97. Letter From President Reagan to Romanian President Ceausescu1
As you are aware, Most Favored Nation (MFN) status renewal for Romania will soon be considered by the U.S. Congress. I am required by law to provide Congress with a determination whether such status is to be renewed. After carefully reviewing this issue, I recommended MFN renewal for Romania in 1982.2 My decision was predicated on the level of Romanian emigration to the United States in 1981, on the good political relations and mutually beneficial economic intercourse between our countries, and my deep respect for Romania’s pursuit of an independent foreign policy.
Despite these positive developments, however, I am gravely concerned about certain issues which have become serious irritants in [Page 279] U.S.-Romanian relations—Romania’s policy toward emigration to Israel and the treatment of members of various religious denominations, particularly Pentecostals and Baptists, who have been subjected to harsh fines and long periods of imprisonment for their religious activities.
Since the extension of MFN status to Romania, the level of Jewish emigration to Israel has declined by some 50 percent. Furthermore, notwithstanding the 1979 understanding between American-Jewish leaders and the Romanian Government, considerable delays in the resolution of Jewish emigration cases continue to occur, resulting in a periodic backlog numbering into the hundreds of cases.
In the past six months, I have received numerous reports of Romanian Christians being arrested and charged with criminal offenses because they have sought to distribute Bibles to fellow believers and to have contact with representatives of churches and religious organizations in the West.
These incidents have stirred a strong public reaction in the United States. I have received letters of concern from some American-Jewish leaders and from a large number of prominent members of Congress such as Senators Moynihan, Helms and Jepsen, and Congressmen Solarz and Dornan. Given the existing public sentiment, I expect that, unless there is a marked improvement in Romanian human rights practices, particularly as they affect religious denominations, and emigration policies for those desiring to go to Israel, MFN renewal for Romania in 1983 is likely to provoke an even sharper debate. Your personal intervention on this matter, I am confident, would have a favorable impact and preclude such an unfortunate development.
Best wishes.
Sincerely,