Eva Balogh wrote:
>
>        By the way, I just began reading Janos Kornai's new book, "Vergodes
>es remeny" (Budapest: Kozgazdasagi es Jogi Konyvkiado, 1996). According to
>the blurb, quoting Janos Kornai himself, "Today the situation is no longer
>hopeless.... From a pessimist I have become an optimist."

I am glad to hear that.  Few people have Janos Kornai's expertise on
these
matters.

>By the way, the
>latest economic indicators are very promising.
>
Just to be a spoil sport, not entirely in my view.  What concerns me is
the pre-election pump priming of the economy.  Sure, this happens in all
countries and most governments would say beforehand that they will not
stoop to doing such a thing, just as Horn declared.

Still, the delay in authorizing the energy prize hikes late last year
was the
first sign of government efforts to present a nicer economic picture
than
the truth.  (Remember, energy prices have a single large effect on the
consumer price index.)

Now the decision to tie pension hikes to real wages rather than the
general
performance of the economy is another way of buying votes.  Real wages
are apparently going up more than expected (this is not the govt's fault
if
this happens in the private sector), well exceeding GDP growth.

These measures are quite similar to the pre-election wizardry of the
previous
government.  How much more is to come is one question, the other being
how well the economy can handle such artificial increase of domestic
demand.
While the sacrifices so far have put  the Hungarian economy on a course
that
experts deem sustainable, an artificial boom can blow it off that
course.

On the previous occasion, by 1994/95 the economy became unbalanced
enough in the aftermath of growth generated to coincide with elections
to necessitate austerity.  It may happen again if this government proves
just as desperate and cynical when the crunch comes.

>George Antony
>
>
>

Dear Colleagues,

I received the following letter from Ted Lungu, the founder of the Romanian
Lobby:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

From:    (Ted Lungu)
To:     


Dear Prof. Liptak,

Attached is a message I got from a senior editor of a Romanian
TV station. I forwarded it to you, along with my answer and translation.


Best Regards,
Ted Lungu

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 1997 16:13:49 -0400 (EDT)
From: Ted Lungu >
To: Corneliu Lucian RUSU >
Subject: Re: PROTV Romania



On Thu, 5 Jun 1997, Corneliu Lucian RUSU wrote:

> A ajuns in posesia noastra un mesaj "forwaded" de dumneavostra catre
> romanian lobby, mesaj prin care ungurii fac apel la lobby-ul lor din
> USA pentru sprijinirea aderarii simultane a Ungariei si Romaniei la
> NATO.

Tanslation:
A message you forwarded on romanian_lobby  reached us, in which message the
Hungarians from Diaspora asked their lobby from USA to support both
Hungary and Romania be admited to NATO together.

>
Intrebarea mea este: stiti cumva care este punctul de plecare a
> acestei initiative ? Ne interesesaza sa vedem cine este initiatorul
> ei, pentru a realiza un scurt reportaj care va fi difuzat la postul
> nostru de televiziune.
>
Translation:

My question is: do you happen to know what was the starting poin of
this initiative? We are interested in finding out who was the initiator
of this action, for a brief newscast we intend to broadcast on our TV
station.

> Corneliu Lucian RUSU
> Senior Editor
> News PRO TV Romania http://www.protv.ro/Users/OnLine
>
> E-mail    or  
> HomePage http://www.protv.ro/Users/OnLine/robo
>

Initiativa a aparut ca uramare a discutiilor dintre Prof. Bela Liptak, unul
din conducatorii loby-ului maghiar, Peter Kovalszki, originar din Romania
si mine. Am lucrat impreuna la organizarea un actiuni in sprijinul
drepturilor minoritatii maghiare din Romania pana in noiembrie '96, apoi
in sprijinul demonstartiilor din Iugoslavia si in sfarsit pentru un lobby
comun pentru NATO.

Cum doriti sa procedati cu realizarea reportajului?
> ----------------------------------------------------
Translation

The initiative started as a result of discutions between Prof. Liptak,
one of the leaders of Hungarian Lobby, Pere Kovalszki, who was born in
Romania and myself. We worked together in actionf for the rights of
Hungarian minority in Romania (until Nov'96), to support the
demonstartors in Yugoslavia and finaly for a common loby for NATO.

How do you want to go about the making this newscast?

Cele bune, Ted Lungu

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
This was my response:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Dear Ted,

Your response is accurate and correct. I think the group in Yugoslavia was
called the 96 Democracy Movement.

The HL fully supports NATO and EU membership for Romania and we have issued
several Action calls to that effect.

I hope that we might also work together in the future on keeping the
"Ancestry" statement on the USA Census Bureau form. Actually, on that, I
would like to contact all  "ethnic" groups to initiate joint action. Possibly
a letter signed by the two of us could be a starting point. We (Gotthard and
Andras Szeitz are also setting up a web-page for supporters to dign.)

Lastly, I also hope that you and RL will also support the return of the
Bolyai University and of church properties in Romania.

With best personal regards: Bela Liptak
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I ask for all of your ideas and help in broadening the cooperation amond the
various ethnic lobbies, so that by helping each-other, we become an effective
force.

Best regards: Bela Liptak

Dear friends,

HELP THE HUNGARIAN MINORITY IN ERDELY BY SUPPORTING THE
ROMANIAN NATO INTEGRATION!

I am collecting signatures for the attached declaration until 18.00
p.m. Central European time. Thus you have around 12 hours left to
join it.  Note, that you do not have to be a member of the Hungarian
Lobby for that.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU WISH TO SIGN THE
DECLARATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!

You may do that by sending a message/reply to this document with
Your name, and address (city,state,country) to Peter Orban:



The names and addresses will be totalized under a letter-document and
forwarded to the Diaspora Romana.

Best wishes
Peter Orban

*************************************************************
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
send reply to:

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

To:                                         June 6th,1997
     Diaspora Romana,
     806 E.Carson Street#118-109
     Carson,CA 90745
     Phone:(310)549-0547
     Fax:  (310)549-6231

   Members of the Hungarian Lobby are deeply interested in the
future of East-Central Europe, and recognize the need for simultaneous
integration of the countries of the region into NATO. This would
stabilize the whole region and assure the orderly transition toward
democracy and market economy, without the turmoil seen in the former
Yugoslavia.

Romania, a country of 23 milion people, with affinity toward western
culture, at the same time represents the best potential base of
stability in the Balkans.

Romania's ongoing political democratization and reorganization of all
central and local governmental institutions, the inclusion of the
large Hungarian minority in the government, and the expected
subsequent satisfaction of legitimate minority claims are -- and may
become -- positive examples for the countries of the region.

A look at the map of Europe shows Romania to be the gateway to the
East. Only through this gateway will it be possible to access the
heart of Europe, and the key that will allow this gateway to stay open
-- and to defend it effectively at the same time -- is NATO membership
for Romania.

With an important economic potential due to a large and fertile
agricultural area, her metallurgical and defense industries ready to
produce for her allies, possessing the biggest maritime port in
Eastern Europe, with a multiethnic population and large urban
comunities, Romania is just as much an important future partner and
ally of the European Community and of NATO as are Poland, the Czech
Republic, and Hungary.

For all the above considerations, members of the Hungarian Lobby,who
during the last six months learned, along the the members of Diaspora
Romana, to cooperate in promoting the cause of democratic
transformation oin Eastern-Central Europe,support  the inclusion of
Romania, along with Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland, among the
first group of countries to be integrated into NATO.

   Members of the Hungarian Lobby :
   List with name, title, address

****************** CALL FOR ACTION ****************

Priority:
   URGENT!!

Background:
  The simultaneous integration of Romania and Hungary into NATO is in
the best interest of our Transylvanian Hungarian brethren, of the
region, and of our peoples and countries. This is also recognized by
the RMDSZ and by Hungarian politicians of the government as well as of
the opposition.
  Unfortunately, Romania is rarely mentioned when Western politicians
talk about NATO expansion. In a few weeks the NATO members will
adjudicate upon Romania's integration into NATO in the first wave. Now
we have to act URGENTLY.

What to do:
  Please support Romania's integration into the NATO by sending
Secretary of State Albright, Vice President Al Gore and President
Clinton the attached (or similar) letters.
  Note these politicians will only take notice if she receives
thousands of letters. Therefore please send at least one letter every
day and ask your friends who do not have contact with HL to do the
same.

e-mail address of Albright:


e-mail address of Gore:


e-mail address of Clinton:



*************************************************************

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
letter to Albright:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<date>

The Honorable Madeleine Albright
United States Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC  20520
E-Mail: )

Dear Madame Secretary:

As a member of the Hungarian Lobby I am deeply interested in the
future of East-Central Europe, and recognize the need for simultaneous
integration of the countries of the region into NATO. This would
stabilize the whole region and assure the orderly transition toward
democracy and market economy, without the turmoil seen in the former
Yugoslavia.

Romania, a country of 23 milion people, with affinity toward western
culture, at the same time represents the best potential base of
stability in the Balkans.

Romania's ongoing political democratization and reorganization of all
central and local governmental institutions, the inclusion of the
large Hungarian minority in the government, and the expected
subsequent satisfaction of legitimate minority claims are -- and may
become -- positive examples for the countries of the region.

A look at the map of Europe shows Romania to be the gateway to the
East. Only through this gateway will it be possible to access the
heart of Europe, and the key that will allow this gateway to stay open
-- and to defend it effectively at the same time -- is NATO membership
for Romania.

With an important economic potential due to a large and fertile
agricultural area, her metallurgical and defense industries ready to
produce for her allies, possessing the biggest maritime port in
Eastern Europe, with a multiethnic population and large urban
comunities, Romania is just as much an important future partner and
ally of the European Community and of NATO as are Poland, the Czech
Republic, and Hungary.

For all the above considerations, I ask you, Madame Secretary, to
support the inclusion of Romania, along with Hungary, the Czech
Republic and Poland, among the first group of countries to be
integrated into NATO.

Respectfully,

<name, title, address>

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
letter to Al Gore:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<date>

The Honorable Al Gore
Vice President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20001
(e-mail: )

Dear Mr. Vice President:

As a member of the Hungarian Lobby I am deeply interested in the
future of East-Central Europe, and recognize the need for simultaneous
integration of the countries of the region into NATO. This would
stabilize the whole region and assure the orderly transition toward
democracy and market economy, without the turmoil seen in the former
Yugoslavia.

Romania, a country of 23 milion people, with affinity toward western
culture, at the same time represents the best potential base of
stability in the Balkans.

Romania's ongoing political democratization and reorganization of all
central and local governmental institutions, the inclusion of the
large Hungarian minority in the government, and the expected
subsequent satisfaction of legitimate minority claims are -- and may
become -- positive examples for the countries of the region.

A look at the map of Europe shows Romania to be the gateway to the
East. Only through this gateway will it be possible to access the
heart of Europe, and the key that will allow this gateway to stay open
-- and to defend it effectively at the same time -- is NATO membership
for Romania.

With an important economic potential due to a large and fertile
agricultural area, her metallurgical and defense industries ready to
produce for her allies, possessing the biggest maritime port in
Eastern Europe, with a multiethnic population and large urban
comunities, Romania is just as much an important future partner and
ally of the European Community and of NATO as are Poland, the Czech
Republic, and Hungary.

For all the above considerations, I ask you, Mr. Vice President, to
support the inclusion of Romania, along with Hungary, the Czech
Republic and Poland, among the first group of countries to be
integrated into NATO.

Respectfully,

<name, title, address>

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
letter to Clinton:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<date>

The Honorable Bill Clinton
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20001
(e-mail: )

Dear Mr. President:

As a member of the Hungarian Lobby I am deeply interested in the
future of East-Central Europe, and recognize the need for simultaneous
integration of the countries of the region into NATO. This would
stabilize the whole region and assure the orderly transition toward
democracy and market economy, without the turmoil seen in the former
Yugoslavia.

Romania, a country of 23 milion people, with affinity toward western
culture, at the same time represents the best potential base of
stability in the Balkans.

Romania's ongoing political democratization and reorganization of all
central and local governmental institutions, the inclusion of the
large Hungarian minority in the government, and the expected
subsequent satisfaction of legitimate minority claims are -- and may
become -- positive examples for the countries of the region.

A look at the map of Europe shows Romania to be the gateway to the
East. Only through this gateway will it be possible to access the
heart of Europe, and the key that will allow this gateway to stay open
-- and to defend it effectively at the same time -- is NATO membership
for Romania.

With an important economic potential due to a large and fertile
agricultural area, her metallurgical and defense industries ready to
produce for her allies, possessing the biggest maritime port in
Eastern Europe, with a multiethnic population and large urban
comunities, Romania is just as much an important future partner and
ally of the European Community and of NATO as are Poland, the Czech
Republic, and Hungary.

For all the above considerations, I ask you, Mr. President, to
support the inclusion of Romania, along with Hungary, the Czech
Republic and Poland, among the first group of countries to be
integrated into NATO.

Respectfully,

<name, title, address>