A SCENE FROM AMERICA'S PAST IN ROMANIA'S PRESENT

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, January 10, 1993                   TAG: 9301070194
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Kathy Williams/Landmark News Service
DATELINE: TIRGU SECUIESC                                LENGTH: Medium
A SCENE FROM AMERICA'S PAST IN ROMANIA'S PRESENT
Jakabos Csaba, general manager of a plant that manufactures nuts and bolts, invites his American guests in and pours them a shot of a clear liquid - something he calls Palinka.
"Potato wine," he says pointing to the bottle with the wooden stopper that is a carving of his grandfather's face.
His grandfather is a constant reminder that 40 years ago, a Romania without communism was a prosperous, joyous place to live.
And the "potato wine" is a reminder of the trade Csaba is so eager for now.
Potato wine, never heard of it, say his American visitors.
"I trade potatoes for grapes. Then I make wine," Csaba says, throwing his head back in laughter at the joke he has played on the Americans.
Csaba hopes Romania strikes a favorable trade agreement with America. It is important for his company. Exports of the factory's nuts and bolts to the United States would mean big money. Capital is needed to buy the factory from the Romanian government and make it a private venture for the 2,000 who work there for $80 a month.
Inside the factory, only a tiny stream of light penetrates the dark, sulphur-filled air. An oily mist clings to the skin of the workers. Some toil bare-armed in front of furnaces that blast 2,000-degree heat. Open pits with boiling oil baths are a constant danger for workers who slip or fall. It is a scene from a turn-of-the century American factory.
Some workers turn their heads as a photographer tries to capture their environment.
"Fear is a hard habit to break," explains Csaba. Just three years ago, contact with a foreigner had to be reported to the secret police.
Later at lunch, Csaba sits talking with three Americans. He has put an American flag atop a candle decoration on the table.
Pointing to it, he says Westerner will never understand how amazed he is to be lunching with Americans, saying what he thinks.
"Once, we lost our hope and our future. Now, step by step we hope."

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB