E fundit!

13:08 TODAY

Murder of the officer/ Enea Mekolli's uncle raises accusations: They were without any kind of protection

The uncle of the murdered officer, Enea Mekolli, Hazbi Mek...

John Bolton: If Berisha wins the election, the US will recognize the result

2023-04-24 12:05:00, Aktualitet CNA

John Bolton

Journalist Robert Pope has conducted an interview with Donald Trump's former National Security Advisor, John Bolton. During the interview, the Pope asked him what will happen to the "non grata" if former Prime Minister Sali Berisha wins the May 14 elections.

Bolton has said that if the elections are free and transparent, the US will recognize the result.

"Something we haven't faced in recent years. We have to look at the situation, I say, the US, that I'm not in the government. Each case is decided case by case. The position of the US should be: We have to look at elections free and fair in Albania and it is in the hands of the Albanian people.

Normally, we would accept the result, Albania is an allied country, we want good relations, but most importantly we want to see free and fair elections: we are working hard to have this in the US, too," said Bolton.

interview

Robert Pope: Are you surprised by Egypt selling weapons to Russia or by Vu?i? taking weapons to Ukraine?

John Bolton: The story about Egypt is a little confusing because the Egyptian government agreed to deliver artillery shells to Ukraine. There has been a military connection between Egypt and Russia, but if that report is true, it is a disastrous mistake for the Egyptian government. We don't know the whole story, but for any government, the best side to support is Ukraine. I know it touches on historical behavior, but for Europe, including some NATO countries, which have not performed as they should, there is no doubt who is the aggressor and the innocent victims. Thus, I think that every country, whether in NATO or not, should understand which is the right side.

Robert Pope: What do you read about Macron's visit to China and his statements about an autonomous Europe. Tyler said, “they never learn. Haven't they learned that without the USA there is no EU?

John Bolton: It is not the first time that Macron says something like this, before the invasion of Ukraine he said that NATO is "brain dead". I know that France, Germany, but also the USA, are worried about China's economic influence and its behavior with its neighbors. Everyone is worried about the economic impacts, but fundamentally, we have to worry about the security problems from Europe's perspective.

Everyone has been taking note of Shi Xi Ping's visit to Moscow and a new Russian-Chinese axis is emerging and China is the dominant partner. China has helped Russia in the war with Ukraine. Maybe not directly carrying weapons, but there are indirect ways to help Russia. There is no concern in Asia against Europe, but the Russia-China axis should be a global concern.

When Macron went to China and took with him Ursula, the president of the European Committee, he supposedly speaks for all of Europe, but this is not correct because the prime minister of Poland said that strategic autonomy for Europe does not work. Except in the case of Ukraine, the EU is failing to support Ukraine with arms.

The EU may try to call itself a political-military unit, but it is not. It is certainly not military. And in many ways, it's not even political. It is a basic economic project, even though leaders of some countries want to do more than that, but in real, political-military matters, the EU has spoken more than acted. Macron's words are more rhetorical than real.

Robert Pope: Do you think America is making ground for the EU in the Balkans, in Kosovo? Germany and France are taking the lead in the Serbian Associations. It is no longer the Balkans supported by America. Is this the right way?

John Bolton: The Germans and the French told me, when I was in government, that they were the masters of the Balkans and America should have a secondary role. I thought this was not correct. We engaged NATO members like Greece, Albania and others. The Western Balkans is not only EU territory, it is part of the North Atlantic, so America needs a role. I always remember what my former boss, James Baker, said about the Middle East: “We cannot love peace more than the parties. America will not solve other people's problems. But we can be there to help them as they try to solve their problems.”

We offer communication bridges, suggestions, moral support and support those parties to find an agreement between them.

I think a greater role of the US is desired because 30 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact, and the breakup of Yugoslavia, the same problems are still unresolved and they affect the security of Americans as well as the security of Southeast Europe, thus I do not apologize for a greater role of the US, if the parties want.

Robert Pope: I watch you on "Newsmax", on national television. I don't watch you on FoxNews. What's going on with "FoxNews", they have to pay $800 million fine for defamation. They are no longer "fair and balanced".

John Bolton: It's a heavy judgement. We expect further fines from companies and individuals suing them for defamation. I wish FoxNews the best of luck, because I believe we need diversity in our communications infrastructure. The national networks have been partisan since I got involved in politics supporting Barry Golwater in 1964.

Competition doesn't hurt you. It's a good thing on TV too.

Robert Pope: A week ago you said that Trump is the "cancer" of the Republican party. What's happening? Will Desantis enter the race?

John Bolton: The latest polls show Trump as the frontrunner for the nomination. Desantis support has been eaten up a bit. Supporters rallied around Trump after the New York indictments, which to me is a very weak legal theory.

Trump has other more substantial legal battles. Trump had a good 6-8 weeks, Desantis didn't, so he's down. Others will enter the competition, Desantis will enter officially, from the middle of May. We'll see.

Wherever Trump is involved, it is a difficult political situation. He won the party's nomination, he could lose in November, and we could lose a lot of senate seats that we would otherwise win. From the point of view of the party, but also of the country, it is important that he does not receive the nomination. We are working hard on this and I am convinced that he will not be nominated for the good of the party and the country.

Robert Pope: He could be in jail and run for president. Or not?

John Bolton: With our system, it is possible. He can race from prison. I believe that someone has to convince him that it is not in his best interest to continue, that it will be a losing effort to become president. He can help who the Republican candidate is, so with a constructive role, he would help the country.

Robert Pope: Let's move to Albania. The American ambassador in Tirana is accused by the opposition of having bought property there. Is there a code of ethics for an ambassador to buy property where he is appointed?

John Bolton: Very good question, but I don't know the answer. They have ill-advised him because he questions neutrality and objectivity. There are many ambassadors who, after leaving, do not accept consultancy work in the countries where they served or any other type of economic activity. They can go give free advice to strengthen bilateral ties. Conflict of interest is highly scrutinized and investigated. Of course, you don't have to have economic ties when you are an ambassador somewhere.

Robert Papa: Former president Berisha was declared "non grata" a year ago. He can win again. What happens to the "non grata" if he becomes prime minister?

John Bolton. Something we have not faced in recent years. We have to look at the situation, I say, the USA, because I am not in the government, each case is decided case by case. The position of the USA should be: We should see free and fair elections in Albania and it is in the hands of the Albanian people. Normally, we would accept the result, Albania is an allied country, we want good relations, but most importantly we want to see free and fair elections: we are working hard to have this in the USA, too.

Robert Pope: We don't know how you see the Russian and Chinese danger in the Western Balkans. They are buying a lot of properties. Is America worried about this?

John Bolton: China is buying land in the US too, near military bases, this gives a big signal about how we should deal with the Russian-Chinese threat.

We are behind the risk of that threat. We need consultations at the NATO Council.

We must collectively face this danger. It would make us stronger.

I believe that the EU and NATO allies will look at it on a global basis. Jose Aznar, the former Prime Minister of Spain said that NATO should become global, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Israel. Something we should consider.

Robert Pope: Thank you, ambassador. I know you went into the new offices and I don't see the American flag. Next time I will come to do the interview in your office. It is an honor for my viewers to have you back on "FokusTV".

John Bolton: Very pleased to be with you, yesterday we entered the new offices and are setting them up, you are welcome.