The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 8

OVERSEAS NEWS 8 THE GUARDIAN Thursday June .7 1984 Myth and reality are confused in Ceausescu's Romania NEWS IN BRIEF Romanians are led to believe that are very fortunate' to have their President and his wife to lead them. The couple have, become near-monarchs. Hella Eick -repcirts Rightist The International Monetary Fund, and the commercial banks, who have lent funds to Romania, are loath to question these having secured a rescheduling of its foreign debt, is now meticulously standing by its commitments, and is even achieving a growing positive trade balance with hard currency countries. The creditors are not concerned with the system that produces these re'sults. 'But it is much more difficult to.

establish whether the Romanian people themselves are as convinced as the leadership in quits Bond SOUTH Africa's far -right Conservative party leader has resigned from the Afrikaner Broederbond, which he once led, his parly said sense to 'divert so much of Romania's scarce resources to this project. Even Romanian officials acknowledge that it will take at least 30 years to test whether the new waterway can pay for itself. Moreover, it wilt require substantial additional investment' to utilise the canal to build an irrigation system transforming, the Danube delta into fertile agricultural land. Meanwhile, in Romania today, its citizens are queueing for eggs and milk, and hoard any meat they can buy for fear of finding none later. They are exhorted to.

eat fish, because President Ceausescu has decreed that it is healthier. But fish-shops in Bucharest are as empty as the butchers. President Ceausescu's ambitions for industrialising Romania ied him, a few years ago, to the decision, greatly encouraged by Britain, to reestablish Romania as an aircraft manufacturer. The country now has a plant to assemble BAC Ills, with an arrangement under which Romania will eventually manufacture all the parts itself. Two aircraft are already in use with Romania's national airline.

By the time the 22nd plane comes off the line it will be an all-Romanian plane. But should the Romaninns be as proud of this as officials insist? The plane engine's noise-level exceeds recently es tablished international landing norms, and the engine will have to be adjusted. An even more serious problem is marketing the planes. Yet, without export sales, the Romanian aircraft industry is almost doomed to be a white elephant. More serious investment mistakes were made when the Romanians decided on the development of its petro-chemical industry.

At least one third of its plants are now idle because the refineries lack crude oil, and because the market for petro-chemical products has shrunk. Romanian officials insist that their country is as much the victim of international recession in petro-chemicals as many Western countries. Yet, without its surplus capacity, Romania would not need to be so concerned to obtain assured supplies of Soviet oil, and would not have to divert meat, as well as exports that could be sold to hard currency countries, to pay for the limited quantities of crude oil which the Russians are willing to sell to Romania. The Romanian leadership does not deny that the Romanian people has had to make sacrifices, and that more are inevitable if Romania is to fulfil its promise of an advanced industrial society. But officials insist that everybody understands and cooperates.

tional standing, and to emphasise national identity and self-respect for a nation that has no serious alternative except to remain a member, of the Warsaw Pact. But credulity has to be stretched, hard when Romanian officials confidently assert that all this, and much more, is actually achieved. Day after day, the Romanian people, as as visitors to the country, are being reminded that 40 years of Communist rule almost 20 under Mr Ceausescu have succeeded in trnsforming a backward fuedal country into an industrially advanced and increasingly prosperous country, which is further blessed by a highly responsive system of popular democracy. The exaggerated claims tend to hide some of the very real achievements, and may blind Mr Ceausescu's advisors on some of the country's most urgent needs. A characteristic over statement accompanied the formal opening last month of the 40 mile canal from the Danube to the Port of Constanta on the Black Sea after eight long years of heroic labour." Pres- PRESIDENT Nicolae Ceausescu of Romania is certainly not the only politician, East or West of the iron curtain, guilty of confusing myth with reality or of feeding the grassroots with images of achievement that are sometimes hard to relate to actual experience.

But are surely few who do it with such single-minded determination as Mr Ceausescu, and who apply such unremitting persistence to the task of convincing their fellow countrymen and women of the immense good fortune of having him and his wife, Elena, in seeming perpetuity as their guides, their mentors, and indeed their near-monarchs. Every Romanian office, factory and public place displays portraits of Mr Ceausescu. The standard issue invariably depicts him as a much younger man than he is today. Television cameras are always carefully angled to show the President at his best, as a man with the secret of eternal youth. Even the most cynical will admit that the Romanian leader deserves credit for seeking to.

promote his country's economic progress and interna- President- Ceausescu Feeding the grass roots with images of achievement. sists, that their sacrifices have all been in the best of causes. Foreign visitors are constantly assured that popular enthusiasm for Mr Ceausescu knows no bounds, and that Romanians now have the good fortune of living in a country that is highly responsive to their welfare. Yet if the birthrate is a comment on public confidence, then it must be very low. In a system where it is almost impossible for the outsider to test public opinion, all the evidence suggests that Romania remains one of the most centralised, and most highlv controlled and policed, of the Communist bloc countries.

Indeed, power is often exercised even beyond the Romanian party's Politbureau, directly bv the President and Mrs Ceausescu. canal a reality. The Romanian people were reminded that at this time of accomplishment they should pay homage to Nicolae Ceausescu, whose anticipatory thinking and "exemplary tenacity" is "telling proof of; Romanian intelligence and creativity." All the same, it is fair to ask whether it made economic ident Ceausescu and his wife made a triumphant boat ride, with 300,000 cheering Romanians brought there to line the banks. While the World Bank contributed some know how as well as 180 million, the Romanians have footed most of the cost, and can justifiably claim that it was their national expertise which has made the High tech Rising interest rates 'hit economies of other countries' Italy coalition strained by masonic lodge inquiry Nuclear insight of youth to foes ohl to urge yesterday. Mr Andries Treurnicht's resignation was the latest step in a split between centrists and ultra-right-wing Afrikaners who oppose any concessions by whites tn other races.

The statement, from the Conservative Party cau- cus said that Mr Truernicht left the Broederbond because it had endorsed the new constitution, which grants limited political rights to the Asian and Coloured minorities. AP. Priestly hooligan A RUSSIAN Orthodox priest has been gaoled for two years on charges of hooliganism after being accused of beating his wife and terrorising parishioners. The trade union daily. Trud, said yesterday that police had received countless complaints about Father Nikolai Temirbayev, aged 35.

after he took over the church in the town of Krasnovodsk, in Turkmenia. One of his practices had been to force worshippers to bow to the ground 300 times in succession as an act of penitence. Renter. Peking replies THE Chinese Foreign Ministry yesterday accused Vietnam of constant provocations along the Sino-Vietnamese border, answering Hanoi's latest claims in a war of words between the two former allies. On Monday, the Vietnamese foreign ministry alleged that China was massing troops and weapons along the frontier for an offensive similar to its February 1979 push into Vietnam.

AP. Tunis trial THE trial of Tunisia's former Interim- Minister. Mr Driss Guiga. charged with high treason fnr his part in repressing fond price riots early this year, is Io begin today. Mr Guiga was dismissed after the week-long riots which were quelled by an announcement that price increases vere being cancelled.

AP. Uganda threats FOREIGNERS working illegally in Uganda are to be rounded up and deported, Radio Uganda said yesterday. Many foreigners mainly whites and Asians had entered Uganda on visi Reagan to cut deficit tions. In its interim report, last month it used the image of two pyramids one representing the lodge and the other standing upside down above it. The upper pyramid at.

that stage remained mysterious. One of the facts nagging Italian public opinion is that Mr Aldo Moro, the Christian Democrat who was most open to a Communist role in government, was kidnapped and killed by the Red Brigades at the time when P2 was influential. iAP adds The Christian Democrats have accused "the Socialists, of seeking to take voles from -them and indicated that they might seek to take back the premiership, held-by a Socialist for the first time in Italian history. Mr Andreotti. was the leading rival In Mr Moro in the Christian 'Democrats.

Before the. latest developments. Mr Craxt's Cabinet was expected at least to be reshuffled following the voting on June 17 becausp the name of one of the ministers. Mr Pietro Longo of the Social Dfjiiocrat Party, was on the Pi? lict. He has denied membership of lodge.

Mr Longo and the two 'other Social Democrat Cabinet offered to resign last month surd insinuations which would be ridiculous if they did not refer to tragic events. Mr Andreotti made no direct comment yesterday, explaining that he had not read Mr Formica's remarks and had other serious matters to occupy him. Another Christian Democrat -politician said I cannot easily accept the implied reference to People should put their cards on the table if they are making accusations." Mr. Formica told the committee, of inquiry that two views of Italian society had clashed during the years when P2 flourished one believed that the broadening of democracy heralded by the presence of the Socialist Party in government with the Christian Democrats was irreversible the other held that the process could and. should be reversed.

Mr Formica, in an interview published yesterday, explained that it was important that the committee should arrive at the truth and produce the names of the real leaders. Mr Achille Occhetto, a Communist, told the committee of inquiry yesterday that the role of the American secret service in P2 should be investigated. The committee's final report next month can hardly be expected to provide precise answers to many of these ques From Campbell Page in Rome. Relations within the ruling coalition became even more strained yesterday when the Christian Democrats asked the Socialist Party to dissociate itself from views expressed by the leader of the Socialists group in the Chamber of Deputies, Mr Rino Formica. Mr Formica had suggested on Tuesday to the parliamentary committee investigating the scandal of the masonic lodge P2 a section of the Christian Democrat, party, might have had' a hand in subversion linked with P2.

Although he did not name the present Foreign Minister, the Christain Democrat, Mr Giulio Andreotti, his broad hints were interpreted unanimously by the Italian press and the. parties as referring to Mr Andreotti as knowing a good deal about P2s activities. The Prime Minister, Mr Craxi, said before the Christian Democrat call for clarification that his party was waiting for the final report of the parliamentary committee investigating P2, believing that opinions should be expressed freely- before the committee, and confirming his condence in Mr Andreotti. Mr Arnaldo Forlani, the Christian Democrat deputy prime minister, spoke of ab From Donald Fields in Helsinki AMID their fears of a nuclear holocaust, children have a global consciousness about the need to work with people whom adults define as enemies. This is one conclusion drawn from comparative studies of Soviet and American children- by Dr Eric Chivian, staff psychiatrist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "and his colleagues.

"Children really saw they had common ground wi'Ji those in the opposing country, that cooperative effort had a value even in times of tension," said Dr Chivian. The research team discovered that 98 per cent of the Soviet sample and 72 per cent of the American one were "disturbed or very disturbed" about the threat of nuclear Soviet children placed this at the top of their anxiety list, Americans second-after parental death. Apart from, worries about not being personally liked, Soviet children were particu From Jane Walker in r.I;idr;d The US Government has expressed its concern that Spain is re-exporting high technology products to possible American enemies. Following two days of talks in Madrid, Mr Dennis Lamb, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economics and Business Alfairs at the Uo State Department, said We are seriously concerned about the transfer of lush technology to potential adversaries." In the talks, which are part vcaular meetings called for under the I0R2 US-Spanish bilateral agreement, the Americans expressed their serious preoecupation I hat Spain was re-exporling "dual use-' products which have cither peaceful or military uses. A US official said yesterday Spain imports millions of' dollars in US technology, and over 1,000 licences a year arc approved for items which come into the national security category." He would not confirm or deny reports that Spain has been re-exporting dual use technology to Iran, one or the countries on the US blacklist.

FrOm Anna Tomfordc in Bonn Chancellor Kohl, in an unusually strong statement, yesterday expressed his concern at high 'American interest rates, and said he would urge President Reagan during the London economic summit (o produce a convincing concept to overcome the huge US budget deficit. In a special address on Uir summit, to Hip Bundestag. Ttr KoM spoke of Hie negative effect of rising US interest rates on the economies of other industrialised countries, and on the developing world in particular. In contrast to other countries, the US budget policy has put forward no convincing consolidation plan, although that is what the extraordinary over renewed accusations against Mr Longo, but Mr Craxi turned them down. level of the state deficit demands," he said.

All participants of the summit meeting should underline their determination to show discipline on public spending and further to reduce structural budget deficits, Dr Kohl added. The Bonn government is worried about Hie effect of high interest rates on the economy, and especially employment, and at the flight of larly concerned about the environment, the population explosion, and starvation. Strong American fears included looking ugly and poverty wiih both groups equally anxious about falling ill and dying. Dr Chivian presented his findings yesterday to a congress of International physi 0 Dr Kohl Call for discipline but should be reaffirmed in London. International trade had increased considerably, in turn easing the problems of the debtor countries, but, serious dangers continue to exist in certain Latin American countries," Dr Kohl said.

Chancellor Kohl's first round of bilateral talks in London will be with President Reagan. Apart from economic questions, the two leaders will discuss East-West relations and the future of disarmament Gd Mews i.apuai io America inouceu oy high US interest rates. Referring to the developing world's debts, Dr Kohl that the strategy agreed at the Williamsburg summit last year, which included greater to Western markets for Third World exports was still valid, A tors permits and later opened businesses or taken jobs, the radio quoted the Interior Minister, Mr John Luwuliza-Kirunda as saying. Reuter. Strike talks CRUCIAL talks aimed at ending strikes in the West German metal industry were adjourned last night after trade union leaders presented new proposals for a shorter working week.

Reuter. Tribal toll MORE than 7,000 people have fled their homes in the South African south coast district of Umbumbulu, as the death toll in tribal fighting last week rose to 44, local residents said. Reuter. Libyans hanged FIVE dissidents have been publicly hanged without trial, and scores of people have been arrested in Libya in the past four days, a group of Libyan dissidents said in London yesterday. Reuter.

EEC cash still frozen cians for the prevention of nuclear war. Delegates expressed enthusiasm about videotaped interviews that he made in Russia after an invitation frot'i the Congress's vice-president. Professor Yevgeni Chazov. Despite the civil defence system, hardly any Soviet children expect to survive a nuclear holocaust. The Americans are slightly more optimistic.

On the other hand, 93 per cent of the Soviet sample believed that they could help prevent a nuclear war. The mutual empathy of American and Soviet children formed a marked contrast to the obvious paranoia of adults. Dr Chivian believes that, in the present international climate, an American school could hardly admit a Russian team to perform the investigations he had carried out on Soviet soil. On the other band, some observers have detected a Soviet slant at this ostensibly non-polltical conference. Professor Cliaznv indulged In anti-Nato polemics' unrecipro-' cated by Western delegates.

payments to farmers. The money is needed to help to distil unwanted wine, store unsold milk, and destroy surplus fruit and vegetables. Beef and lamb and olive oil producers could also be affected if the Commission has to delay payments. The tnnnpv was talrpti nut nf From Derek Brown in Brussels The EEC Commission yesterday narrowly failed to outmanoeuvre the European Parliament in its running battle to fund the Common Agricultural Policy. The Parliament's Budget Committee voted down, by a majority of one, a Commission plea to unfreeze 210 million urgently needed for advance the agricultural budget six I all as months ago, COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY THE MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATELY OWNED BLOCKS OF FLATS Do you live in, own or manage a block of flats? Are there any management problems? Datapost services, which were suspended earlier this week because of an industrial dispute.

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Approval for Reagan speech STOCKHOLM: A speech by President Reagan expressing willingness to discuss non-use or force with the Soviet Union has received a positive response at the European disarmament conference, delegates said yesterday. "There has been a very positive response Crom all quarters and no negative response at all, the US delegation chief, Mr James Goodby, told reporters. A neutral delegate said that Mr Reagan's speech, made to the Irish Parliament on Monday, marked a significant change in the US position, and showed, a willingness to compromise. Warsaw Pact delegates have repeatedly said that there could be no progress at the conference unless the WeBt was willing to negotiate a non-aggression treaty, but. Nato this as declaratory diplomacy and urged agreement on concrete steps to reduce the risk of war.

Reutes. nstruction has set up a The Minister for Housing and Co vidence about problems for Committee to collect and assess agents arising from the blocks of flats. If you would like ly for a questionnaire as soon mittee Secretary, Department of 2 Marsham Street, London SW1 residents' landlords and managin management of. privately owned to help the Committee please app as possible by writing to The Com the Environment, Room N1107, (or telephone; (01) 212 4417). Please state whether you are a resident, landlord or managing agent..