Romanian Pres Asked PM To Dismiss Two Mins

We present the entire content of the letter sent by Basescu to Tariceanu, which came into the possession of MEDIAFAX:

"Mister Prime Minister,

Since I have appointed you to form a Government, you have led two teams of ministers. At this time, five members of the cabinets you led are subject to

criminal investigation for alleged deeds of corruption.

I would also like to remind you that you have, in the Government team you lead , two ministers regarding whom the National Anticorruption Department within the Prosecutors’ Office of the High Court of Justice asked me to approve the initiation of criminal investigation for deeds of corruption ever since September of the current year. These are justice minister Tudor Chiuariu and labor, family and equal opportunity minister Paul Pacuraru.

On October 4 of the current year, the justice minister initiated an emergency ordinance enacted by the Government and which targeted it directly. This Ordinance dissolved the special Commission tasked with the approval of criminal investigation against the members of the Government, thus rendering criminal investigation against the members of the Government virtually impossible and temporarily suspending a constitutional attribute of the President of Romania. This status quo was also acknowledged by the Constitutional Court, which decided, on November 27 of the current year, the unconstitutionality of the entire Government Emergency Ordinance issued on October 4.

The gesture of the Government you run brought severe damage to the credibility of justice in Romania and it displays a profoundly negative image of the Romanian executive among EU members.

Given the conduct of the Government and especially that of the ministers targeted by the Prosecutors’ Office within the High Court of Justice, namely their attempt to block criminal investigations and to obstruct justice, I feel that I have a great responsibility regarding the reassurance of citizens that the institutions of the state, including the Government, are acting in public interest and not the personal interests of those who temporarily hold public offices and dignities.

This is why, with respect for my constitutional attributes to watch over the good functioning of public authorities, I ask you to take political responsibility for the situation created and to immediately dismiss the two members of Government, Tudor Chiuariu and Paul Pacuraru, against which here was a request to initiate criminal investigation.

Traian Basescu

President of Romania."