IRI/NDI CRITICIZED IN MOLDOVAN PRESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CHISINAU 000730

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/UMB, EUR/ACE, EUR/PPD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM MD
SUBJECT: IRI/NDI CRITICIZED IN MOLDOVAN PRESS

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Rudolf V.Perina
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Government-controlled television
and press gave long play July 3 and 4 to a story
critical of IRI and NDI. In response to these
articles, Embassy convened a meeting July 8 with
representatives of both organizations. Embassy
plans no public statement at this time, but IRI
(which received the lion's share of criticism)
might decide to make one. Charge will, however,
privately raise concern about the media attacks
during his meetings with Moldovan officials over
the coming week. Pol/Econ Chief met with Deputy
Foreign Minister Ostalep July 7 to provide
Embassy point of view on the allegations. End
Summary.

Media Criticisms of IRI and NDI Work
--------------


3. (C) A disgruntled IRI employee who had been
fired after four years, Marian Bunescu, called a
press conference July 2 in which he charged IRI
was sponsoring another "orange" revolution and
seeking to overthrow the government of Moldova.
He also charged that the organization and its
employees did not pay any taxes and called for a
GOM investigation. Government-controlled
Moldova-1 television gave unusually long coverage
to this story on July 3, and the next day a long
article appeared in the government mouthpiece
"Moldova Suverena." The length and tone of the
coverage gives rise to concerns of a government
effort to discredit IRI and NDI as the 2009
elections approach.

Embassy Meeting with IRI and NDI Representatives
-------------- ---


4. (C) Charge Perina convened a meeting July 8
with IRI and NDI to discuss the media attacks.
IRI Country Director Steve Rader reported that
Christian Democratic (PPCD) Party leader Iurie
Rosca (whose party now votes in informal alliance
with the Communists) had threatened that
President Voronin might kick IRI out of the
country if the organization continues its efforts
to help opposition parties unite in coalition.
NDI Country Director Alex Grigorievs similarly
reported that he had heard indirectly that
President Voronin had expressed anger about the
work of IRI and NDI. Both NDI and IRI believe
that the recent press coverage would not have
been possible without GOM support.


5. (C) IRI reported that the organization has not
yet decided if it will issue a statement. Steve
Rader is discussing this option with DC
headquarters. Charge stated that the Embassy
will not respond publicly at this time but keep
the option open if similar articles continue.
However, the Charge promised he would express his
concerns about the false allegations in the
articles during his meetings with government
officials over the coming week.

IRI/NDI Issues Also Discussed with MFA
--------------


6. (C) Pol/Econ Chief met July 7 with Deputy
Foreign Minister Ostalep, who had called to
inquire about some of the charges against IRI and
NDI. Embassy rep stressed our support for free
and fair elections, IRI/NDI's training for all
political parties, and the USG's record as a
reliable partner providing assistance for the
GOM. The Deputy Foreign Minister said that his
concerns were not so much about the political
allegations (which he acknowledged were absurd)
but rather about charges that the organizations
and their employees are not paying taxes. P/E
Chief explained that under the Vienna Convention,
and in agreement with the MFA, Embassy does not
pay taxes for its employees, but rather they are
responsible for paying on their own. IRI and
NDI, despite having a status different from the
Embassy's, have similar terms in contracts with
their employees.

Comment

CHISINAU 00000730 002 OF 002


--------------


8. (C) We believe the disgruntled ex-IRI
employee's situation proided a target of
opportunity for the GOM. In th run-up to the
2009 elections, President Voronins biggest fear
is that the opposition parties wil succeed in
putting together a successful coaliton that
could outnumber the PCRM. Though IRI an NDI
make efforts to include the PCRM in theirprogram, the Communists have for the most part
dclined participation. We believe that at this
pont any public rebuttal of the articles should
beleft to the IRI, but Charge will privately
conve concerns about the absurd allegations in
the meia attacks and Embassy will continue to
monitor he press for any similar criticism.

PERINA