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RADOR: News from Romania, 98-08-24
August 24, 1998
CONTENTS
[01] Specifications of Government concerning protocol concluded with SNCFR
trade-unions
[02] Minister Gavril Dejeu does not think a government crisis will more
exist
[03] Proceedings of National School of Politic Manegement from Techirghiol
are over
[04] Reactions to statements of PD vice-president Bogdan Niculescu Duvaz
[05] Chief of General Staff of Romanian Army pays a visit to Germany
[06] An international prize carried off by a Romanian woman
[07] SOF extended the term for paying the main share package of the Vega
refinery
[08] Communique of the financial rating Agency Thomson Bank Watch
[09] Slow devaluation of the Romanian curency
[10] ROMSILVA is in a delicate situation
[01] Specifications of Government concerning protocol concluded with SNCFR
trade-unions
Sources from Victoria Palace made on Sunday morning some specifications
referring to position which had been expressed on Saturday in a statement
of Press Office of the Government by which it was mentioned granting of
10.66% indexation of salaries of SNCFR (The Romanian National Railway
Company) staff included in a protocol concluded on August 21 is not more
valuable because in moment of discussions with trade-unions Premier Radu
Vasile had not a complete information and later estimates have demonstrated
indexation is not possible in this moment but it remains in attention for
the next period. Postponing is connected not only with lack of financial
resources but also with process of re-organization of SNCFR. Sources
stressed this decision of executive body was taken in consensus being no
different points of view between positions of Prime-Minister and Minister
of Transports Traian Basescu. Premier Radu Vasile sustains efforts which
minister of transports makes for re-organization SNCFR. RADOR, August 24
[02] Minister Gavril Dejeu does not think a government crisis will more
exist
Home Affairs Minister Gavril Dejeu has declared in a press conference
developed in Sibiu he does not believe a new government crisis will exist.
Problems to which Romania faces are too much serious for having such a
crisis. I think nobody ventures to play with economic destiny of the
country home affairs minister affirms. Gavril Dejeu also considers
statements of some politicians referring to activity of some ministers are
part of a scenario with precise targets such as PNTCD (The Christian
Democratic National Peasant Party), some ministers from Government and at
last President Emil Constantinescu ROMPRES Agency informs taken over by
RADIO ROMANIA ACTUALITATI. RADOR, August 24
[03] Proceedings of National School of Politic Manegement from Techirghiol
are over
On Sunday at Techirghiol proceedings of the second edition of Politic
Manegement School organized by Democrat Youth was over. During debates
along one week President of PD (Democratic Party) Petre Roman has released
his new book "Social-Democracy in Romania". In the last day of proceedings
PD vice-president Cristian Dumitrescu sustained a press conference in which
- referring to postponing of re-organization government - he appreciated it
is nothing about but a prolongation of necessary term for preparing this re-
organization. Democrats leadership considers there are necessary some other
arguments for cabinet reshuffling. About privatization PD leader thinks
present rythm does not assure sustaining process of economic re-
organization and making up resources which are necessary for reform because
of a legislative code which is ambiguous and a decisional act which is
stifled by bureaucracy. RADOR, August 24
[04] Reactions to statements of PD vice-president Bogdan Niculescu Duvaz
PD vice-president Bogdan Niculescu Duvaz has stirred up again tension in
governmental coalition. He has affirmed while Democrats have sent to
government recognized leaders members of PNTCD and PNL have sent to
government persons without importance. He has used as an example case of
former premier Victor Ciorbea qualified as a man who takes decisions very
hardly. Assertions were done on Saturday at Techirghiol in front of tens
young democrats participants into PD Summer School. Duvaz's statements have
surprised partners from the coalition. "His statements are against
statements given by PD leader Petre Roman who not longer than one day
before had assured us of his support. All in all I think they wish to be as
close as it is possible to PDSR (The Party of Social Democracy in Romania) -
PNTCD vice-president Vasile Lupu thinks. On his turn PNL president Mircea
Ionescu-Quintus affirms: "It seems to me relations between PNL and PD up
till now were good and very good. It would be for the first time when a
high official of PD does appreciations of such a kind referring to our
party. If he did them the more's the pity". UDMR executive president Takacs
Csaba has refused to comment Duvaz's assertions till learning some other
details quoted source specifies. RADOR, August 24
[05] Chief of General Staff of Romanian Army pays a visit to Germany
Invited by general Harmuth Bader general inspector of Bundeswehr chief of
General Staff of Romanian Army division general Constantin Degeratu pays a
visit to Germany between August 23 and 28 1998. A statement of National
Defence Ministry mentions it will be discussed ways of extension of
military co-operation between Bundeswehr and Armed Forces of Romania both
on bilateral plan and within the framework of Partnership for Peace as well
as concrete aspects by which the two armies can action for increasing
efficiency of measures for stability and security in Europe. In Romanian
delegation's programme it is also planned a visit to company of military
technique involved in projects "Gepard". These projects suppose
reconditioning of some tanks out of use which are to get in endowment of
Romanian Army. RADOR, August 24
[06] An international prize carried off by a Romanian woman
"We have created here in Ministry of Culture a prize for spreading Belgian
literature abroad. This year for the first time prize was awarded and was
carried off by a Romanian Mrs. Rodica Pop who is a professor at University
from Cluj-Napoca so that in Romania. We have awarded this prize because
this lady develops since 1990 a research work but also a work of spreading
and promoting Belgian literature in Romania" it was declared for RADIO
ROMANIA ACTUALITATI by Jean Luc Couters a writer and general manager in
Ministry of Culture and of Social Affairs of French Community from Belgium.
Mr.Jean Luc Couters also manages Direction of Promotion Francophone
Literature from Belgium and of French Language. Mrs. Rodica Pop is also a
translator. "Just now translation of one of my books in on work. It is my
most recent novel and it is to be published at Bucharest by Libra
Publishing House. This publishing house has published more Belgian authors
like Henri Vauchaud, Marcel Morot and my book is to be released in October.
I hope I will be able to come and to present my book also to meet again
Romanian public" Belgian writer Jean Luc Couters has also added. RADOR,
August 24
[07] SOF extended the term for paying the main share package of the Vega
refinery
The State Ownership Fund decided to extend until August 31 the dealdline
for paying the 51% share package of the Vega refinery. A SOF communique
said that the Fund gave a new term to the companies Holster Trading Ltd.
and Harelock Trading Investments Ltd. from Cyprus after getting insurance
from the two parners that the payment would be done. RADOR, August 24
[08] Communique of the financial rating Agency Thomson Bank Watch
The financial rating Agency Thomson Bank Watch believes that the problems
of the Romanian banking system would continue and that because of the lack
of firm measures to restructure the economy. In a communique to the press
the Agency recommended to the Romanian authorities to be more firm on the
matter of commercial banks having difficulties. the Agency also pointed at
the fact that the money given for recovering the Farmers' Bank (Banca
Agricola) and BANCOREX foreign trade bank was too little and that it with
no measures complying with the international standards. Thomson Bank Watch
said that the two banks could not be backed anymore as they decided to
reduce the budget expenses and that these were system risks. The Agency
also criticized the National Bank's restrictive monetary policy. In the
communique they said that this policy made the commercial banks to turn to
investments, state bonds or inter-bank investments and not to credits to
the companies. In case of a hard devaluation of the Romanian currency this
would cause a deterioration of the quality of the active capital. Thomson
Bank Watch warned the authorities in Bucharest that the they might not get
the money they expect from privatizing the Romanian Bank for Development
and BANCPOST and therefore the sale of these banks to be delayed. RADOR,
August 24
[09] Slow devaluation of the Romanian curency
The Romanian curency reached the level of 8,800 lei per US dollar after a
week when it devaluated continuously. The National Bank anounced that the
official exchange rate for the last day of inter-bank trade market was 8,
813 lei for an US dollar. The Director of the National Bank's Communication
Department Adrian Vasilescu believes that this increase over 8,800 lei was
to be expected and that it was not a shock for the foreign curency market.
The exchange rate is continuing its zigzag evolution and it is possible
that the leu could stabilize under 8,800. Mr. Vasilecu and the the dealers
in the iter-bank market believe that the national currency would keep
devaluating slowly because of the economic performances. RADOR, August 24
[10] ROMSILVA is in a delicate situation
The General Manager of the Romanian forest administration agency ROMSILVA
Dorin Ciuca called for a meeting of the heads of the county branches and
the economists of the agency. The ROMSILVA agency has 250 bil. lei from its
debtors, it has unsold wares worth of 150 billions and 300 billion debts.
The exports during the first seven months of the year reached only 30% of
the estimated amount. They exploited some 25% more wood than approved by
the Government. The Manager of ROMSILVA believes that the recen
Government's bills would strenghten the authority of the forest
regulations. "The forests in the national forest fund are under the forest
regulations. These are a sum of technical, forest, economic and legal terms
that all administrations - private or public have to meet" - the Manager
said. The state would give money to repair forest roads in case of natural
disasters. Illegal wood cuts, division or wrong administration of forests -
even in case of are private ones would get tens of billions fees or even be
punished by prison. Owners of forests would have to improve the land that
degradedand for this they would have no tax charge for 20 years. The
Government is due to pass regulations on selling wood and on transporting
it on public roads. RADOR, August 24
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