In 1989, Eastern Europe was almost synonymous with democratic reform.

Six countries -- Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland and Romania -- rebelled against their hard-line governments in favor of free elections and democratic rule. Each country's citizens still have work to do, but the roots of reform seem firmly planted.

This rise of democracy bodes well for the future because the countries' citizens engaged in popular movements against tyranny without U.S. interference. Now the United States must keep its eye to the future. Widespread democracy surely will affect international economic and social balances, which the United States must be prepared to face.

From early last fall onward, demonstrations and demands for reform led European countries out of repressive rule and into governments filled with hope for the future. But the struggle for democracy is difficult, and some uprisings did not yield the most ideal results.

Nicolae Ceausescu bled his country and the Romanian people of their basic liberties during his 24-year reign. Killing more than 60,000 people seems a clear attempt at genocide. The ruler and his wife also abused their powers shamelessly, bugging officials' conversations and once requiring all married Romanians to have families of five.

Even these atrocities, however, cannot justify secretly trying and murdering the Ceausescus with a three-man firing squad. The Ceausescus committed countless crimes and deserved severe punishment. But killing them accomplished only revenge.

Nevertheless, the 1989 rebellions hold hope for the future. People here probably can expect continued change during the new decade toward long-term democratic structures in the European countries. Several Baltic states have begun nationalist movements and probably will gain momentum.

East and West Germany have brought up the possibility of reunification. Last weekend East Germany requested that all foreign troops leave the country by the end of the decade.

Observing the transition to democratic reform will prepare residents here for what the United States' role will be in relation to European countries in the future.