The Chiefs of the main three Romanian intelligence agencies resigned today (Jul 20, 2006)

Jul 20, 2006 (Romania Report)

During an urgency meeting, called by Romania’s President Traian Basescu on the issue of a rather bizarre case of a would–be terrorist, the chiefs of the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI), the Foreign Intelligence Service (SIE), and the Ministry of Interior intelligence service resigned, reads a brief communiqué released by the PR Department of Romanian Presidency.

Today, at 4:00 pm, President Basescu had a meeting with the bosses of SRI and SIE and with representatives of the Ministry of Interior in order to asses the situation emerged following the sudden disappearance of Omar Hayssam—who was indicted for terrorist activities and eventually set free because of poor health (cancer in a terminal phase).

At the end of the meeting—the communiqué reads—Radu Timofte (chief of SRI), Ghoerghe Fulga (chief of SIE) and Virgil Ardelean (chief of MoI intelligence service) resigned from their offices. The resignations were accepted by President Basescu and in a 30 days term the three outgoing public servants are to transfer their office’s duties and tasks.

Moreover, a Presidential commission was also called today by Basescu in order to assess weather Minister of Defence Teodor Atanasiu illegally used his ministry intelligence agency in lobbying actions within the Romanian Parliament.

In other words, to date, the country’s defence and homeland security top management is out of the game—while the only viable security structure in place remains the National Security Department (embedded with the Presidency).



Romania Report