The first part

There are some key points in the history of a country, about which it is thought that much is known, but in reality, there is still much to discover. One of these events is the Tirana ALP Conference of 1956. Historian Ana Lalaj returns once again to this moment, seen in the light of documentation supplemented by Albanian and foreign archives, as well as freed from any kind of prejudice.

"The False Spring of '56" is one of the historian's latest works, which brings this event back to the reader's attention, 70 years later. How it happened, who participated, who were those exponents of the Albanian People's Party who dared to raise their voices, what were the consequences. The historian's analysis becomes even more tangible, through documents. Two of them shed light on the difficult situation in which Albania was at that time.

On one side is the internal crisis in the Party of Labor of Albania. Enver Hoxha reports to the Soviet Union ambassador in Tirana, Krylov, on the Tirana Conference, the questions of the “demagogues” and the issue of the conviction of Koçi Xoxe, as well as relations with Yugoslavia. While another shows the financial crisis that Albania was experiencing.

At a meeting, attended by Enver Hoxha, Mehmet Shehu, Liri Belishova, etc., it was revealed that in 1956, Albania owed the Soviet Union 900 million rubles and that this amount would reach one billion and six hundred thousand rubles. Enver Hoxha hoped to convince Khrushchev to forgive Albania half of its debts. While Khrushchev, for his part, had stated that Albania was a disaster.

NIKITA KHRUSHOV: ALBANIA IS IN DISASTER

The following material shows that in 1956 the loans that the Communist Bloc countries were giving to Albania had become a burden on the country's economy, due to its low payment capacity. The party's leading forums acknowledge the difficult economic situation, while for Nikita Khrushchev this situation is a catastrophe.

Excerpts from the discussions at the Politburo meeting, regarding the information that would be presented to the participating countries in the Economic Council, for the coordination of the five-year plan.

Tirana, June 18, 1956

COMRADE SPIRO KOLEKA: Here I have presented information on the works of the Economic Council for the 1956-1960 five-year plan and, to face our difficulties, we propose:

For Albania to not be deprived of any interest, meaning that we should be made an exception.
Until 1970, for these loans that we have received so far and for those that we will receive, we will be released from paying the obligations and in this way we can make a commitment that in the third and fourth five-year plans, we will not ask for loans. I think it is not right that we, on the one hand, ask for loans and, on the other hand, pay interest.
I say that we are in special conditions, compared to other countries participating in the Economic Council.

COMRADE MEHMET SEHU: I talked to Krylov about the issue of our debts and he told me that the Soviet Government postponed them until 1980, and as for the 2 percent, he told me that it is the norm for everyone. Then I told him that China gives us 1% and that other one gives us 0.5%. He told me that he did not know that.

...Our plight needs to be discussed, because we have to pay our debts, starting from 1958. This is a matter of principle: on the one hand we postpone the dates and on the other hand we take out loans.

COMRADE ENVER HOXHA: No, this is not fair.

COMRADE MEHMET SHEHU: I am of the opinion that the interest for us should be 1% and half of our debts should be forgiven.

COMRADE SPIRO KOLEKA: I say they will say to pay the debts.

COMRADE ENVER HOXHA: Okay, but they should know that I take it out of the people's mouths.

COMRADE MEHMET SEHU: Given our specific conditions, it is not a shame to have half of our debts forgiven.

COMRADE SPIRO KOLEKA: I say that Albania, within our camp, should not be considered the same as other countries.

COMRADE LIRI BELISHOVA: It is clear that our situation is very difficult, so it is good that we take advantage of this opportunity, since comrades will gather there.

COMRADE ENVER HOXHA: Our situation is very difficult, but they will not throw a noose around our throats. Now is a good opportunity to write about these issues.

COMRADE RRAPO DERVISHI: How is it that we are in such a difficult situation?

COMRADE ENVER HOXHA: This question you are asking is fair, since you are not aware of the issues, therefore, Comrade Spiro should inform the comrades about the January meeting and the Moscow meeting.

COMRADE SPIRO KOLEKA: (He talks about the meeting of the Economic Council that took place in January 1956 and about the Moscow meeting, which was also attended by the first secretaries of the communist and workers' parties of the member countries of the Economic Council.)

COMRADE LIRI BELISHOVA: I say that our situation is difficult, so since it is this meeting, we can use this opportunity. But how do we use it? It is good to have a preliminary conversation with Comrade Khrushchev first, showing him that we have these variants and perhaps you may have other variants that can be raised at that meeting. I think we should only raise the issue of the five-year plan. They did favors to Korea, China, Yugoslavia, so they can do the same to us.

COMRADE RRAPO DERVISHI: I still don't understand why we are in such a difficult situation?

COMRADE MEHMET SHEHU: We are in a difficult situation, because we have 900 million rubles in debt and by the time these are paid off, it will be one billion and six hundred thousand rubles. In 1965, the installments will be 120 million rubles. So we will be in a very difficult situation, because if they do not give us credit, then we will have to give all our exports only for the debt and thus the national economy will end.

This difficulty is not visible now, but will begin to be felt in 1958, when the payment deadline expires. Comrade Enver raised this issue at the meeting held in Moscow, to the extent that Comrade Khrushchev said that Albania is in a catastrophe, therefore it must be helped.

COMRADE ENVER HOXHA: I can ask to speak to Comrade Khrushchev.

COMRADE RRAPO DERVISHI: Now the issue has been made concrete. I agree with what Comrade Enver said. We cannot say such a thing in a meeting where there are so many countries, while Comrade Khrushchev can be told openly that we have these thoughts and these difficulties.

COMRADE ENVER HOXHA: So, do we agree to act like this?

(All friends agree.)/ Memorie.al