What the newspapers say: March 15, 2007

Anti corruption prosecutor accuses Interior Minister of putting pressure on his institution, in order to stop some investigations. Justice Minister accuses Government members of changing the approved form of some laws before publishing it.

Meanwhile, a bit of lobby revives the „laptops for kids” program, although the project was rejected less than six months ago. Thousands of small companies go bankrupt. Another ordinary day in Romania.

The recently resigned head of the General Anti Corruption Department (DGA), prosecutor Marian Sintion, accused the Interior Minister of putting pressure and even threatening officers, in order to influence investigations. The unveilings came on Wednesday, during a special open session of the DGA Strategic Council, Evenimentul Zilei reads.

Good news for some, bad news for others: the 100 dollars laptop for kids in schools is now 150$ and may cost 20% more because of the transport and storage fees. PM Tariceanu looked enthusiastic on Wednesday, when Nicholas Negroponte, the one who launched the project, came to Romania to present the program himself.

The same toy that was too simple a few months ago seems now a likely solution for the under-financed education system in Romania. Specialists say that the prime minister might as well buy candy, because it would last just as long as the manual generator-powered computers, Gandul reads.

Another piece of good news that may go bad is the US Visa Waiver Program, approved by the US Senate, but close to being rejected using the veto right by W. Bush himself, same Gandul found out.

Tens of millions of people in 27 countries should be able to visit the US for 90 days without needing a visa, but Bush may reject the law because a chapter in it may allow transport security employees organize in unions.

In other words, „President Bush is either stupid, or extremely hesitant”, as the title in Jurnalul National indicates. The paper quotes a body language study conducted during Bush’s visit to some countries in the Latin America.

Back to our small time businesses, too small for Bush to care: over one third of the 4,500 companies going bankrupt in 2006 were in commerce. The total number of companies shut during the year is 45% larger than in 2005, a Coface Romania study shows, as quoted in Gandul.

To have an even smaller company seems to be the right answer: Ezpada has only one employee and managed to conduct some 33 million euros deals in energy, buying chap from the state and selling expensive… back to the state, same Gandul reads.

Well, if that sounds illegal, there’s nothing to hold against clothing manufacturer Steilmann, a company took over in 2006 by the Italian „Miro Radici”. Steilmann will invest 20 million euros in Satu Mare, in order to open a strategic development center, Evenimentul Zilei found out.

Just to end in an optimistic note: 11 Romanian sailors were saved on Wednesday by a NATO patrol and a Greek coast guard team after a shipwreck caused by storms, Romania Libera reads. All 11 are in fine health.