326 Chapter 3
waiting at the border for 20 days. On February 23, Albania joined the Soviet-spon-
sored Council for Economic Mutual Assistance, which further agitated Yugoslavia.
In early March Yugoslavia implemented a blockade of Albania, but within a few
days the Soviet Union announced that it would airlift supplies from Hungary to the
Albanians. On March 23, Albania accused a Yugoslav diplomat of leading a ring
of spies and terrorists against the Albanian government. According to the Yugoslav
government, an Albanian plane violated Yugoslav airspace the next day and dropped
leaflets around Lake Skutari.
Meanwhile, Albania and the Soviet Union continued to increase their level of
cooperation. On March 22, Albanian Premier Hoxha visited Moscow, where they
announced further economic cooperation. On June 11, Albania announced that the
former deputy premier and general secretary of the Communist Party, Djodji Kotchi,
had been sentenced to death by the Supreme Court in camera for collaboration with
Tito to annex Albania and the former president of the State Commission and Albanian
Politburo chief in Albania, Pandi Kristu, had been sentenced to a 20-year prison term.
Kotchi was executed the same day. By August Yugoslavia was actively providing
support for Albanian exiles to overthrow the Tirana regime.
On November 2, Yugoslavia sent a diplomatic note to Albania that protested
various alleged Albanian transgressions. Albania did not respond, so on Novem-
ber 12, Yugoslavia canceled its treaty of friendship and collaboration with
Albania. The Soviet Union reportedly increased its military presence in Albania as well.
Coding changes: End Date changed from November 24, 1951.
MID#2372
Dispute Number: 2372
Date(s): July 1952 to July 23, 1952
Participants: 345 Yugoslavia/339 Albania
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: Albania accused Yugoslavia of airspace violations and an attack on an
Albanian frontier post.
Coding changes: Outcome changed from Unclear. Settlement changed from Unclear.
Start Date changed from July 23. End Date Changed from July 1952.
MID#1720
Dispute Number: 1720
Date(s): December 15, 1975
Participants: 345 Yugoslavia/339 Albania
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Yugoslav border guards attacked an Albanian fishing vessel for refusing
to follow orders while allegedly in Yugoslav territorial waters. Albania protested this