Evening star., 1945-11-10
U. 5. Ready 10 Accept
Albania Regime When
Pledges Are Given
Recognition Is Extended
By Britain on Promise
Of Free Elections

11C OlllICo oUdGCS Id ISdoy w
recognize the Albanian provi-
sional government headed by
Col. Gen. Enver HoXha as soon
as it receives assurances that
the Hoxha regime will live up to
democratic principles, the State
Department announced today.
In London the British government
announced that it had recognized
the Albanian government with the
understanding that Gen. Hoxha in
tended to hold free elections at
an early date.
The department said Joseph E.
Jacobs, head of an informal Amer
ican mission in Albania, was notify
ing Gen. Hoxha today of this Gov
ernment's readiness to establish
diplomatic relations with his regime
on receipt of assurances that:
l. The forthcoming elections for
a constituent assembly shall be
held on genuinely free basis, with
secret ballot and without threats
or intimidation"
2. "All democratic individuals and
groups in Albania shall enjoy free
dom of speech and the right law
fully to present and support their
candidates."
Free Reporting Provided For.
8. American and other foreign
press correspondents shall be per-
mitted to observe and report freely
on the elections and the work of the
constituent assembly,"
The United States has not main
tanned any official relations with an
Albanian government since the
Fascist invasion and occupation of
Albania in 1899. The State Depart
ment recalled that it often has ex-
pressed support "of the restoration
Of Albanian independence" and said
Albanian resistance forces who ex-
PEELED the Germans at the end of
1914 had established a governing
authority which now exercises "ef-
fective control over the entire
country"
The decision to move for recogni-
ton of this regime, the State De-
partment said, followed study of re-
ports by Mr.. Jacobs mission, which
has been in Albania since May, and
consultation with the other major
Allied governments.
The department said 1t under
stood the Soviet government also
was sending communication to
Gen. Hoxha today on the subject of
recognition.
Predominantly Communist.
At British government. offices in
London it was pointed out that, al
though the Hoxfa regime is pre-
dominantly Communist, it also con-
tains nom Communists and Is not
government forced on the country
from the outside. Gen. Hoxha is
generally believed to have close
liaison with Marshal Tito of Yugo-
slavia.
ine GreeK government has pro-
tested against British recognition of
the regime at Tirana on the grounds
it would prejudice Athens terri
torial claims on northern Epirus.
Athens dispatches said the Greek
protest called attention to charges
that the Greek population in North
ern Epirus, a. part OF Albania, had
been mistreated. London foreign
office sources said British recogni-
ton of Albania would not neces-
sarily affect Greek claims.
Recognition of the Hoxha regime
leaves the status of King Zog in the
balance. King Zog fled Albania
when Mussolini's legions invaded
the country on Good Friday, April
Z, 1899, and is now living in exile in
England. Diplomatic quarters in
London express belief that he is
not acceptable to the present re-
gime in Albania.