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In the years between 1920 and 1925 the question of the borders between Greece and Albania
was opened again. Meghali Idea of Greece and its aim to re-establish the independent state of
Northern Epirus were once more denied at the Conference in Florence in 1925. The borders
defined at this conference were less favourable for Greece as those defined in 1914 (see
Winnifrith 2002: 132-133). The Italian delegates insisted on the state-borders agreed in 1913,
whereas the delegates of Great Britain and France suggested the border that followed
demands of the Northern Epirus with Voskopoja in Albania. The delegates of the United
States were in favour of the compromise according to which Greece should get the territory
south of Himarë/Himara all the way to Tepelena with the border running by river Vjosa
(ibid.). Winnifrith adds that the American solution could be the best one, although “many
Albanian-speakers and some Albanian sympathizers in Greece, and some Greek-speakers and
rather more Greek sympathizers in the Korçe area of Albania” would be left out (Winnifrith
2002: 133).
In his book on the history of Himarë/Himara the local writer Foto Bixili (2004: 253) reports
about the local man Spiro J. Koleka from Vuno who was amongst the elected representatives
of the Congress in Lushnja. According to Bixhili Koleka was an important hero and initiator
of the battle in Vlorë which resulted in the final retreat of the Italian troops from Vlorë and
the Albanian territory in general in June 1920.
In January 20, 1920 the Albanian parliament gathered and established that “Albania is
an independent country which since November 28, 1912 did not submit to any of the
foreign government’s” (Ermenji 1986: 396) […]. In the first government elected by
the parliament collaborated a man of Vuno, Spiro J. Koleka. Together with his
collegue Osman Haxiu and Qazim Kuculli, Spiro J. Koleka organised the battle in
Vlorë. Afterwards the events developed rapidly. The agreement that was signed
between Tittoni and Venizello in July 22, 1920, a few months later, on August 2,
1920, failed. The Count Mazoni [Italian minister] finally declared the independency of
the Albanian territory with its state borders stipulated in 1913.
The reason for the failing of Tittoni and Veneziello’s agreement was neither friendship
nor personal sympathy between the ministers of foreign affairs Sforca [Italian minister
of foreign affairs] and Mustafa Qemali [Albanian minister of foreign affairs]. The
agreement failed because of the courage, decisive character and fidelity (vendosmeria)
of the Albanian army that won the battle which resulted in the retreat of Greek troops
from Trikupi of Viglica and Kapshtica [in Southern Albania] in May 15, 1920
(Jeorgjiu [the year not given] 277-278). After this retreat the Italian government
recognized the government of Tirana and withdrew its pretensions (Bixhili 2004: 253,
translations mine).
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