Jul 28, 2006 (Romania Report & sources)
Washington DC – President Basescu and Defence Secretary Rumsfeld discussed topics related to the US-Romanian military cooperation.
American troops are to be relocated in Romania next year as the country will provide a number of five locations for the US forces military facilities. President Basescu expressed hopes that this year all the technical issues be settled. As about the US financial support for Romanian military forces, Basescu proposed a 50 percent increase in 2007, while the US initially proposition was of a 20 percent increase.
President Basescu reiterated commitment that Romanian armed forces will further take part in the war against global terrorism. As about the logistic support needed by Romanian troops operating in Iraq, Basescu asked for urgent involvement of either UK or US forces there—in order to replace logistic assistance provided so far by the Italian troops, which are soon to be pulled out.
On another hand, U.S. Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Thursday ordered about 3,500 U.S. troops in Iraq to stay up to four months past their scheduled departure, boosting U.S. forces in an attempt to curb unrelenting violence in Baghdad.
Visa Policy Discussed by Romanian and U.S. Presidents – Bush, Basescu also affirm commitment to democracy spread
President Bush and Romanian President Traian Basescu discussed U.S. visa policies, among other issues, during a July 27 meeting at the White House, a communiqué released by US Department of State reads.
Following the meeting, Basescu told journalists the visa problem stems in part from the increasing numbers of Romanian students studying at American universities and Romanian business people traveling between the two nations. Basescu said the volume of business between the two nations has increased threefold over the past three years. A businessperson from Romania must plan for a minimum of three months’ lead time to obtain a visa to travel to the United States.
Romanians, Basecu said, do not view the United States as a destination for employment or illegal immigrations because, as a member of the European Union, employment and immigration opportunities exist for them in Europe.
President Bush, responded to the visa issue, said, “We want to work together on a road map to make sure the visa policy will work … that’s where we are with Romania, as well as other countries.”
The two leaders made bilateral relations a significant focus of their meeting. Bush said Romania’s view on the Black Sea region and issues related to the Balkans is “one that I listen to very carefully,” adding that Romania’s role in the Balkans is vital because of the emerging democracies there and the historical conflicts in the region.
Both presidents also highlighted their strong commitment to the spread of democracy. “Romania will continue to remain an ally of the United States in supporting the democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan, in supporting democratic regimes in these countries like a key of freedom on the area,” said Basescu.
Bush said the United States and Romania not only are allies but also friends and he thanked the Romanian people “for their strong support to the young democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
Romania Report – also using a US Department of State communiqué
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