Melescanu also takes the stand against the incumbent President.
President Basescu’s accusation that PM Ponta has been SIE undercover agent triggered a fierce debate on the Romanian political stage, with the Foreign Intelligence Service (SIE) and ex-SIE head Teodor Melescanu (photo) coming to light.
After Basescu accused that ex-SIE director Teodor Melescanu had initiated a government decree that enabled extended protection for the agents who ceased relationship with the intelligence service, and that the draft had eluded CSAT notice, SIE told Mediafax that the decree respected the legal approval circuit and didn’t need CSAT notice. The Intelligence service also points out that the decree is not extending protection for the staff categories, but, on the contrary, is limiting it, practically cutting out the technical and administrative SIE employees from the category of the staff that is protected by the classified information provision. “This came after SIE has been confronted for the past 10 years to the fact that 70 operating agents have been exposed. This situation is meant to severely affect SIE, taking into account that the staff is the most valuable asset of the service. Exposing an officer triggers exposing all SIE actions and, implicitly affects Romania’s interests and those of its strategic partners”, reads SIE press release.
Ex-SIE head Teodor Melescanu, who resigned in September to join the presidential race, also said the Government decree was desirable, precisely to avoid information leak on electoral purposes, as “it actually happened”, Melescanu said, referring to Basescu’s disclosure. Melescanu also said this scandal is due to affect SIE and Romania’s image, for any exposure makes other intelligence services review the partnership with the country the exposed agent belonged to.
Asked if Victor Ponta was an undercover agent, the former SIE director answered: “I cannot confirm that or dismiss it, as I don’t have this right I would commit a felony”. Questioned if there is any ex-undercover officer in the Government now, Melescanu said: “I cannot confirm that unless you have the pleasure to meet me over a cup of tea after 30 years when I’ll be able to tell you all this stuff (e.n. Melescanu’s remark was somehow ironical, as he is now 73 years old). It’s no problem, but I cannot disclose that 30 years from now on. Moreover, any SIE officer who leaves the service signs a commitment that doesn’t allow him to expose his former colleagues, the capacity or the missions he has been taken part in also for a period of 30 years”.
Melescanu also said that Traian Basescu was the first president after 1989 who required the intelligence services to grant him a list of undercover agents. He underlined he refused to give Basescu the requested list as he would break the law and this list could be used in the electoral campaign, which it actually happened. Ex-SIE head argued that SIE agents, who “are risking their lives and freedom abroad, should not be exposed when they get back home”. Additionally, Melescanu said it would be a big problem if the documents that Basescu presented are a SIE leak, as it is illegal to make copies of SIE official papers.
After Melescanu’s statements, PM Ponta asked for the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) director George Maior to express his point of view regarding this topic. “Mr. Melescanu expressed a point of view, I think Mr. Maior should do the same, expressing a very clear position. Basescu’s using the state institutions in the electoral campaign is not immoral, but also illegal”, Ponta told a press conference in Iasi, where he attended St. Parascheva celebrations and met local leaders. Moreover, the prime minister said that Traian Basescu and Klaus Iohannis are using “the dirtiest weapons” and there is no illusion left that none of them are defending the state interest.
As for the ACL candidate, Liberal Klaus Iohannis, he told a Hotnews interview the scandal is affecting Romania’s image abroad. Yet, Iohannis challenged Ponta to step up and put things straight regarding his position. “The President of Romania cannot be a liar, a hypocrite, manipulated politician (…) I am a free man, Victor Ponta is a pawn”, Iohannis said. In another train of thoughts, he asserted he would win presidential elections and PSD would put Ponta out of action. “He will withdraw from the political life, that means he will be able to return to his rally hobby”, Iohannis commented.
The other candidates running for Presidency expressed different views. Senate Speaker Calin Popescu Tariceanu said the disclosures represent Basescu-label “raffishness” since 1990 and that the incumbent President’s irresponsibility made SIE vulnerable. Elena Udrea, PMP candidate openly supported by Basescu, asked for Ponta’ s resignation and for his and Melescanu’s withdrawals from the presidential race. She also asked for parliamentary investigations in this case. As a matter of fact, the head of the SIE control parliamentary committee, Mihaita Calimente also voiced for the hearing of SIE ad-interim leadership in this matter.