ALB
ENG
“How was Enver Hoxha’s monument protected and transported within the Military Academy”
The events of February 1991 were very tense, especially in the premises of the Military Academy. After the overthrow of the monument of former dictator Enver Hoxha at the center of Tirana on 20 February, the following days were accompanied with developments within this academy. Albanian Free Press talks to Xhemil Xh. Çela, former head of the Intelligence Department at the Military Academy. “The anarchy was attracting cadets like a magnet. This had to stop at any cost…”, he reveals
Interviewed for Albanian Free Press by Albert Zholi
Mr. Çela, can you tell us how events evolved in the Military Academy in February 1991, at a time when a monument of Enver Hoxha was inside its territory?
Yes, we, military officers and the public opinion, are familiar with the events that took place at “Enver Hoxha” Military Academy. This was the time when at the center of Tirana, Enver Hoxha’s monument had just been overthrown. A monument of Enver Hoxha, was also located within the academy’s territory. Lots of rumors spread that the monument was going to be overthrown by force from outside. This was raising tension within the academy. Different groups had started to suspend classes. The anarchy was attracting our cadets like a magnet. This had to stop. The academy’s commander, Arseni Stroka along with the commands of other schools, knew that the events were becoming chaotic and were threatening to come out of control. I could see Arseni was worried about these developments, but he was not afraid. He could now realize that the magic of the military order was weakening and that the pressure outside the academy’s fence was mounting. But, Arseni wanted to establish and preserve connections with that part of the cadets which seem to opt for anarchy. On the other hand, he mobilized several authoritarian figures to follow the development of the events from inside. For this, in cooperation with the command of two other schools, he made them part of the so called “Committee of Events” chaired by Agim Bajraktari. The right opportunities should be exploited in order to handle the events. Upon the insistence of commander Arseni, I also became part of the committee.
What happened afterwards?
After the second day of the events, the instigators of the events were convinced that they could not play with the school cadets. The school’s cadets became more solid and compact and the forces outside could no longer rely on them to aggravate the situation within the school. The cadets were determined to protect Enver Hoxha’s monument. It was a castle that could not be taken.
What was the conversation that commander Arseni made with representatives of the Democratic Party, Tirana branch?
Representatives of the Tirana branch of the Democratic Party were meeting with the high command of the Military Academy. As member of the committee, I was also notified. When I arrived in the office, they had left to assess the situation on the ground. The representative of the Democratic Party branch for Tirana, Mark Topalli, the deputy police chief and the film director of Kinostudio, had been assessing the situation in the school’s territory. They had even talked to groups of students in the central square and they had expressed their understanding, even their concern, about that the fact that schools were blocked. When they went back to the office, commander Arseni addressed to those who had arrived: “If it’s possible, tell the crowd to leave and let us calm down our cadets. Although they are nothing compared to our physical force, let alone military force, they have a tendency to provoke our cadets with words and actions. As a school, we have made our position clear on the press and on TV. We have nothing to do with the developments outside the schools, but we will not allow anybody to interfere or enter the premises of these schools”.
There are rumors about a written statement issued by the Military Academy. What happened afterwards?
On the evening of 24 February 1991, at a time when the crowd had gathered nearby, the command of the Military Academy received around 6 or 7 representatives of neighborhood 10. Near the end of the meeting, I also found myself in the commander’s office. Among others, the neighborhood’s representatives still wanted to know about the possibility of the “displacement” of the monument from the academy to place it in the center of Tirana. Thus, the situation was being kept heated with the idea of replacing the monument. For us, this was no longer a problem which required a solution. It was addressed since the meeting held with the representatives of the different subjects. Therefore, it was not hard for the school’s commander to issue a firm response. But, those who had arrived were convinced about the “possibility of displacement and they asked the commander to issue a written statement. They argued that they needed this statement, because people did not believe them. People who had come from God knows where, had been terrorizing the residents of the neighborhood. I was glad when Arseni, without the slightest hesitation or the feeling of inferiority, issued the written statement, which included these points:
“1. The schools’ command declares that nobody from the school has decided to move Enver Hoxha’s monument. We don’t deal with removals or placements or displacements of monuments.
2.The right for the removal of the monuments located in schools is reserved to the institutions who have placed them and nobody else.
3.The monument is part of the school’s inventory and nobody will be allowed to touch it.
4.Following these clarifications, we ask you to gather the crowds, read the statement and the abandon the so called school siege.
5.We warn everyone who will attempt to enter the school territory with terrorist objectives in mind, that they will be met with legitimate force and we will not hold any responsibility for the consequences”.
The representatives of the neighborhood were happy with the statement. They requested a megaphone, which the command provided them. The people who had gathered on the “Bajram Curri” school square had been waiting there for hours. It was 9 pm of February 24th when the crowd, which was passing in front of the entry of the military academy, was crying out “Let’s go to Skanderbeg’s square”. Most of the people, those who did not belong to the neighborhood, were leaving. As of this moment, the situation around us started to calm down. This is how the famous events of the military academy ended peacefully
How did the events concerning Hoxha’s monument within the Military Academy evolve?
Hoxha’s monument was removed from the school during the July-August 1991 period. It was removed by the Engineers’ Division and was placed within the storage premises. It is not known what happened with it later on.
MEMOIRS
“How do I remember the former commander of the Military Academy”
“I knew Arseni Stroka at the end of the ‘60s. Although he was younger and composed, in my opinion, he was very accurate in his actions. His coordinated and perfect instructions and actions were natural and expressed no emotions. He commanded, he talked in front of the soldiers and acted naturally and convincingly on the field. Thus, this is how I came to know Arseni Stroka, highly professional, simple and modest. He remained like that for me and his friends until the day he passed away…”
