Transcript of Interview of U.S. Ambassador Alexander Arvizu With ABC News (February 1, 2012)

February 1, 2012

Transcript of Interview of U.S. Ambassador Alexander Arvizu

With ABC News

ABC News: Good evening honored viewers.  We are broadcasting to you live.  We have an exclusive with the American Ambassador accredited here in Tirana, Mr. Alexander Arvizu.  Thank you for accepting our invitation. 

Ambassador Arvizu: Thank you so much for the kind invitation, Sonila. 

ABC News: A simple statistic: this is your second visit to ABC Studios, but your first public interview on it.  Do you follow ABC News?

Ambassador Arvizu: Oh, Absolutely.  There is a lot of competition, depending on the time slot, but it is very much on my channel clicker. 

ABC News: Naturally, there are difficult challenges for news television channels in Albania, and we are used to watching the international news channels.  We are trying to occupy the right spot in the Albanian market with a new mentality.  Thank you for the fact that you watch us. 

Ambassador Arvizu: The pleasure is mine, and before I forget – and I will forget – I want to extend warm congratulations to you on the arrival of your newest family member.  I just ran into Mr. Frangaj, and I know that he and Alba just welcomed a new one as well.  So, love is in the air; congratulations to all of you. 

ABC News: A fertile period. Let’s hope it’s the same for the Albanian society. As we’re talking about the media, a U.S. Ambassador’s presence in the media has a different weight in Albania compared to many other countries. Do you have an explanation for this special rapport? How does a person maintain the stability as a diplomat and a public person?

 Ambassador Arvizu:  It’s certainly been an adjustment.  It was a little bit unusual at first, but I view it as a real honor.  It shows the high regard in which the United States is held, and that fact actually inspires my performance.  I try to live up to people’s expectations.  Sometimes people say “you should be more outspoken, like the Danish Ambassador!” but I just try to do the best job that I can.  I get a lot of help. 

ABC News:  This interest in the media, can we interpret it as a desire of theirs to see the American Ambassador, and his opinion, or do you have a special affection for the media?

Ambassador Arvizu:  Well, some of the people that I studied in the State Department, who were more senior than me, I always admired the relationship that they had with the press.  I think that the relationship that a public official has with leading television personalities, with key reporters, editors – it’s very important, especially in this 24-hour news cycle world that we live in.  It’s really important to be able to get the message out quickly and accurately, and I think there is no substitute for the rapport that an official can have with people like yourself. 

ABC News: Mr. Ambassador, our rapport is a good soft opening to enter into the discussion for the moment.  As the highest ranked diplomat of the United States of America in Albania, how do you consider the level of official relations today between the United States and Albania?  We see the relationship with the United States as the most important strategic partner, political, and military relationship, and does our country rise to the level of America?  Do we have a functional democracy in Albania? 

Ambassador Arvizu:  There were a lot of elements in that question.  Let me just try to address a couple of them, and then maybe we can follow up.  In terms of the strategic dimension of the relationship, I think it is excellent.  From Washington’s perspective, we view Albania as a very reliable partner, an ally, a force for peace and stability and security in the region.  I think we have very common views and perceptions of situations in different parts of the world, whether it’s Kosovo, or the Middle East. So in that sense I think it is very positive.  I think people have also heard me praise the democratic progress that Albania has made in the last twenty years.  I stand by my earlier comments – that no country has made more strides, in terms of democratic progress than Albania – over the past twenty years.  Now, your specific question about “Is Albania a functioning, democratic state today?”  My answer is “Some days.”  Some days are better than others.  I think the goal ought to be where 365 days a year that there is a functioning democracy, where the institutions are strong, where the Albanian citizenry believes in the democratic system.  I don’t think it is there quite yet, but I think the progress is unmistakable and I’m confident that it will continue.  

ABC News: I’ll ask you about Albanian democracy later, about independent institutions, the rapport between them, and the rapport between, primarily, politicians and these institutions. Let’s stay a bit longer on the relationship between the United States of America, developments in Albania.  How important is Albania, for the view that Washington has, for development in the Balkans, its role in stability in the region, an important factor due to all the Albanians in the region?

Ambassador Arvizu: As I think I alluded to in the earlier statement, there are a lot of very tangible and positive signs of progress.  When you look at the functioning of the parliament, the role of the press, NGOs, the fact that the level of education in this country, the political awareness of people, it’s so high, I am so impressed everywhere I go, with the level of political consciousness.  The fact that people recognize me; it tells me something about the degree of interest in politics.  This is a very, very good thing.  I just think that with the strengthening of institutions, maybe breaking down the mistrust that exists between the two large political camps, if they could somehow develop a little bit more trust over time, then that would be even better. 

ABC News: At present, Mayor Basha is visiting the United States of America, for the first time, since he started his mandate.  Are you aware of any official stances the U.S. presented to Mr. Basha regarding Albania? The media has been divided in reporting about how official it was.

Ambassador Arvizu:  Well it looks like he’s been very busy.  Just before coming in here we saw him – looked like he was giving a VOA interview.  I met with him last week, just before he left, and I know that he was really looking forward to his visit.  He’s been in Washington for a number of days.  He met with Ambassador Phil Reeker, who’s the Deputy Assistant Secretary in charge of the Balkans, including Albania.  I think he caught up with some old friends of his from his time as Foreign Minister, even when he worked in Kosovo back in 1999 or so.  He gave a speech at John Hopkins University, which has a very famous school for international affairs studies.  He met with the Mayor of Washington D.C., and then I think he’s going to New York if I’m not mistaken, tomorrow, or maybe tonight.  So he seems to have a pretty full schedule. He’s got a lot of experience, even though he’s relatively young, as Foreign Minister.  I think some people see him as a rising star in the Albanian political firmament.  So, good for him.  I look forward to talking with him when he gets back and hearing firsthand from him, some of his impressions from his visit to the United States. 

ABC News: For you, Lulëzim Basha’s a rising star, in these Albanian politics, these politics that are polarized?

Ambassador Arvizu:  Sure.  I think that is fair to say.  I don’t know his exact age, but I think he’s in his late thirties.  To be the Mayor of Tirana is certainly a remarkable achievement.  And with all due respect to the politicians of Albania who are in their fifties, or maybe even in their sixties, it is really important for there to be new blood.  There has to be a certain freshness.  I have to laugh when I use the term “fresh” because I think of the Socialist Party and their youth congress and “Fresh.”  I went to it a couple of weeks ago.

ABC News:  “Re-Fresh?”

Ambassador Arvizu:  Exactly.  Hit the “refresh” button.  I don’t know when the Democratic Party youth congress is, but I certainly look forward to going to that.  I think it is a wonderful thing when people get involved in politics at a young age.  There has to be renewal.  I’m very interested in identifying the up and coming stars, whether it is in this party or that party, in the media world, in the entertainment world.  It is just the cycle of life.  It’s exciting. 

ABC News:  One small thing that made an impression on me the fact that you use the sense political involvement very positively for the youth, especially in Albanian politics.  Have they improved Albanian politics, or have they ruined it with the lack of trust that exists currently?

Ambassador Arvizu:  That’s a good question.

ABC News:  And I await a good answer!

Ambassador Arvizu:  I think that in Albania, in any sector of society, but especially in politics, there is still a pretty strong top-down structure.  I think it is fair to say that in the two established parties, there are pretty strong and forceful leaders.  I think the blue leaders maybe a little bit more strong, a little bit more forceful than the one on the rose side, but when you talk to the individuals, in their thirties, in their forties, even in their twenties, I think they have very broad perspectives, and I think that when their time comes, they will be very effective leaders, very good spokespersons for Albania abroad.  But they have to operate with the system that is Albania, and right now, as I said, it is still a little bit of a strong, top-down structure.  I think party discipline maybe a little bit more rigid than I would prefer, but again I am an American.  I come from a very different political culture.  This is Albania’s democratic political culture.  It has its own characteristics.  I think it will change over time.  But I think the future is bright, because there are some very, very capable people, and, more women, I might add.  A lot more women involved in politics. 

ABC News:  While listening to your reply, Mr. Ambassador, I had in mind a person who fulfills many of the criteria for which you were speaking.  A twenty-to-thirty something woman, who is young, and while not political, is in an independent institution – the Prosecutor.  I reference Ms. Ina Rama.  Naturally, we’ve all seen the support that you’ve given her in public.  You were at her side.  I am going to ask a personal question about Ms. Rama.  Did you watch Ms. Rama’s interview with journalist Blendi Fevziu and the media noise that accompanied her appearance on his show?

 Ambassador Arvizu:  I watched with great anticipation and great interest, her appearance on Blendi Fevziu’s show.  In fact, I had lunch with Blendi the day before the interview and so we were talking about it a little bit.  I think it was very good of TV Klan to give her the opportunity, and I’m glad that she accepted the invitation.  I thought it was very important for her to have a forum in which she could respond to questions, explain some of the positions that she’s taken.  There has been – I think it is fair to say – more criticism of her from the DP side than from the other side, and so I think it was a win-win situation for everyone.  I watched the interview, and I don’t understand Albanian, but my staff was emailing me with ten minute updates.  It certainly seems like she did very well, in terms of presenting coherent and logical arguments.  I thought Blendi did a great job with the questions.  Of course it is up to individual viewers to decide whether it was fabulous, whether it was terrible, whether she was telling the whole truth, whether she wasn’t telling the whole truth – people have to make up their own minds.  But the important thing was that the forum was there, and I think it was a positive outcome for everyone. 

ABC News:  You mentioned that the opinion has been divided.  For some, Ina Rama speculated with the FBI evidence.   For others, Ina Rama brought the truth to light.  This public appearance of Ms. Rama, how much did it help the investigations, after the U.S. official role through the FBI expertise?

Ambassador Arvizu: We’ve been clear from day one that the ownership of this investigation is entirely with the Office of the Albanian Prosecutor General.  Shortly after the tragic events of last January, we responded favorably to a direct request, from her office, for some specific types of technical expertise, forensic analysis, all kinds of the CSI type things, because we felt that it was important, given the trauma that Albanians experienced on January 21.  The fact that four people lost their lives, that it was important for there to be justice served.  And the only way for justice to be served is for the truth to be established.  And the only way for the truth and justice to be established was for there to be an investigation.  An investigation that is complete, comprehensive, impartial–you’ve heard all those terms before.  We felt that by lending the good name of the United States, and specifically that of the FBI, that it might help with the credibility, with the impartiality of that investigation.  And so when I appeared with her at the press conference in January of last year, as well as last week, one primary reason was that I wanted to stand behind the credibility of the FBI reports, since they are, the Americans’ premier crime lab – in fact, the best crime lab in the world, in my humble opinion.  But also as a manifestation of our support for the Office of the Prosecutor General.  I think that office is perfectly capable of functioning on its own, but if we can contribute in a positive way, then I am all for that. 

ABC News: Since you mentioned that you’ve been in the PG’s press conferences, do you think you have enhanced or weakened the credibility of the Prosecutor General’s Office, although this has been her choice to stand next to you?

Ambassador Arvizu:  Well, I guess different people looking at that imagery might draw different impressions.  Again, I think the office that she represents stands on its own.  But to the extent that the United States can be seen as being an impartial observer, an impartial facilitator, in the quest, in the search for truth and justice, then I think that is a positive thing.  I think that’s a good investment of American time and energy to do that, because this country’s important.

ABC News: I am glad to hear the last part. Yet, there is a perception that the January 21 investigation is turning more into a media show. In fact, a lot of data is becoming public and that even the Prosecutor General spoke more than she should have in that interview. Do you share that view, that there are some media elements turning this into a show where it is difficult to separate fact from speculation, and then their use?

Ambassador Arvizu:  I think given the political environment in Albania, with 24-hour news channels like ABC News, the fact that everyone – I have yet to meet an Albanian who didn’t have a fairly strong political opinion about something.  So I think it’s inevitable that something that is on the minds of people, like the January 21 events from last year – people are going to have opinions.  And it’s difficult to separate out the purely legal part from sort of the political part.  And that’s part of the functioning of a democratic society.  Now, with respect to the performance of the Prosecutor General’s Office, I think that they have done very well overall, given the many obstacles that they’ve had to encounter.  Any prosecutor has a really, really tough time.  And I think in Albania there are other factors that make it even more difficult.  Mrs. Rama and I have had many, many conversations – long hours – over the past year.  I think we often agree there have been times when we had slightly different opinions.  I, for one, have always been a little bit uncomfortable with the leaks that would come out of the office.  The leaks in and of themselves are a little bit annoying.  But what’s a bigger concern to me is the possibility that leaks might compromise the integrity of the investigation.  And I made these concerns known to her.  She assured me that she shared them.  And I think that at various times she has taken steps to try to address those.  And I’m sure we can talk about this some more.  But one point that I’d like to leave with you and with your viewers is that the Office of the Prosecutor General – she’s a public official.  And as a public official, she is accountable for her performance, just like any public official in this country.  And so, is her performance – is it the legitimate subject of debate, discussion, criticism?  Even very strong criticism?  The answer is – absolutely yes.  The performance of her office and her personally is a legitimate subject for people to talk about.  But I do think there’s a line.  And that line being that if you cross over it, and it gets into the realm of implied threats, of intimidation – whether it’s from one side or the other – it doesn’t matter which side it’s from.  But if it crosses over that line, then that’s a problem as far as the United States is concerned.  The United States believes firmly in the right of free speech, the accountability of public officials. But when you cross over the line, and there are direct or implied threats, or other kinds of even verbal abuse that call into question the ability of that office to carry out the investigation, then that’s a problem.  And if it is not addressed, then it has potential to create some difficulties with the United States.  And I have to be very candid that in recent days some of the rhetoric has frankly sent a bit of a chill through the American Embassy in Tirana.  And I think I can say this has extended to Washington, DC, as well.  And again, for the third time I want to reiterate the performance of the office, the performance of her personally, is a legitimate subject for people to critique.  She has to be accountable, just like everyone else.  But there is a line that really should not be crossed.  Or else there can be consequences. 

ABC News: When you say consequences, you always refer to what the United States expect from institutional conduct in Albania?

Ambassador Arvizu:  Again, it gets back to the concept of truth and justice, and the pain that Albanians have felt, and the four families in particular.  The many questions that people have.  I keep getting back to that horrible day and why I have been very vocal in saying there needs to be a comprehensive investigation.  The shooting deaths were terrible.  And there needs to be some accounting of that part.  And there is some evidence that I think will be introduced in court at the appropriate time.  But very importantly, what were the circumstances that led to that event?   Again, my views are pretty well known – that it was designed from the onset to be not a regular demonstration – unlike most demonstrations – that it was designed to be violent to provoke a strong response.  And so I was pleased to see that the Prosecutor General made the decision to request the lifting of immunity for three Socialist MPs.  Now, in my mind, and from what I understand, that doesn’t imply that they’re guilty of any crime.  It could lead to that.  But this is to facilitate the investigation.  So, the investigation needs to proceed in a very technical fashion, in a very legal manner.  But there’s also the human dimension to all this.  And if I could be very honest with the Socialist Party, one frustrating thing for me is, I wish – and it’s never too late – but I wish that there could be more of an expression of remorse on the part of the Socialist Party for their role in contributing to the situation that occurred on January 21.  Now, I know that there are different views about how complicit they were, whether it was organized.  But clearly, there was a role.  And the closest anyone from the Socialist Party has come to admitting anything, as far as I know, was when Ben Blushi went on a rival network – on Top Story – and said something to the effect that if more of the Socialist MPs had been in front – like most demonstrations – maybe these four people wouldn’t have been killed, maybe these others wouldn’t have been shot, maybe these policemen wouldn’t have been bloodied from rocks and Molotov cocktails and other things. You know, maybe this whole mess wouldn’t have happened.  That’s the closest anyone has come from the Socialist Party.  So I would like to see more from them.  But again, I don’t want to take up too much of your air time.  But, you know, that’s what I mean about the comprehensive nature of this.  Of course, there’s a political dimension, and that has to be dealt with in a different way.  But for the United States the focus really is on preserving the integrity of the legal investigation – to try to obtain justice by revealing the truth.  That’s the goal.

ABC News: And to conclude on January 21, politics’ dealing with the investigation, the path they’ve taken, the need to establish a balance between those who organized it and those who caused the deaths of four persons, has created a moment whereby it seems like there are efforts to build political capital on what is happening. If the parties have called January 21 different names, the prosecutor’s office hasn’t finished yet, and justice hasn’t said its final word, do the U.S., for now, have a name for what happened on January 21?

Ambassador Arvizu:  I can understand how, for a lot of Albanians, people look for some balance.  I’ve even heard some people say well, it’s interesting that the Prosecutor General has requested that the immunity be lifted for three Socialist MPs, and it matches the three arrest warrants.

ABC News:  One year later…

Ambassador Arvizu:  But I don’t…. I think it’s a mistake…. I understand why people look at balance, but you sort of have to follow the evidence where it goes.  And in this case, during the course of the investigation it appears that there were questions about the server, the video server, in the Prime Minister’s – or in the Council of Minister’s Office.  There appears to be some indication that perhaps one of the side-arms – one of the weapons that was assigned to the Guard of the Republic – the barrels may have been switched.  So this, of course, suggests what?  The possibility of a cover-up.  You know, we don’t know that for a fact, but there is some preliminary evidence suggesting a cover-up.  That is a new element of the investigation.  It has to be investigated.   Because justice has to try to keep politics out as much as possible.  Now, I’ll be very honest, and I’ve had many conversations with the Prime Minister about this.  I think the Prime Minister is very frustrated, even angry, at the way some of this has unfolded.  And again, being very honest, I am quite sympathetic with many of his sentiments.  The fact that the demonstration was designed to be violent, that the Council of Ministers building was physically attacked by this mob.  That is not the way a democracy is supposed to operate. So, on one level, I am very sympathetic to the frustration, to the anger. How would we feel if we were democratically elected, chosen to be the head of the government and then there’s this mob scene outside? Who knows exactly what the intention was? But, that is not the way a democracy operates. But, once the debris was cleared up and the investigation unfolds, it has to pursue a judicial course. There can be a political course and I know there’s been some talk about this parliamentary investigation. But, I have to be honest with you: unfortunately – and some people won’t be happy to hear this – the parliamentary investigation, as far as I’m concerned, has zero standing. It has no standing at all. It’s too bad in a way, if it were bipartisan, if there were both DP and SP parliamentarians, it would have a different texture, but right now, it is not that way. So, it is meaningless. It would be more meaningful frankly if the DP conducted its own investigation and issued it with a blue ribbon and said – here is our fact-finding report. Now, it would be a very partisan report, I expect, but at least there might be some information that might be useful. Similarly, if the socialists did their investigation, again, it would be extremely partisan, but at least there might be some information. We could accept that for what it is, but this parliamentary investigative committee, I just don’t see it going anywhere. I think it detracts; the focus has to be on the Office of the Prosecutor General. I know there are criticisms, but you know, it is what you have. You have to take what you have.

ABC News: You worry about the rapport of politicians, leaders with independent institutions. You voiced your concerns about criticism and accusations on the Prosecutor General. But, let’s say just as much as the majority has criticized the Prosecutor General, so has done the SP toward the court when it issued rulings such as, let’s say, the one on the Meta-Prifti case. That’s a harsh political environment that targets independent institutions. Is that a problem of politics? Of the Majority? Of the opposition? Or the credibility of the leaders of these independent institutions?

Ambassador Arvizu:  These so-called secret video tapes are a very difficult subject and I can understand why people are so interested in them and, again, we can recall how the Meta-Prifti tape was the proximate cause of the January 21 demonstration last year. But, to be quite honest, there have been so many twists and turns regarding these tapes; now it appears there are many, many more; the credibility of some of the witnesses is very much up in the air. That is very, very difficult. It obviously needs to be part of the discussion. If there is an indication of a crime being committed, then, yes, the prosecution is obligated to investigate this fully. But, I am a little bit concerned because I see so many political overtones to this. Good luck separating fact from fiction! I don’t know what to believe any more when it comes to these tapes, quite frankly.

ABC News: How about believing justice?

Ambassador Arvizu: I think people should try. Again, it comes back to the point I made earlier about truth and justice. People need that. But these tapes are a problem. They are a problem for one side or the other, but the problem for me is just in terms of establishing the truth. I would love to somehow get away from the tapes and focus more on issues that address what I think is important with justice. There are some problems with the judicial sector here. For example, the immunity of judges:  I think is a real problem. I’ve been here over one year, and I’m convinced that it is a system that needs to be improved, needs to be changed. The immunity of judges needs to be lifted in certain instances. Because the judges have to be accountable also and right now, I don’t think they are. If you’re a bad judge – and there are bad judges I suspect – what sort of sanction, what method exists to remove them, to put them in handcuffs if necessary? That system exists in the United States, it exists in most European democracies, it needs to happen here, but the way the law is written, it makes it almost impossible. So, I think this is very important. There are 140 members of parliament, correct? So, I calculated that if I spent so much time each week, I could visit each MP and make a personal plea to consider, whether you’re DP or SP, to consider working with us, with the international community, with legal experts in Albania, to examine this issue of broad based immunity. I think that really needs to change.

ABC News: And in that context, considering that one of the elements closely connected with the result and product of the justice system, is corruption a lost battle of politics or of justice in Albania?

Ambassador Arvizu: You mentioned the issue of corruption, which my predecessor Ambassador Withers said was the most serious problem facing Albania. I basically agree, I use the term impunity, where not everyone is equal under the law. So, when you look at the weakness of the judicial system, I really do believe that the judges are the weak sector. Because, let’s face it, you can have the prosecutors do certain things – and again, whether they do a good job or bad job, people have to judge – the defense attorneys, the lower level courts, but when you get to the higher level courts? There is a perception abroad, also within Albania, that there are corrupt judges; that they can be bought off. So, it is almost like a charade – you go through all of these steps, but then, in the end, if someone, if a defendant can get to a bad judge and pay them off, then, what is all of that about? I really don’t want people to think this is being judgmental because there are corrupt officials in the United States and elsewhere, but the point that I’m trying to make is that in a country like the United States, there is a mechanism to hold people accountable and I think that is what it gets down to here. If I could just leave you with one theme – it is accountability and responsibility. More people in Albania and I’m talking about the leaders, public officials, they need to accept responsibility, they need to be accountable for their actions. I just don’t see that. And I feel so much frustration on the part of the people because they think: this system doesn’t hold people accountable. I think that’s what we’re trying to get.

ABC News: And that kind of performance you presented has been produced by the fact that the political environment remains so extremely polarized and in the circumstances of such a strong crisis of trust, it appears a luxury to pretend a good Albanian-speaking referee. Truth is, referees in Albania have spoken in many languages except for Albanian.

Ambassador Arvizu: This political divide, this trust gap is so frustrating. It really is. Compared to places where I have served, places I’ve visited, where there are maybe strong regional differences in the country or ethnic differences, religious differences, I just don’t see that here. I still have a hard time understanding sometimes why is it so hard for people to agree, to at least establish a common understanding. I’ve been encouraged that since November, there has been a little bit of political thaw and I’m sure if you were to get Ambassador Sequi or Ambassador Wollfarth, they could explain a lot more clearly than I could some of the legislation, some of the progress that’s been made, so, we have to be hopeful. We should be encouraging them.

ABC News: A commercial break and back with the last two questions for Ambassador Arvizu.

ABC News: We’re back to the studio in this live interview with U.S. Ambassador to Tirana, Mr. Arvizu. Mr. Arvizu, you hadn’t found an explanation for the harsh political environment and the polarization. Of course, the Albanian political spectrum in these 20 years has seen such oscillations in the conduct of political actors. Yet, Albanian politics is seeing the emergence of new political forces that seek to turn to parliamentary forces, which sometimes have a nationalist conduct. That is different from the conduct of Albanian electoral parties. Do you think they help the political spectrum with this choice, or do you think further fragmenting of politics makes it even more difficult to find essential consensus in Albania?

Ambassador Arvizu: This has been a very interesting political phenomenon to watch in the last several months. Again, depending on who you talk to, there seem to be different opinions. There are some people, I guess I would call them cynics or skeptics, and they say – don’t pay too much attention to some of these people; they’re looking to the 2013 elections, they saw what Ilir Meta and the LSI could do with just four seats, they’re part of the coalition. They’re kind of the kingmaker. So, that is what they’re trying to do, win a few seats. I don’t know. People who understand politics a lot better than me should try to make that assessment. But, I would say this about some of the nationalism and the movements. Number one - patriotism is a very good thing; it’s a very positive thing. Secondly – to the extent that the focus of some of this rhetoric is on Kosovo, on the rights of the Albanian minority living especially in Macedonia, but elsewhere, that’s a positive thing too. Again, there’s been no greater friend of Kosovo than the United States. So, I feel very comfortable with trying to highlight the importance of more recognition for Kosovo, of the sanctity of Kosovo’s territory. The one area that I do think it is important to talk about is one reason why in America people have such a positive impression of Albania, even though the politics aren’t always calm, is that Albania is a force for stability, it is a constructive force in this region. This is 2012. It is not 1999. Albania has such a proud history, such a proud tradition, incredible closeness with the United States. We are Albania's friends. So, even with a country like Serbia, the government of Albania has had a very strong and constructive relationship with them. I am very impressed that whether you talk to Mr. Berisha, Mr. Rama, or their supporters, there is unanimity of view. That is very important for Albania to be seen as a force for stability in the region. So, my only comment to people who are part of the movement or are thinking about joining it is – again, patriotism is a good thing, interest in Kosovo and interest in Albanians is a good thing, but don’t lose sight of the fact that almost a sacred trust is the fact that Albania is a force for stability. People admire the positive contributions that Albania makes. So, don’t lose sight of that very very important fact.

ABC News: Since we were talking about the expectations for 2012 and the enrichment of the Albanian political spectrum was one aspect, one element that we can’t avoid is the election of the president of the republic. The famous troika has spoken of a consensual president. What do you mean by consensual president, while in Albania, it has been seen that consensual products have yielded ineffective products, rather than useful ones. Not just about the election of the president, but even for amendments to the constitution. Would it be more valuable to have consensus among political actors whose future may be shorter than that of the next head of state, or an election in full respect for every letter of the constitution?

Ambassador Arvizu: I try not to comment too much on the term ‘consensus.’ I know it seems to be in vogue. My problem with the term ‘consensus’ is, based on what I know, it means different things to different people.  So I prefer to use the term that I think it is important for there to be active consultations among the stakeholders, between the sides, but also involving the society as whole, about the selection of the next president. There is a constitutional procedure for that. Obviously, rules should be adhered to. It should be in accordance with the constitutional process.  But given the importance of this office, not just as a symbol of the unity of the Albanian people, but the very practical role in selecting judges and the key role vis-à-vis the judicial system. The selection of the president is very important and so I would hope, at the very least, that there would be earnest and sincere consultations among the stakeholders, to try to arrive at, hopefully, a consensus choice. I guess I did say it, in a way. But, the important thing is that there needs to be some consultation and, if possible, do it in the first round. I know you can go to round two or three or four, but I’d love to see a president selected in the first round.

ABC News: Again with his characteristic sincerity in his responses, the U.S. Ambassador, in spite of problems. In an environment of mistrust, anytime you speak, what you say will go as bonus for one side or the other. Often, you may have been the subject of criticism. Are you at peace by now with this kind of viewpoint in the Albanian media?

Ambassador Arvizu: I’m at peace with it. I appreciate so much the support I get from people. It means a lot to me. I do tell people – I’m not trying to win a popularity contest. When I was in high school, I was the president of my student body, so that was kind of a popularity contest. But, I’m here to represent the United States and so what matters to me is: Am I doing a good job of representing the United States? And I think the only way I can do that is to be open to different opinions and as many different viewpoints as possible. I want to thank you, ABC News, and the Klan network for the opportunity to appear here and help carry out my duties. It really helps me a lot and I appreciate it very much.

ABC News: Mr. Ambassador, I’d have loved to keep you longer here to talk about Albania and the passion about, but also an important race in the United States. However, since time is not permitting me, I heard very attentively your comments, some of which were pretty strong, I will take advantage of this occasion to invite you for another interview to talk about the electoral year in the U.S. Not just because America is what it is in the world, the example of democracy in the world, not just because President Obama is expecting the challenger in the race, but also because this year, I see that also in speeches such as the State of the Union, the America of the next decade is being projected. So, I’m inviting you for another interview on this topic.

Ambassador Arvizu: Thank you, I really look forward to that.

ABC News: Thank you.

Ambassador Arvizu: Thank you again.

###