by Tommaso Labate
“I didn’t make the deal with Colombia. I am not afraid of being investigated because I have not committed any wrongdoing. me lobbyist? No, I do counseling”
President D’Alema, the Naples Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched investigations into Emanuele Caruso and Francesco Amato, with whom she spoke in the context of contacts with Colombia about a possible Italian arms delivery and more.
“Yes, but it has nothing to do with the history of Colombia. The Mediterranean Assembly denounced these two advisors to the Bogotà Ministry of Foreign Affairs for claiming to be its members without being one ».
Are you afraid of being examined?
“And why? I have not done anything illegal or opaque. In fact, they are among those most interested in shedding light on all the obscure points of this story, such as illegal recordings… ».
About his conversation with Edgar Fierro, a former paramilitary man who was sentenced to 40 years and then pardoned.
«I have not checked the CV of my interlocutor. They told me he was a senator.’
If she knew who he was, would she talk to him?
“I would say no”.
Don’t you think it was at least a small thing not even checking the internet?
“It was. There is no doubt that I sinned through carelessness in this matter. The Italian companies, on the other hand, acted with absolute correctness and prudence ».
How did this story come about?
«An entrepreneur from Salento whom I had known for years, Giancarlo Mazzotta, came to see me. He tells me that he knows two advisors from the Bogota Ministry of Foreign Affairs who could help promote Italian activities in Colombia ».
military supplies?
“Also because there had been a provision in your parliament to that effect. But not only that, but also interventions in energy and infrastructures ».
Why is Mazzotta coming to you?
“I do this job.”
The lobbyist?
‘No. I advise and assist Italian companies in investing abroad, which sometimes involves relationships with governments. Excuse me, what do you mean by lobbyist?’
More or less that. Advice, help…
“This type of activity is done around the world by numerous expoliticians who are usually thanked rather than shot in the back.”
Like Schroeder, Renzi…
“Renzi is currently a senator, I haven’t been a member of parliament since 2013. Schröder works for a Russian company, I work for companies in my country. It’s not the same”.
Do you work with Ernst & Young?
“Yes. But Ernst & Young has no business here».
What do you do when these opportunities come your way?
«I inform the top management of Leonardo and Fincantieri. The Italian companies then received official invitations and held institutional meetings ».
Was it a mediation?
“I just contacted the subjects and stayed at home. Those who went to Colomba conducted a promotion. And if Colombia had decided to continue with the purchases, it might have been in a more advantageous position ».
Do governments not make such agreements? Was there a need for a double, arduous negotiation?
«I repeat that there were no negotiations, neither double nor single! As they are all referred to as my emissaries, I remind you that the two protagonists were advisers to the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and that Mazzotta was not “sent” there by me, but was invited by the ministry mentioned above. I asked him to inform the Italian Ambassador only for obvious reasons of transparency ».
And was the Italian government groping in the dark?
“Usually, ambassadors inform governments. And when the Colombian ambassador told me that the matter was being followed up by Undersecretary of State Mulè, Mazzotta, at my request, went to inform him. And he reported telling him to “go ahead”. I have no reason to doubt this version ».
They talk on the phone about 80 million commission. Who would they go to?
“I’ve made a rough estimate of what a mass of investments like the ones we’ve been discussing might be worth in terms of advice, commercial sponsorship and legal counsel. We’re talking about a job that can take eight years, not the time of a signature. So I think a portion would have gone to Robert Allen Law, whom I recommended for legal and promotional assistance; while the Colombians asked for their own partnership as it should be.
Why Robert Allen Law?
“It is a prestigious company with links to Latin America, it had already worked with Fincantieri”.
Do you have a contract with them?
“No. I know them, I have worked both with them and with other American companies ».
What would he gain from this story?
«My company would have advantages in the field of energy, infrastructure compared to the private companies I work with. As I said, I have no contracts with public companies».
Which private companies?
“If you allow me, I would omit them.”
March 25, 2022 (change March 25, 2022 | 23:28)
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