March 7, 1953
Dear comrades,
With our deep sorrow, the Albanian people, our Party of Labour, its Central Committee and the Government of the People’s Republic of Albania, learned the very bitter news of the loss of our dear friend, our glorious teacher, the great comrade Josif Vissarionovich Stalin.
Today, the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, the fraternal Soviet peoples, all the communist and workers’ parties, all the progressive and peaceful peoples of the world, as well as our people and our Party, have lost their most beloved man, their dear teacher, friend and loyal follower of the cause of the great Lenin, the leader who led with his far-sighted mind and steel-like hand on the path of peace, socialism and communism.
The loss of our glorious friend and teacher is a heavy blow that has deeply poisoned the hearts of every Albanian communist, the hearts of the workers, peasants, intellectuals, women and young people of our country, because the liberation of the Albanian people from the yoke of external and internal enemies, because the building of a new and happy life in our country, is associated with the name of Comrade Stalin.
In these very difficult moments, our Party and the entire Albanian people swear before the great comrade Stalin that they will preserve and strengthen even more our friendship and love towards the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the brotherly Soviet peoples. With the name and memory of Stalin in their hearts, the Albanian people, under the leadership of the Party of Labour, will move decisively towards new victories on the path set by our unforgettable teacher.
The Albanian people will close its ranks around the Party of Labour, its Central Committee and the Government of the People’s Republic of Albania, will strengthen its moral and political unity, will increase its revolutionary vigilance and readiness to crush every intrigue of the imperialist enemies and their servants against our freedom, independence, the peace and future.
On behalf of the Party of Labour of Albania and its Central Committee, on behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of Albania and the entire Albanian people, as well as on my own behalf, we present to the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, the Government of the Soviet Union and to the Soviet peoples, the deepest and most heartfelt condolences. All the workers of Albania, today more than ever, feel themselves fraternally united with all the Soviet workers and share with them this great bitterness and pain.
Comrade Stalin will live for centuries, he will live in our hearts, in the hearts of future generations. His gigantic struggle, his Bolshevik character, will be a school of leadership, patience and invincible strength in the face of any danger, an example of victory.
Long live the glory of the great Comrade Stalin!
Long live the peoples of the Soviet Union and the glorious Communist Party of Lenin-Stalin!
On Behalf of the Central Committee of the PLA and the Council of Ministers of the PRA
General Secretary of the PLA and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the PRA
Enver Hoxha