Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CHISINAU875
2009-11-12 11:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Chisinau
Cable title:  

Prime Minister Demands Action on TIP

Tags:  PGOV PREL PHUM PINR KTIP MD 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5931
RR RUEHIK
DE RUEHCH #0875/01 3161118
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 121118Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY CHISINAU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8563
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CHISINAU 000875 

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/UMB, DRL/AE, G/TIP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PINR KTIP MD
SUBJECT: Prime Minister Demands Action on TIP

CHISINAU 00000875 001.2 OF 002


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CHISINAU 000875

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/UMB, DRL/AE, G/TIP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PINR KTIP MD
SUBJECT: Prime Minister Demands Action on TIP

CHISINAU 00000875 001.2 OF 002



1. (SBU) Summary: On November 9, for the first
time ever, a Moldovan Prime Minister chaired a
meeting of the National Committee for Combating
Trafficking in Persons. Moreover, PM Vlad Filat
did so in the presence of five cabinet members,
and other high officials, to whom he gave very
clear marching orders: act now to address
trafficking in persons (TIP). Filat and the
cabinet members also praised U.S. assistance to
combat TIP and stressed the need to comply with
the USG TIP Report recommendations. NGO and OSCE
representatives declared that they were delighted
with the new government's energetic approach and
attention to the issue. End Summary.

PM Concerned about Quality and Low Conviction Rate
-------------- --------------


2. (SBU) PM Filat chaired the November 9 session
of the National Committee for Combating
Trafficking in Persons, the first time a Moldovan
PM has attended a meeting of the body. Taking
careful notes, the PM heard reports from the
Prosecutor General and from the Ministers of
Interior, Justice, Education, and Work and Social
Protection and Family. In response to these
reports which, in dry and neutral tones covered
the actions of the ministries, Filat stated that
he wanted "more emphasis on quality and greater
care in investigating and prosecuting cases
against traffickers," rather than mere
quantification, which he described as "socialist
competition." The PM was particularly interested
in the conviction and imprisonment figures: out
of 252 cases which were opened in the first 10
months of 2009, 186 were convicted and 57 sent to
prison.

PM: "I Want Action"
--------------


3. (SBU) At the close of the meeting, Filat
stated, "We have lots of statistics. I want
action." (Michael, but this doesnQt seem to be
the conclusion, because there was a lot more said,
as you describe immediately below) In a hint at
specifically targeted investigations of officials
allegedly complicit in trafficking, he stated
somberly: "It is not enough to identify important
persons; they must be sanctioned as well." He
also said he agreed strongly with the statement by

Prosecutor General Valentin Zubic that police and
prosecutors needed to be more proactive in
investigating and opening cases against
traffickers.


4. (SBU) Filat also announced that he would
appoint a permanent secretariat for the National
Committee for Combating Trafficking in Persons,
and appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Iurie
Leanca, who was also present at the meeting, to
head the Committee. (Note: Previously, the TIP
portfolio was handled by the Deputy Prime Minister
with responsibility for social affairs and law
enforcement. The portfolio, by going to the
Deputy Prime Minister/Minister for Foreign
Affairs, has thus been upgraded. End note.)
Filat also charged the Committee with coordinating
the efforts to create a National Action Plan (NAP)
to replace the NAP that expires at the end of

2009.

Praise for USG Efforts and TIP Report
--------------


5. (SBU) While noting International Organization
for Migration (IOM) assistance in repatriation of
trafficking victims, the ministers praised USG
assistance in establishing the Center for
Combating Trafficking in Persons (CCTIP),
increasing the professionalism of legal and
judicial bodies, and donating equipment. (Note:
CCTIP Director Valeriu Hincu was also present at
the meeting, but did not speak. End note.)
Minister of Interior Victor Catan specifically
noted the importance of the USG TIP Report as a
guide for analysis and action.


CHISINAU 00000875 002.2 OF 002


NGOs and IOs Delighted
--------------


6. (SBU) Representatives of the OSCE, the IOM, and
several anti-trafficking NGOs such as La Strada,
were present at the meeting, and declared
themselves delighted with the fact that the PM
presided, that he heard from and gave orders to
the major social and law enforcement cabinet
ministers, and that he was authorizing a permanent
secretariat for the National Committee. The
latter action has long been demanded by NGOs and
international organizations in Chisinau, in order
to increase professionalism and permit steady,
consistent action.

Comment
--------------


7. (SBU) Like the NGOs and IOs, we too are
delighted that the Prime Minister has taken the
initiative on TIP, given marching orders to his
cabinet in a public meeting, and appointed a
trusted confidant as the ex officio chair of the
National Committee for Combating Trafficking in
Persons. This is the most unified, top-level and
purposeful enterprise undertaken by the GOM
against trafficking in the nation's history. The
change of leadership in Moldova has brought new
momentum to GOM efforts to address the countryQs
problems with trafficking.

CHAUDHRY