As thousands of citizens protested in the square, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, the head of the government reacted to the situation in an interview for CNN International, where he spoke about the developments and accusations that are circulating regarding the project in Zvërnec.
In his statement to CNN, Rama described the protests and reports as part of a “hybrid war”, claiming that Albania is being attacked by “enemies and strong competition in the region”, as well as from the disinformation campaign on social networks.
“There are no protests in all of Albania. There is a protest in the capital. We are in a hybrid war. Albania is under attack from enemies we know very well. It is under attack from very strong competition in our part of the Mediterranean. It is under attack from thousands and hundreds of thousands of fake profiles (bots) that have been created to cause this whole storm”he said.
Rama was also involved in a debate with the CNN International journalist when he was asked about the project, where the prime minister categorically denied the existence of a project, describing the reports as “fake news”.
“He is talking about a project that he has not seen anywhere else except in fake images created and distributed on social networks in Albania, because we are in a hybrid war. As for the project…,” said Rama.
At one point in the debate, the CNN journalist asked him if the project will continue or if it has been stopped, while Rama insisted again: “Again, there isn’t a project yet. There isn’t a project.”
Excerpt from the interview:
Edi Rama: Listen, thank you for showing that video, because it is the very portrait of someone who is misinformed or part of the misinformed. Because, first of all, there is no project. He is talking about a project that he has not seen anywhere else except in fake images created and distributed on social networks in Albania, because we are in a hybrid war. As for the project…
Journalist: So, just to clarify, the project will not continue?
Rama: Again, there is no project yet. There is no project.
Journalist: I want to hear you, Mr. Prime Minister, but I am trying to clarify…
Rama: Do you want to listen to me or do you just want to talk?
The journalist: I want to hear from you, but I’m trying to clarify for our viewers. You are accusing us of fake news and I am trying to figure out if the project is still going or has been stopped. Because, according to Politico reports, the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption in Albania has launched an investigation into this project. How can the project continue under these conditions?
Rama: Again, you don’t want to listen. It is very clear to me. I’m not attacking you. I’m telling you the truth. And until you show me the project, you have to listen to me, because there is no project.
To create this project, the group that consists not only of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, but also of other highly respected investors, has engaged five of the best architects in the world today:
Kengo Kuma from Japan, Bjarke Ingels from Denmark, Emre Arolat from Turkey, K-Studio from Greece, Jean Nouvel from France. They are working alongside top-level environmental engineers and social impact specialists. Meanwhile, one of the largest consulting companies for environmental impact assessment has also been engaged.
Because the challenge is not to build a city. The challenge is not to pour concrete over the flamingos’ heads. The challenge is to prove that development and nature can not only coexist, but that nature and development need each other.
People deserve to live in a different kind of environment, where they can enjoy nature and at the same time show respect to it. So the project doesn’t exist yet. The environmental impact assessment is still being carried out. Do you understand? And let me finish.
Journalist: I am listening to you, Mr. Prime Minister.
Rama: Let me finish, because you mentioned Politico and said that there is an anti-corruption investigation. This is fake news. The investigation concerns one of the landowners. It is private land and one of the owners has sold the property, which was purchased through completely transparent banking transactions.
The investigation is on that issue. It is not for investment. It’s not for the project. It’s not about Kushner. It’s not about Trump. It is not for nothing that they are thrown into this mix to create the sensational news that Albania is a country where we are killing flamingos.
Journalist: Let me first get your reaction to the protests we have seen both in the capital Tirana and in the coastal cities regarding this development related to Jared Kushner. How do you respond to their protests and concerns?
Rama: First of all, thank you for giving me this opportunity, because I have to say that it is really impressive to feel the weight of fake news coming even from media that, in my eyes, are very respected. And just to clarify, you said protests in all of Albania. This is false. There are no protests in all of Albania. There is a protest in the capital. We are in a hybrid war. Albania is under attack from enemies we know very well. It is under attack from very strong competition in our part of the Mediterranean. It is under attack from thousands and hundreds of thousands of fake profiles (bots) that have been created to cause this whole storm.
And of course, there are well-intentioned people in this protest, young people who are generally interested in the environment, but who are largely misinformed. There is no such thing as a “Trump family island”. There is no such thing as the US president’s family taking over flamingo sanctuaries.
