The arrest of Marsel Skëndo comes a few days before the important visit of the French minister for European affairs
ZHYLIEN ROSH - In an interview with «Koha Jonë»
The arrest of Marsel Skëndo comes a few days before the important visit of the French minister for European affairs
I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT ADAS FUNDS HAVE NEVER BEEN PAID OUT IN FAVOR OF ANY POLITICAL PARTY IN ALBANIA.
OF COURSE, THE ONLY WAY NOT TO MAKE A MISTAKE IS TO DO NOTHING! BUT THEN, SAY GOODBYE TO FOREIGN INVESTMENT, TO THE JOBS THAT ARE CREATED AND TO THE WELFARE THAT THEY BRING.
IF THE ARREST OF MARSEL SKËNDO IS CONSIDERED NORMAL BY THE ALBANIAN AUTHORITIES, THERE IS NO REASON FOR ME TO REMAIN FREE, OR ELSE THE LAW IS NOT THE SAME FOR EVERYONE IN ALBANIA.
It is normal for anyone who has chosen to take a stand to make a statement that arouses interest; whether it is true depends on the insight of public opinion. What are your arguments?
At the moment I see no kind of risk to investment in the reasons for this situation we are facing. Let us not forget that, before trial, every person is presumed innocent. Faced with this fact, and like Mr. Skëndo, I too stand by the constitution and demand my rights. First of all, we should know that Skëndo was arrested a few days ago by order of the police and the prosecutor of Tirana. To say that his arrest may have a connection with the electoral climate? Of course, that is a question everyone asks. It should also not be forgotten that the arrest takes place a few days before the important visit to Albania of the French minister for European affairs, Mr. Juppé. Nor should we forget Albania's current relations with France.
Do you think the charge against your partner is a pretext? To those who have asked you, what reasons did you present?
The truth is that the arrest of the president of the Albanian-French company, under a communist law, in the presence of a Frenchman, is an extremely rare precedent. Believe me, I would insist if I were to call this absurdity by its rightful name today.
What surprises you most about what is written and said these days?
I am very curious about the way the minds of Albanians are being diverted, in other words. After the news surrounding the arrest—what has been heard is not true—you are also attributing to me things I have never even thought of. Marsi Skëndo is the person in question, but in this affair my name has been mixed in not only on legal matters, but also as a culprit. Although he is always in the files of all the prosecutor's offices in Tirana and in every office of SKENDEOS [?] then let us gather it with a decision for [?] and go all the way. I think it is ridiculous to get to know [??].
Have you really emphasized that the new government led by Meksi, once represented in Albania, has been a success?
Yes, why not! Marsel Skëndo chose me as a partner for a broad project, not hastily, before we knew each other. I had the chance to speak in Albania with quite a few people. Their descriptions were very similar to what I had observed myself. All the foreign entrepreneurs I met had a good impression of the new government that had come to Albania. There were undoubtedly many complaints about the irregular functioning of Albanian life, but these were of a kind that makes one think that Albania will achieve an important and gradual, that is to say progressive, transformation. I hope and wish that this Albania reaches modernity, because there is no more deserving people. In fact, nothing else particularly stands out, except for the fact that the government seems, from the prosecutor of Tirana, to be directed by certain people, who ask arrogantly, by order of those behind them, or it may also be a moral decline. That is precisely what seems serious to me. Moreover, we should not forget the current political situation in Albania. So, what is the real reason? I have an idea, but I will leave the answer to time, briefly. Graja [?] you are surprised by what is written and said these days?
(To be continued on page 2)