by Marius Ghincea
Moscow, February 1948. The Romanian delegation had just arrived on the third day of the month to sign a new “Treaty of Friendship” and a protocol “clarifying” the state border between Romania, now a “popular republic,” and the USSR. According to available accounts, Stalin greeted Premier Petru Groza warmly, remarking that he looked well. Groza responded that he stayed in shape “to scare enemies and encourage friends.” They laughed. Stalin asked whether King Michael had taken the Order of Victory with him when he abdicated the previous December. Groza confirmed that he had. More laughter.
