Primary Sources
Letter from Muhamet Kapllani to Hans-Dietrich Genscher (Tirana, 18 June 1991)
Description
In this 1991 letter, written in formal diplomatic language, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Albania agrees to accept a mission to Albania from the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) (later the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe). As a precondition for this mission, the Albanian government had to accept the Helsinki Final Act, including important guarantees of human rights, and the Charter of Paris. The context for this document is important. Despite the fall of most Communist regimes across Eastern Europe, Albania remained a hard-line Communist government. Pro-democracy demonstrations had started during the summer of 1990 and in March 1991, Albania held its first ever multi-party election. The Communists won this election, leading to accusations of wide-spread election fraud. As a result of public unrest, the government of Ramiz Alia invited the CSCE to oversee preparations for a second election in 1992. Albania was isolated economically and politically. To gain access to European markets and institutions, the government had to agree to CSCE involvement. This letter also represents some recognition that the Communist government would have to play by the rules set down by the European Union.
Source
Muhamet Kapllani to Hans-Dietrich Genscher, 18 June 1991, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, OSCE Documents, OSCE (accessed July 25, 2008).
Primary Source—Excerpt
Tirana, 18 June, 1991
Mr. Minister,
The Government of the Republic of Albania hereby adopts the Helsinki Final Act, the Charter of Paris for a New Europe and all other documents of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe.
The Government of the Republic of Albania accepts in their entirety all commitments and responsibilities contained in those documents, and declares its determination to act in accordance with their provisions.
The Government of the Republic of Albania welcomes the visit of a Rapporteur Mission to be arranged by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe. The Government of Albania will do everything possible to facilitate and assist this mission. The Government of Albania is confident that this mission will inform the participating States of progress in Albania towards full implementation of CSCE commitments as well as assist Albania towards that objective. The Government of Albania understands that this mission will draw upon the expertise of persons from participating states, CSCE institutions and other relevant organizations.
The Government of Albania expresses its readiness for signature of the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris by the Head of State or Government of the Republic of Albania at the earliest opportunity.
I kindly ask you, Mr. Minister, to circulate copies of this letter to all representatives of the participating States at the CSCE Council of Ministers.
Please accept, Mr. Minister, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Muhamet Kapllani
Foreign Minister
Republic of Albania