ACCESSION NUMBER:00000
FILE ID:95062004.WWE
DATE:06/20/95
TITLE:ROMANIA DEFENSE MINISTER DISCUSSES NATO MEMBERSHIP

TEXT:
(Paints positive picture of Romania) (410)
By Vance Phillips
USIA Staff Writer

Washington -- Romanian Defense Minister Gheorghe Tinca said June 20
the Northern Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is "the best thing
out there" with regard to other alliances. He added that "there are no
other feasible alternatives for Romania."

Tinca said that in Central and Eastern Europe "now it is an issue of
transition" and that this would involve uniting all of post-Cold War
Europe. However, in an effort to put a positive light on Central
European countries, Tinca said that the Alliances (NATO and the
Partnership for Peace) should not view them as sources of "trouble."
He said they should be viewed as countries in search of "stability and
a sound future."

On Romania's military capability, Tinca said Romania is second (in
Central Europe) only to Poland with regard to the size, strength,
discipline and potential of their army.

The defense minister indicated Romania's willingness to take part in
peacekeeping efforts by referring to past efforts in Somalia, Angola
and Rwanda. He said that once Romania is a member of NATO their
peacekeeping forces will be at the disposal of the United Nations.

In an effort to dismiss the notion that Romania would become dependent
on their NATO allies, Tinca said that "they wanted to work with other
NATO members." He emphasized that it was not their intention to only
be "receivers of allied assistance."

During a brief question and answer segment, Tinca responded with a
definitive "no" to the rumor that spare military parts had been
shipped through Romania to the Bosnian Serbs. He added that even
though the embargo has been costly to the Romanians with respect to
trade, they will still continue to support the decision. He pointed to
Romania's living up to its moral responsibility to do the right thing
with respect to the situation in Bosnia.

When asked to define Romania's view on the arms embargo, Tinca said
that he doesn't feel it would be feasible to lift the embargo. He said
that doing so would "damage political peace negotiations" and that
"There is no military solution for Bosnia."

On June 21, Secretary of Defense William J. Perry will host an Honor
Cordon to welcome the Romanian minister of defense. Secretary Perry
and Minister Tinca will sign a General Security of Information
Agreement following the ceremony, according to a Defense Department
advisory June 20.
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