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The SIE head : the statements of Omar Bakri worry us, Romania is not safe against the possibility of attacks
The director of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SIE) Teodor Melescanu stated on Friday that he was worried about the statements of Omar Bakri which constitute ‘ a signal that Romania is not safe against the possibility of attacks either’ Mediafax sends.
Asked on Friday in Cluj-Napoca in what way he comments on the statements of sheik Omar Bakri according to which Romania and Bulgaria could become terrorist targets, Teodor Melescanu answered that Romania has to be prepared to fight against attacks and moreover to act for the eradication of ‘ the causes of this phenomenon of terrorism’.
‘Bakri is more of an ideologist than a man of action, but obviously, such things worry us and constitute a signal that Romania is not safe against the possibility of attacks. We a country, member state of NATO, of EU, we take part in Afganistan operations, we have facilities on our territorz which are used by the US army, in Deveselu, we are a country with an important number of tourists, including from Israel. Our priority preoccupation for us, of the two services, is the prevention of suchb acts in Romania, and the whole world has to understand that we do not consider that Romania is a country where such things would never happen. Unfortunately, the reality shows us that it could happen even here, we have to be prepared to prevent them and moreover to act for the eradicaton of the causes of this phenomenon of terrorism’ Melescanu said.
He added that SIE is carefully watching the military conflict between Turkey and Syria as any situation of this kind could have an impact on Romania.
‘Any conflict in our area could have an impact on Romania as well, as we watch them very carefully, our preoccupation would be, as service, to understand what lies behind this military operation. We have a very clear position, we have a community of Romanians of approximately of 15,000 people, who together with the members of their families are almost 45 – 50,000 people, so we are not indifferent to what is happening there. We don’t want to see Syria transformed into a divided state, which could create bigger problems. It is necessary for Syrian authorities and those in Turkey to show the necessary discretion’ the SIE head said.
Teodor Melescanu took part on Friday in Cluj-Napoca at a manifestation for the anniversary of 20 years of European transplant.
Intelligence chief: Omar Bakri came under SRI scrutiny in the past, tried to come to Romania
Chief of the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) George Maior says Sheik Omar Bakri, one of the most radical Islamic leaders, came under the SRI scrutiny in the past and added he had tried to come to Romania.
'We are on the map of several important organisations in the area of terrorism as a possible target due to some developments relating our presence in Afghanistan, of the Romanian troops in Afghanistan, to developments relating the missile shield. And we are very alert. Omar Bakri himself came under the SRI scrutiny in the past, he tried to come to Romania. He has connections with Romania. Therefore, it is not a mere message or merely rhetorical remark, it is one we are carefully looking at, but this is only what can be seen on the surface, because we are in the same situation as other European states - you can see what happened in the last years, attacks in Bulgaria, France, Norway, with various types of action, with various motivations - therefore we are not free from it either and we try to identify our weaknesses', Maior told Realitatea TV news channel late on Sunday.
He said such topics were discussed ‘in depth' at the last meeting of the Romanian Supreme Defence Council too.When asked whether the talks had been held with Prime Minister Victor Ponta attending or after he had left the Council meeting, the SRI director said: 'Yes, in Mr Ponta's presence too and he knows the topics very well and the Government has pledged to help us with certain elements to address such weaknesses'.
Sheik Bakri has recently told Sofia-based daily 24 Chasa that Romania, Bulgaria and other Eastern European countries are Islamic lands and legitimate targets for terrorists.