ROMANIA: Government Falls in Confidence Vote [14 October 2009]

Summary: Parliament dismisses government under Prime Minister Emil Boc citing a lack of economic reforms. 

Development: The Romanian Parliament held a confidence vote in an effort to dismiss the current minority government on 13 October. Lawmakers claimed the administration failed to ameliorate economic reform after the recent recession, which followed three years of growth. Unemployment has nearly doubled from four percent since last year, which is a primary concern for President Basescu. The vote resulted in 254 to 176 in favor to oust the centrist minority government. It is the first time Parliament has dismissed a government since the end of communism in 1989. Prime Minister Emil Boc’s government will remain in limited power until after the 22 November elections. Polls show current President Traian Basescu as favored to win.

Analysis: The pending change will give the in-coming Romanian government the opportunity to push economic reforms through Parliament. Prime Minister Emil Boc’s party, the Democratic Liberals, issued a warning that to dismiss the government during this time of recession could lead to further instability. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has imposed necessary reforms for Romania in order to receive funding. A change in government before the reforms can be pushed forward hinders the possibility for Romania to acquire future funds from the IMF.

[Matthew Whitney]

ROMANIA: Government to Launch Satellite [11 September 2009]

Summary: Romanian scientists plan to launch its nation’s first satellite in October as a part of the Google-sponsored Lunar X-Prize competition.

Development: The Romanian Aeronautics and Cosmonautics Association (ARCA) is preparing to launch the nation’s first satellite in October 2009. The launch is planned from a platform in the Black Sea on a rocket known as “Helen.” According to Dumitru Popescu, the President of ARCA, “Helen” is a three-stage rocket designed to reach lunar orbit in three days. During this test, described as a final dress rehearsal for lunar orbit, the rocket will deliver a capsule containing radio and camera equipment to Earth orbit. The exact date of this launch has not been declared, with designers of the project stating that the weather will determine the exact date of the launch.

Analysis: While the ARCA is not an official government body and received no government funding for this project, the actual launch will be a nation-wide undertaking with the Romanian Navy and Military Aviation aiding in the operation. ARCA is, however, the nation’s leader in aerospace research and development. This test is a preparation for the anticipated lunar launch mission in conjunction with the Lunar X-Prize competition, sponsored by Google. Even though ARCA is not an arm of the government, a successful  launch will mark the first former Soviet Bloc country to launch a domestically-built satellite. If successful, this launch could also jump-start further competition among private space companies such as US-based Virgin Galactic and Bigelow Aerospace.

[Andrew Schroeder]

ROMANIA: Government Seeking to Oust National Anti-Graft Department [26 October 2007]

Summary:  Emergency ordinance aimed at reorganizing anti-corruption policy enforcement along political lines may threaten U.S.-Romanian relations.

Development:  President Basescu’s “war with Parliament” entered a new battle as government sources reported the imminent merge of the National Anti-Corruption Department (DNA) and the DIICOT, the main body dealing with terrorism and organized crime.  This move will place current DNA head Daniel Morar, the subject of a graft investigation, subordinate to his top rival, Minister of Justice Tudor Chiuariu.  The European Commission continues to express grave concern over Bucharest’s 6-month trend of dismissing distinguished ministers who played vital roles in bringing Romania into the E.U., including former Minister of Justice Monica Macovei and Interior Minister Vasile Blaga.   Despite Basescu’s strong popularity amongst the electorate, Parliament and Prime Minister Tăriceanu claim that the current administrators are not doing enough to combat rampant corruption.  Meanwhile the President and his supporters claim that the liberal government representatives insist on purging competent incumbents from anti-graft sectors in order to protect their unlawful wealth.

Analysis:  Having just entered the European Union in January, disagreements on the best way to meet the E.U.’s demands to combat graft have swelled into a national power struggle not only between liberals and conservatives, but also between the legislative-cabinet bloc and the executive office.  Currently, the latter appears to be succumbing as the former picks it apart slowly through unfounded dismissals and judicial decisions overruling executive motions.  This political rivalry will continue to manifest itself outside of the anti-graft sector as both sides vie for control before Western observers.  Consequently, the government will witness an increase in hard-line positions likely to taint U.S.-Romanian relations, particularly relating to its participation in the War in Iraq and the War on Terror.

[Lauren DeHamer]

ROMANIA: Base Leased to US [19 October 2004]

ROMANIA: Base Leased to US

Summary: Bucharest is strengthening its ties to NATO by offering to lease a military base to the US. 

Development: On October 18th Romanian newspapers revealed that Bucharest is offering to lease a large underused military base for training and as a staging area for forward deployment.  The US has been seeking new bases in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia to improve access to crisis areas and compensate for the winding down of troop strength in Western Europe and Asia.

Analysis: Romania has contributed forces to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, thereby cementing its commitment as a new NATO state.  It seems that more and more US military forces will be re-stationed from Germany and other Western European nations to Eastern Europe.   Most likely, “rapid reaction teams” will be positioned in bases in Eastern Europe, including Romania. Bucharest may indeed contribute soldiers to the elite rapid reaction teams, highly trained against terrorism and for use in crisis situations.

ROMANIA: Border Tensions with Ukraine [19 October 2004]

Summary: Romanian Border Police are attempting to block the construction of the Bystroye Navigation Canal, leading to a confrontation with Ukraine along their common border on the lower Danube River. 

Development: Ukraine appears determined to finalize the Bystroye Navigation Canal on its side of the Danube waterway, despite a request from the European Union to postpone the project.  Romanian Foreign Minister, Mircea Geoana, said on October 14th that Romania will not hesitate to take all the measures related to the prerogatives and commitments of a sovereign state to defend the international border irrespective of any neighbor’s intentions or wishes.  According to the Romanian border police, in the past five days their units four times have deployed to stop Ukrainian vessels and dredgers from positioning themselves at the canal entrance.  The Romanian Border Police, which operate on Chilia Arm, near Bystroe channel, have been reinforced with twelve vessels. 

Analysis:  The Bystroye Canal cuts through an area of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, a natural resource area shared between Romania and Ukraine.  It is part of the World Natural Heritage, placed under UNESCO’s special protection, and also is protected under the Ramsar Convention on the Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat.  Numerous international organizations, states, and scientific bodies have asked Ukraine to halt the construction of the second stage of the canal, which constitute an alternative navigation channel on its side of the border, but to no avail.