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RADOR: News from Romania, 00-03-15
March 15, 2000
CONTENTS
[01] Tadeusz Mazowiecki on a Visit to Bucharest
[02] Meeting of the Governing Coalition Leaders
[03] Statements Made by the Political Leaders after the Meeting in Snagov
[04] A New Bridge Over the Danube
[05] Statements Made by Prime Minister Mugur Isarescu
[06] Statements Made by the IMF Resident in Bucharest
[07] Contracts Regarding Several Objectives Within the PSAL Program
[08] Financial Agreement Between the Public Works and Territory Management
Ministry and the British Association "Mivan-Kier"
[01] Tadeusz Mazowiecki on a Visit to Bucharest
Tadeusz Mazowiecki, chairman of the European Integration Committee of the
Polish Seim, held talks with foreign affairs minister Petre Roman, with
justice minister Valeriu Stoica and with PDSR leader Ion Iliescu, RADIO
ROMANIA ACTUALITATI informs. The foreign affairs minister praized
Mazowiecki's precious political experience, and considered the political
leadership in Romania and Poland was Rather similar, as both countries had
coalitions governments. Tadeusz Mazowiecki, ex-prime minister of the Polish
Government, was very interested in Romania's democratic evolution and in
the progress of reform, considering the country will start negotiations in
view of joining the European Union. The justice minister pointed out that,
besides the economic reform, the tax and legislative reforms are meant to
create adequate conditions for the European integration. The Polish MP
stressed the importance of reforms, both in Romania and in Poland, led by
coalitions of several parties. Tadeusz Mazowiecki also met PDSR leader Ion
Iliescu, who presented him the political and economic situation of Romania,
mentioning that the tensions in the governing coalition occurred in a most
inadequate moment, when the negotiations in view of EU joining have
started. RADOR
[02] Meeting of the Governing Coalition Leaders
The governing coalition leaders met again in Snagov to solve the political
crisiR started almost three weeks ago. RADIO ROMANIA ACTUALITATI informs
that PNTCD was represented by president Ion Diaconescu, first vice-
president Ioan Muresan and secretary general Remus Opris, PD by president
Petre Roman and vice-presidents Bogdan Niculescu-Duvaz and Alexandru Sassu,
PNL by first vice-president Valeriu Stoica, Radu Stroe and Decebal Traian
Remes, UDMR by president Marko Bela and executive president Takacs Csaba,
while PSDR by president Alexandru Athanasiu. RADOR
[03] Statements Made by the Political Leaders after the Meeting in Snagov
PD vice-president Alexandru Sassu said the coalition leaders drew up an
agreement stipulating the adoption of all legal documents regarding the
acquis communautaire, and the implementation of the governing program. PSDR
president Alexandru Athanasiu told RADIO ROMANIA ACTUALITATI all coalition
leaders agreed upon the laws to be adopted by the end of the parliamentary
session. PNTCD secretary general stressed the necessity of setting upRa
technical commission to analyse and harmonize the differences regarding
some drafts. Remus Opris explained that the coalition leaders identified as
legislative priorities the state budget and the modification of the
Elections Law, and agreed to vote in favour of the drafts regarding the
privatization of the former state farms and the restitution of confiscated
houses. He also said PNTCD was counting on the cooperation of the democrats
in adopting these laws and in implementing the governing program. PNL first
vice-president Valeriu Stoica considered there was no crisis of the
governing coalition, adding all participants in the meeting expressed their
support for the governing program. UDMR president Marko Bela said the
meeting on Tuesday put an end to the political crisis, and expressed his
hope the coalition members would support the adoption of the laws
considered as priorities. RADOR
[04] A New Bridge Over the Danube
A technical agreement was signed in Vidin on Tuesday. AccoRding to RADIO
ROMANIA ACTUALITATI, the document provides for the building of a second
bridge over the Danube, measuring 1,275 km, to be built between Vidin and
Calafat. The total cost of the building reaches 160 million euro, of which
over 13 million euro are meant for the infrastructure on Romanian
territory. RADOR
[05] Statements Made by Prime Minister Mugur Isarescu
Prime minister Mugur Isarescu denied on Tuesday the IMF Board discussed the
possibility to technically extend the stand-by agreement with Romania. The
prime minister said, quoted by RADIO ROMANIA ACTUALITATI, the Board pointed
out the major changes in 1999, that were continuing this year too, and
assessed the chances to keep the budget deficit at 3%. The IMF experts,
considering their evaluation was slightly different from Romania's, would
pay an information visit to Bucharest. RADOR
[06] Statements Made by the IMF Resident in Bucharest
The IMF resident in Bucharest Stephane Cosse said on Tuesday the talks
regRrding the agreement with Romania would continue after the Parliament's
vote on the state budget, adding the stand-by agreement was not frozen, and
it might be even extended. Cosse also said an expert would soon come to
Romania, RADIO ROMANIA ACTUALITATI reports. RADOR
[07] Contracts Regarding Several Objectives Within the PSAL Program
Traian Basescu, chief negotiator with the World Bank, signed the consulting
contracts for several objectives within the PSAL program, such as the
privatization of 44 companies in which the state in the main share-holder,
technical assistance and training in viwe of implementing the international
standards in book-keeping, and technical assistance for AVAB management.
The consulting contracts for privatization have as main elements the
analysis of the companies, the drawing up of privatization restructuring or
shutting down strategies within 12 to 15 weeks, and assistance to FPS in
the privatization process, RADIO ROMANIA ACTUALITATI reports. RADOR R8.
Financial Agreement Between the Public Works and Territory Management
Ministry and the British Association "Mivan-Kier"
On Tuesday, a 120 million dollars financial agreement was signed between
the Public Works and Territory Management Ministry and Deutsche Bank
London. According to RADIO ROMANIA ACTUALITATI, the money, part of a 340
million dollars credit, will be used to supply drinking water to the
villages and to build social houses. The building works will begin this
spring and will be executed by the British association of companies "Mivan-
Kier". British ambassador Richard Ralph reiterated his country's support
for Romania, while minister Nicolae Noica said the program demonstrated the
Government's interest to improve living standards in the villages. The
water supply works will include 400 villages, while the program of social
houses provides for the building of 1,800 apartments in Bucharest and 12 of
the counties. RADOR
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