The World - News from Dec. 23, 1987

Romanian Communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu has promised more pork and poultry to mute increasing dissent in his food-short nation. He told a Communist Party meeting in Bucharest that next year, Romanians will eat an average of 154 pounds of meat, the state news agency Agerpres reported. In most Romanian cities, meat is rationed at one kilogram, or 2.2 pounds, per person a month. Consumers can sometimes get more pork or poultry from the private market. Western diplomats in Bucharest said it is uncertain how Romania could provide extra meat supplies without diverting to the home market some of the canned hams, beef and other items it exports for much needed hard currency.