The United States Department of State rejected the statements made by journalist Vudi Xhymshiti, who claimed that Deputy Assistant Secretary Gabriel Escobar had been dismissed from his post due to ties with the Serbian government.
A spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State confirmed to Euronews Albania that Escobar has not been dismissed from his duty, but will have another diplomatic assignment, as is the case with all career officials.
“Deputy Assistant Secretary Gabriel Escobar has not been dismissed from his post. All career officials of the Foreign Service undertake rotational assignments every one to four years as part of regular practice. As a Foreign Service officer, Deputy Assistant Secretary Escobar has served in his current role for three years, and it is time for him to transition to his next assignment in the coming weeks. Until the planned transfer, he continues to serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary and Special Envoy for Euro-Asian Affairs and as Special Envoy for Western Balkans Issues,” the spokesperson told Euronews Albania.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of State labelled the statements of journalist Vudi Xhymshiti regarding family members of the American envoy allegedly receiving funds from Serbia, as “untrue”.
“Despite Mr. Xhymshiti’s claims to the contrary, the spouse of Deputy Assistant Secretary Escobar has never received funds from the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, DAS Escobar has no familial relationship with the alleged partner in the Texas law firm McGinnis Lochridge LLP.”
Washington is in line with its European partners and will continue to play an active role in supporting dialogue, the spokesperson further stated, emphasising that the U.S. strongly supports the EU-facilitated dialogue as the path to achieving a peaceful and productive relationship between Kosovo and Serbia.
