The Congress of Tirana and its important decisions

Abstract

Years 1918-1920 had a decisive importance for the Albanian national Movement. From the conceptualization and action of this movement as well as from the stand of the Great Powers depended the fate of the truncated Albanian state, which was self-determined with the act of the November 28, 1912 and legalized by the Conference of Ambassadors in 1912-’13. The risk of re-disintegration was present. This risk was perceived in the premises for the implementation of the Secret Treatise of London in April 26, 1915, in the Tittoni –Venizelos Agreement, July 1919, in the stand of the Government of Durrës and the antinational role of some Albanian landowners. From December 1918 to January 1920 there were held some congresses and meetings, with the object of assuring control of the situation after the First World War. Among them, we can mention the Congress of Tirana (December 19, 1918), the Congress of Durrës (December 25, 1918), the Meeting of Dibra (December 1918), the Meeting of Kruja ((January 11, 1919) and the Congress of Tirana (May 1919). Also, there were made efforts for the organization of a national congress, which succeeded in the organization the Congress of Lushnja on January 28-31, 1920. It was the Congress of Tirana (December 1918), where Rauf Fico, a former Deputy Prefect, played an important organizational role, which opened the way to this Congress. In the Congress of Tirana (December 1918) participated as representatives of Tirana Abdi Toptani and Ismail Ndroqi, whereas Rauf Fico as a representative of the Local Authorities. Also, there participated Sotir Peçi, Myslym Beshiri, Mytesim Këlliçi, Sinan Hoxha etc. The Chairman of the congress was Abdi Toptani. This congress invited Ahmed Zogu in person. Later, notices were sent to Aqif Pasha Elbsani, Hasan Pishtina and Sukejman Delvina. The Congress of Tirana (December 1918), was held in line with the efforts made by the Albanian patriots to organize the Legislative Authority of the country as well as the defense of the Albanian National Cause with a voice against the intrigues of the time.