Subscribers Only, information: pr@noa.al
Tirana, February 9, 2011 NOA - The EU and the United States have made clear that is the choice we hope these leaders will make, DAS Thomas Countryman said today in Uss Embassy, Tirana
The first question has to do with Albania's being an important factor for all Albanians in the region. Have you seen in the opposition and the government a responsibility that, in case of instability in Albania, that could be reflected immediately among Albanians in Greece, Macedonia, Kosovo, and Montenegro? Second, since the last election result was close, we can see that the sides do not agree to hold early elections. If we consider the fact that 600,000 Albanians want early elections, would it be right for them to pressure to hold them through protests by pressure on the party that does not agree to hold them?
Those are two different questions. On the first question, the regional relationship. I have the advantage that I went away from Balkan affairs for several years and came back. So, I see dramatic progress throughout the region compared to ten years ago. Neither Albania nor any of its neighbors have achieved perfection in democracy in the last ten years. But they all have made dramatic progress. As a result, I think there is not the same kind of concern about a spillover of instability from one country to the next that you might have worried about ten years ago. Every one of Albania's neighbors wishes Albania well and hopes to see a peaceful constitutional means towards renewed progress in Albania. Similarly, each of Albania's neighbors has got their own political problems domestically that are far more important than any influence that comes from a neighboring country. Each of us has one thing at a time to worry about.
In fact, I meant a spillover not only in the countries, but on the Albanians living in the neighboring countries.
I think that ethnic Albanians, whatever country they are citizens of, long for stability in the country they live in. I see parties that are predominantly ethnic Albanian in the Republic of Macedonia who have made a very positive contribution to the stability and progress of that country. I see in Kosovo the most progressive constitution in Europe, in terms of protection of ethnic groups’ rights. In my opinion, ethnic Albanians, whether in Albania or in a neighboring country, want to make that kind of positive and peaceful contribution, and I am confident that is what they will do.
On your second question, it is very hypothetical, so let me answer it hypothetically. Anytime 600,000 citizens of any country speak with one voice on any issue, that is serious and should be listened to. But, my concern is to see every citizen of Albania have the opportunity to express their opinion in a fair and free way. That means – elections. The next scheduled elections are local elections and that is the opportunity for both parties and citizens to make their case and to speak in the supremely peaceful manner that democracies have.
Mr. Countryman, beyond the political crisis between the majority and the opposition that has been going on for the past two years, today we have a deeper conflict: between the government and three independent institutions. That is a conflict that in recent days has reached strong accusations of a? coup d’état. What is the message you would send to these parties – the government on the one side and the three institutions on the other, considering that while the government and the opposition have found compromise in the past, but it would be more difficult to find compromise with these three institutions?
Good question. There should be no doubt that the constitution of Albania gives important powers and important responsibilities to these independent institutions. They must be able to do their job without fear of political consequences. We will support them in their efforts to do that; and because we are Americans and we are always full of advice, we will sometimes give our advice to those independent institutions as well. I do not believe that conflict between the government of Albania and these independent institutions is inevitable. It is a valuable time for both the government and these institutions and, for that matter, the opposition as well, to take the advice that Ambassador Arvizu offered last week: try to take one day of listening and not talking. There is an avalanche of words every day in this capital, but there is very little dialogue.
You just met with representatives of the majority, the opposition, the president. Regarding the coming local elections: do you continue to have the same concerns about them not being held as when you came, or do you think something changed in the position of the opposition?
As I said, I think it is not wise or responsible to threaten to prevent the holding of local elections. Together with the Ambassador, I made that point to all the people I met today. Each of them listened carefully and I am hoping it will have some influence on their path ahead.
Mr. Countryman, as journalists we look for the latest information. Since you hopefully have the latest from your meetings with the leaders, I would be interested to know whether there is any change in the position of the two political groups with regard to the situation. For now, Albanians only hear the opposition calling for protests and the resignation of the government on the one hand, and the government--or the party in power—making accusations of coup d’état, on the other. As an Albanian, I find them very disappointing. Do we have any hopes for change?
There are two points there. First, what the ambassador and I said to both leaders today was in fact very similar to my little lecture to you tonight. Both of these parties historically, like nearly every Albanian, have been friends of the United States. Therefore, we speak to each other in a very direct but friendly style. We also have an agreement that you can help us to honor. That is, the ambassador and I do not speak for them in front of the press and they do not speak for us. I won’t pretend to interpret what each gentleman said and what they will do next. If any Albanian citizen wants to know what the US thinks, they can read my words and the ambassador’s words, which I know you will print every last word of. And, they do not have a need to go to any party for an interpretation of what the United States believes.
The second hope: is there hope? There is always hope. In order to be hopeful, all sides need to realize that there is always a choice – no political leader is locked into a position where he has only one possible option. There is always a choice between confrontation and compromise. The EU and the United States have made clear that is the choice we hope these leaders will make.
Mr. Countryman, the Albanian opposition has made clear that they will boycott the local elections, first by not submitting to the CEC the lists, and secondly by trying to motivate party militants, saying that the international factors will not become party in a process where the opposition is missing. What is your message on this latest stance of the opposition?
There is a genuine expert on elections here and that is the head of the OSCE mission in Albania, Ambassador Wolfarth. He is the expert, so the best thing I can do is to endorse his statement. He said that the failure to deliver the commissioner nominations to the CEC was “a blatant disregard for the democratic aspirations of Albanian citizens by political parties.” I can’t say it better. The political parties should, not as a political matter, but as a constitutional matter, submit the names and make plans for the local elections. This should be the demand of the Albanian people. In any democracy, sometimes parties come to believe that they own the elections. That is not the case. The people own the elections. The people need to have a choice between candidates and that means participation in local elections.
