MINELRES: Romania: Ethnic Diversity Briefs, No. 37

[MINELRES moderator]

Original sender: Mediafax <divers@mediafax.ro>


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No. 37 / December 23, 2002

DIVERS
- reporting ethnic diversity -

SUMMARY

1. CRITICS AGAINST GOVERNMENTAL STRATEGY FOR ROMA PEOPLE
2. INTERETHNIC RELATIONS NO LONGER IN CONFLICT, DEEMS GOVERNMENT
3. MOLDAVIANS OPPOSE TO A FEDERAL STATE
4. HUNGARIAN GOVERNMENT PASSES STATUS LAW AMENDMENT


CRITICS AGAINST GOVERNMENTAL STRATEGY FOR ROMA PEOPLE
BUCHAREST - A monitoring report of the Open Society Institute (OSI)
referring to ethnical minorities from Romania, presented on Tuesday,
December 17, indicates that the governmental strategy for Roma people is
a significant document, but the measures enclose are not implemented as
funds lack. Into OSI report the Government is also requested to conduct
a lot of effort in reactivating the Strategy and it is indicated that
the Executive has not allotted special funds, into this year's budget,
for its implementation. OSI also criticizes the fact that the
implementation of the Strategy attracted only citizens of Roma
ethnicity, members of Roma Party.
(DIVERS)

INTERETHNIC RELATIONS NO LONGER IN CONFLICT, DEEMS GOVERNMENT
BUCHAREST - On national minorities Day, celebrated in Romania on
December 18, the representatives of the Government pointed out extremely
significant steps had been made in assuring better interethnic
cohabitation. On the other hand, the Government announced that next year
"financial and organization efforts" are to be held so as to improve the
condition of the ethnical minorities. Thus, if next year the European
Union allots EUR 6mn for a project part of PHARE program dedicated to
the improvement of Roma community's life standard, the Romanian State
will co-finance the project, by allotting the amount of ROL 60bn. Also
next year, the Roma minority will have access also to special seats at
Police Academy "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" from Bucharest. (DIVERS)

MOLDAVIANS OPPOSE TO A FEDERAL STATE
KISHINEV - Over two thirds of the citizens of Moldova Republic state
their country should be a unitary state, where Transnistria and Gagauzia
have equal rights with the other counties, according to a poll recently
presented by the Public Political Institute from Kishinev, taken by
Moldpres agency. Only 8 per cent of the canvassed indicated it would be
better for Republic of Moldova to be a federal state. The poll also
indicates that 45 per cent of the Republic's citizens deems the
relations with Romania got worse, while 56 per cent of the subjects
mentioned that the reports with Russia got improved. As for the
international integration options of Moldova Republic, 38 per cent of
the canvassed mentioned the European Union, while other 38 per cent
opted for Independent States Community.
(DIVERS)

HUNGARIAN GOVERNMENT PASSES STATUS LAW AMENDMENT
BUDAPEST - The Hungarian cabinet on 18 December agreed basic principles
for amending the Status Law, Radio Free Europe reports. Government
spokesman Gal said that Hungarian Certificates issued for ethnic
Hungarians abroad will not create any political link between Hungary and
ethnic Hungarians abroad and are intended solely to symbolize cultural
and linguistic bonds, as well as to verify legal entitlement to cultural
and educational benefits in Hungary. He said the Hungarian Standing
Conference, which consists of representatives of ethnic Hungarian
organizations abroad, might be convened in January to hold consultations
on the amendment. Opposition FIDESZ Deputy Chairman Zsolt Nemeth, a
former political state secretary at the Foreign Ministry, released a
statement after Gal's press briefing saying he finds it regrettable that
the cabinet has not made it clear to what extent it will honor basic
principles accepted in the last closing statement of the Hungarian
Standing Conference.
(DIVERS)

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