Evening star., 1945-01-04
Letters to The Star
Asks Help for the Albanians
Who Freed Themselves
70 The Editor Of The star:


To rho Editor Of The Star:
In his report on the activities Of
UNRRA, issued on December 2s last,
former Gov. Herbert H. Lehman, direc-
tor general of that organization, stated,
among other matters. that Russia has
declined so far to grant any facilities
for relief supplies to Poland and that,
furthermore, there are some dificulties
in arranging distribution OF supplies in
Yugoslavia.
In an earlier report, the Governor had
made it plain that plans Of immediate
relief for Yugoslavia, Greece and Al
bania were ready. Yet the last-men-
toned country is not referred to at all
in his December % report.
The question arises, therefore, con-
cerning what has become OF the plan
regarding Albania and why has UNRRA
failed to provide any relief for the suf-
fering and starving people of that little
country which, nevertheless, has sue
ceeded in freeing itself from German
domination almost solely by the efforts
Of Its own people, according to the testi-
mony Of your own correspondent, New
bold Noyes, jr.? What obstacles, il any,
are in the way of reaching the Albanian
ports which are only 100 miles or SO
distant from Italy where UNRRA has
its supply bases?
From inquiries made in competent
quarters, it appears that the chief OBJ
stacle lies in the fact that UNRRA can
not go into any country without an
explicit invitation on the part of the
constituted authorities. I understand,
however, that the government of Al
bania already has asked for such urgent
relief.
But, as a matter Of fact, not only
UNRRA but even the War Relief Fund
has failed to come to the assistance of
the Albanian people.
What is more, even though Albania
was liberated at the same time as
Greece, no postal or cable communica-
tions have been re-established with the
former, our demand to that end having
been ignored, whereas all the necessary
facilities have been extended to the
latter In spite of the existence OF civil
war in Athens and the provinces. AS a
result, there Is complete news black-out
in all matters pertaining to Albania,
so as to give the impression that the
little country is under virtual blockade.
Why this fragrant discrimination
against the smallest of the Balkan
States where there Is but one govern
ment of unified and orderly nation?
Well, it is simply because the principal
Allied powers do not seem to be able to
make up their minds in the matter of
extending official recognition to the gov
ernment of Albania, for the reason that
1t is constituted of left-center and left
wing elements.
And yet, while the fighting was going
on in the Balkans, the Governments of
the United States and Great Britain
did not hesitate to call repeatedly on
those leftist groups. exhorting them to
keep up the war against the Germans.
Now, however, that the hostilities are
over in that section and the victorious
leftist groups have succeeded in setting
up government of their own, the Allied
powers are giving them the cold
shoulder
1t is instructive. by contrast, to note
that while messages Of congratulation
and good will on the part of the Ameri-
can people were broadcast to the Al
banian people on November 28 last, on
the occasion of Albania's Independence
Day, and while Secretary Stettinius re-
leased to the press on the same day a
statement praising the Albanian people
for their sacrifices in the common cause,
no reference whatsoever was made to
the existence of an Albanian govern
ment, thus leaving the unfelicitous i'm
preston that here is meritorious, brave
and valiant people who regained their
freedom and independence without a
government to lead them on to such an
unprecedented triumph.
Is 1t logical? Is 1t just? Is 1t fair?
CONSTANTINE A. CHEKREzI.
President Free Albania Committee.