Hungarian American Coalition News, 1997 (6. évfolyam, 1-2. szám)
1997 / 1. szám
1996 Elections in Romania Following the November 1996 Romanian elections, a three-party coalition government, which includes the Romanian Democratic Convention, the Social Democratic Union and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ) was formed, ousting ex-communists who had governed the country for the past six years. Romania’s newly elected President, Emil Constantinescu, a former university professor, nominated Victor Ciorbea, the popular mayor of Bucharest, to head tire new government. It enjoys a 59 percent parliamentary majority and has promised to implement extensive economic reforms and seek Romania’s integration into the EU and NATO. After the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ) became a part of the new government, it acquired two ministerial posts: Tourism and The Council for National Minorities, headed respectively by Ákos Birtalan, a representative from Kovászna, and György Tokay, a representative from Arad. In addition, RMDSZ received seven statesecretary positions in the Ministries of Education, Culture, Welfare and Labor, Territorial Administration, Environment, Agriculture and Health. Furthermore, RMDSZ gained two prefect positions in Hargita and Szatmár counties as well as eight deputy prefect appointees in Arad, Bihar, Kolozs, Kovászna, Hunyad, Maros, Szilágy, and Bucharest. The participation of RMDSZ in the government is of historic significance. On the one hand, it breaks new ground in Romania’s political tradition and sets a precedent for the future. On the other hand, by the inclusion of elements from the RMDSZ program in the government program, it is the first time that Romania officially recognizes that a stable and democratic society must recognize the distinctive identity and specific needs of its 2 million-strong Hungarian community. Calendar of Events of Member Organizations March 15 March 15th Celebration organized by the Kossuth and Petőfi Clubs of Sarasota, Florida. The event will take place at the Venice offices of the Petőfi Club: 165 Jackson Road, Venice, Florida. The Hungarian Club of Colorado commemorates the 1848 Revolution. At 2 pm: Reflective program and laying of wreath at the Hungarian Freedom Park, Speer Blvd. and Emerson Street. At 3 pm: for the children, a short narration on the Revolution, at Humphrey’s Lounge, University of Colorado Medical School, 4200 E. 9th Avenue. March 16 March 15th Celebration at the Hungarian Club of Toledo, 4 pm. 1848 Revolution Commemoration at the International Institute, Minneapolis, MN. Organized by the Minnesota Hungarians, Inc. Guest speaker: Coalition member Dr. Judit Gellerd, from Chico, CA. The American Hungarian Federation of Metropolitan Washington, DC will commemorate the 1848 Revolution at the American University, Kay Spiritual Center, at 3 pm. Guest speaker: Mr. Szabolcs Kerék- Bárczy. Official greetings by Ambassador György Bánlaki. March 26 Week long activities of the Hungarian Club of Toledo, celebrating the first anniversary of the formation of Lucas County-Csongrád Megye Sister Counties. City and county officials from Toledo, Lucas County, Szeged and Csongrád Megye will participate in the events. The different activities will be held at the Calvin United Church of Christ. April 4-14 Béla Markó, the President of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ) will be visiting the United States for meetings with Washington policymakers, as a guest of the Hungarian Human Rights Foundation. April 9-14 Mr. Béla Markó will speak (in Hungarian) about the situation of the Hungarian minority in Romania and the new role of RMDSZ as a government coalition member: Wednesday, April 9, at 6:30 pm: Kossuth House, 2001 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Saturday, April 12, at 7:00 pm: Rutgers University Student Center, College Avenue, New Brusnwick, NJ. Sunday, April 13, at 3:00 pm: Hungarian House, 215 East 82nd Street, New York, NY. April 19 General Meeting of the Hungarian Scouts Association, and Scout Charity Ball, in Cleveland, Ohio. May 1-4 Festival of Nations, at the International Institute, Minneapolis, MN. The Minnesota Hungarians, Inc. and Hungarian Americans of the area present folk dances and Hungarian cooking to the audience. May 24-25 Annual Hungarian Scout Patrol Competition (Akadályverseny) in the Sik Sándor Scout Reservation, Fillmore, NY. June 5-7 Human Rights Workshop at Eastern University, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. June 28-July 5 “Gábor Bodnár Commemorative Camp” of the West Coast Hungarian Scout Troops, Cheneketan, Idaho. July 6-27 School camp (Iskolatábor) for children, run by the Hungarian Scouts Association Abroad, Fillmore, NY. August 7-17 Annual Leader Training Courses of the Hungarian Scouts Association Abroad, Fillmore, NY. 6 • Hungarian American Coalition News • Winter 1997
