FLASH
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"America is the best country in the world"! This expression is not accepted even by many Americans, but for Albanians it is a postulate. At the height of the Cold War and even in Albania's most uncertain moments, Americans have always been behind the door, ready to do anything for Albanians. Just a month after the break with the Soviet Union and the possible rapprochement with China, the acting American President John F. Kennedy and his administration drafted foreign policy towards Albania. This Kennedy foreign policy had several main pillars.
First, the tacit acceptance of Albania's rapprochement with China, to separate it from Soviet influence. Second, the opening of economic and trade routes to Albania, in any case it would request, and the rapprochement of Albania with non-communist countries.
Third, imposing on neighboring countries to abandon the "hands off" policy (do nothing) towards Albania. Fourth, the US would be open to any request for rapprochement from Albania.
Fifth and most importantly, in case of emergency and if China could not sufficiently support Albania and if it were threatened with a crisis of survival, the Americans would ensure that the Albanians would not experience anything like that.
And of course, Enver Hoxha's communist state had no intention of getting closer to the Albanians' historical allies as long as the communist leader's paranoia meant that his power was at risk.
The full document of the change in American foreign policy after the breakdown of Albanian-Soviet relations:
Department of State, February 1, 1962
Memorandum for the President
Subject: Foreign policy orientation regarding the situation in Albania.
This document has been circulated among the members of the National Security Council and they agreed at their meeting on January 26th on the principles of this recommended policy. These proposals provide guidelines for dealing with the problem raised by the current situation in Albania, as a point of reflection in the conflict between China and the Soviets. The Departments of State and Defense have been closely following developments in Albania and have planned for any unexpected events that may arise.
For your information, these are the relevant points;
“In the best interest of our course…the United States will not be involved openly or directly with the current regime, or in the relations between the Albanian regime and Moscow or Beijing. Therefore, the United States should:
A – To tacitly accept the development of relations between Albania and China and to leave at this stage the burden of Albanian support for China.
B – To continue to remain formally and publicly cool towards normal or controversial Albanian relations that may arise along the way.
C – To avoid initiatives to establish diplomatic relations between the US and Albania and to respond with prudence and reserve to any Albanian initiative.
D – Avoiding any propaganda activity on our part against Albania, as well as any other attempt to spread propaganda in other countries against Albania's controversial position.
E – Ignoring any harshness of Albania towards the US
F – The unhindered permission of Albanian trade and any sales to the US under the same conditions as other Soviet satellite countries from Eastern Europe were allowed, with the exception of Poland.
G – To favor any opportunity for increased trade with NATO member states and Albania as requested by the Albanian authorities but at this stage under strict trade bases (no additional credits for trade), or if appropriate agreements can be worked out. In this regard, we should work in the NATO Council on trade issues affecting Albania.
H – To favor the expansion of diplomatic relations between Albania and non-communist states, but under the condition that no plan by these countries to try to win over Albania will be suggested. We should also involve the NATO Council on this issue.
I – Be prepared to consider any emergency that would adopt possible measures against Albania through a third party if a crisis involves Albania, always if Beijing does not provide the necessary support for Albania's survival.
J – To continue consultations with the Greek, Yugoslav and Italian governments regarding the situation in Albania and in this context to make clear the US's concern regarding any attempt by any of them to abandon any policy towards Albania./ Memorie.al
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