http://www.spacewar.com/2004/041207190449.g6mkzymc.html
Bush urged to order marine suspected in drunk driving death back to Romania
BUCHAREST (AFP) Dec 07, 2004
Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase on Tuesday urged US President George W. Bush to order a US marine to return to Bucharest for questioning in a probe into a drunk driving accident that cost the life of a prominent Romanian rock musician.
"In a letter addressed to Mr. Bush, the Romanian prime minister stressed that the sudden departure for the United States of this marine, a member of the embassy security detail, and his refusal to take a blood alcohol test, sparked outrage in Romanian public opinion," a government statement said.
Nastase also asked that the diplomatic immunity of the marine, Robert Christopher, be lifted "so that he can answer for his actions before Romanian justice."
The Romanian prime minister assured Bush that the US marine would have "legal and correct treatment" in Romania.
Two US prosecutors arrived in Bucharest on Tuesday to take part in the investigation into the causes of the accident in which Teofil Peter was killed before dawn on Saturday when the taxi he was riding in was rammed by a heavy sport-utility vehicle driven, according to media reports, by Christopher.
The 28-year-old taxi driver is said to have sustained serious injuries.
A police breathalyzer test showed the marine had a 0.09 milligram alcohol level in his blood, the Bucharest Daily News reported.
Under Romanian law, people are not allowed to drive after consuming any amount of alcohol.
Reports said the marine refused to take a blood test.
"The results of this investigation will allow us to decide the next step," the embassy said Tuesday, adding that it would keep the public informed of "efforts to clarify the circumstances of this tragic accident."
Peter was a founding member of the rock group Compact, which has produced dozens of hits since it was set up in 1977.
In Washington on Sunday, a spokesman for the US Marine Corps expressed regret over the incident, but refused to disclose any details. "The only thing I can tell is that we are aware of it," said Captain Dan McSweeney. "It's an unfortunate incident."
A new member of the NATO alliance, Romania is trying to forge a close strategic relationship with the United States and has offered the Pentagon a base in Constanta as a possible jumping off point for operations in the Middle East.
All rights reserved. © 2004 Agence France-Presse.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/consumer_news/10360298.htm
Posted on Tue, Dec. 07, 2004
Romanians Want Justice for Rocker's Death
LUCIA STANA-SEVEANU
Associated Press
CLUJ, Romania - Hundreds of fans turned out Tuesday in this Transylvanian city for the funeral of a Romanian rock star killed in a car accident involving a U.S. Marine, who has immunity from prosecution and later left the country.
Teofil Peter, a 50-year-old bass player with the popular Romanian band "Compact," died in the crash early Saturday.
Prime Minister Adrian Nastase appealed to President Bush on Tuesday to help bring the Marine to justice by waiving his immunity from prosecution. He added that the Marine's departure from Romania after the accident has caused outrage.
Nastase said the Marine would "have a fair and equal treatment" in Romanian courts.
Three Orthodox priests officiated the funeral in Cluj, 250 miles northwest of Bucharest.
About 300 mourners turned out for Peter's funeral, including 100 long-haired rock fans who came dressed in black on motorcycles. No songs were sung.
"He was a good man, a generous man who had a lot of common sense," said Ovidiu Moldovan, a 49-year-old engineer who was Peter's neighbor in childhood. "We want the Marine to come back to be tried by those who loved Peter," he added.
Romania had asked American authorities to hand over the Marine for questioning. The Marine allegedly failed to yield at an intersection and hit a taxi Friday night in Bucharest, police said. A breath test showed the Marine had been drinking, police said.
Peter had been riding in the taxi's passenger seat and was killed. The driver had minor injuries.
The U.S. ambassador to Romania, Jack Dyer Crouch, attended the funeral and talked to Peter's son.
Romanian authorities did not identify the Marine, but media reports said he was a guard at the embassy.
Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana said Tuesday a team of U.S. prosecutors arrived in Bucharest to work with Romanian investigators.
He said he told the Americans about the "public and political sensitivity of the case," and the need to have the Marine brought to justice.
"There is a common interest of Romania and America to not erode the sympathy capital that America enjoys in Romania," Geoana said.
The State Department said Monday that the United States is cooperating with the Romanians as they conduct their investigation. He said the Marine Corps also is conducting it's own investigation.
"The Romanian government has asked us to waive his immunity and we are reviewing the request," said Adam Ereli, a spokesman for the State Department.
Ereli also expressed condolences on behalf of the U.S. government to Peter's friends and family.