Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume X, Eastern Europe

157. Telegram From the Embassy in Romania to the Department of State¹

4900.

Bucharest, June 17, 1987, 1351Z

SUBJECT

• Possible Threat to Great Synagogue in Bucharest.

1. (C—Entire text)

2. Summary: Bucharest Mayor has informed Chief Rabbi Rosen that demolition of Great Synagogue is envisaged. Rosen has protested strongly. He urges that matter be kept absolutely confidential while efforts are made to reverse this idea. Israeli Ambassador is seeking instructions to make strong confidential démarche to GOR. I would like such instructions also. All concerned feel absolute confidentiality is essential while a determined governmental effort is made to turn this around. End summary.

3. Romanian Chief Rabbi Rosen informed us he was told by Bucharest Mayor June 10 that demolition of the Great Synagogue was envisaged² as part of Bucharest urban reconstruction plan (no date given).³ Rosen protested strongly, citing synagogue’s historic significance, promises given by Ceausescu and others last year that it would not repeat not be demolished, and adverse effect of any such action in the U.S., including on MFN. He put same arguments in June 15 letter to Ceausescu, adding that such action, together with his advanced age and ill health, would force him “to withdraw to his university activity in Israel.”

4. Rosen informed Israeli and American Ambassadors, as well as visiting Joint⁴ official Goldman, of this development and gave them copies of his letter. He asked that no publicity be given to this matter at this time, and requested that no one in the U.S. outside the government be informed. He has not repeat not informed visiting B’nai B’rith ex-Chairman Spitzer, though he has asked Spitzer to stress, in his expected late June meeting with Ceausescu, the importance of the assurances on destruction of Jewish buildings given by Ceausescu last year. Rosen wants to wait to see if his reaction will cause demolition idea to be dropped.

5. Israeli Ambassador and I also feel that confidential efforts to forestall this action are the best course at this time. Public knowledge of GOR idea would lead to an action-reaction cycle that would doom the synagogue, as well as larger U.S. interests. Govrin is suggesting to his Foreign Ministry that, if Rosen (now in Israel), the source of the information, has no objection, Govrin be instructed to make a strong confidential demarche. I said I would ask for similar instruction from Washington.

Kirk

1. Source: Reagan Library, Rudolf Perina Files, Subject File, Romania—Bilateral 1987 (1). Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Sent for information to Tel Aviv. An unknown hand wrote a note to Ridgway at the top of the telegram in the margin: “R. MFN—This would be last straw. We will be going out with demarche telling Romanians if they do this, that will be the end of MFN. Ceausescu personally promised Ambassador Walters (Bucharest 6011 14 Aug 86) that 3 remaining synagogues would be preserved.” Telegram 6011 from Bucharest, August 15, 1986, reported on the Walters and Ceausescu meeting. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D860625–0485)
2. An unknown hand underlined “was envisaged.”
3. An unknown hand underlined “no date given.”
4. Reference is to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.