875.01/12–1845: Telegram
The Representative in Albania (Jacobs) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 24—9:25 p.m.]
239. Deptel 118, December 5, 7 p.m. Saw Hoxha December [?] and attempted to make clear that assurances sought by US with respect to treaties and agreements should not be construed as indicating unwillingness on its part to entertain proposals which Albania may subsequent to recognition wish to initiate looking toward changes in or termination such treaties and agreement and/or conclusion new instruments.
Hoxha said he understood but took position that Albanian authorities cannot agree in advance to either State Dept alternative because their hands are tied by decision of anti-Fascist Congress at Permet in May 1944 that all treaties and agreements of former regimes must be abrogated and new treaties negotiated. According to my translator who states that pertinent clause of that decision is poorly drafted, best translation thereof would read: [Page 79]
“The anti-Fascist Council of National Liberation expressing the will of the Albanian people has decided to examine all treaties and agreements with foreign countries whether political or economic, entered into by the Zog’s regime to the detriment of the Albanian people, to abrogate them and to negotiate new instruments.”
Hoxha’s official reply is being delayed pending arrival copies of treaties and agreements referred to Deptel 109, Nov 15, 9 p.m. On Dec 15 received Dept’s instruction 12, Dec. 3, enclosing copies two conventions and two agreements but Dept’s instruction 11, Nov 21, transmitting treaties has not arrived.79 I am awaiting that instruction before giving Hoxha any texts officially.
Hoxha speaks so strongly on this subject I believe official reply will be as indicated above and unless Dept is prepared to accept assurances that existing treaties and agreements will be examined expeditiously after recognition with view to continuance or termination (Hoxha’s note Nov 23, our telegram 202, Nov 24, 6 p.m.), perhaps more reassuringly stated in new note, we may have to envisage deadlock and indefinite postponement of recognition. Hoxha makes much of fact that British and Soviet recognition without commitments regarding treaties (knowing that Soviet has none) and that acceptance either our alternatives may lead to complications with France which on basis commitment with US might seek to revive concessionaire treaties. French military representative here has told me he is interested in outcome our difficulty over treaties. That may be reason for delay in French action on recognition.80
- Neither instruction printed, but see footnote 67, p. 71.↩
- Telegram 255, December 24, 11 a.m., from Tirana, reported that the chief of the French Military Mission in Albania had advised the Albanian Foreign Minister of the French Government’s decision to recognize the Albanian Government (875.01/12–2445). Telegram 7366, December 27, 7 p.m., from Paris, confirmed this report (875.01/12–2745).↩