By DASHNOR KALOÇI
The third part
Memorie.al / Exactly 35 years ago, at the beginning of January 1991, when not even two or three weeks had passed since the declaration of pluralism in Albania and the first opposition parties had been formed, the government of Prime Minister Ylli Bufi, which had almost completely replaced the "Çarçani" cabinet, in the framework of the reforms undertaken at that time and the opening of Albania to the outside world, had begun to respond positively to the numerous invitations that came to the official address of Tirana, to represent the country in various international activities. Such as the World Economic Forum in Davos in Switzerland that would be held at the beginning of February of that year, where numerous personalities of political and economic life from all over the world participated, such as heads of state, prime ministers, ministers, well-known businessmen and businessmen, members of various organizations from the five continents, etc.
In this context, the Albanian government of Prime Minister Ylli Bufi had decided to be represented at the highest level, sending there the Secretary General of the Prime Minister's Office, Fatos Nano, Doctor of Economic Sciences, a renowned economist and lecturer at the State University of Tirana, who, in addition to being part of the government cabinet from December 1990 and coordinator and responsible for the economic reform of that cabinet, had also made a big name at that time from several interviews given to Radio "Voice of America", etc.
But how was Fatos Nano's visit to that international forum where Albania, just emerging from 45 years of communist rule, was represented for the first time possible? Who were some of the high-ranking personalities that Fatos Nano met at the World Economic Forum in Davos and what were their impressions of the small communist country in the Balkans, most of whom knew almost nothing about it, or had heard very little about it? What did they suggest and promise to the head of the Albanian delegation, Fatos Nano, and what conditions were imposed on Albania in the framework of the aid that would be given to it?
How and why did Albania's further participation in the Davos World Forum in June of that year fail and what is said in the heated correspondence between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the organizers of that economic activity, regarding the low level at which Albania would be represented there? Regarding this, etc., we are introduced to some archival documents recently extracted from the Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which are published for the first time and with the relevant facsimiles by Memorie.al.
Continues from the previous issue
TELEGRAM FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN TIRANA,
SENT TO THE ALBANIAN DIPLOMATIC MISSION IN GENEVA, REGARDING THE COMPOSITION OF THE ALBANIAN DELEGATION THAT WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM IN DAVOS
TELEGRAM ON THE REPRESENTATION OF ALBANIA (24 MAY 1991)
TO: GENEVA MISSION
No .: 25
From: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Inform the organizers that at the World Economic Forum Meeting, our country will be represented by:
Shkëlqim Cani, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers.
Zydi Pepa, Minister, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers.
Tirana, on May 24, 1991
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
TELEGRAM FROM THE ALBANIAN DIPLOMATIC MISSION IN GENEVA, SENT TO THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN TIRANA, REGARDING THE REQUEST OF THE ORGANIZERS OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM, TO SEND THE CVS OF SHKELQIM CAN AND ZYDI PEPA
CURRICULUM VITAE REQUEST (MAY 29, 1991)
URGENT TELEX / FAX
2164 MFA AB | 412278 MALB CH
Classification: VERY URGENT
ADDRESSED TO: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
To: Comrade B. PITARKA
(For the information of comrade Sokrat Plaka)
Lustig, at the World Economic Forum, urgently requests the "Curriculum Vitae" of comrade Shkëlqim Cani and Zydi Pepa, which they will include in the special edition that will be published on Friday, May 31, 1991.
You can send these directly by fax to this number: (41 22) 786 27 44 or by telex to the number: 413 289, attention of Mr. Dirk Lustig. Also, provide the visa information to these numbers.
On May 29, 1991
GENEVA MISSION
TELEGRAM FROM THE ORGANIZERS OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM,
SENT TO THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN TIRANA, TO SEND THE CV OF SHKELQIM CAN AND ZYDI PEPA.
DIRECT LETTER FROM THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM (30 MAY 1991)
REF: 3812
DATE: 910530 (30 May 1991)
TIME: 15:16
TO: MR. PITARKA, DIRECTOR FOR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
FROM: WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM, GENEVA (413289 WEF CH)
Dear Mr. Pitarka,
For our Central and Eastern European Economic Summit, we urgently need the Curriculum Vitae of Shkëlqim Cani, Vice President of the Council of Ministers, and Zydi Pepë, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers (Deadline: Friday morning, 12:00).
Please send them to us by fax. Our fax number is: (41 22) 786 27 44 and our telephone number is: (41 22) 736 92 43.
We were informed by the Albanian Mission in Geneva that you can help us in this matter.
Thanking you for your support, with respect,
DIRK LUSTIG
Responsible for the Summit
TELEGRAM FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN TIRANA, SENT TO THE ALBANIAN DIPLOMATIC MISSION IN GENEVA, WITH THE CVS OF SHKELQIM CANI AND ZYDI PEPA, WHO WOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE DAVOS FORUM
DATA ON CVS SENT FROM TIRANA (31 MAY 1991)
Protocol No.: 5848
Classification: Urgent
TO: GENEVA MISSION
Please inform Mr. Lustig of the "World Economic Forum", regarding the Curriculum Vitae of the two friends as follows:
Shkëlqim Cani: Date of birth: May 6, 1956, birthplace: Tirana, profession: economist. He was the General Director of the Bank for Foreign Relations, currently Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers.
Zydi Pepa: Date of birth: March 12, 1946, birthplace: Tirana, profession: agricultural economist. He was a professor at the University, currently Minister - Secretary General of the Council of Ministers.
Tirana, on 31.5.1991
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
TELEGRAM FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN TIRANA, SENT TO THE ALBANIAN DIPLOMATIC MISSION IN GENEVA, REGARDING THE REASONS FOR THE NON-PARTICIPATION OF SHKELQIM CANI AND ZYDI PEPA IN THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM IN DAVOS
INSTRUCTION ON NON-PARTICIPATION DUE TO THE COLLAPSE OF THE GOVERNMENT (8 JUNE 1991)
Protocol No.: 4056
TO: GENEVA MISSION
Due to the resignation of the Government and the fact that the new government has not yet been formed, please inform the World Economic Forum that we are unable to participate with the delegation announced by Albania.
Please ask them to understand us. At the same time, announce the participation of comrades Kadri Cenko and Vaso Pilo.
Tirana, June 8, 1991
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
TELEGRAM FROM THE ALBANIAN DIPLOMATIC MISSION IN GENEVA, SENT TO THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN TIRANA, REGARDING THE APPROVAL BY THE ORGANIZERS OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM, FOR THE LIMITED PARTICIPATION OF THE ALBANIAN DELEGATION IN THE JUNE MEETING
TELEGRAM ON APPROVAL OF LIMITED PARTICIPATION (8 JUNE 1991)
TELEX / FAX
2164 MFA AB | 412278 MALB CH
Classification: VERY URGENT
ADDRESSED TO: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
For: COMRADE MUHAMET KAPLLANI
No .: 3559
According to the instructions received, we notified the World Forum about the impossibility of the participation of the comrades who were scheduled to attend the Forum meeting that begins tomorrow afternoon, and about my participation and that of comrade Vaso Pilo.
They showed understanding and approved our partial participation in the Forum's activities, where the minimum level is that of a minister.
We will participate in the dinner tomorrow, in the informal talks on Monday, as well as in the official lunch on Monday. Albania's participation will be officially announced.
The Forum representatives told us that under the conditions created in our country, even the participants will show understanding that Albania cannot be represented at the required level. They said that they could organize a special meeting for Albania in the fall.
KADRI CENKO
MISSION, GENEVA, 8 JUNE 1991
TELEGRAM FROM THE ALBANIAN DIPLOMATIC MISSION IN GENEVA, SENT TO THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN TIRANA, REGARDING THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
FULL REPORT OF THE DELEGATION AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE FORUM (10 JUNE 1991)
TELEX / FAX
2164 MFA AB | 412278 MALB CH
ADDRESSED TO: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
For: COMRADE MUHAMET KAPLLANI
On June 9 and 10, 1991, the High-Level Economic Meeting of Central and Eastern Europe, organized by the World Economic Forum, took place in Geneva.
High-ranking state figures from Yugoslavia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania (mainly the ministers of economy, finance, planning, etc.) participated, as well as high-ranking representatives of Western countries and important economic, trade and financial circles of the world. From our country, I and comrade Vaso Pilo participated as guests, but only in part of the program.
Specifically, in the receptions and at the working tables, where opinions were exchanged, in an organized manner, on the situation and problems of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, including Albania, but not in the official talks where the heads of delegations spoke. However, the participation of our country was officially announced. Various participants expressed regret that our country could not be represented at the desired level.
In the activities we participated in, answering various questions, I spoke about the political, economic and social situation in our country, about the achievements, current difficulties and the development perspective.
I also answered specific questions regarding the democratization of life, the progress of reform, the short-term and long-term needs of the country, privatization, foreign investments, legal guarantees for foreign activities on Albanian territory, etc. There was also interest in relations with neighbors, Albania's political orientation, integration into Europe, etc.
From the contacts I had with various personalities and representatives, the following issues emerged:
Janez Drnovšek (Member of the Presidency of Yugoslavia): Express the hope that with the creation of the new Albanian government it will be possible to promote contacts and hold talks between our two countries.
Janez Sirše (Slovenian Chief of Staff in the Federal Presidency of Yugoslavia): He said that it would be useful for Albania to establish contacts like those with Croatia, and also with Slovenia, which is a friend of Albania.
Dr. Manfred Nayer (Advisor to the Director of the diamond firm “Daniel Swarovski Corporation”, based in Austria): He said that they are working with European financiers in order to help make the Albanian currency convertible. In his opinion, this should be done on the basis of the Swiss franc and not the dollar or DM, adding that it is unthinkable that Switzerland has colonialist intentions towards Albania.
Åke Lindén (Special Advisor to the Director-General of GATT): He told me that Albania remains the only European country that has no contact with GATT. Referring to Bulgaria's current negotiations with GATT regarding its accession to it, he suggested that Albania should also act in this way and encouraged me to establish contacts in GATT. These contacts could lead to the beginning of negotiations for our country's membership in GATT, and since these negotiations take some time, they should start as soon as possible.
Rudolf Hoffmann (Deputy Director of UNICEF): Express your willingness to help our country, especially the most vulnerable segments of society, children and mothers. Harming these segments today – he said – will have consequences for the future and will require a very high cost. He said that they plan to send a mission to Tirana to determine priorities and needs.
We also had contacts with representatives of other countries and economic and financial organizations. In conversations with representatives of the Forum, the idea came up to organize a special meeting for Albania in the fall of 1991 or the following year, like those that the Forum has foreseen for the Soviet Union, China, Hungary, etc.
In my opinion, high-level participation would have had positive effects for the future of our country, as it would have made it possible to establish direct contacts with potential investors, with powerful financial and commercial banks and corporations. Although understanding and kindness were shown both by the Forum and by the other participants, a gap was felt, therefore I think that in the future, such activities should be followed carefully and at the appropriate levels.
For the problems that need to be followed, we await your opinion to act further. / Memorie.al
