Last week the Albanian parliament voted for judicial reform that had been in discussion for a long time among parties. The short story is, for almost a year the political parties in Albania have been negotiating this reform package. Many times they came to agreements and then they departed. Finally, they brought it in front of the parliament and it passed with a record of 139 pro votes, out of 140 parliament seats, with no vote against or abstaining and only one person not voting, or missing.
So why does it matter for you, my American friend? US Ambassadors in the Balkans, and in many developing regions, are celebrities. Their statements are very important, and how they act determines the future of that country, the people, and the region in general. Silence is not an option because that will also have an effect in shaping the future. This is why they need to be constructive but cautious. Still, many commentators argue that the US ambassadors should refrain from engaging in domestic politics of the countries they serve, because this way they are a liability for the American foreign policy and the US prestige abroad.
Ambassador Donald Lu, is a very charismatic, highly appreciated, and loved by the Albanian people. His Albanian language skills and his straightforwardness towards the politicians and other officials in inviting them to do more and work harder to deliver what the Albanian people want and deserve, has gained him a great sympathy from the public. What he chose to do with this sympathy is a great cause. Ambassador Lu was the biggest supporter of the judicial reform. He brought it forward, followed up, and even threatened the officials (in a more popular/sympathy way, but straightforward nevertheless) if they don’t take action. Ambassador Lu knew this was what the people needed and what they wanted. He spoke to the officials and on news channels. Whenever the negotiations failed he would voice his disappointment. It was his determination that this reform package went in front of the parliament, and the representatives of the people voted for the reform.
What matters most to my American friends is the result. No reasonable person came out (to my knowledge) and blamed Ambassador Lu for interfering in Albania’s issues. Because this was an important issue, and as a friend, America had a responsibility to pursue what is right.
Another important issue that matters for everyone is the priority of issues. What can be a bigger priority than the rule of law? That is what Ambassador Lu targeted to make sure it is improved. When judicial reforms are made, corruption is subsequently addressed, and so is crime, development, investments, and yes, when judicial reforms are made and enforced, radicalism is also addressed. In Albania’s neighboring countries, we have had American Ambassadors who have declared their involvement in the imprisoning of imams for alleged ISIS support, although they were all released for the lack of evidence. Instead of tackling the real problems such as unemployment, corruption, crime, and investments, and bringing real solutions such as judicial reform; being occupied with electing a President with an envelope, is what destroys American prestige. A good American policy has never been a liability for America, and what is better than a judicial reform, which is something that everyone will need one day, even the ones that break the law today.
The developing countries need the foreign dignitaries not only for the bilateral relations, but also to exchange experience and learn from their countries’ practices. Nevertheless, these need to be exchanges and advices that are constructive and that will make a change, for the improvement of the lives of the people, the future of the country, and the region.
I am sure Ambassador Lu had a great team that was as determined as he, and I have witnessed firsthand his great cooperation with the Head of EU Delegation in Albania, Ambassador Vlahutin; but as a student of American foreign policy I wanted to take the US ambassador as an example. This example, I believe, is a lesson for all foreign ambassadors anywhere.
This shows once more that there are many lessons that the US foreign policy makers can learn from the Balkans, and implement elsewhere. At this time the Balkans has lost focus and importance in DC, having so many other regions of conflict around the globe. But the lessons of the American experience in the Balkans, good and bad, can serve as a torch for the American foreign policy path elsewhere.