USA calls on partner governments to isolate Sali Berisha, visa blocking is requested for America's "blacklist".

Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha seems to be heading towards total isolation. The United States of America and Great Britain are two countries that have declared "non grata" the head of the "Foltor". But the troubles for Berisha do not stop there, as the US has called on partner governments to isolate him. It was the embassy of the United States of America in Tirana, which announced on social networks this request of the US Department of State, this strong message, which shakes the Berisha family to its core, but also anyone who has been declared "non grata ” by DASH or is it sanctioned, since if other countries apply these punitive measures, they cannot leave Albania. Also, the American embassy in Tirana has warned other officials "non grata" after Sali Berisha. According to her, The American State Department has blocked visas for 80 high-level officials, including the Western Balkans. The embassy says that corruption is a danger to US national security, making it clear that names immersed in affairs cannot cross the Atlantic. The embassy also recalled the act issued by President Biden to declare the fight against corruption a priority. "The Treasury Department identified dozens of individuals and entities for their involvement in corruption, including current or former officials in Central America, Africa, the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe. Further, the State Department publicly imposed visa restrictions on over 80 former or current foreign officials and their immediate family members, which usually disqualifies them from entering the US due to significant corruption, as well as others under the Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act-United States. To expand the impact of these tools, we coordinated with foreign partners through initiatives such as the one for Democracies Against Safe Havens (DASH) and advised foreign governments to adopt similar mechanisms," the embassy said in a statement. , announcement published by the White House. So, it should be noted that the USA has declared Adriatik Llalla, Sali Berisha, Vangjush Dako and Tom Doshi undesirable in our country. Meanwhile, Aqif Rakipi was sanctioned. But it seems that the US has also blocked visas, about which there is not much information. All of this is based on Biden's executive order to fight corruption.

Biden's decree

Also, in the announcement distributed on social networks, the embassy invites partner governments and even citizens to read the full data on the implementation of the United States Anti-Corruption Strategy signed by President Joe Biden. What does the order contain? The president's order was signed immediately after the US State Department declared former Prime Minister Sali Berisha a "non-grata" person. The term corruption is included in this decision, and the USA warns of punishment not only for politicians and officials, but also for other people connected to them, meaning family members. "The order applies to persons: who is responsible for or an accomplice in, or who has directly or indirectly engaged in corruption related to the Western Balkans or an official or former government official at any level of government in the Western Balkans who has committed embezzlement of public assets, misappropriation of private assets for personal or political purposes, or who has received bribes; that has materially assisted, sponsored or provided financial, material or technological support to, or provided goods or services to or in defense of any person whose properties and interests are blocked under this order; or that is owned or controlled by, or that has acted or is alleged to have acted for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in property are frozen in accordance with this order”.

Përmirësimi i angazhimit diplomatik dhe shfrytëzimi i ndihmës së huaj

Ne kemi rritur ndihmën dhe diplomacinë për të forcuar qeveritë e huaja kundër korrupsionit; rritja e bashkëpunimit ndërmjet qeverive, shoqërisë civile dhe biznesit; dhe investoi në mbrojtjen e atyre që punojnë për të ekspozuar korrupsionin. Shembujt përfshijnë:

1.      USAID lançoi Reporters Shield, një produkt sigurimi për të mbrojtur gazetarët, organet e mediave dhe organizatat nga paditë e rreme, si dhe programin Forcimi i Transparencës dhe Përgjegjshmërisë përmes Raportimit Investigativ për të mbështetur rrjetet dhe sigurinë e gazetarisë investigative. Departamenti i Shtetit nxiti bashkëpunimin e gazetarëve dhe shoqërisë civile duke rritur investimet në Konsorciumin Global Anti-Korrupsion, mbështeti transparencën buxhetore përmes një Fondi për Inovacionin e Transparencës Fiskale dhe njohu udhëheqës të guximshëm përmes programit të Çmimit të Kampionëve Anti-Korrupsion.

2. The Departments of State and Justice and federal law enforcement agencies participated in worldwide anti-corruption training that facilitates law enforcement partnerships, cooperation, and information sharing between countries around the world.

Looking forward, diplomatic and foreign aid efforts will include working in partnership with foreign partners to advance the Blue Dot Network to increase transparency, reduce corruption and mobilize private capital for infrastructure investment in developing economies; issuing a reference guide for USAID's operational anti-corruption safeguards that will outline measures to ensure integrity in US foreign assistance; and other initiatives.