MFA Press Statement on the Romanian Embassy's Response

The Romanian Embassy today sent three Third Person Notes (TPNs) in response to MFA's TPNs regarding the traffic accidents on 15 December 2009 that involved the Romanian Embassy vehicle S3401CD.

The first TPN acceded to MFA's request that Mr Marius Trusca, Administrative Officer at the Romanian Embassy, give evidence at the Coroner's Inquiry on the death of Mr Tong Kok Wai. The Romanian Embassy added that "Mr Trusca will assist the State Coroner in establishing the true circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Tong."

The second TPN from the Romanian Embassy confirmed that the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had informed Dr Silviu Ionescu (whom Police investigations revealed was the driver of the Romanian Embassy vehicle at the time of the accidents) about MFA's request that he attend the Coroner's Inquiry and give the Singapore authorities details of the identity of the witness whom Dr Ionescu had claimed could exonerate him. The TPN added that "The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs suspended its labour relationship with Mr Silviu Ionescu during the period of criminal investigations undertaken by the Romanian authorities and cannot compel him to observe a certain line of conduct. The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs firmly dissociates itself from Mr Silviu Ionescu's statements made after his employment contract was suspended and underlines that his statements do not represent the position of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs".

The Romanian Embassy also handed over a third TPN which stated that the Romanian authorities would "give due consideration" to MFA's request for more information on the status of the criminal proceedings in Romania against Dr Ionescu and on the Romanian system of investigations and prosecutions, and "a detailed answer will be soon provided."

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
23 FEBRUARY 2010