By Zenel Çeliku
TIR-FAX News Agency
Albanian politics has no problem accusing, smearing, and insulting opponents. But what’s even worse—far worse—is when these extreme and damaging tactics target a high-ranking figure like former U.S. Ambassador to Albania, Ms. Yuri Kim. She represented Albania’s strongest ally—the world’s No. 1 power.
Why have American ambassadors in Albania been the target of disgraceful, scandalous attacks? Unfortunately, this method has been used by the Democratic Party (DP)—a party I once trusted. As a result, DP has spiraled into an unpredictable and reckless anti-American stance. This damages its reputation and distances Albanians from a party that once stood for European values.
But Albania cannot align with Europe without America, its historical protector in crucial moments. Attacking an ambassador of any country is an attack on the country they represent. So, is this baseless assault on U.S. ambassadors in Albania—especially against Yuri Kim—actually an attack on America itself?
A disgrace! Those who smear Ms. Kim ignore the fact that she represented official Washington.
The same tactics were used against former EU Ambassador Romana Vlahutin, who was also unjustly accused, smeared, and defamed. While such attacks come from individuals without integrity, DP lacks the courage to openly admit it is challenging the most powerful state in the world.
No need to name DP politicians who blindly follow their leader, competing in attacking Yuri Kim and other former ambassadors for their own petty motives. The former U.S. ambassador has been disgracefully targeted with baseless rumors—that she was dismissed, or even that she is under investigation in the U.S. for allegedly “abusing” her position to harm DP’s leadership. Shameful! Yet DP continues its rhetoric of lies.
As if DP headquarters’ attacks weren’t enough, many of its supporters have launched offensive and disgraceful insults not only against Ms. Kim but also against America itself. But stepping back from this anti-American stance, a natural question arises:
Where is Ms. Yuri Kim today?
What do those who spread venom against her have to say now?
Do Berisha’s loyalists have the face, will, or conscience to correct their extreme and unfounded rhetoric against America’s representatives?
Today, Yuri Kim is one of President Trump’s most trusted envoys. She has been appointed as a senior envoy for U.S.-Ukraine relations, a role of great significance in American foreign policy. She was chosen for this post by the U.S. State Department, at a time when U.S.-Ukraine relations are among America’s top global priorities.
The shameless rhetoric DP used against Kim is now a major political scandal, especially considering that she was appointed U.S. ambassador to Albania by President Trump in his first term.
Now that Trump is once again President of the United States, a crucial development for Albanians, what will her defamers say now?
Yesterday, when news broke of Ms. Kim’s appointment to this high-level role, why did no one in DP—especially Sali Berisha—make a statement?
Now the truth is undeniable:
Slander all you want—no one listens.
On the contrary, people despise you for the propaganda you have shamelessly spread for so long.
Yuri Kim is, ironically, DP’s fate.
Zenel Çeliku
TIR-FAX News Agency
