[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 76 (Thursday, June 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  LETTERS OF PRESIDENT CLINTON ON THE STATE VISIT OF PRESIDENT ARPAD 
    GONCZ OF HUNGARY TO ROMANIA AT THE INVITATION OF PRESIDENT EMIL 
                             CONSTANTINESCU

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 5, 1997

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, last week an event of historic international 
importance took place in Bucharest, Romania. The President of the 
Republic of Hungary, His Excellency Arpad Goncz, paid a state visit to 
Romania at the invitation of His Excellency Emil Constantinescu, the 
President of Romania. This visit marks a new milestone in the efforts 
of both countries to reconcile historical differences that have divided 
the two for most of this century.
  I have been a strong and consistent advocate and supporter of the 
efforts of Hungary and Romania to improve their relations. The 
expansion of democracy in both countries since the collapse of the 
Soviet Union and the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact six years ago has 
been an important element in the reconciliation that we have witnessed 
over the past few years. Changes in Romania have permitted that 
government to recognize the civic rights of the minority of ethnic 
Hungarians which live within the borders of that country. The recently 
elected Romanian Government includes, as one of the partners in the 
governing coalition, representatives of the Union of Democratic 
Hungarians in Romania.
  Last year, in September of 1996, the Governments of Romania and 
Hungary signed a ``Treaty of Understanding, Cooperation and Good 
Neighborliness'' in the most significant concrete realization of this 
reconciliation to that point. These steps set the stage for the recent 
visit of President Goncz to Romania.
  It is important to note, Mr. Speaker, that this reconciliation began 
under the previous government of Romania led by former President Ion 
Iliescu, and it has continued and expanded under the present government 
led by President Constantinescu. This reflects the broad national 
consensus in Romania in support of this effort.
  I congratulate the leaders of both countries on their continuing 
efforts to improve the relationships between their countries.
  Mr. Speaker, I had the honor of meeting in Bucharest with the two 
presidents--President Goncz of Hungary and President Constantinescu of 
Romania--during the historic visit to Romania. On the occasion of the 
state dinner, which was the formal highlight of the visits, at the 
request of President Clinton, I read and delivered to the two 
presidents letters from our own President commending the two leaders 
for their efforts and their contribution to this unprecedented 
reconciliation. Mr. Speaker, I place in the Record the text of the 
letter from President Clinton to the Presidents of Hungary and Romania:

                                                  The White House,


                                                   Washington,

                                                     May 22, 1997.
       Dear Mr. President: Please accept my congratulations and 
     profound support on the occasion of your historic meeting 
     with President [Constantinescu/Goncz].
       The reconciliation and strengthened friendship that Hungary 
     and Romania have pursued in recent months are an inspiration 
     for Europe and the world. We have all witnessed too many 
     rivalries the world over, conflicts that are not resolved but 
     become endless cycles of recrimination and bitterness. Today, 
     Romania and Hungary are showing that with wise leadership, 
     democracies can chart a better course; that the values of 
     tolerance, understanding, and common purpose can overcome 
     division, with benefits for all.
       Through your meeting and the other steps being taken to 
     cement the growing friendship between your two nations, 
     Romania and Hungary are demonstrating that they share the 
     deepest values of our common Western civilization and have 
     the strength and conviction to put these values into practice 
     to the benefit of all their citizens. I know that the 
     governments and peoples of both nations are determined to 
     continue on this path as they move toward joining an 
     undivided Europe.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Bill Clinton.

     

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