Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, General: The United Nations, Volume I

500.CC/4–145: Telegram

The Secretary of State to Mr. Alexander C. Kirk, United States Political Adviser to the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theatre

Washington, April 7, 1945—7 p.m.

307. Reurtel 1286 April l.³⁹ The Department suggests with reference to General Hoxha’s⁴⁰ petition that Albania be invited to participate in the forthcoming San Francisco Conference on international organization that you and Jacobs⁴¹ prepare an informal memorandum of acknowledgment stating this Government’s position regarding his request along the following lines:

Begin memorandum. The Office of the United States Political Adviser at Caserta has been directed by the Department of State to communicate to Colonel General Enver Hoxha, Commander-in-Chief ANLA,⁴² Tirana, the following statement setting forth the attitude of the United States Government regarding the request which he addressed to the President on March 29, 1945, for Albanian participation in the San Francisco Conference.

In order to preclude any misunderstanding concerning the purview of the forthcoming deliberations at San Francisco, this Government desires to make clear immediately the fact that this Conference will deal only with questions of international organization and will in no way assume the character and functions of a “peace conference” where settlement of territorial questions, reparations, minorities problems, and similar matters would be undertaken.

While this Government appreciates General Hoxha’s interest in this instance, it wishes to point out that exhaustive examination was made by the sponsoring Governments of every aspect of this subject before the decision was reached to extend invitations only to members of the United Nations, which include only recognized Governments. No provision has been made for official or unofficial observers. The Department of State trusts that General Hoxha will understand, in view of these considerations, that it cannot appropriately undertake to reopen discussion of the procedure already agreed upon and, accordingly, must inform him that it is not in a position to support his request for Albanian representation at the forthcoming Conference.

The Government and people of the United States are fully aware of the steadfast manner in which Albanian patriots have carried through to a successful conclusion their unequal struggle against enemy aggression and are also cognizant that the Albanian people have thereby contributed worthily to the eventual triumph of our common cause. It is the sincere hope of the Government of the United States, nurtured by the friendly feelings of the American people for the Albanian people, that Albania will in due course take its proper place within the community of nations.⁴³ End memorandum.

The memorandum based on the foregoing text may be communicated to General Hoxha through such channels as you and Jacobs consider suitable.⁴⁴

Stettinius

39. Not printed.
40. Col. Gen. Enver Hoxha, President of the Council of Ministers of the Democratic Government of Albania; Commander in Chief of the Albanian National Liberation Army.
41. Joseph E. Jacobs, Foreign Service Officer, Office of the United States Political Adviser.
42. Albanian National Liberation Army.
43. For documentation on the recognition of Albania by the United States, see vol. iv, pp. 1 ff.
44. In response to another request, of April 27, for Albanian participation in the Conference, Secretary Stettinius transmitted in telegram 7, May 17, the following message to the Department for General Hoxha: “As you have already been informed, the United States could not appropriately sponsor participation in the Conference of the authorities now exercising control over Albania with which the United States Government has not established official relations.” (500.CC/5–1745)