In a public announcement, Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea resigned, saying his move was sought to end the current political crisis. With President Emil Constantinescu accepting his resignation, Victor Ciorbea stated that he would not resume his position as the Chief Mayor of Bucharest either, as he plans to withdraw completely from public life. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 31, 1998]
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania Senator Péter Eckstein-Kovács assailed Greater Rumania Party President Corneliu Vadim Tudor for publicly demanding the destruction of bilingual signs — "tear them down, destroy them, I will pay all the fines," stated C. V. Tudor in Tirgu Mures/Marosvásárhely. The act is punishable by five months to five years imprisonment. [DAHR Bulletin (Bucharest), Apr. 3, 1998; Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 31, 1998]
Due to the Peasant Party’s protest, the Chamber of Deputies’ Public Administration Committee will again debate the bill that seeks to withdraw Government Decree 22/1997 amending the Law on Local Administration to allow for the placement of bilingual signs and the use of native-language in public administration (see report of March 26). [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Apr. 1, 1998]
The Rumanian daily, Adevarul de Cluj, misleadingly reported that Péter Buchwald, Deputy Prefect of Cluj/Kolozs County, had called for the territorial autonomy of ethnic Hungarians during the conference on national minorities held by the Gáspár Heltai Foundation. In the interim, the daily devoted substantial attention to Cluj/Kolozsvár Mayor Gheorghe Funar’s letter to President Emil Constantinescu, claiming that the "autonomy statement" adopted in the minority conference is "the latest provocation of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania." Moreover, Funar asserts that "as evidenced by the experiences of the past 500 days, there is no political, economic, social stability as long as DAHR is part of the coalition government." [DAHR News Observer (Bucharest) Mar. 30 and 31, 1998; Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 31, 1998]
The Operative Council of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania issued a statement following its Cluj/Kolozsvár meeting, holding that "since the parliamentary support of the current government is not certain, we find it necessary to begin negotiations over the restoration of the coalition along the line of the 1996 election and based on the then adopted common government program. The Operative Council holds that the endorsement of the 1998 budget and the implementation of commonly adopted reforms must not be jeopardized by the postponement of negotiations." [DAHR Bulletin (Bucharest), Mar. 30, 1998]
At the conclusion of the conference on "Culture, Education — Ethnic Identity" organized by the Gáspár Heltai Foundation, representatives of various Eastern and Central European minority groups issued a statement acknowledging that the OSCE process is an appropriate framework for guaranteeing minorities linguistic, cultural, educational and religious autonomy, and eradicating discrimination and anti-minority campaigns. "Beyond the declaration of rights, it is the government’s duty to fully guarantee the implementation of these principles, and it must acknowledge the right to establish minority institutions, performing cultural, educational and religious activities, and ensure their undifferentiated, central financial support," holds the document. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 31, 1998]
Reflecting on Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea’s announcement (see report of March 26), Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania President Béla Markó stated that the Premier had made a mistake and "his statement aggravated the crisis, or perhaps, hastened the resolution." DAHR insisted that the coalition be restored and the Democratic Party return to the government in order to implement long-overdue reforms. "We do appreciate the Prime Minister’s performance, but this government cannot carry on any longer," said the DAHR President. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 27, 1998]
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania President Béla Markó convened the party’s Operative Council for March 28 to evaluate the deepening government crisis and take a position on the issue. [DAHR Bulletin (Bucharest), Mar. 27, 1998]
The Gáspár Heltai Foundation organized a two-day conference in Cluj/Kolozsvár with the participation of numerous experts and representatives of various minorities, among others, ethnic Germans in South Tyrol, ethnic Rumanians in Serbia, and ethnic Swedes in Finland, to explore ways of protecting human and minority rights. In his paper presented at the conference, József Komlóssy recommended that ethnic Hungarians in Rumania follow the example of the ethnic Swedish community in Finland, which comprises 5.8 percent of the population, and possesses its own independent higher educational institution accompanied by the right to use its native-language in public administration. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 28 and 31 1998]
The Cluj/Kolozs County branch of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania declared their support for the ethnic Hungarian historic churches’ drive to collect signatures on a petition calling for the return of illegally confiscated church properties, and asked ethnic Hungarian voters to sign the petition. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 27, 1998]
In an extraordinary public statement tonight, Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea announced he will continue to remain in his position and called upon political forces to try to remove him through constitutional means, namely, a no-confidence motion. In response to the National Liberal Party letter urging his removal, Ciorbea stated that during yesterday’s government session he had called on Liberal ministers to decide within two days if they wanted to participate in the Cabinet or he would commence their suspension from further government work. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 27, 1998]
The Chamber of Deputies’ Public Administration Committee unanimously adopted a bill, negating Government Decree 22/1997, which amends the Law on Local Administration to grant bilingual use. 14 of the committee’s 28 members, among others, Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania and Peasant Party deputies, were absent during the vote. DAHR representative Sándor Kónya-Hamar stated that ethnic Hungarian and Peasant Party deputies did not participate in the meeting so that a quorum could not be established. The Democratic Party chairman of the committee decided nevertheless to hold a voting thereby reneging on his party’s pledge to abide by coalition decisions. (see report of March 19). [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 27, 1998]
Bishop László Tôkés appealed to the State Secretary for Religious Affairs and the Rumanian Parliament to protest the 1 million Lei fine the Timisoara/Temesvár Financial Bureau imposed on the city’s Protestant church for doing its bookkeeping in Hungarian. The statement issued by Tôkés asserts that the Financial Bureau’s action is discriminative and violates the Constitution and the right to native-language use, pointing out that "similar cases were not to be found either under the Ceaucescu regime or the Iliescu system." Article 26 of the 1948 Law on Religion allows churches to use the native language of their believers in their operations. [News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service, (Bucharest), Mar. 25, 1998]
Cluj/Kolozsvár Mayor Gheorghe Funar announced to hold a meeting with the participation of three extremist political forces, in order to discuss the formation of a new political grouping called the Alliance of the Rebirth of the Homeland. The core of this new political organization would consist of the Corneliu Vladimir Tudor-led Greater Rumania Party, the Rumanian National Unity Front headed by Funar, and the Socialist Labor Party. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 25, 1998]
Christian Democratic National Peasants Party President Ion Diaconescu welcomed the decision made by the Council of Representatives of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania over its continued participation in the government. "We are very happy that 80-90 percent of DAHR has expressed solidarity with the government coalition by forging a good relationship between ethnic Hungarian minorities and the Rumanian nation, and that DAHR has further supported this policy. It came at a very good moment and to that extent we will appreciate DAHR’s stance," said Diaconescu. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 24, 1998]
At the conclusion of its Miercurea Ciuc/Csíkszereda conference, the Council of Representatives of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania, the organization’s highest decision-making body, declared overwhelming support for continued participation in the government provided that the implementation of reforms will successfully be accomplished. DAHR has adopted a statement, calling upon the coalition partners to share responsibility for the current political crisis, and begin restoring a constructive majority in Parliament to undertake reforms. DAHR’s proposal embraced a list of priorities, which include that (1) the fulfillment of conditions for European integration must become an internal priority and economic, social, and political reforms must rely on a more definitive system of criteria; (2) restitution, moral and financial compensation for damages caused by the dictatorship, must be swiftly resolved; (3) the coalition must firmly reject all extremist and anti-minority public manifestations-- our alliances must realize that anti-Hungarian propaganda has escalated in public life, jeopardizing the safety of the whole of Rumanian society. Therefore, DAHR feels responsible for the future of the ethnic Hungarian community as well as the entire Rumanian society, the statement concluded. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 24, 1998]
Honorary President of Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania László Tôkés voiced his concern over sacrificing the party’s original goals for the sake of minimal success, as DAHR continues to provide legitimacy for the current government. "For my part political trust is imperative to believing that things will get better once, but up until now, DAHR has been fed only with promises while it has shared humiliation," said Tôkés. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 23, 1998]
"Rumania’s NATO membership must not depend on its European Union accession," stated U. S. Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbot in concluding his brief visit to Bucharest, pointing out that NATO enlargement brings stability and encourages the economic and social development of the organization’s member states. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 20, 1998]
The Christian Democratic National Peasant Party dismissed Senator George Pruteanu for voting against Government Decree 22/1997, granting bilingual signs and the official use of native-language in local administration. Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania President Béla Markó pointed out that this decision was long in coming and that Pruteanu has caused great damage to the coalition by continuously rejecting its agreements. "We can only welcome that the Peasant Party, though belatedly, has decided to take this step," stated Markó. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 19 and 20, 1998]
During talks over the Democratic Party’s rejection in the Senate of Government Decree 22/1997 amending the Law on Local Administration, party President Petre Roman ensured the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania delegation led by President Béla Markó that his party is committed to supporting the exercise of minority rights in local administration, including, among others, bilingual signs and the official use of minority-languages. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 21, 1998]
Democratic Party President Petre Roman proposed that the government issue another decree that would include the minority-related articles found in Government Decree 22/1997 amending the Law on Local Administration, rejected only on account of its provision allowing leaders of local administration to participate in the national government. Roman also stated that Victor Ciorbea has to choose between the post of prime minister and that of chief mayor of Bucharest. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 19, 1998]
In a press conference, Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania President Béla Markó voiced his grave concern over the Senate rejection of Government Decree 22/1997 which would amend the Law on Local Administration 69/1991, granting, among others, bilingual signs and the official use of native-languages in local administration. The Senate’s decision has severe consequences because the government decree brought domestic legislation in concord with European norms as regards local administration, and political conflicts - individual, self-centered struggles - are seriously hampering fundamental reforms in Rumania, said the DAHR president. DAHR Senator Attila Verestóy pointed out, that while a large majority of the senators had approved minority-related articles, the government decree was defeated in the final voting due to the Democratic Party’s objection. "We cannot build a highway in one year, linking Rumania with Europe, but we can adjust our laws to the European legal system if the political will is given," stated Verestóy. DAHR Bulletin (Bucharest), Mar. 18, 1998]
The Chamber of Deputies debate over removal of restrictions on minority educational rights continued today with a scandal prompted by the appearance of Senator George Pruteanu. After a heated dispute, deputies voted 15:13 that Pruteanu has to leave the room. Concerning the publicity of the upcoming sessions, the committee decided that the press may be present, however, should misinformation be reported, journalists could be replaced. Previously, Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania had proposed to hold closed meetings in accordance with house rules, fearing that Deputies would take advantage of publicity and impede constructive work. But this proposal attracted much anger from the press, which threatened to boycott all events of the Chamber of Deputies. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 18 and 19, 1998]
Immediately after Government Decree 22/1997 was defeated in the Senate, Cluj/Kolozs County Prefect Alexandru Farcas ordered the removal of bilingual place-name signs in the county. However, top government secretary Romus Opris dispatched warnings to all prefectures today that the government decree remains legally in effect. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 19, 1998]
United States Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbot has begun a one-day visit to Bucharest and will hold talks on the U.S.’s foreign policy in East Southern Europe. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 19, 1998]
In a secret vote of 73:55, the Senate failed to endorse Government Decree 22/1997 amending the Law on Local Administration 69/1991, granting, among others, the posting of bilingual signs and the use of native-language in local administration. Even though a large majority of senators approved all articles but one, the Rumanian National Unity Party’s proposal of casting secret ballots in the overall vote led to the rejection of the government decree. The article, allowing for local administration leaders to participate in the national government, prompted a heavy dispute and met the Democratic Party’s firm objection because it would have enabled Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea to retain his position as mayor of Bucharest. Chair of the Senate Local Administration Committee Senator Dénes Seres said "As signs indicate, the Democratic Party was not satisfied with the nullification of this article, and rejected the whole government decree." Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania Executive President Csaba Takács called the event unprecedented, which has a grave political message. "It is not an ethnic question that is at issue. It aggravates the situation that as far as the use of native-language is concerned, the rejection of the government decree goes against two international agreements adopted by Rumania. It is more grievous, however, that in Rumania there is no political will to implement widespread reforms on the legislative level," stated Takács. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 18, 1998; DAHR Bulletin (Bucharest), Mar. 17, 1998]
After Orthodox believers and Greek Catholics had engaged in a violent clash over the rightful ownership of the Minorite Church in the center of Cluj/Kolozsvár (see report of March 13), Orthodox leaders were resigned to withdraw from the church and comply with the Bucharest Court’s decision. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 16, 1998]
United States President Bill Clinton greeted the 150th anniversary of the 1848-49 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight in a special statement, stressing that Hungarian events recalled the commitments of the American nation to freedom, individual rights and self-determination. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 14, 1998]
Despite the verdict of the Bucharest Court (see report of February 21), the Orthodox church refused to pass the Minorite Church in the center of Cluj/Kolozsvár into the hands of the Greek Catholics, resulting in a violent clash between believers of the two denominations. While police had to intervene, the incident caused damage to the interior of the church. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 14, 1998]
In a press conference, Democratic Party Vice-President Victor Babiuc firmly stated that his party will not endorse the 1998 budget introduced by Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea, while expressing hope for a new Cabinet to include the Democratic Party. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 13, 1998]
The debate over Government Decree 36/1997 amending the Education Law began in the Chamber of Deputies’ Education Committee with the Greater Rumania Party and Rumanian National Unity Party raising objections to the media’s attendance during the upcoming discussions. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 12, 1998]
The Rumanian Press Association threatened to boycott the sessions of the Chamber of Deputies should the press not be present at committee debates over removal of restrictions on minority educational rights. Deputy Chair of the Chamber of House Educational Committee Ferenc Asztalos stated that too much attention from the press would be unwelcome because Deputies could obstruct constructive debates by giving demagogic speeches. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 13, 1998]
In response to Cluj/Kolozsvár Mayor Gheorghe Funar’s attempt to sabotage the March 15 celebration of the 1848 Revolution organized by the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania, County Prefect Alexandru Farcas stated that the organization does not need permission from the mayor. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 11, 1998]
In a high-level meeting between the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania and the National Liberal Party, NLP leaders expressed support for not changing the texts of the two government decrees amending the Education Law and the Law on Local Administration. [DAHR Bulletin (Bucharest), Mar. 11, 1998]
The Operative Council of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania selected Gábor Varga, researcher and chemical engineer, as nominee for head of the National Patent Office. [DAHR Bulletin (Bucharest), Mar. 11, 1998]
After the Coalition Council meeting, Christian Democratic National Peasants Party President Ion Diaconescu stated that if the Rumanian Parliament rejects the 1998 budget, Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea will resign from his post. Endorsement of the budget has still not been obtained since the Democratic Party withdrew its parliamentary support. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 11, 1998]
In a statement, President Emil Constantinescu called the Democratic Party’s proposal to tackle a new government program "constructive" and "acceptable," while raising concern over the implementation of its plan. The President also called upon the DP to approve the 1998 budget, which would stabilize the economy and resolve the coalition crisis. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 11, 1998]
The Permanent Congress of Historic Hungarian Christian Churches in Rumania publicly called for the return of illegally confiscated church assets and will begin on March 15 to collect signatures on a petition to this effect since the government has failed to take action for the past eight years. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 13, 1998]
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania President Béla Markó convened the Council of Representatives, the organization’s highest decision-making body, for March 21 1998 to discuss internal party affairs. [DAHR Bulletin (Bucharest), Mar. 9, 1998]
In response to Senator Péter Eckstein-Kovács’s statement that the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania does not need permission to commemorate the Revolution of 1848 on March 15, Cluj/Kolozsvár Mayor Gheorghe Funar said only funerals are allowed without his permission and therefore any DAHR commemorations will be in violation of law. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 10, 1998]
"The government will account to Parliament in April for its economic and reform programs," stated President Emil Constantinescu in a statement to Adevarul, in an attempt to resolve the political crisis and urged adoption of the 1998 budget. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 7, 1998]
In a press conference, Senator Péter Eckstein-Kovács introduced the official program of 1848 Revolution commemorations reiterating that since the upcoming events do not conflict with any laws, Cluj/Kolozsvár Mayor Gheorghe Funar’s permission is not necessary. In response to a statement by Ioan Vida Simiti, Peasant Party member of the Chamber of Deputies Education Committee, claiming that the creation of a Hungarian-language university is unreasonable, the Senator Eckstein-Kovács stated that it constitutes part of the government program, therefore a Hungarian-language university cannot be the object of bargaining. He also reiterated that the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania will withdraw its participation from the government if except for the native-language instruction of history and geography, the government decree removing discriminatory provisions from the Education Law is denied. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 9, 1998]
Rumanian Minister for Minority Affairs György Tokay stated that the government decree mandating the return of 17 properties to minorities must come into force within one month. In response to recent damages to bilingual place-name signs, Tokay reiterated that the government decree amending the Law on Local Administration has to be implemented and the prefects should comply with its provisions. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar., 1998]
Greater Rumania Party President Corneliu Vadim Tudor and Rumanian National Unity Party—Funar President Gheorghe Funar issued a proclamation against the Victor Ciorbea-led government, demanding new elections and calling for general strikes. The two party leaders accused the government of acting against pillars of the Rumanian society such as the army, churches and schools, while allowing the standard of living to deteriorate below 1987 levels. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 7, 1998]
The Bucharest Court ruled in favor of Rumanian National Unity Party President Valeriu Tabara over expelled president Gheorghe Funar as regards who is the legitimate head of the party bearing that name. Funar has refused to accept the court’s decision. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar., 1998]
The Rumanian Democratic Convention declared support for the government led by Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea — concluded the Democratic Convention in its national council meeting, pointing out that if the Democratic Party refuses to approve the 1998 budget, it will, undeniably, mean the party’s walkout from the parliamentary coalition. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 7, 1998]
The Inter-Ethnic Research Institute of the Babes Bolyai University, in cooperation with Hungarian Eötvös Lóránd University, has published a detailed survey entitled "Rumanians and ethnic Hungarians in the post communist period—pictures on the way of thinking and inter-ethnic relationship in Transylvania/Erdély." The intention is to put the Rumanian-ethnic Hungarian question into a non-political, scientific context. According to the survey, 80 percent of all ethnic Hungarians interviewed said they speak fluent Rumanian while 17 percent understand the official language. Furthermore, 89 percent of ethnic Hungarians and 75 percent of Rumanians expressed support for Rumania’s European Union accession. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 7 and 10, 1998]
In Cluj/Kolozs County communities, bilingual road-signs have been severely damaged, while police still seek the unidentified perpetrators. Victor Romulus Constantinescu, Chair of the County Council, is demanding the removal of all Hungarian-language road signs in the county (see report of February 13). Ethnic Hungarian Mayor of Savadisla/Tordaszentlászló, Attila Bárdos, said that with the exception of one, all bilingual road-signs have been stolen and one has disappeared in Pusztafenes as well. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 5, 1998]
István Székely, Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania Executive Vice-President stated that the High Court’s ruling on Government Decree 36/1997, amending the Education Law and Government Decree 22/1997, amending the Law on Local Administration are unlawful and will not affect the current parliamentary debate over removal of restrictions on minority rights. Székely pointed out that the two government decrees bridge the legal gap between domestic laws and international covenants signed by Rumania, which mandate the protection of minority rights. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 4, 1998]
President Emil Constantinescu received a delegation from the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania headed by President Béla Markó to discuss immediate government tasks and strengthen cooperation in the coalition. With the President praising DAHR’s contribution to end Rumania’s economic and social crisis, DAHR leaders guaranteed to endorse the 1998 budget, reminding him of strong ethnic Hungarian concerns, among others, the removal of restrictions on minority educational rights. Furthermore, DAHR leaders appealed to the President to officially denounce the recent wave of anti-Hungarian propaganda, which endangers national minorities and Rumania’s European integration. [DAHR Bulletin (Bucharest), Mar. 4, 1998]
In response to Bishop László Tôkés’s statement that the state-subsidized Orthodox church receives 9 billion Lei a year while all other Rumanian churches receives only 100 million Lei (see report of February 28), Minister for Culture and Religion Gheorghe Anghelescu indicated that figures are calculated in based on the size of each denomination according to the 1992 census,. Bartolomeu Anania, head of the Rumanian Orthodox church, stated that Orthodoxy is not a state religion, but an independent, majority one. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 3, 1998]
The City Council of Cluj/Kolozsvár led by Mayor Gheorghe Funar is on the brink of a financial crisis with a 141 billion Lei public debt to 21 commercial companies. Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania councilors appealed to Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea to take measures in supervising the budget deficiency. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 3, 1998]
Cluj/Kolozsvár Mayor Gheorghe Funar decided to prohibit the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania from celebrating the 1848 Revolution on March 15, "Hungary’s national holiday." In his explanation, Funar referred to the 60/1991 law and stated that Rumanian National Unity Party—Funar, Greater Rumania Party, and Vatra Romaneasca have already asked permission to organize demonstrations on this day and he cannot give the go-ahead for DAHR’s celebration because it would lead to conflicts. In response, Cluj/Kolozs County DAHR President János Boros stated that Funar has repeatedly proved his ignorance of law because the 60/1991 law specifically allows for commemoration without prior approval of authority. Therefore, DAHR events, celebrating the 150th anniversary of March 15, 1848, will take place. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 4, 1998; Népszava (Budapest), Mar. 4, 1998]
Árpád Mózes, Lutheran Bishop, stated that despite the government’s pledge to return illegally confiscated properties to the Hungarian Lutheran Church, including among others several schools, no concrete steps have been taken. Additionally, after the government’s announcement, the conditions of buildings have severely deteriorated as most of their doors and windows were stolen. The Bishop also said that Hungarian Lutheran Church of Cluj/Kolozsvár has appealed to the World Council of Churches for support in regaining significant real estate illegally confiscated in the 1960’s and given to the Rumanian Orthodox Church in the 1990’s instead of back to its rightful owners. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 2, 1998]
Ratified by Finland, Holland, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Hungary, Norway and Switzerland, the European Charter of Regional or National Languages went into effect, granting protection for 50 minority languages, and allowing for the native-language use in public administration and jurisdiction. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Mar. 3, 1998]