Tariceanu's Position - The Official Romanian Position on Adoption 12/2/05

Comments first from an incountry source and then the article forwarded to me.

Romania has accepted the EU-imposed ban on international adoptions and has issued a new adoption law which practically forbids any adoption of Romanian orphans or abandoned children by foreigners, or even by Romanians living abroad.

If this is the price Romania has to pay in order to join the European Union, then I say this is too high a price to pay! The EU is forcing Romania to deny the orphans their right to have a brighter future, to grow up and live in a loving family, to have a stable, permanent home. This is immoral and inhuman, and I'm no longer sure I want to become a European citizen.

Unfortunately, the children are innocent victims in this political war, they are the ones who have to suffer. I applaud the Americans' efforts and hope they will win this war for the children's sake.

Vali

Cotidianul - Our orphans star in the U.S. vs. EU war

An influential American congressman is reopening the adoptions war. Chris Smith has proposed a resolution calling on Romania to resume international adoptions and the EU to stop pressuring Bucharest not to, Cotidianul writes.

For the second time in the last three months, the U.S. has manifested its disagreement with Romania's position as far as international adoptions are concerned, taking into account that 200 American families can no longer adopt Romanian children. The president of the Commission for Human Rights in the House of Representatives has proposed a draft resolution which could become a firm statement of Congress in relation to Romania's adoption policy.

The New Jersey congressman has addressed the resolution both to Romania and the European Union. He calls on Romania to resume international adoptions and on the EU not to interfere with this policy. "I ask the EU and its member states not to hinder the Romanian government in its efforts to place orphans and abandoned children in stable families, in a manner which corresponds to Romania's obligations under the Hague Convention," states the resolution. The draft is already being supported by several congressmen and is included in the portfolio of the International Relations Commission.

Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu declared yesterday "Romania has put an end to the export of children. The Americans have to understand that our law is designed according to EU requirements". The Romanian PM speaks not only for himself since he has the support of the European executive.

As an answer to the American's request, the delegation of the European Commission in Romania reinforced its position as supporter and promoter of the new legislation related to children's rights and adoptions. Moreover, their modification would in fact mean "a breach both of international conventions for human rights and of Romanian legislation," states the Delegation's press release.

The Romanian authorities have also been firm and do not want to give up the new legislation, which they say conforms to international agreements.

Copyright © 2004 Bucharest Daily News

http://www.daily-news.ro/article_detail.php?idarticle=19906