US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was asked about the announcement ‘non grata’ of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives in the US Congress. Long Island Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin asked Blinken for public information about the decision.
But the US foreign minister invited the congressman and any member of the Committee who was interested to go to the legal department of the Department to see the process that has led to the appointment of Berisha and his family to the list of persons barred from entering the states of United.
He said these decisions are usually taken in the context of the State Department’s increased efforts to curb and curb corruption around the world and its impact on human rights.
“We continue to look beyond the borders, to those involved in corruption who violate human rights, who challenge the principles of democracy. In this case the process proceeded normally, including my lawyers. “I would be happy to share it with you if it were helpful, what exactly is being talked about,” Blinken said.
Zeldin ignored the personal invitation to the State Department and asked the Secretary if he could share any information there in public with the Committee. When Blinken again extended his invitation to each member of the Committee, the Republican congressman asked him what a journalist should do to learn about the process and get information on the Berisha case.
“First, come to the Office of Legislation, before it appears in the media, in order to provide information, and, second, come to the Office of the Spokesperson for Public Affairs and we will try to provide you with information in accordance with the obligations. ours “, said Blinken.
The questions and answers followed Secretary Blinken’s session on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which was chaired by Congressman Eliot Engel until late last year.
On the day he announced the verdict on Berisha Non Grata, Blinken said: “In his official capacity, especially as Prime Minister of Albania, Berisha was involved in corrupt practices, such as misuse of public funds and interference in public processes, including the use of power. for personal gain and to enrich his political allies and members of his family at the expense of the trust of the Albanian public in their government institutions and public officials.
Moreover, his rhetoric shows that he is willing to defend himself, his family members and his political allies at the expense of independent investigations, anti-corruption efforts and accountability measures. “With this determination, I reconfirm the need for accountability and transparency in the democratic institutions of Albania, government processes and the actions of Albanian public officials”, said in the statement of the American Secretary of State.