Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BUCHAREST79
2009-02-10 08:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Bucharest
Cable title:
ROMANIA: GOR ON MEK AND TERRORIST ABUSE OF
how-toVZCZCXRO7010 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHBM #0079 0410809 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 100809Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9185 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 000079
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/ERA BROCKWELL, EUR/CE ASCHIEBE,
EEB FOR LRECHT, ALSO FOR INL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2019
TAGS: KTFN EFIN PTER ETTC PHUM EAID RO
SUBJECT: ROMANIA: GOR ON MEK AND TERRORIST ABUSE OF
CHARITABLE SECTOR
REF: A) SECSTATE 5834 B) BRUSSELS 101
Classified By: Classified by Charge d'Affaires Jeri Guthrie-Corn for re
asons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 000079
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/ERA BROCKWELL, EUR/CE ASCHIEBE,
EEB FOR LRECHT, ALSO FOR INL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2019
TAGS: KTFN EFIN PTER ETTC PHUM EAID RO
SUBJECT: ROMANIA: GOR ON MEK AND TERRORIST ABUSE OF
CHARITABLE SECTOR
REF: A) SECSTATE 5834 B) BRUSSELS 101
Classified By: Classified by Charge d'Affaires Jeri Guthrie-Corn for re
asons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C/NF) Summary. Post delivered ref A demarche points to
Elena Paris, Chief of the Office for Implementation of
International Sanctions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA),on January 27th. During this discussion, EconOff also
raised the recent EU Mujaheddin e-Khalq (MEK) de-listing
decision from ref B. Paris confirmed that the de-listing had
taken place and urged that the U.S. request a listing, as it
appeared that no EU member state was inclined to do so at
this time. End Summary.
2. (SBU) In responding to ref A, Paris noted that Romania's
legislation currently covers charitable organizations and
that the GOR is concerned about the diversion of monetary
donations to finance terrorism. The National Authority to
Prevent and Combat Money Laundering (Financial Intelligence
Unit) is empowered to conduct investigations on how funds
have been spent by charitable organizations and is permitted
to levy fines on them when and if irregularities are found.
Paris was interested in hearing details on the alternative
relief concept that the USG is piloting in the Palestinian
territories. She agreed that U.S.-EU coordination on
terrorist financing issues was essential and said that the
GOR was supportive of these efforts.
3. (C/NF) In light of our broader cooperation, Paris did
acknowledge that the recent EU de-listing of the MEK was
unfortunate, but said that the EU had little choice in the
matter, given that two court decisions had already gone
against them. As there is currently no "competent authority"
able to propose the listing within the EU, she said that the
United States may wish to formally propose a listing, saying
that third countries are permitted to make listing proposals.
Paris said that the GOR is supportive of efforts to maintain
the MEK listing, but is unable to propose the listing itself
due to juridical constraints.
GUTHRIE-CORN
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/ERA BROCKWELL, EUR/CE ASCHIEBE,
EEB FOR LRECHT, ALSO FOR INL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2019
TAGS: KTFN EFIN PTER ETTC PHUM EAID RO
SUBJECT: ROMANIA: GOR ON MEK AND TERRORIST ABUSE OF
CHARITABLE SECTOR
REF: A) SECSTATE 5834 B) BRUSSELS 101
Classified By: Classified by Charge d'Affaires Jeri Guthrie-Corn for re
asons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C/NF) Summary. Post delivered ref A demarche points to
Elena Paris, Chief of the Office for Implementation of
International Sanctions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA),on January 27th. During this discussion, EconOff also
raised the recent EU Mujaheddin e-Khalq (MEK) de-listing
decision from ref B. Paris confirmed that the de-listing had
taken place and urged that the U.S. request a listing, as it
appeared that no EU member state was inclined to do so at
this time. End Summary.
2. (SBU) In responding to ref A, Paris noted that Romania's
legislation currently covers charitable organizations and
that the GOR is concerned about the diversion of monetary
donations to finance terrorism. The National Authority to
Prevent and Combat Money Laundering (Financial Intelligence
Unit) is empowered to conduct investigations on how funds
have been spent by charitable organizations and is permitted
to levy fines on them when and if irregularities are found.
Paris was interested in hearing details on the alternative
relief concept that the USG is piloting in the Palestinian
territories. She agreed that U.S.-EU coordination on
terrorist financing issues was essential and said that the
GOR was supportive of these efforts.
3. (C/NF) In light of our broader cooperation, Paris did
acknowledge that the recent EU de-listing of the MEK was
unfortunate, but said that the EU had little choice in the
matter, given that two court decisions had already gone
against them. As there is currently no "competent authority"
able to propose the listing within the EU, she said that the
United States may wish to formally propose a listing, saying
that third countries are permitted to make listing proposals.
Paris said that the GOR is supportive of efforts to maintain
the MEK listing, but is unable to propose the listing itself
due to juridical constraints.
GUTHRIE-CORN