by Nikolle Loka

Abstract

This 1938 diplomatic letter, sent to Foreign Minister Ekrem Libohova in Tirana, reports on negotiations between Yugoslavia and Turkey regarding a population transfer agreement. The Mixed Commission has finalized discussions and prepared a draft convention to be submitted to the Turkish government for approval.

According to reliable sources, the agreement provides for the migration of 200,000 people of Turkish (Albanian) origin from southern Yugoslavia to Turkey. The process would begin the following year and be completed within five years. The Yugoslav government would compensate Turkey for the settlement of the emigrants and provide each family with an advance payment of 15,000–20,000 dinars. Emigrants would be allowed to sell and liquidate their property before departure.

The letter also notes that additional conditions proposed by the Yugoslav delegation were accepted without objection and briefly mentions a related meeting involving a student and the Secretary General of the President of the Republic. The document is dated June–July 1938 and preserved in the Albanian Foreign Ministry archives.

Transcribed:

“Nr. 2/XIX. REZ.

Nr. Prot. B.III 9/216
Arrived: 5/VII/1938

Mr. Minister,

In connection with your confidential report No. 2/XV dated 13 June 1938, I have the honor to inform Your Excellency that the Mixed Commission has concluded the discussions and prepared a draft convention which will be submitted to the Turkish Government for study and approval.

As we have been informed from reliable sources, the terms of the above-mentioned agreement are as follows:

1. 200,000 persons of Turkish origin residing in various parts of southern Yugoslavia will be accepted.
2. This action will begin next year and will be completed within five years.
3. The Yugoslav Government will pay the Turkish Government for the settlement of the emigrants and will provide an advance for each family of 15–20 thousand dinars.
4. The emigrants will have the right to sell and liquidate all of their property.

The competent circles here say that as for the other difficult conditions proposed by the Yugoslav delegation, they were accepted without objection.

On this occasion, I permit myself to emphasize to Your Excellency that the Ministry learned yesterday that the student arrived here and that today I met with him; according to what he told me, he had yesterday had a meeting with the Secretary General of the President of the Republic ……………..

(Stamp on left:)
A–2
30 June 1938

(Handwritten signature)

To His Excellency
Mr. Ekrem Libohova
Minister of Foreign Affairs

TIRANA

(Archive stamp:)
MEPJ ARCHIVE
Year: 1938
File: 107/2
Page: 733″