CLANDESTINE STATION RADIO FREE ALBANIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000500730246-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 4, 2003
• Sequence Number: 246
• Publication Date: November 11, 1998
• Content Type: REPORT

SUBJECT Clandestine Station "Radio Free Albania"
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE
ACQUIRED
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFiNSE
OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THC ESPIONAGE ACT SD
U. 5 C.. SI AND SE. AS AMENDED. 17S TRANS MISSION ON THE AETELATION
OP ITS CONTENTS IN ANT MANNER TO AN UNAUTHO1ITED PERSON IS P110?
HIMITED .T LAW. REPRODUCTION OF THIS FORM I PAO HINITED.
INFORMATION REPORT
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Approved For Release 2008/03/03: CIA-RDP80-00809A000500730246-5
1bX I .
CLA SSI FICATIO "
"Radio Free Albania", an ant 'o::,-. ?.:nist transmitter directed to Albania,
was first heard on 10 September a.:3 init. naittently to 21 .eptember at
approximately 20:15 - 20:45 G31111' on a frequency varying around 8200 kilocycles.
Transmissions were obviously in the nature of tests in preparation for regular
broadcasts and consisted of -epeated an-.i-Communist slogans and announcements
in the Albanian language to the effect that shortly it would broadcast the
truth to the people of Albania.
It purported to be on Albanian soil and stated its sponsor to be the
"Free Albania Committee." The first bars of the old Albanian national anthem
were used as a signature tune. Reception 0 was rather weak and dis-
torted due to radiotelegraph interference.
On 21 September, the station began regular broadcasts at 20:00 - 20:30 GMT
on a new channel of 6980 kilocycles, opening with the following announcement:
"This is the Voice of Free Albania -- for Albania, for Freodom, for the Rod
and Black Flag. Brothers and sisters, listen to the Voice of Free Albania;
the Voice of Free Albania talks for all Albanians who love their country and
want it strong and free,,.." This was followed by news items and a commentary
critical of the present Communist regime.
On 22 September it called on its listeners to spread the news of "Radio
Free Albania", which came from the "free radios of the world and our trusted
sources." However, it advised them to do so with caution because of spies
and informants. It also warned all would-be informants "to think twice" be-
fore doing any harm to their fellow citizens or betraying them.
On]2 October, broadcasts wc+ shifted to a new time of 17:30 - 18:00 GMT
on a new frequency of 6110 kilocycles in the 49 meter broadcasting band, where
the signal was rendered almost completely unintelligible due tominterference
from powerful transmitters in Europe utilizing the same channel such as Moscow,
Berlin and Warsaw.
Its signal was not heard again until the week of 11-17 November when it
reappeared on a new frequency of 622, kilocycles where it is heard at present
with poor intelligibility at 7.7:30 - 18.00 ONTO
CLASSIFICATION
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SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
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THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
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Approved For Release 2008/03/03: CIA-RDP80-00809A000500730246-5