American Jewish Committee Hosts Romanian Prime Minister; Supports Nato Expansion

American Jewish Committee
Monday, 23 June 1997

American Jewish Committee leaders met with the Prime Minister of Romania, Victor Ciorbea, today to discuss his country's strong desire to be included in a second round of NATO expansion, and Romania's dramatic progress in institutionalizing its democratic processes and adopting economic reforms.

The Prime Minister also discussed the steps that the government of President Constantinescu is taking to address issues of restitution of property previously owned by Jews and other minority groups in Romania. These steps include the conversion of the Council of Minority Affairs into a formal government ministry and the introduction of two bills advancing restitution efforts in the current session of the Romanian parliament. The AJC delegation underscored the importance of restitution efforts and the desirability of addressing them expeditiously.

The AJC leaders commended the Romanian leadership for its commitment to democracy and open markets and stressed the organization's support for the U.S. Administration's position to encourage expanded strategic, political and economic cooperation among the European nations. AJC President Robert S. Rifkind emphasized that the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact has poised the peoples and states of Europe at one of those infrequent moments of historical definition when the choices are clear and the alternatives stark. The AJC believes that NATO expansion is a fitting policy to further the cause of stability, security, democracy and economic reform in the new and revitalized nations of Central Europe.

AJC Executive Director David A. Harris urged Romania to further expand its bilateral ties with Israel and to stand firm against Iranian support for international terrorism. Mr. Harris praised the recall of the Romanian ambassador from Tehran following a Berlin court's verdict in the notorious "Mykonos" case. He also welcomed the Prime Minister's assurance that the Constaninescu government would move forcefully to prevent unauthorized sales of weapons or other dangerous technologies to rogue states and groups that pose a threat to democratic nations and societies.

The meeting, at the AJC's National Headquarters, included Minister of Ethnic Minorities Gyorgy Tokay, Romania's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ion Gorita, and Romania's Ambassador to the United States Mircea Geoana.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org