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Romania banishes a Russian diplomat
Published: 17 August, 2010, 22:29
Edited: 24 August, 2010, 22:33
TAGS: Scandal, EU, Russia, Politics
An employee of the Russian embassy in Romania has been banished from the country. This follows the arrest of a Romanian diplomat accused of spying in Moscow.
On Tuesday, just a day after the arrest of Romania’s high ranking diplomat Gabriel Grecu in Moscow, a Russian diplomat of the same rank of first secretary was obliged to leave the country within 48 hours. His name, however, has not been revealed.
Moscow denounced the move, saying Bucharest seems determined to "poison the atmosphere" in Russian-Romanian relations.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said it reserves the right to take retaliatory measures.
"Unlike the first secretary at the Romanian Embassy in Moscow – who was caught red-handed, who had material and spy equipment which fully exposed his illegal activities – the Russian diplomat was not involved in anything that could give reason for such decisions," the ministry said.
Earlier the caretaker official of Romanian affairs in Russia was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, where Russia’s protest over Grecu’s actions was expressed to him. The official was also informed that Grecu was named a persona non grata and had two days to leave Russia.
The Romanian Foreign Ministry condemned the actions against the diplomat, calling them “a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.”
Meanwhile, Grecu has already left the territory of Russia, writes Interfax agency citing its source in diplomatic circles.
He was detained in the Russian capital on August 16 while attempting to get secret defense information from a Russian citizen. It is believed the alleged spy who worked under diplomatic cover was interested in the dislocation of Russian troops in Transdniester – Moldova’s breakaway region – writes daily newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets (MK). However, the paper notes citing counter-intelligence agents, the information was no secret.
Grecu’s agent – a Russian serviceman – who was providing data in exchange for money was also detained. Reportedly, it was thanks to him that the spy was actually exposed. It happened after, in addition to open political information, Grecu forced the man “to pass documents containing military secrets to him.”
“Understanding that the Romanian intelligence officer was inducing him to commit high treason, he voluntarily reported this to the FSB [Federal Security Service] and expressed his willingness to help security agencies prevent the diplomat's unlawful activities,” the FSB told Interfax.
Having analyzed the documents Romanian intelligence was interested in, Russia’s special services came to the conclusion that the country’s security would be seriously harmed had they been obtained. A decision to put an end to Grecu’s activities was made.
The arrest took place in a supermarket where the spy and the agent used to exchange data recorded on flashcards left in lockers. Two FSB special squad officers took part in the operation as it was feared that Grecu –who is skilled in martial arts – would put up resistance.
Now the Russian security service is analyzing “connections of Romanian spies among Russian citizens.”
According to the FSB, Russian counterintelligence services took notice of Grecu’s predecessor – Romanian diplomat Dinu Pistolea – back in 2008 when he tried to hire the Russian citizen who possessed relevant information on the situation in Moldova and Transdniester due to his professional activities.
“The diplomat proposed that the Russian pass analytical materials on the situation in Moldova and Transdniester to Romania and report information characterizing and compromising top-ranking officials and leading policymakers from the unrecognized republic to Romania for payment,” the FSB is cited as saying by Interfax. After Pistolea’s mission to Russia was over, Grecu continued contacts with the Russian agent.
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Romania does not have military interest in Russia,... Romania just spies for NATO ..Russia to does not spy against Romania because is a threat to Russia they only do it because NATO is there, ........countries in the region got to have good ties with one another and especially with Russia, does anybody believe that if any country goes to war with Russia NATO will intervene to protect them?
If the Romanian guy was really a spy , why was he freed in a few minutes? What if he was unaware of the hole thing? I guess someone just wanted to distract the Russian people from more important issues ! A bad relationship with Romania is not particularly good as Russia already has trouble with exporting energy via Ukraine. Russia needs Europe and Europe needs Russia, my opinion is that Russia should clean their own garden a bit then join the European Family, where it should rightfully be! Russia can be the positive force of Europe , you guys got intelligent and beautiful people over there in Russia, do not let your country get isolated and see all your youth desperately seeking to emigrate to better lands.
"Romania banishes a Russian diplomat." Excuse me, it was not Romania who banished a russian diplomat but rather romanian authorities. It is a major difference here. Likewise, the alleged romanian spy wasn't spying on behalf of the romanian people but on behalf of romanian "authorities" and their overlords in NATO & UE. Let's face it, all embassies in the world today are involved to a level or another in spying activities. It is part of their CV. And, for the most part, common people of any nation have little or nothing to do with it. But they would pay the bill for all their "authorities'" misdeeds. When was a war started by the will of large masses of people? Never! The alleged authorities start all sorts of troubles and then common people pay in human suffering, misery, even with their own life. Human livestock we are in their eyes, to be nicely managed. Now, what quarrel should romanian and russian people have over these incidents? None! I, personally, while working abroad, had a very good russian friend and coworker and we had quite an amiable relationship. Helped each other in time of need, enjoyed meals together, visited with his family etc... You tell me why in the world would I think any differently of him and his family now, because russian and romanian authorities play their spying games? Let them play. And if they seek quarrel, let them fight it over, tooth and nail, themselves, not the simple people like you and me. Mr. Putin, with his martial arts skill, would surely make Mr. Emil Boc KO in no time. I, for very many years, have voted for no party for I knew beforehand that none would truly represent me. No romanian authority has my endorsement for their actions, even though I have to play this survival game called life by their rules many a time. So, my kind request to RT is to always make the proper distinction in words and to not stealthily broaden the domain of their stories. For Romania, romanian people have nothing to do with all these!