by Fahri Xharra
The Bujan Conference (held from December 31, 1943, to January 2, 1944) was a moment when Albanians were promised one thing, but given something completely different, while the Montenegrin cadres in the Party played a key role in the “acrobatics” around the borders. Here is how this “game” was carried out:
The Promise at Bujan (Self-Determination)
At that conference, in which Albanian and Yugoslav communists participated (many of whom came from Montenegrin tribal areas), a resolution was adopted that clearly stated: Kosovo and Metohija are part of Albania and the people there have the right to self-determination, up to secession. This was the only way for the partisans to gain the support of the Albanian masses, who at the time were overwhelmingly with the Balli Kombëtar (National Front).
The Montenegrin “Maneuver” and Tito
Once the war began to tilt toward victory, the Yugoslav leadership (where Milovan Đilas and Svetozar Vukmanović Tempo had great influence on the ground) realized that losing Kosovo and Metohija, as well as parts of the Albanian Highlands (Malësia), would be political suicide.
Cancellation of Bujan: Under the pretext that “the moment is not appropriate” and that fascism must first be defeated, the Bujan resolution was effectively set aside.
Military Administration (1945): Instead of unification with Albania, the army was sent to Kosovo under the command of Sava Drljević to suppress the uprising of those who had believed in the promises of Bujan.
What did the Albanians get?
Instead of a state or unification, they received an autonomous province within Serbia. This is the real reason why there was silence about Bujan for decades. It was a classic wartime trick: use the name of Bajram Curri and the “fraternization” with Dr. Marković to raise the Albanians against the occupier, and then, at the end of the war, redraw the borders to serve the interests of the new Yugoslav state.
References
Dobruna, Alban. “The Conference of Bujan as a Foundation of the Statehood of Kosova.” Journal of History and Future 7, no. 1 (2021): 119–129.
Kelmendi, Ilir. “Bujan Conference – Hope for the Realization of Historical Right on National Unification.” SSRN, May 2, 2018.
Lalaj, Ana. “Konferenca e Bujanit, 31 Dhjetor 1943 – 2 Janar 1944: Një Analizë e Rivlerësuar.” Studime Historike (2011).
Meier, Viktor. Yugoslavia: A History of Its Demise. London: Routledge, 2005.
Sula, Avdyl. “Kuvendi i Bujanit – Kushtrim dhe kujtesë, pësim dhe mësim i historisë sonë.” Gjurmime Albanologjike 35 (2005): 105–114.
