AMBASSADOR MEETS NEW JUSTICE MINISTER PREDIOU --

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BUCHAREST 000325

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NCE A. JENSEN AND L/LEI A. KELLER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL ETRD CJAN RO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS NEW JUSTICE MINISTER PREDIOU --
ALL GOOD

Classified By: A/DCM Bryan Dalton; reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador met on April 22 with new
Justice Minister Predoiu, to discuss bilateral cooperation on
arrests and extraditions, concerns about maintaining strong
IPR enforcement, and alarm over the final remaining bad
amendment to the Romanian criminal and penal code that would
essentially make search warrants meaningless and damage our
international cooperation combating crime and terrorism.
Predoiu supported the U.S. position on all of these issues
and said he was dedicated to repairing the poor reputation of
the Ministry. With upcoming elections likely to cut
Predoiu's tenure short, we will enjoy it while it lasts. End
Summary.


2. (C) New Justice Minister Catalin Marian Predoiu,
accompanied by Senior Counselor Radu Ragea, laid out his
priorities for the Ministry during the Ambassador's April 22
courtesy call. Predoiu said he was focused on increasing the
Ministry's ability to fulfill its agenda, including by
repairing its poor reputation, while also recognizing that
his tenure would be abbreviated. (Note: National elections
this November/December will likely result in a change among
all the Ministerial portfolios. End note.) Predoiu noted
that his attention was currently on preparing the benchmarks
report on Romania's progress on judicial reform issues that
must be presented to the EU in July. (Note: the report is
essential to preventing the European Commission from
recommending triggering the "safeguard clause" that would
deny EU recognition of Romanian legal proceedings if progress
on judicial reform is not demonstrated. End note.) Predoiu
said that he has reestablished good relations with the other
institutions, including Parliament, the Presidency, and the
Supreme Council of Magistrates (CSM) (in the wake of the
deterioration in the relations that occurred under his
predecessor).


3. (C) Predoiu said that his focus was to keep the Ministry
relevant in the debate on judicial reform, though with two
major elections on the horizon (local in June and national in
the fall),it was important not to get lost in the political
climate and to avoid political fights, especially with
Parliament. Predoiu pledged to help raise the Justice
Ministry above the fray of partisan fights, and keep
attention on promoting reform. Predoiu praised the U.S. as a
"good partner" and was pleased that the signing of the
extradition treaty creates an opportunity to advance
bilateral cooperation. He said, "Coming from a corporate law
background, I know and appreciate the full meaning of
partner." Predoiu said -- and Ragea reinforced -- that he is
committed to keep the Ministry's communication with the
Embassy "open and frequent".


4. (C) On the issue of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR),
Predoiu agreed with the Ambassador that strong enforcement
was a priority, and that Romania has an obligation to provide
high quality protection in this area. He also agreed that
the General Prosecutor (GP) should be applauded for her
efforts in IPR protection and pledged that she would have his
full support. In reaction to the Ambassador's concern that
there was some discussion about moving the IPR enforcement
coordination role away from the GP's Office, Predoiu said
that, while he had heard the same, he would discuss this
issue directly with the GP to make sure IPR enforcement is
kept at the highest level, with no deterioration in
enforcement.


5. (C) The Ambassador inquired about the status of the final
remaining bad draft amendment to the Penal and Criminal Code,
which would require authorities to give 24 hours' advance
notice to a criminal suspect before a search warrant could be
issued. Predoiu responded that this provision -- if it
passes - would have a negative impact on the EU benchmarks
report as well as Romania's international cooperation to
combat crime and terrorism. He said that the discussion is
in the Chamber of Deputies Judiciary Committee, where he will
attend the hearings. If the text that comes out of committee
is not substantially changed, he promised to take the fight
to the plenary debate, and to raise the issue with all of the
political parties. Predoiu noted that not all of the members
of parliament have examined the draft amendments or
understand the implications. He underscored that he would
continue to press forward to remove this last bad amendment.
He suggested that the U.S. (along with the UK, which also has

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been very focused on this issue) could coordinate lobbying
efforts on members of the Judicial Committee. "We cannot
accept that language into law," he said. Predoiu said he was
well aware of the need for a good system of justice to be in
place in order to attract investment to Romania, and he would
do what he can to not only improve the judicial environment
but also to prepare the ground for the next Minister of
Justice. He believes that his role, or any minister's role,
is to leave the institution in better shape than when he
found it.


6. (C) Comment: Minister Predoiu is young, smart, and
energetic, and appears to be a person of strong moral fiber
and a friend of the United States. It is a shame that his
tenure will only last until the next election. In some
respects, the political shenanigans in 2007 did us a real
favor; as the Liberal Party ran out of politicians available
for Cabinet positions because of political infighting, they
have been forced to draw from outside the inner circles,
bringing in professionals to our and Romania's benefit. End
Comment.
TAUBMAN