January 21st, Arvizu on Top Story: FBI examinations arrived

All these events were discussed by the US Ambassador in Tirana, Alexander Arvizu, on Top Channel’s program “Top Story” with Sokol Balla.

TCH: The Supreme Court found the former Deputy Prime Minister, Ilir Meta, not guilty. How would you comment this?

Alexander Arvizu: I know that many people have discussed this issue, but I am curious to see the explanatory arguments of the court about this, and learn why the US examination of the video wasn’t accepted as evidence. My interest has always been to offer to the authorities the necessary expertise. I hope that the refusal of the US evidence doesn’t serve as a precedent.

TCH: Do you think that the decision is taken in normal conditions, by being based only on the proofs that were presented in court, or even by hidden political pressure?

Alexander Arvizu: I believe that the trial has been characterized by the typical delays of the Albanian justice, and these have been frustrating. There have been many hypotheses about it, but, however, justice gave a decision that cannot be judged.

TCH: One year ago, you promised about the January 21st events that everything would be investigated and the truth would be revealed, but we still have no court decision for that tragedy. What’s your comment about this?

Alexander Arvizu: Our priority was to support the Prosecutor General for the investigations of the January 21st, and we did this. I understand that people have been disappointed by the long time that the investigations have taken, but we have always emphasized that the three main components are: full investigations, independent and without partial influences. However, in this important anniversary it is significant to remember and give our condolences to the families that lost their relatives. The Prime Minister expressed his regret today that the investigation for the organizers of the protest has not progressed, but Ina Rama has guaranteed that the investigations are all inclusive.

TCH: In those days, you offered the US expertise of the FBI for investigating the January 21st events. A few days ago, the Prosecutor General declared that they are expecting the results of the FBI. Have the results arrived?

Alexander Arvizu: Yes, and by what I have been able to understand, the main part of the investigations, for what has been asked by the prosecutors to the FBI, has arrived. I met the director of the FBI in Washington, and I value the fact that they accepted this request and made everything that they could. I understand that the Albanian prosecutors were satisfied with the cooperation.

TCH: You mentioned the ballistic evidence, for the bullets that have been fired. Does this ballistic examination also include the interventions on the server of the Prime Minister’s Office security cameras?

Alexander Arvizu: This could be considered a speculative question. We have always considered that the prosecutors here, as everywhere else, are obliged to follow all possible evidence and if there has been anything in the part of the investigations that you mentioned, we have had the obligation to take it in consideration.

TCH: You declared that the Prosecution and the government, regardless their divisions, have accepted the US forensics examinations as impartial and professional. Many things have changed in one year, but do you think that the majority has the same aggressive behavior against the Prosecution? Do you think that the FBI examination will be accepted?

Alexander Arvizu: I hope yes. This is what we have expected from the beginning. One year ago, it was very important for me to be assured by the PM and his cabinet that they would cooperate with the investigations. I admit that the rhetoric was exaggerated, but for me it is important that the government has expressed its support for the investigation. This is what I discussed today with the PM, and I had this feedback again. If the main goal is to follow the truth, then there is nothing partial about it, because everyone must be on the same side and we hope that the court will accept any evidence.

TCH: You mentioned the US examination that was rejected in the Meta-Prifti trial. Is there any agreement between the USA and Albania about the administering of penal evidence? Is a FBI administered evidence considered valid for the Albanian courts?

Alexander Arvizu: I don’t have a specific answer for that. I know that I have acted on this assumption, that if the prosecutors have made an official request, I expect that our response would be evidence that was plausible for the Albanian court. We have followed the Meta-Prifti case very closely, as a third party of interest, because the evidence were evaluated by a US company, without an official role of the US government. While for the January 21st there is an official role by the government, with the involvement of an institution like the FBI.

TCH: What will be the US reaction if the government will oppose these evidence?

Alexander Arvizu: It is important to point out that this is an Albanian investigation, and we are offering only the technical assistance. I was involved in the report, but I am no legal expert. I understand that the Albanian prosecutors have collected the facts, have built the case, and our support was given for reaching conclusions. I don’t think that the US has produced something that you didn’t have, although there have been occasions when the US has offered additional evidence.

TCH: The opposition will commemorate the January 21st events with a march on the boulevard. Have you advised Edi Rama to not make it as one year ago, and did you warn the US citizens to not go near the homage location?

Alexander Arvizu: Every US embassy in the world has the duty to warn its citizens, even if a protest seems to be peaceful, and that is what we did. I had a lunch with Rama, we spoke about many things, even about the homage ceremony. He explained to me what would happen and everything seemed logic. There will be a commemoration ceremony, and I think that this is the right way for honoring their memory.

TCH: The Prime Minister reminded Rama of the warning that he made him on January 23rd, when he told him that he risked a lot if he would dare going near the Prime Minister’s Office. You said that many things have changed. Do you think that the Prime Minister’s action for repeating this warning was premature?

Alexander Arvizu: In my opinion, something positive about Berisha is that he is direct and you don’t have to think about what he insinuated. I have often thought that he could be more mature or more diplomatic. He could have given the same message in other words.

TCH: Rama demands a manifestation, Berisha makes warnings, Meta is released from charges and you are here, speaking about January 21st. It seems that nothing has changed from one year ago.

Alexander Arvizu: I think that many things have changed. First of all, the four families do not have their loved ones, and I don’t want to underestimate this. 2012 should be a very important year, since it is the 100th anniversary of independence, but the political pressures are still there and many people are concerned about the election of the next President. The Red and Black Alliance have increased their actions, and this is a new element, an element of change. There will always be something, and this is how it goes in politics. But it is significant the fact that from November 2011, there have been political changes with a more civil dialogue and substantial steps for approving the qualified majority laws and the reforms.

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