Romanian President Shows His Pirate Side

Traian Basescu, President of Romania, during a joint news conference with Microsoft's Bill Gates told press members that he thought piracy had done quite a deal of good for the nation's developing IT industry over the last decade.

This comes as no surprise to Romanian President Traian Basescu. It is estimated that 70% of the software used in Romania is pirated -- and President Basecu is proud of it. In a recent joint news conference with Microsoft chairman and founder Bill Gates, Basecu had this to say about piracy; "Piracy helped the young generation discover computers. It set off the development of the IT industry in Romania." He continued, "It helped Romanians improve their creative capacity in the IT industry, which has become famous around the world ... Ten years ago, it was an investment in Romania's friendship with Microsoft and with Bill Gates."

Mr. Gates did not make any comment in response to President Basescu's but who knows, perhaps Romania will soon be flying the jolly roger along side it's national flag. Undoubtedly pirates world wide are celebrating with a collective "GAR!"