RESISTANCE TO THE COMMUNIST REGIME

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A005600130005-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 1, 2007
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: January 10, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/11/01: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005600130005-4
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
This material contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States within the mean-
ing. of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C. Secs. 793
and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in
any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law.
COUNTRY Albania
SUBJECT Resistance to the Communist Regime
DATE OF INFO.
PLACE ACQUIRED
This is UNEVALUATED
Information
REPORT
THE SOUSCE EVAWAUONE IN THIS MOAT AN WW fWE.
THE AIMAMM M CONTM 0 T IUTME.
ow or= 401M
10 January 1955
1. During 1949, there were a,series of incidents.against officials of the Communist
regime in northern Albania. A'Communist deputy from the Mirdite District was
murdered. In reprisal, the Sigurimi (Albanian I.S.) executed 15 villagers in 25X1
the district and 150 people, were arrested in Shkoder. The families of those
arrested were all-interned-1.n concentration camps.'. The Sigurimi officers were
given a carte'blanche by Mehmet Shehu to do. what they wished in finding the
murderers of the Communist deputy. Arrests were also made in the Areas.of Leah
and Kruje. In Kruje,. the chief, of the Siguri.mi, Captain Nuri Luci was murdered.
2. An unidentified anti-regime organization which had spread throughout the dis-
tricts of Vlone, Mallakaster and Himar with.centers`in Dukat and Dhermi, was
uncovered by government officials during 1911.9.' This organization's secretary
was Piro Xhezo. Before arrests were made. among the members of this organization,
a group of some 10 men including the fathe;r.-6f Lt 4" Col. Hamlin Xhelo escaped
from Albania by sea.
. In 1950, masg. arrests were made in Korce
4, In 1950-51, the following incidents accured in Tirana which gives evidence
of discontent among the people in Albania:
a. Students in the gymnasium resisted., Soviet methods and distributed
leaflets criticizing', the government,
b.,,A women's . tailoring. cooperative: was burnt on Barricades Street.
c. A three story. cooperative building was burnt onthe Durres. Road.
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Approved For Release 2007/11/01: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005600130005-4
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d. A bomb was thrown into the courtyard of the Soviet Embassy on
the Durres Road. One wall of the embassy building was destroyed
and windows were shattered. Therc was no loss of life. More
than 150 people were arrested and at least 15 were executed in
connection with this incident. Those responsible for the bomb-
ing were never discovered.
5.
6. There is also resistance, to the Communist regime within the Albanian
Workers' (Communist) Party. In 1949, after the execution of Koci Xoxe,
and the, break with Tito, Pandi Kristo, Vasko Koleci and Vango Mitrogjorgji
were arrested and accused of collaborating with Xoxe. Ramadan Citaku,
Colonel Pullumb Dishnica, Lt. Col. Mysafir Sp and Colonel Nesti
Kerenxhi were removed from the Albanian Worker.. (Communist) Party
Central Committee for their associations with Xoxe. In 1950, Beqir
Ndou was removed from the Party's Central Committee and Colonel Sali
Orrneni, Commandant of the Tirana Police was executed after being accused
of conspiring against the government...
7. An anti-Party group, led by Abedin Shehu, Minister of Education and a
member of the Central Committee was discovered. Shehu was removed from
his position. Others in this group were Shyqri Kellezi; Colonel Hamit
Keci, Director of Military Intelligence at Army Headquarters, and his
brother Colonel Jusuf Keci, member of the Politburo for Tirana. Hamit
Keci had quarrelled with General Balluku over military matters, but
this was only a pretext for arresting him. The real reason was his
association with the anti-Party group.
B. Early in 1951, Colonel Nexhip Vinqani was removed from'the Central
Committee and from his post as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Albanian
Army because he, together with General Gjin Marku, had disagreed with
General Be.lluku on some policies concerning, the Army.
9. In mid-1951, measures were taken against Tuk Jakova.1 Manol Konomi
and Theodor Heba were removed from the Central Committee and from their
government positions. Spiro Pano, who was secretary and member of the
Central Committee and vice-president of the Republic was removed for 25X1
"chauvinism and anti-Party activity".
1. Tuk Jakova, former Minister of Fiance was elevated to the position
of deputy prime minister in July 1954.
25X1
arrest of Jskova t r Ma,rr'h 1.051.
According to the rr?.,ort. his arrest might have been connected with the bombing
of the Soviet Eiibassy ui, 'i;ue !?~;uuii; of a ui :bieeuient with
SECRET - U. S. OFFICIALS ONLY
Approved For Release 2007/11/01: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005600130005-4
 Approved For Release 2007/11/01: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005600130005-4
Approved For Release 2007/11/01: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005600130005-4