Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Withers Conference on Integrity (October 23, 2009)

I am honored in the presence of President Moisiu, President Meidani, Justice Kondi, and my dear friend Roger Sherrard and his gracious wife Katoo.

The concept of having a conference on integrity is both simple and profound.  It seems such an obvious concept, not only for Albania for any place in the world.

As Einstein said, the best ideas are the simplest.  And the simplest are often the works of genius.

Integrity is a word we often hear but can be at times difficult to define.

Webster’s dictionary defines it as “a firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values.”

Another definition states integrity is “steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.”

Integrity is also used in different manners, for example, someone can be called a man of integrity, or we must preserve the “integrity” of computer systems, or even the “integrity” of data or territorial “integrity.”

Integrity can also be viewed as “standing for something.”

But I prefer to think of integrity as doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching.

What themes can we draw from these different definitions and usages?

For one, integrity seems to convey a sense of discipline, whether that is adhering to some sort of moral or ethical code, or protecting something or someone from potential dangers.

Morals and ethics are also a key aspect of integrity.  Making moral or ethical decisions in both one’s private and public lives are central to living with integrity.

But while integrity is primarily thought of as a personal value, it also has societal and political implications.

Elected and appointed leaders must lead with integrity.  Their decisions both directly and indirectly impact the lives of citizens in large and small ways.

So, exactly, what does it mean for a public official to lead with integrity? For me, it means accepting responsibility for one’s actions and doing the right thing in the face of adversity.

Having the courage to stand up and say, “I am accountable for” or “I am responsible for” or “I apologize.” 

It means not hiding behind the cloak of law to protect one’s personal interests.

Let me give you one example of what I mean by that.  I refer specifically to the constitutional provisions here in Albania giving immunity from criminal prosecution to members of parliament, judges, and other high governmental officials.

We all know that those provisions were enacted in the early stages of democratic development in Albania when perhaps the need to protect these officials from abuse by the criminal justice system for political purposes justified the granting of immunity.

However, Albania has moved forward and must now balance this protection against the absolute necessity to hold corrupt or otherwise criminally liable high officials accountable for their actions.

A few days ago, in speaking before the Helsinki Committee in the United States, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for European Affairs, my colleague and co-worker, Stuart Jones, said the following, “We continue to encourage the Government of Albania further to increase the support for independent judicial and prosecutorial institutions and the lifting of parliamentary immunity in relevant cases.”

What Mr. Jones meant by that was that immunity should not provide a refuge for those facing criminal liabilities in the courts, nor an incentive for those being investigated by the courts to seek or keep high governmental positions.

He meant that immunity should not undermine the public’s perception of integrity in the political and judicial systems.

A few months ago, Prime Minister Berisha said the following, “Great efforts should be taken so that Albania demolishes the wall of immunity.”  We can only applaud the Prime Minister’s view and sentiment in this area and we hope that his intentions become reality in the not-too-distant future.

The Prime Minister, in such statements, indeed, showed that he recognizes integrity as a quality of leadership. The Prime Minister shows that he understands that leading with integrity means that the interests of citizens come first and not last.

Safeguards incorporated into the law to prevent extraneous and cumbersome and legal charges should not be abused.  In the end, the true measure of public officials is how he or she handles challenges.  And leaders, public officials who handle challenges with integrity are ones that we remember and applaud.

Being a person of integrity can require very difficult decisions to be made as one may have to weigh personal interests against societal, moral, or other concerns.

However, it is the duty and responsibility of all leaders in all spheres to act with integrity and demonstrate that the trust placed in them by others is justified.

Two thousand years ago, on reaching the age of maturity, the young people of the city of Athens took an oath.  For them, an oath was more than just a promise or a commitment.  It had sacredness involved in it.  A person making an oath unleashed all his or her honor and dignity.  And this was the oath that they took:

We will never bring disgrace on this our City
by an act of dishonesty or cowardice.
We will fight for the ideals and Sacred Things
of the City both alone and with many.
We will revere and obey the City's laws,
and will do our best to incite a like reverence
and respect in those above us who are prone
to annul them or set them to naught.
We will strive increasingly to quicken
the public's sense of civic duty.
Thus in all these ways will we transmit this City,
not only not less, but greater and more beautiful
than it was transmitted to us!"

Ladies, and gentlemen, if people 2000 years ago reached this vision of personal and civic integrity, so should we today.

I thank you very much for inviting me here today and for listening.

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