(story to be published in tomorrow’s issue, March 9)
The coalition crisis on Tuesday turned into an inter-ministry conflict, following statements made by Defence minister Victor Babiuc statement on Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) contributed to the cancellation of visits of certain foreign delegations in Bucharest or Romanian delegations abroad, which allegedly “harms Romanian national interests.” On Tuesday morning, Babiuc stated that Petre Roman was behind the postponement of Dutch Defence minister visit in Bucharest. According to a Romanian Defence Ministry (MApN) press release, not only the visit of Dutch official Frank de Graave was called off, but also the official visit of minister Babiuc in India, scheduled for February 27 – March 2. The quoted source says that these delays are the result of MAE actions, which allegedly sent directions to the Romanian Embassy in the Hague, or locked the documents needed for the visit in India. All these measures were taken without consulting MApN or the Presidency, the release further reads. The document also mentions a piece of news “launched in London diplomatic and media circles” by the Romanian Embassy press attache in Great Britain Sorin Baciu, according to which “Romanian Defence minister resignation from PD (Democrat Party) was determined by Valeriu Stoica, PNL (Liberal Party) vice-president, which is said to be in possession of compromising data about Victor Babiuc.” “This information is not true and casts a negative light not only on the Defence Ministry, but on other members of Romanian Government as well.” In reply, MAE claims that “Romania’s missions abroad under no circumstances have been given directions concerning their involvement in political actions or debates; any innuendoes are ungrounded or based on ill-meaning information.”