ALBANIA'S HOSTILITY

Chronicle (Levin), 5 April 1946, Page 5

ALBANIA'S HOSTILITY

Press Assn,

Britain Breaks Relations UNACCEPTABLE ASSURANCES

By Telegraph

Copyright

Received Friday, 11.40 a.m. ' LONDON, April 4. Britain has informed Albania that she does not wish to re-estab-lish diplomatic relations, but would be prepared to reconsider the matter if the Albanian Governme'nt had any fresh proposal to make. This was disclosed by diplomatic correspondents of news agencies, iwho add that the reasons include, j firstly, the expulsion of the British iWar Graves Commission officials; I secondly, her refusal to grant a visa i to a member of the British Minister [designate's staff; and thirdly, vioi lent attacks on the British military mission in the Albanian Press and the restriction of their movements. Britain's decision was conveyed in a document informing the Albanian Provisional Government that she was unable to authorise the British Minister designate, Mr. T. O. Rapp, to proceed to his post, and would not be able to receive the Albanian representative in London. xixc; uerms of the British note are bound to be reflected in Britain's attitude before the Security Council when Albania's application for admission to the United Nations is considered. Britain recognised General Hoxa's Government in November, 1945, after receiving assurances that a demoeratic government would be established. Preparations were then made for a resumption of diplomatic relations, but the Albanian Government began to adopt an increasingly hostile attitude towards Britain, and hampered the work of the British miiitarv mission to the extent that its members are now confined to the capital itself. The War Graves Commission was expelled before its work was completed. Finally, the Albanian Government had raised every difficulty over granting a visa for a .member | of Mr. Rapp's staff, and assurances j bv Albania that she wishes to re~ j establish diplomatic relations are j not forthcoming in any acceptable I form.