Statement by U.S. Ambassador John Withers After Meeting with Prosecutor General Ina Rama (June 3, 2008)

The Prosecutor General updated the Ambassador on the public aspects of a series of ongoing investigations, including specifically that of Gerdec.

The Ambassador assured the Prosecutor General that the United States government remains irrevocably committed to an impartial, thorough investigation that is based totally on legal evidence.  The U.S. government will not prejudge the outcome of any legal proceeding, but expects the evidence alone to be the critical component in determining the scope and nature of the investigation. 

The American government will view with disappointment and alarm any effort to subject this investigation to any outside influence whatsoever.  It is the Prosecutor General's constitutional duty, not that of any other body of government, to conduct her work without interference.  For this to take place, it is essential that Parliament immediately address the question of parliamentary immunity.

The American government and people will be deeply concerned if any political faction, party, or leader makes statements or takes actions that in any way inject a political agenda into what must be an impartial and independent investigation based on the rule of law.