Romanian Princess Asks for Western Support

In an effort to spur interest in her ancestral country and in her humanitarian foundation, Princess Margarita of Romania spoke at the Kennedy School of Government on Wednesday to small crowd of mostly Romanians and students studying Romania.

The princess, who chairs the Princess Margarita of Romania Foundation USA, defended the monarchy led by her father and grandfather, contrasting it with the previous Communist rule, which she said "destroyed our unique culture."

Exiled since birth by the Communist regime installed in 1947, she also gave an emotional account of her discovery of her homeland after the regime was toppled in December 1989.

She described it as "the most important day in my life." She also said she found her country as "wounded," but also "warm, vibrant and beautiful."

Finally, the princess offered her views on the struggles Romania has faced since the end of Communism.

"Could things have been different?" she asked. "Definitely yes," she answered.

Princess Margarita said her country's poor state of affairs could be blamed on the lack of competitive political parties and world financial support and the lingering effects of the harsh Communist dictatorship.

The princess also blamed the U.S. and Western Europe for their hesitancy to help Romania, namely failing to include it in NATO and the EU.

"The West has always had bigger problems to deal with," she said, adding that now is a critical time for Western assistance and interest in Romania and the region.

"Fresh elections will take place this year," the princess said, and the possibility of rising fascist and nationalist elements in her country is something "the West should be very concerned about."

After her speech, the princess failed to respond to most audience questions, repeating the phrase, "I don't know."

The princess did not answer questions on the oil industry, the university system and gender in politics.

She did respond to a question on the quality of orphanages, saying it is a large problem in her country today.

On the final question, the princess responded to earlier criticism about a lack of good publicity, saying she believed the role of the royal family today was "to symbolize a rallying point."

The family "talks in terms of principles," and "is above politics," she continued. She and her lineage, the princess said, should "help and encourage others to work well," as well as "to warn, to advise, to consult."

"I don't believe we should be prisoners of history," she said, adding that Romania "is in Europe, but it is not a part of Europe yet."