36. Editorial Note
Premier Khrushchev and a high-level Soviet delegation visited Albania May 25–June 4. Intelligence Report No. 8080, dated August 14 and entitled “Khrushchev’s Trip to Albania, May 25–June 4, 1959,” provides an analysis of Khrushchev’s visit. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 84, OSS–INR Reports) According to Intelligence Report No. 8080, during his trip Khrushchev devoted a great deal of attention in his public speeches to the participation of Albania’s neighbors, Greece and Italy, in Western defense efforts, specifically, their acceptance of U.S. missile bases. He employed the tactic of threatening them with Soviet missile strength and bloc countermeasures and proffering a “peaceful” alternative of a zone free of missiles and nuclear weapons. In his May 30 speech in Tirana, Khrushchev noted Italy’s acceptance of U.S. missile bases and asserted that “if Greece takes the same dangerous road, the Soviet and Albanian Governments will be obliged [Page 96] to come to an agreement on the installation on Albanian territory of missile launching bases directed against Italy and Greece.” In other statements, he indicated that Soviet missile bases might also be established in Bulgaria.
In telegram 65 to Rome (93 to Paris), July 7, Herter asked for Foreign Office views on the meaning of Khrushchev’s statements on Albania in light of Barnes’ two interpretations presented in his paper (Document 35). (Department of State, Central Files, 661.00/7–759) Ambassador Zellerbach replied on July 8 stating that Italian Foreign Office Balkan Head Fenzi believed that Khrushchev’s statements were part of a Soviet psychological campaign against Greek and Italian rocket bases, and were designed to encourage and reassure the Albanian Communist regime. Zellerbach reported that the assumption of the Italian Foreign Office had always been that Albania had guaranteed frontiers as a member of the Warsaw Pact and that these frontiers would be defended by nuclear war if necessary. (Telegram 108 from Rome, July 8; Ibid., 660.67/7–859)
Ambassador Houghton replied on July 9 that French Foreign Ministry official Millot concluded that the question of the installation of missile bases in Albania was not necessarily related to Khrushchev’s repetition of his pledge to support Albania against any attack and that the establishment in Albania and elsewhere in the bloc of missile bases would depend upon the construction of U.S. missile bases in Greece and Italy. Millot concluded that the guarantee of military aid under the Warsaw Pact and the establishment of missile bases were not necessarily related. Houghton also reported that Millot believed that Khrushchev repeated the military aid guarantee to reassure Albanian leaders and to impress the Albanian population. (Telegram 145 from Paris, July 9; Ibid., 661.00/7–959)