Romanian Defense Min Denies Involvement In Explosives, Ammo Trafficking

“Regarding your request to clarify publicly whether the Ministry of Defense knew about the ammunition affairs of S.C. Uzina Mecanica Babeni S.A. (UM Babeni), within certain contracts signed with other economic operators, I inform you that the Ministry of Defense is not involved in these contracts,” Stanisoara said.

Antonescu officially demanded Tuesday the defense minister, the justice minister, the interior minister and the minister of foreign affairs to provide explanations regarding the accusations of traffic of explosives and ammunition.

“Taking into account the information made public by media, information that can negatively affect the image of Romania as NATO member and member of the European Union, I demand you to clarify publicly whether you had information regarding the activity of destroying explosives and ammunition made by UM Babeni, Valcea county, and the conditions in which these activities were deployed,” Antonescu wrote in the letter addressed to Stanisoara.

Antonescu asked Romanian president Traian Basescu to give clear and urgent answers that should clarify the accusations brought by journalist S. R. Stanescu.

Asked whether the liberals will demand for an inquiry commission meant to investigate the case, if the clarification request is not taken into account, Antonescu said they will. 

Stanescu said, in an article published Monday on the www.sroscas.ro website, that the deal consisted of the illegal export of five ships loaded with explosives that were to be destroyed at a military base in Valcea. According to Rosca, the deal was covered up by the state’s institutions at the beckoning of president Traian Basescu. The cover-up allegedly included the scandals involving the arrest of businessman Puiu Popoviciu and the weapon heist at the Ciorogarla military base.

"The Romanian president’s brother participated in a top secret operation involving the international trafficking of large quantities of explosives. Five ships arriving from Thailand were anchored in the Constanta harbor. The operation was coordinated by Mircea Basescu, the Romanian president’s brother. The cargo consisted of explosives and ammunition. Even though huge, the exact quantity is not known by the author. The final destination, in accordance with the contract concluded by the Thai side with Romanian weapons maker Romarm SA, belonging to the Ministry of Industries, was the Babeni military base in Valcea county. There, the explosives and ammunition, instead of being destroyed, were repacked. Soon the cargo was exported, using the company SC Romagro Cereal SRL as intermediary. The operation was carried out by sea, and was once again vouched for by Mircea Basescu," Sorin Rosca Stanescu writes on his website.

Quoting a report by the authority monitoring the Sanctions Imposed Against UNITA in Angola – a forum active within the UN - Stanescu said Bakri Imad Abdul Reda, "a.k.a. Imad Kebir", majority shareholder within Romagro Cereal SRL, is the main importer of weapons and military equipment for the organization, with transactions unfolded via Kinshasa, Congo.

"Suspicions regarding the terrorist activities of Bakri Imad Abdul Reda surfaced since May 30, 2005, when it was revealed that he plays an important role in the financing of Hezbollah and the supply of weapons for the organization. Later, according to a UN report by the authority monitoring the sanctions imposed against UNITA, a terrorist organization in Angola, Bakri Imad Abdul Reda, a.k.a. Imad Kebir, is the main weapons and military equipment importer for the organization, via Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo," the article reads.

Th author goes on saying that the Belgium office of the Interpol "takes interest in the EUR12 million route," which represents "only a fraction" of the gains from the deal with the five ships of explosives from Thailand.

"It is the sum that Interpol Belgium assumes was directed, through SC Romagro Cereal SRL to two terrorist organizations. Interpol Brussels– Belgium, sent on January 21, 2009, an urgent note to the Romanian Ministry of Interior, the Center for International Police Cooperation and the National Interpol Office, requesting the investigation of Bakri Imad Abdul Reda, who is an associate at Romagro Cereal SRL Romania," the article reads.

The journalist states that, at the request of Interpol Belgium, the representatives of several state structures began investigating the alleged transaction with the five shiploads of explosives.

"The following institutions were alerted: The Foreign Intelligence Service (SIE), the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI); the Ministry of Administration and Interior – the General Department for Intelligence and Internal Protection (DGIPI), the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police – Organized Crime Division (DGCCO) and the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police – Fraud Investigation Division," the author writes.

The journalist goes on saying that, after investigations unfolded by these institutions, the case file reached the attention of prosecutors, a moment when, through the Ciorogarla and Popoviciu “diversions”, the head of state allegedly tried to destroy evidence linking his brother to the case.

In the article, Rosca Stanescu mentions retired lieutenant colonel Cornel Purcarea and Ion Garbacea "from Romarm", among others.

The journalists the case file contains recording of telephone conversations between the two and Mircea Basescu.

After his discharge, at 40, Purcarea was, according to Stanescu, director of Romagro Cereal SRL.

In the beginning of the article, the author states he takes "full civil and legal responsibility" for his claims.

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