ABSTRACT

The Romanian emphasis on foreign policy autonomy in ideological matters as well as state policies represents not only a genuine concern, but also a well conceived set of imagery that appears to represent more independence than actually exists. The regime, bent upon "an opening to the West," utilized foreign policy autonomy as a vehicle for expanded trade with the capitalist economies, especially for the purpose of import of technology and the establishment of hard currency credits. The Romanian Communist Party has maintained a vigorous foreign policy towards communist-ruled states and Marxist and revolutionary parties outside of Eastern Europe, and these relations have been solidified even during a period in which other foreign policy initiatives are in relative hiatus. Throughout the entire Ceausescu era the Romanian Communist Party has been an ardent supporter of the North Vietnamese and their counterparts in the rest of Indochina.