November 1998
In a statement, the Cluj/Kolozs County Federation of Teachers' protested the placing of a commemorative plaque on the facade of the Hungarian-language István Báthory Lyceum on November 27, 1998. Several county officials attended the ceremony. Objection stemmed from the fact that neither the Ministry of Education nor the Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments had granted the necessary permission. The plaque commemorates ethnic Rumanian intellectual Aron Pumnul for whom one exists in the school. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 30, 1998]
A study prepared by Education State-Secretary József Kötô and László Murvai concluded that Hungarian-language education in Rumania continues to be restricted. Official statistics indicate that ethnic Hungarian students are under-represented in universities, for example in the 1997/98 academic year, 236,024 students were enrolled in higher-educational institutions. Among them only 10, 397 were ethnic Hungarian, constituting 4.4 percent of the entire body of students. However, based on the 1992 census the ethnic Hungarian community accounts for 7.1 percent of the country’s population. The study also pointed out that native-language entrance examinations are either not allowed or not respected in 57 higher-educational institutions. The forming of Hungarian-language study groups are also hindered in the area of legal, economic and European studies, chemistry, ecology, technical geology and industrial physics, said the authors. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 28, 1998]
The government committee entrusted with the preparation of a report on the Petôfi-Schiller Hungarian-German language university proposed that academic divisions and departments be created in areas such as law, agriculture, economy, political and technical sciences, where native-language education is lacking. Education State-Secretary József Kötô said the first part of the report, scheduled for completion on December 15, would discuss the independent state-funded Hungarian-language university while the second part would describe the structure of the Petôfi-Schiller bilingual university located in Cluj/Kolozsvár, Tirgu Mures/Marosvásárhely and Sibiu/Nagyszeben. Rumanian dailies reported that 90 percent of the 500 million Lei, allocated by the state to cover the expense of the committee, had remained unused. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 30, 1998; Romániai Magyar Szó (Bucharest), Dec. 4, 1998]
With opposition parties suspending their participation in Parliament, the Chamber of Deputies approved Government Decree 36/1997, mandating the Education Law, by 188 votes with no objections. Although the government decree confirmed positive steps, such as entrance examinations in native-languages and the instruction of Rumanian literature and grammar from special minority textbooks from 1 to 9 grades, Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania (DAHR) said it could not accept the government decree for omitting Article 123 that would allow for a minority-language university. The government decree also includes the definition of multicultural universities as demanded by Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies Education Committee Anghel Stanciu [see report of October 21, 1998], which states that the language of instruction in multicultural universities is Rumanian with the inclusion of one universally-spoken language and possibly minority languages. Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies Education Committee Ferenc Asztalos stated that the reason DAHR still voted for the government decree was that when opposition parties boycott Parliament, adherence to coalition discipline becomes very important. Moreover, the endorsement of the government decree opens the way for setting up a conference committee of 8 coalition and 6 opposition members, which has to prepare the final text of the government decree since the text adopted by the Senate is different from the one adopted by the Chamber of Deputies. DAHR hopes to include the establishment of native-language universities in the final form of the government decree, removing the discriminatory definition of multiculturalism. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 26, 1998; News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Nov. 27, 1998]
The Chamber of Deputies approved the Hungarian-Rumanian Equivalency Agreement, allowing for the mutual recognition of certificates, diplomas and academic ranks. The Senate had already approved the agreement which will go in effect after ratification is announced. The education ministers of the two countries signed the Equivalency Agreement in Bucharest on June 7, 1997, however, former Chairman of the Senate Education Committee George Pruteanu successfully buried the motion until March 1998 when the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania initiated its revival. [News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Nov. 26, 1998]
"It’s about time the extreme nationalist parties in Rumania were banned," wrote Doina Cornea, professor at the Babes -Bolyai University and internationally recognized human rights activist, in a letter to the Spokesman of the Chamber of Deputies and Peasant Party President Ion Diaconescu published in the Rumanian daily National. Although Cornea stated that the letter was strictly confidential, she confirmed protest over the statement made by Greater Rumania Party President Corneliu Vadim Tudor during the November 21 demonstration in Cluj/Kolozsvár [see report of November 21] that threatened primarily ethnic Hungarian leaders with severe atrocities. Corneliu Vadim Tudor’s xenophobic and anti-Semitic statements provide sufficient grounds for the government to outlaw his extreme nationalist political organization as mandated by the constitution, said Doina Cornea. [Népújság (Tirgu Mures/Marosvásárhely), Nov. 26, 1998]
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania President Béla Markó convened the Council of Representatives, [the organization’s highest decision-making body] for December 12 in Tirgu Mures/Marosvásárhely. The council will discuss, among others, the party’s social and youth policy, prepare for the parliamentary debate of the minority bill, and proceed with internal elections. [DAHR Bulletin (Bucharest), Nov. 25, 1998]
In an official statement, the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania (DAHR) voiced grave concern over the chauvinistic, anti-minority and anti-Hungarian statements made during the November 21 demonstration in Cluj/Kolozsvár, which was organized by the Greater Rumania Party. "It is obvious to us that the aim of these hatred campaigns and fascist attacks is to force Rumania to abandon the course of reform and democratic transition, prevent the consolidation and functioning of law-based democratic institutions and block the country’s European integration," said the statement, continuing that "Greater Rumania Party President’s statement in Cluj amounts to a hate crime and instigation against national minorities." DAHR appealed to the Attorney General, the judicial bodies and the competent ministries to conduct an investigation and punish the lawbreakers for their actions. The organization also appealed to President Emil Constantinescu to denounce the recent act, which jeopardizes the country’s political stability and damages Rumania’s reputation abroad. "DAHR will continue to stand for the cooperation of democratic political parties, the continuation of reforms aimed at the economic and social recovery of Rumania, and the country’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration," stated the document. [DAHR Bulletin (Bucharest), Nov. 24, 1998]
With the Ministry of Justice approving the necessary documents, rightful ownership for three illegally confiscated properties during communism have been restored, namely, the Petôfi-House in Bucharest, the former headquarters of the Transylvania Museum Association and the Avram Iancu Square building of the Hungarian Reformed Church Bishopric, both in Cluj/Kolozsvár. Attila Markó, Head of the Legal Department of the Government Office for the Protection of National Minorities, said that the new owners have to come to agreement with the institutions currently located in these buildings. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 26, 1998]
Cronica Romana reported that Corneliu Regus, President of the Alliance of Ukrainians in Rumania, appealed for bilingual signs in the Ukrainian-language schools in Suceava County. The president referred to examples in Marmatiei/Máramaros County where bilingual signs are widespread in communities with ethnic Ukrainian majorities. [DAHR News Watch (Bucharest), Nov. 24, 1998]
The opposition parties Rumanian Social Democracy Party, Rumanian National Unity Party and Greater Rumanian Party rejected President Emil Constantinescu’s invitation for talks to resolve the current situation in Parliament. Opposition leaders said last week they would continue to boycott Parliament until coalition parties sign a written pledge, guaranteeing to respect their rights. The opposition’s fury was prompted by the Chamber of Deputies' refusal to approve severe restrictions to native-language higher education for minorities [see report of November 17]. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 26, 1998]
In an interview to Szabadság, Minister for Minority Affairs György Tokay said that the new Petôfi-Schiller Hungarian-German language university must fill the gaps currently existing in Hungarian and German language higher education. The new university has to be established in university towns where tradition and infrastructure have both made deep inroads. Therefore, the German part of the university would be in Sibiu/Nagyszeben while the Hungarian part would be in Cluj/Kolozsvár and Tirgu Mures/Marosvásárhely, pointed out the minister. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 23, 1998]
In a statement, the Cluj/Kolozsvár branch of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania protested over the growing wave of inflammatory propaganda against the ethnic Hungarian community [see report of November 21 and October 15], pointing out that "the wavering nature of Rumanian democracy, the government’s indecisiveness and the worsening economic situation provide fertile ground for extreme, fascist manifestations" [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 23, 1998]
Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies’ Education Committee Anghel Stanciu appealed in a letter to all coalition party presidents demanding that Prime Minister Radu Vasile revoke government decrees allowing for an independent Hungarian-language university and a Hungarian-German bilingual university. Stanciu also called on the government not to restore ownership for the 1,586 illegally confiscated church properties. [Napi Magyarország (Budapest), Nov. 21, 1998 ]
In Cluj/Kolozsvár, a demonstration advertised as the preliminary celebration of the December 1st national holiday appeared to be a discriminatory, hate campaign against reforms, the government and the ethnic Hungarian minority. Speakers, among others Greater Rumanian Party President Corneliu Vadim Tudor and Cluj Mayor Gheorghe Funar, voiced the superiority of the Rumanian nation over barbaric Hungarians, condemned the country’s current leadership, saying that it consists of traitors and the Mafioso, and described ethnic Hungarians as indecent, mortal enemies of Rumania aiming to destroy the country. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 23, 1998]
During a Peasant Party meeting in Satu Mare/Szatmárnémeti, Interior Minister Gavril Dejeu warned that while the minority rights enumerated in the Framework Convention must be guaranteed, exaggerations threatening the unity and the territorial integrity of the Rumanian nation state must be avoided. [Népújság (Tirgu Mures/Marosvásárhely), Nov. 24, 1998]
The Democratic Party’s national convention revoked party membership from former Foreign Minister Adrian Severin and parliamentary deputy Adrian Vilau for their alleged violation of the party’s by-laws. Following the two politician’s exclusion, Senator Octavian Stireanu announced his withdrawal from the party as well. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 23, 1998]
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania Executive President Csaba Takács stated that after the Chamber of Deputies' Tuesday decision [see report of November 17, 1998], native-language higher education remains an open question which will depend on political conciliation. Takács anticipates an offensive to be launched, as in the past, by the Rumanian press to prevent Parliament from approving the original version of the government decree, which would allow for the establishment of an independent Hungarian-language university. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 19, 1998]
Medifax reported that Director of the Defense Ministry’s Political Department, Constantin Dudu Ionescu will participate in the Operator 1998 military exercises in Miercurea Ciuc/Csíkszereda (a city with a large ethnic Hungarian population and an ethnic Rumanian minority) intended to simulate intervention in a "moderate conflict zone." [Romániai Magyar Szó (Bucharest), Nov. 19, 1998]
The Bucharest Military Court acquitted, for the third time, General Constantin Rotariu, Colonel Ioan Paun and Captain Gheorghe Constantin of shooting civilians protesting in front of the Lippa Street garrison in Timisoara/Temesvár on December 17, 1989. The accused stated that dictator Nicolae Ceaucescu issued the command to fire, and then Minister of Defense Vasile Milea and Admiral Stefan Guse gave them the order — none of them are alive today. The officers did concede that they should have fired into the air before shooting people, several of whom died and many others were injured in the bloodshed. Relatives of the victims voiced resentment over the court's decision, saying that there are enough witnesses alive to testify to the crimes. [Romániai Magyar Szó (Bucharest), Nov. 19, 1998]
In an interview to the Austrian daily, Der Standard, General Dan Voinea, Head of the Rumanian Military Prosecutor’s Office, stated that Carlos, the infamous and currently imprisoned terrorist, masterminded several assassinations in the 80s at the order of Rumanian Dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Among them were the 1981 attack against Radio Free Europe and the assassination attempt on Rumanian dissident and writer Paul Goma. Voinea stated that the notorious Securitate — Rumanian Secret Service — also played a part in the 1983 attack against the Maison de France Hotel in West Berlin, and it supplied Carlos with the necessary fake travel documents, weapons and ammunitions. [Népújság (Tirgu Mures/Marosvásárhely), Nov. 19, 1998]
Plenary debate continued in the Chamber of Deputies over Government Decree 36/1997 amending the Education Law, with coalition parties rejecting Article 123 as adopted by the education committee [see report of October 21], which severely restricted minority educational rights and prohibited the establishment of an independent Hungarian-language university. Despite the exit of opposition deputies from the plenary session, the Chamber had the necessary quorum to proceed with the vote. However, coalition deputies approved neither the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania (DAHR) proposal, which was identical with the original form of the government decree, nor the restrictive form of Article 123 as adopted by the Senate education committee. Article 123 of the government decree is now scheduled for conference committee. The plenary also adopted Article 124 allowing native-language entrance exams. [DAHR Bulletin (Bucharest), Nov. 17, 1998; Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 18, 1998]
In a letter, Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies Education Committee Anghel Stanciu called on colleagues to approve Article 123 of Government Decree 36/1997 as was adopted by the education committee, which prohibits, among others, the establishment of a Hungarian or Hungarian-German language university. The chairman warned that the country’s future and the fate of the Rumanian nation state, would depend on the Chamber of Deputies decision to approve, or to reject, the planned Hungarian-German language university. [News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Nov. 18, 1998]
"If Greater Rumania Party comes to power, it will revise contracts made with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank," stated Greater Rumania Party President Corneliu Vadim Tudor adding that if these two institutions continue their anti-Rumanian policies, all contracts with them will be broken and their Rumanian representatives will be expelled from the country. The Monitorul de Cluj quoted Tudor as also saying that "if God so permits that I become Rumania's president, Gheorghe Funar will be Rumania's prime minister." Funar was officially appointed secretary general of the Greater Rumania Party on November 16.[ DAHR News Observer (Bucharest), Nov. 12, 1998News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Nov. 18, 1998]
Paul Philippi, President of the Democratic Forum of Germans in Rumania, told the Rumanian weekly, 22, that his organization supports the establishment of the Petôfi-Schiller Hungarian-German language university even though representatives of the ethnic German community were not consulted about their opinion prior to the government’s decision. [Napi Magyarország (Budapest), Nov. 16, 1998]
A new Rumanian economic daily, Ziarul Financiar, was published today with the support and guidance of British media experts. The newspapers mirrors the British Financial Times in its appearance and openly calls itself the "eastern European Financial Times." In its editorial section the daily pointed out that the most significant Rumanian dailies had been waging a vehement campaign against the aspirations of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania such as native-language higher education, bilingual signs and the Hungarian-language instruction of history and geography. Ethnic Hungarians are the first, but not the only targets of the majority of newspapers’ extreme conservative minority policy, said the daily, mentioning discrimination against Roma, homosexuals and Greek Catholics. [News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Nov. 17, 1998]
At dawn today, unknown perpetrators burglarized the office of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania (DAHR) in downtown Zalau/Zilah. The Youth Information Center and a private company were also robbed that night, however money and telephone sets disappeared only from DAHR’s offices even though the other two establishments had more valuable computers and phone systems. Police have begun investigating. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 17, 1998]
Ethnic Rumanian Sabin Gherman, well known for his views on granting Transylvania more autonomy, was demoted without explanation from his department head position at the Rumanian Television's Cluj/Kolozsvár studio. Television Director Ioan Muslea told Szabadság that he will inform the press about the reasons for his action in a few days. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 13, 1998]
A Cluj/Kolozsvár meeting of the bishops of the historical Hungarian churches in Rumania adopted a memorandum addressed to President Emil Constantinescu requesting his intercession to secure the right of denominational educational institutions to teach at all levels, as well as to support the return of illegally confiscated church properties and assets, and to increase state support for denominational educational institutions. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 13, 1998]
The Democratic Party agreed to honor its governing coalition agreement and vote to return to committee Article 123 amending the education law at the next plenary session on Tuesday, November 17. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 13, 1998]
The Rumanian daily Curentul reported that the Senate Local Public Administration Committee adopted Government Decree No. 22 amending the Law on Public Administration thereby, among others, authorizing bilingual signs in those communities where minorities make up at least 20 percent of the population. Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania (DAHR) committee chairman Dénes Seres stated that the committee has put the motion on the fast track for plenary debate. [DAHR News Observer (Bucharest), Nov. 12, 1998]
The Chamber of Deputies' Committee on Legal Affairs voted to raise the parliamentary election threshold to five percent from three percent. In the case of election coalitions, an additional three percent would be needed for each political formation in the group. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 13, 1998]
Plenary debate continued in the Chamber of Deputies over amendments to the Law on Education. Attempts by the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania (DAHR) to send the amendment back to committee failed once again. On the issue of special textbooks and programs for minorities for Rumanian language instruction, the house did not adopt the version found in Government Decree No. 36 which mandates these at the elementary and gymnasium levels, but rather the education committee's version, which prescribes that at the elementary level students learn from special textbooks and programs, but at the gymnasium level follow the Rumanian curriculum with their own textbooks, while in lyceums, both the textbooks and curriculum correspond to the majority's. On the contested issue of native-language instruction of Rumanian history and geography at the elementary and middle levels, the plenary approved such instruction only at the elementary level but did not rescind the right to native-language instruction in vocational and trade schools. With the support of DAHR, other minorities, Peasant and Liberal Party representatives, the plenary rejected Article 123 which would prohibit the establishment of independent higher native-language education institutions, leading acting chairman Vasile Lupu to call for a revote. As the necessary quorum was no longer present, continued plenary debate was postponed to Tuesday, November 17. [DAHR News Observer (Bucharest), Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 11, 1998]
Rumanian-language newspapers published a press release by the leadership of the Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj/Kolozsvár wherein they expressed regret for hindering the work of the committee to establish the Petôfi-Schiller University [see report of November 7] due to "communication difficulties." Ethnic Hungarian deputy rector and committee member Pál Szilágyi ,who was barred from entering his office, also signed the release. In the meantime, the daily Ziua reported that as a result of the November 7 incident, five ethnic Rumanian members of the committee (Nicolae Bocsan, Constantin Bratianu, Adrian Costescu, Mihai Korka and Dan Horia) handed in their resignation saying "that they cannot support a proposed institution that the entire Rumanian university community opposes so vehemently.'' Minister for Minority Affairs György Tokay expressed his surprise that Mssrs. Costescu, Korka and Braianu, who are civil servants, would so boldly spurn compliance with their own government's decree. [DAHR News Observer (Bucharest), Nov. 10 and Nov. 11, 1998]
The members of the Cluj/Kolozsvár City Council Committee on Street Names debated the name change of 24 streets, among them two Hungarian-related ones. Local historian and committee member György Gáal, as well as historian Camil Muresan, objected to the proposed change of Bem Street [a Polish general who fought in the 1848 Hungarian War of Independence] to Bogdan Vodan arguing that such an important and well-known historical figure deserves a street commemorated to him. Concerning the change of Gáal Gábor Street to Petre Tutean, the committee agreed instead to compile a list of other Hungarian personages to replace the Marxist and communist. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 13, 1998]
Current North Atlantic Assembly Chairman U.S. Senator William Roth announced during an interview on Voice of America that in his opinion only Slovenia is ready to join NATO in the second round, though probably no country will be invited to join in Spring 1999. As regards Rumania's chances, the Senator said that militarily and politically the country is ready for NATO membership, but not economically. [Népújság (Tirgu Mures/Marosvásárhely), Nov. 11, 1998]
Unidentified perpetrators vandalized the display windows of two stores in Tirgu Mures/Marosvásárhely destroying only those areas that had Hungarian-language inscriptions. The owner, Dezsô András, did not rule out the possibility of an ethnically-motivated crime since nothing was stolen and an eyewitness saw the male vandal get out of a Dacia car with a stick around midnight. [Népújság (Tirgu Mures/Marosvásárhely), Nov. 10, 1998]
The Miercurea Ciuc/Csíkszereda Hungarian-language daily Székelyföld celebrated the one year anniversary of its founding. [Népújság (Tirgu Mures/Marosvásárhely), Nov. 13, 1998]
At the instruction of Mircea Muthu, deputy rector of the Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj/Kolozsvár, ethnic Hungarian deputy rector Pál Szilágyi was barred from entering his office. Szilágyi, along with other members of the committee to establish the Petôfi-Schiller University, met elsewhere in order to met the November 15 deadline to finalize their report as set forth in Government Decree No. 687/1998. Education State Secretary József Kôtô issued a statement in protest adding that it would be up to Minister György Tokay to take further action on the incident. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Népszava (Budapest), Nov. 9, 1998]
"Many studies have indicated that the youth of the Székely region want to continue their studies in their own college," stated Albin Biró, deputy mayor of Miercurea Ciuc/Csíkszereda, and one of many concerned locals who for the past year have been trying to set up a Hungarian-language higher educational institution in the city. Failure to modify the education law to accommodate native-language institutions of higher education continues to thwart such plans. [HTMH Observer (Budapest), Nov. 10, 1998]
U.S. Ambassador Henry Clarke met with Cluj/Kolozs County Prefect Alexandru Farcas discussing, among others, U.S. desire to see return of, or restitution for, properties illegally confiscated under communism. [Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 9, 1998]
Not submitting to vote the motion of 16 Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania and Peasant Party representatives to return to committee the amendments to the education law on account of numerous errors, chairing Peasant Party deputy Vasile Lupu began debate of Government Decree No. 36. Four days have been allocated for the fast-track debate, which will continue Tuesday, November 10, having already adopted 12 amendments. [DAHR News Observer (Bucharest), Magyar Nemzet (Budapest), Népszava (Budapest), Napi Magyarország (Budapest), Nov. 6, 1998]
The Transilvania Jurnal reported that the Chamber of Deputies' Committee on Human Rights rejected two Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania bills on reestablishing an independent Hungarian university. [DAHR News Observer (Bucharest), Nov. 5, 1998]
In an attempt to further Rumanian-Hungarian reconciliation along the lines of the French-German example, the French Exchange-Solidartie-Territoire invited, with PHARE support, 40 ethnic Hungarian and 40 ethnic Rumanian council members and mayors from small localities in Rumania for a three-week working visit to various French local governments. [Magyar Nemzet (Budapest), Nov. 5, 1998; Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 3, 1998]
Following a heated and protracted procedural debate, the Rumanian Chamber of Deputies decided to postpone deliberation of Government Decree 36 amending the Law on Education until Thursday, November 5. [Népszava (Budapest), Nov. 4, 1998]
In a press conference in Esienstadt/Kismarton, the Austrian opposition Green Party representative and member of the Council of Europe, Terezija Stoisits, voiced indignation over the Austrian authority’s resistance to post bilingual signs in the multi-ethnic communities of the Burgenland region, the eastern part of Austria with large minority populations. Stoisits called on the Parliament and the government to fully comply with their obligations as mandated by the constitution and international agreements ratified by Austria. [Napi Magyarország (Budapest) Nov. 4, 1998]
Ethnic Hungarian university professors issued a statement today expressing their regret at the National Council of University and College Presidents' resolution [see report of October 18] opposing the right of the Hungarian minority to its own university indicating that academic life has, once again, become the scene of politics. [Népszabadság (Budapest), Nov. 3, 1998; Szabadság (Cluj/Kolozsvár), Nov. 3, 1998]