[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 10 (Thursday, January 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               ROMANIA IS HELPING PEACE EFFORTS IN ANGOLA

                                 ______


                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 25, 1996

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the 
Government of Romania for its contribution to the U.N. peacekeeping 
force in Angola. It is heartening to see that Romania is willing to 
spend its own limited resources to help maintain peace and stability in 
an African country that has witnessed so much tragedy and fighting.
  Romania currently has nearly 1,000 peacekeepers in Angola, which is 
the second largest national contingent in the U.N. force. Romania has 
also established a program to help train and educate Angolans so that 
they can better rebuild their country and has contributed 54 medical 
personnel to run a 40-bed hospital. Romania is involved in these 
efforts even though they have no economic or geopolitical interests in 
the region. As far as I can tell, Romania is participating in this 
humanitarian venture because of a commitment to the United Nations and 
a sense of responsibility to fellow human beings.
  Democracy in Angola is important to the stability and the vitality of 
the region. In the post-Cold War era, we as a nation must work with 
other countries to help promote democracy and freedom throughout the 
world. I am pleased that Romania, despite facing its own challenges as 
it moves toward a market economy, understands the importance of 
supporting democracy elsewhere in the world. Romania's participation in 
the peacekeeping force in Angola is an important reminder that we are 
all part of the international community and have a responsibility to 
help each other.

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