Representatives of the Hungarian Human Rights Foundation - László Hámos, President, Emese Latkóczy, Director and Péter Józsa - and Chairman of the Hungarian American Coalition Edith Lauer met today with Rumanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana and Rumanian Ambassador to the United States Sorin Ducaru at the Rumanian Consulate General in New York.

During the 1? hour long meeting, Mr. Hámos emphasized that it is in the interest of all interested parties for Rumania to fulfill the basic democratization requirements for NATO accession as soon as possible. The United States' support for Rumania's NATO membership is highly unlikely until these changes are achieved. The Hungarian-American community will not be able to support the country's membership as long as there are major unresolved issues for the ethnic Hungarian community. In a memorandum delivered to Prime Minister Adrian Nastase at the beginning of November, the Hungarian Human Rights Foundation summarized the most critical unresolved issues still facing the Rumania's 2 million-strong ethnic Hungarian community. At today's meeting, Mr. Hámos sought responses on the issues of restitution of minority communal and church properties confiscated under communism, de facto implementation of bilingualism, and restoration of the Hungarian-language public university eliminated by Ceausescu in 1959. Mrs. Lauer emphasized that minority communal property restitution is the issue of most serious concern for Coalition members who participate actively in the lives of the Hungarian community in Rumania by providing assistance to these adversely affected Hungarian institutions which the government fails to support. The Coalition Chairman also pointed out the disturbing effect of negative rhetoric by Rumanian government leaders as it encourages anti-Hungarian sentiment. Mr. Hámos underscored that the Hungarian-American community's sole basis in formulating its views on these unresolved issues is the affected minority itself.

In his response, Foreign Minister Geoana conveyed the Prime Minister's apology at not being able to meet with Hungarian-American community leaders during his recent visit to the United States. The Foreign Minister acknowledged that the Rumanian government is aware of shortcomings in the above-mentioned issues and pointed out that their swift resolution is in the country's own best interest. Regarding the issues raised in the memorandum, Mr. Geoana was not able to give specific answers owing to "insufficient information," but assured that a response would be forthcoming following consultations with the leadership of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Rumania. The Foreign Minister did report progress on extending the legal deadline to apply for private property restitution from November 14 until February 14, 2002. At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Geoana reiterated his government's intention to respond favorably to the matters raised by the Hungarian-American leaders, and suggested that the dialogue be continued, possibly in Bucharest, with the participation of Prime Minister Nastase.