Office of the Historian

711.75/10–1946: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Acting Representative in Albania (Henderson)65

secret
us urgent
Washington, November 2, 1946—2 p.m.

199. After careful consideration all aspects situation (urtels 526 Oct 19 and previous), Dept has decided on immediate withdrawal US Mission from Albania. You are therefore instructed address informal letter PriMin Hoxha as follows:

“Since arriving in Tirana on May 8, 1945 to survey conditions in Albania in connection with the question of US recognition of the existing Albanian regime, the informal US Mission has sought to bring about mutual understanding and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Govts of the US and Albania. Despite US endeavors in this regard, and in the absence of a satisfactory response from the Albanian Govt to the offer of recognition which was tendered by the US Govt in Nov 1945, the Mission has been unable to achieve the purposes for which it was originally sent to Albania.

In the circumstances, although my Government retains its sentiment of warm friendship for the Albanian people, it does not feel that there [Page 36] is any further reason for the Mission to remain in Albania. The US Mission is accordingly being withdrawn.”

You should proceed at once with preparations to close Mission. Administrative instructions will follow in separate tel.66

Dept will announce press withdrawal Mission upon receipt your urgent tel reporting delivery above letter.

Acheson
  1. This telegram was repeated to Caserta as 235, to London as 7517, and to Moscow as 1928.↩
  2. Further instructions for the withdrawal of the Mission were contained in telegram 203, November 7, 1946, to Tirana (124.75/11–546).↩