Moldovan Foreign Ministry replies to statements of U.S. Embassy on Pasat trial

The Foreign and European Integration Ministry of Moldova reiterates the stance and firm conviction of the Moldovan authorities that the United States have honoured exactly and accurately the transaction for sale of the MiG-29 fighter jets of the Moldovan armed forces when Valeriu Pasat was defence minister of Moldova, the ministry has said in a declaration in reply to a statement of the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau. Both the accusations submitted by prosecutor to the court, and the ruling do not indicate any guilt or bad will of the United States in the deal concerned. Moldova disconsiders categorically a higher economic advantage factor in this contract, as well as the possibility to make a deal with other states, especially with those associated to the international terrorism. Pasat has never been accused in the trial of wrongly and unfairly choosing the U.S. as partner in this deal. Pasat was due then to ensure the legality and transparency of that deal, but the former defence minister failed because of his flagrant behaviour demonstrated by court, reads the statement. In the context, the ministry indicates the essential need to clarify the so-called „Pasat cause” related to the complex nature of the case in which the contract on MiG 29 aircraft is one of its elements besides others and similar negative on Moldova. One of these others segments envisages the sale of combat systems Uragan, which took place under the same illegal conditions, bureaucratic voluntarism and non-transparency. Although the trial was held behind closed doors, a procedure required by the secret documents classified by former defence minister Pasat, the Moldovan side assures the American authorities of legality of the trial of Valeriu Pasat, respect for rights and freedoms of the defendant. Moldova will continue to respect the requirements of the international community regarding the insurance of international standards on respect for human rights in the future trials, including of Pasat in particular. According to the February 17 statement, the U.S. expresses its disappointment with the recent trial of former Moldovan minister of defence Valeriu Pasat. In light of new, unrelated charges issued against Pasat, the U.S. called on the government of Moldova to ensure that any future judicial proceedings, in this as in all cases, are carried out in full conformity with international human rights standards. Info-Prim Neo has addressed some questions to the U.S. diplomatic missions and the Foreign and European Integration Ministry of Moldova in connection with the February 17 statement. The sam day, Aleisha Woodword, spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy to Modlova, said that she cannot speak on behalf of the Moldovan government. „We recommend you to contact the Moldovan government, if you want to learn the reaction of the Moldovan government and our concerns regarding the case of former minister Pasat.”