In Uncle Sam’s Court
Published in Evenimentul zilei
(Romania) on 30 October 2010
by Florian Bichir (link to original)
I don’t really like Americans. I think they are ignorant, superficial and phlegmatic. In fact, if we look at their history, it is hard to talk about an American nation; it’s more of a spirit, something else. They are far from being like us Europeans. Uncle Sam has some rules, and pragmatism is one of them. My antipathy may have a historic root, because our grandfathers waited for them for decades like idiots. But aside from that, we must recognize the skills of the Yankee. Europe would have never escaped communism, the red pest, if it hadn’t been for Americans. Or maybe today the USSR would reach to the Atlantic. Whether we like it or not, Americans know how to write and how to make history. They know and they act like a great nation.
I am writing these words because Romanian people have an odd, almost stupid habit. We present ourselves as very enthusiastic when we become someone’s ally and only a few months later we see the flaws. On several occasions we welcomed the Germans with flowers, but after their visits we didn’t know how to spit on them. Not to mention the frequent betrayal of alliances. I am sure that some people will talk about surviving and about the theory of the reed who survives even if it bends. But sometimes, in history, you have to keep your promises, whatever the outcome may be. In Romania, as in human life, it’s about honor, about fairness, about keeping promises. Whether they are big or small, the offices never forget.
I am writing these words because lately I haven’t heard nice things about Americans. It’s true that our people hoped that once we were accepted into NATO we would become the 51st Federal state — that we would live the “American dream”! It didn’t happen because people from the White House work differently from what we are used to. It’s what experts call “the Pakistani theory.” First, the United States retains its allies militarily. It professionalizes the army and changes the mentality of information services. Only then, if needed, does it get involved economically. From this point of view, I really liked the interview with the American ambassador in Bucharest, Mark Gitenstein.
It’s a sign that Americans have taken us seriously and are willing to stay longer on our grounds: “Your military has reformed itself. It’s one of the most respected in Romania, and this is something to be proud of. We are very impressed with your quality and professionalism. Your intelligence services are not only professional and apolitical as far as I can tell, but very competent, which is important, and that’s why our relations are so deep,” the ambassador said. Exactly what I was telling you. And it bothers me when I hear the grumbling: "Oh, please sir! Spare me the Americans! I know too well that they are good for nothing."
Well, weren’t we those who cried and begged them to come into Romania? And now, we are criticizing them like we usually do: they are this and that. Was it better when Russians were in our country? Or is there someone who thinks that we could still be Switzerland?
Why didn’t our economic ally intervene? Because we are members in another alliance, in the EU, and they really care about the principles. “You have $20 billion worth of funds sitting in EU structural right now. An American who’s not part of the EU is a little perverse. You borrowed $20 billion from the EU and multinational organizations like the IMF and you have $20 billion sitting in accounts available for you to draw,” the ambassador said. And he said something else, which is sad but true: “The major obstacle for Romania’s economic development and investors is infrastructure.” This shows that even if Americans have their flaws, they’re not stupid.
I am writing these words because Romanian people have an odd, almost stupid habit. We present ourselves as very enthusiastic when we become someone’s ally and only a few months later we see the flaws. On several occasions we welcomed the Germans with flowers, but after their visits we didn’t know how to spit on them. Not to mention the frequent betrayal of alliances. I am sure that some people will talk about surviving and about the theory of the reed who survives even if it bends. But sometimes, in history, you have to keep your promises, whatever the outcome may be. In Romania, as in human life, it’s about honor, about fairness, about keeping promises. Whether they are big or small, the offices never forget.
I am writing these words because lately I haven’t heard nice things about Americans. It’s true that our people hoped that once we were accepted into NATO we would become the 51st Federal state — that we would live the “American dream”! It didn’t happen because people from the White House work differently from what we are used to. It’s what experts call “the Pakistani theory.” First, the United States retains its allies militarily. It professionalizes the army and changes the mentality of information services. Only then, if needed, does it get involved economically. From this point of view, I really liked the interview with the American ambassador in Bucharest, Mark Gitenstein.
It’s a sign that Americans have taken us seriously and are willing to stay longer on our grounds: “Your military has reformed itself. It’s one of the most respected in Romania, and this is something to be proud of. We are very impressed with your quality and professionalism. Your intelligence services are not only professional and apolitical as far as I can tell, but very competent, which is important, and that’s why our relations are so deep,” the ambassador said. Exactly what I was telling you. And it bothers me when I hear the grumbling: "Oh, please sir! Spare me the Americans! I know too well that they are good for nothing."
Well, weren’t we those who cried and begged them to come into Romania? And now, we are criticizing them like we usually do: they are this and that. Was it better when Russians were in our country? Or is there someone who thinks that we could still be Switzerland?
Why didn’t our economic ally intervene? Because we are members in another alliance, in the EU, and they really care about the principles. “You have $20 billion worth of funds sitting in EU structural right now. An American who’s not part of the EU is a little perverse. You borrowed $20 billion from the EU and multinational organizations like the IMF and you have $20 billion sitting in accounts available for you to draw,” the ambassador said. And he said something else, which is sad but true: “The major obstacle for Romania’s economic development and investors is infrastructure.” This shows that even if Americans have their flaws, they’re not stupid.