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

711.75/10–1946: Telegram

The Acting Representative in Albania (Henderson) to the Secretary of State

secret
us urgent

Tirana, October 19, 1946—8 p.m.
[Received October 20—6:48 p.m.]

526. Dept will have noted from my press telegram 525, October 19⁵⁸ Hoxha in public speech 116 [October 16?] stated he did not understand what kind of work this mission does here and implied since its work is done it has no reason to remain. In formal talk two days ago with Acting [Secretary?] General of Foreign Ministry elicited admission he had not known of Hoxha’s idea on subject before they were publicly expressed: only interpretation he vouchsafed was possibly Hoxha was preparing ground for request to send similar mission to US. Although this explanation not to be discounted there is wealth evidence pointing to fact regime is trying force issue of US recognition and emotional language Hoxha on this subject in Youth Congress, speech was simply latest strongest manifestation of resentment over snubbing by UNRRA, UN and Paris Conferences, aggravated by continued delay in progress on obtaining US recognition. Reference Jacobs’ telegram 517, October 10; my telegram 521, October 14,⁵⁹ A–79, October 16 and my press telegram 524, October 18.⁶⁰ Two most likely major factors are increasing domestic pressure (even in GCP and government councils) over nonrecognition; and regime’s natural resentment over international treatment cited especially dual grievance at Paris Conference veto of reparations from Italy and Anglo-American vote to hear Greek claim to southern Albania.

Sequence events leading up to Youth Congress speech:

(1) Oct 7 at opening Democratic Front Conference Hoxha mouthed usual Communist line for Balkans then launched into nub of address which was declaration on foreign policy devoting 10 minutes on discussion treaty issue with US; his reasoning so warped that when Jacobs paid him farewell visit following day we tried largely in vain to set him straight on real issues involved.

(2) Oct 9 during this visit Jacobs (A–79) did mention he had completed his main task year ago when he recommended recognition but prefaced remarks by stating I would be in charge Mission during his absence and would act as local liaison for Dept and himself in efforts iron out differences over bilateral treaties in relation recognition. After visit Jacobs reproached himself to me over failure bring up vital question exit visas Albanians and asked me write firm note after his departure to Foreign Minister on subject emphasizing latter’s failure answer two previous notes on question and urge need for favorable action.

(3) Oct 12 pursuant Jacobs’ request (underscored by fact Vice Consul Hoffman on eve his departure previous week sent word number turned away by him to call at Mission to obtain passports) I made last-minute attempt break deadlock on exit visas before midnight Oct 13 (my telegram 521 cited) by sending sincere and friendly, but forthright, letter Hoxha pointing out hardship to US citizens exposed loss of citizenship if prevented longer leaving Albania; inclosing Dept’s press release No. 66, Sept 20;⁶¹ explaining grounds for same; drawing relationship between Albanian Government’s attitude this matter and reluctance US establish diplomatic relations with Albania prior acceptance by same of “treaties which constituted an outward expression of the close ties both governments recognize as having existed for many years between Albania and US”; suggesting reasonableness of his instructing appropriate authorities facilitate issuance exit permits to these citizens; thereby offsetting unfavorable impression created by negative attitude mentioned reassuring US of “your sincere intention to arrive at a mutually acceptable basis for resumption diplomatic relations and righting unintentional wrong that will otherwise be done to those citizens”.

(Jacobs Naples has full text letter sent out on special plane take out his effects. Have wired him forward Dept soonest).

(4) October 16—Hoxha postponed for 2 days inauguration Youth Congress to allow him to prepare speech dealing in part with status this Mission (mytel 525 cited). If, as suspected, he also consulted Russians and Yugoslavia, it would lend support to thesis that present move may be another thrust to test how far we will go in support of our position, namely, that we played major role in liberation of this, and so many other countries, that we have definite interest in all that occurs here, and have legitimate right to have representation here in support of these interests. Russians and Yugoslavs would prefer that we have no representation here, or at most representation of purely formal kind while their representatives, advisors, and technicians run wild over country as they are doing. Still another factor behind Hoxha’s blunt query as to what kind of work this Mission has been performing may have been his knowledge that Mission has recently been issuing passports to Albanian Americans possibly leading him to believe that US only indifferently interested in changing status of Mission and willing to continue its anomalous position indefinitely so long as it could go ahead performing certain diplomatic and consular functions without undue hindrance. As Department knows, until recently Mission was not authorized to extend recognition or protection to US citizens, and it is even not attempting to do so in precarious circumstance.

Present situation therefore seems to call for clarification status Mission pending recognition (telegram 428, August 15, Jacobs therefore advised this step). Since no action taken yet answer Hoxha’s note August 13 (despatch (?) 7[307] August 16)⁶² suggest Department instruct me reply that note possibly in following sense: offer of recognition November 19, 1946 [1945] came about through effort Mission and Jacobs who made one trip Washington for consultation, Hoxha has been assisted in study treaties through being provided with true copies treaties and through such verbal interpretation is [as?] he permitted to facilitate his understanding; Mission continues facilitate clarification and exchange views between Hoxha and Dept and keeps latter informed events having bearing question recognition which through no fault US has not been consummated; after supplying Hoxha with true copies treaties early this year neither Mission nor Dept responsible for delay while Hoxha and associates studied treaties to determine what if any provisions might be detrimental interests Albania, Hoxha’s letter August 13 neither fulfills adequately conditions recognition set forth in November 1945 US note nor suggestions practicable alternative, since there appears be required further exchange views and information pertinent to entire problem recognition and essential a final adjustment question, Mission prepared provide necessary liaison and other assistance Hoxha and Department in working out acceptable procedures which there is every hope will lead to full recognition and to exchange of representatives on more formal basis.

It might also be pointed out that until this summer Albanian Govt refused even discuss treaty question and has now resorted to one-sided public presentation its case instead discussing it with Jacobs or myself.

If Dept agrees it would seem desirable give publicity such communication both here and in Washington after delivery.

Please instruct urgently.

Henderson

58. Not printed; it transmitted the approximate text of Hoxha’s speech of October 16, 1946, at the opening of the Albanian Youth Congress as printed in the newspaper Bashkimi on October 17 (711.75/10–1946).
59. Not printed.
60. Not printed; it transmitted an excerpt from Hoxha’s October 7 speech at the opening of the Albanian Democratic Front convention (711.75/10–1946).
61. On September 20, the Department of State issued to the press a statement regarding the action by the Albanian authorities in declining to issue to American citizens, who were also considered to be citizens of Albania, permits to leave Albania for the purpose of returning to the United States. For text of statement, see Department of State Bulletin, September 29, 1946, p. 581.
62. Despatch 307, August 16, 1946, from Tirana, not printed. Hoxha’s letter was also transmitted to the Department in telegram 433, August 18, from Tirana, p. 24.