For the last several years. bills have been introduced in both Houses of Congress to warn the Romanian Government that we do not take lightly its disregard for the human rights of its citizens. all basically to no avail. Now. on the 30th of April. our brothers in the House of Representatives decided it was time to do something. to take a major. graduated step. and they passed an amendment essentially identical to the amendment which was adopted on June 26 by the Senate. The amendment simply says that it is time. for 6 months. to suspend Romanias privileged trade status and at the end of that time. and if Romania improves its emigration and human rights practices. then Romania would be eligible for MFN status again. The action taken by the Senate and the earlier action taken by the House is not extreme. but it does send. I think. a clear message: The United States will not continue to grant Romania trade privileges which are not available to most Communist countries unless it abides by basic human rights.
Keywords matched
emigration