SIRIUS: The Strategic Issues Research Institute
Benjamin C. Works, Director
718 937-2092; www.siri-us.com;
E-mail: Benworks@AOL.Com
--Speak the Truth and Shame the Devil--
July 27, 1999
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 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
Kosova
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
BOSNIA
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
CROATIA:
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.
Croatia: Jan-June 1997:
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