[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4455-S4456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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        SENATOR LANDRIEU WELCOMES HIS EXCELLENCY, MUGUR ISARESCU

 Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I would like to take this 
opportunity to extend a warm welcome to His Excellency, Mugur Isarescu, 
the Prime Minister of Romania. Prime Minister Isarescu's visit is very 
well-timed. United States' policy in the Balkans is at a decisive 
point. We took an extremely important vote in the Senate last week that 
served as a litmus test for our commitment to the region. I am relieved 
at the results. Ultimately, the United States did not sent the wrong 
signal to Serbia about our intentions. However, the amendment by the 
Senior Senators from Virginia and West Virginia, gave the Senate the 
opportunity to reevaluate our role in the Balkans. The debate of that 
amendment highlighted the need to establish a more coherent rationale 
for our leadership in the region.
  Mr. President, that is why the Prime Minister's visit is so 
opportune. The United States has rarely had an ally that has suffered 
so much for the reward of serving a just cause. However, that is 
precisely what Romania has done. Romania enjoys good relations with all 
of its neighbors, but the historical links with Yugoslavia were 
particularly strong. Yugoslavia, under Tito, was a role-model for how 
Romania could find a middle path between the superpowers and allow 
western influence without provoking the Soviets. As you might expect, 
they shared strong commercial and economic ties. Furthermore, the 
Danube, the critical life-line for intra-European trade, runs through 
both countries.
  Because of Romania's stalwart support of the NATO mission in Kosovo, 
we have compelled them to forgo these ties. It has come at great 
economic cost, and I believe that is incumbent upon the United States, 
and all of NATO to recognize this sacrifice. However, beyond calling 
attention to the steadfastness of Romania and other Partnership for 
Peace nations in our Kosovo mission, the Prime Minister's visit also 
represents a true opportunity. Romania has had to cope with instability 
and shifting power-struggles throughout its history. We are fortunate 
to have an ally who can provide wise counsel as we navigate our way 
through this region. Furthermore, Romania's help comes from a faultless 
motivation. Romania would like to be embraced by the institutions of 
the West. They earnestly desire to participate in NATO and the European 
Union. Rather than play a game of horse-trading, Romania has tried 
living up to the ideals of NATO membership before entering the 
alliance.
  Mr. President, I would again like to welcome the Prime Minister, 
thank the Romanian people for their sacrifice in the Kosovo conflict, 
and wish the Romanian government well as it seeks to further the 
excellent working-relationship that we have established since the end 
of Communism.

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