17th April 2013
Margaret Thatcher, remembered in Romania
Last week we received many visitors to the Embassy and many messages of condolence on the death of Margaret Thatcher. I was touched to read the sentiments of the many admirers that she had in Romania, and her achievements as seen by people in this part of Europe.
In the first place, she is seen as a symbol of the struggle against communism, and a source of hope for people in Romania in the darkest days of the Ceaucescu regime. Some describe her fighting spirit, her patriotism, and her leadership in ending the nightmare of communism which made her a true friend of Romania. As one Romanian wrote ‘thank you for changing our destiny, for making us free’. Others emphasise her leadership in another area – in demonstrating that politics should be open for anyone, regardless of their social position, their sex or their race. And of course there is recognition for the deep reforms she enacted in the UK economy, as well as the vision she brought to major projects like the Channel Tunnel.
Margaret Thatcher was a Prime Minister who changed Britain, and changed Europe. Her joy when communism fell in Romania was spontaneous and heartfelt. On receiving the news of Ceacescu’s downfall she said “we welcome Romania to the family of free nations”. In this part of Europe freedom is her enduring legacy, and one to reflect upon during the ceremonies of rememberance in London today.
I am quite astonished that,even his Excellency,the Ambassador is not aware of the fact that ,as the Secretary of State for Education and Science in the Heath Govt she visited Romania in the ’70 and was at the origin of a major change in the Romania’s educational policy,the one related to the kinder gardens budget
.Without even knowing the real reasons,year after year the then communist Parliament and the actual one had always allocated the exact same ratio of money from the Educational budget to this chapter,the one the Iron Lady had agreed with her Romanian counterparts will fit a healthy development of the nation
BBC had a radio channel called “Romania Libera” where free romanians made radio shows in romanian.
It was just one of the windows into the free world that Romania had. But it was probably the only one where romanians could express themselves freely.