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   BUCHAREST (UPI) -- A vote that would reduce penal punishment on homosexual
relationships in Romania from a prison term to a fine was postponed by the
senate Thursday.
   The government had proposed the punishment be reduced to a fine instead of
the previous three months to three years prison sentence.
   After three days of discussion, the senate's judicial commission accepted
the idea of altering the Penal Code, after receiving pressure from the Council
of Europe.
   Romania joined the council in October 1993 despite a Dutch representative's
objection, who claimed the Romania was violating the rights of homosexuals.
   Commission chairman Ion Predescu said the change would meet the Council's
recommendations but would still go against liberalization of homosexual
relationships in Romania.
   Predescu postponed the vote fearing a negative outcome because the majority
of the commission's members still believe homosexuality offends the law and
morality.
   "We do not want to rush things one way or the other, but the whole of Europe
is watching us," said another senator, wishing to remain anonymous.
   According to the Justice Ministry, 35 people so far have received prison
sentences ranging between one and three years.