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