AMBASSADOR PRODS CORRUPTION CZAR ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CHISINAU 001155 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/UMB, G/TIP, DRL/AE E.O. 12958: Declassify 11/27/18 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR MD SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PRODS CORRUPTION CZAR ON CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR ANTI-CORRUPTION CENTER REFS: A. Chisinau 1100 B. Chisinau 1062 CHISINAU 00001155 001.2 OF 002 Classified by Ambassador Asif J. Chaudhry under 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: In a November 21 meeting, Ambassador Chaudhry pushed Deputy Prime Minister Valentin Mejinschi to change the selection process for the Civilian Monitoring Board (CMB) that was created to monitor the Center for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption (CCECC). He also updated Mejinschi on the GOM's TIP action plan. End summary. ¶2. (C) Stressing the need for friendly frankness, the Ambassador summarized CMB problems under two headings: its manner of establishment and the nature of its authority. The Ambassador noted that the CMB's establishment by a GOM decision, rather than by an act of Parliament, gave the impression that it was not independent, lacked transparency, and could be changed too easily. If the CMB was perceived as weak, the Ambassador continued, because of questions regarding its legal status or the sufficiency of its operating funds, it would not be able to do its job. The Ambassador concluded by asking that Mejinschi do all in his power to ensure that there would be no opportunity for corruption in the CCECC. ¶3. (C) Mejinschi stressed his anti-corruption expertise, citing his time as Director of the CCECC from 2004 to 2006. (Note: On October 21, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister with the anti-TIP and anti-corruption portfolios, after spending seven months as Minister of Interior in the Greceanii government. See ref B. End note.) He stated that the CCECC was perceived as a "monster" and cited his success in creating a consortium of anti-corruption NGOs and raising public confidence in the CCECC. Agreeing that the success of the CMB was critical for Millennium Challenge Corporation Threshold Country Plan, Mejinschi noted that the CMB had already been established when he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister, and that it had not yet had an opportunity to work. ¶4. (C) The Ambassador, again stressing the need for increasing trust in the CMB, asked Mejinschi to recommend that CMB members be appointed by an outside, unbiased organization, rather than by the Ministry of Justice. Mejinschi replied that he would take the opportunity to inform the Prime Minister regarding the U.S. recommendations at a meeting later in the day. ¶5. (C) The Ambassador also repeated the TIP demarche presented to PM Greceanii on November 5 (ref A, which provided the Tier 2 Action Plan). Mejinschi noted that he had changed the leadership of the Center for Combating Trafficking in Persons (CCTIP) when he became Minister of Interior, reorganized the CCTIP, and instituted strict testing for CCTIP employees. He stressed that he wanted government officials to pay attention not only to the criminals involved, but also to investigate officials implicated in trafficking crimes. He also noted that he had greatly increased the level of cooperation between the CCTIP and local NGOs. (Note: Local anti-TIP NGOs and the International Organization for Migration confirm this claim, citing GOM assistance for victims of trafficking, both overseas and upon their return to Moldova. End note.) ¶6. (C) Comment: Mejinschi is young (born in 1967),and has spent his entire career in law enforcement, starting as a cop on the beat in Slobozia (now in Transnistria) in 1987. He is fit-looking and friendly, and wears a neat crew cut--along with manicured, polished nails. This mixture of styles was reflected in his presentation, which included a tough attitude towards crime and corruption, and a strong commitment to civil society participation in reforms undertaken by the Government. We suspect that he made a strong presentation to the PM that CHISINAU 00001155 002.2 OF 002 the CCECC's oversight board members be appointed by an independent body. End comment. Chaudhry