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I want to express once again the profound regret that we feel over the tragic car accident that took the life of Mr. Teo Peter - to Mr. Peter's family, to his many fans, and to the Romanian people. The accident was a terrible event and on behalf of the U.S. government, I cannot stress enough how sorry we are that it ever occurred. Ever since December 2004, we have said that the accident would be thoroughly investigated. That is exactly what happened. Investigators spent hundreds of hours in Bucharest interviewing witnesses and examining physical evidence. The prosecuting and defense attorneys also came to Bucharest to speak to witnesses and examine the accident scene. The evidence was examined in open court in a trial that was covered by the news media of both countries. The trial featured the testimony of both Romanian and American witnesses. After over a week of testimony, the defendant was found guilty of obstructing justice and making a false official statement. He was found not guilty of negligent homicide and adultery. The trial was carried out, as far as I am aware, according to the relevant U.S. military laws and so I am obliged not to speculate over the court's decision. The United States has an exceptionally close and positive relationship with Romania . We value that partnership. We understand that this case has caused distress to many of our friends in Romania , as it has for us. As Ambassador, I will do everything in my power to assure that nothing like this tragic accident ever happens again. |
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Doresc sa exprim, inca o data, regretul profund pe care il resimtim cu totii fata de tragicul accident de masina care a curmat viata lui Teo Peter. Gandurile noastre se indreapta catre familia lui Teo Peter, catre numerosii sai fani si catre poporul roman. Accidentul a fost o tragedie; in numele Guvernului Statelor Unite, nu pot sublinia indeajuns cat de intristati suntem de producerea acestui accident.
Inca din decembrie 2004 noi am declarat ca accidentul va face obiectul unei anchete minutioase. Ceea ce s-a si intamplat. Anchetatorii au petrecut sute de ore in Bucuresti pentru a interoga martorii si pentru a analiza dovezile fizice. Atat procurorii, cat si avocatii apararii au venit la randul lor la Bucuresti pentru a vorbi cu martorii si pentru a studia locul accidentului. Probele au fost analizate in cadrul unui proces cu usile deschise, la care a asistat presa din ambele tari. La proces au participat atat martori romani, cat si americani. Dupa aproape o saptamana de audieri, inculpatul a fost gasit vinovat de obstructionarea justitiei si fals in declaratii oficiale. Acesta nu a fost gasit vinovat de omor prin imprudenta si de adulter. Din cate stiu, procesul s-a derulat in conformitate cu legislatia militara americana relevanta; prin urmare, nu pot specula pe marginea deciziei curtii judecatoresti.
Statele Unite au o relatie foarte buna si foarte stransa cu Romania. Noi pretuim acest parteneriat. Suntem constienti de faptul ca acest caz a provocat la fel de multa durere multora dintre prietenii nostri din Romania cat si noua. In calitate de ambasador, voi face tot ce imi sta in putinta pentru a va asigura ca un astfel de accident tragic nu se va mai intampla niciodata.