[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1855]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         WELCOMING THE BASIC TREATY BETWEEN HUNGARY AND ROMANIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, September 28, 1996

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express strong support for the 
Treaty of Understanding, Cooperation, and Good-Neighborliness signed by 
the leaders of Hungary and Romania on September 16. This historic act 
will contribute significantly to the security and stability in Europe, 
particularly in Central Europe which traditionally has been plagued by 
territorial and ethnic disputes.
  The negotiation and signing of this treaty is an important milestone 
in the process of historic reconciliation between Hungary and Romania. 
The treaty marks a firm commitment by the Governments and peoples of 
Hungary and Romania to respect each other's territorial integrity as 
well as the basic human rights of all their peoples' including the 
large ethnic Hungarian minority in Romania.
  The willingness of the Governments of both countries finally to put 
to rest their past troubles caused by the presence of this large ethnic 
minority demonstrates their commitment to join the community of 
democratic nations in Europe.
  We and our European allies must work together with the Governments of 
Hungary and Romania to ensure the free, fair, and full implementation 
of all the provisions of this treaty. It is essential that the critical 
elements of the treaty dealing with the protection of ethnic and 
linguistic rights be fully implemented and upheld at the local and 
regional as well as at the national levels.
  The signing of this treaty is consistent with the principles of the 
partnership for peace and of the conditions which are guiding the 
process of the opening of NATO to new members. The study on NATO 
enlargement, adopted by the 16 NATO nations in September, 1995 states 
clearly that the resolution of ethnic and external territorial disputes 
will be an important factor in determining whether to invite a state to 
join the Alliance.
  The signing of this historic treaty is a significant and welcome step 
in the building of a secure, stable, and unified Europe based upon 
shared democratic and humanitarian principles.

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