Albanian communist economic planner who led domestic criticism of Yugoslav economic control
On 18–19 November 1947 Xoxe accused him of 'anti-Party, nationalist activity' at the Politburo; the next day he was found shot in his State Planning Commission office. Accounts range from accident to suicide or killing, so the manner of death is unresolved.
Born Athanas Spiru in Durrës to a wealthy Orthodox family, he studied on Corfu and in Turin, joined the newly founded Communist Party of Albania in 1941 and led its Youth section. A Politburo member from 1944, he became Minister of Economy on 22 March 1946 and in 1947 Minister of Industry and chairman of the State Planning Commission, the only trained economist in the party leadership. He signed the July 1946 economic agreement with Yugoslavia reluctantly, then opposed the economic union plan with its customs union and monetary integration, using the 1947 Belgrade talks and a Moscow visit to secure a basis for refusing Yugoslav aid. This brought him into sharp conflict with Koçi Xoxe, leader of the 'Yugoslav lobby'. The Albanian institute studying communist crimes also lists him as directly responsible for repression by the party and the National Liberation Army.
Career Timeline
- 1926–1929Boys' primary school in Durrës
- 1929–1937Schooling at an Italian institute on Corfu
- 1937Began economics studies in Turin
- 1941Joined the Communist Party and headed its Youth section
- 1944Politburo member and delegate to the Përmet Congress
- 1946Deputy and Presidium secretary of the People's Assembly; Minister of Economy from 22 March
- 1947Minister of Industry and State Planning Commission chairman; led Belgrade economic talks