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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release January 23, 1999

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

Situation in Romania

We deplore the violence that occurred Thursday in clashes between demonstrators and Romanian police forces. We support the efforts of the democratically-elected government to restore order and respect for the rule of law. We welcome the leadership demonstrated by President Emil Constantinescu and Prime Minister Radu Vasile, as well as the joint statement of parliamentary political parties.

We remain in close contact with senior Romanian officials and hope that Friday's agreement brings an end to the violence.

The United States reaffirms its support for the Vasile government's efforts to move forward decisively on the path of economic reform for the benefit of all Romanians. We appreciate that the reform process requires many sacrifices. But there is no other path to prosperity, stability and integration into the European and transatlantic communities.

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