768.75/9–2146: Telegram
The United States Representative in Albania (Jacobs) to the Secretary of State
operational priority
[Received October 4—3:37 p.m.]
487. Following is attempt evaluate motives behind Albanian agitation74 and mobilization against Greece. All public announcements, editorials and speeches of officials indicate purpose is defense against attack by, or award of Albanian territory to Greece by Peace Conference or UN. Other evidences in support this purpose are: (1) Albanian Army, numbering anywhere from sixty to one hundred thousand hastily mobilized during past 6 months, consists largely of inexperienced men and officers and not well equipped for modern warfare; so doubtful whether capable by itself attacking Greece; (2) Even if adequately trained and equipped Albanian Army could not hope, without outside aid, wage successful war against Greece; (3) Strong opposition to present regime and its internal policies lends color to thesis that authorities are using Greek bogey to keep army fully mobilized for purpose of indoctrination and controlling dissident elements.
On other hand, following factors lend color thesis present Albanian military activities for aggressive purposes against Greece: (1) This military activity going on for 6 months and constitutes heavy drain on Albania’s meagre resources which may not be possible continue without action; (2) large number Soviet and Yugoslav military advisers and equipment already in Albania, with more coming, seems indicate coordination Albanian preparations with those Soviet, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, which points aggression against Greece rather than defense, or at least agitation that motive for other purposes (war of nerves); and (3) Hoxha,75 in recent (since return from Paris) talk with Albanian Army chiefs, reliably reported have said: “We must attack Greece”.
Deciding factor is what Soviets want done.
Sent Department 487; repeated Caserta 196, Paris 62 for Secdel.
- In telegram 484, September 18, 1946, 10 a.m., Tirana advised that during the past few days the official press had played up four border incidents with Greece, Greek terrorization and liquidation of the Slavic population of eastern Macedonia, and other aspects of the Albanian-Greek problem (768.75/9–1846).↩
- Enver Hoxha, Secretary General of the Albanian Communist Party and concurrently Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs.↩