MEMORANDUM
JANUARY 8, 1990

TO: SENATOR DOLE
FROM: MIRA BARATTA
SUBJECT: MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER OF SOVIET REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

BACKGROUND ON VISIT:
Prime Minister Druc of Moldova (the new and correct name for the Republic of Moldavia) is here to seek humanitarian assistance, such as food aid, as well as potential joint ventures. Druc has an economics background and is considered to be in the reform economy camp. A letter was sent to Ambassador Matlock by Prime Minister Druc requesting aid some time ago. The State Department responded that the U.S. was sympathetic and willing to give some assistance, such as grain credits, and suggested that Druc meet with charitable organizations during his visit. Druc will be meeting with Deputy Secretary Eagleburger, National Security Advisor Scowcroft and State Department officials. Attached is the letter from Hudson Oil Company regarding the meeting.

BACKGROUND ON MOLDOVAN POLITICS:
-- Moldova has asserted its autonomy, but has not gone as far as the Baltic Republics in calling for independence.
-- Moldova has declared that it will not sign the Union Treaty.
-- Moldova's Prime Minister is seeking closer relations with Romania, however has not called for joining Romania (this republic was part of Romania from 1918 until 1940, and the people speak a language nearly identical to Romanian).
-- Moldova has a significant minority population, including Russians, Ukrainians and Gagauz (a Turkish-speaking Christian people).
-- Moldova has passed "pro-Moldovan" laws, such as one making Moldovan the official language. Gorbachev has criticized this and issued a decree regarding the rights of minorities in Moldova. The State Department will raise the issue of respect for the rights of minorities in its meetings.
-- Soviet troops have been announced by the Soviet Ministry of Defense, but not yet sent into Moldova, to round up draft-dodgers and deserters.


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HUDSON OIL COMPANY
P.O. BOX B
KANSAS CITY, KS 66103
(913) 362-4000
FAX (913) 362-0937

January 8, 1991
(checked) FAX TO: SENATOR BOB DOLE (FAX #202/224-8952)

Dear Bob:
This is to give you some background concerning the meeting with Prime Minister Druc from Moldovia at 1:00 p.m. today.
I along with one of my partners, Rafael Rubenstein (whom will be with the minister today), was invited to Moldovia last October by the Prime Minister to help them.
We went there in October and signed agreements to negotiate and arrange for business contracts to come there from the U.S. Also we were invited by Russia and have made arrangements to also try to do the same for them.
About 3 weeks ago, the Prime Minister sent us a notice that he will be coming to the U.S. and would like to meet with certain officials in Washington, and one person he asked to meet with was you. Apparently Moldovia has a severe food problem and will discuss wheat with you.
I appreciate greatly your taking the time to talk to him and if possible to help him.
With warm personal regards I am

Yours sincerely,
(signature)
Mary Hudson

STREET ADDRESS: 4720 RAINBOW BOULEVARD, SHAWNEE MISSION, KANSAS 66205
FEB 08 '91 10:56 HUDSON VAN OIL P.2