Hungary said it had lost $500 million in trade, and Romanian officials put their country's losses in the billions of dollars.

Her comments caught the visiting Romanian officials by surprise.

Romanian officials said they would send about 500 soldiers to help police Iraq.

Romanian officials say they hope this trade will abate when the country's prices edge closer to world levels.

Their return is part of an accord reached in talks with Romanian officials.

Ceausescu heard about the disaster in the country from a Romanian official.

Romanian officials estimate that the sanctions have already cost their country $7 billion.

But so far, the Romanian official has received no positive response.

"And you're sure the Romanian officials will expedite the release of the child by your departure date, even if the Americans won't?"

The tax is approximately 65 percent, Romanian officials said.