A statement issued today by the management of the Hungarian-Language State Opera and Theater in Cluj objected to construction plans that would relocate a nearby streetcar stop in front of the institution. Work has already commenced without any prior notice being given. According to the statement, the new streetcar stop would prevent vehicles—including the Fire Department—from access to the building, decrease the number of parking spaces available for patrons, and construction noise would adversely disturb the work of artists inside. Árpád Földvári, economic director of the local Public Transport Authority (RATUC), told the Hungarian-language daily Szabadság that there was no reason for the streetcar stop to be placed in front of the Opera, but they had to follow orders given by Mayor Gheorghe Funar's office. City Councilor Károly Pállfy disclosed that the local council would place the issue on its agenda, however currently, only the Cluj County Prefect has the authority to halt the construction. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), November 1, 2002]

At its meeting, the government adopted the implementation provisions of the Law on Restitution of Church Properties 501/2002 [see report of October 3], passed by Parliament on June 25. The provisions are based on proposals prepared by the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania, and include the by-laws for a five-member committee, which will review and decide all claims submitted on a case-by-case basis. This committee consists exclusively of government officials: Attila Markó, Deputy State Secretary from the Ministry of Information; Adrian Marasoiu, State Secretary from the Ministry of Public Administration; Silviu Clim, Advisor in the Ministry of Justice, and one representative each from the Ministries of Finance and Culture, respectively. The by-laws also stipulate that the government committee must assess submitted claims within sixty days after their submission. Occupancy by the rightful owners of properties currently occupied by public institutions such as educational, research, health and socio-cultural institutions, political party headquarters, international organizations and foreign missions, can be delayed for up to five years. [Krónika (Cluj/Kolozsvár) October 18, 2002]

During debate on the adoption of House Resolution 468—expressing support for NATO enlargement—Congressman Tom Lantos, Ranking Member of the House of Representatives’ International Relations Committee, called on Rumania and Slovakia to resolve the issue of the restitution of illegally confiscated Hungarian church and communal properties. Speaking of the “minority rights of two large historic Hungarian communities—the 1.5 million Hungarians in Romania and the 520,000 in Slovakia,” Lantos pointed out that “the major unresolved issue affecting the minority communities of both countries is the continued postponement of the implementation of laws for restitution and/or compensation for communal property confiscated from Hungarian religious and educational institutions.” The Congressman also criticized Romania and Slovakia for delaying property restitution saying that the “progress has been both slow and disappointingly limited.” Lantos urged both countries to pursue restitution “more vigorously in the coming months until fair and complete restitution is implemented according to the rule of law. Only by safeguarding of religious and minority rights and freedoms will the NATO zone of stability be extended to nations that share a demonstrated commitment to democracy and a true community values,” concluded the legislator. [Thomas (thomas.loc.gov), October 7, 2002]

At its meeting, the Rumanian government failed to adopt the implementation provisions of the Law on Restitution of Church Properties 501/2002 adopted by Parliament on June 25. Although the text of the provisions was finalized by the relevant ministries and was on the agenda for adoption by the government, someone found an excuse at the last moment to delay the process, said Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania President Béla Markó. Adoption of the implementation provisions is necessary to begin the de facto restitution of illegally confiscated church properties. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár) October 4, 2002]

The private Sapientia—Hungarian University of Transylvania launched a new department, the first at its Kolozsvár/Cluj campus. 20 students are now enrolled in the Environmental Studies department. Since the University's 2001 inception, the Cluj campus hosts the University Rectorate, a Research Center and various Ph.D. programs. A total of 234 places were available at the Sapientia University for the 2002-2003 academic year. [Sapientia University official website (www.emte.ro); Krónika (Cluj/Kolozsvár), October 1, 2001]