Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The British Commonwealth and Europe, Volume III

875.01/10–844: Telegram

Mr. Alexander C. Kirk, Political Adviser, Allied Force Headquarters, to the Secretary of State

Caserta, October 8, 1944—10 a.m.
[Received 4:12 p.m.]

674. British representatives Bari have just received from Foreign Office restatement of policy towards Albania. New directive is based on belief that LNC will now be able to impose its authority in Albania and to throw obstacles in its path would further push it into Soviet orbit. Development of block of states to include Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Albania with governments sympathetic only to Russia was considered contrary to British interests.

Foreign Office therefore proposed first, to withdraw support including all BLOs from [A]bas Kupi and those Nationalists who have recently joined him and second, to invite Hoxha to confer with General Wilson in Italy. Attempt will then be made to persuade Hoxha to mollify his attitude towards other elements in Albania and to broaden base of his organization as alternative to coalition. It was recognized that this would mean closing door to Zog who is utterly unacceptable to LNC. In offering LNC chance to establish itself with British sympathy, possibility was not overlooked that LNC might alienate large sections of population by its amateurish and direct action methods and so fail to form acceptable government. For this contingency Zog was to be kept in reserve.

However, concurrent with this decision number of unfortunate incidents have occurred between British and Partisans: (1) Hoxha was furious at not being informed in advance of recent British landings in southern Albania;³⁵ (2) British have fallen far behind supply commitment made at Bari conferences in August and are now being accused of using every means of avoiding this commitment; (3) Fifth Partisan Brigade in north arrested and maltreated BLO with Gani Kryeziu³⁶ and Hoxha was forced into apology; (4) Greek Minister of Press has recently claimed northern Epirus over Cairo radio and Zervas forces³⁷ have crossed border in raids. Hoxha has threatened retaliation and will have to be restrained. OSS³⁸ representative with Hoxha reports that anti-British sentiment is becoming more intensive every day.

Kirk

35. British Land Forces, Adriatic, made landings on the Albanian coast on October 5, 1944.
36. Gani Kreysiu, Albanian Nationalist leader opposed to Hoxha.
37. The E.D.E.S. (Ellenikos Demokratikos Ethnikos Syndesmos) or Greek Democratic National League, a rightist guerrilla force led by Gen. Napoleon Zervas.
38. Office of Strategic Services.