Bush Visits Romania:
Later today, President G.W. Bush will visit the Romanian Capital, and in so doing become only the second American President to visit Romania since the Revolution in 1989. President Clinton was the first to do so when he gave a speech here in Bucharest in 1997. I cannot even dig up when the last visit was before that, but I would imagine that it pre-dates WWII at least.
I find it ever so slightly interesting that I was here for Clinton in ‘97 and will be here for Bush ‘02. Only 2 US Presidential visits in who knows how many years, and I was here for them both.
I remember Clinton’s visit clearly. It was the only bloody thing on just about every single TV channel on the days leading up to, during, and following the event. Thousands of Romanians packed in to the square to catch a glimpse of the proceedings, and American and Romanian flags were waved in unison as far as the eye could see. It really meant something to the people. An acknowledgement of sorts. Recognition of a new Romanian identity.
Above all, the country saw it as a sign of sure-fire admission into NATO. It didn’t happen then, but it is happening now. Sadly, admission to NATO might be the only real achievement in the past 5 years — and how much of an achievement is that really. The political and economic systems are just as corrupt, incompetent, and bureaucratic as they were then, more so in fact.
Yes, so basically the city-centre will be jammed-packed tomorrow, streets and squares cordoned off, detours, extra police, motorcades, the whole shabang. There will of course be thousands of people crowding Piata Revolutei (Revolution Square), hoping to get a glimpse of the President. Of course motorists and anyone trying to cross the city will curse the event, but it’s only for a few hours, and like I’ve said before, at least it’s not Chirac — we don’t need them renaming anymore streets or squares.
