essure groups and leaders: various human rights and
professional associations

International organization participation: ACCT, BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE,
CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MONUC, NAM
(guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate
partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mircea Dan GEOANA
chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851
FAX: (202) 232-4748
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James C. ROSAPEPE
embassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest
mailing address: American Embassy Bucharest, Department of State,
Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch)
telephone: (1) 210 01 49, 210 40 42
FAX: (1) 210 03 95
branch office: Cluj-Napoca

Flag description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side),
yellow, and red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in
the yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flag of Chad,
also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova

@Romania:Economy

Economy - overview: After the collapse of the Soviet Bloc in 1989-91,
Romania was left with an obsolete industrial base and a pattern of
industrial capacity wholly unsuited to its needs. In February 1997,
Romania embarked on a comprehensive macroeconomic stabilization and
structural reform program, but reform subsequently has been a
frustrating stop-and-go process. Restructuring programs include
liquidating large energy-intensive industries and major agricultural
and financial sector reforms. In 1999 Romania's economy contracted for
a third straight year - by an estimated 4.8%. Romania reached an
agreement with the IMF in August for a $547 million loan, but release
of the second tranche was postponed in October because of unresolved
private sector lending requirements and differences over budgetary
spending. Bucharest avoided defaulting on mid-year lump-sum debt
payments, but had to significantly draw down reserves to do so;
reserves rebounded to an estimated $1.5 billion by yearend 1999. The
government's priorities include: obtaining renewed IMF lending,
tightening fiscal policy, a