139. Letter From President Reagan to Romanian President Ceausescu1
I value your messages of recent months and the views you gave to Ambassador Zimmermann November 22 about my Geneva meeting with General Secretary Gorbachev and the future course of U.S.-Soviet relations.2
As Ambassador Zimmermann indicated to you, I believe that the Geneva meeting made an important contribution to putting U.S.-Soviet relations on a more stable and constructive basis. Holding of further meetings, as agreed, in Washington and Moscow in 19863 and 19874 will help to focus both sides’ attention on the need for progress on the most difficult outstanding issues—arms control, regional issues, human [Page 384] rights, and bilateral concerns. In particular, we hope that the ongoing nuclear and space talks (NST) in Geneva will lead to deep reductions in strategic and intermediate nuclear forces to much lower, equal levels in such a way as to strengthen stability and reduce chances of conflict. The atmosphere at Geneva was candid and animated, and disagreements were put into clearer and more constructive focus. The process has a long way to go, and I will appreciate your advice and impressions in the days ahead.
I want to assure you, as Vice President Bush told your Foreign Minister on September 30, that we are interested in broadening and enhancing the U.S.-Romanian relationship. There have been a number of constructive developments: General Vessey’s March 1985 visit to Romania created substantial progress in relations between the U.S. and Romanian Armed Forces, and General Olteanu’s planned visit to the U.S. early next year offers further promise. Secretary Shultz will visit Bucharest December 15 with a view toward strengthening our relations through further discussion of bilateral and international issues.
I appreciate your personal role in the resolution of several human rights cases, particularly that of Father Calciu, which were of importance to us. Your government’s agreement in June to new, facilitative procedures governing the processing of permanent departures from Romania to the United States was also a positive step, although unfortunately we have not yet reached agreement on the final written form of this understanding. Resolution of the Fodor case, about which I understand and appreciate your views, would have an important positive impact within our political system.
Mr. President, appreciation for Romania’s sovereignty is a basic element of U.S. policy toward your country. Despite the differences between our systems, we have managed, over 20 years, to build up an important relationship based on common interests and mutual respect. Bilateral dialogue about human rights has been an important element in seeking to transcend systemic differences and prevent them from impeding progress in our relations. I want to confide in you my own unease about the bilateral stresses which have been created by circumstances resulting in U.S. public and Congressional concerns over human rights issues in Romania. I feel it important that further serious efforts be made to break the momentum of these stresses. An agreement concerning the importation and distribution of Bibles and other religious materials, as well as the easing of certain administrative measures directed against unrecognized religious groups, would be an important step in this direction. Secretary Shultz will be raising these matters in Bucharest.
Secretary Shultz will also be presenting ideas for developing bilateral relations in other areas. Particularly in light of recent terrorist [Page 385] outrages, we would welcome detailed expert-level exchanges with Romanian officials on the suppression of terrorism as well as exchanges of views on other important international questions such as the Middle East. We would plan to continue to exchange views with your government, along lines of Ambassador Zimmermann’s visits, on major developments in U.S.-Soviet relations.
With best wishes,
Sincerely,
- Source: Reagan Library, Paula J. Dobriansky Files, Romania—Correspondence (8). No classification marking. Shultz delivered the letter during his December 15 meeting with Ceausescu. See Document 140.↩
- Warren Zimmermann. Telegram 7783 from Bucharest, November 23, reported on the meeting. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D850843–0412) Reagan and Gorbachev met in Geneva November 19–21. See Foreign Relations, 1981–1988, vol. V, Soviet Union, Mark 1985–October 1986, Documents 150–159.↩
- The Washington Summit took place in December 1987. See Foreign Relations, 1981–1988, vol. VI, Soviet Union, October 1986–January 1989, Documents 107–115.↩
- The Moscow Summit took place in May 1988. See Foreign Relations, 1981–1988, vol. VI, Soviet Union, October 1986–January 1989, Documents 150–159.↩