The Expulsion of the Albanians

"At a time when Germany can expel tens of thousands of Jews and Russia can shift millions of people from one part of the continent to another, the expulsion of a few hundred thousand Albanians will not lead to the outbreak of a world war. However, those who decide should know what they want and persist in achieving this, regardless of the possible international obstacles."

- Čubrilović

The Expulsion of the Albanians (Исељавање Арнаута/Iseljavanje Arnauta), also known as The Resettlement of Albanians, was a lecture presented by the Yugoslav historian Vaso Čubrilović (1897–1990) on 7 March 1937. The text elaborates on the ethnic composition dynamics of Kosovo and other Albanian-populated areas within Yugoslavia from medieval times to the present. While explaining why previous methods put in place by the Yugoslav authorities to overturn the ethnic majority of Albanians in those areas had failed so far, such as slow colonization or agrarian reforms, it suggested in detail a radical solution – the mass expulsion of Albanians. The expulsion was seen by Čubrilović as a geopolitical measure to prevent potential Albanian irredentism.

Čubrilović proposed that the Albanians be forced to emigrate free willingly through harassment and settling of Serbs, calling the state for help to make the "Arnaut suffer as much as he can". This would be done through fines, arrests, ruthless application of all police regulations, punishment, smuggling, deforestation and violence. A ruthless collection of taxes would be used and all public schools be closed. Albanian homes and villages could be burnt down, referring to the 1877–78 expulsions of Albanians in Niš and Kuršumlija. Čubrilović noted that the Chetniks and paramilitaries could be of good use where they would pressure the Albanians to leave, making it "the most effective means". Their land was to be confiscated and given to Montenegrin and Serb settlers and thus change the ethnic structure. These methods would result in ethnic cleansing.

Background
In the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, Albanians were concentrated in the Kosovo region.

By the 1930s, Serbianisation efforts and attempts at increasing the Serb population had failed as the Yugoslav census (1931) showed Albanians were 62 percent of the Kosovan population. Drawing inspiration from the infamous 1923 Population exchange between Greece and Turkey, Yugoslav officials began discussions with their Turkish counterparts regarding the mass deportation of citizens to Turkey. Beginning in 1933, Turkish foreign minister Tevfik Rüştü Aras made a series of visits to Yugoslav prime minister Milan Stojadinović at the Foreign Ministry in Belgrade to discuss the deportation and mass migration processes. The vast majority of Albanian Muslims considered themselves Albanian, not Turks, and did not want to move. Despite this, economic migration of Albanians and Muslim Bosnians to Turkey during this period continued; in 1938, one year after The Expulsion of the Albanians was presented, Yugoslavia and Turkey signed an agreement that proposed the relocation of some 40,000 families.

Čubrilović, a historian at the University of Belgrade and former member of the Young Bosnia organization, originally presented it as a lecture on 7 March 1937 at the Serbian Cultural Club in Belgrade. It suggested a radical solution, ethnic cleansing in the form of mass expulsion, of Albanians from Kosovo as a geopolitical measure, a means to prevent Albanian irredentism and to secure a Yugoslav Kosovo.

Points
The 1937 document advocates for the brutal expulsion and assimilation of Albanians in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The document called for forced migrations, violent suppression, and demographic manipulation to eradicate Albanian influence. Čubrilović's proposals highlight the extreme nationalist and oppressive policies aimed at establishing Serbian dominance, reflecting a dark chapter of ethnic intolerance and aggressive state-sanctioned actions against minority populations. He outlined a series of measures that needed to be taken to get rid of the Albanian population: forced expulsions, colonization, economic displacement, cultural suppression, and military action.

1. Forced Expulsions
"The only way and the only means to cope with the Albanians in Kosovo is the brute force of an organized state apparatus. We must not hesitate to use all means, even the most brutal ones, to achieve our goal of a Serbian Kosovo. The expulsion must be carried out swiftly and decisively, targeting influential leaders first to destabilize the community and ensure no organized resistance can form."Vaso Čubrilović’s 1937 memorandum emphasized the necessity of forced expulsions to rid Yugoslavia of its Albanian population. He argued that peaceful assimilation or voluntary migration would not suffice, instead advocating for the use of "brute force of an organized state apparatus" to drive Albanians out. Čubrilović proposed using military and police forces to create an atmosphere of terror, making life so unbearable for Albanians that they would have no choice but to flee. This tactic, he believed, would prevent any potential resistance or backlash from the international community due to its swift and decisive nature. To ensure the effectiveness of these expulsions, Čubrilović suggested confiscating the property of expelled Albanians and using these resources to finance the operation. This economic devastation would make it impossible for Albanians to return, thereby solidifying the demographic shift. He stated, "We must not hesitate to use all means, even the most brutal ones, to achieve our goal of a Serbian Kosovo." This callous approach underscored his commitment to ethnic cleansing as a means of establishing Serbian dominance in the region.

Čubrilović's plan also included specific strategies for implementing these expulsions. He recommended targeting community leaders and influential figures first, to destabilize the social structure of the Albanian population. By removing those who could organize resistance, he believed that the remaining population would be easier to intimidate and expel. The memorandum's detailed and systematic approach to forced expulsions highlights the extreme lengths Čubrilović was willing to go to achieve his vision of a homogenous Serbian state.

2. Colonization
"It is necessary to colonize the areas with Serb elements to ensure our ethnic and political dominance. Serbian colonists must be settled on the lands confiscated from Albanians to strengthen the Serbian presence. Financial incentives, land grants, and infrastructure improvements will encourage Serbian families to relocate and remain in these areas, creating a permanent Serbian majority." Čubrilović believed that the Yugoslav colonization of Kosovo was unsuccessful, and that much harsher measures needed to be taken. Alongside forced expulsions, Čubrilović's memorandum strongly advocated for the colonization of Albanian-majority areas with Serbian settlers. This strategy aimed to ensure the long-term dominance of Serbs in these regions by altering the demographic balance. Čubrilović proposed providing financial incentives, land grants, and other forms of support to Serbian families willing to relocate. He believed that this influx of Serbs would not only increase the Serbian population but also culturally and politically dominate the area.

The memorandum outlined a detailed plan for the implementation of this colonization. It recommended the immediate confiscation of land and property from expelled Albanians, which would then be redistributed to Serbian settlers. Čubrilović argued, "It is necessary to colonize the areas with Serb elements to ensure our ethnic and political dominance." This policy aimed to create a permanent Serbian presence in formerly Albanian regions, effectively erasing the Albanian cultural and historical ties to the land. Čubrilović also suggested measures to encourage Serbian settlers to remain in these areas. This included building infrastructure such as roads, schools, and hospitals to support the new communities. He believed that by improving the living conditions for Serbs in these regions, the state could ensure their long-term settlement and prevent any potential return of the Albanian population. This systematic approach to colonization reflects the memorandum’s broader goal of establishing a Serbian-dominated state through aggressive demographic engineering.

3. Economic Displacement
"Confiscate all properties of Albanians and redistribute them to Serbs. Heavy taxation and property confiscation will strip Albanians of their economic means, forcing them to migrate. By depriving Albanians of their financial stability, we ensure their displacement. Administrative harassment, including frequent inspections, fines, and legal obstacles, will further pressure them economically and socially."

Economic displacement was another critical aspect of Čubrilović’s strategy to weaken and ultimately remove the Albanian population. He proposed heavy taxation, property confiscation, and other economic measures to strip Albanians of their financial stability. By undermining their economic base, Čubrilović aimed to force Albanians into poverty, making it untenable for them to remain in Yugoslavia. He argued that without economic means, Albanians would have no choice but to migrate elsewhere.

The memorandum detailed specific economic policies designed to achieve this displacement. For instance, Čubrilović recommended imposing exorbitant taxes on Albanian businesses and properties, as well as denying them access to loans and other financial services. He suggested that the state "confiscate all properties of Albanians and redistribute them to Serbs," ensuring that Albanians would be left without resources or a means to rebuild their lives. This economic warfare was intended to complement the physical expulsions, creating a multifaceted approach to ethnic cleansing.

Čubrilović also proposed that these economic measures be coupled with administrative harassment. This included frequent inspections, fines, and legal obstacles that would further hinder the economic activities of Albanians. By creating a hostile economic environment, Čubrilović believed that Albanians would be more likely to abandon their homes and seek better opportunities elsewhere. This combination of economic and administrative pressure was aimed at systematically dismantling the Albanian community’s ability to sustain itself within Yugoslavia.

4. Cultural Suppression
"'We must eradicate all forms of Albanian cultural presence to assimilate those who remain. This includes closing Albanian schools and replacing them with Serbian institutions, prohibiting public use of the Albanian language, and imposing harsh penalties for violations. Cultural and religious leaders within the Albanian community must be targeted for removal to disrupt the transmission of traditions and accelerate assimilation.'" To further ensure the assimilation or elimination of the Albanian population, Čubrilović advocated for severe cultural suppression. He recommended banning the Albanian language, traditions, and any forms of cultural expression. Schools and public institutions were to be Serbianized, forcing Albanians to adopt Serbian customs and language. This cultural erasure was seen as essential to breaking the spirit and identity of the Albanian community.

Čubrilović’s memorandum detailed how this cultural suppression should be implemented. He proposed that all Albanian schools be closed and replaced with Serbian institutions. Albanian children would be taught exclusively in Serbian, with a curriculum designed to instill Serbian national values. Public use of the Albanian language would be prohibited, with harsh penalties for those who violated this ban. Čubrilović wrote, "We must eradicate all forms of Albanian cultural presence to assimilate those who remain." This comprehensive approach to cultural suppression aimed to ensure that even those Albanians who were not expelled would lose their ethnic identity.

Furthermore, Čubrilović suggested that cultural and religious leaders within the Albanian community be targeted for removal or silencing. By eliminating these figures, the memorandum aimed to disrupt the transmission of cultural and religious traditions, accelerating the process of assimilation. This strategy of cultural suppression was designed not only to weaken the Albanian community but also to prevent any future resurgence of Albanian cultural identity within Yugoslavia.

5. Military Action
"A strong military presence will ensure compliance and prevent any form of resistance. Military forces must carry out the initial expulsions, using violence and intimidation to ensure Albanians flee. Permanent military checkpoints and patrols will maintain order, secure newly acquired lands, and support Serbian settlers, ensuring the long-term success of our demographic and territorial strategy."

Finally, Čubrilović emphasized the crucial role of military action in implementing and maintaining these oppressive policies. He viewed the military as an essential tool for enforcing the expulsions, colonization, economic displacement, and cultural suppression. The memorandum recommended a permanent military presence in Albanian regions to intimidate and control the population, ensuring compliance with the state’s directives.

Čubrilović proposed that military forces be used to carry out the initial expulsions, using violence and intimidation to force Albanians to flee. He argued, "A strong military presence will ensure compliance and prevent any form of resistance." This involved not only direct actions against the Albanian population but also a sustained military occupation to prevent their return. The memorandum suggested that military checkpoints and patrols be established throughout Albanian areas to maintain order and suppress any signs of dissent.

Additionally, Čubrilović recommended that the military be involved in the colonization process, providing protection and support for Serbian settlers. This included securing the newly acquired lands and ensuring the safety of Serbian colonists from potential Albanian retaliation. The use of military force was seen as a necessary measure to secure the success of the broader strategy of ethnic cleansing and demographic engineering. This reliance on military power underscored the violent and authoritarian nature of Čubrilović’s proposals, reflecting a strategy of intimidation and oppression to achieve Serbian hegemony. This proposal was a suggestion to resorting to the use of force as the "only solution" and generating fear as a prerequisite. Other suggestions propounded were the use of "persecution for trivial offences", "economic exclusion" and "burning down Albanian villages and city quarters". He called for this colonization program to be placed in the hands of the Army.

Aftermath and legacy
After the April War and the collapse of Yugoslavia by the invasion of the Third Reich's German army in April 1941, the document remained hidden in the archives for years. Čubrilović's paper was "erased" by the Communist authorities because they believed that "all non-Slavic" people should be incorporated into Yugoslavia. The international community found the document in the 1960s, which was then given to Albanian president Enver Hoxha who used it to criticize the Yugoslav authorities, who denied that such a document even existed.

The document was mentioned and published in January 1988 in the Belgrade newspaper Borba, and later in Zagreb-based magazine Start. Čubrilović's document was not supported by Yugoslav historians and professors except for Ivo Andrić.