New emails suggest Zammit initiated contact with tobacco lobby – Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal has reported contents from new emails that precede a 16 March email from the smokeless tobacco lobby (ESTOC) to Silvio Zammit, the political canvasser implicated in the OLAF investigation into former commissioner John Dalli, that paint a picture that would show Zammit initiating contact with ESTOC.

Emails between European Smokeless Tobacco Council secretary-general Inge Delfosse and businessman Silvio Zammit, suggest that ESTOC didn't necessarily initiate the contact, which Dalli says was meant to entrap him as part of a ruse to stop the Tobacco Products Directive.

"In the first email, dated March 8, Mr Zammit writes to Ms Delfosse that 'following a first exploratory meeting with the relevant Maltese liaisons, I can propose the following package of services which we can discuss further with you'," the Wall Street Journal reports.

The email would have been received a day after Delfosse attending a meeting with Dalli as part of the public consultation on the Tobacco Products Directive, which planned to retain an export ban on snuff tobacco, which is sold in Sweden under EU dispensation.

Zammit's services, according to the WSJ, included "preparation and drawing up of presentation to put forward to relevant high-level Commission representatives, lobbying efforts and setting up of high-level meetings and planning next steps to include deeper consolidation of industry position and furthering of industry interests, with top-level introductions and action strategy."

Zammit also "named a company 'through which these services will be provided... More details can be thrashed out orally and the above package can be further tailor-made to suit your needs."

Then on 15 March, Delfosse wrote back saying:  "I have to say that I am a little confused as I thought that you were offering your services and not the attached company. Could you clarify? For me to introduce a new consultant to ESTOC, I would need a more detailed offer including a price (hourly rate or monthly retainer). The below is not concrete enough."

Zammit's response:

"I should clarify. I am offering these services alone and personally. I use the company below as my consultants on EU law and public affairs. I simply wanted to give you options regarding invoicing should you need to bill an established company with expertise in EU affairs for all or part of the cost... If you don't need this, please feel free to discard. I shall give you a call asap."

Delfosse then responded on March 16, asking for a meeting with Dalli and for the cost of setting up such a meeting, which is the email first published in MaltaToday.

The WSJ said ESTOC declined to comment on the emails' authenticity, while Zammit declined to comment.

Dalli, the European Union health commissioner who resigned last week, reiterated Wednesday that he may have been the victim of entrapment by the tobacco industry in a cash-for-influence probe. The complaint by Swedish Match to the European Commission was made by Patrik Hildingsson, vice-president of the Swedish manufacturer of snus, who is also chairman of Brussels-based lobby ESTOC.

Originally, a 16 March email published by MaltaToday shows Delfosse asking Zammit how much he would charge for an informal meeting with Dalli in Brussels.

Dalli resigned on 16 October after the presentation of a report by the EU anti-fraud office OLAF, that claimed "unambiguous" circumstantial evidence that he was aware of requests by Zammit to solicit a bribe from Swedish Match to influence tobacco legislation.

Swedish Match's vice-president Patrik Hildingsson has confirmed in other interviews to the press that Zammit requested a payment of €60 million in exchange for the commissioner lifting an EU ban on snus sales and exports.

Dalli has denied any knowledge of the payment requests and has announced legal action over his dismissal from the European Commission.