ALBANIA: IMPRESSIVE EARLY PERFORMANCE BY NEW PG

C O N F I D E N T I A L TIRANA 001069 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2027 TAGS: PGOV PREL AL SUBJECT: ALBANIA: IMPRESSIVE EARLY PERFORMANCE BY NEW PG REF: TIRANA 1003 Classified By: Ambassador John L. Withers II, Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (C) In an hour-long meeting with the Ambassador December 13, Albania's newly appointed Prosecutor General (PG),Ina Rama, outlined an ambitious set of priorities for her new job. Describing herself as an "activist" who wanted to energize the PG's office, Rama promised to devote herself to strengthening the professionalism of her subordinates, to ensuring their political independence, and to securing the resources and infrastructure needed to increase the efficiency of the service. As a first step, Rama said, in her first week in office, she had ordered a twenty-percent raise in prosecutors' salaries. She voice herself deeply cognizant of the PG's vital role in combating two of Albania's most pervasive problems, organized crime and corruption, and hoped for continued close cooperation with the USG, especially the OPDAT and ICITAP programs. Finally, she declared her full support for serious judicial reforms and noted her forceful remarks before the High Council of Justice (HCJ) the previous day. These reforms are vital, in her opinion, not only to enhance Albania's NATO aspirations, but primarily for the future of the nation. ¶2. (SBU) Near the end of the meeting, the Ambassador asked Rama whether her schedule would permit her to participate in an International Visitors program (IVLP) in February. (Note: Rama was selected for a group IVP last autumn.) He urged her to consider the advantages of the program both in terms of ideas for her intended reorganization of the PG's office and in establishing important contacts in the United States. Rama promised to consider the offer and get back to us soon. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: One of the recent "youth movement" of Albanian leaders, along with Foreign Minister Basha and Justice Minister Alibeaj, Rama projects the image of "new Albania:" young articulate, European-oriented, forward-looking. Although she preferred to conduct the meeting in Albanian, she understands English and is fluent in Italian. Beneath her low-key manner, her determination and ambition are evident -- we do not think she will be a pushover. So, too, is the intelligence that has placed her at the top of her class at every educational level, including in Tirana's well respected Magistrates' School. In her recent interactions with the press, she has displayed poise and clarity of purpose -- as she did in her meeting with the Ambassador. To date, she has said all the right things. ¶4. (C) COMMENT, CONTINUED: Even so, Rama will likely face three major hurdles in coming months. First, although she has been a District and Appeals Court judge, she has no direct prosecutorial experience. She will need to be a quick study as she assumes her new role. Second, the Constitutional Court is currently considering the complaint of her predecessor, former PG Theodor Sollaku, that President Topi acted illegally in removing him from office. Should the Court rule in Sollaku's favor, Rama's status will be ambiguous at best. Finally, Rama's political independence comes paradoxically with the downside that she has no domestic base or political protectors. The international community, including the USG, must be especially attentive to any attempts to compromise her impartiality and independence. WITHERS