ARCHIVE: Albanian, Bosnian and Croatian Lobbying Efforts ("FARA" Registrations)

The following are reports of registered lobbying activities retrieved from Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings under the Foreign Agents Registry Act (FARA) and posted on the Internet at http://www.tray.com/ and at other sites.

Foreign Lobbyists regristrations under FARA are best found at: http://www.opensecrets.org/lobbyists/fara.htm

This is a sampling of what has been going on for some years. For instance, it does not yet include information on lobbying conducted for the government of Albania itself and only includes data from 1995 and 1997. There were no FARA reports directly involving Albania in 1997.

Information from "O'Dwyer's Inside News of PR" (also on internet) is included as it shows 1998-99 activity on behalf of Croatia.

Mr. Dragan Ivetic of Illinois led me to this interesting information, and Mr. Alan R. McCartney of Texas steered me to the O'Dwyer report.

Benjamin Works

Subj: Fwd: http://www.crp.org/FARA/COUNTRY/KOSOVA.HTM

Date: 99-07-09 22:18:15 EDT

From: Dragan Ivetic

To: benworks@aol.com

Ben,

I was going through some of my old mail and realized that i had some info that might be of use in your ongoing documentation of the "buying" of american support by the Kosovo Albanians. This info is on the "registered" paid lobbyists of the Kosovo Albanians as of '95. Of course much of the activity is probably under the table and unreported (especially the stuff coming directly from the KLA )and thus not represented by these official figures...but then again they are at least concrete and verifiable figures to supplement your data so far.

best regards,

Dragan Ivetic

Source: http://www.crp.org/FARA/COUNTRY/KOSOVA.HTM

Date: Tue, 09 Mar 1999 05:21:51 -0600

Arnold & Porter, #1750

Ruder Finn, Inc., #4315

Shafiq, Nuri, #4798

Tirana, Bardyl R., #4863

Arnold & Porter, #1750

555 - 12th Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20004-1202

Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) (Formerly: Republic of Kosova) (t)

Nature of Services: Legal and Other Services/ Lobbying

The registrant rendered advice to the foreign principal on the U.S. laws, regulations and policies concerning relations between the U.S. and Kosova. The registrant also provided information concerning the foreign principal to non-governmental organizations.

$2,616.00 for the 6 month period ending June 4, 1995

Political Propaganda: None Reported

Ruder Finn, Inc., #4315

1615 M Street, N.W.

Suite 220

Washington, DC 20036

Government of the Republic of Kosova

Nature of Services: Lobbying/Public Relations

The registrant compiled background materials and disseminated information regarding the Serbian oppression of Albanians in Kosova to members of Congress, executive branch, and the international news media.

$235,292.58 for the 12 month period ending November 30, 1995

The registrant disseminated compilations of news reports and other information regarding Kosova.

 Shafiq, Nuri, #4798

American Trade & Investments

2000 L Street, N.W. #200

Washington, DC 20036

Democratic League of Kosova (Formerly: Republic of Kosova)

Nature of Services: Lobbying

The registrant provided representation, assistance, and advice to the foreign principal with respect to Kosova's international relationships.

Finances: None Reported

Political Propaganda: None Reported

Tirana, Bardyl R., #4863

4401 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.

Suite 606

Washington, DC 20008-2322

Republic of Kosova

Nature of Services: Legal and Other Services/ Lobbying

The registrant provided consulting services to the foreign principal.

$868.34 for the 12 month period ending October 31, 1995

Political Propaganda: None Reported

Kosovo 1997 -- FARA

Burson-Marsteller, #2469

1801 K Street, N.W.

Suite 1000-L

Washington, DC 20006

Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina

The registrant will provide public relations assistance to the Federation aimed to support and strengthen the foreign principal's position in the arbitration process concerning the city of Brcko.

$60,199.64 for the six month period ending April 23,1997

Date: Tue, 09 Mar 1999 05:24:21 -0600

From: Dragan Ivetic <ivetil@uiuc.edu

Subject: [sn-talk 588] http://www.crp.org/FARA/COUNTRY/CROATIA.HTM

(Dated but useful info...this is how the US govt. registered these "foreign agents". Their numbers = egistration numbers)

http://www.crp.org/FARA/COUNTRY/CROATIA.HTM

Croatia --1995

Global Enterprises Group Incorporated, #4877

Hunton and Williams, #5040

Jefferson-Waterman International, #4990

Global Enterprises Group Incorporated, #4877

1415 Parker

Suite 370

Detroit, MI 48214

Ministry of Defense, Republic of Croatia

Nature of Services: Lobbying/Promotion of Trade

The registrant served primarily as commercial agents/brokers. The registrant contacted various U.S. businesses obtaining quotations on goods the foreign principal is interested in purchasing presently and in the future.

$237,169.43 for the 6 month period ending June 30, 1995 for the purpose of computer and communication equipment.

Political Propaganda: None Reported

Hunton and Williams, #5040

2000 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Suite 9000

Washington, DC 20006

Republic of Croatia

Nature of Services: Legal and Other Services/ Lobbying

The registrant agreed to represent the interests of the foreign principal before the U.S. Government, including a range of advocacy initiations and measures designed to ensure that Croatia's position on various issues is fully appreciated and understood in the U.S. The registrant will advise the foreign principal on how to improve the overall relationship between Croatia and the U.S., and to attract American investment in Croatia.

$250,000.00 prior to registration on August 11, 1995.

Political Propaganda: None Reported

Jefferson-Waterman International, #4990

1341 G Street, N.W.

Suite 1100

Washington, DC 20005

Republic of Croatia, Office of the Presidency

Nature of Services: U.S. Policy Consultant/Lobbying

The registrant contacted members of Congress, congressional staff, U.S. Government officials, and media representatives and organized meetings to discuss legislation and related issues concerning the foreign aid and defense or trade interests of the foreign principal. The registrant also provided advice and counsel to the foreign principal, reported on legislative or administrative actions and drafted talking points, position papers, letters to the editor and other documents as needed to prepare for meetings or to promote the objectives of the foreign principal.

$75,980.73 for the 6 month period ending August 31, 1995

$150,000.00 received prior to registration on February 6, 1995.

The registrant disseminated excerpts from interviews with Croatian officials.

Global Enterprises Group, Inc., #4877

1415 Parker

Suite 370

Detroit, MI 48214

Ministry of Defense, Republic of Croatia

Hunton & Williams, #5040

1900 K Street, N.W.

Suite 1200

Washington, DC 20006

Republic of Croatia

The registrant represented the views and interests of the foreign principal before the U.S. Congress, as well as coordinated meetings for Croatian Government officials with U.S. Government officials, members of the American media, and Washington "think tanks." The registrant also attempted to promote American investment in Croatia.

$376,077.79 for the six month period ending February 28,1997

JWI, L.L.C., #4990

1401 K Street

Suite 1000, 10th Floor

Washington, DC 20005

Republic of Croatia, Office of the Presidency

The registrant met with members of Congress and their staff, executive branch personnel, and U.S. Government officials to discuss legislation affecting the foreign principal, such foreign aid, defense and trade interests. The registrant prepared positions papers and speeches promoting the objectives of the foreign principal.

$149,780.28 for the six month period ending February 28,1997

Reed, T. Dean, #5044

1155 - 15th Street, N.W.

Suite 1003

Washington, DC 20005

Consulate General Republic of Croatia

The registrant provided advice and consultation on public relations.

$10,000.00 for the six month period ending March 31,1997

Shearman & Sterling, #4208

801 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Suite 900

Washington, DC 20004-2604

Industrija Nafte d.d. Zagreb (INA) - Naftaplin Unit

The registrant provided legal services to the foreign principal regarding blocked assets.

$22,182.31 for the six month period ending January 23,1997

White & Case, LLP, #2759

1155 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036-2787

Republic of Croatia

The registrant provided general legal representation to the foreign principal.

Finances: None Reported

July-Dec. 97

Global Enterprises Group, Inc., #4877

1415 Parker

Suite 370

Detroit, MI 48214

Ministry of Defense, Republic of Croatia

 Hunton & Williams, #5040

1900 K Street, N.W.

Suite 1200

Washington, DC 20006

Republic of Croatia

The registrant represented the views and interests of the foreign principal before the U.S. Congress, as well as coordinated meetings for Croatian Government officials with U.S. Government officials, members of the American media, and Washington "think tanks." The registrant also attempted to promote American investment in Croatia.

$596,998.85 for the six month period ending August 31,1997

JWI, L.L.C., #4990

1401 K Street

Suite 1000, 10th Floor

Washington, DC 20005

Republic of Croatia, Office of the Presidency

The registrant met with members of Congress and their staff, executive branch personnel and U.S. Government officials to discuss legislation affecting the foreign principal, such foreign aid, defense and trade interests. The registrant prepared positions papers and speeches promoting the objectives of the foreign principal.

$74,885.00 for the six month period ending August 31,1997

Shearman & Sterling, #4208

801 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Suite 900

Washington, DC 20004-2604

Industrija Nafte d.d. Zagreb (INA) - Naftaplin Unit

The registrant provided legal services to the foreign principal regarding blocked assets.

$89,138.00 for the six month period ending July 23,1997

White & Case, LLP, #2759

1155 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036-2787

Republic of Croatia

The registrant provided general legal representation to the foreign principal.

Finances: None Reported

Subj: O'Dwyer's Wahington DC Public Relations Report/Following the money trail

Date: 99-07-18 12:55:46 EDT

From: Flavorlyte@earthlink.net (Flavorlyte)

To: benworks@aol.com

July 18, 1999

Dear Ben:

Another source for tracking Balkan monies used to influence US public opinion and policy is Jack O'Dwyer's Washington DC Report. This is a public relations publication that is issued bi-weekly that is based on The United States Senate Foreign Agent Registration Act monthly files.

From The Washington Report:

July 18, 1998

Ruder Finn Global

Was paid over $230,000 for a six month period ending July/1998 by the government of Kosovo to promote international awareness of ethnic cleansing by the Serbs.(This is a paraphrase, I misplaced my copy of the article.)

January 25, 1999

The Washington International Group

"Bosnia Uses US Media to Make Serbia Genocide Case"

Bosnia retains The Washington International Group to promote it's arguement before The International Court of Justice at The Hague, Netherlands about genocide committed by the serbs.

WIG is headed by Marshall Freeman Harris, former Balkans Desk Officer for

The US State Department.

**Aric Schwan, the current Kosovo Desk Officer tolk me that Harris and

Bob Dole work for the same lobbying firm in that he uses the same phone

number to contact both men.

April 5, 1999

"Albanian Tycoon Taps GC for PR"

Global Communicators

Vebi Velija, who heads one of Albania's biggest companies is using *Global Communicators for a PR program directed at US government policies . . . Velija, who dreams of a Greater Albania which includes Kosova and Macadonia . . . GC was paid $50,000.

*Global Communicators was the outfit that paraded "refugees" to the media and congress that detailed serbian genocide during the NATO bombing campaign.

April 5, 1999

Patton Boggs

"Croatia Picks PB for Trade Promo"

Croatia has put Patton Boggs on a $20,000 monthly retainer . . .

April 19, 1999

The Washington International Group

"Bosnia, Kosovo Keep WIG Busy"

The Washington International Group earned $175,000 representing the interest of Kosovo and Bosnia during it's six month period ending January 31.

For Kosovo, WIG provided counsel to its officials during The Rambouillet Peace Talks held February in Paris.

WIG staffers were interviewed by The New York Times, Washington Post, Financial Times, Rueters, Associated Press, BBC, CNN, ABC, CBS and The Voice of America.

May 3, 1999

Hunton & Williams

"H&W Gets $1.7M From Croatians"

Hunton & Williams received $1.7M from Croatia for it's latest six month period for work ranging from war crimes to investment promotion opportunities . . .

The Washington Report website is: http://www.odwyerpr.com/wsjrpt.htm

From "Odwyer's Inside News of PR" at http://www.odwyerpr.com/

May 19, 1999

"Dach Gets Special Kosovo Assignment"

Leslie Dach, who is Vice Chairman/US for Edelman PR Worldwide, and head of the firm's Washington DC office, has taken a temporary job assignment with The White House Chief of Staff, John Podesta. Dach will give PR advice on dealing with the war in Kosovo, especially in dealing with the issues of continued atrocities, and the effectiveness of NATO's air campaign.

The overt behind the scenes manipulation by present and former state department officials is mind boggling, but congress doesn't seem to care. I've had repeated conversations with Defense Issue staffers who haven't a clue as to what's going on and I have repeatedly written Congressman Dick Armey and faxed him supporting materials, and have received the most inanely written responses.

I've also been challanging reporters, by name, who continually mis-represent and omit pertinent facts in their reports. To date, not one reporter from The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times Dallas Morning News and London Times has returned my e-mail requesting either verification of their facts or questioning my submissions. It makes me wonder what qualifications one has to have to be a reporter.

Keep up the good work.
Sincerely:
Alan R. McCartney
Carrollton, Texas

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The truth belongs to us all. Feel free to download, copy and redistribute. First posted: February 27, 2003 Last revised: May 31, 2004