The Eighth Tribe, 1980 (7. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1980-04-01 / 4. szám
DOES RUMANIA DESERVE TO BE “PREFERRED NATION?” It seems that our President, as well as the majority of our Congress, feels that the communist government of Rumania deserves special considerations reserved only to nations friendly toward the United States of America, and useful as political allies. This decision is based on two suppositions, both of which are erroneous, resulting from an intense propaganda campaign on one side, and the lack of correct information on the other. One of the false concepts is that Rumania must be rewarded by special economic aid, because the pre-World War II Rumanian Kingdom did most of its importing from the USA “in spite of Nazi pressure”. According to the “Statistische Jahrbücher” the Rumanian import from Hitler’s Germany, between 1935 and 1939 averaged 51.6% of the total, while only 19.8% of the goods entering Rumania in those years came from the USA. In addition to full economic support, Rumania also pledged unconditional military support to Nazi Germany, instead of following the line of passive resistance displayed by Poland and Czechoslovakia or that of active resistance exhibited by Yugoslavia. This Rumanian eagerness to be on the “winning” German side put Hungary in a dangerous position. Nevertheless, the Hungarian government was still able to keep its neutrality much longer and to enter the war only on a limited basis when finally yielding to the German pressure. Only after the Western Powers refused to accept the Hungarian offer of turning against Germany for the price of American or British occupation instead of Russian invasion did Hungary begin to fight full force for its survival, unfortunately much too late. By that time the Rumanians, Hitler’s staunch allies, joined up with the Russians and invaded Hungary under the protection of Russian tanks, looting, raping, ravaging, and killing thousands of innocent people. Another frequently used argument is that “Rumania is trying to break away from the Soviet block and become ‘West-oriented’.” This view is completely false and is based on the misappehension of the communist doctrine on one hand, and lack of knowledge concerning Rumanian political aims and methods. During its very short, 102 years of history, Rumania has furnished ample proof that contracts, treaties, agreements, commitments, political, social or economic obligations, no matter how pompously agreed to and signed, have no practical value, and can be shrugged off any time. Before World War I, in order to receive financial aid, Rumania signed a mutual defense pact with Austria-Hungary, apparently aimed against Russia. However, as soon as Russia attacked, Rumania turned against its allies, and joined Russia. For this, the Rumanians were rewarded with the annexation of Transylvania. As soon as the shadow of a strong and aggressive Nazi-Germany fell upon the continent, Rumania turned again about face, and joined up with the new “bully” on the block, abandoning its former friends and allies. Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia. Then after enthusiastically supporting Germany in its conquering thrust into Russia, when the tables were turned and the Russian troops entered Rumania on the tail of the retreating Wehrmacht, Rumania turned coats again. Invading Hungary once more, this time safely behind the advancing Red Army, the Rumanians staged such a blood bath among the Hungarians of Transylvania that in many recorded instances the Russian military authorities had to interfere on behalf of the civilian population. The Rumanians resented Russian interference into their “internal affairs”, meaning the persecution of the Hungarian peasantry. From here on, Rumania was ready to change sides again, but in a manner of course, which would not jeopardize her good standing in the communist camp. Careful side-glances toward China and the USA began to be implemented, with the purpose of aggravating the Russians just enough to gain some concessions but not enough to make them angry. Anyone who believes that communist Rumania, under its national-communist leader, Ceausescu, can ever become a true friend and aUy of this country, does not understand communist doctrine and the philosophy deriving from this doctrine. The main goal of the Rumanian government today is the liquidation of the native Hungarian population of Transylvania by the use of any available means. The reason for this goal is to secure this extremely rich territory, conquered and annexed by force and deceit, for future generations of Rumanian settlers imported day by day from across the Carpathians and relocated into Transylvanian towns and villages from where the native Hungarians were forcibly removed one way or another. There is a well planned ethnocide going on today in Rumania. Those who aid the Rumanian government in any way, accept and legitimize oppression, discrimination, and the extermination of three million Hungarians. II THE TRANSYLVANIAN QUARTERLY
