711.75/8–1846: Telegram
The Representative in Albania (Jacobs) to the Secretary of State52
[Received August 19—9:55 a.m.]
433. Following is translation with articles omitted for brevity of [Page 25] Hoxha’s letter dated August 13 text of which Department has requested.
“Always having in mind desire to reinforce and strengthen relationships between United States and Peoples Republic of Albania, in response to desires and aspiration of Albanian people and in keeping with new international spirit growing out of common war against German and Italian Fascists who attacked and enslaved our country, as they did to so many other countries of world and destroyed freedom, independence and sovereignty of country, Peoples Republic of Albania has taken under consideration and studied treaties which existed between United States and Albania before April 7, 1939.
Many of treaties signed during period before April 7, 1939 especially in case of Albania were signed by anti-popular governments created and brought into power through force backed by foreign bayonets and against will of Albanian people. Such treaties are directly or indirectly detrimental to interests and sovereignty of our country. The spirit and application of many of these treaties, reflecting entirely non-existent interests and aspirations of our people, dealt with them as colonial or semi-colonial people.
We cannot say that treaties between United States and Albania were created in spirit mentioned about [above?], but with respect to some of them especially treaties of a bilateral character between our two countries which were negotiated during period following last world war, some corrections are necessary.
This is due to new international relationships created by anti-Fascist war which, in interest of our two countries as well as in collective interest of all countries require new relationships based upon sincerity among progressive democratic states of world in order to harmonize principles for which our people fought heroically and continuously for years against those who caused great bloodshed and destroyed such relationships.
Government of the Republic of Albania having always in mind friendship based on mutual respect for international and national rights as link between our two countries, as well as similar relationships with all other democratic and progressive countries, most sincerely and patiently accepts validity of treaties of international character which existed between our two countries as listed below: (here Department should insert titles of eleven multilateral treaties copies of which Department submitted to Albanian authorities through this Mission in January).
With respect to other treaties bilateral character as listed below: treaties of arbitration, conciliation, naturalization and extradition the Albanian Government is ready to take them under consideration immediately with American Minister who will come to Tirana after our government is recognized. After necessary corrections have been made by two parties these treaties will enter into force at once.
The Government of Peoples Republic of Albania expresses once more its readiness to continue most friendly relations with United States of America and with all progressive nations of world. This is tradition of the Albanian people who have shed their blood without hesitation to gain their undeniable rights, to assure merited place and [Page 26] necessary respect in international field as well as to gain sincere support of Allied anti-Fascist nations, especially that of American people. Our people fought heroically throughout 6-year period without taking into consideration either loss of men or materials.
Hoping that diplomatic relations between our two countries may be reestablished as soon as possible as factor in reenforcing more than ever the friendship existing between the American and Albanian peoples please accept my highest esteem, Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Peoples Republic of Albania General Colonel Enver Hoxha”.
- The text of this telegram was sent to Paris by the Department as telegram 4690, Secdel 851, September 9 (740.00119 Council/9–946).↩