Rumania
July 1998
Executive Order 13, which calls for the return of all property taken by the government through unjust means from minority groups in Rumania since 1940, was finally published in the 225th issue of the Official Gazette on July 8. The government now has 30 days to form a committee which will determine if the property is being rightfully returned in each situation. (see report of June 30) [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul.16, 1998]
During his visit to America, Rumanian President Emil Constantinescu declared in a speech before the U.S. Congress that the Rumanians had found several solutions to problems with ethnic minorities, mentioning in particular the fact that the Hungarian parliamentary representatives are part of the ruling coalition and participate in running the country. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul.16, 1998]
Attila Sebesi-Karen, Vice President of Culture for the Cluj/Kolozs County branch of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania, refuted the Cluj mayor’s claim that ethnic Hungarians were responsible for disgracing the graves at the Házsongárd cemetery. Sebesi-Karen added that, upon a visit to the cemetery, the incriminating red, white, and green wreaths mentioned by the mayor were nowhere to be found. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul.15, 1998]
The Parliamentary Council on Foreign Affairs declared that Smaranda Enache would not make a good ambassador because she defends the ethnic Hungarian minorities in Rumania. Ironically, the majority of the Council consists of groups who call themselves democratic and are supposedly cooperating with the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul.15, 1998]
The Cluj/Kolozsvár City Council voted down Mayor Gheorghe Funar’s proposition that the Dragonslaying St. George statue be moved from its current location in front of the Reformed Church on Farkas Street to the front of the Fourth Transylvanian Troop Headquarters. It is still possible, however, that this clearly anti-Hungarian proposal will be placed on the agenda once more. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul.14 & 16, 1998]
The Dermata-Clujana Leather and Shoe Factory Trade School once more offered its Hungarian-language classes. Unfortunately, no one applied for the Hungarian program, which in inidcative of the sad state of affiars for Hungarian-language trade schools in Rumania, as the students doubt it would benefit them to learn the trade in a minority language, according to school officials. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul.14, 1998]
Thirty-five members of the Rumanian Parliament addressed a letter to Prime Minister Radu Vasile declaring their opposition to the request of 163 Hungarian professors and staff of the Babes-Bolyai University that six Hungarian-language departments be establsihed there until the independent Hungarian university becomes a reality. The reason given for opposing this request is once more the view of certain members of Parliament that the Hungarians are demanding ethnic separatism. The Cluj/Kolozs county branch of the Rumanian Social Democratic Party (RTDP) is also ehemently opposed to this measure, according to county representative Grigore Zanc, who accused the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania of exercising a dictatorship over ethnic Hungarians. Zanc added, "it is the duty of all political power to bring about a decision that will put an end to the efforts of Hungarians to destabilize the country and posion ethnic relations." [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul.13, 1998]
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania (DAHR) President Béla Markó discussed the relationship of the DAHR with the rest of the Rumanian Government in the recently-concluded parliamentary session in an interview with MTI Press Service. Markó stated that it particularly affected the ethnic Hungarian minority that neither the amendments to the Education Law nor the Law on Local Government had been passed, although DAHR did have some recent successes with the appointment of Senator Gábor Kozsokár to the Constitutional Court and Zsolt Gálfalvi’s nomination to the state television commission. Although he claimed that postponing some of these measures could be beneficial because of the disputes within the ruling coalition, Markó feels that, since the inception of the new government, DAHR has been hurt by having to fight for those measures it had already achieved. DAHR Minister György Tokay, however, did have an optimistic view: he feels that since many of the goals of the DAHR are part of the ruling coalition’s program, they will eventually be passed. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul.13, 1998]
Gábor Hajdú was sworn in as the new Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania Minister of Health. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul.14, 1998]
The Bistrita-Nasaud/Beszterce-Naszód county School Supervisory Committee initiated a Hungarian-language trade school in Beclean/Bethlen because of the large Hungarian population. The ethnic Hungarians in the area, however, felt it was easier to sit for the exams in Rumanian because there are only two as opposed to three in Hungarian and unfortunately very few students applied to the Hungarian-language school. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul.11, 1998]
The Temes county branch of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania (DAHR) submitted a request to Costin Georgescu, director of the Rumanian Press Service (SRI), asking that they publish the Securitate file on Dr. Ferenc Bárányi in its entirety. DAHR added they are not trying to cause problems by specifically accusing the SRI of selectively publishing excerpts from the file. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul.10, 1998]
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania Senator Gábor Kozsokár was elected to the Constitutional Court for a term of nine years. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul.10, 1998]
In an interview with the Vienna daily Kurier, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán indicated that his government feels great responsibility for the fate of Hungarians in neighboring countries, adding that the physical boundaries of a state do not coincide with those of a nation, and that this is what he hopes the current Rumanian government will realize in cooperating with Orbán’s cabinet. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul.10, 1998]
Entrance exams to the Hungarian-language trade schools at Turda/Torda and Dej/Dés show that few students have applied to the Hungarian schools. School officials are upset but not surprised; in the first place it is not uncommon to wait until September for classes to fill up, and secondly they feel that in Turda it is at least partially due to the fact that girls do not apply to the automechanic school. School officials at Dej, however, are particularly disappointed because they had managed to establish two Hungarian schools, neither of which have full classes at the moment. Both schools are relying heavily on more students after the make-up exams. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul.9-10, 1998]
Historian and mayor of Budapest’s first district Dr. Tamás Katona discussed his opinion of the situation of Transylvanian-Hungarians in an interview with Szabadság. He stated that questions involving ethnic groups are best solved by local autonomy, but that one would have to wait for such a step to occur in Rumania. When asked for his opinion on the the reestablishment of an independent Hungarian-language university in Cluj/Kolozsvár, Katona said that he found it perfectly natural that 2 million Hungarians would want their own university and that, in a situation such as this where no one would be harmed, it should not be up to the state to decide. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul.9, 1998]
Dr. Ferenc Bárányi agreed with the choice of lawyer and Harghita/Hargita county senator Gábor Hajdú to fill his old position as Minister of Health, and the Parlimentary Council for the Ministry of Health voted to approve Hajdú’s nomination. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul. 8, 1998]
The St. László Academy, working with the support of the Hungarian World Federation, hosted a lecture series held in Budapest from June 23 to July 8 for ethnic Hungarian journalists all over the world. These two organizations host many other such conferences for the purpose of uniting Hungarians everywhere through their concern for issues which affect the Hungarian nation. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul. 11, 1998]
The Ferenc Szutsáki Youth Foundation held its third camp for underprivileged children in Padureni/Erdôcsinád from June 29 to July 5. The purpose of the camp, called Bellflower (Harangvirág), is to familiarize ethnic Hungarian children with their native language and culture through the use of games. [Népújság (Targa Mures/Marosvásárhely) Jul. 8, 1998]
Mures/Maros county representative Károly Kerekes submitted a proposition to the Permanent Parliamentary Bureau to amend law 119/1996 and allow minority groups to conduct marriage ceremonies in their native languages. [DAHR Bulletin (Bucharest), Jul. 7, 1998]
The 9th Annual Bálványosi Summer Free Lecture Series will be held at Baile Tusnad/Tusnádfürdô from July 19-26. Organisers of the lectures include the [Hungarian] Pro Minoritate Foundation, the [Rumanian] Foundation for Pluralism, Democracy After Communism, and Youth for Democracy, among others. This international lecture series was first founded in 1990 when the young Hungarian political group Fidesz met with representatives from Transylvanian-Hungarian youth groups, and the goal was to give people in both these areas a forum in which to air the concerns that arise from a changing regime. Some issues to be discussed this year include multiculturalism, Rumanian-Hungarian cooperation and culture, and reforms, particularly in the area of minority issues. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul. 7, 1998]
Education Ministry Secretary of Minority Affairs József Kötô declared that, in light of the recent arguments within the coalition over the reestablishment of the Hungarian-language university in Cluj/Kolozsvár, he does not see the need for his position because he does not think it likely that a council will be established to organize the independent university. While the Education Ministry continues to speak of multiculturalism as realized in the Babes-Bolyai University (and as opposed to an indepdendent Hungarian university), Kötô pointed out that currently true multiculturalism does not exist in Babes-Bolyai either, for the Rumanian majoirty in the university senate does not allow independent groups within their ranks, and there is no Hungarian-language instruction in many important subject areas. He called the situation anti-democratic because the majority is attempting to dictate to the minority what is good for them. In conclusion, Kötô emphasized that he accepted his position because he wanted to bring the coalition’s program to fruition, but he feels he is representing only the viewpoint of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania and is receiving support from neither the Education Ministry nor the coalition partners. Kötô is not very optimistic about the reestablishment of the university under these circumstances. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul. 6, 1998]
The Democratic Party initiated a new series of debates within the governing coalition over its role in the state-owned television advisory board. The Democratic Party has decided that it wishes to increase its power within the board by taking over all of the representatives from other parties (specifically 9 from non-Hungarian minorities), with only the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania retaining some power as it would send one representative for all of the minority groups within Rumania. Great opposition arose to this plan, as it would not only diminish minority representation but also give cause for fighting among the minority groups over choosing a representative. A decision should be reached by the proper committees on July 6. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul. 4, 1998]
The councilmen of Rumanian cities beseiged by floods are asking that the money set aside for the reestablishment of the independent Hungarian-language university in Cluj/Kolozsvár be be given to the victims of the floods. The statement reads, "In this situation we find it unacceptable that the ethnic Hungarians receive privileged treatment while the flood victims are not even assured enough to sustain life." However, according to President János Boros of the Cluj county branch of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania, this complaint was generated at the request of the mayor, and it is unrealistic because "the money they are talking about does not actually exist since as of yet no decision has been made about the reestablishment of the Hungarian-language university. This is just an attempt by the mayor to get media attention in light of the upcoming elections." [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul. 4, 1998]
After Council of Europe spokesman Gunar Jansson was quoted in the Bucharest daily Adevarul as saying that an independent Hungarian-language university in Cluj/Kolozsvár would further ethnic ghettoes, Jansson clarified his viewpoint as per the request of Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania Senator György Frunda (see report of June 30). Jansson stated that Rumania’s duty is to solve the minority question in a manner that will put the ethnic groups on an equal level with the Rumanians and is also in accordance with international norms. However, the Adevarul printed Jansson’s statement in such a manner that made it appear Frunda had coerced Jansson into altering his earlier view. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul. 4, 1998]
The Operative Council of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania (DAHR) has recommended lawyer and Hargita county senator Gábor Hajdú to fill the position of Minister of Health left open by Dr. Ferenc Bárányi, who vacated the position after his alleged dealings with the former Securitate came to light. Although the DAHR had to choose from several candidates and earlier favored Dr. Géza Molnár of Cluj/Kolozsvár, they decided that a politician and not necessarily a doctor was needed for the position because of the need to institute health care reform. Because, as a lawyer, Hajdú considered himself an unlikely candidate, the nomination came as a surprise to him. Prime Minister Radu Vasile holds no objection to Hajdú’s nomination. According to DAHR Senator Atilla Verestóy, Hajdú did not have any sort of dealings with the former Securitate. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul. 6, 1998]
The Operative Council of the Democratic Allliance of Hungarians in Rumania (DAHR) specified the manner in which DAHR officers should prepare their statements regarding any past dealings with the Securitate and to whom they should submit these statements. The Operative Council further debated how they should move toward an agreement with the coalition partners after the Education Ministry violated the coalition protocol with respect to the independent Hungarian-language university. If an agreement is not reached, the Council of Alliance Representatives (SZKT) will make a decision and cooperation with the coalition parties will become impossible. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul. 6, 1998]
The Education Committee of the Chamber of Deputies continued its debate of amendments to the Education Law. Democratic Alliance of Hungarians (DAHR) committee member Ferenc Asztalos stated that "faith in the coalition has been lost, for it is impossible to imagine long-term cooperation if every member must be paying attention to [the program of his own party]." The committee finally succeeded in agreeing that not only elementary schools (grades 1-4) but also middle schools (grades 5-8) would be allowed to use their own textbooks. A majority of the committee was in favor of allowing native-language instruction in geography and history in only grades 1-4. Some ultra-nationalists spoke out against the "dangerous political agenda" of DAHR and accused it of attempting to isolate ethnic Hungarian youth because of their desire to create an independent Hungarian university, but Asztalos countered this by saying that such accusations could only be true if the DAHR wanted the committee to accept an amendment requiring all Hungarian students to continue their education at the Hungarian university. Supporting his earlier statement that the coalition was no longer functioning as one, Asztalos pointed to Virgil Petrescu, spokesman for the National Peasant Party, who recommended an amendment that would not be in favor of the Hungarian-language university even though two representatives from his party were decidedly in favor of the DAHR’s agenda. Therefore, Asztalos recommended that the final vote should be postponed until they are able to bring about a coalition conference committee. Deliberations will continue either in August or in the fall parliamentary session. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul. 3, 1998]
The Court of Appeals rejected former deputy Secretary of State for the Industrial Ministry István Király’s plea for a shorter prison term. Király was arrested in February 1995 for hoarding illegally obtained confidential documents in his home, allegedly to leak them abroad, and he was sentenced to 16 years in prison in October 1997. Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania (DAHR) Senator György Frunda spoke on Király’s behalf: "The DAHR has taken some steps and plans to take further steps to insure that István Király receives justice. As a lawyer I can say that he did not commit the crime he is in prison for. Since the [Court’s] decision is final, we can only help him with a mercy plea or a final appeal. . . and we are exploring both options to find the best possible solution." [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul. 4, 1998]
Havasi Gyopár ‘98, the yearly Rumanian troop exercises held this year in Harghita/Hargita and Covasna/Kovászna counties, concluded after ten days. The local governments had been surprised by the sudden announcement that the exercises would be held precisely in the two counties where the most ethnic Hungarians reside, which they feel was an attempt by the Rumanian government to inflict the damage that is sometimes the result of these exercises upon the Hungarians. The counties claim that furthermore it was a purposive attempt to create undue stress in the lives of these residents. The organizers of these exercises countered that it is routine practice not to announce their location in advance and also that the decision had no connection with the events in Kosovo/Koszovó, which had been one accusation. ." [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul. 4, 1998]
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania President Béla Markó took part in the 6th annual Sub-Carpathian [Ukrainian] Free Summer Lecture Series held in Szinevér from June 29 to July 3. Markó participated on behalf of the Pro Minoritate Foundation and the [Kárpátaljai] Hungarian Cultural Council; he addressed EU integration and the situation of ethnic Hungarians all over the world. [DAHR Bulletin (Bucharest), Jul. 6, 1998]
After several weeks hiatus, the Education Committee of the Chamber of Deputies began debate of amendments to the Education Law removing discriminatory provisions. As opposed to previous debates, on this occasion Greater Rumania Party Committee Chairman Anghel Staniu was not successful in passing a motion on secret voting. The first clause up for debate was Article 8, Paragraph 1 where the recommended amendment of ``education occurs in the Rumanian language'' to ``education occurs in the Rumanian language, as well as in the languages of minorities and languages spoken throughout the world'' was adopted. Surprisingly, Democratic Party and Christian Democratic National Peasant Party deputies voted against this amendment, including the author of Government Decree No. 36, Deputy Virgil Petrescu. The next provision up for debate was Paragraph 2 where the amendment was rejected and the original provision in the 1995 law retained, making mastery of the Rumanian language mandatory. Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania committee member Ferenc Asztalos stated that this clause was clearly intended for minorities because otherwise it's ``ridiculous'' to mandate that the majority population learn to master its own native-language The other amendment adopted was that all official educational documents are to be issued in Rumanian but other school documents can be issued in the language of instruction. Furthermore, schools can issue translations of official documents. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul. 2, 1998]
The June 30 meeting of the Council of National Minorities issued a letter to the Parliament's Audio-Visual Council and Rumanian Television (RTV) objecting to the rescheduling of the ``non-Hungarian'' minorities' television program ``Co-existence'' to the less-frequented viewing time of 2 p.m.. In addition, the program is broadcast on Channel 2, the station not received in those regions where the targeted audience, the majority of minorities live. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul. 1, 1998]
Customs officials at border crossings have continued to collect the gasoline tax on the pretext that retraction of Government Decree 812/1994 initiating the tax was not published in the Official Monitor [see report of June 27]. In fact, Official Monitor Issue No. 232 dated June 25, 1998, published the government decree of June 22, 1998 rescinding the tax. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Jul. 1, 1998]