“Romanian President Pays Tribute to Radio Free Europe,” and Issues Official Condemnation of Romania’s Communist Past
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Press Release
December 19, 2006

Romanian President Traian Basescu delivered a “major” speech to the Romanian Parliament that issued the “first official condemnation of 44 years of communism in Romania,” basing his statements on a recently issued report led by University of Maryland professor Vladimir Tismaneanu.  According to the RFE press release the report calls Romania’s former communist regime “criminal and illegitimate.”

President Basescu used the occasion to also recognize the efforts of Radio Free Europe (RFE/RL) “for keeping Romanians informed about developments in their country and in the world during the days of communism.”  Basescu called RFE the “moral conscience for all Romanians” recognizing former Romanian Service directors Ghita Ionescu, Mihai Cismarescu, Noel Bernard and Vlad Georgyescu.  He accredited the employees of RFE for their selfless and passionate “fight for the truth,” and their “awakening” of the Romanian people.