MINELRES: Romania: Bulletin DIVERS on Ethnic Minorities - 12 (140)/2005

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Divers Bulletin no. 12 (140) / April 4, 2005

News
FORMER PRESIDENT ION ILIESCU VERSUS HUNGARIAN GOVERNMENT
MINORITIES� LAW CRITICIZED BY SOME ETHNIC HUNGARIANS
COVASNA AUTHORITIES INSIST ON MICRO-REGIONS
IN MEMORIAM NICOLAE CAJAL
SEMINAR ON THE HOLOCAUST IN NORTHERN ROMANIA TOWN
NEW SECRETARY OF STATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR ROMANIANS ABROAD
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News

FORMER PRESIDENT ION ILIESCU VERSUS HUNGARIAN GOVERNMENT

TIRGU MURES � During a press conference held on March 24, at Tirgu
Mures, the former president Ion Iliescu claimed, 15 years since the
conflict on March 19, 1990, this was started by the deployment of the
ethnic Hungarians� manifests dedicated to the day of March 15, which the
Romanian population looked very suspiciously.

According to Iliescu, "the excess proved by the Magyar community incited
the conflicts on March 19, 1990 in Tirgu Mures". As regards the fact he
did not personally come at Tirgu Mures to calm-down the spirits during
that period, Iliescu said his physical presence was not a prerequisite.

During the press conference, Iliescu did not refer to the Romanian
villagers brought with buses in 1990 by Union "Vatra Romaneasca" from
the villages in Mures county, who beat with the Magyars manifesting in
the center of the town. Many of the Magyars� leaders accused the Union
"Vatra Romaneasca" of having among its members former agents of the
"Securitate" (intelligence police) and of having orchestrated the
conflict in Tirgu Mures, widely presented in the international
mass-media.

On Monday, March 28, the Hungarian Government firmly rejected the
declaration of the former president Ion Iliescu, informs daily
"Nepszava".

According to the spokesperson of the Hungarian Government Boglar Laszlo,
the Hungarian Government claims the declaration made by Ion Iliescu does
not comply with the evolution in the past years of the bilateral
Hungarian-Romanian relationships, which targets the accomplishment of a
real collaboration, without reserves, the historic reconciliation, often
supported by Romanian politicians. Boglar Laszlo also said the Hungarian
Government could not understand the words of the former Romanian
president, mainly because the international public opinion knows the
Magyar minority in Romania was the victim of a bloody conflict that took
place 15 years ago, the Magyars not being the ones who caused it, also
said Boglar Laszlo.
Author: DIVERS


MINORITIES� LAW CRITICIZED BY SOME ETHNIC HUNGARIANS

LUDUS - The leader of the Hungarian Democratic Alliance (UDMR) in the
town of Ludus, Andrassy Arpad, last week criticized the draft
legislation for national minorities created by Alliance experts, as he
considers UDMR wants only to consolidate its position in the Parliament,
instead of supporting the interests of ethnic Hungarians.

The minorities' law, to be introduced in Parliament in April, settles
the minorities' statute and the judicial way to obtain cultural
autonomy. On the other hand, the leaders of the Liberal National Group
within the UDMR yesterday said the ethnic authorities in Szekler's
areas, especially Covasna County, do not offer advantages to the
Hungarian community. The president of the group, Csaszar Miklos, said
the artificially maintained ethnic tensions in the area lead to
isolation. "For years Covasna County has been neglected by foreign
investors because of these tensions," Csaszar said.
Author: DIVERS


COVASNA AUTHORITIES INSIST ON MICRO-REGIONS

COVASNA � Local authorities in Covasna County are again promoting the
creation of development micro-regions, after several initiatives local
councils made in this direction in recent years were attacked in court
by the prefect.

Covasna County Council president Demeter Janos has said, during a
meeting with the mayors from several localities of the county, that the
creation of micro-regions is very important, because it would help
communities get more funds from the state budget.

According to Demeter's plan, there would be five such micro-regions in
Covasna, each of them constructed around the five major settlements in
the county: Sfintu Gheorghe, Tirgu Secuiesc, Baraolt, Covasna and
Intorsura Buzaului. 
Author: DIVERS


IN MEMORIAM NICOLAE CAJAL

BUCHAREST � A commemorative manifestation evoking the person leading the
Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania for ten years, namely
academician Nicolae Cajal took place on Tuesday, March 29, at the Coral
Temple in Bucharest.

The commemoration ceremony was officiated by Rabbi Abraham Ehrenfeld,
followed by speeches held by Sorin Iulian, the chairman of the Jewish
community in Bucharest, Ozi Lazar, councilor in Ministry of Culture and
Cults, conductor Ion Marin.

On March 30-31, Foundation Nicolae Cajal and the European Center for
Studies, Social Communication and Interethnic Relations organized at the
Library of the Romanian Academy, in the lecture room Ion Heliade
Radulescu, the commemorative symposium "Academicianul Nicolae Cajal,
savant, profesor, personalitate emblematica a medicinii romanesti"
(Academician Nicolae Cajal, savant, professor, emblematic figure of the
Romanian medicine). 
Author: DIVERS


SEMINAR ON THE HOLOCAUST IN NORTHERN ROMANIA TOWN

BOTOSANI � During March 31 � April 2, over 100 teachers and other guests
in Israel and in the United States went to Botosani, to take part in two
seminars concerning the Holocaust.

The 100 Jewish will also visit Dorohoi, Botosani county, Radauti si
Siret, Suceava county.

According to the chairman of the Jewish Community in Botosani Iosif
David, on this occasion, the meeting also hosted Sorin Iulian, secretary
general of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania and the Great
Rabbi Menahem Achoin. 
Author: DIVERS


NEW SECRETARY OF STATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR ROMANIANS ABROAD

BUCHAREST � Through the decision of Premier Calin Popescu Tariceanu, on
March 18, 2005, Mihai Gheorghiu was designated secretary of state with
the Department for the Romanians Abroad (DRP), informs a press release.
Mihai Gheorghiu was the director of Center �Eudoxiu Hurmuzachi� for the
Romanians Everywhere and scientific researcher with the Museum of
Romanian Peasants, deputy during the period 1998 - 2000, former
secretary with the Surveillance and Control Commission of the Service
for Foreign Affairs Department within the Chamber of Deputies.

During 1989-1991, he was the vice-president of the Students� League, and
he was awarded the Freedom prize of the Conservator Party in Great
Britain. 
Author: DIVERS


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