Ioan Totu

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Ioan Totu
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania
In office
August 26, 1986 – November 2, 1989
President Nicolae Ceauşescu
Preceded by Ilie Văduva
Succeeded by Ion Stoian
Vice Prime Minister of Romania
In office
November 3, 1982 – March 28, 1985
President Nicolae Ceauşescu
President of the State Planning Committee
In office
November 4, 1989 – December 22, 1989
President Nicolae Ceauşescu
Personal details
Born (1931-05-14)May 14, 1931
Bucharest, Romania
Died April 21, 1992(1992-04-21) (aged 60)
Bucharest, Romania

Ioan Totu (Romanian pronunciation: [iˈo̯an ˈtotu]; May 14, 1931 - April 21, 1992) was a Romanian communist politician who served as the Vice Prime Minister of Romania, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania and President of the State Planning Committee during the reign of Nicolae Ceauşescu.

Life and political career

Totu was an economist and member of Romanian Politburo. He also served as the head of the Romanian mission to East European Common Market (CEMA). He was generally known for his toughness, especially in his comments to US Department of State criticizing the Romanian government for human rights abuse.[1] As a member of Nicolae Ceauşescu regime, he harshly criticized the U.S. Secretary of State George P. Shultz for seeking to "weaken the positions of socialism".[2] Totu was appointed Vice Prime Minister of Romania on November 3, 1982 and served in this post until March 28, 1985.[3] On August 26, 1986 he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania replacing a less experienced diplomat Ilie Văduva.[4][5] As Minister of Foreign Affairs, Totu re-established Romania's relations with Israel with the purpose to expand trade and economic relations, and to play an international role in the Middle East peace process.[1] His term in office ended on November 2, 1989 and he was appointed the President of the State Planning Committee on November 4 which he held until December 22, 1989.[6]

Imprisonment and death

Totu was arrested during the Romanian Revolution of 1989. He was tried along with 24 Romanian Politburo members by the Military Court of Romania and sentenced to five and a half years in Bucharest prison.[7] After conviction and imprisonment, Totu committed suicide by hanging himself in Bucharest prison on April 21, 1992.[8][9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Govrin, Yosef (2002). Israeli-Romanian relations at the end of the Ceauşescu era. Portland, Oregon: Frank Cass Publishers. pp. 181–205. ISBN 0-7146-5234-2. Retrieved 2010-08-09. 
  2. ↑ "Berlin Wall Aids Peace, East Bloc Powers Assert". The New York Times. 1989-01-19. Retrieved 2010-08-16. 
  3. ↑ "GUVERNUL CONSTANTIN DASCALESCU. Perioada guvernarii: 1982-05-21 - 1985-03-28". Retrieved 2010-08-16. 
  4. ↑ "Consiliul Apărării al Republicii Socialiste România". Retrieved 2010-08-16. 
  5. ↑ "Leaders of Romania. Ministers of Foreign Affairs". Retrieved 2010-08-16. 
  6. ↑ "Guvernele Romaniei. GUVERNUL CONSTANTIN DASCALESCU II". Retrieved 2010-08-16. 
  7. ↑ "16 Ex-Ceausescu Aides Jailed for Resisting Revolt". The Los Angeles Times. 1991-03-26. Retrieved 2010-08-16. 
  8. ↑ "Rulers. Index Tj-Tz". Retrieved 2010-08-16. 
  9. ↑ "Romanian Sentenced And Commits Suicide". The New York Times. 1992-04-22. Retrieved 2010-08-16. 
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