THE FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SERVICE

PRESS RELEASE

The Foreign Intelligence Service has learnt, at the same time as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, about the situation of the two Romanian citizens held in Iraq. We would like to mention that the two were in Iraq as employees of an American company and were working at one of this business’s water bottling stations in the country.

On October 31, 2006, while driving a company car, the two were seen recording a military base on tape, although filming and photographing were forbidden. Given the specificity of the situation in the region, as well as the risks run by the International Force troops, the US military police took them into custody.

Following the information it received, the Foreign Intelligence Service took measures in compliance with its powers, namely it made the necessary verifications. No indications were found that the two Romanian citizens had acted on behalf of hostile services or organizations. It was also established that the Romanian citizens had infringed, for reasons to be found at the end of the inquiry, the specific regulations of the area where they were working.

Consequently, the incident exceeds the powers of the Foreign Intelligence Service.

Taking into consideration some serious statements expressed in the media concerning the hypothetical role of the Service in this incident, we would like to mention that the Foreign Intelligence Service fully complies with both the international agreements Romania is part of and national legislation.

                    THE PRESS OFFICE
OF THE FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SERVICE

Issued on February 01, 2007

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