The following document is part of the private library of Kapidan Ndue Gjon Marku. It is a brief summary, created in 1950, of the objectives of the BKI, with emphasis on the important value of its members. It sheds light on the groups’ inclusiveness, whether it be religious or regional and the fact that they are first and foremost fierce anti-communist Albanians. This is a fine example of what Albanians have always stood for: Albanians first!

The Independent National Bloc (BKI), which was established in Rome on November 6, 1946, has two essential purposes as the basis of its political program: use any means for the Albanian people to acquire the necessary freedom to decide freely on their own destiny. It is understood that they are a political formation of a temporary nature since the groups and individuals that compose it are united by a single intention, which is the struggle against the current communist regime. But almost three years of joint activity have brought together the main components of the BKI and therefore it is to be assumed that having achieved the aim of liberating the country from the red tyranny, a solid and united party with a Western democratic program emerges from this temporary formation, proponent of social reforms made with sound criteria adhering to real national needs and enhancer of the best ancestral traditions, the cult of which constitutes a barrier to the spread of Bolshevik subversive ideas or of any other brand. 

Communism, in Albania more than a social fact represents a racial fact, that is, it serves as a disguise for the Pan-Slavic Soviet imperialism. The deadly danger of the thrust overwhelmed the small Albanian nation, both in the form of tsarism (see historical objectives to reach outlets in the Mediterranean since the times of Peter the Great and Catherine II) and under that of Bolshevism, is always the same and looming. The Albanian Communist Party was created and organized by two Slavic agents: Dusan and Miladin, who aimed only at preparing an instrument for Russian infiltration.

The BKI brings together most of the Albanian political emigrants, who by family tradition and by religious or cultural connection are irreducible opponents of communist doctrine and practice. Whatever the opinion that the supporters of the BKI express in good or bad faith about it, they cannot deny that it is the most decidedly anti-communist among the political groups in which Albanian emigrants are more or less organized. If some of the personalities that adhere to them often accepted or rather suffered diplomatic compromises, Leo did because forced by the Slavic danger. The Albanian population, too small in number to defend themselves, often had to save themselves over the centuries by choosing the lesser evil. Today the exponents of the BKI, convinced that the nightmare of dissolution is always outlined in their country from the East, look confidently to the Great American Democrats, which alone can ensure their existence and peaceful development in an atmosphere of civilization.

Someone accuses this political formation of encompassing the last remnants of feudalism and some of the personalities who exercised a medieval-style authority over the country in the recent past. It is enough to scroll through the list of the main exponents of the BKI to realize that the aforementioned accusation does not hold up, since the number of intellectuals in it is higher than that of the members of the historical families, who, moreover, if they occupy some place on the board of directors they have a full right as their culture is not inferior to the nobility of blood. And that the whole group is pervaded by a true and sincere democratic spirit (of western inspiration) is demonstrated by the second objective that the BKI has in its program: to devolve the solution of both the institutional question and the free will of the people as well as that of the future state structure.

The tenacious heroic resistance sustained in Albania against Soviet communism from 1944 to the present day, was almost exclusively the work of children, brothers, relatives and followers of the BKI exponents.

Even the numerous nuclei of anti-communist partisans (nationalist committees) sheltered in the meanders of the imperative mountains of Albania recognize as leaders some of the most famous exponents of the Bloc and are ready to take action on their order. (Today, however, to avoid ferocious inhuman reprisals against the populations of the villages that feed them, the nationalist committees remain completely inactive waiting for the opportune moment to act.)

All BKI members; some more or less, have adherents in the interior of Albania who languish in prison and are persecuted as anti-Communists.

Although the BKI includes elements of the three religious confessions existing in Albania, it enjoys the esteem and consideration of senior Vatican officials, above all for the known moderation of its members and for the serenity that marks each of its political manifestations.

The President of the BKI is Dr. Ismail Verlaci of whom we present separately a succinct biography.

Other exponents:

GJON MARKAGJONI. Traditional leader of the Albanian Catholics, member of the secular family of Gjomarkaj, Princes of Mirdita, custodians of the Kanun of Lek Dukagjini (Law of the Mountains of Albania). The Gjomarkaj were godchildren of Napoleon I and Napoleon III, who sent high officers with gifts for the baptism of their children. The eldest son of Gjon, Mark, and the third son, Sander (Llesh), fell after a heroic resistance leading their faithful followers against the Red Brigades. The first in June 1946 and the second in August 1947. The influence of the Prince of the Mirdite population is well known and, it can be said, today has greatly increased after the sacrifice of his sons, now the object of epic exaltation in the popular songs of the mountains. With him in Rome resides his second son Ndue Gjomarkaj.

DR. EKREM VLORA. Mohametan. Writer and Scholar of Historical Studies. Former Senator and several times Deputy of Valona and Minister. Representative of Albania in Athens and London.

PROF. ERNEST KOLIQI. Catholic of Shkodra. Poet, writer and University Professor.

PROF NAMIK RESULI. Mohametaan from Fier. Literary and University Professor.

PROF NDUE PALUCA. Catholic from the region of Shkoder. Veteran of Albanian Education.

PROF KARL GUARKUQI. Catholic from Shkoder. Literary and University Professor.

PROF ATHANAS GEGAJ. Catholic from Greater Malsia. Literary and Scholar of Historical Studies.

PROF STEFAN GAZULLI. Catholic from Zadrima. A brother priest, author of a precious Albanian dictionary. Was shot by the Communists.

AGRONOMIST AGO AGAJ – Mohametan from the Vlore region. Former Minister.

VASSIL ALLARUPI. Orthodox from Korca. Valuable journalist.

DR. EDUARD LICO. Mohametan from Korca. Journalist and Editor of Albanie Libre.

DR. ALI VRIONI. Mohametan. Member of the historic Vrioni family of Berat. Journalist, ex-diplomat.

DR. KADRI MYFTI. Mohametan from Elbasan. Ex-diplomat.

TAHIR KOLGJINI. Mohametan from Luma. Former Prefect.

VEHIB RUNA. Mohametan. Influential name from Laberia (Gjirokastra).

NEXHMEDIN QORALIU. Mohametan from Tirana. Related to the Egyptian aristocracy.

LIN SHKRELI. Catholic from Shkoder. University Student. President of the Albanian University Association.

DR GLIGOR BUZI. Orthodox from Permeti. Representative of the BKI in the USA. Journalist.

ENVER RESILIJA. Mohametan. Notable from the surroundings of Vlore.

PANDELI PAPALILO. Orthodox from Permeti. Senior Public Security Officer.

OFFICIALS OF THE ALBANIAN ARMY

COLONEL LUIGJ GARGJOLA. Catholic from Shkoder.
MAJOR SAFA VLORA. Mohametan from Vlore.
MAJOR ALUSH LESHANAKU. Mohametan from Elbasan.
CAPTAIN MAHMUT CELA. Mohametan from Dibra.
CAPTAIN JORJI RUCO. Orthodox from Kolonje.
CAPTAIN XHEVDET BLLOSHMI. Mohametan from Elbasan.
LIEUTENANT MUBAREQ TOPTANI. Mohametan from Tirana.