ARCHIVAL DOCUMENT: Belgrade, July 11, 1912 – Jovan Jovanović (signed) Original document in Serbian. This archival document (attached) from the Serbian archives dates back to the early 20th century—specifically to the year 1912. It states that Serbia armed the Albanians between 1910 and 1912 with the aim of strengthening itself and making it easier to subjugate the Albanians.

For greater clarity, read the Serbian directives below regarding their dealings with Albanians in 1912, on the eve of the Balkan Wars.
Here is the translation, along with an attached copy of the original document in Serbian, dated July 11, 1912.

“INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING ACTIONS CONCERNING ALBANIANS
JULY 11, 1912. FROM THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE CONSULATES.

Our stance regarding our relations with the Albanians is as follows:
We must use all our strength to incite the greatest possible rift between the Turks and the Albanians—a rift so deep that it can never be bridged.” The Albanians, therefore, should be incited to wage war against Turkey; they should not merely be encouraged but also provided with logistical support in the form of arms.

However, this assistance must not be such that it allows them to gain the upper hand. It is in Serbia’s interest for Turkish authority over the Albanians to wane, yet without the Albanians emerging as victors from the conflict—especially given the national-liberation character of their current movement.

We must assist the Albanians in their fight against Turkish forces (providing advice, weapons, ammunition, trained personnel, funds, and other resources), while being careful not to completely lose the Turks’ trust or place excessive obstacles in the path of Turkish armies when they undertake military actions to suppress the Albanian uprising.
In this way, we will achieve the following:

a) The Albanians and the Turks will weaken each other through their conflict, leaving them less capable of fighting against Serbia and its Balkan allies (Bulgarians, Greeks, and Montenegrins—with whom an alliance must inevitably be formed); consequently, these Balkan allies will be left with the impression that, without Serbian assistance, they would be unable to accomplish anything against the Turks and the Albanians.

b) The Albanians will see in us a true friend and protector, and before long, they will become our political allies as well;

c) In this way, Serbia will preserve its armed forces for the decisive war it will one day wage against the Turks.

The Montenegrins should adopt a similar stance. As for us, we must cultivate friendship with the Albanians and strengthen mutual relations and trust, even if this risks sowing some distrust on the part of Turkey.

The future of our nation depends on the relationship of trust between Serbs and Albanians.

Belgrade, July 11, 1912 – Jovan Jovanović (signed)”,
Original document in Serbian.”