[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19176]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                ROMANIA

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I rise today to express solidarity with the 
people of Romania in the aftermath of the fatal floods that occurred 
earlier this month. As a consequence of the heavy rainfalls that 
occurred in Romania from July 1 to July 17, 2005, 24 people are 
reported to have lost their lives, and some 800 towns and villages 
suffered damage to road infrastructure, farmlands, and utilities.
  The United States and Romania have a strong and continuing 
relationship. In April 2003, the Senate voted unanimously to bring 
Romania into NATO. It represented a vote of confidence in the Romanian 
people and I was honored to witness that expression of American support 
as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations. Romania's commitment 
to the Alliance is evident in its active participation in the Balkans, 
Afghanistan and Iraq. I am hopeful that Romania will be invited to join 
the European Union in the near future.
  The United States and Romania cooperate closely in a number of areas. 
Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, Romania has been fully 
supportive of the global war on terrorism. Among other actions, it 
contributed transport aircraft and more than 400 troops to Afghanistan. 
In addition, Romania permitted the use of its territory--land, airspace 
and seaports--for the U.S.-led military action against Iraq, and 
dispatched non-combat troops to the region. Romania currently has 
approximately 900 troops in Iraq, and approximately 500 troops in 
Afghanistan.
  I commend Romania for its consistent contribution to international 
peace and stability. Since 1991, it has participated in United Nations 
peacekeeping operations in the Gulf, the former Soviet Union, Africa, 
and the Balkans. Just yesterday, the Department of State issued a press 
statement welcoming the decision by the Romanian cabinet to accept 
approximately 450 Uzbek asylum seekers on a temporary basis as part of 
the resettlement processing. The asylum seekers had sought initial 
refuge in the Kyrgyz Republic following the May violence in Uzbekistan. 
Romania stands as a role model in the international community for those 
who are committed in words and actions to the United Nation's 
principles.

                          ____________________