Enver Hoxha’s first reaction to 20th Congress of the CPSU

February 26, 1956
MOSCOW, Sunday

All night long I read the secret report of N. Khrushchev that he gave to us as he did the same with all other foreign delegations. The report rejects the figure and all the acts of the great Stalin.

I understood the position of Khrushchev and his other companions against Stalin and his glorious acts during the meeting of the congress where Stalin’s name wasn’t mentioned even once for anything good, but I never thought at that time that they could ever come to this point.

I shudder when I think how much the bourgeoisie and reactionaries will rejoice when they get this report in their hands, for I’m sure will they will launch a campaign of lies and who knows how much that will last. Tito should be very glad after reading this report, as I’m sure he has read it.

What an incalculable damage for the Soviet Union and the socialist camp! What an embarrassing responsibility in front of history!

I cannot put anything onto paper. It’s too little to say: “I am shocked!”