Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Withers During a Visit to the Gërdec Military Cleanup Site (August 1, 2008)

Ambassador Withers: Let me begin by saying that it is a very emotional experience to be here and to remember that just a short time ago this terrible occurrence happened with such very tragic loss of life.  I would like to just begin with a few words in memory of those who died, those who were wounded, the children, and the elderly, those who on that terrible day had their lives changed forever.

I would like to very much thank Minister Oketa and his staff.  He is a very conscientious and dedicated person who I have gotten to know and whose commitment to take care of making the site clean and safe is of enormous help in achieving that goal.  I think that our cooperation will ultimately achieve the objective that we both want to achieve.

At the same time, I think it has now been 20 weeks since the actual explosion and there is still an enormous amount of work to be done.  If I am correct, even though these pallets have been put together by the Armor Group, we have not been able to remove them to a site that meets the proper NATO standards, where the cleaning and the ultimate demilitarization of these weapons can take place.  I think that it is a matter of both importance and urgency that we move forward efficiently and with as much speed as we can to take those necessary next steps.

Question: Your visit comes after very strong statements by a U.S. diplomat.  Do you have any comment on those statements, even regarding investigations on Gërdec.

Ambassador Withers: I would very much like to spend today and this time focusing on the situation here in Gërdec and the important work that remains to be done.  In terms of the investigation, my views are a matter of public record and if you check my past statements, you will see where I stand on that.  If you do not have them, we can provide them to you.

Question: Yesterday there was talk of steps back in progress to NATO and also on President Bush’s recommendation to the Senate and the resolution by the House of Representatives.

Ambassador Withers: Let me repeat what I just said.  Today we stand on ground where many innocent Albanians lost their lives.  Let us devote this time and this day to them. There will be plenty of time to discuss other matters at another time.

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Withers Meetings with Gërdec Village Inhabitants

Ambassador Withers: Good afternoon.  What is your name?

Inhabitant: I am Murat.  This is my mother Lume.

Ambassador Withers: I am very happy to meet you.

Inhabitant: Thank you. We’re happy to meet you.

Ambassador Withers: Those men up there are part of the family?

Inhabitant: They are workers helping to build the house.

Ambassador Withers: You live in this tent now?

Inhabitant: Yes, my husband and I live here.  My children live in a rented place.

Ambassador Withers: Did you have a house here that you are rebuilding or is this new?

Inhabitant: We had our house here. It was destroyed.  We started over from scratch.  We were here with our children. God made a miracle.

Ambassador Withers: None of you were hurt?

Inhabitant: We were all wounded, myself, my two nieces, my nephew, my two daughters in law.  But my sister’s daughter was killed.  A cousin and his wife…A neighbor here…. All killed.

Ambassador Withers: I want to extend my sympathies.  I am very sorry for your loss.  But I wonder, do you consider it safe to come back and build here?

Inhabitant: Only you can give us assurances of security.

Ambassador Withers: I, unfortunately, cannot assure your safety.

Inhabitant: We want that from you, mainly for the children.  Our children are living in a rented place now but we want them to be back safely.  Our mayor has been very good to us.

Ambassador Withers: I can only give you my opinion.  My opinion is that this site here has not been made safe yet. I think that you are building too close to materials that are still very dangerous.

Inhabitant: We asked about this and were told to go ahead and build.

Ambassador Withers: Who told you so?

Inhabitant: Well, those who’ve come here, reporters, TV, I don’t know.

Other inhabitant: The people in power have said that (it was safe).  Military generals have said that.  Our house was flattened to the ground once and we want assurances (it wont happen) now.

Ambassador Withers: All I can tell you now is that I think it is too early to be rebuilding here. But that is just my opinion.  You need to ask people who are more experts than me.

Reporter: Mr. Ambassador, when you talk about dangers, do you mean environmental dangers or from explosions?

Ambassador Withers: Again, let me say two things.  First, I do not know of anyone who is more committed to the safety of this region and of the people here than Minister Oketa. And the cooperation which we have had between the Ministry, our experts, our Embassy has been excellent.  I would say, though, that we did have some American experts here shortly after the explosion.  I believe that they still do have environmental concerns. We will continue to study and try to resolve this issue fully.

Now, I have answered many of your questions, but I have one for you.  This lady and her family have said very specifically that the media has not been presenting correct information.  I think that it is extremely important for the media to get to the facts and to give people like her and her family, who are putting their lives back together, to give them the correct information.  And that is a responsibility for all of you.

Inhabitant: Will I ever find justice? My father was burned here.  There is no pension, no support.

Ambassador Withers: I am very, very sorry to hear of your losses.  And, you asked if there will ever be justice.  We are working very hard to find justice for you.  And we will work with the Minister, with everybody…I am so sorry.

Inhabitant: I don’t need money or anything.  I only want justice.