VZCZCXRO7057
RR RUEHIK
DE RUEHCH #0877/01 3170914
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 130914Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY CHISINAU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8566
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CHISINAU 000877 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/UMB, DRL/AE, G/TIP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PINR KTIP MD
SUBJECT: Prime Minister Demands Action on TIP 
 
CHISINAU 00000877  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary:  On November 9, for the first 
time ever, a Moldovan Prime Minister chaired a 
meeting of the National Committee for Combating 
Trafficking in Persons.  Moreover, PM Vlad Filat 
did so in the presence of five cabinet members, 
and other high officials, to whom he gave very 
clear marching orders: act now to address 
trafficking in persons (TIP).  Filat and the 
cabinet members also praised U.S. assistance to 
combat TIP and stressed the need to comply with 
the USG TIP Report recommendations.  NGO and OSCE 
representatives declared that they were delighted 
with the new government's energetic approach and 
attention to the issue.   End Summary. 
 
PM Concerned about Quality and Low Conviction Rate 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶2. (SBU) PM Filat chaired the November 9 session 
of the National Committee for Combating 
Trafficking in Persons, the first time a Moldovan 
PM has attended a meeting of the body.  Taking 
careful notes, the PM heard reports from the 
Prosecutor General and from the Ministers of 
Interior, Justice, Education, and Work and Social 
Protection and Family.  In response to these 
reports which, in dry and neutral tones covered 
the actions of the ministries, Filat stated that 
he wanted "more emphasis on quality and greater 
care in investigating and prosecuting cases 
against traffickers," rather than mere 
quantification, which he described as "socialist 
competition."  The PM was particularly interested 
in the conviction and imprisonment figures:  out 
of 252 cases which were opened in the first 10 
months of 2009, 186 were convicted and 57 sent to 
prison. 
 
PM: "I Want Action" 
------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) At the close of the meeting, Filat 
stated, "We have lots of statistics.  I want 
action."  In a hint at specifically targeted 
investigations of officials allegedly complicit in 
trafficking, he stated somberly: "It is not enough 
to identify important persons; they must be 
sanctioned as well."  He also said he agreed 
strongly with the statement by Prosecutor General 
Valentin Zubic that police and prosecutors needed 
to be more proactive in investigating and opening 
cases against traffickers. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Filat also announced that he would 
appoint a permanent secretariat for the National 
Committee for Combating Trafficking in Persons, 
and appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister 
of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Iurie 
Leanca, who was also present at the meeting, to 
head the Committee.  (Note:  Previously, the TIP 
portfolio was handled by the Deputy Prime Minister 
with responsibility for social affairs and law 
enforcement.  The portfolio, by going to the 
Deputy Prime Minister/Minister for Foreign 
Affairs, has thus been upgraded.  End note.) 
Filat also charged the Committee with coordinating 
the efforts to create a National Action Plan (NAP) 
to replace the NAP that expires at the end of 
¶2009. 
 
Praise for USG Efforts and TIP Report 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) While noting International Organization 
for Migration (IOM) assistance in repatriation of 
trafficking victims, the ministers praised USG 
assistance in establishing the Center for 
Combating Trafficking in Persons (CCTIP), 
increasing the professionalism of legal and 
judicial bodies, and donating equipment.  (Note: 
CCTIP Director Valeriu Hincu was also present at 
the meeting, but did not speak.  End note.) 
Minister of Interior Victor Catan specifically 
noted the importance of the USG TIP Report as a 
guide for analysis and action. 
 
NGOs and IOs Delighted 
---------------------- 
 
 
CHISINAU 00000877  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶6. (SBU) Representatives of the OSCE, the IOM, and 
several anti-trafficking NGOs such as La Strada, 
were present at the meeting, and declared 
themselves delighted with the fact that the PM 
presided, that he heard from and gave orders to 
the major social and law enforcement cabinet 
ministers, and that he was authorizing a permanent 
secretariat for the National Committee.  The 
latter action has long been demanded by NGOs and 
international organizations in Chisinau, in order 
to increase professionalism and permit steady, 
consistent action. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) Like the NGOs and IOs, we too are 
delighted that the Prime Minister has taken the 
initiative on TIP, given marching orders to his 
cabinet in a public meeting, and appointed a 
trusted confidant as the ex officio chair of the 
National Committee for Combating Trafficking in 
Persons.  This is the most unified, top-level and 
purposeful enterprise undertaken by the GOM 
against trafficking in the nation's history.  The 
change of leadership in Moldova has brought new 
momentum to GOM efforts to address the countryQs 
problems with trafficking. 
 
CHAUDHRY