Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BUCHAREST1541
2006-10-04 12:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bucharest
Cable title:  

PARLIAMENT VOTES IN NEW HEADS OF INTELLIGENCE

Tags:  PGOV PREL SOCI RO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9373
PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHBM #1541 2771259
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 041259Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5297
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 001541 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/NCE AARON JENSEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI RO
SUBJECT: PARLIAMENT VOTES IN NEW HEADS OF INTELLIGENCE
SERVICES

REF: BUCHAREST 1540

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Mark A. Taplin for Reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 001541

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/NCE AARON JENSEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI RO
SUBJECT: PARLIAMENT VOTES IN NEW HEADS OF INTELLIGENCE
SERVICES

REF: BUCHAREST 1540

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Mark A. Taplin for Reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) The Romanian Parliament, in a joint session October
4 confirmed with a comfortable majority the new heads of the
Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) and of the Foreign
Intelligence Service (SIE). The new SRI director will be
George Maior, a senator from the main opposition Social
Democratic Party (PSD) and a former deputy minister of
defense in the PSD-led government between 2001 and 2004.
Maior received 285 "yes" votes, with 123 legislators voting
against him. The new SIE director is Claudiu Saftoiu, a
senior presidential advisor and a former journalist. Saftoiu
received 294 "yes" votes, with 114 voting against.


2. (SBU) The Greater Romania Party (PRM) voted as a bloc
against the two nominations, the National Liberal Party voted
against Maior, but for Saftoiu, whereas the Conservative
Party voted for Maior and against Saftoiu. In his acceptance
speech, Maior called for greater parliamentary control over
the intelligence services. Saftoiu in very brief comments
remarked tersely that he would prove during his mandate that
he is a &faithful Romanian.8


3. (C) All parties except the ethnic Hungarian UDMR had
announced prior to the vote how they would vote, and the
remaining question was whether party discipline would hold up
in a secret ballot. The vote tallies suggest that the ethnic
UDMR and independent deputies and the representatives of
ethnic minorities voted for the two candidates, giving
Basescu a comfortable winning margin. The PSD faction
supporting party President Geoana will also be pleased with
the outcome. The fact that the PNL focused criticism against
Maior implicitly gives credence to rumors that there was a
deal with the President on the draft National Security Law
now being debated in Parliament (reftel). Basescu once again
demonstrated his mastery of the Romanian political game,
outflanking his opponents (including the Prime Minister,s
entourage) and forcing them into a reactive stance. End
comment.

Taubman