A new moment of reference in Romanian-American relations took place on Saturday once the President George Walker Bush brought to Bucharest America’s message of confidence in its new Ally and the urge to stay on course with economic reforms and strengthening the rule of law. Since the very first moments when the U.S. President stepped foot on Romanian soil no few were those who felt that Mr. Bush’s heart had beaten in a Romanian way for 280 minutes, the approximate duration of his blitz visit to Bucharest. Romania was the last leg of the five-day European tour started by President Bush last Tuesday which took him also to Prague, Sankt Petersburg and Vilnius.
Rainbow’s miracle
“Salut!”, began Mr. Bush his address in front of the 100,000 enthusiastic Romanians who have stayed for hours in Piata Revolutiei (Revolution Square) defying the rain, for listening, seeing and even touching the most powerful leader in the world, the leader of a country by which Romanians have always linked their expectations to.
As he promised to the Romanian President in Prague when they spoke about their forthcoming meeting in Bucharest, the nasty rain discouraged in no way Mr. Bush. On the contrary, he displayed non-simulated emotions and joy of speaking in front of such an enthusiastic crowd, despite the unfavourable weather conditions. “As we started speaking, a rainbow appeared. God is smiling on us today,” said President George Bush, while everybody realised why Mr. Bush insistently watched the sky during Mr. Iliescu’s welcome speech.
“Today we reaffirm the friendship between your country and mine,” a visibly touched President Bush told Romanians. He declared himself proud to bring the good wishes of the American people in that symbolic location for the freedom ideals of Romanians, as in the same square, the former dictator was ousted by a furious crowd 13 years ago.
Mr. Bush’s eyes not once targeted the balcony where Nicolae Ceausescu held his last speech in December 1989. He paid homage to those whose courage set Romania free. “Here, in December of 1989, you broke the silence of your captivity. From that balcony, the dictator heard your voices and faltered — and fled. Two generations of bitter tyranny ended, and all the world witnessed the courage of Romania, the courage that set you free,” said Mr. Bush.
A proud and working democracy
“Since those days of liberation, Romania has made an historic journey. Instead of hatred, you have chosen tolerance. Instead of destructive rivalry with your neighbors, you have chosen reconciliation. Instead of state control, you have chosen free markets and rule of law. And instead of dictatorship, you have built a proud and working democracy,” he added amid the applause of those gathered in the Revolution Square.
In an extraordinary speech structured to focus on the most respected values by Romanians, Mr. Bush also evoked the meaning of the church in the country’s history. “Close by is a church, three centuries old, a symbol of the faith that overcomes all oppression. In this square we see monuments of Romanian patriots who lost their lives in liberty — for the liberty of your nation”.
George W. Bush is the fourth U.S. President who visited Romania. Five years ago the then U.S. President paid a consolation visit to Bucharest to urge Romanians to stay on course of reforms as the only way to get one day an invitation to join NATO.
This time, the visit paid to Bucharest by America’s President, who thus made the proof of America’s friendship and confidence in its new Ally, can be regarded as an award to crown the success previously achieved in Prague, when Romania received the invitation to start accession talks for NATO.
Should any danger and nation threaten you, we’ll be by your side
Since the very first words of his message President Bush hailed Romania’s invitation to join NATO launched in Prague two days ago. “We proudly invite you to join NATO, the great alliance of freedom”. “The path of freedom you’ve chosen is not easy, but it’s the only path worth taking. I know that your hardship did not end with your oppression. America respects your labor, your patience, and your daily determination to find a better life. Your effort has been recognized by an offer to NATO membership. We welcome Romania into NATO,” Mr. Bush also said.
But President Bush came to Bucharest not just to tell that due to the Prague decision on enlargement, Romania is on equal footing with the United States. He came also to bring to Romanian decision-makers a blank cheque and to draw attention that NATO membership is not only about advantages, but also about obligations and responsibilities.
“NATO’s invitation to join was also a vote of confidence that you will continue the hard work of political, economic and military reform. And as you do, you will have partners in all the nations of NATO. The Head of the American Administration told Romanians the promises of the North-Atlantic Alliance are sacred. “We will keep our pledges to all the nations that join us. Should any danger threaten Romania — should any nation threaten Romania, the United States of America and NATO will be by your side. “As a NATO ally, you can have this confidence — no one will be able to take away the freedom of your country,” the U.S. President added, amid applause of the people gathered in the square. NATO membership, stressed Mr. Bush will make Romania more secure. “And Romania will add to the strength of the NATO Alliance as we face unprecedented new dangers”. He praised Romania’s contribution to the U.S.-led global coalition against terror and mentioned that Romanian and American troops are serving side by side in Afghanistan.
“Your country also brings moral clarity to our NATO Alliance. You value freedom because you have lived without it. You know the difference between good and evil because you have seen evil’s face. The people of Romania understand that aggressive dictators cannot be appeased or ignored; they must always be opposed,” U.S. President told Romanians.
The U.S. will lead a coalition of willing to disarm Iraq in the name of peace
“The world has suffered enough from fanatics who seek to impose their will through fear and murder. The NATO Alliance and the civilized world are confronting the new enemies of freedom, and we will prevail”.
“An aggressive dictator now rules in Iraq. By his search for terrible weapons, by his ties to terror groups, by his development of prohibited ballistic missiles, the dictator of Iraq threatens the security of every free nation, including the free nations of Europe,” said President George W. Bush. He said the United Nations Security Council, and now NATO have spoken with one voice: “the Iraqi regime will completely disarm itself of weapons of mass murder, or we, the United States, will lead a coalition of willing nations and disarm that regime in the name of peace”. “Every nation must confront danger. Every free nation has a responsibility to play its full and responsible role. And together, we will preserve our freedoms and we will work together to keep the peace,” Mr. Bush also said.
Romania, a bridge to the new Russia
Coming from Sankt Petersburg—where he had an exchange of views with President Vladimir Putin—President Bush granted Romania a very clear role in the future to be built by the U.S. and NATO after the historic decisions took in Prague. “In the peaceful future we’re building, Romania will strengthen our lives in another way — as a bridge to a new Russia”. “For centuries, Romania’s geography was a source of danger. Now, you can help our Alliance to extend a hand of cooperation across the Black Sea,” said Mr. Bush. The U.S. President wanted to calm Moscow again and told Russia has nothing to fear from the growth of NATO, because Russia needs peaceful, stable neighbors, like Romania. “As I told President Putin yesterday, a Russia that is fully part of Europe needs no buffer zone separating it from Europe. America and Romania are friends to the Russian people, and so it the NATO Alliance”.
We love the fact that you love freedom
Impressed by the ruins of the former offices of the secret police, the awful communist oppression tool still stirring painful memories to most of Romanians, President Bush used his presence in Bucharest to pray for those brave Romanians who paid with their lives the courage to oppose the former regime.
“On this historic square, among the monuments to Romania’s greatness, there’s also a building left in ruins — the former offices of the secret police. It is a fitting reminder of all the cruelties done there, and the justice that rose up against oppression. That grim monument also recalls the many brave Romanians who did not live to see this day. Our prayers are for them and their families,” an emotional President Bush addressed the people.
“Yet, today, their hopes are being fulfilled. The nation they love is rising. Romania has won its freedom. Romania is resolute in difficulty and moving toward greater prosperity. And Romania is finding its place in the greatest — history’s greatest alliance for freedom”.
“May God bless Romania. And may God bless America,” concluded Mr. Bush his 20-minute speech warmly applauded by the 100,000 enthusiastic people gathered in the Square, who for sure expressed the feelings of all the other 21 million of Romanians.
At the end of his speech, Mr. Bush left the tight security protected area of the stage in the Revolution Square and he took an about ten-minute crowd bathe flanked by vigilant agents of the U.S. Secret Service.
President Iliescu:
Romania wishes to consolidate its position as a trustworthy partner
While welcoming President George W. Bush in the Revolution Square, President Ion Iliescu expressed satisfaction for having him in a location symbolic for tragic and, at the same time heroic moments of December 1989 - when, through its determination and blood sacrifice, the Romanian nation ended the communist totalitarianism and opened the way towards liberty, democracy and profound transformations.
He used the presence in the Revolution Square to thank the United States for its constant support for Romania, throughout the period that preceded the decision in Prague on enlargement in the framework of the Partnership for Peace, and in the context of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
“Romania’s accession to NATO is a recognition of both the Romanian nation’s endeavors on the way to democratic reforms, and of its role as a factor of stability in this area of Central Europe.
For Romania, this is a historic moment, that marks the definitive break from its past and, at the same time, a new beginning. We are aware that Romania’s new status also means new obligations and duties. We know we have traveled only part of the road that takes us to complete conjoining with the European and Euro-Atlantic institutions. We are, however, determined to persevere on this road because it meets the fundamental interests of Romania and the Romanian nation,” said the Romanian Head of State. He also reiterated what he stated after the official talks held at the Cotroceni Palace concerning the Romanian authorities’ determination to curb corruption. “We have started a merciless war on corruption and bureaucracy, which hurt our country so much and erode confidence in democracy.
“Romania wishes to consolidate our position as a trustworthy partner, as a provider of security and stability in our geographical area, including through participating in peacekeeping missions,” said Mr. Iliescu. He voiced recognition and gratitude to the Romanian troops that demonstrated an outstanding sense of duty in performing their missions in Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Albania and Afghanistan. As world is now looking at new threats, Mr. Iliescu re-stated Romania’s commitment to act further promptly and responsibly, alongside the United States and alongside the international anti-terrorist alliance to combat terrorist networks and the threat of WMD.
Pictures by: Marius Chitu & Reuters