by Aleksandër Cangonja
This interesting document shows us the climax of the civil war between the Balli Kombëtar and the National Liberation Movement (LNÇL) during the summer of 1944. After the failure and breach of the Mukje Agreement, the Balli Kombëtar found itself in great political and military difficulties, as it began to be attacked in a strict and unstoppable manner from all sides by partisan forces.
Under these conditions, the only solution for the Balli Kombëtar to cope with the zeal and enthusiasm of the National Liberation Movement was close cooperation with the state authorities of the government under German occupation. However, as this document also shows, the Balli structures (which are here described as “voluntary forces”) often exceeded their legal powers, carrying out mass arrests and internments of entire families in an arbitrary manner.
This administrative anarchy forced the Deputy Prefect of Berat, First Captain Pjetër Gurakuqi, to officially complain to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He rightly emphasizes that such unofficial actions by the National Front organization reduce the prestige of state authorities and damage the image of the government towards the people, as such drastic measures should only be taken by the state on a legal basis.
Documents and transcript:
ALBANIAN STATEPREFECTURE OF BERATNo. 13/90 Res.Heavy, 29/7/1944
P. T. MINISTRY OF INTERIOR (Political Office). Tirane. LANDA: Internment loves families from the Fier Ball Organization.
The Sub-Prefecture of Fier, with its No. 5/39 Res dated 22/7/1944, informs us that on the evening of 20/7/1944, the National Front Organization there took and interned to Tirana and Berat the families of the fugitives recently with the communist chetas listed below.
1. Family Durro Peshkopias — 4 Frym — in Tirane
2. Family Uan Dhima — 5 Frym — in Tirane
3. Family Zoj Sota — 4 Frym — in Tirane
4. Family Llambi S. Plaku — 2 Frym — in Tirane
5. Family Bush Papingu — 5 Frym — in Tirane
6. Family Lule Tane Sota — 2 Frym — in Tirane
7. Family Til Nushi — 3 Frym — in Tirane
8. Family Xhezmi Resilija — 4 Frym — in Berat
After actions of this nature that are not only outside the competence of the Nationalist organization but also damage the prestige of the Government Authority before the people, because such measures are taken only by the Government and based on legal norms, we ask the Ministry of Public Security to intervene where necessary to prevent such measures from being repeated by the Voluntary forces.
Signed:
HEAD OF PREFECTS( CAPTAIN I )(PETER GURAKUQI)
