The signing of the Democratic Party's lobbying contract in the US was a moment that Sali Berisha tried to capitalize on in the May 11 parliamentary campaign, even attempting to obtain a temporary visa. But the plans did not work out as they started, and from a contract to promote the policies of the DP, it now seems to have turned into an instrument to attempt to remove the mayor's wife.
The company contracted to provide these services was initially asked to advocate for the DP's political action, including accusations against Edi Rama's government, to the US State Department. At least, these were the words written in the signed contract worth a total of 6 million dollars.
“The Company agrees to provide the Client with government relations services related to this area of services:
• Establishing relationships with key stakeholders in the executive and legislative branches to facilitate policy development.
• Providing support to promote democracy, anti-corruption initiatives, and government reforms, consistent with US-Albania relations.
• Leveraging extensive experience in government relations, political advocacy, legal services, and stakeholder engagement, aligned with the objectives of the Democratic Party,” the contract states.
With the end of the elections and their defeat, the Democrats seem to have changed the object of the contract, formalizing what was widely thought to be the main but undisclosed goal of this lobbying. Since it was for a two-year term, and payments were disbursed in three-month installments. Initially, it was thought that the cooperation could be terminated at the end of June, but the DP renewed it, this time with a different focus, a direct request from Marco Rubio to remove Sali Berisha's wife's name.
"The 'non grata' declaration of former President and Prime Minister of Albania, Sali Berisha, should be lifted immediately. This declaration was politically motivated, without factual basis, has harmed US foreign policy interests, and has contributed to Albania's degradation into what critics now describe as a 'narco-state.' Given that Albanian democracy is under serious threat and Berisha holds no government function, lifting the declaration would restore US neutrality and credibility in the region," the letter to Rubio states.
From April to now, the company Continental Strategy has addressed the US Department of State 13 times with informational documents, expressing public positions, of which over 10 are related only to the issue of declaring Sali Berisha persona non grata. So far, there has been no public decision from the State Department that could impact the removal of the non grata, but there has been a reaction from SPAK, which has officially started verifying this contract and the funds for its financing. (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
