Berisha: Edi Rama at the UN Did Not Utter the Word KLA Even Once

Democratic Party chairman Sali Berisha commented today on Prime Minister Edi Rama’s speech at the United Nations.

During a conversation with citizens on social media, Berisha called the prime minister’s speech “shameful,” adding that the prime minister focused his remarks on the algorithm issue and did not address issues related to Kosovo and the region.

“Edi Rama did not utter the word Kosovo and the word KLA, or KLA leader, even once,” Berisha said.

He compared Rama’s stance with that of the Croatian prime minister, saying the latter spoke about developments in the region, including Kosovo and Belgrade’s actions.

Berisha said the prime minister is spreading “slander” against the Vetëvendosje Movement.

“After attempts to topple the Kosovo government with Vlora Hyseni and his envoys, he is now spreading in Albania the lowest slanders with which he seeks to portray the Vetëvendosje Movement as a party against Albania,” he said.

Berisha said there is no party in Kosovo that is “anti-Albania,” adding that Prime Minister Rama has taken stances that have harmed Kosovo.

The DP leader also touched on Prime Minister Edi Rama’s speech at the gala evening in New York.

“He found it fit to play the patriot at a dinner where he attacked the United States and President Joe Biden for treason. Joe Biden is not president today, but I tell Albanians that throughout his entire political career he has had his stance and his vote for Albanians. And a scoundrel comes out and says Biden betrayed, since he is no longer in office. America betrayed, Hashim Thaçi. How can such a word be uttered? With what did America betray Hashim Thaçi, tell me once? By liberating Kosovo in cooperation with the KLA?” Berisha said.

Asked about the arrival of the new U.S. ambassador to Albania, Erick Wendt, Berisha said he expects a more active role of the United States in the fight against organized crime.

“I welcome the ambassador and I emphasize here that the battle against the narco-state is a very difficult battle. And I am confident that with the positioning and qualification that President Trump and his administration have given drug cartels as terrorist groups, the United States will provide substantial assistance for the fight against these cartels and the dismantling of the narco-state in Albania,” he said.

Berisha was also asked about the presentation ceremony of the new ambassador, scheduled to be held on October 2 by the U.S. Embassy. The DP leader said he had no knowledge of it. “I have no knowledge of the ceremony,” he said, as the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATSH) reports.

Berisha also stated that he has not received an invitation from President Bajram Begaj for the National Security Council meeting, expected to take place on Monday regarding the case of former SHISH chief Vlora Hyseni. Asked whether he would attend the meeting, Berisha replied, “I have not received any invitation.”