According to a 7 January 1994 report published in The Guardian, the head of the Servicul Roman de Informatii or Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI), the successor organization to the Securitate, stated that "our recruitment is very strict. Personnel are constantly changed because we want young people: only a newborn child can grow up with a new mentality. But more than that, there is a profound difference in the way the old and new organizations worked." The head of the SRI also indicated that between 17 and 18 per cent of his organization is composed of former Securitate agents "whose past doesn't include any law breaking" (ibid.). However, in September 1993 he stated that 60 per cent of SRI staff were from the Securitate (ibid.). The Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) was created in March 1990 (The New York Times 13 June 1993).

According to a Senior Lecturer in Romanian studies at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies of the University of London, around 50 per cent of SRI personnel have been recruited from the old Securitate by means of staff rotations and transfers from one district to another, making it difficult for observers to verify the number of former Securitate agents being recruited (15 Feb. 1994). Most of the remaining members of the SRI were recruited from the army in March 1990, reportedly because of their familiarity with military discipline and training, and because they would be unlikely to oppose future reforms within the organization (ibid.). The source further stated that very few SRI agents are being recruited from outside the army and security apparatus (ibid.).

The professor also indicated that the SRI is headed by a director and deputy director and the internal hierarchy parallels the army ranking structure. Unlike the Securitate, there are no individual with the rank of general in the SRI staff. The ranking hierarchy, in descending order, is as follows: Colonel-General, Lieutenant-General, Major-General, Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, Major, Captain, Lieutenant-Major, Lieutenant, Plutonier and sergeant (ibid.). No information on the type of training provided to SRI members is currently available to the DIRB.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to
be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

The Guardian [Manchester]. 7 January 1994. Henriette Schroder. "Romanians Lived in Terror of Securitate. Is It Over Yet?" (NEXIS)

The New York Times. 13 June 1993. Final Edition. David Binder. "Police Were Fewer than Romanians Feared." (NEXIS)

Senior lecturer in romanian studies, School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University of London. 15 February 1994. Telephone interview.

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 13 March 1992. "Romanian Secret Service Chief on Changes in Organisation; Relations with Hungary." (NEXIS)

The Guardian [Manchester]. 7 January 1994. Henriette Schroder. "Romanians Lived in Terror of Securitate. Is It Over Yet?" (NEXIS)

The New York Times. 13 June 1993. Final Edition. David Binder. "Police Were Fewer than Romanians Feared." (NEXIS)

Helsinki Watch, New York. 14 February 1994. Telephone interview with representative.

Senior analyst specializing in Romanian issues, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Munich. 15 February 1994. Telephone interview

Professor specializing in East-European studies, International Relations Program, University of Toronto. 15 February 1994. Telephone interview.