Most newspapers on Friday read about the controversies stirred by a NY Times article, putting forward the theory that the swine flu might have been caused by the 2007 swine fever registered in Romania and involving US company Smithfield, that owns pig farms both in Romania and Mexico.Elsewhere in the news, Romania's economy seems to get a grip
Cotidianul reads that the NY Times article is centered on the farms US giant Smithfield owns in Eastern Europe, including Romania. In a long shot, the article can be said to imply a connection between the Romanian farms of the US company and the outbreak of the swine flu.
Romanian Health minister Ion Bazac declared that the scientific causes of the virus come from the American continent. Moreover, Bazac implied that the new owner of the American press institution, Carlos Slim Helu might have a personal interest in de-legitimizing the Romanian meat industry.
Carlos Slim Helu, the newspaper reads, is ranked three in top richest men in the world. With an estimated wealth of 60 billion dollars, earned in the telecommunications and constructions industries, Helu holds 6.9% of the NY Times shares.
Moreover, the NY Times article read that Smithfield managed to expand its reach in Romania with the help of the American Ambassador at the time, Nicholas Taubman who lobbied on behalf of the company in Romania.
The article reads that several Romanian politicians help out the company: Liberal Gheorghe Seculici, former vice PM in the Tariceanu government designed the farms of the company and opened up some political doors.
Evenimentul Zilei quotes Seculici declaring that his architecture company, Proiect Arad was contacted by Smithfield after their initial company failed to deliver their contractual terms. Seculici added that his architecture company worked for Smithfield
