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Publication: European Stars and Stripes Monday, January 22, 1990

You are currently viewing page 14 of: European Stars and Stripes Monday, January 22, 1990

   European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 22, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Old guard reds loved to Hunt Hunting trophies decorate the exterior of ousted East German Leader Erich Honecker i Hunting Lodge. Yugoslavia s former Leader Josyp Broz Tito who died in 1980, was another pass donate Hunter. Above Tito poses with his prizes after a Hunt in 1977. Royal designs albanian King waiting waiting by Greg Myre associated press f rom a rustic suburban House  g South Africa with a Yard Lull of overgrown . Five dogs and a rusting pickup truck the Man Aho would be King of Albania plots a i turn to the Homeland he scarcely knows an exile Lor Allol his 50 years the Man who Calls himself King Leka i. Believes the rapid political reforms in Eastern Europe will Light a fire in Long isolated Albania the last hard line stalinist state in the Region. If a revolution conies. Leka said in an interview he would be proud to follow the footsteps of his father the sell made Monarch King zog i if the people Don t want a King he d Settle for the Chance to return to the country he left in 1939. When he was 3 Days old. To escape invading italian troops during world War ii my Only Home is  said Leka who has lived in seven countries and Speaks eight languages but i be Learned to Leel at Home wherever i have my family and my dogs " he s 6-feet-8-Mches tall with glasses and a full head of grading hair for a meeting at his Home he wears a pistol and a combat Kyle in his Holster and his military style shirt has an albanian Crest pinned on his Collar Laka in a statement issued in december. Called on albanians inside and outside the country to Rise up. Acting in Unity and cohesion against the tyrannical and atheist regime that has Lor so Long misrule our beloved Homeland " he said the message has been broadcast to Albania from radio stations in Yugoslavia s adjacent Kosovo Region and also has Beer reported on radio Moscow and the voice of America Albania s communist party chief Ramiz Alia says he will resist reforms in the rigidly controlled nation the poorest and most Rural in Europe the country has been largely Cut of from the outside world since the communists came to Power in 1946 under Enver Hoxha who ruled until his death in 1985 d until film a because Alba a i  Paruir Ilo Rura  ican be Majc but he a _ in Iarj pc " to Cummi Fruct la Flor hip. He said  h .1 co of society no support within inc country o he could Servo As a opposed to sell styled King Leka i of Albania at his wedding to australian Suzanne Culler Ward left in 197s in the resort City of Biarritz France. At right is Queen Mother Geraldine. The communist party daily newspaper. Zen i Populis. Recently accused albanian exiles of trying to foment an uprising that would bring Leka to Power. Yugoslav newspapers have published reports of unrest in Albania which have not been confirmed and which the albanian government has denied. Leka said that More than four decades of repressive Rule will make it difficult to mobilize opposition forces but he and his supporters have offices in France and elsewhere in Europe and maintain Clandestine contacts with government and military figures communist Rule and is confident of his stature despite i family s Long absence but for now. Leka can do Little More than wait. Leka and his australian Horn wife Suzanne left spam m 1979 when communist slates put pressure on the of and government Leka claims the communist governments acted on behalf of Albania because he had been building Strong support inside and outside his Homeland a year later the couple rented a ranch style House at the end of a dirt Road in the far Northern suburbs of Johannesburg intending to stay Only six months. During his exile Leka s backers have included the late president Anwar Sadat of Egypt the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran saudi Arabia s King Faisal and Belgium s King Baudouy. He honoured their support in naming his 8-year-old son. The Crown  Leka Anwar zog Reza Baudouy. He has used his contacts to support himself As a businessman exporting minerals and heavy machinery to the Middle and far eat he also travels extensively to maintain contacts with the estimated 3 million ethnic albanians who live outside the country s Borders a number almost equal to those inside. It has been difficult to Wear several different hats to try to be a businessman and Lead a Normal family life and to head an opposition  said Leka Leka s father the head of an albanian clan became Albania s prime minister in 1922 when he was still in his 20s. In 1928, the National Assembly gave him a title that translated into Prince " however zog proclaimed himself his majesty King zog i and the Constitution called for his son to succeed him. Zog died in France in 1961, and Leka was sworn in by a self styled  am the King in exile and i be Ieve one Day i will return says Leka. Page 14 stars and stripes monday j Ai  
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