US Ambassador on “Top Story”

“The essence is that we are here as personal representatives of the United States. If Washington would perceive that someone is not doing a good job representing the United States, those persons would not be here. Regarding Ambassador Withers, I think that it is not right that some people have suggested that he has had his own personal agenda, that he has not followed the Washington policy. I also think that it would be equally unjust that some people are accusing me of doing the contrary”, Arvizu declared.

Speaking on January 21st events, American ambassador said that there are undergoing investigations for the police agents who used excessive force against the protesters. But generally, according to him, they were initially provoked by some violent demonstrators.

“It is clear that I should have explained it better, that the series of incidents took place by the end of the demonstration. I am not talking about National Guard shooting to the protesters, but about the efforts for cooling the clashes down. I have watched some footage and it is clear that all of this happened by the end of the demonstration, when these incidents were isolated. They were isolated. The police used excessive force, dragging people on the streets and taking them in. It was a long day for everyone. I am sure that people were tired, but the police are there to protect the law, to maintain the citizen’s trust. Even though the police was attacked, this shouldn’t have happened. I know that there are undergoing investigations on their behavior during this situation. Our position is that some individuals from the police forces have maintained an inappropriate behavior. And for this they must face the consequences,” Arvizu continued.

Asked if he was of the same opinion with the high American official, Thomas Countryman, that on January 21st there was no attempt for a coup d’état, American Ambassador said with few and decisive words: “Yes, I share the same opinion with Mr. Countryman.”

“There have been several investigators coming from FBI, all of them very good experts. When I was in the USA two weeks ago, I met two very experienced prosecutors. They will come here, paid by the USA, in order to help the Albanian prosecutors, the Albanian Police and the Albanian state. They will also help the laboratory that investigates the evidence, because this investigation is being held by many people. But this investigation belongs to the General Prosecutor Office. For us it is of great importance to know that we are giving our help, our credibility, because many people see USA as the objective, with a balanced expertise on cases like this,” Arvizu added.

As for the May 8th local elections, Ambassador Arvizu said that he trusted that the OSCE ODIHR mission will do a professional job to give the final conclusion if these elections will be really free and honest.

“As for the concerns raised by the opposition, I have taken all of them under consideration. There are many concerns and I think that most of them are rightly raised, but some others less. What is really worrying is the fact that these cases and these problems are continually changing.  New things appear on the surface, but however, I think that this has some kind of legitimacy. Everyone wants transparency and these elections to go as they should. I trust OSCE and ODIHR, who have very experienced people. They are balanced and they have an objective role. I think that we should have faith in them when they undertake to do their job. We are also looking for the possibility to have an American and especially a European adviser at the Election Central Commission. This matter is being taken under consideration and I think that it will increase people’s trust”, Arvizu added.

Top Channel