Former US diplomats urge visa review for Romanian politician George Simion
Translated from Romanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Two former U.S. ambassadors to Romania and other officials are urging the U.S. to reconsider the visa of George Simion, leader of the AUR party.
- They cite Simion's rhetoric, which they claim has frequently echoed pro-Kremlin talking points and opposed U.S. military presence in Romania.
- The officials also point to concerns about extremism and antisemitism within the AUR party.
Former U.S. diplomats are calling on Washington to carefully review the visa status of George Simion, the leader of Romania's AUR party. In a joint editorial, Adrian Zuckerman and Mark Gitenstein, former U.S. ambassadors to Romania, along with former Virginia Governor James S. Gilmore III and ex-U.S. interim ambassador to the EU Ronald Gidwitz, questioned why Simion still holds a U.S. visa.
The officials, writing alongside Romanian journalist Sabin Gherman, highlighted Simion's rhetoric, stating it has "frequently repeated pro-Kremlin talking points." They also noted his consistent avoidance of clearly condemning Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The editorial pointed out AUR's opposition to the temporary deployment of U.S. military assets in Romania and measures to intercept Russian drones violating Romanian airspace.
De ce mai are George Simion, liderul unui partid antisemit ศi el cu bube legionare pe cap, vizฤ de SUA?
Further concerns were raised regarding Simion's alleged tolerance or promotion of figures associated with fascism and antisemitism. The editorial referenced his praise for controversial historical figures like Corneliu Zelea Codreanu and Ion Antonescu, as well as his questioning of Holocaust commemoration initiatives. Simion is also reportedly banned from Moldova and Ukraine, with a former Moldovan defense minister suggesting he serves Russian interests.
The signatories questioned the pro-American stance of someone who opposes U.S. military presence and aligns with Kremlin interests. They asked what is "pro-American about opposing American military presence, resisting measures against Russian incursions, and repeatedly promoting positions that align with the Kremlin's interests?"
Ce anume este proโamerican รฎn opoziศia faศฤ de prezenศa militarฤ americanฤ, rezistenศa la mฤsurile รฎmpotriva incursiunilor ruseศti ศi promovarea repetatฤ a unor poziศii care se aliniazฤ cu interesele Kremlinului?
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Adevฤrul in Romanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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