New US ambassador gathers politicians at reception, Berisha remains non grata again — Eric Wendt does not invite him to the ceremony

At 18:00 the US Embassy began the reception in Tirana for the presentation of the new ambassador Eric Wendt. At the same hour, Sali Berisha appeared live in Korçë.

Among the invitations for dozens of politicians, left and right, one bearing his name was missing. In June he announced almost triumphantly that, more than five years after being sanctioned as non grata, he would be able to set foot in the US.

“It is done,” Berisha said on 11 June.

In fact, it was only about the possibility for him to travel to be part of a delegation of right-wing parties at the Republicans’ convention.

The State Department itself, in its communication at the time, announced that Berisha is excluded from the ban on entering the US. The rest of the sanctions against him are still in force.

A few days ago, asked whether he would be invited to the new US ambassador’s reception, he himself admitted dryly.

“I have no knowledge of the ceremony,” he said.

The invitations to take part in the presentation of the new ambassador had reached dozens of people by email as early as 18 September. By an irony of fate, Sali Berisha went to Korçë, whose citizens are known for their early spiritual ties with America.

So far the new US ambassador has met Prime Minister Edi Rama, Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, Defence Minister Ermal Nufi and Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi, besides President Bajram Begaj, to whom he presented his credentials.