On 8 January 1990, the NSF Council decreed that Romanian entry/exit visas had been abolished. [ "Decree Issued on Passports, Travel Abroad", Bucharest Domestic Service [in Romanian], 8 January 1990 (FBIS-EEU-90-006, 9 January 1990, p. 72).] This is confirmed in the attached copy of a diplomatic note from the Embassy of Romania to the Department of External Affairs and International Trade of Canada dated 19 January 1990. According to an official at the Embassy of Romania, five-year passports with a five-year extension are being issued in "a very simple process" with "no administrative delays". [ Telephone conversation with official, Embassy of Romania, 7 February 1990.]

It should be noted, however, that the decree on regulations concerning passports and travel abroad was issued by the NSF acting alone. On 1 February 1990, the NSF agreed to share power with the opposition in a national unity council until the elections which are scheduled for 20 May 1990. [ "Romanian Government Agrees to Share Power with Opposition Groups", The Ottawa Citizen, 2 February 1990.] The IRBDC has no information currently available on whether or not the national unity council will respect the decrees of the NSF.

ATTACHMENTS:

"Decree Issued on Passports, Travel Abroad", Bucharest Domestic Service [in Romanian], 8 January 1990 (FBIS-EEU-90-006, 9 January 1990.
Embassy of Romania, Diplomatic Note No. 194, 19 January 1990.
"Romanian Government Agrees to Share Power with Opposition Groups", The Ottawa Citizen, 2 February 1990.