Vice President Quits in Romania, Charges ‘Stalinist Methods’

The vice president resigned today and cited “Stalinist methods” he said are being used by the governing National Salvation Front.

Dumitru Mazilu announced his resignation over Radio Free Europe.

“Taking into account, with profound sorrow and deep distress, that the Stalinist methods and practices are maintained . . . I resign from my position, which, as you may remember, I stated from the first day that I did not want,” Mazilu said.

Critics have demanded that the entire National Salvation Front step down, in large part because of its decision to compete in national elections in May. Opponents say the front cannot fairly take part in an election that it also administers, and some fear that the front wants a return to one-party rule in Romania.

“I am convinced that those who have carried out the revolution will never accept that it be taken over by people who haven’t given anything of themselves to it,” Mazilu said.

“Wholeheartedly I remain on the people’s side. I shall forever remain devoted to democracy, freedom and ideals of dignity, which have inspired the youth of the country in its fight against tyranny,” he said.

“I shall never forget their sacrifices.”

The front has been governing Romania by decree since Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu was overthrown Dec. 22. Ceausescu was executed three days later.

On Thursday night, the front president, Ion lliescu, went on national television to defend the governing body against growing criticism.

He denied that it did anything wrong in deciding to compete in national elections May 20 and added: “It would have been absurd . . . for the front, as the engine of national stabilization and recovery, not to participate in the elections.”

Iliescu accused three revived political parties that dominated the country’s pre-World War II politics of irresponsibility in demanding that the front stop governing if it enters the elections.

Iliescu also countered complaints about Communist holdovers in the new leadership by charging that unidentified figures in some emerging political parties and some “biting” journalists had also been Communists.

Virtually every professional in Romania had to be a party member to hold any rank in Ceausescu’s time.