806 FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1946, VOLUME IV

rorize the inhabitants and prevent them from fighting a war of libera-
tion. Entire districts, such as Piza, Mallakastra, Skrapari, Kurveleshi,
were razed to the ground; churches of inestimable historical and
artistic value, such as those of Voskopoja, Vithkup, Berat were looted
and set on fire.

The museum of Vlora, the archeological institutes of Buthrotum
and Pojani were despoiled of their ancient works of art by the Italian
Fascists.

Finances, Customs, Pensions

The Italians never paid any port, quarantine, or landing dues. The
cost of their army of occupation was a heavy burden for Albania and
after the capitulation of Italy, more than 70.000 Italian soldiers found
refuge and aid there through the generosity of our people who kept
them for two years.

The abolition of the Albanian Customs (Legislative Decree of
April 20, 1939), inflicted great loss on Albania.

Italy, an aggressor nation, must compensate the Albanians for the
expenses incurred on behalf of the Army of National Liberation, and
for military aid to the Alhes.

The families of thousands of victims of the Italians, and those
wounded in the war against Italy have a right to pensions. Compensa-
tion should be paid to the thousands of Albanians deported or em-
ployed on forced labour during the occupation.

In the course of their punitive expeditions, Italian soldiers looted
a great quantity of valuable objects from the civilian population, and
from sanctuaries.

Pecumary Losses

Italy controlled the former National Bank of Albania. She collected
all the Albania gold, about 300.000 gold francs, and transferred it to
Italy. After the occupation, the Italians caused serious inflation of
the Albanian currency which cost the Albanian people 150.128.826
gold francs. The gold reserves, constituting a cover of 8.062.827 gold
francs for the Albanian paper currency in 1939, were transferred by
the Banca d’Italia to the Reichsbank in Berlin.

This is a brief summary of the losses inflicted on Albania by Fascist
Italy; they attain the figure of 3.544.232.626 gold francs, a figure far
below the real losses of the country.

These losses and damages have gravely imperilled the Albanian
economic structure which cannot recover without adequate compensa-
tion by Italy which was responsible. By reason of her contribution to
the common victory, Albania demands as a right that Italy should be
compelled to make reparation to the greatest possible extent, and to
restore the objects which were removed.