Six former US ambassadors in Bucharest sent a message to Romanians, in the context of the presidential elections that will take place on December 8. They expressed their concern about the fact that Romania was the target of a massive cyber and social media attack.
The message sent by the ambassadors in the context of the presidential elections Photo: Inquam Photos
The letter comes from former ambassadors Alfred Moses, James Rosapepe, Michael Guest, Nicholas Taubman, Hans Klemm and Adrian Zuckerman.
“Dear Romanian friends, I have had the extraordinary privilege of serving as United States ambassadors to Romania for most of the past 35 years. We witnessed how the young democracy in Romania took root and flourished. We all know the old saying – ‘once you arrive in Romania, you can’t help but fall in love with it’. And indeed it was. We love Romania for the beauty, character and infallible wisdom of its people. The United States and we, as its representatives, have always done everything we could to encourage and support the realization of Romania’s democratic destiny. I have always supported and encouraged the Romanian people to build a better and more prosperous future for themselves and their children. Now, looking back, without taking any credit, we are pleased to see that, only 35 years after the defeat of communism, Romanians share a steadfast sense of democracy“, says the letter sent to the press.
Former ambassadors claim that “The United States is the best friend and ally” of Romania.
“In these 35 years, the Romanian people demonstrated determination and enthusiasm for democracy, passionately demanded truth and honor from their leaders, showed vision and desire for a country that often performs well beyond its potential. That won the heart of the American people and made the United States the best friend and ally that Romania can ever have. Romanians from different backgrounds, proud to have ‘waited for the Americans’, embraced the American values of democracy, freedom and entrepreneurship. They saw America as the partner who saved them from tyranny, gave them the last hope to reject fanaticism and fraud, represented a firm guarantee for security, prosperity and progress. This is the Romania we know from our many trips to all corners of the country. This is what I learned about Romania from the people I met in every city, village and community I visited”, the letter states.
The letter also states that the current electoral race in Romania is a cause of major concern: “We are particularly concerned that Romania was the target of a massive social media and cyber attack orchestrated by a state actor. Such hybrid attacks are becoming increasingly common as a means of undermining democratic countries. We are confident that the Romanian people will see these attacks by authoritarian states as failed coups and will not allow them to erode the closeness we have always had with Romania. We are confident that Romania will not allow these authoritarian influences to destroy the democratic process. The bond of trust between Romanian and American friends will never be undermined. We are convinced that the Romanian people will not allow such an outcome. We trust in the wisdom of the Romanian people to keep alive that guiding flame that shines brightly for freedom, democracy and prosperity. Romania has no better friend than the United States, and the United States deeply appreciates this relationship. Together, the peoples of Romania and the United States will achieve peace, democracy and prosperity”.
