Ermeni, Abas

Born in the second year of Albanian independence. He graduated from high school in Shkoder . Higher historical education received at the Sorbonne in 1934 - 1938 .

In 1938, Abas Ermeni returned to Albania. He taught history in Korce . Adhered to the national - patriotic , anti-communist and republican views.

On November 28, 1939, Abas Ermeni organized a rally against the Italian occupation . He was exiled by the occupation authorities to the island of Ventotene . In 1941, he managed to return to Albania and took an active part in the formation of the nationalist movement Bally Kombetar .

Abas Ermeni was one of the organizers of the Albanian armed resistance in Berat . He commanded a force of 1,000 active fighters, which, when mobilized, increased to 4,000. He led attacks on Italians, held an anti-fascist position (not very characteristic of Bally Kombetar as a whole). At the same time, Ermeni was hostile to the communist formations of Enver Hoxha . Collaborated with the British military ^[1] .

After the communist APT came to power, Abas Ermeni organized armed resistance to the Hoxha regime. The main bases were formed in Berat and Tirana (in particular, in Prese fortress). An attempt was made to capture Shkodra ^[2] . However, these attempts were suppressed, and in the fall of 1945 Ermeni secretly redeployed to Greece . He was sentenced in absentia to death by the communist authorities ^[3] .

He was arrested by the Greek authorities, was in prison in Thessaloniki , interned as a prisoner of war in Piraeus . Then he lived in Athens .

Abas Ermeni headed the local structure Bally Kombetar, was in its leadership, kept in touch with the movement leader Midhat Frasheri and Abaz Kupi . He took an active part in the creation of the National Committee "Free Albania" - the coordination structure of the Albanian anti-communist emigration. Ermeni consolidated Albanian emigrants on the basis of nationalism, anti-communism and republicanism.

Without enthusiasm, Ermeni allowed cooperation with monarchists - because of the international relations of Ahmet Zog . However, he refused to union with former collaborators. Preference was given to the participants of the armed struggle against the invaders and the Communists.

With the help of British officers - recent military allies - Ermeni established contact with the SIS and the CIA . (Subsequently, he noted that the British training was much more effective than the American.) Ermeni proposed an action plan to overthrow the Hoxha regime. At the same time, Ermeni stipulated in advance the national interests of Albania, its future sovereignty and guarantees of territorial integrity.

We needed funds to create a small but well-equipped army. An airlift to Albania would allow the creation of centers of resistance. People would take our side; many army units would join us. It was the right moment to overthrow the regime. Only such a plan had a chance of implementation. But the groups sent were too small.
The people we recruited in 1949 have already fought against the fascists and communists. They were as brave as most Albanians, and had combat experience. I also paid attention to the intellect and the ability to make contacts. I needed people who were well-known where they had to work, able to make connections and gather information.
It was necessary to protect the interests of Albania from the Greek and Yugoslav ambitions. The idea of ​​liberating Albania from the Communists went hand in hand with this. Albania had to become a country capable of repelling two neighbors, of course, as a member of the western camp.
Abas Ermeni (interview with Lord Betell , 1983 ) ^[4]

However, American and British intelligence did not show serious interest in projects Ermeni. Parachute raids quickly ceased (partly because of Kim Philby ) ^[5] , the resistance was crushed by the authorities of the NRA .

Abas Ermeni moved to Paris and focused on the activities of the Free Albania Committee. Published Qëndresa Shqiptare magazine - Albanian resistance ^[6] . He called for the Albanian diasporas of the whole world to unite under the auspices of the Committee in the anti-communist struggle ^[7] . He actively participated in organizational and propaganda activities of the Committee. He emphasized his commitment to Midhat Frasheri's ideas. He was also engaged in scientific research of Albanian history.

After the fall of the communist regime in 1991, Abas Ermeni returned to his homeland. He was elected honorary chairman of the revived Bally Kombetar - the National Front Party. He held a number of public events and conferences dedicated to the de-communization and national revival of Albania ^[8] .

Much attention was paid by Ermeni to the support of the Albanian population of Yugoslavia and Greece, to the speeches for the independence of Kosovo .

Abas Ermeni died in the 90th year of life. By the 6th anniversary of his death, Ermenís monograph was published Vendi që zë Skënderbeu në Historinë e Shqipërisë - Scanderbeg's place in the history of Albania ^[9] .

• Ndue Gion Marku
• Shevdet Mustafa Group