US Ambassador Donald Lu continues with his efforts towards the judicial reform.The Ambassador joined a Civil Society protest today, which was held outside the Assembly building. He issued a strong statement to the Albanian politicians who might vote against the reform, warning them of specific and long term sanctions against them; sanctions which according to him have been issued by Washington.

“There will be specific negative consequences from the United States for those political leaders who vote against the reform. I have submitted the specific consequential details, according to Washington’s clear-cut guidelines, to the parties. I can assure you that there will be definite and long term consequences”-declared Ambassador Lu.

The US Ambassador issued some critiques about the DP Chairman’s stance on the judicial reform.

“Two weeks ago, I heard that if Basha and Bylykbashi’s disagreement over Venice recommendation 88 was solved, they were ready to vote on the reform. We solved this issue on June 9. Pm Rama offered them exactly what Basha had asked for, but then it was not enough. Now, for the first time, they are saying they cannot accept the internationals making evaluations and classifications of Commissioners because of national sovereignty. This seems bizarre, as on May 19, Basha told me and the EU Ambassador, that the internationals are the only ones who can ‘clean the fish from the head’. He said the same thing to Members of the European Parliament, Kukan and Fleckenstein. Now, the DP has unexpectedly changed their stance. Powerful people are afraid. Citizens are asking for a change. It’s time to make a decision”-said the US Ambassador, who deems the judicial reform as a second independence and used the Declaration of Independence by Ismail Qemali as an example.

“Albania was founded approximately 100 years ago by some brave men and women. Men like Ismail Qemali, who risked their lives for this country’s independence. It is again the time to ask Albanians to have the courage and confidence to do what is right.

The time to decide is now. Adopt the reform!”-declared Ambassador Lu.

The Civil Society will also protest on Wednesday and Thursday outside the Albanian Parliament.