Mar 14, 2006

Hungarian Minority in Romania: Stronger Position Needed Concerning Nationalist-Extremist Manifestati


"We must not ignore certain principles just for the sake of stating momentary political interests. This would mean ignoring fundamental principles of democracy", DAHR President Béla Markó said
Béla Markó, the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (DAHR) President is not satisfied by the position of President Basescu, regarding the 15th of March manifestations. In his opinion, the head of state should have had a more firm position regarding the intention of the Greater Romania Party to organize a counter-manifestation in Odorheiu Secuiesc on the 15th of March. The DAHR President pointed it out that the 15th of March is very near to a different kind of anniversary, namely that of the bloody March of 1990. Back then Hungarians did not dare to wear the Hungarian national colors or to sing the national anthem. Since then, through political dialogue and through political means the Romanian authorities recognize the right to celebrate the 15th of March, including the right to wear the Hungarian national colors and to sing the Hungarian national anthem.. Nonetheless, Béla Markó pointed it out that autonomy does not come about through declarations. Actually, inflaming declarations can only throw the Hungarian community back to the state of affairs of the early 1990’s.

Regarding the vote in the Chamber of Deputies concerning the search of the houses of the President of the Chamber, Adrian Nastase, the DAHR had furthered a secret vote. “We must not ignore certain principles just for the sake of stating momentary political interests. This would mean ignoring fundamental principles of democracy. Having an open vote in cases concerned with persons, might herald, in a further step to having open votes in parliamentary and local elections. The DAHR is not willing to digress, not for anyone, from the basic principles of democracy”, Béla Markó said.

Analyzing the events of the last couple of weeks, Béla Markó said that we are witnessing a permanent circus: politicians are busy with searches of houses, secret services, while urgent solutions are needed for problems of the pensioners, for supporting agriculture, for problems of the youth and for problems in the protection of the environment.” It seems like the a game of ‘cops ‘n’ robbers’ is played in Parliament, instead of finding solutions for the aforementioned problems.”, Béla Markó said. He announced that in the coming period the DAHR will address these domains with particular interest. Also, the DAHR suggested analyzing the Government Programme, together with its partners.

Extract from: The Bulletin of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (DAHR)