October 24, 1998

Rasvan Moldoveanu

Romania who emigrated abroad before 1989, because of the communist regime, lived the euphoric moments of December ’89 as intensely as any other co-national in their native country. Perhaps even more intensely as they, unlike many of as, were acquainted with democratic systems, they were perfectly conscious of how different the situation in Romania could have been if the communists had not seized power. Therefore they were probably even more disappointed then as with the regime led by Iliescu. In fact, what did they expect from the post-communist Romania? The same thing as all Romanians: freedom, democracy, justice and a market economy. Briefly, the basis for a better life. Iliescu has been very careful "not to spoil the noble ideals" and mostly he has succeeded doing so. The private ownership, whether it was about dwellings, lands or companies, remained a fictional notion. During a period of six years, almost nothing was privatized or returned to the rightful owners. The private property, as it is, is not even guaranteed by the Constitution. The former opposition parties-the democratic forces, as they like to think about themselves! – stirred the spirits in the Parliament, abroad, at the meetings, wherever they could, stating that the regime led by Iliescu mocked at the issue of the private property and its rightful owners, supporting the ides of royalty, drawing the attention upon the fact that the actual murderers were still free, that the telephones were listened to, that Romanians from abroad were pushed away, that a change was needed and we should vote for it. The times were really wonderful!

The Romanians in the country and from abroad, the opposition parties and the media were getting along just fine. Eventually, one of these partners came to power in November ’96 and forgot about the others. The former opposition that became the present ruling regime looks down on everybody. This attitude starts from Mr. Emil Constantinescu himself. The president of the state, the man who, at the moment of talking up his office in the royal palace of Cotroceni, thanked the press for the victory and asked it to continue to keep an eye on him. The outcome is that the president often accused the mass media of lying and serving certain groups of interests. Journalists went to prison. Imagine that we actually were afraid of Iliescu! Recently, during one of his night walks in the center of Bucharest, Constantinescu explained to a man that the poverty he talked about is merely fictional, the proof being the great number of luxury limousines and villas in the country. The discrepancy between the actual state of affairs and the fantasy of the president, reached alarming proportions. Now, hardly can the head of the state, or the Romanian State in general, fool somebody. Anyway, the westerners cannot be fooled. The representatives of foreign governments and the international organizations, as well as the Romanians from abroad. They want effective, real results.

Diaspora met Mr. Constantinescu abroad, before the elections. The candidate of the RDC, all dressed up, promised to return the properties and asked for electoral support. After the elections, he asked for support for the NATO adherence campaign. They agreed to do so, being happy that democracy would finally rule in Romania after 50 years. The Romanians from abroad are generally, professionally and socially fulfilled in the countries where they live. Some of them would like to return in the country, others want to invest in Romania. Many have personal or business contacts in the western political and economic circles that might be useful to the country. They could help Romania, as the Hungarians from abroad help their native country. The difference relies on the fact that Hungary respects and supports its natives living abroad. We do not. The main claim of Romanians from abroad is still the return of properties wrongfully expropriated by the communists. These claim follows the promise made by Constantinescu and is in accordance with the pledges made by Romania to the Council of Europe and it is a question of common sense.

In desperation, the Romanians from abroad, grouped in the Committee for Private Property, send thousands of letters to the newspaper editorial offices, the presidential institution, the Government, the Parliament, the major parties in the RDC. A few days ago, we presented the Committee’s complaints in the ZIUA newspaper. Every day, hundreds of copies of the same article entitled "We have had enough!" and signed by Romanians that have been fooled and disappointed, are received at the editorial offices. They witness sadly that the president Constantinescu is no longer the same person as the presidential candidate Constantinescu. And they warn him that he will be candidate again in the year 2000. Who will allow to be fooled again by the present ruling government? The Diaspora declares it is not going to be fooled a second time. Romanians in the country feel the same way. Shall we still hope in a real "great change"? The answer is up to the RDC and to Emil Constantinescu.