Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania Parliamentary Deputy Sándor Kónya-Hamar sharply criticized the government’s performance, stating that "DAHR cannot adopt the Peasant Party’s aggressive politics . . . DAHR has to reconsider whether or not it can participate in the coalition," pointing out that the debate in the Chamber of Deputies over removal of restrictions on minority educational rights is likely to be a watershed in Peasant Party—DAHR cooperation. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 2, 1998]
Bishop László Tôkés stated that the Orthodox church, which is considered to be a state-religion, obtained 9 billion Lei state subsidy last year, while all the other Rumanian churches received only 100 million Lei. This discrepancy generates tensions among churches and indicates that minority churches are not taken seriously. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 2, 1998]
In a meeting, the Gheorghe Funar-led wing of Rumanian National Unity Party decided to stop bickering with incumbent RNUP President Valeriu Tabara over the right to use the party’s official name. Funar decided to form a new party instead and call it RNUP-FUNAR. Furthermore, the Stirea quoted Funar as saying that the governing Democratic Convention "is in the service of dark, foreign, particularly, Hungarian interests." [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 3, 1998]
In response to charges from the five resigning Democratic Party ministers who blame the government for the current economic plight, Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea issued a letter, refuting all allegations point-by-point. Furthermore, the Premier stated that the Democratic Party had been hindering the government’s duties for over five months, and undermined the authority of the political leadership and negotiations with international financial institutions. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 28, 1998]
Democratic Party Vice President Radu Berceanu stated that his party will approve the 1998 budget only if a changed government and prime minister submit it to Parliament since they are responsible for the endorsement of an extremely tight budget. While Democrats have supported talks on reshuffling the cabinet, Christian Democratic National Peasant Party stood firmly by the current government with Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea stating that the 1998 budget will obtain a majority vote in Parliament without Democratic Party’s support. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 27, 1998]
The Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania" is preparing numerous anti-Rumanian events on March 15, the 150th anniversary of the Revolution of 1848," holds a joint statement issued by Greater Rumania Party President Corneliu Vadim Tudor and Cluj/Kolozsvár Mayor Gheorghe Funar. Furthermore, the two leaders claim that these actions will target "the dignity of Rumanians, attempting to achieve territorial autonomy for Covasna/Kovászna, Harghita/Hargita and Marosh/Maros Counties." Although the two extreme nationalist politicians failed to verify their allegations, they demanded that the President and Prime Minister "abide by their oath sworn on the constitution. . . and assure the Rumanian peoples that they will not tolerate actions against Rumanians and a unified Rumanian nation state." [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 27, 1998]
In Cluj/Kolozsvár, unidentified perpetrators mounted Iron Guards placards, advocating fascist ideology at the entrance to the Fürdô Street headquarters of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania. János Boros, Cluj/Kolozs County DAHR President, have informed police and denounced the incident as an incitement to hatred. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 27, 1998]
András Német received a threatening letter to remove the Sincraiu/Kalotaszentkirály-Zentelke bilingual road sign from his private property or else his house will be burned down. Cluj/Kolozs County President of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania János Boros said police had begun an investigation. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 27, 1998]
Negotiations continued over Rumania’s draft 1998 budget with International Monetary Fund criticizing the predicted income from privatization set by the Rumanian government as a minimum 10 billion Lei (1.2 billion US dollar). Finance Minister Daniel Daianu found IMF reasoning realistic especially that "political circumstances are not favorable." At the end of talks with coalition leaders, Democratic Party had repeatedly urged for the resignation of Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea, who told press that "either my resignation is accepted, which is available to the President, the Democratic Convention and the Peasant Party, or these month-long attacks by the Democratic Party must come to an end, which have rendered the government bad service." [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 26, 1998]
The Senate Public Administration Committee headed by Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania Senator Dénes Seres prepared a report on Government Decree 22/1997, amending the 69/1997 Local Administration Law, approving, among others, the placement of multilingual road-signs and the official use of minority languages. [DAHR Bulletin (Bucharest), Feb. 27, 1998]
Christian Democratic National Peasant Party President Ion Diaconescu voiced his disapproval of the press’s interpretation of his Monday statement that the Peasant Party is preparing to make changes in the premier’s post. Earlier, the Democratic Party set March 31 as the deadline for Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea’s resignation lest it withdraw parliamentary support. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 25, 1998]
In an interview given to Szabadság, Cluj/Kolozsvár County Prefect Alexandru Farcas stated that the Government Decree 22/1997, mandating the posting of bilingual signs, runs contrary to a law adopted in 1963, which lists the exclusive official names of communities. Therefore, the Ministry of Minority Affairs must resolve the issue by either abolishing the 1963 law, or updating the current government decree with a list of exact place names. In response, Deputy Prefect Péter Buchwald stated that the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities and Regional Languages ratified by the Rumanian Parliament allows for the placement of bilingual signs (see report of February 1). Moreover, Rumanian Minister for Minority Affairs György Tokay has already dispatched a document with the names of communities eligible for bilingual signs. Therefore, the interpretation of the government decree in effect is a matter of goodwill.[Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 24, 1998]
Following President Emil Constantinescu’s pledge to Budapest over expanding Hungarian-language education at the university level, the Business School of Sfintul Gheorghe/Sepsiszentgyörgy has been enlarged with a new Hungarian-language department, focusing on local administration. The creation of a similar department is under way in Satu Mare/Szatmárnémeti. [Magyar Nemzet, (Budapest), Feb. 24, 1998]
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania Deputy Zsolt Szilágyi and Foreign Affairs Advisor to the DAHR President Tibor Szatmári received a U.S. delegation consisting of Victor Comras, Head of the Office of Eastern European Restitution Affairs in the State Department, and Daniel Sainzot, Political Attache at the U.S. Embassy in Rumania, to continue discussions on the current status of illegally confiscated community and church assets. The United States government pays particular attention to the respect of private properties, and strongly encourages the return of one-time nationalized and confiscated properties to their rightful owners, said the American envoy. [DAHR Bulletin (Bucharest), Feb. 23, 1998]
The Adevarul de Cluj reported that the Cluj/Kolozs branch of the Rumanian National Unity Party accused County Prefect Alexandru Farcas of "participating in the illegal actions of ethnic Hungarians," for not banning Hungarian-language instruction in minority schools. The statement, signed by Victor Romulus Constantinescu, Chair of the County Council, demands the removal of the statue of Pál Vasvári, which was erected with the help of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania. [DAHR News Observer (Bucharest), Feb. 23, 1998]
In response to the Democratic Party’s proposal that before approving amendments to the Education Law the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania should call upon its voters to learn the Rumanian language (see report of February 10), a public statement has been issued labeling the Democratic Party’s demand "insulting and unjustified." The statement holds that "DAHR has fulfilled all commitments made to its coalition partners, however, the same cannot be said about its partners." The 19 signatories, among them writer Géza Domokos, firmly declared that "it is in the fundamental interest of all ethnic Hungarians to master the Rumanian language, and in this respect, there is complete agreement among ethnic Hungarians.’’ Minority existence is not a calamity but a gift, which enables ethnic Hungarians to gain familiarity with two cultures, Hungarian and Rumanian, argues the public statement. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 21, 1998]
The Tirgu Mures/Marosvásárhely branch of the Pro Europa League held a conference in Miercurea Ciuc/Csikszereda with the participation of local authorities, several political parties and non-governmental organizations to discuss ways of sustaining ethnic identity for the region’s ethnic Hungarian population. The conference was attended by Smaranda Enache, Chair of the Pro Europa League and noted human rights activist. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 24, 1998]
On the third opening of the "Hungary-2000" conference in Parliament, attended by over 200 Hungarian scientists, businessmen and politicians living abroad, Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania President Béla Markó delivered a speech, hoping that Rumania’s European integration will bring an improvement in the conditions of ethnic Hungarians with respect for human rights. He stressed, among others, that "It is our [DAHR] vital interest that Rumania join Western security, economic and political systems since Rumania would join NATO and the European Union only with its ethnic Hungarian community, just as much as it would be excluded together with its ethnic Hungarians." [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 23, 1998, DAHR Bulletin (Bucharest), Feb. 20, 1998]
The Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania finds it necessary to increase the pace of government and legislative reforms and put a final end to conflicts, dividing the governing coalition, which has lead to a political crisis. "This is not only in the interest of the coalition, but all of Rumanian society," concluded DAHR President Béla Markó in a press conference held in the party’s Bucharest headquarters. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 20, 1998]
Rumanian dailies reported that Cluj/Kolozs County Superintendent of Schools Ioan Sasarman threatened the principals of three Hungarian-language schools with punishment for allowing Hungarian-language instruction of history and geography, which he considers "not permissible in the present situation." However, Government Decree 36/1997 in effect mandates the native-language instruction of these subjects in minority schools. Ferenc Török, Deputy Superintendent of Schools, discussed the issue with Sasarman who stated that it was Education State Secretary Gorcea Mihai who instructed him so. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 19, 1998]
The Senate Committee on Local Public Administration has endorsed a specific clause in the government decree amending the Local Public Administration Law, which allows communities that are at minimum 20 percent minority-inhabited to post bilingual signs. The opposition stood continued to insist that the threshold be at least 30 percent. Top government Secretary Romus Opris indicated that the higher level would have affected national minorities other than ethnic Hungarians since 263 German, Ukrainian, Russian, Turkish, Croatian place name signs have already been posted. According Opris, however, damages to bilingual road-signs have only occurred in Cluj/Kolozs and Mures/Maros Counties. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 19, 1998]
Chairman of the Senate Education Committee George Pruteanu was not disciplined for violating his party’s directives over removal of restrictions on minority educational rights, despite a recent press report (see report of February 13). Christian Democratic National Peasant Party Vice President Ulm Spineanu indeed assured Senator George Pruteanu that the party’s leadership did not blast him during its meeting. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 18, 1998]
In an open letter, Greater Rumania Party representative Anghel Stanciu demanded that President Emil Constantinescu retract his promise allowing for Hungarian-language education in Rumania made during an official visit to Budapest in January. Stanciu also called upon Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea to recant his verbal agreement with Hungarian Premier Gyula Horn on the establishment of a Hungarian-language university. Stanciu voiced his hope that when the Chamber of Deputies approves the government decree amending the Education Law, it will include discriminatory provisions on minority education as demanded by Chairman of the Senate Education Committee George Pruteanu, which won Senate approval last December. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 16, 1998]
As reported by Medifax, the leadership of Christian Democratic National Peasant Party has disciplined its fellow member, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee Senator George Pruteanu for publicly advocating views that are not in accord with the party’s standpoint on minority education. Even though Pruteanu had demanded severe minority-related restrictions to a government decree amending the Education Law, winning Senate approval last December, he has retained his position as the head of the Senate Education Committee. Concerning the debate in the Chamber of Deputies over removal of restrictions on minority educational rights, Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania representative in the Chamber of Deputies Education Committee Ferenc Asztalos stated that his party and the Peasant Party have agreed to postpone it until February 27. However, as National reported recently, the Senate Committee on Local Public Administration is ready to adopt discriminatory provisions to a government decree, which would only allow communities that are at minimum 30 percent minority-inhabited to post bilingual signs. The Government Decree (No. 22/1997) in effect requires a 20 percent minority population for the placement of bilingual signs. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 13, 1998]
Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea endorsed all three state secretary nominations of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania: Lányi Szabolcs, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, József Birtalan, Ministry of Telecommunication, and Viktor Erôs, Ministry of Privatization. DAHR has also obtained another state secretary post in the Ministry of Youth-Affairs and Sports. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 14, 1998]
Similar to incidents in Baciu/Kisbács and Suceagu/Szucság, unidentified perpetrators have damaged one of the bilingual road signs in Méra. Victor Romulus Constantinescu, Chair of the County Council, demanded the removal of all Hungarian-language road signs in Cluj/Kolozs County, claiming that place names cannot be translated into another language. County Prefect Alexandru Farcas has promised to settle the issue by carefully examining the placement of bilingual signs. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 14, 1998]
Greater Rumania Party President Corneliu Vadim Tudor and Cluj/Kolozsvár Mayor Gheorghe Funar, who was expelled from Rumanian National Unity Party last year, formed an alliance seeking to topple the government for "the rebirth of the homeland within the natural borders of Greater-Rumania." The two leaders are planning to announce a no-confidence motion against the government, while excluding the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania from the governing coalition with the demand of "banning this separatist, unconstitutional, and Hortyst organization." [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 13, 1998; Central European Online (London), Feb.12, 1998]
The Operative Council of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania has appointed Viktor Erôs, an economist, as its nominee for State Secretary in the Ministry of Privatization. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 12, 1998]
Two bilingual road signs have been vandalized again at the city limits of Baciu/Kisbács (see also reports of February 4 and January 31, 23, 17, 2). On this occasion, they were bent to the ground by unknown perpetrators. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 12, 1998]
In a public statement, Honorary President of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania László Tôkés voiced his concern over the deficiencies of resolutions in a series of issues crucial to ethnic Hungarians, for example, the return of nationalized and illegally confiscated community and church assets to their rightful owners, the restoration of a state-funded Hungarian-language university, the halting of forced changes in the ethnic composition of areas populated by ethnic Hungarians, and the official denunciation of recent waves of inflammatory anti-Hungarian propaganda. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 11, 1998]
The Education, Science and Youth Affairs Committee of the Council of National Minorities continued talks over the parliamentary debate of Government Decree No. 36, agreeing to its minimum conditions for minority-language education, which does not conflict with principles of Rumanian-language instruction. The participants confirmed the statement issued by the Council on National Minorities with its supplementary proposals to the government decree, and appealed to the Education Committee of the Chamber of Deputies for the approval of the unchanged version of Government Decree 36/1997 amending the Education Law 84/1995. [DAHR Bulletin (Bucharest), Feb. 12, 1998]
Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea introduced the five new ministers of his reshuffled cabinet to the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies and did not present a new government program for 1998. The Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania did not receive any new ministerial positions in the government. With the Democratic Party adhering to a previously adopted coalition agreement, the Parliament approved the appointment of the new ministers. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 11, 1998]
The Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania wants three of the 11 state secretary positions vacated by the Democratic Party. DAHR proposed Szabolcs Lányi for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, József Birtalan for the Ministry of Telecommunications, while the third position, likely to be in the Ministry of Privatization, is yet to be negotiated with the coalition partners. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 10, 1998]
Prior to the debate over removal of restrictions on minority educational rights in the Chamber of Deputies, the Democratic Party expects the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania to call upon ethnic Hungarians to learn the Rumanian language, said Alexandru Sassu, DP representative. DAHR President Béla Markó stated that DAHR will not respond to the Democratic Party’s request unless it issues an official statement. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 10, 1998]
The Cluj/Kolozs branch of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania issued a protest letter to Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea, Interior Minister Gavril Dejeu, top government Secretary Romus Opris and Minister for Minority Affairs György Tokay, appealing for measures to prevent "commando troops" from further destroying bilingual place-name signs in the County. The letter calls for a criminal investigation and punishment of the perpetrators. Senator Péter Eckstein-Kovács noted the gravity of the situation since in one incident civilian patrolmen did not intervene to prevent the destruction. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 11, 1998]
As reported by Adevarul, Tirgu Mures/Marosvásárhely City Councilors representing the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians Rumania and ethnic Hungarian Mayor Imre Fodor have decided to change several street names in the city in order to preserve the city’s geographic, cultural, ethnic and religious character. Henceforth Milcovului Street will be called Márton Áron, Fabricikor Street will be changed to Károly Kós, and the street between Evreilor and Banat will be called Diet Torda. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 12, 1998]
OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Max van der Stoel released the following statement to the press: "In recent days, I have often been cited as to have said that the international norms and standards, which Rumania signed, do not obligate Rumania to establish an independent, state-funded, minority-language university. Although it is correct, it is also true that none of the international norms and standards prevent Rumania from doing so. Since, there is no such international norm, which would instruct Rumania as to what it should do, in my opinion, it is obvious that the Rumanian government and Parliament, and the relevant educational, cultural and social factors have to make the decision in light of the needs of persons belonging to national minorities." [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 10, 1998]
After days of lengthy talks, the Democratic Party and the three remaining government parties reached an agreement, securing the Democratic Party’s parliamentary support for previously negotiated government bills and decrees. The agreement states that the parties will "abstain from all public statements and actions, which could result in mutual damage" or could jeopardize "the necessary government measures for implementing reforms, " and "would raise tensions among coalition partners." The pact was signed by Presidents of all four parties: Petre Roman, Democratic Party, Ion Diaconescu, Christian Democratic National Peasants Party, Mircea Ionescu Quintus, National Liberal Party, and Béla Markó, Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania. In his evaluation, Markó stated that the agreement contains all necessary principles for cooperation, and includes the creation of two bodies — one to coordinate government policy on the top level, and one to facilitate cooperation between the parliamentary coalition and the government. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 7 and 9, 1998].
Following their meeting on Wednesday, OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Max van der Stoel refuted Chairman of the Senate Education Committee Senator George Pruteanu’s statement that "[van der Stoel] favors integration and not separatist solutions," while proposing a "more restrictive" minority education. As a response, the High Commissioner firmly declared that his opinion will be formulated at the end of his visit, adding that "I believe, everything which facilitates integration is very important because the isolation of various ethnic groups is not preferable. However, I would not like to be cited as the advocator of a more restrictive form of Hungarian-language education." Van der Stoel continued talks with Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania President Béla Markó, and discussed ethnic Hungarians’ aspiration for an independent university in Cluj/Kolozsvár. Regarding Max van der Stoel’s standpoint on the issue, Markó stated that "the High Commissioner’s adherence to a non-restricted native-language education is well-known, and it was demonstrated by his questions during their discussion as well." [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 7, 1998]
"The Deputy Mayor of Kisbács is not Hungarian, but Rumanian; Hungarians only live in Hungary," responded Cluj/Kolozsvár Mayor Gheorghe Funar when asked why he imposed a 40 million Lei fine on József Rozsnyai, the ethnic Hungarian deputy mayor of Baciu/Kisbács. Even though Government Decree No. 22 authorizes the posting of bilingual road-signs, Funar ordered them removed on grounds that they were placed within the city limits of Cluj/Kolozsvár — an allegation that proved false when official city documents were examined. Senator Péter Eckstein-Kovács called this incident one of Gheorghe Funar’s many provocations and pointed out that according to the Penal Code, damaging bilingual signs is punishable by one to five years imprisonment. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 7, 1998]
OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Max van der Stoel began a four-day visit to Bucharest with the mission of trying to alleviate tensions between the majority and minorities by facilitating dialogue and encouraging cooperation. Max van der Stoel will meet, among others, President Emil Constantinescu, the leadership of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania, Education Minister Andrei Marga, and Chairman of the Senate Education Committee George Pruteanu who has been the main driving force behind the Senate’s approval of severe minority-related restrictions to a government decree amending the Education Law. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 5, 1998]
In a public letter, Miklós Patrubány, Chairman of the Transylvanian Section of the World Alliance of Hungarians, has rallied support for the rebuilding of the village of Laslovo/Szentlászló – one of a few thousand-year old communities with a predominantly ethnic Hungarian population in the eastern part of Croatia. During the Yugoslav war, Szentlászló, along with other villages in the region such as Korog/Kórógy and Hrastin/Haraszti, were completely destroyed including its 472 houses and all public buildings. Moreover, the entire ethnic Hungarian population was either killed or fled. Due to the extensive damage, people have not been able to return to their home since the Dayton Accord. As a response, leaders of the Hungarian churches in Transylvania issued a statement, offering their active involvement in the rebuilding of Szentlászló and calling for wider support. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 4, 1998]
According to eyewitnesses, a group of people emerged from a Dacia brand car (license plate no. CJ-07-CLC), hammered down and removed one of the bilingual road-signs in Baciu/Kisbács, which had already been painted over the previous day. The four civilian patrolmen and six civilians standing nearby did not intervene. Hungarian-language signs have recently been exposed to violent attacks in the village with this incident being the fourth in a week. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 5, 1998]
Unidentified vandals set fire to one of the recently posted bilingual road-signs in Baciu/Kisbács, Cluj/Kolozs County by putting a burning car tire on it. At the same time, one bilingual sign was knocked down, while another one was spray-painted in the village of Suceagu/Szucság. The incident of damaging recently-posted official Hungarian-language signs has become endemic in recent weeks. (see reports of January 31, 23, 17, 2). Péter Buchwald, Deputy Prefect of Cluj/Kolozs County stated that Government Decree No. 22, allowing for the placement of bilingual sign is in effect, and therefore, the Prefecture should mandate city mayors to post bilingual signs, while it is the duty of police to investigate if damages occur. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 4, 1998]
The Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities and Regional Languages went into effect today in 13 of the organization’s member states. The agreement, which Rumania was one of the first to sign in 1993, guarantees broad political, cultural and religious rights for minorities, among others, the right to native-language education, while banning restrictive measures and forced assimilation. Reflecting on the agreement, Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania Senator Péter Eckstein-Kovács emphasized its relevance to the ethnic Hungarian community, pointing out that two of its provisions, "from the point of view of ethnic-Hungarians could be applied to current political issues," namely, (1) the exercise of native-language in local administration, and (2) the placement of bilingual signs. If the Rumanian Parliament ratifies the Council’s agreement, it will override all domestic laws that are not in accord with its provisions.[Magyar Hírlap (Budapest), Feb. 2, 1998; Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Feb. 4, 1998]