Romania's President accuses premier of asking him to interfere in justice system (Jan18, 2007)

Jan 18, 2007 (AP)

BUCHAREST, Romania: Romanian President Traian Basescu accused his prime minister Wednesday of asking him to interfere in the justice system to help a political ally.

"I understand (from this note) that he was suggesting I intervene for him at the prosecutor's office," said Basescu, waving a 2-year-old note from Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu.

"This kind of partnership is unacceptable," he said, adding he had informed Justice Minister Monica Macovei about the note.

Tariceanu's handwritten note allegedly asked Basescu to talk to prosecutors about Dinu Patriciu, the founder of Romania's second-largest oil company, Rompetrol who is to stand trial on charges related to manipulation of the stock market. He has denied the charges.

Tariceanu denied that he had asked Basescu to intervene with prosecutors in the note. He accused Basescu of waging a political war against him, saying that Basescu was angry with him for not agreeing to hold early elections.

The note said "Dear Traian, I send you a document related to the Petrmodeia (Rompetrol) investigation. If the opportunity arises, can you talk to the prosecutors' office about it?"

Relations between Basescu and Tariceanu have soured in recent months. Basescu said that he wished he had not named Tariceanu as his prime minister.

Patriciu, who was a leading (National) Liberal Party figure and a friend of Tariceanu, has claimed the investigation was politically motivated and accused the former administration of Ion Iliescu of ordering it.

Rompetrol has sued Romania for US$100 million in an international arbitration court, claiming the investigation was abusive and was damaging its business.



Associated Press