875.01/7–1344: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Naples (Brandt)
391. For Murphy. The Department desires that the American representative should have constantly in mind the principle that at this stage military considerations are paramount.26
We do not underrate either the political importance of decisions under which military aid would be apportioned to rival factions in Albania, or the use which could be made of such military support to influence the country’s political future. We fully realize the aspirations of the LNC to obtain political recognition abroad, and we [Page 276] desire both the British and the Albanian representatives to understand our position as favoring a non-political agreement between Kupi and the LNC for common action against the Germans. We consider that Albania’s cause in the eyes of the Allies will be helped by a union of all resistance groups for the liberation of their country.
Albanians generally have high regard for the United States and particular confidence in us because of our disinterested position. We want them to know that we favor the eventual formation of a provisional government in liberated Albania representing the desires of the people, without raising at this time the question of King Zog’s status, and without indicating any special interest in the political ideas of any of the groups now active. We probably would agree in general with the line now proposed by the British, but should not give the support of American prestige in Albania to the British lead if it would appear to prejudice our position as set forth above.
In general we should show an active interest in meetings of this kind. If we expect to influence policy decisions which are being made in the field and thus give some implementation to our ideas on Balkan affairs we should be willing to do more than act as observers when important arrangements are being made.
- This telegram is in reply to telegram 397, July 13, 9 p.m., from the U.S. Political Adviser on the Staff of the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theater, which informed the Department that Allied Force Headquarters had requested American support for British attempts to avert civil war in Albania. Specifically it requested that an American representative attend meetings with Kupi and representatives of the National Liberation Movement, if and when such representatives were brought to Bari. Mr. Murphy asked for Departmental guidance on this matter.↩