Albania in the Post-Hoxha Era Author(s): Patrick F. R. Artisien Source: The World Today, Vol. 41, No. 6 (Jun.

, 1985), pp. 107-111 Published by: Royal Institute of International Affairs Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/40395739 Accessed: 17/12/2010 09:13
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Albania in the post-Hoxhaera

F. R.Artisien* Patrick
of evenmoreso by itspast.WhentheCommunists The deathearlier thisyearofEnverHoxha, FirstSecretary seizedpower theParty ofLabourofAlbania(theofficial namefor theCom- in 1944,the new society their theyset out to build reflected in Albanianpolitics understanding munist ofclassiccommunist as wellas a 'historifigure Party)and the dominant theory ina country cal imperative' interest sincetheSecondWorld thecountry's from War,hasrekindled emanating longand turbuof lentpast. For centuries which states Albaniawas intimidated, occupiesa specialplaceamongtheCommunist ravagedand eastern ofabout3m inhabitants partitioned Europe.This Balkancountry by covetousforeign powers,and oppressed by a remainsthe only Communist statewhichopenlyembraces legacyofbackwardness: disease,illiteracy, pervasive poverty, Stalinism. The nationsuffered from socialand political dissuperstition. ceasedtobeat'1at theage of76,wasthe unity,regionalism and semi-feudal The post-war tribalism. Hoxha,whose'heart leaderin theentire communist setout to defend thecountry's world;he had leadership longest-serving by consovereignty been in powersince November1944 when the Communist solidating national and thenation's resources unity, mobilising defeated the Italian and seized an all-round modernisation power, having partisans launching urgent, programme. all domestic and overcome German This strategy calledfor novelsolutions and unprecedented disopposition. occupiers intheSoviet As with Stalin that Hoxha should Union,Mao inChinaandTitoin cipline.Thus, it was almostinevitable theAlbanianleader'sadvancedage and ill-health imposea dictatorial on thecountry. Yugoslavia, regime andbyimpliaboutsuccession hadalready With Stalin as his mentor, Hoxha proclaimed Albania a questions prompted usherin. People'sRepublic:monolithic which his successors cationaboutthechanges rule,a centrally might party planned oftheHoxha and directed thehallmark WouldAlbaniarenounce Stalinism, economy, ideological conformity, struggle against It willbe recalled that the'classenemy'and endemic all became ofdissidents era, and withititspathofself-reliance? purges to domestic In foreign thelate 1970s,Albaniahad allieditself features ofthepost-war too, successively regime. policy, up until has been loyalto Stalinist ideology:it has waged Yugoslavia(1944-48), theSovietUnion (1948-61)and China the regime theeast,or relentless turnagain towards and thetwosuperpowers Cold Warpolemics against (1961-78).Wouldthecountry of itsallianceswith theirmilitary failures as a 'revidenounced wouldit, in viewof therepeated institutions, Yugoslavia 'nationalliberation movements' communist states,considerinsteadan alliancewitha large sionist'country, supported and calledfor therevolutionary overthrow ofthecapitalist western syspower? other east tem.Otherpolicies, too,havesetAlbaniaapartfrom The determinantsof future policy tourrestrictions on foreign Theyinclude: Europeancountries. in minimise of 'alien order to the ism to Albania interest to both is of ofAlbania'sforeign The future penetration great policy the abroadforAlbaniancitizens;3 a ban on travel east and west. Small thoughit is in area and population, influences'; to curb 'consumeroutofpropor- absenceof private affairs Albaniahas playeda rolein international cars,a policydesigned and on credits ban on obtaining tionto its size. A majorreasonforthishas been the rivalry ism'; a constitutional foreign to prevent 'econoto foreign concessions in Albania granting theSovietUnion and China forinfluence between companies ' andtheabandrevisionist states and micexploitation on thecountry attention international ; has focused which bybourgeois haveexplained in 1967(Albanianideologists ofreligion reasonis itsstra- olition Another itsinternational standing. upgraded as meansofstrengthendownofplacesofworship Albaniais thegate- theclosing flank: on Europe'ssouthern tegicposition and social progress economic a national well as Adriatic as in the from the Mediterranean to unity, stimulating ing ports way Marxist intotheBalkans.This was and maintaining for natural purity). penetration springboard intheapplication ofthese Hoxhawas single-minded over 2,000 of the Roman conquerors policies. alreadythe perception were on StalinWhile his east Durrachium from Via the who built counterparts European reneging (Durrs) Egnatia ago years dethatof Mussoliniwho ismin wholeor in partin thelate 1950s,he was opposing and morerecently to Constantinople, on the groundsthatit would weakenboth the used Albaniain 1940as a beachheadin his campaignagainst Stalinisation and the 'vanguardrole'ofthe of theproletariat' Greece.Since thewar,bothNato and theWarsawPact have 'dictatorship and viewed Albania as a vital outpostalong the shoresof the Party,and by implication put at riskAlbania'ssecurity Stalin'ssloganof 'encirclement Hoxha recalls in his memoirsthat when independence. Mediterranean. by a capitalist becamethenatural for Albania's MarshalMalinovsky, blockade' ofDefence, andhisMinister Khrushchev platform ideological relative and isolation. Once this was of self-reliance the discuss them he overheard Albaniain 1959, visited military policy in the mid-1960s within the 'an rooted Union: the Soviet to offered Albania which leadership firmly (and opadvantages to ponentshad been purgedor demoted),a strategy of econo's remark was Malinovsky ideal base forour submarines', 'in relative of micdevelopment wasenunciated isolation' andpurattitudes of the traditional so characteristic Khrushchev,2 to In accordance with efforts sued traditional communist Union's The Soviet Albania. towards vigorously. powers foreign ofheavyindustry thedevelopment tookpriority over Albania's regimewere matchedby the western practice, influence while same the at the time the collectivisation and United Britain it. at agriculture, undermining powers'attempts infil- of agriculture was speededup. The private successive sectorin agriculin 1947and 1948for actedas paymasters States coast. reduced ture has been to the Albanian of the trations farms, private plots collective along groups byemigre is whose either consumed or sold to erawillbe conditioned inthepost-Hoxha future Albania's by output by the producer arena but the state.4Self-reliance also impliedthatpriority shouldbe in the international developments contemporary

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to resumean Albaniawillbe forced of arguedthatpost-Hoxha market rather thanto theintegration givento thedomestic or not if for a Albanianenterprises with economic, did political this alliance intotheworld market. However, biggerpower a of that is illustration often most the not excludecommercial on with countries quoted reasons; security exchanges foreign in and and investment of starved a clearing basis. spareparts economy fledgling evenpreOne observer credits. offoreign had muchto needofan injection After four theHoxha regime decadesofpower, and In 40 years dicted thatunlessAlbaniamadea radicalchangeofpolicy showforits efforts in modernising theeconomy. dewould of whileagricul- openedup itsforeign over150 times, increased industrial trade,itsstandards living production it is because is thegrowth cline.8 This argument, tural Overthesameperiod, however, unconvincing production quintupled. is either the that evidence firm in stagthat on than in socialproduct not based times was Sl/ economy population, any higher In 1984it tookAlbania'sindustry whichnearly trebled.5 only natingor in a stateof decline.Albaniawas in greatneed of its aid in the earlypost-war of1938.Impressive twodaystoproduce theentire period,and again after gains foreign output no was assistance such but in electrificaMoscow ofmining, break with havealso beenmadein thedevelopment 1960-1, Chinain 1978becauseinthe with whenitbroke andfood essential andcommunications, produc- longer tion,transport housing to be had and its 1950 between interval in creation: sufficiently with results favourable developed industry tion, 18-year job ex-Prime to feet'. The able to 'stand on its own two morethantenfold.6 increased 1978industrial According employment at the8thParty in 1970,and Minister, MehmetShehu,speaking was completed Congress oftheentire electrification country in thelate 1970s was secured to neighbouring in 1981,economic in recent has been exported independence yearselectricity still is apparently this thecostofimports: covered whenexports Greeceand Yugoslavia.In 1976Albaniabecameself-sufficient did alliances Albania's a for achievement a historic thecase today.Furthermore, in theproduction of foodgrains, previous the and both its it was increase nation.In housing not once under-nourished Yugoslavia construction, security: necessarily Albanian of course the influence to in turn in lived tried the Union cent of Soviet in that 80 1984 population per reported than rather their Rentsare low, politics to satisfy builtin thepost-war accommodation designs strategic respective period.7 then their for worker's concern between6 and 10 per centof a 'protg'. monthly outof averaging in Europe(the theyoungest from is free The Albanianeconomy population unemployment, Third,Albaniahas earnings. 9 hisprefrom Alia is no taxes. are There deficits. and debts by departure major Any 26). age average inflation, budget foreign would and ofeduca- decessor'sdomestic in thedevelopment expose this has also been recorded policies foreign Progress weakenthe could and influences to services. other social and tion, the arts and culture,health younggeneration foreign educa- Party'scontrolof society.Recent articlesin the Albanian ofhigher institution thefirst Tirana's StateUniversity, andabsenteethat in 1957.The Academy press10 was founded havestressed tionin thenation's discipline lapsesinwork history, wouldnotbe ofthecountry's care are ismamongsomesections of Scienceswas setup in 1972. Educationand health youth radioand as manifestations' free. tolerated. (such foreign 'Foreign provided tobe are and fashion broadcasts television reported magazines) whoareencourA high propensityforcontinuity themaincausesofapathy amongsomeyouths, of the late to emulatethe 'exemplary'characteristics and job-creation The policiesof industrialisation pursuedby aged Ifideolrevisionism'. forms of all in the leader against 'struggle Hoxha over the last fourdecades gained him wide popular disaffected these on an effect to have fails Hoxha had earned ogical persuasion In addition, there was theprestige support. untilthe9thParty Alia can use thetimeleft Congress and sub- youths, ofthewar-time liberation movement byhisleadership to forNovember1986)to channelmoreresources (scheduled This combinadefence of the country's independence. sequent the to sector the consumer expectarising satisfy population's inoffice. and Economic tionaccounted for hislongevity growth Alia'smanypronouncewouldaccordwith This strategy with con- tions. whencompared relative pre-war stability, prosperity standards. on theneedto improve living to rootout opponents all ments and efficient ditions, policecontrol of for a continuation current Hoxha's succespolicies by argue to Albania under Alia sors.The Albanianpopulation has little incentive seemingly for inthepost-Hoxha era.The newleadership, for Untilfour in Albaniahad ofsuccession press change yearsago, thequestion itspart,is unlikely to wantto compromise theParty'smono- attracted assumedthat as it was generally littlespeculation of over the 40 in the fields Minister Prime and hero war-time Mehmet past years byinnovating poly power Shehu, military of ideologyand policy.At least threemajor factors succeed argue with impeccable credentialswould automatically Since Shehu'sdeathin Hoxha to thepostof FirstSecretary. againstchange. on theinternal economic itwillnothaveescaped 1981, from reshuffles ofgovernment a flurry First, front, however, resulting thenewly First Ramiz that no and Hoxha's from of fall Shehu's the Alia, appointed Secretary, major perpower repercussions economic reform has been successfully since sonal campaign of rejuvenationof the country'spower implemented Moscowin 1960.Therefore, Albania'sbreakwith he willavoid structure preparedthe Albanian populationfor theirnext of the errors 'failed reformists' in thesaddle,Shehu'sdemise repeating (such as the three leader.Now thatAlia is firmly economicsministers anddeserves someattention. on renewed Kellezi, Theodhosiand Ngjela), whose hastaken significance in the mid-1970s cost Whenitwas officially in Tirana thatShehuhad announced supportfor 'revisionist management' themtheir lives. A safer courseof actionwill takenhis own life'in a moment of deep depression', postsand their opinion be to pursuetheold pathofself-reliance, which is at theheart abroadwas dividedas towhether he had committed suicideor of Albania's foreignpolicy. The alternative would be to had been killed.Such misgivings wenton unabatedevenafter witha new economicstrategy based on decen- Hoxha's announcement a year laterthat 'Shehu's shameful experiment material incentives and an open-door totheuncovering ofhisactivities as an agent tralisation, greater policy suicide'waslinked vis--visthe outsideworldwhose uncertain outcomemight oftheYugoslav, American and Sovietsecret services. Itwasnot and possibleconfrontation of the untilFebruary 1985thattheofficial Zeri i Popullit, exposeAlia to thecriticism Party daily, elites. economic thatShehuhad been 'liquidated'.11 confirmed These developthat Hoxha'ssuccessor, is no evidence whohas ments in thewestthatthecause of Shehu's Second,there prompted reports from knit the of fall Politburo was a conflict with Hoxha overAlbania'sforeign emerged closely community younger policy, will wish to break away fromthe siege mentality withShehu, allegedly, an openingto thewestand members, favouring underwhich he has been groomed. Somewestern writers have Hoxha opposing it. However, in Shehu'spublicrecord nothing

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thatAlbaniansand Yugoslavs relations newspaper editorial14 that hewasmoreorlesspronetobroadening indicates recalling theoutside world thanwas Hoxha. sideby side againsttheAxispowersin theSecond with had fought I suggestinsteadthat Shehu's demisewas relatedto the WorldWar, and thatYugoslavia would continueto support itwouldviewwith that Since thelate 1970s,Ramiz Alia had Albania'sindependence questionof succession. (byimplication extensive in to the Soviet received the of facilities a concern navy at the exposure press,including frequent reopening forits of water on Albanian Hoxha's While was southern side. Shehu Albania, however, alive, deep port Vlor). appearances Hoxha couldnotignore thefact thatShehustoodin thewayof part,adheredto itsnow wellestablished policy. two-pronged Hoxha'sRealpolitik hishand-picked for ruth- On theonehand,Alia reiterated successor andthat Shehu'sreputation approach of flourished which has with lessnessand supportin the partyhierarchy the to trade independently Yugoslavia, represented Alia and the On threat to the two countries's Alia's smooth Shehu's brother-insuccession. other, hostility. ideological major to used theoccasionofthefuneral ofDefence;hisnephew law,KadriHazbiu,was Minister Feor Hoxha's widow, Nexhmije, the of 'the for Tirana's reassert held the of and his Shehu, wife, Minister; rights support unwavering post Interior Fiqret, were Nexhin Kosovo'. Of particular 's brethren was the Directorof the Lenin PartySchool. Given Shehu significance words to herdead husband: became cloudedas a mije's parting powerbase, the questionof succession for Hoxha'splacebetween Alia and Shehu,ora Shehu struggle on behalf ofthe thisflagon yourheart 'Enver,I am placing The evidencegivenby Paul designate, appearedinevitable. of Kosovo, becausejust as you had themin your people doctor wholastsawhimin December Milliez,Hoxha'sFrench Albanians haveyou allthepeopleofKosovoandother heart, that the Albanian leader electedto destroy 1984, confirms I Therefore oftelegrams. hundreds in theirs. I havereceived crisis. a succession Shehu'spowerbase in orderto forestall theirdesire.Carryit withyou believethatI am fulfilling to die in his physician that'he was prepared Hoxha confided too.'15 had been the of his succession because question peacefully wouldhave been interprecircumstances Whatin ordinary settled.'12 in Yugoslav town of ted as yetanothersign of Tirana's interference Ramiz Alia was born in 1925 in the northern felt of the In view in answered was not a full in became affairs Secretariat he the deeply 1960, Belgrade. Shkodr; joined Party have death Hoxha's the which emotions and succeeded thefollowing ofthePolitburo member Yugoamong engendered year a concernto ageing Haxhi Lleshi as Chairmanof the Presidiumof the slavia's Albanians,Belgrade'ssilencereflected that It in is Kosovo. the status After maintain in November 1982. however, unlikely, quo People's Assembly (head of state) too are both sides will be of words in the war truce for over this foremost the Alia been has lasting: Hoxha, ideologist Party's in the foreseeable to seek a compromise entrenched ofideology on matters twodecades:he gainedrespect bydevot- firmly are as long as Tirana's fearsof Serbian domination overthe future and presiding to theCulturalRevolution inghimself irredentism. with Albanian obsession in critimatched the confidence Hoxha's won and ofPropaganda Office byBelgrade's tocontinue Alia'sAlbaniaislikely To thesouth, and,indeed, cal yearsofAlbania'sbreakwiththeSovietUnion. Over the with Greece. of relations of normalisation the accelerate on his five process ideological, pronouncements years, frequent past of Andreas withthe Socialistgovernment in the Albania's affinity his stature economicand military questionsincreased toHoxha.The few Papandreou is based on political,economic and strategic successor as a natural eyesofthepopulation had alreadytakensteps The GreekPrimeMinister of the about which doubts identity Hoxha'ssuccessor grounds. persisted issuesbetween to resolve Hoxha's lifetime ofHoxha's during Chairman werecastasideas soonas Aliawaselected outstanding in February had renounced and in thisspirit theAlbaniansadoptedon this thetwocountries, commission: funeral ironically, to southern claims territorial hint to foes 1984 Greece's their Soviet of well-established the occasion long-standing practice to support can be expected Albania.Albania,in turn, leader. ofthenext Papanat theidentity totheworld to take Greece out of Nato and removethe ofAlbanian dreou's efforts course theprecarious ThatAlia was abletosteer from Greeceand theMediterrapresence military politicsunscathedand maintainHoxha's trustfor so long American Albanianand Greek senior visits of The His nean. mentor. of his that not unlike to survive an ability by exchange signals inJanuary for the the in 1984 officials movement the communist where in a reopening way northern opened origins country the same In at border the of souther1985 favoured have base Kakavija. crossing andtheParty's major traditionally power whichis Athens in was trade new month a have assiseven hispromotion; nersdid notprevent agreement signed may they this their of volume the to double Hoxha to Alia exchanges yearto to rise southerners, tedhis expected Bypreferring power. a which measures Other million. a calit was and $80 rapprochement signal statesmanship: politicalsagacity displayed science inculture, toexpandcooperation an agreement the include nationalunityby cementing culatedmove to strengthen link a sea to afoot set are Plans communications. and at a stroke and up bond betweennorthand south dispelling of a create Chair and to Albanian and the in Corfu between of in the exercise coast, bias of rumours and power regional charges has a Greekcompany ModernGreekStudiesin Gjirokastr; era. thepost-Hoxha tobuilda chrome-processing plantinAlbania; toappealtothe beencontracted ofAlia is certain theappointment Moreover, Albanians to telephone for be available will soon and facilities in neighbouring KosovoAlbanians Yugoslavia.Alia's parents of Adii letter Minister Prime in Greece. relatives arani's from to to Albania escape to emigrate wereforced repressive in January1985 of Papandreou'sconfidenceendorsement an World the Second before Kosovo in rule War, Yugoslav ofgreetings was accompanied measures As building by messages which with identify. manyKosovarscan readily experience doubt about the leaves little which and Hoxha from Alia,16 a to play in Kosovo seemsdestined oftheAlbanians thestatus to has the Albanian which establishing leadership given Alia's priority Albanianspecial Yugoslavrelations, majorroleinfuture witha interest' closerties withGreece. Such visiblerapprochement andhis'personal ofKosovoandYugoslavia knowledge Alia's could Balkan negotiating position strengthen neighbour could do mucheitherto bringAlbania and in the province on theissueofKosovo. vis--vis between tension Yugoslavia the to add or to closer them, partiYugoslavia withChina are less tensetodaythanat Albania'srelations theKosovars'demand to ignore continues ifBelgrade cularly notesin 1978which ofdiplomatic the since time exchange a republic.13 for any thetwocountries None the association. their a ended was death less, Hoxha's to reaction 18-year 'diplomatic': Belgrade's China has their alliance. to resume of are President Veselin from condolence pre-1978 of unlikely Djuranovic, message with accord which not does economic new on a a embarked was state collective policy by presidency, accompanied Yugoslavia's

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underhisleaderthat Ramiz Alia has declared Albania'sroadto communism, Albaniais nowin a posi- ship.Although whilst of genuine 'the tion to withstand the consequences of economicself-relianceship Albania would be guidedby principles his words and which co-existence itcouldnothaveendured in assistance without Chinese good neighbourliness', peaceful a U-turnin he that mean to taken not be 1961.There are someindications, should Alia's that Ramiz envisages however, ofcrediterms costs the or Albaniais notopposedto resuming its domestic with a trade (in political policy: foreign relationship would Hoxha's from former a trade bility)of departing In March1985, mentor. simplybe thetwocountries path signed to the visit whichwas the culminating unacceptable. agreement, pointof to a legacywhichhe willdeem prudent official Alia has inherited Tirana in 1983of a Chinesetradedelegation, thefirst and Hoxha's domestic future. on keep intactin the foreseeable Chinesevisitsince1978.In thepastyear,Albania'sattacks milder.The foreign 'Chinese revisionism'have been perceptibly all, provedadequatein maintaining have,after policy of themodernisation and blackAlbania's a Chinese partynewspaper carriedon its front independence infurthering page Alia cannotignorethe factthatHoxha's dictatorial borderedpictureof Hoxha, and the Chinese Vice-Premier society. for mechanism an indispensable formed ofcondolence, leadership 'shock overa great loss'inhismessage preserving expressed this In dstabilisation. and control the which in Tirana. was acknowledged respect, averting Party's hispredecessor. to emulate inMay oftheWarsaw he can be expected Western that therenewal speculation17 witha numberof west of traderelations Pact Treaty, whichstillprovidesforAlbanianmembership, The broadening to be conis likely initiated which Hoxha Albaniaback Europeancountries might givetheSovietUnionfresh hopestobring the not need but tinued to thefold office. Alia took ideology. weredashedas soonas compromise Party's byAlia, By sending itself to Albania for reason back the Soviet message of condolence,the new Albanian Noris there re-align anycompelling bloc. of a a with leaderheededhispredecessor's military rejection uncompromising toassessthefuture still with thesuperpowers. NorhasAlia shown composition premature anyinterest It is naturally dialogue and vt whichis down to 10 fullmembers in improving with the United States, in spite of of the Politburo, relations is ofwriting Atthetime members. to candidate itsintent American 'to respond'ifTirana signals readiness (April1985),there whorose members theother that tosuggest resume relations. prominent nothing diplomatic under Hoxha's leadership besides pose a Greece,Italy to commanding positions AmongthewestEuropeancountries, and Minister Prime the Adii Alia. to tradeand serious to improve and Franceare bestplaced to continue challenge arani, is an advocateofisolation since1961, member scientific withAlbania. President relations FranoisMitter- a fullPolitburo ofparty thenewgeneration self-reliance. rand's and Prime MinisterBettinoCraxi's calls for closer andeconomic Among in the early 1970s, the who came to prominence economic tieshave received Alia's seal.ofapproval.Albania's officials Hekuran Isai, and the Finance Minister, a Interior tradewiththe two countries has been steadily Minister, increasing; and service has been openedwithItaly,and Frenchtechni- Qirjako Mihali, both have a strong partybackground, ferry hold theParty's have clearly cians are helpingwiththe construction of a nickelplant in their strengthened appointments thatAlia willdecideon the It is probable Albania. on thegovernment. nextyear'sParty before In thecase of WestGermany, and size ofthePolitburo on war composition Albania'sinsistence hasbeenthemainstumbling block. Therearesome Congress. reparations member whowillneedto be watched indications,however,that the two countriesare slowly A CentralCommittee the for Hoxha. The covercloser which is contacts few the next over trade, preparing way, through years Nexhmije closely in theresumption ofdiplomatic and speechat her relations. her media the to mayresult presence age givenby Albania'srelations Mrs with in 1948when husband's Britain werebroken off funeral wasnotprompted bycompassion. solely theAlbaniangovernment declined topaycompensation for the Hoxha has been an activePresident of the Marxist-Leninist loss two yearsearlierof two British in the Corfu Institute should Aliatotheleadership andherroleinpromoting destroyers Channel.Britain toreturn twoanda half not be underestimated. The precedentcreated by the responded byrefusing tonsof Albaniangold seized in Italyby thealliesduringthe appointment of of Lightand Food Industry to the Ministry SecondWorld War.A Foreign Office declared after Vito Kapo, the widowof the Partisanleader and Politburo spokesman Hoxha'sdeaththatBritain wouldbe unconditionally in 1979,couldeasily prepared member, HysniKapo, whodied in office torestore relations. Butitisunlikely that Aliawould be extendedto Mrs Hoxha. A government or diplomatic appointment fortheCorfuChannel Politburo for herwouldnotcomeas a surprise. obligeunlessAlbania was exonerated membership incident. Nor is there thata country Finally, thereis an 'unknown variable':the armedforces. any evidenceto suggest whichwas preparedto forego economicassistance from the The appointment ofProkopMurra,an economist bytraining SovietUnion and China rather thanreviseitsideology would and a candidate member ofthePolitburo, tothepostofMinisnow compromise itsprinciples to gain a minor tradeopening ter of Defencein 1981to succeedthe demotedHazbiu was to the west. UnlikeItaly,Germany and Greece,Britain has intended to strengthen the Party'scontrol of the army.The no history ofstrong economic tieswith Albania.A wayout of military establishment was also affected the by lasttworounds 19 thedeadlock has beensuggested in 1975and 1981. As recently as March1985, on the byMichaelKaser,whoargues ofpurges that as the International Court's evidenceagainstAlbania occasionof the 70thanniversary ofthebirth of HysniKapo, was largely a request and Albaniato bothAlia and arani re-emphasised circumstantial, theleadingroleof the byBritain the Court to re-examinethe evidence could take place Party in thearmedforces. Alia declared that: withtheresumption of diplomatic relations.18 'Comrade simultaneously to thecause of Kapo attached specialattention commissionof Although Britain and the multi-national our people'sarmyand to thedefence of the strengthening financial institutions whichare guardiansof the gold would of the revolution. victories Our armed forcesare loyal Albania remainsto be probablywelcomeKaser's strategy, and people. . .'20 weaponsoftheParty convinced thatthebenefits ofrenewing relations willoutweigh These wordscould signify a degreeofunrest in thearmy, or thepossible lossoffaceovera sensitive issue. that no deviationfromthe Party's simplybe a reminder of powerwillbe tolerated. Conclusion Eitherway,Alia is not monopoly with chances the taking any army. The objective of thisarticle has been to illuminate themajor * The authorwould like to thanka factors whichare likely to influence thenewAlbanianleaderwho prefers to colleagueand friend

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11 1

11Zrii Popullit, remain hiscollaboration in this for and Louis Zanga for his 1985. 27 February anonymous study, 12L. Zanga, 'Albaniainthepost-Hoxha and encouragements. The usual disclaimers comments era',Radio FreeEuropeResearch, apply. 1 Words used by Radio Tirana (English Service) on 11 April 1985 to 16April1985. 13The announce Hoxha'sdeath. between Albania and backgroundto the uneasy relationship 2 E. Hoxha, TheKhrushchevites and is not repeated documented elsewhere House, Yugoslaviahas been abundantly (Tirana: The '8 Nntori' Publishing of here. See, inter 'A noteon Kosovo and the future alia, P. F. R. Artisien, 1980),p. 376. 3 The official Vol. is thatuntilsuch timesas the hard currency Yugoslav-Albanianrelations: a Balkan perspective', SovietStudies, explanation Albanian whowishes inM. McCauleyand S. reserves enableevery totravel abroadtodo so, thetravel XXXVI, No. 2, April1984;P. F. R. Artisien, Albania, ban willapply aremadeonlyfor toall. Exceptions and succession in theSovietUnion,EasternEurope , trade diplomats delegations Carter (Eds.), Politicalleadership and a handful ofartists and scholars. and R. A. Howells, andChina (London: Macmillan,1985); P. F. R. Artisien 4 M. Ellman,'Albania's 1981. TheWorld November economy todayand tomorrow', Today, Economy, 'Yugoslavia,Albaniaand theKosovo riots',TheWorld 14 Vol. 7, No. 3, September 1984. Nouosti,12 April 1985. Veternje ^ R. Alia, 'The correct 15Albanian line of the partyis the sourceofour gains',Zerii 15 April 1985. Telegraph Agency, 16Albanian 1984. 28 November , 24 January 1985. Popullit, Agency Telegraph 6 Official 17 See, inter statistics quotedin Ellman,op.cit. alia, The Guardian,12 April 1985. 7 Zerii Popullit, 18M . Kser, 'Albania'smuscularsocialism',Contemporary 1984. 28 November Review, August 8 C. Meynell, 'Albania'stortuous TheWorld November 1983. opening-up', Today, 19 1984. A fuller oftherelationship between theParty and thearmyis discussion 9 See R. Hutchings, 27 June availablein P. R. Prifti, 'Albania'spopulation 1944(Cambridge, Socialist Albania since boom', Soviet Mass., MIT Analyst, 1984. Press,1978);and P. F. R. Artisien, Albania, op.cit. 10See L. Zanga, 'Albaniareiterates 20BBC Summary Radio Free itsanti-revisionist 6 March EasternEurope, 7892/B/l, Broadcasts, position', of World morale ofAlbanianyouth 1985. 13March1985;and 'The working EuropeResearch, e inZri i Popullit and Rruga 14December sources from 1984,quoting criticized',
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