u r r y t o f u l f i l o u r v e r y
u r g e n t requests f o r a r m s a n d a m m u n i t i o n . T h e
B r i t i s h a n d t h e chief o f the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n
attached to us, B i l l M c L e a n , told us a w h o l e
s t r i n g of lies. T h e y m a d e lots of promises, b u t
t h e i r a i r c r a f t d i d not come because of b a d w e a -
ther, because B r i t a i n was s u p p l y i n g weapons
to the w h o l e of E u r o p e , because the people
w h o w e r e supposed to f u l f i l the requests of the
N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t w e r e none too careful,
a n d other such tales, w h i c h h a d become v e r y
stale. U p t o that t i m e the B r i t i s h h a d d r o p p e d
us n o t h i n g , apart f r o m a f e w h u n d r e d rifles, a
v e r y s m a l l q u a n t i t y o f a m m u n i t i o n , a n d some
used c l o t h i n g , just e n o u g h to be able to say,
Y o u are not left w i t h o u t b e i n g sent something.
H o w e v e r , those f e w rifles that w e received f r o m
t h e m q u i c k l y t u r n e d i n t o s c r a p - i r o n , because
the a m m u n i t i o n f o r t h e m r a n out. As I said
p r e v i o u s l y , the depots of the occupiers w h i c h we
attacked, the battlefields a n d the d i s a r m i n g of
prisoners w e r e the sources of our arms.
W e h a d f r e q u e n t q u a r r e l s a n d confrontations

59
w i t h the B r i t i s h . W e d e m a n d e d a r m s f r o m t h e m ,
they t o l d us lies, a n d on r a r e occasions, after
fights and squabbles, t h e y gave us a f e w simple
used automatics a n d sent one or t w o a i r c r a f t
to drop us a l i t t l e c l o t h i n g .
We also q u a r r e l l e d o v e r the question of
the B B C , w h i c h v e r y r a r e l y spoke about the
w a r w h i c h was b e i n g w a g e d against the oc-
cupier i n our c o u n t r y , o r w h e n i t d i d m e n -
t i o n it, a t t r i b u t e d i t t o the B a l l i K o m b t a r .
In this situation we tightened up our control
over t h e m a n d made i t d i f f i c u l t f o r t h e m t o m o v e
about. T h r o u g h great efforts they m a d e contact
w i t h people sent in disguise by the heads of t h e
B a l l i K o m b t a r , i n the districts o f K o r a , T i r a n a
a n d D i b r a . O f course t h e y h a d special contact
w i t h A b a z K u p i (later B i l l M c L e a n was attached
to him), a n d t h r o u g h h i m m a d e contact, in secret
f r o m us, w i t h the quislings i n T i r a n a , w i t h the
chiefs o f reaction i n the N o r t h , especially i n D i -
bra, a n d w i t h M u h a r r e m B a j r a k t a r i . T h e p o l i c y
of the B r i t i s h w a s clear to us. T h e y w e r e o r g a -
n i z i n g reaction against us, t r y i n g to get reaction
to declare w a r on us a n d to s t r i k e a m o r t a l b l o w
at us, in collaboration w i t h the Italians and, later,
w i t h the G e r m a n s , so t h a t the B r i t i s h forces
w o u l d intervene as liberators in the l i b e r a t i o n
o f A l b a n i a a n d the n e w B a l l i s t quislings w o u l d
take power. H o w e v e r , things d i d not w o r k out
that w a y . T h e P a r t y w a s stronger t h a n the I t a -

60
lians, the G e r m a n s , the Ballists, the Zogites a n d
the B r i t i s h .
F o r these reasons, the meetings w h i c h I h a d
w i t h the B r i t i s h f r o m t i m e t o t i m e began a n d
e n d e d w i t h quarrels, began w i t h o u r demands
a n d ended w i t h t h e i r false promises.
I w a s c o n v i n c e d that B i l l M c L e a n , w h o w a s
seeking a m e e t i n g w i t h me, h a d n o t h i n g to t e l l
me apart f r o m some other false promise.
I received h i m in a correct but cool m a n n e r .
T h e B r i t i s h officer, on the contrary, was a l l smiles
as he squeezed my h a n d . He laughed, his eyes
gleamed l i k e those of a f o x ; he w a s intelligent,
but he h a d a b l a c k heart. T h i s time the cat h a d
h i d d e n its c l a w s a n d was p u r r i n g sweetly. I h a d
f o r m e d the o p i n i o n that w h e n M c L e a n , the agent
of the Intelligence Service, s m i l e d , I s h o u l d be
o n m y g u a r d , because his smiles h i d perfidious
aims.
I asked B i l l M c L e a n to sit d o w n a n d offered
h i m my t i n of tobacco to r o l l a cigarette, a l -
t h o u g h I k n e w that he d i d not smoke, a n d n e v e r
touched o u r r a k i . H e was c o n t i n u a l l y m u n c h i n g
chocolate, w h i c h the a i r c r a f t d r o p p e d h i m along
w i t h his personal supplies. P e r f i d i o u s A l b i o n had
a i r c r a f t f o r s u c h things, but w h e n it came to
d r o p p i n g w e a p o n s t o u s w h o w e r e f i g h t i n g fas-
cism, a i r c r a f t w e r e not a v a i l a b l e !
Y o u h a v e asked to meet me, because y o u
have a v e r y urgent m a t t e r f r o m L o n d o n to c o m -

61
m u n i c a t e t o me, M r . M c L e a n . Please t e l l m e w h a t
y o u have to say, I am listening, I s a i d .
Two days ago, M r . H o x h a , I received an
urgent telegram f r o m L o n d o n , b u t i t w a s i m p o s -
sible f o r y o u to receive me q u i c k l y , because y o u
are v e r y busy a n d I u n d e r s t a n d this. I have some
news, v e r y pleasant b o t h f o r y o u a n d f o r us,
he t o l d me.
A r e the a i r c r a f t c o m i n g w i t h the a r m s
w h i c h we need so b a d l y ? I asked h i m .
No, M r . H o x h a , even better n e w s t h a n that.
A general is c o m i n g , together w i t h his p e r s o n a l
staff. W h e n h e has come, said B i l l M c L e a n s m i l -
i n g , u n d o u b t e d l y a l l y o u r requests w i l l b e
fulfilled.
I w a i t e d f o r h i m to continue.
The general's n a m e is Davies. He is an
outstanding a n d capable soldier, w h o k n o w s A l -
b a n i a w e l l a n d loves i t sincerely.
A n d h e w e n t o n a n d o n i n the same tone,
boosting the general i n o r d e r t o convince m e .
H i s chief of staff is a colonel called N i -
cholls, a n d he began to boost h i m , too. I w o u l d
l i k e y o u , M r . H o x h a , t o issue the necessary o r -
ders to the p a r t i s a n c o m m a n d of the r e g i o n w h i c h
is allocated for his l a n d i n g , so that a l l the neces-
s a r y measures are taken, c o n t i n u e d M c L e a n .
W h e n M c L e a n f i n i s h e d , I h a d m y say:
Can y o u t e l l m e t o w h o m this general a n d
his staff are being sent?

62
 To y o u , M r . H o x h a .
I u n d e r s t a n d that. B u t I w a n t to k n o w
w h e t h e r he is b e i n g sent to the G e n e r a l Staff of
the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y o r t o the N a t i o n a l
Liberation General Council?
T h e w i l y M c L e a n understood w h a t I w a s
d r i v i n g at, t h o u g h t f o r a m o m e n t a n d r e p l i e d :
To the G e n e r a l S t a f f of the A l b a n i a n p a r t i -
sans. T h a t ' s w h y a general is b e i n g sent. He is
a m i l i t a r y personality, not a p o l i t i c a l one.
H o w d i f f i c u l t it is to separate m i l i t a r y ques-
tions f r o m p o l i t i c a l questions, I said. W e do
not separate t h e m , b u t y o u h a v e y o u r o w n p r i n -
ciples a n d regulations. I have a question f o r
you.
Please ask it, M r . H o x h a .
F r o m w h o m is he sent to us?
F r o m o u r centre.
W h i c h i s y o u r centre?
He w a s in a tight spot a n d h a d to t h i n k
w h e t h e r t o say L o n d o n o r C a i r o . A f t e r some m o -
ments he s a i d :
London.
T h a t means to say f r o m the W a r O f f i c e of
the B r i t i s h E m p i r e ? I asked again.
Yes, he a d m i t t e d in a r e l u c t a n t m u m b l e .
N o w I h a v e the m a t t e r clear a n d I am glad
that y o u e x p l a i n e d this to me, I said, because
our l i n k s a n d c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h B r i t a i n , a s a n

63
a l l y i n the c o m m o n f i g h t against the same e n -
emies, are i m p o r t a n t to us.
B i l l M c L e a n ' s face set in a f r o w n at these
w o r d s of m i n e . He h a d been obliged to a d m i t
things w h i c h h e d i d not w a n t t o say. W e w e r e
clear that the B r i t i s h d i d n o t w a n t these l i n k s to
be t a k e n as o f f i c i a l r e c o g n i t i o n by the g o v e r n m e n t
i n L o n d o n , b u t s i m p l y a s m i l i t a r y collaboration
w i t h the A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n H e a d q u a r t e r s es-
tablished in C a i r o . T h a t is precisely w h y I pressed
h i m o n this m a t t e r f r o m the outset.
M r . M c L e a n , I said, I have a c o m p l a i n t .
F r i e n d s h i p a n d correctness between allies r e -
q u i r e that, before we decide the place w h e r e the
general a n d his staff are to l a n d a n d n o t i f y
the partisan c o m m a n d in the zone to take
the p r o p e r measures, y o u r W a r O f f i c e s h o u l d
have sought the p e r m i s s i o n of the G e n e r a l S t a f f
o f o u r N a t i o n a l L i b r a t i o n A r m y f o r the c o m -
i n g of this m i s s i o n ; y o u s h o u l d first have
sought o u r a p p r o v a l to see w h e t h e r we agree that
the group o f the B r i t i s h officers w i t h G e n e r a l
D a v i e s should come to o u r c o u n t r y a n d be at-
tached to us. This, y o u w i l l understand, is not a
f o r m a l requirement, but a n i m p o r t a n t m a t t e r
of principle.
T h e agent of the Intelligence S e r v i c e thought
f o r a moment, but, losing no t i m e a n d s m i l i n g
u n d e r his a u b u r n moustache, h e r e p l i e d :
O f course, y o u are quite right, M r . H o x h a .

64
T h i s i s precisely w h a t o u r W a r O f f i c e h a d i n
m i n d , b u t I w a s so overjoyed a n d e x c i t e d that
I m a d e the m i s t a k e of not presenting the c o n -
tent of the message f r o m L o n d o n u n t i l the end,
and, u n f o l d i n g a letter he was h o l d i n g , he began
to r e a d w h a t w a s allegedly a request f o r my a p -
proval.
In that case e v e r y t h i n g is in order, I told
M c L e a n . A s t o the competences, rights a n d duties
of G e n e r a l D a v i e s a n d his staff, I assume I
a m t o discuss these w i t h h i m w h e n h e comes.
If this is so (and M c L e a n n o d d e d his head in
agreement), o n w h a t date w i l l h e come a n d
where do you think he should land?
M c L e a n said that h e w o u l d i n f o r m m e o f
the precise date later.
F o r the m o m e n t I am unable to i n f o r m
y o u about the date, b u t as to the place f o r his
l a n d i n g , y o u decide that yourselves, h e c o n -
t i n u e d . Y o u k n o w y o u r zones better t h a n
anyone else.
H o w m a n y a i r c r a f t w i l l come? I asked.
I cannot say, b u t possibly m o r e t h a n one.
T h e y b r o u g h t us coffee, a n d w h i l e r o l l i n g a
cigarette, I w a s t h i n k i n g about a suitable safe
place f o r t h e m to l a n d so that n o t h i n g u n t o w a r d
w o u l d h a p p e n , because w e w o u l d bear respon-
sibility.
A f t e r some consideration, I said to B i l l
McLean:

65
 H e w i l l l a n d o n the B i z a Plateau.
W h e r e is this plateau? he asked, as if he
d i d not k n o w .
I opened the m a p w h i c h I h a d in my b a g
a n d pointed i t out t o h i m . A f t e r t e l l i n g h i m that
a l t h o u g h the place was close to T i r a n a a n d E l b a -
san, it was secure, because the w h o l e zone w a s
liberated, there w e r e p a r t i s a n detachments e v e r y -
w h e r e a n d the w h o l e p o p u l a t i o n of the region
w a s w i t h us, I c o n t i n u e d :
Y o u c a n assure y o u r W a r O f f i c e that e v e r y -
thing w i l l go well.
W h e n e v e r I m e n t i o n e d the W a r O f f i c e I n o -
ticed that h e w a s embarrassed a n d w r i n k l e d his
b r o w . It w a s obvious that he h a d m a d e a m i s t a k e
i n a d m i t t i n g t o m e that t h e i r centre w a s the B r i -
tish W a r Office, a n d I c o n t i n u e d to m e n t i o n it to
a n n o y h i m , just as he h a d a n n o y e d us by deceiv-
i n g us h o u r after h o u r about the supplies of
weapons a n d a m m u n i t i o n .
Do y o u agree about the place? I asked.
Yes, r e p l i e d M c L e a n , I shall i n f o r m the
centre.
A n d I shall s u m m o n the local c o m m a n d e r
a n d commissar w h e r e the l a n d i n g is to be m a d e
a n d t e l l t h e m to take the a p p r o p r i a t e measures.
I shall t e l l t h e m to m a k e contact w i t h y o u , b u t
please go to e r m e n i k a f o r some days to t a l k to
them.

66
 T h i s w a s the last m e e t i n g that I h a d w i t h
M a j o r M c L e a n a s chief o f the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n .
W h e n the general came t o replace h i m , h e
w e n t t o L o n d o n , a n d after being t h o r o u g h l y b r i e f e d
there, i n A p r i l 1944 h e w a s d r o p p e d into A l b a n i a
again, w h e r e h e l i n k e d u p w i t h B a z i i Cans.
T h r o u g h B a z i i Cans a n d reaction he became
a secret f r i e n d of the G e r m a n s w i t h w h o m he
came to terms. M c L e a n , the leader of this pack
of wolves, came out in his t r u e colours as o u r
s w o r n e n e m y . I s h a l l speak a b o u t his a c t i v i t y
a m o n g t h i s p a c k of w o l v e s a n d about its leaders,
headed b y A b a z K u p i , i n a separate chapter.

T h e B r i t i s h G e n e r a l ' s g r o u p w a s not going t o

sneak into A l b a n i a l i k e a g a n g of thieves, as
M c L e a n ' s g r o u p h a d done. A t least, the B r i t i s h
w e r e n o w obliged to i n f o r m us, to go m o r e t h a n
h a l f - w a y t o w a r d s seeking o u r p e r m i s s i o n t o enter
A l b a n i a , b u t t h e y s t i l l m a d e e v e r y effort t o
a v o i d g i v i n g the slightest sign that t h e y m i g h t
o f f i c i a l l y recognize o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r .
O f course, t h e y h a d t h e i r p r e d e t e r m i n e d plans
and came to us to l e a r n o u r plans, to h i n d e r the
r e a l i z a t i o n of t h e m a n d to create the i m p r e s s i o n
that t h e y w e r e the m a i n factors i n o u r N a t i o n a l
L i b e r a t i o n W a r a n d that o u r w a r a n d v i c t o r y
depended o n t h e m . G u i d e d b y such aims, t h e y
t r i e d to p r e p a r e a t e r r a i n f a v o u r a b l e to t h e i r
intrigues.

67
 N a t u r a l l y , w e h i n d e r e d t h e m i n these d i a b o l -
i c a l aims.

A f t e r M c L e a n left, I s u m m o n e d K a d r i H o -
x h a , c o m m a n d e r o f the P a r t i s a n G r o u p H e a d -
quarters o f E l b a s a n , a n d t a l k e d w i t h h i m p e r s o n -
a l l y a n d at l e n g t h to m a k e absolutely sure that
he understood e v e r y t h i n g clearly. I i n f o r m e d h i m
about the fact that B r i g a d i e r G e n e r a l Davies,
w h o m h e called s i m p l y B r i g a d i e r Davies, w a s
to be l a n d e d at B i z a .
T h e c o m m a n d e r o f the p a r t i s a n g r o u p k n e w
E n g l i s h , because h e h a d attended the A m e r i c a n
T e c h n i c a l S c h o o l in T i r a n a . Therefore, I said to
him, with a laugh:
Y o u c a l l D a v i e s 'brigadier', b u t w h e n the
B r i t i s h e v e n t u a l l y l e a r n that a m o n g u s the w o r d
' b r i g a d i e r ' means a n N.C.O., t h e y w o n ' t l i k e this
title a n d w i l l ask y o u t o c a l l h i m general.
K a d r i , w i t h that sardonic smile o f his, said
to me w i t h a w i n k : D o n ' t w o r r y , I k n o w that.
Nevertheless, I advised h i m to b e h a v e cor-
r e c t l y w i t h the G e n e r a l , t o t a l k t o h i m i n f r i e n d l y
fashion, w i t h o u t t e l l i n g h i m a n y t h i n g concrete
about our partisan forces in the region, o u r d e -
tachments, our bases f o r assembly a n d supplies,
i n other w o r d s , I a d v i s e d K a d r i t o t e l l h i m n o -
t h i n g w h i c h constituted m i l i t a r y secrets. I i n s t r u c t -
e d h i m t o t a l k t o the G e n e r a l about o u r w a r
against the occupiers, about the t r e a c h e r y of the

68
B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d its c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h the
e n e m y forces, about the trust the N a t i o n a l L i b -
eration F r o n t h a d placed i n the great S o v i e t -
B r i t i s h - A m e r i c a n alliance, a n d to keep on t e l l i n g
h i m that w e needed weapons, w h i c h t h e y w e r e
not sending us, a n d so on.
I u n d e r s t a n d y o u , ' m y d e a r friend', he r e -
p l i e d (it w a s his custom to use this expression).
I s h a l l do just w h a t y o u say.
Y o u s h o u l d let h i m t a l k a n d not say too
m u c h yourself. If the G e n e r a l does not talk, stir
h i m up a bit so that he does. I gave h i m these
instructions a l t h o u g h I w a s sure that the B r i t i s h
w e r e s k i l l e d i n d e a l i n g w i t h the tactic I r e c o m -
m e n d e d . B u t m y c o n c e r n w a s t o ensure that o u r
people gave a w a y the m i n i m u m a n d gathered
the m a x i m u m .
I t o l d h i m that w h e n the G e n e r a l came he
was t o c o n v e y t o h i m m y w e l c o m e a n d best
wishes a n d i n s t r u c t e d h i m t o f u l f i l the needs the
G e n e r a l m i g h t have, b u t w i t h a correct i n d i f f e r -
ence, so that o u r guest w o u l d not get the idea
that w e w e r e his servants, b u t allies i n the w a r .
As soon as the G e n e r a l l a n d e d , he s h o u l d l e a r n
that o u r t r a d i t i o n a l h o s p i t a l i t y inspires the gener-
osity of the host a m o n g the A l b a n i a n s .
H e w i l l need some people to serve h i m , a
cook a n d someone t o s u p p l y h i m w i t h vegetables,
but, first of all, I i n s t r u c t e d , he must be f o u n d

69
s o m e w h e r e t o stay. A l l this m u s t b e p a i d f o r i n
h a r d cash. It's w a r t i m e , t h e y h a v e m o n e y a n d
o u r people are poor.
I understand, ' m y d e a r f r i e n d ' , w a s K a d r i
Hoxha's refrain.
Later, w e s h a l l e x a m i n e his attitude t o w a r d s
our w a r , t o w a r d s the p o l i c y o f the N a t i o n a l L i b -
eration F r o n t a n d t o w a r d s the B a l l i s t s a n d reac-
tion, I said, and d e p e n d i n g on t h i s stand, we
s h a l l define o u r c o n d u c t t o w a r d s h i m .
All the people w h o are to associate w i t h
h i m must be sound, intelligent, prudent, close-
m o u t h e d , a n d a h u n d r e d per cent l o y a l to our
cause, I i n s t r u c t e d the c o m m a n d e r .
I h a v e e v e r y t h i n g clear, ' m y dear friend'.
W h e r e d o y o u t h i n k w e m i g h t b i l l e t the
B r i t i s h G e n e r a l f o r the t i m e b e i n g ? I asked
K a d r i H o x h a , p r e t e n d i n g that I c o u l d not guess
the place he w o u l d name.
In O r e n j a , ' m y d e a r f r i e n d ' , he r e p l i e d
w i t h a w i n k of his eye, s m i l i n g his sardonic s m i l e
a n d s t r o k i n g his d a p p e r moustache. The G e n e r a l
w i l l b e n i c e l y caged u p there.
I agree, I said. E s t a b l i s h h i m in O r e n j a
w i t h y o u r f r i e n d B e g B a l l a . T h e y t e l l m e that the
G e n e r a l i s getting o n i n years. S i n c e B e g i s e l -
d e r l y , too, it m i g h t please h i m to t a l k to the
G e n e r a l , but m i n d y o u don't let B e g gossip w i t h
h i m much.

70
 The group commander smiled.
I w a s o n l y p u l l i n g y o u r leg, as he is y o u r
friend, I said. Because B e g B a l l a is a s y m p a t h i z -
e r o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r .
First of all, I c o n t i n u e d , we must p r o v i d e
the G e n e r a l w i t h a liaison officer, one of our
comrades w h o k n o w s E n g l i s h w e l l , w h o w i l l
r e m a i n w i t h h i m c o n t i n u o u s l y a n d act a s the l i n k
between h i m a n d his staff a n d the N a t i o n a l L i b -
e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n c i l a n d the G e n e r a l Staff
of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y . I thought of
C o m r a d e F r e d e r i k Nosi.
Y o u r idea is a good one, he r e p l i e d .
F r e d e r i k N o s i came f r o m the same f a m i l y
as L e f N o s i , a person w h o h a d i n f l u e n c e w i t h i n
E l b a s a n a n d a l l o v e r the district, especially
in S h p a t . L e f w a s notorious as a c u n n i n g
bourgeois i n t e l l e c t u a l opposed to the people;
he h a d been against the peasant u p r i s i n g of H a -
x h i Q a m i l i . In the t i m e of Z o g he c o n t i n u e d to
e n r i c h himself. H e w a s respected b y the regime
as a person w i t h tendencies opposed to V r l a c i .
L a t e r he became a p r o m i n e n t f i g u r e in the B a l l i
K o m b t a r against our P a r t y a n d the N a t i o n a l
L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t . Consistent i n his treachery, L e f
N o s i w e n t so f a r as to collaborate w i t h the G e r -
m a n s also, but w e c a p t u r e d h i m a n d t r i e d h i m for
his crimes. D u r i n g the Z o g regime L e f N o s i must
have been an agent of the Intelligence Service,
because h e l i v e d a n d collaborated w i t h a n E n g -

71
l i s h w o m a n , M r s . H a s l u c k , w h o l i v e d f o r some
t i m e in E l b a s a n w h e r e she occupied a house a n d
h a d become his mistress. S h e w a s allegedly e n -
gaged i n a n t h r o p o l o g i c a l research, i n collecting
flowers, butterflies a n d folklore, b u t in fact, as
w a s p r o v e d later, she w a s w o r k i n g f o r the
B r i t i s h Secret S e r v i c e . M r s . H a s l u c k r e m a i n e d
i n E l b a s a n u n t i l the occupation o f A l b a n i a i n 1939
b y fascist Italy. A f t e r l e a v i n g A l b a n i a , this l o n g -
time agent of the B r i t i s h Intelligence S e r v i c e
t u r n e d u p i n C a i r o a n d s e r v e d a s i n s t r u c t o r there
f o r the B r i t i s h missions that w e r e sent t o A l b a n i a
d u r i n g the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r .
F r e d e r i k was a p a t r i o t i c i n t e l l e c t u a l , w h o
h a d done his p r i m a r y schooling i n E l b a s a n and
w e n t o n t o R o b e r t College i n Istanbul, w h e r e
the lessons w e r e g i v e n i n the E n g l i s h language
w h i c h h e mastered w e l l . L a t e r h e g r a d u a t e d f o r
l a w i n I t a l y and, o n the eve o f the o c c u p a t i o n
of A l b a n i a by fascist Italy, w a s a p p o i n t e d a judge.
F r e d e r i k hated Lef, w a s opposed t o h i m .
H e w a s a progressive m a n w i t h r e v o l u t i o n a r y
views, w a n t e d to become a c o m m u n i s t a n d j o i n e d
the Z j a r r i G r o u p . W h e n this g r o u p w a s expos-
e d a n d demolished b y the P a r t y , F r e d e r i k was
one of those honest comrades w h o abandoned the
group, j o i n e d the Party and fought and still
fights l o y a l l y w i t h i n its r a n k s , w i t h o u t ever w a -
vering.

72
 I r e m e m b e r that after I h a d w r i t t e n in the
newspaper Zri i popullit, the article, A Few
Words about Some Lackeys of Fascism: the Zja-
rri Group, the essence of w h i c h w a s : open f i r e
against t h e Z j a r r i G r o u p , a n d the g r o u p h a d
been c o m p l e t e l y smashed, w h e n I was o n m y w a y
back f r o m K o r a t o L a b i n o t , a t P o l i s , i n the h o m e
of M y f t a r H o x h a I m e t a y o u n g m a n c a r r y i n g a
satchel.
W h o are y o u ? I asked h i m .
F r e d e r i k Nosi, he r e p l i e d . I've j o i n e d the
partisans a n d h a v e been a d m i t t e d to the P a r t y ,
too, a n d he t o l d me about his a c t i v i t y .
I h a d h e a r d the n a m e of F r e d e r i k N o s i .
because we h a d it in the list of names of the
members of t h e Z j a r r i G r o u p . B u t I f o r m e d a
good i m p r e s s i o n of h i m f r o m the t i m e I f i r s t met
h i m i n M y f t a r ' s house a n d I w a s not m i s t a k e n .
This, i n a f e w w o r d s , w a s F r e d e r i k N o s i
w h o m I w a s to appoint as the l i a i s o n officer at-
tached to G e n e r a l Davies.
I k n e w Frederik's record and was convinced
that he w a s l o y a l to the P a r t y . I t h o u g h t that
w h e n this person w a s proposed t o G e n e r a l D a -
vies as l i a i s o n officer, the G e n e r a l w o u l d be i n
the seventh heaven, a n d , w h i l e k e e p i n g his face
as impassive as B u d d h a , w o u l d t h i n k , W h a t an
unsuspected blessing! T h e n e p h e w o f L e f N o s i ,
M r s . H a s l u c k ' s acquaintance, is to be w i t h m e ? !
Later, w h e n I proposed F r e d e r i k to the G e n e r a l ,

73
he was unable to hide his delight. B u t he was
w r o n g . F r e d e r i k N o s i w a s not a n d n e v e r became
his man.
I s u m m o n e d F r e d e r i k , t o l d h i m of the m i s -
sion w i t h w h i c h w e w e r e c h a r g i n g h i m , d e f i n e d
his duties, spoke about the i m p o r t a n c e of the job,
its dangers a n d the benefits w e w o u l d h a v e f r o m
it, a n d asked h i m w h e t h e r he agreed to accept
the task.
I f u l l y agree, he said, I am a soldier of
the P a r t y a n d w i l l go w h e r e v e r it sends m e . I
w i l l d o m y d u t y h o n o u r a b l y . A n d h e d i d , too,
h o n o u r a b l y , as a patriot a n d a l o y a l s o n of the
Party.

R i g h t f r o m the start I was c o n v i n c e d that

the c o m i n g of this B r i t i s h mission, headed by a
general, t o A l b a n i a w o u l d not b r i n g a n y notable
benefit t o o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r . T h e G e n -
e r a l w o u l d c e r t a i n l y f o l l o w the same strategy
a n d tactics t o w a r d s us as his predecessors, t h a t
is, he w o u l d assist us w i t h a f e w weapons, a l i t t l e
ammunition and c l o t h i n g , the m i n i m u m t o
j u s t i f y his c o m i n g a n d s t a y i n g here, w o u l d give
us a f e w h u n d r e d sovereigns, in order to say, T r y
t o b u y weapons f r o m the o c c u p a t i o n soldiers o n
the black m a r k e t , etc. A s w e h a d understood
f r o m w h a t they a t t e m p t e d to do secretly, the r e a l
task of the B r i t i s h m i l i t a r y missions w a s to gather

74
i n f o r m a t i o n about the situation, organization, size
a n d changes in t h e e n e m y forces, as w e l l as about
the situation, organization, activities a n d n u m b e r s
of o u r p a r t i s a n forces, a n d about the strategy
a n d tactics o f o u r leadership i n the w a r . T h e i r
task w a s to a c q u a i n t themselves w i t h the s i t u a -
t i o n , strength, a n d i n f l u e n c e o f the B a l l i K o m b -
t a r a n d other r e a c t i o n a r y groups w h i c h w e r e
o p e r a t i n g in o u r c o u n t r y , a n d on the basis of this
i n f o r m a t i o n , t o b u i l d u p t h e i r strategy and tac-
tics f o r i n t e r v e n t i o n i n A l b a n i a .
W h a t conclusions h a d I reached in r e g a r d to
t h e a c t i v i t y of the B r i t i s h ? Regardless of the fact
that t h e y w e r e f i g h t i n g against fascist I t a l y a n d
H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y , regardless of the fact that
they w e r e a l l i e d w i t h u s w h o w e r e f i g h t i n g the
same enemy, t h e y w a n t e d t o w e a k e n our N a t i o n -
a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r , t o w e a k e n a n d , i f possible,
e l i m i n a t e the i n f l u e n c e of o u r P a r t y , to r e c r u i t
agents a n d spies in the r a n k s of the F r o n t , a n d
especially i n the r a n k s o f the communists, i n order
to w e a k e n a n d destroy us, to create groups a n d
factions, a n d thus p r e p a r e a t e r r a i n in w h i c h the
B r i t i s h officers w o u l d m a k e the l a w i n the r a n k s
o f o u r detachments a n d t u r n t h e m into c o m -
mandos to c a r r y out sabotage actions a n d gather
i n f o r m a t i o n i n the interests o f the B r i t i s h E m p i r e
a n d to the d e t r i m e n t of the independence of our
country.

75
 T h e i r p l a n w a s to get to k n o w , to meet a n d
l i n k up w i t h the supporters of Zog, the heads of
the B a l l i K o m b t a r , w i t h the b a j r a k t a r s a n d
quislings, a n d together w i t h t h e m , to create a
m i l i t a r y - p o l i t i c a l force i n A l b a n i a opposed t o the
C o m m u n i s t P a r t y a n d the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n
F r o n t . T h e y w a n t e d t o h a v e this force, w h i c h
they w o u l d lead p o l i t i c a l l y a n d m i l i t a r i l y , ready
to engage in direct f i g h t i n g against us d u r i n g
the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r a n d especially o n
the eve o f L i b e r a t i o n , i n o r d e r t o seize p o w e r
f r o m o u r hands, or at least, to force us to share
power w i t h them.
It was the sacred d u t y of the P a r t y a n d of
me personally, as its G e n e r a l S e c r e t a r y a n d r e s -
ponsible f o r the p a r t i s a n a r m e d forces, to block,
p a r a l y z e a n d destroy these d i a b o l i c a l plans of the
B r i t i s h . W e w e r e t o c a r r y out this sacred d u t y
w i t h complete success. W i t h its heroic struggle
a n d r e v o l u t i o n a r y vigilance, the P a r t y saved t h e
people a n d the H o m e l a n d f r o m f a l l i n g into m a n y
dangerous traps w h i c h the B r i t i s h pseudo-allies
w e r e secretly p r e p a r i n g . T h e B r i t i s h i m p e r i a l i s t s
w e r e unable to achieve a n y of t h e i r objectives.
P r e c i s e l y f o r these reasons, the c o m i n g of
G e n e r a l D a v i e s a n d his g r o u p p u t us on the alert.
H e was not being sent here f o r n o t h i n g . W i t h o u t
doubt his centre considered that the conditions
w e r e ripe f o r f u r t h e r actions. W h a t w e r e these
actions? It w a s our d u t y to discover t h e m .

76
 H i s centre w a s c e r t a i n l y s e n d i n g this G e n e r a l
to co-ordinate the a c t i v i t y of the B r i t i s h missions
here better, or to t r y to e x t e n d a n d increase t h e i r
n u m b e r f o r n e w tasks i n n e w situations. Hence,
it was o u r d u t y to discover these aims, too.
O u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r h a d assumed
m a j o r p r o p o r t i o n s a n d w a s g a t h e r i n g strength.
O u r p a r t i s a n etas, detachments, a n d battalions
w e r e d e a l i n g h e a v y b l o w s to the I t a l i a n fascists
in our country. The National Liberation Front
h a d become a reality, a b r o a d , p o w e r f u l , p o l i t -
i c a l o r g a n i z a t i o n w h i c h was e x t e n d i n g d a y b y
d a y a n d getting the people into the f i g h t against
the occupiers. T h e quislings w e r e b e i n g exposed
a n d replaced one after the other. T h e B a l l i K o m -
btar w a s c o m i n g out i n its t r u e colours, because
it d i d not f i g h t the enemy, b u t collaborated w i t h
it a n d the quislings, a n d in fact, it f o u g h t us
w i t h a r m s a n d w i t h p r o p a g a n d a . A l l the b a j r a k -
tars o f the N o r t h w e r e w i t h the occupiers a n d
i n open a r m e d struggle against the C o m m u n i s t
P a r t y a n d the people. F o r fascist I t a l y the end
h a d come, w h i l e H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y was r e c e i v -
i n g h e a v y b l o w s a n d s u f f e r i n g one defeat after
another.
P r e c i s e l y i n this s i t u a t i o n this B r i t i s h G e n -
eral l a n d e d i n A l b a n i a . W i t h o u t doubt h e came
to f i s h in t r o u b l e d waters.
F o r a l l these reasons, a l o n g w i t h the measures
to receive h i m in the zone of E l b a s a n , I i m -

77
mediately took other p o l i t i c a l , o r g a n i z a t i o n a l and
security measures. I s u m m o n e d to P e z a the P o l -
i t i c a l Secretary of the R e g i o n a l C o m m i t t e e of
the C P A f o r T i r a n a , G o g o N u s h i , w h o m , a f t e r
i n f o r m i n g h i m of developments, I i n s t r u c t e d to
organize and set in m o t i o n o u r i n f o r m a t i o n ser-
vice in the d i r e c t i o n of p r o - B r i t i s h democratic
circles, o r leaders o f the B a l l i K o m b t a r , t o f i n d
out w h e t h e r they, too, h a d been i n f o r m e d about
the c o m i n g of this m i s s i o n headed by a general,
and w h y it was coming. I instructed h i m to i n -
f o r m me as q u i c k l y as possible about e v e r y t h i n g
they might learn, directly or indirectly.
Likewise, I notified Comrade H a x h i Lleshi
to keep his ears open a n d set people in m o t i o n
t o gather i n f o r m a t i o n o n these matters b y p e n -
e t r a t i n g into the c i r c l e o f the b a j r a k t a r s o f D i b r a .
I sent a c o u r i e r to B a b a F a j a a n d i n f o r m e d
h i m that, apart f r o m the above task, after the
G e n e r a l l a n d e d , h e w i t h his m e n m u s t k e e p
w a t c h on a l l the roads a n d paths of M a r t a n e s h
a n d not a l l o w a n y dubious c h a r a c t e r to enter
B i z a a n d contact the B r i t i s h . I also i n f o r m e d the
c o m m u n i s t comrades i n S h n g j e r g j about t h e
same t h i n g , a n d i n s t r u c t e d t h e m t o w a t c h the
movements o f the Ballists, the M e m a j f a m i l y a n d
company.
I h a d a long, specially detailed t a l k w i t h
M u s t a f a K a a i , commissar of the p a r t i s a n eta

78
of M a t , w h o m I i n s t r u c t e d to pay attention to
a n y t h i n g he m i g h t hear a n d to m o v e m e n t s of
the Zogites i n M a t , especially those a r o u n d B a z i
i Cans.
B e f o r e G e n e r a l D a v i e s l a n d e d i n our c o u n -
try, I received t w o pieces of i n f o r m a t i o n , one
f r o m M a t a n d one f r o m S h n g j e r g j . T h e i n f o r m a -
tion f r o m M a t w a s that at a feast the b a j r a k t a r
B i l a l K o l a had said: His Majesty K i n g Zog I
is w o r k i n g f o r A l b a n i a , he is t h i n k i n g about us,
and is g o i n g to send somebody i m p o r t a n t here
soon.
T h e i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m S h n g j e r g j related
that some chiefs o f the B a l l i K o m b t a r i n S h m r i
village h a d s a i d : T h e E n g l i s h m a n i s going t o h e l p
us because he is w i t h us a n d not w i t h the c o m -
munists.
It w a s possible that the B r i t i s h secret ser-
vice h a d i n f o r m e d its people here. T h i s w a s to
be v e r i f i e d later.
T h u s , t h e phase of p r e p a r i n g f o r the a r r i v a l
i n A l b a n i a o f the g r o u p l e d b y the B r i t i s h G e n -
eral Davies, d u r i n g the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r ,
came to an end.

79
 III

T H E COMING A N D T H E INGLORIOUS
END OF GENERAL DAVIES

Biza the residence of the British General.

Why? The old refrain promises. Two hours
of fruitless talk. Not Zog but the Zogites! They
have deceived you about the 'battles' of the
Balli Kombtar, General. I want to show the
Balli Kombtar the way. The smog the
games of the B B C . The five true reasons
for his coming. Dinner with the Englishman.
His meetings with the heads of the Balli Kom-
btar and the Zogites. Attempts to cross to
the South. The crest-fallen General. Who has
lost the war? Who should surrender, we? Never.
You, General, are a defeatist, a capitulationist.
The end: the General surrenders.

O n e m o o n l i g h t n i g h t G e n e r a l D a v i e s a n d his
t e a m l a n d e d w i t h o u t i n c i d e n t o n the B i z a P l a t e a u .
As w a s r e p o r t e d to me, as soon as he l a n d e d ,

80
he h a d boasted to our comrades: I am the first
B r i t i s h G e n e r a l t o l a n d i n A l b a n i a b y parachute.
On the f o l l o w i n g day, together w i t h his chief of
staff C o l o n e l N i c h o l l s he h a d gone h u n t i n g but
was disappointed because he h a d k i l l e d n o t h i n g .
So, G e n e r a l , I said to myself, w h i l e o u r people
are being k i l l e d , y o u go h u n t i n g ! Those days he
ordered t h e m t o f i n d h i m a dog a n d v e r y q u i c k l y
a bulldog, w h i c h he n a m e d B i z a , w a s b r o u g h t
f r o m T i r a n a , o r somewhere. L a t e r a n a i r c r a f t
f r o m C a i r o d r o p p e d h i m a b e a u t i f u l collar f o r
the dog a n d it used to please a n d amuse the
G e n e r a l to see the dog catch the peasants by
their baggy trousers, w h e n he took it f o r a w a l k .
It c o u l d n ' t be h e l p e d this w a s h o w the G e n e r -
a l h a d been b r o u g h t u p a n d h e was incapable
o f b r e a k i n g a w a y f r o m his bourgeois w o r l d . T h e y
i n f o r m e d m e f r o m E l b a s a n also that the E n g -
l i s h m a n h a d p r e f e r r e d t o establish himself o n the
B i z a P l a t e a u a n d not at O r e n j a , as o u r comrades
proposed. H e h a d asked w h e t h e r this m a t t e r
c o u l d possibly be e x a m i n e d later.
A s instructed, o u r comrades h a d g i v e n h i m
every assistance to erect huts a n d tents a n d to
f u l f i l his other needs f o r people to help h i m ,
transport a n i m a l s a n d food. A l l the e x p e n d i t u r e
was charged to the E n g l i s h m a n ' s account.
T h e G e n e r a l ' s desire to r e m a i n at the B i z a
P l a t e a u , w h i c h i s exposed t o the w i n d a n d the
snow, I thought, was i n s p i r e d neither by love

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of n a t u r e and the forest, n o r by r o m a n t i c f e e l -
ings, because c e r t a i n l y this G e n e r a l w a s no
B y r o n o r Shelley. O t h e r aims m u s t h a v e i m p e l l e d
h i m t o stay a t B i z a . W i t h o u t doubt M c L e a n h a d
been l y i n g w h e n h e pretended not t o k n o w w h e r e
the B i z a P l a t e a u was.
A s s u r e d l y h e p r e f e r r e d the B i z a P l a t e a u f o r
his residence because of its strategic position.
T h e r e the B r i t i s h a i r c r a f t c o u l d d r o p m a t e r i a l s
f o r the t e a m a t a n y t i m e . O n the other h a n d ,
this place, w h i c h w a s i n o u r l i b e r a t e d zones, w a s
suitable f o r the G e n e r a l ' s purposes, because it
w a s close to T i r a n a , close to S h n g j e r g j a n d
S h m r i , w h e r e the B a l l i s t s h a d t h e i r lairs, a n d
because, regardless of the fact that the E n g l i s h -
m a n pretended to be attached to us, he c o u l d
c o m m u n i c a t e m o r e easily w i t h the zones of the
N o r t h , a n d especially w i t h M a t a n d D i b r a .
F r o m this i t c o u l d b e deduced that the G e n -
e r a l h a d the task to. l i n k u p w i t h the B r i t i s h
missions a l r e a d y in our c o u n t r y , or those w h o s e
c o m i n g h e m i g h t request later, a n d t h r o u g h t h e m
t o m a k e contact a n d collaborate w i t h the traitors,
the quislings, w i t h the Zogite reaction a n d the
b a j r a k t a r s o f the N o r t h , w h o h a d sold themselves
to the occupiers. T h e r e f o r e , I w a r n e d the c o m -
rades to keep a v i g i l a n t w a t c h a r o u n d B i z a , to
i d e n t i f y those w h o m the B r i t i s h met a n d t o
m a k e the G e n e r a l u n d e r s t a n d c l e a r l y that, since
he w a s to stay w i t h the G e n e r a l S t a f f of the

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N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y a n d i n the zones l i b -
erated by the partisans, he m u s t not m o v e f r o m
B i z a w i t h o u t h a v i n g m a d e o f f i c i a l contact w i t h
the delegates of the Staff.
L a t e r the comrades i n f o r m e d me that he h a d
agreed to receive the delegates of our S t a f f and
h a d also asked to meet me, a n d that f o r the t i m e
being h e w a s concerned w i t h o r g a n i z i n g the
w o r k to establish his quarters a n d his stables,
a n d supplies of meat a n d vegetables.
He's a glutton, o u r c o m m a n d e r of the zone
i n f o r m e d me, w h i l e as f o r d r o p p i n g arms
to us, he's c o n t i n u i n g the old r e f r a i n of the other
B r i t i s h officers: promises!
V e r y w e l l then, let the G e n e r a l eat a n d
d r i n k , let h i m cool himself in the springs a n d the
breezes of B i z a . I w o u l d n o t i f y h i m to come to
meet m e w h e n i t suited me, o n m y w a y t o L a -
binot. S i n c e he, too, h a d o n l y promises, we d i d
not w o r r y about k e e p i n g h i m w a i t i n g , because
we h a d p l e n t y of other p r o b l e m s on our hands.
W e h a d n o t i m e t o waste o n e m p t y w o r d s w h e n
the w a r w i t h the enemies a n d the traitors was
raging f i e r c e l y .
W h e n I f i n i s h e d my w o r k in P e z a I w e n t on
to the E l b a s a n region to m a k e contact w i t h the
organization o f the P a r t y there, w i t h the l e a d i n g
comrades a n d the battalions a n d etas of that
region. W e h a d t o f u r t h e r e n l i v e n the organization
of the P a r t y , to e x t e n d it to m a n y villages, w h e r e

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the conditions w e r e b e c o m i n g more f a v o u r a b l e day
by day for the extension of the w o r k of the P a r t y .
In such districts of E l b a s a n as D u m r e , e r m e n i -
ka a n d P o l i s we h a d good bases w h i c h h a d to be
extended into L i b r a z h d , S h p a t a n d elsewhere. T h e
p a r t y o r g a n i z a t i o n i n the city h a d t o p l a y a n even
greater r e v o l u t i o n a r y role i n m o b i l i z i n g the peo-
ple, a n d especially i n a c t i v a t i n g the y o u t h w h o
w e r e s w i f t - a c t i n g a n d m i l i t a n t . I h a d p l a n n e d to
enter the c i t y m y s e l f several times to meet a
n u m b e r of patriots personally in o r d e r to get t h e m
into action a n d l i n k t h e m m o r e f i r m l y w i t h the
P a r t y and the w a r , as w e l l as to h o l d some meet-
ings w i t h the leaders of the y o u t h in the c i t y a n d
possibly also w i t h groups of boys a n d girls.
A s i s k n o w n , the centre f r o m w h i c h w e
organized contacts w i t h E l b a s a n a n d the other
cities most q u i c k l y a n d r e a d i l y was Labinot.
W h e n w e w e r e threatened b y some e n e m y at-
tack we w i t h d r e w deeper into the m o u n t a i n s to
the region of S h m i l .
I h a d p l a n n e d to meet G e n e r a l D a v i e s in L a -
binot, too. I thought I s h o u l d h o l d this m e e t i n g
w i t h h i m not o n l y as the leader of the N a t i o n a l
L i b e r a t i o n W a r , b u t also o n behalf o f the A n t i -
fascist N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , therefore. I
took w i t h m e D r . N i s h a n i , S e j f u l l a M a l s h o v a ,
Spiro Moisiu, Kostandin Boshnjaku, Nako Spiru,
S p i r o K o l e k a , a n d M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i . T h e latter
was also to serve as interpreter. He w a s h a p p y

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 that I took h i m w i t h me a n d s h o w e d this, but
even if he h a d t r i e d to hide it, I h a d sensed that
he w a s a k e e n supporter of the B r i t i s h . On this
occasion I w o u l d h a v e the possibility to observe
M u s t a f a ' s reaction t o w a r d s the B r i t i s h m o r e care-
fully.
G e n e r a l D a v i e s came to the m e e t i n g in the
afternoon of O c t o b e r 31, r i g h t on time. He was
accompanied by his chief of staff, C o l o n e l N i c h -
olls. I shook hands w i t h h i m a n d a s k e d :
How are you? How do you feel in Al-
bania? I said this in E n g l i s h , because, w h e n I
was in the L y c e u m I h a d learned a l i t t l e E n g l i s h
as a f o r e i g n language w i t h B a b a L o n i .
T h e G e n e r a l s m i l e d a n d said t o m e :
I didn't know you spoke English, you speak
it...
Y o u r i n f o r m a t i o n is correct, I don't speak
English, I i n t e r r u p t e d h i m , but these are a f e w
w o r d s I r e m e m b e r f r o m my secondary school days.
I speak F r e n c h . We can speak in the language
of V o l t a i r e if y o u k n o w it.
He replied w i t h a laugh:
I h a v e r e a d V o l t a i r e but I don't k n o w the
language.
D a v i e s was a m i d d l e - a g e d m a n , a bit portly,
w i t h a r o u n d face a n d a bulbous r e d nose (ap-
p a r e n t l y he l i k e d his w h i s k y ) . H i s eyes were
not as h a r d a n d c u n n i n g as M c L e a n ' s . He laughed

85
f r e q u e n t l y a n d k n e w h o w to conceal his thoughts
a n d feelings. T h e most h a r d - w o r k e d w o r d of his
v o c a b u l a r y was I. H e w a s w e a r i n g battledress
w i t h gaiters a n d h e a v y t a n w i n t e r boots. H e h a d
on a t h i c k k h a k i f i e l d jacket l i k e those they h a d
d r o p p e d us for the partisans. On his head he
w o r e a b l a c k beret w i t h a n R A F badge a n d there
w e r e t w o or three m e d a l r i b b o n s on his jacket.
He was c a r r y i n g a stick, a r e a l w a l k i n g stick a n d
not one of those f a n c y batons B r i t i s h officers
l i k e to c a r r y . As to his age, he must have been
w e l l o n i n his fifties.
B r i g a d i e r Davies, I said, y o u are the
h o n o u r e d representative of one of our allies,
B r i t a i n , i n the w a r against the I t a l i a n fascists a n d
the G e r m a n nazis, a n d I am eager to hear w h a t
y o u have to say to us.
F i r s t of all, began the G e n e r a l , I w a n t
to pay homage to the f i g h t of the A l b a n i a n
patriots w h o have v o l u n t a r i l y sacrificed t h e i r
comfort, t h e i r p r o p e r t y a n d t h e i r lives f o r t h e i r
cause. T h e A l l i e d P o w e r s consider the A l b a n i a n
movement, along w i t h the m o v e m e n t s of other
peoples, of great importance, especially in the
Balkans.
T h e n , assuming a grave pose, as if to say,
L o o k w i t h w h o m y o u have t o do, h e c o n t i n u e d
in a pompous tone:
I am h a p p y that I was chosen to head the

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 a l l i e d m i s s i o n . . . I w a s chosen on the basis of my
past as a soldier. (What i r o n y ! He m i g h t as w e l l
have said f o r m e r i t s in suppressing the l i b e r a t i o n
m o v e m e n t against the B r i t i s h colonial y o k e i n
M e s o p o t a m i a a n d Palestine.) I n L o n d o n a n d i n
C a i r o I have h a d discussions w i t h senior officers
a n d l e a d i n g statesmen. C h u r c h i l l h i m s e l f w o u l d
have met me w h e n I w a s p r e p a r i n g to leave f o r
here, h a d he not been at the Quebec C o n f e r e n c e
i n C a n a d a . I n C a i r o , M r . Casey, m i n i s t e r o f state
for the M i d d l e East, a n d c o m m a n d e r - i n - c h i e f ,
W i l s o n , h a d meetings w i t h me. A t this time, M r .
E d e n , M r . H u l l a n d M r . M o l o t o v are m e e t i n g i n
M o s c o w just l i k e y o u a n d I h e r e . . .
In order to cut short this arrogant prattle,
I interrupted:
W e are eager a n d w i l l i n g t o hear w h a t y o u r
concrete tasks are a n d w h a t y o u r purpose i n
c o m i n g t o o u r c o u n t r y is. W e w o u l d l i k e t o hear
f r o m y o u , as an a u t h o r i z e d senior officer, about
the w a r s i t u a t i o n i n o t h e r countries, about the
ratio of forces b e t w e e n o u r c o m m o n enemies a n d
o u r great allies. E v e r y t h i n g t h a t y o u m a y t e l l u s
w i l l interest us, because i t w i l l i n f o r m u s about
the s i t u a t i o n o f the anti-fascist w a r a n d i n t e r n a -
t i o n a l policy. W e are w a g i n g a c o m m o n w a r
against the same e n e m y , therefore, I assure y o u
t h a t we s h a l l speak sincerely a n d o p e n l y just as
we w i s h y o u to do. We m u s t assist one another

87
in this great w a r to defeat fascism, both in the
m i l i t a r y f i e l d a n d i n the p o l i t i c a l field.
I ' m a soldier and not a politician,
said Davies. Indeed, I must say that I'm not i n -
v o l v e d in politics at a l l , because as y o u k n o w ,
M r . H o x h a , our a r m y i s apolitical.
I've h e a r d this f r o m y o u r colleague also,
I said, but it w o u l d be better to say that y o u
t r y 'to keep the soldier outside polities', or m o r e
correctly, to ensure that he u n q u e s t i o n i n g l y c a r -
ries out the p o l i c y of his officers, w h o are not
apolitical, but l o y a l l y f o l l o w the p o l i c y of t h e i r
government. E x c u s e me, I don't m e a n to offend
you, I said to Davies, but w h a t y o u said cannot
be true a n y w a y , because m i l i t a r y questions c a n -
not be separated f r o m p o l i t i c a l questions. As a
soldier, y o u must k n o w the famous state-
ment of C l a u s e w i t z of P r u s s i a on this p r o b l e m ,
because he w a s a soldier, too: ' W a r is the
c o n t i n u a t i o n of politics w i t h other means'. In a n y
case, d u r i n g our talks a n d our c o l l a b o r a t i o n t o -
gether y o u w i l l see f o r yourself that politics are
l i n k e d v e r y closely w i t h the w a r . W i l l y - n i l l y , y o u
yourself w i l l be i n v o l v e d in politics. It cannot be
otherwise.
G e n e r a l D a v i e s s m i l e d as he c o n t i n u e d :
Y o u communists m i x these t w o questions
together. Of course, that is y o u r business, b u t we
B r i t i s h do not do this, because otherwise we
w o u l d be accused of i n t e r f e r i n g in the i n t e r n a l

88
affairs of others, w h i l e we do not w a n t to i n t e r -
fere.
T h i s statement pleases me, I said. A p p a r -
ently the B r i t i s h E m p i r e has changed its p o l i c y
and this is as it s h o u l d be, because n o w the
peoples are a w a k e n i n g a n d the era of interference
in the i n t e r n a l affairs of others is almost over.
Nevertheless, I c o n t i n u e d w i t h o u t e n t e r i n g into
academic discussion, I ' m pleased to note that
G e n e r a l D a v i e s a n d a l l the other B r i t i s h officers
subordinate t o h i m w i l l not interfere i n our i n -
ternal affairs.
I begged his p a r d o n f o r i n t e r r u p t i n g a n d G e n -
eral D a v i e s c o n t i n u e d :
W e are w a g i n g a joint w a r , because we have
the same enemy. T h e e n e m y is v e r y strong and,
as y o u k n o w , has i n v a d e d the territories of R u s s i a ,
has occupied F r a n c e a n d the w h o l e continent.
H i t l e r w a s u n a b l e t o occupy our c o u n t r y a n d n o w
we are f i g h t i n g on the seas a n d oceans a n d in the
air a n d assisting a l l the peoples of the w o r l d w h o
are f i g h t i n g n a z i s m , w i t h a l l o u r strength. W e
also have A m e r i c a , w h i c h is a great m i l i t a r y , p o l -
itical a n d economic power, as an ally. W i t h o u t
its aid, it w o u l d be d i f f i c u l t to w i n the w a r .
A n d the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l c o n t i n u e d i n this
strain f o r some t w e n t y minutes. T h e n he got on
to the m a i n t h e m e :
I have been sent to y o u so that, w i t h i n our
possibilities, I can assist the w a r of the A l b a n i a n

89
 people w h o are o u r allies, a n d f o r w h o m w e have
a l w a y s had feelings of good w i l l . I s h a l l lead a l l
the groups of officers of the B r i t i s h missions in
y o u r c o u n t r y a n d t h e y w i l l take orders f r o m me.
I'm sure that I w i l l have the support of the P a r -
tisan C o m m a n d w h i c h y o u lead, a n d w i l l b e
assisted to a c q u a i n t m y s e l f w i t h the s i t u a t i o n in
the c o u n t r y , so that I c a n i n f o r m my superiors
w h o w a n t m o r e complete k n o w l e d g e o f the s i -
tuation here in order to be able to organize a n d
co-ordinate a i d f o r the A l b a n i a n fighters.
I w a n t to m a k e it clear to y o u a n d I t e l l y o u
frankly. M r . Hoxha, continued the General,
that b o t h i n C a i r o a n d L o n d o n there's c o n f u -
sion about the question of A l b a n i a . T h e r e they
are not r e a l l y c e r t a i n w h e t h e r the w a r is b e i n g
fought, h o w it is b e i n g f o u g h t a n d w h o is f i g h t -
i n g i n A l b a n i a . I n L o n d o n they say that the Z o g -
ites are f i g h t i n g the w a r , some say that there
is an o r g a n i z a t i o n of nationalist patriots called
the B a l l i K o m b t a r , w h i l e others say that those
w h o are f i g h t i n g are communists, the partisans
that y o u lead. I believe that one of the causes f o r
this confusion is that o u r missions here are few,
a n d thus, for one reason or another, t h e y have
not h a d the possibility to a c q u a i n t themselves
p r o p e r l y w i t h the s i t u a t i o n .
The reason that t h e y h a v e sent me here to
the P a r t i s a n C o m m a n d , M r . H o x h a , c o n t i n u e d

90
this agent of the B r i t i s h Intelligence Service,
G e n e r a l D a v i e s w i t h the R A F badge o n his beret,
is to clear a w a y the smog in L o n d o n a n d send
a r a y of sunshine there f r o m A l b a n i a .
Y o u ' r e s p e a k i n g l i k e Shelley, B r i g a d i e r ,
I said. It seems to me that y o u r i n s p i r a t i o n and
the poetic phrases that y o u use have t h e i r source
i n the heavens, since y o u are a n R A F officer.
O h , no, M r . H o x h a , he said, this is just
a n h o n o r a r y R A F badge w h i c h they gave m e be-
cause I am a paratrooper.
C a r r y on, I t h o u g h t to myself, I k n o w
none of w h a t y o u ' r e t e l l i n g me is true.
Brigadier Davies continued:
W h i l e l o o k i n g at matters f r o m the angle of
the p a r t i s a n w a r , since I have been sent to y o u
for this purpose, I w o u l d l i k e , w i t h y o u r p e r m i s -
sion, to m a k e contact also w i t h the other a n t i -
fascist c u r r e n t s w h i c h are f i g h t i n g against the
occupiers, f o r e x a m p l e , w i t h the B a l l i K o m b t a r ,
the Zogites or a n y other current, if s u c h exists.
Y o u m u s t u n d e r s t a n d that I s h a l l do this, c o n -
t i n u e d the G e n e r a l , in the interests of our c o m -
m o n fight, b u t also i n the interest o f A l b a n i a i t -
self. In this u n d e r t a k i n g , I am g u i d e d by no i n -
terests other t h a n those of the w a r against n a z i
G e r m a n y . T h a t is a l l I have to say, M r . H o x h a ,
concluded G e n e r a l D a v i e s w i t h a smile.
I have listened to y o u w i t h attention, G e n -
eral, I said. N o w please listen to me. I shall

91
speak at somewhat greater l e n g t h , regardless of
the fact that I am the representative of a s m a l l
people. O u r people, s m a l l i n n u m b e r s , h a v e
fought d u r i n g t h e i r w h o l e existence. Y o u r people
have fought, too, b u t the w a r s of o u r t w o peoples
have been of d i f f e r e n t characters. O u r c o u n t r y
has been i n v a d e d m a n y times, b u t w e h a v e a l -
w a y s f o u g h t the enemies, w e h a v e d r i v e n t h e m
out a n d w e have n e v e r m i x e d o u r blood w i t h
them.
The A l b a n i a n people h a v e a n ancient h i s -
tory. T h e y are a m o n g the most ancient peoples
o f the B a l k a n s and, a l t h o u g h s m a l l i n n u m b e r s ,
a t every p e r i o d t h e y have d i s p l a y e d t h e i r v i t a l -
i t y by resisting attempts to w i p e t h e m out, at
a l l costs, a n d have m a t c h e d t h e i r strength i n w a r
w i t h m a n y savage enemies w h o h a v e been u n -
able to overcome t h e i r sentiments f o r f r e e d o m .
The Ottoman feudal-military regime prevailed
for 500 years on end. T h e i n v a d e r s b r o u g h t death
a n d destruction, t r i e d t o d r o w n the A l b a n i a n s i n
blood, b u t they n e v e r y i e l d e d . T h e A l b a n i a n peo-
ple preserved t h e i r language, t h e i r c u l t u r e a n d
t h e i r b r i l l i a n t ancient traditions. T h e i r w h o l e h i s -
t o r y has been w r i t t e n i n b l o o d a n d t h e y are s h e d -
d i n g t h e i r blood today t o w i n t h e i r f r e e d o m .
T h a n k s to bloody w a r s , t h a n k s to the r i f l e a n d
the pen, in 1912 independence w a s p r o c l a i m e d
i n V l o r a , w h e r e the patriot I s m a i l Q e m a l i raised
the n a t i o n a l flag, the f l a g of o u r N a t i o n a l H e r o

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S k a n d e r b e g , w h o i n the 15th c e n t u r y fought for
25 years on e n d against the O t t o m a n i n v a d e r s .
B u t even after this, l i t t l e A l b a n i a became
a b a t t l e f i e l d a n d an object of the p r e d a t o r y aims
o f the G r e a t P o w e r s a n d t h e i r satellites. N e v e r -
theless, o u r people w i t h s t o o d these aims a n d
intrigues. In the W a r of V l o r a of 1920 they drove
the I t a l i a n occupiers into the sea.
I w e n t on to speak about the regime of Z o g
a n d h o w the e x t e r n a l a n d i n t e r n a l enemies o f
the A l b a n i a n people b r o u g h t h i m t o power.
U n d e r his r e g i m e the c o u n t r y was u t t e r l y
ruined, I c o n t i n u e d . Its independence existed
o n l y on paper a n d the people suffered every sort
o f h a r d s h i p . A l b a n i a w a s completely dependent
p o l i t i c a l l y a n d e c o n o m i c a l l y o n the G r e a t P o w e r s ,
w h i c h used it as a t o k e n f o r barter. T h e r e w e r e
v e r y f e w schools, 85 per cent of the p o p u l a t i o n
w a s illiterate. T h e i n t e r n a l p o l i c y of the despot
Z o g w a s a p o l i c y of suppression of h u m a n rights,
a p o l i c y of c o r r u p t i o n , of the c l u b a n d the noose,
against a n y o r d i n a r y p a t r i o t i c person, against
a n y t h i n g n e w a n d progressive. A g r i c u l t u r e was
c o m p l e t e l y neglected, a n d the peasants w e r e e x -
ploited to the bone by most ferocious m e d i a e v a l
methods. H u n g e r , disease a n d ignorance p r e v a i l e d
e v e r y w h e r e . S u c h i n d u s t r y as there was, was
quite negligible o n l y a f e w w o r k s h o p s , w h e r e
the w o r k e r s toiled t o e x h a u s t i o n f o r v e r y little
pay. O u r c o u n t r y w a s left w i t h o u t one metre of
railway.
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 There w a s great u n e m p l o y m e n t a n d the A l -
banians w e r e c o m p e l l e d to take the r o a d of e m i -
gration t o E g y p t , the U S A , A r g e n t i n a a n d A u s -
t r a l i a , and in spite of that, t h e y h a d ' o n l y an
e m p t y purse', as a j u p , the poet of o u r N a t i o n a l
Renaissance, w r o t e . U n d e r the r e g i m e o f Z o g
the I t a l i a n fascists became masters of the c o u n -
try. O u r underground wealth was exploited by
t h e m , too.
Fascist Italy, w i t h the s u p p o r t o f the l o -
cal gentry, b r o u g h t i n I t a l i a n settlers a n d d r o v e
the peasants f r o m t h e i r l a n d . T h r o u g h a p o l i c y
o f d u m p i n g , i t s w a m p e d the A l b a n i a n m a r k e t
and absorbed a l l o u r r a w materials. T h i s r e g i m e
opened the doors to the occupation. Z o g d i d not
a l l o w the people to fight, sabotaged the a r m y ,
stole the gold the b l o o d a n d sweat of the A l -
b a n i a n people, abandoned the c o u n t r y a n d today
i s l i v i n g i n l u x u r y w i t h his w i f e , his son a n d h i s
servants i n L o n d o n . T h e sufferings o f this w a r
w e r e added to those the people w e r e a l r e a d y
experiencing.
H o w e v e r , a s y o u h a v e h e a r d a n d w i l l see
w i t h y o u r o w n eyes n o w that y o u are here, the
A l b a n i a n people rose against the invaders, as has
a l w a y s been t h e i r custom, a n d are f i g h t i n g self-
s a c r i f i c i n g l y besides the great allies. T h e y are d e -
t e r m i n e d a n d c o n f i d e n t that, just as t h e y defeated
I t a l i a n fascism, t h e y w i l l s t r i k e a m o r t a l b l o w a t

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the H i t l e r i t e a r m y a n d w i n t h e i r f r e e d o m . T h e y
are c o n v i n c e d that, together w i t h this, they w i l l
d o a w a y w i t h i n t e r n a l e x p l o i t a t i o n a n d oppres-
sion. A h a p p y f u t u r e awaits t h e m . A l l the w e a l t h
above a n d b e l o w the g r o u n d w i l l b e i n the hands
of the people. Do y o u see these forests? T h e r e
w i l l come a d a y w h e n t h e y w i l l b e e x p l o i t e d t o
b u i l d factories, blocks of flats, schools and hos-
pitals a n d w i l l p r o v i d e sleepers for our r a i l w a y s ,
there w i l l come a time w h e n r e s o r t s , w h e r e
the w o r k i n g people w i l l pass t h e i r holidays, w i l l
be established here a n d in other places w i t h
c r y s t a l springs...
F o r e i g n e r s have occupied y o u r c o u n t r y , too.
W a r s h a v e been w a g e d there, too. W h o hasn't
i n v a d e d y o u r i s l a n d : the Celts, the R o m a n s , the
V i k i n g s , the so-called ' N o r t h m e n ' , a n d others but
the k i n g s a n d queens of E n g l a n d , the u p p e r
strata of the c o u n t r y , have accepted the occupiers
and m a d e peace w i t h t h e m , have coexisted a n d
i n t e r m a r r i e d w i t h t h e m , have adopted the
foreigners' w a y of l i f e a n d even t a k e n over the
expansionist p o l i c y of R o m a n emperors a n d
others.
D i a l e c t i c a l l y , h o w e v e r , the old dies out a n d
the n e w t r i u m p h s , hence, w i t h the passage of
time, old, a n t i - p o p u l a r ideas are rejected a n d in
place of t h e m n e w ideas are b o r n a n d t h e i r cor-
rectness i s c o n f i r m e d b y t i m e a n d science.
The h i s t o r y of the existence a n d w o r k of

95
 my people is not l i k e that of the P h o e n i x , be-
cause, a l t h o u g h after e a c h o c c u p a t i o n it seemed
f r o m the outside that e v e r y t h i n g h a d been lost
and a n y hope of f r e e d o m h a d been e x t i n g u i s h e d ,
t h e y were n e v e r t u r n e d t o ashes. T h e A l b a n i a n
w a s an eagle a n d r e m a i n e d an eagle t h r o u g h the
centuries.
Y o u said, G e n e r a l , that B r i t a i n has a l w a y s
w i s h e d A l b a n i a w e l l . F r i e n d s speak f r a n k l y a n d
I regret to t e l l y o u that I cannot agree w i t h y o u
on this question. I don't w a n t to go into a l o n g
history, b u t everyone k n o w s that d u r i n g the F i r s t
W o r l d W a r a n d a t the T r e a t y o f V e r s a i l l e s B r i -
t a i n considered A l b a n i a a savage c o u n t r y a n d a
t o k e n f o r barter, a l l o t t i n g a piece to Italy, a
piece to Greece a n d a piece to Y u g o s l a v i a . A l -
b a n i a a n d the A l b a n i a n people, w h o f o u g h t f o r
existence o n t h e i r o w n l a n d , w e r e sold off
t h r o u g h open a n d secret treaties. B u t w h y go so
f a r b a c k ? W h e n fascist I t a l y attacked us, y o u r
p r i m e minister, C h a m b e r l a i n , d i d not l i f t a f i n -
ger to help us, he w a s too b u s y w i t h his f i s h i n g
r o d . B u t c o u l d i t b e i m a g i n e d that C h a m b e r l a i n ,
w h o sold out C z e c h o s l o v a k i a a n d A u s t r i a , w h o
signed the M u n i c h A g r e e m e n t a n d endangered
the B r i t i s h Isles themselves, w o u l d not sell out
A l b a n i a ? T h i s is w h a t happened. Of course, o u r
o p i n i o n of the B r i t i s h people is different f r o m
t h a t of their rulers.
W e have respect f o r the B r i t i s h people w h o

96
are f i g h t i n g courageously beside the glorious peo-
ples of the S o v i e t U n i o n , a n d m a k i n g an out-
standing c o n t r i b u t i o n to the defeat of H i t l e r i t e
G e r m a n y . T h e B r i t i s h people are o u r allies. W e
have a h i g h o p i n i o n of the w a r they are w a g i n g .
O f a l l the m a j o r states o f W e s t e r n E u r o p e , B r i -
t a i n i s the o n l y one w h i c h resisted H i t l e r v a l -
i a n t y a n d w i t h great sacrifice. B r i t a i n d i d not
y i e l d . It k n e w h o w to retreat a n d also h o w to
attack. T h i s fact w e have never denied. W i n s t o n
C h u r c h i l l , w h o leads the w a r o f y o u r people,
w h i c h saved the B r i t i s h Isles, i s not l i k e C h a m -
b e r l a i n . B u t i n o u r o p i n i o n , the w a r i s v e r y c o m -
plex a n d v e r y d i f f i c u l t .
P o l i t i c s cannot b e separated f r o m the w a r ,
G e n e r a l . A w r o n g a n d treacherous p o l i c y led
F r a n c e to catastrophe. We cannot consider the
p o l i c y of the U n i t e d States of A m e r i c a at that
period good, because w h e n F r a n c e h a d been
b r o u g h t t o its knees b y n a z i G e r m a n y a n d y o u r
islands w e r e threatened, the A m e r i c a n embassy
r e m a i n e d i n V i c h y , accredited t o the F r e n c h t r a i -
tor, M a r s h a l l P e t a i n .
N o w that w e are f i g h t i n g together o n one
front against the one savage enemy, we s h a l l
smash it, because w e are m o r e p o w e r f u l . Y o u made
passing reference t o the w a r o f the S o v i e t U n i o n .
I w i s h to stress t h a t the Soviet U n i o n is w a g i n g
a heroic w a r a n d its R e d A r m y i s i n v i n c i b l e . T o
lose one or even f i v e battles does not m e a n that

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 y o u have lost the w a r . B o n a p a r t e w o n e v e r y
battle but it was the R u s s i a n people w h o b r o u g h t
h i m d o w n f r o m his h i g h horse. N a z i s m w i l l b e
smashed a n d destroyed b y the Soviet U n i o n a n d
a l l of us the peoples w h o are f i g h t i n g a n d are
its allies.
I m u s t stress, G e n e r a l , that it is good that
y o u are g o i n g to clear a w a y the smog about
the A l b a n i a n question w h i c h has a p p a r e n t l y
shrouded L o n d o n . T h i s w i l l d e p e n d o n the reports
y o u m a k e . Regardless of this, h o w e v e r , I can
assure y o u that events i n o u r c o u n t r y w i l l de-
velop a c c o r d i n g t o t h e w i l l o f the A l b a n i a n peo-
ple, w h o this t i m e are going to decide t h e i r o w n
f u t u r e by means of the r i f l e . I cannot agree w i t h
w h a t y o u said, G e n e r a l , I continued, that M a -
j o r M c L e a n a n d the other B r i t i s h officers, w h o
have been in our c o u n t r y , have been u n a b l e to
l e a r n the t r u e situation, have not understood
h o w the anti-fascist w a r i s d e v e l o p i n g here, w h o
i s f i g h t i n g a n d w h o i s not f i g h t i n g , w h o f o u g h t
against u s i n c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h the I t a l i a n f a s -
cists, w h o are a t t a c k i n g u s side b y side w i t h the
G e r m a n nazis and w h o are those others w h o are
p r e p a r i n g t o attack u s together w i t h the G e r -
mans. O n m a n y occasions w e h a v e m a d e these
matters clear t o M a j o r M c L e a n a n d other B r i t -
i s h officers a n d moreover, at his request, we
a l l o w e d M a j o r M c L e a n t o g o t o u r g e some B a l l i s t
etas i n K o r a t o u n i t e w i t h u s i n f i g h t i n g against

98
the enemy, a n d t h e y not o n l y d i d not w a n t to do
this, b u t e v e n w e n t so f a r as to attack o u r f o r -
ces. T h i s is my a n s w e r to y o u r statement that
the B r i t i s h missions here ' m a y not h a v e been
p r o p e r l y i n f o r m e d . ' T h e t r u t h i s that t h e y h a v e
not r e p o r t e d the r e a l s i t u a t i o n accurately, be-
cause t h i s has been t h e i r predisposition. N o w w e
are h a p p y that y o u w i l l deal w i t h this question
properly.
G e n e r a l D a v i e s b o w e d a n d said, Thank
you!
G e n e r a l , I c o n t i n u e d , y o u spoke of t h e
Zogites a n d said that they are f i g h t i n g ! S u c h a
t h i n g has n e v e r been true, either n o w o r i n t h e
past. As I said earlier, the Zogites headed by
Z o g h a v e oppressed the A l b a n i a n people f o r
years on end, h a v e m u r d e r e d a n d sucked the
blood of o u r people. Z o g w a s a m u r d e r e r , a h a n g -
m a n , a thief, an a d v e n t u r e r a n d t r a i t o r w h o
l i n k e d u p w i t h Italy against o u r people, w h o sold
the c o u n t r y to I t a l y a n d p r e p a r e d the occupation
o f A l b a n i a . I repeat: A t t h e t r a g i c m o m e n t t h e
t r a i t o r K i n g stole the people's g o l d a n d r a n f o r
shelter t o y o u r c o u n t r y . T h i s c r u e l f e u d a l l o r d ,
agent of A u s t r i a - H u n g a r y , agent of the Serbs a n d
W r a n g e l ' s w h i t e Russians, agent of M u s s o l i n i ,
and executioner of the A l b a n i a n people, pretends
t o b e K i n g o f the A l b a n i a n s ! Z o g a n d his o b e d i -
ent h o u n d , A b a z K u p i , constitute a f i l t h y ' d y n -
asty'. H o w l u d i c r o u s is t h e position of those

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abroad w h o s u p p o r t Z o g a n d t h i n k that t h e y
w i l l use h i m as a t r u m p c a r d in the game they
w a n t to p l a y to the d e t r i m e n t of the A l b a n i a n
people! A h m e t Z o g is a c a r d that w i l l n e v e r
again have a n y value, G e n e r a l . I n our c o u n t r y
the v e r y stones of the r o a d see Z o g as an enemy,
let alone t h e A l b a n i a n s w h o w i l l tear h i m t o bits
if t h e y c a t c h h i m . I f i n d it regrettable, G e n e r a l ,
that y o u even m e n t i o n e d the n a m e of this b a n -
dit.
E x c u s e me, M r . H o x h a , i n t e r r u p t e d the
G e n e r a l , I d i d not speak about Z o g , b u t about
the Zogites.
General, I replied, if y o u speak of the
Zogites, y o u are s p e a k i n g of Zog, too. It is a
m i s t a k e to t h i n k that the Zogites are f i g h t i n g .
T h e y have n e v e r fought the occupiers a n d do not
w a n t to fight them. The National Liberation
F r o n t has appealed t o t h e m t o rise i n the w a r ,
a n d m o r e o v e r t h e i r chief, t o w h o m one o f y o u r
missions i s attached, a n d who t o o k part i n
the Conference of P e z a a n d w a s elected to the
G e n e r a l Staff, not o n l y d i d not f i r e a single shot
against the occupiers e v e n 'by accident', b u t
w i t h d r e w f r o m t h e F r o n t a n d i s o r g a n i z i n g the
reactionary forces to f i g h t us.
B r i g a d i e r Davies, I c o n t i n u e d , the t i m e
has come f o r the representatives of the b i g c a p i -
talist states to change t h e i r o p i n i o n a n d s t a n d

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t o w a r d s o t h e r peoples, especially t o w a r d s the
s m a l l peoples. T h e y m u s t accept t h a t the peoples
can no l o n g e r tolerate oppression a n d e x p l o i t a -
t i o n by the capitalist colonial forces a n d do
their b i d d i n g , in a w o r d , obey the orders a n d
desires of those forces a n d w a i t f o r a L o r d
Beaconsfield, a B i s m a r c k , a L l o y d George, a C l e -
menceau, a S o n n i n o , a C h a m b e r l a i n or a D a l a d i e r
t o d e t e r m i n e t h e i r fate. N o , t h i s w i l l n e v e r occur
again. A n y i l l u s i o n s h o u l d b e dispelled t h a t the
G r e a t P o w e r s w i l l e v e r again a p p o i n t a P r i n c e
W i e d o r a n A h m e t Z o g a s r u l e r o f A l b a n i a and
that the A l b a n i a n people w i l l f a l l o n t h e i r knees
and s a y : 'So b e it'. A n y o n e w h o k n o w s the his-
tory of the w a r s of the A l b a n i a n people t h r o u g h
the centuries is c o n v i n c e d that our forebears
have n e v e r b o w e d i n submission. A n d we, t h e i r
descendants, w i l l not bow, either. E x c u s e m e f o r
r e f e r r i n g to the past, b u t I am obliged to do so.
I do t h i s not because y o u do not k n o w history,
but, since y o u h a v e come to o u r c o u n t r y f o r the
first time, i t i s m y d u t y t o speak f r a n k l y t o y o u ,
as the representative of an a l l i e d country, in o r d e r
t o dispel the illusions w h i c h y o u m i g h t have
f o r m e d f r o m r e a d i n g the books o r reports o f
B r i t i s h authors of e a r l i e r or m o r e recent times.
One of these 'authors' is M r s . H a s l u c k , the m i s -
tress of a l e a d i n g s p o k e s m a n f o r the B a l l i K o m -
btar, L e f N o s i , a w o m a n w h o t r a v e l l e d a l l over
A l b a n i a i n the t i m e o f Z o g ' i n order t o acquaint

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h e r s e l f ' w i t h the c o u n t r y a n d gathered ' f l o w e r s
a n d butterflies' f o r the collections, w h i l e n o w she
delivers 'lectures' to officers of the B r i t i s h m i s -
sions before t h e y come t o A l b a n i a . Y o u , G e n e r a l ,
are free t o t h i n k w h a t y o u l i k e , t o have a n d
stick t o y o u r o w n v i e w s , b u t w e have the r i g h t
t o have ours, too; w e are i n o u r o w n c o u n t r y .
Y o u are o u r f r i e n d s a n d o u r allies i n the w a r
against the G e r m a n nazis a n d it is o u r joint a n t i -
fascist w a r w h i c h b r i n g s u s together.
It is precisely t h i s w a r that unites us,
therefore, we m u s t collaborate, said G e n e r a l
Davies.
In that case, I said, a l l o w me, G e n e r a l , to
give y o u a b r i e f s u m m a r y of o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a -
t i o n W a r a n d its aims. I w e n t on to give h i m
a v i v i d d e s c r i p t i o n of the w a r w h i c h o u r etas.
battalions a n d brigades w e r e w a g i n g a l l o v e r
the c o u n t r y against t h e a r m y of the G e r m a n
occupiers. I t o l d h i m the h i s t o r y of the fierce
battles against the Italians a n d the q u i s l i n g g o v -
e r n m e n t s in the service of the enemy, about the
i n n u m e r a b l e intrigues, the open and secret agree-
ments of the nationalist heads of b o t h the B a l l i
K o m b t a r a n d the Zogites w i t h the V i c e r o y , w i t h
General Dalmazzo, and their collaboration w i t h
the occupiers in a r m e d struggle against us. I t o l d
the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l , w h o l o o k e d a s i f this w a s
m a k i n g some i m p r e s s i o n on h i m a n d as if he
w e r e h e a r i n g these things f o r t h e f i r s t time, about

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the correct p o l i c y of o u r A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l
L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t a n d its appeal t o a l l honest A l -
banians t o u n i t e a n d f i g h t i n this c o m m o n F r o n t ,
w i t h o u t d i s t i n c t i o n as to class, r e l i g i o n , p o l i t i c a l
convictions a n d ideas.
I n r e g a r d t o the B a l l i K o m b t a r a s a n o r -
g a n i z a t i o n of nationalists, y o u have been m i s -
i n f o r m e d , G e n e r a l , I t o l d h i m . T h e y d i d not h a v e
an o r g a n i z a t i o n , b u t created it l a t e r as reaction
against the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t . F r o m the
p r o g r a m w h i c h it p r o c l a i m e d , as w e l l as the
name B a l l i K o m b t a r w h i c h i t assumed, i t i s
i m p l i e d t h a t this ' o r g a n i z a t i o n ' is a u n i o n of
m a n y p o l i t i c a l shades, b u t there w a s no reason
for t h i s to be created, at a t i m e w h e n o u r people
had t h e i r o w n leadership a n d w e r e f i g h t i n g t o
liberate themselves. B o t h its n a m e a n d its ' D e -
calogue' came f r o m t h e offices of the V i c e r o y
and the q u i s l i n g traitors. N e i t h e r the p r o g r a m
n o r the n a m e of this ' o r g a n i z a t i o n ' f r i g h t e n the
occupiers. M o r e o v e r , the n a m e B a l l i K o m b t a r
means n o t h i n g , because the quislings, the e x e c u -
tioners a n d t h e spies can t a k e p a r t i n that ' o r -
g a n i z a t i o n ' w h e n e v e r t h e y like.
M r . H o x h a , said the G e n e r a l , the B a l l i
K o m b t a r m i g h t b e reaction against the C o m -
m u n i s t P a r t y w h i c h y o u lead, b u t not against
the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t .
It is reaction against b o t h , General, I
replied, against b o t h the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of

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A l b a n i a and the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , w h i c h
are f i g h t i n g together against the occupiers.
T h e B a l l i K o m b t a r i s against those w h o f i g h t
the e n e m y a n d f o r those w h o do not f i g h t it.
W h a t I say is p r o v e d in p r a c t i c e w i t h concrete
facts. T h e B a l l i K o m b t a r has not f i r e d a shot
against the occupiers, b u t has f i r e d on us. T h e
N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t called o n the B a l l i
K o m b t a r to f i g h t against t h e occupiers e v e n as
a separate body, because the w a r w o u l d u n i t e us
regardless of the fact that the B a l l i K o m b t a r was
not i n agreement w i t h us. H o w e v e r , the B a l l i s t s
s t i l l d i d not agree to fight, because they w e r e
l i n k e d w i t h the enemy h a n d a n d foot. T o m a k e
this more clear to y o u , G e n e r a l , it is as t h o u g h
y o u B r i t i s h w e r e to say that y o u do not agree
to take p a r t in the anti-fascist f r o n t a n d fight
n a z i G e r m a n y because the Soviet U n i o n , w h i c h
is communist, is in this anti-fascist f r o n t ! Hence,
it is just as if y o u w e r e to reason this w a y : 'Since
the Soviet U n i o n is a c o m m u n i s t state, we s h a l l
fight shoulder t o shoulder w i t h H i t l e r ' ! O u r people
have a n expression w h i c h sums u p this hostile,
p r o - o c c u p i e r stand of the B a l l i K o m b t a r . It goes
l i k e this: 'To spite m y m o t h e r - i n - l a w I ' m g o i n g
t o sleep w i t h the m i l l e r . ' A n d t o spite the c o m -
m u n i s t s and the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , the
B a l l i K o m b t a r has u n i t e d w i t h G e r m a n n a z i s m
against its o w n A l b a n i a n people. T h a t i s h o w
matters stand w i t h the B a l l i K o m b t a r , G e n e r a l .

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F o r these good reasons that I have outlined, we
are a t w a r w i t h this t r a i t o r o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d its
t r a i t o r chiefs. T h e y are f i g h t i n g against us, s h o u l -
der to shoulde, w i t h the G e r m a n s , hence, t h e y
are on the other side of the barricade. We a d m i t
the elements t h a t b r e a k a w a y f r o m t h i s o r g a n i z a -
tion into t h e F r o n t o n c o n d i t i o n t h a t they fight.
If they do not f i g h t the G e r m a n s a n d we c a p t u r e
t h e m a r m s i n h a n d , w e consider t h e m t h e i r m e r -
cenaries a n d treat t h e m as such.
A l t h o u g h they see that t h e i r cause is lost, t h e
traitor heads of the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d t h e i r
q u i s l i n g friends, a c t i n g on the instructions of t h e i r
masters, t h i n k that b y o p e r a t i n g i n this w a y they
are w o r k i n g f o r the f u t u r e . T h e y are the blackest
reaction, representatives of the beys, aghas a n d
merchants w h o have oppressed the people a n d
d r e a m of oppressing t h e m again t o m o r r o w , b u t
u n d e r the ' n a t i o n a l ' label, as 'nationalists' and
'democrats', a n d w h a t i s most i m p o r t a n t f o r
t h e m , u n d e r the ' a n t i - c o m m u n i s t ' l a b e l . H o w e v e r ,
the A l b a n i a n people cannot be l e d by the nose.
T h e y see c l e a r l y t h a t t h e A l b a n i a n c o m m u n i s t s
have p u t t h e i r lives in the service of the interests
of the people. T h e A l b a n i a n people are l i n k e d
l i k e f l e s h t o bone w i t h the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y that
leads t h e m . T h e q u i s l i n g , Ballist and Zogite
reaction are quite u n a b l e to conceive this close
u n i t y ; t h e y do not a n d n e v e r c o u l d t h i n k of it
p r o p e r l y a n d realistically, because they cannot

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i m a g i n e w h e r e its roots lie. I n t e r n a l reaction
has a l w a y s relied on f o r e i g n r e a c t i o n a n d the
occupiers o f o u r c o u n t r y . T h i s t r a d i t i o n a l r e -
liance has become second n a t u r e to those w h o
have managed t o r u l e i n this w a y a n d cannot
imagine a n y other w a y i n w h i c h they c a n rule
the people.
O n the one h a n d , t h e reactionaries t h i n k
the people are ignorant, s t u p i d a n d destined to
r e m a i n oppressed f o r ever, a n d this, a c c o r d i n g
t o t h e m , i s b e y o n d dispute. O n t h e other h a n d ,
they i m a g i n e that t h e y h a v e i n f l u e n c e a m o n g
the people, that the people w i l l say to the traitors,
f e u d a l lords, beys a n d b l o o d - s u c k i n g usurers:
' C o m e on, w e c a n h a r d l y w a i t f o r y o u t o c l i m b
on o u r backs again, to steal the crust of b r e a d
f r o m o u r mouths, t o suck o u r b l o o d a n d k i l l us.'
T h e s e are the i l l u s i o n s that guide A l b a n i a n reac-
t i o n . D o y o u u n d e r s t a n d me, G e n e r a l ?
Not v e r y w e l l , h e r e p l i e d .
T h e n I s h a l l m a k e it e v e n clearer, I s a i d .
A l b a n i a n reaction, m a d e up of quislings, B a l l i s t s
a n d Zogites, etc., is e x p l o i t i n g its c o l l a b o r a t i o n
w i t h the G e r m a n nazis, t h e i r offensives against
us, i n o r d e r t o destroy o u r l i n k s w i t h the people,
to liquidate us and tomorrow, w h e n nazism is
f i n a l l y smashed, to h a v e an organized fascist
a r m y a n d seize p o w e r . It is h o p i n g f o r t w o t h i n g s :
t h a t G e r m a n a r m s w i l l l i q u i d a t e the people's
w a r , a n d that w i t h the support of w o r l d reaction

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i t w i l l h o l d p o w e r after the defeat o f G e r m a n y .
U n f o r t u n a t e l y f o r reaction, h o w e v e r , 'it i s r e c k o n -
i n g its account without the innkeeper', as
o u r people say. It is not capable of l i q u i d a t i n g
our people's w a r , the people w i l l n e v e r a l l o w i t
to take p o w e r , because t h e y are going to smash
it to smithereens. T h e e x t e r n a l reaction, on w h i c h
it is p i n n i n g its hopes, w h e n it changes its coat,
w i l l not be able to come to its aid, because our
a r m e d people w i l l have p u t i t i n its place.
W h e n we took a b r e a k to d r i n k a cup of
tea, D r . N i s h a n i a n d the others j o i n e d i n the
conversation, a d d i n g t h e i r v i e w s i n the s p i r i t
of the m a t t e r s I raised.
A f t e r the b r e a k w e c o n t i n u e d the talk.
General, I resumed, we believe t h a t w i t h
y o u r c o m i n g the relations between u s w i l l b e
strengthened. A s y o u can i m a g i n e , t h e w a r has
been a n d is fierce f r o m e v e r y v i e w p o i n t f o r us
A l b a n i a n partisans. O u r p r i n c i p l e is: relentless,
fierce, u n c o m p r o m i s i n g w a r against the occupiers.
We are a people w h o in the past have been
f l a y e d , i m p o v e r i s h e d , b u r n e d and robbed o f e v e r y -
t h i n g . W h a t w e have w e d e f e n d tooth and
n a i l . W e h a d n o w e a p o n s t o f i g h t w i t h , but these
w e h a v e w e c a p t u r e d f r o m the e n e m y a n d w e ' l l
c o n t i n u e to do so, a n d we are s p a r i n g n o t h i n g in
the f i g h t against it. F o r food w e have the maize
bread a n d onions of the poor w h o share t h e m

107
w i t h u s w i l l i n g l y . Despite these conditions o u r
partisans are i n d o m i t a b l e . A s y o u k n o w w a r r e -
quires arms a n d a m m u n i t i o n t o w i p e out t h e
m a x i m u m n u m b e r o f enemies. W e are allies a n d
a s such w e have sought a n d are seeking f r o m y o u
a r m s a n d some c l o t h i n g a n d n o t h i n g else. U n f o r -
tunately y o u r officers, w h o c l a i m t h e y have come
to assist us excuse me, G e n e r a l , b u t I m u s t
tell y o u f r a n k l y have g i v e n us m o r e promises
t h a n assistance. T h i s is not a serious attitude. At
the most, the occasional a i r c r a f t has d r o p p e d us a
f e w weapons a n d a r i d i c u l o u s l y s m a l l q u a n t i t y of
ammunition. This aid in armaments is so small
t h a t it doesn't count at a l l . T h e r e is a w i s e s a y i n g ,
G e n e r a l , w h i c h goes: ' Y o u k n o w y o u r f r i e n d s i n
t r o u b l e d times.' We are a people w h o n e v e r ask
for c h a r i t y . W e d o not ask f o r chocolate o r b i s -
cuits, b u t o n l y f o r w e a p o n s t o liberate o u r H o m e -
l a n d f r o m o u r c o m m o n e n e m y . Y o u came t o o u r
c o u n t r y a n d p r o m i s e d u s arms, t h e n keep y o u r
w o r d a n d give t h e m to us.
A l l o w m e t o t e l l y o u the o p i n i o n o f o u r
partisans. T h e y say: 'The B r i t i s h officers w h o
have come, say that t h e y w i l l h e l p u s w i t h w e a -
pons, b u t w h e r e are the w e a p o n s ? W h y don't
they give t h e m t o us? T h e n , w h y have t h e y
come here, or is it just to b l o w up the i n t e r n a l
bridges l i n k i n g the p a r t i s a n zones?' A n d i n fact,
this i s just w h a t the B r i t i s h o f f i c e r S m i l e y d i d .
O n his o w n i n i t i a t i v e h e b l e w u p the H a x h i

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B e q a r i B r i d g e w h i c h h a d n o strategic v a l u e for
the enemy, w h i l e b l o w i n g i t u p caused great
difficulties f o r t h e people of the t w o regions
w h i c h this b r i d g e l i n k e d a n d f o r the partisans.
The p a r t i s a n s h a v e e v e r y r i g h t to ask such
questions. T h e r e f o r e , G e n e r a l , we believe that
w i t h y o u r c o m i n g here this state o f affairs w i l l
come t o a n e n d a n d f r o m n o w o n y o u w i l l send
us arms a n d a m m u n i t i o n .
A t t h e same time, w e t h i n k y o u ought t o
stop d r o p p i n g weapons to the A l b a n i a n reac-
tionaries, collaborators w i t h the G e r m a n s , w h o
use these weapons to f i g h t us. I t e l l y o u that o u r
G e n e r a l S t a f f a n d our partisans, w h o are s a c r i f i c -
i n g t h e i r lives f o r the l i b e r a t i o n of our H o m e l a n d ,
are i n d i g n a n t at these irresponsible acts of the
B r i t i s h officers here.
The last m a t t e r that I w a n t to raise w i t h
y o u i s t h a t o f the B B C . W h e n i t h a d n o i n f o r -
m a t i o n about h o w events were developing
i n our c o u n t r y , w e h a d n o g r o u n d s f o r c o m p l a i n t
i n r e g a r d t o the B B C , but n o w t h a t the
B r i t i s h missions have come here we cannot accept
its e q u i v o c a l stand. N o t o n l y does this R a d i o
speak v e r y r a r e l y about the heroic w a r w h i c h
the A l b a n i a n partisans are w a g i n g , b u t w h e n
it does m e n t i o n it, it i m p l i e s t h a t the B a l l i s t s
a n d the Zogites are f i g h t i n g n a z i s m . T h i s is
scandalous, G e n e r a l . T h i s is deceit a n d a great
insult to us w h o are d o i n g the f i g h t i n g . Instead

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o f t e l l i n g the t r u t h about us, y o u r R a d i o t a l k s
about those w h o are u n i t e d w i t h the G e r m a n s !
Therefore, we protest e n e r g e t i c a l l y about these
lies o f the B B C , w h i c h , b y s p r e a d i n g p r o p a -
ganda i n f a v o u r o f reaction, i s s i m p l y t r y i n g t o
confuse the A l b a n i a n people. T h a t is a l l I h a v e
to say, G e n e r a l , a n d I t h a n k y o u f o r the a t t e n -
t i o n w i t h w h i c h y o u have listened t o me.
D u r i n g the w h o l e t i m e that M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i
was translating, the B r i t i s h o f f i c e r N i c h o l l s , w h o
accompanied Davies, took notes.
T h e G e n e r a l spoke a g a i n i n r e p l y . H e s a i d :
Y o u m u s t excuse me, M r . H o x h a , f o r b e i n g
u n a b l e t o r e p l y t o y o u r c o m p l a i n t a b o u t the
B B C , because, in the first place, I h a v e not
h e a r d its broadcasts i n the A l b a n i a n language
and, as y o u k n o w , n e i t h e r I n o r my officers
k n o w y o u r language a n d , in t h e second place, as I
t o l d y o u , I a m a m i l i t a r y m a n a n d the B B C i s
a c i v i l i n s t i t u t i o n i n w h i c h m i l i t a r y m e n cannot
meddle. I n o u r country, M r . H o x h a , there i s
d e m o c r a c y a n d d i v i s i o n of labour.
O f course, there is d i v i s i o n of labour, I
said, but c a n y o u t e l l m e w h o i n f o r m e d the
B B C about the f i g h t i n g i n V l o r a , w h i c h w a s
w a g e d b y the partisans a n d w h i c h , astonishingly,
was broadcast as f i g h t i n g by the B a l l i s t s ? It is
y o u r officers, w i t h t h e i r p o w e r f u l r a d i o t r a n s m i t -
ters, t h a t s u p p l y t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n .
M r . H o x h a , the G e n e r a l hastened t o e x -
p l a i n , our officers send t h e i r i n f o r m a t i o n to the
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W a r Office. (This w a s out of the f r y i n g - p a n i n t o
the fire.)
A n d t h a t the W a r O f f i c e h a n d s i t o n t o
the B B C , I u n d e r s t a n d . B u t I u n d e r s t a n d also
that the W a r O f f i c e receives distorted reports
f r o m y o u r officers, I said, c u t t i n g h i m short.
O h , no, M r . H o x h a , said the G e n e r a l .
Possibly t h e y are distorted b y the A l b a n i a n s w h o
w o r k i n the B B C .
T h e n t h r o w t h e m out! I retorted.
H o w e v e r , I s h a l l r e p o r t w h a t y o u t o l d me,
he said a n d c o n t i n u e d : I n r e g a r d to sending
arms, we w a n t to h e l p a l l those w h o are f i g h t i n g ,
but y o u u n d e r s t a n d there are m a n y o f t h e m . W e
are d r o p p i n g a r m s e v e r y w h e r e : i n F r a n c e , Y u -
goslavia, Greece, H o l l a n d , etc., etc., as w e l l as in
A l b a n i a . I u n d e r s t a n d t h a t y o u m a y not have
been d r o p p e d m a n y w e a p o n s a n d the reason f o r
this is not because we don't w a n t to, b u t because
w e d o not h a v e a l l w e need, a n d t h e m a i n o b -
stacles are the l a c k of a i r c r a f t , b a d w e a t h e r a n d
the enemies' a n t i - a i r c r a f t defences. I u n d e r s t a n d
y o u r u r g e n t need, because weapons are the m a i n
things in o r d e r to f i g h t a n d I assure y o u that
we s h a l l d r o p w e a p o n s o n l y to those w h o are
f i g h t i n g t h e G e r m a n nazis a n d not t o others.
Nevertheless, said the G e n e r a l c u t t i n g short
this question so v e r y i m p o r t a n t to us, I s h a l l
e x a m i n e y o u r r e q u i r e m e n t s c a r e f u l l y , i n detail,
and i n f o r m the W a r O f f i c e i n L o n d o n about this.

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 H o w e v e r , M r . H o x h a , I h a d one f i n a l ques-
t i o n 1 w a n t e d to discuss w i t h y o u .
G o ahead, I said, I am listening.
I k n e w that w h a t he w a s going to say c o n -
stituted the w h o l e purpose f o r w h i c h h e h a d
come to A l b a n i a .
M r . H o x h a , began the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l ,
I listened c a r e f u l l y to a l l y o u r a r g u m e n t s in
connection w i t h the w a r against I t a l i a n a n d G e r -
m a n fascism. W e i n L o n d o n have been c o n v i n c e d
that the A l b a n i a n people are f i g h t i n g against the
occupiers of t h e i r c o u n t r y a n d that this f i g h t has
extended a n d g r o w n stronger. B o t h w e a n d y o u
are interested in b r i n g i n g the w a r to an end as
q u i c k l y as possible, b u t this cannot be achieved
w i t h o u t smashing H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y , w i t h o u t
s h e d d i n g blood a n d m a k i n g sacrifices. I agree
w i t h y o u t h a t the w h o l e people s h o u l d b e u n i t e d
i n this anti-fascist w a r a n d , i n o r d e r t o achieve
this, it is necessary to convince e v e r y b o d y of the
need to f i g h t this w a r . I u n d e r s t a n d v e r y w e l l
w h a t t r e m e n d o u s efforts the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n
F r o n t has made i n this d i r e c t i o n a n d the suc-
cesses w h i c h i t has achieved, b u t i n L o n d o n i t
is thought that even greater efforts must be
made. L o n d o n believes t h a t i n A l b a n i a there i s
a large n u m b e r of nationalists, n o n - c o m m u n i s t s ,
w h o f o r one reason or another h a v e s t i l l not
j o i n e d in the w a r . P e r h a p s these people are not
yet t h o r o u g h l y c o n v i n c e d about w h a t is the h o n -

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ourable course, w h i c h is to f i g h t the occupiers.
S h o u l d w e not s h o w t h e m this course, M r .
Hoxha?
W e h a v e been d o i n g t h i s e v e r since Italy
i n v a d e d us on A p r i l 7, 1939, I r e p l i e d to this
general-cum-diplomat, who was nothing but an
old fox. W e have m a d e a t h o u s a n d a n d one
efforts, have t a l k e d to these people i n d i v i d u a l l y ,
have i n v i t e d t h e m to come to meetings a n d rallies,
indeed even to i m p o r t a n t meetings, w h e r e t h e y
could speak a n d express t h e i r v i e w s w i t h o u t being
obliged t o u n d e r t a k e a n y c o m m i t m e n t , a n d w e
have also decided to c a r r y out joint actions, as
y o u r predecessor, M r . M c L e a n , i s w e l l a w a r e of,
but none of those things w h i c h we have proposed
has been accepted b y those i n w h o m y o u are i n -
terested. W h y is this so? Because those w h o y o u
describe a s h a v i n g A l b a n i a n blood i n t h e i r veins,
or as democrats, are b u t collaborators w i t h the
enemy, b r a n d e d fascists a n d a n t i - A l b a n i a n s . A n d
I listed the f i l t h y acts of the B a l l i K o m b t a r one
by one.
It w a s they w h o t u r n e d t h e i r weapons
against us, I t o l d h i m , w h o c o n c l u d e d t h e D a l -
m a z z o - K l c y r a A g r e e m e n t t o suppress the N a -
tional Liberation Movement and be in friendship
w i t h the Italians; w h o i n F e b r u a r y 1943 w e n t
w i t h a senior o f f i c e r of the I t a l i a n M i l i t a r y
Intelligence ( S I M ) t o the B a l l i s t Safet B u t k a
to persuade h i m to u n i t e w i t h t h e m against us,

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a n d w h o , together w i t h the fascists, p u t w h o l e
regions t o the t o r c h a n d m u r d e r e d c h i l d r e n a n d
o l d folk.
W h e n the G e r m a n s came, G e n e r a l , t h e i r
hopes, w h i c h w e r e dashed by the c a p i t u l a t i o n of
Italy, r e v i v e d , a n d thus they became tools of the
nazis, too. W e h a v e documents i n o u r possession
w h i c h prove t h e i r c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h the nazis.
W e can give t h e m t o y o u i f y o u l i k e . T o u s a l l
this is quite clear. Therefore, we have w r i t t e n
off this appendage of the Gestapo a n d the G e r -
m a n W e h r m a c h t . W e have a d u t y o n l y t o w a r d s
misled Albanians in their ranks to w h o m we
address c o n t i n u a l appeals to a b a n d o n t h e i r l e a -
ders' course of betrayal.
Precisely, M r . H o x h a . W e s h o u l d m a k e one
f i n a l effort so that it w i l l be possible f o r me to
convince L o n d o n p r o p e r l y that these elements
are not f o r w a r against the G e r m a n nazis, i n t e r -
r u p t e d the G e n e r a l . Y o u w i l l u n d e r s t a n d that I
ought to hear t h e i r reasons a n d t r y to c o n v i n c e
t h e m to fight. Therefore, I w o u l d l i k e y o u r o p i -
n i o n a n d y o u r permission t o h o l d a m e e t i n g w i t h
the nationalist chiefs to convince t h e m to a b a n -
d o n the w r o n g course t h e y h a v e t a k e n . I assure
y o u that I s h a l l come to give y o u an accurate
account of the results of the talks.
A s y o u y o u r s e l f declared, G e n e r a l , I said,
you have been attached to us, therefore, I d i d
not expect such a proposal f r o m a senior a l l i e d

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 officer. (In fact, I n o t o n l y expected it, but I
k n e w that t h i s was the m a i n purpose o f his
c o m i n g here.) S i n c e y o u have been a t t a c h e d to
us, y o u are not p e r m i t t e d to go outside o u r l i b -
erated territories to h o l d t a l k s w i t h the enemies
of the A l b a n i a n people. S u c h a t h i n g is n e i t h e r
right n o r p r i n c i p l e d . T h e a l l i e d governments h a v e
declared that they w i l l m a k e n o compromise w i t h
H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y . W e consider y o u r c o m i n g t o
the G e n e r a l S t a f f o f the P a r t i s a n A r m y a s a n a i d
i n order t o d r o p u s weapons, m u n i t i o n s a n d c l o t h -
i n g i n the service o f o u r c o m m o n w a r , a s y o u
yourself have stated.
B u t M r . H o x h a , objected the G e n e r a l , I
consider w h a t I proposed to y o u as an a i d to
our c o m m o n w a r .
N o , G e n e r a l , I c u t h i m short, y o u are
mistaken. We have not sought a n d do not accept
such an ' a i d ' , because we have no need f o r it.
I w a n t to emphasize that y o u are t a k i n g u p o n
yourself the role of mediator, of c o n c i l i a t o r b e -
tween u s a n d t r a i t o r s t o o u r H o m e l a n d . W e c a n -
not accept s u c h a t h i n g , f r o m y o u or f r o m anyone
else. I t o l d y o u a n d I repeat that there is not
and w i l l n e v e r b e a n y c o m p r o m i s e w i t h the
Ballists, the Zogites, a n d the o t h e r collaborators
w i t h the G e r m a n s . W h o e v e r attempts t o m a k e
a compromise w i t h t h e m w i l l b e the s w o r n e n e m y
o f the A l b a n i a n people. A t the b e g i n n i n g , G e -
neral, y o u t o l d m e that y o u are not i n v o l v e d i n

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politics, that y o u are s i m p l y a soldier, but
now, c o n t r a r y t o w h a t y o u said, y o u w a n t t o
c a r r y out p o l i t i c a l activities w i t h collaborators o f
t h e G e r m a n s ! Y o u asked for my opinion and
p e r m i s s i o n a n d our a n s w e r i s t h i s : Y o u r p r o p o s a l
i? regarded as unacceptable f o r the reasons w h i c h
I gave y o u above, that is, because we have no
need to make peace with those who are our
enemies to the end and we do not accept media-
tion.
Y o u r v i e w p o i n t i s quite clear t o me, M r .
H o x h a , the E n g l i s h m a n hastened to say, but I
ask y o u to a l l o w me to have just one m e e t i n g
w i t h them, sufficient to tell them that they must
fight the G e r m a n s , a n d I assure y o u that I w i l l
say n o t h i n g about a n y 'agreement f o r c o n c i l i a -
t i o n ' . T h a t i s not m y affair.
In p r i n c i p l e , G e n e r a l , I do not agree, either,
that y o u s h o u l d go f r o m o u r l i b e r a t e d zones to
them, I added. Y o u c o u l d have gone d i r e c t l y
to t h e m , b u t that w o u l d be another question.
H o w e v e r , I am not g o i n g to keep y o u prisoner.
S i n c e y o u insist, y o u m a y h o l d just one m e e t i n g
w i t h t h e m , b u t we s h a l l not a l l o w a second meet-
i n g . Y o u m u s t choose w h e t h e r y o u w i l l stay
w i t h u s o r w i t h t h e m . I f y o u are g o i n g t o stay
w i t h us you w i l l remain in our territories; if
y o u w a n t to stay w i t h t h e m , go to the t e r r i t o r i e s
controlled b y the G e r m a n s , b u t w e s h a l l not a l l o w
y o u to come b a c k here. I t e l l y o u once again, a n d

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 I am a h u n d r e d p e r cent c e r t a i n of this, that
reaction w i l l n e v e r j o i n i n the w a r against the
G e r m a n s . Y o u said that y o u w o u l d i n f o r m m e
about y o u r t a l k w i t h the B a l l i s t chiefs. I t h a n k
y o u for this, b u t it does not interest me in the
least, because I k n o w a l r e a d y w h a t y o u w i l l t a l k
about.
T h i s b r o u g h t the f i r s t t a l k w i t h the B r i t i s h
G e n e r a l to a close. He stayed to d i n n e r w i t h us
and n e x t d a y M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i a n d several p a r -
tisans escorted h i m t o his l a i r i n B i z a .
N o w the m a n o e u v r e s a n d aims o f the B r i t i s h
government w i t h its allegedly m i l i t a r y missions,
w h i c h i t w a s s e n d i n g t o A l b a n i a u n d e r the p r e -
text o f h e l p i n g the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r , w e r e
becoming e v e n clearer. T h e call f o r v i g i l a n c e
w h i c h I addressed to a l l the communists, the
i n d i v i d u a l letters w h i c h I sent to H a x h i L l e s h i ,
B a b a F a j a , a n d the comrades o f V l o r a , E l b a s a n
and G j i r o k a s t r a , as w e l l as the discussions I h e l d
w i t h M y s l i m about the question o f the B r i t i s h
officers, h a d been v e r y necessary. B r i t a i n h a d
t e m p o r a r i l y changed its coat, b u t it w a s the
same old B r i t a i n that w e h a d k n o w n i m -
perialist, r e a c t i o n a r y a n d an oppressor of the
peoples. N a t u r a l l y , it h a d neither the economic
nor the m i l i t a r y strength that i t h a d h a d i n the
past, b u t it w a s p r a c t i s i n g the same t r i c k e r y , i n -
trigues a n d deception, indeed i n m o r e r e f i n e d ways.
True, B r i t a i n was f i g h t i n g against the G e r m a n s ,

117
was one of the members of the A n t i - f a s c i s t B l o c ,
b u t i t was clear a n d u n w a v e r i n g i n b o t h its
w a r t i m e a n d its p o s t - w a r aims. B r i t a i n a n d
A m e r i c a w a n t e d G e r m a n y t o b e smashed d u r i n g
the w a r , but they w a n t e d to benefit f r o m the
w a r , w a n t e d the S o v i e t U n i o n t o emerge w e a k -
ened, a n d d i d not w a n t reaction i n a l l the
countries occupied by the nazis to be l i q u i d a t e d
by the people's forces, but on the c o n t r a r y ,
w a n t e d it to come out w i t h the least possible
damage a n d to take p o w e r after the l i b e r a t i o n
u n d e r democratic a n d other labels and, if this
p r o v e d impossible, to c o m p e l the people to
share p o w e r w i t h i t b y c l a i m i n g that i t f i r e d
a couple of shots at the e l e v e n t h h o u r . T h i s
was one of the m a i n a i m s of the B r i t i s h a n d
the A m e r i c a n s . A l r e a d y d u r i n g the w a r they
were s u p p o r t i n g r e a c t i o n i n v a r i o u s countries,
a d v i s i n g it to be careful, to organize itself w i t h
the aid of the occupiers, to step up the attacks t o -
gether w i t h the e n e m y against the c o m m u n i s t s
a n d the people's forces, to come out in the f i g h t
u n d e r allegedly n a t i o n a l slogans a n d to seize
p o w e r o n the eve o f l i b e r a t i o n , w h i l e p r o m i s i n g
that i t w o u l d h a v e t h e i r p o w e r f u l a i d .
T h i s i s w h y the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n s
w e r e t r y i n g i n e v e r y w a y t o get into the o c c u p i e d
countries, so that on the one h a n d , u n d e r the
disguise of g i v i n g m i l i t a r y a i d , they c o u l d create
t h e i r agencies w i t h i n the n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n

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movements to sabotage these m o v e m e n t s and
their w a r , a n d on the other h a n d , to assist reac-
tion w i t h weapons, gold, o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d advice.
It was p r e c i s e l y because I feared that this
was w h a t t h e y w e r e up to that I devoted such
attention to the t r u e aims of the B r i t i s h a n d
gave the organizations of the P a r t y a n d the
p a r t i s a n detachments such detailed instructions
as soon as the f i r s t B r i t i s h m i s s i o n headed by
M c L e a n entered A l b a n i a .
Everything which we heard from General
D a v i e s f u l l y c o n f i r m e d o u r beliefs. W e s h o u l d
not have t h e slightest i l l u s i o n that B r i t a i n was
going t o assist o u r w a r . N o . T h i s mission, i n
p a r t i c u l a r , l i k e a l l the other missions, h a d o n l y
the aims I m e n t i o n e d above. Its a i m was p u r e l y
political.
T h e reason B r i g a d i e r G e n e r a l Davies and
his g r o u p came to us was, first, that we w e r e
the biggest a n d indeed the o n l y organized p o l i t i -
cal a n d ideological f i g h t i n g force i n A l b a n i a ; t h e y
c o u l d not send h i m e i t h e r t o the B a l l i K o m b t a r
or to the Zogites, because they k n e w that they
represented n o t h i n g m u c h . Second, they sent the
G e n e r a l a n d his staff to us, as I said p r e v i o u s l y ,
t o l e a r n about o u r p o l i t i c a l a n d m i l i t a r y o r g a n i z a -
tion, to discover o u r s t r o n g a n d w e a k points so
that they c o u l d f i g h t us m o r e effectively, in
order t o p u t o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r u n d e r
t h e i r p o l i t i c a l a n d m i l i t a r y leadership and, i f

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this p r o v e d impossible, to c o m p r o m i s e a n d c o r -
r u p t cadres a n d staffs w i t h a f e w weapons, a f e w
clothes or a f e w h u n d r e d sovereigns, in order
to destroy us f r o m w i t h i n .
H o w e v e r , our P a r t y w a s v i g i l a n t t o w a r d s
them, e v e n after the v i c t o r y o v e r the occupiers,
and this was one of its greatest m e r i t s . T h e
P a r t y fought against the occupier of t h a t time,
as w e l l as against the c a m o u f l a g e d enemies of
the f u t u r e .
N a t u r a l l y , the plans o f the B r i t i s h i n A l b a -
n i a w e r e f a i l i n g . L o n d o n was a l a r m e d , r a d i o g r a m s
w e r e sent back a n d f o r t h ; u n d o u b t e d l y things
w e r e not in order at e i t h e r end, therefore it sent
G e n e r a l D a v i e s as head of the mission. L o n d o n
sent h i m t o t e l l u s that they v a l u e d o u r w a r
h i g h l y a n d p u t us to sleep, t h a t allegedly the
G e n e r a l had a u t h o r i t y to settle the disagreements
w h i c h m i g h t have emerged b e t w e e n u s a n d the
B r i t i s h mission, a n d f i n a l l y , that w i t h his c o m -
i n g they w o u l d send u s m o r e weapons. W e d i d
not believe a n y of this.
A f t e r G e n e r a l D a v i e s left, the comrades a n d
I sat t a l k i n g t i l l late into the n i g h t . F i n a l l y I
d r e w the f o l l o w i n g conclusions about the aims
f o r w h i c h he h a d been sent h e r e :
First, to m a k e contact w i t h the heads of the
B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d the Zogites and, t h r o u g h
t h e m , w i t h the quislings, to advise t h e m on b e -

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half of L o n d o n on h o w they s h o u l d organize
themselves t o b e r e a d y w h e n G e r m a n y capitulated
i n the n e a r f u t u r e , t o assure t h e m t h a t they
w o u l d a l w a y s have t h e f u l l s u p p o r t o f B r i t a i n
and A m e r i c a .
Second, to i n s t r u c t t h e m that on no account
must t h e y a l l o w the c o m m u n i s t s t o take p o w e r
i n the f u t u r e .
Third, t o i n s t r u c t t h e m h o w t h e y should
organize t h e i r forces i l l e g a l l y a n d c a r r y out
some s h a m actions. T o this e n d , h e w o u l d attach
some B r i t i s h missions t o t h e m a n d m i g h t a l s o
send others to organize a n d direct these activities.
The G e n e r a l w o u l d p r o m i s e t h e m weapons a n d
money. W e k n o w that a l l the traitors h a v e
always been ready to sell t h e i r souls a n d t h e i r
H o m e l a n d f o r l i r e a n d pounds, a n d the B r i t i s h
k n o w a n d e x p l o i t t h i s w e a k n e s s o f theirs.
Fourth, to s t u d y the s i t u a t i o n a n d s t r e n g t h
of different chiefs of reaction, to sound out the
t e r r a i n , to g a i n f i r s t - h a n d k n o w l e d g e of the t e n -
dencies of the v a r i o u s groups, the p o s s i b i l i t y of
alliances b e t w e e n t h e m a n d of g a t h e r i n g t h e m
a r o u n d some p a r t i c u l a r i n d i v i d u a l or some n e w ,
less c o m p r o m i s e d group, as the B r i t i s h p u t it.
H o w e v e r , I t h i n k that the B r i t i s h are t r y i n g
to r a l l y r e a c t i o n a r o u n d Z o g as a constitutional
m o n a r c h , a r e f o r m e r a n d democrat, a n d
undoubtedly, the G e n e r a l has come to see w h a t

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the t r a i t o r chiefs t h i n k of this b r i l l i a n t idea (1)
o f the B r i t i s h . T h e special c o n c e r n w h i c h t h e y
are d i s p l a y i n g f o r the Zogites u n w i t t i n g l y betrays
this p l a n . We s a w that B a z i i Cans, the Zogite
w h o came to the C o n f e r e n c e of P e z a a n d was
elected to the G e n e r a l Staff, d i d not f i r e a single
shot, or c a r r y out a n y of the joint decisions.
Nevertheless, i t w a s o n h i m that M c L e a n ' s eyes
w e r e f i x e d . W e must c o n t i n u e t o m a k e this
clear t o the P a r t y , the a r m y a n d the N a t i o n a l
L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t so that no cadre makes a false
step out of n a i v e trust.
Fifth, G e n e r a l D a v i e s has c e r t a i n l y come
also to give n e w i n s t r u c t i o n s to a l l the missions
i n o u r country, t o check u p o n t h e i r w o r k , t o
l e a r n about the s i t u a t i o n a n d the possibilities f o r
action as t h e y see t h e m a n d to reach the neces-
s a r y conclusions about the m e e t i n g w i t h the
heads of the B a l l i K o m b t a r , a n d after a l l these
things a r e done, he w i l l set his missions f u r t h e r
tasks f o r the n e w situations w h i c h w i l l b e
created.
H o w e v e r , in o r d e r to achieve a l l these
_____________________________
1 On November 19, 1943, G e n e r a l Davies sent Cairo a r a d i o -
g r a m to be passed on to L o n d o n in w h i c h amongst other things
he said: d)...They [ L N C the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n Movement]
are dead against Zog. T h e B a l l i K o m b t a r approves of such a
committee [government in exile] a n d Zog's association w i t h
it. (FO 371/37145-3741. PRO. Taken from the photocopy of the
original in the Archives of the Institute of History, (AIH), Tirana.)

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things, t h e y are obliged to do something, even if
o n l y f o r m a l l y , to give the i m p r e s s i o n that they
are f i g h t i n g the e n e m y a n d h e l p i n g us, f o r
otherwise, it w i l l not be easy f o r t h e m to p u t
t h e i r plans i n t o operation t o m o r r o w .
Therefore, w e m u s t keep t h e i r aims c l e a r l y
i n m i n d a n d t i m e w i l l p r o v e that w e are r i g h t ,
I told the comrades. W e m u s t take a l l measures
to ensure that we c r u s h t h e e n e m y occupiers
a n d f o i l the secret m i l i t a r y a n d p o l i t i c a l plans of
the B r i t i s h a n d t h e i r lackeys, the Ballists,
the Zogites a n d the b a j r a k t a r s . O n l y t h r o u g h
a fierce a r m e d struggle a n d ideological struggle,
guided b y o u r P a r t y , w i l l a l l the e n e m y intrigues
be exposed a n d defeated. We are g o i n g to smash
t h e m , g o i n g to liberate the country, a n d the
people, u n d e r the leadership of the P a r t y , w i l l
take p o w e r into t h e i r o w n hands, I w o u n d up
m y r e m a r k s t o the comrades w h o f u l l y endorsed
the p o l i t i c a l a n d o r g a n i z a t i o n a l conclusions I p u t
before t h e m .
On the same d a y I s u m m o n e d comrades in
charge of o u r p a r t i s a n u n i t s to i n f o r m t h e m about
the t a l k s w i t h G e n e r a l D a v i e s a n d i n s t r u c t t h e m
to step up the struggle against the occupiers a n d
the t r a i t o r s a n d increase t h e i r v i g i l a n c e t o w a r d s
any action of the B r i t i s h .
Next morning Mustafa Gjinishi returned
f r o m B i z a . A s h e related t o us, the G e n e r a l h a d
g i v e n h i m cocoa, chocolate, cake a n d fresh butter
f o r breakfast.
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 W h a t d i d the G e n e r a l have to say, w h a t
w e r e his impressions w h e n he left? I asked
Mustafa.
O h , h e was v e r y impressed a n d h a p p y that
y o u spoke openly to h i m , he replied, a n d
he told me, ' M r . H o x h a strongly defended the
interests o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t . ' T h e
G e n e r a l said, 'I hope I s h a l l a l w a y s be able to
talk w i t h y o u i n this w a y ' , added M u s t a f a .
Of course, M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i w a s a l i a r a n d
w e h a d l o n g h a d suspicions o f h i m , b u t l a t e r
it w o u l d be p r o v e d c l e a r l y t h a t he was an agent
of the B r i t i s h .
O u r p a r t i s a n w a r against the G e r m a n s a n d
t h e i r tools continued f i e r c e l y a n d w i t h o u t i n -
terruption. T h e B B C s t i l l r e m a i n e d silent
about this w a r and churned out reports
about the w a r that the B a l l i s t s a n d the Zogites
w e r e w a g i n g . T h e w e e k s and m o n t h s w e n t b y
and the B r i t i s h d r o p p e d us some a u t o m a t i c
rifles, b u t w i t h o u t sufficient a m m u n i t i o n , oc-
casionally dropped some c l o t h i n g or a f e w boots,
a l t h o u g h these w e r e often o n l y f o r one foot, a
t h i n g w h i c h m a d e the partisans l a u g h a n d say:
A p p a r e n t l y the B r i t i s h w a n t u s t o m a r c h a n d
fight o n one f o o t . . . b u t w e ' l l get b y w i t h o u r
opinga (1) w i t h w h i c h o u r ancestors h a v e fought.
T h e q u a n t i t y o f weapons, a m m u n i t i o n a n d c l o t h -
__________________________
1 opinga home-made greenhide sandals.

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i n g w h i c h t h e y sent u s w a s r i d i c u l o u s l y s m a l l .
U n d e r the p r e t e x t o f s u p p l y i n g u s w i t h weapons,
the B r i t i s h officers t r i e d t o get i n t o o u r d e t a c h -
ments t o l e a r n w h a t forces w e h a d , h o w t h e y
w e r e organized, w h e r e t h e y w e r e stationed a n d
w h e r e t h e y operated a n d s o o n . B u t t h e y r a n u p
against a b r i c k w a l l e v e r y w h e r e . A l l that the p a r -
tisans w o u l d say t o the B r i t i s h officers w a s : W h y
don't y o u d r o p u s weapons? A s usual, the B r i t i s h
made a l l sorts of l y i n g excuses.
T h e B r i t i s h officers asked f o r i n f o r m a t i o n
o n the G e r m a n forces, w a n t e d u s t o give t h e m
the e m b l e m s a n d n u m b e r s of the detachments to
w h i c h the G e r m a n s k i l l e d i n battle belonged, a n d
w e gave t h e m a n y a m o u n t o f these. T h e y w a n t e d
to go a l l o v e r the place, to check up on things,
to m a k e contact w i t h o u r units a n d we, of
course, d i d not keep t h e m on a c h a i n . We a l l o w e d
t h e m t o t r a v e l t h r o u g h the m o u n t a i n s a n d gorges,
but t h e y w e r e u n a b l e t o l e a r n w h a t they w a n t e d .
T h e y w e r e a l w a y s a c c o m p a n i e d b y t w o o r three
partisans, a n i n t e r p r e t e r a n d one o r t w o o f o u r
trusted peasants to look after t h e i r mules. Hence,
i n this d i r e c t i o n o u r comrades w e r e v e r y v i g i l -
ant. H o w e v e r , sometimes t h e v i g i l a n c e slackened
a n d there w e r e instances w h e n the B r i t i s h of-
ficers sent to the p a r t i s a n forces in D i b r a
escaped f r o m t h e i r s u p e r v i s i o n a n d managed t o
l i n k u p w i t h the chiefs o f reaction i n D i b r a ,
f o r instance, F i q r i D i n e a n d X h e m Gostivari,

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a n d even attacked o u r forces i n P e s h k o p i a t o -
gether w i t h t h e m . I w r o t e a letter to C o m r a d e
H a x h i L l e s h i , i n s t r u c t i n g h i m t o give the B r i t i s h
a f i n a l w a r n i n g a n d t e l l t h e m that o u r b u l l e t s
w o u l d m a k e n o d i s t i n c t i o n b e t w e e n the e n e m y
a n d those w h o u n i t e d w i t h the e n e m y t o attack
us. Once again it was clear that the B r i t i s h m i s -
sions w e r e o p e r a t i n g to assist the g e n t r y against
us, p u t t i n g into p r a c t i c e the directives that t h e y
received f r o m L o n d o n .
O u r p r e d i c t i o n that they chose t o reside i n
B i z a , because it was a m o r e suitable place f r o m
w h i c h the G e n e r a l c o u l d m a k e intensive contacts
w i t h the B r i t i s h missions i n the N o r t h a n d w o u l d
h a v e f r e q u e n t contacts w i t h M a t , D i b r a a n d
C e n t r a l A l b a n i a , w a s p r o v e d correct. N a t u r a l l y ,
w e kept a l l t h e i r m o v e m e n t s u n d e r observation
w h y s h o u l d we h i d e t h i s ? b u t w h a t t h e y
t a l k e d about a n d w h a t they decided w e d i d not
k n o w . W e w a t c h e d a n d discovered t h e i r decisions
during their practical application.
T h i s i s h o w G e n e r a l D a v i e s w o r k e d against
us, b u t we w e r e not asleep.

Some t i m e h a d passed since I h a d m e t t h e

G e n e r a l , w h e n F r e d e r i k N o s i came one day a n d
i n f o r m e d m e that the G e n e r a l h a d told h i m
that he h a d f i n a l l y m a n a g e d to contact the heads
o f the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d t h e y h a d agreed t o
come to a m e e t i n g w i t h h i m in S h n g j e r g j . I

126
believe that L u m o S k n d o ( 1 ) , B e g e j a a n d some
others w i l l be at this meeting, the G e n e r a l h a d
told h i m . Therefore, he had instructed Frederik
t o i n f o r m o u r G e n e r a l S t a f f about this m a t t e r .
I t o l d F r e d e r i k to t r a n s m i t to the G e n e r a l
that o u r S t a f f w o u l d p u t ten partisans at his
disposal t o protect h i m f r o m any G e r m a n attack,
but the G e n e r a l h i m s e l f m u s t bear responsibility
f o r this m e e t i n g w i t h the Ballists, because he
h a d w a n t e d a n d p r e p a r e d it c o n t r a r y to the
desire of the p o l i t i c a l commissar of the G e n e r a l
S t a f f of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y . I i n s t r u c t -
ed F r e d e r i k , w h o k n e w about the t a l k I h a d h a d
w i t h the G e n e r a l , Y o u m u s t adopt a s t a n d
of i n d i f f e r e n c e . T a k e c o m m a n d of the partisans,
g o t o A l i S h t p a n i a n d t e l l h i m t o h a v e his m e n
ready f o r a n y e v e n t u a l i t y , take u p y o u r positions,
listen c a r e f u l l y t o a n y t h i n g w h i c h the G e n e r a l
m a y say a f t e r w a r d s , b u t give the i m p r e s s i o n
that y o u are n o t greatly interested. If he tells
y o u t o t r a n s m i t his w o r d s t o me, t e l l h i m , 'It
w o u l d b e better t o t e l l h i m yourself'.
G e n e r a l D a v i e s h e l d the m e e t i n g w i t h L u m o
Skndo and returned to B i z a immediately. He
t o l d F r e d e r i k , It w a s a f i e r y m e e t i n g a n d M r .
H o x h a w a s absolutely r i g h t about c e r t a i n things,
but in the e n d I m a n a g e d to convince t h e m that
they m u s t fight. A n d , as f a r as I remember, he
____________________________
1 M i t h a t Frashri, c h a i r m a n of the CC of B a l l i Kombtar.

127
h a d e v e n received a d o c u m e n t w i t h t h i s p r o m i s e
i n w r i t i n g . F r e d e r i k h a d listened t o h i m w i t h
indifference and told h i m : The B a l l i K o m b t a r
w o n ' t fight, it is up to its n e c k in treachery,
they are d e c e i v i n g you. B r i g a d i e r D a v i e s d i d
not ask F r e d e r i k to report to me, because I
had t o l d h i m t h a t the t a l k s w h i c h h e w o u l d
hold w i t h the B a l l i s t s d i d not interest me. H o w -
ever, h e k n e w F r e d e r i k w o u l d i n f o r m m e .
A l i t t l e later F r e d e r i k came a n d t o l d me that
the G e n e r a l h a d i n v i t e d m e a n d the comrades
w i t h me to go to d i n n e r at his quarters in B i z a .
I accepted the i n v i t a t i o n a n d in the a f t e r n o o n of
N o v e m b e r 11, accompanied b y partisans a n d t a k -
ing Mustafa G j i n i s h i as interpreter and member
of the Staff, I set out f r o m O r e n j a . I a r r i v e d at
B i z a i n the e v e n i n g . T h e r e , i n f r o n t o f the m a i n
tent, I received a s m i l i n g w e l c o m e f r o m the G e -
n e r a l a c c o m p a n i e d b y his a d j u t a n t , C o l o n e l
N i c h o l l s of the Coldstream Guards, if I ' m not
m i s t a k e n . We shook hands a n d entered the tent
because it was v e r y cool. It was w i n d y at n i g h t
o n that open plateau.
T h e G e n e r a l was c o m f o r t a b l y set u p i n his
f i e l d tent. E v e r y t h i n g , f r o m the table i n the
m i d d l e , to the u p h o l s t e r e d stools, could be folded
u p f o r p a c k i n g . T h e b u l l d o g w i t h the b e a u t i f u l
c o l l a r r o u n d its neck was c u r l e d u p o n his bed.
D i n n e r w a s a cold m e a l w i t h t i n n e d meat and

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fish, i m p o r t e d a n d local cheese, several k i n d s
of local f r u i t , chocolate, E n g l i s h cigarettes, r a k i ,
whisky and wine. The General invited me to
sit at the head of the table a n d we a l l took our
places. H e f i l l e d o u r glasses w i t h w h i s k y .
I said to h i m : J u s t a little f o r me, because
I've n e v e r d r u n k it before, but I shall do so
in y o u r h o n o u r as my host. P o u r me a glass of
r a k i because this i s w h a t m y ancestors, g r a n d -
f a t h e r a n d f a t h e r have d r u n k .
Y o u are conservative, M r . H o x h a , h e
said.
I cannot f a i l to f a v o u r the f i n e things of
my people, I said. W e m u s t love o u r H o m e l a n d
more t h a n o u r lives. F o r instance, y o u G e n e r a l
b r i n g y o u r w h i s k y f r o m B r i t a i n b y aircraft.
W h i s k y is a v e r y f i n e d r i n k . I l i k e it v e r y
m u c h , said M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i .
T h e n d r i n k it, I said, but w a t c h out it
doesn't go to y o u r head, because I ' m not g o i n g
to c a r r y y o u to Orenja.
T h e r e w a s general l a u g h t e r a n d w e began
a free conversation, b u t as the people say, the
tongue a u t o m a t i c a l l y goes to the t o o t h that's
a c h i n g . A l l o f u s w e r e t h i n k i n g about politics,
the m a i n p r o b l e m w a s h a m m e r i n g a w a y i n a l l
o u r heads, b u t we k e p t off it, because we k n e w
w e w o u l d q u a r r e l , since o n this o u r interests
d i f f e r e d completely. F i r s t w e t a l k e d about l i t e r a -

129
ture. I t a l k e d about ours a n d he t a l k e d about his.
H e k n e w n o t h i n g a t a l l about our l i t e r a t u r e .
T h e culture w h i c h I h a d a c q u i r e d i n F r a n c e and
the m a n y books w h i c h I h a d r e a d h a d g i v e n m e
some k n o w l e d g e about a series of B r i t i s h authors.
W e ' r e w e l l a c q u a i n t e d w i t h Shakespeare,
I said, not o n l y f r o m school, b u t especially f r o m
the b r i l l i a n t translations w h i c h o u r poet, h i s t o r i a n
a n d r e v o l u t i o n a r y democrat F a n N o l i has m a d e
of his w o r k s . J u s t as F i t z g e r a l d made O m a r
K h a y y a m 'speak' E n g l i s h , o u r N o l i m a d e the
great Shakespeare 'speak' A l b a n i a n .
T h a t n i g h t i n B i z a , w i t h the n o r t h w i n d
b l o w i n g , I t a l k e d to the G e n e r a l about the w i n t e r
nights of David Copperfield, about the h u m o u r
o f J e r o m e K . J e r o m e , about S w i f t a n d B y r o n ,
Shelley and K i p l i n g .
Y o u r e g a r d K i p l i n g as a great w r i t e r ,
General, I said, but I hate h i m because he
i s one o f y o u r w r i t e r s w h o sings h y m n s i n
praise of the c o l o n i a l conquests of the B r i t i s h
E m p i r e i n his w o r k s . I p r e f e r y o u r great B y r o n ,
w h o m the n e w generation o f E n g l i s h people
has neglected, p r e f e r r i n g poets a n d w r i t e r s of
little v a l u e . I l i k e B y r o n , not because I am a
romantic, but because h e sincerely l o v e d m y
people, has sung t h e i r praises w i t h p u r e feelings
a n d has, as I have read somewhere, e v e n n a m e d
his d a u g h t e r A l b a , thus e x p r e s s i n g his a d m i r a -
t i o n f o r the A l b a n i a n people. A s y o u k n o w , i n

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his famous Childe Harold he sings, to the valour,
manliness a n d m a t u r i t y of the A l b a n i a n s :

Fierce are Albania's children, yet they lack

Not virtues, were these virtues more mature.
Where is the foe that ever saw their back?
Who can so well the toil of war endure?
************
Their wrath how deadly! but
their friend-
ship sure,
When gratitude or valour bids them bleed,
Unshaken rushing on wherever their chief
may lead.

These characteristics of o u r ancestors we

have kept alive. W e love our f r i e n d s a n d w e l c o m e
t h e m w i t h hospitality, w h i l e f o r enemies w e
have bullets. Y o u , G e n e r a l Davies, are our f r i e n d
and ally.
T h e G e n e r a l b o w e d , s m i l i n g as he said,
Thank you.
B y r o n loved the peoples w h o fought f o r
freedom. T h i s he p r i z e d above a l l a n d he sang
of i t :

Brightest in dungeons, Liberty! thou art,

For there thy habitation is the heart
The heart which love of thee alone can
bind;

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 And when thy sons to fetters are consigned
To fetters, and the damp valut's dayless
gloom,
Their country conquers with their martyr-
dom,
And freedom's fame finds wings on every
wind.

Do y o u k n o w , G e n e r a l , w h o w e r e B y r o n ' s
most f a i t h f u l f o l l o w e r s a n d his inseparable c o m -
panions? T w o A l b a n i a n b o d y g u a r d s w h o m his
f r i e n d , A l i P a s h a Tepelena, h a d g i v e n h i m . T h e y
l o v e d B y r o n so m u c h that, as I h a v e r e a d some-
w h e r e , once, w h e n he w a s in the throes of a
t e r r i b l e fever, t h e y w e r e so desperately w o r r i e d
about h i m that t h e y s u m m o n e d the doctor a n d
told h i m , ' C u r e h i m o r w e s h a l l k i l l y o u ! '
W e l i k e B y r o n a n d w e w a n t the B r i t i s h
people to love the A l b a n i a n people as he did.
Y o u ' v e w o n m y heart, M r . H o x h a , said
the G e n e r a l . I k n e w that y o u w e r e a c q u a i n t e d
w i t h F r e n c h literature, but y o u seem t o b e w e l l
a c q u a i n t e d w i t h ours, too.
We Albanians, General, have a thirst for
freedom and for knowledge. We have fought for
t h e m both t h r o u g h the centuries. W e are f i g h t i n g
f o r t h e m n o w a n d w i l l f i g h t t o m o r r o w , too, i f
n e e d be, I said, a n d we both raised o u r glasses,
m i n e w i t h r a k i a n d his w i t h w h i s k y , a n d G j i -
n i s h i , w h o was deep i n pleasant c o n v e r s a t i o n

132
w i t h C o l o n e l N i c h o l l s , d i d not lag b e h i n d w i t h
his glass.
H a v e y o u been through any military
schools? the G e n e r a l asked me.
Yes, I have, I a n s w e r e d .
W h e r e ? asked the G e n e r a l .
I've been t h r o u g h the m i l i t a r y school of
my people, w h i c h is a school of great experience.
Y o u have h e a r d o f G j e r g j K a s t r i o t i , Skanderbeg,
I said. H e became famous t h r o u g h o u t the w o r l d
because he f o u g h t against the O t t o m a n T u r k s ,
against t w o of t h e i r greatest sultans. He l e d
22 battles a n d n e v e r lost one. S u l t a n M e h m e t -
F a t i h c a p t u r e d Constantinople, b u t as l o n g as
S k a n d e r b e g w a s alive, h e c o u l d not take K r u j a .
H e was f r o m the N o r t h , r e m a r k e d the
General cunningly.
H e was an A l b a n i a n , I r e p l i e d c u r t l y ,
u n d e r s t a n d i n g the G e n e r a l ' s a l l u s i o n (1), a n d he
was a p r i n c e w h o r e l i e d on the people. He l o v e d
the people a n d t h e y l o v e d h i m .
Y o u r s is a b e a u t i f u l c o u n t r y , said the
G e n e r a l , c h a n g i n g the d i r e c t i o n of the c o n -
versation, t h a t i s w h y B y r o n l o v e d it. I n
E n g l a n d we have a p i c t u r e in w h i c h he is p o r -
t r a y e d i n A l b a n i a n dress. W h e n w e w i n the
war, M r . H o x h a . I hope y o u w i l l i n v i t e m e t o
_______________________________

1 To A. Zog and A. K u p i w h o were f r o m the N o r t h , too.

133
come to visit y o u r c o u n t r y , said the G e n e r a l ,
t r y i n g to give the c o n v e r s a t i o n a pleasant a n d
i n t i m a t e tone.
O f course, y o u m u s t come a n d get to k n o w
i t w e l l , because b o t h o u r c o u n t r y a n d o u r people
are m a r v e l l o u s . Y o u m u s t not b e left w i t h the
outdated i m p r e s s i o n y o u have f o r m e d f r o m the
tendentious reports of B r i t i s h consuls w h o w r o t e
things t o y o u r F o r e i g n O f f i c e , w h i c h w e r e not
t r u e a n d w h i c h h a d u l t e r i o r motives, o r f r o m the
reports of 'collectors' of f l o w e r s a n d butterflies,
w h o i n r e a l i t y w e r e d o i n g other w o r k . O f course,
I'm not r e f e r r i n g to scholars s u c h as M i s s D u r -
h a m w h o t r a v e l l e d A l b a n i a , especially the N o r t h ,
t o study t h e life i n the N o r t h e r n H i g h l a n d s and
d i d not w r i t e b a d l y about it. B u t the times have
changed, G e n e r a l . T h e B r i t i s h E m p i r e n o l o n g e r
has its f o r m e r strength a n d p o w e r , w h i l e i n our
c o u n t r y , the p o w e r of the beys a n d the b a j r a k t a r s
i s d e c l i n i n g a n d the end o f this w a r w i l l p u t
the l i d o n t h e i r grave.
M r . H o x h a , r e p l i e d the G e n e r a l , it is
t r u e that our E m p i r e is not w h a t it w a s in
V i c t o r i a n times, b u t we are a d e m o c r a t i c m o n -
archy, y o u m i g h t say. I n o u r c o u n t r y there i s
not one p a r t y b u t t w o , one of w h i c h is of the
Labourites, i.e., of the w o r k e r s , the other of the
Conservatives. In our c o u n t r y we have free
elections.
I k n o w about y o u r system of democracy, I

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said, b u t i n that s y s t e m the w o r k e r s ' h o l d keys
of s t r a w ' , as an e x p r e s s i o n of ours puts it. It
is d e m o c r a c y f o r the capitalists, f o r the lords,
but not f o r the w o r k e r s . W h e n w e w i n w e
shall establish democracy, b u t not l i k e that d e m o -
cracy of yours. In our c o u n t r y there w i l l be
d e m o c r a c y o n l y f o r the people, w h i l e the 'keys
of straw', I said w i t h a l a u g h , w i l l be in the
hands of the beys, aghas a n d the b a j r a k t a r s ,
w h o h a v e a l w a y s oppressed and b e t r a y e d the
people.
D o y o u m e a n y o u ' r e going t o take a l l t h e i r
p r o p e r t y f r o m t h e m , M r . H o x h a ? asked the
General.
O f course, G e n e r a l . T h e evil-doers, the
enemies, those w h o h a v e stained t h e i r hands w i t h
blood, w i l l c e r t a i n l y be h a n d e d over to the peo-
ple's courts, w h i l e w e ' l l p u t the rest of t h e m to
w o r k , t o sweat a n d l e a r n h o w tasty food i s w h e n
y o u ' v e e a r n e d i t w i t h y o u r o w n toil.
That i s w h y t h e y d o not w a n t t o u n i t e w i t h
y o u , M r . H o x h a , because t h e y are a f r a i d o f
you, said the G e n e r a l .
T h e y have good reason to be a f r a i d . T h e y
k n o w w h a t t h e y have i n f l i c t e d o n o u r people
t h r o u g h o u t a l l t h e i r existence, t h a t i s w h y they
are a f r a i d of us. Nevertheless, we a n d the people
have appealed to t h e m to a b a n d o n t h e i r course
o f b e t r a y a l . T h e y have not listened a n d w i l l

135
suffer the consequences. I n the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a -
t i o n F r o n t w e have people f r o m the w e a l t h y
strata, w h o are patriots, a n d w e a n d the people
respect t h e m f o r t h e i r p a t r i o t i c anti-fascist
stand.
M r . H o x h a , said the G e n e r a l , I h a d a
t a l k w i t h M r . L u m o S k n d o a n d others and
I spoke to t h e m straight f r o m the shoulder. I
reproached t h e m a n d said to t h e m , ' A s f a r as
I can see, o n l y the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t is
f i g h t i n g against the G e r m a n s , w h i l e y o u are not
f i g h t i n g . ' B u t t h e y denied this, a n d a l l b u t
accused me of b e i n g a c o m m u n i s t . H o w e v e r , I
persisted i n m y a r g u m e n t and, i n the e n d , I
believe I c o n v i n c e d t h e m a n d t h e y gave me t h e i r
w o r d that they w o u l d fight.
T h e y ' l l f i g h t against us, I t o l d h i m .
O h , no, M r . H o x h a , said the G e n e r a l ,
against the G e r m a n s .
In that case, let me assure y o u that t h e y
have deceived y o u . T h e y have not f o u g h t a n d
n e v e r w i l l fight the G e r m a n s . R e m e m b e r these
w o r d s I'm s a y i n g t o y o u . T h e y w i l l continue t h e i r
b e t r a y a l of the people to the end, w i t h weapons
a n d every other means, in close c o l l a b o r a t i o n
w i t h the G e r m a n s .
U p t i l l the t i m e h e f e l l i n the hands o f the
G e r m a n s as a prisoner, G e n e r a l D a v i e s s a w f o r

136
himself (1) the fact that the B a l l i s t s a n d the Zogites
d i d not f i r e one shot against the e n e m y occupier.
The t r a i t o r o r g a n i z a t i o n o f L u m o S k n d o a n d
A l i K l c y r a c o n t i n u e d t h e i r treachery at a savage
level and that i s w h y the B r i t i s h p i n n e d greater
hopes on the gang of A b a z K u p i , attached to
w h o m w e r e the w i l y officers M c L e a n a n d A m e r y ,
______________________________

1 In regard to this he wrote to his centre on December 17,

1943 as f o l l o w s :
1. Now recommend a change. Situation developed recently
so m u c h imperative n o w denounce Regency C o u n c i l collectively
and b y name. A l s o B A L K O M and Z O G I S T S .
2. A l l are cooperating with Germans, who are exploiting
them w i t h arms in large quantities, setting them to guard m a i n
roads, police towns and lead patrols thus freeing G e r m a n troops.
3. All recent actions fought by LNC have met mixed
German Balkom bodies well armed German-trained. Battles
P E Z A a n d D I B R A areas, especially latter, have ample proof
closest collaboration.
4. B A L K O M and ABAS KUPI both promised me fight
Germans actively, but not one action have they fought this past
month, although there have been many chances for them to resist
the G e r m a n s . . .
5. Both the BALKOM and ZOGISTS now publish expensive
ambitious newspapers obviously G e r m a n set-up. In eight editions
there has not been one a n t i - G e r m a n reference. Both parties
boasting A L L I E S w i l l cooperate w i t h them after Germans g o
quoting as evidence Britain's failure to name the Regency C o u n -
cil or any p o l i t i c a l party [in A l b a n i a ] . E x a m p l e : B.B.C. Direc-
tor's speech to A L B A N I A on 28th November.
G. I w o u l d have preferred to explain personally w h e n I come

137
of w h o m the latter, if I'm not m i s t a k e n , has
been a m i n i s t e r in several C o n s e r v a t i v e g o v e r n -
ments since t h e w a r .
W i t h such c o n v e r s a t i o n w e passed the d i n -
n e r w i t h the E n g l i s h m a n D a v i e s . A b o u t 1 1
o'clock at n i g h t we t h a n k e d the G e n e r a l f o r his
hospitality, took o u r leave a n d d e p a r t e d f r o m
B i z a . T h e w i n d h a d freshened and the rustle o f
t h e forest seemed to m a k e it even stronger.
M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i h a d a great g l o w f r o m a l l the
w h i s k y h e h a d d r u n k a n d n o doubt also f r o m
that conversation b y the stove w i t h C o l o n e l
N i c h o l l s , w h i c h seemed to have been pleasant.
H e v o l u n t e e r e d n o t h i n g about w h a t they h a d
discussed, so I s t i r r e d h i m up a little.
M u s t a f a , I said, y o u speak E n g l i s h v e r y
w e l l . It seems to me y o u ' v e i m p r o v e d on w h a t
y o u learned at the T e c h n i c a l S c h o o l . I don't
u n d e r s t a n d E n g l i s h , b u t I have the i m p r e s s i o n
t h a t y o u speak i t m o r e r e a d i l y a n d easily t h a n
________________________________

out, but I may be delayed, and am u n l i k e l y to reach you before

m i d - J a n u a r y at the earliest.
7. I consider the ALLIES' attitude should be made public
f o r t h w i t h , showing Quislings, traitors and non-resisters to G e r -
mans w i l l receive appropriate punitive treatment f r o m the A l l i e s
in due c o u r s e . . . Therefore, I recommend an open declaration
for the L.N.C. (Telegram No. 3 to SOE in Cairo to be passed
on to London, FO 371/37145-3741. PRO. Taken from the photo-
copy of the original in the AIH, Tirana.)

138
F r e d e r i k . W h e n y o u are t r a n s l a t i n g I believe
y o u translate m y expressions f a i t h f u l l y . T h i s
e v e n i n g y o u left m e w i t h F r e d e r i k a n d got the
C o l o n e l going. W h a t d i d h e say, M u s t a f a ?
O h , he was t a l k i n g to me about the w a r .
I asked h i m about the life a n d b i o g r a p h y of
some B r i t i s h generals a n d ministers l i k e M o n t -
gomery, B e a v e r b r o o k , E d e n a n d so on, he
replied.
B o t h the G e n e r a l a n d the C o l o n e l seem
good fellows. T h e G e n e r a l looks a bit d u l l - w i t t e d ,
but he f i n d s the w a y to say the things he w a n t s
to. A n y w a y , I said, the i m p o r t a n t t h i n g f o r
us is that t h e y d r o p us w e a p o n s a n d stop t h e i r
propaganda f r o m the B B C w h i c h attributes o u r
fight to the B a l l i s t s a n d the Zogites.
W e w a l k e d together t h r o u g h the forest, ac-
companied b y o u r partisans. T h e w i n d w h i s t l e d
a r o u n d our ears. O u r a u t o m a t i c rifles w e r e s l u n g
f r o m our shoulders. I h a d a n A m e r i c a n T h o m p -
son, w h i c h one of the comrades h a d b r o u g h t
me as a gift after an action against the G e r m a n s
and the B a l l i s t s . W e w a l k e d i n silence. The
c o m b i n a t i o n of the w h i s k y he h a d d r u n k , the
e n t h u s i a s m seething inside h i m , a n d t h a t n i g h t
j o u r n e y amidst the s i g h i n g of the w i n d in the
forest, a p p a r e n t l y encouraged M u s t a f a , w h o
began to t e l l me about a p r o p o s a l w h i c h the
B r i t i s h G e n e r a l h a d m a d e t o h i m t h r o u g h the
C o l o n e l , t h a t representatives of the N a t i o n a l

139
Liberation Front should go to London for talks
w i t h the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t . ( I s h a l l not d w e l l
on this question here, because I s h a l l do so in
the n e x t chapter.)
What Mustafa told me highlighted and con-
f i r m e d m y suppositions about the tasks a n d a i m
o f the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l . L i k e w i s e , i t p r o v e d m o r e
clearly that M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i w a s a n agent o f
the Intelligence S e r v i c e i n the G e n e r a l S t a f f o f
the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y .
T h e l i a i s o n officer o f o u r S t a f f w i t h t h e
B r i t i s h officers h a d i n f o r m e d m e about some
questions w h i c h the G e n e r a l h a d p u t t o h i m
some days e a r l i e r : H o w s t r o n g i s the C o m -
m u n i s t P a r t y ? Does i t h a v e l i n k s w i t h M o s c o w ?
W h a t position has i t i n the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n
F r o n t ? A r e the A l b a n i a n p a r t i s a n s l i n k e d w i t h
Tito's partisans i n Y u g o s l a v i a ?
To a l l these questions o u r comrade h a d
g i v e n the agent of the Intelligence S e r v i c e the
a n s w e r he deserved. So this was w h a t the sol-
dier, w h o was not i n v o l v e d i n politics w a n t e d
to d i s c o v e r !
He also i n f o r m e d me about the q u a r r e l s t h e
General had had w i t h Baba F a j a in connection
w i t h his excursions. B a b a F a j a h a d w a r n e d h i m
several times not to v e n t u r e outside his t e r r i t o r y ,
because he m i g h t s t r i k e some B a l l i s t v i l l a g e a n d ,
if a n y t h i n g occurred, he w o u l d be to blame.
H o w e v e r , the G e n e r a l h a d r e p l i e d w i t h great

140
i n d i g n a t i o n : W h e r e v e r I go is my responsi-
b i l i t y , not yours. I s h a l l go even to the villages
w h e r e the B a l l i K o m b t a r has i n f l u e n c e w i t h o u t
r u n n i n g into a n y danger.
H i s m e e t i n g w i t h the chiefs of the B a l l i
K o m b t a r a n d w i t h A b a z K u p i , the questions h e
had asked a n d the excursions w h i c h he t r i e d to
make, spoke c l e a r l y of w h a t this delegate of
the B r i t i s h L i o n , w h o posed as a p r o p e r gentle-
man*, r e a l l y was.
I advised the comrades of E l b a s a n to keep
G e n e r a l D a v i e s a n d his staff u n d e r special super-
v i s i o n . I i n s t r u c t e d F r e d e r i k to be v e r y v i g i l a n t
d u r i n g t h e i r m o v e m e n t s a n d meetings. I i n s t r u c t -
ed the c o m m a n d e r a n d c o m m i s s a r of the zone,
w h o b o t h k n e w E n g l i s h , to be v i g i l a n t , to visit
the G e n e r a l sometimes, to encourage h i m to talk,
but to give n o t h i n g a w a y . I n o t i f i e d M a t , D i b r a ,
M a r t a n e s h a n d S h n g j e r g j once again that the
orders w h i c h I h a d sent t h e m in r e g a r d to the
B r i t i s h officers, r e m a i n e d in force. I p e r s o n a l l y
w e n t t o T i r a n a a n d f r o m there t o B a b M y s l i m
in P e z a . I inspected the forces of the 3 r d S h o c k
B r i g a d e , t a l k e d w i t h the comrades of its staff,
ordered t h e m to speed up a n d strengthen its o r -
ganization a n d to be in f u l l readiness to go into
action in w h a t e v e r zone t h e y w e r e allocated to,
as soon as I sent t h e m the order.
__________________________________

* E n g l i s h in the o r i g i n a l .

141
 A m m u n i t i o n was short i n P e z a . T h e r e -
presentative of the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n there, a m a j o r
as t a l l as a bean-pole, w i t h a b r i s t l i n g l i t t l e
moustache, w a s t e l l i n g the same old lies that t h e
arms and a m m u n i t i o n w o u l d b e c o m i n g , p e r h a p s
today, perhaps t o m o r r o w . I gave M y s l i m a s u m
of m o n e y to b u y a l i t t l e maize, salt a n d a f e w
weapons. I h e l d v a r i o u s meetings w i t h the o r -
g a n i z a t i o n a n d r e g i o n a l committee of the P a r t y ,
s u m m o n e d G o g o N u s h i , a n d the f o u r of us,
M y s l i m , Gogo, S h u l e a n d I, took decisions on t h e
o r g a n i z a t i o n of fiercer f i g h t i n g actions in the
d i r e c t i o n of T i r a n a a n d the roads l e a d i n g to it,
on the question of supplies a n d on the d i s p a t c h
of commissars to other units.
W h e n I f i n i s h e d my w o r k in the zone of
P e z a , I w e n t up the left side of the E r z e n R i v e r
to P e t r e l a , crossed the river, and passed into t h e
zone of E l b a s a n t h r o u g h Q a f a e P l l u m b a s i t . In
E l b a s a n I met the comrades of the R e g i o n a l C o m -
mittee of the P a r t y , w h o i n f o r m e d me of t h e
s i t u a t i o n there. I saw that morale was v e r y h i g h
everywhere.
On N o v e m b e r 28, 1943, I w e n t to S h n -
giergj of T i r a n a district to take p a r t in the c e r e -
m o n y of the f o r m a t i o n of the 2 n d S h o c k B r i g a d e .
G e n e r a l D a v i e s h a d come there, too, on t h e
i n v i t a t i o n o f our G e n e r a l Staff. W i t h his o w n
eyes he saw h o w p o o r l y the partisans w e r e clothed
and a r m e d , and also saw t h e i r e n t h u s i a s m ,

142
drive a n d d e t e r m i n a t i o n o n the course o n w h i c h
the P a r t y w a s l e a d i n g t h e m . B u t w i t h his m i -
serable bourgeois s p i r i t h e w a s c o m p l e t e l y u n -
moved. M y patience r a n out a n d I said t o h i m :
Y o u see, M i s t e r Representative of the A l l i e d
mission, v e r y f e w o f t h e m have great-coats, a n d
n e a r l y a l l o f t h e m are w i t h o u t boots, have o n l y
sandals m a d e of o l d t y r e s or greenhide. W i n t e r
i s c o m i n g a n d great battles a w a i t t h e m . A s y o u
see, t h e y are p o o r l y a r m e d , too. Y o u are d r o p -
p i n g u s n o t h i n g . W h a t are y o u d o i n g about a l l
those promises?
I've t o l d y o u before, he r e p l i e d . W e are
not g o i n g t o s u p p l y y o u w i t h c l o t h i n g a n d a r -
maments as l o n g as y o u are f i g h t i n g amongst
yourselves.
B o i l i n g w i t h i n d i g n a t i o n I no longer cared
w h a t I said to h i m . I w e n t so f a r as to w a r n
h i m : E i t h e r keep y o u r promises o r clear o u t !
I n the face o f m y protest, w h i c h w a s a n e x p r e s -
sion of the anger of a l l the comrades, of a l l t h e
partisans, the G e n e r a l felt himself in a v e r y t i g h t
spot.
I left the n e w l y formed_brigade a n d w i t h a
few comrades w e n t t o A l i S h t p a n i ' s house. T h e r e
w e t a l k e d over the question o f A b a z K u p i . H e
had come, too, accompanied by about 100 m e n ,
t o the B a l l i s t O s m a n M e m a . O n D e c e m b e r 7 w e
had a m e e t i n g w i t h h i m there. He insisted that
we should recognize L e g a l i t e t i a n d the despot

143
Zog as king. We were well aware what B a z i i
Cans was, but we w e r e c o n c e r n e d about people
deceived b y h i m . T h e r e w e saw t h a t w e h a d come
t o the end o f the r o a d w i t h h i m . T h e C o u n c i l
expelled h i m f r o m its r a n k s de jure. T h i s w a s
a slap in the face f o r his friends, the B r i t i s h ,
too. F r o m S h n g j e r g j I w e n t to L a b i n o t a n d f r o m
there to the cottages of S h m i l .
T h e r e we decided to proceed to the r e g i o n
o f K o r a together w i t h the 3 r d B r i g a d e w h i c h
w a s to c a r r y out attacks on the roads to B i l i s h t
a n d K o l o n j a , w h i c h w e r e used b y G e r m a n c o -
l u m n s . I h a d also to c h e c k up on t h e s i t u a t i o n
of the p a r t i s a n forces of K o r a a n d the a c t i v i t y
of the p a r t y o r g a n i z a t i o n in that region, a n d to
discuss the course f o r p a r t y cadres w h i c h w e
w e r e to open in the v i l l a g e of P a n a r i t .
T h u s , w e w o u l d have t o cross the S h k u m b i n
R i v e r before the h e a v y r a i n a n d s n o w began,
a n d w h i l e a t t a c k i n g the G e r m a n forces o n the
L i b r a z h d road, m a k e a route m a r c h t h r o u g h
Polis. Shpat, the d i s t r i c t south of L i b r a z h d , to
come out at O p a r , a n d f r o m there go on to
V o s k o p o j a , etc. We set the s t a r t i n g t i m e . I i n -
f o r m e d the 3 r d B r i g a d e t o b e g i n the m a r c h a n d
to be at L o w e r L a b i n o t on the a p p o i n t e d day.
I ordered the battalions of D u m r e a n d e r m e n i k a
to be in readiness f o r the n i g h t w h e n the forces
w o u l d m a k e the crossing o f the S h k u m b i n R i v e r .
I also i n f o r m e d the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l a n d his S t a f f

144
that t h e y c o u l d come w i t h our S t a f f t o the region
o f K o r a i f they w i s h e d . T h e G e n e r a l j u m p e d
at this p r o p o s a l a n d r e p l i e d that he w o u l d be
ready the m o m e n t I i n f o r m e d h i m .
W e w e r e p r e v e n t e d f r o m starting out o n the
set date t h r o u g h the f a u l t of the c o m m a n d e r of
the 3 r d B r i g a d e , H u l u s i S p a h i u , w h o p r o v e d t o
be an a d v e n t u r e r , a n d later, after L i b e r a t i o n ,
ended up an agent of the Y u g o s l a v s a n d was
condemned to i m p r i s o n m e n t . T h e c o m m a n d of
the 3 r d B r i g a d e h a d not t a k e n a n y organizational
measures*, the brigade d a w d l e d on the j o u r n e y
and was c a u g h t in a b l i z z a r d , h a d not kept its
movements secret a n d r a n into a c l a s h w i t h the
G e r m a n s , a n d thus w a s i n d i s a r r a y w h e n i t a r -
r i v e d at the a r r a n g e d place. It w a s necessary to
rest a n d organize the partisans.
O u r crossing to the S o u t h f a i l e d also because
the i n f o r m a t i o n w h i c h K a d r i H o x h a , c o m m a n d e r
of the S t a f f of t h e E l b a s a n G r o u p , gave us was
completely w r o n g . H e h a d neglected the i m p o r t -
ance of this u n d e r t a k i n g , stayed at O r e n j a quite
unconcerned i d l i n g a w a y his t i m e t a l k i n g w i t h
B e g B a l l a a n d the B r i t i s h , w h i l e the e n e m y w e n t
into a c t i o n a n d k i l l e d some of o u r m e n . I sent h i m
a letter** in w h i c h I said b l u n t l y t h a t the zone of
E l b a s a n w a s s t i l l v e r y w e a k m i l i t a r i l y a n d that res-
_______________________
* See E n v e r H o x h a , Works, v o l . 2, p. 95, A l b . ed.
** Ibidem.

145
p o n s i b i l i t y f o r this state of a f f a i r s a n d f o r the f a i l -
u r e of the attempt of the S t a f f to cross to t h e
S o u t h f e l l on h i m , f i r s t of a l l . I p o i n t e d out in
the letter that I h a d several times s t r i v e n to
help a n d advised h i m that h e s h o u l d take m e a -
sures and get m o v i n g a n d that n o w I h a d no
other course b u t to report the s i t u a t i o n to t h e
proper quarters, because w h e n e v e r I h a d c r i t i -
cized h i m a n d i n s t r u c t e d h i m to act, he repeated
the same w o r d s : Y o u don't k n o w m e w e l l .
W h e n y o u are s u m m o n e d , y o u w i l l have t o
e x p l a i n these things to the p r o p e r quarters, b e -
cause y o u e i t h e r neglect y o u r w o r k o r d o not
do it at a l l , a n d the r u m o u r s that y o u h a v e
been spreading, that w e have t u r n e d y o u r b a t -
talion into couriers, are not true, I w r o t e to
h i m . L a t e r , after L i b e r a t i o n , this person, too.
came out in his t r u e colours. He s h o w e d his r e a l
features b y c a r r y i n g o n anti-state a n d a n t i - P a r t y
activity and for this he was condemned and
e x p e l l e d f r o m the P a r t y .
A f t e r a l l preparations h a d been made, w e
w e r e ready to cross the r i v e r at the f o r d because,
as I have w r i t t e n , the H a x h i B e q a r i b r i d g e had
been b l o w n u p b y a n o f f i c e r o f the B r i t i s h m i s -
sion. We sent some comrades to r e c o n n o i t r e t h e
f o r d . It w a s passable. T h e crossing w o u l d be
made q u i c k l y a t night. W e got d o w n there a t
the set time, b u t just as we reached the r o a d
the couriers of o u r v a n g u a r d c a m e to i n f o r m

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us that the S h k u m b i n w a s in flood. I w e n t myself
to the f o r d a n d saw that it w a s impassable. We
r e t u r n e d to o u r base. T h e r e we w e r e to stay
u n t i l w e received r e l i a b l e i n f o r m a t i o n o n w h i c h
w a y it was possible to go.
Since we h a d t i m e at o u r disposal, I h a d a
talk w i t h the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l . I spoke about our
war, w h i l e he asked some questions:
Is the N a t i o n a l Liberation Movement a
communist movement, M r . H o x h a ? I n the end
the B r i t i s h f o x f i r e d his b l a n k cartridge. I k n e w
that this was w h a t was i n w a r d l y b u r n i n g h i m
up, therefore I r e p l i e d v e r y tersely:
Its a i m is to defeat the occupiers a n d the
traitors w h o have u n i t e d w i t h t h e m . T h i s i s also
the objective of the A l l i e s , G e n e r a l , is it not?
N o t content w i t h this, he asked another,
more insidious question:
If y o u take p o w e r after L i b e r a t i o n , do
y o u i n t e n d to establish a regime l i k e that of M o s -
cow i n A l b a n i a ?
T h i s was a question w h i c h c o u l d be i n f e r r e d
in every action a n d thought of the B r i t i s h , there-
fore it made no great i m p r e s s i o n on me.
The free people w i l l decide that, I told
h i m , a n d repeated: free f r o m the occupiers and
their lackeys, the Ballists, the Zogites a n d others.
The people themselves w i l l establish the regime
they want, a n d this we have stated p u b l i c l y . I am
astonished, G e n e r a l , that y o u d i d not k n o w this.

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W h a t is more, the t i m e to m a k e this a r e a l i t y
i s a p p r o a c h i n g . T h e n our people w i l l l i v e h a p p y
days. T h e w o r k e r w i l l w o r k w i t h o u t e x p l o i t e r s
and the peasant w i l l enjoy his o w n l a n d . L i f e
w i l l b e pleasant f o r t h e m . T h e i r sons a n d d a u g h -
ters w i l l go to school.
T o f i l l the silence w h i c h ensued f o l l o w i n g
m y reply, the G e n e r a l m u m b l e d :
W i t h the a p p o i n t m e n t o f p o l i t i c a l c o m m i s -
sars i n the a r m y , the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e -
ment is f o l l o w i n g the e x a m p l e of the R u s -
sians.
T h i s f o r m o f o r g a n i z a t i o n has g i v e n s p l e n -
d i d results i n the Soviet U n i o n a n d i s y i e l d i n g
good results here in A l b a n i a , too, I r e p l i e d .
W h y s h o u l d w e not benefit f r o m the e x -
perience of the Soviet U n i o n ? It is one of o u r
great A l l i e s , is it not?
D a v i e s h a d no m o r e to say. T h u s , in silence,
w e j o i n e d the comrades w h o w e r e w a i t i n g f o r
us. R e p o r t s h a d a r r i v e d . It w a s impossible to
cross by the M u r r a s h B r i d g e because the e n e m y
w e r e g u a r d i n g it.
M e a n w h i l e , the G e r m a n nazis h a d massed
large forces r o u n d the regions of e r m e n i k a ,
Shngjergj and Martanesh, and were prepar-
i n g t o begin t h e i r o p e r a t i o n against t h e m . B e -
fore l o n g the e n e m y l a u n c h e d t h e i r o p e r a t i o n .
Serious danger threatened us. In these conditions
it w a s impossible to cross the L i b r a z h d - E l b a s a n

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road or to stay w h e r e we w e r e a n y longer. So we
thought w e s h o u l d cross t o t h e S o u t h t h r o u g h
G o l l o b o r d a , e r m e n i k a e V o g l , H o t o l i s h t and
come out i n M o k r a o r Brzeshta, a n d f r o m there
go over to the K o r a region. T h i s is w h a t we
decided.
T h e B r i t i s h G e n e r a l was w i t h us, together
w i t h his colonel. H e w a s c h e e r f u l a n d i m p a t i e n t
to get to K o r a . I r e m e m b e r that d u r i n g a c o n -
versation he asked m e :
Is it easy to get to Greece f r o m K o r a ?
Yes, I said, b u t y o u ' d best ask M c L e a n
about that. H e came i n that w a y himself w i t h
two companions w i t h o u t o u r k n o w i n g a n y t h i n g
about it.
No doubt the G e n e r a l w a s overjoyed that he
was getting closer to Greece.
A p p a r e n t l y the G e r m a n s h a d detected our
movements t o w a r d E l b a s a n a n d the S h k u m b i n
R i v e r a n d back, a n d q u i c k l y p r e p a r e d a n o f f e n -
sive to w i p e us out in the r e g i o n of L a b i n o t .
S h m i l , etc. T h e G e r m a n s w e r e engaged b y our
partisan forces of the 2 n d a n d 3 r d B r i g a d e s and
the t e r r i t o r i a l battalions o f e r m e n i k a , D u m -
re, etc.
T h e e n e m y offensive of D e c e m b e r 19 f o u n d
us at O r e n j a . T h a t e v e n i n g we left O r e n j a and
headed n o r t h w a r d s t h r o u g h the beech forest.
Since D r . N i s h a n i a n d B o s h n j a k u w e r e elderly
and the r o a d was long, d i f f i c u l t a n d f u l l of

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dangers, w e p a r t e d w i t h t h e m i n the forest. W e
left t h e m at G u r i i M u z h a q i t in a cave w h i c h we
had set up as a r o o m w i t h a fire-place, beds,
reserves of food, etc.
T h e r e w a s n o m o r e t a l k about the 3 r d B r i -
gade. T h e G e n e r a l S t a f f h a d to t r a v e l alone, es-
corted b y the partisans w h o g u a r d e d the m e m -
bers o f the Staff. W e w e r e led b y the c o m -
m a n d e r of the S t a f f of the P a r t i s a n G r o u p of
Elbasan, K a d r i H o x h a , a n d a eta c o m m a n d e r
o f B a b a F a j a ' s b a t t a l i o n . T h e f o r m e r h a d come
in person, as someone f a m i l i a r w i t h the t e r r a i n ,
to p l a y the role of guide, b u t at the same t i m e
also t o display his a b i l i t y w h i c h w e allegedly
d i d not a c k n o w l e d g e !
W e t r a v e l l e d a l l n i g h t i n the forest i n O r e n j a
t h r o u g h the darkness a n d the snow. O n the f o l -
l o w i n g day w e c o n t i n u e d the m a r c h a n d came
out at K a p t i n a of M a r t a n e s h . N i g h t f a l l caught
u s there b u t w e d i d not stop u n t i l w e entered
the forest of O k s h t u n . There, after great efforts,
we managed to l i g h t a f i r e a n d spent the w h o l e
night h u d d l e d a r o u n d it. A t d a y b r e a k w e set out
again a n d reached O k s h t u n w h e r e w e stayed one
night.
A f t e r c o n s u l t i n g w i t h the comrades f r o m
D i b r a , w e decided t o g o o n f r o m O k s h t u n t h r o u g h
the forests to descend to S t u d a F l a t a n d to cross
into the L i b r a z h d zone v i a L e t m w h e r e the G e r -
mans h a d s t i l l not stationed troops.

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 We set off a g a i n amidst the s n o w and the
cold t o w a r d s S t u d a F l a t . W e t h o u g h t l o n g i n g l y
about that pleasant n i g h t w e passed i n the w a r m
house in O k s h t u n . M o m e n t s l i k e those we passed
that n i g h t w e r e r a r e f o r us. H o w e v e r , w e w e r e
at w a r a n d there are no l o n g rests f o r fighters.
Hence, let the B r i t i s h o f f i c e r see once again
w h a t great m o r a l a n d p h y s i c a l strength, w h a t
i r o n e n d u r a n c e the partisans had, let h i m g a i n
f i r s t - h a n d k n o w l e d g e o f the s t r e n g t h o f c o m m u n -
ists w h o t h r o u g h self-sacrifice h a d w i t h s t o o d a n d
were w i t h s t a n d i n g the Italians, the G e r m a n s , the
cold a n d h u n g e r .
W e crossed the L i b r a z h d - D i b r a r o a d a t S t u d a
F l a t a n d began the c l i m b u p L e t m M o u n t a i n .
N i g h t f e l l w h e n w e w e r e i n the forest o n L e t m
M o u n t a i n w h e r e w e slept h u d d l e d together. W e
and the B r i t i s h h a d one tent. T h e y ate chocolate
and biscuits w h i l e we ate m a i z e bread, a morsel
of cheese a n d an onion, b u t e v e n those supplies
w e had w e r e r u n n i n g out. T h e y d r a n k w h i s k y
t o w a r m themselves u p ; w e m e l t e d s n o w and
d r a n k w a t e r t o q u e n c h our thirst. T h e f o l l o w i n g
day w e m o v e d i n the d i r e c t i o n o f Q a r r i s h t a . A n -
other l o n g m a r c h t h r o u g h the s n o w a n d the b i t i n g
n o r t h w i n d . D u r i n g the m a r c h I f r e q u e n t l y gave
a w o r d of encouragement to the G e n e r a l w h o
was r e d i n the face a n d f r o m t i m e t o t i m e took
out a s m a l l f l a s k to d r i n k a m o u t h f u l of w h i s k y .
A t n o t i m e w a s h e generous e n o u g h t o say:

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 H a v e a m o u t h f u l t o w a r m yourself u p , M r .
H o x h a ! H e a n d his colonel w e r e c o n t i n u a l l y
m u n c h i n g chocolate. By w a y of a j o k e I s a i d
to h i m :
D o n ' t eat it a l l at once, G e n e r a l , because
nobody k n o w s h o w l o n g the partisans' r o a d m a y
be. See, we don't eat on the m a r c h . In fact we
h a d n o t h i n g to eat.
W h e n w e reached the forest o f Q a r r i s h t a , the
v a n g u a r d i n f o r m e d u s that w e c o u l d g o n o f u r t h e r
t o w a r d s e r m e n i k a e V o g l in the d i r e c t i o n of
M o k r a o r t o w a r d s Brzeshta, because r e a c t i o n w a s
e x t r e m e l y strong there. T h e B a l l i s t etas o f A z i z
B i a k u a n d others w e r e o n the alert a n d h a d
b l o c k e d a l l the roads, passes a n d tracks. We h a d
no option but to t u r n back towards Okshtun.
I i n f o r m e d the G e n e r a l , w h o h a d lagged
behind, t h a t we c o u l d not go on because of the
B a l l i s t - G e r m a n a r m e d reaction a n d that w e h a d
to change course. A p p a r e n t l y the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l
h a d r u n out of patience, lost his t e m p e r a n d
b e g u n to be f r i g h t e n e d . He sent his o r d e r l y to
me to say that the G e n e r a l w a n t e d me to w a i t
so that he c o u l d t a l k to me.
All right, let h i m come, I s h a l l w a i t f o r
h i m , I said.
W e stopped a n d erected the tent. T h e G e n -
e r a l came, a c c o m p a n i e d b y F r e d e r i k .
He's a n g r y a n d scared to death, F r e d e r i k
told me.

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 W e are g i v i n g h i m some b i t t e r m e d i c i n e t o
swallow, I s a i d .
As soon as he a r r i v e d , I e x p l a i n e d q u i e t l y
that we c o u l d not get t h r o u g h in this d i r e c t i o n .
We shall return to our starting-point and
get out in some o t h e r direction, I e x p l a i n e d .
We s h a l l take measures a n d i n f o r m B a b a F a j a ,
too.
I ' m losing m y patience, M r . H o x h a , said
the G e n e r a l , r e d - f a c e d a n d a n g r y .
It seems y o u h a v e forgotten the advice
that K i p l i n g gives his son in one of his poems:
'If y o u can keep y o u r head w h e n a l l about y o u
are losing theirs... Y o u w i l l b e a m a n , m y son!'
W h y h a v e y o u lost y o u r patience? I asked.
W e have been a l l these days a n d nights in
the darkness a n d the s n o w w h i c h r e m i n d me of
nights i n the m o u n t a i n s o f S c o t l a n d , r o a m i n g
t h r o u g h m o u n t a i n s a n d forests a n d m a k i n g n o
headway.
T h i s is w a r , G e n e r a l , I continued, our
road is not s t r e w n w i t h rose petals.
B u t I w a n t to b r e a k t h r o u g h , to get out of
this, he persisted.
W h e r e w i l l y o u go? I asked. W i l l y o u g o
alone? W h a t impels y o u to go?
The General replied angrily:
I do not account f o r w h a t I do to anyone
except m y superiors.
I said to h i m c a l m l y :

153
 I do not w a n t y o u to r e n d e r account to me,
but y o u must u n d e r s t a n d that w e are allies. Y o u
have been sent to o u r S t a f f a n d w e ' r e respons-
i b l e for y o u r safety. W h a t e v e r occurs must occur
to us together, but I assure y o u t h a t n o t h i n g
w i l l occur.
No, said the G e n e r a l h a u g h t i l y , I s h a l l
go to K o r a w i t h o u t you.
Y o u m a y w a n t to do so, but I shall not
a l l o w it, I said.
W h y , am I y o u r prisoner? e x c l a i m e d the
G e n e r a l r a i s i n g his voice.
No, y o u are not o u r prisoner, b u t y o u
are o u r a l l y a n d f r i e n d and I cannot a l l o w the
G e r m a n s t o k i l l you.
Since I am not y o u r prisoner a n d am a
representative of G r e a t B r i t a i n , I s h a l l go even
w i t h o u t y o u r permission, the G e n e r a l r e p l i e d .
Keep y o u r temper, G e n e r a l , I said, if y o u
put the question in this w a y , I shall not stop y o u
f r o m going, but o n l y o n c e r t a i n conditions: y o u
must give me a signed d o c u m e n t w h i c h says that
y o u yourself took the r e s p o n s i b i l i t y a n d left the
G e n e r a l S t a f f o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y
w i t h o u t the a p p r o v a l a n d against the desire of
me and o u r Staff. I am c e r t a i n that y o u are going
to y o u r death or c a p t i v i t y , therefore I cannot
a l l o w y o u t o take F r e d e r i k o r a n y other partisan,
because I am responsible to the people f o r the
safety of t h e i r sons.

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 T h e G e n e r a l w a s t a k e n a b a c k and, seeing n o
w a y out, snorted f u r i o u s l y :
I s h a l l issue n o s u c h document, M r . H o x h a .
A s anyone c a n see, i t i s a l l u p w i t h y o u . Y o u are
lost. T h e G e r m a n s have staged a big, c o - o r d i n a t e d
offensive a n d y o u r forces have been routed. N o w
there is n o t h i n g for it except f o r us to leave
and y o u t o s u r r e n d e r . B u t y o u r eyes are b l i n d e d
and y o u c a n see n o t h i n g . Y o u have n o hope; y o u
have lost the w a r , y o u are encircled a n d are left
w i t h o n l y t w o courses: either t o k i l l yourselves o r
to surrender.
T h i s w a s too m u c h f o r m y self-control. I
j u m p e d to my feet ( F r e d e r i k stood up, too) a n d
I said:
L i s t e n , G e n e r a l ! W h a t y o u h a v e dared t o
say i s the c u l m i n a t i o n o f y o u r treachery a n d v i l -
lainy. H o w e v e r , y o u s h o u l d k n o w that w e s h a l l
not s u r r e n d e r a n d don't t h i n k that we have lost
the w a r . We have treated y o u as allies, but a p -
p a r e n t l y y o u d o not w a n t those w h o fight fascism
a s allies. W e s h a l l c o n t i n u e o u r w a r t o total v i c -
tory. Y o u w i l l have t o a n s w e r f o r the b e t r a y a l
y o u are c o m m i t t i n g against o u r people's w a r . Y o u
are deserting u n d e r f i r e a n d y o u k n o w w h a t
awaits deserters i n the a r m y . A p a r t f r o m a n y -
t h i n g else t h e y are c a l l e d traitors. W h a t y o u ' r e
about to do is deserting u n d e r fire, b e t r a y a l .
Who has lost the w a r ? W h o s h o u l d s u r r e n -
der, w e ? N e v e r ! Y o u G e n e r a l are a defeatist,

155
a capitulationist. T h e A l b a n i a n partisans have not
lost a n y w a r a n d w i l l not d o so. W e c r u s h e d the
Italians and b r o u g h t t h e m t o t h e i r knees w i t h o u t
the a i d o f a n y o n e else. L i k e w i s e , w e are a t t a c k i n g
the G e r m a n s ceaselessly a n d w e s h a l l c r u s h t h e m
a n d b r i n g t h e m t o t h e i r knees w i t h o u t the a i d
of anyone else. S h o u l d the A l b a n i a n s u r r e n d e r
to the e n e m y ? T h i s has not happened a n d n e v e r
w i l l happen. W e have smashed a l l the e n e m y
offensives. T h e attacks against us have ended
w i t h losses f o r the enemies a n d victories f o r us.
D o y o u t h i n k , G e n e r a l , that the partisans are i n
despair because they have to stay in the forests?
Y o u are w r o n g . O u r w h o l e existence has been
ceaseless w a r against the e n e m y . We attack the
cities, the roads, b l o w up the bridges a n d depots,
k i l l the soldiers of the occupiers a n d t h e i r agents.
We are masters of these m o u n t a i n s a n d these f o -
rests a n d also of houses w i t h i n the cities. A n d
y o u advise u s t o s u r r e n d e r because w e h a v e a l -
legedly lost the w a r ? ! S u r r e n d e r i s a n act u n -
w o r t h y o f a n a r m y w h i c h has n e v e r s u r r e n d e r e d
to the G e r m a n s . T h i s is an insult to us, G e n e r a l .
T h e A l b a n i a n w i l l n e v e r tolerate insults. E x c u s e
me, b u t it seems to me that y o u h a v e lost y o u r
sense of l o g i c
T h e G e n e r a l looked crest-fallen. H e stood u p ,
told F r e d e r i k t o t e l l m e that h e begged m y p a r -
d o n a n d h a d not i n t e n d e d t o insult u s a n d w e n t

156
off to r e j o i n his g r o u p w i t h a n o d of his head
to me. I r e t u r n e d his n o d e q u a l l y coldly.
I gathered up the comrades a n d related to
t h e m w h a t h a d happened. H e got w h a t h e de-
served, t h e y a l l s a i d u n a n i m o u s l y .
We set out again. T h e G e n e r a l a n d his suite
f o l l o w e d a l i t t l e b e h i n d us.
H e a v y s n o w c o n t i n u e d to f a l l . It was b i t -
terly cold. T h e n o r t h w i n d w a s l i k e a w h i p l a s h
o n o u r faces. W e m a d e s l o w progress. I n the
m i d d l e of the forest we m a d e a longer stop u n d e r
the shelter of a tree. As w a s his custom, K o l e k a
sliced up a loaf a n d gave each of us a slice of
bread a n d an o n i o n . We ate the food a n d started
out again. T h e s n o w was f a l l i n g so t h i c k l y that
w e c o u l d n o t f i n d the p a t h t o S t u d a F l a t . W e
w a n d e r e d f o r h o u r s i n the forest a n d suddenly
f o u n d ourselves b a c k i n the place w h e r e w e h a d
stopped to eat, because we saw the o n i o n skins.
O u r guide, w h o h a d beaten his breast boasting
that he k n e w e v e r y i n c h of the t e r r a i n , h a d lost
his bearings, b u t as u s u a l he t r i e d to a v o i d
a d m i t t i n g it. T h e n w e took the s i t u a t i o n i n h a n d
ourselves and, u s i n g a m a p a n d a compass, after
m a n y w e a r i s o m e efforts at last m a n a g e d to f i n d
o u r bearings. I n t h e e n d w e s t r u c k the r i g h t road,
but the s n o w c o n t i n u e d relentlessly. N i g h t o v e r -
took u s before w e reached S t u d a F l a t . W e had
been o n the m a r c h f o r m o r e t h a n t e n hours. W e
crossed the f l a t a n d began to c l i m b the m o u n -

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t a i n o n the f a r side. I t w a s h a r d going. W e
stopped.
A l l the food that r e m a i n e d w a s one loaf o f
maize bread and t w o tins o f N e s t l e m i l k . W i t h
great d i f f i c u l t y the partisans l i t a f i r e w h i c h w a s
the s a v i n g of us, put on the d i x y , m e l t e d snow
i n i t a n d t i p p e d i n the m i l k . W h i l e they w e r e
m i x i n g i t the o r d e r l y o f the G e n e r a l , w h o w a s
used to eating chocolate a n d biscuits, b u t n o w
had n o t h i n g left, came a n d s a i d :
Please, c o u l d y o u give me a r a t i o n f o r t h e
General?
O f course, one of the comrades t o l d h i m
a n d f i l l e d a flask w i t h m i l k a n d gave h i m
t w o good slices of m a i z e bread to take to the
General.
W e spent that night o n the m o u n t a i n . W h e n
day d a w n e d we c o u l d see O k s h t u n ahead of us.
O n l y t h e n d i d w e realize that w e w e r e o n O k -
shtun Mountain.
I n the m o r n i n g the G e n e r a l came. W e
shook hands a n d I s m i l e d at h i m as if I h a d
forgotten the q u a r r e l of the d a y before. We set
out f o r O k s h t u n . T h e s n o w w a s f r o z e n h a r d a n d
both c l i m b i n g a n d descending the slopes w a s
difficult. The north w i n d continued.
W e are almost there, G e n e r a l , I said to
give h i m courage. W e are almost there. J u s t a
l i t t l e more patience a n d don't lose y o u r good
spirits.

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 O u r bases i n O k s h t u n h a d been i n f o r m e d
and t h e y w e r e e x p e c t i n g us, a n d indeed, w h e n
they saw t h a t we w e r e delayed, t h e y sent out
some people w h o met o u r partisan v a n g u a r d .
N i g h t h a d f a l l e n b y the t i m e w e reached
the base w h e r e we w e r e to stay a n d o u r hosts
had come out i n t h e s n o w i n the d a r k n e s s t o
welcome us. T h e y e m b r a c e d us a n d took us
inside. We took off our d r i p p i n g coats a n d h a n d e d
our rifles to the head of the house, w h o h u n g
t h e m on the w a l l , one beside the other. T h e
small a n t e - r o o m w a s w a r m . A great sense of
satisfaction stole over us. T h e G e n e r a l w a t c h e d
w i t h pleasure a n d c u r i o s i t y h o w w e e m b r a c e d t h e
people of the house, h o w we h a n d e d o v e r
our rifles, took off o u r boots a n d shoes at the
entrance to the r o o m , a n d he d i d his best to
follow suit.
O u r host opened the door of the b i g r o o m
w i t h the f i r e - p l a c e a n d i n v i t e d u s i n .
Please, come i n , m y home i s yours.
Y o u go first, I said, g i v i n g the G e n e r a l
the h o n o u r . We entered the r o o m . It was t r u l y a
miracle, not o n l y f o r the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l , b u t
also f o r us, w h o w e r e the sons of this l a n d a n d
this people. A f t e r such a w e a r y i n g j o u r n e y
t h r o u g h the forest, sometimes on a n d sometimes
off the track, t h r o u g h snow a n d b l i z z a r d , w e
entered a r o o m of a peasant's h o m e w h i c h m a d e

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the E n g l i s h m a n e x c l a i m : W h a t a m i r a c l e ! C a n
1 be d r e a m i n g ?
O u r host asked m e w h e r e the G e n e r a l w a s
f r o m and w h a t language he spoke. I i n t r o d u c e d
the G e n e r a l t o h i m .
At the head of the r o o m there was a b i g
fire-place, w i t h a b l a z i n g f i r e w h i c h s p r e a d
w a r m t h a n d l i g h t f r o m e n d t o end. T w o o r three
kerosene l a m p s h a d been l i t a n d at the one e n d
of the room, s n o w - w h i t e sheep-skin rugs h a d
been l a i d out, w i t h p i l l o w s i n clean p i l l o w - s l i p s
to rest on. In the m i d d l e of the r o o m w a s a b i g
D i b r a carpet, w h i l e corncobs in regular rows
l i k e soldiers w e r e h a n g i n g f r o m the rafters o v e r -
head. N e i t h e r beams n o r roof c o u l d be seen, o n l y
t h e corncobs g l o w i n g l i k e gold i n the l i g h t o f
the f i r e .
T h i s i s m a r v e l l o u s ! T h i s i s paradise! m u r -
m u r e d the G e n e r a l . E v e n in dreams I c o u l d
not have i m a g i n e d s u c h a C h r i s t m a s night.
Y o u see w h a t the homes a n d hearts of the
o r d i n a r y A l b a n i a n s are l i k e , G e n e r a l , I said.
T h e y t r u l y are paradise w i t h o u t M a m m o n o r
G o d , as in y o u r M i l t o n ' s Paradise Lost. P e r h a p s
y o u r e m e m b e r L o r d B y r o n ' s b e a u t i f u l verses f u l l
of feeling. In his Childe Harold he p o i n t e d out
t h e fine v i r t u e s o f the A l b a n i a n a n d w r o t e : T h e
Suliotes stretched the w e l c o m e hand,/ A n d p i l e d
t h e hearth, a n d w r u n g t h e i r garments damp,/

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A n d f i l l e d the b o w l , a n d t r i m m e d the c h e e r f u l
lamp, / A n d spread t h e i r f a r e ; t h o u g h h o m e l y
a l l they h a d . / S u c h conduct bears P h i l a n t h r o p y ' s
rare stamp, /
Yes, M r . H o x h a , said the G e n e r a l , w h a t
B y r o n w r o t e about y o u A l b a n i a n s I a m seeing i n
reality a n d i n d i f f i c u l t times w h i c h the w o r l d i s
going t h r o u g h .
G e n e r a l , I said, this hospitable atmos-
phere w h i c h o u r host has created r e m i n d s me of
w h a t I h a v e read about the life of B y r o n . It
was in s u c h an atmosphere that the great E n g l i s h
poet w h o h a d gone to Greece to fight f o r the
freedom of the G r e e k people l a y on his death
bed. W h e n the A l b a n i a n s a n d t h e i r v a l i a n t l e a d -
ers M a r k o B o a r i , K o l o k o t r o n i a n d others,
were f i g h t i n g a l l a r o u n d M i s s o l o n g h i , those w h o
were s e r v i n g the poet on his death bed w e r e
A l b a n i a n s the Suliotes.
In f i n d y o u r w o r d s v e r y m o v i n g , M r .
Hoxha, the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l r e p l i e d .
B y r o n has w r i t t e n about this generosity and
hospitality of our people, too. S o m e w h e r e he
relates h o w , w h i l e h e w a s t r a v e l l i n g i n A l b a n i a
and night overtook h i m in a village, he w a s
obliged to seek shelter in a house w h e r e he w a s
welcomed w i t h a l l the good things t h e y h a d . B e -
fore he left the n e x t day, B y r o n b r o u g h t out his
money to pay. H i s host said i n d i g n a n t l y : 'No, the

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A l b a n i a n does not w a n t m o n e y b u t friends.' A n d
B y r o n r e m a i n e d a t r u e f r i e n d of the A l b a n i a n s .
O u r host loaded the table w i t h food, as is
the custom of the people of D i b r a . T h e G e n e r a l
rose to his knees, p u t his h a n d on his h e a r t to
express t h a n k s w h e n e v e r his host offered h i m
cigarettes, o r c l i n k e d glasses w i t h h i m . O u r
weariness disappeared i m m e d i a t e l y . T h e G e n e r a l
opened his eyes i n astonishment a n d asked m e :
I cannot u n d e r s t a n d w h e r e we are here,
in the city or in the c o u n t r y s i d e ?
W e ' r e in a village, the i n h a b i t a n t s of w h i c h
have fought f o r f r e e d o m since ancient times.
T h e y are poor, b u t w h e n f r i e n d s a n d comrades
come they do e v e r y t h i n g possible to a v o i d b e i n g
disgraced. T h i s i s h o w o u r w h o l e people preserve
the t r a d i t i o n s of o u r ancestors, G e n e r a l , I t o l d
him.
W h a t a n astonishing c u l t u r e y o u h a v e !
W h a t politeness! e x c l a i m e d the G e n e r a l .
H e a r i n g the G e n e r a l s a y i n g these w o r d s
r e m i n d e d me of another i n c i d e n t t h a t h a d oc-
c u r r e d d u r i n g those d i f f i c u l t days, about w h i c h
the comrades h a d t o l d me in detail. As I h a v e
mentioned, we h a d been obliged to spend the
n i g h t i n the forest o f O k s h t u n . E v e r y t h i n g was
covered w i t h snow. W e c o u l d f i n d n o d r y w o o d
a n y w h e r e i n the forest. W i t h d i f f i c u l t y w e

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managed to l i g h t the f i r e by t e a r i n g strips f r o m
our shirts. A little w a y off, the G e n e r a l ' s group
lit another f i r e . W h a t h a d o c c u r r e d ? O n e of
our guides h a d approached the E n g l i s h m e n ' s f i r e
to w a r m himself. C o l o n e l N i c h o l l s , d i s p l a y i n g his
miserable spirit, h a d not p e r m i t t e d this a n d
had d r i v e n h i m a w a y w i t h most i n s u l t i n g w o r d s .
Thus, on that cold w i n t e r ' s n i g h t in that
house in D i b r a , f o r a f e w m o m e n t s we forgot
the great d i f f i c u l t i e s of the w a r , t a l k i n g about
literature, p o e t r y and poets, a n d the lessons of
history.
The f o l l o w i n g day, w h i l e we w e r e at the
table, our dear comrade, t h e f i g h t e r a n d w r i t e r
H a k i S t r m i l l i , came to see us, dressed in o l d
clothes, l o o k i n g e x a c t l y l i k e a peasant. I i n t r o -
duced h i m t o the G e n e r a l .
Y o u see t h i s m a n ? He is a w r i t e r . He has
left his home, his f a m i l y a n d his comfort and
t h r o w n himself i n t o the w a r . He is not a c o m -
munist, b u t a great p a t r i o t a n d r e v o l u t i o n a r y
democrat. A f t e r the o v e r t h r o w of the bourgeois-
democratic g o v e r n m e n t o f F a n N o l i i n 1924 b y
the r e a c t i o n a r y forces of Zog, H a k i S t r m i l l i
was obliged to leave his H o m e l a n d a n d w a n d e r
through E u r o p e as a p o l i t i c a l e m i g r a n t . In Y u g o -
slavia the police arrested h i m a n d h a n d e d h i m
over t o Z o g w h o i m p r i s o n e d h i m . H e has de-
scribed his l i f e in p r i s o n , the sufferings and t o r -

163
tures there, in his d i a r y The Prison. L a t e r , he
wrote a novel w h i c h made a big impression,
called If I Were a Boy, about the double oppres-
sion in the f a m i l y a n d society, a n d the e m a n c i p a -
t i o n of the A l b a n i a n w o m e n w h o , as y o u h a v e
seen, h a v e t a k e n up a r m s today a n d are f i g h t i n g
v a l i a n t l y shoulder t o shoulder w i t h m e n . T h i s
comrade f u l l y e m b r a c e d the decisions of the
Conference of P e z a a n d n o w he is a m e m b e r
o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n c i l , the
organizer o f the l i b e r a t i o n w a r i n this zone. H e
goes f r o m v i l l a g e to village, speaks to the peas-
ants, e x p l a i n s the i m p o r t a n c e of o u r w a r , a n d
organizes t h e m , a n d the peasants, i n s p i r e d by
the i d e a l o f d e f e n d i n g the H o m e l a n d , h u r l
themselves into the f i g h t against the G e r m a n s .
T h e nazis, together w i t h the heads of reaction
i n D i b r a , p u r s u e h i m , b u t they cannot c a p t u r e
h i m , because he is closely l i n k e d w i t h the people,
w i t h the communists. We love each other as c o m -
rades a n d brothers.
W e passed the time v e r y w e l l w i t h H a k i .
He t a l k e d to the G e n e r a l about the d r e a d f u l l i f e
i n w h i c h the f e u d a l lords, the g e n t r y a n d r e l i -
gion kept the people, told h i m about the b l o o d -
t h i r s t y regime of Zog, a n d gave h i m a short
account of his n o v e l If I Were a Boy.
O u r stay i n O k s h t u n was r e a l l y pleasant.
T h e hospitality a n d the p a t r i o t i s m of the people

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of D i b r a drove a w a y o u r great fatigue a n d for
a f e w m o m e n t s we forgot the great p r o b l e m s
of the w a r . We h a d a good sleep a n d a t h o r o u g h
rest. B u t a c c o r d i n g to the reports w h i c h I received,
the G e r m a n offensive, supported b y the m e r -
cenaries o f F i q r i D i n e a n d other b a j r a k t a r s , w a s
c o n t i n u i n g . To stay longer there was dangerous.
Therefore, we decided to go to K o s t e n j a . I
met the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l a n d t o l d h i m w e w o u l d
c l i m b up to some houses at K o s t e n j a w h e r e we
w o u l d be m o r e secure, c o u l d rest a n d w o u l d
certainly soon f i n d the w a y t o c a r r y o n w i t h o u r
plan.
Thus, we r e t u r n e d to the sheepfolds of
K o s t e n j a . We settled the G e n e r a l a n d his staff
in a separate house, w h i l e we stayed in the home
of Q a z i m P e s h k u , a c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r in the
eta of M a r t a n e s h . T h e r e we stayed some days,
rested a n d regained o u r strength. T h e G e n e r a l
now h a d no cause f o r c o m p l a i n t about the food.
O u r base area s u p p l i e d h i m w e l l w i t h w a l n u t s ,
potatoes, quinces, grape conserve, meat a n d
raki.
W e m a d e contact w i t h t h e p a r t y o r g a n i z a -
tion a n d o u r forces at S h m i l , L a b i n o t , etc., a n d
learned that the operation h a d e n d e d w i t h n o
success f o r the G e r m a n s . I i n s t r u c t e d the c o m -
rades of the P a r t y to n o t i f y t h e 1st B r i g a d e
to cross to L e t m , K o s t e n j a , M a r t a n e s h , O r e n j a
and S h m i l , t o m o p u p the G e r m a n s a n d Ballists

165
i n these zones a n d meet u p w i t h the G e n e r a l
Staff. I decided we s h o u l d go f r o m K o s t e n j a to
S h m i l a n d f r o m there f i n d some c o r r i d o r i n the
d i r e c t i o n of the zone of K o r a .
I i n f o r m e d the G e n e r a l about this project
a n d asked h i m w h e t h e r h e w a n t e d t o continue
the j o u r n e y w i t h us, because if not, we w o u l d
f i n d some secure place f o r h i m f r o m w h i c h h e
c o u l d m o v e in the d i r e c t i o n of the r e g i o n of
K o r a w h e n h e w a n t e d to. H e r e p l i e d that h e
w o u l d t h i n k about this a n d i n f o r m m e later.
D u r i n g this t i m e C o m r a d e S a m i B a h o l l i a n d
other comrades of the P a r t y in those areas
p r e p a r e d bases f o r a l l of us in S h m i l f r o m
w h i c h the n e w i t i n e r a r y f o r o u r j o u r n e y w o u l d
start. S a m i i n f o r m e d us that e v e r y t h i n g was
ready.
A f t e r w e h a d completed a l l o u r p r e p a r a -
tions f o r the m a r c h , t h r o u g h the s n o w a n d w i n t e r
b l i z z a r d , I w e n t to the house w h e r e the G e n e r a l
w a s staying. I sat d o w n . He offered me a cigarette
and I t a l k e d to h i m about the p l a n . He was
w o r r i e d , kept l o o k i n g at the C o l o n e l a n d seemed
as if he w a n t e d his p e r m i s s i o n .
Let the C o l o n e l decide, he said. T h e
C o l o n e l w a s s i t t i n g on a stool.
I said w i t h a l a u g h , W h e t h e r or not the
C o l o n e l likes the i d e a . . . A n d I reached over
to w h e r e he w a s s i t t i n g a n d slapped h i m on the

166
knee. I c o u l d not f i n i s h my sentence, because
he gave a l o u d c r y f o l l o w e d by a deep groan.
E x c u s e me, I said. D i d I h u r t y o u ?
W h a t ' s the m a t t e r ?
I am v e r y i l l , M r . H o x h a , he said. I can't
move. I am a f r a i d my leg is b e c o m i n g g a n g r e n -
ous.
W h a t ? H o w is it possible, C o l o n e l ? I said
i n surprise. W h y d i d n ' t y o u i n f o r m m e earlier,
so that we c o u l d take u r g e n t measures? G e n e r a l ,
w e must save the Colonel's life. H a v e w e y o u r
p e r m i s s i o n to act?
D o y o u have a n y possibilities? he asked
me.
D r . D i s h n i c a must see h i m i n the first
place, a n d t h e n I t h i n k we must t r a n s f e r h i m as
q u i c k l y as possible to T i r a n a . We have o u r doctors
there, I r e p l i e d .
B u t is this possible? asked the G e n e r a l
i n astonishment.
W e can get h i m to T i r a n a w i t h i n a f e w
days a n d the operation can be done i m m e d i a t e l y ,
I said.
A f t e r c o n s u l t i n g w i t h N i c h o l l s , the G e n e r a l
told me t h e y w o u l d be g r a t e f u l if we c o u l d get
this u n d e r w a y q u i c k l y a n d expressed the desire
that N i c h o l l s s h o u l d be sheltered in the home of
one of t h e i r m e n , a bey of J e l l a , if I am not
mistaken.
W h e r e v e r y o u like, I replied, a n d w i t h o u t

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delay sent couriers u r g e n t l y to i n s t r u c t the c o m -
rades of M a t a n d T i r a n a to organize a refuge
f o r the C o l o n e l a n d the o p e r a t i o n o n h i m a s
q u i c k l y as possible. T h e G e n e r a l t h a n k e d me f o r
o u r concern a n d the speed w i t h w h i c h w e w e r e
acting to save the C o l o n e l a n d said that in these
conditions he c o u l d not leave the v i c i n i t y of
T i r a n a u n t i l the C o l o n e l was better.
That is understandable, I said. Then y o u
s h a l l stay w i t h B a b a F a j a . H e i s o n the w a y here
i f h e hasn't come already, a n d y o u w i l l stay
w i t h h i m a n d his forces here, o r perhaps i n
some other n e a r b y zone.
B a b a F a j a came a n d m e t the G e n e r a l . W e
said goodbye. I shook the G e n e r a l by the h a n d
s a y i n g : I'll see y o u again in the zone of K o r a ,
b u t w e n e v e r met again.
D u r i n g those days a B r i t i s h L i e u t e n a n t called
T r a y h o r n h a d s u r r e n d e r e d to the G e r m a n s . It
seems he had told t h e m e v e r y t h i n g about the
G e n e r a l , w h e r e he w a s s t a y i n g and his plans.
On the day after we left, J a n u a r y 8, the B a l l i s t s
of A z i s B i a k u a n d a p l a t o o n of G e r m a n s o l -
diers m o v e d in on the sheepfolds of K o s t e n j a ,
w h e r e the partisans w i t h the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l a n d
f o u r other people w e r e located. T h e partisans,
led by B a b a F a j a , began to fight off the attacks
f r o m the f o u r sides. B a b a F a j a led the f i g h t i n g ,
d i r e c t i n g the attacks on the e n e m y in order to
break t h r o u g h the e n c i r c l e m e n t a n d enter a

168
nearby forest a n d at the same t i m e protected
and opened the w a y f o r the G e n e r a l . S h o u t i n g ,
Take care of the G e n e r a l ! B a b a F a j a c o n t i n u e d
t o f i g h t i n the v a n g u a r d t o cover t h e i r w i t h -
d r a w a l . N i c h o l l s a n d a n o t h e r B r i t i s h o f f i c e r also
fought together w i t h the partisans to b r e a k
t h r o u g h the e n c i r c l e m e n t . In the heat of the
battle the p a r t i s a n s saw that the G e n e r a l w a s
not m o v i n g . S o m e of t h e m w e n t back to get
h i m , b u t to t h e i r astonishment saw that he w a s
leaning against the t r u n k of a tree w i t h a r e d
silk sash d r a p e d across his chest a n d s h o u t i n g
and g e s t u r i n g to t h e m to go a w a y . M e a n w h i l e
F r e d e r i k , w h i l e f i g h t i n g alongside N i c h o l l s , h e a r d
the G e n e r a l say to the C o l o n e l :
Go on, I am hit. You take charge!
Very good, sir, goodbye! replied the
Colonel.
A n u m b e r of B a l l i s t s a n d G e r m a n s w e r e
k i l l e d a n d the f i r i n g stopped. T h e e n e m y w i t h -
drew. A f t e r the battle, the partisans discovered
that the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l w a s m i s s i n g . E x h a u s t e d ,
completely discouraged, h e h a d t h r o w n a w a y
his weapons a n d s u r r e n d e r e d w i t h o u t f i r i n g a
shot.
T h e report about the event reached me at
S h m i l , w h e n w e h a d m a d e a l l the p r e p a r a t i o n s
for o u r j o u r n e y a n d w e r e almost ready to start
for the K o r a zone. T h e G e n e r a l w h o h a d a d -

169
v i s e d us to s u r r e n d e r had l o n g been p l a n n i n g to
s u r r e n d e r himself. T h u s , he f o u n d the m o m e n t
a n d made his p l a n a r e a l i t y .
Despite his i n j u r e d leg, the C o l o n e l d i d not
surrender, but b r o k e t h r o u g h the e n c i r c l e m e n t
and entered the forest, because he k n e w w h a t
a w a i t e d a senior officer of the S O E at the
hands of the Gestapo. T h e G e n e r a l h i m s e l f h a d
expressed this to F r e d e r i k in the course of c o n -
versation. T h e r e w a s also a n o t h e r reason w h y
he d i d not surrender. A c c o r d i n g to a t r a d i t i o n
in the B r i t i s h a r m y , if a senior o f f i c e r is captured,
his i m m e d i a t e subordinate takes his position.
Hence, N i c h o l l s w o u l d a u t o m a t i c a l l y become a
G e n e r a l and head o f the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n i n A l b a -
nia, and, in fact, d i d so. H o w e v e r , this was
o n l y f o r a f e w days. W i t h his leg gangrenous,
he b r o k e off a l l contact w i t h the representative
o f the S t a f f o f o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y
a n d , t h r o u g h the i n t e r v e n t i o n o f the B a l l i K o m -
btar a n d Legaliteti, he f o u n d shelter in the
v i c i n i t y of T i r a n a in the h o m e of one of the
Toptani family, a Ballist and Anglophile. As we
l e a r n e d later, h e died there a n d was b u r i e d i n -
cognito.
T h e B a l l i s t s d i s p l a y e d a l l this care f o r the
C o l o n e l i n atonement f o r the s i n they h a d c o m -
m i t t e d against the B r i t i s h , b y h a n d i n g o v e r
G e n e r a l Davies to the G e r m a n s . Nevertheless,

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the B r i t i s h d i d not p u b l i c l y c o n d e m n the Ballists,
because they d i d not w a n t to totally discredit
t h e m a n d t h e y c o n t i n u e d t h e i r contacts w i t h
t h e m . H o w e v e r , the G e r m a n s b r o u g h t his w h o l e
f i l t h y business to light. In order to s h o w that
the B a l l i s t s w e r e w i t h t h e m , t h e y p u b l i c i z e d the
capture of the G e n e r a l by the Ballists, a n d f o r
this they a w a r d e d A z i z B i a k u the I r o n Cross.
L a t e r , w h e n I w a s in the S o u t h , I was
i n f o r m e d that the comrades of T i r a n a had m a d e
a n a t t e m p t t o release the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l f r o m
the clutches of the Gestapo, but h a d failed, a l -
t h o u g h f o u r people h a d s a c r i f i c e d t h e i r lives i n
the attempt.
In S e p t e m b e r 1944, the C o m m a n d of the 1st
A r m y C o r p s o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y
i n f o r m e d me that the partisans h a d captured
three G e r m a n w o m e n , dangerous spies, on the
K u k s - P r i z r e n road. I sent an urgent r a d i o g r a m ,
o r d e r i n g the comrades to t r y to e x h a n g e t h e m
for G e n e r a l Davies. H o w e v e r , the G e r m a n C o m -
m a n d r e p l i e d that w h e n they asked G e n e r a l
Davies w h e t h e r he w a n t e d to be exchanged he
had not accepted the proposal.
W e d i d o u r d u t y t o w a r d s h i m , but the
B r i t i s h General Davies preferred G e r m a n i m -
p r i s o n m e n t to f r e e d o m w i t h the partisans in the
m o u n t a i n s of A l b a n i a , w h e r e he w o u l d have had

171
to share the countless sacrifices (1) they e n d u r e d .
T h i s was the s h a m e f u l e n d of a s e n i o r
B r i t i s h officer, the agent of the Intelligence
Service, G e n e r a l D a v i e s .
W i t h o u t doubt, the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l , p r i s o n e r
of the G e r m a n s , w h o refused to be released
on exchange as we proposed, h a d been o r d e r e d
b y L o n d o n t o e n t e r into discussions w i t h the
G e r m a n s about the f u t u r e o f A l b a n i a over w h i c h
L o n d o n was so concerned. I h a v e presented facts
about this concern t h r o u g h o u t m y d e s c r i p t i o n o f
the events.

______________________________

1 In his book Illyrian Venture Davies admits that in

the G e r m a n prisoner of w a r camp, It was a better Christmas
than the last, w h e n we were struggling against a b l i z z a r d on
top of a mountain, w i t h no food and no prospects. (Brigadier
Trotsky Davies, Illyrian Venture. The Bodley Head, London
1952, p. 219.)

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 IV

M U S T A F A GJINISHI A G E N T O F
T H E BRITISH

The two Mustafas. Kaai loyal son of

the Party. Gjinishi's links and contacts with the
nationalists. Bab Myslim's reply. The plan
for the Peqin-Darsia military domain. A valu-
able proposal: Let us send representatives to
London. The B B C Ras Tafari. Tafari's con-
fession: Cungu put me in contact with the
Turkish consulate. Caught red-handed.

I h a d not k n o w n M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , n o r even
h e a r d his name, I k n e w n o t h i n g at a l l about w h o
he was, w h a t w o r k he d i d , w h e r e he l i v e d and
w h a t he had been doing before the occupation
of A l b a n i a by Italy. I had h e a r d of his f a t h e r
w h o h a d a good r e p u t a t i o n . He h a d been a d e m o -
crat, a s u p p o r t e r of F a n N o l i , against the beys,
against V r l a c i a n d Z o g a n d h a d been assassi-
nated by t h e m . He w a s a f r i e n d of M y s l i m and
S h y q r i P e z a w h o w e r e enemies o f the V r l a c i s
and other beys, a n d h a d a l w a y s been persecuted

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a n d w e r e sometimes i n p r i s o n , sometimes f u g i -
tives and sometimes obliged to l i v e in e x i l e in
Y u g o s l a v i a . I d i d not even k n o w that this d e m o -
crat, w h o h a d been persecuted a n d assassinated
by V r l a c i ' s m e n , h a d a son called M u s t a f a w h o ,
it seems, h a d attended the A m e r i c a n T e c h n i c a l
School in Tirana.
A f t e r the occupation o f our c o u n t r y b y t h e
Italians, M u s t a f a entered A l b a n i a f r o m Y u g o -
slavia together w i t h M u s t a f a K a a i a n d A b a z
K u p i . O f course, t h e y entered the c o u n t r y i l -
legally, crossing the b o r d e r i n D i b r a , i f I ' m not
m i s t a k e n . T h e y made contact w i t h H a x h i L l e s h i ,
w h o was i n the u n d e r g r o u n d m o v e m e n t , a n d came
t o T i r a n a secretly. M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i m a d e contact
w i t h M y s l i m P e z a w h o w a s p u r s u e d b y the
Italians a n d h a d also gone u n d e r g r o u n d .
I had never met M u s t a f a Kaai, either,
b u t I k n e w his n a m e a n d something of his s t r u g -
gle against the regime of Z o g . K a a i h a d been
one of the leaders of the F i e r u p r i s i n g in 1935.
He w a s sentenced to death as an a n t i - Z o g i t e
democrat, b u t m a i n t a i n e d a v e r y good stand
before the court. L a t e r his d e a t h sentence w a s
c o m m u t e d a n d after a p e r i o d of i m p r i s o n -
m e n t he w a s released a n d f l e d to Y u g o s l a v i a
w i t h the a i d o f f r i e n d s a n d comrades. I n e x i l e
h e s y m p a t h i z e d w i t h c o m m u n i s m and called h i m -
self a c o m m u n i s t . G j i n i s h i , l i k e w i s e , c l a i m e d to
be a c o m m u n i s t .

174
 A f t e r some time w e met the t w o M u s t a f a s .
The P a r t y h a d n o t been f o r m e d a t this t i m e and
I m a d e contact w i t h these t w o on behalf of the
K o r a G r o u p . I w a s s t i l l legal at that t i m e .
A t the f i r s t m e e t i n g I h a d w i t h these t w o
comrades, w e t a l k e d about the s i t u a t i o n i n the
c o u n t r y a n d the w a r w h i c h w e h a d t o organize
against the occupiers. I t o l d t h e m b r i e f l y , w i t h o u t
going i n t o detail (and especially w i t h o u t t a l k i n g
about the o r g a n i z a t i o n of o u r K o r a G r o u p ) ,
about the disagreements b e t w e e n the c o m m u n i s t
groups. I e x p l a i n e d to t h e m the m i s t a k e n v i e w s
of the other groups, w h i l e , of course, p o i n t i n g
out that the l i n e of o u r g r o u p was correct, w a s
t r u l y a c o m m u n i s t line, that o u r g r o u p was
l i n k e d w i t h the C o m i n t e r n , etc., etc.
We are f o r w a r against the occupier, I
told t h e m .
W e are f o r w a r , too, they said. W e
have come here to f i g h t and w a n t to l i n k up
with your Group.
Of course, I w a s pleased at t h i s a n d agreed
that t h e y s h o u l d m a k e contact w i t h the leaders
of other groups a n d t r y to persuade t h e m to
reach agreement. T h e y promised, but d i d n o -
thing.
I met K a a i several times. He r e p o r t e d to
m e o n his activities a n d f i n a l l y t o l d m e :
L i s t e n , E n v e r . W i t h Q o r r i (Anastas L u l a )

175
n o t h i n g can be done. Therefore, allocate me my
w o r k , the cell I am to belong to a n d my contact.
B e a r in m i n d my game leg, because I cannot
r u n a n d m i g h t be spotted.
K a a i was v e r y good as a person a n d as
a c o m m u n i s t . He was sincere, j o i n e d the K o r a
G r o u p and, w h e n the P a r t y was f o u n d e d , became
a m e m b e r of it. L a t e r he was appointed p o l i t i c a l
commissar of the p a r t i s a n b a t t a l i o n of M a t a n d
fought and gave leadership as a resolute c o m -
m u n i s t u n t i l the m o m e n t h e was k i l l e d , f i g h t i n g
h e r o i c a l l y f o r the l i b e r a t i o n o f K r u j a . A f t e r
L i b e r a t i o n the P a r t y a w a r d e d h i m the l o f t y title
H e r o of the People.
M a t t e r s w e r e totally d i f f e r e n t w i t h M u s t a f a
G j i n i s h i , let alone w i t h H a s a n R e i , a l t h o u g h
the latter, too, posed as a c o m m u n i s t , b u t we
n e v e r trusted h i m . He w a s a c h a r l a t a n , a l i a r ,
a v e r y dubious i n d i v i d u a l . T i m e p r o v e d this
completely. He was an agent in the service of
the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s , and after L i b e r a t i o n h e
was exposed a n d condemned.
B u t let u s r e t u r n t o M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i . H e
was a clever, d y n a m i c , active fellow, b u t c o n -
ceited, w a r y w i t h u s a n d insincere. H e spoke
w i t h gestures as t h o u g h to give himself a u t h o r i t y .
H e w a n t e d t o s h o w that h e h a d l i n k s a n d great
influence w i t h M y s l i m Peza, as well as w i t h many
circles of nationalists a n d anti-fascists, a n d
gave the i m p r e s s i o n that his w o r d s a n d advice

176
were listened t o i n those circles. H e t o l d u s n o t h -
i n g concrete. W h e r e a n d w h o these bases a n d
supporters of his w e r e , we discovered later.
A l l e g e d l y illegal, h e w e n t a l l o v e r T i r a n a
w e a r i n g d a r k glasses a n d a blue suit, sometimes
w i t h a felt hat, sometimes w e a r i n g p l u s - f o u r s
and a cap a n d a w h i t e gabardine coat, a n d
c a r r y i n g a b l a c k satchel c o n t a i n i n g papers, a
T u r k i s h r e v o l v e r a n d t w o Y u g o s l a v grenades.
O u r people reported that he w e n t a n d met
Irfan O h r i , L u m o Skndo, Sheh K a r b u n a r a ,
K a m b e r Q a f m o l l a , A b a z K u p i a n d others. H e
h a d meetings w i t h a great m i x t u r e of people,
i n c l u d i n g beys, some o f w h o m h a d declared
t h e i r l i n k s w i t h the occupiers, others w h o h a d
not done so at that time, a n d some other c a n -
didates, sympathizers w i t h the movement,
some of t h e m inveterate a n d resolute a n t i - c o m -
munists. M u s t a f a t o l d u s v e r y little about w h a t
he discussed, a n d w h a t i n t r i g u e s he hatched up
w i t h t h e m , e v e n l a t e r w h e n the P a r t y was
formed, a n d indeed, e v e n after w e a d m i t t e d h i m
as a m e m b e r of the P a r t y .
P r i o r t o the f o r m a t i o n o f the P a r t y , w e h a d
m a n a g e d to create a sort of l i a i s o n committee
w i t h the v a r i o u s groups f o r joint actions, a n d I
remember that we summoned Mustafa K a a i
and M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i to a m e e t i n g of this c o m -
mittee at w h i c h V a s i l Shanto, I a n d A n a s t a s
L u l a w e r e present. At this m e e t i n g I proposed

177
that we s h o u l d come out in a d e m o n s t r a t i o n in
the streets of T i r a n a precisely on t h a t d a y w h i c h
later became k n o w n as the day of the b i g
demonstration i n T i r a n a , w h e n w e c a m e t o b l o w s
w i t h the forces o f the occupier i n the M i n i s t r i e s '
Square. A n a s t a s p r e t e n d e d not to oppose the
proposal f o r a d e m o n s t r a t i o n b u t d i d not f a i l to
i n v o k e the t h e o r y of cadres a n d to say t h a t
the e n e m y w i l l d i s c o v e r us a n d attack us, etc.,
a n d secretely f o u g h t to sabotage the proposal
through X h e p i (Sadik Premte). Vasil, a brave
p r o l e t a r i a n comrade, w h o r e m a i n e d a resolute
c o m m u n i s t i n the r a n k s o f the P a r t y f r o m t h e
t i m e i t was f o r m e d u n t i l h e w a s k i l l e d i n p e r -
f o r m i n g his duty, d i d not raise a n y opposition,
b u t said, I m u s t consult my comrades, a n d
q u i c k l y b r o u g h t a positive r e p l y . M u s t a f a G j i -
n i s h i began t o i n d u l g e i n r h e t o r i c , d e m a g o g y a n d
to obscure the issue, so that n o t h i n g w o u l d be
decided. T h e n I asked M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i b l u n t l y :
Are y o u f o r o r against demonstrations?
I support V a s i l ' s v i e w , he said.
B u t V a s i l gave c e r t a i n reasons, I s a i d .
He's g o i n g t o ask his comrades. B u t w h a t
comrades are y o u g o i n g to ask? As f a r as I
k n o w a n d a s y o u have said yourself, y o u are
w i t h our G r o u p , a n d a s such y o u ought t o b e
disciplined.
No, objected M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i i n d i g n a n t l y ,
I h a v e t h e r i g h t to t h i n k outside the d i s c i p l i n e

178
of the G r o u p , because I have a series of n a t i o n a l -
ist f r i e n d s w h o are assisting t h e w a r a n d w e
s h o u l d not c o m p r o m i s e t h e m so soon. We need
more p r e p a r a t i o n .
T h e n , M u s t a f a , I said, tell me straight,
y o u are n e i t h e r w i t h u s n o r w i t h V a s i l . I f
M y s l i m P e z a h a d listened t o y o u , h e w o u l d not
have a t t a c k e d the a r m i e s of the occupier. W e ' l l
come out in the d e m o n s t r a t i o n a n d j o i n o u r
efforts w i t h those o f M y s l i m P e z a , regardless
o f w h e t h e r y o u o r X h e p i l i k e i t o r not.
M u s t a f a K a a i i m m e d i a t e l y associated h i m -
self w i t h m e a n d said t o G j i n i s h i :
M u s t a f a , d o n ' t get u p t o t r i c k s l i k e y o u
d i d w h e n w e w e r e i n Y u g o s l a v i a . W e ' v e come
here to f i g h t those w h o h a v e occupied the
country.
G j i n i s h i j u m p e d t o his feet, red-faced a n d
a n g r y a n d said t o K a a i :
D o n ' t i n s u l t me, I w o n ' t a l l o w y o u to
insult me. I am in f a v o u r b u t we m u s t be
c a r e f u l n o t to become the target of attack. W h a t
do y o u m e a n w i t h t h e t r i c k s I got up to in
Yugoslavia?
I i n t e r v e n e d to stop t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n t a k i n g
this t u r n a n d w e p a r t e d .
T h e d e m o n s t r a t i o n w a s h e l d . Regardless of
the fact that t h e heads of the Y o u t h G r o u p
w e r e against it, the r a n k - a n d - f i l e of the three
groups came out in the d e m o n s t r a t i o n w i t h o u t

179
hesitation a n d fought the m i l i t i a a n d the c a r a -
b i n i e r i of the occupier in the streets a n d squares.
A considerable t i m e w e n t by, f i l l e d w i t h
historic events, the m a i n one of w h i c h w a s the
f o u n d i n g o f o u r C o m m u n i s t P a r t y , our struggle
to b u i l d a n d consolidate it, f o r its u n i t y a n d to
p u r g e it of the s p i r i t a n d old methods of w o r k
of the groups. T h e P a r t y t h r e w itself a n d its
active forces h e r o i c a l l y i n t o the w a r , into actions,
a t h i n g w h i c h raised h i g h its prestige a m o n g
the people a n d b u i l t u p t h e i r confidence i n the
P a r t y . T h e u n h e a l t h y T r o t s k y i t e heads, such as
Q o r r i , X h e p i a n d those o f the Z j a r r i G r o u p
w e r e being isolated step by step.
W h e n the P a r t y w a s f o r m e d , I s u m m o n e d
M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i t o report o n the w o r k h e h a d
done, as the other m e m b e r s of the groups w h i c h
f o r m e d the P a r t y d i d .
I k n o w that as soon as y o u came here,
y o u ' l i n k e d u p ' w i t h the K o r a G r o u p , M u s t a f a ,
but n o w that the P a r t y has been f o r m e d , since
y o u call yourself a c o m m u n i s t , y o u w i l l u n d e r -
stand that y o u m u s t t e l l us the connections y o u
have w i t h v a r i o u s people a n d the w o r k y o u have
done w i t h t h e m , so that the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e
can m a k e its j u d g e m e n t of this a n d of y o u , a n d
about h o w y o u s h o u l d act i n the f u t u r e , i n other
words, give y o u directives, I t o l d h i m .
He was in a tight spot, a n d I r e m e m b e r this
reply:

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 I am a c o m m u n i s t , C o m r a d e E n v e r , b u t y o u
have not g i v e n me contacts, a l t h o u g h I m a i n t a i n
contact w i t h m a n y comrades o f the P a r t y and
w o r k w i t h them.
Y o u are on a w r o n g course, I t o l d h i m ,
and y o u must i m m e d i a t e l y b r e a k off y o u r o r g a n -
i z a t i o n a l l i n k s w i t h other comrades, because w e ' v e
f i n i s h e d w i t h these methods o f f a c t i o n a l w o r k
once a n d f o r a l l . It's not t r u e that y o u have been
left w i t h o u t contact. Y o u r contact is w i t h me. I
told y o u this a l o n g t i m e ago, b u t it has been to
y o u r l i k i n g t o m a i n t a i n contacts w i t h e v e r y b o d y .
The f i r m d i s c i p l i n e a n d rules o f the P a r t y i n
these times of w a r do not p e r m i t s u c h a thing.
Y o u s t i l l w a n t proofs of w h a t I a m ? he
asked.
I have s u m m o n e d y o u precisely to discuss
w i t h y o u the w o r k y o u h a v e done s o t h a t w e
can k n o w y o u better a n d the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e
can judge y o u r w o r k .
He w a s obliged to say something, p u t t i n g
the emphasis o n the f i g h t o f M y s l i m P e z a w i t h
w h i c h we were very w e l l acquainted. However,
M u s t a f a w a n t e d to escape r e n d e r i n g account to
the P a r t y , a n d at the same t i m e t r i e d to give us
the i m p r e s s i o n that it w a s he w h o guided
M y s l i m P e z a a n d that, if we took a different
v i e w of the question of M u s t a f a , t h e n the l i n k s
o f the P a r t y w i t h M y s l i m w o u l d b e j e o p a r d i z e d !
T h e i m p r e s s i o n h e gave m e i n this talk w a r

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a b a d one. Nevertheless, I h a d to proceed cautious-
ly. It was essential to f i n d out e v e r y t h i n g about
the a c t i v i t y o f M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , a n d this w o u l d
take t i m e . A t t h a t p e r i o d I h a d n o suspicions
that M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i was l i n k e d w i t h foreigners,
but a c o m m u n i s t he w a s not. He was an a m b i t i o u s
nationalist, an a d v e n t u r e r a n d m i g h t become a
source of d a n g e r to us on m a n y counts, if we
w e r e not v i g i l a n t a n d d i d not keep a tight r e i n
o n his u n o r g a n i z e d activities. W e p a r t e d f r o m
that m e e t i n g in a r e l a t i v e l y f r i e n d l y fashion, b u t
it was c l e a r that n e i t h e r he nor I w a s satisfied
w i t h each other a n d b o t h of us u n d e r s t o o d this.
I h a d to continue to w o r k w i t h h i m p a t i e n t -
ly, not because of his threats that w i t h o u t h i m
the l i n k s o f the P a r t y w i t h M y s l i m P e z a m i g h t
be jeopardized, because these l i n k s w e r e s t r o n g
a n d sincere a n d we w e r e g o i n g to s t r e n g t h e n
t h e m e v e n more, but because we w a n t e d to
r e s t r a i n h i m i n his mistakes a n d his a d v e n t u r e s
a n d m a k e h i m a good f i g h t e r f o r the cause of
the l i b e r a t i o n . To this e n d , we h a d to set about
w o r k together w i t h M y s l i m P e z a , s o t h a t w e
c o u l d become better a c q u a i n t e d w i t h M u s t a f a .
W e c o u l d not u n d e r r a t e the t r a d i t i o n o f f a m i l y
f r i e n d s h i p b e t w e e n the Pezas a n d the G j i n i s h i s
and the s y m p a t h y of M y s l i m f o r M u s t a f a as the
son of his f r i e n d , as an a n t i - I t a l i a n f i g h t e r a n d
as a communist, w h i c h he p r e t e n d e d to be.
M u s t a f a w a s a glib talker, gathered up a n d

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spread a r o u n d i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m m a n y quarters
a n d m i g h t become a sort of newspaper or
source of n e w s f o r M y s l i m . T h i s w a s w h a t I
was a f r a i d of, b u t I h a d great f a i t h in the s t r o n g
character, the sense of justice a n d u n p r e t e n t i o u s -
ness of M y s l i m P e z a . A n d I was not m i s t a k e n .
Let us return to Mustafa Gjinishi.
N a t u r a l l y , it is not my object here to des-
c r i b e i n d e t a i l his l i f e a n d a c t i v i t y i n the p e r i o d
o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r , b u t o n l y c e r t a i n
events a n d occurrences i n w h i c h w e r a n i n t o his
hostile a c t i v i t y a i m e d against the P a r t y a n d the
people's n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n state power.
O n e n i g h t , s h o r t l y a f t e r the f o r m a t i o n of
the P a r t y , I s u m m o n e d M u s t a f a K a a i to a meet-
i n g i n a n u n d e r g r o u n d base i n T i r a n a . A t that
time we h a d b o t h gone u n d e r g r o u n d . I t a l k e d
to h i m . I questioned h i m about G j i n i s h i a n d
asked h i m to speak to me openly as a c o m m u n i s t ,
p o i n t i n g out sincerely that the P a r t y was c o n -
v i n c e d t h a t G j i n i s h i w a s an anti-fascist, a deter-
m i n e d f i g h t e r against the occupiers.
H e m a k e s great c l a i m s to be a c o m m u n i s t ,
poses as a c o m m u n i s t w h e r e v e r he goes, to
w h o e v e r he meets, I said, however, we are not
c o n v i n c e d about this a n d m u s t p u t h i m t o f u r t h e r
tests in o r d e r to a d m i t h i m to the r a n k s of t h e
P a r t y . G j i n i s h i displays great l a c k of discipline
in c a r r y i n g out the rules a n d d i r e c t i v e s of the
P a r t y , does w h a t e v e r he himself t h i n k s fit, does

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not r e p o r t on the connections he has or about
the w o r k he does, a n d it f r e q u e n t l y occurs that
w h e n w e w a n t t o meet p a t r i o t i c elements they
say to us: ' T h e r e is no need because we have
contact w i t h M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i . ' C a n y o u t e l l m e
y o u r o p i n i o n about these judgements of m i n e
on the c h a r a c t e r a n d m e t h o d of w o r k of M u s t a f a
G j i n i s h i , I asked K a a i , because I m a y be
w r o n g , w h i l e y o u are better a c q u a i n t e d w i t h h i m
a n d also k n e w h i m w h e n y o u w e r e a b r o a d ?
In brief K a a i told me:
O v e r a l l , y o u are not m i s t a k e n . G j i n i s h i i s
active, capable of f o r m i n g combinations, there is
no doubt that he is anti-fascist a n d a n t i - I t a l i a n
a n d w a n t s t o fight, b u t i n his o w n w a y . T h i s i s
w h a t h e d i d w h e n w e w e r e i n Y u g o s l a v i a , too.
Y o u c o u l d f i n d h i m e v e r y w h e r e . H e d i d n ' t stay
m u c h w i t h us, b u t h e m e t a l l those w h o w e r e
anti-Zogites, regardless of w h o t h e y were, beys,
aghas, A l b a n i a n s o r Y u g o s l a v officials. H e w a s
i n f o r m e d about e v e r y t h i n g a n d h a d p l e n t y o f
money, w h i l e w e c o u l d h a r d l y get b y f r o m
m o n t h t o m o n t h b y b o r r o w i n g f r o m one another.
O n e day he came to me a n d said t h a t we w e r e
going to enter A l b a n i a together illegally, because
the w o r k against fascism there h a d begun.
'How a n d f r o m w h e r e are we going to go?'
I asked h i m . ' W h o is going to p u t us across the
border?'
'Don't w o r r y , ' he t o l d me, 'I've reached

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agreement w i t h G a n i B e y K r y e z i u . H i s m e n
w i l l get u s into A l b a n i a a n d there w e s h a l l f i n d
w a y s t o meet A q i f L l e s h i , H a x h i L l e s h i a n d
others. A s f o r m o n e y , don't w o r r y about that,
because I've got some f r o m the ' C o m m i t t e e ' a n d
some f r o m G a n i B e y ' .
'There's no one l i k e y o u , M u s t a f a , ' I said,
continued K a a i , 'the m a i n t h i n g i s that w e
must get to A l b a n i a a n d die there, in our
o w n c o u n t r y , because a b r o a d w e ' r e d y i n g of
b o r e d o m . ' So we set out. I m u s t t e l l y o u , C o m -
rade E n v e r , that before we crossed the border,
G j i n i s h i gave me a b a g of gold napoleons w h i c h
I was to keep in the saddle bag of my m u l e and
w h e n we got to the H o m e l a n d he took it f r o m
me s a y i n g , 'These w i l l serve us to f i n a n c e the
w a r . ' H e w i l l h a v e t o l d y o u this, said K a a i
i n conclusion.
No, I replied, H e m u s t have forgotten or
perhaps the occasion hasn't arisen! B u t this
aroused m y suspicions. M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i h a d
come f r o m a b r o a d w i t h g o l d ! W h o h a d g i v e n i t
t o h i m ? W h a t connections h a d h e w i t h the f e u d a l
Gani B e y K r y e z i u , and who was behind them?
W a s i t S e r b i a n reaction o r the B r i t i s h ? P e r h a p s
neither. . . . a n d he h a d p l e n t y of m o n e y , w h i l e
w e c o u l d h a r d l y get b y f r o m m o n t h t o m o n t h b y
b o r r o w i n g . . . K a a i h a d t o l d m e . W h a t should
be done? I h a d to proceed cautiously a n d w i t h
great v i g i l a n c s , because G j i n i s h i w a s w i l y .

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 T h e fight of the P a r t y a n d the people against
the occupier a n d the q u i s l i n g s w a s b e c o m i n g
m o r e a n d m o r e fierce. I t w a s e x t e n d i n g i n the
capital a n d other cities. M y s l i m Peza's eta w a s
being strengthened w i t h c o m m u n i s t s a n d e n l a r g e d
w i t h partisans f r o m the c i t y a n d the villages
o f P e z a . M y s l i m , l i n k e d closely w i t h the P a r t y ,
stood h e r o i c a l l y . W h e n I w e n t w i t h h i m t o d i f -
ferent villages, Bab's w o r d s revealed his trust
i n the P a r t y a n d his f a i t h i n c o m m u n i s m . P e z a
had been t u r n e d into a n i m p o r t a n t f i g h t i n g centre
f o r us a n d a great danger to the occupiers a n d
the q u i s l i n g V r l a c i .
A l o n g w i t h the f i g h t against t h e occupiers
a n d the traitors, the P a r t y , t h r o u g h its m e m b e r s
and others w h o m i t appointed, also h e l d t a l k s
and meetings w i t h people k n o w n f o r t h e i r o p -
position t o Z o g i n the past, w i t h nationalists,
a s w e called t h e m . W e sounded t h e m out about
their p o l i t i c a l attitudes, t h e i r i n f l u e n c e a n d circles,
as w e l l as about the possibilities of i n v o l v i n g
t h e m in the struggle against the occupiers a n d
u n i t i n g t h e m w i t h the P a r t y i n the w a r f o r the
l i b e r a t i o n of the c o u n t r y .
A l t h o u g h w e s t i l l h a d not a d m i t t e d G j i n i s h i
t o the P a r t y , w e h a d allocated h i m t o this w o r k
f o r w h i c h he was allegedly suitable. S o m e t i m e s
he reported a n d sometimes he d i d not r e p o r t
to us, but d i d not give up his tactics. He w a s
r e s e n t f u l of the fact that M y s l i m , on w h o m he

186
had p i n n e d great hopes, was f i r m l y l i n k e d w i t h
t h e P a r t y t h r o u g h m e a n d Q e m a l S t a f a . H e saw
that B a b l i k e d u s a n d that w e h a d great l o v e
a n d respect f o r h i m , sought his o p i n i o n a n d k e p t
h i m i n f o r m e d about e v e r y t h i n g , regardless o f
t h e fact that he was not yet a m e m b e r of the
Communist Party.
G j i n i s h i began to react against this connec-
t i o n : his visits t o P e z a became m o r e f r e q u e n t
and m o r e p r o l o n g e d a n d he t r i e d to confuse the
comrades. T h e y i n f o r m e d us about these things,
but we a d v i s e d t h e m to be patient a n d to c o n -
t i n u e t o w a t c h out.
T h e contacts a n d meetings o f M u s t a f a w i t h
the nationalists not o n l y d i d not p r o d u c e a n y
concrete result, b u t also came i n t o opposition
w i t h the ardent a n d p u r e p a t r i o t i s m o f M y s l i m
P e z a . M y s l i m P e z a was l i n k e d i r r e v o c a b l y w i t h
the p o o r peasants a n d hated the beys a n d s w i n -
dlers. M a n y of these w e r e the nationalists of
Mustafa Gjinishi and S h y q r i Peza. Mustafa and
S h y q r i got a l o n g w e l l w i t h t h e m a n d w a n t e d t o
take advantage o f M y s l i m f o r t h e i r o w n purposes.
In conversation, b o t h of t h e m t a l k e d about I r f a n
O h r i , Q a z i m M u l l e t i a n d the beys o f N d r o q , w h o m
M y s l i m detested. M u s t a f a w a s o n i n t i m a t e terms
w i t h A g P e t r e l a whose house i n T i r a n a was
his base. T h i s agha h a d secret connections w i t h
the beys of N d r o q a n d other enemies of M y s l i m ' s .
A l l these actions a n d stands o f M u s t a f a d i d

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n o t increase b u t r e d u c e d Bab's trust i n h i m .
H e r e is one event amongst m a n y others.
Q e m a l a n d I left T i r a n a secretly, because
w e w e r e both illegal, a n d w e n t t o P e z a , g u i d e d
on the T i r a n a - P e z a r o a d by the p a r t i s a n courier,
the l o y a l peasant M u r a t M a l l a . W e w e n t t o the
v i l l a g e o f D u r a k j a w h e r e B a b was s t a y i n g . W e
w e r e t o t a l k w i t h h i m about s t r e n g t h e n i n g the
l e a d i n g role of the P a r t y in the eta, the r e o r g a n -
ization of the eta, the a p p o i n t m e n t of a p o l i t i c a l
commissar, supplies of arms, c l o t h i n g , etc. T h e
three of us sat a r o u n d the f i r e a n d we presented
t h e p r o b l e m . M y s l i m listened t o u s a n d said,
I agree w i t h the P a r t y , we s h o u l d do w h a t it
says. T a k e the necessary measures as soon as
y o u can. I t was getting d a r k . T h e d a y w a s
fine b u t cold a n d the f i r e w a s v e r y pleasant.
F r o m t i m e to t i m e B a b took a sip f r o m the
r a k i flask a n d h a n d e d i t t o us. W e d r a n k , too,
a l t h o u g h w e w e r e m o r e interested i n the p i c k l e d
f r i e d peppers t h a n the r a k i .
W e just f i n i s h e d o u r w o r k w h e n a p a r t i s a n
came a n d s a i d :
Bab, S h y q r i has come w i t h M u s t a f a G j i -
nishi.
W e l l , let t h e m come i n , w h a t are t h e y
w a i t i n g f o r ? said M y s l i m .
P e r h a p s w e s h o u l d go. Y o u m i g h t h a v e
some business w i t h them, I s a i d .

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 No, said M y s l i m , I've n o business w h i c h
y o u m u s t not k n o w , therefore don't move.
W h e n t h e y came i n , w e shook hands and
Q e m a l a n d I sat d o w n on one side of the f i r e
beside M y s l i m .
It w a s clear f r o m the e x p r e s s i o n on his
face t h a t S h y q r i P e z a was not pleased that we
were there. S h y q r i w a s as b u r l y as M y s l i m was
slim. H e was a n i m p r e s s i v e f i g u r e w i t h his
b r o a d face, l o n g hair, w i d e shoulders a n d baggy
trousers w h i c h m a d e h i m look even bigger t h a n
he was. S h y q r i was i n t e l l i g e n t b u t quite the
opposite o f M y s l i m i n character.
H a v e y o u a n y news? asked M y s l i m , a d -
dressing S h y q r i w h o was toasting his hands at
the f i r e .
I came f r o m T i r a n a , M y s l i m . In P e z a e
V o g l I m e t M u s t a f a a n d we came here together.
W h a t ' s the n e w s f r o m T i r a n a ? M y s l i m
asked a g a i n .
I r f a n B e y O h r i sends y o u his regards,
said S h y q r i . H e h a d h a d a m e e t i n g w i t h Q a z i m
M u l l e t i . Q a z i m a n d I r f a n w a n t t o meet y o u , i n
w h a t e v e r place y o u decide, i n o r d e r t o speak
openly, because n e i t h e r Q a z i m n o r I r f a n w a n t the
Italians t o attack a n d b u r n P e z a , b u t o n the
c o n d i t i o n that y o u don't molest t h e Italians.
A n d w h a t d i d y o u say? asked M y s l i m i n
a q u i e t voice.
Q e m a l a n d I w e r e l i s t e n i n g attentively.

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 I c o u l d not give t h e m a n y r e p l y , b u t
M u s t a f a a n d I t h i n k that i t w o u l d not h u r t i f
y o u met them, S h y q r i c o n t i n u e d .
W e w o u l d not b e s u r r e n d e r i n g o u r w e a -
pons, added M u s t a f a .
A t this M y s l i m rose a n g r i l y t o his k n e e s
a n d said b l u n t l y :
You, S h y q r i Peza, and you, Mustafa G j i n i -
shi g o a n d meet the t r a i t o r s a n d t a l k w i t h t h e m i f
y o u w i s h , b u t n e v e r a g a i n set foot b a c k here i n
the base o f M y s l i m P e z a . A n d t e l l t h e m t h e y
can bring an army if they wish, but I shall fight
them.
I jumped up and embraced M y s l i m and
afterwards Qemal did likewise.
W e m a d e M y s l i m sit d o w n . S h y q r i w a s
s i t t i n g flabbergasted, w h i l e M u s t a f a h u n g h i s
head.
Y o u m u s t n o t do such a t h i n g , M r . S h y q r i ,
I said. B a b M y s l i m a n d o u r P a r t y w i l l n e v e r
accept it. W e f u l l y agree w i t h B a b , b u t believe
that y o u h a v e not g i v e n this idea p r o p e r c o n s i d -
eration. It is w r o n g , a n d we are c o n v i n c e d that
y o u w i l l a b a n d o n it. A s f o r M u s t a f a , h e ought t o
h a v e advised y o u to refuse this p r o p o s a l of t r a i -
tors, w i t h o u t c o m i n g to B a b about it.
To c a l m the s i t u a t i o n I said to B a b M y s l i m :
W e must trust S h y q r i P e z a , w h o i s o u r
brother, that h e w i l l not m a k e s u c h mistakes
again f r o m n o w o n a n d w i l l n e v e r b e split a w a y
f r o m Bab.
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 W e s u m m o n e d M u s t a f a separately later and
c r i t i c i z e d h i m severely. H e m a d e some sort o f
s e l f - c r i t i c i s m a n d w e t h o u g h t that f r o m n o w o n
he w o u l d come to his senses. He took p a r t in
several actions w i t h the eta of P e z a against the
Italians a n d a c c o m p a n i e d K a j o i n several d a n -
gerous actions to e l i m i n a t e spies. In this d i r e c -
tion M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i s h o w e d himself t o b e n o
coward.
F r o m the p o l i t i c a l v i e w p o i n t S h y q r i P e z a ,
M y s l i m ' s b r o t h e r , was v a c i l l a t i n g a n d not as
determined a n d m i l i t a n t a s B a b M y s l i m , b u t his
d a u g h t e r a n d his s o n - i n - l a w , K a j o K a r a f i l i ,
were l i n k e d w i t h B a b , w i t h the P a r t y a n d the
war. Thus, f r o m that t i m e o n , S h y q r i was never
parted f r o m B a b o r u s a n d f o l l o w e d M y s l i m
l o y a l l y . W h e n I w e n t to P e z a , he w o u l d come
out to shake h a n d s a n d e x c h a n g e a f e w w o r d s
w i t h me. W h e n w e organized the Conference
of P e z a , S h y q r i , of course, d i d not p a r t i c i p a t e
in it, b u t he s t a y e d in P e z a , out of the w a y ,
w i t h o u t i n t e r f e r i n g . I n one b r e a k d u r i n g the
meeting, he came out of his house, shook hands
w i t h u s a n d sat d o w n o n a c h a i r n e a r m e . H e
could h a v e sat n e a r B a z i i Cans, b u t he d i d
not do so out of respect f o r a n d s o l i d a r i t y w i t h
M y s l i m in the eyes of strangers. I t h o u g h t that
at least we h a d n e u t r a l i z e d h i m . I asked h i m :
W h a t d o y o u t h i n k , S h y q r i P e z a , about
w h a t w e are d o i n g ?

191
 H e looked m e i n the eye a n d s a i d :
A s long as M y s l i m agrees w i t h it, I am
with Myslim.
T h a n k y o u , S h y q r i Peza, I said, because
the w a r against the I t a l i a n occupier needs the
support o f e v e r y t r u e A l b a n i a n .
S h y q r i P e z a was k i l l e d i n a n exchange o f
f i r e w h i c h the b a t t a l i o n o f P e z a h a d w i t h the
I t a l i a n occupiers.

M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i w a s c o n t i n u a l l y a s k i n g the
comrades a n d m e t o p u t h i m into the P a r t y .
T h e comrades said to h i m : Y o u h a v e to get
the approval of E n v e r w i t h w h o m you have
contact, because he alone c a n m a k e the r e c o m -
mendation. H o w e v e r , I hesitated.
Mustafa, I said to h i m one day, y o u h a v e
positive aspects, but y o u also h a v e m a n y negative
aspects, w h i c h I have c o n t i n u a l l y p o i n t e d out to
y o u , as a comrade. T h e P a r t y w a n t s modest,
sincere, d i s c i p l i n e d people. If y o u give me y o u r
w o r d that y o u w i l l correct yourself. I s h a l l give
y o u m y r e c o m m e n d a t i o n . H e said that h e w o u l d
do so and p r o m i s e d that he w o u l d keep his w o r d .
Thus, M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i was a d m i t t e d as a
p a r t y m e m b e r i n the o r g a n i z a t i o n o f P e z a .
A f t e r h a v i n g secured a d m i s s i o n t o the P a r t y ,
M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i set t o w o r k t o c l i m b i n its l e a d -
e r s h i p ! H e r e a n d there he expressed his discontent
that he was not in the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e or the

192
regional committee. H e w h i s p e r e d t o others:
W h y can o n l y w o r k e r s get into the committee
and not intellectuals? T o w i n o v e r t h e n a t i o n a l -
ists a n d incite dissatisfaction w i t h the P a r t y
amongst t h e m , he c r i t i c i z e d the p r o c l a m a t i o n s
w h i c h w e d i s t r i b u t e d , because allegedly they
contained i n s u f f i c i e n t n a t i o n a l i s m !
These a n d o t h e r activities o f M u s t a f a G j i n i -
shi w e r e attacked at t h e 1st C o n s u l t a t i v e C o n -
ference w i t h p a r t y activists ( A p r i l 12-14, 1942).

M a j o r events w e r e t a k i n g place. T h e his-

toric C o n f e r e n c e o f P e z a , a t w h i c h the p o l i t i c a l
and o r g a n i z a t i o n a l f o u n d a t i o n s of the u n i t y of
the A l b a n i a n people i n the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l
L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t a n d the people's state p o w e r
were l a i d , h a d been h e l d . T h e N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n
W a r w a s e x t e n d i n g . P e z a w a s attacked. J u s t
t w o days before the fascists attacked it, M u s t a f a
and I left P e z a f o r T i r a n a w i t h several bags of
leaflets. W e stopped a t a n old i n n , w h i c h was
a base of ours, w h e r e we left the leaflets a n d
got a w a y v e r y q u i c k l y , because I saw some m o v e -
ments i n our d i r e c t i o n f r o m the n e a r b y I t a l i a n
b a r r a c k s . T h e i n n w a s r a i d e d , the leaflets cap-
t u r e d , a n d the i n n - k e e p e r arrested.
N a k o S p i r u a n d some other comrades h a d set
out f r o m P e z a i n the d i r e c t i o n o f D u r r s . O n the
way, t h e y r a n into the I t a l i a n troops w h o w e r e
m a r c h i n g t o w a r d s P e z a a n d w e r e arrested.

193
 A b o u t t w o m o n t h s later, the B a l l i K o m b t a r
w a s f o r m e d as reaction opposed to the A n t i -
fascist N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , a n o r g a n i z a t i o n
of reactionaries, of pseudo-democrats, of so-called
l i b e r a l beys a n d aghas, who h a d fed f r o m
every t r o u g h in the past a n d w h o , some openly,
some i n d i r e c t l y f o r the t i m e being, w e r e l i n k e d
w i t h the I t a l i a n occupiers a n d the q u i s l i n g s i n
power, headed b y M u s t a f a K r u j a . T h e B a l l i
K o m b t a r openly p u b l i c i z e d its p r o g r a m against
the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a a n d against
the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , w h i c h
i t described a s a cloak f o r the C o m m u n i s t P a r -
ty. T h e heads of this o r g a n i z a t i o n issued t h e i r
Decalogue w h i c h c i r c u l a t e d freely. It advocated
w a r against t h e N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r a n d
a r m e d actions. Nevertheless, o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a -
t i o n W a r against the occupier h a d surged u p
v i g o r o u s l y a l l o v e r the country. T h e C o m m u n i s t
P a r t y h a d become the i n s p i r e r a n d the b a n n e r -
bearer of l i b e r a t i o n .

T h e s p r i n g of 1943 a r r i v e d and, together

w i t h it, the f i r s t B r i t i s h m i l i t a r y missions began
to c o m e to A l b a n i a .
W i t h the a r r i v a l o f the B r i t i s h missions, M u s -
t a f a G j i n i s h i w a s s t r u t t i n g l i k e a f i g h t i n g cock,
a l t h o u g h b o t h h e a n d the B r i t i s h k e p t u p a p -
pearances. M u s t a f a , that c h e e r f u l , i n t e r e s t i n g
a n d f r a n k person, a s the B r i t i s h described h i m ,
had the advantage t h a t h e k n e w E n g l i s h . E v e n
194
when some of us w h o k n e w F r e n c h but not
English, w e r e present, M u s t a f a w a s able to speak
freely w i t h t h e m , or to translate as he w i s h e d .
I did not l i k e this, b u t t h e r e w a s n o t h i n g we
could do about it. We t r i e d to see if there w a s
any connection b e t w e e n some meetings of t h e
B r i t i s h w i t h nationalist personalities a n d t h e
meetings w h i c h M u s t a f a h a d h a d p r e v i o u s l y
w i t h these i n d i v i d u a l s , w h o w e r e n o w o p e n l y
w i t h the B a l l i K o m b t a r , b u t w e w e r e s t i l l u n a b -
le to f i n d the c o n n e c t i n g t h r e a d in this tangle.
W i t h a i d o f the B r i t i s h , a k i n d o f F r e n c h g o v -
ernment, called the C o m m i t t e e of F r e e France
headed b y D e G a u l l e , h a d been created i n L o n d o n ;
the government of K i n g Peter, the k i n g of
Y u g o s l a v i a w i t h o u t a k i n g d o m , w h o h a d f l e d the
country before the G e r m a n attack, the D u t c h
government, t h e B e l g i a n government a n d
others also h a d t h e i r seats there. T h e g o v e r n -
ment i n e x i l e o f K i n g P a u l o f Greece w a s also
under the w i n g o f the B r i t i s h . L o n d o n , together
w i t h the A l b a n i a n reactionaries a n d traitors, also
tried to create a r o y a l g o v e r n m e n t f o r A l b a n i a
w i t h i n the c o u n t r y o r a b r o a d . A p p a r e n t l y i t h a d
its attention focussed on the restoration of t h e
m o n a r c h y because it t h o u g h t that the A l b a n i a n
people w e r e longing f o r this and f o r the h a n g -
man Zog.
T h e B r i t i s h Intelligence S e r v i c e w a s c a r r y -
ing these cartridges in its b a n d o l i e r against the

195
peoples w h o w e r e f i g h t i n g . T h e r e f o r e w e h a d t o
be v e r y v i g i l a n t t o w a r d s the m a n o e u v r e s of the
British.
Despite t h e i r efforts they w e r e u n a b l e to
create a g o v e r n m e n t in exile headed by Z o g . T h e
fierce, far-sighted, resolute a n d u n c o m p r o m i s i n g
fight of our P a r t y i n f l i c t e d this defeat on t h e m .
T h i s was the m a i n factor.
Besides this there w a s the G r e e k question.
The Greek government in exile claimed Southern
A l b a n i a a n d d i d not recognize the status quo of
A l b a n i a before the occupation. It w o u l d consider
the creation of a r o y a l A l b a n i a n g o v e r n m e n t in
e x i l e an attack of the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t against
this c l a i m . ( 1 ) A t t h a t t i m e B r i t a i n h a d r e l a t i v e l y
greater interest i n G r e e c e t h a n i n A l b a n i a . T h i s
d i d not m e a n it h a d f i n a l l y g i v e n up hope of
u s i n g Z o g (2) f o r its plans.
_____________________________________
1 In connection w i t h the recognition of a government in
e x i l e headed by Zog, a F o r e i g n O f f i c e document, N o . E 48 says
that It w o u l d certainly do considerable h a r m to our relations
with the Greek Government. (FO 371/37138-3690. PRO. Taken
from the photocopy of the original found in the AIH, Tirana.)
2 On August 9, 1944, A. D e w of the Foreign O f f i c e w r o t e to
the Secretary of the A n g l o - A l b a n i a n Association among other
things:
2. T h e suggestion that an A l b a n i a n Government in exile should
be recognised has been kept constantly under review, but it is
not felt that the appropriate moment for this step has yet
arrived.
(FO 371/43555-3278. PRO. Taken from the photocopy of the ori-
ginal found in the AIH, Tirana.)

196
 S u c h m a n o e u v r e s of the B r i t i s h to create a
g o v e r n m e n t i n e x i l e a n d t o re-establish the r e -
gime of Z o g against the w i l l of the people w e r e
v e r y dangerous. S u c h a people, w h o h a d a h i s -
tory f u l l of sufferings, a people h a r d e n e d to w a n t
and d i f f i c u l t i e s , u n d e r t h e leadership o f the C o m -
m u n i s t P a r t y , w o u l d k n o w h o w t o defend t h e i r
rights against w h o e v e r m i g h t dare to engage in
t r i c k e r y at t h e i r expense, w o u l d be capable of
establishing t h e i r o w n f o r m o f government,
w h i c h w o u l d ensure a l l the freedoms a n d demo-
cratic r i g h t s f o r t h e m .
H a d w e m a d e one s m a l l m i s t a k e i n this d i -
rection, w e w o u l d h a v e j e o p a r d i z e d e v e r y t h i n g
just as the Y u g o s l a v C o m m u n i s t P a r t y , the
F r e n c h C o m m u n i s t P a r t y , the G r e e k C o m m u n i s t
P a r t y a n d m a n y other c o m m u n i s t parties j e o p a r d -
ized a n d lost e v e r y t h i n g . T h e B r i t i s h had A h m e t
Zog, A b a z K u p i o r the K r y e z i u s ready. B u t o u r
Party showed exemplary determination, v i g i l -
ance a n d M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t p o l i t i c a l m a t u r i t y , l o y -
alty to the people a n d to its ideology, M a r x i s m -
L e n i n i s m . N o concession w a s made t o t h e m a n d
t h e i r plans w e r e smashed to smithereens.

In one m e e t i n g w h i c h I h a d w i t h the head

of the B r i t i s h mission, G e n e r a l Davies, I h a d
M u s t a f a w i t h me, to serve also as i n t e r p r e t e r on
this occasion.
W h e n w e w e r e r e t u r n i n g t h r o u g h the forest
to o u r base, on the w a y M u s t a f a said to m e :
197
 W e are w a g i n g a heroic w a r , f u l l of s a c r i -
fices, and nobody a b r o a d hears about it, w h i l e
the Y u g o s l a v s have a special station of t h e i r o w n
w h i c h broadcasts, of course, f r o m Moscow.
There's n o t h i n g we can do about this, G j i n i -
shi, I said. I n this d i r e c t i o n o n l y M o s c o w can
t a l k about us, but we have no Soviet m i s s i o n
here. Nevertheless, w e s h a l l continue the w a r a n d
e v e n t u a l l y the w o r l d w i l l l e a r n w h a t a great fight
our people, led by the P a r t y , h a v e p u t up.
T h a t is so, said G j i n i s h i . These B r i t i s h we
have here aren't h e l p i n g us. P e r h a p s they have
orders, but m a y b e they are just d u l l - w i t t e d a n d
l a c k i n g i n i t i a t i v e . T h e y don't u n d e r s t a n d the
great i m p o r t a n c e o f A l b a n i a i n the B a l k a n s . W e
ought to f i n d the w a y to interest the g o v e r n -
ment of our B r i t i s h allies in our war.
T h i s alerted a l l m y senses.
I am a bit t i r e d , Mustafa, I said. Let's sit
d o w n a n d have a cigarette. A n d w e l i t u p .
H o w c o u l d w e interest the B r i t i s h g o v e r n -
m e n t ? H a v e y o u thought about this? I c o n t i n u e d
the conversation.
W e s h o u l d send one or t w o comrades to
L o n d o n o n behalf o f the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b -
e r a t i o n F r o n t , he replied, to p u t f o r w a r d our
v i e w s there, o u r requests f o r arms, f o r aid, for
p r o p a g a n d a o n l y about our N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n
W a r , and f o r the exposure of the B a l l i K o m b t a r
a n d the quislings, because we are getting n o -

198
w h e r e w i t h these people of the B r i t i s h mission
and m e r e l y q u a r r e l l i n g a l l the time.
In order to discover more of M u s t a f a ' s p l a n
I continued:
It w o u l d be d i f f i c u l t . These people of the
B r i t i s h m i s s i o n have presented u s t o t h e i r s u p e r -
iors as savage enemies of the B r i t i s h . I don't
t h i n k it can be done.
If we d e m a n d it, c o n t i n u e d M u s t a f a , these
people are obliged to present o u r requests. L e t ' s
t r y it, w h a t h a v e we to lose?
M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i w a s quite shameless! I
understood this at the t i m e he proposed to M y s l i m
P e z a that h e s h o u l d meet a n d t a l k w i t h Q a z i m
M u l l e t i a n d I r f a n O h r i . N o w h e was proposing
that we s h o u l d send a delegation to L o n d o n .
N o , M u s t a f a , we must not do such a t h i n g .
I don't agree w i t h this idea, I said, in order to
a v o i d p u t t i n g h i m o n his g u a r d . F o r g e t about
it, because it w o u l d do us no good.
V e r y well, said M u s t a f a . but discuss it
w i t h the comrades in any case.
W h e n I met the comrades I i n f o r m e d t h e m
h o w M u s t a f a h a d f a l l e n into the t r a p a n d related
what had happened:
T h e s c o u n d r e l ! A n agent o f the Intelligence
Service, e x c l a i m e d one of the comrades, a n d in
fact, he w a s not m i s t a k e n .
Patience, I advised. W e m u s t not be hasty.
W e m u s t w a t c h h i m a n d get f u r t h e r proof.

199
 Y o u are s t i l l l i k e S a i n t Thomas, the c o m -
rade said to me.
W h e n I say that, I am not concerned about
h i m personally, I replied, but I t h i n k we s t i l l
need proof a n d facts to convince the circle of
people a r o u n d h i m , t o w h o m w e must m a k e i t
clear w h a t sort of a person he is. D o n ' t w o r r y ,
I told the comrades. Despite o u r c o n t i n u a l a d -
vice he w i l l not a b a n d o n his dangerous course.
W e ' l l be here a n d we s h a l l see the results of his
w o r k again.
W h o k n o w s h o w m a n y times other matters
cropped u p i n connection w i t h h i m .
Once, I don't r e m e m b e r w h e r e , M u s t a f a h a d
just come f r o m P e z a a n d I s u m m o n e d h i m to
report to me. A m o n g s t other t h i n g s he s a i d :
I have a proposal w h i c h I t h i n k is i m p o r t -
ant f o r the f u r t h e r development of the w a r
in C e n t r a l Albania.
M a k e the proposal, I said, we s h a l l study
it.
Well, he said, I've been w o r k i n g f o r some
time since we last met to organize up to t w o
shock brigades a n d have a c h i e v e d satisfactory r e -
sults in the region of D a r s i a . I've also been in
some villages across the S h k u m b i n , on the e r m a
side. If y o u ' l l sign the order, I s h a l l go a n d raise
these brigades, but there's s o m e t h i n g else I w a n t
f r o m y o u : I w a n t y o u t o give m e K a j o K a r a f i l i
as c o m m a n d e r f o r one brigade, w h i l e f o r the

200
other we s h o u l d propose a l o c a l c o m r a d e . T h u s ,
I, K a j o a n d the other c o m m a n d e r to be a p p o i n t e d ,
w i l l cover a w h o l e zone a n d w i l l a t t a c k t h e roads
a n d m a n y m i l i t a r y objects there.
T o w h o m w i l l they b e s u b o r d i n a t e ? I
asked.
D i r e c t l y to the G e n e r a l Staff, to you, he
replied. I s h a l l l e a d the actions a n d a p p l y t h e
orders as a m e m b e r of the G e n e r a l Staff.
W h a t becomes of M y s l i m in this p l a n ? I
asked, because to me M u s t a f a ' s a i m w a s q u i t e
clear: to separate h i m s e l f f r o m the c o m m a n d of
the f i g h t i n g zone of P e z a , hence f r o m the l e a d -
ership of Bab, a n d to f o r m a separate zone by
creating brigades u n d e r his leadership.
W e s h a l l m a i n t a i n close l i n k s w i t h B a b ,
co-operate w i t h h i m a n d co-ordinate o u r actions,
he a n s w e r e d .
H a v e y o u discussed this p l a n w i t h B a b
M y s l i m ? I asked h i m .
The cunning Mustafa blushed and replied:
No, I've not discussed it yet. I t h o u g h t we s h o u l d
discuss it a n d reach agreement first a n d t h e n
inform him.
Y o u h a v e n ' t acted w e l l , I said. N o t o n l y
should y o u have i n f o r m e d M y s l i m f r o m the m o -
ment y o u began this w o r k , b u t y o u s h o u l d have
received his consent before c o m i n g to me. I c a n -
not agree w i t h y o u , not about setting up t w o
brigades, because I agree that we s h o u l d o r g a n i z e

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t h e m as soon as possible, but over the creation
of another f i g h t i n g zone, alongside that of P e -
za, at a time w h e n the zone of P e z a extends to
the zone w h e r e y o u propose a n e w one and
w h e r e the i n f l u e n c e of M y s l i m is great. T h i s is
neither advisable n o r correct. A s f o r K a j o K a r a -
f i l i , I cannot give h i m to y o u . He is one of Bab's
outstanding commanders. M y s l i m can n e v e r p e r -
m i t the r e m o v a l o f K a j o f r o m P e z a .
In conclusion, I t o l d M u s t a f a , first, y o u
m u s t go and t a l k to B a b a n d report that there's
t h e possibility, a n d prove it, that t w o brigades
c a n b e set up, w h i c h w i l l operate u n d e r the l e a d -
ership o f M y s l i m P e z a . A s f o r the c r e a t i o n o f
another f i g h t i n g zone a n d a l l the other things
y o u proposed to me, they are not accepted.
M u s t a f a d i d not say a n y t h i n g t o M y s l i m
a b o u t this event a n d n o r w e r e the separate b r i -
gades f o r m e d , because the partisans of the region
o f P e q i n and D a r s i a h a d been a l r e a d y i n c o r p o -
rated i n the p a r t i s a n force o f P e z a a n d D u m r e
a n d some of t h e m in the battalions of L u s h n j a .
M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , w i t h his i n c l i n a t i o n s to be a
b i g shot, w a n t e d to create his o w n m i l i t a r y d o -
m a i n of Peqin-Darsia.
A t a subsequent m e e t i n g i n L a b i n o t o f E l b a -
san, at w h i c h several m e m b e r s of the G e n e r a l
S t a f f h a d gathered t o r e - e x a m i n e the p o l i t i c a l -
m i l i t a r y situation a n d t o take f u r t h e r measures

202
i n r e g a r d t o the f i g h t i n g , M y s l i m took m e aside
and said:
C o m r a d e E n v e r , the G e n e r a l S t a f f has p r o m -
ised m e a i d i n m o n e y t o b u y some weapons,
a m m u n i t i o n a n d reserve c l o t h i n g f o r w i n t e r , be-
cause w e need t h e m badly, b u t u p t i l l n o w w e
have received n o t h i n g . Please look into this m a t -
ter, a l t h o u g h I k n o w h o w hard-pressed y o u are
a n d w h a t other great needs o u r a r m y has, w h i c h
y o u h a v e to cope w i t h .
I ' m astonished at w h a t y o u are t e l l i n g me,
Bab, I said. It's o n l y t w o months since I sent
y o u t h e t w o h u n d r e d napoleons w h i c h w e r e p r o m -
ised t o P e z a , t h r o u g h M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i .
I t e l l y o u I h a v e n ' t received a penny, said
Myslim.
T e l l M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i to come here, I t o l d
a partisan, a n d M u s t a f a came w i t h that self-
confident w a l k , his face smooth-shaven a n d p o w -
dered.
S i t d o w n , m y f r i e n d ! M y s l i m said t o h i m .
Mustafa, I said, I gave y o u t w o h u n d r e d
napoleons f o r M y s l i m . W h y h a v e y o u not h a n d e d
t h e m o v e r ? W h a t h a v e y o u done w i t h t h e m ?
T h e f e l l o w t r i e d to b r a z e n it out as usual,
he began to j u s t i f y himself.
Yes, B a b , it's true, I took the t w o h u n d r e d
napoleons, but I d i d not h a n d it over, because

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k n o w i n g the needs o f P e z a . . . ( A n d h e r e l a t e d
h o w he had distributed it, s a y i n g that he g a v e
so m u c h to Hasan, so m u c h to H y s e n , so
m u c h to Sefer, to b u y this, that a n d the o t h e r
thing.)
This was more than what M y s l i m could to-
lerate and he shouted:
Stop beating about the bush, M u s t a f a ,
don't t r y t o put m e off w i t h these excuses. T h e
m o n e y was h a n d e d t o y o u f o r m e a n d y o u s h o u l d
have come a n d g i v e n it to me. H o w I w a s g o i n g
to spend it, w h o I w a s to charge w i t h this, t h i s
I w o u l d have a r r a n g e d myself, b u t y o u d i d n ' t
even i n f o r m m e a n d that i s not honest. A s soon
as I get back to P e z a , either the w e a p o n s m u s t
come, or y o u must r e t u r n the money.
These w e r e the sort o f things M u s t a f a G j i -
n i s h i d i d . B u t other even m o r e dangerous actions
of his w e r e to come a n d these w o u l d f i l l t h e
cup.
E v e r y e v e n i n g L o n d o n broadcast messages
over the B B C f o r the w h o l e n e t w o r k o f agents
of the B r i t i s h Intelligence S e r v i c e , stationed in
E u r o p e a n d other continents w h e r e f i g h t i n g w a s
going on. O n e n i g h t it began to broadcast m e s -
sages for A l b a n i a , too. These i n c o m p r e h e n s i b l e
messages w e r e g i v e n p e r i o d i c a l l y . N a t u r a l l y , t h e y
w e r e understandable o n l y b y those w h o expected
t h e m . T h e y spoke about the f r u i t s w h i c h are

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r i p e n i n g a n d other things w h i c h I h a r d l y r e -
m e m b e r n o w . F o r u s the i m p o r t a n t t h i n g was
to discover to w h o m these messages w e r e a d -
dressed a n d t h e n to t r y to f i n d out the content. It
was d i f f i c u l t . W h e n the m e m b e r s o f the B r i t i s h
m i s s i o n w e r e asked d i r e c t l y or i n d i r e c t l y , of
course, t h e y m a i n t a i n e d a g r a v e y a r d silence. We
had grave suspicions that the messages m i g h t be
addressed to the Ballists.
O n e night, w h e n several comrades a n d I
w e r e l i s t e n i n g t o the B B C , i t gave another mes-
sage f o r A l b a n i a . T h i s time, if I am not m i s t a k e n ,
the message spoke about the figs or w i l d cherries
w h i c h w e r e r i p e n i n g . T h e message w a s a d -
dressed to T a f a r i . I s p r a n g to my feet.
W h a t ' s w r o n g ? said the comrades.
T a f a r i is M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , I said.
Is t h a t a guess? they asked me.
No, I r e p l i e d a n d w e n t on to t e l l t h e m
about s o m e t h i n g that h a d h a p p e n e d in the past.
S h o r t l y after w e h a d f o r m e d the P a r t y a n d
w e r e w o r k i n g t o strengthen i t organizationally, w e
saw that A n a s t a s L u l a a n d S a d i k P r e m t e w e r e
c o n t i n u i n g t h e i r f a c t i o n a l w o r k w i t h i n the P a r t y
a n d t h e i r sabotage a m o n g progressive elements
close to the P a r t y . Because of this we h e l d the
E x t r a o r d i n a r y P a r t y C o n f e r e n c e i n w h i c h w e put
these t w o i n the d o c k a n d e l i m i n a t e d the ab-
scess, a s i s w e l l k n o w n . W e h a d called M u s t a f a

205
G j i n i s h i to attend this meeting, too, because he
w a s not w i t h o u t i n v o l v e m e n t , a l t h o u g h Q o r r i
a n d X h e p i w e r e the p r o b l e m .
It was a l o n g m e e t i n g in the h o m e of Z e q i
A g o l l i . W e w e r e a l l i l l e g a l . H o w e v e r , i t w a s not
easy to get the t r u t h out of Q o r r i a n d X h e p i .
A l m o s t s t u p i f i e d b y the t h i c k fog o f tobacco
smoke w e w e r e obliged t o take repeated b r e a k s
to rest in the other r o o m w h e r e , besides d r i n k -
i n g coffee, we c o n t i n u e d to s m o k e tobacco.
D u r i n g one of these breaks, Q o r r i h a d sat
d o w n near me, h a n g i n g his head w i t h his face
l i k e a cobra and s m o k i n g in silence. M u s t a f a
came i n , stood in f r o n t of A n a s t a s a n d said to
him:
Q o r r i , t e l l u s w h a t y o u have t o tell, because
y o u are m a k i n g u s tired.
A n a s t a s raised his head, l o o k e d G j i n i s h i i n
the eye, slapped his t h i g h a n d s a i d :
Listen, M u s t a f a , l i s t e n y o u , ' T a f a r i ' . D o n ' t
t r y to come the b i g m a n over me, because I've
done n o t h i n g . B e t t e r confess y o u r o w n sins w h i c h
even a r i v e r c o u l d not w a s h a w a y .
T h a t is w h e r e I h e a r d f o r the first time t h a t
A n a s t a s L u l a called M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i T a f a r i .
I gave it no i m p o r t a n c e , because the n a m e R a s
T a f a r i or H a i l Selassie I h a d become f a m i l i a r to
us at the t i m e of the w a r in A b y s s i n i a .
H o w e v e r , w h e n the B B C m e n t i o n e d t h e

206
name T a f a r i i n its message, m y m e m o r y c l i c k e d
at once a n d I made the connection.
I'm sure of this, I t o l d the comrades. W e
must c a l l M u s t a f a a n d persuade h i m t o a d m i t
it.
D o n ' t be hasty, said someone, we s h a l l
certainly ask h i m , b u t we must act so that we
get the b i r d i n t o the cage, because there's a
danger he m a y give us the slip. N o w he has
heard the messages, he m a y suspect that we a r e
on his trail.
D u r i n g those days M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i was i n
T i r a n a . F o r some t i m e h e h a d been n a g g i n g m e
for p e r m i s s i o n to go there, in order to meet
C u n g u w h o h a d c o n t r o l of the t r u c k s of a m i n -
istry i n order t o a r r a n g e w i t h h i m the t r a n s p o r t
of the g r a i n w h i c h we w e r e to b u y to store as
a reserve, as w e l l as to do c e r t a i n other jobs,
a s h e p u t i t himself. W e h a d g i v e n h i m t w o
days leave, b u t f o u r days h a d gone by a n d he
had not r e t u r n e d . I w a s c o n v i n c e d that he w o u l d
achieve n o t h i n g , because the question of the
transport of g r a i n was s i m p l y a pretext f o r h i m
to go to T i r a n a . I sent N a k o [Spiru], w h o w a s in
T i r a n a , a letter* in w h i c h , amongst other things,
I w r o t e : W e are not h a p p y about the business of
___________________________

* Enver H o x h a , Works, v o l . 1, p. 454, A l b . ed.

207
M u s t a f a . T h e ' M u k j e question', ( 1 ) a n d the leaflet
w h i c h was issued, h a v e m a d e us t h i n k a great
d e a l about the message f r o m L o n d o n f o r T a f a r i
a n d the A l b a n i a n g o v e r n m e n t w h i c h the B B C m e n -
tions, a n d w h i c h it regrets that we do not have,
etc. I told h i m also that these things ought to m a k e
t h e m reflect a little, too, because t h e a t t i t u d e
of M u s t a f a seemed to me precisely the a t t i t u d e
of someone w i t h a w o r r y on his m i n d , w h o is
constantly h a u n t e d by the fear he m i g h t be e x -
posed. W e m u s t check up on his connections
a n d movements w i t h o u t fail, I advised N a k o ,
hence, w e must p l a y our h a n d v e r y c a r e f u l l y u n t i l
we discover the d i r t y l i n e n he is t r y i n g to hide.
T h a t i s h o w w e acted. W e w a i t e d f o r M u s t a -
__________________________________

1 On August 1-2, 1943, the 2nd meeting of representatives of

the B a l l i K o m b t a r and the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n c i l
was held i n the village o f M u k j e . T h e r e Y m e r D i s h n i c a and
M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , f a i l i n g to adhere to the instructions w h i c h they
had been given, f e l l into the positions of reaction. T h e y c a p i -
tulated to the B a l l i Kombtar, treating it as an anti-fascist orga-
nization, and agreed to share the leadership of the N a t i o n a l
L i b e r a t i o n W a r and the p o l i t i c a l power w i t h the representatives
of this traitor organization and accepted the proposal of the
Ballists to create a so-called committee for the salvation of A l b a -
nia w i t h equal numbers of representatives, w h i c h w o u l d have
meant the l i q u i d a t i o n of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n -
c i l and violation of the interests of the people and the H o m e -
l a n d . On the initiative of Comrade Enver H o x h a , the CC of the
C P A , and the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n c i l rejected the
M u k j e Agreement as a dangerous and u n p r i n c i p l e d compromise

208
fa to r e t u r n to L a b i n o t . I s u m m o n e d h i m to the
r o o m w h e r e I w o r k e d . It was a d r a m a t i c n i g h t .
M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , I said, w h a t was that
message the B B C broadcast a f e w days ago?
W h a t c o n n e c t i o n has this broadcast w i t h you?
I k n o w n o t h i n g about it, C o m r a d e E n v e r ,
he r e p l i e d v e r y red-faced, a n d to give me the
impression that he w a s i n d i g n a n t at this question,
a l t h o u g h he was u n a b l e to hide his a l a r m , he
c o n t i n u e d : W h y d o y o u ask me? W h a t d o y o u
suspect? I am a patriot, a c o m m u n i s t . W h a t sort
of question is this that y o u ' r e a s k i n g me?
H e w a s i l l a t ease and, l i k e the w i l y d e v i l
he was, he t r i e d to w r i g g l e l i k e an eel.
G j i n i s h i , I said, tonight y o u are g o i n g to
tell the P a r t y e v e r y t h i n g , or otherwise I shall
t e l l it, a n d I reeled off one by one the things
w e h a d observed: the v e r y c o r d i a l t a l k s w i t h
C o l o n e l N i c h o l l s i n B i z a , the proposal t o send r e p -
resentatives to L o n d o n , the b a g of gold that he
had g i v e n K a a i , a n d so on.
Come on, speak, w h a t have y o u to t e l l the
P a r t y ? I said in a stern tone.
Instead of r e p l y i n g he l i t a cigarette.
I l i t one, too, as if I w a n t e d to take the c o n -
versation m o r e c a l m l y .
Tell me h o w matters stand? I said. W h a t
connection h a v e y o u w i t h the B r i t i s h ? W h a t
mischief h a v e y o u been up to? Because the l e v e l
o f the p u n i s h m e n t , w h i c h the P a r t y w i l l mete

209
out to you, depends on y o u r e x p l a n a t i o n of this
matter. T h i s has great i m p o r t a n c e f o r o u r P a r t y .
Therefore, e x p l a i n e v e r y t h i n g to us.
F o r h o u r s o n end M u s t a f a t u r n e d a n d t w i s t e d
l i k e a snake caught by the head a n d t r i e d
to deny e v e r y t h i n g . F i n a l l y , hard-pressed in the
face of m a n y facts, w i l l y - n i l l y he w a s obliged to
confess and, b r i e f l y , this is w h a t he a d m i t t e d : he
said he w a s not a spy of the B r i t i s h , b u t h a d
collaborated w i t h t h e m for the good o f A l -
b a n i a ! H e h a d f i r s t m a d e contact w i t h the B r i t -
ish i n Y u g o s l a v i a , w h e r e h e h a d met L t . - C o l .
O a k l e y - H i l l . H e h a d sent h i m t o A l b a n i a together
with Abaz Kupi.
M y crime, said M u s t a f a , is that I d i d not
i n f o r m the P a r t y about this, a n d about w h a t
o c c u r r e d later. T h e P a r t y d i d its u t m o s t t o h e l p
me, b u t I t h o u g h t a n d acted on my o w n responsi-
b i l i t y a n d a c c o r d i n g to the decisions we took w i t h
Hill.
W h a t w e r e these decisions?
These decisions, he continued, were that
I should organize the w a r i n A l b a n i a w i t h the
patriots, a n d possibly also w i t h the c o m m u n i s t s .
Y o u k n o w something o f m y a c t i v i t y here, b u t
y o u do not k n o w that a certain C u n g u , sent f r o m
L o n d o n , entered a n d left the c o u n t r y secretly i n
order to m a k e contact w i t h me. I r e p o r t e d to h i m
o n the situation, m y a c t i v i t y a n d w h a t I i n t e n d e d
to do.

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 W h a t instructions d i d C u n g u give y o u ?
H e encouraged me. He told me to continue
on this course a n d opened the prospect that later
w e w o u l d h a v e greater possibilities f o r w o r k . I n
confidence, he t o l d me that I s h o u l d w o r k w i t h
great care a n d persistence to m a k e contact w i t h
M e h d i F r a s h r i a n d convince h i m t o g o a b r o a d .
' N a t u r a l l y , ' c o n t i n u e d C u n g u , 'later w e shall o r -
ganize his d e p a r t u r e a n d y o u r s f o r L o n d o n a n d
there M e h d i w i l l f o r m a n A l b a n i a n g o v e r n m e n t
in exile. W i t h or w i t h o u t Z o g at the head, this
we s h a l l study because it w i l l depend on the
circumstances e x i s t i n g at that time.'
A n d w h a t else? I p u t i n .
H e , C u n g u , p u t m e i n contact w i t h the
T u r k i s h consulate, c o n t i n u e d M u s t a f a , because
it h a d s t i l l not been w i t h d r a w n a n d he gave me
a contact w i t h a person f r o m T i r a n a . We de-
cided that w e w o u l d send the n e w s f r o m the
country, i n f o r m a t i o n a n d reports t h r o u g h this
channel. He also gave me the passwords w h i c h
y o u h a v e h e a r d f r o m the B B C , ' w h i c h , ' C u n g u
told me, ' y o u w i l l hear o n l y w h e n w e have
reached conclusions i n connection w i t h several
m a j o r p r o b l e m s about w h i c h w e have t a l k e d .
D o n ' t w o r r y , ' h e t o l d me, 'because w e s h a l l f i n d
the w a y t o i n f o r m y o u w h e n y o u s h o u l d listen'.
T h i s w a s the essence of the matter.
T h e r e a n d t h e n I s u m m o n e d several c o m -

211
rades w h o were in L a b i n o t at that t i m e a n d related
t o t h e m a l l that M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i h a d t o l d me.
A f t e r s h o w i n g that we took a v e r y stern
v i e w of his a c t i v i t y , I said to M u s t a f a :
W h a t p u n i s h m e n t d o y o u deserve f r o m the
P a r t y f o r these things y o u have done, f o r this
treachery in the service of a f o r e i g n capitalist
power?
Shooting, said G j i n i s h i a n d he took out his
r e v o l v e r a n d l a i d i t o n the table. L e t the P a r t y
m a k e its decision, I shall w a i t in the y a r d , he
said and w e n t outside.
A f t e r several hours of t h r a s h i n g the m a t t e r
out amongst ourselves, w e i g h i n g u p e v e r y t h i n g :
the circumstances of the w a r , G j i n i s h i ' s social
circle a n d acquaintances, the danger he repres-
ented, his treacherous a c t i v i t y , his arrogant, b i g -
shot character, his complete confession of his
activity, we decided not to c o n d e m n h i m to death.
W e s u m m o n e d h i m a n d after once m o r e l i s t -
i n g a l l the faults of w h i c h he w a s guilty, one by
one, we asked h i m again if he h a d a n y t h i n g else
to say, w h e t h e r he felt r e m o r s e f u l a n d w h e t h e r he
w o u l d give the P a r t y his w o r d that h e w o u l d a b a n -
d o n this course forever. H e r e p l i e d that f r o m
n o w on he w o u l d r e m a i n l o y a l to death to the
P a r t y a n d the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r . T h e n
w e t o l d h i m that the P a r t y w a s m a g n a n i m o u s
a n d w a s going t o p a r d o n h i m once again, but that
he must u n d e r s t a n d c l e a r l y that he m u s t atone

212
for these e v i l things he h a d done t h r o u g h deeds,
through fighting.
Thus we parted w i t h Mustafa Gjinishi on
this occasion. H o w e v e r , even in the f u t u r e he
never became a good m a n , b u t c o n t i n u e d his
course of b e t r a y a l a n d r e m a i n e d an agent of the
British.
T h i s was a dangerous a n d d i a b o l i c a l a c t i v i t y
w h i c h w o u l d h a v e b r o u g h t colossal damage t o
the people, the H o m e l a n d a n d o u r N a t i o n a l
L i b e r a t i o n W a r , i f w e h a d not cut a l l the threads
of it. N o t h i n g h a d escaped or w o u l d escape the
v i g i l a n t eye o f the P a r t y . T h e B r i t i s h a n d t h e i r
agents w e r e not g o i n g t o have t h e i r w a y i n A l -
bania as they hoped. Of course, we also uncovered
the details of this m a t t e r w h i c h M u s t a f a was
compelled to admit, i n c l u d i n g the detail that
Q o r r i k n e w his p s e u d o n y m . A l l this helped u s
greatly because it made us even m o r e v i g i l a n t .

M a y 1944. W e w e r e i n H e l m s o f S k r a p a r ,
engaged in preparations f o r the Congress of P r -
met. I h a d f i n i s h e d the general outline of the
report, the statement a n d the other m a i n d o c u -
ments of this i m p o r t a n t congress w h i c h w a s to
m a r k a stage of historic i m p o r t a n c e in o u r N a -
tional L i b e r a t i o n W a r a n d the people's power. I t
was a n h i s t o r i c event w h i c h our P a r t y h a d care-
f u l l y p r e p a r e d t h r o u g h its correct a n d consistent
M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t line a n d t h r o u g h the course of

213
the w a r . T h e h o l d i n g of the Congress w o u l d have
m a j o r repercussions b o t h inside a n d outside the
country, a n d w o u l d give a f u r t h e r great i m p u l s e
to the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r against the oc-
cupiers a n d the traitors. H o w e v e r , o u r enemies,
both open a n d secret, w h o w e r e n o w seized w i t h
panic, w o u l d not sit idle, b u t on the c o n t r a r y ,
w o u l d strive w i t h e v e r y means to sabotage the
congress.
P r e c i s e l y on the eve of this historic event,
the B r i t i s h officer L t . - C o l . L e a k e ( 1 ) w a s d r o p p e d
in at Staravecka.
A f e w days after his a r r i v a l , he sent his b a t -
m a n to ask p e r m i s s i o n to pay me a courtesy visit.
I gave h i m a positive a n s w e r a n d the L t . - C o l o n e l
was not l o n g in c o m i n g . I received h i m at our
headquarters w h i c h w e h a d established i n old
M e h m e t ' s house.
A f t e r I h a d asked h i m some questions about
the development of the w a r on the fronts a-
gainst G e r m a n y i n E u r o p e , about w h i c h h e t o l d
me n o t h i n g concrete (the B r i t i s h officers w h o
w e r e sent to us w e r e a l l experts in t a l k i n g about
e v e r y t h i n g a n d s a y i n g n o t h i n g concrete), he asked
me about the w a r in A l b a n i a . I r e p l i e d in a
s i m i l a r fashion a n d took the o p p o r t u n i t y , as usual,
to t e l l h i m that o u r great B r i t i s h allies w e r e not
assisting us w i t h weapons. He r e p l i e d that he w a s
__________________________________
1 Chief of the section for A l b a n i a at Headquarters.

214
not au fait w i t h this question a n d that he had
come here to assist the w a r against the c o m m o n
enemy. L i k e the others, he made us some false
promises, but the fact was, a n d this we learned
later, that he h a d come for purposes completely
the opposite of those he expressed to us, that is,
not to assist us, b u t to sabotage the N a t i o n a l
Liberation War.
I gathered that he h a d been i n f o r m e d that
we w e r e going to h o l d a congress. This is a n o -
t h e r sign, I thought, w h i c h shows that the
B r i t i s h must have a n i n f o r m e r i n our ranks.
A n d this i n f o r m e r was M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i . F o r
some t i m e this h a d become m o r e t h a n clear to me.
W h e n the day f o r o u r d e p a r t u r e f o r P r m e t
was a p p r o a c h i n g , I sent this B r i t i s h officer an
i n v i t a t i o n f r o m the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t t o
attend the Congress of P r m e t as a representative
of our great ally, B r i t a i n . In the r e p l y w h i c h
he sent me, in w h i c h he also sought another meet-
i n g w i t h me, he said that he w o u l d not come
to the congress, because he h a d no a u t h o r i z a t i o n
f r o m his g o v e r n m e n t .
At the meeting, after the u s u a l exchange of
greetings, amongst other things I expressed my
regret that he was not going to attend the
congress.
I n m y o p i n i o n , L t . - C o l o n e l , the reasons y o u
give us are u n f o u n d e d . Y o u h a v e p l e n t y of time
to seek the a u t h o r i z a t i o n of y o u r g o v e r n m e n t

215
 A f t e r the question of the non-attendance of
the B r i t i s h L t . - C o l o n e l at the c o m i n g congress
w a s closed i n this w a y , h e l a u n c h e d into a n o l d
theme, the r e f r a i n o n w h i c h the B r i t i s h m i l i t a r y
missions a l l h a r p e d , a l t h o u g h they m u s t have l o n g
been clear on the a n s w e r they w o u l d get f r o m us
on this. Those a r r o g a n t people of old E n g l a n d
s t i l l h a d not come to t h e i r senses.
M r . H o x h a , I h a v e a request to put to y o u ,
or y o u m i g h t say, to let y o u k n o w that I w a n t
t o meet M r . T e f i k C f i r i a n d his fighters i n M a l l a -
k a s t r a a n d I w a n t y o u to help me in this, be-
cause I w a n t to hear w h a t he t h i n k s a n d w h a t
he is d o i n g in order to report to my g o v e r n m e n t
the t r u t h about the B a l l i K o m b t a r .
I felt the blood begin to m o u n t in my head.
I strove to keep my temper, b u t in the e n d I c o u l d
not c o n t r o l m y s e l f :
T h i s r e f r a i n of y o u r s is an old one, L t . - C o -
lonel, I said. I've h e a r d it so f r e q u e n t l y f r o m
y o u B r i t i s h that it has become s i c k e n i n g to me.
I n short, y o u w a n t t o h o l d meetings w i t h the
enemies of the A l b a n i a n people, w i t h the s w o r n
enemies of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t ; y o u ask
to meet the collaborators w i t h the nazi-fascist
occupiers. T h i s is a disgrace for y o u a n d u n a c -
ceptable to us.
M r . H o x h a , he snapped back, red-faced,
y o u cannot dictate t o m y g o v e r n m e n t w h a t i t
s h o u l d do.

216
 A t present, M r . Representative o f the gov-
e r n m e n t of E n g l a n d , y o u are in the p a r t i s a n zones.
The A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t a n d
its p a r t i s a n a r m y r u l e here a n d not y o u r g o v e r n -
ment. Y o u m a y g o t o the B a l l i s t a n d c r i m i n a l
T e f i k C f i r i , a collaborator of the occupiers, y o u
m a y also g o w i t h h i m t o T i r a n a , i f y o u w i s h , b u t
u n d e r s t a n d clearly, if y o u go outside our l i b e r a t e d
territory, y o u c a n n e v e r come back here to us.
The People's N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , w h i c h
we represent, is the master here. I put the m a t t e r
c l e a r l y : e i t h e r w i t h u s o r w i t h o u r enemies, take
y o u r choice! a n d I i m m e d i a t e l y rose to my feet
g i v i n g the i m p r e s s i o n that the t a l k was over. T h e
Lt.-Colonel was d u m b f o u n d e d b y this r e p l y
w h i c h he h a d not expected. He put on his cap,
t u c k e d his b a t o n u n d e r his a r m a n d took his
leave red-faced. N i k o , see the L t . - C o l o n e l out,
I said to a p a r t i s a n a n d he a n d old M e h m e t es-
corted h i m to the gate.
D u r i n g these days, M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i h a d
come to H e l m s . Of course, I t o l d the comrades
w h a t h a d o c c u r r e d w i t h the B r i t i s h L t . - C o l o n e l
and a l l o f t h e m w e r e i n d i g n a n t w h e n they h e a r d
of his a i m s a n d told me that I h a d acted v e r y
w e l l , just as he deserved. M u s t a f a , too, expressed
the same o p i n i o n .
T h e day came f o r us to leave f o r P r m e t .
E a r l y i n the m o r n i n g w e m a d e r e a d y a n d the
c a r a v a n of partisans a n d horses left H e l m s and

217
t o o k the road d o w n t o w a r d s S t a r a v e c k a . A n o t h e r
comrade a n d I d e l a y e d a little in the house of
N e v r u z and N u r i h a n where we were staying.
M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i w a s the last to leave old
M e h m e t ' s house after the w h o l e c a r a v a n h a d
gone, a n d he t h o u g h t that we, too, h a d gone w i t h
it. Hence, he w a s sure there w a s no one b e h i n d
h i m . W e came out w h e n h e h a d gone r o u n d the
bend f r o m w h i c h H e l m s c o u l d n o longer b e
seen, a n d a s w e w e r e going d o w n the h i l l , w e saw
a B r i t i s h soldier h u r r y i n g t o w a r d s the b e n d . We
stepped up our pace a n d a r r i v e d in t i m e to see
w h a t they w o u l d do. T h e B r i t i s h soldier q u i c k l y
h a n d e d G j i n i s h i a letter a n d left i m m e d i a t e l y .
M u s t a f a t u r n e d his head, realized that w e h a d
seen e v e r y t h i n g , p u t the letter in his pocket a n d
c o n t i n u e d o n his w a y .
W h e n w e caught u p w i t h h i m a n d demanded
that he h a n d over the letter, he t o l d us: I shall
not s u r r e n d e r the letter alive. A n d he d i d not
s u r r e n d e r it. W e abused h i m , c a l l i n g h i m e v e r y -
t h i n g , w h i l e a l l he said w a s : D o as y o u l i k e . I
am w h a t I am a n d this is w h a t I s h a l l r e m a i n .
W e ' l l t a l k t o y o u again i n P r m e t , w e
said a n d ended the conversation w i t h this s c o u n d -
rel w h o h a d c e r t a i n l y received a n order f r o m the
B r i t i s h to sabotage the Congress of P r m e t . H o w -
ever he was unable to do so, because by n o w
he was a valueless card. As soon as we got to
Prmet, I immediately informed Spiro M o i s i u and

218
that n i g h t I w e n t to B a b M y s l i m a n d told h i m
e v e r y t h i n g . M y s l i m was absolutely r e v o l t e d . W h e n
I told h i m that if G j i n i s h i c o n t i n u e d in this w a y ,
w e w o u l d arrest h i m a n d h a n d h i m o v e r t o the
m i l i t a r y court, M y s l i m said t o m e : A p p o i n t m e
president of the court. I also i n f o r m e d M e d a r
S h t y l l a w h o , f o r his part, i n f o r m e d a n u m b e r of
other comrades a m o n g w h o m M u s t a f a m i g h t h a v e
some i n f l u e n c e . In fact he approached some of
them, b u t got a hostile reception f r o m a l l .
He t r i e d to sabotage the decisions w h i c h w e r e
to be t a k e n about our government, about Z o g .
etc. a n d t o m a k e people discontented. B u t w e d i d
not a l l o w h i m to do so a n d f o l l o w e d close on his
heels at e v e r y step. F i n a l l y , w h e n the cup w a s
filled I summoned h i m and told h i m bluntly: This
is the last t i m e that I shall w a r n y o u . W a t c h out!
D o n ' t sabotage o u r w o r k , because I s h a l l give the
order to arrest y o u a n d p u t y o u on t r i a l . I
saw t h a t he w a s r e a l l y f r i g h t e n e d , because he
w e n t pale, his eyes shifted f r o m here to there,
he t r i e d to m u t t e r some sort of protest, b u t
c o u l d not d o so. H e w e n t w i t h his head d o w n
a n d shoulders d r o o p i n g .
O n the l a s t d a y o f the Congress, w h e n w e
w e r e eating a m e a l w i t h a n u m b e r of delegates,
I was i n f o r m e d that a B r i t i s h L t . - C o l o n e l h a d
come a n d was a s k i n g to see me. B r i n g h i m
here, I said. It w a s the famous L t . - C o l o n e l
w i t h w h o m I h a d q u a r r e l l e d at H e l m s , because

219
h e w a n t e d t o meet T e f i k C f i r i . F o l l o w i n g the
custom, I i n v i t e d h i m to j o i n us in the m e a l .
Y o u h a v e come late, L t . - C o l o n e l , I s a i d .
N o w e v e r y t h i n g is over.
T h e proceedings of the Congress h a d been
brought to a successful conclusion. Its decisions,
w h i c h emerged f r o m the b a r r e l o f the p a r t i s a n
rifle, w e r e v i t a l f o r the A l b a n i a n people w h o i n
the past, too, h a d h a d to h o l d historic congresses
l i k e the C o n v e n t i o n o f L e z h a ( 1 ) , the A l b a n i a n L e a -
gue of P r i z r e n , the Congress of L u s h n j a (2), etc.
f r o m w h i c h appeals f o r a i d w e r e addressed t o
the G r e a t P o w e r s , w h e r e a s w i t h the C o n g r e s s
of P r m e t things w e r e different. It asked n o -
body f o r a i d . F r o m n o w on, the people t h e m -
selves w o u l d decide the fate of A l b a n i a . T h e t i m e
w h e n A l b a n i a w a s called a g e o g r a p h i c a l e x p r e s -
sion or w a s considered a t o k e n f o r b a r t e r w a s
over. T h e Congress o f P r m e t w a r n e d the i m -
perialist G r e a t P o w e r s that history w a s not to be
repeated, the A l b a n i a n delegates w o u l d no l o n g e r
be h u m i l i a t e d as they w e r e in the past by
_____________________________
1 On M a r c h 2, 1444, the leaders of the A l b a n i a n insurgents,
under the leadership of Skanderbeg, held an assembly in L e z h a
and pleged to unite the A l b a n i a n forces in the fight against the
Ottoman invaders.
2 It was held on J a n u a r y 28, 1920, and rejected the Secret
Treaty of L o n d o n of 1915 on the partitioning of the A l b a n i a n ter-
ritory. T h e delegates f r o m almost a l l parts of A l b a n i a decided
that its complete independence must be preserved a n d elected
a national government, etc.

220
B i s m a r c k a n d L o r d B e a c o n s f i e l d a n d t h e i r suc-
cessors w h o tore K o s o v a f r o m A l b a n i a a n d gave
it to the K i n g s of S e r b i a , that n o b o d y w o u l d
ever again be p e r m i t t e d to act l i k e Sazonov, the
f o r e i g n m i n i s t e r of the C z a r of Russia, w h o c a l l e d
S h k o d r a a n omelette f o r the P r i n c e N i c o l a o f
M o n t e n e g r o . T h e Congress of P r m e t t o l d the
A n g l o - A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s t s u n e q u i v o c a l l y that
t h e i r ships c o u l d n e v e r l a n d K i n g Z o g i n D u r r s ,
as the G r e a t P o w e r s d i d in the past w i t h the
G e r m a n P r i n c e W i e d , w h o became a p l a y t h i n g
in t h e i r hands, that the f l a g of S k a n d e r b e g , the
flag of A l b a n i a , w o u l d wave proudly over V l o r a
and S a z a n . T h e Congress t o l d the imperialists
that the t i m e h a d passed w h e n they c o u l d sent-
ence A l b a n i a n patriots to death because they
raised t h e i r f l a g i n K o r a , that the f l a g o f A l b a n i a
w o u l d never again b e raised i n G j i r o k a s t r a u n d e r
the protection of the bayonets of the I t a l i a n
G e n e r a l F e r r e r o (1) a n d u n d e r the threats of the
supporters of V e n i z e l o s .
T h e delegates to the Congress of P r m e t
signed these decisions, t r a n s m i t t e d t h e m to the
w o r l d a n d these w e r e the decisions that p r o u d ,
m i l i t a n t , r e v o l u t i o n a r y A l b a n i a , l e d b y its g l o r i -
ous P a r t y , p r o c l a i m e d there t o the A n g l o - A m e r -
icans a n d t h e i r lackeys.
_______________________
1 In J u n e 1917, for its o w n imperialist aims, Italy staged
in G j i r o k a s t r a the proclamation of independence of A l b a n i a
under the shield and protection of the K i n g d o m of Italy.

221
 I thought y o u said y o u w e r e not going to
j o i n us, I said to the B r i t i s h officer.
I've not come f o r the Congress, he said,
I came o n l y to say goodbye to you.
W h e r e do y o u i n t e n d to go? I asked h i m .
I'm leaving for England, he answered.
A h , goodbye then, I said. D o y o u n e e d
any assistance?
I w a n t to go to the Coast. A ship w i l l come
there to take me to Italy. Therefore, please g i v e
me one or t w o partisans as an escort.
Of course, I said a n d issued the o r d e r f o r
t w o partisans to escort h i m to P o l i a n of G j i r o -
kastra. Do y o u w a n t a n y t h i n g else? I asked
him.
No, he r e p l i e d a n d left.
A p p a r e n t l y L e a k e h a d t h o u g h t h e s h o u l d pass
this w a y i n order t o discover s o m e t h i n g about
the proceedings of the Congress, perhaps to m a k e
contact w i t h G j i n i s h i and, i f t h i s p r o v e d i m p o s -
sible, to f i n d out w h a t h a d happened about the
orders w h i c h h e must have g i v e n i n the letter
w h i c h he sent by the E n g l i s h soldier a n d about
G j i n i s h i himself after the event o n the w a y .
T h e B r i t i s h L t . - C o l o n e l d i d not reach the Coast,
because he w a s k i l l e d at S h e p e r of Z a g o r i a d u r -
ing a German bombing raid. He was killed in
his sleep by a direct h i t on a w h i t e tent w h i c h
his colleague, M a j o r T i l l m a n , h a d erected against
the advice of the P a r t i s a n S t a f f of the V l o r a -

222
G j i r o k a s t r a 1st O p e r a t i o n a l Zone. T h u s , the de-
legate of G r e a t B r i t a i n w a s unable to report to
his centre about w h a t w a s o c c u r r i n g i n A l b a n i a
w h e r e a l l the plans of the B r i t i s h w e r e f a i l i n g ,
one after the other.
A f t e r the Congress o f P r m e t w e sent M u s -
tafa G j i n i s h i to the N o r t h to the partisan d e t a c h -
ments. Once a g a i n w e treated that person w i t h
indulgence. H o w e v e r , the w o l f m a y change his
s k i n but does not forget his habits. Regardless
of the h e a v y b l o w he h a d received, even there
h e d i d not give u p his m a n o e u v r e s a n d e v i l -
doing t o attack the P a r t y a n d w i n people t o
his side. I received a report f r o m the staff of
the 1st D i v i s i o n w h i c h said that one day M u s t a f a
G j i n i s h i h a d t a k e n H a x h i Seseri aside, a s was
his habit, a n d after c o m p l a i n i n g to h i m , h a d said
to h i m a m o n g other things, Since M u k j e , the
P a r t y has not l o o k e d o n m e a n d D r . D i s h n i c a
w i t h a k i n d l y eye. T h e y h a v e n ' t g i v e n me t h e
responsibility that is due to me, w h i l e t h e y ' v e
made H a x h i L l e s h i M i n i s t e r o f the Interior. T h e
P a r t y is a f r a i d , because I h a v e a great deal of
i n f l u e n c e a n d s u p p o r t a m o n g the p e o p l e . . . , t h e y
are a f r a i d of me because I s y m p a t h i z e w i t h the
B r i t i s h . R e c e n t l y I've h a d a t a l k w i t h C o m r a d e
Enver H o x h a w i t h w h o m I had a big quarrel.
A n d h e h a d asked H a x h i , c o n t i n u e d the report,
t o t e l l M y s i m P e z a that h e s h o u l d intervene w i t h
the comrades to h a v e T a f a r i r e t u r n e d to P e z a

223
as q u i c k l y as possible. T h e f e l l o w w a s so s h a m e -
less as to ask M y s l i m to i n t e r v e n e ! B u t after
a l l that M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i h a d done, B a b M y s -
l i m never w a n t e d to set eyes on h i m again, let
alone take h i m t o P e z a .
In A u g u s t 1944, a B r i t i s h o f f i c e r sent me
a message t r a n s m i t t e d f r o m his H e a d q u a r t -
ers ( 1 ) w h i c h s a i d : F o r G e n e r a l H o x h a . I r e -
gret t o i n f o r m y o u that M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i w a s
k i l l e d on the f r o n t of the 1st D i v i s i o n . He a n d
S m i t h f e l l into a n a m b u s h b y a G e r m a n p a t r o l .
S m i t h escaped unscathed. G r e a t loss f o r the a l -
l i e d cause. F i n a l l y the officer added on his o w n
behalf: M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i w a s a l w a y s a great
f r i e n d of ours.
I t e m e r g e d more t h a n c l e a r l y f r o m t h i s d o c u -
m e n t w h a t a loss the death of M u s t a f a G j i -
n i s h i was to the B r i t i s h . B u t f o r us it emerged
just as c l e a r l y that up to the m o m e n t he d i e d
beside M r . S m i t h , h e r e m a i n e d a n agent a n d
l a c k e y of the B r i t i s h .
______________________________

1 T h e Headquarters of the S O E in B a r i , Italy, transmitted

to M i s s i o n Consensus I I :
Smith reported August 28 as f o l l o w s : M u s t a f a and self sepa-
rated from escort, ambushed by H u n patrol at range 10 yards.
F i r s t fire w o u n d e d G j i n i s h i but w h i l e assisting h i m to cover,
second burst k i l l e d h i m . Self unhurt. (Signals from SOE Head-
quarters in Bari, Italy, to Mission Consensus II, May-Oct. 1944;
No. 202, p. 53).

224
 V

T H E BRITISH A N D A B A Z K U P I

McLean: What is Mr. K u p i saying? Bazi i

Cans his games. The leaflet and Legaliteti.
The Kupi-Davies meeting: the apprentice ren-
ders account to his master. The underhand deals
of the minor Zog with the British, the Ger-
mans, the Ballists and the quislings. McLean in
Albania again. General Wilson's note. Ultimatum
to the ultimatum. Order: Abaz K u p i and his
gangs must be routed. The end? The shep-
herds board ships, the flock left in disarray.

In the f i r s t days of J u l y 1943 we gathered at

L a b i n o t a n d f o r m e d the G e n e r a l S t a f f of the
National Liberation A r m y .
A f t e r w e h a d f i n i s h e d the meeting, M c L e a n
came there, too, to congratulate us on the success
achieved. H e k n e w some o f those w h o took part
i n the Conference, b u t d i d not k n o w others. H e
pretended to be m e e t i n g B a z i i Cans f o r the first

225
time, but I noticed that the eyes of the t w o of
t h e m w e r e g l e a m i n g w i t h joy w h e n they met.
W i t h o u t doubt t h e y h a d f o u n d the w a y t o c o m -
m u n i c a t e w i t h each other p r e v i o u s l y .
B a z i i Cans, w i t h that c u n n i n g crooked face
of his, was a l l smiles a n d spoke sweetly to the
Major. Standing pompously behind B a z i was M u -
rat B a s h a , f o r m e r l y one of Zog's senior officers,
a n i g n o r a n t p a r o d y o f a n officer. H e presented
himself a s the a d j u t a n t engaged w i t h A b a z K u p i ' s
w a r plans, stood there at a t t e n t i o n just b e h i n d
the m i n o r Z o g w i t h a p a i r of b i n o c u l a r s w h i c h
seemed to be p e r m a n e n t l y s l u n g r o u n d his neck,
i n fact h e m i g h t e v e n have slept w i t h t h e m .
I e x p l a i n e d to M c L e a n that the G e n e r a l S t a f f
o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y w o u l d greatly
e x t e n d the w a r against the occupiers, w o u l d
create brigades a n d later, divisions.
Therefore, I added, we present to y o u
our request f o r a r m s a n d a m m u n i t i o n , because
the q u a n t i t y y o u have d r o p p e d us so f a r is so
s m a l l as to be h a r d l y w o r t h m e n t i o n i n g . Is
that not so, comrades? I asked those a r o u n d m e .
That is so! t h e y a l l r e p l i e d at once, apart
f r o m B a z i i Cans w h o addressed the f o l l o w i n g
words to me:
T h e y s h o u l d also d r o p a r m s i n M a t a n d a
B r i t i s h m i s s i o n s h o u l d come there, too, just as
they have gone t o M r . M y s l i m a n d M r . H a x h i .

226
 W h a t i s M r . K u p i s a y i n g ? asked the B r i -
tish M a j o r , w h o c o u l d not conceal his p a r t i c u l a r
interest.
E x p l a i n , I s a i d to M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i . A f t e r
M u s t a f a h a d translated, the B r i t i s h M a j o r s a i d :
We s h a l l be v e r y h a p p y to f u l f i l his desire
if the G e n e r a l S t a f f p e r m i t s us.
D o we p e r m i t i t ? I asked C o m r a d e S p i r o
Moisiu.
I say yes, r e p l i e d S p i r o , a n d a d d e d :
N o w , M r . B a z i , y o u have no further
grounds f o r delay, because y o u w i l l have w e a -
pons a n d w i l l be able to f i g h t .
That's w h a t I ' m here for, said B a z i , g i v i n g
h i m a sour look.
W h a t i s M r . K u p i saying? asked the B r i -
tish M a j o r again.
E x p l a i n the s o l e m n promise M r . A b a z has
made. I t o l d M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i again.
B u t what was Mr. K u p i ?
W e k n e w h i m w e l l , b u t the u n f o r t u n a t e
people o f K r u j a a n d Ishm, D u r r s a n d K a v a j a
k n e w h i m even better. U n d e r the regime o f Z o g
this illiterate rose to the r a n k of g e n d a r m e r i e
commander. H e was the strong a r m of the
despot Z o g . T h r o u g h crimes, u n d e r h a n d deals a n d
robbery of the c o m m o n people, B a z i i Cans
enriched h i m s e l f a n d was p r o m o t e d t o the r a n k
of m a j o r . He k i l l e d a n d t o r t u r e d the poor peas-

227
ants and e x t e r m i n a t e d a l l his opponents, m a d e
himself o m n i p o t e n t a n d the executor of the
deeds of his p a t r o n . F o r these merits, in the
first days of A p r i l 1939, after the f a i l u r e of
efforts t o come t o t e r m s w i t h the D u c e , A h m e t
Z o g entrusted B a z i w i t h p r o t e c t i n g his retreat
to Greece. T h e sons of the people f o u g h t the
b l a c k s h i r t s i n D u r r s . M u j o U l q i n a k u a n d other
sons of the people whose hearts b l e d f o r A l b a n i a
w e r e k i l l e d , w h i l e B a z i i Cans f i r e d a f e w shots,
but f o r purposes quite the opposite of those of the
o r d i n a r y fighters w h o shed t h e i r b l o o d f o r the
H o m e l a n d . B a z i i Cans f o u g h t to protect t h e
departure of his p a t r o n and, as soon as he h e a r d
t h a t H i s M a j e s t y h a d crossed the b o r d e r safe
a n d sound, took to his heels h i m s e l f .
H e r a n a w a y t o T u r k e y a n d there, l i k e his
master, l i v e d v e r y c o m f o r t a b l y o n the w e a l t h h e
h a d squeezed f r o m the enslaved people. F r o m
T u r k e y A b a z K u p i was enticed t o Y u g o s l a v i a b y
the agents of S e c t i o n D of the Intelligence
S e r v i c e precisely w h e n the resistance of o u r peo-
ple was o n the upsurge. T h e r e t h e y p r e p a r e d h i m
to return to A l b a n i a in order to fish in troubled
waters.
F i n a l l y B a z i i Cans entered A l b a n i a w i t h
his pockets f u l l o f gold sovereigns a n d l a y
l o w i n the villages o f K r u j a l i k e a h u n t e r
a w a i t i n g the m o m e n t w h e n the p r e y comes his
way.

228
 S h e v q e t V r l a c i , w h o was q u i s l i n g p r i m e
m i n i s t e r at t h a t time, l e a r n e d of his a r r i v a l and,
on the u r g i n g of the Italians, sent T a h s i m B i s h -
q e m i as his agent to m a k e approaches to h i m .
H o w e v e r , B a z i i Cans w a s a c u n n i n g f o x a n d
not to be s n a r e d easily. He w a s w e l l acquainted
w i t h the c h a r a c t e r o f Z o g ' s f o r m e r f a t h e r - i n - l a w ,
his r i v a l a n d f a m i l y enemy, w h o m , o n Zog's
orders, he h a d attempted to m u r d e r . T h e bey of
E l b a s a n n e v e r forgot this. Nevertheless, B i s h q e m i
carried to his bosses the r e p l y that B a z i w o u l d not
annoy the Italians p r o v i d e d t h e y left h i m i n
peace. T h i s pleased the I t a l i a n fascists, because
for the t i m e b e i n g it w a s not to t h e i r advantage
t o m a k e t r o u b l e w i t h A b a z K u p i , a n d thus the
question of his presence there w a s passed o v e r in
silence to be t a k e n up again w h e n the conditions
were r i p e .
T h e m o m e n t came. V r l a c i f e l l a n d was r e -
placed b y M u s t a f a K r u j a ( M e r l i k a ) , a n even more
savage executioner of o u r people, l o n g - t i m e agent
o f the S I M a n d a n old f r i e n d o f A b a z . T h i s was
a good chance f o r B a z i to emerge f r o m his lair.
T h r o u g h the m e d i a t i o n of t h e i r hirelings, these
t w o scoundrels h e l d a m e e t i n g in a remote c o r n e r
of K r u j a . l i k e thieves in the darkness of the night,
far f r o m the eyes o f the w o r l d . E a c h k n e w the
other w e l l . B a z i i Cans t r i e d to convince M u s t a f a
K r u j a about the need f o r Z o g t o r e t u r n , but
M u s t a f a K r u j a , w h o h a d sold his soul t o the

229
f o r e i g n e r s to achieve his dreams, w o u l d not s u r -
render the throne so easily. He r e c k o n e d his o w n
accounts, w h i c h w e r e different f r o m those o f
A b a z K u p i a n d Z o g , w h o was l i v i n g i n the l u x u r y
hotels of L o n d o n . So they w e r e unable to reach
a n agreement, a s t h e y d i d i n 1920, w h e n t h r o u g h
t h e i r t r i c k e r y t h e y p r e v e n t e d the r e g i o n o f K r u j a
f r o m being represented at the Congress of L u s h -
n j a . M e r l i k a a t t a c k e d B a z i i Cans a n d f o r c e d h i m
t o leave the l a i r w h e r e h e was l y i n g i n w a i t
f o r his p r e y . T h e chameleon t h o u g h t the m o m e n t
h a d come to change his colour t e m p o r a r i l y . B a z i
a n d his h e n c h m e n e x p l o i t e d this attack to pres-
ent themselves as opponents of the occupiers a n d
t h e quislings. T h e y began t o p u b l i c i z e l o u d l y that
t h e patriot A b a z K u p i w a s f i g h t i n g f a s c i s m !
I n t h i s w a y h e deceived a n d r a l l i e d a r o u n d h i m -
self m a n y people w h o t r u l y w a n t e d t o fight the
occupier.
I n these circumstances the N a t i o n a l L i b e r -
ation M o v e m e n t i n v i t e d A b a z K u p i t o the C o n f e r -
ence of P e z a . He postponed his r e p l y f o r a short
t i m e u n t i l he received the a p p r o v a l of the B r i t i s h
S p e c i a l Operations E x e c u t i v e , w h i c h i n s t r u c t e d
h i m t o j o i n this m o v e m e n t a n d erode a n d u n d e r -
mine it from within.
B a z i i Cans w o u l d have l i k e d the C o n f e r -
ence of P e z a to be a m e e t i n g of s w i n d l i n g b a j r a k -
tars t o s k i n t h e people, a s i n the past. A t P e z a
i t w o u l d have pleased h i m t o f i n d the o l d w o r l d ,

230
the w o r l d of pseudo-democrats, m e n of c o m p r o -
mise a n d traitors, those w h o changed t h e i r f l a g
a h u n d r e d times, those w h o sold t h e i r h o n o u r
and t h e H o m e l a n d f o r f i v e pieces of silver, those
w h o t r i e d t o keep the people i n darkness i n order
to lead t h e m by the nose m o r e easily, to m a k e
t h e m serfs a n d t o m i l k t h e m dry. T h e r e h e w o u l d
have l i k e d t o have h a d his o w n friends.
H o w e v e r , f o r h i m a n d his bosses these things
r e m a i n e d o n l y desires. Those w h o h a d gathered
at P e z a w e r e v a l i a n t a n d resolute m e n , the c r e a m
of the people, the c o m m u n i s t s together w i t h
genuine u n w a v e r i n g democrats, stern opponents
of u n p r i n c i p l e d c o m p r o m i s e a n d of fascism, w h o
represented a w h o l e people w h o h a d risen to
t h e i r feet f o r f r e e d o m . B a z i d i d not suspect
that the sound p o l i t i c a l a n d o r g a n i z a t i o n a l f o u n d -
ations of a great m o v e m e n t w h i c h w o u l d unite
the people in the struggle, w e r e b e i n g l a i d there,
the f o u n d a t i o n s of a progressive democratic state,
of a p o w e r f u l a r m y w h i c h w o u l d withstand any
storm a n d tempest and w o u l d defeat the savagest
enemies w h i c h m a n k i n d h a d seen a n d d r i v e t h e m
f r o m the H o m e l a n d .
A l t h o u g h A b a z K u p i w a s faced w i t h some-
t h i n g u n e x p e c t e d at P e z a , he j o i n e d in the dance
and, as t h e c u n n i n g rogue he was, in order to
f u l f i l the task closest to his heart a n d the desire
of his patrons, he decided to keep in step u n t i l
the o p p o r t u n e m o m e n t a r r i v e d . H e pretended t o

231
accept the historic decisions, of the C o n f e r e n c e of
P e z a , w h i l e r e a l l y b e l i e v i n g that w h a t w a s de-
cided a n d the pledge w h i c h w a s m a d e there w o u l d
r e m a i n o n paper, a n d that those y o u n g f e l l o w s
w h o h a d gathered there, those resolute c o m m u n -
ists and patriots w h o were l i n k e d b y the blood a n d
s u f f e r i n g of a w h o l e people, w o u l d n e v e r be able
to achieve the things w h i c h t h e y pledged to
achieve.
T h i s ignorant a n d ruthless b a j r a k t a r w a s not
a m a n of his w o r d , n o r a f i g h t i n g m a n ; he was
always a creature of t r e a c h e r y h a t c h e d up in d a r k
holes a n d corners, a n d a slave to f o r e i g n m o n e y .
W e k n e w this, therefore w e kept v i g i l a n t w a t c h
o n his e v e r y step. F o r appearances' sake A b a z
K u p i pledged that h e w o u l d f i g h t the enemy,
w h i l e i n r e a l i t y h e avoided a n y clash w i t h the
e n e m y a n d , l i k e the t r i c k s t e r he was, t r i e d to
take the credit f o r the heroic deeds and the b l o o d -
shed of the v a l i a n t fighters w h o f e l l in battle
in the t o w n s a n d villages. B u t this w a s not to go
for long, either. Despite his manoeuvres, in the
N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t he c o u l d see no r a y of
hope f o r the sinister plans h e w a s h a t c h i n g u p
and indeed, in it he saw the d o o m of his a m b i -
tions a n d those of his p a t r o n s b e h i n d the scenes.
A b a z K u p i also l o o k e d askance a t the
B a l l i K o m b t a r . H e c o u l d not r e g a r d i t a s a n y
basis f o r his purposes. He k n e w that this basket
of crabs c o n t a i n e d a m o t l e y of characters: there

232
were some w h o h a d once been opponents of Z o g
because he h a d r o b b e d t h e m of t h e i r soft p o s i -
tions; there w e r e some w h o posed as opponents,
but t h e i r opposition was o n l y i n w o r d s ; t h e r e
were others l i k e N u r e d i n B e y V l o r a , w h o m Z o g
had c o n d e m n e d to death in the past because t h e y
had a t t e m p t e d to seize his t h r o n e ; a n d there w e r e
also those, l i k e M u s t a f a K r u j a and Shevqet V r -
laci, o p e n l y l i n k e d w i t h fascism, w h o kept i n t h e
b a c k g r o u n d , i n the B a l l i K o m b t a r ; hence, every
k i n d of r e a c t i o n a r y p o l i t i c i a n and hardened
c r i m i n a l , b o t h p o l i t i c a l a n d c o m m o n , had f o u n d
shelter i n the B a l l i K o m b t a r . A b o v e a l l B a z i
k n e w that great a n a r c h y p r e v a i l e d i n that o r g a n -
ization, hence he p u t no stock on it. He h a d e x -
pressed t h i s l a c k of f a i t h to G e n e r a l Davies. B a z i
i Cans h a d d i s p l a y e d his d i s d a i n f o r the B a l l i
K o m b t a r at S h n g j e r g j , too, at the meeting
w h i c h h e a n d D a v i e s h e l d w i t h the chiefs o f the
B a l l i K o m b t a r , w h o h a d made the G e n e r a l ' s
head r i n g w i t h t h e i r t a l k about ethnic A l b a n i a
a n d the j u r i d i c a l a r g u m e n t s t h e y reeled off to
let h i m k n o w w h a t great t h i n k e r s t h e y w e r e .
The G e n e r a l h i m s e l f h a d t o l d F r e d e r i k N o s i this.
D u r i n g the discussions b e t w e e n the G e n e r a l
and the chiefs of the B a l l i K o m b t a r , the sol-
dier A b a z K u p i c o u l d not keep s t i l l ; h e w e n t i n
and out of the r o o m w h e r e the m e e t i n g w a s
being h e l d . H e was i m p a t i e n t w i t h t h e i r stand

233
a n d frequently w i n k e d at Colonel Nicholls to
deride them.
T h i s was the person o n w h o m G r e a t B r i t a i n
p i n n e d its hopes to get c o n t r o l of l i t t l e A l b a n i a .
In L o n d o n they thought, Italy w i l l be a defeated
c o u n t r y ; we c a n be sure we s h a l l get c o n t r o l of
Y u g o s l a v i a t h r o u g h the g o v e r n m e n t of Subasic,
w h i c h w i l l m a n o e u v r e w i t h T i t o a n d the p a r t i -
sans; in Greece we hope to establish a g o v e r n -
m e n t u n d e r o u r i n f l u e n c e , w h i c h w i l l restore the
monarchy.
B u t w h a t were t h e y t o d o about A l b a n i a ?
O v e r a l o n g p e r i o d the B r i t i s h m i n i s t e r s and
consuls h a d c o n t i n u a l l y served u p t o t h e i r g o v e r n -
m e n t the idea that A l b a n i a w a s a c o u n t r y w i t h
a b a c k w a r d , illiterate p o p u l a t i o n , w i t h o u t c u l -
ture, incapable of g o v e r n i n g itself a n d that it
c o u l d not exist as a free a n d independent state,
therefore it h a d to be t a k e n u n d e r the w i n g of
a great power, w h i c h , a c c o r d i n g to the taste of
the B r i t i s h politicians, ought to be none other
t h a n B r i t a i n itself! I n the o p i n i o n o f B r i t i s h d i p l o -
m a c y A l b a n i a was n o w a p r e y w h i c h h a d n o w a y
of escape, h o w e v e r m u c h it t r i e d , c o u l d not l i v e
alone a n d , therefore, i n one w a y o r another w o u l d
f a l l into the m o u t h o f the B r i t i s h L i o n . A l t h o u g h
B r i t i s h d i p l o m a c y was fed u p w i t h the tale
of the regime of Z o g , in t h i s regime it f o u n d a
modus vivendi f o r its plans. In the past Z o g
h a d been brought to p o w e r by W r a n g e l ' s forces,

234
but i n L o n d o n t h e y thought, T h i s t i m e w e s h a l l
take h i m t o A l b a n i a . I t was G e n e r a l P e r c y a n d
L t . - C o l . H i l l w h o organized the g e n d a r m e r i e for
Zog.
T h e so-called opposition t o Z o g h a d m e l t e d
a w a y l i k e s n o w f l a k e s i n the w a t e r . T h i s f o r m e r
Opposition h a d n o w become the q u i s l i n g g o v e r n -
ment, the B a l l i K o m b t a r , etc. The r e a l o p p o s i -
t i o n today, t h o u g h t L o n d o n , is c o m p r i s e d of the
c o m m u n i s t s a n d the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t ,
b u t w e s h a l l sweep t h e m a w a y . H o w could t h e y
sweep t h e m a w a y ? B r i t i s h d i p l o m a c y thought
that c o m m u n i s m was something i m p o r t e d into
A l b a n i a f r o m a b r o a d a n d a s such i t h a d n o basis
w i t h i n the c o u n t r y . I n its o p i n i o n , the A l b a n i a n
people m i g h t accept almost a n y t h i n g , b u t c o m -
m u n i s m n e v e r ! L o n d o n w a s c o n v i n c e d o f this,
also, because it proceeded f r o m w h a t it w a s h a t c h -
ing up in Greece and Yugoslavia. The British
b e l i e v e d that it w o u l d be no great p r o b l e m to get
A l b a n i a into the bag, a l t h o u g h t h e y c o u l d see
w i t h t h e i r o w n eyes the heroic resistance of the
A l b a n i a n people. T h e i r f i r s t attempt was the i n f i l -
t r a t i o n o f t h e i r agents, M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , A b a z
K u p i a n d other t w o - f a c e d i n d i v i d u a l s i n t o the
N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t i n order t o u n d e r m i n e
it from within.
W h e n they s a w that this p l a n w a s f a i l i n g , the
B r i t i s h started o n another p l a n . T h e y thought
that the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t a n d the p a r t i -

235
s a n w a r were s i m p l y a p h e n o m e n o n of the
Tosks, o f S o u t h e r n A l b a n i a , therefore i n the
e x i s t i n g conditions they believed A l b a n i a m u s t
be split into t w o parts d i v i d e d by a w i d e g u l f :
into T o s k r i a a n d G e g r i a . A c c o r d i n g t o t h e m ,
the N o r t h w a s the cradle of the m o n a r c h y , that
was the place of v a l o u r a n d b r a v e r y , hence
the N o r t h w o u l d become a b a r r i c a d e against the
communists. T h e i r tools w o u l d b u i l d this b a r -
ricade, the strong m a n , A b a z K u p i , w h o w o u l d
w i n over the other chiefs, w o u l d f i g h t together
w i t h t h e m , w o u l d seize p o w e r a n d e v e n t u a l l y
establish the m o n a r c h y a n d Zog, the K i n g o f
the A l b a n i a n s , w o u l d be restored to his l e g i t i -
mate t h r o n e ! T h e w h o l e people w o u l d r a l l y r o u n d
the r e f o r m e r K i n g w h o w o u l d have B r i t a i n
and A m e r i c a as his great b a c k e r s ! (1)
________________________________

1 In a report on the situation in A l b a n i a w r i t t e n on A u g u s t

25, 1944, an A m e r i c a n w r o t e :
If the idea of d i v i d i n g the country into spheres of i n f l u -
ence on a T o s k - G h e g basis (as s h o w n above) seems sensible,
the A l l i e s should give it moral and even m i l i t a r y support. They
should forbid L N C to occupy by force northern towns held by
Nationalists and they should have means available to d r i v e them
out if L N C should seize those towns.
6. At the very earliest moment American troops to the
number of 5000 should be sent to T i r a n a and Durazzo in order:
a. To reassure Albanians that America is interested in her
[Albania's] fate.
b. To forestall possible occupation by a Russian task f o r c e . . .
c. To forestall the possibility that L N C might (if it conquered

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 P r o c e e d i n g f r o m these aims a n d plans L o n -
d o n set t o w o r k w i t h a l l its energy, o n the one
h a n d , to t h r e a t e n a n d i n t i m i d a t e us a n d , on the
other h a n d , to s t r e n g t h e n the positions of A b a z
K u p i i n C e n t r a l a n d N o r t h e r n A l b a n i a . T o assist
the r e a l i z a t i o n of these aims, C h u r c h i l l w o u l d
send J u l i a n A m e r y , the son of a m e m b e r of his
Cabinet, as t u t o r to the m i n o r Zog in the
m o u n t a i n s of A l b a n i a , just as he h a d sent his
o w n son, R a n d o l p h , t o T i t o .
T h e f i r s t attempt of B a z i i Cans a n d c o m -
p a n y t o b u r y the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t
was m a d e at the m e e t i n g in M u k j e . T h e r e he
t r i e d t o m a k e the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t f a l l
prey to the B a l l i K o m b t a r . T h e role of the p i m p s
i n getting B a z i into bed w i t h the B a l l i K o m b t a r
was p l a y e d b y the B r i t i s h officers w i t h M c L e a n a t
the head a n d his f r i e n d M e h d i F r a s h r i , w h o w a s
to m a k e his debut later on the stage of the G e r m a n
theatre. T h e p o l i t i c a l adventurers of the B a l l i
K o m b t a r such as A l i B e y K l c y r a , M i t h a t B e y
F r a s h r i , N u r e d i n B e y V l o r a a n d others forgot
t h e i r h o s t i l i t y to Z o g . F a c e d w i t h the danger of
_____________________________
the opponents) deny the right of the A l l i e s to occupy A l b a n i a .
T h i s is not an u n l i k e l y contingency.
d. To prevent f i g h t i n g between the Nationalists and Partisans
on the border of those territories assigned to each.
e. To have a force ready to invade Kossova if things get out
of h a n d there. (The Albanian situation Comments of August
25; 1944. FO 371/43554-3370. PRO: (From the photocopy of the
original in the AIH; Tirana.)

237
the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t , they w e r e
ready to sell t h e i r o w n mothers, let alone to
collaborate w i t h A b a z K u p i o r anyone else, just
so l o n g as they w e r e against the M o v e m e n t .
F o r the time being t h e i r a i m was t o strangle this
m o v e m e n t a n d a f t e r w a r d s t h e y w o u l d come t o
terms amongst themselves at the expense of t h e i r
permanent v i c t i m , s u f f e r i n g A l b a n i a .
B a z i i Cans a i m e d t o p a r a l y z e o u r w a r
t h r o u g h this u n i o n o n rotten foundations. T o
accept the M u k j e A g r e e m e n t w o u l d m e a n t o c a -
pitulate t o i n t e r n a l a n d e x t e r n a l reaction, t o
sanction the i n e v i t a b l e defeat of the N a t i o n a l
L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t . M u k j e w o u l d h a v e been
the A l b a n i a n V a r k i z a . B u t the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y
was not asleep. It i m m e d i a t e l y attacked the b e -
trayal of Y m e r Dishnica, A b a z K u p i and M u s t a -
f a G j i n i s h i a n d d i d not a l l o w the fathers o f
the n a t i o n to take over the reins, a n d t h e n
the soft seats, a n d l o r d it o v e r the people again.
T h e c a p i t u l a t i o n of Italy w h e t t e d the a p -
petite o f both B a z i a n d the B a l l i K o m b t a r . T h e y
s a w that Italy's ship h a d a l r e a d y sunk, its
horse h a d cast its shoes so they q u i c k l y changed
t h e i r tune. T h e y decided to go to the m o u n -
tains, to f i g h t the I t a l i a n occupiers, to s h o w
the people t h e i r heroic deeds a n d sacrifices,
because t h e y deceived themselves that i n t h i s w a y
t h e y c o u l d g a i n the soft seats.
O n e S e p t e m b e r day in 1943, we came across

238
a leaflet w h i c h spoke of this i m p o r t a n t d e c i s i o n
w h i c h h a d been t a k e n i n the m o u n t a i n s o f free
A l b a n i a by the v a l i a n t fighters of the h i g h -
lands w h o h a d risen again, as at other times
w h e n b l a c k clouds h a d appeared i n the s k y o f
A l b a n i a ! T h e chiefs o f the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d
A b a z K u p i , w h o signed that leaflet, h a d sounded
the a l a r m a n d the m e n of the highlands, those
m e n w h o h a d r e m a i n e d unaffected b y f o r e i g n
propaganda, h a d gathered in a c o n v e n t i o n a n d
had pledged to unite for the s a l v a t i o n of A l b a -
n i a ! O tempora! O mores! I do not i n t e n d to d w e l l
a t l e n g t h o n this q u e s t i o n i n m y m e m o i r s because
our w e l l - k n o w n w r i t e r Shevqet M u s a r a j has p o r -
t r a y e d the fight, the v a l o u r , a n d the other
deeds of the chiefs of the B a l l i K o m b t a r b e a u -
t i f u l l y in his s a t i r i c a l p o e m The Epic of the
Balli Kombtar.
W i t h the c a p i t u l a t i o n of fascist Italy, A b a z
K u p i a n d his h e n c h m e n f e l l u p o n the dead horse
l i k e hyenas. T h e y s t r i p p e d a n d robbed the Italian
soldiers a n d a r m e d t h e i r mercenaries w i t h the
weapons t h e y took. N o t w i t h o u t purpose, the
B r i t i s h officers, H a n d s a n d R i d d l e , i n D i b r a d i d
not w a n t to d i s a r m the I t a l i a n d i v i s i o n there, b u t
sent it to M a t . W h e r e v e r it s u i t e d h i m , B a z i i
Cans. w h o s t i l l h a d not f o r m a l l y b r o k e n his c o n -
nections w i t h the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t ,
used its n a m e a n d gave orders in the name of
the G e n e r a l Staff. He h a d done this several t i m e s

239
a n d d i d i t a g a i n i n D i b r a w h e n h e came out i n
support of the B r i t i s h officers' o r d e r that the
Italians s h o u l d b e d i s a r m e d i n his s t r o n g h o l d , M a t .
B y this t i m e the G e r m a n s h a d entered A l -
bania. A m o n g the t r a i t o r chiefs, L u m o S k n d o ,
A l i K l c y r a a n d others, whose m a n o e u v r e o f
going t o the m o u n t a i n s h a d t u r n e d out a n u t t e r
failure, the n a z i occupation gave rise to another
p l a n : to d r a w the chestnuts out of the f i r e w i t h
the bayonets of the H i t l e r i t e a r m y . B a z i i Cans
also w a n t e d to do this f o r his o w n aims, b u t he
d i d not w a n t t o b e associated w i t h the B a l l i K o m -
btar, because he w a n t e d to be in the f o r e f r o n t
himself a n d p e r s o n a l l y l i n k e d w i t h the G e r m a n s ,
but, a c c o r d i n g to the advice of the B r i t i s h , w i t h -
out a p p e a r i n g as t h e i r tool, as the B a l l i K o m b t a r
was d o i n g . W h i l e h e w a s t h i n k i n g u p f r e s h plans,
according t o his i n s t r u c t i o n s f r o m L o n d o n , i n S e p -
t e m b e r 1943, w e s u m m o n e d h i m t o take part
in the C o n f e r e n c e of L a b i n o t a n d at the same
t i m e t o e x p l a i n his attitude t o w a r d s the w a r a n d
the movement. B a z i d i d not come. He sent a b r i e f
note in w h i c h he w r o t e : I agree w i t h a l l the
decisions w h i c h w i l l b e t a k e n a t t h e C o n f e r e n c e ;
w o r k prevents m e f r o m coming. T h e s w i n d l i n g
b a j r a k t a r d i d not come to that m e e t i n g that w a s
so i m p o r t a n t to o u r people, u n d e r the pretext
that he was engaged in other w o r k , because
together w i t h M c L e a n , h e w a s p r e p a r i n g f o r the
creation of the N a t i o n a l - Z o g i t e P a r t y as a

240
p a r t y outside the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t
a n d opposed t o it. I t m e a n t n o t h i n g t o h i m that
he w a s v i o l a t i n g his pledge to the N a t i o n a l L i b -
e r a t i o n C o u n c i l t a k e n before the f l a g . O f course
this w a s not the f i r s t t i m e he h a d t r a m p l e d on
this f l a g !
We s a w that B a z i i Cans w a s on the move,
m a k i n g f r e q u e n t t r i p s t o the N o r t h , sometimes
alone a n d sometimes w i t h the B r i t i s h officers,
M c L e a n , H a n d s a n d R i d d l e . T h e y w e n t f r o m one
district to another, made contact w i t h the reac-
t i o n a r y chiefs o f D i b r a , w i t h M u h a r r e m B a j r a k -
tari, w i t h G j o n M a r k a g j o n i o f M i r d i t a a n d w i t h
N i k S o k o l i of M a l s i a e M a d h e . T h e y spread t h e i r
web to K o s o v a also, to the K r y e z i u s , w h o had
just r e t u r n e d f r o m Italy, a n d o t h e r reactionaries.
E v e r y w h e r e t h e y t a l k e d a n d made plans w i t h
i n d i v i d u a l s sold b o d y a n d soul to the enemy, and
w i t h B r i t i s h m o n e y f o r m e d alliances amongst
t h e m i n the m a n n e r o f the old r e g i m e a n d bought
the s w i n d l i n g b a j r a k t a r s w i t h m o n e y a n d p r o m i s -
es of posts. T h i s w a s precisely h o w Z o g operated
in the past.
A b a z K u p i t h o u g h t that the t i m e h a d come
for the c a r d of Z o g , that w a s in the hands of
reaction a n d the B r i t i s h , t o b e p l a y e d openly. T o
this end on S e p t e m b e r 18, 1943, a leaflet was
issued, w h i c h a n n o u n c e d t h e f o r m a t i o n of the
N a t i o n a l Zogite P a r t y , w h i c h a little later w o u l d
b e christened L e g a l i t e t i , headed b y A b a z K u p i

241
a n d a certain X h e m a l H e r r i , w h o m the people
called X h e m a l H o r r i (Rogue i n A l b a n i a n ) . L e -
galiteti l a u n c h e d a great p r o p a g a n d a c a m p a i g n
about the r o y a l genius, his w o r k , a n d the
care w h i c h he a n d the princesses d i s p l a y e d f o r
the A l b a n i a n y o u t h a n d the A l b a n i a n people!
The British brought Abaz K u p i photographs
s h o w i n g H i s M a j e s t y a n d the r o y a l f a m i l y w a l k -
i n g i n H y d e P a r k i n L o n d o n a n d these w e r e
p u b l i s h e d i n the w r e t c h e d n e w s p a p e r A t d h e u ,
which wrote nostalgically about the time
of the legal regime of Zog b u t said n o t
one w o r d against the occupiers. A f t e r he created
L e g a l i t e t i , B a z i w o u l d have t o d e a l w i t h t h e
G e r m a n s , not to f i g h t t h e m , b u t to collaborate
w i t h t h e m . A c c o r d i n g t o h i m , the G e r m a n s w e r e
in A l b a n i a temporarily. They merely wanted a
secure passage t h r o u g h the c o u n t r y , w h i l e the
d a n g e r c a m e f r o m the R e d s w h o w e r e l i n k e d
w i t h foreigners! T h i s w a s also the thesis of the
q u i s l i n g M e h d i F r a s h r i , that b l i n d tool o f t h e
Gestapo, w h o m the G e r m a n occupiers placed a t
the head of the R e g e n c y ( w h i c h w o u l d go-
v e r n the c o u n t r y i n the n a m e o f the k i n g t i l l
his return), and w h o became the sponsor of B a z i
i Cans at t h e G e r m a n C o m m a n d .
W h o was this person w i t h the s u r n a m e F r a -
shri?
H e h a d been a P a s h a o f T u r k e y i n E g y p t
a n d L e b a n o n . U n d e r the r e g i m e o f Z o g h e b e -

242
came p r i m e m i n i s t e r . W i t h the o c c u p a t i o n o f A l -
bania b y I t a l y the fascists took h i m t o R o m e a n d
established h i m i n the l u x u r i o u s V i c t o r i a H o t e l
where t h e y k e p t h i m , t h i n k i n g that one d a y h e
w o u l d be needed. T h e day came f o r h i m to be
used, but not b y M u s s o l i n i w h o h a d b r o k e n his
neck, b u t b y the n a z i C o m m a n d i n o u r c o u n t r y .
T h r o u g h the i n f l u e n c e of N e u b a c h e r , H i t l e r ' s
special representative for South-east E u r o p e ,
M e h d i F r a s h r i w a s b r o u g h t back t o A l b a n i a i n
September 1943. F r o m the t r i b u n e o f the A s -
sembly this patriot, w h o h a d put himself c o m -
pletely in the service of G e r m a n policy, sent
A b a z K u p i congratulations o n the war w h i c h
he w a s w a g i n g .
N o w B a z i i Cans h a d to p l a y t w o roles: as
a collaborator w i t h the G e r m a n s a n d the q u i s l i n g
g o v e r n m e n t a n d a s a c o l l a b o r a t o r w i t h the B r i -
tish (1). T h r o u g h these roles he a i m e d to m a k e a
reality of his d r e a m s of re-establishing the m o n -
__________________________
1 On M a r c h 15, 1944 B o x s h a l l sent M i c h a e l Rose at Foreign
Office the copy of a telegram f r o m Istanbul, i n f o r m i n g that
R a k i p Frashri, son of M e h d i , had brought a letter f r o m M E H D I
F R A S H R I t o T U R K I S H P R E S I D E N T declaring A l b a n i a though
occupied by G e r m a n troops n o w independent and requesting
T u r k i s h patronage enable her participate post w a r international
conferences on Balkans especially concerning federation. Letter
thought also to request T u r k i s h recognition of present A l b a n i a n
Government...
Stated G o v e r n m e n t opposed to Germans but unable to expel
them and u n w i l l i n g involve country in further sacrifices u n t i l

243
a r c h i c regime o f Z o g after L i b e r a t i o n . T o this
end h e h e l d several secret meetings w i t h G e r m a n
m i l i t a r y representatives a n d representatives o f
the q u i s l i n g p r i m e minister, M e h d i B e y F r a s h r i .
H e established close accord w i t h t h e m o n c o n d i -
t i o n that t h e y d i d not expose h i m . B u t i t w a s i n
v a i n f o r B a z i to t r y to a v o i d b e i n g seen as a
collaborator w i t h the G e r m a n s , w h o s u p p l i e d h i m
w i t h weapons a n d m o n e y a n d openly p e r m i t t e d
h i m t o p r i n t his w r e t c h e d newspaper A t d h e u i n
Malosmani's printery in Tirana. This organ of
the Zogite L e g a l i t e t i c i r c u l a t e d e v e r y w h e r e w i t h -
out h i n d r a n c e . Hence, i n p r i n c i p l e the G e r -
m a n s a n d M e h d i B e y a n d c o m p a n y h a d agreed
that Z o g s h o u l d b e r e t u r n e d t o A l b a n i a . B r i t a i n ,
too, supported this a i m , indeed it w a s its idea.
A s became apparent later, B r i t a i n h a d c e r t a i n l y
been n e g o t i a t i n g w i t h Z o g f o r some t i m e . M a j o r
_____________________________
A l l i e d landing. M E H D I constant touch w i t h A B A S K U P I a n d
entire country would support A l l i e d Forces...
R A G I P said M E H D I w i s h e d t o assist A l l i e s secretly and
expressed readiness to convey any special messages... He
alleges Germans totally ignorant of letter to President and
requests greatest secrecy.
A n d B o x s h a l l adds:
Cairo authorized Istanbul to pass a message back to
M e h d i F r a s h r i to the effect that a B r i t i s h liaison officer c o n -
versant w i t h A l b a n i a n matters w o u l d shortly be sent to A l b a n i a .
M e h d i Frashri w o u l d be at liberty to communicate w i t h this
officer through Kupi. (FO 371/43550-3372, PRO. Taken from
the photocopy of the original in the AIH, Tirana.)

244
M c L e a n ' s d e p a r t u r e f r o m the G e n e r a l S t a f f o f
our N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y a n d his subsequent
attachment incognito to B a z i i Cans c o n f i r m e d
this. M c L e a n became B a z i ' s direct l i n k w i t h L o n -
don a n d Z o g . H e g u i d e d B a z i a n d operated w i t h
h i m a n d the o t h e r b a j r a k t a r s against o u r m o v e -
ment and army. M c L e a n supplied the Zogite
reaction w i t h St. George's c a v a l r y ( 1 ) , w i t h w e a -
pons, m u n i t i o n s , c l o t h i n g a n d food. O u r G e n e r a l
Staff h a d i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t a B r i t i s h m i l i t a r y m i s -
sion headed b y M c L e a n a n d A m e r y was attached
t o the b a n d o f A b a z K u p i a n d the b a j r a k t a r s
round him.
We observed also, that B a z i i Cans, l i k e a
bandit, l i k e a b a j r a k t a r , w a s creating c e r t a i n m i -
l i t a r y a n d p o l i t i c a l organs. He created a so-called
S u p r e m e S t a f f a n d placed at the head of it one
of Zog's ex-officers, a c e r t a i n J a h j a a i , w h o
had been on o u r side at first, b u t l a t e r w e n t
over t o B a z i . T o g o w i t h this f o r m a l organ, f o r m a l
because this S u p r e m e S t a f f w a s not f o r w a r
against the G e r m a n s but a S u p r e m e S t a f f f o r
k i l l i n g chickens, B a z i i Cans also created a
so-called p o l i t i c a l base. W i t h some reactionary
chiefs a n d b a j r a k t a r s he h e l d the congress of
L e g a l i t e t i in N o v e m b e r 1943, w h i c h set itself the
task of a l i e n a t i n g the people f r o m the C o m m u n -
ist P a r t y , u n i t i n g t h e m a r o u n d itself a n d re-esta-
b l i s h i n g the m o n a r c h y headed b y Z o g . T h i s so-
__________________________
1 G o l d sovereigns.

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called congress w a s h e l d at Z a l l - H e r r u n d e r the
nose of t h e G e r m a n Gestapo, w h i c h closed its
eyes to this a c t i v i t y . At that so-called congress,
w h i c h h a d been hatched u p b y the B r i t i s h a n d
the G e r m a n s in silent collaboration, a fact that is
more t h a n clear to us, M c L e a n was present.
B a z i i Cans, this representative of the Z o -
gites, n o w began o p e n l y t o h o l d meetings w i t h
the b a j r a k t a r s of the N o r t h , n a t u r a l l y to u n i t e
t h e m against us a n d have t h e m r e a d y to support
Z o g i n the near f u t u r e . T h i s was the task w h i c h
the B r i t i s h Intelligence S e r v i c e h a d set h i m . T h e
p l a n h a d been w o r k e d out c a r e f u l l y .
M y forebodings about the B r i t i s h missions
were b e i n g p r o v e d correct, one after the other.
T h e B r i t i s h G e n e r a l D a v i e s h a d come t o
arrange c o m p r o m i s e a n d c o n c i l i a t i o n b e t w e e n us,
o n the one h a n d , a n d the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d
the Zogites, on the other. I rejected a n d denounced
this p l a n . A n d I was not m i s t a k e n i n m y j u d g e -
ment. A l t h o u g h the G e n e r a l e n c o u n t e r e d the
resolute s t a n d o f o u r P a r t y a n d the N a t i o n a l
L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , h e d i d not l a y d o w n his arms,
but d i d e v e r y t h i n g possible to realize his plans.
It was absolutely essential f o r h i m to meet the
agent of the B r i t i s h , M r . K u p i . I received r e -
ports that a scion of the M e m a j f a m i l y h a d come
t o G e n e r a l D a v i e s allegedly t o b r i n g h i m eggs
and in the basket of eggs he also h a d a letter
f r o m A b a z K u p i f o r the G e n e r a l . A t this t i m e

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F r e d e r i k h a d gone w i t h N i c h o l l s t o O r e n j a t o
arrange t h e i r w i n t e r quarters and, since o u r l i a i -
son o f f i c e r w a s not there to h i n d e r h i m , the
G e n e r a l w e n t s t e a l t h i l y t o meet A b a z K u p i i n
Shngjergj.
T h e i r m e e t i n g h a d not lasted l o n g . T h e a p -
prentice r e n d e r e d account to his master a n d r e -
ported to h i m on his v a l i a n t deeds and his plans
for the f u t u r e . A f t e r tossing h i m a bag of gold
coins, the G e n e r a l gave the m i n o r Z o g fresh
instructions. O n e of the m a i n d e m a n d s of B a z i i
Cans was t h a t Z o g s h o u l d send a message of
congratulations f r o m L o n d o n o n the w o r k w h i c h
was b e i n g done i n his n a m e a n d f o r h i m . B a z i
i Cans a n d a l l the r e a c t i o n i n A l b a n i a needed
this b a d l y to encourage t h e i r f o l l o w e r s a n d i n t i -
midate us. A p p a r e n t l y t h e y also agreed there that
they s h o u l d go together to t a l k w i t h the chiefs
of the B a l l i K o m b t a r , a l t h o u g h B a z i i Cans
placed no hopes in t h e m .
I n the t a l k s w h i c h the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l had
w i t h the chiefs o f the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d B a z i ,
u n d o u b t e d l y he r e a c h e d some conclusions of i n t e -
rest to h i m . O n e of t h e m w a s that these t w o
groups must be reconciled, o r g a n i z e d a n d s t r e n g -
thened f o r the sake of the f u t u r e . Thus, those
w h o w o u l d collaborate w i t h the G e r m a n s a n d
those w h o w e r e u n d e r the d i r e c t i o n o f the B r i -
tish w e r e to co-ordinate t h e i r activities in order to
fight the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t more

247
effectively. Of course, the decisive role in the
f u t u r e w o u l d b e p l a y e d b y B r i t a i n a n d those w h o
were u n d e r its d i r e c t i o n , that is, Z o g w o u l d be
the decisive t r u m p c a r d .
W h a t the agent o f the B r i t i s h , M u s t a f a G j i -
nishi, said to me, t h a t the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n
F r o n t s h o u l d send representatives t o L o n d o n t o
t a l k w i t h the B r i t i s h government, made the s i -
t u a t i o n even clearer to us. D a v i e s ' p l a n w a s that
a coalition b e t w e e n the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n
Front and black reaction should be formed in
London.
As I have e x p l a i n e d , the G e n e r a l a n d his
superiors i n L o n d o n took a k n o c k - b a c k w i t h o u r
reply, since t h e i r agent M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i h a d
c e r t a i n l y made his report t o t h e m . T h e w a y i n
w h i c h the G e n e r a l w o r k e d d i d not s u r p r i s e us.
He considered us enemies, w h i l e he considered
the quislings, the Zogites a n d the B a l l i K o m b t a r
allies o f B r i t a i n , a n d i t w a s o n t h e m that B r i t a i n
hoped t o r e l y i n the f u t u r e t o establish its i n -
fluence i n o u r c o u n t r y .
T h e s i t u a t i o n created i n A l b a n i a c o m p e l l e d
G e n e r a l D a v i e s to decide to go to L o n d o n to
report on the w o r k he h a d done, a n d that is
w h y he was so insistent on g o i n g to K o r a . I
have s p o k e n e a r l i e r i n these m e m o i r s about this
a n d about the fierce q u a r r e l w e h a d . W i t h o u t
doubt the G e n e r a l w a n t e d t o g o f r o m K o r a t o
Greece a n d t h e n t o L o n d o n . T h i s w a s m y i n i t i a l

248
deduction. S e e i n g h o w events developed later, I
a r r i v e d a t the c o n c l u s i o n that the G e r m a n o f f e n -
sive t o encircle o u r G e n e r a l S t a f f a n d w i p e out
the leadership o f the P a r t y a n d o u r a r m y a n d
the s u r r e n d e r o f the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l w i t h o u t
f i r i n g a shot, a l t h o u g h the partisans l e d by B a b a
F a j a d i d e v e r y t h i n g possible to get h i m out of
the e n c i r c l e m e n t , m i g h t have been a p l a n hatched
u p b y the B r i t i s h , the G e r m a n s a n d i n t e r n a l
reaction. T h e r e is no other e x p l a n a t i o n f o r the G e -
neral's w o r d s : Y o u are f i n i s h e d , y o u have lost
the w a r , s u r r e n d e r ! H o w e v e r , w e foiled t h e i r
p l a n a n d acted in s u c h a w a y that we broke
t h r o u g h the encirclement w i t h o u t great losses.
A b a z K u p i h a d h a d e n o u g h o f operating
against us u n d e r cover a n d w a s n o w c o m i n g out
openly. T h r e e times w e called h i m t o meetings
and he d i d not come. It w a s t i m e to settle m a t -
ters w i t h h i m because the c u p w a s f i l l e d t o
o v e r f l o w i n g . We sent h i m a f i n a l w a r n i n g to
come to a m e e t i n g in S h n g j e r g j of T i r a n a dis-
trict in the first w e e k of D e c e m b e r . F i n a l l y he
agreed. We decided that I s h o u l d go to the meet-
i n g w i t h t w o or three comrades. Regardless of the
danger w e w e n t a n d met h i m . I n order t o show
that we w e r e f r i e n d s a n d h a d no reason to be
a f r a i d o f h i m , w e took along o n l y f i v e o r six
people. T h i s w a s r i s k y because w e k n e w w h a t
a c r i m i n a l he was, but it was necessary to do this
for the sake of his r a n k - a n d - f i l e followers. If

249
B a z i w a s not going t o change his course, w e h a d
t o expose h i m . I n fact, the w a y i n w h i c h w e
acted was bold, because a l l a r o u n d the house
w h e r e w e h e l d the meeting, the o l d w o l f h a d
placed m a n y h a r d e n e d c r i m i n a l s a n d k i l l e r s w h o
were m e m b e r s o f his bands. B u t after a l l w e
h a d o u r t w o hands t o defend ourselves.
T h e talks, w h i c h I w i l l t r y t o r e p r o d u c e
here, a l t h o u g h I m i g h t leave s o m e t h i n g out b e -
cause it is a l o n g t i m e ago, began a n d ended in
a tense atmosphere.
A b a z K u p i began, I come to t h i s m e e t i n g
w i t h t h e N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n P a r t y as a patriot,
as representative of the ' L e g a l i t e t i M o v e m e n t ' ,
w h i c h is the p a r t y of H i s M a j e s t y Z o g I.
H e d i d not e v e n b l u s h o r g o pale. H e t h o u g h t
that w i t h s u c h a p o m p o u s d e c l a r a t i o n he w o u l d
convince u s t h a t w e h a d t o t a l k w i t h h i m a s
a n e q u a l . H e forgot t h a t w e h a d l o n g since w r i t -
ten h i m off, b u t w e r e concerned about the others
w h o w e r e s t i l l deceived b y his words.
The K i n g is a c o n v i n c e d democrat of u n r i -
v a l l e d generosity since he p e r m i t s other d e m o -
c r a t i c parties a n d e v e n deigns to recognize the
so-called ' N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n P a r t y ' w i t h i n the
'Legaliteti M o v e m e n t ' , he said.
So he h a d gone as f a r as that. He w a n t e d
to p u t us in o u r place.
B u t w h a t does this m e a n ? Y o u are s t i l l a
m e m b e r o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n -

250
c i l , M r . A b a z , w e said. D o y o u realize that
y o u are v i o l a t i n g the o a t h w h i c h y o u have t a k e n
before the f l a g a n d the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n C o u n -
c i l ? D o n ' t forget that the A l b a n i a n n e v e r breaks
his w o r d .
We s a w that he w a s stuck for a r e p l y a n d
shot a q u i c k glance a r o u n d his associates. As
usual M u r a t Basha was sitting a little behind
h i m t o his left. O n his r i g h t sat the b a j r a k t a r
B i l a l K o l a , whose expression changed f r o m time
t o time, b u t h e d i d not o p e n his m o u t h d u r i n g
the w h o l e m e e t i n g .
I o f f i c i a l l y left t h a t C o u n c i l since N o v e m -
ber. T h i s y o u m u s t k n o w because I h a v e p r o -
c l a i m e d it openly a n d honestly, he r e p l i e d .
Y o u e x c l u d e d y o u r s e l f de facto l o n g ago,
A b a z K u p i , a n d y o u have been operating b y
stealth, especially f o l l o w i n g the c a p i t u l a t i o n of
Italy, w e t o l d h i m .
That's n o t true, he protested, and w h a t ' s
more, after the c a p i t u l a t i o n of Italy it was I w h o
fought a t K r u j a .
A b a z K u p i w a s t e l l i n g u n a s h a m e d lies. H e
thought t h a t w i t h protest a n d w i t h s u c h proofs
he c o u l d u n d e r m i n e o u r position.
A s t o w h e r e y o u w e r e w h e n the f i g h t i n g
w a s g o i n g o n i n K r u j a , t h a t y o u k n o w yourself,
w e said. The people s a w w i t h t h e i r o w n eyes
w h o d i d the f i g h t i n g there. I t was the partisan

251
etas led b y H a x h i L l e s h i that shed t h e i r b l o o d .
Y o u a r r i v e d at the end just to a p p e a r as a ' l i b e -
rator'.
A l t h o u g h B a z i i Cans w a s a m a n w i t h o u t
schooling a n d w i t h o u t c u l t u r e , h e h a d a c q u i r e d
the a b i l i t y of a f o x that senses i m m i n e n t danger
a n d tries to dodge it. D u r i n g the t a l k he t w i s t e d
and t u r n e d just as he h a d done t h r o u g h o u t his
w h o l e life. B u t this t i m e the f o x was caught i n
the t r a p a n d c o u l d not get a w a y . A l l h e c o u l d d o
was t o t r y t o j u m p f r o m p o i n t t o p o i n t .
It is t r u e that I have been cool t o w a r d s the
C o u n c i l , he j u m p e d f r o m the t h e m e of the f i g h t -
i n g i n K r u j a t o that o f his s t a n d t o w a r d s the
C o u n c i l , but I have h a d reasons f o r this. T h i s
has been the case since the m e e t i n g at L a b i n o t ,
because I saw there that it w a s g u i d e d s i m p l y by
c o m m u n i s t principles. T h i s I c o u l d not accept.
That is not the reason, we said. W h y d i d
y o u not come a n d open y o u r heart to us? T h r e e
times we have asked y o u to come a n d talk, b u t
y o u have made no m o v e to do so. W h a t do y o u
c a l l this? In o u r r a n k s there are nationalists, too.
T h e y are not c o m m u n i s t s , b u t t h e y certainly
fight, not alone, b u t together w i t h us. A l b a n i a
does not belong o n l y to the c o m m u n i s t s b u t also
to the patriotic nationalists a n d the w h o l e people.
W e must a l l rise a n d fight. B u t i n order t o w i n ,
we must be u n i t e d l i k e a fist. D o n ' t forget w h a t
y o u d i d i n M u k j e . T h e honest nationalists are

252
not dodgers l i k e some; they do not collaborate
w i t h the e n e m y l i k e some others. Y o u ought t o
k n o w w h a t i s i n store f o r the collaborators.
T h e o l d f o x understood the a l l u s i o n and
j u m p e d up as if he h a d been p r i c k e d :
I have helped y o u w i t h m o n e y w h i c h I
received f r o m m y f r i e n d s a n d collaborators, f r o m
officers a n d N.C.O.'s of the gendarmerie, a n d
others, h o w e v e r y o u have r e w a r d e d this a i d w i t h
bullets to the head, as y o u d i d w i t h Idhomene
Kosturi.
H o w f a r a w a y f r o m the a i m o f our w a r was
A b a z K u p i ! H e came out i n defence o f elements
w h o w e r e patriots o n l y i n name, b u t w h o , i n fact,
w e r e collaborators w i t h the occupiers. I n short
h e a d m i t t e d f r o m his o w n m o u t h w h a t h e w a s
a n d w h a t c o m p a n y h e kept.
B a z i i Cans, we said, you are t u r n i n g
out t o b e d i f f e r e n t f r o m w h a t w e thought y o u
were. H o w dare y o u defend those w h o cannot
be defended, t r y to w a s h those w h o cannot be
w a s h e d ? E v e n the sea c o u l d not w a s h t h e m clean.
W h a t d o y o u t h i n k , s h o u l d w e not k i l l the spies,
the t r a i t o r s a n d the h e n c h m e n o f M e h d i B e y ,
w h o pursue u s d a y a n d n i g h t ? Y o u say that they
are collaborators of yours. H a v e y o u forgotten
that t h e y collaborate w i t h the G e r m a n s , too?
Idhomene K o s t u r i , w h o m y o u say w a s a patriot,
was a p p o i n t e d c h a i r m a n o f the ' A s s e m b l y ' w h i c h
was created u n d e r the s h a d o w of H i t l e r i t e b a y o -

253
nets. A l l r i g h t then, t e l l u s openly, A b a z , w h i c h
side are y o u on?
W h i c h side a m I on? W h y d o y o u ask m e ?
T h i s is an accusation of betrayal, he s h o u t e d
a n d j u m p e d t o his feet. H a v e y o u f o r g o t t e n m y
p a t r i o t i s m ? H a v e y o u forgotten A p r i l 7 , 1939,
w h e n I greeted the Italians w i t h the r i f l e ?
C a l m d o w n , don't be so hasty, A b a z , we
said, because w e k n o w about y o u r p a t r i o t i s m .
W e k n o w that y o u f i r e d a f e w shots, a l t h o u g h
that w a s not f r o m love f o r the H o m e l a n d , b u t t o
give y o u r master, A h m e t Z o g , w h o h a d s u c k e d
the blood of the people a n d b e t r a y e d t h e m , w h o
stole the gold, the sweat a n d the b l o o d of the
people, t i m e t o get a w a y . Y o u f o u g h t just l o n g
enough f o r h i m to get across the border, t h e n
y o u cleared out, too. T h a t is the t r u t h about y o u r
' f i g h t ' a n d e v e r y b o d y k n o w s it.
It was the first t i m e t h a t this h a d been said
t o his face. W h o d i d not k n o w his p a t r i o t i s m
n o w ! H e r e m a i n e d standing, his features c o n t o r -
ted, a n d f i n a l l y said in a l o w voice as if t a l k i n g
to h i m s e l f :
I have fought a n d w i l l f i g h t not o n l y u n t i l
A l b a n i a i s l i b e r a t e d f r o m the occupiers, b u t u n t i l
a l l the territories i n h a b i t e d b y o u r A l b a n i a n
brothers are liberated.
The A l b a n i a n people have f r e s h i n t h e i r
memories h o w the 'legal' regime l i b e r a t e d t h e i r

254
brothers. Y o u r e m e m b e r v e r y w e l l that ' H i s M a -
jesty', w h o w a s r e t u r n e d t o p o w e r w i t h the a i d o f
w h i t e g u a r d mercenaries w h o m S e r b i a gave h i m ,
handed S h n N a u m a n d V e r m o s h t o the S e r b i a n
K i n g as a s i g n of his gratitude. T h a t ' s the sort of
' l i b e r a t i o n ' that y o u o f L e g a l i t e t i m e a n . Y o u .
have a l w a y s p u r s u e d a personal p o l i c y as a b a j -
r a k t a r a n d have n e v e r c a r r i e d out the tasks w i t h
which the National Liberation Council h a s
charged you.
I have declared that I u n i t e d w i t h y o u o n l y
to fight the enemy.
That's w h a t y o u said. B u t w h e n are y o u
going t o f i g h t ? F o r g e t the f i g h t i n g i n K r u j a . I t
was not y o u b u t others w h o f o u g h t there. N o t
only are y o u not f i g h t i n g , b u t y o u are r a i s i n g
obstacles to us. W i t h y o u r s t a n d y o u are p r e v e n t -
ing a w h o l e zone f r o m b e i n g totally engaged
against the enemy. Is this not sabotage? A n d
w h a t h a v e y o u to say about the sabotage of n a -
tional l i b e r a t i o n councils, especially i n K r u j a a n d
Mat?
W h y do y o u speak to me in s u c h a tone?
Y o u speak as if I have done these things. T h e
people themselves do not accept the councils be-
cause t h e y have realized that they do not h a v e
the nationalist spirit, that y o u w a n t to use t h e m
t o get p o w e r i n t o y o u r o w n hands. A l b a n i a h a s
no need f o r another regime. T h e r e g i m e of the
m o n a r c h y , headed by Zog, is legal a n d that is

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b e y o n d dispute. T h e r e t u r n of H i s M a j e s t y is
essential to restore the h o n o u r of A l b a n i a w h i c h
a foreign state has v i o l a t e d . D o n ' t forget that the
G r e a t P o w e r s are f o r this, too. R e c e n t l y H i s M a -
jesty has h a d a t w e n t y - m i n u t e m e e t i n g w i t h M r .
Churchill.
A s to w h a t regime w i l l be established after
the w a r i n A l b a n i a , w e have p r o c l a i m e d p u b l i c l y
that the people themselves w i l l decide the f o r m
of the regime. B u t we w a n t to a d d just this: T h e
t i m e o f K i n g Z o g i s over. C a l l h i m y o u r K i n g i f
y o u w i s h . T o d a y w e are f i g h t i n g f o r a n i n d e p e n d -
ent, democratic people's A l b a n i a , free f r o m fasc-
ism. H o w a f o r e i g n state, w h i c h y o u don't even
name, ousted Z o g a n d h o w he f l e d , these things
y o u k n o w v e r y w e l l . A s f o r the m e e t i n g y o u
mentioned, y o u a n d everyone else s h o u l d u n d e r -
stand that Z o g can t a l k day b y day w i t h C h u r -
c h i l l , if he wishes, about the question of A l b a n i a ,
b u t neither the one n o r the other can decide its
fate. It is the people, o n l y the A l b a n i a n people,
i t i s w e w h o w i l l decide, a n d none else, e i t h e r
about the w a r o r about the regime i n the future,
I said in a l o u d voice. B a z i ' s face w e n t pale a n d
m o v e d his r i g h t h a n d a little. H i s a d j u t a n t s sit-
t i n g o n b o t h sides o f h i m p r e p a r e d themselves
for any eventuality, b u t w e d i d not w a v e r . W e
h a d t a k e n e v e r y t h i n g into account. Legaliteti
has created etas of brigands, I c o n t i n u e d , w h o
h a v e n ' t f i r e d a shot against the occupiers, b u t

256
are w a i t i n g ' t i l l the t i m e comes' a n d m e a n w h i l e
A l b a n i a is g o i n g t h r o u g h its darkest days.
If w e h a d w a i t e d ' t i l l the t i m e comes', w e
w o u l d not have f o u g h t at Q a f s h t a m a a n d dis-
a r m e d the Italians there, he t r i e d to object.
I n this, too, y o u acted a c c o r d i n g to y o u r
o w n desire, to take the l i m e l i g h t and, first of
a l l , for prey, f o r booty, I replied. A t Q a f -
shtama, the Italians w e r e no more t h a n a dead
horse a n d y o u a n d y o u r brigands stripped it of
its shoes. T h a t ' s the e x t e n t of y o u r 'valour', and
even this y o u d i d outside the orders of the Staff.
L i k e w i s e , w i t h o u t the k n o w l e d g e or a u t h o r i t y of
the P r e s i d i u m of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l
C o u n c i l a n d t a k i n g advantage of y o u r position as
a m e m b e r of it, y o u w e n t to L u r a where, together
w i t h M i t h a t F r a s h r i , y o u organized the meeting
w i t h the r e a c t i o n a r y b a j r a k t a r s w h o are l i n k e d
hand a n d foot w i t h the occupiers. W e s u m m o n e d
you to e x p l a i n y o u r actions about this, b u t y o u
did not deign to come.
M i t h a t F r a s h r i sent me a letter about the
meeting at L u r a . I w e n t to L u r a a n d there I w a s
charged w i t h m e d i a t i n g a m o n g the gentry o f D i -
b r a i n o r d e r t o u n i t e t h e m w i t h us. T h e y are
patriots a n d w a n t t o f i g h t f o r A l b a n i a , h e s a i d .
W h a t sort o f patriots are t h e y w h e n they
have u n i t e d w i t h the occupiers? Y o u k n e w this,
and despite that y o u met t h e m a n d t a l k e d to
t h e m . W h a t sort o f u n i t y can there b e w i t h such

257
people? E v e r y o n e understands c l e a r l y that there
can be no u n i t y against the occupier outside the
N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t . O n l y this M o v e -
ment represents the A l b a n i a n people. O n l y the
n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n councils are organs of the w a r
a n d the sole p o w e r that expresses the w i l l of the
people. A n y ' g o v e r n m e n t ' o r other o r g a n i z a t i o n
outside this M o v e m e n t cannot be other t h a n an
i n s t r u m e n t of c o m p r o m i s e a n d betrayal, I said.
F r e q u e n t l y , w h e n h e was opposing me, B a z i
raised his voice a n d approached the w i n d o w
w h i c h h a d been left open deliberately so that the
a r m e d peasants o f his b a n d , w h o w e r e outside i n
the y a r d , c o u l d hear w h a t he said a n d be c o n -
v i n c e d about w h a t a great leader he was, and
w h a t declarations he made in t h e i r defence.
On one occasion, s p e a k i n g in a l o u d voice, B a z i
stood up a n d said to m e :
Listen. M r . H o x h a . Not you communists
but the regime of Z o g w i l l do m a n y good things
f o r the people, w i l l open schools, w i l l not l e v y
h e a v y taxes a n d w i l l give the peasants land.
B u t I, too, stood up a n d r e p l i e d in an e v e n
l o u d e r voice, directed t o w a r d s the w i n d o w :
Listen, M r . K u p i . T h e poor peasants w i l l
get l a n d o n l y f r o m us, f r o m the people's state
p o w e r w h i c h w i l l b e established a f t e r l i b e r a t i o n .
T h e y w i l l n e v e r get it f r o m the Zogites, because
i n a l l the 1 5 years h e w a s i n power, Z o g n e v e r
t h o u g h t of d o i n g s u c h a t h i n g f o r t h e m a n d o n l y

258
deceived t h e m by s a y i n g that he w a s going to
c a r r y out the ' a g r a r i a n r e f o r m . ' H e c o u l d never
have done it because it w o u l d have been suicide
for h i m . Those w h o are not on the course of the
N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t are on a course
w h i c h sooner o r later w i l l c e r t a i n l y l a n d t h e m i n
the lap of the enemies of the M o v e m e n t , the e n -
emies of o u r people, a n d if t h e y get in o u r w a y ,
we s h a l l attack t h e m a n d w i p e t h e m out, I
concluded.
T h i s was a stern t r i a l , w h i c h exposed h i m .
T h u s w e ended the m e e t i n g w i t h A b a z K u p i
and took o u r departure. Since that t i m e I never
again set eyes on h i m .
We i m m e d i a t e l y h e l d a special m e e t i n g of
the P r e s i d i u m , expelled h i m f r o m its r a n k s and
the same d a y d r a f t e d the resolution i n w h i c h w e
reported o n the m e e t i n g w i t h A b a z K u p i , about
the efforts we m a d e to convince h i m to change
his course, a n d f i n a l l y the need to u n m a s k h i m
before the people.
I m m e d i a t e l y after the m e e t i n g w i t h K u p i ,
G e n e r a l D a v i e s appeared on the scene. I guessed
that he w a n t e d to f i n d out something about the
meeting a n d I was not m i s t a k e n . F o r the first
time he d i d not beat about the bush b u t i m m e d i a -
tely got d o w n to business:
Y o u have h a d a t a l k w i t h M r . K u p i , said
the G e n e r a l . C o u l d y o u t e l l m e h o w i t went,
Mr. Hoxha?

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 I e x p l a i n e d to the G e n e r a l : F o r a l o n g t i m e
w e had been a s k i n g h i m t o define his a t t i t u d e
towards the B a l l i K o m b t a r , the q u i s l i n g g o v e r n -
ment a n d the G e r m a n occupiers. H o w e v e r , he
always refused t o c o n d e m n t h e m . O n the c o n -
t r a r y , we have accurate i n f o r m a t i o n that he is
c o l l a b o r a t i n g w i t h t h e m t o the d e t r i m e n t o f our
w a r and m o r e o v e r i n the m e e t i n g w i t h u s h e
spoke w e l l of t h e m .
M r . K u p i h a d p r o m i s e d m e that h e w o u l d
clear up these problems, indeed he t o l d me he
w o u l d fight, interjected the B r i t i s h G e n e r a l .
Yes, I said. Just as the heads of the
B a l l i K o m b t a r p r o m i s e d y o u . Indeed, a s y o u
told us, t h e y e v e n m a d e y o u a d e c l a r a t i o n in
w r i t i n g , d i d t h e y not? W h a t are t h e i r promises
w o r t h ? D o y o u see w h a t they are d o i n g ? A b a z
K u p i i s just l i k e t h e m . Therefore, the N a t i o n a l
L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n c i l has r e m o v e d h i m
f r o m its m i d s t a n d w a r n e d h i m that i f h e continues
on the course he has begun, we shall attack h i m .
M r . H o x h a , said the G e n e r a l , I m u s t beg
y o u to use y o u r i n f l u e n c e in the C o u n c i l so t h a t
it gives K u p i a l i t t l e longer to clear up his stand,
because I s h a l l t a l k w i t h h i m again.
W e have w a i t e d l o n g enough, I cut h i m
short. For a l o n g t i m e he has been p u t t i n g f o r -
w a r d as the i m m e d i a t e issue not the l i b e r a -
t i o n b u t the regime. T h i s m a t t e r is n o w closed.
T h e decision has been t a k e n . W e are left w i t h

260
no a l t e r n a t i v e b u t to w a t c h his a c t i v i t y closely
and t o attack h i m a t the first o p p o r t u n i t y . H e ' l l
get his deserts.
Seeing o u r d e t e r m i n a t i o n , the G e n e r a l took
his leave a n d departed. T h e p l a n that t h e i r agent
should r e m a i n amongst us to t r i p us up h a d
failed.
T h e great G e r m a n - B a l l i s t offensive i n t h e
severe w i n t e r of 1943-1944 was l a u n c h e d against
our forces w h o w e r e i l l - c l a d a n d h u n g r y . T h i s
helped A b a z K u p i t o g a i n g r o u n d . F o r h i m this
was an Indian s u m m e r amidst the icy w i n t e r .
H e d e c e i v e d h i m s e l f that this w a s e v e r y t h i n g and
that v i c t o r y was s m i l i n g o n h i m . T h r o u g h the
B r i t i s h officers, B a z i once again repeated his
requests that H i s M a j e s t y s h o u l d send a mes-
sage ( 1 ) f r o m L o n d o n i n w h i c h h e w o u l d declare
_________________________
1 A letter f r o m T a l b o t R i c e sent to H o w a r d on F e b r u a r y
24, 1944, says:
Pursuant to the decision taken at our meeting on
Thursday, 17th February we approached Zog w i t h a request
for a letter to A b a s K u p i . In the course of the conversation
w h i c h M a j o r M c L e a n had w i t h h i m , h e showed himself most
willing to help... (FO 371/43550-3373. PRO. Taken from the
photocopy of the original in the AIH, Tirana). Meanwhile a
report f r o m Sargent sent to the Secretary of State on February
29, 1944, says: ...Maclean went off, saw K i n g Zog a n d obtained
the desired l e t t e r . . . Its text is not however entirely satisfactory
and if it is to be used we s h a l l have to get it changed. We
discussed the text w i t h S.O.E. at another meeting on the 28th
February and agreed on a revised draft w h i c h is attached. It

261
t h a t he was ready to r e t u r n to A l b a n i a . Indeed,
he propagated f a r a n d w i d e that Z o g I h a d m e t
C h u r c h i l l , w h o h a d allegedly p r o m i s e d that t h e
most p o w e r f u l m o n a r c h y i n the w o r l d w o u l d d o
e v e r y t h i n g in its p o w e r to restore h i m to the
throne.
T h r o u g h the Z a v a l a n i s ( 1 ) a n d other a n n o u n c -
ers of his type we heard r u m o u r s that the
o p i n i o n o f F a n N o l i h a d been sought about the
creation of a g o v e r n m e n t in e x i l e headed by Z o g
a n d that N o l i h a d agreed w i t h this a n d p r o m i s e d
to act as a d v i s e r to i t ! (2) T h e y e l l o w newspaper
_________________________________

you agree I should l i k e to tell M a c l e a n that he may n o w go

back to Zog and ask h i m to amend the letter on the lines
agreed...
If after his return to A l b a n i a , M a c l e a n considers that Zog's
letter w o u l d be of use, and we authorise h i m to give it to A b a s
K u p i , we w i l l consider getting T i t o to use his influence w i t h
the L N C at the same time. (FO 371 43550-3372. PRO. Taken from
the photocopy of the original in the AIH, Tirana.)
1 Refers to T. Z a v a l a m , a reactionary A l b a n i a n intellectual
in the service of the B r i t i s h . He w o r k e d in the B.B.C. to prepare
broadcasts in the A l b a n i a n language.
2 In reply to the letter w h i c h S. M a r t i n i [chamberlain of
the court] sent to F a n N o l i in the name of Zog on A p r i l 7,
1943, in connection w i t h the creation of an A l b a n i a n govern-
ment in w h i c h he said, the K i n g w o u l d be pleased to see your
Eminence at the head of this Government. (FO 371/37136-3634.
PRO. Taken from the photocopy of the original in the AIH,
Tirana.) F a n N o l i w r o t e on M a y 27, 1943: I am ready to do
my f u l l s h a r e . . . under K i n g Zog's l e a d e r s h i p . . . I must m a k e

262
Atdheu even p u b l i s h e d the message w h i c h N o l i
sent to C o r d e l l H u l l (1). W h e n we h e a r d of this, at
first we d i d not believe it. It w a s u n b e l i e v a b l e to
us that this stern opponent of Z o g c o u l d sit
d o w n at the same table w i t h h i m to consider
the fate of A l b a n i a ! It seemed to us impossible
that N o l i c o u l d reconcile himself to the m u r d e r e r
of A v n i Rustemi and B a j r a m C u r r i , Luigj G u r a -
k u q i a n d R i z a C e r o v a , t o the person w h o h a d
caused h u n d r e d s of Sons of the Eagle to w a n d e r
t h r o u g h E u r o p e w i t h o u t home or possessions,
p u r s u e d by the h e n c h m e n of Z o g . It seemed to
us astonishing that N o l i c o u l d t h r o w out a l i f e -
line to rescue the pitiless f e u d a l despot w h o had
sucked the blood of the A l b a n i a n people f o r 15
years on e n d . R e g r e t t a b l y , however, as was proved
later, there was some t r u t h i n w h a t w e h e a r d .
________________________________

it quite clear that I can serve only in an advisory capacity on

account of my A m e r i c a n citizenship... (FO 371/37137-3643. PRO.
Taken from the photocopy of the original in the AIH, Tirana.)
1 According to this newspaper, dated October 12, 1943.
N o l i wrote to H u l l among other things: . . . it w o u l d be to the
advantage of the U n i t e d Nations to o f f i c i a l l y recognize K i n g
Zog and give h i m the opportunity to play his personal role to
accelerate the victory w h i c h we are a l l a w a i t i n g . K i n g Zog is
better able to w o r k for the A l l i e s than any other A l b a n i a n or
group of A l b a n i a n s . . . Some sincere opponents of K i n g Zog w h o
have suffered for years in exile on account of their opposition,
think that it is in the interest of both parties, the United
Nations and A l b a n i a , to have an o f f i c i a l l y recognized govern-
ment i n exile under K i n g Zog...

263
A s t o the circumstances i n w h i c h this h a d come
about a n d w h a t motives i m p e l l e d N o l i , this w e
do not k n o w . T h e fact is that he d i d such a
t h i n g , n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g that the p l a n f o r the
f o r m a t i o n of a g o v e r n m e n t in exile c o u l d n e v e r
be p u t into p r a c t i c e .
W h i l e r e a c t i o n a b r o a d was p r e p a r i n g the
bridal party to bring Zog to A l b a n i a , reaction
w i t h i n the c o u n t r y was m a k i n g a come-back.
G r e a t p u b l i c i t y w a s b u i l t u p a r o u n d the f i g u r e
of Z o g . U n d e r the p r o t e c t i o n of H i t l e r i t e bayonets,
the g e n d a r m e r i e w a s b e i n g r e o r g a n i z e d as in
the p e r i o d p r i o r to A p r i l 7 a n d e v e n adopted
the Z o g i t e f o r m of salute. A f t e r a secret m e e t i n g
w i t h X h a f e r Deva in a village of K r u j a , A b a z
K u p i l i n k e d u p w i t h the n a z i G e n e r a l S c h m o l l
i n order t o w i p e out the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n
A r m y . T h e i r c o l l a b o r a t i o n w e n t s o f a r that w h e n
the G e r m a n s took some of o u r m e n prisoner,
they advised t h e m t o j o i n the r a n k s o f H e r r
K u p i ' s a r m y i f they w a n t e d t o save t h e i r necks.
Leaflets, Atdheu and other yellow papers
w e r e c i r c u l a t e d in the cities to deceive the people,
to boost the Zogites' courage a n d hopes, to arouse
p a n i c a m o n g the masses a n d to confuse t h e m
w i t h the spectre o f Z o g , w i t h the u l t i m a t e a i m
o f d i v e r t i n g t h e m f r o m the r i g h t r o a d .
I n r e g a r d t o the r u m o u r s that w e h e a r d
f r o m L o n d o n , w e d e m a n d e d insistently that the
B r i t i s h m i s s i o n either declare itself i n f a v o u r

264
of t h e m , or if they w e r e not true, i n f o r m L o n d o n
that it s h o u l d deny t h e m p u b l i c l y . A f t e r some
time L o n d o n t r i e d to deny these r u m o u r s t h r o u g h
a leaflet w h i c h M a j o r T i l m a n issued i n G j i r o -
kastra.
I t w a s the e n d o f A p r i l 1944. M u s t a f a K a a i ,
c o m m i s s a r of the B a t t a l i o n of M a t , i n f o r m e d me
by letter t h a t the agent of the B r i t i s h Intelligence
Service, M c L e a n , h a d appeared again i n those
parts. H e is h e a d i n g a B r i t i s h m i s s i o n attached
t o A b a z K u p i , w h o i s being s u p p l i e d b y a i r w i t h
so m u c h m a t e r i a l that some of it falls into the
hands of gendarmes a n d some is sold on t h e
m a r k e t o n w h i c h w e have f r e q u e n t l y bought,
he w r o t e .
As soon as I read the letter, I r e m e m b e r e d
the w o r d s o f D a v i e s a t o u r first m e e t i n g i n
L a b i n o t w h e n h e t o l d u s t h a t b y the e n d o f
N o v e m b e r M c L e a n w a s t o g o t o C a i r o , f r o m there
t o L o n d o n a n d possibly w o u l d p e r s o n a l l y i n f o r m
C h u r c h i l l about the s i t u a t i o n i n A l b a n i a . A n d
now, h a v i n g completed the course, M c L e a n h a d
been d r o p p e d back into A l b a n i a , this t i m e w i t h
the r a n k of L i e u t e n a n t - C o l o n e l . He h a d gone to
the close f r i e n d o f the B r i t i s h w i t h n e w i n s t r u c -
tions in o r d e r to give a f u r t h e r i m p u l s e to t h e
plans of L o n d o n . T h e fact that a B r i t i s h m i s s i o n
was attached to B a z i i Cans, that t h e y w e r e
s u p p l y i n g h i m w i t h ample m o n e y a n d m a t e r i a l ,
that the B r i t i s h p r o p a g a n d a w a s b u i l d i n g u p t h e

265
f i g u r e o f A b a z K u p i , a s w e l l a s the G e r m a n -
B a l l i s t operation against o u r a r m y , m a d e the
m i n o r Zog feel himself at the c u l m i n a t i o n of
his p o w e r a n d joy a n d h e c r o w e d a n d s t r u t t e d
l i k e a rooster on a d u n g h e a p .
N o t content w i t h his u n d e r h a n d deals w i t h
the B r i t i s h , A b a z K u p i also attempted t o l i n k
u p w i t h G r e e k reaction. Together w i t h the B a l l i
K o m b t a r a n d the q u i s l i n g officials i n T i r a n a , h e
began to d i g another grave f o r o u r c o u n t r y , this
t i m e starting not f r o m the n o r t h , as in 1924, but
f r o m the south. T o A t h e n s , M i t h a t F r a s h r i sent
D h i m i t r F a l l o , M e h d i F r a s h r i sent his p e r s o n a l
spokesman, X h e v a t L e s k o v i k u , w h i l e A b a z K u p i
authorized as the delegate of L e g a l i t e t i the
f o r m e r p r i m e m i n i s t e r of the g o v e r n m e n t of
A h m e t Zog, K o o K o t a , t o conclude a n agreement
w i t h Ralis and Zervas of Greece under w h i c h
they w o u l d j o i n t l y d r o w n i n blood the n a t i o n a l
l i b e r a t i o n m o v e m e n t s o f b o t h the A l b a n i a n a n d
the G r e e k peoples. T h e i n t e n t i o n was that this
agreement w o u l d later be t u r n e d into a G r e e k -
T u r k i s h - A l b a n i a n alliance. H o w e v e r , t h e i r m i s -
sion failed. T h e documents, w h e r e b y the C e n t r a l
C o m m i t t e e of the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d the q u i s l i n g
g o v e r n m e n t accredited D h i m i t r F a l l o as delegate
i n the talks w i t h the G r e e k reactionaries, w e r e
captured by o u r partisans, a n d the delegate
was p u t o n t r i a l a n d c o n d e m n e d i n the s u m m e r
of 1944.

266
 T h i s was the situation of Abaz Kupi's
heroes a n d headquarters before the offen-
sive of our 1st D i v i s i o n in C e n t r a l a n d N o r t h e r n
Albania. Their Indian summer was coming to
a n e n d . T h e B r i t i s h l a m p was r u n n i n g out o f o i l .
A f t e r the Congress of P r m e t I gave orders
f o r the brigades of the 1st D i v i s i o n to cross to
the zones b e y o n d the S h k u m b i n , to attack the
G e r m a n s a n d together w i t h the p a r t i s a n forces
f i g h t i n g in these zones, to clear C e n t r a l and
N o r t h e r n A l b a n i a , t o s t r i k e m o r t a l b l o w s a t reac-
t i o n , to set up the people's p o w e r of the n a t i o n a l
l i b e r a t i o n c o u n c i l s a n d increase the r a n k s of the
N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y w i t h n e w detachments.
W i t h this action w e w e r e s t r i k i n g r i g h t a t the
heart of the B r i t i s h p l a n s against us. Zogite
reaction was at its last gasp. T h e shadow of
d e a t h was s p r e a d i n g over it. O u r forces were
m a r c h i n g t o w a r d s M a t a n d M i r d i t a w h e r e the
Zogites a n d other reactionaries were c o w e r i n g .
T h e w h o l e p o p u l a t i o n o f the N o r t h rose i n s u p -
p o r t o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y .
A t the b e g i n n i n g o f J u l y 1944, the B r i t i s h
liaison o f f i c e r sought a n u r g e n t m e e t i n g ( 1 ) w i t h
me. I received h i m .
______________________________

1 In the book Sons of the Eagle, w r i t i n g about a meeting

w i t h the reactionary chiefs, J. A m e r y says:
T h e news of the P a r t i s a n attack had taken the l i f e out

267
 I have received a message f r o m the A l l i e d
Mediterranean Headquarters in w h i c h it demands
that y o u stop y o u r attacks against A b a z K u p i
a n d others i n the N o r t h , w h o are p a t r i o t s a n d
our friends, o r o t h e r w i s e a i d t o y o u w i l l b e cut
off, he said.
O u r D i v i s i o n has received o r d e r s to clear
the N o r t h of the G e r m a n s , m e r c e n a r i e s a n d
traitors, to establish the state p o w e r of the n a t i o n -
al l i b e r a t i o n councils there a n d to engage t h e
people in the w a r against the occupiers, I
replied.
B u t i t i s a p p r o a c h i n g M a t w h i c h i s the
t e r r i t o r y i n w h i c h M r . K u p i operates, h e s a i d .
M a t i s p a r t o f A l b a n i a , w h y s h o u l d w e not
go t h r o u g h it? I r e p l i e d c u r t l y . N o one has
the r i g h t t o prevent o u r D i v i s i o n f r o m p e r f o r m -
i n g its d u t y . T h e r e i s n o reason w h y this s h o u l d
b e l i n k e d w i t h the question o f m a t e r i a l a i d f r o m
the A l l i e s . A b a z K u p i w a s a m e m b e r o f t h e
P r e s i d i u m o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l
C o u n c i l a n d o u r Staff, but he t u r n e d against t h e
________________________________
of our meeting, but we sat down for a formal discussion
beneath a t a l l and spreading oak: A b a z K u p i , M u h a r r e m B a j -
raktar, Sait K r y e z i u , M a c l e a n ; Smiley; and I. M e a n w h i l e the
lesser chiefs and their retainers stood around us in a ring.
T h e r e could be no question n o w of calling for a general revolt
of the Ghegs, but each of the leaders spoke in t u r n . . - appealing
to us to intervene u n d b r i n g about a truce. Sons of the Eagle,
London, MacMillan and Co. Ltd., 1948, p. 202.

268
N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t , therefore, he has
been e x p e l l e d f r o m those bodies a n d has been
branded a traitor. This you k n o w very well.
M r . K u p i c o m p l a i n s that the D i v i s i o n has
g i v e n h i m a n u l t i m a t u m that h e m u s t s u r r e n d e r
t o t h e m o r o t h e r w i s e they w i l l attack h i m .
He has been g i v e n no p e r i o d of grace.
W e gave h i m a y e a r to declare himself
f o r or against us. Y o u , too, h a v e been w a i t i n g a
l o n g t i m e , b u t n o w w e can w a i t n o longer. H e
i s c o l l a b o r a t i n g w i t h the G e r m a n s a n d i s s a -
botaging the w a r , o u r strategic p l a n a n d that of
the allies.
T w o days l a t e r the B r i t i s h l i a i s o n officer
came to me a g a i n a n d s a i d :
M r . H o x h a , A l l i e d H e a d q u a r t e r s has trans-
m i t t e d to me a note f r o m G e n e r a l W i l s o n to you.
W h a t does t h e note say? I asked w i t h o u t
the slightest sign of concern because I c o u l d guess
w h a t that note was l i k e l y to contain. T h e of-
fensive o f o u r D i v i s i o n i n the N o r t h w a s t r e a d i n g
on t h e i r corns.
The note raises three questions, said the
B r i t i s h officer. First, G e n e r a l W i l s o n does not
a l l o w y o u r partisans t o b e i n v o l v e d i n his s t r a -
tegic p l a n s a n d h e w i l l not tolerate c i v i l w a r
in his theatre of operations.
T h i s is i m p e r m i s s i b l e interference. W h a t
makes G e n e r a l W i l s o n t h i n k there i s c i v i l w a r
g o i n g o n here? T h e o n l y w a r b e i n g w a g e d i n

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o u r c o u n t r y is against the occupiers a n d t h e i r
collaborators such as the B a l l i K o m b t a r , the
reactionary chiefs o f D i b r a and A b a z K u p i w i t h
his brigands. N e x t point, please, I said.
The second p o i n t has to do w i t h a i d . T h e
note says that i f y o u attack M r . K u p i , a i d w i l l
be cut off a n d w i t h o u t a l l i e d a i d y o u cannot
w i t h s t a n d the G e r m a n s .
L e t the G e n e r a l a n d e v e r y b o d y else u n d e r -
s t a n d thoroughly, I r e p l i e d there a n d then, that
we d i d not begin the w a r because the allies w e r e
engaged in it. We began it before they e n t e r e d
the w a r , moreover, w i t h o u t a i d f r o m t h e m o r
anyone else. We s h o u l d be g i v e n t h e i r a i d
because this is in the interest of the allies. If t h e i r
aid is m a d e c o n d i t i o n a l on o u r attitude t o w a r d s
the traitors we s h a l l c o n t i n u e the w a r just as
w e started it. B u t c a r r y on, t e l l m e the rest,
I said w i t h o u t g l a n c i n g at h i m .
Third, the note says also that unless as-
surances are g i v e n that M r . K u p i w i l l not b e
attacked, the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t c a n -
not send delegates to A l l i e d H e a d q u a r t e r s in
Italy, c o n c l u d e d the B r i t i s h l i a i s o n officer.
The sending of o u r delegation to meet the
representatives o f the A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n H e a d -
quarters can n e v e r b e l i n k e d w i t h the question
o f A b a z K u p i . F o r u s the question o f A b a z K u p i
no longer exists. T h i s m a t t e r was decided once
and f o r a l l i n D e c e m b e r last y e a r w h e n w e

270
settled accounts w i t h h i m . T h e Congress o f P r -
met also sealed his doom. O u r delegation w i l l
go there to establish a m o r e complete agreement
w i t h the allies a n d regardless of y o u r threat,
M r . O f f i c e r o f o u r B r i t i s h ally, our d i v i s i o n w i l l
c o n t i n u e about its business, I concluded.
A t least w a i t f i v e days, pleaded the B r i t i s h
officer.
No, I replied, w e ' v e w a i t e d long enough.
L i k e y o u , we have w a i t e d l o n g enough, I
repeated. N o one has the r i g h t to stop us c a r r y -
i n g on the w a r to clear M a t of collaborators of the
G e r m a n s . N o t even G e n e r a l W i l s o n can stop us.
T h i s is i m p r o p e r interference, I stressed. Let
us suppose that B a z i i Cans is not a traitor, as
y o u c l a i m . T h e n w h y does h e sit d o i n g n o t h i n g ,
a n d does not f i g h t the occupiers, but instead,
together w i t h t h e m , has t u r n e d his r i f l e against
our N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y ? D o w e not have
the r i g h t a n d the d u t y to engage the district of
M a t , too, i n the w a r against the G e r m a n s ? W e
are i n o u r o w n l a n d a n d w e shall act a c c o r d i n g
to the interests of this l a n d . W h y is G e n e r a l
W i l s o n i n t e r f e r i n g i n this w a y ? W e shall c o n t i n u e
to c a r r y out our strategic p l a n to the letter a n d
this is also in f a v o u r of the a l l i e d strategy. These
are not just my p e r s o n a l opinions but also the
opinions of o u r G e n e r a l Staff, a n d this y o u
u n d e r s t a n d v e r y well, I p o i n t e d out to the
B r i t i s h officer. H o w e v e r , since this note, w h i c h

271
I w a n t i n w r i t i n g , comes f r o m G e n e r a l W i l s o n ,
I s h a l l refer it to the P r e s i d i u m of the N a t i o n a l
Liberation General Council.
The officer h a n d e d m e the w r i t t e n note. I n
his presence I glanced over it q u i c k l y a n d n o t i c e d
that i n the t h i r d question there w a s some d i f -
ference f r o m w h a t h e told m e o r a l l y . T h i s a n n o y e d
me, but I c o n t r o l l e d m y s e l f a n d said to h i m :
Please, w i l l y o u come to receive the r e p l y
when I notify you?
W h e n e v e r y o u say, he r e p l i e d a n d left.
I i m m e d i a t e l y called the P r e s i d i u m together.
W e are h o l d i n g this m e e t i n g because of the
i n t e r v e n t i o n of the A l l i e d H e a d q u a r t e r s to stop
the operations of o u r D i v i s i o n in the N o r t h , I
told the comrades. A s y o u k n o w , a f t e r the
G e r m a n J u n e operation, o u r forces received
orders t o l a u n c h a n offensive i n C e n t r a l a n d
N o r t h e r n A l b a n i a a n d t o d a y they are engaged i n
f i e r c e f i g h t i n g i n those regions against the G e r -
mans, mercenaries a n d gendarmes w h o are b e g i n -
n i n g t o p a n i c . O u r forces are d r i v i n g t o w a r d s
D i b r a a n d M a t t o settle accounts f i n a l l y w i t h the
e n e m y . A p p a r e n t l y , h o w e v e r , this i s v e r y p a i n f u l
to the B r i t i s h . G e n e r a l W i l s o n expresses this in a
note w h i c h he has sent me.
I read the note a n d t o l d t h e m e v e r y t h i n g the
B r i t i s h officer h a d said a n d w h a t I h a d said i n
reply.
T h e B r i t i s h have m a d e efforts to get B a z i

272
i C a n s i n t o o u r r a n k s again, (1) I continued, but
have r u n into the resistance of reaction, so t h e i r
'sit-on-the-fence' a t t i t u d e continues to this day.
N o w B a z i can n o longer b e i n c l u d e d a m o n g s t us,
cannot be u n i t e d w i t h us, because he is up to
his e l b o w s i n f i l t h . A l l this reaction f r o m the
B r i t i s h arises f r o m the fact that t h e i r p l a n s are
f a i l i n g . T h e y u r g e d A b a z K u p i t o enter into d i s -
cussions w i t h o u r Staff, setting the c o n d i t i o n that
they s h o u l d b e h e l d w i t h M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , D r .
D i s h n i c a a n d S e j f u l l a a n d e v e n t u a l l y even w i t h
me, if t h e y c o u l d not a v o i d me. H o w e v e r , we
d i d n o t agree, because those talks w o u l d have
been a game t h e y w a n t e d to p l a y to the d e t r i -
m e n t o f o u r w a r . A s y o u k n o w , this game i s
being p l a y e d i n G r e e c e i n order t o split the E A M
________________________________
1 The Foreign Office radiogram No. 174 sent to Steel
in Cairo on F e b r u a r y 6, 1944 said:
W e have recently seen Maclean's report on A l b a n i a and
discussed it w i t h h i m .
His main recommendation is that the L.N.C. movement
should be broadened to i n c l u d e as many nationalists as possible.
His idea is that Abas Kupi, Zog's representative... should
return to the L . N . C . . . .
2. As practical steps to this end, M a c l e a n proposes:
(1) that we should sound Zog to see if he w o u l d agree;
(2) that we should get L i a i s o n officer to put proposal to
Abas Kupi; and
(3) that we should get T i t o (through Brigadier Maclean) to
influence L.N.C. to agree to return of A b a s K u p i . (Outward
telegram No. 174, FO 371/43549-3336. PRO. Taken from the
photocopy of the original in the AIH, Tirana.)

273
a n d i n f i l t r a t e r e a c t i o n a r y elements into its r a n k s .
T h e y see clearly w h a t the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n
M o v e m e n t i s a n d w a n t t o h o l d i t back i n o r d e r
to a l l o w the r e a c t i o n a r y elements t i m e to b r e a k
a w a y f r o m the occupiers a n d e n t e r o u r r a n k s
i n disguise.
The B r i t i s h have engaged i n another m a -
noeuvre, too, I c o n t i n u e d . T h e y w a n t to present
o u r w a r as a local m o v e m e n t in the S o u t h w h i l e ,
i n t h e i r v i e w , i n the N o r t h there are o n l y Z o g ,
B a z i a n d so on, a n d t h e y are t r y i n g to c o m p e l us
to accept these elements as co-fighters. T h e B r i -
tish have done the same sort of t h i n g in G r e e c e ;
they have p l a y e d this game w i t h the E A M , too,
i n w h i c h they w a n t e d t o p u t Z e r v a s . B u t Z e r v a s
r e m a i n e d l i n k e d w i t h R a l i s a n d the occupier.
T h e A n g l o - A m e r i c a n allies w a n t e d the E A M t o
r e f r a i n f r o m a t t a c k i n g the zones w h e r e Z e r v a s
operated because they w a n t e d to have h i m as a
reserve force. T h i s is the a i m of the B r i t i s h w i t h
B a z i i Cans here, too, a n d in o r d e r to b a c k up
this 'argument', they have b e g u n to b r i n g out
f r o m the archives a n d t r a n s m i t o v e r the r a d i o
our articles w h i c h c a l l f o r u n i t y . H o w e v e r , they
forget that the times have changed, that t h e
traitors are deep in the m i r e .
L o n d o n ' s aim, I t o l d the comrades, is that
even i f t h e y can't get A b a z K u p i t o d o some
f i g h t i n g just f o r appearances' sake, at least to
h o l d h i m i n reserve f o r the f u t u r e . W e are f i g h t -

274
i n g B a z i s i m p l y as a t r a i t o r a n d collaborator of
the G e r m a n s . T h e f i g h t against h i m a n d the
whole of reaction is not a ' c i v i l w a r ' , as G e n e r a l
W i l s o n w a n t s t o c a l l i t f o r his o w n s i n i s t e r aims.
In no w a y w i l l we allow h i m to interfere in our
i n t e r n a l affairs. W e are o n the r i g h t r o a d . N o
one can change o u r o p i n i o n about this or t h a t
reactionary element l i k e B a z i a n d the others,
because we have facts, documents w h i c h we have
also sent to the allies in B a r i a n d L o n d o n . T h e y are
e x e r t i n g this pressure on us precisely at this t i m e
because the h i s t o r i c decisions of the Congress of
P r m e t have h u r t t h e m b a d l y . T h i s i s the t r u t h
of the matter. We s h a l l not w a v e r even a m i l -
l i m e t r e f r o m o u r correct line, therefore I t h i n k
we s h o u l d send t h e m the a n s w e r they deserve.
W e discussed the p r o b l e m a t l e n g t h i n the
meeting of t h e P r e s i d i u m . In t h e i r contributions,
the comrades i n d i g n a n t l y rejected G e n e r a l W i l -
son's c l a i m a n d f u l l y s u p p o r t e d w h a t I h a d said.
S e j f u l l a M a l s h o v a alone engaged i n some p h i -
losophizing, advising us that we s h o u l d be
more precise in some expressions a n d d i s t i n g u i s h
between the p o l i c y o f G r e a t B r i t a i n and the a l -
lies, a n d t h a t of B r i t i s h reaction in the mission
here, in C a i r o a n d elsewhere. In the f o r m of a
r e p r o a c h he c o n t i n u e d , W e m u s t c o n v i n c e the
allies of w h a t the situation is in A l b a n i a . We
have sent t h e m documents, but this is i n s u f -
ficient. He spoke as if he d i d not k n o w of

275
the repeated clashes w e h a d h a d w i t h t h e m .
H e closed his c o n t r i b u t i o n , w h i c h was f u l l o f
his arrogance, by assuring us l i k e a great p r o -
phet that the allies are b o u n d to come to a
satisfactory u n d e r s t a n d i n g w i t h us. T h i s p h i l o -
s o p h i z i n g was the prelude to the p r o - W e s t e r n
attitude a n d v i e w s o f S e j f u l l a M a l s h o v a w h i c h
w e r e to assume scandalous p r o p o r t i o n s a year
later.
W e k n o w the p o l i c y o f G r e a t B r i t a i n v e r y
w e l l a n d also k n o w its aims, I said i n m y r e p l y
t o M a l s h o v a . W e k n o w h o w t o m a k e that d i s -
t i n c t i o n about w h i c h y o u spoke, b u t u n f o r t u n a t e -
ly t h e r e is no s u c h d i s t i n c t i o n . T h e r e p r e s e n t a -
tives o f L o n d o n , here, i n C a i r o o r i n B a r i , c a r r y
out the orders of t h e i r centre f a n a t i c a l l y a n d we
are a l l witnesses t o that. W e h a v e r e p a i d a n y
obligation t o w a r d s t h e m m a n y times over, w h i l e
m a k i n g i t clear t o t h e m that t h e y s h o u l d r e m a i n
t r u e allies, b u t t h e y have a l w a y s t r i e d to i n t e r -
fere i n o u r affairs. T h e comrades are w e l l a w a r e
of this a n d there is no need to list the facts.
C h u r c h i l l a n d his e n v o y s here are p u r s u i n g d i a -
b o l i c a l aims t o w a r d s o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n
M o v e m e n t but, as the other comrades said, we do
not f e a r o r s u b m i t t o t h e i r pressure. W e s h a l l
continue t o p e r f o r m o u r d u t y t o the people a n d
o u r H o m e l a n d to the end.
T h e P r e s i d i u m decided u n a n i m o u s l y that a
c l e a r - c u t r e p l y s h o u l d b e d r a f t e d a n d sent t o G e -

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neral Wilson. The document w h i c h we compiled
in essence h a d this content: T h e r e are no q u a r -
rels, let alone c i v i l w a r , in A l b a n i a . T h e r e is
o n l y one w a r i n A l b a n i a , the w a r against the
occupier a n d its tools, the l o c a l traitors s u c h as
the B a l l i K o m b t a r , L e g a l i t e t i , A b a z K u p i , the
bands of S h e v q e t V r l a c i a n d the 'chiefs' of
D i b r a w h o collaborate d i r e c t l y w i t h the G e r -
m a n C o m m a n d here. W e d o not accept orders
f r o m a n y b o d y about l i b e r a t i n g o u r H o m e l a n d
f r o m the occupiers a n d traitors. A l b a n i a i s o u r
H o m e l a n d a n d the people are the masters of it.
If B r i t a i n has friends, these m u s t be f r o m o u r
side; those w h o are w i t h the G e r m a n s are o u r
enemies a n d enemies of o u r allies, therefore we
shall f i g h t t h e m to the end. We regret to t e l l
y o u that we cannot accept y o u r request. T h i s is
h o w w e c o n c l u d e d o u r reply.
I summoned Palmer, acquainted h i m w i t h
the content of o u r letter of r e p l y a n d h a n d e d it
to h i m . That's another slap in the face of the
B r i t i s h , I said to myself. T h e i r ideas and aims
were clear to us and this f l a g r a n t interference
i n our affairs, i n p a r t i c u l a r , p r o v e d that w e w e r e
right.
M e a n w h i l e I w r o t e to the comrades of the
1st D i v i s i o n that G e n e r a l W i l s o n was c o n t i n u i n g
his pressure to stop the f i g h t i n g against A b a z
K u p i a n d t o b r i n g about r e c o n c i l i a t i o n w i t h h i m
a n d that we h a d resolutely rejected his pressure. I

277
also i n f o r m e d t h e m t h a t B a z i h a d been i n v i t e d t o
go to Italy. He h a d agreed a n d w a s p r e p a r i n g to
go by sea, w h i l e we agreed in p r i n c i p l e to go
t o t a l k s i n B a r i about c o l l a b o r a t i n g w i t h the a l -
lies, b u t i n n o w a y w o u l d w e g o there t o -
gether w i t h A b a z K u p i . C o n t i n u e y o u r attacks
on the forces of Legaliteti, I o r d e r e d t h e m . M a t
a n d D i b r a m u s t b e t r a v e r s e d s e v e r a l times a n d
the forests t h o r o u g h l y searched, w h i l e the reac-
t i o n a r y chiefs of D i b r a m u s t be attacked just as
fiercely.
We w e r e r e c e i v i n g a great deal of i n f o r m a -
t i o n about the m o v e m e n t s of B r i t i s h officers.
M c L e a n was t r a v e l l i n g a l l o v e r the N o r t h o f A l -
b a n i a a n d l i k e w i s e S m i t h , w h o was a t t a c h e d t o
the S t a f f of t h e 1st D i v i s i o n of o u r a r m y . T h e y
gathered i n f o r m a t i o n a n d o r g a n i z e d meetings
w i t h the r e a c t i o n a r y chiefs. H o w e v e r , w h a t c o n -
cerned me most w a s o u r lack of tight security.
W e h a d c a p t u r e d G e r m a n documents w h i c h
described the positions of our brigades in detail.
I w a s also a w a r e that somebody w a s f e e d i n g i n -
f o r m a t i o n on secret matters to the B r i t i s h of-
ficers, especially M a j o r S m i t h . L i r i G e g a was a n
a d m i r e r o f S m i t h . A m o n g s t other things, h e e n -
couraged h e r careerism, w i t h w h i c h she w a s b a d l y
infected even w i t h o u t his encouragement, as w e l l
as h e r u n h e a l t h y a m b i t i o n , especially f o r p r o m o -
t i o n t o general o n w h i c h she h a d h e r eye a n d
h a d said e x p l i c i t l y : W h y can't w o m e n b e g e n -

278
erals, too? L i r i G e g a h a d a c r u s h on S m i t h ,
about w h o m she f r e q u e n t l y s a i d : He's a clever
devil. A p p a r e n t l y , they cried on each other's
shoulders.
L i r i G e g a h a d the habit o f u s i n g u n c o d e d
r a d i o g r a m s w i t h us of the G e n e r a l Staff, i n f o r m -
i n g us openly w h e r e she was, w h a t she was doing,
etc., a n d I took the o p p o r t u n i t y to p o i n t out to
h e r w h a t c o u l d occur as a result of carelessness
a n d l a c k of secrecy. I w r o t e to h e r : In a top
secret r a d i o g r a m I i n f o r m e d y o u about the c r e a -
t i o n o f the 1st A r m y C o r p s a n d i n s t r u c t e d y o u
that this s h o u l d be a n n o u n c e d o n l y w h e n the
6 t h B r i g a d e a n d the staff of the 2 n d D i v i s i o n
a r r i v e d there, w h i l e S m i t h , the B r i t i s h officer
attached to y o u , l e a r n e d this i m m e d i a t e l y . I
asked h e r t o i n f o r m m e u r g e n t l y f r o m w h o m the
B r i t i s h o f f i c e r h a d obtained this i n f o r m a t i o n .
She d i d not r e p l y . W i t h a second r a d i o g r a m I
ordered h e r to r e p l y to me on t h i s m a t t e r . F i n a l l y
she i n f o r m e d m e that T u k J a k o v a , the commissar
of the 1st D i v i s i o n , h a d g i v e n the B r i t i s h m a j o r
the i n f o r m a t i o n about the f o r m a t i o n of the 1st
A r m y C o r p s . A s w a s p r o v e d later, however, L i r i
had t o l d h i m this first a n d T u k later.
O n c e again I issued a clear o r d e r about r e l a -
tions w i t h the f o r e i g n missions, repeated that
only the a u t h o r i z e d persons s h o u l d m a i n t a i n
contact w i t h t h e m a n d not a n y b o d y a t a l l , and

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these a u t h o r i z e d persons m u s t be v e r y cautious
in their conversations w i t h t h e m . I i n s t r u c t e d
the c o m m a n d of the 1st D i v i s i o n not to enter into
conversation w i t h the B r i t i s h officers attached to
A b a z K u p i a n d other r e a c t i o n a r y forces, a n d
i f they c a p t u r e d t h e m , t o send t h e m u n d e r p a r -
t i s a n escort to o u r G e n e r a l Staff. I p o i n t e d out
t o this C o m m a n d , especially t o L i r i G e g a , w h o
without our knowledge had invited M c L e a n to
talks, Since y o u have i n v i t e d h i m , don't b r i n g
h i m to the S t a f f on this occasion, but cut short
y o u r conversation w i t h h i m .
A f e w days after o u r r e p l y to the note, A i r
V i c e - M a r s h a l E l l i o t , c o m m a n d e r o f the B a l k a n
A i r Force, o n behalf o f the S u p r e m e A l l i e d
Mediterranean Commander, General Wilson,
sent me a message, no l o n g e r in the f o r m of
an order a n d a threat l i k e the note, b u t in a d i -
p l o m a t i c tone, i n w h i c h the question o f c u t t i n g
off aid was passed over in silence, w h i l e the s e n d -
i n g of o u r representatives to B a r i to discuss the
situation i n A l b a n i a w i t h his staff was m a d e the
c e n t r a l issue. H e n o longer m a d e A b a z K u p i ' s p a r -
t i c i p a t i o n a c o n d i t i o n f o r the talks, either. F i n a l l y ,
s t i l l in d i p l o m a t i c language, he asked that I s h o u l d
head the delegation. A p p a r e n t l y o u r categorical
r e p l y had obliged t h e m t o reflect a n d they h a d
made a tactical retreat w h i c h m u s t not p u t us to
sleep. The f o x never forgets its craft.
We decided to send a delegation to B a r i . We

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 also discussed the questions w h i c h s h o u l d be
raised. W e a p p o i n t e d three people headed b y C o -
lonel B e d r i S p a h i u . W e s u m m o n e d the three a n d
gave t h e m clear-cut orders. Y o u are to go there
as representatives of the G e n e r a l C o m m a n d of
our N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y a n d w i l l f o l l o w
t h e i r t a c t i c : y o u w i l l discuss o n l y m i l i t a r y ques-
tions a n d not p o l i t i c a l problems, w e t o l d t h e m .
We made clear to t h e m on w h a t conditions they
should t a l k a n d i n s t r u c t e d t h e m to leave no r o o m
f o r a n y e q u i v o c a t i o n . Y o u w i l l conduct y o u r -
selves as representatives of a w o r t h y a r m y w h i c h
has d i s p l a y e d h e r o i s m i n o u r c o m m o n w a r against
the A x i s , a n d i n the talks y o u w i l l reflect its p e r -
fect o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d the strategy and tactics
w o r k e d out b y its G e n e r a l C o m m a n d . R i g h t f r o m
the start y o u w i l l p u t f o r w a r d these requests:
R e c o g n i t i o n by the allies of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a -
tion F r o n t as the o n l y o r g a n i z a t i o n w h i c h is
f i g h t i n g the G e r m a n occupiers i n A l b a n i a ; r e -
cognition o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y a s
the people's a r m y a n d the o n l y one w h i c h is f i g h t -
i n g the occupiers; recognition of it as an allied
a r m y ; r e c o g n i t i o n of the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l
L i b e r a t i o n C o m m i t t e e a s the P r o v i s i o n a l G o v e r n -
ment f o r the A l b a n i a n people f o r the p e r i o d of the
w a r ; acceptance of a p e r m a n e n t m i l i t a r y delega-
tion of the G e n e r a l Staff of the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a -
tion A r m y a t the A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n H e a d -
quarters.

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 Insistence o n s u p p l y i n g our a r m y w i t h w a r
m a t e r i a l w i l l b e one o f the f u n d a m e n t a l p r o b -
lems, w e t o l d the delegation. Y o u m u s t m a k e
clear to t h e m that we d e m a n d t h i s as an o b l i g a -
tion w h i c h results f r o m o u r c o n t r i b u t i o n a n d
t h e i r promise m a d e p u b l i c l y t o p a r t i c i p a n t s i n
the anti-fascist coalition a n d not a s c h a r i t y . Y o u
must stress to t h e m once a g a i n t h a t there m u s t
be no attempt to use the s u p p l y of m i l i t a r y m a -
terials i n o r d e r t o p u t pressure o n the N a t i o n a l
L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t w i t h the a i m o f d i v e r t i n g i t
f r o m its p o l i t i c a l a n d m i l i t a r y line. F i n a l l y , y o u
must insist that t h e y w i t h d r a w t h e i r m i s s i o n at-
tached t o A b a z K u p i .
These w e r e the tasks w i t h w h i c h t h e N a -
t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G e n e r a l C o u n c i l a n d the G e n e r a l
Staff o f the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y charged
o u r m i l i t a r y delegation.
T h e t a l k s a t B a r i b e t w e e n o u r delegation
a n d the delegation o f t h e A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n
H e a d q u a r t e r s c o m m e n c e d at the e n d of J u l y of
1944 a n d c o n t i n u e d t h r o u g h A u g u s t . I m a i n t a i n e d
c o n t i n u o u s c o m m u n i c a t i o n w i t h o u r delegation
a n d f o l l o w e d the t a l k s attentively.
T h e delegation o f the A l l i e d H e a d q u a r t e r s ,
w h i c h w a s headed b y the B r i t i s h L o r d , L t . C o -
l o n e l H a r c o u r t a n d the A m e r i c a n H a r r y F u l t z ,
avoided o u r demands a n d p u t pressure o n our
representatives to m a k e t h e m accept the c o n d i -
tions w h i c h they presented. G r e a t pressure w a s

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e x e r t e d o n o u r delegation especially i n connec-
t i o n w i t h the question of the d i s t r i b u t i o n of
weapons. T h e y insisted that o n l y the B r i t i s h m i s -
sions i n A l b a n i a s h o u l d d o this a n d not o u r G e n -
e r a l Staff. T h e y h a d made a s i m i l a r d e m a n d a y e a r
earlier, w h e n M c L e a n was attached t o us. M a t -
ters reached such a p o i n t that they threatened
t h e y w o u l d b r e a k off the talks. U n d e r these
threats B e d r i S p a h i u w a v e r e d a n d sent m e a r a -
d i o g r a m i n w h i c h h e s a i d : W e insist that y o u
a u t h o r i z e us to conclude the agreement on the
B r i t i s h conditions, because, a c c o r d i n g to h i m ,
w h a t h a d been achieved w a s w o r t h w h i l e .
I r e p l i e d i m m e d i a t e l y , t e l l i n g h i m not to
w a v e r i n c a r r y i n g out t h e tasks w i t h w h i c h w e
h a d c h a r g e d h i m . The B r i t i s h conditions are not
so f a v o u r a b l e t h a t y o u s h o u l d insist so strongly
on accepting them, I r e p l i e d to B e d r i . The
b r e a k i n g off of relations w o u l d not be good, but
f i r s t of all, y o u m u s t f i g h t to safeguard the i n d e -
pendence of o u r Staff. T r y to have the f o l l o w i n g
c o n d i t i o n accepted: S o m e of the m a t e r i a l s h o u l d
be d i s t r i b u t e d by o u r Staff, w h e r e its strategy
a n d tactics r e q u i r e this, w h i l e the r e m a i n d e r
s h o u l d l i k e w i s e be d i s t r i b u t e d by t h i s Staff, but
i n consultation w i t h the head o f the m i s s i o n i n A l -
b a n i a . M e a n w h i l e the actions w i l l be c a r r i e d out
after o u r G e n e r a l S t a f f has studied t h e m and
f o u n d t h e m possible. M a k e clear t o t h e m once
a n d f o r a l l that o n l y o u r G e n e r a l Staff and

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nobody else makes the decisions here. I a g a i n
i n s t r u c t e d h i m t o insist that the B r i t i s h w i t h d r a w
their missions attached t o A b a z K u p i a n d the
other traitors, a n d t o t e l l t h e m that o n l y i n t h i s
w a y c o u l d trust between us be b u i l t . Do n o t
accept l e n g t h y discussion on this matter, I stres-
sed.
F o l l o w i n g these i n s t r u c t i o n s the talks r e c o m -
m e n c e d . B e d r i S p a h i u , v e r y pleased w i t h himself,
reported that, in the end, the g e n e r a l outline of
a n agreement h a d been reached u n d e r w h i c h o u r
N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y was recognized a s
the o n l y a r m y w h i c h w a s f i g h t i n g t h e G e r m a n s
i n A l b a n i a a n d the allies u n d e r t o o k t o s u p p l y i t
w i t h a r m a m e n t s a n d other m i l i t a r y materials,
a l t h o u g h as is k n o w n , they n e v e r f u l l y c a r r i e d
out this agreement. He also reported that the p r o -
posal that a p e r m a n e n t delegation of the G e n e r a l
Staff of the A l b a n i a n National Liberation A r m y
s h o u l d be attached to the A l l i e d H e a d q u a r t e r s at
B a r i h a d been accepted, w h i l e the d e m a n d f o r
r e c o g n i t i o n o f the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a -
t i o n C o m m i t t e e as a P r o v i s i o n a l G o v e r n m e n t h a d
not been accepted by the S u p r e m e C o m m a n d e r
o f the A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n Forces. I n r e g a r d
t o the m i s s i o n attached t o A b a z K u p i t h e y h a d
d e m a n d e d f u r t h e r proofs allegedly to c o n v i n c e
themselves w h e t h e r or not it s h o u l d be w i t h -
d r a w n , w h i l e the agreement i n c l u d e d n o decision
on the other p r o b l e m s .

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 S i n c e they d i d not w a n t t o w i t h d r a w their
m i s s i o n attached t o A b a z K u p i , n o w i t was our
t u r n to act.
I i m m e d i a t e l y s u m m o n e d the B r i t i s h liaison
officer, attached to the G e n e r a l S t a f f of o u r a r m y ,
Captain Lyon, and communicated to h i m official-
ly:
T h e b a n d i t A b a z K u p i a n d his associates,
i n c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h the G e r m a n s , are a t t a c k i n g
us w i t h arms. T h e y are s w o r n enemies of the
people a n d w e s h a l l f i g h t t h e m a s such. W i t h
A b a z K u p i there i s a B r i t i s h p o l i t i c a l - m i l i t a r y
m i s s i o n headed b y L t . C o l M c L e a n a n d C a p -
t a i n A m e r y . T h e y have become collaborators w i t h
A b a z K u p i a n d other reactionaries i n the o r g a n -
i z a t i o n a n d leadership of reactionary forces against
the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t a n d the N a t i o n a l
L i b e r a t i o n A r m y . T h e i r hostile w o r k i s s o open
that M c L e a n a n d his colleagues w e r e present,
arms i n h a n d , i n the f i g h t i n g w h i c h the bands
o f A b a z K u p i w a g e d against the p a r t i s a n forces.
T h i s w e have p o i n t e d out t o y o u m a n y
times a n d have d e m a n d e d that y o u put an e n d to
such a situation. Y o u do not w a n t to take any
measures i n r e g a r d t o this c y n i c a l a n d v i l l a i n o u s
act, therefore I am o f f i c i a l l y c o m m u n i c a t i n g to
y o u the decision of the G e n e r a l C o m m a n d of the
A l b a n i a n N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y : 'If the B r i -
t i s h officers w h o stay w i t h A b a z K u p i are k i l l e d
i n the f i g h t i n g t o w i p e out h i m a n d his b a n d , w e

285
accept n o r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r this. W e s h a l l m a k e n o
d i s t i n c t i o n between the B r i t i s h officers a n d b a n d -
its l i k e A b a z K u p i . I f w e capture y o u r officers,
w e shall not h a n d t h e m o v e r t o y o u , b u t w i l l
h o l d t h e m a s prisoners o f w a r a n d h a n d t h e m
over t o the p a r t i s a n court f o r t r i a l a s w a r c r i -
m i n a l s w h o h a v e collaborated w i t h the e n e m y ' .
I stood up a n d said to the B r i t i s h C a p t a i n : T h a t
is a l l I have to c o m m u n i c a t e to you.
T h e C a p t a i n ' s face was d e a t h l y pale.
G e n e r a l H o x h a , he said, this is a h a r s h
a n d v e r y dangerous decision. I t h i n k y o u o u g h t
to w i t h d r a w it.
I s h a l l not w i t h d r a w one c o m m a f r o m it,
I said. It is up to y o u to w i t h d r a w y o u r missions
f r o m the t r a i t o r collaborators.
M r . H o x h a , I t h i n k y o u have been m i s -
i n f o r m e d , because M c L e a n ' s m i s s i o n c o u l d n e v e r
w o r k against y o u . L e t u s t r y t o clear u p t h e
matter.
What we say is absolutely true. T h e r e is
no question of m i s i n f o r m a t i o n , I t o l d the B r i t i s h
officer. T r a n s m i t t h i s t o y o u r c o m m a n d a n d let
it t h i n k w h a t it likes, but m a k e clear to it that I
s h a l l not budge f r o m m y decision. W h y d o w e
not m a k e such a n accusation against M r . P a l m e r ,
y o u , o r any other B r i t i s h officer? Y o u r c o m m a n d
has not t h o r o u g h l y studied the t r u e reasons f o r
this decision a n d the real facts w h i c h w e h a v e
presented about these persons on several o c c a -

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sions, t h e r e f o r e o u r decision w i l l n o t be altered
a n d cannot b e h i n d e r e d . W e s h a l l continue the
w a r against o u r c o m m o n enemies. Y o u d o not
l i k e w h a t I h a v e said to y o u , because y o u are
not used to h a v i n g such things said to y o u about
y o u r officers w h o are acting i n this w a y . B u t
y o u s h o u l d not forget that n e i t h e r d o w e A l b a n i -
ans a l l o w a n y b o d y to c l i m b on o u r backs. I agree
w i t h y o u that w e s h o u l d m a i n t a i n sincere r e l a -
tions, because t h i s is in the interests of both
sides, b u t I do not accept in a n y w a y that y o u
s h o u l d give m o r a l a n d m a t e r i a l support and
assistance to o u r enemies, the tools of the oc-
cupiers.
I s h a l l t r a n s m i t y o u r decision t o m y G e n -
e r a l H e a d q u a r t e r s i m m e d i a t e l y , said L y o n , and
he took his leave a n d left.
T h i s was the M c L e a n incident, i f w e can
c a l l i t that.
A s our delegation a t B a r i reported t o me,
C a p t a i n L y o n h a d t r a n s m i t t e d this u l t i m a t u m
that v e r y n i g h t to his G e n e r a l H e a d q u a r t e r s ,
w h i c h was greatly a l a r m e d a n d i m m e d i a t e l y
made it the subject of a discussion in the C o m -
m i s s i o n f o r P o l i t i c a l Questions. T h e day after
this n e w s a r r i v e d , A i r V i c e - m a r s h a l E l l i o t had
s u m m o n e d o u r delegation a n d i n the presence
of representatives of M c M i l l a n , the resident m i n -
ister, the representative o f M u r p h y i n B a r i ,

287
L o r d H a r c o u r t , P a l m e r a n d several others, h a d
r e a d the r a d i o g r a m received f r o m C a p t a i n L y o n .
H e told o u r delegation that t h i s a n n o u n c e m e n t
had s t u n n e d t h e m a n d they s t i l l d i d not u n d e r -
stand w h y a l l this fuss was b e i n g m a d e at a t i m e
w h e n i n the agreement concluded, the question
o f A b a z K u p i h a d been left f o r f u r t h e r d i s c u s -
sion. T h e n h e i n f o r m e d t h e m o f his answer, w i t h
the i n s t r u c t i o n that they s h o u l d t r a n s m i t it to
me. A m o n g s t other things he said that he c o u l d
not p e r m i t such demands f o r the w i t h d r a w a l
of a l l i e d officers, a n d e v e n less, that they s h o u l d
b e c a p t u r e d b y force a n d b r o u g h t t o t r i a l b y
the p a r t i s a n m i l i t a r y court; that I m u s t w i t h d r a w
the accusations a n d threats a n d give a f u l l g u a -
rantee t h a t no measures w o u l d be t a k e n against
the a l l i e d officers i n A l b a n i a ; that i f they d i d not
get this guarantee they w o u l d not c a r r y out the
conditions of the agreement a n d that in operating
w i t h K u p i , L t C o l o n e l M c L e a n was simply car-
r y i n g out the orders he h a d received, a n d f i n a l l y ,
w i t h a d i p l o m a t i c twist, E l l i o t said that in these
circumstances he h a d no a l t e r n a t i v e b u t to keep
the A l b a n i a n delegation i n B a r i , w i t h o u t r e s t r i c t -
i n g its f r e e d o m of m o v e m e n t , u n t i l this question
w a s solved satisfactorily.
A i r V i c e - m a r s h a l E l l i o t t o l d o u r delegation
that C a p t a i n L y o n w o u l d b e i n f o r m e d about these
matters i n o r d e r t o m a k e t h e m k n o w n t o G e n e r a l
H o x h a , w i t h o u t e n t e r i n g i n t o discussion w i t h

288
h i m , i n o r d e r t o a v o i d g i v i n g rise t o f u r t h e r
misunderstanding. Bedri Spahiu briefly transmit-
t e d a l l this t o m e immediately, and finally,
f r i g h t e n e d b y the s i t u a t i o n created, h e w r o t e i n
the f o r m o f a r e p r o a c h : Y o u are not f u l l y i n -
f o r m e d about the c o r d i a l agreement we have
concluded here, a n d c o n t i n u e d p e r e m p t o r i l y , if
the content of C a p t . L y o n ' s r a d i o g r a m is i d e n t i c a l
w i t h what you told him, declare that y o u r
d e m a n d is w i t h d r a w n .
I issued a clear-cut o r d e r f o r the delegation
t o leave i m m e d i a t e l y f o r the H o m e l a n d . T h e A l -
l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n C o m m a n d d i d not dare take
a n y f u r t h e r action. F a c e d w i t h o u r d e t e r m i n a -
tion, it w a s obliged to f i n d a modus vivendi: the
delegation w o u l d be p e r m i t t e d to leave (1), b u t P a l -
m e r w o u l d come, too, to discuss the questions
d i r e c t l y w i t h me. T h e y sent t h e delegation b y
sea, w h i l e the B r i t i s h o f f i c e r d r o p p e d i n b y p a r a -
chute the same day that the delegation reached
o u r Staff.
P a l m e r came a n d t a l k e d w i t h us. H i s o p i n -
ions w e r e m o r e m o d e r a t e t h a n those E l l i o t e x -
_______________________________

1 B a r i sent a very urgent radiogram to Caserta and F o r e i g n

Office on A u g u s t 29, 1944, w h i c h among other things said:
4...it was agreed it w o u l d be expedient not to insist on our
decision while L.N.C. delegates here, firstly because Hoxha
might use this step on our part as an excuse for action against
own personnel in A l b a n i a . . . (FO 371/43552-3277, PRO. Taken
from the photocopy of the original in the AIH, Tirana.)

289
pressed t o our delegation i n B a r i . H e t o l d m e
that M c L e a n a n d A m e r y w o u d b e s u m m o n e d t o
B a r i to report on the question that h a d been
raised. H o w e v e r , the B r i t i s h d i d not w i t h d r a w
M c L e a n ' s m i s s i o n f r o m B a z i i Cans. M c L e a n
and A m e r y , w h o p l a y e d the role of the eminence
grise* r e m a i n e d w i t h B a z i i Cans u n t i l they
w e r e n e a r l y c a p t u r e d b y o u r partisans.
At the b e g i n n i n g of the a u t u m n of 1944,
the p a r t i s a n forces i n the N o r t h w e r e s c o r i n g
one success after another. We w e r e p r e p a r i n g to
attack T i r a n a . T h e R e d A r m y w a s d r i v i n g i n t o
the B a l k a n s , closing the G e r m a n s ' roads b a c k to
t h e i r l a i r . N o w they w e r e i n t h e i r f i n a l decline,
and h a v i n g lost a l l hope, w e r e t r y i n g o n l y t o
save t h e i r necks. In these conditions r e a c t i o n ,
u r g e d b y the B r i t i s h , t h o u g h t that i t s h o u l d p l a y
the o l d game w h i c h i t h a d t r i e d one y e a r earlier,
w h e n fascist Italy capitulated, that is, the f a r c e
of going out to the m o u n t a i n s , a n d it h a d been
advised to do t h i s by the B r i t i s h officers attached
t o A b a z K u p i . E v e n the heads o f the B a l l i K o m -
btar, the q u i s l i n g regents a n d other reactionaries
c o u l d see that the G e r m a n horse w a s at its last
gasp a n d t h e y w e r e d o i n g e v e r y t h i n g possible
to place themselves u n d e r the w i n g of the A n g l o -
Americans.
A c c o r d i n g t o the i n f o r m a t i o n that r e a c h e d
____________________________
* F r e n c h in the original.

290
us, a t the m e e t i n g w h i c h they h a d w i t h M c L e a n
at the M a z h a v i l l a g e of the K r u j a district, he had
l a i d d o w n c e r t a i n conditions. F i r s t o f a l l , they
m u s t p u t aside t h e i r quarrels w i t h one another a n d
create a c o m m o n bloc against the N a t i o n a l L i -
beration F r o n t , they m u s t go out to the m o u n -
tains in order to g a i n credit a m o n g the people
so t h a t the B r i t i s h c o u l d j u s t i f y the aid t h e y
w o u l d give t h e m . A c c o r d i n g t o t h e m , this w o u l d
open the prospect of the creation of a n a t i o n a l
g o v e r n m e n t , w h i c h w o u l d f i g h t against the
G e r m a n s ! T h e f i r s t steps i n this farce were t a k e n .
I m m e d i a t e l y after the meeting, F i q r i D i n e r e -
signed P r e n g P r e v i z i placed himself u n d e r the
c o m m a n d o f A b a z K u p i , w h o was t o b e the c o m -
m a n d e r of the joint forces. T h e y e v e n l a i d out the
plan of going to the m o u n t a i n s . A so-called
g o v e r n m e n t was f o r m e d in the m o u n t a i n of
P r e z a , a n d t h e y shared out the posts: head of
government M i t h a t Frashri, foreign minister
M e h d i F r a s h r i , m i n i s t e r of justice T h o m a
O r o l l o g a i a n d so on. J a n i D i l o a n d other fathers
of t h e n a t i o n w e r e appointed to v a r i o u s posts.
In this t i l t i n g at w i n d m i l l s a l l t h e i r hopes w e r e
p i n n e d o n t h e staff w i t h A b a z K u p i a s the
commander-in-chief.
T h e B r i t i s h understood that the bold
spirits w h o m a d e u p t h i s pack o f r a b b i t s w o u l d
not achieve a n y t h i n g , but nevertheless decided
to m a k e use of t h e m , because e v e n they m i g h t

291
serve t h e i r plans. It w a s not w i t h o u t a purpose
that they chose the K r u j a - D u r r s - I s h m zone in
w h i c h to concentrate the a r m y of the j o i n t
bloc. It was not w i t h o u t purpose that t h e y o r -
dered A b a z K u p i a n d his h o r d e t o liberate D u r r s
a n d C a p e R o d o n . B y l i b e r a t i n g this zone f r o m
the G e r m a n s , w h o w e r e w i t h d r a w i n g , the B r i t i s h
w a n t e d to p r e p a r e the t e r r a i n f o r a l a n d i n g f r o m
the sea. It w a s not f o r n o t h i n g that the g o v e r n -
m e n t was established i n P r e z a , w h i c h i s close
to Tirana, and in any eventuality, it w o u l d be
poised to m a k e a t r i u m p h a l e n t r y to t h e c a -
pital.
I n the N o r t h , the B r i t i s h o f f i c e r S i m c o x w a s
p r e p a r i n g a n alternative m o v e w i t h G a n i K r y e -
z i u , the f e u d a l l o r d of K o s o v a . If the n a t i o n a l
g o v e r n m e n t o f P r e z a failed, i t w o u l d b e G a n i
K r y e z i u w h o w o u l d f o r m the n a t i o n a l g o v e r n -
ment i n w h i c h M u h a r r e m Bajraktari, G j o n M a r -
k a g j o n i a n d other refuse w o u l d take p a r t ; i n
the opposite case, this w o u l d be done by r e a c h i n g
agreement w i t h A b a z K u p i a n d M i t h a t F r a s h r i .
A s the f e u d a l l o r d o f K o s o v a h a d been d i s a r m e d
and h a n d e d over to the Y u g o s l a v s , t h e i r o n l y r e -
m a i n i n g hopes w e r e p i n n e d o n A b a z K u p i . I t
m u s t not be left u n m e n t i o n e d , either, that the
proposal o f the A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n H e a d q u a r -
ters to d r o p specialized troops by parachute
o n the o u t s k i r t s o f T i r a n a , i n P e z a a n d D a r s i a ,
w a s part of this co-ordinated p l a n .

292
 H o w e v e r , n e i t h e r the B r i t i s h , n o r the reac-
tionaries w h o m they h a d t a k e n u n d e r t h e i r p r o -
tection, w e r e able to o u t w i t our P a r t y . It w a t c h e d
a l l these actions closely a n d took energetic m e a -
sures. I i n f o r m e d a l l the r e g i o n a l committees, a n d
especially C o m r a d e G o g o N u s h i i n T i r a n a , and
the C o m m a n d of the 1st A r m y C o r p s about these
e n e m y m a n o e u v r e s . I t o l d t h e m that a s i t u a t i o n
s i m i l a r to t h a t at the time of the c a p i t u l a t i o n of
Italy was b e i n g created. T h e traitors w e r e f i r i n g
a f e w shots to give the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s an
excuse to s u p p o r t t h e m . I i n s t r u c t e d t h e m to
distribute leaflets s a y i n g that M i t h a t F r a s h r i ,
Abaz K u p i , Mehdi Frashri, A l i Klcyra, Fiqri
D i n e , L e f N o s i , a n d t h e i r other collaborators w e r e
traitors a n d w o u l d be put on t r i a l as such. I i n -
structed that leaflets s h o u l d be issued a p p e a l i n g
to those w h o h a d been deceived a n d m i s l e d to
s u r r e n d e r a n d j o i n t h e r a n k s o f the N a t i o n a l L i -
beration A r m y . I issued a special o r d e r to the
Staff o f the A r m y C o r p s t o attack reaction w i t h -
out m e r c y .
T h e general offensive began. I n e a r l y S e p -
tember, the 1st B r i g a d e attacked K r u j a , routed
the G e r m a n g a r r i s o n a n d the r e a c t i o n a r y bands,
b u r n t A b a z K u p i ' s house, a n d together w i t h a
b a t t a l i o n of the 3 r d B r i g a d e m a r c h e d on P r e z a
to attack the staff of reaction and to p r e v e n t
i t f r o m escaping f r o m the rat-holes i n w h i c h i t
was c o w e r i n g . A t the e n d o f A u g u s t the 4 t h B r i -

293
gade moved into M i r d i t a , b u r n t the m a n o r - h o u s e
o f G j o n M a r k a g j o n i , a d v a n c e d into L u r a , a n d
cleared this region of reactionaries. A f t e r settling
accounts w i t h M u h a r r e m B a j r a k t a r i i n L u m a ,
the 5th B r i g a d e m a r c h e d t o w a r d s the H i g h l a n d s
of G j a k o v a . T h e other brigades in v a r i o u s zones
of the c o u n t r y acted s i m i l a r l y .
The f u r i o u s attack b y o u r a r m y o n the G e r -
m a n s a n d reactionaries also caused c o n f u s i o n
a m o n g the p o l i t i c a l circles i n L o n d o n that w e r e
interested i n A l b a n i a . N o w the B r i t i s h h a d n o
alternative but to enter into direct contact w i t h
the G e r m a n C o m m a n d s o that its troops w o u l d
s u r r e n d e r to t h e m . T h e Intelligence S e r v i c e
charged the B r i t i s h M a j o r N e e l , based i n S h k o -
dra, w i t h this task. W e h a d suspected that they
were up to something of this sort, but it w a s the
testimony o f the G e r m a n officer H e l m u t h M a u t h ,
w h o m w e c a p t u r e d , that made the w h o l e game
clear to us. A c c o r d i n g to h i m , t h r o u g h an agent of
the Gestapo, N e e l h a d made contact w i t h the c o m -
m a n d o f the G e r m a n 21st A r m y C o r p s a n d h a d
proposed on behalf of the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t
that the G e r m a n troops s h o u l d not w i t h d r a w
u n t i l the B r i t i s h forces h a d l a n d e d , that a joint
staff of the t w o armies s h o u l d be created, a n d
thus they s h o u l d fight together against the p a r -
tisans. H e h a d proposed t o the G e r m a n C o m -
m a n d i n A l b a n i a that after the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a -
t i o n A r m y w a s defeated, a l l the possibilities

294
w o u l d b e p r o v i d e d f o r the G e r m a n troops t o
return to their country. The G e r m a n General
F i t z t u m , w h o considered these promises w e r e
based on doomed hopes and m o r e o v e r p u t no
trust i n t h e m a g n a n i m i t y o f the B r i t i s h L i o n ,
h a d sent the B r i t i s h o f f i c e r the s t i f f - n e c k e d r e p l y
that he took orders o n l y f r o m his c o m m a n d a n d
c a r r i e d out o n l y its orders.
T h e B r i t i s h officers made such demands
several times, but the A n g l o - G e r m a n l i n k - u p a n d
c o l l a b o r a t i o n w a s stopped in its t r a c k s by the
p a r t i s a n rifle, w h i c h d i d not a l l o w the A n g l o -
A m e r i c a n s t i m e to l a n d at C a p e R o d o n or the
G e r m a n s t o continue t h e i r resistance. Thus, the
N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y b l e w u p these plans
of the B r i t i s h , too.
O u r P a r t y smashed t o smithereens the plans
of the i m p e r i a l i s t s w h o a i m e d to enslave A l b a n i a .
T h e p l a n s of the fathers of the nation also
ended u p i n the r u b b i s h b i n . A l b i o n put these
people in a f e w boats a n d took t h e m a b r o a d to
save t h e i r n e c k s f r o m the anger of the people,
w h o e m e r g e d t r i u m p h a n t over t h e I t a l i a n and
G e r m a n occupiers, o v e r the Zogites, Ballists, a n d
quislings, and over the agents of the B r i t i s h I n -
telligence S e r v i c e and the A m e r i c a n O S S , in
order to use t h e m later as spies, saboteurs and
assassins against A l b a n i a .
In his second v e n t u r e in A l b a n i a , as chief
o f the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n attached t o A b a z K u p i

295
a n d other traitors, w h o m the B r i t i s h c o u l d not
a l l o w t o f a l l i n t h e hands o f o u r forces ( 1 ) , M c L e a n
suffered another i g n o m i n i o u s defeat. O n e d a r k
October night, a torpedo boat p i c k e d h i m up
somewhere on the coast a n d took h i m to Italy,
n e v e r t o r e t u r n . H i s d e p a r t u r e a n d the f l i g h t
of the chiefs of r e a c t i o n left the f l o c k of L e g a l i -
teti a n d t h e B a l l i K o m b t a r i n complete d i s a r r a y .
Some surrendered, others f l e d , w h i l e s t i l l others
l a y l o w in the forests a n d m o u n t a i n s , as i n s t r u c -
ted by t h e i r shepherds, to a w a i t f u r t h e r orders.
T h i s last g r o u p w a s to comprise the contingent of
bands w h i c h c o m m i t t e d crimes against the n e w
people's p o w e r after L i b e r a t i o n u n t i l t h e y w e r e
crushed by the i r o n fist of the people a n d the
Defence D i v i s i o n .
_______________________________________

1. A radiogram f r o m B a r i on October 28, 1944 sent to the

Secretary of State at Caserta says:
Abas K u p i has asked to be evacuated f r o m A l b a n i a w i t h
his 2 sons and 3 personal followers.
2...I submit the strongest recommendation that his request
be granted.
3. He has been of considerable service to the Allied cause
since June 1940, has had a British Mission with him from
August 1943, and his name has come to be closely associated
with England... that I do not believe that he could be
abandoned to his fate w i t h o u t considerable loss to British
prestige. (Telegram N 372, FO 371/43566-3517. PRO. Taken
from the photocopy of the original in the AIH, Tirana.)

296
 VI

THREE ATTEMPTS AT LANDING THREE

FAILURES

A new head of the British mission with a

more sympathetic appearance. A i d : Much ado
about nothing. Palmer's first success. Ulti-
matum: Either supplies of weapons or clear out!
Radiogram from the fighting front: the Kryeziu
brothers, the British officer Simcox and Fundo
prisoners of the partisans. An Anglo-Titoite
coincidence. Proposal for concrete aid: Let
us drop commandos at Peza, Ishm and Darsia
to liberate Tirana! No, Mr. Palmer, never!
Second attempt: at Spile. The third failure: at
Saranda.

O u r w a r against the G e r m a n occupiers a n d

the l o c a l r e a c t i o n a r i e s w h o c o l l a b o r a t e d w i t h
t h e m w a s r a g i n g f i e r c e l y a n d h a d assumed w i d e
p r o p o r t i o n s . A t t h i s t i m e , the s p r i n g o f 1944,
g e n e r a l l y s p e a k i n g , the o p e r a t i o n a l i n i t i a t i v e h a d

297
passed in the hands of o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n
A r m y . ( 1 ) I t h a d emerged f r o m the fierce f i g h t i n g
a n d countless p r i v a t i o n s of the w i n t e r 1943-1944
toughened a n d better p r e p a r e d f o r stern battles
against the occupiers a n d t h e i r tools i n A l b a n i a .
On the order of the G e n e r a l S t a f f it h a d l a u n c h e d
the general offensive w h i c h is k n o w n as the
S p r i n g Offensive. Besides the battalions a n d
etas, shock brigades p o w e r f u l commands, had
been f o r m e d a n d t h e i r operations against the
enemy w e r e a l w a y s c r o w n e d w i t h v i c t o r y . I n a l l
the l i b e r a t e d zones n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n councils,
w h i c h operated vigorously, as organs of the p e o -
ple's state p o w e r , h a d been f o r m e d . In the oc-
c u p i e d zones, too, a n d even in the cities, u n d e r -
g r o u n d n a t i o n a l l i b e r a t i o n councils h a d been
created as f i g h t i n g organs w h i c h u n i t e d a l l the
anti-fascist p o p u l a r forces a n d assisted the N a -
tional Liberation War.
T h e q u i s l i n g g o v e r n m e n t s f e l l one after the
other l i k e a u t u m n leaves. T h e place of people
_________________________________
1 In the weekly report dated M a r c h 8, 1944, on the situation
in A l b a n i a it was reported to the Foreign O f f i c e :
9. The partisan revival is a tribute to the flexibility and
resilience of the L.N.C. brigades, the m a j o r i t y of w h i c h w e r e
reported a month ago to be either dispersed by GERMAN
drives or faced w i t h immediate starvation. T h e strength of the
Partisans seems to lie in their discipline, energy and clarity
of aim, qualities singularly l a c k i n g in their nationalist oppo-
nents. (FO 371/43550-3372. PRO. Taken from the photocopy
of the original in the AIH, Tirana.)

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w h o h a d c o m p r o m i s e d themselves w i t h the I t a l -
ians was t a k e n b y those w h o h a d w o r k e d u n d e r
cover, the chiefs of the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d other
r e a c t i o n a r y trends, w h o took part i n the R e -
gency, the g o v e r n m e n t a n d other top q u i s l i n g
organs set up by the occupiers, a n d hence became
o p e n quislings.
H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y k n e w that it had lost the
w a r . It h a d to protect the forces w h i c h it h a d
i n A l b a n i a f r o m o u r ceaseless attacks. L i k e w i s e ,
it h a d to w i t h d r a w the forces it had in Greece,
a n d hence to keep open the roads f o r t h e i r w i t h -
d r a w a l , w h i c h w e r e u n d e r attack b y o u r brigades
a n d divisions. F o r this reason the G e r m a n s
l a u n c h e d p a r t i a l a n d general offensives against
us, s p r e a d i n g terror and devastating w h o l e
regions. T h e occupiers h a d the support o f the A l -
b a n i a n r e a c t i o n : the Ballists, the Zogites, the
b a j r a k t a r s , the quislings f o r m e r l y pro-Italian,
n o w p r o - G e r m a n , w i t h w h o m t h e y h a d reached
agreement to j o i n forces a n d w i p e out the c o m -
m u n i s t s a n d the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y . R e a c -
t i o n assisted its a l l y G e r m a n y , the n a z i a r m y ,
a n d at the same t i m e t r i e d to p r e p a r e f o r the
future, that is, to seize p o w e r w h e n the G e r -
m a n forces departed.
W h i l e w a g i n g u n r e l e n t i n g w a r o n the e n e m y
we k e p t v i g i l a n t w a t c h on the m a n o e u v r e s of
the quislings, the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d the Zogites;
w e r e p l i e d t o t h e i r actions w i t h arms, w i t h a r m e d

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counter-attacks, a n d defeated t h e i r plans t h r o u g h
intensive p r o p a g a n d a a m o n g the people, i n o p -
position t o the G e r m a n p r o p a g a n d a w h i c h l o u d l y
p r o c l a i m e d that G e r m a n y h a d a l w a y s been a n d
always w o u l d be a f r i e n d of the A l b a n i a n people,
that the G e r m a n a r m y w a s o n l y here i n t r a n s i t
and that a l l of its actions w e r e u n d e r t a k e n to
strengthen the f r e e d o m and independence o f A l -
b a n i a ! T h i s demagogy w a s a c c o m p a n i e d w i t h a l -
legedly A l b a n i a n measures w i t h the N a -
t i o n a l A s s e m b l y , w i t h the o r g a n i z a t i o n of the
A l b a n i a n gendarmerie, because the A l b a n i a n
fascist m i l i t i a w a s not A l b a n i a n , etc., etc.
T h e B r i t i s h h a d suffered defeats i n t h e i r
intrigues. Seeing that t h e i r p l a n s w e r e b e i n g c o n -
sistently discovered a n d foiled, t h e y thought t h e y
c o u l d i m p r o v e the s i t u a t i o n by d r o p p i n g us a
f e w m o r e weapons. B u t w e d i d not f a l l f o r t h e i r
t r i c k e r y . I advised the commissars a n d the c o m -
m a n d e r s : Y o u must cherish n o i l l u s i o n , n o
hopes, a n d no belief that the B r i t i s h are g o i n g to
drop u s weapons. W e m u s t have f a i t h i n o u r -
selves, i n the P a r t y , i n the people a n d i n o u r
N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r . W e must attack t h e
enemy, smash i t a n d capture arms, a m m u n i -
t i o n , c l o t h i n g and food. T h i s is the o n l y w a y that
w e w i l l ensure stores o f arms. W e expect n o t h i n g
f r o m heaven. W e w i l l continue t o d e m a n d w e a -
pons f r o m the B r i t i s h as o u r allies, b u t a l l t h e y
drop u s count f o r n o t h i n g i n o u r great w a r .

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In meetings I e x p l a i n e d to the commissars: W h i l e
the B r i t i s h a n d the A m e r i c a n s are o u r allies i n
this w a r , because t h e y are f i g h t i n g the G e r m a n s ,
w e m u s t n e v e r t h i n k that they sincerely support
o u r w a r . T h e y do not w a n t to a r m us, because
t h e y k n o w that by doing so t h e y are d i g g i n g the
g r a v e f o r t h e i r r e a l friends. T h e y w a n t u s t o
f o l d o u r arms, to stop f i g h t i n g and be weak, so
that t h e y can t h o r o u g h l y enslave us t o m o r r o w .
T h e r e f o r e I issued the c a l l f o r f i g h t i n g , relent-
less f i g h t i n g , correct policy, r e v o l u t i o n a r y d i p l o -
m a c y a n d vigilance, v i g i l a n c e !
T w o o r three m o n t h s after G e n e r a l Davies
w a s t a k e n prisoner, B r i t a i n sought p e r m i s s i o n
to send a n o t h e r representative to our G e n e r a l
Staff, a M a j o r P a l m e r , w h o was p r o m o t e d a little
l a t e r t o L t . - C o l o n e l . I a u t h o r i z e d this a n d i n A p r i l
1944 he w a s d r o p p e d by p a r a c h u t e in the region
o f K o r a , i f I'm not m i s t a k e n . H e was a c c o m -
p a n i e d by his chief of staff, a radio operator and
some other officer.
A s w e s a w later f r o m the attitude P a l m e r
adopted, he h a d been i n s t r u c t e d to present a
more s y m p a t h e t i c appearance, that is, to a v o i d
a p p e a r i n g as c u n n i n g a n d arrogant as M c L e a n ,
o r allegedly the p l a i n soldier l i k e the G e n e r a l ,
w h o p r o v e d to be not at a l l the soldier he
c l a i m e d to be up t i l l the m o m e n t he s u r r e n d e r e d
to the G e r m a n s .
P a l m e r w a s a l l smiles w h e n h e met me. H e

301
was a m a n about 40, f i t - l o o k i n g , w i t h c l e a r - c u t
features, and intelligent s m i l i n g eyes. A f t e r w e
exchanged greetings, he told me t h a t he h a d c o m e
to replace G e n e r a l D a v i e s at the S u p r e m e S t a f f
o f the P a r t i s a n A r m y a n d t o c o n t r i b u t e his m a x i -
m u m to the s t r e n g t h e n i n g of the f r i e n d s h i p b e -
t w e e n o u r t w o countries and a r m i e s w h i c h w e r e
allies against the same enemy, H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y ,
a n d other such h i g h - f l o w n b u t w o r t h l e s s w o r d s .
I r e p l i e d in general terms, too. I also asked h i m if
the B r i t i s h i n t e n d e d to assist us w i t h weapons
and c l o t h i n g , w h i c h w a s a v e r y i m p o r t a n t issue
f o r us, b u t w h i c h , I t o l d P a l m e r , y o u forgot to
mention. I also gave h i m a short account of the
s m a l l a m o u n t of aid w h i c h they h a d g i v e n us.
Y o u r Shakespeare, I t o l d h i m , w r o t e a
comedy called Much Ado About Nothing. H o w -
ever, this p e r f o r m a n c e that is going on today
to the d e t r i m e n t of a people t h i r s t i n g f o r f r e e d o m
goes b e y o n d the bounds of c o m e d y or d r a m a
a n d is a t e r r i b l e tragedy. A s m a l l people, l i k e
ours, are f i g h t i n g a n d s a c r i f i c i n g e v e r y t h i n g f o r
v i c t o r y i n this w a r . T h e o n l y a i d w e ask f r o m
y o u i s i n weapons, n o t h i n g else, w h i l e a l l y o u
d o i s t a l k about i t a n d i n fact w e see v e r y
v e r y little, almost n o t h i n g of t h i s aid.
P a l m e r laughed, a l t h o u g h h e h a d been s m i l -
i n g the w h o l e t i m e . It seemed t h e y h a d d e l i b e r a -
tely selected this c h e e r f u l type i n o r d e r t o a v o i d
a n y f u r t h e r w o r s e n i n g o f relations w i t h us.

302
 W i t h o u r l a n d i n g i n Italy, I believe w e ' l l
adjust this m a t t e r better. Y o u must u n d e r s t a n d
o u r difficulties, P a l m e r t r i e d t o e x p l a i n .
In his attitude, conduct and w a y of speak-
i n g , he w a s m u c h m o r e mature, cautious, serious,
and s y m p a t h e t i c t h a n a l l the other B r i t i s h of-
ficers I m e t d u r i n g the w a r . He posed as if he
sympathized w i t h our war, although certainly
he a p p r o v e d n e i t h e r of o u r w a r , n o r of our p o l i t i -
cal stand. H o w e v e r there w a s n o t h i n g he c o u l d
do about t h e m and he d i d not display this openly
l i k e M c L e a n , n o r t e l l f l a g r a n t lies l i k e G e n e r a l
Davies.
O n m a n y occasions I h a d arguments w i t h
P a l m e r , a n d even spoke a n g r i l y t o h i m about
the s t a n d of other B r i t i s h missions, the A l l i e d
Mediterranean Headquarters and General W i l -
son, b u t P a l m e r a l w a y s m a i n t a i n e d his t y p i c a l
E n g l i s h aplomb, took notes, t h o u g h t c a r e f u l l y
before he spoke a n d r e p l i e d to me t a c t f u l l y a n d
diplomatically.
N a t u r a l l y the question o f weapons was a l -
w a y s a source of discord b e t w e e n us. In fact,
w e h a d n e v e r p i n n e d any hopes o n getting a r m s
f r o m t h e m a n d d i d not r e a l l y expect that they
w o u l d d r o p t h e m to us, b u t we insisted on this
question in order to b r i n g out the sabotage and
o t h e r a c t i v i t i e s w h i c h t h e y t r i e d t o c a r r y out
against us.
T h e contradictions that w e had with the

303
B r i t i s h over the inadequate s u p p l y of a r m s be-
came v e r y acute. A t l o n g last P a l m e r came t o
me w i t h a p r o p o s a l of the M e d i t e r r a n e a n H e a d -
quarters o n this p r o b l e m . A s h e p u t it, i n order
to solve the p r o b l e m of a r m s supplies f r o m the
allies p r o p e r l y a n d q u i c k l y , the M e d i t e r r a n e a n
H e a d q u a r t e r s proposed that we s h o u l d send a
m i l i t a r y delegation t o B a r i and present o u r r e -
q u i r e m e n t s there. T h e comrades a n d I e x a m i n e d
a n d discussed this p r o p o s a l at l e n g t h .
I sent f o r P a l m e r a n d t o l d h i m of o u r d e c i -
sion. He rejoiced at h a v i n g a c h i e v e d this suc-
cess a n d said w i t h satisfaction, N o w I believe
that e v e r y t h i n g w i l l be settled. I w a s c o n v i n c e d
that n o t h i n g w o u l d b e done. A n d i n fact, i t t u r n e d
out just as we h a d foreseen. As I w r o t e in the
p r e v i o u s chapter, o u r delegation came back w i t h
n o t h i n g but promises a n d e m p t y hands.
P a l m e r often felt himself hard-pressed a n d
c o u l d h a r d l y w a i t f o r the occasion w h e n half a
dozen rifles w e r e d r o p p e d in some region so that
he c o u l d come to me a l l smiles to b r i n g the good
news.
The Germans were receiving mortal blows
o n t h e Soviet front, w h i c h was the m a i n f r o n t
of the w a r a n d sealed the total defeat of H i t l e r i t e
G e r m a n y . T h e R e d A r m y h a d a d v a n c e d into the
B a l k a n s a n d w a s d r i v i n g t o w a r d s the West. T h e
A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s h a d l a n d e d i n Italy. T h e G e r -
m a n forces f o u n d themselves i n d i f f i c u l t i e s i n

304
the A p e n n i n e P e n i n s u l a , w h i l e the allies a d v a n c e d
v e r y s l o w l y . K e s s e l r i n g ' s armies w e r e m a k i n g
a f i g h t i n g retreat a n d a p p a r e n t l y w a n t e d to t u r n
the A l p s into a n impassable defence line. I t h a d
become v i r t u a l l y impossible f o r the forces of the
G e r m a n a r m y deployed i n Greece t o r e m a i n
t h e r e a n y longer. T h e o n l y possible routes f o r
their w i t h d r a w a l were through Macedonia and
A l b a n i a to l i n k up in Montenegro, Bosnia, S a n -
djak, S e r b i a , C r o a t i a , a n d S l o v e n i a t o reach A u s -
tria where they w o u l d unite w i t h Kesselring's
forces w i t h d r a w i n g t o w a r d s the A l p s .
M a k i n g a t h o r o u g h analysis of the general
w a r situation, a n d foreseeing the situations that
w o u l d b e created, o u r G e n e r a l S t a f f set the N a -
t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y the i m p o r t a n t task o f
stepping u p its m i l i t a r y attacks o n the G e r m a n -
B a l l i s t forces. It also set the task that o u r shock
brigades m u s t be f u r t h e r toughened a n d better
a r m e d , that b i g g e r m i l i t a r y units, d i v i s i o n s a n d
e v e n t u a l l y a r m y corps, m u s t be created, because
w e a n t i c i p a t e d fierce battles w i t h the G e r m a n
nazis, w h o , f i g h t i n g desperately d u r i n g t h e i r
retreat, w o u l d l a u n c h savage offensives to w e a k e n
us a n d w i p e us out, in o r d e r to keep the routes
open f o r t h e i r w i t h d r a w a l .
A t the same time, the P a r t y foresaw that
the day of v i c t o r y was not f a r off, therefore
p r e l i m i n a r y p r e p a r a t i o n s h a d to be made f o r the
l i b e r a t i o n o f the H o m e l a n d w h i c h was costing

305
us so m u c h blood, tears a n d sacrifice. T h e n a t i o n a l
l i b e r a t i o n councils h a d to be strengthened e v e r y -
where. It h a d also become i m p e r a t i v e to h o l d
a m a j o r congress at w h i c h i m p o r t a n t p o l i t i c a l ,
o r g a n i z a t i o n a l a n d m i l i t a r y decisions, i n connec-
t i o n w i t h the i n t e r n a l s i t u a t i o n a n d f o r e i g n p o l i c y ,
w o u l d be t a k e n . T h e congress h a d to d e t e r m i n e
the legal f o r m of the people's state p o w e r , to set
up the n e w state of people's d e m o c r a c y a n d c o n -
solidate its leadership. A n y attempt outside the
c o u n t r y t o f o r m some so-called A l b a n i a n g o v e r n -
m e n t in exile, etc. h a d to be b l o c k e d l e g a l l y
t h r o u g h the u n a n i m o u s d e c i s i o n of a great as-
s e m b l y (the first people's assembly) elected d e -
mocratically.
W e p u t these a n d other c u r r e n t p r o b l e m s
before the P l e n u m of the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e of
the P a r t y w h i c h m e t i n the m i d d l e o f M a y i n
H e l m s o f S k r a p a r a n d w h i c h took the respective
decisions a n d l a i d d o w n t h e guidelines f o r the
f u t u r e . These guidelines h a d t o d o w i t h c o n t i n u -
i n g the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r against t h e e n -
e m y occupier a n d traitors m o r e f i e r c e l y i n o r d e r
t o d r i v e ahead o n a l l fronts t i l l t h e i r complete d e -
feat, t i l l the l i b e r a t i o n of the w h o l e of A l b a n i a
a n d the setting up a n d consolidation of the state,
a d m i n i s t r a t i v e a n d legislative p o l i t i c a l p o w e r ,
that is, the establishment of t h e state p o w e r of
people's d e m o c r a c y t h r o u g h o u t the w h o l e c o u n -
t r y . These things w e r e also p u t f o r w a r d a n d d i s -

306
cussed i n the Congress o f P r m e t a n d w e r e
e m b o d i e d i n the decisions w h i c h i t took.
These w e r e m a j o r tasks. O f course, w e k n e w
a n d the P a r t y h a d m a d e clear t o a l l t h e partisans
a n d the people that the r o a d was not s t r e w n w i t h
rose petals, t h a t even m o r e blood w o u l d be shed,
a n d w e w o u l d h a v e t o overcome m a n y d i f f i c u l t i e s
a n d m a k e s t i l l m o r e sacrifices. W e w o u l d achieve
a l l these t h i n g s b y f i g h t i n g a n d the v i c t o r y w o u l d
come f r o m the b a r r e l of the g u n a n d the correct,
p r i n c i p l e d , M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t p o l i c y o f the P a r t y .
W e w e r e l o c k e d i n a l i f e - a n d - d e a t h struggle
w i t h the H i t l e r i t e a r m y a n d reaction, the t w o
m a i n enemies, w h o m w e h a d t o t o t a l l y defeat
a n d l i q u i d a t e together, once a n d f o r a l l . As I
e x p l a i n e d earlier, the reactionaries, the quislings,
the Ballists, the Zogites, the b a j r a k t a r s a n d the
pseudo-democrats w e r e f i g h t i n g u s w i t h a r m s
together w i t h the G e r m a n s , w i t h the a i m that
w h e n w e h a d d r i v e n the latter out o f the c o u n t r y ,
r e a c t i o n w o u l d be organized a n d able to seize
state p o w e r . These w e r e m o m e n t s w h e n o u r N a -
t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y h a d become v e r y strong.
R e a c t i o n c o u l d see c l e a r l y that we w e r e p u t t i n g
an e n d to the o c c u p y i n g forces a n d c o u l d feel the
g r o u n d s l i p p i n g f r o m u n d e r its feet. W e w e r e not
o n l y d r i v i n g the e n e m y out o f o u r H o m e l a n d , b u t
f o l l o w i n g i t i n hot pursuit, c a r r y i n g the f i g h t
b e y o n d o u r state borders.
T h e m o r e t h e nazis s u f f e r e d defeat a n d the

307
stronger the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r g r e w i n
o u r c o u n t r y a n d other countries, the m o r e d a n -
gerous A n g l o - A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m became. T h i s
was a ferocious e n e m y . It w a s disguised w i t h
democratic slogans a n d called itself a n t i - f a s c -
ist, b u t in fact it was p e r f i d i o u s , operated p o w e r -
f u l l y , a l w a y s i n disguise, a n d sought t o t u r n
the s i t u a t i o n to its advantage to establish its
hegemony o v e r the peoples of the w o r l d . T h e r e
w e r e m a n y w h o forgot this, w h o u n d e r e s t i m a t e d
it, w h i l e the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a a n d
its leadership n e v e r slackened t h e i r v i g i l a n c e
t o w a r d s it. W e w e r e w i d e a w a k e a t e v e r y m o -
m e n t t o f o i l its p l a n s a n d w e d i d f o i l t h e m , one
after the other. T h e B r i t i s h stepped u p t h e i r
pressure on us, w h i l e we s t r u c k b a c k at t h e m
harder.
T h e y h a d h e a r d o f the p r e p a r a t i o n s w h i c h
the P a r t y w a s m a k i n g t o organize the Congress
of Prmet and were striving feverishly to hinder
it, therefore they sent t h e i r senior officer, L t - C o l .
Leake, as t h e i r emissary, to meet t h e i r agent,
M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , a n d give h i m d i r e c t i v e s t o s a b -
otage the Congress. (I have w r i t t e n about t h i s
episode of the secret w a r of t h e B r i t i s h against
us in that part of the m e m o i r s in w h i c h I speak
about M u s t a f a G j i n i s h i , hence I s h a l l not d w e l l
on it here.)
T h e pressure, b l a c k m a i l a n d b r u t a l i n t e r -
ference of the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s against o u r

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 N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t became more i n -
tense i n the s u m m e r a n d especially the a u t u m n
of 1944. T h e r e w e r e reasons f o r this. T h e d e -
cisions of t h e Congress of P r m e t , especially
those p r o h i b i t i n g Zog's r e t u r n to A l b a n i a , on the
n o n - r e c o g n i t i o n o f a n y other g o v e r n m e n t w i t h i n
the c o u n t r y o r i n exile, the c a n c e l l i n g o f a l l
agreements c o n c l u d e d w i t h t h e m b y Z o g t o the
d e t r i m e n t of the interests of our people, etc. h u r t
t h e m b a d l y . B u t w h a t m a d e the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s
most f u r i o u s was, on the one h a n d , the gratitude
the delegates expressed to the Soviet U n i o n a n d
the R e d A r m y o f S t a l i n , w h i c h h a d t o r n the H i t -
lerite a r m y t o pieces a n d was a d v a n c i n g t r i u m p h -
a n t l y t o w a r d s G e r m a n y , a n d o n the other h a n d ,
the p u b l i c c o n d e m n a t i o n of the efforts of the
A n g l o - A m e r i c a n allies to p o k e t h e i r noses i n t o
the i n t e r n a l affairs of o u r c o u n t r y .
T h e great m o m e n t u m of o u r w a r . the general
offensive o f o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y and
t h e successful d e v e l o p m e n t of this offensive in
the N o r t h a l a r m e d the l e a d i n g circles i n L o n d o n
a n d W a s h i n g t o n . W h i l e t h i n g s w e r e going the
w a y they w a n t e d w i t h Tito's Y u g o s l a v i a a n d w i t h
Greece, t h r o u g h Santos a n d other agents of t h e i r s
i n t h e G r e e k C o m m u n i s t P a r t y , n o t h i n g was g o i n g
r i g h t f o r t h e m w i t h l i t t l e A l b a n i a , w h i c h they
h a d considered a push-over. It w a s s l i p p i n g f r o m
t h e i r g r i p . F a c e d w i t h this fact, t h e y w e r e obliged
t o sit d o w n and w o r k out even m o r e sophisticated
plans.
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 M e a n w h i l e i n the N o r t h , the p a r t i s a n forces
w e r e l a u n c h i n g f u r i o u s attacks on the occupiers
and reactionaries. O u r brigades h a d clashed w i t h
the G e r m a n a n d B a l l i s t troops i n t h e regions o f
D i b r a a n d K u k s . T h e c o m m a n d o f the 1st S h o c k
D i v i s i o n i n f o r m e d u s that t h e i r a m m u n i t i o n w a s
r u n n i n g out. M o r e t h a n ten days h a d passed
since the date w h e n P a l m e r h a d p r o m i s e d m e
that a r m a m e n t s w o u l d be d e l i v e r e d .
I s u m m o n e d the head of the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n
to come to the centre of o u r S t a f f at n i g h t .
Q u i e t l y , but i n cold a n d clear t e r m s I t o l d h i m :
M r . P a l m e r , t w o w e e k s or so ago I present-
ed to y o u a request f o r weapons, a m m u n i t i o n
a n d m o r t a r shells. Y o u are w e l l a w a r e w h y w e
need these m a t e r i a l s u r g e n t l y , because I also
told y o u the purpose of t h e m . I also t o l d y o u w h e r e
we i n t e n d e d to operate so that, as we agreed,
the weapons w o u l d be d r o p p e d at the place a n d
o n the date w e set together. Y o u w e l c o m e d m y
request w i t h a smile a n d told me that y o u w o u l d
i m m e d i a t e l y i n f o r m the A l l i e d M e d i t e r r a n e a n
H e a d q u a r t e r s and G e n e r a l W i l s o n about this.
F o u r days later y o u c a m e a n d t o l d m e that the
request h a d been accepted a n d that the w e a p o n s
w o u l d b e d r o p p e d b y p a r a c h u t e a t the t i m e a n d
the place set. On the basis of y o u r p r o m i s e we
took i m m e d i a t e measures, gave orders f o r o u r
forces to go into action a n d t h e y are i n v o l v e d in
f i g h t i n g a t present. Y o u are not k e e p i n g y o u r

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w o r d a n d y o u are causing o u r N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n
A r m y great damage. I f y o u d o not take i m m e d i a t e
measures to d r o p us t h e p r o m i s e d arms, we s h a l l
consider this a hostile gesture w h i c h is d a m a g i n g
a n d causing losses to an a l l i e d a r m y . If the
weapons are not sent i m m e d i a t e l y , not o n l y s h a l l
w e m a k e y o u responsible f o r this before w o r l d
anti-fascist o p i n i o n , b u t w e s h a l l take severe
measures against a l l the B r i t i s h missions o n o u r
side.
P a l m e r f r o w n e d , w h i c h w a s something rare
f o r h i m , b u t w i t h his E n g l i s h i m p e r t u r b a b i l i t y ,
q u i c k l y assumed a smile a n d said in self-defence,
as if to c a l m m e :
Mr. H o x h a , y o u are d i s p l a y i n g hot t e m -
per...
I c o u l d tolerate no m o r e a n d cut h i m short:
W h a t do y o u expect, s h o u l d I l a u g h , s h o u l d
I not be i n d i g n a n t , not be h o t - t e m p e r e d w h e n
m y comrades are b e i n g k i l l e d i n the f i g h t i n g ?
I u n d e r s t a n d the d i f f i c u l t situation, b o t h
f o r y o u r forces a n d f o r us, b u t I believe, a n d I
a m sure o f this, that o u r M e d i t e r r a n e a n H e a d -
q u a r t e r s does not lack the w i l l to assist y o u , but
it m u s t be the w e a t h e r conditions w h i c h are
h i n d e r i n g us. Nevertheless, M r . H o x h a , i t i s m y
d u t y t o report once again w h a t y o u have told
m e . a n d f o r m y p a r t I shall insist that t h e m u n i -
tions are sent, said P a l m e r .
T h i s w a s an u l t i m a t u m w h i c h I gave the

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head of the B r i t i s h mission. I w o u l d a v o i d meet-
i n g h i m u n t i l h e came t o i n f o r m m e w h e t h e r o r
not the a r m s h a d been sent a n d that is w h a t I
d i d . W e h a d decided that i f they d i d not d r o p u s
the weapons, w e w o u l d e x p e l the B r i t i s h m i s -
sion f r o m o u r Staff. S u c h a t h i n g w a s not i n
t h e i r interest a n d they w e r e a f r a i d w e m i g h t d o
this, because t h e y h a d b e g u n to u n d e r s t a n d the
w a y w e thought. N o m o r e t h a n t h r e e o r f o u r
days w e n t b y w h e n I w a s i n f o r m e d t h a t P a l m e r
h a d sought a m e e t i n g . F r o m the comrades I h a d
received the news that the a r m s h a d been d r o p p e d
(after w e h a d smashed t h e G e r m a n a n d B a l l i s t
forces). T h e L t . - C o l o n e l came and, s m i l i n g as
usual, t o l d m e :
M r . H o x h a , the desire of b o t h of us has
been f u l f i l l e d , the a r m s h a v e been dropped.
The comrades t o l d me, I said. T h a n k y o u ,
i n p a r t i c u l a r , f o r y o u r efforts. Y o u w h o are here
k n o w the s i t u a t i o n better t h a n those w h o are i n
Italy, I added. T h i s pleased P a l m e r greatly a n d
after he h a d d r u n k the tea a n d eaten the f r u i t
w h i c h I offered h i m , he w e n t off r e j o i c i n g .

The A n g l o - A m e r i c a n imperialists were still

h o l d i n g t w o or three cards to be used at the a p -
p r o p r i a t e m o m e n t . A t this t i m e the c a r d w h i c h
seemed to t h e m to h a v e the most chance was that
o f G a n i K r y e z i u , the f e u d a l l o r d o f K o s o v a , w h o ,
it was w h i s p e r e d , was p r e p a r i n g to f o r m a g o v -

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e r n m e n t , a t least f o r N o r t h e r n A l b a n i a . W e v e r y
q u i c k l y m a d e t h i s c a r d worthless.
We were in Odrian of Prmet. The m a i n
forces o f o u r a r m y w e r e engaged i n successful
actions i n C e n t r a l a n d N o r t h e r n A l b a n i a . O n
S e p t e m b e r 20, 1944, I received an u r g e n t r a d i o -
gram i n w h i c h Comrade M a n u s h M y f t i u reported
t h a t the forces of the 5 t h B r i g a d e h a d s u r r o u n d e d
G a n i K r y e z i u ' s eta, h a d captured Seit K r y e z i u ,
L l a z a r F u n d o , alias Z a i F u n d o , a n d the B r i t i s h
o f f i c e r attached t o t h e m , S i m c o x , a n d w e r e h o l d -
i n g t h e m u n d e r arrest, a w a i t i n g o u r instructions
as to w h a t to do w i t h t h e m . O n e day later, G a n i
K r y e z i u w a s also c a p t u r e d .
O f course t h i s w a s good n e w s f o r us. A t last
these enemies of the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a -
t i o n W a r , the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a a n d
i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o m m u n i s m , w o u l d r e n d e r account.
As I r e a d t h e r a d i o g r a m I c o u l d see in my m i n d ' s
eye, as on a c i n e m a screen, a l l the e v i l deeds and
hostile a c t i v i t y of these i n d i v i d u a l s d u r i n g their
lives, a n d I recalled e v e r y t h i n g that I h a d seen
a n d h e a r d about t h e m .
Z a i F u n d o w a s the son of a m e r c h a n t f r o m
K o r a , f r o m a f a m i l y w h i c h posed as gentry.
As a y o u n g democrat he h a d been a m e m b e r
of the progressive association Bashkimi and
at the b e g i n n i n g of the 20's h a d t a k e n p a r t in the
anti-feudal movement.
Z a i w a s caught u p i n the w a v e o f p o l i t i c a l

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a c t i v i t y and it seemed as if he h a d t a k e n a d i f -
ferent road f r o m that of his f a m i l y , as if he h a d
t a k e n the side of d e m o c r a c y against the f e u d a l
lords.
W h e n Z o g r e t u r n e d t o T i r a n a w i t h the a i d
of f o r e i g n powers, the m a i n supporters of the
F a n N o l i g o v e r n m e n t e m i g r a t e d abroad. Z a i
F u n d o went, too. E v e n t u a l l y h e e n d e d u p i n the
Soviet U n i o n w i t h a g r o u p of A l b a n i a n s , amongst
w h o m were A l i Kelmendi, Koo Tashko and
others.
Some years later w e h e a r d f r o m A l i K e l m e n d i
that Z a i F u n d o h a d b e t r a y e d c o m m u n i s m , hence
h a d become a renegade a dangerous a n d v e r y
c u n n i n g T r o t s k y i t e , b u t h a d escaped the p u r g e
of the Trotskyites, B u k h a r i n i t e s , a n d other r e n -
egades, because w h e n his T r o t s k y i t e a c t i v i t y a n d
v i e w s w e r e discovered, h e w a s not i n t h e Soviet
U n i o n . N o w h e was t o b e f o u n d sometimes i n
S w i t z e r l a n d , sometimes i n F r a n c e , o r elsewhere,
w o r k i n g f u r i o u s l y a n d openly against c o m m u n -
ism, against S t a l i n a n d against the S o v i e t U n i o n , as
a l e a d i n g f i g u r e in the r a n k s of the T r o t s k y i t e 4 t h
I n t e r n a t i o n a l , a n d h a d p l a c e d h i m s e l f i n the ser-
v i c e o f w h o k n o w s w h i c h o f the i m p e r i a l i s t states
w h i c h w e r e o r g a n i z i n g the sabotage a n d the f i g h t
against the Soviet U n i o n . T h e r e f o r e , w e w e r e not
s u r p r i s e d w h e n h e w a s f o u n d i n the service o f
the B r i t i s h . On the eve of the fascist o c c u p a t i o n
h e r e t u r n e d t o A l b a n i a w i t h the p e r m i s s i o n o f

314
the Z o g government, after h a v i n g g i v e n assur-
ances that h e w o u l d not engage i n politics. Z a i
F u n d o d i d not come w i t h o u t u l t e r i o r motives. H e
was not a n economic e m i g r a n t n o r a n y o r d i n a r y
political emigrant, but renowned as an a n t i -
Zogite a n d a n t i - f e u d a l a n d especially as a c o m -
munist.
T h e resistance of o u r people against the des-
p o t i c r e g i m e o f Z o g w a s b u i l d i n g up, the c o m -
m u n i s t groups w e r e e x t e n d i n g t h e i r r a n k s a n d
a c t i v i t y , fascist I t a l y h a d got o u r H o m e l a n d into
its clutches a n d was p r e p a r i n g f o r its occupation.
The situation in Europe was disturbed. The tramp
of the jackboots a n d the clash of the bayonets of
G e r m a n n a z i s m a n d I t a l i a n fascism w e r e be-
c o m i n g l o u d a n d ominous. T h e w a r s o f p l u n d e r
had begun.
P r e c i s e l y in these t r o u b l e d times, l i k e a w o l f
seeking cover i n the fog, Z a i F u n d o r e t u r n e d t o
A l b a n i a , u n d o u b t e d l y sent by f o r e i g n agencies to
p r e p a r e the t e r r a i n f o r the enemy, to sabotage
t h e c r e a t i o n o f the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a
a n d the a r m e d resistance of the A l b a n i a n people.
We u n d e r s t o o d the danger of this renegade,
hence we took the necessary measures to fight
h i m to the f i n i s h . I undertook to u n m a s k h i m
a m o n g the teachers, professors a n d students and
at the same t i m e to discover his m a n o e u v r e s a n d
methods of w o r k , w h e r e he w o u l d create his
bases a n d h o w h e w o u l d e x t e n d his n e t w o r k . T h e

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 other comrades undertook the task to m a k e clear
t o w o r k e r s a n d the peasant e l e m e n t w h o t h i s
traitor was. R i g h t f r o m the start w e w a t c h e d the
a c t i v i t y o f this notorious i n d i v i d u a l a m o n g t h e
m e r c h a n t bourgeoisie a n d l i b e r a l a n d d e m o -
cratic intelligentsia o f K o r a . I t w o u l d b e d i f -
f i c u l t f o r h i m t o penetrate amongst the w o r k e r s
o f K o r a because they h a d l o n g k n o w n w h a t h e
was, w h e r e a s if he w e r e to attempt to establish
l i n k s w i t h the countryside, h e w o u l d d o t h i s
t h r o u g h the l i b e r a l beys a n d aghas. T h i s is
h o w w e began the w o r k against h i m , w i t h the
old g u a r d o f the C o m m u n i s t G r o u p o f K o r a i n
the forefront.
Z a i F u n d o set t o w o r k s y s t e m a t i c a l l y . H e
made contact w i t h a l l those about w h o m the
prefect a n d his agents h a d not t h e slightest trace
of doubt, hence he w a s l e g a l i z i n g his a c t i v i t y
a c c o r d i n g to the promises m a d e before his
return to Albania.
H e established l i n k s w i t h the leaders o f the
m e r c h a n t bourgeoisie o f K o r a w h o w e r e l i n k e d
w i t h the M o s l e m beys a n d aghas, w h o w e r e m o r e
i n contact w i t h the c o u n t r y s i d e a n d a m o n g the
most t r u s t e d supporters of Z o g a n d his h e n c h -
m e n . H e l i n k e d up, also, w i t h those w h o f o r m e d
the o p i n i o n of the Moslem elite of K o r a , w h o
became his closest f r i e n d s . C e r t a i n intellectuals
of K o r a , especially the pro-fascist ones, also
became supporters o f Z a i F u n d o . W e discovered

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these things v e r y q u i c k l y because w e k e p t his
meetings out i n the t o w n a n d his f r e q u e n t visits
to individual families under careful surveillance.
It was d i f f i c u l t f o r us to l e a r n w h a t he t a l k e d
about w i t h these people, but sometimes we h e a r d
o f i t t h r o u g h t h e i r boasting. Z a i preened himself
as an able p o l i t i c i a n , as a m a n of great c u l -
ture. H e t o l d t h e m t h a t he was f o r reforms,
but in a m o d e r a t e w a y because it was not t i m e
yet f o r f a r - r e a c h i n g reforms, that the c o u n t r y
w a s b a c k w a r d f r o m the aspect of education,
etc., etc., b u t he n e v e r w e n t deeply into w h a t
s h o u l d be done. He spoke fine w o r d s about the
y o u t h , a v o i d e d t a l k i n g d i r e c t l y about t h e Soviet
U n i o n a n d S t a l i n a n d s a i d : I am a communist,
as the w h o l e w o r l d , i n c l u d i n g the prefect, k n o w s ,
a n d there is no w a y I can h i d e this.(!)
W e m e t f r o m t i m e t o time, reported o n his
a c t i v i t y a n d , a f t e r discussion, took decisions to
expose h i m f u r t h e r as an e n e m y of the w o r k e r s ,
as an e n e m y of the g e n u i n e l a n d r e f o r m w h i c h
w o u l d be the s a l v a t i o n of the peasantry, etc. N a -
t u r a l l y , Z a i and his f r i e n d s d i d not l i k e this
struggle w h i c h the B o l s h e v i k s , as t h e y called us,
w a g e d against h i m . K o o T a s h k o , w h o posed a s
the head of o u r group, d i d not l i k e it either. H e .
too, t r i e d to force us n o t to struggle against Z a i
F u n d o . because he allegedly h a d anti-fascist
sentiments! H o w e v e r , w e c a r r i e d o n w i t h o u r
work.

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 Z a i F u n d o expressed his anti-fascist s e n t i -
ments t o m e one t i m e w h e n h e stopped m e i n
the street in K o r a . T h e r e I seized the o p p o r t -
u n i t y a n d p o u r e d out e v e r y t h i n g I h a d against
h i m . W h a t d i d I not c a l l h i m ! E v e r y e p i t h e t that
fitted h i m : T r o t s k y i t e , e n e m y o f s o c i a l i s m a n d
S t a l i n , enemy o f the A l b a n i a n people, etc. F r o m
that day on I n e v e r set eyes on h i m a g a i n .
S o o n after the I t a l i a n o c c u p a t i o n he d i s a p -
peared f r o m sight. N o t h i n g was h e a r d about
w h e r e h e was, w h a t h e w a s d o i n g , w h e t h e r h e
was legal or i l l e g a l . C o u l d he have been allocated
some secret m i s s i o n by the occupier, or some
nationalist o r T r o t s k y i t e g r o u p ? W e h a d t o f i n d
out.
F i n a l l y t h e n e w s reached u s that Z a i F u n d o
was u n d e r g r o u n d i n K o s o v a w h e r e h e h a d
l i n k e d u p w i t h the chiefs o f r e a c t i o n i n K o s o v a ,
the brothers o f C e n o B e y K r y e z i u f r o m G j a k o v a ,
G a n i a n d Seit K r y e z i u . T h e y h a d f o r m e d a eta
and, a c c o r d i n g to o u r i n f o r m a t i o n , there w a s a
B r i t i s h mission w i t h them. This mission was not
subordinate t o the B r i t i s h missions located i n
other zones of A l b a n i a , or if it w a s s u b o r d i n a t e
to t h e m , this t h e y k e p t v e r y secret.
A s i s k n o w n , d u r i n g the I t a l i a n occupation
t h e territories o f K o s o v a came u n d e r the d o m i n a -
t i o n of the Italians a n d , f o r purposes of dema-
gogy, G r e a t e r A l b a n i a , o r E t h n i c A l b a n i a
was created in this w a y . It w a s clear to us t h a t

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fascism was n o t t h i n k i n g of the benefit of A l b a -
n i a a n d the A l b a n i a n s , but o f its o w n interests.
T h i s was a n i n c i t e m e n t t o A l b a n i a n r e a c t i o n t o
serve t h e i r I t a l i a n fascist patrons better a n d to
d r a w greater e c o n o m i c gains, a n d i n fact, the
A l b a n i a n quislings, i n collaboration w i t h the
fascist reaction i n K o s o v a , organized the s y s t e m -
a t i c p l u n d e r of K o s o v a u n d e r the d i r e c t i o n of the
Italians. H o w e v e r , t h r o u g h the slogan, i n the
e n d K o s o v a has been u n i t e d w i t h A l b a n i a , the
I t a l i a n fascists, l i k e the G e r m a n nazis later,
r e c k o n e d t o deceive the A l b a n i a n people a n d
the A l b a n i a n s o f K o s o v a b y t e l l i n g t h e m that
t h e i r d r e a m s h a d been realized a n d that o n l y
I t a l i a n fascism h a d b r o u g h t this about, therefore
they s h o u l d not f i g h t against Italy, but against
the c o m m u n i s t s . We a n d the people of K o s o v a
w i t h the e x c e p t i o n of some chiefs whose hearts
w e r e not b l e e d i n g f o r A l b a n i a , fought this d e m a -
gogy of fascism. T h e A l b a n i a n people w e r e n e v e r
t a k e n i n b y t h i s v i l e a n d v e r y dangerous d e m a -
gogy. O u r P a r t y a n d the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n
F r o n t adopted clear a n d correct stands on this
p r o b l e m . T h e people understood u s a n d f o l l o w e d
us, w h i l e reaction a n d its chiefs f o u g h t us to the
end.
T h e K r y e z i u f a m i l y o f K o s o v a came w i t h i n
this l a t t e r category, t h a t is, a m o n g the chiefs of
reaction. T h e K r y e z i u s w e r e notorious i n K o s o v a a s
reactionary f e u d a l lords, oppressors a n d exploiters

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of t h e peasants a n d opponents of the p o w e r f u l
l i b e r a t i o n m o v e m e n t s of the people of K o s o v a
against the T u r k s a n d the G r e a t - S e r b s . T h e
K r y e z i u s , D r a g a s a n d others w e r e a l w a y s not
just i n opposition, not just i n secret struggle, b u t
in open struggle against the r e v o l u t i o n a r y efforts
and struggles o f Isa B o l e t i n i , B a j r a m C u r r i ,
Hasan Prishtina, A z e m and Shote Galica, and
others f o r the l i b e r a t i o n of A l b a n i a .
C e n o B e y K r y e z i u , the oldest of the brothers
and chief of the c l a n , was a f r i e n d a n d agent
of the G r e a t - S e r b s , of the K i n g of the Serbs,
C r o a t s a n d Slovenes w h o r u l e d i n K o s o v a , too,
a f r i e n d a n d agent of Pasic, at t h a t t i m e t h e
Y u g o s l a v p r i m e m i n i s t e r . H e served his S e r b i a n
p a t r o n s w e l l t o the d e t r i m e n t o f A l b a n i a . H e w a s
one of the m a i n assistants a n d i n t e r m e d i a r i e s of
A h m e t Zog, w h o w a s another agent o f the Serbs
a t t h a t t i m e . Z o g , d r i v e n f r o m A l b a n i a b y the
r e v o l u t i o n of J u n e 1924, d i d not waste his t i m e
i n Y u g o s l a v i a . W i t h the a p p r o v a l a n d direct
assistance o f P a s i c a n d K i n g A l e x a n d e r , h e r e -
t u r n e d t o A l b a n i a together w i t h C e n o B e y . I n r e -
t u r n f o r this, Z o g gave the Serbs the A l b a n i a n t e r -
r i t o r i e s o f V e r m o s h a n d S h n N a u m , a s I said
earlier, w h i l e h e gave C e n o B e y K r y e z i u one o f
his sisters as his w i f e .
T h u s , w i t h the r e t u r n o f A h m e t Z o g , C e n o
B e y , the agent of the Serbs, also e n t e r e d A l b a n i a
a n d Zog's f a m i l y a s a n h o n o u r e d s o n - i n - l a w

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to keep an eye on the p o l i t i c a l moves of his
outstanding b r o t h e r - i n - l a w a n d t o keep h i m
u n d e r the c o n t r o l of the Serbs. H o w e v e r , there
w e r e no b o u n d s to the p e r f i d y of the f u t u r e
c a r n i v a l k i n g . H e w a s c h a n g i n g the t r o u g h h e
fed f r o m . C o m p a r e d w i t h the b r i l l i a n t p e r -
spectives, w h i c h t h e talks w i t h fascist Italy of-
fered h i m , S e r b i a no l o n g e r served his purposes.
Indeed, it became an obstacle, as d i d the agent
of the Serbs, C e n o B e y , the beloved b r o t h e r - i n -
l a w w h o w e n t i n a n d out o f Zog's palace w i t h s u c h
self-assurance. Therefore, one m o r n i n g i n P r a g u e ,
C e n o B e y w a s assassinated b y u n k n o w n persons.
Z o g w a s v e r y grieved a n d his court w e n t
into m o u r n i n g ! H o w e v e r n o one w a s t a k e n i n b y
this farce, least of a l l t h e Serbs a n d the K r y e z i u s .
A f t e r the m u r d e r , Ceno's place w a s t a k e n b y
G a n i B e y , a n o t h e r agent o f the Serbs, a n a n t i -
A l b a n i a n f e u d a l l o r d , r e a d y to serve every Kralj*
o r w h o e v e r w o u l d p a y h i m most.
In the t i m e of t h e G e r m a n occupation, one
fine d a y G a n i B e y K r y e z i u , p o s i n g as a patriot,
took to the m o u n t a i n s w i t h his eta against
the occupiers, w h o were o n l y i m a g i n a r y oc-
cupiers, i n p r i n c i p l e , to h i m , because in fact
his eta n e v e r f i r e d a shot against t h e m . H o w e v e r ,
w h a t astonished u s w a s that the B B C and the
___________________________________

* Serbian for king.

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newspaper Mundimi (1) of B a r i h a d a great deal
to say about the i m a g i n a r y fighting of this e-
ta and its c o m m a n d e r . H e h a d t w o commissars
w i t h h i m : the B r i t i s h o f f i c e r S i m c o x , a n agent
of the Intelligence Service, a n d the T r o t s k y i t e
o f the 4 t h I n t e r n a t i o n a l , Z a i F u n d o . T h u s , G a n i ,
Z a i and S i m c o x comprised a t r i o of the I n t e l -
ligence S e r v i c e . T h e r e w a s also G a n i ' s b r o t h e r ,
Seit, w h o posed as a social-democrat a n d w a s
b o u n d h a n d and foot t o the B r i t i s h agency. W h e n
things seemed to be going b a d l y f o r t h e m in
K o s o v a , G a n i K r y e z i u ' s eta crossed i n t o the
districts o f T r o p o j a a n d K u k s .
T h e task o f G a n i , Z a i a n d the B r i t i s h w a s
to f i g h t against the partisans, to sabotage o u r
A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r a n d estab-
l i s h a n d s t r e n g t h e n connections w i t h M u h a r r e m
Bajraktari, Cen Elezi, F i q r i Dine and other
reactionary chiefs i n N o r t h e r n A l b a n i a . Together
w i t h t h e m t h e y p r e p a r e d the t e r r a i n f o r t h e
f u t u r e , so that, w i t h the defeat of G e r m a n y , t h e y
w o u l d take power. O f course, t h e y p i n n e d t h e i r
hopes o n B r i t a i n , because t h e y n u r t u r e d t h e
belief that i t w o u l d i n t e r v e n e i n the B a l k a n s w i t h
its a r m y and, since the p a r t i s a n forces w o u l d be
exhausted f r o m f i g h t i n g the G e r m a n s , t h e y
w o u l d be easily liquidated. According to
_________________________________
1 P u b l i s h e d by the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s in the A l b a n i a n l a n -
guage. It engaged in propaganda by distorting the facts in their
interest. It was dropped into A l b a n i a f r o m the air.

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them, h i s t o r y w o u l d repeat itself. T h e y w o u l d
also create a g o v e r n m e n t and, in the e n d , the
f e u d a l lords w o u l d r u l e o u r c o u n t r y a n d people
again. Therefore, they thought, we m u s t hold
back, conserve o u r strength, m u s t not i n v o l v e
ourselves i n f i g h t i n g a n d b e f r e s h a n d vigorous
w h e n the day comes to take power. T h i s was
the idea a n d p l a n of reaction a n d the B r i t i s h .
H o w e v e r , t h e i r r e c k o n i n g was astray. O u r P a r t y
foiled t h e i r plans.
G a n i K r y e z i u ' s eta c o u l d not operate freely,
undetected b y o u r forces, w h i c h w e r e c o n t i n u a l l y
p u r s u i n g a n d a t t a c k i n g the G e r m a n s and the
chiefs of i n t e r n a l reaction.
W e discovered t h a t G a n i a n d Z a i w i t h a
s m a l l eta a n d w i t h the B r i t i s h officer attached
to t h e m , e q u i p p e d w i t h a radio transmitter, w e r e
t r y i n g to create a m o v e m e n t against o u r P a r t y
and the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r , b y
means of the reactionaries of K o s o v a a n d the
b a j r a k t a r s o f N o r t h e r n A l b a n i a . W e gave our
forces orders to t r a c k t h e m d o w n , pursue t h e m ,
capture t h e m a n d defeat t h e i r a c t i v i t y before it
had r e a l l y got going. G a n i K r y e z i u operated
u n d e r g r o u n d , h i d d e n f r o m u s and, w h e n h e was
hard-pressed by o u r partisans, crossed over to
K o s o v a w h e r e h e h a d his bases. W e w e r e unable
to m o v e f r e e l y in K o s o v a on account of the i n -
trigues of the Y u g o s l a v s a n d of V u k m a n o v i c -
T e m p o , i n p a r t i c u l a r , a n d w e r e obliged t o w a t c h

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f o r w h e n the K r y e z i u ' s eta r e t u r n e d w i t h i n o u r
borders. Therefore, we h a d issued special top
secret orders to o u r forces to f o l l o w t h e i r m o
vements c a r e f u l l y a n d to capture t h e m as soon
as they entered A l b a n i a n t e r r i t o r y .
T h e order h a d been c a r r i e d out a n d the
traitors w e r e c a p t u r e d . Z a i F u n d o , Seit K r y e z i u
a n d the B r i t i s h M a j o r S i m c o x w e r e c a p t u r e d i n
the D o b r e j M o u n t a i n , w h i l e G a n i B e y a t the B y -
t y i F l a t , w h e r e the tents b r o u g h t f r o m E n g l a n d
for the w a r headquarters h a d been put u p . I
learned the h i s t o r y of his capture later, b u t this
is not the place to describe it.
M e a n w h i l e , C o l o n e l V e l i m i r Stojni, a c c o m
panied by a m a j o r called N i j a z D i z d a r e v i , and
one or t w o others of l o w e r r a n k , h a d come to
o u r c o u n t r y . T h e y came t o the C C o f o u r P a r t y
a n d the G e n e r a l S t a f f as delegates of T i t o , the
C C o f C P Y a n d the Y u g o s l a v G e n e r a l Staff, a s
a liaison g r o u p in order to give us t h e i r ex
perience a n d exchange experience w i t h us o n
the w a r a n d the p a r t y .
A t that t i m e w e considered t h e m friends,
because t h e y posed as c o m m u n i s t s a n d h a d s t i l l
not been exposed a n d come out as renegades
f r o m M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m . Nevertheless, i n t h e i r
activities, we noticed c e r t a i n i n d i c a t i o n s that t h e y
w e r e not i n order. Indeed, w e h a d h a d c o n t r a
dictions w i t h t h e m o v e r matters o f p r i n c i p l e ,
but it h a d n e v e r crossed o u r m i n d s t h a t t h e y

324
h a d gone so f a r and f a l l e n so l o w as to collaborate
w i t h the B r i t i s h b e h i n d the scenes to o u r de
triment.
W e h a d our first meeting w i t h t h e m i n H e l -
ms. T h e y i n f o r m e d us about the s i t u a t i o n in
Y u g o s l a v i a a n d w e l i k e w i s e spoke about the s i
t u a t i o n i n o u r c o u n t r y . T h e impressions, w h i c h I
a n d M i l a d i n P o p o v i , w h o m w e called A l i , f o r m e d
at the f i r s t m e e t i n g and after a series of talks
w i t h t h e m , w e r e not p a r t i c u l a r y favourable.
It seems to me t h a t t h e y d i d not t e l l us
m u c h , I said to A l i , e v e r y t h i n g t h e y t o l d us
w e k n o w a n d have put into practice.
Not o n l y that, r e p l i e d M i l a d i n , but the
a u t h o r i t a t i v e air, arrogance a n d conceit of V e l o
(Stojni) d i d not please me one bit. He pretends
to k n o w e v e r y t h i n g and seems as if he w a n t s to
say that he has to feed us on the bottle. B u t we
don't s w a l l o w that, therefore t h e y have to treat
us as comrades.
It seems to me that the other one (meaning
N i j a z D i z d a r e v i ) is cleverer and more cunning,
I told A l i .
Y o u are not mistaken, he said, but we
s h a l l see.
K e e p y o u r head, I advised M i l a d i n , b e
cause y o u w i l l have the o p p o r t u n i t y t o t a l k w i t h
t h e m a l l the time, therefore, w h e n y o u feel that
y o u are hard-pressed, break off the conversation
and say t h a t ' E n v e r must decide and not we'.

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 T h i s was the agreement w e reached w i t h
M i l a d i n P o p o v i , that genuine c o m m u n i s t and
beloved Y u g o s l a v comrade, w h o n u r t u r e d a n
ardent a n d p u r e love f o r o u r P a r t y a n d people.
H o w e v e r , there is a l o n g h i s t o r y to o u r relations
w i t h V e l i m i r S t o j n i . F o r the m o m e n t I s h a l l
deal o n l y w i t h w h a t o c c u r r e d b e t w e e n u s i n c o n
nection w i t h the question o f G a n i a n d Seit K r y e -
z i u , Z a i F u n d o a n d the B r i t i s h officer.
A s soon a s w e received the r a d i o g r a m w h i c h
the comrades sent us about t h e i r capture, we
met, discussed the question a n d took o u r de
cision. T h e facts w e r e f l a g r a n t f o r a l l to see. We
sent a r a d i o g r a m to the comrades in the N o r t h
i n w h i c h w e i n s t r u c t e d t h e m t o t r y Z a i a n d the
K r y e z i u s before a m i l i t a r y court w h i c h they
s h o u l d set u p . T h e y w e r e to d i s a r m t h e i r eta and,
after d o i n g p o l i t i c a l w o r k w i t h the m e m b e r s o f it,
they w e r e t o send t h e m home, w h i l e M a j o r S i m -
cox t h e y w e r e t o h a n d o v e r t o some B r i t i s h m i s
sion i n our t e r r i t o r y . A l i w e n t t o the house
w h e r e V e l i m i r S t o j n i was s t a y i n g t o i n f o r m
h i m about w h a t h a d o c c u r r e d a n d o u r decision.
I w a i t e d f o r hours on e n d f o r A l i to come
back f o r l u n c h a n d w h e n h e f i n a l l y a r r i v e d , h e
was f u m i n g w i t h anger.
W h a t ' s w r o n g w i t h y o u ? I asked h i m .
W h a t ' s w r o n g w i t h m e ! h e said. T h e y
are rotters! T h e y don't agree w i t h the decision
a n d said if it is not rescinded, t h e y w i l l b r e a k

326
off relations w i t h us, pack t h e i r bags a n d r e t u r n
to Y u g o s l a v i a .
H o w is it possible f o r t h e m to do s u c h a
t h i n g o v e r a renegade a n d these t r a i t o r f e u d a l
lords? I a s k e d h i m .
It's possible a l l right, said M i l a d i n , I
c o u l d n ' t come t o agreement w i t h t h e m i n a n y
w a y a n d left t e l l i n g t h e m : ' T h i s is a p r o b l e m
that is up to the A l b a n i a n s , come and t a l k w i t h
E n v e r a n d convince h i m . ' S o they are going t o
come a n d t a l k w i t h you.
All r i g h t , I said.
V e l i m i r S t o j n i a n d N i j a z D i z d a r e v i came
at the a p p o i n t e d t i m e . M i l a d i n a n d I w e r e there.
We greeted t h e m , shook hands, a n d offered t h e m
cigarettes. V e l o s m o k e d b u t D i z d a r e v i d i d not.
W e w e r e c a l m a n d they t r i e d t o appear c a l m .
I opened the conversation by s a y i n g that A l i
h a d i n f o r m e d m e about t h e i r v i e w s i n connection
w i t h the prisoners c a p t u r e d i n the N o r t h .
T h i s astonished me, I told t h e m , because
the interests of o u r t w o parties a n d our c o m m o n
w a r r e q u i r e that these enemies s h o u l d get the
severe p u n i s h m e n t t h e y deserve.
I r e m e m b e r as if it w e r e today that V e l i m i r
S t o i n i . w h o h a d a pale face and looked e v e n
p a l e r f r o m the p o w d e r h e used, f l u s h e d w i t h
anger a n d rose to his feet w i t h his eyes l o o k i n g
savage a n d said to m e :
W e Y u g o s l a v s , the representatives of T i t o

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a n d the C e n t r a l C o m m i t t e e of the C o m m u n i s t
P a r t y of Y u g o s l a v i a , do not p e r m i t t h e m to be
shot.
Y o u astonish me greatly, I said, that y o u
defend these enemies. E x c u s e me, b u t p e r h a p s y o u
d o not r e a l l y k n o w w h o they are. W e shall h a n d
t h e m over to the m i l i t a r y court a n d leave it to
the court to decide. S u c h people deserve a bullet,
a n d I began to speak about t h e i r b i o g r a p h y .
V e l i m i r Stojni interrupted me saying:
There is no need f o r y o u to t e l l us about
them, because w e k n o w w h o t h e y are, a n d i f
y o u give the order for t h e m to be put on t r i a l
a n d shot, w e s h a l l break off relations w i t h y o u
a n d leave f o r Y u g o s l a v i a .
Y o u are m a k i n g a b i g m i s t a k e i n p u t t i n g
our f r a t e r n a l a n d c o m m u n i s t relations i n the
balance against o u r s t a n d t o w a r d s these enemies,
w h o are f e u d a l lords w h o have s u c k e d the blood
of the people of K o s o v a , a n d a renegade f r o m the
C o m m u n i s t I n t e r n a t i o n a l , a T r o t s k y i t e , an e n e m y
of the Soviet U n i o n a n d S t a l i n , an e n e m y of o u r
people a n d o u r P a r t y , I t o l d V e l i m i r S t o j n i .
I ' m not discussing w h o t h e y are, said V e
l i m i r Stojni, but h a n d t h e m over to us because
they are K o s o v a r s , hence this is an issue of p r i n
ciple. W e have o u r party, o u r front, o u r l a w s
a n d o u r courts. T h e y must be h a n d e d over to
us and we shall do what we think fit w i t h them.
O t h e r w i s e , we s h a l l leave.

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 We are not b r e a k i n g off relations w i t h the
peoples of Y u g o s l a v i a w h o are f i g h t i n g against the
nazis, I said, but y o u are w r o n g w h e n y o u say
that they are K o s o v a r s . O n l y G a n i a n d Seit K r y e -
z i u are f r o m K o s o v a a n d since y o u are a p p a
r e n t l y so f o n d of these notorious beys of K o s o v a ,
take t h e m , let t h e m b e yours, w h i l e Z a i F u n d o ,
w h o is not a Y u g o s l a v citizen, n o r resident in
Y u g o s l a v i a , n o r of Y u g o s l a v o r i g i n , but is f r o m
K o r a , does not belong to y o u , a c c o r d i n g to y o u r
o w n thesis, I t o l d V e l i m i r S t o j n i .
T h e y are together, said V e l i m i r Stojni,
and have t h e i r centre i n K o s o v a .
But y o u see, we captured t h e m operating
against o u r P a r t y a n d our F r o n t i n A l b a n i a n
t e r r i t o r y ! A c c o r d i n g to y o u r thesis, I replied, if
we capture the q u i s l i n g X h a f e r D e v a , since he is
a K o s o v a r , we s h o u l d h a n d h i m o v e r to y o u to
b e t r i e d f o r the crimes h e has c o m m i t t e d i n A l
b a n i a ! S u c h reasoning w o n ' t h o l d w a t e r . H o w
ever, I c o n t i n u e d s p e a k i n g to V e l i m i r Stojni, I
d o not t h i n k t h a t the C P o f Y u g o s l a v i a a n d T i t o
(at that t i m e we h a d no suspicions about h i m , on
the contrary) w i l l t h i n k as y o u do, but since y o u
w e i g h o u r f r a t e r n a l relations against the stand
w h i c h s h o u l d b e adopted t o w a r d s traitors and
f e u d a l lords, w e s h a l l h a n d t h e m o v e r t o y o u and
I s h a l l give the order f o r this i m m e d i a t e l y . Z a i
F u n d o , the e n e m y of the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of
A l b a n i a a n d the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f Y u g o s l a v i a

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w i l l be t r i e d a n d if the p a r t i s a n court sentences
h i m t o death, h e w i l l b e shot i m m e d i a t e l y .
V e l i m i r S t o j n i left the house of o l d M e h m e t ,
w h e r e I h a d p u t up, h a v i n g saved the f e u d a l
lords G a n i a n d Seit K r y e z i u , agents of the
S e r b i a n c h a u v i n i s t s a n d the B r i t i s h a n d enemies
o f o u r w a r , f r o m death.
A f t e r h i m P a l m e r ( 1 ) came t o me. A p p a r e n t l y ,
the delegates of T i t o a n d the B r i t i s h E m p i r e had
come to agreement w i t h each other. P a l m e r , too,
a l t h o u g h in more moderate terms, asked me to
release the K r y e z i u s , F u n d o a n d S i m c o x . I n order
to persuade me he a d d e d :
Release t h e m , G e n e r a l , a n d we s h a l l assist
y o u w i t h arms.
As f o r y o u r 'aid', I r e p l i e d , we have
l o n g been a w a r e that it is n o t h i n g b u t w o r d s .
Y o u personally have i n f o r m e d m e several times
on e n d that the B r i t i s h a i r c r a f t are to d r o p w a r
_________________________________

1 T h e headquarters of the S O E in B a r i , Italy, on October

8, 1944, sent its mission Consensus II in A l b a n i a the f o l l o w
ing message:
...Lazar Fundo was captured with Simcox and Said...
He may therefore be in grave danger and strongly recommend
y o u should do utmost secure his liberation and evacuation to
Italy. Convinced F u n d o sincerely p r o - B r i t i s h and believe that
his intimate knowledge of Balkans and C e n t r a l E U R O P E and
C o m m u n i s t P a r t y organization might make h i m most valuable
to I.S.L.D. (Signals from SOE Headquarters in Bari, Italy, to
Mission Consensus II, May-Oct. 1944, No. 60, pp. 122-123.)

330
m a t e r i a l s at S t a r a v e c k a a n d elsewhere. In fact,
the a i r c r a f t have f l o w n over o u r c o u n t r y , not to
b r i n g us a i d , however, but f o r other purposes.
W e see t h e m cross o u r borders f r o m K o r a e n
route to Greece.
Yes, b u t they have r u n into resistance a n d
have been f o r c e d to change course, he said
in justification.
I u n d e r s t a n d c l e a r l y w h y they have changed
course, I said, but nevertheless, we are
fed u p w i t h s u c h tales. Y o u w e r e s p e a k i n g about
those that w e h a v e c a p t u r e d i n the N o r t h . O n
the question of the t w o prisoners f r o m K o s o v a , I
have g i v e n the Y u g o s l a v representative m y r e p l y .
As for Zai Fundo, what we shall do w i t h h i m is
o u r business, w h i l e as to y o u r officer, I have
issued the o r d e r to h a n d h i m over to y o u . I
believe the m a t t e r is n o w clear to y o u . T h a t is a l l
I have to say, I said a n d stood up to let h i m
k n o w I h a d n o f u r t h e r t i m e t o waste w i t h h i m .
I w a s astonished o v e r this coincidence.
W e d i d not k n o w that T i t o h a d l o n g been l i n k e d
w i t h C h u r c h i l l . W e k n e w that C h u r c h i l l ' s son had
been attached to T i t o a n d also k n e w about Tito's
l i n k s w i t h Subai, as w e l l as about his v i s i t
to Italy and that he had held talks w i t h British
personalities, but w e d i d not k n o w w h a t h e
h a d cooked u p and was c o o k i n g u p w i t h the
British.
T h u s , this question ended i n disgrace f o r

331
the Y u g o s l a v s a n d t h e B r i t i s h . I issued the o r d e r
f o r the comrades t o h a n d o v e r G a n i a n d Seit t o
the Y u g o s l a v p a r t i s a n forces, a n d this w a s done,
w h i l e they w e r e t o p u t Z a i F u n d o o n t r i a l a n d
p u n i s h h i m severely, a n d this w a s done.
T h i s was o n l y one aspect of a l l that h o s t i l e
w o r k w h i c h the Y u g o s l a v s w e r e t o c a r r y o n a -
gainst our P a r t y , against the People's R e p u b l i c
o f A l b a n i a a n d against socialism i n A l b a n i a , b o t h
on the eve of the l i b e r a t i o n of o u r c o u n t r y
a n d later. T h i s same V e l i m i r S t o j n i a n d his
associate, N i j a z D i z d a r e v i , w h o h a d been e n
trusted b y T i t o w i t h c a r r y i n g out t h e i r hostile
a c t i v i t y , w e r e to c a r r y it f u r t h e r at B e r a t , b u t
that is another l o n g story w h i c h w i l l be dealt
w i t h in a separate book.
H o w e v e r , let us r e t u r n b r i e f l y to the ques
t i o n of the K r y e z i u s , because there was a sequel
to it.
W h e n w e w e n t t o B e r a t t o h o l d the i m
portant m e e t i n g o f the 2 n d P l e n u m o f the C C o f
the P a r t y , at a time w h e n V e l i m i r S t o j n i a n d
N i j a z D i z d a r e v i , together w i t h N a k o S p i r u , K o i
Xoxe, Sejfulla Malshova, Pandi Kristo and
others, in a conspiracy b e h i n d the scenes, w e r e
p r e p a r i n g the attack on the correct line of the
P a r t y , V e l i m i r S t o j n i came t o m e i n m y office,
together w i t h Seit K r y e z i u .
V e l i m i r i n t r o d u c e d h i m t o me.
I k n e w Seit K r y e z i u w h e n I was a student

332
in P a r i s , I s a i d . I don't k n o w w h e t h e r he
r e m e m b e r s me.
Yes, r e p l i e d Seit, I r e m e m b e r you.
T h e n V e l i m i r S t o j n i told m e :
Seit has come here on the r e c o m m e n d a t i o n
of T i t o w h o asks y o u to assist h i m to get to
B a r i in Italy, because he has been e n t r u s t e d
w i t h the task o f s e c u r i n g weapons f o r K o s o v a
f r o m the allies (obviously f r o m the British). T h e
t h i n g was clear. G a n i K r y e z i u a n d the B r i t i s h
w e r e w a s t i n g n o t i m e . T h e y left one K r y e z i u
w i t h T i t o a n d w e r e t a k i n g the other abroad, p e r
haps to L o n d o n .
H o w is he going to t r a v e l , w h a t help do
y o u w a n t f r o m us? I asked. W e have no
connection w i t h Bari.
E v e r y t h i n g has been a r r a n g e d by the
G e n e r a l S t a f f o f the Y u g o s l a v a r m y a n d the
A l l i e d Mediterranean Headquarters, Stojni re
plied.
V e r y well, I t o l d Tito's representative,
since this business has a p p a r e n t l y been a r
ranged, there is n o t h i n g f o r it b u t we m u s t help
h i m r e a c h the Coast.
T h i s w h o l e business became clearer later,
w h e n it came out w h a t a dangerous e n e m y a n d
active agency of i m p e r i a l i s m Y u g o s l a v T i t o i s m
was. H o w e v e r , w e h a d sensed a n d detected their
savage h o s t i l i t y t o w a r d s us l o n g before this

333
t h r o u g h their actions, w h i c h w e n t f r o m bad t o
worse.
T h e r e w e r e m a n y w h o w e r e not a w a r e o f
the fierce struggle w h i c h w e w e r e w a g i n g a -
gainst the B r i t i s h , against t h e i r secret w a r a n d
u n d e r h a n d plans against us, therefore great de-
t e r m i n a t i o n and k e e n v i g i l a n c e w e r e r e q u i r e d
a n d there m u s t be no hesitation on the p a r t of
o u r P a r t y i n its actions. O u r P a r t y c a r r i e d out
its d i f f i c u l t but glorious m i s s i o n w i t h h o n o u r
a n d success a n d overcame the n u m e r o u s dangers
w i t h w h i c h i t was c o n f r o n t e d . F o l l o w i n g t h e
u l t i m a t u m w h i c h G e n e r a l W i l s o n sent m e a n d
the r e p l y that I gave h i m , we w e r e a w a i t i n g
t h e i r reaction, therefore w e w e r e w i d e a w a k e ,
ready to take counter-measures.
It w a s not l o n g before the B r i t i s h m a d e a
move. T h e y began to e x e r t other pressures, even
more dangerous, to the independence of o u r
c o u n t r y . A s everyone k n o w s , the W e s t e r n allies
h a d p r o m i s e d that they w o u l d o p e n the second
front i n E u r o p e i n 1942. H o w e v e r , t h e y d i d not
do this in 1942 n o r in 1943, b u t o n l y in J u n e
1944, w h e n H i t l e r i t e G e r m a n y w a s o n its last
legs. U n d e r the pretext of o p e n i n g this f r o n t ,
they w a n t e d t o l a n d i n A l b a n i a , too. T o t h i s
e n d they began t h e i r attempts to l a n d an a r m y .
O u r P a r t y understood that t h e i r attempts t o
l a n d an a r m y were not f o r the p u r p o s e of f i g h t i n g
the G e r m a n s i n A l b a n i a , because this w a s b e i n g

334
done successfully b y the A l b a n i a n N a t i o n a l
L i b e r a t i o n A r m y , w h i c h was completely c a p a b l e
o f l i b e r a t i n g its o w n c o u n t r y w i t h o u t the a i d
of the a r m e d forces of the friends, but f o r
the p u r p o s e of getting A l b a n i a into t h e i r clutches.
O u r P a r t y d i d not p e r m i t this, a n d as I s h a l l
describe below, refused and rejected t h e i r r e p e a t -
ed proposals to l a n d allied troops in our c o u n t r y
w h e r e , w h e n a n d i n the n u m b e r s a n d w i t h t h e
means they w a n t e d . T h i s was a t e r r i b l e danger
w h i c h threatened o u r c o u n t r y .
O u r clear decision w a s that w e must resist
this danger resolutely, even if this m e a n t b e c o m -
i n g i n v o l v e d i n a r m e d clashes w i t h o u r sincere
allies. O u r P a r t y c o u l d not p e r m i t a repetition
of A p r i l 7, 1939, or the massacre of m a r t y r e d
B o r o v a . N o f o r e i g n a r m y , w h e t h e r allied o r
not, w i l l b e p e r m i t t e d t o d o w h a t i t l i k e s i n o u r
c o u n t r y , w a s o u r decision. N o w the people,
w i t h t h e i r P a r t y a t the head a n d t h e i r o w n
N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n A r m y , w e r e the masters o f
the c o u n t r y . T h e s i t u a t i o n w a s c h a n g i n g day b y
day. T h e G e r m a n nazis w e r e l i v i n g t h e i r last
moments. O u r a r m e d forces w e r e a t t a c k i n g t h e m
e v e r y w h e r e . R e a c t i o n d i d not k n o w w h e r e t o
g o f o r shelter. E v e r y n i g h t T i r a n a was u n d e r
attack by our forces a n d the o n l y escape route
f o r the G e r m a n s w a s t h r o u g h S h k o d r a . I t w a s
also the escape route f o r the reactionaries, but
a v e r y dangerous route f o r t h e m .

335
 The first attempt. As I have pointed out, the
B r i t i s h suffered a defeat w i t h the r e p l y of o u r
G e n e r a l S t a f f t o the pressures t h e y exerted a n d
in the u l t i m a t u m w h i c h they sent us about not
attacking their friends in Albania. N e x t they
t h o u g h t they w o u l d b r i n g troops t o the v i c i n i t y
of T i r a n a on the eve if its l i b e r a t i o n . By this
means the B r i t i s h , together w i t h the r e a c t i o n a r -
ies, a i m e d to impose themselves on us in order to
realize t h e i r m a j o r purpose. I f this p r o v e d i m -
possible, at least they m i g h t be able to take
the t r a i t o r chiefs L u m o S k n d o , A b a z K u p i a n d
others, together w i t h t h e i r forces, to some of
o u r ports f r o m w h i c h t h e y c o u l d b e w i t h d r a w n
to Italy a n d elsewhere.
To this end, P a l m e r c a m e to me at o u r
base i n O d r i a n and, w i t h his u s u a l smile, began
t o t e l l m e that the H u n s (the B r i t i s h f r e q u e n t l y
called the G e r m a n s this) w e r e on t h e i r last legs,
t h a t the a l l i e d f r o n t w a s e x t e n d i n g a n d so on
a n d so f o r t h . I w a i t e d f o r h i m to get r o u n d to
the m a i n point, because I r e a l i z e d that a l l this
was l e a d i n g up to something, therefore I s i m p l y
listened a n d said n o t h i n g . At last he got a r o u n d
t o his t h e m e :
M r . H o x h a , h e said, up t i l l n o w there has
been good c o l l a b o r a t i o n b e t w e e n us. Of course,
w e ' v e h a d some disagreements, but s u c h t h i n g s
occur e v e n b e t w e e n friends, nevertheless, we are
allies f o r a great cause and o u r t w o sides have

336
been f i g h t i n g f o r years on the same f r o n t against
the same e n e m y . B o t h w e a n d y o u h a v e fought
h a r d a n d h a v e assisted each other i n t h i s w a r .
W e have t r i e d t o assist y o u w i t h o u r w e a p o n s
a n d a m m u n i t i o n , a l t h o u g h of course this a i d has
been i n s u f f i c i e n t . O u r H e a d q u a r t e r s t h i n k s , h e
c o n t i n u e d that f r o m n o w o n i t s h o u l d give y o u
greater assistance a n d proposes, apart f r o m a i d
w i t h weapons, to s e n d y o u a i d w i t h tommies,
w h o m , w i t h y o u r permission, w e c o u l d d r o p a s
c o m m a n d o forces i n the r e g i o n o f P e z a , Ishm a n d
D a r s i a . I n this w a y , o u r t w o a l l i e d armies w i l l j o i n
together l i k e b r o t h e r s to a t t a c k this plague and
put a n e n d t o i t m o r e q u i c k l y . W i t h this a i d
w h i c h w e propose, w h a t w e have i n m i n d i s t o
assist y o u a n d y o u r friends a n d ours, the Y u g o -
slavs, because i n t h i s w a y f e w e r G e r m a n s w i l l
pass t h r o u g h t h e i r t e r r i t o r y .
P a l m e r h a d come to the e n d of his speech.
H i s face w a s set in that p e r p e t u a l s m i l e of w h i c h
I w a s h e a r t i l y sick a n d w h i c h seemed to i m p l y
t o say: L o o k w h a t w o n d e r f u l tidings I'm b r i n g -
ing you?!
I l i t a cigarette as I t h o u g h t : A c c e p t a n c e of
his p r o p o s a l w o u l d lead to the i n i t i a l f o r m of a
B r i t i s h i n v a s i o n . Nevertheless, I h a d to r e p l y
t o h i m i n the same c o i n : smile f o r smile.
T h a n k y o u v e r y m u c h , I said s m i l i n g at
h i m , I t h a n k y o u r H e a d q u a r t e r s a n d y o u for
b r i n g i n g me this p r o p o s a l of concrete aid, even

337
w i t h tommies w h o m y o u w a n t t o d r o p b y p a r a -
chute a r o u n d T i r a n a . It is t r u e that we have been
and are allies in a great c o m m o n cause. It is
l i k e w i s e t r u e that B r i t a i n is f i g h t i n g , a n d I agree
w i t h y o u o n this, b u t the A l b a n i a n people are
f i g h t i n g , too, a n d they began the w a r against
the A x i s p o w e r s before G r e a t B r i t a i n , i n d e e d they
began it and are c o n t i n u i n g it alone. W h e n Italy
i n v a d e d us B r i t a i n t u r n e d a deaf ear. We f o u g h t
o n barefooted, ragged a n d h u n g r y , b u t u n y i e l d -
i n g . T h e e n e m y has d e s t r o y e d villages, t o w n s
and w h o l e regions, has k i l l e d m a n y people, b u t
we, too, have w r e a k e d havoc on the e n e m y . We
fought the Italians tooth a n d n a i l a n d b r o u g h t
t h e m to t h e i r knees. We are d o i n g the same t h i n g
w i t h the nazis, too. Y o u a n d o u r other allies
have fought o n other fronts, too. W e k n o w this.
But here, a n d I raised my voice, on our soil,
only the Albanian people have fought and only
they will fight till the end. Y o u d i d not
believe u s w h e n w e told y o u that the people
were w i t h the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n F r o n t , that
they w e r e a n d are w i t h us because we are t h e i r
t r u e sons. B u t y o u see w h a t is o c c u r r i n g n o w ?
T h e w h o l e people have risen to t h e i r feet. In the
course of battles, we b u i l t up a p o w e r f u l , i n v i n -
cible a r m y , a n d n o w that w e are b e g i n n i n g t o
call the tune, y o u propose t o b r i n g a n a r m y i n t o
o u r t e r r i t o r y ! It is a bit late in the d a y f o r this.
No, M r . P a l m e r , w e d o n o t accept y o u r proposal,

338
because t h e r e is no reason f o r y o u to d r o p troops
here. Y o u can see w i t h y o u r o w n eyes w h a t p r o -
p o r t i o n s o u r w a r has assumed, t h a t w e have
l o n g since gone b e y o n d the phase of isolated ac-
tions a n d are n o w on the offensive against the
nazis a n d t h e i r collaborators o n a l l fronts. I s
this not so?
It is so b u t . . .
He w a n t e d to say something, b u t I c o n -
t i n u e d a n d d i d not let h i m speak.
W e h a v e a m p l e forces i n P e z a , D a r s i a ,
I s h m a n d e v e r y w h e r e else a n d w e have n o need
f o r a i d i n m e n , i n commandos, therefore w e d o
not a l l o w y o u t o d r o p t h e m . T h e missions y o u
have here are sufficient. W e have n e v e r c o n -
cealed f r o m y o u a n y i n f o r m a t i o n about our
f i g h t i n g o r a n y t h i n g i n connection w i t h the e n -
emy. Therefore, please t r a n s m i t m y t h a n k s t o
y o u r H e a d q u a r t e r s a n d o u r categorical refusal
of the p r o p o s a l y o u m a d e to us.
P a l m e r left w i t h o u t another w o r d .
I i m m e d i a t e l y n o t i f i e d P e z a that if they
discovered p a r a t r o o p s b e i n g dropped, they s h o u l d
open f i r e o n t h e m a n d w i p e t h e m out. T h i s d i a -
b o l i c a l p l a n o f the B r i t i s h w a s l i n k e d w i t h the
proposal w h i c h Mustafa G j i n i s h i had made to
me earlier, t h a t he s h o u l d be a l l o w e d to f o r m
brigades i n P e q i n , D a r s i a a n d elsewhere outside
the orders a n d c o m m a n d of M y s l i m P e z a . I
rejected this proposal. T h e pieces of the p u z z l e

339
w e r e f a l l i n g into place. These forces of G j i n i s h i
w o u l d have collaborated w i t h t h e B r i t i s h p a r a -
troops.

The second attempt. S o m e t i m e later, P a l m e r

came back again w i t h the p r o p o s a l to m a k e a
s m a l l s y m b o l i c l a n d i n g w i t h a c o m m a n d o force,
this t i m e on the Coast, at S p i l e of H i m a r a .
W h y d o y o u w a n t t o m a k e this l a n d i n g ?
I asked h i m .
For t w o reasons, he said. To s h o w o u r
collaboration w i t h y o u a n d t o w i p e o u t the G e r -
m a n g a r r i s o n a t S p i l e o f H i m a r a , w h i c h has n o
m i l i t a r y i m p o r t a n c e but observes t h e m o v e m e n t s
of o u r ships.
I k n o w that the g a r r i s o n is u n i m p o r t a n t ,
I t o l d P a l m e r , however, I s h a l l give y o u my
r e p l y in t w o or three days' time, w h e n I have
m o r e detailed i n f o r m a t i o n o n the situation.
I discussed the m a t t e r w i t h the comrades
a n d w e decided t h a t this t i m e w e w o u l d give
t h e B r i t i s h a satisfaction w h i c h e n t a i l e d no
danger f o r us. I o r d e r e d o u r forces on the Coast
t o take u p positions a t P i l u r , N i v i c a - B u b a r , L l o -
gara a n d to go to the a i d of t h e B r i t i s h troops
i f they r a n into a n y d a n g e r d u r i n g t h e i r attack
o n the G e r m a n g a r r i s o n .
I sent f o r P a l m e r a n d i n f o r m e d h i m that
we accepted his proposal. I also w a r n e d h i m that
the G e r m a n g a r r i s o n m u s t be the o n l y objective

340
 of the o p e r a t i o n and, after it w a s w i p e d out, the
B r i t i s h forces m u s t r e - e m b a r k i n t h e i r boats a n d
go a w a y . T h e y w o u l d not be p e r m i t t e d to l i n g e r
a n d settle in here. T h i s w a s a categorical
order.
L e t us c a r r y out this action jointly, I p r o -
posed to P a l m e r .
T h a n k you, he said, but we s h a l l do it
ourselves.
Nevertheless, I t o l d h i m , our m e n w i l l
take u p s u r r o u n d i n g positions a n d w i l l g u a r d the
roads to ensure that none of the nazis escapes
f r o m the t r a p a n d w e w i p e t h e m out l i k e rats.
We s h a l l be there to protect y o u r l a n d i n g a n d
y o u r w i t h d r a w a l after the action, I added to
let h i m k n o w t h a t h e m u s t take o u r orders v e r y
seriously, because we w e r e not j o k i n g .
T h e action w a s c a r r i e d out. T h e G e r m a n s
c a p t u r e d 9 B r i t i s h prisoners a n d w e r e on the
point o f completely l i q u i d a t i n g the B r i t i s h c o m -
mando. H o w e v e r , o u r 12th B r i g a d e i n t e r v e n e d ,
routed the G e r m a n garrison, l i b e r a t e d H i m a r a
and f r e e d the prisoners. W h a t r e m a i n e d of t h e
B r i t i s h c o m m a n d o c l i m b e d b a c k into t h e i r boats
and w i t h d r e w to the place they started f r o m .
I t w a s o n l y later, w i t h t h e i r n e x t attempt,
w i t h the o p e r a t i o n t o l a n d B r i t i s h commandos
at K a k o m e , Saranda, that we were to under-
stand w h y the B r i t i s h u n d e r t o o k this action,

341
w h i c h was of no interest to t h e m a n d w i t h o u t
a n y strategic i m p o r t a n c e .

The third attempt. T h e same o l d r e f r a i n this

time, too. P a l m e r came, l a u n c h e d into his i n t r o -
d u c t i o n and t h e n m a d e the proposal. I asked h i m :
W h a t is the interest t h a t i m p e l s y o u to
propose s u c h a t h i n g ? T h e s m a l l G e r m a n force
in S a r a n d a is doomed to be w i p e d out, its o n l y
escape route is by sea, a n d we p l a n to t h r o w
t h e m into the sea v e r y soon, thus l i b e r a t i n g the
w h o l e of the South.
Precisely, said P a l m e r . Therefore, y o u
should agree to c a r r y out this action j o i n t l y ,
because i n this w a y w e block the road for the
defeated G e r m a n forces w h i c h m i g h t e n t e r f r o m
Greece.
T h i s attempt, too, w a s to e n d l i k e that in Spile.
As soon as we took the decision in the
G e n e r a l Staff, w e i n f o r m e d comrades K a h r e m a n
Y l l i a n d G a f u r u i , g i v i n g t h e m clear orders
o n h o w t o enter into discussion w i t h the B r i t i s h ,
w h a t t o say t o t h e m a n d h o w t o act. W e i n s t r u c t -
e d t h e m that i n the talks, t h e y m u s t present o u r
a r m y as it was, a r e g u l a r a r m y . D o not a l l o w
the B r i t i s h t o m a k e a n y advance outside these
orders, w a s the i n s t r u c t i o n w e gave t h e m .
A f t e r this, I sent f o r P a l m e r .
W e agree that we s h o u l d attack the G e r -
m a n g a r r i s o n in S a r a n d a together, I t o l d h i m ,

342
but w e s h a l l attack f r o m the l a n d a n d y o u f r o m
t h e sea, a n d once the action is over, y o u r forces
must w i t h d r a w immediately.
H e nodded his head. H e seemed dissatisfied,
b u t nevertheless considered it a success that
w e h a d agreed that t h i s action s h o u l d b e c a r r i e d
out j o i n t l y .
A n d that i s w h a t was done. P a r t i s a n forces
of the 14th, 12th a n d 19th B r i g a d e s of o u r a r m y
l a u n c h e d a f u r i o u s assault on the enemy. A f t e r
three d a y s of fierce f i g h t i n g , they w i p e d out the
G e r m a n s a n d S a r a n d a w a s liberated. M o r e t h a n
150 G e r m a n s w e r e t a k e n prisoner, i n c l u d i n g the
colonel w h o c o m m a n d e d t h e m . T h e B r i t i s h c o m -
mandos, whose f i g h t i n g a m o u n t e d m e r e l y to
f i r i n g some salvos of a r t i l l e r y at the L k u r s
fortress a n d the B u t r i n t M o n a s t e r y , also entered
the l i b e r a t e d t o w n as victors. Nevertheless,
since most of the B r i t i s h l a n d e d f r o m the sea,
t h e y h a d m a n y casualties, w h i l e w e h a d few.
H o w e v e r , after the operation w a s completed,
o u r c o m m a n d i n S a r a n d a reported t o m e that
t h e c o m m a n d o f the B r i t i s h troops h a d asked
f o r the G e r m a n colonel to be h a n d e d o v e r to
t h e m to be sent to Italy, alleging that in this w a y
more p u b l i c i t y w o u l d be g i v e n to the fight for
the l i b e r a t i o n of S a r a n d a ; o u r c o m m a n d also
reported that the B r i t i s h soldiers w e r e b e h a v i n g
badly, b r e a k i n g shop w i n d o w s , stealing the goods
a n d t a k i n g t h e m t o t h e i r ships a n d that there

343
w a s a danger of a r m e d clashes between the B r i -
t i s h a n d the partisans. T h e B r i t i s h c o m m a n d
h a d w a n t e d to continue the attack i n l a n d to
D e l v i n a a n d G j i r o k a s t r a s o t h a t the B r i t i s h s o l -
diers c o u l d p a r a d e as liberators before the
people there! H o w e v e r , o u r comrades h a d t o l d
t h e m that these t o w n s h a d been l i b e r a t e d a n d
n o w the B r i t i s h m u s t leave. A f t e r t h i s the B r i t i s h
c o m m a n d h a d proposed t o the p a r t i s a n c o m -
m a n d that they s h o u l d m a k e a j o i n t attack on
Corfu.
These w e r e v e r y serious a n d dangerous m a t -
ters. W e n o t i f i e d o u r c o m m a n d t o o r d e r the p a r -
tisans to keep t h e i r tempers a n d protect the t o w n ,
to consolidate t h e i r positions at Q a f a e Gjashts,
B u t r i n t a n d Bogaza, to keep the a r t i l l e r y on the
h i l l s above S a r a n d a a n d a t the B u t r i n t m o n a s t e r y
in readiness, to be v i g i l a n t a n d keep m o v e m e n t
on the sea u n d e r close observation a n d to i n f o r m
us i m m e d i a t e l y if other B r i t i s h ships appeared
and, if they m o v e d t o w a r d s the shore, to a w a i t
orders f r o m us a n d to f i r e a r t i l l e r y shots to w a r n
t h e m off. I ordered t h e m to send the G e r m a n
colonel u n d e r escort to B e r a t .
O n the o t h e r h a n d , I s u m m o n e d P a l m e r u r -
gently a n d m a d e an energetic protest about the
requests of the B r i t i s h c o m m a n d , as w e l l as
about the unpleasant b e h a v i o u r of the B r i t i s h
soldiers. I t o l d h i m that the j o i n t task h a d been
c a r r i e d out, S a r a n d a h a d been l i b e r a t e d a n d , i n

344
the terms of the decision, the B r i t i s h forces m u s t
be w i t h d r a w n as q u i c k l y as possible.
P a l m e r p r e t e n d e d to be i n d i g n a n t about the
b a d b e h a v i o u r o f the B r i t i s h soldiers a n d t o l d m e
that h e w o u l d report that the forces m u s t b e
w i t h d r a w n immediately.
W e w a i t e d f o r the B r i t i s h t o w i t h d r a w , but
n o t h i n g w a s b e i n g done. T h e y postponed t h e i r
d e p a r t u r e f r o m day t o day. A p p a r e n t l y , t h e i r
a i m w a s t o r e m a i n there a n d have S a r a n d a a s
t h e i r base on the Coast a n d in the t e r r i t o r y of
A l b a n i a . ( 1 ) M u s s o l i n i also h a d l i k e d this p e a r l
of o u r c o u n t r y so m u c h t h a t he h a d n a m e d it
P o r t o E d d a , after his o w n daughter. B u t t h e
times h a d changed. T h e p e a r l h a d a n owner.
S e v e r a l times I sent f o r P a l m e r to protest
t o h i m a n d h e assured m e t h a t h e w o u l d n o t i f y
his centre to o r d e r the w i t h d r a w a l . In the end,
the cup w a s f u l l . O u r patience w a s a t a n end.
I issued h i m a n u l t i m a t u m , i n s t r u c t i n g h i m t o
t r a n s m i t i t i m m e d i a t e l y t o the A l l i e d M e d i t e r -
____________________________
1 Immediately after the l a n d i n g of the B r i t i s h commandos
in the Saranda zone, on September 29, 1944, B a r i reported to
the F o r e i g n O f f i c e amongst other things:
2. Subsequent development of the operation depends upon
a number of factors w h i c h cannot at present be assessed. B u t it
is possible that if everything goes w e l l we may be able to
m a i n t a i n a permanent footing on A l b a n i a n soil as w e l l as in
Corfu. (Telegram No 722. FO 371/43572-3584. PRO: From the
photocopy of the original in the A1H, Tirana.)

345
r a n e a n Headquarters. If the B r i t i s h c o m m a n d o s
are not w i t h d r a w n f r o m S a r a n d a b y the g i v e n
date, t h e n w a r w i l l b r e a k out b e t w e e n the p a r t i s -
ans a n d the B r i t i s h , I i n f o r m e d h i m .
I i n s t r u c t e d o u r forces there to be in r e a -
diness, a w a i t i n g an o r d e r to a t t a c k the B r i t i s h
w i t h arms a n d t o let t h e m k n o w that w e h a d
t a k e n a l l measures a n d w e r e d e t e r m i n e d t o t h r o w
t h e m i n t o the sea. A t this t h e y b e g a n t o panic.
P a l m e r a r r i v e d a n d proposed t o m e :
O u r forces are ready t o w i t h d r a w , b u t w e
ask y o u r p e r m i s s i o n to w i t h d r a w , not by sea,
but t h r o u g h D e l v i n a , M u z i n a , D r o p u l l a n d Pogon.
T h e d i a b o l i c a l p l a n o f the B r i t i s h w a s o b v i -
ous. T h e y w a n t e d to s h o w themselves off as
liberators, to create disturbances a m o n g the m i n -
o r i t y people, t o l i n k u p w i t h the forces o f Z e r v a ,
t o r o a m a t w i l l t h r o u g h o u r free zones, etc.
I n n o w a y w i l l w e p e r m i t y o u r brigade t o g o
by this route, I t o l d h i m . It m u s t go back
w h e r e it came f r o m , i m m e d i a t e l y , by sea. It is
m y d u t y t o i n f o r m y o u : m a k e n o attempt t o g o
past o u r f o r t i f i e d places otherwise y o u w i l l b e a t -
tacked. If this occurs, y o u m u s t b e a r the r e s p o n -
s i b i l i t y . W e are d e t e r m i n e d t o defend ourselves
a n d to defend the sovereignty of o u r c o u n t r y . We
have considered y o u f r i e n d s a n d w e w a n t y o u
t o c o n t i n u e t o b e f r i e n d s . Therefore, y o u m u s t
c a r r y out i m m e d i a t e l y the decision w h i c h w e
took j o i n t l y .

346
 E v e n t u a l l y the B r i t i s h c l i m b e d into their
boats a n d . . . w e w e r e r i d o f t h e m . J u s t a t this
t i m e , i n October, t h e y l a n d e d i n Greece, w h e r e
the s i t u a t i o n w a s s i m i l a r t o that i n o u r c o u n t r y
the eve of l i b e r a t i o n . T h e y entered that c o u n -
t r y freely, u n d e r the agreement signed at C a s e r -
ta, w h i c h was the d e a t h w a r r a n t f o r the v i c t o r y
o f t h e G r e e k C P , the E A M and the f r e e d o m
of the G r e e k people.
Because of the v i g i l a n c e and d e t e r m i n a t i o n
of o u r glorious P a r t y , a l l the plans to l a n d troops
in o u r c o u n t r y f a i l e d one after the other.
A l t h o u g h they f a i l e d i n these attempts, the
B r i t i s h d i d not give u p t h e i r efforts t o i n t e r v e n e
i n o u r c o u n t r y . A f t e r the f o r m a t i o n o f the D e -
m o c r a t i c G o v e r n m e n t of A l b a n i a on October 22,
1944, we stayed in B e r a t f o r a brief p e r i o d . T h e
A l l i e d missions w e r e there, too. T h e houses w h e r e
t h e A n g l o - A m e r i c a n missions w e r e q u a r t e r e d
h a d been t u r n e d i n t o hornets' nests. A l l sorts of
people w e n t i n a n d out t h e i r doors. Secret i n -
f o r m a t i o n w a s g i v e n a n d received. N e w plans
w e r e concocted.
T h e B r i t i s h officer came to see me, C o m -
r a d e S p i r o M o i s i u i n f o r m e d me.
W h a t d i d h e say? D i d h e have a n y news
about the r e c o g n i t i o n of o u r G o v e r n m e n t ? I
asked. It w a s several days since we h a d handed
the f o r e i g n missions o u r request to t h e i r g o v e r n -

347
merits f o r recognition o f o u r D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n -
ment. ( 1 ) B u t this h a d f a l l e n o n deaf ears.
No, r e p l i e d G e n e r a l M o i s i u , he d i d not
t o u c h o n t h a t p r o b l e m , b u t t o l d m e that w e
should r e p a i r the a i r f i e l d at K u o v a , because
they are going to order a i r c r a f t to b r i n g a i d f o r
the people!
W h a t d i d y o u say to h i m ? I asked.
W e can't r e p a i r it at the m o m e n t , I t o l d
h i m , because w e have o t h e r m o r e u r g e n t p r o b -
lems. ' W e s h a l l help y o u , ' the E n g l i s h m a n said,
a n d the m a t t e r w a s left f o r m e t o discuss w i t h you.
I agree, I said, but we m u s t take a good
look a t w h a t t h e i r a i m is. A s f o r w h a t h e t o l d
y o u about b r i n g i n g u s 'aid', w e k n o w v e r y w e l l
h o w m u c h they w o r r y about the interests o f
o u r people. It's m o r e l i k e l y t h e y ' r e w o r r i e d about
our o i l . A p p a r e n t l y they t h i n k t h e y w i l l give
us a f e w p o u n d s a n d consider that they h a v e
bought t h e oil-field.
T h i s d a n g e r existed. A t one t i m e K u o v a
h a d been h e l d as a concession by the A n g l o -
P e r s i a n O i l C o m p a n y , w h i c h h a d s o l d i t t o the
Italian company A I P A , w i t h rights to exploit it
f o r 9 9 years. N o w that I t a l y h a d been r e d u c e d
___________________________
1 T h e letter w h i c h the B r i t i s h ambassador to M o s c o w A r c h i -
bald C l a r k K e r r sent to M o l o t o v on October 30, 1944, says:
Dear M r . Molotov,
1. I have been instructed by my government to i n f o r m the
Soviet Government that in the present confused situation in

348
to such a feeble c o n d i t i o n , t h e y m i g h t t h i n k that
t h e t i m e h a d c o m e to take it back, t h i s t i m e for
nothing.
C o m r a d e S p i r o came back again, v e r y angry,
and told me:
It t u r n e d out just as y o u said, C o m r a d e
E n v e r . T h e B r i t i s h officer met m e a n d said w i t h -
out a b l u s h : ' H e r e is o u r a i d , 40 pounds. I n f o r m
u s w h e n y o u f i n i s h r e p a i r i n g the f i e l d s o that
the a i r c r a f t c a n come!'
D o n ' t distress yourself, C o m r a d e Spiro,
I said, w e k n o w e x a c t l y w h a t they are a n d we
are sick a n d t i r e d of t h e i r 'aid'.
I t o l d the E n g l i s h m a n : ' T h i s isn't e n o u g h
t o feed the people w h o w i l l w o r k there f o r t w o
days, so p u t it b a c k in y o u r pocket,' c o n t i n u e d
S p i r o . W e s h a l l r e p a i r the a i r f i e l d w h e n w e
need it a n d w h e n it suits us.'
W i t h t h i s p a r t i n g shot, h e b i d the B r i t i s h
p h i l a n t h r o p i s t goodbye.
W e s t i l l d i d not k n o w that L t . - C o l . P a l m e r ,
through Tarasconi, the m a n a g e r of AIPA
in K u o v a , h a d got c o n t r o l of the o i l . T h i s act,
too, w o u l d be discovered a n d dealt w i t h later.
_____________________________
Albania they do not propose to recognise the Provisional
Government set up there by the F . N . C . party.
2. My government hope that the Soviet Government w i l l concur
in this course.
3. A similar c o m m u n i c a t i o n is being addressed to the G o v e r n -
ment of the U n i t e d States. (FO 371/43564-3530, No. 2179: PRO.
Taken from photocopy of the original in the AIH, Tirana.)

349
 T h e B r i t i s h also sought the assistance of t h e
U n i t e d States of A m e r i c a as an a l l y to a c h i e v e
t h e i r p r e d a t o r y aims.
W e h a d i n f o r m a t i o n that a n A m e r i c a n m i l i -
tary mission was s t a y i n g w i t h S k n d e r M u o ,
a leader of the B a l l i K o m b t a r , in D u k a t of
V l o r a . S k n d e r M u o posed as a p a t r i o t a n d
it was r u m o u r e d that he w a s g o i n g to create a
social-democratic p a r t y w h i c h never came t o
anything. He was a two-faced individual. He
had placed h i m s e l f in the service of b o t h the
A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s a n d the G e r m a n s . T h e latter
became a w a r e o f this a n d k i l l e d h i m .
A b o u t t h e end of A p r i l or the b e g i n n i n g of
M a y 1944, I don't r e m e m b e r clearly, T h o m a s
S t e f a n i , w i t h t w o others, presented h i m s e l f t o
o u r Staff at Helms. He w a s about 30 years of
age, a short, thick-set m a n . S o m e t i m e s he spoke
E n g l i s h , sometimes A l b a n i a n . B u t h e spoke n e i t h e r
of t h e m w e l l a n d w i t h an accent as t h o u g h he
h a d a m o u t h f u l of p o r r i d g e . He h a d p l e n t y to
say but not w i t h m u c h sense.
I've been sent to the A l b a n i a n p a r t i s a n s
b y A i r F o r c e H e a d q u a r t e r s a s l i a i s o n officer,
this A m e r i c a n l i e u t e n a n t told us at the f i r s t m e e t -
ing we had with him.
W h e n w e r e y o u sent? w e asked h i m .
It's w a r t i m e , gentlemen, he said. W e set
out some time ago, b u t we w e r e obliged to spend

350
several m o n t h s , f i r s t a t K a r a b u r u n o f D u k a t
a n d later as guests of M r . M u o , b u t h e . . . .
We k n e w he w a s b o u n d to come to a b a d
end, w e t o l d h i m . S e v e r a l times w e appealed
t o h i m t o j o i n the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t
but he d i d n ' t w a n t to a n d . . . he was shot l i k e a
stray dog...
W e t h r e e are o f A l b a n i a n origin, T h o m a s
S t e f a n i hastened to say, to get off the subject
o f S k n d e r M u o , w e are f r o m K o r a .
T h a t i s good t o hear. A s A l b a n i a n s w e
s h a l l get on w e l l , I said.
First, I am an A m e r i c a n , then an A l b a n i a n ,
gentlemen. S u c h is my duty.
But w h a t is y o u r d u t y ? I asked.
A s l i a i s o n officer, I shall ensure c o m m u n i -
cations b e t w e e n y o u a n d m y H e a d q u a r t e r s a n d
w i l l r e p o r t f r o m t i m e to t i m e as the need arises.
I have special i n s t r u c t i o n s f r o m G e n e r a l S t a w e l l
to gather intelligence i n f o r m a t i o n on the e n e m y ,
especially n u m b e r - p l a t e s a n d other i n f o r m a t i o n
w h i c h w i l l help support the actions o f y o u r m i l i -
t a r y forces against the occupier.
T h i s w a s the d u t y o f this degenerate A l -
b a n i a n , w h o so f o o l i s h l y boasted to us that he
was first a n A m e r i c a n . H o w e v e r , w e k n e w that
he h a d been sent to t h r o w dust in the eyes of the
A l b a n i a n f a m i l i e s o f economic e m i g r a n t s i n A m e r -
ica in o r d e r to say to t h e m : Y o u see, we too.

351
have come t o h e l p the A l b a n i a n people. H e
h a d come to p r e p a r e the g r o u n d a n d the premises
f o r the notorious M r . F u l t z , w h o was t o organize
plots a n d b l a c k m a i l against o u r people's state
p o w e r f r o m the f i r s t m o n t h s of the l i b e r a t i o n of
Albania.
H e w a s a n e x - p o l i c e m a n w h o m the A m e r i -
cans l a t e r p r o m o t e d to c a p t a i n a n d became the
guide o f the p u p i l s a n d boys o f F u l t z , w h o
h a d opened a n office o f t h e A m e r i c a n O S S f o r
A l b a n i a i n B a r i i n Italy.
T h e B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n s t h o u g h t that
everything w o u l d go smoothly for them and they
a c t e d . H o w e v e r , the P a r t y countered t h e i r plans,
f o u g h t t h e m b l o w f o r b l o w a n d f o i l e d t h e m one
after the another. T h e P a r t y w o r k e d t o ensure
that e v e r y t h i n g w o u l d go completely in f a v o u r of
t h e A l b a n i a n people a n d o f the freedom, i n d e p e n -
dence a n d sovereignty of o u r beloved H o m e l a n d .

W i t h the l i b e r a t i o n o f A l b a n i a , t h e missions
o f P a l m e r a n d T h o m a s S t e f a n i disappeared, along
w i t h the heads of reaction. T h e i r place w a s t a k e n
b y t h e missions o f t h e B r i t i s h G e n e r a l H o d g s o n
a n d the A m e r i c a n s Jacobs a n d F u l t z , A n g l o -
A m e r i c a n missions w h i c h h a d a s t h e i r objective
to organize t h e p o l i t i c a l opposition, e c o n o m i c
i n t e r f e r e n c e t h r o u g h U N R R A a n d sabotage o f
the r e c o n s t r u c t i o n of o u r c o u n t r y .

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 VII

UNSUCCESSFUL MANOEUVRES

November 29, 1944. Victory the whole

country celebrates. Revolutionary measures.
Missions for the recognition of our Democratic
Government! Fultz: the pupils and the boys.
Philanthropic instruments ML and
U N R R A . We accept no conditions. We allow not
even one officer to set foot on the wharf. The
Opposition unfortunate actors in a drama
that was a flap. Nobody can impose conditions on
Albania. Paris: Let the whole world know that
the Albanian people do not permit any discus-
sion of their borders... The saboteurs on trial.
Why did Mr. Fultz leave? The Corfu Channel
incident. At the Hague the innocent guil-
ty. Why was the gold frozen? Plunder. The
crabs in action. Life is struggle vigilance!

O n N o v e m b e r 28, 1944, t h e D e m o c r a t i c
G o v e r n m e n t of A l b a n i a entered liberated T i r a n a
w h i c h had been t u r n e d into a heap of ruins. The
smell of powder smoke still lingered. The Gov-

353
e r n m e n t w a s w e l c o m e d w i t h indescribable e n -
thusiasm, w i t h songs, dances a n d flowers, b y the
masses of the c a p i t a l city. It was the first g o v e r n -
ment to emerge f r o m the bosom of the people,
f r o m the b a r r e l of the p a r t i s a n r i f l e .
S h k o d r a , the m a i n centre of T e u t a of the
I l l y r i a n s i n ancient times, w a s l i b e r a t e d o n the
f o l l o w i n g day, N o v e m b e r 29. T h i s d a y m a r k e d
the complete l i b e r a t i o n of A l b a n i a . T h e f l a g of
Skanderbeg and Ismail Qemali waved proudly
over the w h o l e of A l b a n i a . T h i s was the greatest
v i c t o r y in the h i s t o r y of the A l b a n i a n people.
It was dedicated to t h e i r u n r i v a l l e d h e r o i s m , to
the resolute a n d f a r - s i g h t e d l e a d e r s h i p of the
C o m m u n i s t P a r t y of A l b a n i a , to the sons of this
people w h o pressed f o r w a r d t h r o u g h storms a n d
tempests a n d w e r e n e v e r conquered, b u t r e m a i n e d
indomitable, f a c i n g the g a l l o w s a n d bullets o n
the battlefield, f a c i n g the intrigues, u n d e r h a n d
plots a n d d i a b o l i c a l plans of the imperialists, a n d
w o u l d a l w a y s r e m a i n i n d o m i t a b l e i n the f u t u r e ,
too.
T h e A l b a n i a n people's w a r i n f l i c t e d great
m a t e r i a l a n d h u m a n damage o n the nazi-fascist
occupiers. O n o u r t e r r i t o r y 26,594 enemies w e r e
k i l l e d , 20,800 w e r e captured, a n d tens of thous-
ands of others w e r e w o u n d e d . T h e v i c t o r y cost
A l b a n i a v e r y dear. F o r this d a y 28,000 o f its
sons a n d daughters s a c r i f i c e d t h e i r lives i n t h e
f l o w e r of t h e i r y o u t h , that is, one m a r t y r f o r

354
e v e r y square k i l o m e t r e ; 12,600 people w e r e
w o u n d e d , w h i l e 10,000 others w e r e i n t e r n e d i n
c o n c e n t r a t i o n camps.
W h o l e regions, towns and villages w e r e d e -
vastated. T h e serious damage caused b y the w a r
added to the d i f f i c u l t i e s of the economy, w h i c h
h a d been left c o m p l e t e l y b a c k w a r d a n d at t h e
m e r c y o f fate u n d e r the f e u d a l regime o f K i n g
Z o g . A g r i c u l t u r e w a s almost totally r u i n e d . W h o l e
tracts of l a n d h a d been left u n p l a n t e d . E n o r m o u s
damage h a d been done t o livestock f a r m i n g . A l l
the bridges h a d been b l o w n up. The roads, the
f e w e x i s t i n g schools, the p o w e r stations, a n d
w a t e r s u p p l y systems, the ports, a n d especially
the mines, h a d been made unusable. T h e c o u n t r y
w a s threatened w i t h f a m i n e . T r a d e h a d been
p a r a l y z e d , the t r e a s u r y w a s e m p t y .
T h i s w a s the s i t u a t i o n the A l b a n i a n peo-
ple a n d the D e m o c r a t i c g o v e r n m e n t w h i c h e m e r -
ged f r o m f i v e years o f u n e q u a l w a r , i n h e r i t e d
f r o m the past r e a c t i o n a r y regimes a n d the n a z i -
fascist occupation.
T h e P a r t y , the people a n d the G o v e r n m e n t
faced m a j o r tasks. A n e w fight, just as d i f f i c u l t ,
if not m o r e so, a w a i t e d us the struggle f o r
the r e c o n s t r u c t i o n of the c o u n t r y , to heal t h e
w o u n d s w h i c h the e n e m y a n d the black past had
i n f l i c t e d o n us.
W e w e r e conscious that w e w e r e g o i n g
t o t r i u m p h i n this fight, too, a n d w e w o u l d

355
achieve this, f i r s t of a l l , by s t r e n g t h e n i n g the
P a r t y a n d the people's state p o w e r , b y steeling
the u n i t y of a l l the w o r k i n g masses a r o u n d the
P a r t y a n d the government. T h e v i c t o r y over the
occupiers a n d the traitors h a d been a c h i e v e d
because blood w a s shed, a n d n o w i t w o u l d b e
defended a n d secured once again w i t h bloodshed
a n d torrents of sweat.
T h e s t r e n g t h e n i n g of the D e m o c r a t i c F r o n t
w a s also on t h e agenda of the P a r t y . It w o u l d
be a r e v o l u t i o n a r y o r g a n i z a t i o n w h i c h in the
construction of the n e w A l b a n i a , just as y e s t e r -
day i n the w a r , w o u l d p l a y a decisive r o l e i n
the m i l i t a n t u n i t y of the masses to c a r r y out n e w
historic tasks. U n d e r the l e a d e r s h i p o f the P a r t y
i t w o u l d become the m a i n s u p p o r t o f t h e n e w
state in defeating the attempts of enemies to
create democratic parties as opposition parties
in order to split the u n i t y of the people a n d seize
state p o w e r f r o m t h e i r hands.
We set to w o r k f o r t h e r e c o n s t r u c t i o n of
o u r H o m e l a n d . E v e r y t h i n g h a d t o b e started f r o m
scratch, f r o m the smallest t h i n g u p t o i n d u s t r y ,
w h i c h w e d i d not have i n t h e true sense o f the
w o r d . W e h a d t o set i t u p ourselves. W e m a d e
t h e r e c o n s t r u c t i o n a p r o b l e m of a l l t h e masses,
especially of the y o u t h , w h o p l a c e d themselves
a t the head o f actions. A n u n p r e c e d e n t e d e n -
t h u s i a s m b u r s t out e v e r y w h e r e . T h e r e v o l u t i o n -

356
a r y tide was m o u n t i n g d a y b y day. W e were
s c o r i n g successes in e v e r y sector.
As a result the grave w o u n d s w e r e healed
r e l a t i v e l y q u i c k l y . T h e r u i n e d houses w e r e r e b u i l t ,
w o r k began i n the mines, the p o w e r stations, the
f e w factories w e i n h e r i t e d , the e d u c a t i o n a l a n d
c u l t u r a l institutions. A g r i c u l t u r e began its n o r -
m a l life.
B u t a n e w economic base, an a d v a n c e d e c o n -
omy, w a s r e q u i r e d to respond to the p o l i t i c a l
regime w h i c h was n e w i n f o r m and content.
W i t h o u t s u c h a base it w o u l d be a castle b u i l t on
sand.
T h e g o v e r n m e n t solved the e c o n o m i c - f i n a n -
cial p r o b l e m w i t h r e v o l u t i o n a r y measures w h i c h
had t o d o not o n l y w i t h the r e v i v a l o f the c o u n t r y
but also w i t h the w e a k e n i n g of the economic
positions of the m e r c a n t i l e capitalist bourgeoisie.
A s a result o f the l a w o n the special t a x o n w a r
profits, a good p a r t of the b i g c a p i t a l w h i c h the
capitalists h a d seized d u r i n g the w a r was placed
in the service of the people a n d the r e c o n s t r u c -
tion of the c o u n t r y . W i t h this measure the P a r t y
s t r u c k a h e a v y b l o w at the b i g merchants, the
usurers a n d t h e speculators. A l o n g w i t h this i t
carried out the n a t i o n a l i z a t i o n of the m a i n means
of p r o d u c t i o n , the mines, The B a n k , the assets
of p o l i t i c a l f u g i t i v e s a n d f o r e i g n capitalist c o m -
panies. T h e economic dependence o n the i m -
perialist p o w e r s w a s e n d e d a n d the p o l i t i c a l i n d e -

357
pendence o f A l b a n i a w a s strengthened. T h e L a n d
R e f o r m was m a d e a r e a l i t y u n d e r the slogan of
the P a r t y , T h e l a n d t o those w h o t i l l i t !
L a t e r the socio-economic t r a n s f o r m a t i o n s
w e r e to assume e v e n greater p r o p o r t i o n s .
In the course of the struggle a n d w o r k to
m a r c h ahead the P a r t y a n d the A l b a n i a n people
w e r e b o u n d t o a n d d i d r u n u p against i n t e r n a l
reaction w h i c h , i n the n e w conditions, h a d p l a c e d
a l l its hopes o n the s u p p o r t o f the A n g l o - A m e r -
icans, w h o h a d l o n g been w a g i n g a n u n d e r c o v e r
struggle against us t h r o u g h t h e i r agents a n d the
elements w h o m t h e y r e c r u i t e d . T h e A n g l o - A m e r -
icans themselves h a d not g i v e n u p t h e i r plans,
either. W h a t they h a d been u n a b l e to achieve
d u r i n g the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r t h e y t r i e d t o
achieve after the L i b e r a t i o n b y f i g h t i n g u s i n the
most v a r i e d w a y s a n d w i t h d i f f e r e n t m e a n s i n the
i n t e r n a t i o n a l a r e n a and w i t h i n the country, i n
order to d e n y o u r n e w state of people's d e m o c r a c y
a n y s u p p o r t a n d t o o v e r t h r o w it.

W i t h the l i b e r a t i o n o f A l b a n i a b y the people

themselves a n d t h e i r a r m y , w e t h o u g h t t h a t the
B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n officers, w h o h a d been d e -
p l o y e d d u r i n g the p e r i o d o f the w a r i n different
regions of o u r c o u n t r y , h a d come to the e n d of
t h e i r mission. D u r i n g the w a r t h e i r a i m h a d been
q u i t e apparent: t h e y h a d come not to assist o u r
w a r but f o r espionage against it, to sabotage it, to

358
organize a n d strengthen i n t e r n a l A l b a n i a n reac-
t i o n a n d to help it seize p o w e r after the nazis
left. B u t the w a r b u r i e d t h e i r dreams. N e v e r -
theless, they d i d not cease concocting other plans
t o realize t h e i r old aims. O u r victories w e r e t o
m a k e t h e m e v e n m o r e f u r i o u s a n d t h e i r struggle
against us w a s b e c o m i n g m o r e open a n d fierce.
I n F e b r u a r y - M a r c h 1945, the B r i t i s h mission
was enlarged a n d G e n e r a l H o d g s o n came to
head it. A l i t t l e later the A m e r i c a n s , f o r t h e i r
part, sent a c i v i l i a n mission, headed by Jacobs,
w i t h the old A m e r i c a n agent i n A l b a n i a , H a r r y
F u l t z , as his assistant.
G e n e r a l H o d g s o n h a d his eye on the house
i n w h i c h Zog's u n c l e h a d l i v e d , a b u i l d i n g near
the p r e s e n t - d a y Qemal Stafa s t a d i u m . We gave
it to h i m . He came to p a y us a v i s i t at H o t e l
D a j t i because we still h a d no offices. I w e n t
w i t h Dr. O m e r Nishani to pay h i m a return visit
at his residence.
I t r u s t t h a t the day w i l l not be f a r off
w h e n the embassy o f G r e a t B r i t a i n w i l l b e estab-
lished in this house, G e n e r a l , I said to h i m .
It is the custom of o u r g o v e r n m e n t not to
b e hasty i n these matters, M r . H o x h a , said H o d g -
son. L e t us w a i t u n t i l a constituent assembly,
elected i n t h e most democratic m a n n e r , deter-
mines the f o r m of the regime of the n e w A l b a n i a n
state.
T h i s w i l l be done v e r y soon, I said. The

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Congress o f P r m e t decided this: ' A n e w people's
democratic A l b a n i a w i l l b e b u i l t a c c o r d i n g t o
the w i l l of the people.' As y o u k n o w , I c o n t i n u e d ,
the foundations of the n e w p o l i t i c a l p o w e r
were l a i d there i n f a v o u r o f t h e i n s u r g e n t people;
the people themselves decided t h e i r o w n f u t u r e .
The Democratic Government w h i c h emerged f r o m
the M e e t i n g of B e r a t a n d w h i c h is the a u t h e n t i c
expression of the aspirations of the people, has
the question of the elections to the C o n s t i t u e n t
A s s e m b l y as a f u n d a m e n t a l task of its p u b l i c l y
p r o c l a i m e d p r o g r a m a n d I assure y o u that o u r
elections w i l l b e most democratic. T h e v o t i n g w i l l
be free, direct a n d by secret ballot, on the basis
of the e l e c t o r a l l a w . T h e C o n s t i t u e n t A s s e m b l y ,
expressing the w i l l a n d aspirations of the people,
w i l l decide the f o r m of the state.
B u t i n y o u r c o u n t r y , G e n e r a l H o x h a , there
is o n l y one p a r t y o n l y your Communist
P a r t y ! said H o d g s o n .
It is t r u e that there is o n l y one p a r t y in
o u r country, the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a .
It is v e r y s t r o n g a n d its p r o g r a m expresses the
desires a n d aspirations of o u r people w h o are a
people t h i r s t i n g f o r freedom, I r e p l i e d . l t w a s
created in the heat of the most ferocious w a r
w h i c h m a n k i n d , a n d o u r people, i n p a r t i c u l a r , have
e v e r seen. T h e C o m m u n i s t P a r t y o f A l b a n i a h e -
r o i c a l l y defended the interests of its o w n people,
w h o are w i t h i t a n d have great l o v e f o r this

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P a r t y . T h e y f o l l o w e d i t o n the most d i f f i c u l t road
and the m a i n t h i n g i s that t h e y s a w w i t h t h e i r o w n
eyes that this P a r t y w a s in the f o r e f r o n t of t h e
great N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r a n d gave fearless
leadership, a n d that i s w h y they f o r m e d t h e i r
unshakeable f a i t h i n it. W h y d i d the people not
f o l l o w the Ballists, Zogites a n d other r e a c t i o n -
aries, b u t recognized the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y as
t h e i r sole l e a d e r s h i p ? I asked h i m .
Because y o u d i d not a l l o w t h e m , M r ,
H o x h a , said the G e n e r a l , s p e a k i n g in a tone of
d i s a p p r o v a l a n d f i x i n g me w i t h a b a l e f u l gaze as
he awaited my reply.
T h a t i s y o u r o p i n i o n , G e n e r a l , but i t i s w i t h -
out f o u n d a t i o n , I t o l d h i m . A s s u m e f o r a
m i n u t e t h a t we accept y o u r idea, t h e n I ask y o u :
W h y d i d the Italians, the G e r m a n s , the Ballists,
the Zogites a n d others, w h o c o m m i t t e d a l l those
crimes against o u r people, not stop t h e m
f r o m c o m i n g w i t h us? T h e a n s w e r i s v e r y s i m p l e :
the people h a t e d t h e m f o r the v i l e deeds t h e y
perpetrated against t h e m a n d fought t h e m h e -
r o i c a l l y a n d w i t h self-sacrifice. T h e y u n i t e d a l l
t h e i r p h y s i c a l a n d s p i r i t u a l forces a r o u n d the
Communist P a r t y of Albania, told it to lead
them and it d i d lead them, led t h e m to victory,
and n o w , G e n e r a l , the people are i n p o w e r a n d
the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y the defender of t h e i r
interests w i t h u n w a v e r i n g loyalty, i s i n the l e a d -
ership.

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 The people have t h e i r o w n opinions w h i c h
t h e y w a n t t o express, M r . H o x h a , c o n t i n u e d the
General.
No one k n o w s better t h a n the c o m m u n i s t s
that the people have t h e i r o w n opinions, I r e -
plied, Indeed, y o u are quite u n a b l e to conceive
the strength of o u r people's opinions. If we h a d
not listened to t h e i r opinions a n d t h e i r voice t h e y
w o u l d not h a v e l o v e d u s a n d w o u l d not love u s
n o w , t h e y w o u l d not h a v e f o l l o w e d u s a n d w o u l d
not be f o l l o w i n g us step by step, as t h e y are
d o i n g . C o m m u n i s t s are a l w a y s g u i d e d by a great
p r i n c i p l e w h i c h t h e y a p p l y : i t i s not e n o u g h s i m -
p l y to l i s t e n to the o p i n i o n s a n d the desires of
the people, b u t y o u must realize t h e m i n p r a c -
tice. W e c o m m u n i s t s have done t h i s a n d are c o n -
t i n u i n g to do it.
B u t , M r . H o x h a , y o u d o not p e r m i t other
p o l i t i c a l parties to be formed, objected the G e n -
eral. The people can express t h e i r w i l l f r e e l y
o n l y if t h e y have other parties.
It seems, M r . Hodgson, I t o l d h i m w i t h a
smile, that y o u c a n n o t sleep at n i g h t because the
' u n f o r t u n a t e ' A l b a n i a n people cannot speak b e -
cause t h e y do not have a n u m b e r of parties. B u t
h a v e the officers of y o u r missions reported to y o u
h o w the r i f l e o f o u r people sang a n d against
w h o m i t sang? A r e y o u concerned that there
s h o u l d be other p o l i t i c a l parties f o r t h e people,

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or f o r the beys, the f e u d a l lords, the Zogites, the
t r a i t o r s a n d the speculators?.
O h , no, parties f o r the people a n d the de-
mocrats, r e p l i e d the G e n e r a l .
T h e people themselves are in power, t h e y
have t h e i r great o r g a n i z a t i o n , the D e m o c r a t i c
F r o n t , i n w h i c h t h e y f r e e l y express t h e i r opinions.
T h r o u g h t h i s o r g a n i z a t i o n t h e y are r e a l i z i n g
e v e r y t h i n g t h e i r hearts desire, i n c l u d i n g the c o n -
f i s c a t i o n of the c a p i t a l of w e a l t h y merchants w h o
h a v e s u c k e d t h e i r blood t h r o u g h o u t t h e i r e x i s t -
ence, the c a r r y i n g o u t o f the L a n d R e f o r m and
o t h e r m a j o r r e f o r m s as q u i c k l y as possible, as w e l l
a s the p u n i s h m e n t o f traitors. T h e T r a d e U n i o n O r -
g a n i z a t i o n has been set u p . T h e y o u t h a n d w o m e n
h a v e t h e i r o w n organizations, I told the G e n e r a l ,
B u t a l l these are r u n b y the C o m m u n i s t
P a r t y , said the G e n e r a l .
W h o d o y o u t h i n k t h e y ought t o b e r u n
by, G e n e r a l , b y Z o g a n d B a z i i Cans?
No, said the G e n e r a l f r o w n i n g , because I
w a s t r e a d i n g on his corns. I t h i n k , by some de-
m o c r a t i c p a r t y t h a t m i g h t e v e n b e i n opposition.
Oh, I said, y o u are v e r y concerned about
a 'democratic' party. Y o u r concern is unnecessary.
D o n ' t w o r r y yourself s o m u c h , leave u s A l b a n i a n s
to settle this m a t t e r ourselves. I t e l l y o u , G e n e r a l ,
w e have n o need f o r anyone f r o m outside t o
h e l p us.
T h e r e are ' f r i e n d s ' i n the w o r l d w h o m a k e

363
the accusation against us t h a t 'there is no d e -
m o c r a c y ' i n our c o u n t r y ! I f these 'friends',
G e n e r a l , u n d e r s t a n d the t e r m d e m o c r a c y as
f r e e d o m f o r the collaborators w i t h the o c c u -
piers, as f r e e d o m f o r the c r i m i n a l s , s p e c u l a -
tors a n d usurers, w h o fattened o n the b l o o d
of the people in t h e i r darkest days, as f r e e d o m
f o r the suppressors of the r i g h t s a n d freedoms
of the c o m m o n masses, let these g e n t l e m e n u n d e r -
stand c l e a r l y that there i s not a n d n e v e r w i l l
b e s u c h f r e e d o m i n the n e w d e m o c r a t i c A l b a n i a .
P e r h a p s t h r o u g h the press y o u h a v e f o l l o w e d the
t r i a l s w h i c h the people's courts i n o u r c o u n t r y
have conducted against the r e m n a n t s of fascism,
the quislings a n d traitors r e c e n t l y . T h e people
h e a r d f r o m the m o u t h s o f these c r i m i n a l s w h a t
v i l e deeds t h e y h a d c o m m i t t e d at the expense of
the s u f f e r i n g people. T h e people's courts cleared
a w a y the b r a m b l e s a n d t h o r n bushes so t h a t the
tree c o u l d f l o u r i s h a n d g r o w u p healthy. T h e i r o n
fist o f t h e people's d e m o c r a c y w i l l a l w a y s f a l l
mercilessly o n s u c h elements.
F r o m the t i m e o f the w a r the people a n d
t h e i r G o v e r n m e n t have appealed t o m i s l e d i n -
d i v i d u a l s to change t h e i r course, I c o n t i n u e d .
Reasonable c l e m e n c y has been s h o w n t o w a r d s
t h e m , but t h e y m u s t not abuse t h i s c l e m e n c y a n d
t h e y w i l l b e g r a v e l y m i s t a k e n i f t h e y take i t f o r
weakness. These i n d i v i d u a l s must honestly adopt
the course of the people. T h i s w i l l save them.

364
 T h i s was the essence of o u r t a l k w i t h the
B r i t i s h G e n e r a l o n p o l i t i c a l questions.
H e c o u l d not h a v e expressed his opinions,
w h i c h w e r e not u n k n o w n t o us, m o r e openly.
The important thing was that we must always
b e v i g i l a n t , because the B r i t i s h a n d the A m e r -
icans w o u l d t r y t o organize the r e m n a n t s o f
reaction as a force to f i g h t us, step by step, in
our w o r k of construction.
W e w o u l d reply t o manoeuvres w i t h m a -
noeuvres, w i t h o u t ever f a l l i n g into o p p o r t u n i s m
or m a k i n g a n y concession to the d e t r i m e n t of the
interests o f the people. T o m a n o e u v r e i n the i n -
terests of the people means to strengthen t h e i r
position a n d w e a k e n that o f the e n e m y . T h i s
was the angle f r o m w h i c h w e w o u l d v i e w the
line o f o u r f o r e i g n p o l i c y . H o w e v e r , the p r i m a r y
t h i n g w a s to s t r e n g t h e n the i n t e r n a l position of
the c o u n t r y . W e s a w c l e a r l y t h a t w h a t the i m -
perialists h a d been unable to achieve d u r i n g the
w a r , t h e y w o u l d t r y t o achieve n o w , after the
w a r , w i t h the r e m n a n t s o f the B a l l i K o m b t a r
a n d L e g a l i t e t i w h i c h w o u l d represent i n t e r n a l
reaction. H e n c e the s t r e n g t h e n i n g of the i n t e r n a l
p o s i t i o n o f the c o u n t r y w a s closely l i n k e d w i t h
the s t r e n g t h e n i n g of the F r o n t , the state a n d the
economy, w h i c h w o u l d ensure the f a i l u r e o f a l l
the enemies' efforts.
I m m e d i a t e l y after L i b e r a t i o n , i n t e r n a l a n d

365
e x t e r n a l reaction began a v e r y w i d e range of
manoeuvres.
A l t h o u g h the attempts o f the B r i t i s h , i n p a r -
ticular, t o m a k e landings i n A l b a n i a u n d e r t h e
cloak o f a i d h a d f a i l e d repeatedly d u r i n g t h e
war, t h e y d i d not give u p this a i m e v e n a f t e r
L i b e r a t i o n . T h i s t i m e t h e y t r i e d t o achieve i t
t h r o u g h a n o r g a n i z a t i o n called M i l i t a r y L i a i s o n
( M L ) , w h i c h t h e y h a d created some y e a r s e a r -
l i e r allegedly to assist the B a l k a n countries.
A s w a s revealed later, t h e y h a d p r o v i d e d
M L w i t h t w o possible v a r i a n t s f o r a c t i o n i n
regard to A l b a n i a . T h e first envisaged that, t o t a l l y
disregarding our government and without asking
its permission, i t w o u l d d i s e m b a r k its m i l i t a r y
personnel i n a l l o u r ports. B e h i n d t h e m , r e a d y t o
give support, w o u l d be the n a v y . If the officers
o f M L e n c o u n t e r e d a r m e d resistance f r o m the
A l b a n i a n forces t h e y w o u l d f i g h t a n d t h i s w o u l d
be a casus belli, a good excuse f o r i n t e r v e n t i o n
b y the troops o f the n a v y . I n this w a y the o c c u -
p a t i o n w o u l d be m a d e a fait accompli.
H o w e v e r , seeing t h a t the D e m o c r a t i c G o v -
e r n m e n t a n d the A l b a n i a n people w e r e o n the
alert, the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s r e a l i z e d t h a t t h i s w a s
impossible a n d w e r e obliged t o t r y the other
v a r i a n t , t h a t of talks about aid. T h e y set t w o
conditions f o r g i v i n g us this a i d : 1,500-1,700
officers a n d specialists w e r e to be b r o u g h t in to
d i s t r i b u t e i t a n d M L centres w o u l d b e set u p

366
i n a l l our ports, f r o m w h i c h t h e i r m e n w o u l d b e
allowed to travel everywhere. We could never
accept s u c h a t h i n g . It w o u l d have been v e r y
dangerous. To accept 1,500-1,700 officers w o u l d
m e a n to accept the T r o j a n Horse, a s m a l l
a r m y , inside the c o u n t r y a n d the b i g a r m y
w o u l d f o l l o w it. T h e r e f o r e , o u r r e p l y was a cate-
g o r i c a l no. W h e n t h e y f a i l e d w i t h the p l a n o f
M L t h e y offered A l b a n i a the other side o f the
same m e d a l U N R R A .
To this end, Colonel Oakley-Hill arrived in
A l b a n i a . T h i s w a s t h e t h i r d t i m e that this senior
officer, whose heart ached f o r A l b a n i a , h a d
come to o u r c o u n t r y . T h e f i r s t time, he came to
organize K i n g Zog's g e n d a r m e r i e ; the second t i m e
w i t h a g r o u p o f A l b a n i a n patriots, v i a Y u g o -
slavia, a n d a t t e m p t e d to organize the people
against fascism; w h i l e here h e w a s n o w f o r the
t h i r d t i m e in the role of the representative of
U N R R A to assist A l b a n i a i n its r e h a b i l i t a t i o n !
As soon as he a r r i v e d in T i r a n a he sought a
meeting w i t h m e t o discuss the agreement w i t h
U N R R A . I left h i m w a i t i n g f o r a w e e k o r t w o
because I h a d no t i m e to see h i m . In the end
I received h i m . H e spoke a t l e n g t h about U N R R A ,
its purpose a n d its r o l e !
Y o u ask t h a t the agreement s h o u l d be
signed b y m e a s G e n e r a l C o m m a n d e r o f the
National Liberation A r m y , or Prime Minister of
the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n G o v e r n m e n t , I s a i d .

367
 A p p a r e n t l y y o u r chiefs are s t i l l u s i n g the w a r -
t i m e terms. I cannot i m a g i n e that t h e y do not
k n o w that A l b a n i a has h a d a D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n -
ment f o r almost one y e a r n o w . W h y i s the r e -
quest f o r m u l a t e d in these t e r m s ? ! I asked.
That will be just a lapsus linguae
G e n e r a l . T h e m a i n t h i n g is acceptance of the
personnel that w e w a n t t o b r i n g t o A l b a n i a t o
distribute the m a t e r i a l a m o n g the people, he
replied.
W e s h a l l d i s t r i b u t e the m a t e r i a l ourselves,
M r . H i l l , I t o l d h i m . Y o u m a y send people
just to h a n d o v e r the goods a n d t h a t is a l l . It
is our task to d i s t r i b u t e it to the people a c c o r d -
i n g to t h e i r needs. T h i s cannot be done o t h e r -
wise.
V e r y w e l l , I s h a l l r e f e r this to the centre,
said Hill.
F i n a l l y there's the question of the personnel
o f the M L . T h e y m u s t b e w i t h d r a w n i m m e d i a t e -
l y , I added.
I beg y o u t o p e r m i t some o f t h e M L t o
stay t o assist U N R R A , said H i l l .
In n o w a y . A l l t h e M L personnel must b e
w i t h d r a w n , I r e p l i e d categorically.
V e r y w e l l , I s h a l l refer this to the centre,
replied H i l l .
It w a s not l o n g before Jacobs came to me
t o t a l k sweetly, w i t h the i n t e n t i o n o f getting
as m u c h as he c o u l d out of us.

368
 H e started b y t e l l i n g m e the reasons f o r
the c o m i n g of the m i s s i o n a n d the delay in the
r e c o g n i t i o n of the D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n m e n t of
A l b a n i a , w h i c h f o r me w e r e s i m p l y lieux com-
muns,* a r e p e t i t i o n of w h a t I h a d h e a r d f r o m his
colleague, H o d g s o n .
T h e e x p l a n a t i o n s w h i c h y o u have g i v e n
me about y o u r mission a n d the postponement of
the r e c o g n i t i o n of o u r g o v e r n m e n t seem to us
u n c o n v i n c i n g , M r . Jacobs. Y o u r f o r m u l a that
'recognition m u s t come after the s i t u a t i o n i n A l -
bania becomes clear', is a b s u r d . R e c o g n i t i o n should
result f r o m the w a r w e have waged against the
nazi-fascists. H o w e v e r , that is y o u r affair. T h e
A l b a n i a n people are p r o f o u n d l y i n d i g n a n t a n d
f u r i o u s also about the injustice w h i c h was done
t h e m i n d e n y i n g t h e i r legitimate r i g h t t o
send t h e i r representatives to the S a n F r a n c i s c o
Conference.
O t h e r countries, too, d i d not take part in
that conference, M r . H o x h a , h e s a i d .
B u t A l b a n i a has occupied a n i m p o r t a n t place
in the bloc of anti-fascist nations. T h i s has been
a d m i t t e d even b y the personalities o f y o u r c o u n -
try. A m o n g s t those w h o attended there w e r e
some w h o not o n l y d i d not c o n t r i b u t e t o this
w a r but, o n the contrary, collaborated w i t h the
Hitlerites directly or indirectly, while A l b a n i a
____________________________
* trite phrases.

369
r e m a i n s outside the U N O to this day. It does not
ask this f r o m a n y b o d y as a f a v o u r . It is a r i g h t
i t has e a r n e d w i t h bloodshed a n d s u p e r h u m a n
sacrifices, by h u r l i n g itself u n r e s e r v e d l y into the
fight f o r its o w n f r e e d o m a n d the f r e e d o m o f
other peoples, f o r the rights of m a n k i n d . N e v e r -
theless, the A l b a n i a n people, l o y a l to the e n d
to the anti-fascist alliance, w i l l continue to m a k e
t h e i r c o n t r i b u t i o n to the just s o l u t i o n of p r o b l e m s
w h i c h have to do w i t h the f u t u r e of the peoples.
I am of the same o p i n i o n as y o u , G e n e r a l ,
said Jacobs d i p l o m a t i c a l l y , a n d I am c o n v i n c e d
that this m a t t e r w i l l be r e - e x a m i n e d . B u t I also
w a n t to t a l k to y o u about the question of
U N R R A . A s y o u k n o w , i t has been created t o
assist the peoples w h o have fought.
I k n o w this, I said. I h a v e h e a r d it f r o m
others, too.
A h a , 'ally', I t h o u g h t to myself, I k n o w
w h a t y o u have i n m i n d . H o w e v e r , h e w a s right.
As a servant of i m p e r i a l i s m , he w a s b o u n d to
t r y to get this i n s t r u m e n t of the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s
established i n A l b a n i a because they hoped b y
this means to put pressure on o u r g o v e r n m e n t
and t o erode o u r people's p o w e r f r o m w i t h i n .
H o w e v e r , I w a n t to t e l l y o u t h a t y o u cannot
m a k e yourself a n exception f r o m the other c o u n -
tries, M r . H o x h a . U N R R A has its o w n regulations
a n d they m u s t be applied, he c o n t i n u e d . W h e r e -
ever U N R R A has sent aid, i t has d i s t r i b u t e d

370
the goods itself in each centre, t o w n a n d village.
T h i s i s h o w i t operates i n Y u g o s l a v i a a n d else-
w h e r e . H o w e v e r , I hear that y o u do not agree
w i t h this.
W i t h o u t doubt H i l l h a d i n f o r m e d h i m about
the t a l k h e h a d h a d w i t h me. T h e general v i e w
was that the i n f l u e n c e of the A m e r i c a n s w a s
b e c o m i n g p r e d o m i n a n t o v e r that of the B r i t i s h
i n U N R R A a n d a l r e a d y the contours o f the t e n -
tacles of A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m w e r e b e c o m i n g
more obvious. U n c l e S a m was t a k i n g over the
reins f r o m J o h n B u l l , i f h e h a d not already done
so, a n d the w h i p w o u l d c r a c k even more h e a v i l y
on the b a c k s of the peoples.
M r . Jacobs, y o u are i n A l b a n i a a n d A l b a n i a
has its o w n l a w s . F o r y o u r benefit, I s h a l l repeat
w h a t y o u have a p p a r e n t l y been i n f o r m e d about:
I f y o u t r u l y w a n t t o b r i n g u s the a i d o f U N R R A ,
we are here. S e n d it to the port of D u r r s and
h a n d i t o v e r t o the p o r t authorities. D o n ' t c o n -
cern yourselves about w h e r e w e s h a l l d i s t r i b u t e
it. We are the g o v e r n m e n t of the people a n d we
strive on the people's behalf. We s h a l l take the
aid to its destination w h e r e v e r the needs are
greatest.
U N R R A is neither a British nor A m e r i c a n
organization, a n d t h i s y o u k n o w v e r y w e l l . I t i s
an i n t e r n a t i o n a l organization, he said w i t h a
b e g u i l i n g smile. N e i t h e r y o u nor I, n o r a n y other
p a r t y has the r i g h t to violate its rules.

371
 Stuff a n d nonsense! I said a n g r i l y . L e t
us not beat a b o u t the b u s h : we do not p e r m i t
a l l those officers to enter A l b a n i a . We agree that
the goods s h o u l d come a n d be h a n d e d o v e r to
o u r authorities i n the presence o f one o r t w o
officers o f y o u r m i s s i o n i n T i r a n a , a n d the r e -
presentative o f U N R R A w i l l b e g i v e n receipts
f o r the goods w h i c h are d e l i v e r e d . T h a t w i l l b e
the e n d of its w o r k a n d y o u r s on t h i s question.
O h , n o ! T h a t is not acceptable, said Jacobs.
V e r y w e l l . I n t h a t case w e d o not w a n t
the a i d of U N R R A , I s a i d . W e do not accept
the conditions. W e d o not p e r m i t e v e n one o f f i c e r
to set foot on the w h a r f .
O n previous occasions, d u r i n g the w a r , a l -
lies a n d friends o f t h i s k i n d h a d come, s m i l e d
at us a n d snarled, b r o u g h t us u l t i m a t u m s a n d
good t i d i n g s a n d left u s o n l y w i t h t a l k about
t h e i r so-called aid. M c L e a n , Davies, P a l m e r ,
T h o m a s S t e f a n i a n d n o w H o d g s o n a n d H i l l , Jacobs
a n d F u l t z w e r e a l l b i r d s of a feather, h a d the
same plans and w e r e p u r s u i n g the same course.
W i t h the f e w rags t h e y w e r e g o i n g t o send
us as aid A m e r i c a a n d B r i t a i n w a n t e d to t e l l
the A l b a n i a n s : It i s w e w h o are k e e p i n g y o u
alive. Y o u r g o v e r n m e n t is going b a n k r u p t , it
cannot get along w i t h o u t us, therefore p r e p a r e
to oppose it, if not w i t h revolts at least w i t h
y o u r votes in the elections to the C o n s t i t u e n t

372
A s s e m b l y . A n d t h i s propaganda, o f course,
w o u l d b e s p r e a d b y t h e i r officers w h o w e r e a l l e -
gedly t o d i s t r i b u t e the U N R R A aid, the s e c o n d -
h a n d c l o t h i n g a n d w e e v i l y beans, a n d w o u l d at-
t e m p t to engage in espionage a n d e x t e n d t h e i r
n e t w o r k of spies a n d saboteurs. P r o c e e d i n g f r o m
t h e i r i m p e r i a l i s t logic, t h e y believed that o u r
people w o u l d sell t h e i r f r e e d o m a n d i n d e p e n -
dence f o r some m a t e r i a l a i d they m i g h t send us.
T h e m a n o e u v r e w a s clear. H o w e v e r , they d i d
not fool us, t h e i r aims w e r e v e r y obvious to us.
W e reached agreement t h a t the aid w o u l d
come, not u n d e r t h e i r conditions but u n d e r ours.
Nevertheless, w e k e p t o u r eyes open a n d w e
foiled a n y a t t e m p t t o d o u s h a r m .
F i n a l l y , almost as if by accident, Jacobs
asked m e :
I n the d o c u m e n t s y o u have p u b l i s h e d y o u
say that a l l the political, economic a n d m i l i t a r y
agreements w h i c h K i n g Z o g h a d w i t h other
states are to be r e - e x a m i n e d a n d a n n u l l e d . Does
this also a p p l y t o those w i t h the A m e r i c a n go-
vernment?
Yes, I r e p l i e d . These agreements are l i k e
Nasredin's n a i l , ( 1 ) M r . Jacobs, but o u r people
p u l l e d out this n a i l at the Congress of P r m e t .
______________________________
1 A popular expression to show h o w someone, by trickery,
ensures his o w n e r s h i p of some m i n o r unimportant thing w i t h i n
the property of someone else in order to use it as a pretext to
gradually seize the w h o l e property.

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W i t h o u t doubt y o u have been i n f o r m e d about
t h i s Congress a n d the h i s t o r i c decisions t a k e n
there by the representatives of the people. T h e
head o f y o u r m i l i t a r y m i s s i o n w a s present there
a s a n observer a n d h e a r d w i t h his o w n ears w h a t
w a s said, w h a t w a s decided, a n d w h o decided
on this question. S p e a k i n g of this, we also i n v i t e d
a n observer f r o m the B r i t i s h m i s s i o n t o P r m e t .
i n s t r u c t i n g h i m not to p u b l i s h the date a n d place
a t w h i c h i t w o u l d b e h e l d . H e d e s c r i b e d the C o n -
gress as ' u n l a w f u l ' a n d d i d not come. B u t the
G e r m a n s a n d t r a i t o r s w o u l d have come i f o u r
p a r t i s a n brigades h a d not o r g a n i z e d a n heroic
defence. T h a t is a separate issue, b u t let us r e t u r n
t o y o u r question. T h e decision o n the m a t t e r y o u
m e n t i o n e d was t a k e n a t this Congress. A t B e r a t
the D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n m e n t pledged t o c a r r y
t h r o u g h t o the end the tasks w i t h w h i c h i t w a s
charged, a m o n g w h i c h i s the e x a m i n a t i o n a n d
c a n c e l l i n g of the agreements w h i c h the ' c l o w n
of progress', A h m e t Zog, concluded. T h i s is the
decision a n d desire o f the people a n d w i l l c e r -
t a i n l y be c a r r i e d out, irrespective of w h e t h e r
those affected are great or s m a l l . H o w e v e r , in
m e n t i o n i n g it, M r . Jacobs, y o u 'forgot' the f i n a l
phrase of t h i s decision: ' . . . t h o s e w h i c h are to
the d e t r i m e n t of the A l b a n i a n people a n d state.'
T h i s means that some of t h e m , especially the
b i l a t e r a l ones, can b e r e - e x a m i n e d w i t h the A m e -
r i c a n g o v e r n m e n t after the establishment o f d i -

374
p l o m a t i c relations w i t h it, m a k i n g the necessary
changes in the s p i r i t of e q u a l i t y a n d r e c i p r o c i t y
a n d s t r i p p i n g t h e m o f a n y content w h i c h violates
the p o l i t i c a l a n d economic independence o f A l -
bania. G i v e the green l i g h t s of r e c o g n i t i o n a n d
the establishment of d i p l o m a t i c relations, M r .
Jacobs, a n d t h e n w e s h a l l look into these m a t -
ters in detail.
L e t us w a i t a n d hope, he r e p l i e d .

These w e r e allegedly peaceful, a l l i e d m i s -

sions, w h i c h w e r e to i n f o r m t h e i r governments
about the development of the situation in A l b a -
nia, about the l e v e l of d e m o c r a c y w h i c h
w o u l d be established in this country, a n d about
the c h a r a c t e r o f the r e f o r m s w h i c h the n e w A l -
b a n i a n g o v e r n m e n t w o u l d c a r r y out, i n order
t o prepare its r e c o g n i t i o n b y the B r i t i s h a n d
A m e r i c a n governments.
T h i s w a s the appearance t h e y assumed.
I n essence t h e y h a d other aims. B u t w e
w e r e not g o i n g to s w a l l o w the tales of G e n e r a l
Hodgson, or of Jacobs or F u l t z . T h e i r aims had
become clear to us d u r i n g the t i m e of the w a r
w h e n t h e y t o l d u s that, first w e m u s t acquaint
ourselves w i t h the s i t u a t i o n a n d t h e n w e s h a l l
s u p p l y y o u w i t h weapons. T h e old aims w e r e
h i d d e n b e h i n d n e w phrases, s t i l l presented u n d e r
the disguise o f allies, b u t n o w w i t h n e w people
and other methods. B o t h sides s m i l e d at each

375
other, but b o t h kept t h e i r eyes open, because
t h e y were m a k i n g plans to attack us a n d we to
defend ourselves; t h e y w e r e p l o t t i n g w h i l e w e
w e r e v i g i l a n t , we h a d to d i s c o v e r t h e i r secret
agents a n d defeat t h e i r subversive a c t i v i t y .
T h e A n g l o - A m e r i c a n missions q u i c k l y u n -
derstood the v i t a l i t y of o u r people's state p o w e r
a n d the u n w a v e r i n g , u n y i e l d i n g s t a n d o f o u r
g o v e r n m e n t t o w a r d s t h e i r t r i c k e r y . T h e y were
t e r r i f i e d w h e n t h e y s a w w i t h t h e i r o w n eyes
that the l i n k s of the people w i t h the g o v e r n -
m e n t w e r e b e c o m i n g e v e r stronger, that the
people's state p o w e r w a s being consolidated and
the first s i g n i f i c a n t victories w e r e being a c h i e v e d
i n the w o r k o f r e c o n s t r u c t i o n i n o u r c o u n t r y .
T h e y set about t h e i r w o r k o f sabotage i n e v e r y
possible f i e l d of the n e w life that w a s e m e r g i n g
i n A l b a n i a , i n order t o l o w e r the prestige o f the
D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n m e n t a n d o v e r t h r o w the peo-
ple's state power.
T h e i r first task was to establish contact w i t h
a n d organize a l l the enemies of the p e o p l e : the
w a r c r i m i n a l s , the beys, the m e r c h a n t s h i t b y
our reforms, the r e a c t i o n a r y intellectuals, the
spies a n d i m m o r a l w o m e n , i n brief, a l l the s c u m .
T h e y collected up t h e i r agents a n d began to
finance t h e m , t o encourage t h e m a n d sool t h e m
on to attack t h e people's state p o w e r . T h e h e a d -
quarters of the missions q u i c k l y became centres
of espionage, sabotage a n d a r m e d plots.

376
 T h e m a i n d i r e c t i o n i n w h i c h t h e y started
t h e i r w o r k w a s t h a t o f creating p o l i t i c a l c o n -
fusion, b u t here they r a n up against the s t r e n g t h
o f the P a r t y a n d o u r people. T h e y a i m e d t o
create a m o n g the masses the o p i n i o n t h a t A l b a -
n i a c o u l d not exist o n its o w n , w i t h o u t the
political and material aid of B r i t a i n and A m e r i c a .
These t w o b i g states c o u l d not tolerate the e x i s -
tence of a c o m m u n i s t state l i k e A l b a n i a in w h i c h
the people, l e d b y the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y , w e r e
i n p o w e r . T h e y spread t h e i r p r o p a g a n d a o p e n l y
a n d i n disguised f o r m s .
W i t h o u t doubt, the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n
missions h a d created t h e i r agency a m o n g the
r e a c t i o n a r y elements o f the B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d
L e g a l i t e t i d u r i n g the N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r
and after L i b e r a t i o n these elements r e m a i n e d
c a m o u f l a g e d a n d c o n t i n u e d t h e i r hostile w o r k
u n d e r the lap.
I n o r d e r t o f i g h t us, the B r i t i s h mission,
headed b y G e n e r a l H o d g s o n , used this agency
to spread s u c h r u m o u r s as, these boys f r o m the
m o u n t a i n s have n o e x p e r i e n c e i n g o v e r n i n g the
c o u n t r y o r r u n n i n g the economy, they w i l l
go b a n k r u p t , it w o n ' t be l o n g before t h e y
need us, this w a v e w i l l pass a n d t h e n w e shall
b e back i n p o w e r , B r i t a i n a n d A m e r i c a cannot
p e r m i t t h i s situation, etc.
F o r his p a r t , F u l t z hoped that a l l the f o r m e r
p u p i l s o f the T e c h n i c a l S c h o o l i n T i r a n a , o f w h i c h

377
he h a d been d i r e c t o r f o r a l o n g t i m e d u r i n g the
regime o f Zog, w o u l d b e w i t h h i m . I t n e v e r
occurred t o h i m that the o v e r w h e l m i n g m a j o r i t y
o f those f o r m e r pupils, l i k e a l l the A l b a n i a n
y o u t h , h a d been i n the f r o n t l i n e o f t h e f i g h t a -
gainst the occupiers. H o w e v e r , in the r a n k s of
these f o r m e r students there w e r e some w h o m
he h a d t r i e d to r e c r u i t as agents years before,
by r u n n i n g a special course f o r t h e m at n i g h t
in the home of the v i c e - p r i n c i p a l of the T e c h n i -
c a l School, H o l l i n g s t a n d . H e w a s sure t h a t
these pupils w o u l d not have forgotten t h e i r
teacher. Indeed, F u l t z h a d i n f o r m a t i o n that
t h e y w e r e engaged i n hostile a c t i v i t y . T h i s t h e n
w a s t o b e M r . F u l t z ' s m a i n contingent i n his
efforts to c a r r y out the tasks entrusted to h i m by
his chiefs i n W a s h i n g t o n .
T h e A m e r i c a n m i s s i o n also believed that
the f a m i l i e s of A l b a n i a n economic e m i g r a n t s
in the U S A w o u l d become a support a n d a source
o f i n f o r m a t i o n a n d agents. H o w e v e r , F u l t z w a s
w r o n g i n this.
He also h a d expectations of another source.
D u r i n g the t i m e o f the w a r , F u l t z h a d t r a i n e d his
boys in the special espionage course w h i c h the
S B S * h a d set u p i n Italy w i t h f o r m e r A l b a n i a n
internees after they w e r e released. S o m e of
these elements m a n a g e d to penetrate into the
__________________________
* Secret B a l k a n Service, a branch of the OSS.

378
r a n k s of the p a r t i s a n a r m y a n d some e v e n became
m e m b e r s of our P a r t y .
A f u r t h e r source of i n f o r m a t i o n f o r the
A m e r i c a n m i s s i o n w o u l d b e some f o r m e r students
w h o h a d b e g u n t h e i r i n s t r u c t i o n i n espionage
i n v a r i o u s schools a b r o a d , s u c h a s R o b e r t C o l -
lege in Istanbul, u n d e r the d i r e c t i o n of a c e r t a i n
F i s h e r , etc.
W i t h these contingents he set to w o r k to
ensure that A l b a n i a t u r n e d its eyes to the
d e m o c r a t i c West, to A m e r i c a .
He h a d n e w tasks to give his boys and
students. T h e y h a d to get into positions in
the n e w state p o w e r a n d w o r k secretly f o r a
coup d'tat, or if n o t h i n g came of this, i n t e r n a l
disturbances or b o r d e r provocations w o u l d be
created i n order t o b r i n g about a n a r m e d i n t e r v e n -
t i o n . T h e y w e r e to c a r r y out sabotage e v e r y w h e r e
a n d spread r u m o u r s against the people's state
p o w e r , w h i s p e r i n g that the A t l a n t i c C h a r t e r
w a s not respected i n A l b a n i a , that here there
w a s n o other p a r t y besides the C o m m u n i s t P a r t y
a n d no newspapers to represent different p o l i t i c a l
tendencies.
T h e A n g l o - A m e r i c a n agency was ordered
into action.
T h e B r i t i s h M a j o r , N e e l , c o n t i n u e d his m i s -
sion b e g u n d u r i n g the w a r f o r the organization
o f the r e a c t i o n a r y clergy i n S h k o d r a . H e i n c i t e d
t h e m to cause serious disturbances w h i c h w e r e

379
m e a n t to lead to c i v i l w a r a n d t h i s w a s to be
t h e excuse f o r the b i g democracies to u n d e r -
take m i l i t a r y i n t e r v e n t i o n t o q u e l l this w a r .
F o l l o w i n g the i n s t r u c t i o n s of the o f f i c e r of t h e
B r i t i s h mission, the r e a c t i o n a r y clergy h a d l i n k e d
u p w i t h the f u g i t i v e s i n the m o u n t a i n s a n d d i s -
contented elements and h a d b e g u n t o w o r k o n t h e i r
believers to create discontent a m o n g t h e m a n d
spread hostile, c o n f u s i n g r u m o u r s . T h e a r m e d
actions b u r s t out. C a r r y i n g out the orders of t h e
V a t i c a n , too, the residence of the A r c h b i s h o p in
S h k o d r a w a s m a d e the H e a d q u a r t e r s of the
reactionary insurgents. H o w e v e r , the d e t a c h -
ments o f o u r a r m y defeated the u p r i s i n g w i t h i n
t w o days. T h e p l a n f o r the l a n d i n g f a i l e d again,
just as it h a d done d u r i n g the w a r .
I n K u o v a , the B r i t i s h mission, w o r k i n g
t h r o u g h its agent T a r a s c o n i , an I t a l i a n fascist
left i n A l b a n i a , a t t e m p t e d t o destroy the o i l -
w e l l s a n d the r e f i n e r y . T h e agent was discovered.
A t his t r i a l h e s p i l l e d the beans about o u r
friends.
T h e agents o f the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n s
encouraged the b l a c k m a r k e t in order to create
p o v e r t y a n d discontent a m o n g the masses. T h e
o v e r t h r o w n classes w e r e r e a c t i v i z e d a n d i n f u -
r i a t e d because they c o u l d not reconcile themselves
to the m a j o r t r a n s f o r m a t i o n s being c a r r i e d out
by the people's state power. T h e y c o u l d not sto-

380
m a c h the L a n d R e f o r m , the nationalizations,
t h e special taxes on w a r t i m e profits, the develop-
m e n t o f e d u c a t i o n a n d c u l t u r e , hence they
f o u g h t t h e m , sometimes arrogantly, sometimes
b y t r i c k e r y ; they sent appeals a n d c o m p l a i n t s
t o t h e i r umbrellas, the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n m i s -
sions, to i n t e r v e n e against these injustices
w h i c h t h e people w e r e i m p o s i n g o n t h e m . Despite
t h e i r desires a n d efforts, h o w e v e r , the u m b r e l l a
s a w t h a t it was impossible to come to t h e i r
rescue d i r e c t l y . T h e y h a d to continue the struggle
against us u n d e r cover.
W h i l e not r e l i n q u i s h i n g the above forms,
the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n s concentrated t h e i r
a t t e n t i o n on the creation of the opposition.
T h i s w a s essential f o r t h e m because the time
of the election c a m p a i g n w a s a p p r o a c h i n g . T h e y
established connections w i t h r e a c t i o n a r y elements
a n d disguised traitors i n the D e m o c r a t i c F r o n t ,
s u c h a s Shefqet B e j a , R i z a D a n i , G j e r g j K o k o s h i ,
S e l a u d i n Toto, S a m i Q e r i b a s h i , S u a t A s l l a n i a n d
others. S o m e of these w e r e i n s t r u c t e d to come
out o p e n l y at suitable moments, w h i l e others
w e r e t o r e m a i n l i k e the m e n concealed i n the
T r o j a n Horse, so that at the opportune m o m e n t
t h e y c o u l d be released to u n d e r m i n e the F r o n t
f r o m w i t h i n a n d s u d d e n l y stab u s i n the back.
T h i s was a w i d e - r a n g i n g p l a n , d r a w n up
a n d c o - o r d i n a t e d b y L o n d o n a n d its transatlantic
ally.

381
 W e heard r u m o u r s that reaction was m a k i n g
f r a n t i c afforts to create a p a r t y w h i c h w o u l d
come out against the p r o g r a m of the F r o n t a n d
as the people say, There is no s m o k e w i t h o u t
fire.
T h e questions w h i c h G e n e r a l H o d g s o n asked
in a t a l k we h a d w h e n he came to A l b a n i a w e r e
not w i t h o u t significance.
W i l l a n y g r o u p take p a r t i n the elections
as an opposition outside the F r o n t ? the G e n e r a l
w a n t e d to k n o w , after I h a d r e p l i e d to his ques-
t i o n about p o l i t i c a l parties.
T h e i n d i c a t i o n s up to the present, G e n e r a l ,
are that there is no such g r o u p a n d there is no
reason for one, I r e p l i e d . D o y o u k n o w w h y ?
T h e w a r o f the A l b a n i a n people solved this p r o b -
l e m . T h e w a r , the people's r e v o l u t i o n , got r i d of
the 'Opposition', because it f e l l i n t o the l a p
of the occupiers a n d c o m p r o m i s e d itself.
Nevertheless, M r . H o x h a , are there not
at least, independent candidates w h o w i l l c o m -
pete in the election c a m p a i g n ? the G e n e r a l
asked me.
There m a y be i n d i v i d u a l s w h o do not l i k e
the p o l i c y of the n e w people's state p o w e r ,
G e n e r a l , a n d this is l o g i c a l . In o u r c o u n t r y the
F r o n t includes the o v e r w h e l m i n g m a j o r i t y o f
the A l b a n i a n people. T h i s is a great v i c t o r y f o r
democracy. It has not been o r d a i n e d that w i t h o u t
an opposition there is no democracy. Indeed, t h i s

382
is the broadest democracy, the d e m o c r a c y of
the m a j o r i t y , I c o n t i n u e d .
I w a s s p e a k i n g of independent candidates,
i n t e r r u p t e d the G e n e r a l .
The electoral l a w guarantees e v e r y o n e the
r i g h t t o p u t f o r w a r d his o w n candidature. I n
o u r c o u n t r y , the r i g h t to elect and be elected
exists f o r a l l those w h o have reached the age
r e q u i r e d b y the l a w , apart f r o m the f o r m e r
q u i s l i n g m i n i s t e r s a n d those w h o have been
sentenced t o d e p r i v a t i o n o f c i v i l rights. F o r e x a m -
ple, if independent candidates are to emerge in
the election c a m p a i g n , in an electoral district of
10 to 12 t h o u s a n d voters, t h e y must f i n d at
least 20 people to endorse t h e i r independent
c a n d i d a t u r e . It w i l l be no f a u l t of ours, or of
the electoral l a w , if such i n d i v i d u a l s are unable
to f i n d e v e n so f e w people to support t h e m in
the election. T h e fault w i l l be t h e i r o w n , because
they have aroused the people's h a t r e d a n d c a n -
not get t h e i r support.
Is there no press apart f r o m the o f f i c i a l
one? asked the G e n e r a l , as if he d i d not k n o w .
It is t r u e that there are no press organs
apart f r o m the o f f i c i a l ones, b u t everyone, w i t h
the e x c e p t i o n of enemies, G e n e r a l , has the r i g h t
to w r i t e in the o f f i c i a l press, I t o l d h i m .
It w a s not l o n g before we were h e a r i n g
these things that this representative of f o r e i g n

383
r e a c t i o n said t o m e d i p l o m a t i c a l l y , i n other, more
aggressive forms, f r o m i n t e r n a l reaction.

O t h e r parties c o u l d not b e created i n A l b a -

nia, n o t o n l y because the bourgeoisie was w e a k
e c o n o m i c a l l y a n d h a d s t i l l not f o r m e d its t r a d i -
t i o n i n this f i e l d , b u t because the C o m m u n i s t
P a r t y consolidated itself q u i c k l y d u r i n g the w a r ,
a n d the people accepted it as t h e i r sole leadership.
A f t e r L i b e r a t i o n the social base of the bourgeoisie
w a s e l i m i n a t e d b y t h e r e f o r m s o f the n e w state
p o w e r , thus the basis f o r its parties w a s l i q u i d a t -
e d , too. I n j e c t i o n f r o m a b r o a d r e m a i n e d the
o n l y course open, a n d the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n s
t r i e d to give it this.
To this e n d the representatives of reaction
o r g a n i z e d meetings in the presence of foreigners
and these foreigners w e r e n o n e o t h e r t h a n m e m -
bers of allied missions a n d journalists. H e n c e ,
the m i n i - p a r t i e s , a n d these of course on crutches,
c o u l d be created o n l y on the i n i t i a t i v e a n d u r g i n g
of the imperialists, a n d t h i s is w h a t o c c u r r e d .
G r o u p s t o w h i c h t h e i r authors attached such
labels as the monarchist group, the resistance
group, the social-democratic group, s p r a n g
u p l i k e m u s h r o o m s after the r a i n a n d e m e r g e d
on the stage to p l a y t h e i r role as u n f o r t u n a t e
actors in a d r a m a t h a t w a s a f l o p .
O n instructions f r o m H o d g s o n a n d F u l t z ,
the chiefs of the O p p o s i t i o n w e r e to openly

384
oppose the E l e c t o r a l L a w w h i c h w a s t o b e dis-
cussed b y the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n
C o u n c i l ( A N L C ) . T h i s act w o u l d close the r a n k s
of reaction, confuse the w a v e r e r s a n d w o u l d also
give the f r i e n d s the o p p o r t u n i t y to have t h e i r
say i n one f o r m o r another.
T h e d a y w h e n the m e e t i n g o f the A n t i -
fascist N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n C o u n c i l was h e l d i n
the K o s o v a C i n e m a , G e n e r a l H o d g s o n a n d
M r . F u l t z f o l l o w e d its proceedings attentively,
e x p e c t i n g the c h i c k e n to emerge f r o m the egg
w h i c h t h e y a n d t h e i r colleagues h a d been h a t c h -
i n g w i t h s u c h care. R e a c t i o n began to raise its
head p r e c i s e l y w h e n the draft of the E l e c t o r a l
L a w w a s presented a n d the debate commenced.
G j e r g j K o k o s h i , p r i m e d b y the B r i t i s h , openly
expressed the v i e w of reaction opposed to the
draft. T h e other m e m b e r s of the A n t i - f a s c i s t
N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n C o u n c i l rejected the thesis
o f the e n e m y a n d G j e r g j K o k o s h i d e m o n s t r a t i v e l y
w a l k e d out of the F r o n t in o r d e r to become the
leader of the O p p o s i t i o n outside the F r o n t , a c -
c o r d i n g to the plans of the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n s .
T h i s was a s i g n a l f o r reaction to operate out
i n the open. W e k n e w about its movements,
k e p t o u r eyes open, h a d no illusions that a l l the
nationalists i n t h e F r o n t w i t h o u t e x c e p t i o n were
honest, because some of t h e m h a d been p u t into
i t t o u n d e r m i n e i t f r o m w i t h i n . Nevertheless,

385
o u r a i m was t o u n c o v e r the e n e m y a n d w i n a l l
the w a v e r i n g elements to o u r side.
We marched forward.
The Anti-fascist National Liberation Council
decided t h a t the elections w o u l d b e h e l d o n
D e c e m b e r 2, 1945. T h e D e m o c r a t i c F r o n t issued
the p r o c l a m a t i o n on the elections. T h e great
p o l i t i c a l action t h e e l e c t i o n c a m p a i g n , c o m -
m e n c e d . I n t e r n a l reaction m a d e strenuous efforts
t o t a k e p a r t i n the elections w i t h its o w n lists.
H o w e v e r , i t f o u n d n o s u p p o r t a m o n g the people
a n d f a i l e d . T h e lists of candidates of the F r o n t
w e r e p r o c l a i m e d . T h e people h e l d b i g rallies
e v e r y w h e r e a n d amongst great e n t h u s i a s m a n d
rejoicing, a p p r o v e d the lists presented. T h e elec-
t i o n c a m p a i g n w a s t u r n i n g into a great p o p u l a r
plebiscite.
T h i s was m a d d e n i n g to the enemies. T h e y
t r i e d t o have the elections postponed. A n d w h e n
t h i s f a i l e d , too, they set to w o r k to t r y to organize
a boycott of the elections by s p r e a d i n g r u m o u r s
like, there is no democracy, the E l e c t o r a l L a w
is anti-democratic, there is a o n e - p a r t y d i c t a -
torship, a n d s o o n , w h i c h w e h a d h e a r d d i r e c t l y
o r i n d i r e c t l y f r o m H o d g s o n , Jacobs a n d C o .

T w o audiences w i t h i n one day. T w o d i a -

m e t r i c a l l y opposed stands.
On N o v e m b e r 10, 1945, the head of t h e
Soviet M i l i t a r y M i s s i o n , came t o m e a n d h a n d e d
me the note of the Soviet g o v e r n m e n t i n f o r m i n g
386
us that it h a d t a k e n a decision to recognize the
A l b a n i a n g o v e r n m e n t a n d establish d i p l o m a t i c
relations w i t h it.
T h i s is a f r e s h proof of the sincere f r i e n d -
s h i p of the S o v i e t people, t h e i r government, a n d
G e n e r a l i s s i m o S t a l i n f o r our people a n d t h e i r
g o v e r n m e n t , I said to S o k o l o v . T h e e s t a b l i s h -
m e n t o f these d i p l o m a t i c relations w i l l f u r t h e r
strengthen the f r i e n d s h i p of o u r people w i t h the
S o v i e t people.
T h i s is the desire of the Soviet people,
too, said the C o l o n e l .
W e are overjoyed at the h i g h assessment
that y o u r g o v e r n m e n t has m a d e of the c o n t r i b u -
t i o n o f the A l b a n i a n people t o the w a r against
the I t a l i a n a n d G e r m a n occupiers, as w e l l as
of the w o r k of r e c o n s t r u c t i o n of the country.
It is the d u t y of o u r g o v e r n m e n t to do
this, because the A l b a n i a n people deserve it,
said the S o v i e t officer.
Please t r a n s m i t to the Soviet people, their
g o v e r n m e n t a n d G e n e r a l i s s i m o S t a l i n the greet-
ings a n d p r o f o u n d g r a t i t u d e o f the A l b a n i a n
people a n d t h e i r D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n m e n t f o r this
l o f t y gesture of friendship, I said in conclusion.
T w o o r three hours later, H o d g s o n and
F u l t z came.
I n t h i s h e a l t h y r e v o l u t i o n a r y situation, the
B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n governments understood
that t h e y w e r e being exposed t h r o u g h this delay

387
i n g r a n t i n g recognition. T o escape f u r t h e r e x p o -
sure, they w e r e o b l i g e d to t r y a p o l i t i c a l m a -
noeuvre.
G e n e r a l H o d g s o n spoke f i r s t :
H i s M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t , he said, has
t a k e n the d e c i s i o n to accord r e c o g n i t i o n to y o u r
G o v e r n m e n t a n d is r e a d y to send its d i p l o m a t i c
representatives...
W e are v e r y pleased that at last the B r i t i s h
g o v e r n m e n t has been c o n v i n c e d of the great
t r u t h w h i c h exists i n m y c o u n t r y . . .
T h e B r i t i s h G e n e r a l i n t e r r u p t e d me, H o w -
ever, this is on c o n d i t i o n that y o u r g o v e r n m e n t
w i l l guarantee t h a t the elections are conducted
in a free and secret m a n n e r .
F u l t z n o d d e d his head i n a p p r o v a l and
i m m e d i a t e l y looked a t m e a w a i t i n g m y r e p l y .
The D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n m e n t o f A l b a n i a ,
G e n t l e m e n , is v e r y concerned about the o b s e r v a -
t i o n of these p r i n c i p l e s . It has defended t h e m
a n d w i l l d e f e n d t h e m w i t h a l l its strength, because
they are consecrated i n l a w b y the meetings
of representatives of the A l b a n i a n people w h o
have shed t h e i r blood to establish a n d protect
t h e m . T h i s is the most reliable guarantee that
these freedoms a n d rights w i l l b e a p p l i e d i n
practice. T h e E l e c t o r a l L a w ensures the r i g h t s
of a l l i n d i v i d u a l s a n d groups, apart f r o m fascists,
t o take p a r t i n this i m p o r t a n t event i n t h e
history o f o u r people. W e s h a l l respect the

388
secrecy a n d f r e e d o m of v o t i n g w i t h the greatest
seriousness, I stressed.
H i s M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t also demands
that the press m u s t be free, added the G e n e r a l .
I assure y o u , G e n e r a l , that the f r e e d o m of
the press has been a n d w i l l a l w a y s r e m a i n one
of t h e basic p r i n c i p l e s of o u r democracy, I
replied.
T h e f i n a l request, G e n e r a l H o x h a , said
H o d g s o n , is that f o r e i g n correspondents should
be p e r m i t t e d to observe the p r o c e d u r e of the
elections i n A l b a n i a .
F u l t z n o d d e d again.
F o r e i g n correspondents are not p r o h i b i t e d
f r o m e n t e r i n g A l b a n i a , G e n e r a l , a n d the g o v e r n -
m e n t has p r o v i d e d a l l facilities f o r t h e m . L e t
t h e m come a n d see de visu h o w b r o a d and
genuine o u r d e m o c r a c y is.
The A m e r i c a n g o v e r n m e n t has also decided
to recognize y o u r government, said F u l t z at
last. I am e x p e c t i n g the a r r i v a l of the note
from moment to moment. B u t according to my
instructions, besides the conditions w h i c h M r .
H o d g s o n has presented, the A m e r i c a n g o v e r n -
m e n t also d e m a n d s the i m p l e m e n t a t i o n of the
treaties or agreements that w e r e concluded be-
t w e e n the t w o countries before A p r i l 7, 1939.
M r . F u l t z , I h a v e a l r e a d y m a d e this m a t t e r
clear in a m e e t i n g w h i c h I h a d earlier w i t h M r .

389
Jacobs. I do not w i t h d r a w one c o m m a f r o m w h a t
I said then.
A f t e r r e p l y i n g to F u l t z , I c o n t i n u e d :
G e n t l e m e n , I s h a l l t r a n s m i t w h a t y o u have
c o m m u n i c a t e d to me to o u r government, b u t I
w a n t t o say t o y o u i n advance that the question
of the r e c o g n i t i o n of the D e m o c r a t i c G o v e r n m e n t
of A l b a n i a s h o u l d not be dragged on so l o n g a n d ,
moreover, conditions should not be attached to
it. T h e Soviet U n i o n , Y u g o s l a v i a a n d P o l a n d
have recognized o u r g o v e r n m e n t w h i c h emerged
f r o m the w a r a n d the bosom of this l o n g - s u f f e r i n g
people. T h i s is a great satisfaction f o r the A l b a -
n i a n people w h i c h they f u l l y deserve. T h e other
countries, a n d in the f i r s t place, the great allies,
B r i t a i n a n d A m e r i c a , w h i c h are the closest
witnesses of t h e i r w a r , s h o u l d have done this,
too. T h e fact that conditions are p l a c e d on the
recognition a n d establishment of d i p l o m a t i c r e l a -
tions astonishes us. H o w can conditions be placed
on the r e c o g n i t i o n of the g o v e r n m e n t of a heroic
people w h o p o u r e d out a l l t h e i r energies f o r
freedom, f o r the great c o m m o n cause of the
allies? H o w can doubts be cast on the f r e e d o m
and democracy of this c o u n t r y w h e n the c h a r a c -
ter of the regime is democratic, w h e n the d e c i s i -
ons a n d l a w s are m a d e and p u t into p r a c t i c e
i n the most d e m o c r a t i c w a y ?
It seems to me that these things are c o m -
pletely unreasonable. B o t h yesterday i n the w a r

390
a n d today i n peace, e v e r y t h i n g i n o u r c o u n t r y
is decided by the people. I do not w i s h to d w e l l
on this. T h e people say: ' Y o u don't need a guide
to the v i l l a g e in sight.' T h e people themselves
have solved a n d are s o l v i n g t h e i r i n t e r n a l p r o b -
lems as masters of t h e i r o w n fate a n d categorical-
ly do not p e r m i t a n y o n e else, great or s m a l l , to
i n t e r f e r e i n t h e i r i n t e r n a l affairs.
T h e A l b a n i a n people w i l l not w e l c o m e this
k i n d of r e c o g n i t i o n of t h e i r g o v e r n m e n t by the
allies, G e n t l e m e n , I continued, a n d at other
times, too, t h e y have expressed t h e i r dissatisfac-
t i o n over c e r t a i n stands of the allies t o w a r d s
t h e i r representation i n i n t e r n a t i o n a l forums. T h e y
have regretted a n d s t i l l regret that t h e i r r i g h t
t o m e m b e r s h i p i n the U N O continues t o b e denied
t h e m . T h e A l b a n i a n s see this as a d e n i a l of the
p r i n c i p l e s f o r w h i c h the anti-fascist w a r w a s
f o u g h t a n d f o r w h i c h the U N O w a s created.
T h e A l b a n i a n people are h e a r i n g r u m o u r s
about p r e p a r a t i o n s f o r a conference at w h i c h the
peace treaties w i t h G e r m a n y a n d I t a l y w i l l b e
considered. O u r country, l i k e a l l the other v i c t o r -
ious nations, ought to be an active p a r t i c i p a n t in
this conference. R e g r e t t a b l y , h o w e v e r , it seems
that this right, too, is being denied it. Up t i l l
n o w w e h a v e received n o i n f o r m a t i o n a n d n o
i n v i t a t i o n . I w a n t to ask y o u , G e n t l e m e n : w h o
m o r e t h a n o u r people ought to d e m a n d a r e c k o n -
i n g f r o m fascist I t a l y ? W a s i t not the A l b a n i a n

391
people w h o fought a n d p i n n e d d o w n m o r e t h a n
15 I t a l i a n a n d G e r m a n d i v i s i o n s ? W a s this not
a v e r y h e a v y b u r d e n o n t h e i r b a c k ? D i d they
not m a k e a n outstanding c o n t r i b u t i o n , i n p r o p o r -
t i o n to the size of the t e r r i t o r y a n d p o p u l a t i o n of
the c o u n t r y , to the h i s t o r i c v i c t o r y o v e r fascism?
E v e r y honest person i n the w o r l d n o w recognizes
these m e r i t s of the A l b a n i a n people. T h e r e f o r e
Italy and G e r m a n y owe t h e m a great d e a l . T h e y
m u s t p a y f o r a l l the countless hideous atrocities
w h i c h they c o m m i t t e d . T h e A l b a n i a n people w i l l
persistently d e m a n d reparations. T h i s is t h e i r
legitimate r i g h t and they regret that absurd
obstacles are being raised, the m o r e so w h e n
they hear that these obstacles come f r o m c e r t a i n
allies.
So, G e n t l e m e n , as I told y o u at the b e g i n -
n i n g , I shall present w h a t y o u h a v e t o l d me to
the g o v e r n m e n t a n d w e s h a l l give y o u o u r
reply.
I i n f o r m e d the g o v e r n m e n t about the c o m -
m u n i c a t i o n w h i c h the representatives of the
A n g l o - A m e r i c a n missions m a d e t o m e a n d the
t a l k I h a d w i t h t h e m . T h e comrades discussed
these things, d i s t i n g u i s h e d b e t w e e n the r e c o g n i -
t i o n b y the Soviet g o v e r n m e n t a n d the r e c o g n i -
t i o n b y the g o v e r n m e n t s o f B r i t a i n a n d A m e r i c a
a n d w e sent t h e m notes i n r e p l y . ( 1 )
_____________________________
1 T h e Democratic Government of A l b a n i a sent notes in reply
to the B r i t i s h and A m e r i c a n governments on November 11 a n d

392
 S e j f u l l a M a l s h o v a alone took a different
v i e w of these recognitions. He considered the
notes presented b y G r e a t B r i t a i n a n d the U n i t e d
States o f A m e r i c a recognition, w h e r e a s i n fact
t h e y w e r e p o l i t i c a l m a n o e u v r e s t o encourage i n -
t e r n a l reaction. H e put f o r w a r d the theses: O f -
f i c i a l l y , w e m u s t put the Soviet U n i o n , B r i t a i n
a n d the U S A o n the one footing, the question
of the r e c o g n i t i o n of the g o v e r n m e n t by the
A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s is a c o n d i t i o n sine qua non
f o r the people's regime i n A l b a n i a , the s e c u r i n g
o f r e c o g n i t i o n b y the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s and a d -
m i s s i o n t o the U N O a t a l l costs, e v e n w i t h some
concession in t h e i r f a v o u r , etc. A c c e p t a n c e of
these theses w o u l d have constituted a great
danger to the f r e e d o m a n d independence of our
c o u n t r y . P o s i n g as a great theoretician, he advised
us, We must understand the dialectical
d e v e l o p m e n t of events, because o n l y t h e n w i l l
we be able to u n d e r s t a n d the concessions, and we
m u s t not b e a f r a i d o f them. H e i m p l a n t e d c a -
p i t u l a t i o n a n d fear o f A n g l o - A m e r i c a n strength
in c e r t a i n elements predisposed to o p p o r t u n i s m ,
w h o expressed themselves l i k e t h i s : A s a s m a l l
c o u n t r y , A l b a n i a cannot l i v e o n its o w n , i t w i l l
depend on them.
H i s directives, w h i c h began and ended
______________________________
17, 1945, in the spirit of the replies w h i c h Comrade Enver H o x h a
gave them there and then, and the discussions in this meeting.
(See: E n v e r H o x h a , Works, v o l . 3, p p . 174, 177, A l b ed.)

393
 w i t h must, d i d not f a i l to leave some traces.
T h e y h a d been the cause of signs of o p p o r t u n i s m
in regard to i n c l u d i n g representatives of reaction
i n the lists o f candidates o f the F r o n t a n d i n
regard to proposals f o r a c o a l i t i o n w i t h the
C a t h o l i c c l e r g y i n the elections. L a t e r , h e t r i e d
to ensure t h a t the f o r e i g n p o l i c y a n d the eco-
n o m i c p o l i c y o f o u r c o u n t r y w e r e orientated
t o w a r d s the West. H o w e v e r , these traces w e r e
s h o r t - l i v e d . T h e 5 t h P l e n u m o f the C e n t r a l C o m -
mittee of the P a r t y f i n a l l y silenced his discordant
voice i n F e b r u a r y 1946.
Regardless of the manoeuvres, efforts a n d
p l a n s of e x t e r n a l a n d i n t e r n a l enemies, the elec-
t i o n c a m p a i g n took place a c c o r d i n g to the p r o g r a m
p r o c l a i m e d b y the D e m o c r a t i c F r o n t . T h e P a r t y
c a r r i e d out intensive p r o p a g a n d a to expose a n d
defeat these plans, dealt t h e m a m o r t a l b l o w
a n d f u r t h e r strengthened the p o l i t i c a l u n i t y of
t h e masses a r o u n d itself. T h e elections to the
C o n s t i t u e n t A s s e m b l y ended w i t h success. O f
the eligible electors, 90 per cent took p a r t in the
elections a n d 93 p e r cent of t h e m v o t e d f o r the
candidates of the D e m o c r a t i c F r o n t . T h e f i r s t
elections on a d e m o c r a t i c basis, which our
c o u n t r y h a d n e v e r k n o w n before, w e r e a colossal
t r i u m p h f o r the u n w a v e r i n g M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t
p o l i c y of the P a r t y a n d the correct p o l i t i c a l l i n e
of the F r o n t a n d a c r u s h i n g b l o w to i n t e r n a l a n d
e x t e r n a l reaction.

394
 A t the f i r s t m e e t i n g o f the A s s e m b l y , C o m -
rade H y s n i K a p o , o n behalf o f the deputies
o f V l o r a , m o v e d the m o t i o n that A l b a n i a s h o u l d
be p r o c l a m i e d a People's R e p u b l i c . T h e m e m b e r s
of the A s s e m b l y u n a n i m o u s l y a p p r o v e d this a n d
elected the n e w government, the People's D e m o -
cratic G o v e r n m e n t . T h e g o v e r n m e n t was c h a r g e d
w i t h p r e p a r i n g the draft o f the C o n s t i t u t i o n , w h i c h
w a s p u t before the masses for discussion. T h i s d i s -
cussion w e n t o n f o r t w o m o n t h s . T h e suggestions
a n d proposals m a d e strengthened the r e v o l u t i o n -
a r y content of the d r a f t . T a k i n g i n t o consideration
the o p i n i o n of the masses, the A s s e m b l y t u r n e d
this i n t o the C o n s t i t u t i o n . T h e n e w d e m o c r a t i c
C o n s t i t u t i o n based the structure a n d a c t i v i t y
of the n e w state p o w e r on the p r i n c i p l e : p o w e r
stems f r o m the people a n d belongs to t h e m .
E v e n after these events, w h i c h w e r e s o i m -
p o r t a n t in the l i f e of o u r people, e v e n after the
election of the n e w government, w h i c h was a
c o n s t i t u t i o n a l government, the W e s t e r n allies
s t i l l d i d not establish d i p l o m a t i c relations. O n the
contrary, t h e y abandoned the disguise of allies
a n d fought us o p e n l y w i t h the gloves off on the
i n t e r n a t i o n a l plane, too.
W h e n the a p p l i c a t i o n f o r the admission of
o u r c o u n t r y w a s presented i n the U n i t e d N a t i o n s
O r g a n i z a t i o n , m a n y delegates supported it. H o w -
ever, the A m e r i c a n delegate Stettinius, and the
F o r e i g n S e c r e t a r y o f G r e a t B r i t a i n B e v i n , the

395
b e t r a y e r o f the m i n e r s i n 1926, spoke i n f a v o u r
of postponement of discussion of this a p p l i c a -
t i o n t i l l later. A c c o r d i n g t o t h e m , this w a s a
serious question w h i c h must b e e x a m i n e d w i t h
great care, as t h o u g h it w e r e n o t the same B e v i n
w h o , i n the past, h a d m a d e the h y p o c r i t i c a l de-
c l a r a t i o n : The s m a l l states m u s t be defended,
a n d this same S t e t t i n i u s w h o , i n M a y 1945, sent
me a message in w h i c h he w r o t e : I am v e r y
conscious o f the ceaseless f i g h t w h i c h the A l -
b a n i a n people have waged, I f u l l y appreciate
the sacrifices they have made, a n d I k n o w
that i n the f u t u r e A l b a n i a w i l l m a k e the same
c o n t r i b u t i o n to the cause of peace. I k n o w . . . ,
I k n o w . . . In the past they k n e w e v e r y t h i n g
but n o w , apparently, o u r w a r t i m e allies w e r e
afflicted w i t h amnesia!
A t the m e e t i n g o f the S e c u r i t y C o u n c i l i n
L o n d o n i n F e b r u a r y 1946, w h i c h discussed the
admission o f A l b a n i a t o the U N O f o r the f i r s t
time, C a d o g a n spoke in s u p p o r t of t h e false
claims of G r e e k reaction against o u r c o u n t r y .
Greece has interests in A l b a n i a , he said, w h i l e
B e v i n d e c l a r e d : If I am f o r c e d to h a v e my say
in this m e e t i n g tonight, I s h a l l have to vote a-
gainst the admission o f A l b a n i a . T w i c e i n succes-
sion, in A u g u s t 1946 a n d A u g u s t 1947, C a d o g a n
used the v e t o against the a d m i s s i o n of A l b a n i a to
the U N O . I n A u g u s t 1946, J o h n s o n , the delegate
o f W a l l Street, d e m a n d e d that the S e c u r i t y

396
C o u n c i l s h o u l d not take a n y decision about A l -
bania. Albania, they said, does not have
d i p l o m a t i c relations w i t h G r e a t B r i t a i n a n d the
U n i t e d States of A m e r i c a , does not recognize the
o l d treaties, G r e e c e is in a state of w a r w i t h
it a n d has t e r r i t o r i a l claims against it, it is
d a m a g i n g peace i n the B a l k a n s etc.!
These w e r e the so-called a r g u m e n t s of the
i m p e r i a l i s t gentlemen t o deny A l b a n i a m e m b e r -
ship i n the U N O .
T h e Peace C o n f e r e n c e i n P a r i s w a s a p -
proaching. The participation of Albania in it
w a s a l e g i t i m a t e r i g h t . B u t w h a t happened?
It is impossible f o r us to i n v i t e A l b a n i a , said
the A m e r i c a n delegate B y r n e s . T h e B r i t i s h de-
legate L o r d A l e x a n d e r also f u l l y supported
this v i e w . A s t h o u g h this w e r e not b a d enough,
in the debates, the representatives of B r i t a i n a n d
A m e r i c a spoke o f A l b a n i a a s a collaborator w i t h
Italy, a defeated c o u n t r y , not an ally, a n d
so o n .
T w i c e i n succession w e protested against
these injustices. O u r People's A s s e m b l y p u b l i s h e d
a r e s o l u t i o n w h i c h rejected w i t h disgust the m o n -
strous accusations raised against A l b a n i a a n d de-
m a n d e d the r i g h t o f representation i n the C o n f e r -
ence as a f u l l m e m b e r , w i t h the same r i g h t s as
other v i c t o r i o u s nations. T h e struggle b e t w e e n the
representatives of t h e i m p e r i a l i s t countries a n d
the Soviet delegate V i s h i n s k y , o v e r the A l b a n i a n

397
question f l a r e d u p e v e n m o r e f i e r c e l y N e v e r -
theless, t h r o u g h the v o t i n g m e c h a n i s m , t h e
A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s achieved t h e i r a i m . A l b a n i a
was not i n v i t e d as a m e m b e r of the conference,
but was called o n l y to present its v i e w s on t h e
Peace T r e a t y w i t h Italy.
We sent a delegation there, headed p r o v i -
s i o n a l l y b y C o m r a d e H y s n i K a p o . A l i t t l e later,
i n v i e w o f the i m p o r t a n c e o f t h e matter, i t w a s
considered necessary that I s h o u l d go p e r s o n a l l y
to head the delegation. T h e people of F r a n c e
welcomed us w i t h their traditional hospitality.
On A u g u s t 21, 1946, I spoke in the p l e n a r y ses-
sion o f the Conference. N o t w i t h o u t purpose, i n
my speech, I presented a short account, s u p -
p o r t e d w i t h figures a n d facts, o f o u r people's
w a r a n d after this, in a tone of protest, p o i n t e d
out the injustice w h i c h w a s b e i n g done t o o u r
people b y d e n y i n g the blood t h e y h a d shed a n d
the countless sacrifices they h a d m a d e against
fascism. F r o m t h e t r i b u n e o f the C o n f e r e n c e
I presented documents a n d statements of t h e
B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n s , w h i c h expressed r e c o g n i -
t i o n o f o u r w a r a n d o u r efforts, i n r e f u t a t i o n o f
w h a t they h a d declared recently. T h e c o n f r o n t a -
t i o n of t h e i r c o n t r a d i c t o r y statements exposed
them badly.
T h e n I d w e l t on the pretensions of the
delegate of the G r e e k monarcho-fascists, the
G r e e k p r i m e m i n i s t e r o f that time, T s a l d a r i s ,

398
w h o , w h i l e accusing A l b a n i a a s a n aggressor a -
gainst G r e e c e (1) (simply because fascist I t a l y at-
t a c k e d G r e e c e f r o m A l b a n i a n t e r r i t o r y ) , stressed
that Greece w a s in a state of w a r w i t h A l b a n i a
a n d c l a i m e d S o u t h e r n A l b a n i a , o n the p r e t e x t
t h a t this was G r e e k t e r r i t o r y . To reject his theses,
f r o m the t r i b u n e of the conference I asked h i m
t w o questions:
I n r e g a r d to the v a r i o u s peoples of E u r o p e
whose quislings not o n l y sent battalions, b u t
o r g a n i z e d w h o l e expeditions against the heroic
R e d A r m y , does h e consider t h e m aggressors,
as he has done in the case of A l b a n i a . . . ?
W o u l d M r . T s a l d a r i s consider F r a n c e , f r o m
w h i c h H i t l e r i n t e n d e d t o u n d e r t a k e his offensive
against B r i t a i n , a n aggressor?
T h e representative of G r e e k reaction w a s
_________________________________

1 A telegram sent to the Foreign O f f i c e on November 10,

1944, showed clearly w h a t aims the Greek monarcho-fascists
pursued towards our country since the time of the w a r :
T h e State Department have i n f o r m e d member of my staff
that they received a m e m o r a n d u m of August 15th f r o m the
Greek Embassy asking whether they would be prepared to
agree that A l b a n i a should be considered and dealt w i t h as an
enemy State, a n d that Greek troops should participate in oc-
c u p y i n g A l b a n i a up to the S k u m b i River. (War Cabinet Distri-
bution, From Washington to Foreign Office. Earl of Halifax,
Nr. 6064, November 10, 1944 FO 371/43554-3370. PRO. Taken
from the photocopy of the original in the AIH, Tirana.)

399
unable to a n s w e r these questions. T h e y p i n n e d
d o w n his patrons, too.
At the e n d of my speech I spoke of the
grievous h a r d s h i p s w h i c h o u r people h a d suf-
fered d u r i n g the nazi-fascist occupation, the
h u m a n a n d m a t e r i a l losses w h i c h the w a r h a d
caused o u r people a n d presented o u r d e m a n d s
f o r reparations f r o m Italy. W i t h u t t e r shameless-
ness the B r i t i s h delegate H o o d d e c l a r e d : A l -
b a n i a s h o u l d receive zero dollars.
A t each i n t e r n a t i o n a l f o r u m o u r cause was
defended resolutely b y M o l o t o v , V i s h i n s k y a n d
M a n u i l s k y , the representatives of the S o v i e t
U n i o n a n d the great S t a l i n , w h o s y m p a t h i z e d s o
greatly w i t h o u r people o n account o f t h e i r
l o f t y virtues, v a l o u r a n d l o y a l t y , the great s a c r i f i -
ces they h a d made a n d the just a n d p e a c e f u l
course they f o l l o w e d . T h e y gave us p o w e r f u l
support i n t h i s m a t t e r , too. H o w e v e r , the A n g l o -
Americans and their lackeys continued their
struggle against o u r c o u n t r y , by means of t h e
voting mechanism and other trickery. Never-
theless, w e w e r e not discouraged. O n the c o n -
t r a r y , we fought harder. At a press conference
in P a r i s , I d e c l a r e d :
N e i t h e r the P a r i s Conference, the B i g F o u r
Conference, n o r a n y o t h e r conference can discuss
t h e borders o f o u r c o u n t r y , w i t h i n w h i c h there
i s not a n i n c h o f f o r e i g n t e r r i t o r y . O u r borders
cannot be discussed a n d let no one dare t o u c h

400
t h e m . T o t r y t o take a n i n c h o f the t e r r i t o r y
of o u r c o u n t r y , the G r e e k s w i l l h a v e to set in
m o t i o n o t h e r m e c h a n i s m s apart f r o m the vote
o f t h e P a r i s Conference. L e t the w h o l e w o r l d
k n o w that the A l b a n i a n people d o not p e r m i t
a n y discussion o f t h e i r borders o r t h e i r t e r r i t o r y .
O n the other h a n d , I protest against the
decision t a k e n at the p l e n a r y session of the
P a r i s C o n f e r e n c e . T h e A l b a n i a n people h a v e
not sent t h e i r delegation to P a r i s to render
account, but to d e m a n d a r e c k o n i n g f r o m those
w h o have caused t h e m severe d a m a g e a n d w h o m
they h a v e f o u g h t f i e r c e l y to the e n d . We have
done o u r d u t y , just as the G r e a t P o w e r s have
done theirs. O u r m a r t y r s a n d o u r sacrifices are
just as sacred to us as the m a r t y r s a n d the
sacrifices o f the G r e a t P o w e r s ; o u r rights are
just as sacred as theirs.*
In fact, the P a r i s C o n f e r e n c e was a t r i b u n e
f o r u s f r o m w h i c h i n t e r n a t i o n a l o p i n i o n learned
of the struggle a n d heroic deeds of a s m a l l people
w h o w e r e u n f l i n c h i n g , regardless o f the fact
that the i m p e r i a l i s t p o w e r s w a n t e d t o t r a m p l e
t h e m underfoot. T h i s w a s a p o l i t i c a l a n d m o r a l
success w h i c h raised the courage a n d d e t e r m i n a -
t i o n of the A l b a n i a n people to p u r s u e the just
course o n w h i c h t h e y h a d set out, t o a n even
higher level.
_______________________________
* See: E n v e r H o x h a , Works, v o l . 3, pp. 448-449, A l b . ed.

401
 C o n t r a r y t o w h a t t h e y h a d d e c l a r e d o n the
occasion of the p r e p a r a t i o n of the Peace T r e a t y
w i t h G e r m a n y , the A m e r i c a n delegate M u r p h y
said w i t h o u t a b l u s h , A l b a n i a d i d not take p a r t
i n the w a r against G e r m a n y . P e r h a p s a f e w i n -
d i v i d u a l A l b a n i a n s took p a r t i n this w a r , b u t apart
f r o m t h e m , there w e r e other A l b a n i a n s w h o
fought alongside the G e r m a n s . Of course, there
w e r e A l b a n i a n s w h o f o u g h t s h o u l d e r t o shoulder
w i t h the occupiers, b u t these w e r e t h e i r friends,
the B a l l i s t s a n d the Zogites.
W h e n the g o v e r n m e n t s o f the U S A , G r e a t
B r i t a i n a n d F r a n c e signed the agreement o n
reparations f r o m G e r m a n y , the A m e r i c a n and
B r i t i s h representatives t r i e d t o d e n y A l b a n i a o n
this occasion, too, the r i g h t to receive r e p a r a t i o n s
as a m e m b e r of the anti-fascist coalition, a t h i n g
w h i c h n o b o d y c o u l d d e n y . A l t h o u g h the C o n f e -
rence o n R e p a r a t i o n s f r o m G e r m a n y recognized
o u r c o u n t r y ' s r i g h t to receive reparations f o r the
losses w h i c h w e s u f f e r e d d u r i n g the Second
W o r l d W a r , these have s t i l l not been p a i d to us, at
a t i m e w h e n reparations have been p a i d to others.
A c c o r d i n g t o a n o f f i c i a l a n n o u n c e m e n t , the
B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t h a d completed the f o r m a l i t y
o f r e c o g n i t i o n a n d , moreover, h a d appointed T h o -
mas C e c i l R a p p a s its m i n i s t e r i n T i r a n a , b u t
he n e v e r a r r i v e d . It raised one p r e t e x t after
another t o a v o i d s e n d i n g its m i n i s t e r t o T i r a n a .

402
O n e of these was that we h a d allegedly ordered
a B r i t i s h officer, w h o was engaged i n i d e n t i f y -
i n g the graves o f B r i t i s h a i r m e n shot d o w n over
o u r t e r r i t o r y d u r i n g the w a r , t o leave A l b a n i a .
This was absurd. We granted h i m permission,
but he n e v e r appeared to c a r r y out the task
he c l a i m e d to have.
A n o t h e r p r e t e x t for the f a i l u r e of the
m i n i s t e r to come w a s the alleged l a c k of c o n d i -
tions f o r the n o r m a l w o r k o f the mission. W e
b e h a v e d c o r r e c t l y t o w a r d s the A m e r i c a n a n d
B r i t i s h missions, w h i l e they p r o v e d t o b e h y p o -
crites a n d a l w a y s t r i e d secretly to u n d e r m i n e us.
G e n e r a l H o d g s o n , M r . Jacobs a n d M r . F u l t z ,
as w e l l as o t h e r m e m b e r s of these missions
m o v e d f r e e l y a l l o v e r A l b a n i a a n d m a d e contact
w i t h a l l those t h e y w a n t e d t o meet. G e n e r a l
H o d g s o n several times t o l d m e o f the good i m -
pression w h i c h our people m a d e o n h i m d u r i n g
the visits he made. C o n t r a r y to w h a t t h e y said
to us, o u r g o v e r n m e n t w a s accused of h i n d e r i n g
the m e m b e r s o f the B r i t i s h military mission
i n t h e i r w o r k , b y not p e r m i t t i n g t h e m t o
circulate f r e e l y a n d of c o n f i n i n g t h e m to the
offices of t h e i r m i s s i o n in T i r a n a , etc., etc.
T h e B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t i n v o l v e d itself i n
a r i d i c u l o u s act on M a y 18, w h e n its representa-
tive in B e l g r a d e h a n d e d o u r legation there a
note a n n o u n c i n g that the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t
w o u l d send its m i n i s t e r t o A l b a n i a i m m e d i a t e l y .

403
Less t h a n 20 m i n u t e s later the B r i t i s h representa-
t i v e showed u p a g a i n a t o u r legation i n B e l g r a d e
a n d announced the w i t h d r a w a l of the note,
because on M a y 15 the B r i t i s h w a r s h p i s Superb
a n d Orion h a d been u n j u s t l y a n d d e l i b e r a t e -
l y f i r e d o n b y the A l b a n i a n coastal batteries
n e a r S a r a n d a . T h i s was the fate of the m i n i s t e r
w h o was to come to T i r a n a .
A f t e r these events the class struggle w i t h i n
the c o u n t r y became e v e n m o r e severe. R e a c t i o n
was i n v o l v e d i n w i d e - s p r e a d activities, especially
after the c o m i n g of F u l t z . H o w e v e r , the sons of
M o t h e r A l b a n i a w e r e not asleep. The enemy
groups, u r g e d a n d o r g a n i z e d b y t h e A m e r i c a n
a n d B r i t i s h missions, w e r e u n c o v e r e d one a f t e r
the other. T h e i l l e g a l a c t i v i t y i n t e n d e d to destroy
the people's p o w e r a n d the independence and
sovereignty of the c o u n t r y w a s u n m a s k e d .
The trial of Gjergj Kokoshi, S a m i Qeribashi
a n d c o m p a n y s t r i p p e d the peaceful missions
of the allies n a k e d .
T h e hostile a c t i v i t y of the so-called g r o u p
o f deputies headed b y Shefqet B e j a w a s u n -
covered r i g h t to its roots. T h e y h a d t r i e d to use
t h e i r positions as deputies to destroy the people's
state p o w e r f r o m w i t h i n .
J u s t before the l i b e r a t i o n of A l b a n i a , a
certain L l a z a r Papapostoli, w i t h the A m e r i c a n -
i z e d n a m e o f L a r r y Post, h a d a r r i v e d i n A l b a n i a .
He w a s to serve as p o l i t i c a l a d v i s e r to the A m e r -

404
i c a n m i s s i o n and, a t the same time, l i n k u p w i t h
the old agents in o r d e r to l a y the i n i t i a l bases for
the groups of spies a n d saboteurs. H o w e v e r ,
these groups assumed t h e i r organized f o r m espe-
c i a l l y after the a r r i v a l i n M a y 1945 o f M r . F u l t z
w h o p e r s o n a l l y took o v e r the leadership of t h e m .
A s soon a s h e a r r i v e d , L a r r y Post h a d organized
a m e e t i n g f o r h i m w i t h the m a i n agents. T h e y
r e p o r t e d t o h i m o n t h e i r a c t i v i t y a n d plans, a l -
t h o u g h h e w a s f u l l y i n f o r m e d about t h e m . T h e y
also i n f o r m e d h i m about t h e i r first meeting ( 1 ) a n d
the m e m o r a n d u m t h e y h a d sent to the A n g l o -
A m e r i c a n missions i n A p r i l , i n w h i c h they said,
a m o n g other t h i n g s : W e nationalists (read
traitors) have met a n d decided t o fight the C o m -
m u n i s t P a r t y a n d its dictatorship (read the
people's state power), a n d f o r this w e w a n t y o u r
help. F u l t z also k n e w about the request sent to
the B r i t i s h b y S a m i Q e r i b a s h i i n the name o f the
_____________________________
1 After the first meeting w h i c h was held in M a r c h 1945,
at w h i c h the central committee of our organization, consisting
of me, Selaudin Toto, Shefqet Beja, Gjergj K o k o s h i and others,
w a s formed, testified one of the accused (K.K.) at the trial, I
w e n t to the A m e r i c a n mission w h e r e I reported on a l l the w o r k
of our organization and sought their a i d . T h e y promised me
unsparing a i d and that after the conditions had been created,
they w o u l d l a n d troops in A l b a n i a . T h e y instructed me to tell
my associates this so that they w o u l d w o r k even harder to
increase the bases of the organization and fight the state in an
organized w a y u n t i l its forceable overthrow was achieved.
(From the newspaper Bashkimi, September 18, 1947.)

405
so-called Resistance G r o u p : We are v e r y
strong a n d one s p a r k is e n o u g h to set things
ablaze a n d f i n i s h the business. If the B r i t i s h troops
were l a n d e d i n D u r r s t h e w h o l e t h i n g w o u l d b e
o v e r w i t h i n 2 4 hours. I n h i s meetings w i t h
t h e m , F u l t z h a d i n s t r u c t e d the groups t o c o l l a b o -
rate a n d i n t e n s i f y n o t o n l y t h e p o l i t i c a l struggle
but also the economic struggle, because in t h i s
w a y the g o v e r n m e n t w i l l be obliged to seek aid
f r o m A m e r i c a , a n d this w i l l b e p r o v i d e d w i t h
h e a v y conditions attached.
T h e p r o g r a m of the e n e m y groups also
included terrorism. They did everything in their
p o w e r t o k i l l leaders a n d cadres o f the P a r t y a n d
the state. S a m i Q e r i b a s h i h a d i n s t r u c t e d his
group, We m u s t k i l l M y s l i m P e z a a n d spread
w o r d a m o n g the people t h a t the c o m m u n i s t s
have k i l l e d h i m , in o r d e r to arouse a w a v e of
anger a n d split the F r o n t . A c c o r d i n g t o i n f o r m a -
t i o n w h i c h reached us, t h e y h a d s i m i l a r designs
on me a n d other leaders, also. H o w e v e r , t h e y
could d o n o t h i n g t o B a b M y s l i m a n d the others,
because the P a r t y a n d a n entire people p r o t e c t e d
them.
A t t h e i r t r i a l these enemies a d m i t t e d those
aims f r o m t h e i r o w n mouths, a d m i t t e d p u b l i c l y
that the premises of the A n g l o - A m e r i c a n missions
h a d been t u r n e d i n t o w o r k s h o p s w h e r e plots
f o r assassinations a n d sabotage w e r e h a t c h e d u p ,
w h e r e plans w e r e d r a f t e d f o r a r m e d a t t a c k s a n d

406
l a n d i n g o f troops f r o m a b r o a d . T h e i r t r i a l
b r o u g h t to l i g h t t h e w h o l e s u b v e r s i v e p o l i c y of
A n g l o - A m e r i c a n i m p e r i a l i s m , i n c l u d i n g the plans,
the tactics a n d the methods e m p l o y e d against o u r
democracy.
T h e u n c o v e r i n g o f the saboteurs i n t h e d r a i n -
i n g o f the M a l i q s w a m p was i m p o r t a n t . T h e
e v i l weeds p l a n t e d b y F u l t z n e v e r succeeded i n
establishing themselves. T h e i r a c t i v i t y was defeat-
ed. T h e m a s k w a s t o r n f r o m F u l t z , that a u t h o r i -
ty on Albania, w h o w a s defeated along
w i t h t h e m . S e v e r a l o f his f o r m e r pupils, w h o ,
o n his instructions, h a d l o n g been c a r r y i n g out
sabotage i n t h e w o r k o f d r a i n i n g the s w a m p ,
w e r e u n c o v e r e d . T h e t r i a l w o u l d completely
expose t h e m . T h i s w a s a great b l o w to the A m e r -
i c a n m i s s i o n a n d especially t o F u l t z . Jacobs a n d
F u l t z w e r e t e r r i f i e d a n d t h e y left A l b a n i a before
the t r i a l of the saboteurs at t h e M a l i q s w a m p
began. S o m e m e m b e r s o f the A m e r i c a n m i s s i o n
r e m a i n e d t o f o l l o w t h e events. T h e B r i t i s h m i s -
sion h a d left p r e v i o u s l y .
On the eve of its d e p a r t u r e , the A m e r i c a n
m i s s i o n d e m a n d e d t h a t we p e r m i t a c r u i s e r a n d
a destroyer to enter the p o r t of D u r r s to e m b a r k
t h e m . T h e request was m a d e at a t i m e w h e n
the B r i t i s h w a r s h i p s w e r e c o n t i n u i n g t h e i r p r o -
vocative activities off o u r s o u t h e r n coast. We
protested t o the U N O because w e k n e w that
monstrous aims w e r e h i d d e n b e h i n d this proposal

407
 at those m o m e n t s of p r o v o c a t i o n s against us.
T h e mission d e p a r t e d i n the m i d d l e o f N o v e m b e r
1946, after being t r a n s p o r t e d by o u r ships to the
t w o A m e r i c a n ships w h i c h w a i t e d outside o u r
t e r r i t o r i a l waters. T h i s closed the chapter of this
allegedly peaceful m i s s i o n w h i c h was, i n fact,
subversive a n d came to A l b a n i a to cause us
damage r a t h e r t h a n to h e l p us.
It emerged f r o m the testimony of the a c -
cused that, apart f r o m F u l t z a n d the m e m b e r s o f
his mission, t w o responsible m e m b e r s of the
U N R R A mission, W o o d a r d a n d Jones, also had
a h a n d in the a c t i v i t y to sabotage the w o r k of
d r a i n i n g the M a l i q s w a m p . W e sent the mission
a note in w h i c h we declared these t w o members
of the m i s s i o n personae n o n gratae. T h e head of
the mission F l o u d was v e r y i n d i g n a n t about this.
He sent me a letter seeking a m e e t i n g to protest
about this a n d to i n f o r m me of a decision of his.
I understood that they, too, w e r e p a c k i n g to
leave. The sooner the better, I said to myself.
W e had h a d m o r e t h a n e n o u g h o f t h e m .
M e a n w h i l e I received a r a d i o g r a m f r o m K o i
X o x e and N a k o S p i r u w h o w e r e i n B e l g r a d e .
A s t h o u g h f r o m the peak o f M o u n t O l y m p u s ,
they w r o t e , it i s not good that U N R R A s h o u l d
leave or that we s h o u l d m a k e p o l i t i c a l issues out
of m i n o r questions of espionage. T h e r e f o r e , we
t h i n k that at the t r i a l one eye s h o u l d be closed

408
t o U N R R A a n d the m a t t e r settled i n one w a y o r
another e v e n by m a k i n g some concession.*
I i n f o r m e d the comrades about this r a d i o -
g r a m . W e d e c i d e d : N o concession! L e t the
U N R R A m i s s i o n clear out i f i t likes. W e w o u l d
b e r i d o f a n o t h e r t h o r n i n o u r flesh.
I sent f o r F l o u d .
As f a r as I r e m e m b e r the m e e t i n g w a s h e l d
in the first half of N o v e m b e r 1946. F l o u d
seemed i l l a t ease. A f t e r t h a n k i n g m e f o r f u l f i l -
l i n g his request, he w e n t straight into his t h e m e :
I sought a m e e t i n g w i t h y o u , M r . P r i m e
M i n i s t e r , to clear up a m a t t e r w h i c h is v e r y
serious a n d w o r r y i n g for us. Y o u r G o v e r n m e n t
has d e m a n d e d that M r . W o o r d a r d s h o u l d leave A l -
b a n i a a n d M r . Jones w h o i s o n service outside
A l b a n i a at present, s h o u l d not r e t u r n to his
duties here. I have i n f o r m e d M r . L a G u a r d i a ( 1 )
about this. I also i n f o r m e d h i m that the m i s s i o n
s h o u l d b e w i t h d r a w n f r o m A l b a n i a n e x t week.
I h a v e ordered the d e l i v e r y of supplies to be
suspended. W h a t w o r r i e s me most is the fact that
the A l b a n i a n G o v e r n m e n t has based its decision
on c e r t a i n things said by the engineers and
technicians accused of acts of sabotage at the
t r i a l w h i c h i s b e i n g h e l d here i n T i r a n a . I f these
_________________________________

* R a d i o g r a m sent to Comrade Enver H o x h a , November 12,

1946, C P A .
1 At that time director general of U N R R A .

409
t w o members o f m y m i s s i o n h a d r e a l l y w a n t e d
t o sabotage the economic d e v e l o p m e n t o f A l -
bania, i t w o u l d h a v e been v e r y easy f o r t h e m
t o r e c o m m e n d the c u t t i n g off o f supplies. U N R R A
is also g i v i n g assistance in c a r r y i n g out the l a n d
r e c l a m a t i o n projects a n d this is due to the r e -
commendations m a d e b y M r . Jones a n d M r .
Woodard.
T h e o n l y c o n d i t i o n on w h i c h the m i s s i o n
can c a r r y out its w o r k i n these circumstances
o f distrust t o w a r d s U N R R A , h e c o n t i n u e d , is
the p u b l i c a t i o n of a d e c l a r a t i o n by y o u r G o v e r n -
ment w h i c h states categorically that U N R R A a n d
its m e m b e r s h a v e n o t h i n g at a l l to do w i t h the
slanderous accusations m a d e at the t r i a l . O t h e r -
wise, as I said a l i t t l e earlier, I h a v e no a l t e r -
n a t i v e but t o w i t h d r a w the m i s s i o n a n d t o t h i s
end I h a v e asked t h e m to send a ship to e m b a r k
it n e x t week.
I t was self-evident w h a t M r . F l o u d w a s d r i v -
i n g a t w i t h his i n t r o d u c t i o n i n the f o r m o f a n
u l t i m a t u m . H e a n d his bosses t h o u g h t that i n
the face of t h e i r pressure a n d the d i f f i c u l t i e s
w h i c h w e w e r e e n c o u n t e r i n g i n the r e c o n s t r u c -
tion of the c o u n t r y , we w o u l d be forced to s u b -
m i t t o t h e m . O n the basis o f i n f o r m a t i o n w h i c h
we h a d a n d the t e s t i m o n y of the accused at the
t r i a l w h i c h w a s p u b l i s h e d i n the n e w s p a p e r B a -
s h k i m i and w h i c h I f o l l o w e d c a r e f u l l y e v e r y

410
day, the a i m of the i m p e r i a l i s t s a n d t h e i r agents,
foreign or A l b a n i a n , w i t h i n A l b a n i a , was to slow
d o w n the w o r k o n the r e c l a m a t i o n a n d other
projects, to l o w e r the m o r a l e of the w o r k e r s by
c r e a t i n g d i f f i c u l t i e s w h i c h c o u l d be avoided, so
that t h e y w o u l d w a l k off the job a n d people
w o u l d t h i n k that w i t h o u t a i d f r o m abroad
through U N R R A we would fail i n the great
task w e h a d u n d e r t a k e n . U n d e r the d i r e c t i o n
o f H a r r y F u l t z , m e m b e r s o f the U N R R A m i s -
sion, too, h a d w o r k e d t o w a r d s this objective of
sabotaging o u r w o r k .
I am s u r p r i s e d at w h a t y o u are t e l l i n g me,
M r . F l o u d , I said. It seems to me y o u r d e c i -
sion has not been c a r e f u l l y w e i g h e d . H o w e v e r ,
do as y o u w i s h . O u r note refers to t w o persons
w h o h o l d responsible positions i n y o u r mission,
w h o h a v e engaged i n a c t i v i t y h a r m f u l t o o u r
people's state p o w e r , w h i c h damages its policy
and violates o u r democracy. Y o u c l a i m that y o u
have come to assist us, b u t the facts testify to
the opposite. S i m i l a r things h a v e o c c u r r e d w i t h
y o u r p e r s o n n e l at other times, too. W a s it not
a journalist, M r s . C u l l e n , w h o w i t h e v i l aims
gathered i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m degenerate i n d i v i d -
uals? W a s i t n o t M r s . P e n n i n g t o n w h o expressed
great h o s t i l i t y t o w a r d s us w h e n she t o l d our
people that 'the g o v e r n m e n t i s k i l l i n g good A l -
b a n i a n s ' ? ! T o w h a t 'good' A l b a n i a n s was she

411
 r e f e r r i n g the w a r c r i m i n a l s a n d the quislings?
Y o u are w e l l a w a r e of these facts, M r .
F l o u d , I c o n t i n u e d W e have i n f o r m e d y o u of
each s u c h occurrence, b u t y o u h a v e not adopted
the stand necessary to prevent s u c h actions f r o m
b e c o m i n g a continuous p a t t e r n . These officials of
y o u r m i s s i o n have o p e n l y j o i n e d i n the c h o i r o f
Hodgson, w h o w e n t s o f a r a s t o say, ' O u t w i t h
H o x h a ! ' Y o u , personally, have declared that
U N R R A is a non-political organization. M r . J a -
cobs has expressed his regret to me that s o m e -
times the U S A looks a t U N R R A o n l y f r o m the
p o l i t i c a l angle. Indeed, d u r i n g his visit here,
M r . R o o k s expressed the same o p i n i o n t o me.
Nevertheless, M r . H o x h a , the d e m a n d f o r the
w i t h d r a w a l o f M r . W o o d a r d , said F l o u d , means
t h a t the G o v e r n m e n t o f A l b a n i a agrees w i t h
w h a t the accused h a v e said a n d this forces me
to the conclusion t h a t this stand on its part
creates a s i t u a t i o n in w h i c h it is impossible f o r
o u r m i s s i o n t o stay here a n y longer. A m I r i g h t ,
Mr. Hoxha?
N o t at all, I r e p l i e d . T h i s m a t t e r is
k n o w n w o r l d - w i d e a n d w e have n o a l t e r n a t i v e
but to advise y o u to act as o u r note says. W i t h
the p u b l i c a t i o n of the statements of the accused
in the A l b a n i a n press, a t h i n g f o r w h i c h no
b l a m e falls on us, y o u ought to take m e a s u r e s
to a v o i d the f u r t h e r d i s c r e d i t i n g of y o u r m i s s i o n .

412
In my o p i n i o n , the m a t t e r is urgent, it needs
a solution now.
I ' m a f r a i d the A l b a n i a n s m a k e n o d i s t i n c -
t i o n b e t w e e n the m e m b e r s o f U N R R A a n d the
m e m b e r s of the A m e r i c a n mission. Is it not the
case that the relations b e t w e e n the G o v e r n m e n t
o f the U S A a n d y o u r G o v e r n m e n t , w h i c h have
not been good recently, have h a d an i n f l u e n c e
on this? he r e p l i e d .
The state of relations b e t w e e n o u r G o v e r n -
m e n t a n d the A m e r i c a n G o v e r n m e n t c o u l d not i n -
fluence o u r s t a n d t o w a r d s y o u r mission. O n the
c o n t r a r y , I suspect that our relations w i t h the
A m e r i c a n a n d B r i t i s h G o v e r n m e n t s m a y have
i n f l u e n c e d the stand of y o u r m i s s i o n t o w a r d s us.
As f a r as we are concerned, the state of these
relations in no w a y affects the good feelings of
the A l b a n i a n G o v e r n m e n t a n d people f o r the
A m e r i c a n people. Regardless of the activities of
M r . F u l t z , t h e A l b a n i a n people a n d t h e i r G o v e r n -
ment s t i l l n u r t u r e s y m p a t h y f o r the A m e r i c a n
people, I t o l d h i m .
Nevertheless, began F l o u d , after the e n -
gineers' statements, n o A l b a n i a n w i l l associate
w i t h the m e m b e r s of our m i s s i o n a n d indeed the
A l b a n i a n officials do not speak to our observers
or give t h e m a n y i n f o r m a t i o n . Therefore, it must
be m a d e clear to the A l b a n i a n s that the relations
between the A m e r i c a n G o v e r n m e n t a n d the A l -

413
b a n i a n G o v e r n m e n t d o not i n a n y w a y affect the
s t a n d o f the latter t o w a r d s the U N R R A m i s s i o n ,
a n d that this m i s s i o n i s e x o n e r a t e d f r o m the
accusations m a d e in court. T h i s c a n be done o n l y
by means of a p u b l i c d e c l a r a t i o n by y o u r G o v e r n -
ment, said F l o u d repeating h i s e a r l i e r d e m a n d .
T h a t is impossible, I t o l d h i m b l u n t l y . I
e x p l a i n e d t o y o u w h y w e took this step. O u r
people's state p o w e r is so s t r o n g that it w i l l cut
off the hands of anyone w h o dare l a y a f i n g e r
on the interests of the c o u n t r y a n d is not a f r a i d
of the presence here of t w o exposed agents. Y o u
have no r i g h t at a l l to state a priori that the ac-
cusation made at the t r i a l is not true. S l a n d e r s
a n d false accusations are not f a b r i c a t e d there,
M r . F l o u d . I t i s the agents i n the service o f
foreigners, caught r e d - h a n d e d , w h o w i l l y n i l l y
are s p i l l i n g the beans about those w h o i n c i t -
ed, i n s p i r e d a n d f i n a n c e d t h e m . W h y d i d M r .
F u l t z leave a t t h i s time, w h e n the t r i a l was p r o -
ceeding? H i s n a m e figures at the head of the list
of those w h o are accused of a c t i v i t y against o u r
n e w state.
M r . F l o u d d i d not k n o w w h a t t o say!
S o ended m y f i n a l m e e t i n g w i t h the head
of the m i s s i o n of t h i s p h i l a n t h r o p i c o r g a n i z a -
t i o n w h i c h t r i e d t o assist us.
E v e n later, aid w a s offered to us f r o m
across the A t l a n t i c , this t i m e b y P r e s i d e n t E i s e n -
hower, p e r s o n a l l y ! The A l b a n i a n people are not

414
s u f f e r i n g f o r l a c k of the A m e r i c a n president's
beans, we r e p l i e d . H e w o u l d do better to feed
the m i l l i o n s a n d m i l l i o n s o f u n e m p l o y e d i n the
U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a . Since t h e y f a i l e d w i t h
this f o r m , too, the i m p e r i a l i s t s began to d r o p aid
f o r the people f r o m a i r c r a f t : s m a l l cellophane
bags w i t h t w o l u m p s of sugar, a reel of cotton
a n d a couple of needles!
W h a t a c o m e - d o w n f o r t h e m ! said our
people, d e r i d i n g the manoeuvres of the A m e r -
icans a n d the B r i t i s h .

A n unprecedented p r o v o c a t i o n t o w a r d s our
c o u n t r y w a s that o f G r e a t B r i t a i n w i t h the so-
called C o r f u C h a n n e l i n c i d e n t .
A f t e r the S e c o n d W o r l d W a r , the M e d i t e -
rranean Zone Mine Clearance Board was
f o r m e d . S u c h a n u n d e r t a k i n g w a s correct a n d
necessary. R e g r e t t a b l y , A l b a n i a , whose shores
are w a s h e d by t w o seas, w a s d e p r i v e d of r e p r e -
sentation in this i n t e r n a t i o n a l f o r u m , even as an
observer. T h e A n g l o - A m e r i c a n s w h o made the
l a w i n the B o a r d , j u s t i f i e d this o n the gro-
u n d s that we h a d no m i n e - s w e e p e r s ! It is true
that w e h a d n o mine-sweepers b u t w e h a d e x t e n -
sive t e r r i t o r i a l w a t e r s m i n e d b y the G e r m a n s , and
the decisions on c l e a r i n g this area should h a v e
been t a k e n w i t h o u r p a r t i c i p a t i o n . O n the u r g i n g
o f the B r i t i s h a n d the A m e r i c a n s , the B o a r d
h a d decided t h a t the G r e e k N a v y s h o u l d clear

415
the mines f r o m o u r t e r r i t o r i a l waters. H o w e v e r ,
i n the situation w h e n the G r e e k monarcho-fascist
government h a d p u b l i c l y declared that i t w a s i n
a state of w a r w i t h A l b a n i a , w h e n the ships of
its fleet, w i t h a n d w i t h o u t flags, c o m m i t t e d r e -
peated b r u t a l provocations, penetrated into our
ports a n d seized A l b a n i a n citizens a n d boats, w h e n
i t was c l a i m i n g our K o r a a n d G j i r o k a s t r a , t o
send the G r e e k n a v y t o clear t h e m i n e fields
was t a n t a m o u n t to t h r o w i n g benzine on the f i r e .
T h i s w o u l d h a v e m e a n t that w e w e r e t o open the
door of o u r sheepfold to the w o l f . S u c h a t h i n g
w e w o u l d n e v e r do. T h e r e f o r e w e k e p t v i g i l a n t
w a t c h day a n d n i g h t .
I n this v e r y c o m p l i c a t e d situation, i n M a y
1946, t w o f o r e i g n ships, f l y i n g n o flags, w i t h o u t
w a r n i n g entered A l b a n i a n t e r r i t o r i a l w a t e r s i n
the v i c i n i t y o f S a r a n d a . O u r coastal batteries,
w h i c h w e r e o n f u l l alert f o r t h e reasons I m e n -
tioned, signalled t o t h e m t o w i t h d r a w , b u t the
ships c o n t i n u e d o n t h e i r course. T h e n , t h i n k i n g
that this w a s a p r o v o c a t i o n by G r e e k ships, o u r
batteries f i r e d a w a r n i n g salvo. O n l y after this
the ships raised the B r i t i s h f l a g a n d w i t h d r e w .
It was not l o n g before the B r i t i s h g o v e r n -
ment t r i e d to b l a m e us f o r this i n c i d e n t a n d
insisted that we apologize p u b l i c l y . In a v e r y c o r -
rect m a n n e r w e expressed our regret t o the B r i -
tish g o v e r n m e n t over w h a t h a d o c c u r r e d . A t the
same time, we pointed out to it that the f a u l t

416
w a s i n n o w a y ours, because i n such c i r c u m -
stances the coastal batteries of a n y other c o u n t r y
w o u l d have done w h a t ours d i d , w i t h o u t i n a n y
w a y v i o l a t i n g the i n t e r n a t i o n a l n o r m s o f n a v i g a -
t i o n . F i n a l l y w e advised the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t
that its ships m u s t not enter A l b a n i a n t e r r i t o r i a l
w a t e r s w i t h o u t t h e k n o w l e d g e and p e r m i s s i o n of
o u r government, not o n l y because this was a v i o l a -
t i o n of o u r sovereignty, but also because our
demands w e r e w i t h i n the i n t e r n a t i o n a l n o r m s of
navigation, w h i c h must be applied rigorously in
a n y situation, a n d especially i n the existing c i r -
cumstances of o u r c o u n t r y .
Dissatisfied w i t h this reply, the B r i t i s h gov-
e r n m e n t persisted w i t h its d e m a n d a n d retorted
w i t h the allegation that w e h a d n o r i g h t t o m a k e
a u n i t e r a l d e c l a r a t i o n of a state of emergency(!).
T h i s was greatly to the l i k i n g of the G r e e k
P r i m e M i n i s t e r Tsaldaris. M e a n w h i l e , w e heard
that L o r d A l e x a n d e r h a d d e m a n d e d that his gov-
e r n m e n t s h o u l d b o m b a r d A l b a n i a i n retaliation.
It d i d not accept this proposal, but M r .
A t t l e e r e c o m m e n d e d t o the B r i t i s h Admiralty
that if t h e y open fire, y o u s h o u l d r e t u r n the
fire. B r i t a i n w a s d e c e i v i n g itself that it w a s still
Queen of the Seas* a n d c o u l d a p p l y its gun-boat
p o l i c y as easily as in the past. H o w e v e r , times
h a d changed. T h e t e r r i t o r i a l w a t e r s o f A l b a n i a
___________________________
* E n g l i s h in the original.

417
w e r e u n d e r the c o n t r o l of a w h o l e people on the
alert.
Some months passed a n d B r i t i s h ships d i d
not appear again i n o u r t e r r i t o r i a l waters. W e
thought that the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t h a d l e a r n e d
its lesson, b u t as the people say, the f o x n e v e r
forgets its craft. On O c t o b e r 22, 1946, f o u r B r i t i s h
w a r s h i p s emerged f r o m the C o r f u C h a n n e l , sailing
t o w a r d s the n o r t h . T h e y left the i n t e r n a t i o n a l
waters o n the port side a n d again, w i t h o u t i n f o r m -
i n g us, entered o u r waters. I t w a s c l e a r that B r i -
t a i n was seeking a p r e t e x t f o r an i n t e r n a t i o n a l
conflict. I gave orders to keep c a l m a n d open f i r e
o n l y if they t r i e d to m a k e a l a n d i n g .
A n o t h e r report reached m e f r o m S a r a n d a :
W h e n the w a r s h i p s w e r e a p p r o a c h i n g the coast,
there w a s a sudden e x p l o s i o n a n d t w o of t h e m
w e n t o n fire. A n A l b a n i a n m o t o r - b o a t h a d gone
to give a i d a n d to clear up the reason for the
v i o l a t i o n o f o u r t e r r i t o r i a l waters. T h e B r i t i s h
h a d not deigned to give a n y e x p l a n a t i o n for this
f l a g r a n t v i o l a t i o n of o u r t e r r i t o r i a l i n t e g r i t y a n d
had d r i v e n off our people w i t h abuse.
The Anglo-Americans wanted to exploit
this incident as a p r e t e x t f o r a l a n d i n g . As we
learned later, the f o u r ships, t w o cruisers to
create a provocation, a n d t w o destroyers w e r e
s a i l i n g t o the B a y o f A r g o s t o l i i n the south o f
C o r f u . W h y d i d they pass t o the n o r t h w h e n t h e i r
destination w a s in the south? It is quite a b s u r d

418
to go f r o m the n o r t h to that bay, t r a v e l l i n g r i g h t
round C o r f u . This is like trying to reach behind
y o u r head t o grasp y o u r r i g h t ear w i t h y o u r left
h a n d . W h y d i d t h e y come so close to o u r coast
a n d so f a r f r o m i n t e r n a t i o n a l w a t e r s ? A r e p r e -
sentative o f the B r i t i s h A d m i r a l t y declared that
w i t h this cruise the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t w a n t e d
to test w h e t h e r the A l b a n i a n government
h a d l e a r n e d to behave itself yet. P o s s i b l y the
m i n e s h a d been l a i d b y the G e r m a n s d u r i n g the
w a r , b u t the p r o b a b i l i t y cannot be e x c l u d e d that
t h e y h a d been p u t there b y the B r i t i s h t h e m -
selves to create a conflict. T h e bosses of the
B r i t i s h A d m i r a l t y c o u l d have sent the ships there
k n o w i n g f u l l w e l l that t h e y w e r e c o f f i n ships. O f
course the sailors on b o a r d t h e m c o u l d not have
k n o w n t h a t t h e y w e r e s a i l i n g t o t h e i r death.
S e v e r a l days later the B r i t i s h government
informed u s i n v e r y h a r s h a n d threatening
language that soon they w o u l d clear the mines
f r o m the C o r f u C h a n n e l . Agreed, w e replied.
but in i n t e r n a t i o n a l waters, a n d not in ours.
A g a i n in a b r u t a l t h r e a t e n i n g tone they i n f o r m e d
u s that they w o u l d enter A l b a n i a n t e r r i t o r i a l
waters, too. We p u b l i c l y denounced this decision as
a v i o l a t i o n of i n t e r n a t i o n a l norms, an i m p e r m i s -
sible v i o l a t i o n of the t e r r i t o r i a l i n t e g r i t y a n d inde-
pendence o f o u r c o u n t r y . W e asked the U N O t o
i n t e r v e n e i m m e d i a t e l y a n d to stop this p i r a t i c a l
act o f G r e a t B r i t a i n . T h e U N O d i d n o t h i n g .

419
 O n N o v e m b e r 12, t h i r t y B r i t i s h w a r s h i p s , ac-
companied b y aircraft, appeared, e n t e r e d A l b a n i a n
waters a n d sailed i n battle f o r m a t i o n t o w a r d s
the S a r a n d a coast. T h e s i t u a t i o n w a s e x t r e m e l y
c r i t i c a l . W e w e r e a l l eyes a n d ears a n d a n x i o u s l y
f o l l o w e d the reports w h i c h came i n . W e repeated
the decision to open f i r e on t h e m o n l y if t h e y a t -
tempted to l a n d .
T h e w a r s h i p s cruised back a n d f o r t h i n
our waters.
T h e y are c l e a r i n g mines, the comrades r e -
ported f r o m S a r a n d a .
T h e same activities w e r e repeated o n N o v e m -
ber 13.
O p e n f i r e on them, one of T i t o ' s generals
told us. B u t we, being genuine M a r x i s t s , took no
notice of the order of the Y u g o s l a v general,
instead we c a r r i e d out the a d v i c e of the people:
Measure seven times before y o u cut.
O n the one h a n d , w e f o l l o w e d a l l the actions
of the t h i r t y B r i t i s h w a r s h i p s v i g i l a n t l y , a n d on
the other h a n d , w e m a d e stern protests t o the B r i -
tish g o v e r n m e n t a n d the U n i t e d N a t i o n s O r g a n i z a -
t i o n over this open p r o v o c a t i o n , this f u r t h e r f l a -
grant v i o l a t i o n of o u r t e r r i t o r i a l i n t e g r i t y . R e g r e t -
tably, as on the other occasions, the U n i t e d N a t i o n s
O r g a n i z a t i o n t u r n e d a deaf ear a n d a b l i n d eye
to these dangerous events. It not o n l y took no
measure against B r i t a i n , b u t on the c o n t r a r y ,
came out in its support.

420
 C o m p l e t e l y w i t h o u t f o u n d a t i o n , B r i t a i n ac-
cused A l b a n i a in the i n t e r n a t i o n a l f o r u m s of res-
p o n s i b i l i t y f o r the C o r f u C h a n n e l incident, a l -
l e g i n g that either it h a d m i n e d this region itself,
o r i t k n e w w h o h a d l a i d the mines, a n d f o r this
d e m a n d e d compensation. W e protested energetic-
a l l y against this accusation. It was a repetition
of the story of the w o l f a n d the lamb, as in La
F o n t a i n e ' s fable.
A t the b e g i n n i n g o f 1947, the B r i t i s h g o v e r n -
m e n t raised the question i n the S e c u r i t y C o u n c i l
o f the U n i t e d N a t i o n s O r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e S e c u r i t y
C o u n c i l asked f o r a n A l b a n i a n delegation t o clear
up the matter. A delegation, headed by C o m r a d e
H y s n i K a p o , w e n t there a n d defended the t r u t h
w i t h d i g n i t y . Regardless of the protests of our
delegation, h o w e v e r , the S e c u r i t y C o u n c i l , b y
m a j o r i t y of votes l a i d the b l a m e on A l b a n i a ! T h e
representative of the S o v i e t U n i o n used the veto
a n d t h e n the S e c u r i t y C o u n c i l , u n d e r the pres-
sure a n d i n f l u e n c e of B r i t a i n , w a s compelled to
d r a f t a resolution, w h i c h r e c o m m e n d e d that the
question s h o u l d be placed before the I n t e r n a t i o n a l
C o u r t at the H a g u e .
O n c e again the innocent p a r t y was placed in
the dock.
A t the H a g u e w e p u b l i c l y declared once again
that the A l b a n i a n G o v e r n m e n t k n e w n o t h i n g
about the l a y i n g of mines, that it h a d at its dis-
posal n e i t h e r mines, n o r means, n o r experts to lay

421
them. O u r delegation presented facts to p r o v e
this there. T h e o u t s t a n d i n g F r e n c h j u r i s t a n d p o l i -
tician, M r . P i e r r e Cot, w h o rose i n defence o f
our rights, f o u n d the roots of this event in the
f o r m u l a of the B r i t i s h r e a c t i o n a r y circles to
teach others h o w t h e y s h o u l d behave. T h e r e f o r e ,
before the court, he stated that not o n l y the s m a l l
a n d the w e a k , b u t the b i g a n d the p o w e r f u l , too,
must l e a r n to behave themselves.
F r o m the facts w h i c h the A l b a n i a n delega-
tion presented, a n d the defence of o u r r i g h t by
well-disposed f r i e n d s of o u r c o u n t r y , the court
at the H a g u e was obliged to reject the possibility
that the mines h a d been l a i d by us, b u t u n d e r
the pressure a n d t h r o u g h the m a c h i n a t i o n s of
G r e a t B r i t a i n , i n A p r i l 1949, i t decided t o c o n -
sider A l b a n i a to blame, because it k n e w about
t h e m a n d h a d not r e p o r t e d t h e m !
T h i s was a f l a g r a n t i n j u s t i c e by an i n s t i t u -
tion of justice. T h e court came out w i t h the
conclusion, u n s u p p o r t e d b y facts, that o n N o -
v e m b e r 12-13 B r i t a i n h a d v i o l a t e d the sover-
eignty of A l b a n i a , but h a d not done so on October
22! It w a s quite o b v i o u s that A l b a n i a h a d to be
described as the g u i l t y party, because this was
the order a n d the desire of the greater p o w e r .
M o r e o v e r , in D e c e m b e r 1949, the court at the
H a g u e decided i n the n a m e o f justice, that A l -
bania s h o u l d pay B r i t a i n 843,947 pounds s t e r l i n g
in compensation. We refused to accept this d e c i -

422
sion, not o n l y because we w e r e not to blame, but
also because the decision on the s u m of c o m p e n -
sation w a s not w i t h i n the competence of that
court. W e d i d not p a y i t a n d n e v e r w i l l p a y it.
I t i s not w e w h o s h o u l d p a y .

B u t w h a t o c c u r r e d over this compensa-

tion? As I w r o t e above, we d i d not accept the
decision a n d refused t o pay. T h e n , i n a n a r b i t r a r y
m a n n e r , B r i t a i n f o u n d another w a y to secure it.
A n d here begins the h i s t o r y o f our q u a r r e l w i t h
B r i t a i n o v e r the question of the stolen gold.
W i t h the c a p i t u l a t i o n of fascist Italy in S e p -
t e m b e r 1943, the n a z i a r m y stole the A l b a n i a n
gold deposited i n the B a n c a d'Italia i n R o m e .
T h e A l b a n i a n state's o w n e r s h i p of this q u a n t i t y
of gold w a s recognized in the protocol signed in
the s p r i n g of 1944 b e t w e e n representatives of
the F o r e i g n M i n i s t r y o f G e r m a n y a n d representa-
tives of the A l b a n i a n q u i s l i n g government. As if
this w e r e not sufficient, the c o m m a n d e r of the
H i t l e r i t e troops in T i r a n a , in October 1944 also
seized the gold w h i c h h a d r e m a i n e d i n the N a t i o n a l
B a n k i n A l b a n i a , c l a i m i n g that h e w o u l d deposit
it in the B a n k of S h k o d r a .
A f t e r the end of the Second W o r l d W a r , a
considerable q u a n t i t y of gold h i d d e n by the G e r -
m a n nazis, w h o h a d looted it f r o m other peoples,
i n c l u d i n g the A l b a n i a n people, was discovered i n
the M e r k e r s salt-pans of G e r m a n y . A t r i p a r t i t e

423
commission w a s set up to r e t u r n this w e a l t h to
the countries it belonged to. T h e A l b a n i a n gov-
ernment presented to this c o m m i s s i o n its c l a i m
supported by documents f o r the r e t u r n of 2,454
kg 874.5 g of p u r e gold. O u r c l a i m w a s considered
just. Nevertheless, the c o m m i s s i o n i n f o r m e d us
that it w o u l d r e t u r n o n l y about h a l f the gold
c l a i m e d to A l b a n i a , as an i n i t i a l share. H o w e v e r ,
not one g r a m was g i v e n us. G r e a t B r i t a i n , w h i c h
h a d both the w a l n u t a n d the h a m m e r i n its h a n d ,
h e l d this gold w h i c h h a d been deposited i n the
B a n k of E n g l a n d , as compensation f o r w h a t
h a d occurred i n the C o r f u C h a n n e l . W e protested
energetically, a n d as a result, an a r b i t r a t i o n c o m -
mission was set up to study the question again.
T h e a r b i t r a t i o n commission e x a m i n e d it, and
a l t h o u g h it came to the conclusion that the gold
belonged to A l b a n i a , decided not to h a n d it over,
on the p r e t e x t t h a t it w a s subject to a c l a i m by
a third party.
O u r persistent struggle f o r justice c o n t i n u e d .
Later, too, the t r i p a r t i t e c o m m i s s i o n declared that
o u r c l a i m f o r 2,454 kg 874.5 g of p u r e gold was
just a n d that 1,121 kg 451.7 g s h o u l d be r e t u r n e d
to us. B u t as this same c o m m i s s i o n i n f o r m e d us
again, this q u a n t i t y was subject to a c l a i m by
a t h i r d p a r t y a n d the dispute o v e r this m a t t e r
w a s in the process of settlement.
W e have w a i t e d a l o n g t i m e f o r this l a w f u l
p r o p e r t y of the A l b a n i a n people to be d e l i v e r e d

424
to us, but to this day it r e m a i n s in the claws
of the l i o n .
T h e reparations due to t h e m w e r e p a i d to
a l l the countries of the anti-fascist coalition, w h i l e
we were given an extremely small sum from
Italy a n d not a p e n n y f r o m G e r m a n y i n c o m p e n -
sation f o r a l l the colossal h u m a n a n d m a t e r i a l
damage the H i t l e r i t e R e i c h caused us. T h e de-
cision on the r e t u r n of the gold stolen by the
nazis has been c a r r i e d out f o r a l l the respective
countries w i t h the e x c e p t i o n o f A l b a n i a . T h i s
is an u n p a r d o n a b l e injustice, a m o n s t r o u s r o b -
bery, a n d a f l a g r a n t v i o l a t i o n of i n t e r n a t i o n a l
r i g h t s a n d decisions. A l l the gold must b e r e -
t u r n e d to the A l b a n i a n people u n c o n d i t i o n -
ally, together w i t h the interest accrued in the
i n t e r v e n i n g years a n d demurrage, because this
gold represents t h e i r sweat a n d blood. T h i s m a t -
t e r cannot b e l i n k e d w i t h the so-called compensa-
t i o n over the C o r f u C h a n n e l incident, either.
T h i s is a p r e t e x t w h i c h A l b a n i a has never recog-
n i z e d a n d n e v e r w i l l recognize. T h e attempts o f
the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t t o l i n k these t w o ques-
tions are out of order. T h e y are s i m p l y t r i c k e r y
a n d p i r a t i c a l actions.
W e h a v e p u b l i c l y declared more t h a n once
that we w i l l not enter into discussion about the
establishment o f d i p l o m a t i c relations w i t h B r i -
t a i n if that state does not r e t u r n this w e a l t h to
the A l b a n i a n people. If the B r i t i s h g o v e r n m e n t

425
r e a l l y desires the establishment of relations w i t h
socialist A l b a n i a , in the first place, it must h o n o u r
the obligations it has t o w a r d s A l b a n i a a n d r e t u r n
the gold it is h o l d i n g . O n l y after it has p u t an
e n d to this arrogant, hostile, p i r a t i c a l s t a n d t o -
w a r d s us, can it expect to sit d o w n at the r o u n d
table w i t h A l b a n i a . O t h e r w i s e w e s h a l l never
agree t o sit d o w n a n d t a l k w i t h a n y B r i t i s h
government, a n d a l l the progressive forces a n d
the B r i t i s h people m u s t u n d e r s t a n d t h o r o u g h l y
t h a t the blame f o r this does not lie w i t h us. R i g h t
i s o n o u r side a n d h o w e v e r l o n g i t m a y b e
delayed, i t w i l l t r i u m p h .

The Anglo-American military, civilian, and

p h i l a n t h r o p i c missions b r o k e t h e i r necks. H o w -
ever, the struggle of the i m p e r i a l i s t s against
our c o u n t r y has n e v e r ceased.
W h e n they w e r e l e a v i n g A l b a n i a , the B r i t i s h
officer N e e l and the A m e r i c a n H e n d e r s o n de-
c l a r e d : W e shall come back i n another w a y . A n d
t r u l y they c o n t i n u e d the struggle i n other w a y s .
T h e o r g a n i z a t i o n of a l l the r e m n a n t s of the
B a l l i K o m b t a r a n d L e g a l i t e t i i n e x i l e began u n -
der the patronage of officers of the C I A a n d S I S .
T h e A m e r i c a n colonel H e r b e r t a n d the B r i t i s h
officers A m e r y , M c L e a n a n d others, w h o w e r e
charged w i t h this task, f o u n d i t v e r y d i f f i c u l t .
T h e y understood that they h a d to deal w i t h a
pack of jackals and a h e r d of rabbits, b u t . . . it

426
h a d to be done. E a c h of the heads of reaction in
e x i l e defended the interests of the e m p l o y e r w h o
fed h i m . R i g h t f r o m the start they began to q u a r -
r e l , abuse one another and come to blows. N e v e r -
theless, a c e r t a i n u n i t y was achieved in a so-called
F r e e A l b a n i a C o m m i t t e e , attached to w h i c h a
m i l i t a r y staff w a s set up, headed by the strat-
egist A b a z K u p i . H o w e v e r , the quarrels c o n -
t i n u e d a n d the contradictions became more acute.
In exile, the crabs w e r e t e a r i n g one another to
pieces. Q u a r r e l s (1) existed not o n l y between the
chiefs, b u t also b e t w e e n the chiefs a n d the misled
i n d i v i d u a l s , w h o got caught u p i n the c u r r e n t
o f b e t r a y a l a n d w h o h a d been p r o m i s e d p a r a -
__________________________________

1 These quarrels had their origin d u r i n g the war. In his

book, A m e r y says:
T h e common danger had united Republicans w i t h M o n -
archists, but their feud was revived by their common catas-
trophe. Abaz Kupi accused the Ballists of discrediting the
Nationalist cause in the eyes of the B r i t i s h by their association
w i t h the G e r m a n s : M i d h a t F r a s h r i maintained that the C o m -
munists might still have been suppressed if the Zogists had
joined forces w i t h h i m at the beginning of the c i v i l w a r . Such
recriminations might appear academic, but they disguised a
natural and urgent conflict of interests. The two parties
could no longer help each other in A l b a n i a ; they might soon
rend each other in exile; and, n o w that resistance had ceased,
Zogists and Ballists appeared as rivals for B r i t i s h favour, rather
than as allies against the Partisans. (Sons of the Eagle,
London, Macmillan and Co. Ltd, 1948, pp. 320-321.)

427
dise by the fathers of the nation. T h e y w e r e
b e g i n n i n g t o u n d e r s t a n d w h a t t h e y h a d been r e -
duced t o a n d w e r e beating t h e i r heads w i t h t h e i r
o w n fists. T h e r e w e r e some w h o repented a n d
w a n t e d to r e t u r n a n d a f e w d i d so, w h i l e the
m a j o r i t y , poisoned by bourgeois demagogy, w e n t
even f u r t h e r o n t h e i r course a n d ended u p i n
the t r a i n i n g camps to be used as c a n n o n fodder
in the interests of the a m b i t i o n s of the i m p e r i a l -
ists a n d the heads of A l b a n i a n reaction. It w a s
logical that this w o u l d occur. T h e h i s t o r y of the
w a r h a d taught u s this. Nevertheless, w e made
o f f i c i a l requests t o the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n
governments for the e x t r a d i t i o n of w a r c r i m i n a l s ,
not o n l y A l b a n i a n s , b u t also Italians a n d G e r -
mans, w h o h a d stained t h e i r h a n d s w i t h blood
i n A l b a n i a and w e r e n o w u n d e r t h e i r j u r i s d i c t i o n .
C o n t r a r y to the declarations a n d the j o i n t c o m -
m i t m e n t s of the allies d u r i n g the w a r a n d the
decisions w h i c h w e r e t a k e n later o n this question,
they t u r n e d a deaf ear a n d d i d not h a n d t h e m
over to us. On the contrary, they k e p t t h e chiefs
i n l u x u r y hotels, w h i l e they t r a i n e d t h e i r f i g h t -
i n g m e n i n special camps a n d courses i n R o m e ,
M u n i c h , L o n d o n , A t h e n s a n d elsewhere.
A t first, t h e y used a i r c r a f t t o d r o p leaflets
against us, w h i c h the people gathered up, h a n d e d
over, or b u r n t . T h e i m p e r i a l i s t s d i d this to p r e -
pare the t e r r a i n f o r d r o p p i n g i n A l b a n i a n c r i m -
inals b y parachute o r i n f i l t r a t i n g t h e m into o u r

428
c o u n t r y t h r o u g h I t a l y o r some other n e i g h b o u r -
i n g c o u n t r y , to c a r r y out sabotage, assassinations,
etc. T h e i m p e r i a l i s t s h a d p i n n e d a l l t h e i r hopes
on these degenerate elements w h o , w i t h a dag-
ger i n one h a n d a n d g o l d i n the other, t r i e d t o
i n t i m i d a t e o u r people o r b r i b e t h e m into b e c o m -
i n g t h e i r followers.
D e c e i v i n g themselves that A l b a n i a at that
t i m e w a s the weakest l i n k of the countries of peo-
ple's democracy, the B r i t i s h a n d A m e r i c a n i m -
perialists t r i e d to u n d e r m i n e our people's state
p o w e r . T h e y h a d not r e c k o n e d on its strength,
w h i c h w a s based on the people, on the cleverness,
d e t e r m i n a t i o n , v i g i l a n c e and swiftness i n action
of o u r organs of security a n d people's defence.
B l i n d e d b y t h e i r h o s t i l i t y t o w a r d s our c o u n -
t r y , a n d h a v i n g no accurate k n o w l e d g e of the
A l b a n i a n reality, the i m p e r i a l i s t s soon f o u n d
themselves i n great difficulties. A s the c r i m i n a l s
themselves testified i n court, O a k l e y - H i l l , S t i r l -
i n g a n d others reappeared on the scene at these
m o m e n t s w h e n things w e r e h o t t i n g up. W e forced
the c a p t u r e d agents to m a k e radio contact
w i t h t h e i r espionage centres i n Italy a n d else-
w h e r e , hence to p l a y o u r game, totally d e c e i v i n g
these centres, w h i c h showed themselves to be
completely incompetent a n d short-sighted. T h i n g s
w e n t so f a r that they d r o p p e d us w h a t e v e r we
dictated to t h e i r agents w h o h a d f a l l e n into the
t r a p . T h e bands o f the c r i m i n a l s w h o w e r e

429
d r o p p e d in by parachute or i n f i l t r a t e d across the
border at o u r request, came l i k e l a m b s to the
slaughter, w h i l e the a r m a m e n t s a n d other m a -
terials w h i c h they d r o p p e d o r b r o u g h t w i t h t h e m
w e n t to o u r account. In a w o r d , t h e y came a n d
w e w e r e w a i t i n g for t h e m . W e p u t t h e m o n t r i a l
a n d after a l l t h e i r f i l t h y deeds h a d been exposed,
we gave t h e m the p u n i s h m e n t t h e y deserved. T h e
espionage centres w h i c h sent these bands became
a l a r m e d a n d t r i e d to alter t h e i r methods of action
against the n e w A l b a n i a a n d its glorious leader-
ship the P a r t y of L a b o u r . B u t up t i l l n o w ,
events have p r o v e d that e v e r y t h i n g t h e y h a v e
attempted against us has r u n into a g r a n i t e r o c k
a n d been smashed to smithereens. H i s t o r y has
the same fate in store f o r t h e m in the f u t u r e , too.
O u r famous radio game, the w i s d o m , justice
a n d the r e v o l u t i o n a r y v i g i l a n c e of the A l b a n i a n
people b r o u g h t about the i g n o m i n i o u s f a i l u r e of
the plans of the f o r e i g n enemy, a n d not the m e -
rits of a certain K i m P h i l b y (1), as some h a v e
c l a i m e d . Those w h o t r i e d to bite A l b a n i a left not
o n l y t h e i r teeth, but also t h e i r bones in this
sacred l a n d . T h e security organs a n d our people's
defence forces w e r e a l w a y s in readiness a n d , as-
sisted by the people, c r u s h e d the c r i m i n a l s a n d
assassins. A f e w escaped by crossing the b o r d e r
to c a r r y the sad tidings to t h e i r mentors, w h i l e
______________________________
1 He w o r k e d in SIS but was in the service of S o v i e t
intelligence.

430
 the others w e r e c r u s h e d in the vice of the people.
A l t h o u g h the A l b a n i a n reactionaries i n e x i l e
w e r e reduced to a d r e a d f u l state, w h e n e v e r t h e
class struggle inside or outside o u r c o u n t r y b e -
came m o r e acute, they raised t h e i r heads. I m -
p e r i a l i s m gave t h e m the necessary i n j e c t i o n a n d
t h e y r e a c t i v i z e d themselves. T h i s i s w h a t occurred
after the b e t r a y a l of Titoite r e v i s i o n i s m e m e r g e d
o p e n l y i n 1948 a n d i t w a s repeated a g a i n i n 1961
a n d later. P r e c i s e l y w h e n o u r c o u n t r y was f i g h t -
i n g tooth a n d n a i l against K h r u s h c h e v i n 1961,
A b a z K u p i was invited to London and welcomed
w i t h h o n o u r s b y A m e r y , the B r i t i s h M i n i s t e r o f
A v i a t i o n , b y the M . P . M c L e a n , the retired C o -
l o n e l S m i l e y a n d the j o u r n a l i s t K e m p , w h i l e
A m e r y ' s w i f e , the d a u g h t e r o f P r i m e M i n i s t e r M c -
M i l l a n , w a s present at every activity w h i c h
w a s o r g a n i z e d f o r B a z i i Cans b y his o l d f r i e n d s
d u r i n g his t h r e e - d a y visit. T h a t same year, reac-
t i o n p r e p a r e d yet another f a r c e : it approved
the i n i t i a t i v e of Zog's son to p r o c l a i m h i m s e l f
k i n g , a n d the A m e r i c a n s appointed G e n e r a l
B l o m b e r g a n d the B r i t i s h a p p o i n t e d K e m p a s
his aides-de-camp.
A l l this interference a n d pressure, the u n -
scrupulous provocations, l i k e that i n the C o r f u
C h a n n e l , the use of the veto against the rights
of o u r R e p u b l i c in the i n t e r n a t i o n a l arena, the
h o l d i n g of the gold, a n d m a n y other hostile acts,
are the c o n t i n u a t i o n of the savage struggle w h i c h

431
the A m e r i c a n , B r i t i s h a n d other i m p e r i a l i s t s a n d
w o r l d reaction have never ceased f o r one day or
even one m i n u t e against our c o u n t r y .

T h e s t o r y o f h o w w e dealt w i t h this long,

continuous c h a i n of hostile activities, w h i c h w e r e
c a r r i e d out b y e x t e r n a l enemies i n c o l l a b o r a t i o n
w i t h A l b a n i a n reaction, a n d w h i c h I have done
my best to outline b r i e f l y here, constitutes o n l y
a f r a g m e n t of the m i l i t a n t h i s t o r y of o u r heroic
P a r t y . T h e struggle against a n d t r i u m p h o v e r
this a c t i v i t y r e t a i n t h e i r v a l u e as great lessons,
both about the p e r i o d i n w h i c h the events w h i c h
I m e n t i o n took place, a n d about the subsequent
course of the P a r t y to defend o u r f r e e d o m a n d
independence, the d i c t a t o r s h i p of the proletariat,
and socialism i n A l b a n i a .
T h e bitter lessons of h i s t o r y h a v e a l w a y s a d -
ded to our vigilance, a n d that is w h y we have
been able to detect, to u n m a s k a n d to defeat the
d i a b o l i c a l plans of false friends.
T h e consistently correct r e v o l u t i o n a r y stand
o f the C P A d u r i n g the w a r a n d i n the first post-
L i b e r a t i o n years, t o w a r d s the hostile a n t i - A l b a n -
i a n p o l i c y and interference of the A n g l o - A m e r -
icans and t o w a r d s e v e r y other p r o b l e m p l a y e d
its v i t a l role i n the achievement a n d consolidation
of the complete independence of o u r c o u n t r y .
L a t e r , the experience of this s t a n d was to serve
us in d e t e r m i n i n g a n d p u r s u i n g a correct p r i n -

432
cipled, open a n d consistent p o l i c y t o w a r d s friends
a n d enemies of e v e r y type. W h e n it placed itself
at the head of the A n t i - f a s c i s t N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n
W a r our P a r t y w a s y o u n g , n e w l y f o r m e d . I t g r e w
bigger a n d stronger, t e m p e r e d itself in battle,
gained a w e a l t h of e x p e r i e n c e a n d assimilated
the science of M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m . T h i s m a d e it
i n v i n c i b l e , able to discover a n d cope successfully
w i t h the dangers w h i c h threatened i t i n a l l
stages of the r e v o l u t i o n . If it h a d gone to sleep,
if it h a d rested on its laurels, n e i t h e r the P a r t y
n o r socialist A l b a n i a w o u l d b e i n existence
today.
T h e N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n W a r is one of the
most glorious chapters in the h i s t o r y of our
people, b u t it is also one of the greatest proofs
of the p o l i t i c a l a n d ideological m a t u r i t y of our
P a r t y a n d of the correctness of its M a r x i s t - L e -
ninist line. T h e P a r t y i n s p i r e d the w o r k i n g m a s -
ses of t o w n a n d countryside a n d made t h e m
conscious that they m u s t unite, take up arms
against the nazi-fascist occupiers a n d the local
t r a i t o r s a n d t r i u m p h over t h e m . A f t e r countless
sacrifices o u r people, u n d e r the leadership of the
P a r t y , drove out the f o r e i g n occupiers, discovered
and unmasked the behind-the-scenes m a n -
o e u v r e s a n d raised i n s u r m o u n t a b l e b a r r i e r s to the
secret plans of allies a n d t h e i r friends, o v e r -
t h r e w the r e a c t i o n a r y classes a n d established t h e i r

433
o w n p o w e r f o r the first t i m e i n h i s t o r y . T h a t
w h i c h is w o n t h r o u g h blood, sweat a n d sacrifice is
cherished dearly, a n d so we h a v e b e a u t i f i e d a n d
strengthened the p o v e r t y - s t r i c k e n a n d battered
A l b a n i a of the past, have made it h o n o u r e d
throughout the w o r l d , an u n c o n q u e r a b l e fortress
of socialism and c o m m u n i s m on the shores of the
A d r i a t i c . Its i n v i n c i b l e strength has been a n d is
based on the just cause it champions. O u r P a r t y
took up this cause a n d has p r o v e d to h a v e the
a b i l i t y a n d foresight to defend it. T h i s is a cause
of a people w h o are l i v i n g a n d b u i l d i n g t h e i r
o w n life a n d f r e e d o m .
O u r c o u n t r y does not i n t e r f e r e w i t h any
other c o u n t r y , but it has n e v e r p e r m i t t e d a n d
never w i l l p e r m i t anyone t o i n t e r f e r e a n d m e d d l e
in our i n t e r n a l affairs a n d to damage the free
and h a p p y life w h i c h w e are b u i l d i n g a n d enjoy.
T h e r e are h u n d r e d s of m i l l i o n s of people w h o
admire, respect and support socialist A l b a n i a ,
because it defends and adheres to such a policy.
H o w e v e r , there are some, the i m p e r i a l i s t s a n d
their lackeys, w h o say that we have isolated o u r -
selves f r o m the civilized w o r l d . These gentle-
m e n are m i s t a k e n . B o t h t h e b i t t e r h i s t o r y o f
our o w n c o u n t r y in the past a n d the r e a l i t y of
the w o r l d w h i c h they advertize, have c o n v i n c e d
us that it is by no means a c i v i l i z e d w o r l d ,
but a w o r l d in w h i c h the bigger a n d the stronger
oppresses a n d s k i n s the s m a l l e r a n d the w e a k e r ,

434
i n w h i c h m o n e y a n d c o r r u p t i o n m a k e t h e l a w , and
injustice, p e r f i d y a n d b a c k s t a b b i n g t r i u m p h .
T h e t r a n s f o r m a t i o n s i n socialist A l b a n i a are
v e r y p r o f o u n d , the victories are magnificent, o u r
strength is i n v i n c i b l e , b u t we m u s t n e v e r forget
the lessons of history. O u r P a r t y a n d people m u s t
a l w a y s bear i n m i n d the hostile a c t i v i t y f r o m
a b r o a d or f r o m w i t h i n this they must n e v e r
forget. T h e y m u s t n e v e r n u r t u r e the slightest i l -
lusion that the i m p e r i a l i s t s a n d the capitalists
change their nature, become reasonable, peaceful
a n d r e l i n q u i s h t h e i r aims. T h e r e m u s t n e v e r be
any idea that the class struggle b e t w e e n us and
the e x t e r n a l a n d i n t e r n a l enemies can be toned
d o w n in the least.
We have suffered at the hands of invaders,
we have suffered at the hands of false friends,
b u t this has not m a d e a n d does not m a k e us iso-
late ourselves, as they accuse us. We are v i g i l a n t
a n d take s t r o n g defence measures against e x t e r -
n a l a n d i n t e r n a l enemies. W e have been d i s i l -
lusioned by false friends, too, but we have c o n f i -
dence in the h u n d r e d s of thousands of f r i e n d s and
w e l l - w i s h e r s o f socialist A l b a n i a . W e have a l w a y s
had m a n y f r i e n d s a n d w e l l - w i s h e r s a l l over the
w o r l d . T h e l o n g a n d irreconcilable struggle w i t h
perfidious friends, t h e i r savage a c t i v i t y a n d s u b -
versive aims, have never caused us to lose o u r
trust i n t r u e f r i e n d s . A t a l l times o u r f r i e n d s
have e x p e r i e n c e d the strength of the A l b a n i a n s '

435
g i v e n w o r d , w h i l e the enemies have e x p e r i e n c e d
t h e i r boundless anger a n d merciless fight.
W e are f u l l y c o n v i n c e d that w i t h a c o u r a -
geous r e v o l u t i o n a r y stand, in u n i t y of t h o u g h t
a n d deed w i t h the genuine M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t s , i n
f r i e n d s h i p w i t h the oppressed a n d e x p l o i t e d peo-
ples a n d w i t h the honest a n d progressive folk
t h r o u g h o u t the w o r l d , we s h a l l be able to cope
w i t h blockades a n d storms w h e r e v e r they m a y
come f r o m . R i g h t is on o u r side, the f u t u r e belongs
to us. T h i s gives us courage a n d s t r e n g t h to speak
the t r u t h openly a n d sincerely, to r e p l y resolutely
to w h o e v e r smiles at us h y p o c r i t i c a l l y , to w h o e v e r
conceals the dagger a n d has v e n o m in his
heart. O u r p o l i c y is consistent. It does not s w i n g
to the c h a n g i n g breezes of i n t e r n a t i o n a l events.
Its basis is not the secret d i p l o m a c y of faceless
m e n , not bargains s t r u c k b e h i n d the scenes, not
the r u b l e or the dollar. It is not a p o l i c y of o p e n -
i n g the doors to f r i e n d s a n d enemies i n d i s c r i m i -
nately. W e have not a l l o w e d a n d w i l l not a l l o w
the w o l f to get into our sheepfold. We h a v e d i s -
posed o f the w o l f w i t h the b u l l e t a n d w e shall
continue to do so, a l t h o u g h t h e y accuse us of
isolating ourselves f r o m the c i v i l i z e d w o r l d . A
people a n d a p a r t y w h o are b u i l d i n g socialism,
w h o are d e f e n d i n g a cause w h i c h is the cause of
a l l the peoples of the w o r l d , cannot be isolated
s i m p l y because they do not a l l o w a n y o n e to d a -

436
mage the f r e e d o m a n d independence w o n at the
cost of t h e i r o w n blood.
T h e people, w i t h the P a r t y o f the w o r k i n g
class at the head, are a n d m u s t be v i g i l a n t at
e v e r y moment, m u s t n e v e r be deceived by some
sweet w o r d f r o m reaction, m u s t n e v e r t h i n k
that the enemies are t o n i n g d o w n the struggle
against us, must n e v e r be deceived by the t e m p o -
r a r y changes i n i n t e r n a t i o n a l circumstances, but
m u s t take a n d judge t h e m f o r n o t h i n g other t h a n
w h a t t h e y are, w e m u s t take advantage o f t h e m
a n d w i l l continue t o d o s o w i t h o u t m a k i n g any
concession to enemies, to r e a c t i o n a r y bourgeois-
revisionist circles, so that o u r correct r e v o l u t i o n a r y
M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t s t a n d i s n e v e r liberalized.
W h i l e p u t t i n g enemies o f every k i n d i n their
place, at the same time, we m u s t a l w a y s love,
honour a n d assist the f r i e n d s of socialist A l b a n i a
a n d w e s h o u l d d o this w i t h u n e r r i n g M a r x i s t -
L e n i n i s t judgement, w i t h i r o n logic, a n d n e v e r
s i m p l y because they are our friends. In life
there are f r i e n d s a n d friends, therefore we m u s t
k n o w how to distinguish between them. A l b a n i a
is a s m a l l state, l i k e a ship s a i l i n g in an ocean
w i t h m i g h t y waves, therefore w e must h a v e i t
tight a n d t r i m , must steer it w e l l , m u s t not lose
o u r bearings, otherwise w e s h a l l f o u n d e r i n the
savage w a v e s of this f u r i o u s ocean.
T h e w o r k i n g class a n d its P a r t y must r e l y

437
on their o w n strength first of a l l , must never
forget the interests of the people, m u s t a l w a y s
r e l y on the people's abilities a n d judgement, must
a l w a y s consult the people's o p i n i o n , b u t never as
a mere f o r m a l i t y .
T h e guarantees f o r our present a n d f u t u r e ,
to m a k e socialist A l b a n i a u n c o n q u e r a b l e a n d
impassable to o u r enemies, are the continuous
s t r e n g t h e n i n g of the state of the d i c t a t o r s h i p of
the proletariat, the extension a n d consolidation of
o u r socialist democracy, a n d a l l - r o u n d a n d u n c e a -
sing economic a n d social development. T h e c r e a -
t i o n of a strong independent economy, capable of
s o l v i n g a l l the complicated p r o b l e m s of socialist
a n d c o m m u n i s t construction w i t h its o w n forces,
capable of successfully w i t h s t a n d i n g the i m p e r i a l -
ist a n d revisionist pressures a n d blockades a n d
k e e p i n g itself u n d a m a g e d by the d e a t h - d e a l i n g
crisis w h i c h has seized the capitalist a n d r e v i s i o n -
ist w o r l d , is indispensable in order to h a v e a free
a n d independent socialist A l b a n i a .
O u r strength is based on the correct r e v o l u -
t i o n a r y line of the P a r t y , on the u n b r e a k a b l e
P a r t y - p e o p l e u n i t y , w h i c h is based on o u r r e v o -
l u t i o n a r y doctrine, M a r x i s m - L e n i n i s m . A g a i n s t
this strength a l l the plots a n d attacks of enemies
w i l l b e defeated a n d a l l the disguises w i l l b e torn
f r o m false friends o f A l b a n i a . O u r people m u s t
a l w a y s b e realistic i n e v e r y t h i n g , i n policy, i n

438
the economy, i n investments a n d i n expenditure.
T h e y must a l w a y s keep i n m i n d that i n order t o
cope w i t h this danger measures must be t a k e n
in advance so that we are not t a k e n by surprise.
A n d one is not t a k e n by surprise w h e n he fights
against euphoria, self-satisfaction a n d u n f o u n d e d
optimism.
L e t the enemies b e w a i l the fact that our
people are a l w a y s i n struggle! L i f e itself i s struggle,
a n d w h e n this struggle is w o n life becomes
b e a u t i f u l a n d prosperous, w h e n it is defended
w i t h struggle, it never becomes g l o o m y a n d it
is w o r t h w h i l e l i v i n g . T h i s is a great lesson f r o m
o u r history. T h i s is also my unshakeable belief
w h i c h the P a r t y w i t h its ideology, M a r x i s m - L e -
n i n i s m , has e m b u e d in me a n d w h i c h has been
i m p l a n t e d i n m e b y m y people, w h o m I have
served a n d w i l l continue to serve, sparing n o -
t h i n g , d u r i n g m y w h o l e life, b y f i g h t i n g a s their
l o y a l soldier, a r m s i n h a n d , w i t h r e v o l u t i o n a r y
f i r e i n m y heart, w i t h the M a r x i s t - L e n i n i s t ideo-
logy in my head, against every type of e x t e r n a l
a n d i n t e r n a l e n e m y of the P a r t y , the w o r k i n g
class, the people, socialism and c o m m u n i s m .
I am f u l l y confident that the P a r t y , the w o r k -
i n g class a n d the people w i l l a l w a y s be on the
alert, a l w a y s v i g i l a n t , a l w a y s on the r e v o l u t i o n -
a r y offensive to overcome the difficulties of

439
g r o w t h a n d to avert a n d overcome the possible
dangers.
I n this w a y t h e i r present a n d f u t u r e w i l l b e
unshakeable a n d b r i l l i a n t .

1975

440
 C O N T E N T S

I
Page
A L I T T L E HISTORY 5

A l b a n i a a t o k e n for barter for the

B r i t i s h L i o n . D i s r a e l i and B i s m a r c k :
We are not interested in a f e w A l b a n i a n
cottages. Z o g the open door policy.
C h a m b e r l a i n a n d the fascist occupation of
A l b a n i a . T h e anti-fascist coalition. V i g i l -
ance of the C P A . Intelligence Service
prepares its contingents f o r A l b a n i a .
Section D and the S O E . A l a r m in
L o n d o n . N e w Plans, old aims.

II

AN U N I N V I T E D M I L I T A R Y MISSION 29

E x t e n s i o n of our N a t i o n a l L i b e r a t i o n
M o v e m e n t . M a n o e u v r e s of reaction. T h e

441
 Page

first B r i t i s h m i l i t a r y mission in A l b a n i a
M c L e a n . T h e partisan zones are not inns
w i t h open doors. E m p t y promises. T h e
trips of B r i t i s h officers seeking
friends. Reaction enlivened. Mclean's
urgent request for a meeting a general
w i l l come to head the mission. Where
is y o u r centre, M a j o r ? Measures to p a r a -
lyse the diabolical plans of the B r i t i s h W a r
Office.

III

T H E C O M I N G A N D T H E INGLORIOUS
E N D OF G E N E R A L D A V I E S 80

B i z a the residence of the B r i t i s h

G e n e r a l . W h y ? T h e old r e f r a i n p r o m i -
ses. T w o hours of fruitless talk. Not Zog
but the Zogites! They have deceived y o u
about the 'battles' of the B a l l i K o m b t a r ,
General. I want to show the B a l l i K o m -
btar the way. T h e smog the games
of the B B C . T h e f i v e true reasons for
his coming. D i n n e r w i t h the E n g l i s h m a n .

442
 Page

H i s meetings w i t h the heads of the B a l l i

K o m b t a r and the Zogites. A t t e m p t s to
cross to the south. T h e crestfallen General.
Who has lost the w a r ? W h o should sur-
render, w e ? Never. Y o u , General, are a
defeatist, a capitulationist. The e n d : the
G e n e r a l surrenders.

IV

M U S T A F A GJINISHI A G E N T OF T H E
BRITISH 173

The two M u s t a f a s : K a a i l o y a l son

of the P a r t y . G j i n i s h i ' s l i n k s and contacts
w i t h the nationalists. Bab M y s l i m ' s
reply. T h e plan for the P e q i n - D a r s i a
m i l i t a r y domain. A v a l u a b l e - proposal:
Let us send representatives to London.
T h e B B C Ras T a f a r i . Tafari's confes-
sion: C u n g u put me in contact w i t h the
T u r k i s h consulate. Caught red-handed.

443
 V

Page
T H E BRITISH A N D A B A Z K U P I 225

M c L e a n : What i s M r . K u p i saying?
B a z i i Cans his games. The leaflet and
Legaliteti. T h e K u p i - D a v i e s m e e t i n g : T h e
apprentice renders account to his master.
T h e u n d e r h a n d deals of the m i n o r Zog
w i t h the B r i t i s h , the Germans, the Ballists
and the quislings. M c L e a n i n A l b a n i a again.
G e n e r a l Wilson's note. U l t i m a t u m to the
u l t i m a t u m . O r d e r : Abaz K u p i and his
gangs m u s t be routed. T h e e n d ? T h e
shepherds board ships, the flock left
i n disarray.

VI

THREE ATTEMPTS AT LANDING

THREE FAILURES 297

A new head of the B r i t i s h mission

w i t h a more sympathetic appearance.
A i d : M u c h ado about nothing. P a l m e r ' s
first success. U l t i m a t u m : E i t h e r s u p -
plies of weapons or clear out! R a d i o g r a m
f r o m the f i g h t i n g f r o n t : the K r y e z i u

444
 Page

brothers, the B r i t i s h officer S i m c o x and

F u n d o prisoners of the partisans. An
A n g l o - T i t o i t e coincidence. Proposal for
concrete a i d : Let us drop commandos at
Peza, Ishm and D a r s i a to liberate Tirana!
No, M r . Palmer, never! Second attempt:
at Spile. T h e t h i r d f a i l u r e : at Saranda.

VII

UNSUCCESSFUL MANOEUVRES 353

N o v e m b e r 29, 1944. V i c t o r y the

w h o l e c o u n t r y celebrates. R e v o l u t i o n a r y
measures. Missions for the recognition
of our Democratic G o v e r n m e n t ! F u l t z : the
pupils and the boys. Philanthropic
instruments M L and U N R R A . We
accept no conditions. We a l l o w not even
one officer to set foot on the wharf. T h e
Opposition unfortunate actors in a
d r a m a that was a flop. N o b o d y can impose
conditions on A l b a n i a . P a r i s : Let the whole
w o r l d k n o w that the A l b a n i a n people do
not p e r m i t any discussion of their b o r d -
e r s . . . T h e saboteurs o n t r i a l . W h y did

445
 Page

M r . F u l t z leave? T h e C o r f u C h a n n e l I n c i -
dent. At the Hague the innocent g u i l t y .
W h y was the gold frozen? P l u n d e r . T h e
crabs in action. L i f e is struggle v i g i l -
ance!

446