US President Barack Obama nominated Mark Henry Gitenstein, linked to corporate lobbying in the US Congress recently, for the seat of US Ambassador to Romania. On Friday Romania's Foreign Ministry announced the decision which can be accessed on the White House website.

Mark Gitenstein is presented on the White House website as "a senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution, where he specializes in issues related to national security and civil liberties. He is also a partner at the Washington office of the multi-national firm Mayer Brown LLP. Prior to his work at Mayer Brown, Mr. Gitenstein was the Executive Director of The Foundation for Change Inc. Previously, Mr. Gitenstein worked as a Senate staff member for 17 years— both in Senator Biden’s personal office, and then as Chief Counsel with the Senate Judiciary Committee. He is the author of Matters of Principle, an award winning book on his experience managing the Judiciary Committee staff during the confirmation battle over the nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court in 1987. Mr. Gitenstein holds a B.A. from Duke University and a J.D. from Georgetown University."

In February 2009, Public Citizen, an American NGO, reported that Gitenstein was involved in corporate lobbying in the US Congress and urged the Obama Administration not to push him as head of a Justice Department bureau. According to Public Citizen, Gitenstein was involved in lobbying for the US Chamber of Commerce, AT&T and Merrill Lynch.

The United States is concerned about the situation in Moldova following the violence on April 7. Although order has been restored and subsequent demonstrations have been peaceful, we have received reports from civil society and international observers of mistreatment of those detained by Moldovan authorities. We are also troubled by reports that students and journalists have been intimidated by government officials. President Voronin’s announcement of an amnesty for many of those detained is an encouraging step toward reconciliation.

We urge the government to act in accordance with Moldovan law and its international obligations when dealing with the opposition, protesters, and the media. All parties need to conduct themselves responsibly. It is also important that the government reach out to opposition parties and address their concerns about the April 5 election in a cooperative and transparent manner. We stress that there is no excuse for violence, such as took place on April 7. The United States remains committed to working closely with Moldova and its people as the country continues down the path of European integration. Respect for the rule of law and human rights are key elements in our relationship.

Robert Wood, Acting Department Spokesman

On April 1, 2009, the U.S. Senate passed a Resolution by unanimous consent urging the Government of the Republic of Moldova to ensure a fair and democratic election process for the parliamentary elections on April 5, 2009.

The resolution was sponsored by Sen Lugar, Richard G. (R-IN) and co-sponsored by Sen Cardin, Benjamin L. (D-MD) and Sen Kerry, John F. (D-MA).

Senate Resolution 56
111^th Congress, First Session

Resolution

Urging the Government of Moldova to ensure a fair and democratic election process for the parliamentary elections on April 5, 2009.

Whereas Senate Resolution 60, 110th Congress, agreed to February 17, 2005, expressed the support of the Senate for democratic reform in Moldova and urged the Government of Moldova to ensure a democratic and fair election process for the parliamentary elections on March 6, 2005, by ensuring “unimpeded access by all parties and candidates to print, radio, television, and Internet media on a nondiscriminatory basis” and “the right of opposition candidates and workers to engage in campaigning free of harassment, discrimination, and intimidation”;

Whereas the Election Observation Mission of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) found that, while the parliamentary elections in 2005 generally complied with most of the OSCE commitments and other international standards, “they fell short of some that are central to a genuinely competitive election process”, in particular “campaign conditions and access to media”, confirming the “negative trends already noted in the 2003 local elections”;

Whereas the Election Observation Mission found that the local elections held in June 2007 in Moldova were generally well administered but “fell short of a number of OSCE commitments central to a competitive electoral process”, in particular by not fully respecting “the right of citizens to seek public office and equitable media access”;

Whereas Freedom House, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization working to advance the expansion of freedom, again in 2008 designated the political environment of Moldova as only “partly free”;

Whereas political liberties and civil rights are key indicators of eligibility for support from the Millennium Challenge Corporation, an entity of the United States Government, which is now considering a sizeable grant for the economic and political development of Moldova; and

Whereas recent actions by entities of the Government of Moldova raise serious questions about the readiness of the Government of Moldova to break free from the unfortunate patterns established in the elections in 2003, 2005, and 2007 and to create the campaign conditions and access to media required for truly free and fair elections: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

1. reaffirms the strong, mutually beneficial relationship that exists between the United States Government and the Government of Moldova;

2. recognizes that the development of a genuinely democratic political system in Moldova is a precondition for the full integration of Moldova into the Western community of nations and the provision of assistance necessary to attain such integration;

3. urges the Government of Moldova to meet its commitments to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, especially in respect to the conduct of elections, by guaranteeing—

a. unimpeded access by all parties and candidates to public print, radio, television, and Internet media on a nondiscriminatory basis;

b. the ability of independent media to cover campaigns on an unrestricted basis;

c. the right of opposition candidates and workers to engage in campaigning free of harassment, discrimination, and intimidation; and

d. adequate means for citizens of Moldova residing abroad to cast their ballots; and

4. in light of the steps taken by the Government of Moldova, pledges the continued support of the United States Government for the establishment in Moldova of a fully free and democratic system, the creation of a prosperous market economy, and the assumption by Moldova of its rightful place as a full and equal member of the Western community of democracies.

Washington, DC – On Wednesday, March 25, 2009, the Central and Eastern European Coalition (CEEC), of which the Congress of Romanian Americans is a member, hosted a policy reception on Capitol Hill to honor the NATO enlargement of 1999 and 2004, and to support a continued open door policy.

CEEC comprises 18 national membership organizations representing more than 20 million Americans who trace their heritage to Central and East Europe.

The program of Wednesday's reception featured Senator Mikulski and Senator Voinovich, Mr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, Mr. Kurt Volker, the current U.S. Ambassador to NATO, and Mr. Michael Hatzel, a Senior Fellow at SAIS and former Senior Staff member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. U.S. Senators expressed their support for continued NATO enlargement, and indicated their willingness to fight for it. Mr. Volker highlighted the importance of maintaining an open door policy. In his view, NATO has become a stronger alliance by opening doors to new members. Mr. Brzezinski stated that it is in the interest of both the United States and Europe that Central and East European countries remain genuinely free. He advised countries who wish to become members of NATO one day to work toward membership in the European Union to keep this important alliance strong. Dr. Brzezinski emphasized that Ukraine and Georgia must eventually become NATO members and contribute to a collective European security, as well as benefit from this membership for their own security.

The Congress of Romanian Americans hopes that NATO leaders will fully implement the 2008 Bucharest Summit decision with respect to Ukraine and Georgia, and will provide a clear road map for their eventual membership in the Alliance.