Original: He joined the Communist Party in 1953 and became a member of its Central Committee in 1965 , however beginning with 1971 he was gradually marginalized by Nicolae Ceau escu .
Simplified: Iliescu was the elected President of Romania for eleven years ( three terms ) , from 1990 to 1992 , 1992 to 1996 , and 2000 to 2004 .