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| Isa Boletini first in the middle and Ismail Qemali first on the right with a black hat landing on the Italian coast, March, 1912 (archive) |
This interview with Ismail Qemali is being published for the first time in Albania. The interview was conducted for the Italian newspaper "IL PICCOLO DELLA SERA," in Trieste, on June 19, 1914. Ismail Qemali speaks from Brindisi, shortly before his return to Albania. After resigning from the leadership of the Temporary Government of Vlora in January 1914, he left Albania for a few months, only to return in June 1914 to face once again the extraordinary situation in which the country found itself, riporta Diaspora Shqiptare.
In this interview, Ismail Qemali talks about the difficult situation in which Albania found itself, and figuratively expresses, "Who sows the wind, can only expect the storm." He states, "I, who faced the danger with a calm spirit and was hated by Turkey, as well as for the good of the homeland, did not accept the leadership of the government. I was accused of collaborating with the pro-Turkish forces in Albania. You cannot find a more ridiculous and unfounded accusation."
Ismail Qemali continues the interview by analyzing the causes of the anarchy in which the country found itself, following the actions of the Committee of National Defense (KNK), Prince Widi, Esat Toptani, and the development of the Dibra movement: "Albania had a government. They did not want it but preferred to leave it in the hands of those who wanted to seize it and satisfy their unrestrained ambitions. Time is the best teacher and shows people. I return to my Vlora with a calm spirit because I have always worked for the good of my country. The slanders that have touched me cannot harm my honor, which I will preserve untarnished until death."
Due to his strong character, Ismail Qemali's integrity remained unassailable. Ismail Qemali, with all the strength of his noble spirit, never ceased to work for Albania. He was the savior of Albania at its most crucial moment in history. He was the kind of leader whose words were always aligned with his actions. This was the perception yesterday, this is the perception today, and this will continue to be the perception of Ismail Qemali's leadership tomorrow. Here is how Tafil Boletini, the nephew of Isa Boletini and his close collaborator, remembers him: "Ismail Qemali loved his uncle Isa very much and trusted him, and Isa remained loyal to the end, valuing him as the key factor that saved Albania at the most critical moment. As for others who later vied for positions, at that time, the idea of raising the flag did not even occur to them."
Ismail Qemali, with gratitude, praised his uncle Isa for the assistance he had in the political arena from his unwavering struggles and proposed him the position of Minister of War. However, Uncle Isa said, "No, that is not the place for me, because even here behind, I have many duties," and recommended Mehmet Pasha Dërralla.
Tafil Boletini testifies that "Ismail Qemali was not only a diplomat but also brave. Without hesitation, he would say, 'Anyone who attacks us will die at the gates of Kanina.'"
Isa Boletini, Bajram Curri, and others were secret envoys of the Government of Vlora because at that time, the official engagement of the new Albanian state in organizing the uprising was not advisable. Therefore, in secrecy, they, along with Kosovo migrants gathered in Vlora, were organizing the liberation movement in the Albanian regions occupied by Serbs and Montenegrins.
Another significant moment that reveals the leadership and courageous character of these great Albanians is how Ismail Qemali and Isa Boletini welcomed the propagandistic visit of the Sultan to Kosovo in 1911. This visit aimed to reconcile the Albanians after the violent reprisals that the Turks had committed against the uprising Albanians.
The pro-Turkish forces thought to change tactics with the Albanians and took advantage of the opportunity to realize the visit of the elderly Sultan Mehmet Reshat V to Albania. In the delegation that would accompany the Sultan, they thought to include Ismail Qemali and some other Albanian deputies. However, Ismail Qemali categorically refused to participate in such a delegation and publicly denounced this trip as ridiculous and useless.
Tafil Boletini writes that "in the summer of 1911, the Sultan was to arrive in Kosovo at the tomb of Sultan Murat. The ceremony was also a great propaganda for all those who still believed in the Ottoman Empire. Isa Boletini was among the first on the list of those who would welcome 'Hazret,' but he refused." As a result of the steadfast stance of these two men, the Sultan's visit in June 1911 was met with coldness and did not fulfill the demagogic aims of the pro-Turkish forces.
The High Gate followed the tactic of the stick and carrot, attempting now and then to lure distinguished Albanians with posts and privileges. However, the mountainous areas of Albania never submitted to Islamic law (Sharia) and continued to apply their traditional code. Tafil Boletini recalls, "In June 1909, Hasan Prishtina arrives in Mitrovica as a special envoy of Hysen Hilmi Pasha, the Prime Minister at the time. Hasan Prishtina, on behalf of Istanbul, promised rewards and peace to Isa if he would abandon his frequent uprisings. Uncle Isa refused."
Ismail Qemali and Isa Boletini would continue their battle for Albania until the day they closed their eyes.
During his stay in France, where he settled after leaving Italy in April 1915, Ismail Qemali rejected a request from the French government to involve the Albanian territory in the war, presented by the distinguished French statesman Aristide Briand (11-time Prime Minister of France) and several other French parliamentarians. At a reception held in his honor in 1916, they asked for his help in using the territory of Southern Albania as logistical support for a major Allied action in World War I.
After this refusal, Ismail Qemali was forced to leave France with his family. In May 1918, he left Paris for Barcelona. Meanwhile, the Italian government did not allow him to return to Italy or go to Switzerland because they feared his influence on the Albanian community there. So he went to Spain to communicate more easily through the American embassy in Madrid with Albanians in America, who had appointed him as their representative at the upcoming Peace Conference in Paris. On December 20, 1918, he came from Barcelona to Genoa and headed to Perugia to coordinate with the Italian government his strategy for defending the Albanian cause at the Paris Conference. There, he would close his eyes with great concern for the fate of Albania.
Ismail Qemali was always ready to maintain the right stance against good and evil. He was prepared to sacrifice personal interest and endure the consequences that came from holding a just and unwavering position. He always defended the weak and forsaken facing injustice. He did what he said. And there was no force on earth that could intimidate him.
There are different categorizations for politicians. There are people remembered as great leaders, as patriots. But there are also others who go beyond these categorizations, and the people throw the prophet's cloak over their heads. This is because of their sublime heritage. Ismail Qemali falls into the latter category, as expressed grandiosely in the verses dedicated to Ismail Qemali by the great poet Ali Asllani:
"He was a Prophet and remains a Prophet;
And stands as he was;
He will bear the name as he had;
His name is true;
It is November twenty-eight."