171. Letter From President Reagan to Romanian President Ceausescu1
I am pleased you will receive Deputy Secretary of State John Whitehead during his stop in Bucharest. His visit is an important part of the dialogue between our countries. Moreover, it comes at a critical time in our bilateral relations.
There is rising concern in the United States, including the United States Congress, about continuing problems with respect to human rights in Romania. We see your understanding of the seriousness of these problems as the key to success in overcoming them and maintaining the long-standing and mutually-beneficial relations between our countries.
It is true that greater numbers of Romanians than ever before have been allowed to emigrate to join family members in the United States, and we recognize the efforts your government has made in this regard. Unfortunately, effects of this effort are clouded by the growing list of restrictions in other areas, particularly in religious freedom, treatment of minorities, economic conditions and political expression. American officials have had numerous discussions about these problems with members of your government.
Precisely because we value our relationship with Romania, we have sought to convey the depth of American concern about these problems. Without substantial improvements in the next three months, it will be very difficult for me to decide on renewed extension of MFN for Romania this spring, much less for Congress to accept a positive recommendation. Moreover, quite apart from the question of MFN, economic and human rights conditions in Romania will always be important to our relationship, and their improvement would serve to strengthen and benefit our bilateral ties.
I have, therefore, asked Deputy Secretary Whitehead to review the situation with you. I urge you to do your utmost to clear away these difficulties so that we can resume the work of building broader and deeper relations between our countries.
Sincerely,
- Source: Reagan Library, Rudolf Perina Files, Subject File, Romania—Bilateral 1988 (1). No classification marking.↩