Defense Strategy Adoption Put Off As Tax Evasion, Smuggling Listed As Threats - Romanian President

Romanian President Traian Basescu said Thursday on public radio he believes that one of the reasons why the Parliament puts off the adoption of the country’s National Defense Strategy is that the document lists tax evasion and smuggling among threats to national security.

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"The document lists tax evasion and smuggling among threats to national security. Do you think the strategy's adoption is hindered by some paragraphs that picture media campaigns that denigrate state institutions as weak points? I'm sure one of the reasons why its adoption is put off is the fact that tax evasion and smuggling are seen as vulnerabilities," said Basescu.

Basescu stressed that in June 2010, the Defense Council (CSAT) adopted a decision which compel state institutions - the Romanian Intelligence Service, the Police, the General Anticorruption Department and the Prosecutors' Office - to work together.

Romania's Defense Strategy, adopted in June by the Defense Council and forwarded to Parliament for approval, lists "orchestrated media campaigns that denigrate state institutions by disseminating false information" among threats to national security, beside terrorism, corruption and organized crime.

Referring to the border police and customs workers who have been detained over the past two weeks on charges of corruption and smuggling, Basescu said those investigated in the case might spend less time in prison or not serve time at all if they disclose the name of those who received bribe.

Romania's National Anticorruption Department has detained a total 97 border police and customs workers at border crossing points in western Romania suspected of corruption and smuggling. The Bucharest court of appeals has so far ruled in favor of the preventive arrest of 86 suspects and has yet to rule on arrest warrants for the rest.

On Wednesday, prosecutors also indicted National Customs Authority head Radu Traian Marginean on charges of corruption.

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