James O’Brien, an experienced American diplomat with Balkans expertise from the ‘90s, has undergone a hearing in the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, while he is expected to receive Senate approval for the position of U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia.
During the questioning session, Democratic Senator Bob Menendez raised the issue of the Albanian police’s control in June over Camp Ashraf 3 in Manza, Durrës, where members of the Iranian People’s Mujahedin Organization (MEK) are housed.
Menendez mentioned the death of one of the camp members and acknowledged that there are different versions of the events. He appreciated Albania for providing them shelter but stressed the need for continuous security guarantees. O’Brien stated that he will investigate the incident in which a MEK representative lost his life.
Albanian police conducted an operation on June 20 in the Manza camp in Durrës, during which 15 police officers and 21 members of the MEK were injured.
Police stated that the control was carried out according to an order of the Special Structure against Organized Crime and Corruption (SPAK), which is investigating six criminal offenses suspected to have been committed by the Mujahedin members during their stay at Ashraf 3 camp.
These include “provocation of war”, “unlawful interception of computer data”, “interference with computer data”, “interference with computer systems”, and “misuse of devices” as stipulated in Article 293 and subsequent articles of the Albanian Criminal Code.
Previously the U.S. Department of State expressed support for the police action that “was carried out in accordance with the laws in force”, as it is the Government of Albania’s right “to investigate any possible illegal activity within its territory”.
Following the police controls, six leaders of MEK in Albania were placed under investigation, suspected of the criminal offenses of “disobeying of a public order police officer”, “resisting a public order police officer”, “destruction of property”, and “obstruction of the execution of court decisions”.
The Senate also discussed on other issues concerning the Western Balkans. Responding to Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s questions about the situation in Bosnia and Hercegovina, O’Brien said that the United States has made it clear to the Serb leaders, particularly Milorad Dodik, that his stance against stability is unacceptable and there will be consequences if he does not back down.
Meanwhile, Senator Chris Murphy emphasized that he would prefer the U.S. to take a more active role in de-escalating the situation in the region.
If confirmed, James O’Brien will replace former Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia Karen Donfried, who resigned from her position in March. President Joe Biden nominated O’Brien in May for the top diplomatic post for Europe at a critical time when Russia continues its aggression against Ukraine, the largest conflict in Europe since World War II. The Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia covers 50 countries from Britain to Azerbaijan, including the Western Balkans.
SUGGESTED READING:
