World: ALBANIA: STALIN'S HEIR

Charging angrily that Albania "deliberately keeps aggravating relations with the Soviet Union," Russia last week ordered its ambassador in Tirana to pack up and come home. In turn, Albania's ambassador was ordered out of Moscow, while the two countries traded accusations of having bugged each other's embassies. It was the first time that two Red nations severed diplomatic relations (not even in 1948, when Stalin had his furious break with Yugoslavia's Marshal Tito, were diplomatic ties ruptured).

Ever since the 22nd Party Congress, when Khrushchev publicly denounced Albania for its defiance of his anti-Stalin line, the tiny country has been the surrogate...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!