Berisha on “Top Story”

In four weeks, Top Story has interviewed the main political leaders of our country, starting with Edi Rama, Ilir Meta, Bamir Topi and other party leaders who introduced their stances for several issues of their coalitions.

The guest this time was the Albanian Prime Minister, Sali Berisha, to answer many qestions posed by journalist Sokol Balla. Many questions focused on what the Democratic Party has done in these four years, what they haven’t done and what they promise to do if they win a the third mandate.

Balla also asked Berisha about his relations with the United States embassy and Podesta, and also about his harsh language of personal attacks that we have been hearing during this campaign.

Sali Berisha: The main source of the US State Department is the US Embassy, but they also have other sources. This is true. To form their final stance, there’s no doubt that the Embassy is the main institution. But there are other sources too, and Podesta can also be a source.

Sokol Balla: How do you explain the fact that during your entire political career, there comes a moment when you end good relations with almost every ambassador of the United States.  With a Democratic Party representative we were jokingly saying that Mr.Arvizu today might be in a more difficult position with you than Mr.Withers. How do you explain that the personal relations do not interfere with the official relations with the US, but your personal relations with the US ambassadors always end up badly.

Sali Berisha: That’s a very interesting story. First of all, I am a Prime Minister. I have also been the opposition leader. My personal relations are secondary. What matters are the official relations. I am a man of official relations. I can guarantee you that at any time, my official relations with the American government have always been the best. This is the truth. Whoever can study them. I’m not a man of personal relations, but personal things are a different story. I’m free in my personal relations. I choose the friends I want. Secondly, I respect the people.

Sokol Balla: You felt that Rama attacked you personally when he mentioned your biological age.

Sali Berisha: He exaggerated. I have nephews and nieces. Why should he mention my nephews and nieces. They watch TV too.

Sokol Balla: But we should not forget that you are a protagonist of this language in the past. Same as you say that you are reflecting on other issues, I believe there must be reflections from both sides. If it was me, rather than answering to Mr.Rama with the same language, I would propose him to establish a code of ethics and leave these issues outside our campaign.

Sali Berisha: During this campaign nothing personal was said about him. He started saying that I should be a part time grandfather. He doesn’t know that I am a full time grandfather. If I wasn’t able to pay attention enough to my children, I’m spending twice more time with my nephews and nieces.

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