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RADOR: News from Romania, 98-07-06
July 6, 1998
CONTENTS
[01] PNL's Claims of CDR Restructuring Are Exgerated, PNTCD Senator Razvan
Dobrescu Believes;
[02] PAR Is Completely Different from Both PNL and PNTCD, PAR Senator
Laurentiu Ulici Says;
[03] Civic Alliance - Still Outside CDR;
[04] Conclusions at the NGO Forum in Bucharest;
[05] Justice Day;
[06] Celebrations in Bucharest of the US 4-th of July;
[07] An Invitation for Pope John Paul II;
[08] "Cooperative Chance '98";
[09] Tribute;
[10] End of Economic Forum of Regions in Europe;
[11] Fuel Tax Payback.
[01] PNL's claims of CDR restructuring are exgerated, PNTCD Senator Razvan
Dobrescu believes
At his meeting on July 4, the National Council of the ruling National
Liberal Party (PNL) has launched its initiative aimed at restructuring the
Democratic Convention in Romania (CDR) by reducing the number of member
parties in order to increase their power. PNL believes that civic
associations should be excluded from polling lists. Mr Razvan Dobrescu, a
senator representing the Christian Democrat National Peasant Party (PNTCD),
admits that "as there are too many parties within the Convention, neither a
solid ruling majority nor a powerful Opposition can be ensured", but, on
the other hand, "given their previous participation in CDR's political and
parliamentary decision-making, it is very hard to neglect such
organisations". The PNTCD senator said that "PNL stopped short of speaking
up all its plans". "After the talks we had recently, we believe that PNL
would like actually to play an equal role in political and parliamentary
decision-making as the PNTCD used to play. In my opinion, such claimes are
exagerated if you compare the power the two parties have", Mr Dobrescu
concluded. RADOR
[02] PAR is completely different from both PNL and PNTCD, PAR Senator
Laurentiu Ulici says
The leader of Romania's Alternative Party (PAR), Laurentiu Ulici believes
the PNL's initiative aimed at strengthening the CDR member parties "is a
very good idea, but two amendments should however be made". "The PNL or
PNTCD's absorption of smaller parties may be possible only in case such
parties share doctrines similar to those of the PNL or PNTCD. It may happen
however that smaller parties' doctrines - and I give you the very example
of the PAR - and the doctrines of PNL or PNTCD cannot be confused. My idea
is that smaller parties should be left to live independently as members of
the right wing pole", Mr Ulici said. The PAR senator pointed out that a
"rela right-wing pole could not neglect the civic community as long as
Romania's civic community was just emerging". RADOR
[03] Civic Alliance - still outside CDR
In a press communique at the end of its two-day meeting in the Black Sea
resort of Mangalia, the National Coodinating Council of the Civic Alliance
(AC) says that, given the CDR's recent immobility and lack of activity, the
organisation believes that its decision to leave the CDR was absolutely
right. The AC says that, unfortunately, the decision could become final as
there was no indication that the CDR would revigorate. The organisation
belives that the CDR's lack of reaction is getting even more dangerous as
long as efforts are made to restore the former National Salvation Front
(FSN). The delay in revigorating the CDR before the next elections seems a
politically inefficient and electorally incoherent solution. The communique
expresses the AC's support for the draft law allowing access to former
Securitate files as the AC believes that only by getting them out from
under the secret service control political manipulation can be prevented.
RADOR
[04] Conclusions at the NGO Forum in Bucharest
A final resolution has been issued at the end of the two-day NGO Forrum in
Bucharest. The Forum has urged the Sector 2 Local Council in Bucharest to
suspend its decision authorising an annual tax on NGOs for child
protection. The Romanian Television is asked to broadcast the environment
situation along with the weather forecast in order to provide more
information about recent developments in most polluted areas. More than 200
participants representing 120 NGOs, local administration and the Romanian
Government and Presidency have attended the meeting. RADOR
[05] Justice Day
The Justice Day is celebrated avery first Sunday in the month of July. As
Romanian Justice Minister has explained, the "Justice Day is the holiday
expressing the solidarity of all lawyers. I believe that solidarity ensures
the coherence of the judiciary. The celebration would like to point out
that Justice was a milestone in the social build up; there is no balance
without justice; without justice, nothing could be achieved. Our ancestors
used to say that justice was the very ground of a state, and nothing
changed since then". RADOR
[06] Celebrations in Bucharest of the US 4-th of July
The Romanians have enjoyed celebrations occasioned by the US National Day,
the Fourth of July. Music, American popcorn, Coca Cola, colourful balloons
and fireworks - the genuine American style of celebration - have made the
delight of many Romanians in Bucharest. American and Romanian friends have
attended a garden-party hosted by US Ambassador to Romania, JR Rosapepe.
Addressing his guests, the ambassador has provided details concerning the
national costume of a genuine American. The Speaker of the Romanian Senate,
Petre Roman, and Prime Minister Radu Vasile have attended the event.
RADOR
[07] An invitation for Pope John Paul II
While visiting the Vatican on Tuesday, Romanian Prime Minister Radu Vasile
is expected to invite Pope John Paul II to visit Romania in May 1999. The
prime minister informed that he was to address the pope iwth a letter
signed by Romanian President Emil Constantinescu. The Romanian Orthodox
Church is also expected to sent an official invitation to the pope. The
prime minister explained he believed the pope's visit in 1999 would be an
honour for Romania on all plans. The two invitations (by Romania's
Presidency and Orthodox Church) are due to the fact that Pope John Paul is
the head of the State of Vatican and the head of the Roman-Catholic Church.
RADOR
[08] "Cooperative Chance '98"
"Cooperative Chance '98" air military training exercises have started in
the Slovakian town of Sliacin on Sunday. Participants include more than 900
troops representing 20 NATO member and partner countries. The two-stage
training exercise is expected to end by July 10. The first stage will
include peacekeeping and humanitarian operations while the second will
include tactic manoeuvres by fighter planes and other air defence
departments. RADOR
On July 6, the Republic of Moldova is paying a tribute to the victims of
the former Stalinist regime. A meeting comemorationg the massive 1949
deportation of Bassarabians to the Russian northern province of Siberia was
organised in the Moldovan capital of Kishinev on Sunday. The event was
hosted by the Association of the occupation communist regime's victims and
Romanian Army's veterans. A resolution at the end of the meeting called for
an international condemnation of the genocide and restoration of the
survivors' rights. RADOR
[10] End of Economic Forum of the Regions in Europe
Proceedings of the 5th edition of the Economic Forum of the Regions in
Europe ended on Saturday at the Parliament's Palace in Bucharest. The
president of the Coordinating Committee Calin Catalin Chirita, the mayor of
the 5th district of the capital, said participants decided to set up a
partnership agency between Romanian and Western cities and regions. The
partnership covers economic, cultural and social fields. For the time being,
the Forum's proceedings focused mainly on Bucharest's 5th sector City Hall
as a German foundation already expressed its interest in investments in
Romanian hospitals while several Spanish companies were also contacted for
an asphalt plant and tool purchase to help restore routes in Bucharest's
5th esctor. RADOR
[11] Fuel tax payback
Hungarian citizens travelling to Romania can be paid back the fuel tax they
used to pay to Romanian customs. The Romanian Government decided to suspend
the fuel tax for Hungarians. Hungarian citizens should only get to the
costoms point, write a request, fill out an application and then return the
receipt they got when they paid the tax. RADOR
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