Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the Violence in Romania

The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the rioting of the past 2 days and the government-inspired vigilante violence that departs from the commonly accepted norms of democracy and the rule of law. We are concerned that the deplorable events of the past 2 days are being used to justify the suppression of legitimate dissent in Romania. This underscores the urgent need for Romania's newly elected leaders rapidly to establish the rule of law and to demonstrate in action their expressed commitment to genuine democratization.

Note: Press Secretary Fitzwater read the statement during his daily press briefing, which began at 10:03 a.m.