At confirmation hearing, Arvizu called Albania a success story, but urged politicians in Tirana to watch out for the country’s interests rather than rivalries between them
Tirana Times
TIRANA, Aug. 10 – Alexander Arvizu, the man nominated to be the next U.S. ambassador to Albania, went through his confirmation hearing at the U.S. Senate this week.
Arvizu called Albania a success story, but urged politicians in Tirana to watch out for the country’s interests rather than rivalries between them.
Arvizu, who is a career diplomat, was appointed by President Obama last month. He takes the place Ambassador John Withers, whose mandate ends.
The hearing, at the subcommittee on foreign relations, dealt with a number of diplomats appointed by President Obama as ambassadors to European countries.
Arvizu said at the hearing that the transformation of Albania during the last 20 years has been dramatic. These changes and other important reforms, he said that Albania did deserve membership in NATO on April 1, 2009.
Today, Albania is contributing to global security and a reliable ally of the United States, said Arvizu.
He added that this is evidenced by the recent deployments of 44 combat troops to fight alongside American forces in Afghanistan’s Kandahar area, according to a report by Voice of America’s Albanian language newscast.
This is the first deployments of combat troops from Albania since World War II, bringing to 300 the total number of Albanian soldiers participating in the international force in Afghanistan.
Mr. Arvizu said Albania has helped significantly in the resettlement of those detained in Guantanamo, and added it is a strong advocate for the integration of Western Balkans in the Atlantic community and had a diplomatic campaign to cultivate good relations with neighbors and among its neighbors, including Serbia and Kosovo.
At the same time, said Arvizu, Albania is a major supporter of United States policy to increase the number of countries that recognize Kosovo.
Economically, Mr. Arvizu said, in 2009, Albania was one of only two countries in Europe, that had economic growth, which is expected to happen this year too.
However, Arvizu said, Albania still has a lot to do. Like its NATO allies, he said, the country should follow the highest principles of the alliance.
He urged Albania’s government to show respect for the rule of law and independent institutions. Corruption, he said, continues to be high.
Occasionally, Mr. Arvizu stated, it seems as if the political class is more interested in its own rivalries within the country than the welfare of ordinary citizens.
For a short period before the 2009 parliamentary elections, said Mr. Arvizu, we became witnesses to a spirit of cooperation between the parties but that did not last long. Objective international observers praised the elections as such that generally reflect the will of the Albanian people. Unfortunately, he said, Albania remains stuck in the legacy of there being only winners and losers and there is deep distrust between the governing parties and opposition. He urged both sides to engage in a constructive dialogue.
Arvizu said the United States have a significant impact on the Albania. He promised that, if confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he will use this influence wisely.
Arvizu is a career diplomat of the Foreign Service, in the range of ministerial adviser. Currently, he is director of career development office in the U.S. State Department.
Previously he had been Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of East Asian Affairs and the Pacific.
He was also Deputy Head of Mission to Thailand in Bankok and Pen Pnom in Cambodia. He has also served in other countries, like South Korea and Japan. In Washington, he worked at the National Security Council.
Arvizu was born on a military base in Japan and raised in Colorado. He did his postgraduate studies at Georgetown University.
