Romania's 1990 Miners' Uprising: An Eyewitness Account Reveals Shocking Details

Bucharest, Romania, 1990: A Firsthand Account of the Miners' Intervention The events of March 13-15, 1990, in Bucharest remain a controversial chapter in Romanian history. This interview offers a rare glimpse into the chaos and political maneuvering of that time, directly from a participant. The speaker recounts the involvement of the Securitate, the Romanian secret police, and the controversial role of the miners brought into the capital to quell protests. "The Securitate wasn't alone," the interviewee states, "The leadership had already established the SRI (Romanian Intelligence Service) and was using it alongside the Securitate." He further details the arrival of the miners, describing the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. He names key figures, including Ion Iliescu and Traian Băsescu, highlighting their roles in the events. The interviewee also describes a phone call from Traian Băsescu, then Minister of Transport, which underscores the level of political involvement and the gravity of the situation. This interview provides a valuable historical perspective, filling in details often omitted from official accounts. It's a reminder of the complexities and human cost of political upheaval.