Romania has arrived at a pivotal moment in its history. What we do—or fail to do—now will have profound implications for us all, for decades to come.
As a businessman, I know that a thorough analysis of events and trends, from the strategic to the tactical-operational level, is essential in order to make wise and effective decisions. A leader must have the ability to take the long view and to see around the bend in the road. He must also understand the perspective on the ground—what the Americans call “ground truth,” which often develops at a breathtaking pace.
Yet success in business, in government, and in life also requires inspiration and the ability to discern when the moment for action has arrived. This means we must also be ready to act rapidly and decisively when the challenge or opportunity arises.
More than ever, for Romania, leadership requires action.
Last week, the United States, through various statements by senior leaders, pointed out the flaws in our democratic system, but also acknowledged their own challenges. They did this in part by taking the unprecedented step of revealing that USAID had targeted and even suppressed conservative voices, with the latest example being in Romania.
The Americans, under the decisive leadership of a re-elected President Trump, are serious about dismantling the unaccountable Deep State that has metastasized in Washington, and they deserve recognition for their willingness to identify the problem and make the necessary changes.
We should be serious as well.
However, at the moment, we citizens of Romania have no idea what our leaders are doing—or not doing—to address our country’s challenges.
Last week, I published an article about Romania-US relations in the Trump era, just as US Vice President JD Vance was delivering his warning in Munich—perhaps the most significant speech from an American leader to a European audience in 80 years—which directly referenced Romania’s cancellation of the presidential elections last December.
I emphasized that, despite clear, pointed, and repeated messages from the Trump Administration, our government has told us nothing—and that “it seems they still do not understand the Trump message.”
Since then, we have continued to hear nothing but silence from our elected leaders.
But the time for hiding behind silence is over. We need to act. Now, before it is too late.
The US is investigating USAID as part of its broader effort to root out the Deep State.
We must do our part. To this end, I am urging our government to take responsibility and work with the United States to launch a comprehensive investigation, beginning immediately, into USAID’s partnerships with Romanian media, NGOs, and other entities. The public must learn, clearly and without equivocation, what our contribution to this fiasco was—and what USAID was paying for.
This may involve uncovering questionable actions by some Romanian organizations, including NGOs and media outlets, that used USAID money and direction to promote radical social agendas that run counter to the faith and values that define who we are as a people.
However, we must also understand that not all programs funded by USAID were problematic. Some initiatives may have had positive effects, and certain NGOs that received funding through these programs may have undertaken meaningful and valuable work. It is also important to recognize that some of these NGOs have been awarded and honored at my company’s annual gala. We must take this into account to ensure a fair and balanced perspective while advocating transparency, accountability and respect for the faith, traditions, and ethos that are the foundation of social cohesion in our country.
In any event, we cannot wait any longer. As someone who loves Romania, honors its culture, loves its values, and wants to see it take its rightful place on the world stage, I believe we must work together to foster dialogue and understanding with others—but always with Romania’s interests as our top priority.
But our leaders are dithering and wasting time. It is clear that the impact of USAID operations has significantly contributed to the deformation and debasement of our politics and culture. As a result, we see good people turning away from politics after decades of serving our country. Others with great potential are staying away entirely, perhaps so disillusioned that they even leave their homeland.
This must change. The first step is to abandon deception and evasive rhetoric, to recognize our own mistakes, to admit them openly, and to begin reclaiming the path for which so many people gave their lives in 1989.
If our leaders act, we can achieve the brilliant future we aspire to. If they sit idly by in confusion and cowardice, we will all suffer.
We will know them by their choice. But in displaying a lack of courage, they will reveal themselves once and for all, and be deprived of excuses. And, we will be free to choose others with whom we will move forward.
***
Dr. Nawaf Salameh is a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist, Founder and Chairman of the Nawaf Salameh Family Office and Alexandrion Group, a leading producer and distributor of spirits and wines in Romania and internationally; his career is marked by innovation, strategic investments in renewable energy, agriculture, and hospitality, as well as a strong commitment to supporting culture, education, and excellence through the Alexandrion Foundation.
Comentează