The war for national liberation brought also the first split ups in the Albanian society. The Italian Fascist Government, taking advantage of the treaties imposed to the government of King Zog, managed to dominate the internal affairs as well as part of the country politics. The Italian advisors and consultants, operating in the governmental and army structures of King Zog, had paralyzed the General Committee and when Albania was invaded, the army and the population who were seeking for guns, remained disarmed. The King, the government and parliament abandoned the country while many officers and patriots took over and led these groups to fight the invasion. This brought the first split up between Albanians. The cooperators of fascists were on one side, and on the other there were the representatives of the population who fought for freedom and independence.
The first attempt to bring together these two groups was done in the Conference of Peza, which came up with the lapidary slogan Unification without any distinction of religion, area or idea. But the disagreements about taking the lead of the war created again another split up between Balli Kombetar and the National-Liberation Front that was led by the communists.
Until the capitulation of Fascist Italy, there were no confrontations between these two fractions, except some particular incidents. In some cases these two fractions cooperated, as for example in the battle of Gjorm against the fascists and mercenaries of Halil Alia. In this battle the ballists under the command of Hysni Lepenica fought beside the partisans. The same happened also in the battles of Selenica and Patos against the fascists and mercenaries of Hysni Toska, etc. This continued and led to the Conference of Mukje, which marked the last attempt for unification. But Enver Hoxha denounced the agreement, proclaiming that Balli Kombėtar could not have an equal role and position with the National-Liberation Front. The true issue was deeper than this: To Enver Hoxha this agreement meant division of the power, which he never tolerated, sacrificing also friends of the same ideal. The representatives of Yugoslavia, Miladin Popovic and Dushan Mugosha had a very influential role in this conference. The conference declaration underlined the establishment of an ethnic Albania. This meant the unification of all Albanians, the majority of which were in Yugoslavia.
Mukje Conference was followed by the definitive split up. The National Liberation Army was more organized in the whole territory; this army had established the general committee and big attacking units capable of performing military actions. On the other hand, Balli Kombėtar failed to establish a solid force and organized fight against the invaders, failed to liberate and maintain free zones, and compromised itself in front of the eyes of the population by cooperating with the invader. In this way, towards the end of the war, Balli Kombėtar forces started to fall to pieces and the majority of common Balli Kombėtar members joined the National-Liberation Movement.
The Regime of Proletariat Dictatorship took a very severe revenge not only towards the cooperators with the invaders but also towards common Balli members, including family members and relatives, who were punished in judicial processes and administrative measures, sent in exile and forced to leave their houses.
The struggle of classes developed by the dictatorship, deepened the divisions and hostilities between Albanians, divisions that existed during three generations and continued for over 60 years. Our generation is author and actor of these events, and for this reason we should have given our example in accepting publicly the responsibilities for this situation: Balli members for cooperating with the enemy and National Liberation Front for the extremist position taken during the war when we came up with the slogan You are with us, or against us. In this way the Front attacked forces that were fighting the invaders but who were not against us, such as the troops lead by Muharrem Bajraktari, Gani Kryeziu, etj.
In particular we needed to find the courage to ask for pardon for the massive punishments and crimes of the dictatorship towards the innocent.
However, no former political persecuted person or family member of them has taken revenge for the crimes committed by the dictatorship; although they still continue to be discriminated and their rights are negated. The governments, one after the other, have impeded, in any way possible, the compensations to the political persecuted, for their sufferings in prisons and their work done in the dictatorship work camps.
Unfortunately, even the political parties created during the transition period in the Albanian territory, are instilling separations instead of national unification.
I am regretful to see that our generation, which took part in the war, is not able to pass to our successors peace, good understanding, and national unification. I wish the National Wide Reconciliation Committee finds the support of all Albanians in accomplishing this noble initiative for praising the honor, dignity and pride of all Albanians. |
