Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, Eastern Europe, The Soviet Union, Volume VI

875.00/4–2046: Telegram

The Representative in Albania (Jacobs) to the Secretary of State

secret
priority

Tirana, April 20, 1946—3 p.m.
[Received April 22—7:32 a.m.]

228. Fr Min Picot disappointed with his status here, plans return Paris in few weeks and states he may not return if Brit and US do not recognize regime. Am moved therefore to raise again status our Mission as no reply reed my tel 202 April 2³⁴ and as no danger seems imminent to warrant closing office under authority contained Deptel 48, March 23.³⁵

Having heard nothing further from Hoxha can only assume present regime still remains adamant on question validity treaties and agreements. Aside from that question does not seem desirable now to recognize regime with [without] clear and specific assurances with respect regime’s conception meaning usual rights immunities and facilities accorded diplomatic representatives under international custom, diplomatic courier service, unhampered use tel radio facilities, greater freedom to travel about, right continue our present plane and radio service until other facilities arc available and with respect alien employees right to employ Albs without interference before and after employment and insistence upon continued employment Rudolph Marinschak and permission his wife to join him.

In addition there are other matters concerning which Dept may wish to require assurances before recognition. First, as present regime has now gone all out for one party system which ruthlessly crushes all opposition, strong guarantees are necessary if non-govt party groups are to enjoy freedom of speech and have equal access to press with Govt party. Second, in view present widespread distribution Sov lit and drastic restrictions on ours we should have equality and administrative formalities should not be applied to nullify that equality. Third, in view surveillance now maintained over members our Mission and persons who visit it, guarantees are necessary that our Mission and staff shall be permitted establish normal friendly relationships with Albs without such relationships being subjected to police supervision.

Finally as record discloses it was never intended when we collaborated with Britain and Soviet Union with respect Albania [that] Soviet authorities would step in and practically take over country. I still feel as suggested once before that some representations without publicity should be made at Moscow. If there is any occupied country where in accordance Crimea Declaration on Liberated Europe three Great Powers might collaborate on equal footing that country is Albania. However, with no excuse whatsoever Soviet has stepped in and through small group local Communists has manipulated machinery of government to give Soviet complete control to exclusion US and Britain or for that matter any other power. We should not continue without protest to allow Soviet make itself appear champion little Albania at UNO and other international gatherings and US and British unreasonable in our attitude when that attitude has resulted from underhand Soviet action.

As highly unlikely for time being, present regime will give assurances with respect all matters mentioned above. I should like to be instructed if Dept does not have other imminent instructions for me to proceed to Paris during conference FonMins³⁶ to discuss problems with officers of Dept and from other Balkan countries who may be there. As our activities here are so curtailed there is little I can do anyway and Fultz can take charge in my absence. Next plane from Tirana scheduled April 26.³⁷

Jacobs

34. Not printed; it requested instructions from the Department regarding future steps to be taken with respect to the Mission in Albania in view of the departure of the British Military Mission on April 3, 1946 (124.75/4–246).
35. Not printed; it authorized Jacobs to send to Italy such members of the Mission as he deemed advisable. The Department added that it wished Jacobs and such male personnel as necessary to remain in Tirana as long as it was possible to report on military developments in Albania without jeopardizing the safety of American personnel. (875.00/3–2246)
36. The Council of Foreign Ministers met in Paris, April 25–May 15, 1946, and June 15–July 12, 1946. For documentation on the meetings, see vol. ii, pp. 88 ff.
37. In telegram 2008, Delsec 440, April 27, 1946, from Paris, the Secretary stated it would be inadvisable for Jacobs to leave his post at that time (740.00119 Council/4–2746).