CIA documents published: Sali Berisha did not want independent Kosovo, lobbied against in America

Even in the CIA report provided by ABC News It is noted that on the campaign's eve, Sali Berisha stiffened attitudes on ethnic issues, using the nationalist charter to defeat the Socialists.

The CIA document studies opportunities for conflicts in the Balkans, and in chapter “Tirana's potential to influence the region” the main actor held under consideration is Sali Berisha.

And not without justice, because Albania's president at the time met American diplomats who were declared against Kosovo independence.

“Berisha ) probably knowing the weak negotiating position of ethnic Albanians ʹ continues to insist that Rugova give up demands for independence and has told American diplomats that he believes the start of negotiations will help Rugova avoid pressure from Kosovo Albanian leaders”

The report continues, underlining the risk of Berisha's campaigning thresholds promoting conflict.

A political challenge from Albania's Socialists-communist elections next spring could make Berisha pursue a tougher line for ethnic-Albanian regional issues. He could also use the nationalist card to get support from smaller rightist parties”

This report belongs to December 1995. What happened next was that just after the elections, Berisha urged Ibrahim Rugova to join the Serbian opposition protest.

Perhaps it was these reasons that caused Rugova to break off his relationship with Berisha so as never to restore them.

Later, Berisha did not hide that he opposed Kosovo's independence, asking Hashim Thaci not to sign the Rambouillet agreement, where the first step of Kosovo's secession from Serbia was laid. /ABCNews/